Patent Publication Number: US-7713113-B2

Title: Coin counter that stops operating automatically when overload of the coins happens

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a coin counter and, more particularly, to a coin counter for a bank or an amusement ground to count coins. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A conventional coin counter comprises a support bracket, a coin outlet port mounted on and connected to the support bracket, a rotation disk rotatably mounted on the support bracket and having a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of receiving grooves to receive a plurality of coins wherein each of the receiving grooves of the rotation disk is movable to approach the coin outlet port to introduce each of the coins into the coin outlet port, a stop bar mounted on the support bracket and located above the coin outlet port to stop movement of the coins so that only one of the coins is allowed to enter the coin outlet port, a rotation shaft rotatably mounted on the support bracket and secured on the rotation disk to rotate the rotation disk, a drive motor mounted on the support bracket and connected to the rotation shaft to rotate the rotation shaft, and an open cover mounted on the support bracket to receive the rotation disk and to allow entrance of the coins. In operation, when the rotation disk is rotated, each of the coins is driven by the respective receiving groove of the rotation disk to pass through the stop bar into the coin outlet port and is delivered outwardly from the coin outlet port. However, when too many coins are accumulated in the cover, the coins press the rotation disk, thereby interfering with rotation of the rotation disk. In addition, when too many coins are accumulated in the cover, the heavy weight of the coins causes a greater burden to the rotation disk, so that the rotation disk is easily worn out or broken. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter that stops operating automatically when overload of the coins happens. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter, wherein the protective plate is located above the rotation disk of the rotation unit to protect the rotation disk of the rotation unit so as to prevent the coins in the receiving seat from directly contacting and hitting the rotation disk of the rotation unit. 
   A further objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter, wherein the protective plate of the receiving unit has two opposite sides each supported by the side edge of the receiving seat so that the protective plate of the receiving unit is supported by the receiving seat to bear the heavy load of the coins. 
   A further objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter, wherein the protective plate has a bent portion facing the conical protrusion of the rotation disk so that the coins falling through the opening of the protective plate are stricken by the rotating conical protrusion of the rotation disk to hit the bent portion of the protective plate and to vibrate and shock the protective plate so as to let go the coins placed on the protective plate and to prevent the coins from being jammed on the protective plate. 
   A further objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter, wherein when the load of the coins is too heavy, the receiving seat of the receiving unit and the mounting bracket of the connecting unit are moved downward to press the stop rod so that the stop rod is moved downward to touch the microswitch so as to stop operation of the drive motor and to stop rotation of the rotation disk of the rotation unit automatically. 
   A further objective of the present invention is to provide a coin counter, wherein the coins passing through the opening of the protective plate are stirred by the rotating conical protrusion of the rotation disk so that the coins are distributed in the passages of the rotation disk evenly and smoothly. 
   Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coin counter in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the coin counter as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an explode perspective view of the coin counter as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the coin counter as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a locally enlarged view of the coin counter as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top cross-sectional view of the coin counter as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a locally enlarged view of the coin counter taken along circle “A” as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1-6 , a coin counter in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base frame  1  including a support board  13 , a coin outlet port  60  mounted on a side of the support board  13  of the base frame  1 , a rotation unit  2  mounted on the base frame  1  and including a rotation disk  21  rotatably mounted on the support board  13  of the base frame  1  and having a periphery provided with a plurality of passages  214  to allow passage of a plurality of coins  5 , a coin guide space  61  defined between the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  and the support board  13  of the base frame  1  and connected between the coin outlet port  60  and one of the passages  214  of the rotation disk  21  to guide a respective coin  5  in one of the passages  214  of the rotation disk  21  into the coin outlet port  60 , a coin conveyor  62  mounted on the support board  13  of the base frame  1  and connected to the coin outlet port  60  to convey the coins  5  outwardly, a connecting unit  3  mounted between the base frame  1  and the rotation unit  2  and including a mounting bracket  31  mounted on the support board  13  of the base frame  1  and provided with a mounting hole  32  to receive the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 , and a receiving unit  4  mounted on the connecting unit  3  and including a receiving seat  41  mounted on the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  and having a side provided with a connecting hole  411  connected to the mounting hole  32  of the connecting unit  3  to allow passage of the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 , and a protective plate  44  mounted on the receiving seat  41  and located above the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  to protect the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  so as to prevent the coins  5  in the receiving seat  41  from directly contacting and hitting the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 . 
