Abstract:
A simplified coin hopper structure which facilitates coin size changes. The coin hopper equipment is easily applied to various coin sizes by simple adjustments. The device includes a tank for storing coins in a loose loading condition and a disk arranged rotatably at the inside bottom of the tank. One or more hole, for passage of coins, is provided through the disk. An adjustment element is provided on this disk to open and close the hole and to form an adjustable opening for different coin sizes. A base for the disk is arranged below the disk. A rotating element turns the disk. A gear train is provided at the base connecting a drive to the rotating element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to coin hopper equipment, i.e. a device storing a plurality of coins with a small disk shape and for sending out the coins and more particularly to coin hopper equipment to store a plurality of the same kind of coins with loose loading conditions and to release the coins one by one. Furthermore, this invention relates to a coin hopper equipment in which it is possible to change the size according to the kind of coin, e.g. according to the size of the coin. The terminology ‘coin’ which is used in this specification is intended to include small disks such as a coin which is coinage as well as a medal, a token or the like used for games. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of equipment to handle coins are known including devices which include a disk. For example, coin hopper equipment is known which accommodates coins of an identical kind with loose loading conditions, and turns a disk and compulsorily sends out the coin one by one. This type coin hopper is disclosed, for example, in the Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 assigned to the assignee of this invention (Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 has been designated Japanese Patent Application 6-44305 and also Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,094). 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 and  11  roughly show generally features from the prior art. The operation of such coin hopper equipment is summarily explained here. 
     When an electric motor (not shown) in the hopper equipment is driven, a turn axis  12  at the center is rotated. When the turn axis  12  is rotated, a disk  2  for coin distribution (a deep plate shaped element) is turned to the clockwise direction. Further, the coin distributing disk  2  which is turned to the clockwise direction is rotated at the inside bottom of tank  1  with rough pan shape. By the turn of this disk  2 , coins in the dram-shaped disk  2  are agitated. 
     The coins are agitated by the protruding elements  6 , which are formed at the inside surrounding wall  4  of disk  2 . Thus, the coins in disk  2  fall into a plurality of holes  5  for coin receipt. These holes  5  are opened at the bottom of disk  2  and in the surrounding direction. The coin, which passed into this receiving hole  5  is moved in a sliding manner on the surface of a square support board  11  by the disk  2 . As a result, the lowest position coin which slides is compulsorily sent out to a vent  23  providing the coin outlet. This is shown at the left side of FIG.  9 . 
     The lowest position coin is moved by a coin sending nail (not shown) which is formed as a slender member and at the underside of disk  2 . The moved lowest position coin is guided, for example, firstly by a guiding board  15  on the surface of support board  11 . Then, for example, the coin is guided next by a flange surrounding wall  22  for installing the tank  1  and is slipped to the vent  23 . The coin which is moved by the sending nail  13  (See FIG. 11) is guided by the guiding board  15  and flange surrounding wall  22  of tank  1 . 
     The guided coin is further moved and is guided toward the coin vent  23  by the flange surrounding wall  22  and a vent guiding part  17 . Then, finally, the coin is guided by the vent guiding part  17 , a fixed side roller  24  and a mobile side roller  26  and is distributed out from the vent  23 . 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the primary object of the invention to simplify the structure of a coin hopper and to facilitate the change of coin sizes and to avoid the problems of past equipment to send out only the same kind of coins without making it possible to change over to other kinds of coins in a simple manner. 
     It is a further object of the invention to simplify the structure of coin hopper equipment and to easily apply the equipment to various coin sizes by simple adjustments. 
     According to the invention a coin hopper is provided which involves simple structure that can provide a size change simply even if it changes the coin kind. The size change-able coin hopper includes a tank container for storing coins in a loose loading condition. A disk is arranged rotatably at the inside bottom of this tank and has a pierced hole for falling coins. An adjustment device is provided on this disk to open and close the pierced hole and, for forming an adjusting hole for coin size. 
     A size change-able coin hopper may also provided according to the invention wherein the adjustment device has a circular board or circular plate with generally a cogwheel shape. 
     Also, this invention provides a size change-able coin hopper, characterized in that each tooth part of the adjustment structure opens and closes the pierced hole and forms the adjustment hole. 
     The coin hopper equipment may include a base and a disk which is arranged rotatably above the base. A hole for a falling coin is provided on the base. A rotational element turns the disk. A drive is arranged under the rotational element. A gear train is provided at the base for connecting the drive to the rotational element. 
