Abstract:
A coin dispensing apparatus includes a storage interior for storing bulk coins, a coin passageway extending along a vertical longitudinal axis upward from the storage container to an exit aperture, and a coin selector for selectively sending coins upward along the coin passageway. A lever is pivotably mounted for contacting the coin as it exits the exit aperture, and a sensor unit operatively connected with the lever can count the coins as they exit. The lever and the sensor unit can be appropriately aligned in a fixed relationship and a mounting assembly that is mounting the lever and the sensor unit adjacent the exit aperture can be adjusted traverse to ? can be movably adjusted first to the longitudinal axis to accommodate different size coins.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention is in the field of coin dispensing apparatus where coins are dispense from a storage container through a coin passageway with an exit aperture, and more particularly to a compact mounting assembly that can mount both a pivoting lever that extends within the coin exit aperture and a sensor unit which can be adjusted traverse to a longitudinal axis of the passageway to accommodate different size coins.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0004]    Various forms of devices utilize coin handling and pay-out apparatus, such as slot machines, gaming devices, and money change apparatus. Coins, medallions, or tokens are usually dispensed from a storage container by a selector mechanism through a coin passageway to a coin exit aperture. The coin passageway can be elevated relative to the storage container or coin hopper so that the coins are pushed up in a single edge-to-edge file or stack through the passageway. Various devices have been provided to provide security without jamming the dispensing of the coins from the exit aperture.  
           [0005]    Referring to FIG. 5, a coin hopper or bowl  1  can store loose coins in bulk. A coin selector device, such as a rotating disk  2 , can selectively pick up coins from the coin hopper to direct them towards an escalator  10 . Individual coins can be stopped at a protrusion  2   a  which is located adjacent to the rotating disk at the entrance to the escalator  10 . The protrusion  2   a  can direct the coin to contact a return prevention roller  5  which governs the entrance outlet to the escalator  10 . The return prevention roller  5  is installed at the tip or edge of a rotating lever  7  that rotates about a fixed shaft  6 . While not illustrated in FIG. 5, a spring can provide a biasing force to rotate the lever  7  in a counter-clockwise direction. The escalator  10  extends upward from the outlet  4 . The escalator  10  can be formed from an elongated base member  11 , spacers  12 A and  12 B, and maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B. The dimensions of the spacers  12 A and  12 B are slightly thicker than the thickness of the coin to be guided along the escalator  10 . Additionally, the spacers  12 A and  12 B are spaced outwardly, from a longitudinal axis of the passageway, to be slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to form a coin passageway or guide for a series of stacked coins as they are progressively passed upward along the escalator  10 . The maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B can be held by appropriate fasteners, such as screws, to the sides of the base  11  with the spacers  12 A and  12 B installed on the base  11 . The resultant configuration provides a cross-sectional rectangular guide path for coins of a predetermined diameter and thickness.  
           [0006]    Mounted adjacent the exit aperture of the coin passageway is a dispensing unit fixed to the maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B of a type of structure, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,258. An upper end portion of the guide passageway  15 , shown in FIG. 7, can have a curved surface  21 G formed in a guide piece  21 . A lower curved upper end portion  12 AU of a spacer  12 A can complete the formation of the exit aperture. Thus, the upper end division of the guide passageway  15  will curve in a leftward direction, as shown in FIG. 7.  
           [0007]    Referring to FIG. 6, a coin sensor  20  is provided with a pivoting lever  23  that rotates about a shaft  26 , while supporting a control roller  22  at its tip. The control roller  22  rotates about a shaft  24  at the end of the lever  23 . The shaft  26  can be mounted on a bracket  25  which, in turn, is fixed to the base  11 . The control roller  22  is located at the exit of the respective curved planes of the spacers  12 A and guide piece  21 . A sensor unit  27  can output a detection signal upon detection of an edge  23 B of the lever  23  when it is moved within a detection groove  27 A. The lever  23  can receive a biasing force by a spring  28 . The dispenser assembly  29  has a structure composed of the control roller  22 , the lever  23 , and the biasing spring  28 . A stopper  30  protruding from the bracket  25  can stop the rotation of the lever  23 .  
           [0008]    As can be seen, the control roller  22  at the end of the lever  23  protrudes into the exit of the guide passageway  15  when a coin is not in contact with the control roller  22 . At this time, the detection edge  23 B of the lever  23  is displaced from the detection groove  27 A.  
