Abstract:
A coin replenishing apparatus, such as a detachable safe, can be securely mounted on a coin receiving and dispensing machine. The safe can have an interior cavity with an opening that can be covered by a lid that is lockable. Coins can be deposited into the safe cavity in a bulk state. A shutter member is movable from an exterior of the safe body member to enable the opening and closing of access to the interior cavity. The safe body exterior can have guide rails, connectors and other features for both securing and determining the position of the safe above a coin receipt opening in the coin receiving and dispensing apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a coin replenishing apparatus for a coin receiving and dispensing machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a coin replenishing safe for a coin receiving and dispensing machine that prevents a worker from having unauthorized access to coins in a compact coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   As a conventional technique, in a coin receiving and dispensing machine, after sorting coins are input a retaining portion for each kind of coin, and are dispensed in a predetermined number of coins from the retaining portion to a coin dispensing port based upon a coin dispensing command. A cassette apparatus when mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine so as to cover a coin input port, is automatically locked on the coin receiving and dispensing machine, wherein a coin dropping shutter automatically puts an outlet opening facing the coin input port into an opening state, and when being removed from the coin receiving and dispensing machine, the coin dropping shutter automatically closes a coin dispensing opening. 
   When a replenishing cassette of the cassette apparatus is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine, change coins are automatically replenished to the coin receiving and dispensing machine as shown in Japanese Patent No. 3581806 (FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, Page 3). 
   In the conventional apparatus, since the coin dropping shutter is opened and closed in a laterally-sliding manner, the design must be made in consideration of a sliding range of the shutter, which results in a problem of an increase in size of the apparatus. When a travel amount of the shutter is reduced in order to solve the problem, the outlet opening must be made smaller. 
   On the other hand, when the height of the coin receiving and dispensing machine is reduced, it is necessary to reduce a height from an upper face of a belt for conveying coins to an upper end of the coin input port. In a coin receiving and dispensing machine with a low height, when a predetermined number of coins are collectively input, it is necessary to expand the width of the belt (a direction orthogonal to an advancing direction of the belt) in order to prevent a coin from flying out from the coin input port. 
   A coin receiving and dispensing machine, serving as a change machine disposed below a register, is required to be smaller in size, and especially to be low in height. When the above measures are combined in order to make smaller the height of a downsized coin receiving and dispensing machine, the width of the outlet opening of the cassette apparatus becomes smaller than that of the coin input port. In other words, a dead space can be formed between a lower face of the cassette and the belt. 
   When such a dead space occurs, there is a possibility that all of the coins cannot be replenished completely because a coin input from the cassette may enter in the dead space to be fitted therein in a standing state, so that a system of reducing the travel amount of the shutter cannot be readily adopted. 
   Thus a secure manner and apparatus to replenish coins or token in an economical manner is still a goal of this industry. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first object of the present invention is to provide a coin replenishing apparatus capable of replenishing all types of coins even when being used in a coin receiving and dispensing machine with a low height. 
   A second object of the present invention is to provide a downsized coin replenishing apparatus that prevents a worker from removing coins in a coin replenishing safe and can be used in a coin receiving and dispensing machine with a low height. 
   A third object of the present invention is to inexpensively provide a coin replenishing apparatus which can be used in a coin receiving and dispensing machine with a low height. 
   In order to achieve the above objects, a coin replenishing apparatus system of a coin receiving and dispensing machine according to the present invention is configured in the following manner. 
   The present invention is a coin replenishing apparatus for a coin receiving and dispensing machine, which is a coin replenishing safe attached to a coin input port of a coin receiving and dispensing machine which, after conveying coins input by a conveying member disposed below the coin input port, sorts the coins and retains the coins in a retaining apparatus separately according to kinds of the coins, and dispenses a predetermined number of coins based upon a dispensing command from the retaining apparatus corresponding to the kinds of the coins. 
   The coin replenishing safe includes a safe chamber, a replenishing door with a locking apparatus capable of opening and closing an outlet opening positioned on the downside of the safe chamber and a replenishing hole of the safe chamber, a shutter mounted in the coin replenishing safe, capable of rotating about a transverse axis, and capable of closing the outlet opening, a shutter locking unit for the shutter, rotating unit for the shutter, and unlocking unit for the shutter locking unit, and the coin receiving and dispensing machine includes an attachment apparatus for attaching the coin replenishing safe on the coin receiving and dispensing machine in a state of placing the outlet opening on the coin input port and main body locking unit for locking the coin replenishing safe on the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   The coin replenishing apparatus for the coin receiving and dispensing machine includes a stopper for blocking the shutter from rotating in a direction opposite to an opening direction of the outlet opening at a time of rotating in the opening direction of the outlet opening. 
   The coin replenishing apparatus further includes an operation handle joined to the shutter via drive joining unit and exposed outside the coin replenishing safe. 
   The coin replenishing apparatus can include a torque limiter disposed in the drive joining unit between the shutter and the operating handle. 
   A coin replenishing safe of a coin receiving and dispensing machine which, after conveying coins on a belt disposed below the coin input port, sorts the coins and retains the coins in a retaining apparatus separately according to the kinds of the coins, and dispenses a predetermined number of coins based upon a dispensing command from the retaining apparatus corresponding to the kinds of the coins. The coin replenishing safe includes a safe chamber, a replenishing door with a locking apparatus capable of opening and closing an outlet opening positioned on the downside of the safe chamber and a replenishing hole of the safe chamber; a lateral circular coin retaining portion formed in the coin replenishing apparatus; a replenishing port opened at an upper end portion of the coin retaining portion; a replenishing lid locked to the coin replenishing safe by a locking means to cover the replenishing port; an outlet opening opened at a lower end portion of the coin retaining portion; a shutter mounted in the coin retaining portion, capable of rotating about a transverse axis, and capable of closing the outlet opening; shutter locking means for the shutter; rotating means for the shutter; and unlocking means for the shutter locking means, and the coin receiving and dispensing machine includes an attaching means for attaching the coin replenishing safe on the coin receiving and dispensing machine in a state of placing the outlet opening on the coin input port and main body locking means for attaching the coin replenishing safe on the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   In this configuration, when the coin replenishing safe is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine, the coin replenishing safe is fixed on the coin receiving and dispensing machine by the main body locking means in a state of placing the outlet opening on the coin input port. 
   At this time, since the outlet opening has approximately the same shape as the coin input port, no dead space is configured between the coin replenishing safe and the conveying member in the coin input port. 
   In order to supply the replenishment coins to the coin input port, the shutter closing the outlet opening is moved. Thereby, the shutter is removed from the outlet opening, and the coins drop onto the conveying member through the coin input port from the outlet opening. 
   The shutter opens the outlet opening according to its rotational movement rotating around a retaining chamber for coins. The shutter moves upward without projecting outside the coin replenishing apparatus, and opens the outlet opening. 
   Therefore, since the outlet opening can be enlarged corresponding to the coin input port, no dead space is formed between the outlet opening and the conveying member for coin conveyance, so that there is an advantage that all coins can be replenished. 
   Besides, even if the outlet opening is enlarged corresponding to the coin input port, the shutter does not projects beyond the coin replenishing safe, so that there is an advantage that the coin replenishing safe can be downsized. 
   When the outlet opening is opened by rotating the shutter, the shutter can substantially rotate only in the opening direction due to the stopper. Therefore, since the outlet opening cannot be closed by returning the shutter during replenishing the replenishment coins to the coin input port, the coins in the retaining chamber are exhausted. 
   An operation handle is joined to the shutter via the drive joining unit and is exposed outside the coin replenishing safe. By rotating the operation handle, the shutter can be manually rotated to open the outlet opening. Therefore, since the shutter is manually operated, a drive motor or the like is not used, so that the coin replenishing apparatus can be inexpensively configured and downsized. 
   A torque limiter is interposed in the drive joining unit between the shutter and the operating handle. Thereby, when torque equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the operation handle, the shutter does not rotate, and the operation handle rotates idly, so that a drive transmission mechanism of the shutter is not broken. 
   When coins are replenished in the coin replenishing safe, the replenishing lid is opened by unlocking the locking unit to expose a replenishing port opened at an upper end portion of the coin retaining portion, and the replenishment coins are input to the retaining chamber from the replenishing port. At this time, since the outlet opening at the lower end portion of the coin retaining portion is closed by the shutter, and the shutter is fixed by the shutter locking unit, the coins are retained in bulk in the coin retaining portion. After the replenishment coins are inserted, the replenishing lid is closed, and fixed on the coin replenishing safe by the locking unit. Thereby, all openings of the coin retaining portion of the coin replenishing safe are closed by a lid and the like having the locking unit, so that a worker cannot take out and input coins freely. 
