WO2008141394A1

WO2008141394A1 - Coin repository

Info

Publication number: WO2008141394A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000731
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Carroll
Original assignee: The Hot Chips Company
Priority date: 2007-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2008-11-27

Abstract

A coin repository (2) comprises a receptacle (4) having an opening (10) cut into an upper wall (4b) from which coins can pass into the receptacle (4). A door (30) is hinged on an inside of the upper wall (4b) and configured to be selectively held between an open position (26) where coins can pass through the opening (10) and a closed position (28) where the door (30) underlies and closes the opening (10) preventing the removal of coins from the receptacle (4). Spring (20) biases the door (30) toward the closed position (28). Two separately keyed mechanisms (6 and 8) operate respective catches (12 and 14). When the catch (12) is in a first position it holds the door (30) in the closed position. The second catch (14) when in a first position can hold the door (30) in an open position. The second catch (14) can be moved to a second position where it locks the repository (2) into a vending machine. When the repository (2) is in the vending machine, a coin chute (34) extends into the opening (10) holding the door in an open position. When the catch (14) is operated to release the repository (2) from the machine, and the repository (2) is subsequently removed, the door (30) automatically moves to the closed position by action of a spring (20) and is subsequently locked in the closed position by the catch (12).

Description

Coin Repository

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a coin repository and in particular although not exclusively, a coin repository for use in a coin-operated machine.

Background of the Invention

Coin repositories one commonly used for collecting coins and the like in coin-operated machines. Coin repositories are generally located inside coin-operated machines to receive and store coins deposited by a user of the machine. In its most basic a repository comprises an open top box into which coins drop. The box can often be removal for empting and placed back in the machine .

Summary of the Invention

In the statement of invention and description of the invention which follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin repository for a coin operated machine, comprising: a receptacle for the collection of coins, the receptacle having an opening through which coins can pass into or out of the receptacle; a door selectively held between an open position allowing a coin to pass through the opening into the receptacle and a closed position in which the door prevents passage of a coin through the opening, the repository configured to automatically move the door to said closed position when the repository is removed from the machine .

The repository may comprise a biasing means to bias the door toward the closed position.

The coin repository may further comprise a first key operated mechanism coupled with the first catch to enable the first catch to be moved between and locked in a first position where the first catch maintains the door in the closed position, and a second position in which the door can be moved to the open position.

The coin repository may also comprise a second catch for locking the receptacle in the coin operated machine. The second catch can be moved between a first position where the second catch disengages a complementary component of the coin operated machine and a second position where the second catch is engaged with the complementary component .

Moreover the second catch may comprise an arm that extends out from the receptacle to engage the complementary component when the second catch is in the second position, and retracts into the receptacle when in the first position.

In this embodiment when the second catch is in the first position, the second catch holds the door in the open position and when the second catch is in the second position the second catch allows the door to move toward the closed position.

A second key operated mechanism may be provided which is coupled with the second catch to enable the second catch to be moved between and locked in the first and second positions .

The door may comprise a bolt slidable in a axial direction and a first spring for biasing the bolt to extend a distal end of the bolt in the axial direction away from the door. The coin repository may further comprise a second spring for biasing the door to move toward the closed position, wherein bias provided by the second spring enables the bolt to retract against the bias of the first spring when the door is moved by action of the second spring and the distal end of the bolt engages the first catch when in the first position.

To assist in the retraction of the bolt, the first catch can be provided with a slide which the distal end of the bolt engages when being moved to the closed position.

The second spring operates to extend the distal end of the bolt in the axial direction away from the door when the bolt passes beyond the first catch in a direction of motion toward the closed position so that the distal end of the bolt is adjacent and overlies the first catch.

