Coin dispensing apparatus

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus able to dispense coins until and including the last coin left in the apparatus that satisfies the need for downsizing. The coin dispensing apparatus has a coin dispensing disc in the form of a rotary disc supported for rotation by a drive shaft in opposition to a substrate. A cylindrical case surrounds the coin dispensing disc and an outlet slot is formed in the cylindrical case. Guide apertures are formed circumferentially at equal intervals in a coin transporting disc that guide coins on the substrate. A pushing pin is positioned between the substrate and coin transporting disc for pushing coins towards the cylindrical case as the coin transporting disc is rotated. A guide groove in the disc guides the pushing pin in a direction toward the outlet slot.

Description: The present invention relates to a coin dispensing apparatus that contains coins or tokens in bulk in a hopper and dispenses the coins one at a time from inside the hopper as necessary. An example of a conventional coin dispensing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 51-119295 which was filed by the applicant of the present application. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, this conventional coin dispensing apparatus comprises a substrate 2 which arranged at a position inside hopper 1, and is inclined to the horizontal. A coin transporting rotary disc 4 is provided in the form of a rotary disc which is supported rotatably by drive shaft 3 and is spaced in opposition to substrate 2 with a clearance slightly larger than the thickness of coins (not shown). A cylindrical case 5 in the form of an enclosure wall extends towards coin transporting rotary disc 4 from substrate 2 and surrounds coin transporting rotary disc 4, and outlet slot 6 being formed in cylindrical case 5. Four guide apertures 7 are equally and circumferentially spaced in coin transporting rotary disc 4 that guide coins on substrate 2. Each aperture 7 has transporting arms 8 that are mounted on the substrate side of the coin transporting rotary disc 4 and extend along the radial direction to a hypothetical circle that passes through the centers of guide apertures 7 having the center of coin transporting rotary disc 4 as its axis and slides coins in the direction of rotation of coin transporting rotary disc 4 (direction indicated by the arrow in the drawings). A regulating pin 9 is retractably arranged on substrate 2 at a position facing outlet slot 6 for changing the direction of coins dispensed by transporting arms 8 towards outlet slot 6 to dispense coins from outlet slot 6. Finally, reference numeral 12 indicates a drive motor that rotates drive shaft 3. However, in the conventional coin dispensing apparatus described above, transporting arms 8 slide coins only in the direction of rotation of coin transporting rotary disc 4 on substrate 2, and regulating pin 9 dispenses coins from outlet slot 6 by changing the direction of coins dispensed by transporting arms 8 towards outlet slot 6. As a result, since coins, the direction of which has been changed by regulating pin 9, leave a course on which they can be pushed by transporting arms 8, the coins in front are not dispensed from outlet slot 6 unless they are pushed by other succeeding coins. Namely, in the conventional coin dispensing apparatus, when there is only one coin remaining in the apparatus to be dispensed, since there are no other succeeding coins behind it, that last coin cannot be dispensed outside the apparatus. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, in a coin dispensing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 61-281385 also filed by the applicant of the present application, scraper 11 is provided that rotates in synchronization with coin transporting disc 4. Scraper 11 has guide apertures 7 and an equal number of radial transporting blades 10. The ends of transporting blades 10 protrude through an opening continuous with outlet slot 6 and between substrate 2 and coin transporting disc 4. The transporting blades 10 scrape the coins in concert with transporting arms 8 and regulating pin 9 in dispensing the coins. As a result, transporting blades 10 of scraper 11 were able to scrape out even the last coin left in the apparatus. However, since the conventional coin dispensing apparatus as described above requires a scraper, there are disadvantages. Specifically, the number of parts is increased and the overall size of the device is forced to be larger, thus having the additional shortcoming of being contrary to the need for downsizing. In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, a first technical object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing apparatus able to dispense coins including the last coin left in the apparatus. In addition, a second technical object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing apparatus that satisfies the need for downsizing. EP-A-0204405 discloses an apparatus for dispensing coins, the apparatus comprising a substrate having a surface; a rotary disc rotatable with respect to the substrate; an enclosure surrounding the rotary disc; an outlet slot provided in the enclosure; guide apertures formed in the rotary disc for guiding the coins on the surface of the substrate; and a pushing member positioned between the substrate and the rotary disc and moving in correspondence with the rotation of the disc, for pushing the coins towards the outlet slot as the rotary disc is rotated and, according to the present invention, such an apparatus is characterised by a guiding track or tracks disposed on at least one of the substrate and the rotary disc for guiding the pushing member between at least a first radially inner position and a second radially outer position, the second position being proximate the outlet slot. There may be a guiding track on the rotary disc that extends substantially in a radial direction of