Patent ID: 6066038
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G07D,G07F

Abstract:
Apparatus for automatically supplying coins to a coin dispensing machine, said machine including a cabinet and a coin-retaining hopper positioned within said cabinet, said hopper having a top open end for receiving coins and a bottom end for dispensing said coins, said apparatus comprising, an auxiliary coin reservoir container mounted entirely within said cabinet proximate the top open end of said hopper, said container including a coin receiving end and a coin dispensing end, said coin dispensing end having an opening positioned adjacent to the top open end of said hopper, a trap door installed upon said container over said coin dispensing end to normally close said opening and prevent coins retained in said container from moving into said hopper, trap door opening means to open said door upon receipt of a signal to do so, hopper status signal means positioned within said hopper to signal a low coin condition of the contents of the hopper, a trigger circuit connected between said hopper status signal means and said trap door opening means to cause said trap door to open when said hopper status signal means signals said low coin condition of the contents of the hopper, and a signal receptor controlled by said trigger circuit to indicate a first signal that said trap door has been opened.