Abstract:
A moveable coin bin assembly for holding a plurality of coins is disclosed. The moveable coin bin includes a coin bin housing ( 121 ) for receiving coins, the coin bin housing being disposed on wheels ( 124, 126 ) for movement, a handle assembly ( 228 ) including an elongated handle ( 232, 234 ) having an upper end for gripping ( 230 ) and a lower end for coupling and de-coupling to the coin bin housing. The handle assembly ( 228 ) further includes a latching and retaining mechanism ( 240 ) for coupling to the coin bin housing in a motion along a floor, wherein said latching and retaining mechanism is releasable by a user to de-couple the handle assembly from the coin bin housing. The coin bin ( 122 ) includes a brake system that can be selectively applied by a detachable handle ( 228 ). The bin ( 122 ) can be used with a coin collecting machine ( 10 ) includes a motorized funnel system ( 63 ) for funneling coins to a plurality of coin collecting apertures ( 170, 172 ) in the bin for even distribution.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/822,330 filed Aug. 14, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/690,436 filed Mar. 23, 2007 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a coin bin, and more specifically, to a coin bin for use in an automated coin collection machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coin collecting machines, such as coin redemption machines, automated teller machines (ATMs), vending machines, gaming machines, and toll booth machines, include coin storage devices or bins for collecting the coins inserted into the machines. To allow for efficient use of the machine, bins are designed to capture a significant number of coins. For example, bins can be constructed to store the average number of coins used during a single shift or during an entire day. At the end of each shift or day of operation, the coin bin is typically removed from the coin collecting machine to allow the coins to be processed or deposited into an account. 
     To increase efficiency and limit costs, it is desirable for the coin bin to be handled by a single person, even someone not skilled in moving coins. The coin bins, however, can be extremely heavy, particularly when full. Full bins can, in fact, weigh hundreds of pounds, and are therefore difficult to handle based merely on their weight. Complicating this issue, also due to the weight, the bins pick up speed quickly and easily when on a ramped or sloped surface. The bins, moreover, are typically located in hard-to-access areas inside of the coin collecting machine, and can be difficult to access and retrieve. The coins, moreover, are typically piled in a single location in the bin, and therefore may cause instability when the bin is moved. Therefore, maneuvering the bins into and out of a coin collecting machine can be difficult. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide a coin bin that is easy to maneuver, that can be steered over a wide angle, and that is easy to brake or stop in a safe and automatic manner. The bin, moreover, must be easy to store within a confined area. It is also desirable to provide multiple bins within the storage area, to distribute the weight of the coins, and therefore to be able to arrange the bins in tandem or other configurations. The present invention addresses these issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a moveable coin bin assembly for holding a plurality of coins. The moveable coin bin assembly comprises a coin bin housing for receiving coins that is disposed on wheels for movement, and a handle assembly including an elongated handle having an upper end for gripping and a lower end for coupling and de-coupling to the coin bin housing. The handle assembly further includes a latching and retaining mechanism for coupling to the coin bin housing in a motion along a floor. The latching and retaining mechanism is releasable by a user to de-couple the handle assembly from the coin bin housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the latching and retaining mechanism forms two spaced apart arms each with a pair of spaced apart hooked retainers that are coupled to coin bin housing to form a retainer mechanism. The latching and retaining mechanism also includes a spring-operable latching mechanism that is received in the retaining mechanism after the hooked retainers have been coupled to the coin bin housing. The handle assembly can include a release mechanism for gripping along a mid portion of the handle to withdraw the latching mechanism from the retainer mechanism and allow the handle assembly to be withdrawn from the coin bin housing. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a moveable coin bin for holding a plurality of coins is provided. The bin includes a housing for receiving a plurality of coins, and at least a portion of the housing comprises sidewalls having a double-walled construction for limiting noise during the coin collecting process. The housing is disposed on wheels, and includes a handle that is detachably coupled to the housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an outer wall of the sidewalls is formed with a double-walled construction has a projecting portion that extends laterally around the sidewalls of the bin to form a spacer and a guard member with respect to other adjacent coin bins. In addition, a sound deadening material can be provided between at least a portion of an inner wall and the outer wall in the double walled construction. At least a portion of the housing, moreover, can be constructed of a plastic material, and particularly of a rotationally spin-molded plastic. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, a moveable coin bin is provided including a housing for receiving coins, a wheel assembly coupled to the housing, and a handle, detachably coupled to the wheel assembly. A braking element is coupled to the handle, and the handle moves the braking element between a braked position in which the braking element contacts a surface in the wheel assembly to limit the motion of the wheel and a brake release position in which the braking element is separated from the surface in the wheel assembly. 
