Abstract:
A coin receiving and dispensing device includes a coin selector unit with a coin entry for determining a type of coin and directing the coin based on that determination. A coin dispensing device for storing coins that can be dispensed as change and a coin storage safe along with a return coin exit can also be provided. A coin passageway unit that can include a removable cover member can extend over and form a portion of the coin passageways whereby a technician by removing the cover member can have access to the servicing of the various coin passageways.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention is directed to a coin receiving and dispensing device of a compact configuration which can be mounted, for example, in a vending machine or other device for receiving, storing, and dispensing coins, and more particularly includes a coin passageway unit with a removable cover member that expose a plurality of coin passageways for cleaning and servicing.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Various forms of coin receiving and dispensing devices, sometimes referred to as coin mechanical devices, are known in the prior art. Various forms of vending machines, money changing machines, and service devices are equipped with a coin processor which can verify inserted coins, sort the coins by denomination, store coins, return coins, and can pay out change of lesser denominations than the coin denomination inserted. An example of a coin processor can be seen in the Japanese laid-open publication No. 5-258155.  
           [0005]    The high cost of labor has created opportunities for remote automatic coin receiving and dispensing devices which are frequently incorporated in kiosk stand-alone unit, such as a box-like structure that can be provided to monitor parking spots. Frequently, in such an environment, the received coins are at most two denominations and a return coin or change coin is generally of a one denomination value. For example, if a parking fee is 100 Yen per thirty minutes, the receiving coins can either be 100 Yen or 500 Yen denominations and the change dispensing coins will be only of 100 Yen denominations.  
           [0006]    As can be appreciated during the service life of such a device, there can be an accumulation of debris, and dirt, particularly if the kiosk is positioned outside. As a result, coins can jam and it is necessary to periodically clean coin passageways to ensure proper operation.  
           [0007]    There is still demand in this field to provide a relatively cost efficient and compact coin payment and change device that can incorporate a coin receiving and dispensing device that is easily serviced.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention provides a coin receiving and dispensing device that can incorporate a coin selector unit with a coin entry for determining a type of coin and then appropriately directing a coin based on that determination. The determination can also determine or verify whether it is a legitimate coin and subsequently deal with the coin on the basis of that determination. A coin dispensing device for storing coins that can be dispensed as changed is also provided and a receiving groove extends from the coin selector unit to the coin dispensing device. A removable cover member that extends over the receiving groove and forms with the receiving groove a first coin passageway between the coin selecting unit and the coin dispensing device is provided and can be removed by a service technician to thereby provide easy access to the open coin passageway for cleaning.  
           [0009]    A coin returning unit can also be operatively connected to the coin selector unit and can include a returning groove that will return rejected coins to an exit opening. The cover member also extends over the returning groove and forms with the returning groove a second coin passageway between the coin selector unit and the coin returning unit. A coin storage passageway for storing desired coins can also be provided with the coins being deposited in a coin storage safe. The movable cover member can also form a portion of the coin storing passageway. Thus, a coin passageway unit can be provided having one or more coin passageways wherein a removable cover member can provide a relatively inexpensive and efficient component that can be easily removed by a service technician. The coin receiving and dispensing device can be further mounted in a vending machine, money changer, etc. on a movable and lockable lid cover so that when the lid cover is pivoted, for example, about hinges, the coin receiving and dispensing device is rotated out of the housing for servicing by the technician. The coin dispensing device can further have a motor driven member which can be activated by sensors determining the presence of a particular coin denomination for causing the coin dispensing device to eject the appropriate change to the user. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    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.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check-out device with a built-in receiving and dispensing device of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of the check-out device;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a exploded perspective view of the receiving and returning device of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the present invention; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    The following description is provide to enable any person skilled in the coin vending art to make and use 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 compact coin dispensing device with a passageway unit that can be easily serviced.  
         [0017]    Now a check-out device  1  such as a parking lot automatic attendant is explained by referring to FIG. 1. The check-out device  1  has an exterior box-like housing and includes a base-box  1 B and a front lid  1 F. It can be located at a parking lot for paying for a vehicle space. The lid or first cover member  1 F can pivot about the hinges  2 A,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D to provide access to the internal equipment and money contained therein.  
         [0018]    As shown in FIG. 2, the lid  1 F is locked to the base-box  1 B by a lock  3 . A receiving and dispensing device  10  is fixed in the box  1 B at the reverse side of the lid  1 F. When the lid  1 F is opened, the receiving and dispensing device  10  can be moved integrally as one unit for access.  