     The gear train may also include a box opposite to the base. 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a coin hopper according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view showing the disk which is also shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the disk which shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view showing roughly a coin hopper equipment of another embodiment according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view showing roughly the disk which is the main part of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the disk shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the drive part of a part shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing the drive part of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a prior art device; 
     FIG. 10 is a side sectional view which shows the device of FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional end view which shows the device of FIG. 9 from the top front. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in particular, a pair of leg frames  1  form the hopper equipment that appears as a big triangle at the left in FIG.  1 . On the pair of leg frames  1 , a big square base board  2  is installed to be standing-up and inclined. At approximately the center in FIG. 1, a bowl-shaped tank  3  is provided. The end part of tank  3  is formed into a circular cylinder part  4  and is installed at the approximate center of base board  2 . At the proper position between the base board  4  and the circular cylinder part  4 , there is formed a release path  9  for coins. Inside the circular cylinder part  4  which is the bottom of tank  3 , a disk  5  is mounted rotatably. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the disk  5  is rotated in a clockwise direction, by a driving axle  6  in the center thereof The drive axis  6  is rotatably extends through the base board  2 . The drive axle  6  is coupled to an electric motor (not shown), existing a gearbox (not shown) which is provided on the back of base board  2 . 
     The disk  5  is formed with a little deep plate shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An outwardly extending wall  11  is formed about the periphery of disk  5 . At the center of disk  5 , a pipe part  12  is formed which receives the drive axis  6 . 
     In the whole peripheral side of disk  5 , holes  13  are provided for falling coins. The holes  13  are formed at regular intervals. On the underside of disk  5 , a generally gear-shaped adjustment board  21  is installed. The adjustment board  21  is rotatably mounted on the driving axle  6 , at the center thereof The adjustment board  21  is mounted on the disk  5  by screws  22  which are provided in small slender holes  14  of disk  5  (see FIG.  2 ). Therefore, as for the adjustment hole  27  which is formed by the pass through hole  13  and the tooth part  23  of adjustment board  21 , the size thereof can be easily changed. Further, the tip part  24  at each of curved slender tooth parts  23  of adjustment board  21  is bent slightly below. This is for the coin to be surely pressed by the tip part  24 . Also, a spacer  25  with a little small circular board shape is arranged between the base board  2  and adjustment board  21  (see FIG.  3 ). At the base board  2  near the coin release path  6 , the guide board  26  for coins is arranged. The height of spacer  25  is of course a little bit higher than the guide board  26 (see FIG.  3 ). The guide board  26  is a small rectangular steel plate and the tip thereof is bent a little bent in an upper slant. The bent part of guide board  26  is installed to protrude from the surface of base board  2 . The guide board  26  is installed on the underside of base board  2  with a bolt (not shown), existing a spring (not shown). When the disk  5  is turned in the positive turn, i.e., in the clockwise direction, the guide board  26  guides coins to the direction of release path  9  at the standing-up surface. When the disk  5  is turned in the reverse turn, i.e., to the direction of counterclockwise, coins can ride over the guide board  26  by the working of slope and spring. 
     This embodiment which consists of the above-mentioned constitution stores a plurality of identical coins kinds in a loose loading condition in the tank  3 , and the electric motor (not shown) is driven. When the electric motor is driven, as shown in FIG. 2, the disk  5  is turned. A coin C1 falls into the pass through hole  13  when the disk  5  is turned. When the coin C1 which fell into the pierced hole  13  is smaller than the adjustment hole  27  which was formed by the tooth part  23 , the coin C1 can ride on the surface of base board  2 . Coins C2 and C3 which ride on the surface of base board  2  slide by the tooth part  23  which is fixed on the turning disk  5 . A coin C4 which is slides is guided with the inside wall of circular cylinder part  4  of tank  3 . Further, the sliding coin C4 is guided by the guide board  26  and sent out to the release path  9 . Therefore, coins which are bigger than the adjustment holes  27  are never sent out to the release path  9 . Even if a coin with big size is mixed into the coins C1 C4 which are a fixed size, the big size coin is never released from the hopper equipment. 
     When changing the size of coin in this embodiment, the adjustment board  21  is turned a little. For example, when changing into the bigger coin, the adjustment board  21  is turned a little to the direction of counterclockwise in FIG.  2 . Loosening four screws  22  and turning the adjustment board  21  a little to the direction of counterclockwise results in the disk  5  again being fixed with the screws  22 . Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the disk  5  is almost in the standing up condition. However, putting the disk  5  in a level condition or an inclination condition a little is permitted of course. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hopper of the type which slides a coin in a near standing-up condition is provided. However, this invention can also be applied to a hopper of the type which slips a coin levelly, too, of course. Also, the disk  5  of the drawing has the outwardly extending wall  11 . However, the standing-up wall  11  is not always necessary. A thicker circular board is permitted to be used of course. Also, the size of the holes  13  is determined considering the coin maximum size of course. Also, in this implementation example, the adjustment board  21  is made a rough cogwheel form. However, using a circular board with serration form is permitted to of course. Depending on the number of holes  13 , for example, in case of three holes, an adjustment board with an abbreviated triangle shape can be used of course. Further, making each adjustment board for each tooth part  23  and installing every hole  13  respectively is permitted of course. Also, in this example, the adjustment board  21  is mounted on the underside of disk  5 . However, mounting the install adjustment board  21  on the surface of disk  5  is of course also possible. Also, in case of the example, the installation structure of disk  5  and adjustment board  21  is slender holes  14  and screws  22 . However, using the driving axle  6 , it is of course permitted to provide the fixation. When the disk  5  and adjustment board  21  are small, the use of driving axle  6  is favorable. 