   The base frame  1  further includes a base plate  11 , two support brackets  12  mounted on the base plate  11  to support the support board  13 , a limit plate  17  adjustably secured on the support board  13  and located in the coin guide space  61 , a catch device  19  mounted on the support board  13  and provided with at least one elastic guide member  191  extending into the coin guide space  61  and located opposite to the limit plate  17  to insert and guide each of the coins  5  between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  into the coin outlet port  60 , a counting device  18  mounted on the support board  13  and located beside the catch device  19  to count a number of the coins  5  passing between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  of the catch device  19 , a drive member  15  rotatably mounted on a central portion of the support board  13  and secured to the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  to rotate the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 , and a drive motor  16  mounted on the support board  13  and connected to the drive member  15  to rotate the drive member  15 . 
   The two support brackets  12  of the base frame  1  have different heights to support the support board  13  in an inclined manner. The support board  13  of the base frame  1  is pivotally mounted on an upper one of the two support brackets  12  and is removable outwardly from a lower one of the two support brackets  12 . The drive member  15  of the base frame  1  has a substantially Y-shaped profile. The limit plate  17 , the catch device  19  and the counting device  18  of the base frame  1  are located between the coin guide space  61  and the coin outlet port  60 . The limit plate  17  of the base frame  1  has a first end pivotally mounted on the support board  13  by a bolt  170  and a second end provided with a substantially arc-shaped corrugated guide slot  171 , and the base frame  1  further includes an adjusting rod  172  mounted on the support board  13  and slidable in the guide slot  171  of the limit plate  17  when the limit plate  17  is pivotable relative to the support board  13  to adjust the position of the limit plate  17  and to adjust the size of the coin guide space  61  so as to fit coins  5  of different sizes. The counting device  18  of the base frame  1  includes an elastic trigger  181  located between the at least one elastic guide member  191  and the coin outlet port  60  and located opposite to the limit plate  17  to touch the coins  5  passing between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  of the catch device  19  into the coin outlet port  60 , and a counting member  182  connected to the elastic trigger  181  to count the number of the coins  5  passing between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  of the catch device  19  into the coin outlet port  60 . 
   The base frame  1  further includes a microswitch  142  mounted on the lower one of the two support brackets  12  and connected to the drive motor  16  to control operation of the drive motor  16 , a stop rod  14  movably mounted on the lower one of the two support brackets  12  and having a first end extending through the support board  13  and connected to the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  to move with the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  and a second end that is movable to touch the microswitch  142  to stop operation of the drive motor  16  and to stop rotation of the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 , and an elastic member  141  mounted on the stop rod  14  and biased between the support board  13  and the lower one of the two support brackets  12  to push the stop rod  14  to detach from the microswitch  142 . 
   The rotation unit  2  further includes a bearing  22  mounted between the rotation disk  21  and the support board  13  of the base frame  1 . The rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  has a central portion provided with a substantially Y-shaped fixing hole  211  secured on the drive member  15  of the base frame  1  as shown in  FIG. 5  so that the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  is rotatable with the drive member  15  of the base frame  1 . The rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  has a first side having a central portion provided with a substantially conical protrusion  213  extending into the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  and located under the protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  and a second side provided with an annular groove  212  located between the passages  214  and the fixing hole  211  to receive the bearing  22 . 
   The connecting unit  3  further includes a locking hook  33  mounted on a first end of the mounting bracket  31  and hooked onto an upper end of the support board  13  of the base frame  1  to attach the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  to the support board  13  of the base frame  1 , and a fixing piece  34  mounted on a second end of the mounting bracket  31 . The mounting hole  32  of the mounting bracket  31  is located between the locking hook  33  and the fixing piece  34 . The mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  is secured on the support board  13  of the base frame  1  by a plurality of locking screws  35  to pivot with the support board  13  of the base frame  1 . 
   The receiving unit  4  further includes a looped mounting portion  43  mounted on a first end of the receiving seat  41  and hooked on the locking hook  33  of the connecting unit  3  to attach the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  to the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3 , and a locking piece  412  mounted on a second end of the receiving seat  41  and combined with the fixing piece  34  of the connecting unit  3  to secure the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  to the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3 . 
