Patent Publication Number: US-5025908-A

Title: Multiprice setting split ring coin control mechanism

Description:
This application incorporates by reference the specification and drawings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,701 (&#39;701) patent, Knickerbocker 1977, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/200,076 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,206 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/154,870 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,097) which also incorporates by reference the &#39;701 patent. For sake of clarification, all the new structure added to the preceding applications begins with 600. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A coin control mechanism for use in combination with a dispensing device. The mechanism includes a totalizer having at least two possible positions to allow the dispensing device to open when any one of at least two different cumulative values of coins are inserted therein. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,461 (Friedman et al, 1986) discloses a coin control mechanism with a totalizer means and a pair of slotted rings However, the Friedman totalizer comprises a first dog, rotatably connected to a lever, a ratchet wheel which has one tooth that is higher than others, and a stop mechanism to abut against the higher tooth to stop the ratchet wheel from rotating. These elements are structurally different from the present invention and interact in a different manner to change the dispensing (activation) position of the totalizer. In addition, the present invention incorporates fewer mechanical parts to perform similar functions, those functions being the ability to quickly change the dispenser positions of the totalizer and the activation of the coin control mechanism to allow access to the dispensing machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A coin control mechanism for use with a dispensing device having an access door. The coin control mechanism includes a door locking assembly disengaged by the action of a totalizer which rotates in response to the denomination of coins dropped through a coin chute, with greater rotation for coins of higher denomination. The totalizer is connected to a price control unit comprised of multiple rotatable slotted rings whose slot positions may be changed to reflect different desired cumulative values of coins needed to activate the mechanism by varying the position of the slots with respect to a release bar and the other slots on the split ring assembly. 
     The present invention relates to a coin control mechanism for use in combination with a periodical dispensing device having an access door including a lock operatively controlled by the coin control mechanism. More specifically, the coin control mechanism of the present invention comprises a totalizer and a coin chute arranged relative to one another such that as coins pass through the coin chute they engage the totalizer to advance the totalizer in response to the denomination of the coins. The lock of the dispensing device is released upon the totalizer reaching a dispensing or activation position registering a predetermined total cumulative value of coins inserted. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for quickly changing between the upper limit, middle limit, and the lower limit of coin values required to operate the coin control mechanism and allow access to the dispensing device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a split ring assembly by which the dispensing or activation position of the totalizer can be preset to different limits, where the number of such limit positions is determined by the number of rings on the split ring assembly. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for rapidly changing the dispensing or activation positions at which the totalizer of the coin control mechanism will release the dispenser and allow access thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the slotted split rings of the price control unit. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective of the price control unit showing the slotted rings and the release bar. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the release bar mechanism with the release bar in a lowered position. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the release bar mechanism with the release bar in a raised position. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective from within the coin control mechanism of the release bar mechanism. 
     FIG. 5A is a cut away side view of the release bar mechanism illustrating the release bar in a lowered position. 
     FIG. 5B is a cut away side view of the release bar mechanism illustrating the release bar in a raised position. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coin control mechanism with three slotted rings. 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the coin control mechanism showing the cam and linkage. 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the coin control mechanism showing the cam and linkage. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an elevational view of a portion of the release bar and the totalizer mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A coin control mechanism for use with a dispensing device having an access door. The coin control mechanism includes a door locking assembly disengaged by the action of a totalizer which rotates in response to the denomination of coins dropped through a coin chute. The totalizer is connected to a price control unit comprised of multiple rotatable slotted rings whose slot positions may be changed to reflect different desired cumulative values of coins needed to activate the mechanism by varying the position of the slots with respect to a release bar and the other slots on the split ring assembly. 
     This invention replaces various components of the &#39;701 patent with a split ring assembly (500), and release bar (510), and structure associated therewith as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, the structure in the &#39;701 patent which is replaced is: wheel (272), adjustable limit means (98) and (100), limit stop (280), mounting member (278), apertures (111), and stud or pin (109). 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the slotted split rings of the price control unit apart from the coin control mechanism. As can be seen in FIG. 1, split ring assembly (500) is comprised of three main parts, top ring (502), bottom ring (504) and base plate (506). Top ring (502) contains top ring slot (503) extending through outer annulus (524), which has serrated or bitted circumferencial ridges (526) and (528) along the upper and lower perimeter thereof. Top ring (502) also has top face (530) and bottom face (532). Bottom ring (504) has bottom ring slot (505) extending through outer annulus (540), which has serrated or bitted circumferencial serrated ridges (534) and (536) along the upper and lower perimeter thereof. 