     In yet still another aspect of the invention, a coin collecting machine is provided. The machine includes a cabinet including an upper and a lower portion. A coin sorting mechanism is provided in the upper portion of the cabinet including an output for directing sorted coins from the coin sorting mechanism. A coin collecting bin is movably provided in a lower portion of the cabinet and positioned beneath the coin sorting mechanism to receive coins, and includes a plurality of coin collecting apertures for receiving coins. A motorized drive for positioning the output of the coin sorter, wherein the output of the coin sorter is positionable adjacent each of the coin collecting apertures in the coin bin for distributing the coins evenly in the bin. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a corner perspective view of a coin bin constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cutaway view through the center of the bin of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the sliding of a door to allow access to a coin access opening in the front of the bin. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom of the bin of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of the bin of  FIG. 3  illustrating the locking assembly for locking the lid of the bin to the front side wall. 
         FIG. 5  is the cutaway view of  FIG. 4 , illustrating a hasp in a rotated position to receive a lock. 
         FIG. 6  is the cutaway view of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a padlock received on the hasp. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cutaway view through the center of the bin of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the internal door. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the bin of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the lid in an open position, with the apertures open. 
         FIG. 10  is a cutaway side view of the lid illustrating a spring loaded plunger received in an aperture for locking the lid. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the bin of  FIG. 1  with the lid in an open position and with the apertures closed. 
         FIG. 12  is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the floor of the bin of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of two of the coin bins of  FIG. 1  aligned in tandem. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the tandem coin bins of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a wheel assembly of the coin bin of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the coin bin of  FIG. 1  and the removable handle. 
         FIG. 17  is a cutaway side view of the coin bin of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the position of the handle in the braking position. 
         FIG. 18  is a cutaway side view of the coin bin of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the position of the handle in the moving position. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the coin bin of  FIG. 1  as inserted into a coin collecting machine. 
         FIG. 20  is corner perspective view of coin and collecting machine that can be used with the coin bin of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the coin bin and motor-driven funnel assembly. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a coin collecting machine with the upper portion of the cabinet removed, and illustrating a fill tray assembly. 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded view of the fill tray assembly of  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of the machine of  FIG. 22 , with no coin bin received in the lower compartment. 
         FIG. 25  is a cutaway view taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of the machine of  FIG. 22 , with coin bins received in the lower compartment, and with the fill tray in an open position. 
         FIG. 27  is a cutaway view taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 28  is a cutaway side view of the machine of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 29  is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of a coin collecting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention having a rear access door. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handle for use with a coin bin. 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the handle of  FIG. 30  approaching a coin bin to be attached to the coin bin. 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded view of the latching element of the handle of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 33  is an exploded view of the major components of the handle of  FIG. 30 , particularly illustrating a release mechanism. 
