Coin returning device

Abstract: Coin returning device, to be used adapted to a compact which comprises the coin selector, the separator and the actual returner of the same, with storage tubes for their devolution and the operational electronics, which are included in the automatic machines operational by means of the insertion of coins, and which comprises a shell (2) with rectangular plan, provided with lateral extensiones (12) between which, a pair of guides (11) are located for the assembly of a lower, displaceable carrier (10)

Description: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The following invention, as expressed in the title of the present description, consists of a coin returning device, to be used for its inclusion in all types of automatic machines, operational by means of the insertion of coins, and which shall form part of the compact which defines the coin selector, the coin separator, the coin returner and the operational electronics, in such a way, that by means of the proposed returning device, a total of, for example, five coins, all of different value or not, may be simultaneously returned. FIELD OF APPLICATION The coin returning device is applicable in all types of automatic machines which operate by means of the insertion of coins, in such a way, that at the same time that the extraction of the acquired product occurs, it carries out the devolution of the coins when this is necessary, due to the fact that the exact amount of money of the desired product Has not been inserted. Likewise, it is applicable in recreational, gambling, slot machines for the delivery of prizes and of possible devolutions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DE-A-29 23 751 discloses a coin dispensing device having two sets of displaceable plates, namely, a coin exchange plate having several through holes, each through hole receiving the coin at the bottom of a corresponding column of coins, and several sliding plates, each sliding plate being arranged below a corresponding through hole of the coin exchange plate. The coins rest on the sliding plates when the coin exchange plate is in its rest position. The sliding plates are linked to the coin exchange plate so that when the coin exchange plate is moved to an ejection position, the sliding plates are normally displaced together with said coin exchange plate, whereby the corresponding coins are not ejected (as they remain supported by the corresponding sliding plate). However, the connection between a sliding plate and the coin exchange plate can be selectively set aside, whereby a selected sliding plate remains in the rest position when the coin exchange plate is moved to its ejection position. Thus, the coin resting in the corresponding through hole of the coin exchange plate will be displaced by said coin exchange plate to a position in which the sliding plate (which remains in the rest position) will no longer provide any support for said coin, whereby the coin will fall down and, thus, become ejected. In order to achieve the selective connection between sliding plates and coin exchange plate, a mechanism including coil operated pistons, springs, a displaceable connection pin and adequately designed edges and surfaces has been provided. US-A-4 313 450 discloses a coin dispensing device with an upper plate on which coin tubes are arranged, the device further comprising a lower plate and, between said lower plate and said upper plate, a plurality of sliding elements, whereby each sliding element is individually displaced by a mechanism including a cam disk and an eccentric pin operated by a motor. Solenoid-plunger mechanisms have been provided for in order to move some gate plates (movably mounted on the slide elements) vertically. When a gate plate has been moved into an upper position, the upper edge thereof can come into contact with the corresponding eccentric pin providing for movement of the corresponding sliding element by means of the motor. DE-A-27 12 314 discloses a coin dispensing device including a coin delivery plate arranged under each coin tube, whereby said coin delivery plate is moved by a movable element housing a pin protruding from the upper surface of said movable element into a kind of groove provided for in the bottom surface of the coin delivery plate. A motor is provided which drives a disk provided with an eccentric projection whereby to-and-fro movement of the moving element is achieved. A mechanism including several movable disks and levers has been provided in order to select the tube from which the coin to be ejected should be withdrawn. GB-A-2077016 discloses a coin dispensing device comprising a plurality of coin tubes. Each coin tube is associated with a coin discharging mechanism including a large number of levers and springs, the mechanism being operated with a motor and a solenoid. The motor is connected to a disk with an eccentric pin. Among the further existing returners for their inclusion in automatic machines which are operational by means of the insertion of coins, may be cited the returner claimed in the Spanish Patent of Invention Nº 313.537 which refers to improvements in the mechanisms for the devolution of change in the automatic vending machines, which are formed by a fixed base, provided at its upper face with the storage deposits of the coins in relation to which, said base is provided with respective orifices which allow the drop of the lower coin towards the extracting body, situated parallel to the fixed base, and a lower body which is equally fixed. On the other hand, the mechanism is provided with a rotational lever as regards the fixed base in such a manner, that one of its ends is finished of with a pair of metal bands on which the same acts when the product is extracted, whilst at its other end, the lever remain situated in relation to a pivot integral to the