the rotary disc and holds one end of a corresponding pushing member. A guiding track on the substrate side of the rotary disc may either extends through the disc or extends into the disc and has a concave-shaped cross-section. A guiding track on the substrate may define a closed path for holding the other ends of plural pushing members. The pushing member preferably has a rib with a diameter that extends to the outer edges of the guide apertures. A direction changing member may be provided on the substrate at a position facing the outlet slot, wherein the direction changing member makes contact with coins pushed out by the pushing member to change their direction so that the coins are pressed out towards the outlet slot. The direction changing member may be retractably arranged with respect to the substrate. There may be a rotatable outlet roller provided on the outlet slot, the outlet roller making contact with coins pushed out by the pushing member to dispense them outside. The outlet roller may be arranged to be able to approach and move away from the outlet slot. The closed path may comprise a pushing path, a return path continuous with the pushing path and an inner circumferential path continuous with the return path, the pushing path extending from a first pre-determined position on the substrate to the outlet slot, the return path extending from the outlet slot to a pre-determined second position on the substrate, and the inner circumferential path extending from the second position to the first position and being provided concentrically to the rotary disc having the centre of the rotary disc as its axis. The inner circumferential path may be provided on the inside of a circle that passes through the centres of the apertures having the centre of the rotary disc as its axis, the pushing member forcing coins towards an enclosure wall by being guided along the inner circumferential path. Alternatively, the inner circumferential path may be provided on the outside of a circle passing through the centres of the guide apertures having the centre of the rotary disc as its axis, and the pushing member has transporting arms that slide coins in the rotating direction of the rotary disc on the substrate, and pushing pins that push out coins along the inner circumferential path by forcing the coins towards the pushing member. In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the coin dispensing apparatus claimed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 2a and 2b are partial cross-sectional views showing the mutual relationships between elements of the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plain view from the upper surface of the coin dispensing apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the lower surface of the coin dispensing apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5a is a perspective view showing a coin dispensing disc and sliding portion in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, while Fig. 5b is a plain view of the same. Fig. 6a is a perspective view of a cylindrical case in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, while Fig. 6b is a plain view of the same. Fig. 7 is a side view showing a conventional coin dispensing apparatus. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional coin dispensing apparatus. Fig. 9 is a plain view, a portion of which has been cut out, of another conventional coin dispensing apparatus. The following provides an explanation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, an explanation of those reference numerals that are the same as reference numerals shown in the conventional coin dispensing apparatus is omitted. As shown in Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of the coin dispensing apparatus of the present invention has substrate 2 arranged at a position either horizontal or inclined to horizontal. A coin transporting disc 4 in the form of a rotary disc is supported for rotation by drive shaft 3 in opposition to substrate 2 at a clearance that is slightly larger than the thickness of the coins (not shown). A cylindrical case 5 in the form of an enclosure wall extends from substrate 2 towards coin transporting disc 4 and surrounds coin transporting disc 4, an outlet slot 6 is formed in cylindrical case 5. Five guide receptacles formed by apertures 7 are formed circumferentially at equal intervals in coin transporting disc 4 and guide coins on substrate 2. A transporting arm 8 extends along the radial direction to a hypothetical circle passing through the centers of guide receptacles 7, having the center of coin transporting disc 4 as its axis, and slides coins in the direction of the direction of rotation of coin transporting disc 4 (direction shown by arrow in the drawing) on substrate 2. Regulating pin 9 is retractably arranged on substrate 2 at a position facing outlet slot 6 and dispenses coins from outlet slot 6 by changing the direction of coins carried by transporting arm 8 towards outlet slot 6. Guide apertures 7 may be have notched shapes opening towards the circumference of coin transporting disc 4. In the preferred embodiment, a pushing pin 20 is positioned between substrate 2 and coin transporting disc 4 and is operative to push coins towards cylindrical case 5 accompanying rotation of coin transporting disc 4. Guide groove 30 forms a guiding track on substrate 2 is provided to guide pushing pin 20 to outlet slot 6. As shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, five guide apertures are arranged circumferentially in coin transporting disc 4 at equal intervals, and further guiding tracks in the form of sliding portions 40 are each cut in an outer circumferential portion of coin transporting disc 4 between mutually adjacent guide receptacles 7. These sliding portions extend along the radial direction of coin transporting disc 4 and guide the upper end 21 of pushing pin 20 but permit it to slide freely. In Fig. 2a, this sliding