         FIG. 34  is a back view of the handle of  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the handle of  FIG. 30  as it is hooked onto the bin. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the handle as it is latched onto the bin. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the handle, illustrating activation of the release mechanism of  FIG. 33  to release the latch. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the Figures, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a coin bin  122  constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown. The coin bin  122  comprises a housing  121  having one or more opening  170 ,  172  for receiving a plurality of coins, which typically comprises a mass of mixed denomination coins collected over an extended period of time, such as a shift or a day, until a predetermined weight is reached, or until a predetermined level is reached in the bin  122 , and which can weigh tens or hundreds of pounds. The bin  122  is coupled to a wheel assembly  183  including two sets of wheels, a pair of front wheels  124  provided at the front end of the bin  122 , and a pair of rear wheels  126  provided at the back end of the bin  122 . A handle  128  is detachably connected to the front end of the bin  122 , and more specifically to the wheel assembly  183 , as described more fully below. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the housing  121  of the coin bin  122  includes four side walls  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , including a front side  112  and back side  116 , and an open top that is selectively enclosed by a hinged lid  125 . The lid  125  includes a rectangular planar section  126 , hinged to the back side  116  of the housing  121 , and an L-shaped lip  127  that, when the lid  125  is closed, rests on the top edge of the front side  112  of the housing  121 , opposite the hinge. The L-shaped lip  127  includes a vertical section  130 , and a horizontal section  132 . 
     The housing  121  is preferably constructed of a rotationally molded plastic material, which is durable, impact resistant, light weight; sound deadening, and inexpensive. The front side  112  can include a metal plate  143 , that is substantially centered between the adjacent side walls  114  and  118 . The metal plate  143  can provide a mounting location for a locking mechanism, as discussed more thoroughly below. Referring now also to  FIG. 31 , a cutaway view through the center of the bin  122  is shown. As seen here, the rotational spin molding of the housing  121  results in outer and inner walls  182  and  184 , respectively, with an open space between the walls  182  and  184 . The space can be filled with sound deadening filler materials such as polyurethane to limit the noise as coins are deposited into the bin. The filler materials can be provided throughout the housing  121 , but to limit the weight of the bin  122  while providing reduced noise, the filler material can also be provided in selected areas of the bin, and particularly in the floor of the housing  121 . Referring again also to  FIG. 1 , a raised ridge  186  or projecting portion is formed extending laterally around the sidewalls forming the circumference of the housing  121 , which acts essentially as a bumper for the bin  122 , particularly when bin  122  is arranged in tandem with a second bin  123  as described below. The ridge  186  forms a spacer and a guard member with respect to other adjacent coin bins. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3-6 , a ridge  134  extends from a center portion of the horizontal section  132 , and a rotatable hasp  136  extends vertically from a bottom surface of the ridge  134 . The hasp  136  is positioned to be received in an aperture  138  formed in a mating ridge  140  extending perpendicularly from the metal plate  143  in the front side  112  of the housing  121 . Referring first to  FIG. 4 , the hasp  136  is initially oriented such that the longest dimension is parallel to the front wall  112  of the bin  122 , and is inserted through the aperture  138 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hasp  136  is subsequently rotated ninety degrees to latch the ridge  140  to the ridge  134 . A locking device, such as a padlock  145  is received on the hasp  136  to lock the lid  125  to the front side  112  of the housing  121 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Although a rotatable hasp is shown and described here, a stationary hasp may also be used. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2  and now to  FIG. 7 , a coin access opening  142  is provided in the front side  112  of the housing  121 , in the metal plate  143 , and adjacent the floor  120  of the bin  122 . The coin access opening  142  is selectively closed by a wedge-shaped door  144  that is mounted inside the housing  121 , and is adapted to be moved vertically over the coin access opening  142  to selectively open and close the opening  142 . The wedge-shaped door  144  is substantially vertical along a front surface  153  facing the front wall  112  of the bin  122 . The back surface  155  of the door  144  is angled, sloping downward from the upper edge toward the front surface  153 , meeting the front surface  153  at the bottom edge of the door  144 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the door  144  is provided with a door handle  146  including a right angle bend  148  extending horizontally from a top edge, providing a grip for a user moving the door  144  up and down. When the hinged lid  125  is closed, a strip of foam  150  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) provided under the horizontal section  132  of the L-shaped lip  127  is positioned adjacent the right angle bend  148 . 