     Base plate (506) is generally planar and lies generally flush against coin mechanism mounting plate (70). Base plate (506) has plate stop (501) integral therewith and projecting therefrom, which contacts peg stop (507), which is mounted on mounting plate (70), when base plate (506) rotates. Base plate (506) contains an annular ring of serrated ridges (542) on top face (538) thereof. Base plate (506) is rigidly mounted to stud (276) which extends through mounting plate (70) and to which wheel (268) of the totalizer is also fixedly attached Wheel (268), base plate (506), top ring (502) and bottom ring (504) are biased in a counterclockwise direction by bias means (275) coupled to wheel (268) for rotating on stud (276). Therefore, wheel (268), base plate (506), top ring (502) and bottom ring (504) move synchronously as one and are normally biased in the counterclockwise direction. 
     Spring (508) and spring fastener (509) bias top ring (502) against bottom ring (504) and base plate (506). Since the bits on serrated ridges (526), (528), (534), (536) and (542) match, spring (508) will normally lock the three so split ring assembly (500) may move as a unit. 
     FIGS. 2 through 5 show a perspective of the price control unit showing rings (502) and (504) and release bar (510), a side view of release bar (510) in a lowered position, a side view of release bar (510) in a raised position, and a perspective view from within the coin control mechanism of release bar (510). 
     Release bar (510) is comprised of release bar prong (512), release bar member (514), and release bar slot (516). Release bar (510) is movable so it may be located in one of four positions, depending upon position of the key and the position of dispenser activator (218). The four positions, by location of release bar (510) with respect to plate (70) and rings (502) and (504) are: raised and open, lowered and open, raised and closed, and lowered and closed. The terms &#34;raised&#34;  and &#34;lowered&#34; refer to the position of far end (510a) of release bar (510). The terms &#34;open&#34; and &#34;closed&#34; refer to the position of far end (510a) either away from or against split ring assembly (500). 
     The raised position can be seen illustrated in FIG. 4 and the lowered position in FIG. 3. When the release bar is closed, it is flush against split ring assembly (500); and when it is open, it is away from split ring assembly (500) and against release bar stop (518). In the manner more fully set forth below when the key is in a 0° position (arbitrarily chosen), corresponding to a lower limit of coin totals required to activate the dispenser, far end (510a) is in a raised position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5B, and is lying generally in the plane of top ring (502). When the key is rotated to 90° far end (510a), moves to a lowered position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5A, and is lying generally in the plane of bottom ring (504). Near end (510b) of release bar (510) is attached to release bar gimbal (520), and release bar (510) is free to pivot in the plane of mounting plate (70). In addition, release bar (510) can pivot vertically away from mounting plate (70) from the point where it attaches to gimbal (520). 
     Also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is dispenser actuator extender (519). Release bar bias spring (513) will normally bias release bar (510) against release bar stop (518) which is mounted on mounting plate (70). Extending through opening (550) (FIG. 5) in mounting plate (70) is release bar member (514) which contains release bar slot (516) therein. Release bar interconnect (522) extends perpendicular from interconnect (286) (see also FIG. 5 of the &#39;701 patent) to engage release bar (510). 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are included to illustrate the manner in which release bar (510) and the structure associated therewith engages the structure of the &#39;701 patent. More specifically, it can be seen how linkages (282), (286) and (288), spring bias means (290), spring (501) and pin (505) are generally the same as disclosed in the parent application. However, instead of linkage (288) connecting to mounting member (278) as is disclosed in the &#39;701 patent, linkage (288) is coupled to release bar (510) through interconnect (522). 
     OPERATION OF SPLIT RING ASSEMBLY 
     Split ring assembly (500) allows the vendor to choose between two different coin totals required to activate the dispensing machine and allow access to the merchandise contained therein. After the totals are set at an upper limit and a lower limit by rotation of the split ring assembly (500) as described more fully below, coin control mechanism (52) may be then quickly changed from the outside between the upper limit and the lower limit by rotating the key. 
     Split ring assembly (500) and release bar (510) allow the operator to quickly change and preset the dispensing position of the totalizer at any one of a plurality of positions These positions set an upper limit coin total and a lower limit coin total required to activate the dispensing machine. 
     The upper limit will reflect a larger total value of coins that will allow access to the machine than the lower limit. To set these limits, the vendor may position split ring assembly (500) so the dispensing position of the totalizer is set at an upper limit reflecting a denomination value of (for example) $1.50 and the lower limit reflecting a coin denomination value of (for example) $.25. Thereafter a quick change between these two limit positions may be made by the vendor from the outside of the machine through the use of a key. 
     The rotation of the key rotates interconnect member (282) and transfers that rotation through linkage (286) to linkage (288) as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. However, unlike the &#39;701 patent in which linkage (288) actuates mounting member (278), here linkage (288) connected to release bar interconnect (522) and movement of linkage (288) is therefore translated to release bar (510). 
     When the key is at 0 (arbitrarily chosen) as shown in FIG. 5A, interconnect member (282) is positioned as illustrated. Linkage (286) maintains the location of linkage (288) through the bias of spring (501). In this first position, release bar member (510) is in the lower position as shown in FIG. 3 such that far end (510a) release bar prong (512) is aligned with bottom ring (504). 