   When replenishment coins are replenished in the coin receiving and dispensing machine, the coin replenishing safe is mounted in a state of placing an outlet opening of the coin replenishing safe on the coin input port. The coin replenishing safe is fixed by the main body locking unit when it is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   Next, after the shutter locking unit for the shutter is unlocked, the outlet opening is opened by rotating the operation handle. Due to the opening, the coins in the retaining chamber are dropped by gravity, and dropped onto a conveying belt via the coin input port. The replenishment coins dropped are conveyed to the next step by the conveying belt, and are sorted for each kind of the coins and retained. 
   By returning the shutter to a closing position for the outlet opening, the main body locking unit can be unlocked, so that the coin replenishing safe can be detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   The present invention is a coin replenishing apparatus for a coin receiving and dispensing machine which is a coin replenishing safe which includes a safe chamber, a replenishing door with a locking apparatus capable of opening and closing an outlet opening positioned on the downside of the safe chamber and a replenishing hole of the safe chamber. lateral circular coin retaining portion is formed in the coin replenishing apparatus, and a replenishing port opens at an upper end portion of the coin retaining portion. A replenishing lid is locked by a locking unit on the coin replenishing safe to cover the replenishing port. An outlet opening is opened at a lower end portion of the coin retaining portion with a shutter mounted in the coin retaining portion, and capable of rotating about a transverse axis, for closing the outlet opening. A shutter locking unit for the shutter includes a rotating means for the shutter and an unlocking unit for the shutter locking unit. The coin receiving and dispensing machine includes an attaching unit for attaching the coin replenishing safe on the coin receiving and dispensing machine in a state of placing the outlet opening on the coin input port and a main body locking unit for attaching the coin replenishing safe to the coin receiving and dispensing machine 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coin receiving and dispensing machine for configuring a coin replenishing apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the coin receiving and dispensing machine for configuring the coin replenishing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a coin replenishing safe mounting portion of the coin receiving and dispensing machine configuring the coin replenishing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged plan view of the coin replenishing safe mounting portion of the coin receiving and dispensing machine configuring the coin replenishing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of a coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view thereof, viewed from the upper left front thereof, and  FIG. 5B  is a perspective view thereof, viewed from the upper right rear thereof; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line C-C in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a main body of the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a shutter locking mechanism of the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is an explanatory view of a main body locking mechanism of the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along line D-D in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram of the coin replenishing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the coin replenishing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of a state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine; 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along an E plane in  FIG. 16  in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine and in a state in which an outlet opening is opened; 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the main body locking mechanism in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine; 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken along line F-F in  FIG. 18  in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine and in a state in which an outlet opening is closed; 
       FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along line F-F in  FIG. 18  in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine and in the state in which an outlet opening is opened; 
       FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the shutter locking mechanism in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine and in a state in which the main body locking mechanism is unlocked; and 
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the state in which the main body locking mechanism is unlocked in the state in which the coin replenishing safe of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic block diagram of a coin replenishing apparatus of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart of the coin replenishing apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
   The coin replenishing apparatus is a safe that can be secured by an authorized person such as a manager and workers can mount the locked safe on a coin receiving and dispensing machine without requiring access to the stored coins or tokens. A common input port for receiving coins can have the safe secured to the input port and then subsequently the contents of the safe, such as coins or tokens can be released into the coin receiving and dispensing machine. 
   An exterior handle can be enabled to be operated, either manually or automatically for an interior release of the coin or token into the input port. Sensors can monitor the mounting and release of the safe and activate various locking members to respectively lock and release the safe. The workers will not have access to the coins and will return the empty safes to the manager for replenishing of a subsequent charge of coins or tokens. Note coins are used in the following description but, as known in the coin dispensing industry, tokens, medallions and other items representing monetary equivalents can be used. 
   The first embodiment is an example in which coins, to be dispensed for change, can be replenished by mounting a replacement coin replenishing safe on a coin receiving and dispensing machine which receives coins of eight kinds, such as 2 Euros, 1 Euro, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents and 1 cent, which are currency of the European Union. The machine retains the coins, after sorting them according to the kinds of the coins, and dispenses a predetermined number of coins of predetermined kinds to a coin dispensing port based upon a dispensing command. 
   First, a brief summary of a coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  includes a coin receiving apparatus  102 , a separating and delivering apparatus  104 , a coin-kind identifying apparatus  106 , a conveying apparatus  108 , a sorting apparatus  110 , a retaining apparatus  112 , a coin dispensing apparatus  114 , and a coin dispensing tray  116 . 
   First, the coin receiving apparatus  102  will be explained. The coin receiving apparatus  102  has a function of delivering plural kinds of coins, input bulk into a D-shaped coin input port  118 , to the separating and delivering apparatus  104  within a range of a predetermined amount which does not disturb the function of the separating and delivering apparatus  104  in the next step. 
   The coin receiving apparatus  102  includes a dropping port cover  120 , a conveying member  122 , an electric motor  126  for driving a reverse roller  124  and the conveying member  122 , and a coin sensor  128 . 
   The conveying member  122  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The conveying member  122  has a function of conveying inputted coins toward the next step. 
   The conveying member  122  can be a flat belt  130  in the first embodiment, which has a width slightly wider than twice the largest diameter of a coin. The flat belt  130  is provided between a pair of rollers and held in a tension state, and is provided to be inclined slightly upward in a downstream coin movement direction. However, a flat belt  130  may also be in a horizontal alignment if necessary. 
   The flat belt  130  is movable in a delivering direction in which coins are delivered to the next step and in a returning direction which is the opposite direction according to a normal rotation and reverse rotation of the electric motor  126 . 
   Next, the reverse roller  124  will be explained mainly with reference to  FIG. 2 . The reverse roller  124  has a function of blocking the advance of certain coins conveyed in a stack like manner (overlaid) and causing sliding off of an upper stacked coin when the flat belt  130  advances in the delivering direction. The reverse roller  124  is disposed above a downstream end portion of the flat belt  130  within a regulatory space, which is a little less than about three times the thickness of the thinnest coin and a little larger than the thickness of the thickest coin, between a lower end peripheral face thereof and the flat belt  130 . 
   The reverse roller  124  is configured to rotate with its lower face rotating in a direction opposite to an advancing direction of the flat belt  130  when the flat belt  130  advances in the conveying direction to the next step (in a direction of an arrow in  FIG. 3 ), and to be placed into a stationary state when the flat belt  130  moves in the returning direction. 
   However, it is also possible when the flat belt  130  moves in the returning direction, for the reverse roller  124  to be rotated so that the lower face of the reverse roller  124  returns in the same direction. 
   Thereby, such regulating movement between the flat belt  130  and the roller  124  prevents a large amount of coins from being supplied to the separating and delivering apparatus  104  at one time. When three or more of the thinnest coins pile up on the flat belt  130  and reach the reverse roller  124 , the top coin is prevented from advancing by the reverse roller  124 , and is moved relatively in the returning direction and pushed off the pile of coins. 
   In order to prevent two or more coins that are piled up from passing through the regulatory space, the size of the regulatory space can be larger than the thickness of the thinnest coin and less than twice the thickness thereof. 
   Next, the dropping port cover  120  will be explained mainly with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
   The dropping port cover  120  has a flat-plate shape, on which a coin dropping guide hole  121  having a D shape extends in a vertical direction and narrowing side portion extends downward at its center. The dropping port cover is supported by a pivot bearing  132  to be capable of pivoting upward with respect to a main body  131  of the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . 
   The dropping port cover  120  is disposed on a mounting recessed portion  133  of the main body  131 , and it is fixed in an operating position when the dropping port cover  120  is fitted in the mounting recessed portion  133  during operation of the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  to be made flush with an upper face  131 U and a front face  131 F of the main body  131 . 
   A pivot shaft  134  attached horizontally to the main body  131  penetrates the pivot bearing  132  slidably in a long hole  135  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the main body  131 . Further, a distal end portion of the dropping port cover  120  is fixed on the main body  131  with a fixing unit  136 . The fixing unit  136  has a function of keeping the dropping port cover  120  fixed on the main body  131 . 