     When the hinged lid  125  is open, a user can grasp the door handle  146  at the right angle bend  148 , and pull the door  144  vertically upward to provide access to the coin access opening  142  and to any coins in the bin. When the lid  125  is closed, however, a user cannot access the door handle  146  inside. The door  144  is, rather, maintained in a closed position by gravity. The door  144 , moreover, is prevented from being moved vertically by the position of the lid  125 , which prevents upward movement. As the door  144  cannot be opened, access to the coins inside of the bin  122  is prevented. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  and also to  FIGS. 8-11 , as described above, the lid  125  also includes two coin apertures  170  and  172  for receiving coins when the bin is positioned in a coin collecting machine  10  ( FIG. 20 ), and for distributing the coins evenly in the bin  122 . The coin apertures  170  and  172  are selectively opened and closed by a sliding panel  174  mounted under the lid  125 . An elongate sliding element  175  including a depression  176  is coupled to one side of the sliding panel  174 , and extends through a slot  177  in the lid  125 . To slide the panel  174  to the closed position, in which the coin apertures  170  and  172  are covered by the sliding panel  174 , a user inserts a finger into the depression  176  and pulls the sliding panel  174  until a spring loaded plunger  178  lands in a slotted hole (not shown). When the spring loaded plunger  178  is received in the hole, a user is prevented from sliding the panel  174  in the opposite direction to re-open the coin apertures. When the coin apertures  170  and  172  are closed and the lid  125  is locked, a user opens the coin apertures  170  and  172  by unlocking the lid  125 , and manually releasing the spring loaded plunger  178  from the slotted hole  180 . Access to the coins inside the bin, therefore, can be selectively allowed or denied. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the floor  120  inside of the bin  122  includes five separate planes: a central plane  152 , right and left front side planes  154  and  156 , respectively, and right and left back side planes,  158  and  160 , respectively. The central plane  152  is centered in the bin  122 , is of about the same width as the coin access opening  142  in the front side wall  112  of the bin  122 , and has a flat bottom surface that slopes continuously from a high point, at the back  116  of the bin  122 , toward the coin access opening  142  at the front side wall  112 , providing a channel  161  for directing coins toward the opening  142 . 
     The right and left rear side planes  158  and  160  slope downward toward the central plane  152  from the opposing sides  114  and  118  of the housing  121 , again directing coins toward the channel  161 . The right and left front side planes  154  and  156  slope downward from the front side  112  of the bin until the planes  154  and  156  meet the planes  158  and  160 , respectively. The edges  162 ,  164 , and  166  formed between the central plane  152 , the right front side plane  154  and the left front side plane  156  and the front side wall  112  of the bin, respectively, are each substantially horizontal. The door  144  is of substantially the same width as the channel  161  and the coin access opening  142 , and when the door  144  is removed from the bin  122 , the slope of the back surface  155  of the wedge-shaped door promotes the movement of coins into the channel  161  and toward the coin access opening  142 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the housing  121  is mounted on a wheel assembly  183  including a pair of front wheels  124  that are positioned adjacent the side walls  114  and  118 , and a pair of back wheels  126 , which are offset a distance from each of the side walls  114  and  118  to allow adjacent sets of front wheels  124  and back wheels  126  to align alongside one another when the bin is stored in tandem with a second bin  123 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the wheel assembly  183  includes a housing  181  comprising right and left wheel mounting plates  147  and  149  on opposing sides of a center channel  151  bounded by right and left vertically-extending sides  145 . The front sets of wheels  124  are coupled to the mounting plates  147  and  149 , and a pair of pins  135  extend from the opposing sides  145  of the assembly  183  to receive a removable coupling device  131  coupled to a handle  128 . Referring now also to  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 15-18 , the removable coupling device  131  includes a center plate  127  and right and left side plates  129 . Each of the side plates  129  includes a hook-shaped portion  133  that defines an opening  137  for receiving the pins  135 . The removable coupling device  131  further includes a handle mounting plate  123  that is angled downward from a top edge of the center plate  127 , and includes an aperture  119  sized and dimensioned to receive the handle  128 . The removable coupling device  131  can be selectively installed onto the pins  135 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and removed to allow the handle to be stored. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 15 , and also to  FIGS. 16-18 , the sides  145  of the wheel assembly each include a slot  141  which, referring now specifically to  FIG. 17 , includes a lower portion that is angled on a diagonal. An axle  139  that connects the rear wheels  126  is received in the slots  141 , and is further coupled to a linkage  137  that is rotatably coupled at a first end to the pin  135  for receiving the handle  128  and associated coupling device  131 . Referring now to  FIG. 17 , when the handle  128  is rotated upward about the pin  135 , the axle  139  is forced by the linkage  137  to move along the slot  141 , causing the wheels  126  to contact the substantially horizontal surfaces of the plates  147  and  149  of the wheel assembly  183 , wherein the plates  147  and  149  act as braking elements, preventing the wheels  126  from rotating by the weight of the coins in the bin  122 . To move the bin  122 , the handle  128  is instead rotated downward, forcing the axle  139  to move along the slot  141  to the distal end of the slot  141 , wherein the wheels  126  are offset a distance from the plates  147  and  149 , and the braking element is removed such that the wheels  126  can rotate freely. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , a coin counting machine  10  configured to be used with the coin bin  122  of the present invention is shown. The coin counting machine  10  is provided in a cabinet  11  that includes a lower compartment  20  for receiving the coin bin  122 , and an upper compartment  13  for storing internal circuitry and mechanisms (shown partially in  FIG. 22 ) for counting coins. A door  12  of the cabinet  11  includes a display terminal  18 , user input devices  16  and a coin deposit chute  14 . When coins are inserted into the chute  14 , the coins are counted by the internal circuitry, and are captured in the coin bin  122  stored in the lower portion  20  of the cabinet  11 . The lower compartment  20  can be sized and dimensioned to receive first and second coin bins  122  and  123 , which are stored in tandem. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a motorized funnel assembly  63  is provided in the upper compartment  13  of the coin machine  10 . The funnel assembly  63  includes a coin sorter  60  coupled to coin chute  14  ( FIG. 20 ), a funnel  62 , a spout  66 , and a motor drive assembly  64 , which together collect and sort the coins input into the coin bins  122  and  123 . Coins inserted into the coin chute  14  are sorted by the coin sorter  60 , which is retained in the upper compartment  13  of the cabinet  11 , and are directed through the funnel  62  and to the spout  66 . The output of the spout  66  is selectively positioned over one of the apertures  170  and  172  in each bin by the motor drive assembly  64 , as controlled by electronic circuitry provided in the upper compartment  13  of the cabinet  11 . The electronic circuitry (not shown) determines how many coins have been deposited in each port  68 ,  70 ,  72 , and  74  by monitoring the number and types of coins that are deposited into the coin sorter  60  while the lower funnel  66  is positioned over a specific aperture  170  and  172 . Based on these calculations, the approximate size of a pile of coins or “slump” located in a particular location can be determined, and the motor drive assembly  64  can be activated to reposition the spout  66  to assure even distribution of the coins. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 22 , the coin funneling assembly  63  directs coins to a fill tray  190 , which includes tubular segments or spouts  192  and  194  for directing the coins into the apertures  170  and  172  in the bin  122 , respectively. Referring now also to  FIG. 23 , the fill tray  190  includes a locking element  193  which, as shown here, can be a key lock, for locking the fill tray  190  to the planar member  30  separating the upper compartment  13  from the lower compartment  20  of the coin collecting machine  10 . As shown here, the fill tray is constructed of two separate components  189  and  191 , each including tubular elements  192  and  194 . However, it will be apparent that the fill tray  190  could be constructed of a single component, or as a plurality of components. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the fill tray  190  includes a sensing assembly  197  which is positioned along a side of the fill tray  190  to sense the position of a bin  122  or bins  122  and  123  in the machine  10 . The sensing assembly  197  includes a plurality of pivoting indicator levers  195 , equivalent in number to the number of bins expected to be received in the machine  10 , and associated with switches  196 , which are positioned to be activated by the pivoting indicator levers  195  when the levers  195  are rotated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , when the coin collecting machine  10  is empty, the fill tray  190  can be moved to the closed position, but the lever  195  does not contact a bin  122  or  123 , does not rotate, and does not activate the switch  196 . Referring now