         [0019]    As shown in FIG. 2, a coin entry slot or coin receptor  4  is located at the upper section of the lid  1 F. A coin returning exit  5  and a change exit  6  are located at the lower section of the lid  1 F. The coin returning exit  5  connects to a coin returning passageway  5 A which also slants downward in the box  1 B. The change exit  6  connects to a change passageway  6 A which is also configured to slant downward.  
         [0020]    The receiving and dispensing device  10  is further explained by referring to FIG. 3. Frame  11  includes a base board  11 A, a side board  11 B and guide board  11 C and they are joined together in a rectangle configuration to provide a groove  11 D which is longer than it is wide and has a channel-like shape. The base board  11 A is fixed at the reverse side of the lid  1 F by screws, etc. Openings  14 A,  14 B,  14 C are located along the side board  11 B for visual observation by a service technician.  
         [0021]    Coin selector unit  12  is in a box-like configuration and is detachably mounted to be hung on frame  11 . The coin selector unit  12  has two support pins, and the pins are located at a front wall (not shown) and at rear wall  12 W. Therefore the pins  12 A and  12 B of the front wall have contact with contacting grooves  13 A and  13 B which are L-shape and are located on the base-board  11 A. The pins  12 C and  12 D extending from the rear wall have contact with contacting grooves  13 C and  13 D which are L-shape and are located at the base board  11 A.  
         [0022]    The coin selector unit  12  has a function of distinguishing or verifying the authenticity of the receiving coins and to accordingly dispense them to one of the receiving exit  12 F, the returning exit  12 G and the storing exit  12 H. The coin selector unit  12  can be either a mechanical type or an electrical type as known in the vending industry.  
         [0023]    Receiving gutter  15  is fixed at the side board  11 B and is located below the coin selector unit  12  as shown in FIG. 3. The receiving gutter  15  which is extended in the longitudinal direction is channel-like in shape and is structured by the side walls  15 A,  15 B and  15 C to form a receiving groove  15 D. Receiving groove  15 D is funnel-like in shape.  
         [0024]    The upper end of the receiving groove  15 D is located under the receiving exit  12 F of coin selector unit  12  and the lower end is located over a storing pipe or tube  22 B which is cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIG. 4. The opening  15 E of the receiving gutter  15  opens opposite to the side board  11 B. The side wall  15 A has contact with the guide board  11 C. Thus, coins that can be returned as change can be appropriately stored.  
         [0025]    An auxiliary coin entry  17  is provided in the guide board  11 C and is located under the receiving exit  12 E and opens at the receiving groove  15 D. The side wall  15 A can be alternatively formed as part of the guide board  11 C as a modification.  
         [0026]    The returning groove  17 D is fixed at the base board  11 A. The returning groove  17 D includes an attaching wall  17 A for connection to base board  11 A, side walls  17 B and  17 C. The cross section of groove  170  is crank-like in shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the returning groove  17 D extends in a longitudinal direction and includes base board  11 A and side walls  17 B and  17 C. The upper end of the returning groove  17 D is located under the returning exit  12 G of coin selector unit  12  and the lower end is located over the coin returning passageway  5 A, whereby a rejected coin can be returned to the user. Opening  17 E opens opposite to the side board  11 B.  
         [0027]    A second removable cover  1   8  is structured by a first cover side wall  18 A and second cover side wall  18 B to provide a cross section having an L-like shape as shown in FIG. 3. Storing mouth or chute  20  is located above the middle of the first cover side wall  18 A. Handle  18 C is fixed at the surface of the second cover side wall  18 B to enable a service technician to remove the cover  18  when the first cover member  1 F of the check-out device  1  is opened. Storing gutter  19  is located behind the first cover wall  18 A and it&#39;s cross section is channel-like in shape.  
         [0028]    The storing gutter  19  has a storing groove  19 D shown in FIG. 3 which extends in a longitudinal direction and is made up of the side walls  19 A,  19 B and  19 C. The lower end of the storing groove  19 D is closed by a bottom wall  19 E which slants in a direction opposite to the side board  11 B. Attaching wall  19 F of the storing gutter  19  is fixed directly on the rear surface of the first cover side wall  18 A.  
         [0029]    Therefore a storing passageway  19 T is made up of the first cover side wall  18 A, and the side walls  19 A,  19 B,  19 C, and extends in longitudinal direction. The depth of the storing passageway  19 T is relatively shallow. The lower edge of the bottom wall  19 E is located adjacent to the lower edge of the storing mouth  20  which is operatively connected with the safe  23  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    First contacting groove  16 A extends in an up and down direction and is located at the upper end of base board  11 A. Second contacting groove  16 B has an opposite arranged L-shape and is located at the middle of the base board  11 A. Third contacting groove  16 C extends in both the up and down direction and is located at the upper end of guiding board  11 C.  