portion 40 is arranged on the back side, or substrate side, of coin transporting disc 4, and is in the form of a groove having a concave shaped cross-section. In Fig. 2b, sliding portion 40 is in the form of a rectangular shaped slot formed in coin transporting disc 4. In addition, in Fig. 2c, sliding portion 40 is separately provided on the back side of coin transporting disc 4 in the form of a plate suspended on the substrate side. As a result of having this constitution, the force generated by movement of coin transporting disc 4 is transmitted to the upper end 21 of pushing pin 20, resulting in movement of pushing pin 20. In Figs. 2a and 2b, the upper end 21 of pushing pin 20 is arranged in a groove of sliding portion 40, while lower end 22 is arranged in guide portion 30. In addition, pushing pin 20 has rib 23 between its upper end 21 and lower end 22 that makes contact with coins. In Fig. 2c, pushing pin 20 does not have an upper end 21, but has a separate rib 24 on lower end 22. As shown in Figs. 2a - 2c, guide portion 30 is provided on substrate 2 having a concave shaped cross-section. As shown in Fig. 3, guide portion 30 follows a pushing path 31, a return path 32 continuous with pushing path 31, and an inner circumferential path 33 continuous with return path 32. Pushing path 31 extends from the terminal end of inner circumferential path 33 to outlet slot 6 on substrate 2, return path 32 extends from outlet slot 6 to the starting end of inner circumferential path 33 on substrate 2, and inner circumferential path 33 is provided concentrically with coin transporting disc 4 on the inside of a circle that passes through the centers of guide apertures 7, having the center of coin transporting disc 4 as its axis. Returning to Fig. 1, rotatable outlet roller 50 is provided on outlet slot 6. Outlet roller 50 dispenses coins outside by making contact with coins pushed out by pushing pin 20. As shown in Fig. 4, outlet roller 50 is arranged to be able to approach and move away from outlet slot 6 by spring 51 provided on the back of substrate 2. Furthermore, plate spring 52 shown in the drawing is for making regulating pin 9 retractable with respect to substrate 2 by bending backward and returning to its original position. This outlet roller 50 is for preventing coins from becoming jammed. Namely, in the case the center points of roller pin 20, a coin and outlet roller 50 are all arranged on a straight line, rotation of disc 4 is obstructed as a result of these three components being in balance. In order to disrupt this balance, spring 51 is provided on roller arm 53 of outlet roller 50. Movement of the roller arm 53 allows coins that have become balanced to eject from the outlet slot 6. Furthermore, Figs. 6a and 6b show detailed views of outlet slot 6 formed in cylindrical case 5. Next, the following provides an explanation of the operation of the coin dispensing apparatus claimed in the present embodiment with reference to Fig. 1. As is also shown in Fig. 7, together with coin transporting disc 4 rotating counter-clockwise by means of drive shaft 3 driven by drive motor 12, a single coin from those coins presently accumulated in hopper 1 are guided by guide aperture 7 on substrate 2. Accompanying rotation of coin transporting disc 4, pushing pin 20 moves in the counter-clockwise direction along inner circumferential path 33 (see Fig. 3) of guide portion 30 by means of sliding portion 40. Similarly, transporting arm 8, mounted on the substrate side of coin transporting disc 4, dispenses the coin in guide aperture 7 in the counter-clockwise direction while also moving in the counter-clockwise direction. Next, when the coin dispensed by transporting arm 8 makes contact with regulating pin 9 arranged at a position facing outlet slot 6, the coin leaves the course of transporting arm 8. At this time, pushing pin 20 following this transporting arm 8 switches to pushing path 31 from inner circumferential path 33 and makes contact with the coin that has left the course of transporting arm 8. As a result of pushing pin 20 gradually moving towards outlet slot 6 along pushing path 31, it works in concert with regulating pin 9 to press out the coin towards outlet slot 6. The coin that has been pushed out in this manner makes contact with outlet roller 50 where it is then smoothly dispensed to the outside. Pushing pin 20 then completes one cycle of operation by switching to return path 32 and moving away from outlet slot 6 by the rotation of coin transporting disc 4. Although the case of providing transporting arm 8 and regulating pin 9 has been explained in the present embodiment, pushing pin 20 alone can also reliably dispense one coin at a time until and including the final coin left in the apparatus without using transporting arm 8 and regulating pin 9. Namely, if inner circumferential path 33 is provided on the inside of a circle that passes through the centers of guide apertures 7, having the center of coin transporting disc 4 as its axis, pushing pin 20 applies force in the direction in which coins are always pushed out to cylindrical case 5 along inner circumferential path 33. Coins are dispensed to outlet slot 6 while being pinched by pushing pin 20 which gradually moves towards outlet slot 6 along pushing path 31. As centrifugal force is applied to the coins due to the torque of coin transporting disc 4, the coins are dispensed in the manner of being flung out at the moment they are located at outlet slot 6. According to the present invention as explained above, since a pushing member, which pushes out coins towards an enclosure wall by rotation of a rotary disc, and a guide portion, which guides the pushing member to at least an outlet slot, are provided, coins can be dispensed one at a time until and including the last coin in the apparatus without requiring a component such as a scraper and so forth, thus allowing the providing of a coin dispensing apparatus that can satisfy the need for downsizing.