   The fixing unit  136  comprises permanent magnets  136 L and  136 R attached on the left and right lower face of the dropping port cover  120 , and iron pieces  137 L and  137 R fixed on a bottom face  133 B of the mounting recessed portion  133  of the main body  131  opposite to the permanent magnets  136 L and  136 R. When the dropping port cover  120  is inserted into the mounting recessed portion  133 , the permanent magnets  136 L and  136 R attract the iron pieces  137 L and  137 R so that the dropping port cover  120  is fixed by the attracting force of the magnets. 
   In a case of moving the dropping port cover  120  upward in a pivoting manner, the dropping port cover  120  is slid frontward within the range of the long hole  135  to cause the distal end of the dropping port cover  120  to project slightly from the front face  131 F, and the projecting end portion is pushed up, thereby the dropping port cover  120  is moved upward in a pivoting manner. 
   When the dropping port cover  120  is pivoted upward, an upper face thereof can be leaned on a wall face of the mounting recessed portion  133  and held at a replenishing position SP in an approximately-vertical state. With the port cover  120  raised, a replenishing safe  220  can be operatively mounted, see  FIG. 17 . 
   A coin dropping hole  138 , see  FIG. 3 , having the same shape as the coin dropping guide hole  121  and extending in a vertical direction is formed on the bottom face  133 B of the mounting recessed portion  133  below the dropping cover  120 . The coin dropping hole  138  has a function of holding coins received in bulk on the conveying member  122 . 
   The coin dropping hole  138  has a funnelform cylindrical shape in which a left sidewall  142 L, a right sidewall  142 R, and a front wall  146  are inclined downward, and a peripheral face of the reverse roller  124  is disposed on a rear wall. An upper end opening of the coin dropping hole  138  is a coin receiving port  118 , and a lower end opening thereof is a delivery port  140 . When the dropping port cover  120  is positioned at the operating position WP, a lower end opening of the coin dropping guide hole  121  and the coin dropping hole  138  form a continuous integrated dropping hole. 
   Next, the delivery port  140  having a U-shaped opening in a plan view will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
   The delivery port  140  is disposed above the flat belt  130  with a distance smaller than the thickness of the thinnest coin between the delivery port  140  and the flat belt  130  (see  FIG. 19 ). The reverse roller  124  extends across the open end of the U-shaped opening above the flat belt  130  for releasing coins. 
   As shown in  FIG. 19 , the left sidewall  142 L and the right sidewall  142 R defining the left and right of the delivery port  140  extend in parallel with each other at an interval slightly wider than twice the diameter of the largest coin to be received, and are formed to have slopes inclined downward at an angle of about 50 degrees with respect to the upper face of the flat belt  130 . This makes it easier to drop coins held in one&#39;s hand into the coin dropping guide hole  121 , and a receiving amount of coins is increased, by enlarging the coin receiving port  118 . 
   Further, since a distance between the left sidewall  142 L and the right sidewall  142 R is set to be slightly larger than twice a coin with the maximum diameter, an advantage is provided in that any coin jam caused by sandwiching coins between the left and right sidewalls is reduced or eliminated and it is easy to take out the coins. It is preferable that the heights of the left sidewall  142 L and the right sidewall  142 R are as low as possible in order to prevent a coin from standing on the flat belt  130 . 
   Rear end portions of the left sidewall  142 L and the right sidewall  142 R are connected to each other via the arc-shaped front side wall  146 . Thereby, a standing coin which may be leaned on the left sidewall  142 L or the right sidewall  142 R can be led to a central portion of the flat belt  130  along the front side wall  146  by causing the flat belt  130  to advance in a direction opposite to the delivering direction, thereafter, the standing coin can be laid onto an upper face of the flat belt  130  by causing the flat belt  130  to advance in the delivering direction. 
   Next, the coin sensor  128  will be explained mainly with reference to  FIG. 17 . The coin sensor  128  has a coin-reception detecting function of detecting a presence of a coin on the conveying member  122 . In other words, whether or not all coins put are delivered to the separating and delivering apparatus  104  is indirectly detected. 
   A plurality of bored holes  152  for receiving respectively a light-projecting member and a light-receiving member of a photo-electronic sensor  150  serving as a coin sensor  128  are formed on opposite faces of the left sidewall  142 L and the right sidewall  142 R. The coin sensor  128  is configured by disposing the photo-electronic sensor  150  such that an optical axis thereof crosses slightly above the flat belt  130  positioned just above the delivery port  140 . When the optical axis of the coin sensor  128  is cut off, coins are considered to be put on the belt  130 , and the electric motor  126  is activated to move the flat belt  130  in the delivering direction. 
   When a full sensor  156  of the separating and delivering apparatus  104 , which will be described later, detects a full state, the motor  126  is stopped. Therefore, the separating and delivering apparatus  104  never receives coins of a full amount or more from the coin receiving apparatus  102 , and it can separate the coins and deliver them in a one by one manner. 
   Incidentally, the coin sensor  128  can be replaced with a magnetic sensor placed on the underside of the flat belt  130 , or a magnetic sensor and a photo-electronic sensor  150  can be used in combination as a coin sensor  128  as alternative embodiments. 
   Next, the coin separating and delivering apparatus  104  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
   The separating and delivering apparatus  104  has a function of separating a plurality of different kinds of coins received in bulk from the coin receiving apparatus  102  in a one by one manner and delivering them to the next processing step. The separating and delivering apparatus  104  is disposed below the coin receiving apparatus  102 , and includes a rotating plate  172 , a retaining bowl  174 , a receiving member  176 , and a full sensor  156 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   First, the rotating plate  172  will be explained. The rotating plate  172  includes a receiving portion  178  for receiving coins one by one, is disposed in an inclined manner at a predetermined angle, and is rotated at a predetermined speed. The receiving portion  178  is set to have a size which cannot receive two coins with the smallest diameter in a state of being side-by-side and can only receive one coin with the largest diameter. 
   The receiving portion  178  of the rotating plate  172  receives coins from the retaining bowl  174  in bulk, one by one, at its lower portion facing the retaining bowl  174 , and delivers the coins to a knife-shaped receiving member  176 . 
   A full state sensor  156  has a function of outputting a full state signal when an amount of coins in the retaining bowl  174  reaches a predetermined amount or greater, and can be a transmissive photo-electronic sensor, for example. Other types of sensors as known in this field can be used. When the full sensor  156  outputs a full signal, the electric motor  126  is stopped, and the supply of coins from the coin receiving apparatus  102  is stopped. When the full sensor  156  ceases an output, it provides a signal, the electric motor  126  is restarted, and coins on the flat belt  130  are supplied to the retaining bowl  174 . 
   Next, a coin-kind identifying apparatus  106  will be explained. The coin-kind identifying apparatus  106  has a function of identifying the authenticity and the kinds of coins delivered one by one, from the separating and delivering apparatus  104 . The coin-kind identifying apparatus  106  has a function of identifying the authenticity and kinds of coins based upon detection data obtained from a sensor (not shown) in the course of which the coins are moved by a rotating wiper  182 . 
   Specifically, the coin-kind identifying apparatus  106  has a function of identifying the authenticity and kinds of coins based upon detection data from a coin material sensor, a coin thickness sensor, and a coin diameter sensor. The sensors can be magnetic sensors, for example, as known in this industry. 
   Next, the conveying apparatus  108  will be explained. The conveying apparatus  108  has a function of conveying coins, where the authenticity and kinds of coins have been identified by the coin-kind identifying apparatus  106 , to the sorting apparatus  110 . In other words, the conveying apparatus  108  has a function of pushing coins, a face of which is supported by a slide plate which will be described later and a peripheral face of which is supported by a guide rail  186 , to move them in a predetermined direction. 
   The conveying apparatus  108  includes a chain  194  provided in a tensioned state between sprockets  188  and  192  and a pushing pin  196  projecting from the chain  194 , where the chain  194  works in conjunction with the rotating wiper  182 . Therefore, coins delivered one by one by the rotating wiper  182  are pushed by the pushing pin  196  and moved on the guide rail  186  and an upper face of the slide plate  184 , and thereby conveyed linearly along a moving path  198 . 
   Next, the sorting apparatus  110  will be explained. 
   The sorting apparatus  110  has a function of sorting coins moved by the conveying apparatus  108  according to the kinds of coins. The sorting apparatus  110  includes a first sorting unit  202  disposed on the upside of traveling path  198  along the moving path  198  and a second sorting unit  204  disposed on the downside of the moving path  198  along the guide rail  186 . 
