Abstract:
A system is disclosed for mounting currency mechanisms of various sizes and shapes in vending machines or the like. The system may allow for relatively simple installation and removal of currency mechanisms without the use of mounting screws. The system includes a mounting surface, a portion of which is adapted to mate with a first surface of a currency mechanism. A tab is extended from the mounting surface to engage an opening in the first surface of the currency mechanism. A retention device is coupled to the mounting surface and is manipulable to engage a second surface of the currency mechanism and to cooperate with the tab to grip the currency mechanism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates to retention systems and, more particularly, to retention systems for currency mechanisms. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Vending machines, gaming machines and the like include currency mechanisms, such as bill collectors and coin validators. Typically, such currency mechanisms are fixed to their associated vending machines with one or more screws. In an exemplary installation, three screws might be used. Generally, a currency mechanism includes holes to accept those mounting screws, which may be tightened using a screwdriver or some other tool. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A system is disclosed for mounting currency mechanisms of various sizes and shapes in vending machines and the like. The system may allow for relatively simple installation and removal of currency mechanisms without the use of mounting screws. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, a currency mechanism retention system includes a mounting surface, a portion of which is adapted to receive a first surface of a currency mechanism. A tab extends from the mounting surface so as to engage an opening in the first surface of the currency mechanism. A retention device is coupled to the mounting surface. The retention device has a surface that is adjustably positionable to engage a second surface of the currency mechanism and to cooperate with the tab to grip the currency mechanism. 
         [0005]    According to some implementations, the retention device includes a housing that is mountable to a mounting surface. A rack is coupled to the housing and is extendable an adjustable distance from the housing to contact a surface of the currency mechanism. A rotatable drive gear is within the housing and is positionable to engage the rack so that, upon rotation of the drive gear, the rack is displaced linearly. 
         [0006]    In some implementations, the retention device includes a lever that can be attached to a mounting surface so that it can pivot about an axis. The lever includes an engagement section that is adapted to engage a surface of the currency mechanism. The engagement section may include a surface defining a stepped cam. The engagement section may be positioned so that one of the cams engages a surface of a currency mechanism. A return spring can be attached between the mounting surface and the lever so as to bias the lever toward a position of engagement with a currency mechanism. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a method of mounting a currency mechanism having one of various sizes is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes using a serration on a stepped cam to engage a surface of the currency mechanism. In another implementation, the method includes providing a housing with a rack whose position relative to the housing is adjustable and adjusting the rack to engage a surface of the currency mechanism. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a method of coupling a currency mechanism to a mounting surface includes coupling a retention device to a mounting surface at a position that is adjacent to a currency mechanism holding area. The method includes positioning a currency mechanism in the currency mechanism holding area so that a tab, extending from the mounting surface, mates with an opening at a first surface of the currency mechanism. The method also includes manipulating the retention device to engage a second surface of the currency mechanism so that it cooperates with the tab to grip the currency mechanism. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, manipulating the retention device includes rotating a knob exposed on the retention device to advance a rack from the retention device toward the currency mechanism retention area. In another implementation, manipulating the retention device includes causing the retention device to pivot about an axis so that a serration on the retention device engages the second surface of the currency mechanism. 
         [0010]    In some implementations, one or more of the following advantages may be present. 
         [0011]    The need to use mounting screws to fix a currency mechanism in place may be eliminated. Accordingly, problems associated with the use of screws for mounting currency mechanism may be overcome. Those problems include, for example, misplacing screws during installation, maintenance or replacement of a currency mechanism and accidentally stripping screws when installing the currency mechanisms. Additionally, the need for tools, such as screwdrivers, to install or remove a currency mechanism from a vending machine, may be eliminated. 
         [0012]    Currency mechanisms may be made smaller and more simply because provisions to accept mounting screws may be eliminated. Smaller, simpler construction may result in a corresponding reduction in manufacturing and material costs associated with the currency mechanism. 
         [0013]    A single retention device may be used to accommodate currency mechanisms having various sizes and shapes. 