     The invention has allows various coin sizes to be simply applied with only one coin hopper. 
     According to the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8 a base stand  10  of the coin hopper equipment is provided (lower part of FIG.  4 ). This base stand  10  includes an approximately square board, and the three sides are bent below and formed to legs for three point support. Leg frames  1  are in the standing-up and fixed on either side surface of base stand  10  respectively. A pair of these leg frames  1  become a right angle triangle approximately and are arranged at each side. Then, on one pair of leg frames  1 , a big approximately square base board  2  is installed to be standing-up and inclined position. At suitable places of the base board  2 , a plurality of openings are formed. For example, a plurality of length holes 2L which are opened in the lower part of base board  2  are used for making dust and so on fall. On the lower edge part of base board  2 , a fixed board  2 F for mounting a tank  3 ′ (see below) is provided. Also, on the upper edge part of base board  2 , a slender support board  2 S for holding the tank  3 ′ with the hook is arranged. The support board  2 S is provided slidably in an up-down direction and fixably. A mark  3 ′ which is shown by the chain line at the upper portion of FIG. 4 is the tank for coin accommodating. This tank  3 ′ is made as a synthetic resin formed product with big square trumpet shape. The end part of tank  3 ′ is formed into a circular cylinder part  4  and is installed at the approximate center of base board  2 . The circular cylinder part  4  at its inside, which is the bottom of tank  3 , has a disk  5  mounted rotatably. The disk  5  is formed with a little deep plate shape, as shown in FIG.  4 . An outwardly extending wall  11  is formed along the whole limb of disk  5 . The top surface of standing-up wall  11  is diagonally formed with in a manner that coins do not ride on (see FIG.  6 ). In the whole peripheral side of disk  5 , holes  13  for falling coins are formed at regular intervals. 
     The disk  5  is rotated in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 4, by a driving axle  6  in the center thereof On the underside of disk  5 , a generally gear-shaped adjustment board  21  is installed (see FIG.  5 ). The adjustment board  21  is rotatably mounted on the driving axle  6 , at the center thereof The adjustment board  21  is mounted on the disk  5  by screws  22 , existing small slender holes  14  of disk  5  (see FIG.  5 ). Therefore, as for the adjustment hole  27  which was formed by the hole  13  and the tooth part  23  of adjustment board  21 , the size thereof can be easily changed (see FIG.  5 ). Further, the tip part  24  at each of curved slender tooth parts  23  of adjustment board  21  is preferably bent a little below (see FIG.  6 ). This is to surely be pressed by the tip part  24 . Also, a spacer  25  with a little small circular board shape is arranged between the base board  2  and adjustment board  21  (see FIG.  6 ). A part at the lower edge of circular cylinder part  4  is cut and the vent (not shown) for coins is formed. A release path  9  for coins which is communicates to the vent is formed on the base board  2 . 
     At the base board  2  near the coin release path  6 , the guide board  26  for coins is arranged. The height of spacer  25  is a little bit higher than the guide board  26 (see FIG.  6 ). The spacer  25  may be more than one sheet. The guide board  26  is a rough L-shaped steel plate and the tip thereof is a little bent in an upper slant. The bent part of guide board  26  is installed to protrude from the surface of base board  2 . The guide board  26  is installed on the underside of base board  2  with a bolt  26 B. A spring (not shown) is covered on this bolt  26 B and the spring is pushing the guide board  26  to the base board  2 . Further, when the disk  5  is turned in the positive turn, i.e., to the direction of clockwise, the guide board  26  guides coins to the direction of release path  9  at the small standing-up surface. Then, when the disk  5  is turned in the reverse turn, i.e., to the counterclockwise direction coins can ride over the guide board  26  by the operation of the slope and the spring. 
     A large column as shown at the right side of FIG. 8 is an electric motor  55 . On the upper end part of drive axis  56  which penetrates the electric motor  55 , a pinion  57  is positioned and is fixed. The column-shaped electric motor  55  is fixed at a diamond-shaped mounting board  58  with screws and so on. This mounting board  58  is fixed to stick-shaped short spacers  59  with screws and so on. The spacer  59  is fixed at the base board  2  with caulking or the like. A small fixed axis  52 , too, is fixed at the base board  2  by caulking or the like. 