           [0009]    Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and  7 , the protrusion  2 A on the rotating disk  2  in the storage hopper will selectively push coins  3  towards the exit  4 . The return prevention roller  5  is pushed up to permit a coin  3  to pass into the coin passageway. As additional coins  3  are inserted into the passageway, the lowest coin of the coin passageway will push the upper coins upward in the guide passageway  15 . Eventually, the highest coin  3 U, shown in FIG. 7, will be ejected from the guide passageway  15 . As it is being ejected, it will contact the control roller  22  and force the lever  23  to rotate in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 7.  
           [0010]    The detection edge  23 B will be moved within the detection groove  27 A and thereby cause the sensor  27  to output a detection signal representative of the presence of a coin. The lever  23  is biased by spring force of the spring  28  in a counter-clockwise direction so that the control roller  23  will rotate across the periphery of the coin  3 U. Meanwhile, at the storage hopper, the return prevention roller  5  will stop the return of any coins in the guide passage  15 .  
           [0011]    As can be appreciated, it is desirable for the coins to be loaded within the guide passageway  15  so that they are immediately available for discharge, but it is also important that the detection signal not be activated until the coin actually is in the process of being ejected. As can be appreciated, the positional relationship between the highest coin  3 U and the control roller  22  will depend on the path length from the return prevention roller  5  to the control roller  22  and the diameter of the coin  3 . If the diameter of the coins is relatively large, they could cause the control roller  22  to stop in a contact condition that will activate a sensor output. Thus, an adjustment to accommodate different size coins is necessary in such a coin dispenser.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,275 represent a proposed solution to this adjustment problem. The coin sensor  20  is mounted for longitudinal adjustment relative to the position of the escalator  10 . Accordingly, the positional relationship between the highest coin  3 U and the control roller  22  can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the guide passage  15 . The housing which surrounds the escalator must have sufficient vertical adjustment space to permit a height correction to provide this adjustment.  
           [0013]    Other examples of the prior art structure can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,001 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,377.  
           [0014]    The requirement of a compact configurations with adjustments to accommodate different size coins still remains an issue in the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The present invention seeks to ensure an accurate output from a sensor unit in detecting the condition of a coin discharge without changing the vertical length of the escalator or coin passageway.  
           [0016]    To achieve this structure, the present invention provides a storage container for storing coins and an escalator or coin passageway extending along an longitudinal axis upward from the storage container to an exit aperture. A coin selector can be mounted within the storage container and send a coin into the coin passageway wherein a series of stacked coins can be advanced for discharge through the exit aperture. A dispenser unit can be located in the exit of the coin passageway and can include a lever pivotedly mounted for contacting the coin as it exits the exit aperture and a sensor unit for counting the coins. A mounting assembly can mount the lever and the sensor unit adjacent the exit aperture for adjustment traverse to the longitudinal axis to accommodate different size coins without increasing the overall height of the combined dispenser unit and coin passageway. The mounting assembly can include a base member for movably mounting the dispenser unit to permit an adjustment traverse to the longitudinal axis of the passageway and a fastener member for releasably securing the base member to the coin passageway.  
           [0017]    Such an arrangement does not change the overall length of the coin passageway or guide passage but permits a change in the relative position between the coin control roller on the lever and the specific size of the coins. Thus, this installation alignment permits a lateral adjustment of the control roller in configurations wherein it is not possible to provide space to permit an adjustment in a vertical height direction. This ensures that appropriate detection signals are not generated while accommodating different size coins. The dispenser unit can further comprise a lever with a rotatable roller installed at its tip and a shaft that can permit free rotation of the lever. A spring can be used to bias the lever into the coin passageway while a sensor unit can detect the relative movement of the lever to provide a coin detection signal. A base member can support both the shaft, lever, spring, and sensor unit with elongated holes to permit a lateral traverse adjustment to the longitudinal axis of the guide passage. Accordingly, an adjustment is easy, because it is possible for readjustment of both the lever and the sensor unit without increasing the overall combined height of the escalator or coin passageway. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    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.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser unit and mounting assembly of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is an elevated partial view of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser unit mounting base member and upper structure of the escalator;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is an elevated view of the dispenser unit laterally adjusted in a traverse direction relative to FIG. 2;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a coin hopper dispenser;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a dispenser unit of the prior art; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is an elevated plan view of dispenser unit of the prior art. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and user the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a coin dispensing apparatus with an adjustable dispenser unit for accommodating different size coins.  