To assist in securely handling the coins held in the repository, the first and second key operated mechanism may be differently keyed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now the described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2; and, Figure 4 shows an elevation view of the internal componentry of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown one embodiment of a coin repository 2 comprising a receptacle 4 in the form of a rectangular box for the collection of coins and the like (hereinafter referred to as "coins" ) in a coin- operated machine. The receptacle 4 has an opening 10 cut into an upper wall 4b through which coins pass into said receptacle 4 to be collected. A door 30 is hinged on an inside of the upper wall 4b of receptacle 4 and configured to be selectively held between an open position 26 (shown in phantom in Figure 2) where coins can pass through the opening 10 to collect in the repository 2 and a closed position 28 (shown in solid lines in Figure 2) where the door 30 underlies and closes the opening 10 preventing the removal of coins from the repository.

A biasing mechanism in the form of a spring 20 acts between the door and inside surface of the repository 2 to bias the door 30 toward the closed 28 positions. The spring 20 comprises integral arms 20a and 20b, which engage with an inner surface of the upper wall 4b of the receptacle 4 and an inside surface of the door 30 respectively to automatically move the door 30 to between the open 26 and closed 28 positions when the repository 2 is removed from the machine.

The repository 2 further comprises a first key mechanism 6 and a second key mechanism 8. The key mechanisms 6 and 8 are coupled with a first catch 12 having a slide 13, and a second catch 14 respectively, operate to rotate and lock the catches 12 and 14 into engaged positions where they can hold the door 30 in the closed and open positions respectively. A bolt 18 is slidably mounted to a internal facing side of the door 30. A spring 22 acts between the bolt 18 and the door 30 to bias the bolt 18 in a direction tending to extend the distal end 36 away form the door 30. However when a force greater than the bias of spring 22 is applied to the distal end 36 in an opposite direction the bolt 18 can retract to decrease the extension of the distal end 36 from the door 30. When the door 30 is in the closed position and the catch 12 is rotated by insertion and turning of a key in the key mechanism 6 to a first position as shown in Figure 2, the distal end 36 of the bolt 18 is adjacent and overlies the catch 12 preventing the door 30 from being rotated from the opening 10. As such, first catch 12 effectively locks the door portion 30 in a closed position 28 securing the coins held within repository 2.

When door 30 is to be held in the open position 26, assuming that it is not locked in the closed position, or is released from the closed position, the door 30 is rotated to engage the distal end 36 with second catch 14 when said second catch is positioned as shown in Figure 2. It will be appreciated that when catch 14 is rotated out of engagement with distal end 36, door portion 30 will be biased by spring 20 toward the closed position 28. The second catch 14 is operable by second key mechanism 8 in a similar way as for operation of the first catch 12.

With reference to Figure 4 , the second catch 14 further comprises a foot 16 configured to restrain the coin repository 2 in a secure position when installed in a coin- operated machine or like. The foot 16 is rotated to an engaged position 32 by the key for the mechanism 8 to engage with a stop or catch in the machine in which the repository- is to be installed.

The installation of the coin repository 2 within a coin operated machine requires the door 30 to be secured in the open position 26 by engagement with the catch 14, and the catch 12 to beg initially rotated to the position shown in

Figure 2. An operator places the coin repository 2 into an appropriate receiving structure inside the coin-operated machine and orientates the repository 2 so a lower portion of a coin chute 34 passes through the opening 10 into the repository 2.

To secure the repository 2 in the machine, the service operator operates second key mechanism 8 to rotate foot 16 into position to engage a complementary stop or catch within said machine. With the rotation of second catch 14, the door 30 will be unrestrained and is biased to move toward closed position 28 due to spring 20. However, door 30 is prevented from moving to the closed position by reason of abutment with the coin chute 34. Nevertheless the door 30 does rotate toward the closed position through an are? prior to abutting the coin chute 34 so that when the second catch 14 is rotated back to its engaged position shown in Figure 2 the distal end 36 is beyond and not retrained by the catch

14. In this configuration, coins deposited in the coin- operated machine are deposited into said coin repository by falling through the coin chute 34.