   The first sorting unit  202  comprises a sorting hole for 2 cents  2 C, a sorting hole for 5 cents  5 C, a sorting hole for 10 cents  10 C, a sorting hole for 20 cents  20 C, and a sorting hole for overflow OF, starting from the upstream side. The second sorting unit  204  comprises a sorting hole for cancel CA, a sorting hole for 1 cent  1 C, a sorting hole for 2 euros  2 E, a sorting hole for 50 cents  50 C, and a sorting hole for 1 Euro  1 E, starting from the upstream. A coin conveyed by the conveying apparatus  108  drops due to its own weight into a corresponding sorting hole when a gate disposed on each sorting hole opens based upon the kind of the coin identified by the coin-kind identifying apparatus  106 . 
   Next, the retaining apparatus  112  will be explained. The retaining apparatus  112  has a function of separately retaining coins sorted according to the kinds of the coins in the sorting apparatus  110 . In the first embodiment, the retaining apparatus  112  is configured by arranging coin hoppers  210  for dispensing coins one by one by a rotating disk (not shown) in two rows facing the first sorting unit  202  and the second sorting unit  204  below the sorting apparatus  110  according to the kinds of the coins. The respective coin hoppers are denoted by reference numeral  210  appended with symbols according to the kinds of the coins. 
   The respective sorting holes  2 C,  5 C,  10 C,  20 C, OF, CA,  1 C,  2 E,  50 C, and  1 E and the respective coin hoppers  210 - 2 C,  210 - 5 C,  210 - 10 C,  210 - 20 C,  210 -OF,  210 -CA,  210 - 1 C,  210 - 2 E,  210 - 50 C, and  210 - 1 E are communicated with each other via a chute (not shown), respectively. 
   Next, the coin dispensing apparatus  114  will be explained. The coin dispensing apparatus  114  has a function of conveying coins dispensed from the coin hoppers  210  according to the kinds of the coins to the coin dispensing tray  116 . In the first embodiment, the coin dispensing apparatus  114  is a flat belt  212  disposed between two coin hopper rows. The flat belt  212  is selectively driven by an electric motor  214  such that its upper face moves toward the coin dispensing tray  116 . Coins conveyed by the flat belt  212  are supplied to the coin dispensing tray  116 . The coin dispensing tray  116  has a function of retaining the coins delivered by the flat belt  212 , and has a bowl shape. 
   Next, a coin replenishing safe  220  according to the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 11 . 
   The coin replenishing safe  220  of the first embodiment is capable of permitting an opening an outlet opening of a safe chamber after an upper replenishing door of the safe chamber is locked, only on the predetermined condition that the coin replenishing safe  220  is locked into the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . The coin replenishing safe  220  includes a replenishing safe main body member  222 , a replenishing door  224 , a replenishing door locking apparatus  226 , a shutter  228 , shutter locking unit  232 , shutter opening unit  236 , shutter unlocking unit  238 , and a safe casing  240 . 
   First, the replenishing safe main body  222  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
   The replenishing safe main body  222  can be longitudinally split in half, with a left divided member  222 L including a left arc-shaped sidewall  244 L and a right divided member  222 R having a right arc-shaped sidewall  244 R, which are caused to abut or face each other. Rectangular side plates  246 A and  246 B are fixed on front and rear end faces of the integrated left and right divided members  222 L and  222 R, whereby a transversely-cylindrical safe chamber  248  (see  FIG. 8 ) is configured when assembled. 
   A rectangular vertical replenishing hole  250  (see  FIG. 11 ) is formed on an upper portion of the safe chamber  248 , and an approximately-rectangular vertical outlet opening  252  having approximately the same shape as the coin input port  118  is formed on a lower portion thereof. 
   Next, a shutter  228  will be explained. The shutter  228  has a function of opening and closing the outlet opening  252  selectively. The shutter  228  of the first embodiment is rotatably fitted in the safe chamber  248 . 
   In detail, the shutter  228  includes a curved shutter plate  254  having a curvature similar to the left and right arc-shaped sidewalls  244 L and  244 R and circular side plates  256 A and  256 B formed integrally on front and rear end portions of the shutter plate  254 . Therefore, the safe chamber  248  is exactly a transversely-cylindrical space enclosed by the right arc-shaped sidewall  224 R, the left arc-shaped sidewall  244 L, the circular side plates  256 A and  256 B, and the shutter plate  254 . 
   Further, one end of a first step cover  257  is fixed opposite to an upper peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 A on an inner face of the side plate  246 A (see  FIG. 7 ). The first step cover  257  is bent into a crank shape (see  FIGS. 7 and 11 ), and a lower end thereof is formed into an arc shape along the outer periphery of the circular side plate  256 A so that no step is formed within the safe chamber  248  owing to the thickness of the circular side plate  256 A. “No step is formed” means that no coin can be positioned on a step and held thereon. Therefore, even if there is a step like the first embodiment, no step is formed when coins slide down the slope due to their own weight. 
   A second step cover  259  is disposed opposite to an upper peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 B. A lower end of the second step cover  259  is formed into an arc shape along the peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 B so that no step is formed in the safe chamber  248  by the circular side plate  256 A. The second step cover  259  is formed at one end of a bearing  260  of the replenishing door  224 . 
   Next, a shutter position regulating apparatus  261  will be explained (see  FIG. 10 ). The shutter position regulating apparatus  261  has a function of regulating the position of the shutter plate  254  to a closing position CP or an opening position OP, and includes a stopper  263  and an arc-shaped long hole  265 . The stopper  263  is caused to project from a side face of the circular side plate  256 A to penetrate and be journalled within the arc-shaped long hole  265  of the side plate  246 A. Specifically, when the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the closing position CP at which the shutter plate  254  faces the outlet opening  252  and closes the outlet opening  252 , the stopper  263  is engaged on a right end  265 R of the arc-shaped long hole  265  in  FIG. 10  and is blocked from further rotation. On the other hand, when the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP at which the outlet opening  252  is opened, the stopper  263  is engaged on a left end  265 L of the arc-shaped long hole  256  and blocked from further rotation. 
   Next, the shutter locking unit  232  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . 
   The shutter locking unit  232  has a function of holding the shutter  228  at the closing position CP. In the first embodiment, the shutter locking unit  232  has a function of preventing the shutter plate  254  from rotating. The shutter locking unit  232  includes a rotable member to be engaged  233  and an engaging member  258  which work in conjunction with the shutter plate  254 . The member to be engaged  233  can comprise engaging teeth or ribs  264  formed radially at predetermined intervals on a peripheral face of a circular projection  262  projecting on a side face of the circular side plate  256 B and projecting from a circular hole  267  of the side plate  264 B. The engaging member  258  is a pivotable lever, the middle of which is swingably attached on a fixing shaft  266  projecting laterally from the side plate  246 B lateral to the circular projection  262 , and a hook  268  is positioned at its distal end to hook one of the engaging ribs  264 . 
   The engaging member  258  is biased by a first spring  274 , one end of which is engaged on a screw  272  projecting from the side plate  246 B so that the hook  268  is biased to engage the engaging ribs  264 . Generally, since the hook  268  engages any one of the engaging ribs  264 , the circular projection  262 , accordingly, the shutter plate  254  cannot rotate freely. 
   Next, a return preventing unit  275  for the shutter  254  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 . The return preventing unit  275  has a function of blocking rotation of the shutter plate  254  in a closing direction and allowing only a rotation in an opening direction when the hook  268  of the shutter locking unit  232  prevents the engaging of an engaging rib  264 . 
   Specifically, by rotatably inserting a shaft  284  of a return blocking hook  282  into a shaft hole  278  of a distal end portion of the lever  276  to extend approximately opposite to the engaging member  258 , and engaging one end of a second spring  286  wound on the shaft  284  on a engaging piece  288 , the return blocking hook  282  is biased so as to project on the side of the engaging rib  264 . Incidentally, the other end of the second spring  286  is engaged on an engaging portion  292  of the lever  276 . Thereby, generally, the hook  268  is held by the first spring  274  at a locking position RP at which the engaging rib  264  is engaged (see  FIG. 9 ). 