Claims: An apparatus for dispensing coins, the apparatus comprising a substrate (2) having a surface; a rotary disc (4) rotatable with respect to the substrate; an enclosure (5) surrounding the rotary disc; an outlet slot (6) provided in the enclosure; guide apertures (7) formed in the rotary disc for guiding the coins on the surface of the substrate; and a pushing member (20) positioned between the substrate and the rotary disc and moving in correspondence with the rotation of the disc, for pushing the coins towards the outlet slot as the rotary disc is rotated; characterised by a guiding track or tracks (30,40) disposed on at least one of the substrate and the rotary disc for guiding the pushing member between at least a first radially inner position and a second radially outer position, the second position being proximate the outlet slot. An apparatus according to claim 1, which comprises a first guiding track (40) disposed on the rotary disc (4) and extending substantially from an inner radial position to an outer radial position of the disc and being operative to guide one end of the pushing member (20). An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first guiding track (40) is arranged on the substrate-adjacent side of the rotary disc (4) and has a concave cross-section. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first guiding track (40) extends through the rotary disc (4). An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a second guiding track (30) on the substrate (2), one end (21) of the pushing member (20) being oxidatively disposed with respect to the first guiding track (40) and the other end (22) of the pushing member (20) being operatively disposed with respect to the second guiding track (30), and the pushing member (20) being arranged to make contact with the coins between the one end and the other end. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the guide apertures 97) have outer edges and the pushing member (20) has a rib (23) for contacting the coins and the rib has a diameter that extends to the outer edges of the guide apertures. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, which has a direction changing member (9) provided on the substrate (2) at a portion facing the outlet slot (6), the direction changing member being arranged to make contact with coins pushed by the pushing member (20) to change their direction so that the cons are pressed out towards the outlet slot. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the direction changing member (9) is retractably arranged with respect to the substrate (2). An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, which has a rotatable outlet roller (50) provided at the outlet slot (6), the outlet roller being arranged to contact coins pushed by the pushing member (20) for dispensing. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the outlet roller (50) is operative for movement towards and away from the outlet slot (6). An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pushing member is provided by pushing pins (20), one pin being associated with each aperture (7). An apparatus according to claim 1, which has on the substrate surface, a guiding track (30) having a concave-shaped cross-section. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the guiding track (30) on the substrate surface comprises a pushing path (31), a return path (32) continuous with the pushing path and an inner circumferential path (33) continuous with the return path, the pushing path extending from a first pre-determined position on the substrate to the outlet slot (6), the return path extending from the outlet slot to a pre-determined second position on the substrate, and the inner circumferential path extending from the second position to the first position and being provided concentrically to the rotary disc (4) having the centre of the rotary disc as its axis. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the inner circumferential path (33) is provided on the inside of a circle that passes through the centres of the guide apertures (7) having the centre of the rotary disc (4) as its axis, and the pushing member (2) is arranged to force coins towards the enclosure (5) by being guided along the inner circumferential path. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the inner circumferential path (33) is provided on the outside of a circle passing through the centres of the guide apertures (7) having the centre of the rotary disc (4) as its axis, and the rotary disc (4) has transporting arms (8) that are arranged to slide coins in the rotating direction of the rotary disc (4) on the substrate (2), and pushing pins that push out coins along the inner circumferential path by forcing the coins towards the pushing member (20). An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transporting arms (8) rotate with the rotary disc (4), are positioned between the substrate (2) and the rotary disc (4), and extend along the radial direction to a circle that passes through the centres of the guide apertures (7) having the centre of the rotary disc (4) as its axis, and at least one end (22) of the pushing pins is arranged in operative contact with the guiding track (30), and at least one of the pushing pins (20) has a rib (23) between the one end (22) and the other end (21), the rib being arranged to make contact with the coins. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary disc (4) and the substrate surface (2) have a clearance essentially corresponding to the thickness of a coin to be dispensed.

Inventors: TANI KIYOSHI, TANI, KIYOSHI
Applicants: ASAHI SEIKO CO LTD, ASAHI SEIKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G07D1
IPC codes: G07D1, G07D9