Removal of the coin repository 2 requires the operator to insert a key in the key mechanism 8 to rotate foot 16 to disengage from the stop or catch of the coin-operated machine. The repository 2 is then manoeuvred in such a way as to remove the coin chute 34 from the opening 10. As the repository 2 is removed from the coin chute, the door 30 will automatically move toward the closed position 28 under the influence of the spring 20. As the door 30 moves toward the closed position 28, the distal end 36 of bolt 18 contacts the slide 13 of catch 12. Once contact is made, lever 18 is forced to slide axially away from catch 12 against the biasing force of spring 22. As the bolt 18 retracts axially, door 30 continues to close under the bias of spring 20. Once distal end 36 disengages from the slide 13 and the catch 12, the spring 22 restores bolt 18 to its original extension and is subsequently restrained by catch 12 from rotating in an opposite direction. Accordingly, door portion 30 is effectively locked, securing the coin repository 2 appropriately.

When the key mechanism 6 and 8 are differently keyed, service staff can be provided with a key for the mechanism 8 only so that when the repository 2 is removed from a machine it automatically locks closed and cannot be opened by the service staff. A controller, having a key for the mechanism 6 can subsequently open the repository by rotating the catch 12 away from the bolt 18 allowing the door to be rotated inwardly and engaged by the second catch 14 by sliding contact with slide 15 which initially retracts the colt 18 and after sliding off the slide 15 extends the bolt 18 to be focused in the open position by the catch 14. This then allows the controller to empty the coins in the receptacle 2.

Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant art, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A coin repository for a coin-operated machine, comprising: a receptacle for the collection of coins, the receptacle having an opening through which coins can pass into or out of the receptacle; and, a door selectively held between an open position, allowing a coin to pass through the opening into the receptacle and a closed position in the door prevents passage of a coin through the opening, the repository configured to automatically move the door to said closed position when the repository is removed from the machine.

2. The coin repository according to claim 1 comprising a first catch to hold said door in the closed position.

3. The coin repository according to claim 2 further comprising a first key operated mechanism coupled with the first catch to enable the first catch to be moved between and locked in a first position where the first catch maintains the door in the closed position, and a second position in which the door can be moved to the open position.

4. The coin repository according to any one of claims 1-3 further comprising a second catch for locking the receptacle in the coin operated machine.

5. The coin repository according to claim 4 wherein the second catch can be moved between a first position where the second catch disengages a complementary component of the coin operated machine and a second position where the second catch is engaged with the complementary component. - S -

6. The coin repository according to claim 5 wherein the second catch comprises an arm that extends out from the receptacle to engage the complementary component when the second catch is in the second position, and retracts into the receptacle when in the first position.

7. The coin repository according to claim 5 or 6 wherein when the second catch is in the first position the second catch holds the door in the open position and when the second catch is in the second position, the second catch allows the door to move toward the closed position.

8. The coin repository according to any one claims 5-7 further comprising a second key operated mechanism coupled with the second catch to enable the second catch to be moved between and locked in the first and second positions.

9. The coin repository according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the door comprises a bolt slidable in an axial direction and a first spring for biasing the bolt to extend a distal end of the bolt in the axial direction away from the door.

10. The coin repository according to claim 9 further comprising a second spring for biasing the door to move toward the closed position, wherein bias provided by the second spring enables the bolt to retract against the bias if the first spring and the distal end of the bolt engages the first catch when in the first position.

11. The coin repository according to claim 10 wherein the first catch comprises a slide which the distal end of the bolt engages when being moved to the closed position.

12. The coin repository according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the distal end of the bolt extends in the axial direction away from the door when the bolt passes beyond the first catch in a direction of motion toward the closed position wherein the distal end of the bolt is adjacent and overlies the first catch.

13. The coin repository according to any one of claims 8-12 wherein the first and second key operated mechanism are configured to be differently keyed.