extractor, and which shows through a cut on the fixed base. With this structure, when the user acts on the extraction knob, the turning of the lever is produced and consequently of the extractor which drags the money to be returned, since, during its displacement, it remains in relation to the conduit which carries the coins to the small devolution box, for which, logically, the lower fixed base remains open in relation to said conduit, Likewise, may be quoted Spanish Utility Model Nº 287.503 which refers to a returner of coins, which is constituted by a support body on which the vertical cylindrical deposit is located for the deposit of the coins, open on its two bases, remaining under said support, open in relation to the deposit, a locking plate on which the lower coin abuts, and which is provided with an orifice with diameter approximately the same as that of the deposit, and arranged in offset position as regards the support orifice on which the deposit remains located. On the other hand, a lock gate is situated between the coin deposit and the lower plate, equipped with an orifice with diameter similar to that of the deposit, said lock gate being activated by a cam which causes its displacement from the position of rest with its orifice in correspondence with the deposit and consequently with the coin in the same, until it remains positioned in relation with the orifice in the lower plate, which causes the drop of the dragged coin. In direction to the extraction of the coin, the support is provided with an aperture and a continuous conduit which allows the exit and conduction of the extracted coin, the aperture and conduit being of less thickness than the thickness of double the coins, to prevent displacement of two of the coins during the extraction of the same. Once the coin has been extracted, the lock gate returns to its position of rest, with one coin inside its orifice, to be extracted at the moment when the motor is activated and to act on the lock gate drag cam. Finally, Spanish Utility Model Nº U8803476 may be cited, which refers to a coin returner device, in which the coin collector part, which is slidable on the base structure of the device, is provided with an orifice to house the coin to be returned, together with a channel for location of an excentric stub, of a cam activated by a motor controlled by a micro, said Cam having a stop for its perfect positioning, in such a way that a complete turn of the cam produces a rocking movement of the coin collector part, leading the coin towards the output conduit to the returner coin storage department, and once again situated for a new devolution. In short, it deals with unitary returners of coins, and in the case of returning various coins with one same value, it must activate the returner device, as many times as coins to be returned. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is defined by the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The present specification describes a coin returner device which allows the simultaneous devolution of up to five coins, the device having a minium volume to permit its inclusion inside the compacts assembled in automatic machines which operate by means of the insertion of coins. Said compacts, comprise the coin selector, the separator and the returner, together with the operational electronics. The returner is formed by a shell on which a plurality, for example, five, circular compartments have been defined on the upper part, on said compartments are provided the tubes which act as storage deposits of the coins to be returned. Likewise, the shell of the returner, of rectangular plant, is provided, in relation to its inferior lateral sides, with inferior extentions, between which it is equipped with a pair of guides on which a carrier is arranged, displacable in such a way, that its displacement can be produced, for example, with a motor, when its excentric lower projection is fitted inside a transversal small groove of the carrier, preferably so that when the motor rotates one complete turn, it produces the displacement and rocking of the carrier, leaving it positioned once again in its position of rest. On the other hand, the bottom of each one of the upper circular compartments of the shell, remains open, preferably according to an approximate angle of 120°, and in its centrally solid part, it is provided with a groove running throughout all its length, and similarly, the lower wall of each one of the compartments housing the coins in relation to the open section, remains open to permit the passage of the coin during its extraction. The extraction of the coins in their corresponding compartment or housing deposit, is put into effect by means of a small cam which is activated by a coil, whereby preferably each one of the preferably five coils included is housed inside its corresponding small box of the displaceable carrier, each one of the coils corresponding to one of the compartments of the coins to be returned. Thus, at the moment of the devolution of the coins, the motor is activated, preferably rotating one complete turn of its axis to cause the dragging of the carrier with a rocking motion which permits the displacement throughout the length of the guide, returning it once again to its position of rest, so that during the advancing movement, the coils corresponding to the compartments which house the coins to be returned are activated. In consequence, on activation of one of the coils retracting its core, it causes the turn of the cam rotationally joined to the free end of its core, so that its free end shows through the groove centrally defined in the corresponding compartment with which said coil is related, causing the extraction of the coin, so that once the coin has been extracted, the cam returns to its original position, placed under the bottom level of the compartments which house the coins, passing under the same. To complement the description to be offered herewith, and with the object of facilitating a better understanding of its characteristics, the present description is enclosed with a drawing, in which figures, in an illustrative and nonlimitative manner, the most significant details of the invention have been represented, described in the present report. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a lateral elevational view of the coin returner, in which the carrier is placed in its position of rest, observing the dragging motor of the same, by means of the excentric projection below an iron plate, integral with the axis of the same, which remains housed inside a small transversal groove of the lower carrier. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the returner, with a cut having been effected on the shell according to a horizontal plane, adjacent to the bottom of the formed compartments, observing the partially open bottom of the same with the central groove, through which the free end of the coin extraction cam is showing, as well as the cut related to each one of the walls of the compartments in which mesh the coin deposit tubes. Figure 3 shows a cross section of the returner, observing the upper compartments for the housing of the coin deposit tubes, as well as each one of the coils which correspond to the upper compartments and observing an activated coil with its rotated cam showing its free end through the groove in the bottom of the upper compartment for the extraction of the coin. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In view of the described figures and in compliance with the numbers adopted, it can be observed how the coin returner 1 is formed by a shell 2, which on its upper part defines five compartments 3, of generally cylindrical shape, by means of angular walls 4, in which fit corresponding tubes which house the coins for their devolution, said angular walls having an internal projection on which the tubes stop, to define a gap through which the lower coin shall be ejected. The tubes which act as deposit for the coins to be returned, are equipped on their base with a recess which, at the same time as they permit the exit of the lower coin, act as a stop for the upper coins, preventing the accidental exit of a second coin. All the tubes shall be provided with the corresponding recess, according to the thickness of the coins to be contained. Likewise, shell 2 is provided with a motor 6 which transmits the rotational movement to a circular iron plate 7, integral with its shaft, said plate being provided with a lower excentric protrusion 8, which remains meshed in a groove 9 of a carrier 10 below the shell, in such a way, that said carrier 10 remains assembled on a pair of guides 11, situated longitudinally to lateral extensions 12 of the shell. Thus, a complete rotation of the transmission shaft of motor 6 causes the displacement of the carrier 10 with a rocking motion, to displace it from its position of rest (figure 1) to the opposite end of guides 11, and replace it once more in its position of rest. The bottom 13 of circular compartments 3, remain open according to an angle of approximately 120°, and said aperture 16 extends in advance direction of carrier 10 to permit the exit of the coins 14 to be returned at the same time as bottom 13 for coin 14 abuttment, presents a central groove 15 according to the advance axis of the carrier. To bring about the extraction of coins 14, the carrier 10 has been provided with as many coils 17 as compartments 3 have been defined on shell 2, which is a total number of five coils, corresponding each one of them with a compartment 3, so that in order to carry out the extraction of the coin or coins 14, in relation to the devolution, the necessary coils 17 shall be activated, to rotate cam 18 which is joined to the same, the free end 19 thereof showing through groove 15 of the bottom of the corresonding compartment, causing the advance and fall of coin 14 through aperture 16. In this way, the devolution of the coins is produced with one single movement of motor 6, simultaneously returning the totality of the same, that is to say, up to five coins. Carrier 10 may be observed in figure 1 in its position of rest and the moment in which motor 6 is activated, the advance of carrier 10 is produced to reach the opposite end of the guides 11 returning once again to its initial position ready for a new activation. For this, the motor 6 transmits the rotational movement to an iron plate 7 provided with a lower projection 8 which meshes in hollow 9 of carrier 10 and the complete rotation of the axis of the motor 6 produces the rocking motion of the carrier. In figure 2 it may be observed how coin 14 seats on the bottom of the compartment, highlighted, for a better visualization by shading with squares, and when coin 14 is extracted its drop through aperture 16 is produced, the corresponding cam 18 having caused said advance of coin 14, said cam being activated by coil 17 to which it is rotationally joined. In figure 3 it may be observed how one of the cams 18 has been rotated by the activation of coil 17 to which it is rotationally joined, showing its free end 19 through the groove 15 of bottom 13 to cause the extraction of coin 14. Coils 17 shall only be activated to cause the extraction of the coin corresponding to the compartment related to the same, and subsequently they remain in the position of rest under the level of the bottoms 13 of the returner compartments, the carrier being capable of displacement without any problem and causing the extraction of the suitable coins. In this way, a returner is offered which permits the simulataneous devolution of up to five coins, occupying a minimum space which permits its inclusion in conventional compacts of standard dimensions.