         [0027]    The coin dispenser apparatus of the present invention can utilize some of the common elements disclosed in the prior art, such as the storage container, coin selector, and escalator or coin passageway, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the common elements will be described with the same reference numbers as utilized in the Background of the Invention.  
         [0028]    The present invention, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , includes the base plate  11  which can mount the appropriate spacers  12 A and  12 B and the maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B. The spacers and the maintenance boards can be adjusted or additional spacers of a different size can be utilized to accommodate different diameter coins. The terminology “Coin” as used in the present invention includes medallions, tokens, and other articles in addition to monetary coins that can be stored in bulk and dispensed through a guide passageway.  
         [0029]    As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base member  11  can mount the spacers  12 A and  12 B and the guide piece  21  with the overlying maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B. An adapter plate  40  that is aligned parallel with the base  11  can support a fixation shaft  26 . A cover member  46  having an upper left hand notch can be mounted by appropriate screws directly on the maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B, as shown in FIG. 2. An elongated slot at the bottom of the cover member  46  can accommodate different spacing of the maintenance boards  13 A and  13 B. Holes  46 A and  46 B are provided along an upper edge.  
         [0030]    As can be seen in FIG. 1, a contact roller at the end of the lever arm  23  is juxtapositioned to extend into the exit aperture and accommodated by the notch in the upper left hand corner of cover plate  46 . An installation alignment base member  45  having a pair of elongated holes  45 A and  45 B is adapted to be releasably mounted to and laterally slid across the face of a cover member  46 .  
         [0031]    A dispensing unit  29  includes a lever  23  that can be pivotedly moved for placing the coin contacting control roller  22  across the exit aperture of the guide passage  15 . A spring  28  can bias the rotation of the lever  23  about its fixation shaft  26  and also can provide an ejection force in assisting the coin  3 U to be ejected in a leftward direction. An adapter plate  40  can interconnect the operation of the lever  23  and a sensor unit  27  that can be mounted on an L-shaped bracket  41 . A fixation shaft  26  is fixed in the adapter plate  40  to permit the rotation or pivoting of the lever  23 . The lever arm rotates in a plane parallel to a plane containing a base  11 . The shaft  24  supports rotation of the contact roller  22 . At a distal end of the lever  23 , a detection edge  23 B is provided. The sensor unit  27  includes a groove  27   a , as shown in FIG. 1, which is aligned with the plane of movement of the lever  23  so that the detection edge  23 B can operatively pass into and out of the detection groove  27 A. As can be determined, a positional alignment of the lever  23  and the sensor unit  27  can be established with its mounting on the adapter plate  40 . The adapter plate  40  can also support a stopper  30  which extends at a perpendicular angle to the plane of the base  11  to limit the movement of the lever arm  23 .  
         [0032]    Fasteners  42  can secure the sensor unit  27  and the L-shaped bracket  41 . The adapter plate  40  can be fixed to the installational alignment base  45  which is also aligned in parallel with the plane containing the base  11 . Fasteners  43 A and  43 A can pass through holes of  40 A and  40 B ( 40 B overlaps with the hole  41 B, shown in FIG. 3). The fasteners can be secured within threaded holes in the mounted base member  45 .  
         [0033]    The fastener  43 B which can extend through the hole  41 B, shown in FIG. 3, sets the fixing bracket  41  that supports the sensor unit  27  on the installation alignment base  45 . An elongated hole  41 A is aligned in the vertical plane in an arc configuration and is formed on the mounting bracket  41 . The hole  41 B is centrally aligned with the elongated arc opening and a fastener  44  can extend through the elongated hole  41 A to be screwed into the adapter plate  40 . The bracket  41  is then fixed by the fastener or screw  44  and the fastener or screw  43 B. As can be appreciated, the bracket  41  can rotate or pivot about the anchor location of the screw  43 B. Thus, by rotation of the bracket  41  it is possible to adjust the mounting angle of the sensor unit  27  on the adapter plate  40 . This permits a positional relationship between the detector edge  23 B of the lever  23  and the groove in the sensor unit  27  to be relatively adjusted. Fasteners  47 A and  47 B can screw within threaded holes  11   a  and  11   b  in the base  11 . The fasteners  47 A and  47 B are thereby removably attached to fix the base  45 , the cover  46 , and the guide piece  21 .  