         [0014]    Other features or advantages will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a system for retaining a currency mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a retention device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a retention device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of a retention device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of part of a retention device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a system for retaining a currency mechanism. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a system for retaining a currency mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of part of a retention device. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Like reference numerals refer to similar elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  for retaining a currency mechanism  102  in a vending machine, gaming machine or the like. In various implementations, the currency mechanism  102  may include, for example, a bill collector, a coin validator or other currency handling device. The illustrated system  100  includes a mounting surface  104 , a portion  106  of which is adapted to receive a first surface  108  of the currency mechanism  102 . A tab  110  extends from the mounting surface  104  to engage an opening  112  in the first surface  108  of the currency mechanism  102 . A retention device  114  is coupled to the mounting surface  104  at a position that is adjacent to the portion  106  of the plate  104  adapted to receive the rear surface  108  of the currency mechanism. The retention device  114  includes a surface whose position can be adjusted to engage a second surface  116  of the currency mechanism  102  and to cooperate with the tab  110  to grip the currency mechanism  102 . According to the illustrated implementation, the first surface  108  of the currency mechanism  102  is a rear surface and the second surface  116  of the currency mechanism  102  is an upper surface. The illustrated currency mechanism  102  is positioned in a currency mechanism holding area. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates one implementation of a retention device  114   a  that includes a surface  103  whose position can be adjusted so as to engage a second surface  116  of a currency mechanism  102  and to cooperate with a tab (e.g.  110  of  FIG. 1 ) to grip the currency mechanism. The illustrated retention device  114   a  includes a housing  202  that is coupled to a mounting surface  104 . The housing  202  is positioned on the mounting surface  104  adjacent the portion  106  of the mounting surface  104  adapted to receive the rear surface of the currency mechanism  102 . 
         [0026]    A rack  204  is coupled to the housing  202  and extends from the housing  202  toward the currency mechanism  102  (in the illustrated implementation, that direction is downward). The distance that the rack  204  extends from the housing  202  is manually adjustable. In a typical installation, the rack  204  extends from the housing  202  so that surface  103  contacts the second surface  116  of the currency mechanism  102 . In the illustrated implementation, a base  210  is coupled to a far end of the rack  204 . The bottom surface of the base  210  whose position can be adjusted to contact the second surface  116  of the currency mechanism  102 . 
         [0027]    A rack spring  208  is coupled to the base  210  at one end and is coupled to the housing  202  at an opposite end (not visible) inside the housing. The spring  208  is adapted to urge the rack  204  (and base  210 ) to a retracted position relative to the housing  202 . 
         [0028]    A knob  206  is exposed through the housing  202  for manipulation by an operator. In one implementation, by manipulating the knob  206 , an operator can manually adjust the distance from the housing  202  that the rack  204  extends or can cause the rack  204  to spring axially inward to a retracted position relative to the housing  202 . According to one implementation, the knob  206  is adapted to be rotated and/or pushed in toward the housing  202  in an axial direction. If the operator rotates the knob  206 , the rack  204  moves outward from the housing  202  (i.e., downward in the illustrated implementation). Once extended, the rack  204  resists being pushed back in toward the housing  202 . If, however, with the rack  204  in an extended position relative to the housing  202 , the operator pushes the knob  206  in, the rack  204  springs back into the housing  202  by a force exerted on the rack  204  by the spring  208 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of retention device  114   a . The illustrated implementation includes a housing with a base  302  and a cover  304 . The base  302  is adapted to be fixed to a mounting surface (e.g., mounting surface  104  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The base  302  includes an approximately cylindrical stage  303  that extends from the base  302  in an approximately axial direction outward. A shaft  306  extends from an approximate center point of the stage  302 , also in an axially outward direction. A portion of the shaft  306  is hexagonal in cross section. The far end of the shaft  306  is circular in cross section. 
         [0030]    The illustrated implementation includes a rack  204  that can be positioned partially within a side compartment of the housing  202 . The side comportment is defined by side portions  330   a ,  330   b  of the base  302  and the cover  304 , respectively. The rack  204  is a substantially straight element that includes a surface with gear teeth  328 . When assembled, the gear teeth  328  face substantially toward the pawl  308 . A base  210  is coupled to a lower end of the rack  204 . The base  210  and a portion of the lower end of the rack  204  extend through an opening in a bottom surface of the housing in a downward direction. The rack  204  is movable in an axial direction (i.e. up and down) so that the distance it extends from the housing can be varied. 