         [0031]    First contacting projection  26 A protrudes in the lateral direction and is located at the upper end of the first cover side wall  18 A. Second contacting projection  26 B protrudes in the lateral direction from the middle of the first cover side wall  18 A. Third contacting projection  26 C protrudes in the lateral direction from the upper edge of the storing gutter  19 .  
         [0032]    When the removable cover  18  is attached to the frame  11 , the second contacting projection  26 B has contact with the second contacting groove  16 B and is pushed to the side of the side board  11 B. Next, the first contacting projection  16 A has contact with the first contacting groove  16 A and the third contacting projection  26 C has contact with the third contacting groove  16 C, and is pushed down.  
         [0033]    Therefore the cover  18  is held in a temporary fashion to the frame  11 . Next, the cover  18  is fixed at the frame by a fastening unit, for example, a butterfly screw  21  which can be easily operated by the service technician when the first cover lid  1 F is opened. The fastening unit could be changed to a known one-touch control member as an alternative embodiment.  
         [0034]    In this situation, the second cover side wall  18 B is located under the guiding board  11 C as shown in FIG. 1. The first cover side wall  18 A covers the returning groove  17 D. The upper edge  18 D of the cover  18  pushes the lower section of the coin selector  12  towards the side and the coin selector  12  is fixed at the frame  11 .  
         [0035]    When cover  18  is attached at the frame  11 , the upper end of the storing groove  19 D is located under the storing exit  12 H. The first cover  18 A covers the opening  17 E of the returning groove  17 D and constitutes the returning passageway  17 T. The side wall  19 B of the storing gutter  19  closes the opening  1   5 E and constitutes the receiving passageway  15 T.  
         [0036]    When the coin dispensing device  22  is fixed at the side board  11 B and includes the storing section  22 B which is fixed at the base  22 A and the dispensing device  22 C. The storing section  22 B is cylindrical and the axis is approximately vertical as shown in FIG. 5. The coin dispensing device  22  is fixed at support  22 S which is fixed at the base  22 A. Storing hole  22 N is cylindrical and is located at the support  22 S which is located on the extending line of the storing pipe  22 B. The storing section  22 P includes the storing pipe  22 B and the storing hole  22 N. The upper end of the storing pipe  22 B is located under the receiving passageway  15 T.  
         [0037]    The dispensing device  22 C includes a slider  22 D and a driver  22 E for the slider  22 D. The slider  22 D can slide to a slide base  22 F which is fixed at the base  22 A (in the left and right direction shown in FIG. 5). The slider  22 D is located under the storing section  22 P, and the end of slider  22 D is thinner than the coin&#39;s thickness.  
         [0038]    The distance between the upper surface of the sliding base  22 F and the lower end of the storing section  22 P is larger than one coin&#39;s thickness and is smaller than two coins&#39; thickness. Disposing passageway  22 R is located at the side of sliding base  22 F. Charging passageway  6 A is located under the dispensing passageway  22 R.  
         [0039]    Driver  22 E includes crank  22 J which is fixed to the outputting shaft  22 H of motor  22 G with reducer unit. Pin  22 K which is the end of the crank  22 J is inserted into hole  22 M. The slider  22 D is reciprocated between, and under the storing section  22 P and the position which is out of the storing section  22 P by the crank  22 J. When the slider  22 D doesn&#39;t slide, it is located under the storing section  22 P.  
         [0040]    The motor  22 G with a gear transmission reducer unit is controlled by a control device (not shown). Safe  23  which opens below the storing mouth  20  is fixed at the first cover side wall  18 A as shown in FIG. 1. The coin entry  4  and the entry  12 E of the coin selector  12  are connected by a duct  24 , shown by a phantom line.  
         [0041]    Next, the operation of this embodiment is explained with regards to loading coins for operation. For example, in the case where the parking fee is 300 Yen and the receiving coin from a user is 500 Yen.  
         [0042]    Some receiving coins CR are preliminarily provided in the storing section  22 P. First, the lock  3  is unlocked, afterwards the lid  1 F is opened. When the lid  1 F is opened by 140 degrees, the auxiliary coin entry  17  is located at the right side and is opened by 180 degrees so that the auxiliary coin entry  17  is located at the front of the check-out device  1 . The lid  1 F is located at the most desirable position, and the 100 Yen coins can be charged into the auxiliary coin entry  17 , for example, it can be 10 total coins by an operator.  