   The receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  has a funnel shape and has an inside provided with a receiving chamber  42  connected to the connecting hole  411  to receive the coins  5 , the protective plate  44  and the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 . The protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  has a first end provided with a hooked piece  441  hooked onto the looped mounting portion  43  to attach the protective plate  44  to the receiving seat  41  and a second end having a middle portion provided with an opening  442  located above the conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21  to allow passage of the coins  5  toward the conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21 . The second end of the protective plate  44  has an end portion provided with a recessed bent portion  443  located beside the opening  442  and facing the conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21 . The protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  is mounted in the receiving chamber  42  of the receiving seat  41  and has two opposite sides  445  each supported by a side edge  415  of the receiving seat  41  so that the protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  is supported by the receiving seat  41  to bear the heavy load of the coins  5 . 
   In assembly, the two support brackets  12  are mounted on the base plate  11 . Then, the support board  13  of the base frame  1  is pivotally mounted on the upper one of the two support brackets  12  and is removable outwardly from the lower one of the two support brackets  12 . Then, the catch device  19  is mounted on the support board  13  with the at least one elastic guide member  191  extending into the coin guide space  61  and being located opposite to the limit plate  17 . Then, the drive member  15  is rotatably mounted on the central portion of the support board  13 . Then, the drive motor  16  is mounted on the support board  13  and connected to the drive member  15  to rotate the drive member  15 . Then, the bearing  22  is received in the annular groove  212  of the rotation disk  21 , and the rotation disk  21  is secured on the drive member  15 . Then, the mounting bracket  31  is mounted on the support board  13  of the base frame  1 , with the mounting hole  32  receiving the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  and with the locking hook  33  being hooked onto the upper end of the support board  13  of the base frame  1  to attach the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  to the support board  13  of the base frame  1 . Then, the microswitch  142  is mounted on the lower one of the two support brackets  12 , the stop rod  14  is movably mounted on the lower one of the two support brackets  12  and the elastic member  141  is mounted on the stop rod  14  and biased between the support board  13  and the lower one of the two support brackets  12 . Then, the receiving seat  41  is mounted on the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3 , with the connecting hole  411  receiving the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 , with the looped mounting portion  43  being hooked on the locking hook  33  of the connecting unit  3  to attach the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  to the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3 , and with locking piece  412  combining with the fixing piece  34  of the connecting unit  3  to secure the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  to the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3 . Then, the protective plate  44  is mounted on the receiving seat  41  with the hooked piece  441  being hooked onto the looped mounting portion  43  to attach the protective plate  44  to the receiving seat  41 . Finally, the counting device  18  is mounted on the support board  13  and located beside the catch device  19  to finish assembly of the coin counter. It is appreciated that the counting device  18  is assembled finally to prevent the counting device  18  from being worn or broken due to hit during assembly of the coin counter. 
   In operation, referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the coins  5  fall down into the receiving chamber  42  of the receiving seat  41  and pass through the opening  442  of the protective plate  44  into the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 . Thus, when the rotation disk  21  is rotated by the drive member  15 , the coin  5  in each of the passages  214  of the rotation disk  21  is guided through the coin guide space  61 , is then inserted between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  of catch device  19  into the coin outlet port  60  and is finally conveyed outwardly from the coin conveyor  62  as shown in  FIG. 6 . At this time, the counting device  18  located beside the catch device  19  is used to count the number of the coins  5  passing between the limit plate  17  and the at least one elastic guide member  191  of the catch device  19  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Accordingly, the protective plate  44  is located above the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  to protect the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  so as to prevent the coins  5  in the receiving seat  41  from directly contacting and hitting the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2 . In addition, the protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  has two opposite sides  445  each supported by the side edge  415  of the receiving seat  41  so that the protective plate  44  of the receiving unit  4  is supported by the receiving seat  41  to bear the heavy load of the coins  5 . Further, the protective plate  44  has a bent portion  443  facing the conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21  so that the coins  5  falling through the opening  442  of the protective plate  44  are stricken by the rotating conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21  to hit the bent portion  443  of the protective plate  44  and to vibrate and shock the protective plate  44  so as to let go the coins  5  placed on the protective plate  44  and to prevent the coins  5  from being jammed on the protective plate  44 . Further, when the load of the coins  5  is too heavy, the receiving seat  41  of the receiving unit  4  and the mounting bracket  31  of the connecting unit  3  are moved downward to press the stop rod  14  so that the stop rod  14  is moved downward to touch the microswitch  142  as shown in  FIG. 4  so as to stop operation of the drive motor  16  and to stop rotation of the rotation disk  21  of the rotation unit  2  automatically. Further, the coins  5  passing through the opening  442  of the protective plate  44  are stirred by the rotating conical protrusion  213  of the rotation disk  21  so that the coins  5  are distributed in the passages  214  of the rotation disk  21  evenly and smoothly. 
   Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.