   When the hook  268  of the shutter locking unit  232  is held at an unlocking position SCP at which the hook  268  is released from the engaging rib  264  by the shutter unlocking unit  238  which will be explained next, the return blocking hook  282  projects into a rotation path of the engaging rib  264  to be engaged on the engaging rib  264 , thereby blocking any rotation in the opposite direction. When the engaging rib  264  is rotated in an opening direction of the shutter plate  254  in this state, a slope  285  of the back face of the return blocking hook  282  is pushed by the engaging rib  264  against a biasing force of the second spring  286 , the return blocking hook  282  retreats from a moving path of the engaging rib  264 , so that the shutter plate  254  can rotate in the opening direction. 
   Next, the shutter unlocking unit  238  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 . The shutter unlocking unit  238  has a function of canceling an immovable state of the shutter plate  254  caused by the shutter locking unit  232 . 
   In the first embodiment, the shutter unlocking unit  238  includes a second fixing shaft  294  projecting laterally from an eccentric position with respect to the fixing shaft  266  serving as a swing spindle of the lever  276 , a link  296 , and a solenoid  302  which is an electromagnetic actuator  298 . The solenoid  302  is fixed on the side plate  246 B, and an iron core  304  thereof is link-coupled to the second fixing shaft  294  via the link  296 . 
   When the solenoid  302  has been demagnetized, the engaging hook  268  is pulled by the first spring  274 , and held at the locking position RP. When the solenoid  302  is excited, since the iron core  304  is pulled upward in  FIG. 9 , the engaging member  258  is rotated in a clockwise direction about the fixing shaft  266  via the link  296 . Thereby, the engaging member  258  is held at the unlocking position SCP, and the lock of the shutter plate  254  is indirectly unlocked. 
   Next, the shutter opening unit  236  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 13 . The shutter opening unit  236  has a function of moving the shutter  228  to the opening position OP, in other words, a function of moving the shutter plate  254  from the closing position CP of the outlet opening  252  to the opening position OP. 
   In the first embodiment, the shutter opening unit  236  is a ring-shaped operating handle  316  projecting laterally from the circular side plate  256 A and attached to a cylindrical portion to be moved  314  penetrating a circular hole  312  of the side plate  246 A. It is preferable that a torque limiter  318  is interposed between the portion to be moved  314  and the handle  316  (see  FIG. 13 ). This is for preventing breakage of any parts and any attempted wrongdoing caused by moving the shutter plate  254  with a large force. 
   The torque limiter  318  causes the handle  316  to rotate idly to prevent movement of portion  314 , accordingly, the shutter plate  254  is not moved when a torque applied to the portion to be moved  314  from the handle  316  reaches a predetermined value or more. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the torque limiter  318  is configured so as to bias balls  326 A and  326 B outward by third springs  324 A and  324 B disposed in holding grooves  322 A and  322 B extending in a circumferential direction with respect to a rotational axis line of the portion to be moved  314 , and to push out the balls  326 A and  326 B to semicircular recessed portions  332 A and  332 B formed on an inner peripheral face  328  of a circular hole of the handle  316  when fitted rotatably on the outer periphery of the portion  314 . The third spring  324 A and  324 B and the balls  326 A and  326 B are held in the holding grooves  322 A and  322 B by a holding plate  334  fixed with screws or the like on a side face of the portion  314 . 
   With this configuration, since the balls  326 A and  326 B are pushed into the holding holes  322 A and  322 B by slopes of the recessed portions  332 A and  332 B when torque equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the handle  316 , the handle  316  rotates relative to the portion  314  so the shutter plate  254  does not move. Thereby, since breakage of the shutter plate  254  or the like caused by rotating the handle  316  forcibly can be prevented, obtaining coins wrongly can be prevented. 
   Next, the safe casing  240  will be explained. The safe casing  240  has a function of protecting the replenishing safe main body  222  from willful destruction. The safe casing  240  has a boxy safe configuration made of a plate metal such as stainless steel, and the replenishing safe main body  222  is inserted into the safe casing  240 . A carrying handle  242  is formed integral with the replenishing safe main body  222 . 
   Next, the replenishing door  224  will be explained. The replenishing door  224  has a function of covering an upper-face opening  239  of the safe casing  240  to enable an opening and closing of the replenishing hole  250  of the replenishing safe main body  222 . The replenishing door  224  is a rectangular-plate-like body, and one end is pivotally attached to the bearing  260  fixed on the side plate  246 B. 
   Next, the replenishing door locking apparatus  226  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 10 . The replenishing door locking apparatus  226  has a function of locking or unlocking the replenishing door  224  on the safe casing  240 . In the first embodiment, the replenishing door locking apparatus  226  locks the replenishing door  224  by inserting a key into a keyhole  342  of the upper face of the replenishing door  224  and turning the key in a predetermined direction to cause a engaging piece  344  to engage a bent portion  346  of the side plate  246 A. When the replenishing door  224  is opened, the bent portion  346  is released from the engaging piece  344  by inserting the key into the keyhole  342  and turning it in the direction opposite to the above direction, and the replenishing hole  250  is opened by pivoting the replenishing door  224  upward on the bearing  260  serving as a fulcrum. 
   The coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  includes main body locking unit  234  and an attachment apparatus  241  for the coin replenishing safe  220 . First, the attachment apparatus  241  for attaching the coin replenishing safe  220  to the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 19 . 
   The attachment apparatus  241  has a function of attaching the coin replenishing safe  220  so as not to be attached to and detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . The attachment apparatus  241  includes a main body engaging portion  352  of the main body  131  and a replenishing apparatus engaging portion  354  of the coin replenishing safe  220 , and the replenishing apparatus engaging portion  354  is engaged on the main body engaging portion  352  so that the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached from the main body  131  from any direction other than a predetermined direction. The main body engaging portion  352  of the first embodiment comprises engaging rails  356 L and  356 R with a rectangular section and with a predetermined length projecting laterally from the left and right sidewalls of the mounting recessed portion  133 . The replenishing apparatus engaging portion  354  comprises engaging recessed grooves  358 L and  358 R with a predetermined length extending laterally, which are formed at lower portions of the left and right sidewalls of the replenishing safe main body  222 . 
   By flipping up the dropping port cover  120 , the engaging rails  356 L and  356 R are exposed. Since the engaging rails  356 L and  356 R are advanced into the engaging recessed grooves  358 L and  358 R, respectively, by pushing in the coin replenishing safe  220  along the bottom face  133 B of the mounting recessed portion  133 , the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached unless pulled back. At this time, a female connector  362  fixed on the main body  131  is fitted on a male connector  364  of the main body  131  to form the connectors  366 . The connector  364  is connected to the solenoid  302  via a lead wire (not shown). 
   Next, the main body locking unit  234  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 12 . The main body locking unit  234  has a function of making it impossible to detach the coin replenishing safe  220  from the main body  131 . In other words, the main body locking unit  234  makes the coin replenishing safe  220  impossible to move with respect to the main body  131  when the coin replenishing safe  220  is attached on the main body  131  by the attachment apparatus  241 . 
   The main body locking unit  234  includes a engaging hook  370  advanced to and retreated from the bottom face  133 B of the mounting recessed portion  133  and a receiving hole  372  (see  FIG. 18 ) formed on a bottom face of the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   First, the engaging hook  370  will be explained. The engaging hook  370  is a projection  378  projecting upward at a distal end of a swing lever  376  which is attached swingably on a fixed shaft  374  that is fixed in the main body  131 . The projection  378  includes a pass-allowable slope  379  inclined upward from the side of the front face  131 F of the main body  131  in a rearward direction. The projection  378  is caused to project resiliently into the mounting recessed portion  133  from a through-hole  382  formed on the bottom face  133 B by a fourth spring  390  which will be described later. 
   Next, an actuator  384  for movement of the engaging hook  370  will be explained. The actuator  384  has a function of swinging the swing lever  376  about the fixed shaft  374  accordingly to cause the projection  378  to advance into and retreat from the mounting recessed portion  133 . In the first embodiment, the actuator  384  is a solenoid  386 , and an iron core  388  of which is link-coupled to the middle of the swing lever  376 . The iron core  388  is biased by the fourth spring  390  so as to project from the solenoid  386 . 