         [0043]    The  10  reserving coins CR are piled up in the storing section  22 P, and the lowest coin CR is located on the slider  22 D as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore the storing pipe  22 B can&#39;t be drawn out, and the reserving coins can only be supplied into the storing section  22 B. The reserving coins CR are positioned for dispensing as change. Reserving coins CR can further cushion any shock from coins dropped by the storing section  22 P thus cushioning the shock of the falling coins as it contacts the stored coins. Therefore the coins are always piled up horizontally. Next, the lid  1 F is closed and is locked by the lock  3 , and the preparation for operation finishes.  
         [0044]    When a 500 Yen coin is entered into the coin entry  4 , the coin C passes through the duct  24  and goes to the coin selector  12  to pass through the entry  12 E. The coin selector  12  distinguishes the received coin by referring to the dominations of the coins. Afterwards the coin C is distributed to the storing section based on the distinguished result.  
         [0045]    When the coin C is a genuine 500 Yen coin, it is distributed to the storing exit  12 H. The coin C drops from the storing exit  12 H and is guided by the storing passageway  19 T, to drop on the bottom  19 E, and slides on the bottom  19 E, and passes to the safe  23  through the storing mouth  20 .  
         [0046]    The control device (not shown) outputs an operating signal to the driver  22 E for dispensing 200 Yen in change. Therefore the motor  22 G rotates, and the crank is rotated by two rotations. The slider  22 D moves towards the left shown in FIG. 5, and it goes away from under the storing section  22 P. Therefore the lowest coin CR is located on sliding base  22 F. Afterwards the slider  22 D moves towards the right and pushes out the lowest coin CR. Therefore the crank  22 J rotates in one rotation.  
         [0047]    The pushed out coin CR drops to the changing passageway  6 A from the dispensing passageway  22 R. The coin CR slides on the changing passageway  6 A as it is slanted and goes to the changing exit  6  to provide change to the user. The motor  22 G rotates, and the crank  22 J rotates in more than one rotation. Therefore another coin CR is added so that the sum of 200 Yen is dispensed to the changing exit  6 . When another domination of coin C, which cannot be processed (other than a 500 Yen or 100 Yen coin) is inserted, the selector  12  guides the coin C to the returning exit  12 G. The coin C drops from the returning exit  12 G and drops to the returning passageway  5 A guiding the returning passageway  17 T. The coin C goes to the coin returning exit  5  and passes through the passageway  5 A. When the entered coin C is a 100 Yen coin, the coin selector  12  guides the coin to the receiving exit  12 F. The coin C drops from the receiving exit  12 F, and drops in the receiving passageway  15 T, and goes to the storing section  22 P from the upper opening of the storing pipe  22 B. The coin C drops on the reserving coins CR, and is stored in a horizontal arrangement.  
         [0048]    When a sensor (not shown) detects that the storing section  22 P is full, the coin selector  12  guides an additional coin C to the storing unit  12 H based on a signal which is output from the control device. In this case, the coin C drops into the safe  23  from the storing mouth  20  and is stored.  
         [0049]    A cleaning process for the receiving groove  15 D, the returning groove  17 D and the storing groove  19 D is explained. The lock  3  is unlocked by a service technician, and the lid  1 F can be opened. Next, the butterfly screw  21  is loosened, and the handle  18 C is grasped so that the cover  18  is lifted up. The first contacting projection  26 A, the second contacting projection  26 B and the third contacting projection  26 C are taken off from the first contacting groove  16 A, second contacting groove  16 B and third contacting groove  16 C.  
         [0050]    Next, the cover  18  is moved in a lateral direction away from the side board  11 B, and the second contacting projection  26 B is taken off from the second contacting groove  16 B, and is removed from frame  11 . In this situation, the receiving groove  15 D and the returning groove  17 D are exposed; therefore they can be cleaned by the operator such as with brushes, cloths, and solvents. The opposed parts to the receiving groove  15 D and returning groove  17 D can be further cleaned. The storing passageway  19 T can also be cleaned by the cloths etc., because the passageway  19 T is shallow. Therefore the cleaning operation is easy to accomplish by the operator. When the cover  18  is taken off, the storing groove  19 D is further exposed. When the storing pipe  22 B is clear, the volume of coins in the storing section  22 B can be seen through the openings  14 A,  14 B and  14 C, and CR coins can be added if needed. Thus, a coin passageway unit for transporting coins is provided that can be easily cleaned.  
         [0051]    A compact and efficient device that can be easily serviced is provided.  
         [0052]    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.