         [0031]    A rack spring  208  is adapted to be coupled at one end  336  to a lower portion  338  of the rack  204 . An opposite end  340  of the rack spring  334  is adapted to be coupled to the housing (e.g. at point  342  or  344 ). The rack spring  334  is adapted to urge the rack  204  toward a retracted position relative to the housing. Accordingly, if the rack  204  is moved out from the housing, the spring urges it back into a retracted position. 
         [0032]    A pawl  308  is positioned adjacent the stage  303  and includes an approximately cylindrical body  314  with an axial opening  310  that is adapted to receive shaft  306 . The axial opening  310  has a hexagonal cross section that is sized to mate snugly with the hexagonal portion of shaft  306 . Once mated to the shaft  306 , the pawl  308  is prevented from rotating about the axis of shaft  306 . The pawl  308  includes several flexible fingers  312  that extend outward from its cylindrical body  314  at approximately regular intervals about the circumference of the cylindrical body  314 . Each flexible finger  312  extends in a direction that is approximately tangential to the circumference of its cylindrical body and in the same direction (i.e., either clockwise or counter clockwise) as the other flexible fingers  312 . 
         [0033]    A washer  314  is positioned adjacent the pawl  308  and includes an opening  318  adapted to receive the circular far end of the shaft  306 . The washer  314  may be secured to the far end of the shaft  306  using conventional techniques. 
         [0034]    A knob  206  is positioned to extend through an opening  324  in the cover  304  portion of the housing. The knob  206  is thereby exposed through the housing for manipulation by an operator. When assembled, the gear teeth  328  on the knob  328  can contact a lip  346  on the cover  304 . A knob spring  320  is positioned between the washer  316  and the knob  206  and is adapted to urge the knob  206  in a direction away from the washer  316  (i.e., to a fully extended position through opening  324 ). The knob  206  has an approximately cylindrical opening (not shown) that, when assembled, receives the knob spring  320 , the washer  316  and the pawl  308 . 
         [0035]    A rotatable drive gear  326  is formed on an outer surface of the knob  206  and includes gear teeth  332  adapted to engage with the gear teeth  328  on rack  204 . When the knob  206  is fully extended through the opening  324 , the gear teeth  332  on the rotatable drive gear  326  engage the gear teeth  328  on the rack  204  such that rotation of the knob in a counterclockwise direction causes the rack  204  to move in a downward direction out of the housing to an extended position. 
         [0036]    A portion of the inner cylindrical surface of the knob  206  includes a plurality of serrations (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), which are adapted to engage with the fingers  312  of the pawl  308 . Such engagement effectively prevents the knob  206  from rotating in one direction (i.e., clockwise as indicated by arrow “a”), but permits the knob  206  to rotate in an opposite direction (i.e., counterclockwise as indicated by arrow “b”). Therefore, if the rack  204  is in an extended position it may be prevented from being pushed back toward the housing by an engagement between the serrations on the inner surface of the knob  206  and the fingers  312  of the pawl  308 . 
         [0037]    Once assembled, the knob  206  is movable by an operator in an axial direction (indicated by arrow “c”) toward the base  302 . When the knob  206  is moved in that manner, the knob spring  320  is compressed against the washer  316 . Also, as the knob  206  is moved, the knob  206  slides over the stage  303  so that an opening (not shown) in the knob  206  receives a portion of the stage  303 . As the knob  206  is moved, the rotatable drive gear  326  also moves toward the base  302 . The gear teeth  332  of the rotatable drive gear  326  slide off and disengage from the gear teeth  328  of the rack  204 . When the two sets of gear teeth  332  and  328  are disengaged from each other, the rack  204  can spring to a retracted position relative to the housing under a force applied by the rack spring  334 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates an assembled cross-section of the retention device  114   a  of  FIG. 2 , taken along lines  4 - 4 . According to the illustrated implementation, the knob  206  is hollow. An inner circumferential surface of the knob  206  includes a plurality of serrations  402 . The pawl  308  is positioned inside the knob  206  and is adapted to engage the serrations on the inner surface of the knob. The pawl includes an approximately cylindrical body  314  with an axial opening  310  that is adapted to receive shaft  306 . The axial opening  310  has a hexagonal cross section that is sized to mate snugly with a hexagonal portion of the shaft  306 . Once mated to the shaft  306 , the pawl  308  is prevented from rotating about the axis of shaft  306 . 