   Thereby, the swing lever  376  is generally swung in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 12 , and the projection  378  is caused to project into the mounting recessed portion  133 . When the solenoid  386  is excited, the iron core  388  is pulled into the solenoid  386  against a spring force of the fourth spring  390 , so that the swing lever  376  is swung in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 12 , and the projection  378  retreats from the mounting recessed portion  133 , in other words, retreats from the receiving hole  372  of the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   Next, mounting detecting unit  392  for detecting a mounting of the coin replenishing safe  220  to the main body  131  will be explained. The mounting detecting unit  392  has a function of detecting when the coin replenishing safe  220  has been mounted on the main body  131  and has been input a state in which coins in the safe chamber  248  can be input to the coin receiving port  118 . In the first embodiment, the mounting detecting unit  392  is a micro switch  398  in which a piece to be moved  396  is disposed in a detecting hole  394  disposed on the bottom face  133 B below the engaging rail  356 L and between the through-hole  382  and the connector  362 . 
   In a state in which the coin replenishing safe  220  is mounted on the main body  131  by the attachment apparatus  241 , the connector  364  advances into the connector  362 , and contacting pieces of the connector  366  are connected, the piece to be moved  396  in the detecting hole  394  is pushed down by the bottom face of the coin replenishing safe  220 , and the micro switch  398  outputs an ON signal. At this time, the outlet opening  252  faces the coin receiving port  118 . 
   Next, an apparatus  400  for preventing the shutter  228  from being left open will be explained (see  FIG. 13 ). The apparatus  400  for preventing the shutter  228  from being left open includes a fitting hole  402  formed on a side face of the mounting recessed portion  133 , and a engaging pin  404  and unlocking preventing unit  406  which are attached to the coin replenishing safe  220 . The engaging pin  404  is biased by a built-in fifth spring  408  to project from the coin replenishing safe  220 , and can advance into and retreat from the fitting hole  402  when the coin replenishing safe  220  is attached on the main body  131 . Therefore, when the engaging pin  404  has advanced in the fitting hole  402 , it is impossible to detach the coin replenishing safe  220  from the main body  131 . 
   Next, the unlocking preventing unit  406  will be explained. The unlocking preventing unit  406  has a function of blocking the engaging pin  404  from retreating from the fitting hole  402  when the shutter plate  254  has not yet closed the outlet opening  252 . The unlocking preventing unit  406  includes a swing lever  412  swinging in conjunction with movement of engaging pin  404 , the fifth spring  408 , and a cam  419 . The swing lever  412  is swingably attached on a third fixed shaft  414 , a lower end of which is link-coupled to the engaging pin  404 . 
   A second portion  418  to be moved is capable of advancing into and retreating from a rotational region of the peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 A and is formed at an upper end of the swing lever  412 . The cam  419  rising with a predetermined radius is formed at one portion of the peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 A. When the second portion  418  of the swing lever  412  is brought into contact with the cam  419 , the engaging pin  404  is retreated from an outer surface of the coin replenishing safe  220 . In this state, the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the closing position CP where the outlet opening  252  is closed. 
   When the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP, since the second portion to be moved  418  of the swing lever  412  is released from the cam  419 , and faces the peripheral face  416  of the circular side plate  256 A, the swing lever  412  becomes capable of swinging in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 13 , so that the engaging pin  404  is caused to project beyond the outer surface of the coin replenishing safe  220  by the fifth spring  408 . Thereby, when the outlet opening  252  of the coin replenishing safe  220  has opened, the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . 
   Next, the main-body-side control apparatus  420  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . In the first embodiment, the main-body-side control apparatus  420  is, for example, a micro computer  422 , which receives signals from the coin sensor  128 , the micro switch  398 , and an operation panel  424 , and turns ON and OFF the first solenoid  302  of the shutter unlocking unit  238  and the second solenoid  386  of the main body locking unit  234  according to a predetermined procedure. The operation panel  424  includes a replenishment start button  428  and a replenishment end button  432 . 
   Next, an operation of the coin replenishing apparatus  100  of the first embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 15  and the explanatory views of  FIG. 16  to  FIG. 22 . 
   First, as replenishment preparatory work, replenishment preparation is performed by dropping a predetermined number of coins of predetermined kinds into the coin replenishing safe  220 . Specifically, after a coin manager unlocks the replenishing door  224  by inserting a predetermined key into the keyhole  342  of the replenishing door locking apparatus  226  of the coin replenishing safe  220  and turning the key in a predetermined direction, he/she opens the replenishing hole  250  by pivoting the replenishing door  224  upward on the bearing  260  serving as a fulcrum. After he/she drops a predetermined number of coins of predetermined kinds in the safe chamber  248  from the replenishing hole  250 , he/she closes the replenishing door  224 , and locks the replenishing door  224  by the replenishing door locking apparatus  226 . 
   At this time, since the first solenoid  302  of the shutter locking unit  232  is not connected to a power supply, the hook  268  engages the engaging rib  264 , and the shutter plate  254  is held at the closing position CP of the outlet opening  252  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Thereby, no one can access the coins in the safe chamber  248  unless he/she has the key of the replenishing door locking apparatus  226 . Further, since the peripheral face of the circular side plate  256 A is input contact with the second portion  418  of the swing lever  412  at the cam  419  as shown in  FIG. 13 , and the swing lever  412  is swung in a clockwise direction, the engaging pin  404  is retreated in the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   Next, coin replenishing work in the first embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 15 . First, the dropping port cover  120  is moved to a replenishing position NWP at step S 1 . Specifically, the coin dropping cover  120  is moved toward the front of the main body  131  against the attracting force between the magnets  136 L and  136 R and the iron pieces  137 L and  137 R to project the distal end of the dropping port cover  120  slightly from the front face  131 F of the main body  131  within the range of the long hole  135 . 
   Next, the coin dropping cover  120  is rotated upward on the pivot shaft  134  serving as a fulcrum by pushing up the projecting distal end thereof from below, and is held at the replenishing position NWP in an approximately-inverted state by leaning its upper face on the main body  131 . In this manner, preparation of the coin receiving and dispensing machine is performed. 
   Next, at step S 2 , a worker attaches the coin replenishing safe  220  to the attachment apparatus  241  of the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . That is, he/she places the coin replenishing safe  220  on the bottom face  133 B on the side of the front face  131 F of the mounting recessed portion  133 , and pushes the safe  220  deep into the mounting recessed portion  133  in a state of being placed thereon. Thereby, the coin replenishing safe  220  advances to the side of the connector  362  while its left and right sidewalls are guided by the left and right sidewalls of the mounting recessed portion  133 , and in the course of the movement, the engaging recessed grooves  358 L and  358 R of the coin replenishing safe  220  fit on the engaging rail  356 L and  356 R, respectively, so that the replenishing safe main body  222  cannot be pulled upward. 
   When the coin replenishing safe  220  is further pushed in, the pushing pass-allowable slope  379  of the projection  378  is pushed by a front end of the coin replenishing safe  220 , and the swing lever  376  is swung in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 12  against a spring force of the fourth spring  390 , so that the coin replenishing safe  220  can further advance to the side of the connector  362 . When the coin replenishing safe  220  is further pushed forward to the side of the connector  364 , the connector  364  enters the connector  362  of the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 , and connecting terminals of the connector  366  are connected. Since the piece  396  to be moved of the micro switch  398  of the mounting detecting unit  392  is pushed down by the bottom face of the coin replenishing safe  220  just after the connection, the micro switch  398  turns ON to output a mounting signal AS. 
   The coin replenishing safe  220  is pushed in up to a state in which the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot further be pushed in because the connector  366  is blocked by the connector  364  (from a position shown in  FIG. 16  to a position shown in  FIG. 18 ). In this state, since the projection  378  faces the receiving hole  372  of the coin replenishing safe  220 , and is caused to enter the receiving hole  372  by the fourth spring  390 , the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be pulled back to the side of the front face  131 F of the main body  131 . 
   In other words, since the engaging recessed grooves  358 L and  358 R are engaged with the engaging rails  356 L and  356 R, and the coin replenishing safe  220  is blocked from being pulled back by the projection  378 , and besides cannot advance because of the connector  364 , the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 19 , since the shutter plate  254  closes the outlet opening  252 , the coins in the safe chamber  248  cannot drop into the coin input port  138 . In this state, the engaging pin  404  has faced the fitting hole  402 . 
   When the mounting signal AS is detected at step S 3 , the processing proceeds to step S 4 , and waits until the replenishment start button  428  is pushed. When the replenishment start button  428  is pushed and a start signal SS is outputted at step S 4 , the processing proceeds to step S 5 . At step S 5 , the main body control apparatus  420  excites the first solenoid  302  of the shutter unlocking unit  238  of the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   Since the engaging member  258  is swung in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 9  due to excitation of the first solenoid  302 , the hook  268  releases the engaging rib  264 , and the return blocking hook  282  becomes capable of engaging the engaging rib  264 . Therefore, when the handle  316  of the shutter opening unit  236  is swung in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 16 , the shutter plate  254  is moved in a rotating manner via the torque limiter  318 , so that the outlet opening  252  can be opened. 
