Patent GB-1277850-A (GB)
Title: Bill and coin changer
Inventor: DYKEHOUSE DAVID BRUCE
IPC: G07D1/04
Filed: 1970-12-21
Abstract: 1277850 Change dispensing apparatus ROWE INTERNATIONAL Inc 21 Dec 1970 [22 Dec 1969] 60652/70 Heading G4X A change dispensing machine comprises a plurality of coin tubes, a plurality of individually operable coin dispensing means, motive means operable through a dispensing cycle, coupling means for operatively coupling the dispensing and motive means, the coupling means being movable between first and second positions on successive cycles of the motive means, coins being dispensed on movement in either direction, and means responsive to the disconnection of the dispensing means from the coupling means to restore all coupling means to their respective first positions. Dispensing arrangement.-In the embodiment described the coin tubes 50 are arranged in pairs with a common dispensing slide 134 for each pair, the slide having merged dispensing apertures 136.1 and 136.2. The coin tube assembly 51 has a base plate 54 with an aperture 144 communicating with a payout shoot 78. The coin tube assembly is seated by means of lugs 60 and cut-outs 150 on to a housing 70, its presence being sensed by switches 152, 154 and 156. Three electric motors 80, 82 and 84 are provided, Fig. 8, the operational functions of which are identical. Considering motor 84, this reciprocates a driving slide 114 by means of a 2 : 1 reduction gear-box 88, eccentric 89, crankpin 94 and lateral slot 104. The slide is guided by bosses 116 on bracing members 120 mating with slots 118 in the slide 114, which is coupled to the dispensing slide 134 by means of finger 142 mating with a channel 122 on a coupler 324 which is affixed to the slide 114 by means of screws 123. One coin is therefore dispensed from each coin tube pair for each revolution of the motor. The length of the channel 122 of the coupler may be varied so that a selected number of dispensing slides are operated by one motor. Operation.-The machine is arranged to accept and test dollar bills, and 50c and 25c coins, the combination of change paid out for a particular insertion being controlled by the denomination of coin filling a particular coin tube pair, which may be left empty, the number of dispensing slides operated by each motor, and the number of motors activated by the insertion of a valid bill, which gives a signal on line 286 from acceptor 285, or the insertion of a 50c or 25c coin which close switches 272 and 274 respectively in coin tester 270. The number of activated motors being controlled through relays 230, 232 and 234 by switches 79 and 260 for bills and coins respectively. Three cam switches are provided for each motor, for example 204, 214 and 224 for motor 84, Fig. 8, the first of which 204 holds the motor in operation for one revolution. The second switch 214 opens once in every two motor revolutions when the driving slide 114 is in the rearward position and this switch co-operates with switch 152 to return the slide to the rearward position when switch 152 is closed i.e. the coin-tube assembly is removed, to enable easy refitting of the tube assembly. The third switch 224 opens shortly before the completion of a motor revolution to allow the operating relays 230, 232 and 234 to return to their de-energized conditions. A timer 244 is included which functions to open the switch 252 in power line L1 if the dispensing operation exceeds a certain time limit, blocks further insertion of currency by means of the release of coin insertion block 276 and a blocking signal on line 308 to bill acceptor 285, and energizes warning lights 40, 42. Coin tube empty switches 280, 282 detect when there is insufficient change for dollars or coins, and energize one or both corresponding lights 40, 42, also blocking the insertion of dollar bills alone or both bills and coins. A counter 290 is provided to total the number of transactions.