         [0039]    The pawl  308  includes flexible fingers  312  that extend outward from its cylindrical body  314  at approximately regular intervals about the circumference of its cylindrical body  314 . Each flexible finger  312  extends in direction that is approximately tangential to the circumference and in the same direction (i.e., either clockwise or counter clockwise) as the other flexible fingers  312 . Each flexible finger  312  is adapted to resist deformation from compressive forces applied in an axial direction, but each flexible finger also is adapted to flex a small amount to allow the far tip of each flexible finger  312  to move a small amount toward the cylindrical body  314 . 
         [0040]    According to the illustrated implementation, the pawl inhibits rotation of the knob  206  and rotatable drive gear  326  in a clockwise direction, but allows rotation of the knob  206  and rotatable drive gear  326  in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, if an operator rotates the knob  206  and rotatable drive gear  326  in a counterclockwise direction the rack is moved downward by virtue of the mating of the two sets of gear teeth  328  and  332 . However, if that operator attempts to rotate the knob  206  and rotatable drive gear  326  in a counterclockwise direction, the operator will be inhibited from doing so, because the pawl  308  is engaged with the serrations  402  inside the knob  206 . In order to the move the rack to a position that is retracted into the housing  202 , the knob  206  may be slid in toward the page, so that the gear teeth  332  on the knob  206  disengage from the gear teeth  328  of the rack  204 . Once disengaged, the rack spring  334  draws the rack  204  in toward the housing. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of a knob  206  and a rack  204  positioned relative to each other so as to be disengaged from each other. The illustrated figure is intended to show the relative positions of the two elements  204  and  206  when the knob  206  is pushed in. For clarity, other elements have been omitted from  FIG. 5 . The side  502  of the rack&#39;s gear teeth  328  that faces the gear teeth  332  of the rotatable drive gear  326  is approximately wedge-shaped, with a pointed end of the wedge facing the gear teeth  332  of the rotatable drive gear  326 . The wedge-shaped portion of the gear teeth  328  facilitates the meshing of the two gear sets when they come together (i.e., when the knob  206  moves in a direction indicated by arrow “e”). 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second implementation of a retention device  114   b  that includes multiple surfaces  103  whose positions can be adjusted to engage a second surface  116  of a currency mechanism  102  and to cooperate with tab  110  to grip the currency mechanism  102 . The illustrated retention device  114   b  includes a lever  602  that is pivotally coupled to a mounting surface  104   b  and a return spring  604  coupled to the mounting surface  104   b  and to the lever  602 . The return spring  604  is adapted to bias the lever  602  toward a currency mechanism retaining position (which is the position shown in  FIG. 6 ). The mounting surface  104   b  includes an aperture (not shown), through which the lever  602  can pass through at least partially. 
         [0043]    A support element  606  is provided to hold a shaft  608  of the retention device  114   b . The shaft  608  is held in such a manner that it can pivot about an axis of rotation located at the center of the shaft  608 . As the lever  602  pivots in the direction indicated by arrow “f”, a portion of the lever  602  moves through the aperture in the mounting surface  602 . According to the illustrated implementation, the pivot axis is located on a side of the mounting surface  104   b  opposite the side where the currency mechanism  102  is installed. 
         [0044]    The illustrated lever  602  includes an engagement section  610  that is adapted to engage the second surface  116  of the currency mechanism  102 . The engagement section  610  includes a serrations  612  arranged along a curved surface. The curved surface follows an arc that varies in distance from the pivot axis of the lever  602 . The serrations  612  near the upper end of the arc are closer in distance to the pivot axis than the serrations  612  near the lower end of the arc. Each serration  612  includes a surface  103  adapted to contact a second surface  116  of a currency mechanism  102 . Depending on the size of the currency mechanism  102  to be retained, a different one of the surfaces  103  may be engaged. 