         [0034]    The position of the control roller  22  on the lever arm  23  can be horizontally adjusted by movement along the length of the elongated holes  45 A and  45 B. This adjustment is accommodated by the notch at the upper left hand corner of the cover  46 . The guide board or cover  46  guides coins  3  which pass through the maintenance board  13 A and  13 B to form the final exit aperture for the coins.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 4, an example is shown wherein the uppermost coin  3 U of a certain diameter is accommodated. By loosening the fasteners  47 A and  47 B, the base member  45  can be moved traverse to the longitudinal axis of the guide passage  15  in a horizontal direction by the length of the elongated holes  45 A and  45 B. Thus, the desired position of the control roller  22  can be adjusted so that it is in the path of the uppermost coin  3 U but the distal end  23 B of the lever end  22  is not being displaced to interact with the sensor unit  27 . When this desired position is reached, the fasteners  47 A and  47 B are tightened so that the alignment based  45  is then fixed for the particular diameter of the coins.  
         [0036]    In this condition, when a coin is discharged by the selector unit or rotating disk  2  into the guide passage  15 , the highest coin  3 U is then guided by the curved plane  12 AU and the guide plane  21  G. The highest coin is then ejected in a left traverse direction and during this action, the lever  23  is rotated in a clockwise rotation since the control roller  22  is pushed up by the coin  3 U. The detection edge  23   b  is then lowered into the detection groove  27   a  of the sensor unit  27 . The lever arm  23  is biased by the spring force of the spring  28  so that when the coin  3 U begins passing the leftward of the control roller  22 , the control roller  22  is then biased downward to further urge the coin  3 U to be ejected in the leftward direction. The next coin then becomes the highest coin  3 U and the condition of FIG. 4 is repeated with the sensor unit  27  monitoring a predetermined number of coins that are to be ejected.  
         [0037]    Referring again to FIG. 4, if the guide passage  15  is dimensioned to accept a larger size as shown by the dash lines of coin  3 UB, then it is necessary for the base  45  to be moved traverse to the longitudinal axis of the passage guide  15  along the elongated holes  45 A and  45 B towards the right in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the fasteners  47 A and  47 B are untightened so that the control roller  22  is then moved to the desired position which will be close to the uppermost coin  3 UB. In FIG. 4, only the movement of the control roller  22  is illustrated by a dash line to ensure clarity in the drawing description. As can be seen, this adjustment for a larger coin does not vary the vertical height of the combined escalator and coin dispenser since the alignment plate  45  is slid in a horizontal plane and in a direction traverse to a longitudinal axis of the guide passage  15 . When the desired position is achieved, so that the sensor unit  27  is not activated, but the control roller  22  is appropriately positioned within the exit aperture to engage the coin  3 UB when it is being ejected, the fasteners  47 A and  47 B are again tightened so that the alignment base  45  becomes fixed.  
         [0038]    As can be determined, by combining the sensor unit  27  with the dispenser unit  29  which includes the control roller  22 , the pivoting lever  23 , and the biasing springs  28  as a fixed group, it can be integrally moved by simply sliding in the horizontal direction which the alignment base  45 . It is not necessary for a service person in the field to adjust again the positional relationship between the detection edge  23 B and the sensor unit  27 .  
         [0039]    As can be understood, the position of the spacer  12 B and the guide base  21  can be changed to adjust for coins of different diameter sizes. As can be further appreciated, the present invention need not have elongated holes in the base member  45 , but rather a plurality of holes which will accommodate the fasteners  47 A and  47 B can be formed in the base  11 .  
         [0040]    Needless to say, the sensor unit  27  can employ a photoelectric, magnetic, resistance, or other conventional sensor units that detect the position of coins. It is also possible to use for the dispenser unit  29 , a modified roller  22  that may move along a guide rail. In this case, the modified roller  22  can adopt a structure in which an installation alignment is integrally possible with the provision of a guide rail.  
         [0041]    As can be appreciated, other variations of the present invention can be accomplished within the scope of the present disclosure without altering the housing equipment that accommodates a coin dispenser unit of the fixed vertical dimension.  
         [0042]    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 appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.