     A small plain gear  53  is rotatably put on this fixed axis  52  without loosening. The upper end part of a little long turn axis  37  is mounted removably and rotatably at the base board  2 . The bottom tip part of turn axis  37  is installed removably and rotatably at a little large box board  31 . Then, on the turn axis  37 , a big plain gear  51  and a small gear  39  are fixed, respectively. A fixed axis  35  in the center of FIG. 8 is fixed at the square box board  31  with adhesive or caulking or the like. Then, a stepped gear  36  is rotatably put on the fixed axis  35 . The big gear part of stepped gear  36  is engaged with the small gear  39  at the bottom tip part of turn axis  37 . Further, the box board  31  is fixed to long stick-formed spacers  30  with screws and so on. The spacer  30  is fixed at the base board  2  by adhesive, caulking or the like. Four spacers  30  hang down and are fixed to the base board  2 . Each of four corner parts of box board  31  is mounted to each bottom tip part of four spacers  30  with screw, respectively. The upper end part of driving axle  6  which turns the disk  5  is formed into a bolt. The disk  5  is fixed on the driving axle  6  by a nut  12  with washer. The driving axle  6  of disk  5  is rotatably passes through the base board  2  and protrudes at the under surface of base board  2  (see FIG.  7 ). The sticking out end of driving axle  6  is rotatably pierced through the square box board  31 . At the center of long driving axle  6 , a little small circular board  32  is fixed as a boss  34 . On the underside of circle board  32 , an inside teeth gear  33  with a little big ring form is fixed by screws and so on. The internal gear  33  is meshed with the small gear part of stepped gear  36 . When removing the nut  12  from the driving axle  6 , the disk  5  can be removed from the driving axle  6 . When removing the box board  31  from the four spacer  30 , the driving axle  6  having the internal gear  33  can be taken out. The turn axis  37  which has the plain gear  51  and small gear  39  can be removed. Moreover, the stepped gear  36  can be removed from the fixed axis  35 . The plain gear  53  can be removed from the fixed axis  52  by removing a screw and so on. 
     This embodiment stores a plurality of identical kinds of coins in a loose loading condition in the tank  3 ′. When the electric motor  55  is driven, as shown in FIG. 5, the disk  5  is turned. A coin C1 falls into the hole  13  when the disk  5  is turned. When the coin C1 which fell into the hole  13  is smaller than the adjustment hole  27  which was formed by the tooth part  23 , the coin C1 can ride on the surface of base board  2 . 
     A coin C2 which rode on the surface of base board  2  slides by the tooth part  23  which was fixed on the turning disk  5 . The coin C2 which slides is guided with the inside wall of circular cylinder part  4  of tank  3 ′. Further, a coin C3 slides and is sent out from the cut out vent (not shown) at the circular cylinder part  4 . Then, the coin C3 is led to the release path  9  by an arc-shaped guide  127  and then is sent out. A cover board  29  is covered with the guide  127  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     The coins which are bigger than the adjustment holes  27  are never sent out to the release path  9 , of course. Even if a coin with big size is mixed into the coins which are a fixed size, the big size coin is never released from the hopper equipment. The coin which is led by the guide  127  and is sent to the release path  9  is generally discharged, being turned around the upper end of guide  127 . A coin C5 which is sent to the release path  9  moves a roller  61  for coin calculation, resisting a spring. The movement of a little long hinge fragment  62  having the moved roller  61  is detected by a sensor (not shown). Incidentally, a mark C6 shows a perfect slipped out coin. The coin C4 which is not led by the guide  127  is sent to the release path  9  by the guide board  26 . 
     A coin which rides over the guide board  26  tries to move to the outside direction. However, the coin is returned into the circular cylinder part  4  by a spring  66  acting on a roller  65  of a short hinge board  63 . In addition, it sends out a coin smoothly that the front-edge of each tooth part  23 , i.e., the front-edge of each tip part  24  is formed into a straight line. 
     Particularly by the making of the front-edge of tip part  24  as a straight line, the coin C5 which touched the roller  61  is sent out more smoothly without slipping at the tip part  24 , than a curved line of the front edge of tip part  24 . 
     When changing the coin size in this embodiment, the adjustment board  21  is turned a little in FIG.  5 . For example, when changing to a large coin, the adjustment board  21  is turned a little to the clockwise direction FIG.  5 . That is, loosening four screws  22  and turning a little the adjustment board  21  to the direction of clockwise, and subsequently fixing the disk  5  with the screws  22 . 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.