   When the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP of the outlet opening  252 , the cam  419  is released from the second portion to be moved  418  of the swing lever  412 , and the second portion to be moved  418  faces the peripheral face  416  of the circular side plate  256 A, so that the swing lever  418  is swung in a counterclockwise direction by the fifth spring  408 , and the engaging pin  404  link-coupled projects outside the coin replenishing safe  220  and enters the fitting hole  402  (see  FIG. 21 ). Thereby, when the outlet opening  252  is opened, the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached from the main body  131 . 
   Next, at step S 6 , the handle  316  is rotated in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 16 , the shutter plate  254  integrated with the handle  316  is swung integrally in the same direction, and rotated to the opening position OP where the stopper  263  is blocked from rotating by the left end  265 L of the arc-shaped long hole  265  (see  FIG. 20 ). At this time, when the handle  316  is rotated in the opposite direction, the return blocking hook  282  engages the engaging rib  264 , therefore, though being reversely rotated only between the engaging ribs  264 , the shutter plate  254  cannot substantially be rotated reversely. 
   In other words, when the shutter unlocking unit  238  is operating, the shutter plate  254  can rotate only in a direction for opening the outlet opening  252 . When rotation of the shutter plate  254  is blocked by the left end  265 L of the arc-shaped long hole  265 , even if the handle  316  is further rotated in the same direction, only the handle  316  rotates idly due to torque limiter  318 , so that the shutter plate  254  or the like is never broken. When the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP, the outlet opening  252  is fully opened. Thereby, the coins in the safe chamber  248  are put onto the flat belt  130  via the coin dropping hole  138  (see  FIG. 17 ). 
   Since the optical axis of the photoelectronic sensor  150  is cut by the replenishment coins, a coin-reception detecting signal DS is outputted at step S 7 , and the processing proceeds to step S 8 . At step S 8 , the electric motor  126  of the coin receiving apparatus  102  is rotated. Thereby, the upper face of the flat belt  130  is moved to the side of the separating and delivering apparatus  104  (leftward in  FIG. 17 ), while the reverse roller  124  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and the lower peripheral face of which is moved in a direction opposite to the direction in which the upper face of the flat belt  130  is moved. 
   Thereby, when the thinnest coins are stacked flat or two thinnest coins are stacked up, these coins are caused to pass below the lower peripheral face of the reverse roller  124 , put from the downstream end portion of the coin-receiving flat belt  130 , and input to the retaining bowl  174  of the separating and delivering apparatus  104  while being guided by a guide chute  436 . When three coins are conveyed in a state of being stacked up, the lower two stacked coins pass below the reverse roller  124 , while the top coin is prevent from advancing by the reverse roller  124 , and moved relative to the lower coins. Thereby, the top coin is deviated with respect to the lower coins, and finally dropped onto the flat belt  130 . 
   The dropped coin is conveyed again, similarly to the above, toward the separating and delivering apparatus  104  by advance of the flat belt  130 . When the photo-electronic sensor  150  terminates outputting a signal on detecting coins, the electric motor  126  is stopped, and the advance of the flat belt  130  is stopped. 
   When coins that are separated, one by one, by the separating and delivering apparatus  104  are moved along the receiving member  176  by the rotating wiper  182 , the authenticity and kinds of coins are identified by the coin-kind identifying apparatus  106 . The coins are then advanced into the sorting apparatus  110  by the conveying apparatus  108  in a state in which its peripheral face is guided by the guide rail  186  and its lower face is supported by the slide plate  184 . In the course of the advance, the coins are input to predetermined sorting holes according to the kinds of coins based upon the identified type of coin, and retained in the coin hoppers  210  corresponding to the kinds of coins. 
   When all the coins in the safe chamber  248  are put onto the flat belt  130 , and all the coins are delivered to the next step, the photoelectronic sensor  150  detects no coin and therefore does not output the coin-reception detecting signal DS for a predetermined period of time. When the coin-reception detecting signal DS is not detected for a predetermined period of time at step S 9 , replenishment is treated as terminated and the processing proceeds to step S 10 , and after electric motor  126  is stopped, the processing proceeds to step S 11 . 
   Incidentally, when the coin-reception detecting apparatus  154  detects no coin, it is preferable to repeat an advancing and retreating motion of the flat belt  130  for a predetermined number of time periods, by repeating a reverse and normal rotation of the motor  126  a plural number of times, to prevent any coins from remaining on the flat belt  130 . 
   When the replenishment end button  432  is pushed (see  FIG. 23 ), the finish signal FS is outputted at step S 11 , and the main body control apparatus  420  turns ON the second solenoid  386  and turns OFF the first solenoid  302  at step S 12 . The iron core  388  is pulled in due to excitation of the second solenoid  386 , the swing lever  376  is swung in a counterclockwise direction on the fixed shaft  374  serving as a fulcrum, and the projection  378  is retreated from the receiving hole  372  (see  FIG. 22 ). 
   Due to demagnetization of the first solenoid  302 , the engaging member  258  is swung in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9  by the spring  274 , and the hook  268  resiliently engages the engaging rib  264 . In other words, the circular projection  262 , namely, the shutter plate  254  becomes incapable of swinging in a clockwise direction and capable of swinging in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 20 . 
   In this state, since the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP of the outlet opening  252 , the second portion to be moved  418  of the swing lever  412  is released from the cam  419 , so that the engaging pin  404  is caused to enter the fitting hole  402  from the coin replenishing safe  220  by the fifth spring  408  (see  FIG. 21 ). In other words, the coin replenishing safe  220  cannot be detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100  in this state. 
   Next, at step S 13 , the outlet opening  252  is closed by moving the shutter plate  254  to the closing position CP by rotating the handle  316  manually in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 16 . Thereby, the cam  419  is caused to face the swing lever  412 , so that the second portion to be moved  418  of the swing lever  412  is swung in a clockwise direction by the cam  419 . The engaging pin  404 , link-coupled to the swing lever  412 , is pulled into the coin replenishing safe  220  (see  FIG. 13 ), and disengages from the fitting hole  402 . 
   Next, at step S 14 , the coin replenishing safe  220  is moved to the side of the front face  131 F. Since the piece to be moved  396  is released from the bottom face of the coin replenishing safe  220 , the micro switch  398  is turned OFF, and outputs an anti-attachment signal AAS. At this time the receiving hole  372  is positioned to face the projection  378 . Thereby, the coin replenishing safe  220  can be detached from the mounting recessed portion  133 . 
   Next, according to the determination about the status of the anti-attachment signal AAS from the micro switch  398  at step S 15 , the processing proceeds to step S 16 . After a predetermined period of time, the second solenoid  386  is turned OFF at step S 16 , and the processing is terminated. Next, the receiving port cover  120  is folded frontward and the magnets  136 L and  136 R attract the iron pieces  137 L and  137 R, respectively, so that the front end of the receiving port cover  120  is flush with the front face  131 F of the main body  131 , thereby the replenishing work is terminated. 
   A second embodiment is an example of automating the manual work in the first embodiment.  FIG. 23  is a schematic block diagram of a coin replenishing apparatus of a coin receiving and dispensing machine of the second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 24  is a flowchart for explanation of an operation of the coin replenishing apparatus of the coin receiving and dispensing machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
   The same portions as the first embodiment are defined with the same reference numerals, and only the different elements of the configuration of the second embodiment will be explained. A photoelectronic sensor  454  serving as a main-body-locking detecting apparatus  452  of the main body locking apparatus  234  is attached to the coin replenishing safe  220 . The photoelectronic sensor  454  detects when the coin replenishing safe  220  is locked on the main body  131  due to the projection  378  blocking the path of the optical axis when the projection  378  projects into the receiving hole  372  of the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   A movement apparatus  456  for the shutter plate  254  is provided in the coin replenishing safe  220 . The movement apparatus  456  has a function of moving the shutter plate  254  automatically from the closing position CP to the opening position OP and from the opening position OP to the closing position CP. 