to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , when the bins  122  and  123  are inserted into the lower compartment  20  of the coin collecting machine  10  with the apertures  170  and  172  open, the filler plate  190  is initially in an open position, rotated up, preventing contact with the bin, such that the levers  195  are not rotated to activate the switch  196 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , when the bins  122  and  123  are properly positioned in the machine  10 , the filler plate  190  can be rotated down by the user, typically through the insertion of the key into the locking element  193 , thereby causing the tubular elements  192  and  194  to be received through the associated apertures  170  and  172 , such that the tubular elements  192  and  194  extend into the bin, physically locking the bins  122  and  123  to the coin collecting machine  10 . As the tubular elements  192  and  194  are inserted into the apertures  170  and  172 , the indicator levers  195  contact the lids  125  of the bins  122  and  123 , pivot about pivot points  198 , activating the associated switches  196 . If the apertures  170  and  172  are not open, the filler plate  190  cannot be pushed down a sufficient distance to rotate the levers  195 . A controller monitors the signals from the switches  196  and prevents the coin collecting machine  10  from operating until all of the switches  196  are activated, indicating that bins  122  and  123  are appropriately positioned in the coin collecting machine  10  with the apertures  170  and  172  open. Although the machine is described above as a tandem coin collecting machine  10  for receiving two bins  122  and  123 , the machine could also be designed to receive a single bin  122 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , access to the lower compartment  20  of the coin collecting machine  10  can be provided either from the front or from the rear of the coin collecting machine  10 . When access is from the rear, as shown here, the bins  122  and  123  are inserted into and removed from the lower compartment  20  from the back of the machine  10 . This arrangement is suitable, for example, when the coin collecting machine is to be positioned adjacent a wall, and access provided to the rear of the machine  10  through the wall. A door, not shown here, can be provided to selectively enclose the rear access to the machine  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 30-37 , an alternate embodiment of a handle assembly  228  for use with a coin bin  122  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the handle includes a latching and retaining mechanism for coupling and de-coupling the handle from the coin bin housing. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 30 , the handle assembly  228  includes a generally horizontal hand grip  230  at an upper end, and a latching and retaining mechanism  240  for coupling the handle  228  to the bin  122  at the opposing end. An elongate handle member  229 , including an upper handle portion  232  and a lower handle portion  234 , extends between the hand grip  230  and the latching and retaining mechanism  240 , the upper handle portion  232  and lower handle portion  234  meeting at an angle that is selected to allow a coin bin  123  to be moved into and stored in tandem with a second coin bin  122  in coin machine  10 , as described above, without interfering with electronics or hardware in the coin machine  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 31 and 32 , a generally triangular wheel bracket  236  is coupled between the latching element  240  and lower handle portion  234 . The wheel bracket  236  comprises first and second plates  221  and  223  that are coupled together with a handle wheel  238  coupled rotatably between. A first corner  237  of the wheel bracket  236  is coupled to the lower handle portion  234 , and a second corner  241  is rotatably coupled to the handle wheel  238 . The third corner of the wheel bracket  236  is truncated to provide a flat surface  219  that can be coupled to a front mounting plate  245  of latching and retaining mechanism  240 , as described below. The side of the wheel bracket  236  extending between the first corner  237  and the latching and retaining mechanism  240  is generally aligned with the lower handle member  234 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 31 and 32 , the latching and retaining mechanism  240  includes a generally planar front mounting plate  245  that is coupled to the flat surface  219  of the wheel bracket  236 . First and second spaced apart arms or coupling plates  251  and  253  extend substantially perpendicular to opposing sides of the front mounting plate  245 , and each include an axial slot  242 , and a pair of spaced apart hooked retainers, upper and lower hooks  255  and  257  that form a retainer mechanism, and that are sized and dimensioned to be received on corresponding coupling elements on the coin bin wheel assembly, here pins  135  and  235 . A notch  239  is provided between the upper and lower hooks  255  and  257 . A spring-operated latching mechanism including a latching bracket  260  is rotatably coupled to the latching and retaining mechanism  240  