Claims: Coin returning device, usable in a compact comprising a coin selector, a coin separator and the coin returning device, with storage tubes for the coins (14) to be returned and with electronic equipment for operating the device, said coin returning device comprising: a shell (2) with a rectangular plan, the shell being provided with lateral extensions (12), a pair of guides (11) being arranged between said extensions; a displaceable carrier (10) arranged below said shell (2) and on said guides (11), the carrier being displaceable along said guides between a first position and a second position; a plurality of up to five compartments (3) arranged on the upper side of said shell (2) for housing respective tubes for storing coins (14), each of said compartments (3) having a bottom (13) which has an opening (16) in a front portion thereof, for letting out a coin during operation of the device, each of said compartments (3) further having central groove (15) in its bottom; wherein the carrier (10) is provided with a plurality of coil actuated cams (18), one coil actuated cam (18) corresponding to each of said compartments (3) and the coil actuated cams being arranged so that, when the carrier is in its first position, actuation of a coil will displace the corresponding cam from a first position in which an end (19) of said cam does not protrude into the corresponding compartment (3), to a second position in which the end (19) of said cam will protrude into the corresponding compartment (3) through the groove (15) in the bottom of said compartment; whereby the device is arranged so that movement of the carrier from its first position to its second position after activation of a coil will cause the lowest coin in the tube housed in the corresponding compartment (3) to be dragged by the end (19) of the cam (18) corresponding to the activated coil towards the opening (16) of said compartment, for ejection of said coin through said opening. A coin returning device according to claim 1, wherein the device further includes a motor (6) arranged to transmit rotational movement to a circular plate (7) having an eccentric projection (8) engaging with a transversal groove (9) in the carrier (10), whereby the carrier can be displaced between said first position and said second position by the motor. Coin returning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compartments include angular walls (4) defining means for fitting in the tubes for storing coins (14). Coin returning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of compartments is five compartments. Coin returning device according to claim 3, wherein the angular walls (4) are internally provided with projections against which the tubes for storing coins abut. Coin returning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (16) in the bottom (13) of each compartment is arranged in accordance with an angle of approximately 120º and wherein the opening extends in the direction of extraction of the coins. Coin returning device according to claim 2, wherein the motor (6), the circular plate (7), the eccentric projection (8) and the transversal groove (9) are arranged so that upon complete rotation of the output shaft of the motor, the carrier is displaced from its first position to its second position and back to its first position. Coin returning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cam (18) is connected to a core of the corresponding coil (17), whereby retraction of the core causes rotation of the corresponding cam (18) whereby the end (19) thereof is made to protrude into the corresponding compartment (3) through the groove (15) in the bottom (13) thereof.

Inventors: GUINDULAIN BUSTO JESUS, GUINDULAIN BUSTO, JESUS
Applicants: JOFEMAR SA, JOFEMAR, S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G07D1
IPC codes: G07D1