     When the key is rotated 90°, interconnect member (282) is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Such rotation shifts linkage (286), actuating interconnect linkage (288), which pivots far end (510a) to a raised position as illustrated in FIG. 4, through the action of release bar interconnect (522). Because linkage (288) is fixedly connected to release bar interconnect (522), release bar (510) is allowed to change between the raised position (FIG. 4) and the lowered position (FIG. 3). 
     Dispenser actuator extender (519) is biased clockwise against release bar (510) by bias spring (234), and causes release bar prong (512) of release bar (510) to press against split ring assembly (500) when the coin control mechanism (52) is in a locked, non-dispensing position. 
     The preset non-dispensing position of the totalizer is fixed by the position of plate stop (501) as it rests against peg stop (507). As coins are placed into the coin chute and activate the totalizer, the totalizer begins advancing towards the dispensing position. Split ring assembly (500) advances along with the totalizer. As this occurs, both top ring slot (503) and bottom ring slot (505) approach release bar prong (512). If the key is in the first position (0°), release bar (510) will be in a lower position (FIGS. 3 and 5A) and release bar prong (512) will ultimately engage bottom ring slot (505). On the other hand, if the key is in the second position (90°), release bar (510) will be in a raised position (FIGS. 4 and 5B), and release bar prong (512) will ultimately engage top ring slot (503). In either case, when release bar prong (512) enters a slot (503 or 505), dispenser actuator (218) will release locking mechanism, allowing access to the dispenser. 
     Two different dispensing positions, representing upper and lower coin value totals, may be set by the vendor by raising top ring (502) and/or bottom ring (504) away from base plate (506) and repositioning slots (503) and (505) with respect to base plate (506) while allowing plate stop (501) to rest against peg stop (507) (the non-dispensing position of totalizer). Base plate (506) is preferably marked with denominations (see FIG. 1) illustrating the positions over which either slot (403 or 505) may be set. For example, bottom ring slot (505) may be set over the &#34;50&#34; position which represents coins totalling $.50. At the same time, the operator may raise top ring (502) and twist it so top ring slot (503) is above the &#34;100&#34; mark on base plate (506). The operator has thereby quickly and easily set lower limit of totalizer at $.50 and an upper limit of totalizer at $1.00 for coin control mechanism (52). 
     ANOTHER PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of the invention. This embodiment contains a third ring (600) with slot (601) therein. Third ring (600) is dimensionally and functionally similar to rings (502) and (504). Third ring (600) contains a bitted annulus on the bottom surface thereof to interlock with ring (502) in the same manner as rings (502) and (504) interlock. Spring (508) and spring fastener (509) bias the three rings against base plate (506) in the same manner as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and set forth above. Ring slot (601) is positioned angularly about base plate (506) to reflect a third preselected dispensing position of the totalizer means, in the same manner that slots (503) and (505) are positioned to reflect two other alternate dispensing positions of the totalizer means. In such a manner, the addition of a third ring, as illustrated, allows the vendor to select any one of three possible coin combinations. 
     Release bar (510) functions in the same manner as described for the two-ring embodiment set forth above. That is, release bar (510) is urged against one of the three rings as the totalizer advances from a nondispensing position to a dispensing position as coins are inserted into the coin mechanism. The use of the third ring (600) allows the vendor the choice of preselecting any one of three different prices. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show the use of cam (602) and roller (605) in place of linkage (282) and (286) as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. That is, cam (600) may be locate release bar (510) at any one of three positions, which positions reflect the positions of slots (501), (505), and (601). Cam (602) is rotated by a key means (not shown) to one of three positions: 0°; 90°; or 180°. Such rotation will slide actuation arm (604), pivot linkage (288) at pivot point (615), swing interconnect (522) and thus position release bar (510) at the desired ring, such desired ring corresponding to the vendor&#39;s choice of one of three prices. Guide pins (606) and (608) ride in guide slots (610) and (612) to insure linear motion of actuation arm (604). 
     Spring (612) (see FIG. 8) located near the distal end of linkage (288) biases release bar (510) against release bar stop (518), as an alternative to bias spring (513) biasing release bar (510) against release bar stop (518), as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Use of cam (602), roller (605), and roller stud (614), in conjunction with rotation means, allows for a smoother and more durable mechanism to transmit the angular rotation of the key means to movement of release bar (510) then has heretofore been recognized. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates bias means (616) located at near end (510b) of release bar (510) to bias the release bar down and adjacent to bottom ring (504). 
     Terms such as &#34;left,&#34; &#34;right,&#34; &#34;up,&#34; &#34;down,&#34; &#34;bottom,&#34; &#34;top,&#34; &#34;front,&#34; &#34;back,&#34; &#34;in,&#34; &#34;out,&#34; &#34;clockwise,&#34; &#34;counterclockwise&#34; and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the device may be constructed or used. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.