   In the second embodiment, the movement apparatus  456  includes a gear  458  formed on the peripheral face of the handle  316 , a pinion gear  462  meshed with the gear  458 , and an electric motor  464  rotating the pinion gear  462 . The movement apparatus  456  is disposed in the safe casing  240 , including the handle  316  and because of this built-in feature, any unauthorized access can further be prevented. 
   Further, an opening-and-closing checking apparatus  466  for the shutter plate  254  is also provided in the coin replenishing safe  220 . The opening-and-closing checking apparatus  466  has a function of detecting when the shutter  228  is input to a state of opening and a state of closing. 
   The opening-and-closing checking apparatus  466  includes an opening position sensor  468  and a closing position sensor  472  disposed at the left and right end portions of the outlet opening  252 , and it can detect when the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the opening position OP when the opening position sensor  468  and the closing position sensor  472  do not detect the shutter plate  254  and also detects when the shutter plate  254  is positioned at the closing position CP when the opening position sensor  468  and the closing position sensor  472  detect the shutter plate  254 . 
   The main-body-locking detecting apparatus  452 , the opening-and-closing checking apparatus  466 , and the movement apparatus  456  are connected to the main body control apparatus  420  via the connector  366 . The main-body-locking detecting apparatus  452  and the opening-and-closing checking apparatus  466  output signals to the main body control apparatus  420 , and the drive of the movement apparatus  456  is controlled by the main body control apparatus  420 . 
   Next, an operation of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 24 . 
   First, similarly to the first embodiment, the dropping port cover  120  is pivoted and moved to the replenishing position SP at step S 21 . Next, at step S 22 , the coin replenishing safe  220  is attached to the attachment apparatus  241 . 
   When the piece  396  to be moved is pushed by the bottom face of the coin replenishing safe  220  and the micro switch  398  outputs the mounting signal AS at step S 23 , the processing proceeds to step S 24 . In this state, the projection  378  of the swing lever  376  is projecting into the receiving hole  372  of the coin replenishing safe  220 . Thereby, the optical axis is cut by the projection  378 , so that the photoelectronic sensor  454  of the main-body-locking detecting apparatus  452  outputs a locking signal RS. When the locking signal RS is identified at step S 24 , the processing proceeds to step S 25 , and after the first solenoid  302  is excited, the processing proceeds to step S 26 . 
   Similarly to the first embodiment, when the first solenoid  302  is excited, the engaging member  258  is swung in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 , so that the hook  268  releases from the engaging rib  264 , and the return blocking hook  282  engages the engaging rib  264 . 
   The electric motor  464  is driven to rotate normally at step S 26 , and the processing proceeds to step S 27 . According to the normal rotation of the electric motor  464 , the gear  458  formed on the outer peripheral face of the handle  316  is swung in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 16  via the pinion gear  462 . Thereby, the shutter plate  254  is moved in a rotating manner via the torque limiter  318  to open the outlet opening  252 . 
   Similarly to the first embodiment, in the opening state of the outlet opening  252 , since the cam  419  does not face the movable portion  418  of the swing lever  412 , the swing lever  418  is swung in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 21  by the fifth spring  408 , and the engaging pin  404  link-coupled projects outside the coin replenishing safe  220 , and projects into the fitting hole  402 . Thereby, the coin replenishing safe  220  is mechanically locked when the outlet opening  252  is opened, and cannot be detached from the main body  131 . 
   When the shutter plate  254  completely opens the outlet opening  252 , both the closing position sensor  472  and the opening position sensor  468  terminates any detecting of the shutter plate  254 , so that an opening signal OS is outputted. When the opening signal OS is identified at step S 27 , the processing proceeds to step S 28 . 
   When the shutter plate  254  swings according to rotation of the electric motor  464 , and is blocked from rotating due to the left end  265 L of the arc-shaped long hole  265 , even if the gear  458  is further rotated in the same direction, only the gear  458  idly rotates due to the torque limiter  318 , so that the shutter plate  254  or the like is difficult to be broken. 
   The rotary drive of the electric motor  464  is stopped at step S 28 , and the processing proceeds to step S 29 . Due to the stopping of the electric motor  464 , the shutter plate  254  is held at the opening position OP and the outlet opening  252  is fully opened. Thereby, any coins in the safe chamber  248  are dropped onto the flat belt  130  via the coin dropping hole  138 . 
   Since the optical axis of the photo-electronic sensor  150  is blocked by the replenishment coins, the coin-reception detecting signal DS is outputted at step S 29 , and the processing proceeds to step S 30 . After the electric motor  126  of the coin receiving apparatus  102  is rotated at step S 30 , the processing proceeds to step S 31 . According to the rotation of the electric motor  126 , the coins on the flat belt  130  is caused to pass below the reverse roller  124 , from the downstream end portion of the coin-receiving flat belt  130 , and are dropped into the retaining bowl  174  of the separating and delivering apparatus  104  while being guided by the guide chute  436 , similarly to the first embodiment. 
   The authenticity and kinds of coins separated in a one by one manner by the separating and delivering apparatus  104  are also identified by the coin-kind identifying apparatus  106  similarly to the first embodiment, advanced in the sorting apparatus  110 , dropped into predetermined sorting holes, and retained in the coin hoppers  210 . When all the coins in the safe chamber  248  are dropped onto the flat belt  130 , and all the coins are delivered to the next step, the coin sensor  128  will not detect a coin, so that the photoelectronic sensor  150  does not output the coin-reception detecting signal DS for a predetermined period of time. When the coin sensor  128  has stopped detecting the coin-reception detecting signal DS for a predetermined period of time at step S 31 , the processing proceeds to step S 32 . 
   After the electric motor  126  is stopped at step S 32 , the processing proceeds to step S 33 . Due to the stop of the motor  126 , the advance of the flat belt  130  is stopped. After the first solenoid  302  turns OFF at step S 33 , the processing proceeds to step S 34 . 
   Due to demagnetization of the solenoid  302 , similarly to the first embodiment, the circular projection  262 , namely, the shutter plate  254  becomes incapable of swinging in a clockwise direction and capable of rotating only in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 20 . 
   The electric motor  464  is reversed at step S 34 , and the processing proceeds to step S 35 . Due to the reverse of the electric motor  464 , the gear  458  is reversed, so that the shutter plate  254  is swung in the closing direction and the outlet opening  252  is closed. According to the rotation of the shutter plate  254 , the cam  419  faces the second portion to be moved  418  of the swing lever  412 , so that the swing lever  412  is swung in the clockwise direction by the cam  419 . Thereby, the engaging pin  404  link-coupled to the swing lever  412  is pulled into the coin replenishing safe  220  (see  FIG. 13 ), and pulled out of the fitting hole  402 . 
   When the opening position sensor  468  and the closing position sensor  472  detect the shutter plate  254  at step S 35 , a closing signal CLS is outputted, and the processing proceeds to step S 36 . After the electric motor  464  turns OFF at step S 36 , the processing proceeds to step S 37 . After the second solenoid  386  turns on at step S 37 , the processing proceeds to step S 38 . 
   Due to excitation of the solenoid  386 , the projection  378  retreats from the receiving hole  372  (see  FIG. 22 ). At step S 38 , an indication which prompts detachment of the coin replenishing safe  220  is displayed on a liquid crystal display panel of the operating panel  424 , and the processing proceeds to step S 39 . At step S 39 , the worker moves the coin replenishing safe  220  to the side of the front face  131 F. 
   At this time, since the projection  378  has been retreated from the receiving hole  372 , the coin replenishing safe  220  can be detached from the coin receiving and dispensing machine  100 . In this course, the micro switch  398  turns OFF to output an anti-attachment signal AAS of the coin replenishing safe  220 . 
   Next, when determination about the anti-attachment signal AAS from the micro switch  398  is made at step S 40 , the processing proceeds to step S 41 . After the second solenoid  386  turns OFF after a predetermined period of time at step S 41 , the processing is terminated. 
   Next, the receiving port cover  120  is folded frontward and the magnets  136 L and  136 R attract the iron pieces  137 L and  137 R, respectively, so that the front end of the receiving cover  120  becomes flush with the front face  131 F of the main body  131 , thereby the replenishing work is terminated. 
   In the second embodiment, since the operation for opening and closing the outlet opening  252  can be performed automatically, there is an advantage that the replenishing work can be performed more easily. Further, owing to the main-body-locking detecting apparatus  452 , since the shutter plate  254  cannot be moved unless the fact that the projection  378  exists in the receiving hole  372  is detected, it is possible not to mount the apparatus  400  for preventing the shutter  228  from being left open. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.