         [0045]    According to the illustrated implementation, the lever  602  can be pivoted to position one of the surfaces  103  so that it is substantially horizontal and close to the plane of the mounting surface  104   b  when the surface  103  engages the second surface  116  of a currency mechanism  102 . 
         [0046]    According to the illustrated implementation, the lever  602  includes a handle  615  that extends away from the pivot axis. An operator can manipulate the handle  615  so that, if a currency mechanism  102  is engaged (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) and the operator pushes the lever in a direction indicated by arrow “f”, the lever  602  will rotate about its axis of rotation in the direction indicated by “f” and release the currency mechanism  102  from its engagement. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates a currency mechanism  102  being coupled to a mounting surface  104   b  with retention device  114   b . The tab  110  extends from the mounting surface  104  to engage an opening  112  in a first surface  108  of the currency mechanism  102 . An upper rear corner  702  of the currency mechanism  102  is engaged with an upper serration  612  on the engagement section  610  of the lever  114   b . Moving the currency mechanism  102  toward the mounting surface  104   b  (in a direction indicated by arrow “g”) causes the lever  114   b  to pivot about its axis (in a direction indicated by arrow “h”). If the currency mechanism is moved in a downward direction (indicated by arrow “i”), the upper rear corner  702  of the currency mechanism may slip off of the upper serration  612  onto a serration  612  just below the upper serration  612 . If the currency mechanism  102  is moved even farther downward, the upper rear corner  702  of the currency mechanism  102  may slip down to an even lower serration  612 . 
         [0048]    As the currency mechanism  102  is being moved into place against the mounting surface  104   b , the lever  114   b  is urged to pivot in a direction opposite arrow “h” by the return spring  604 . Once the currency mechanism  102  is in place against the mounting surface  104   b  and it is resting on tab  110 , which is engaged with the opening  112  in the first surface of the currency mechanism  102 , the lever  114   b  is urged to a position as far forward as possible (i.e. rotated in the direction opposite arrow “h” as far as it can be). With the lever  114   b  in that position, a surface  103  of one of the serrations  612  will be in contact with the upper surface of the currency mechanism  102 . That surface  103  exerts a downward force on the currency mechanism  102 , effectively cooperating with the tab  110  to grip the currency mechanism  102 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a retention device  114   b  mated to a mounting surface  104   b . The mounting surface  104   b  includes an aperture  802 , through which the lever  602  can swing at least partially through. Two tabs  110   a ,  110   b  are provided to engage respective openings (e.g. opening  112  in  FIG. 1 ) in a currency mechanism (not shown). The shaft  608  of the lever  602  is held in place by a support element  606 . The shaft  608  is held in a manner that allows the lever  602  to pivot thereabout. The lever  602  also includes a handle  615  that extends away from the pivot axis. 
         [0050]    A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0051]    For example, the rack spring could be adapted to urge the rack toward a fully extended position relative to the housing. In that implementation, it is possible that pushing the knob inward could release the rack so that it springs to a fully extended position with the base in contact with an upper surface of the currency acceptor. The knob may be adapted to draw the extended rack back into the housing when it is operated. As another example, different mechanisms (other than turning and pushing a knob) may be used to cause the rack to extend and retract relative to the housing. 
         [0052]    Additionally, the rack may be adapted to be driven by a small motor, which may be controlled by an operator who manipulates a control switch to cause the rack to retract or extend. 
         [0053]    Various modifications of the lever design are possible. For example, the engagement section of the lever may include a greater or lesser number of serrations, the physical size of each serration may be varied, and the handle may be shorter or longer. The lever may be coupled to the mounting surface by a hinged connection or any other connection that allows the lever to pivot about an axis. 
         [0054]    The physical arrangement of the various components may be modified in numerous ways. For example, the retention device may be permanently coupled to the mounting surface. The retention device may be mounted on any of the four sides of the currency mechanism. 
         [0055]    Additionally, the disclosed techniques and devices may be adapted to secure various different types of components to mounting surfaces. Examples of such components include receipt acceptors and parking ticket acceptors. 
         [0056]    Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.