Patent GB-613955-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in coin testing devices, combined or not with coin actuated devices
Filed: 1946-04-20
Abstract: 613,955. Testing coins; coin-freed apparatus. BRECKNELL. MUNRO, & ROGERS, Ltd., and DOLMAN, H. J.' April 20, 1946, No. 12144. [Class 27] In mechanism for testing coins, a coin is moved under power past one or more displaceable testing feelers which operate to direct correct and incorrect coins to different destinations. The mechanism shown comprises a coin carrier, Figs. 1 and 2, comprised of superposed plates 2, 3, with an annular coin-receiving channel 4 between them and mounted on a motor-driven shaft 1 to rotate clockwise against the front face, Fig. 6, of a stationary plate 38. Fig. 9 shows the rear of the plate 38, whilst Fig. 13 shows the parts assembled and a chute 115 by which coins are passed from an insertion slot 114 to the carrier. The various testing feelers are disposed around the upper half of the carrier and, after passing them, a correct coin is retained in the carrier by a curved guide 70 so that it finally passes out at a point A. If the coin fails any test a solenoid 60 is energized and its core 61, through lever mechanism 62, 64, displaces the guide 70 outwards so that the coin falls out of the carrier prematurely at the point B. A latch 73 retains the guide so displaced until tripped in the continued rotation of the carrier. A coin (see 127, Fig. 13), upon entering the carrier from the chute 115, rolls freely in the channel until encountered by a finger 28 projecting from a counterweighted balance arm 27 pivotally mounted on the carrier. If the coin is of sufficient weight, it depresses the arm and is received under a pair of spring-actuated gauge elements 12, 13, pivoted to the carrier and adapted to close onto the coin when their tails leave the end of an arcuate controlling ramp 43. The gauge element 12 makes an annulus test at a point inside the rim of the coin, whilst the gauge 13 measures the general thickness of the coin. If the coin is overthick inside the rim, or too thin generally, appropriate parts of the gauge elements engage and depress respective feeler plungers 49 and 50 projecting from the plate 38 and the feeler plungers rock an angle plate 52 to actuate a micro-switch 59 which energizes the solenoid 60 to cause premature discharge or rejection of the coin at position B. If the coin is underweight and fails to depress the balance arm 27, it does not reach the gauges 12 and 13 and is rejected as though too thin. Magnetic discs are similarly rejected by means of a magnet 30 which holds them clear of the gauges. The magnet 30 is carried on an arm 29 pivoted at 31 to the carrier and rocked to strip the discs from the magnet by engagement of a stud 35 with a fixed cam 41 on the plate 38. Overdiameter coins engage a feeler 82 on a pivoted sector 81 which rocks and similarly actuates the switch 59 to cause rejection. Under-diameter coins are detected by a feeler 96 having a curved face for contact with the edge of the coin. This feeler is mounted on a vertical slide-bar 93 but prevented from moving inwardly under the action of a spring 101 by engagement of a roller 99 with the rim of the carrier. When the coin reaches this feeler, a slot 100 in the carrier releases the roller 99 and, if the coin is under-diameter, the feeler and slide-bar move inwardly to actuate the switch 59 to cause rejection. With a coin of correct diameter, the feeler remains in its normal position. Edge milling is detected by a feeler element 106 pivoted to an arm 105 on a spindle 104. If milled, the coin pivots the feeler against a spring 107 without displacing the arm 105. If its edge is smooth, it thrusts back the feeler and the arm 105, and this again causes closure of switch 59 and rejection. Coins are held back in the chute 115 until the carrier is ready to receive them by a retaining element 119 actuated by the carrier. For dealing with several denominations of coin, a series of devices as above may be arranged together and driven by a common shaft. Coin action, thrust and multiple coin.- The modification of Fig. 35 includes a device 131 located between positions A and B and actuated by coins which have passed the tests to release an associated coin-freed apparatus. As in Specification 320,613, [Class 27], a number of coins can be fed in a bunch to the chute 127 and are picked up in succession by cut-away parts 128 of the. rotary carrier. Testing feelers are indicated at 129 and 130. Actuation of the device 131 by several coins in succession may be required to free the associated apparatus.