through a fastener  263  at a first end, and to a rod  247  at the opposing end that is sized and dimensioned to be received in the axial slot  242 , which acts as a cam surface as described below. A U-shaped hook  262  extends from a side of the latching bracket  260 , and is sized and dimensioned to be received in the notch  239  formed between hooks  255  and  257 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 32  and also to  FIG. 33 , a spring-loaded bar member or pivot bracket  252  is coupled in the latching and retaining mechanism  240  between the coupling plates  251  and  253 . The pivot bracket  252  includes a generally planar upper surface, and opposing sides that, when mounted in the latching and retaining mechanism  240 , are substantially parallel to the coupling elements  251  and  253 . The sides each include an aperture  261  that receives the rod  247  which, as shown in  FIG. 34 , extends between the axial slots  242  provided in the opposing coupling elements  251  and  253 , and through the apertures  261  in opposing sides of the pivot bracket  252 . The pivot bracket  252  also includes torsion springs  250  on opposing sides for latching the handle  228  assembly, as described below. Referring still to  FIG. 33 , the pivot bracket  252  includes a downwardly-extending tongue  254  that extends from the upper surface and that includes an aperture  256 . A release mechanism, including a rod  258  is provided inside of the lower portion  234  of the elongate handle member  229 , and is coupled to the tongue  254  at a first end and to a knob  272  at the opposing end. The knob  272 , in turn, is received in a slot  270  formed in the lower portion  234  of the handle assembly  228  ( FIG. 34 ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 32 , to attach the handle assembly  228  to the bin  122 , the handle assembly  228  is rolled on wheel  238  toward the upper and lower pins  135  and  235  on the wheel assembly  183 , and the hooks  255  and  257  are directed onto the pins  135  and  235 . Referring now to  FIG. 36 , when the coupling elements or plates  251  and  253  including hooks  255  and  257  are aligned with the corresponding coupling elements, pins  135  and  235 , the handle assembly  228  is raised to move wheel  238  off of the ground. Referring now to  FIG. 37 , to latch the handle assembly  228  to the bin  122 , a user subsequently lowers the handle, causing the rod  247  to move along the slot  242  toward the upper end of the slot  242 , and forcing the hook  262  of the latching bracket  260  in the notch  239  between the hooks  255  and  257  to the latched position. When latched, the springs  250  in the pivot bracket are biased to retain the latching bracket  260  in position, locking the handle  228  to the bin  122 . The handle  228 , therefore, is tightly engaged to the wheel assembly  183 , and can be used as a lever to easily move the coin bin. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 37 , to release the latching mechanism  260 , the user pulls the knob  272  upward through the slot  276 , forcing the rod  258  ( FIG. 33 ) connected to the tongue  254  to pivot the pivot bracket  252  upward, releasing the springs  250 , and unlatching the latching bracket  260 . The latching element  240  can then be lifted from the pins  135  and  235 . 
     It should be understood that the methods and apparatuses described above are only exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention, and that various modifications could be made by those skilled in the art that would fall under the scope of the invention. For example, although a specific coupling element comprising hooks and pins is described above, it will be apparent that there are a number of ways for coupling the latching element to the coin bin, and that any of these could be used in the present invention. Additionally, although hooks are shown provided on the bin and pins on the wheel assembly, the orientation could be reversed. Furthermore, although the handle is shown coupled to the wheel assembly, it is also possible to couple the handle to the bin housing. Various other methods for coupling the handle to the bin will be apparent to those of skill in the art. 
     Additionally, although two apertures for receiving coins are described above, it will be apparent that other numbers of apertures can also be used, and that the number of apertures can be selected to distribute the coins evenly in the bin. Furthermore, although a combination plastic and metal construction is described, it will be apparent that the bin can be constructed either entirely of plastic materials, entirely of metal materials, or of a combination of both. The bin can be constructed from steel, a rotationally molded plastic, or other materials that are sufficiently strong for retaining the coins. Furthermore, although the coin bin is described above for use in a coin collecting machine, it will be apparent that the coin bin described herein can be used in many applications, including vending machines, retail and business coin counting machines, in banking applications, and in various other capacities. To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the following claims are made: