Patent Description:
Conventional coin handling machines are disclosed in documents <NUM>-<NUM>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, for example. In the conventional coin handling machine, a coin transporting belt is suspended over a transport path of coins. The coins are transported one by one by the coin transporting belt and subjected to process such as recognition or classification of the coins. In some cases, the coin transporting belt is configured using a toothed belt with a plurality of teeth provided on one surface or on both surfaces of a belt unit, and an engagement member for engagement and transporting of coins is attached to the toothed belt.

If such a coin transporting belt uses a toothed belt with a plurality of teeth provided on both surfaces of the belt unit, a dedicated toothed belt for attachment of the engagement member is required.

The engagement member comprises a contact portion to contact coins. In many cases, the engagement member is configured to be fixed by inserting a pin projecting from the contact portion into an insertion hole formed at the belt. Such an engagement member does not comprise a baffle of the pin, so that the shape of the contact portion is generally circular along a peripheral surface such as a disk-like shape or a circular columnar shape. The peripheral surface of the contact portion contacts the peripheral surface of a coin to push the peripheral surface of the coin with the peripheral surface of the contact portion in a transporting direction. In this way, the coin is transported.

If a diameter difference is small between coins of target denominations to be handled by the coin handling machine, the peripheral surface of the contact portion contacts peripheral surface positions near the center line of a transporting direction of the coins to allow the coins to be pushed in a direction substantially following the transporting direction. By contrast, in some countries, there is a large diameter difference between coins of target denominations to be handled by the coin handling machine. In such cases, the peripheral surface of the contact portion is to contact peripheral surface positions largely deviating from the center line of the transporting direction of the coins to unfortunately push the coins with the peripheral surface of the contact portion obliquely from the transporting direction. This may result in failure to transport the coins along the transport path.

Moreover, if a toothed belt with a plurality of teeth provided on both surfaces of the belt unit is to be used, a dedicated toothed belt for attachment of the engagement member to the belt unit is required. Additionally, if there is a large difference between coin diameters, the configuration of the foregoing coin transporting belt causes the risk of failing to transport the coins stably.

<CIT> discloses an article conveyor belt in which an article is pushed by pushers integrally provided on a toothed belt. The pushers comprise a mount part for being mounted on the toothed belt and a pushing part for pushing the article. The pushing part comprises connecting body part and pushing part and may optionally comprise a roller. In particular, <CIT> discloses a coin transporting belt comprising: a toothed belt with teeth formed on a belt unit; and an engagement member, which is attached to the toothed belt, that engages and transports a coin, the engagement member comprising: an attachment portion attached to the toothed belt; and a contact portion formed into a linear shape extending in a direction perpendicular to a long-edge direction of the toothed belt, the contact portion contacting the coin wherein the attachment portion is connected at one end side, and separated at the other end side, the attachment portion comprises a first gripper and a second gripper catching the belt unit of the toothed belt therebetween, and a retainer arranged at least at the first gripper and engaged with the tooth of the toothed belt.

The present invention provides a coin transporting belt according to claim <NUM>.

Optionally, the contact portion extends more widely than the attachment portion in the perpendicular direction to project from at least both sides of the attachment portion.

Advantageously, the contact portion preferably projects from the both sides of the attachment portion by the same length.

Advantageously, the contact portion projects from one side of the attachment portion.

In use, typically the contact portion has a width having a relationship of: (width of the contact portion) ≥ (radius of a largest-diameter coin to be handled) - (radius of a smallest-diameter coin to be handled).

Optionally, the contact portion has a planar contact surface to contact the coin.

Optionally, the contact portion has a comb-like contact surface at a part to contact the coin.

Optionally, the contact portion has an oval contact surface to contact the coin.

Optionally, the contact portion has planar contact surfaces to contact the coin provided on both surfaces of the contact portion and extending in a direction following the long-edge direction of the toothed belt.

Optionally, the contact portion projects more widely than the attachment portion in a direction following the long-edge direction of the toothed belt.

Advantageously, the attachment portion grips the belt unit.

A coin handling machine can include a transport path along which the coin is to move; and the foregoing coin transporting belt according to the present invention suspended over the transport path and engaging and transporting the coin on the transport path using the engagement member.

A first type of coin transporting belt will be described below by referring to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a coin handling machine <NUM>. The coin handling machine <NUM> is a coin depositing and dispensing machine for depositing and dispensing of coins. The coin handling machine <NUM> comprises a machine body <NUM>. The machine body <NUM> has an upper front side (left side of <FIG>) provided with a transaction port <NUM> functioning as a depositing port for deposition of coins and as a dispensing port for dispensing of coins. The transaction port <NUM> is provided with an openable and closable shutter (not shown in the drawings).

A tray <NUM> for accepting and storing coins is formed below the transaction port <NUM>. The tray <NUM> accepts coins to be deposited input through the transaction port <NUM> from the outside of the machine body <NUM>, and accepts coins to be dispensed through the transaction port <NUM> from the interior of the machine body <NUM> or coins to be returned. A part of the bottom surface of the tray <NUM> is openable and closable. In response to opening of the part of the bottom surface of the tray <NUM>, coins are ejected downward.

A base <NUM> is arranged at an upper part of the machine body <NUM> in such a manner that an upper part of the base <NUM> is tilted toward the back face of the machine body <NUM> relative to the vertical direction (in a view from the front face of the machine body <NUM>, the upper part of the base <NUM> is tilted leftward relative to the vertical direction). A transport unit <NUM> that transports coins one by one in a separated state is provided on a surface of the base <NUM> pointed upward. The transport unit <NUM> comprises a transport path <NUM> along which coins move and a coin transporting belt <NUM>. The coin transporting belt <NUM> is suspended by a plurality of pulleys 19a and 19b in such a manner as to move along the transport path <NUM>.

The transport path <NUM> comprises a transport surface <NUM> on which one side of a coin is placed and the coin moves, and a guide portion <NUM> arranged on each of both sides of the transport surface <NUM> in a width direction and used for guiding the peripheral surface of a coin. The transport path <NUM> is provided in a tilted shape so as to tilt the transport surface <NUM> in response to the tilt of the surface of the base <NUM>.

The coin transporting belt <NUM> is suspended by the plurality of pulleys 19a and 19b at a height position at a predetermined interval from the transport path <NUM> for allowing acceptance of coins. The inner peripheral side of the coin transporting belt <NUM> is wound around the plurality of pulleys 19a. The outer peripheral side of the coin transporting belt <NUM> is wound around the pulley 19b. The coin transporting belt <NUM> moves on the transport path <NUM> in response to rotation of any one of the pulleys 19a caused by a motor. The coin transporting belt <NUM> comprises a toothed belt (timing belt) <NUM> and a plurality of engagement members <NUM>. The engagement members <NUM> are attached at predetermined intervals in the long-edge direction of the toothed belt <NUM>. The coin transporting belt <NUM> is configured to accept and transport coins one by one between the transport path <NUM> and the coin transporting belt <NUM> and between the engagement members <NUM> adjacent to each other in the belt long-edge direction.

The transport unit <NUM> comprises a first transport unit 17a, a second transport unit 17b, and a third transport unit 17c. The first transport unit 17a is provided to extend in the front-rear direction of the machine body <NUM>. The second transport unit 17b is provided at a higher position than the first transport unit 17a to extend in the front-rear direction of the machine body <NUM>. The third transport unit 17c connects the rear ends of the first transport unit 17a and the second transport unit 17b. The front end of the second transport unit 17b is connected to the transaction port <NUM> to allow ejection of coins transported to the front end of the second transport unit 17b to the tray <NUM>. A direction in which coins are transported from the second transport unit 17b toward the third transport unit 17c and the first transport unit 17a will be called a storing transporting direction F1. Conversely, a direction in which coins are transported from the first transport unit 17a toward the third transport unit 17c and the second transport unit 17b will be called a feeding transporting direction F2.

The coin transporting belt <NUM> is suspended over the transport path <NUM>. On the other hand, a position between the front end of the first transport unit 17a and the front end of the second transport unit 17b of the transport unit <NUM> deviates from the transport path <NUM>. The outer peripheral side of the coin transporting belt <NUM> that moves between the front end of the first transport unit 17a and the front end of the second transport unit 17b is wound around the pulley 19b at the position deviating from the transport path <NUM>.

A feeder <NUM> is connected to the front end of the first transport unit 17a on the transport path <NUM>. Denomination-specific stackers <NUM> as a plurality of denomination-specific storing and ejecting portions are connected to the first transport unit 17a at positions behind the feeder <NUM> and to the second transport unit 17b. A temporary holder <NUM> is connected to the second transport unit 17b at a position in front of the denomination-specific stackers <NUM>. The feeder <NUM>, the denomination-specific stackers <NUM>, and the temporary holder <NUM> each comprise a storing portion <NUM> in which coins are accepted from the transport path <NUM> and stored. The coins stored in the storing portion <NUM> can be fed one by one to the transport path <NUM> using centrifugal force from a rotary disk, for example. It is noted that the feeder <NUM>, the denomination-specific stackers <NUM>, and the temporary holder <NUM> basically have the same configuration, while they are pointed in different directions responsive to the orientations of coins in a transporting direction.

The transport path <NUM> is provided with a guide mechanism <NUM> provided at a position corresponding to each connection position of the feeder <NUM>, the denomination-specific stackers <NUM>, and the temporary holder <NUM>. The guide mechanism <NUM> is configured to be switched between a guide position and a passing position. The guide position guide coins to be transferred and received between each of the feeder <NUM>, the denomination-specific stackers <NUM> and the temporary holder <NUM>, and the transport path <NUM>. The passing position is configured to pass coins being transported in the transport path <NUM> downstream in a transporting direction. The guide mechanism <NUM> corresponding to the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> at the second transport unit 17b and the other guide mechanism <NUM> basically have the same configuration, while they are pointed in different directions responsive to the orientations of coins in a transporting direction.

Moreover, a recognition unit <NUM> is provided between the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> at the second transport unit 17b and the temporary holder <NUM> for recognizing a coin being transported to determine at least the denomination of the coin, whether the coin is genuine or counterfeit, or whether the coin is fit or unfit, for example.

The feeder <NUM> is provided with a chute <NUM> located below the tray <NUM> and between the tray <NUM> and the feeder <NUM>, and used for guiding coins ejected from the tray <NUM> to the feeder <NUM>. The feeder <NUM> allows discharge of a foreign material input together with a coin to be deposited and return of the foreign material to a return port <NUM> provided on the front face of the machine body <NUM>.

Furthermore, an overflow stacker <NUM> and a coin cassette <NUM> are arranged at a lower part of the interior of the machine body <NUM>. The overflow stacker <NUM> stores overflowing coins that cannot be stored in the denomination-specific stacker <NUM>. The coin cassette <NUM> stores coins as replenishment or collected coins. A transport mechanism <NUM> is arranged between the overflow stacker <NUM> and the coin cassette <NUM> for transporting coins fed from the overflow stacker <NUM> and the coin cassette <NUM> to the temporary holder <NUM> at a higher position.

The overflow stacker <NUM> includes a feeding mechanism <NUM> provided at the bottom of a storage region in which coins are stored, and a collection cassette <NUM> capable of being attached to and detached from an upper part of the storage region. The feeding mechanism <NUM> feeds coins to the transport mechanism <NUM>. The collection cassette <NUM> stores coins remaining forgotten in the tray <NUM>. The coin cassette <NUM> comprises a feeding mechanism <NUM> for feeding coins to the transport mechanism <NUM> provided at the bottom of a storage region in which coins are stored, and a reject box <NUM> provided at an upper part of the storage region for storing rejected coins.

The first transport unit 17a comprises a diverting portion <NUM>, a diverting portion <NUM>, a diverting portion <NUM>, and a diverting portion <NUM>. The diverting portion <NUM> diverts overflowing coins into the overflow stacker <NUM>. The diverting portion <NUM> diverts forgotten coins into the collection cassette <NUM>. The diverting portion <NUM> diverts rejected coins into the reject box <NUM>. The diverting portion <NUM> diverts collected coins into the coin cassette <NUM>.

The configuration of the coin transporting belt <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described next.

The coin transporting belt <NUM> comprises the toothed belt <NUM> and the plurality of engagement members <NUM> attached to the toothed belt <NUM> in a manner allowing removal from the toothed belt <NUM>. The engagement members <NUM> are attached to optional predetermined positions of the toothed belt <NUM> and separated at predetermined intervals in a long-edge direction (belt long-edge direction) A of the toothed belt <NUM> in a manner allowing removal from the toothed belt <NUM>.

The toothed belt <NUM> comprises an endless belt unit <NUM>, a plurality of teeth <NUM> and a plurality of teeth <NUM> projecting from both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM> comprising an inner peripheral surface 50a corresponding to one surface and an outer peripheral surface 50b corresponding to the other surface, a tooth groove <NUM> between the tooth <NUM> and the tooth <NUM>, and a tooth groove <NUM> between the tooth <NUM> and the tooth <NUM>.

The belt unit <NUM> is formed into a band-like shape in which a belt width defined in a direction crossing the long-edge direction A of the belt unit <NUM>, namely, a belt width defined between the inner peripheral surface 50a and the outer peripheral surface 50b is greater than a belt thickness.

The tooth <NUM> projecting from one surface of the belt unit <NUM>, which is the inner peripheral surface 50a, for example, projects in a belt width direction B of the belt unit <NUM> into a substantially trapezoidal shape in a section in such a manner as to get narrower toward a side corresponding to the tip in the projecting direction. Further, a cutout <NUM> without the tooth <NUM> is formed at an intermediate position in the belt width direction B. Namely, the cutout <NUM> resulting from cutting of a part of the tooth <NUM> is formed at the intermediate position in the belt width direction B. The tooth groove <NUM> is formed between the tooth <NUM> and the tooth <NUM> adjacent to each other on the inner peripheral surface 50a of the belt unit <NUM>. The tooth <NUM> projecting from the other surface of the belt unit <NUM>, which is the outer peripheral surface 50b, for example, projects from an intermediate position of the belt unit <NUM> in the belt width direction B into a substantially trapezoidal shape in a section in such a manner as to get narrower toward a side corresponding to the tip in the projecting direction. Further, the tooth groove <NUM> is formed between the tooth <NUM> and the tooth <NUM> adjacent to each other on the outer peripheral surface 50b of the belt unit <NUM>. The teeth <NUM>, <NUM> on the both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM> project from the same position of the belt unit <NUM> in the long-edge direction A. Further, the teeth <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> project at positions at predetermined intervals in the long-edge direction A of the belt unit <NUM>. A recess <NUM> is formed at the position of the tooth groove <NUM> on the inner peripheral surface 50a of the belt unit <NUM> to extend in the belt width direction B.

The toothed belt <NUM> is suspended by the plurality of pulleys 19a and 19b in such a manner that the belt width direction B of the belt unit <NUM> is defined vertical to the transport path <NUM>.

Moreover, the engagement member <NUM> is made of a non-magnetic metal material, ceramic, or resin, for example. If the engagement member <NUM> is made of a metal material, the engagement member <NUM> is formed by a manufacturing process using metal injection. The engagement member <NUM> comprises an attachment portion <NUM> attached to the toothed belt <NUM>, and a contact portion <NUM> to contact a coin (indicated by a sign C1 in <FIG>).

The attachment portion <NUM> is connected by a connecting portion <NUM> at a lower end side corresponding to one end side. At an upper end side corresponding to the other end side of the attachment portion <NUM>, the attachment portion <NUM> comprises a first gripper <NUM> and a second gripper <NUM> separated from each other, a retainer <NUM> arranged at the upper end side of the first gripper <NUM>, and an insertion portion <NUM> arranged at the upper end side of the second gripper <NUM>.

The first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> are fitted into a position between the tooth <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent to each other, namely, into the tooth groove <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM>, and are fitted into a position between the tooth <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent to each other, namely, into the tooth groove <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM>. In this way, the belt unit <NUM> can be caught between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> from a belt thickness direction C. A holding groove <NUM> catching and holding the belt unit <NUM> is formed between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>.

The retainer <NUM> projects from the upper end side of the first gripper <NUM> in an upward direction corresponding to a direction toward the other end side of the holding groove <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> has a tip located at the same height position or substantially the same height position as the inner surface of the second gripper <NUM> opposite to the first gripper <NUM>. The dimension of the holding groove <NUM> in the top-down direction between the retainer <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM> is the same or substantially the same as the dimension of the belt unit <NUM> in the belt width direction B.

The insertion portion <NUM> is formed at the inner surface of the second gripper <NUM> at the upper end side of the second gripper <NUM> and opposite to the first gripper <NUM> into a curved shape or a tilted shape to be separated further from the first gripper <NUM> at a position closer to the upper end side of the second gripper <NUM>. The insertion portion <NUM> and the retainer <NUM> are opposite to each other. A clearance allowing insertion of the belt unit <NUM> into the holding groove <NUM> is formed between the insertion portion <NUM> and the retainer <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> is formed into a linear shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> has a contact surface <NUM> to contact the peripheral surface of a coin. The contact surface <NUM> is provided on each of both surfaces of the contact portion <NUM> corresponding to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>.

An end of the contact surface <NUM> extending in a linear shape may be formed into a curved shape. More specifically, the contact surface <NUM> to contact the peripheral surface of a coin may be planar, trapezoidal, or oval. Further, a part of the contact surface <NUM> corresponding to the lower end thereof to contact a coin may be formed into a comb-like shape. The contact portion <NUM> of this embodiment extends more widely than the attachment portion <NUM> in a contact surface width direction as a direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM> to project from the both sides of the attachment portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the contact portion <NUM> projects in a contact portion width direction from the both sides of the attachment portion <NUM> by the same length L1. Namely, the contact portion <NUM> projects by the same length L2 from the center of the holding groove <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM> and projects by the same length L2 from the center of the belt thickness direction C of the belt unit <NUM> to which the attachment portion <NUM> is attached. The contact portion <NUM> may project from a side other the both sides of the attachment portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the contact portion <NUM> may be formed to project from either side. Further, if the contact portion <NUM> extends from the both sides, the length of the contact portion <NUM> may differ between the right side and the left side.

The width of the contact portion <NUM> (width in the contact surface width direction) has the following relationship: <MAT>.

The contact portion <NUM> may be formed to the same width as the attachment portion <NUM> in a direction following the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> attached to the toothed belt <NUM> is arranged at a predetermined interval from the transport path <NUM>. The predetermined interval from the transport path <NUM> is an interval less than the thickness of a smallest-thickness coin among coins on the transport path <NUM> and an interval allowing the contact surface <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> to contact the peripheral surface of the smallest-thickness coin on the transport path <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> may contact the transport path <NUM> on a part of the transport path <NUM>.

It is noted that, the pulleys 19a and 19b are toothed pulleys (timing pulleys) in meshing engagement with the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> in <FIG>. The tooth <NUM> on the inner periphery of the toothed belt <NUM> is in meshing engagement with each pulley 19a. The tooth <NUM> on the outer periphery of the toothed belt <NUM> is in meshing engagement with the pulley 19b. These pulleys 19a and 19b are each provided with a groove <NUM> for accepting the engagement member <NUM> that moves integrally with the toothed belt <NUM>.

The operation of the coin handling machine <NUM> will be described next.

During a depositing process, the shutter of the transaction port <NUM> is opened to accept coins input through the transaction port <NUM> into the tray <NUM>. After the shutter of the transaction port <NUM> is closed, the coins in the tray <NUM> are ejected to the feeder <NUM> at a lower position.

The coins in the feeder <NUM> are fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported toward the feeding transporting direction F2 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and recognized by the recognition unit <NUM>. A coin recognized as being fit is assigned from the transport path <NUM> to the temporary holder <NUM> and held therein. A coin not recognized as being fit is sent from the transport path <NUM> into the tray <NUM> and becomes ready to be taken out of the tray <NUM> in response to opening of the shutter of the transaction port <NUM>.

If deposition is approved after all the coins input through the transaction port <NUM> have been subjected to the process to be finally held or returned, the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> are stored into the denomination-specific stacker <NUM>. If the deposition is canceled, the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> are returned.

More specifically, if the deposition is approved, the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> are fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported toward the storing transporting direction F1 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, recognized by the recognition unit <NUM>, and assigned to the denomination-specific stackers <NUM> of corresponding denominations and stored therein on the basis of recognition results. If the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> becomes full of coins of a corresponding denomination, these coins are not stored in this denomination-specific stacker <NUM> but are diverted from the transport path <NUM> by the diverting portion <NUM> and then stored into the overflow stacker <NUM>.

If the deposition is canceled, the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> are fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported in the storing transporting direction F1 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and stored into the feeder <NUM>. After all the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> are moved to the feeder <NUM>, the coins in the feeder <NUM> are fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported toward the feeding transporting direction F2 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and sent from the transport path <NUM> into the tray <NUM>. The coins in the tray <NUM> become ready to be taken out in response to opening of the shutter of the transaction port <NUM>.

Additionally, during a dispensing process, coins in the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> of a denomination to be dispensed are fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported in the feeding transporting direction F2 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and recognized by the recognition unit <NUM>. A coin recognized as being fit is sent from the transport path <NUM> into the tray <NUM>. A coin not recognized as being fit is assigned from the transport path <NUM> to the temporary holder <NUM> and held therein.

If the coin not recognized as being fit is sent to the temporary holder <NUM>, feeding of coins from the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> is finished. After coins of an amount to be dispensed are sent to the tray <NUM>, the coin in the temporary holder <NUM> is fed to the transport path <NUM>, transported in the storing transporting direction F1 by the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and recognized again by the recognition unit <NUM>. If the coin is recognized as being fit as a result of the re-recognition, the coin is stored into the stacker <NUM> of a corresponding denomination. If the coin is not recognized as being fit still after the re-recognition, the coin is diverted by the diverting portion <NUM> of the transport path <NUM> and stored into the reject box <NUM>.

After the coins of an amount to be dispensed are sent to the tray <NUM>, the coins become ready to be taken out of the tray <NUM> in response to opening of the shutter of the transaction port <NUM>.

If a sensor detects the presence of coins on the tray <NUM> remaining even after passage of a predetermined period of time from opening of the shutter of the transaction port <NUM>, these coins are determined to be forgotten coins and the forgotten coins are collected. More specifically, after the shutter of the transaction port <NUM> is closed, the forgotten coins in the tray <NUM> are ejected to the feeder <NUM> at a lower position. The coin handling machine <NUM> feeds the forgotten coins in the feeder <NUM> to the transport path <NUM>, transports the forgotten coins toward the feeding transporting direction F2 using the coin transporting belt <NUM>, recognizes the forgotten coins using the recognition unit <NUM>, holds the forgotten coins temporarily in the temporary holder <NUM>, and checks the denominations and the number of the forgotten coins. After making these checks, the coin handling machine <NUM> feeds the coins from the temporary holder <NUM> to the transport path <NUM>, diverts the coins using the diverting portion <NUM> of the transport path <NUM>, and stores the diverted coins into the collection cassette <NUM>.

Additionally, during a replenishment process, the coin handling machine <NUM> feeds coins stored in the overflow stacker <NUM> or the coin cassette <NUM> to the transport mechanism <NUM>, and transports the coins to the temporary holder <NUM> using the transport mechanism <NUM>. The coin handling machine <NUM> feeds the coins in the temporary holder <NUM> to the transport path <NUM>, transports the coins toward the storing transporting direction F1 using the coin transporting belt <NUM>, and recognizes the coins using the recognition unit <NUM>. The coin handling machine <NUM> assigns and stores the coins to the denomination-specific stackers <NUM> of corresponding denominations on the basis of recognition results. If the denomination-specific stacker <NUM> becomes full of coins of a corresponding denomination, these coins are not stored in this denomination-specific stacker <NUM> but are diverted from the transport path <NUM> by the diverting portion <NUM> and then stored into the overflow stacker <NUM>.

The action and operation of the coin transporting belt <NUM> will be described next.

As shown in <FIG>, the engagement member <NUM> is attached to an optional predetermined position of the toothed belt <NUM>. For attachment of the engagement member <NUM>, the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> are fitted to a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> and to a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> on the both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM>. Next, the clearance between the retainer <NUM> of the first gripper <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM> of the second gripper <NUM> is fitted to one edge, namely, a lower edge of the belt unit <NUM> in the belt width direction B. Then, the engagement member <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> are moved relative to each other and assembled together in such a manner as to insert or press-fit the belt unit <NUM> through the clearance between the retainer <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM> into the holding groove <NUM> between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>. At this time, the belt unit <NUM> is inserted or press-fitted into the holding groove <NUM> while being deformed elastically into a curved shape or a tilted shape along the insertion portion <NUM>. The lower edge of the belt unit <NUM> is inserted or press-fitted into a position at which the lower edge comes into abutting contact with the upper surface of the connecting portion <NUM> corresponding to the bottom of the holding groove <NUM>. The upper edge of the belt unit <NUM> penetrates into the lower side of the retainer <NUM>. Alternatively, the upper edge does not penetrate but is pressed into the lower side of the retainer <NUM>.

While the engagement member <NUM> is attached to the toothed belt <NUM>, the belt unit <NUM> is caught from the belt thickness direction C between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>, and the belt unit <NUM> is held from the belt width direction B between the connecting portion <NUM> and the retainer <NUM>. Further, the first gripper <NUM> is fitted into a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM>, and the second gripper <NUM> is fitted into a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way, the engagement member <NUM> is attached with the attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> fixed to the belt unit <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> is arranged in a linear shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>. Namely, the contact surface <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> is arranged to extend in the direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>.

As the coin transporting belt <NUM> suspended over the transport path <NUM> moves, the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> comes into contact with the peripheral surface of a coin on the transport path <NUM>. The coin is moved in a transporting direction while being pushed by the contact portion <NUM>.

It is noted that, to detach the engagement member <NUM> from the toothed belt <NUM>, the engagement member <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> are moved relative to each other in a direction of being separated from each other in such a manner as to draw the other edge, namely, the upper edge of the belt unit <NUM> in the belt width direction B through the clearance between the retainer <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM>.

The following describes a relationship of the coin transporting belt <NUM> of this embodiment with a difference between coin diameters, and a relationship of a coin transporting belt 20A of a comparative example with a difference between coin diameters by referring to <FIG>. The coin transporting belt 20A of the comparative example comprises an engagement member 26A of a circular columnar shape.

In the case of Japanese coins, a largest-diameter coin CL has a diameter of <NUM> and a smallest-diameter coin CS has a diameter of <NUM> to result in a relatively small diameter difference of <NUM>. The engagement member 26A of the coin transporting belt 20A of the comparative example has a diameter of <NUM>. In the case of the coin transporting belt 20A of the comparative example, when the peripheral surface of the engagement member 26A contacts the peripheral surfaces of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to push the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS toward a transporting direction, the peripheral surface of the engagement member 26A contacts peripheral surface positions relatively near the center line of the transporting direction of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS. By doing so, both the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS are pushed in a direction substantially following the transporting direction to allow transporting of the coins substantially stably.

Additionally, in the case of foreign coins, the largest-diameter coin CL may have a diameter of <NUM> and the smallest-diameter coin CS may have a diameter of <NUM> to result in a large diameter difference of <NUM>. In the case of the coin transporting belt 20A of the comparative example, when the peripheral surface of the engagement member 26A contacts the peripheral surfaces of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to push the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS toward a transporting direction, the peripheral surface of the engagement member 26A contacts peripheral surface positions largely deviating from the center line of the transporting direction of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS. Hence, both the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS are pushed obliquely from the transporting direction. This unfortunately causes separation of the largest-diameter coin CL from one of the guide portions <NUM> as a reference for transporting on the transport path <NUM>, or causes the coin transporting belt 20A to move in the width direction of the transport path <NUM> to make the engagement member 26A get over the smallest-diameter coin CS, for example. In this way, stable transporting of coins is hindered.

By contrast, the width of the contact portion <NUM> (width in a contact surface width direction) in the coin transporting belt <NUM> of this embodiment has the following relationship: (width of contact portion <NUM>) ≥ (radius of largest-diameter coin CL to be handled) - (radius of smallest-diameter coin CS to be handled). Thus, in the case of foreign coins, the width of the contact portion <NUM> is determined as follows: <NUM> ≥ <NUM> - <NUM>. Here, the width of the contact portion <NUM> (width in the contact surface width direction) is set to <NUM>, for example.

In the case of such foreign coins, when the contact surface <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> contacts the peripheral surfaces of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to push the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS toward a transporting direction, the contact surface <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> contacts the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS on the center line of the transporting direction of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to allow the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to be pushed toward the transporting direction. In this way, stable transporting of the coins is achieved.

As described above, in the coin transporting belt <NUM> of this embodiment, the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> is provided in a linear shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>. This allows stable transporting of coins even if a diameter difference between the coins is large.

The coin transporting belt <NUM> uses the toothed belt <NUM> with the plurality of teeth <NUM> and <NUM> formed on the both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM>. Furthermore, this makes the coin transporting belt <NUM> adaptable to the transport path <NUM> of a configuration in which the inner peripheral surface 50a and the outer peripheral surface 50b of the toothed belt <NUM> are wound around the pulleys 19a and 19b, for example.

Additionally, the attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> can be attached to an optional predetermined position of the toothed belt <NUM> with the plurality of teeth <NUM> and <NUM> formed on the both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM> in such a manner as to be removable from the toothed belt <NUM>. This achieves use of the toothed belt <NUM> for general purpose available at low cost. Additionally, the position of attachment of the engagement member <NUM> to the toothed belt <NUM> can be changed easily in response to the pitch of the engagement member <NUM> in the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>.

Moreover, the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> extends more widely than the attachment portion <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM> to project from the both sides of the attachment portion <NUM>. Thus, even if there is a limitation on the width of the attachment portion <NUM> to pass through the pulleys 19a and 19b, the width of the contact portion <NUM> can be ensured to achieve adaptability to a difference between coin diameters.

Additionally, the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> projects from the both sides of the attachment portion <NUM> by the same length L1. This makes it possible to locate the projecting both ends of the contact portion <NUM> as close as possible to the toothed belt <NUM> while ensuring the width of the contact portion <NUM>. Even if a coin contacts each of the projecting ends of the contact portion <NUM>, rotation of the engagement member <NUM> is prevented to reduce the occurrence of twist of the toothed belt <NUM>. Further, even if the engagement member <NUM> is attached to the toothed belt <NUM> in a reversed orientation, a relationship in terms of position between the contact portion <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> can be maintained constantly. The foregoing configuration allows stable transporting of coins.

Furthermore, the width of the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> (width in a contact surface width direction) has the following relationship: (width of contact portion <NUM>) ≥ (radius of largest-diameter coin CL to be handled) - (radius of smallest-diameter coin CS to be handled). This causes the contact portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> to always contact the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS on the center line of a transporting direction of the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to allow the largest-diameter coin CL and the smallest-diameter coin CS to be pushed toward the transporting direction, thereby allowing stable transporting of coins.

Moreover, the attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> grips the toothed belt <NUM> in such a manner as to be removable from the toothed belt <NUM>. This achieves use of the toothed belt <NUM> for general purpose and attachment of the engagement member <NUM> to an optional predetermined position of the toothed belt <NUM> in a manner that allows removal of the engagement member <NUM>.

Additionally, the attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> is connected at the lower end side. At the upper end side of the attachment portion <NUM>, the attachment portion <NUM> is separated and comprises the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> catching the belt unit <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> therebetween, and the retainer <NUM> arranged at the upper end side of the first gripper <NUM> and engaged with the upper end side of the toothed belt <NUM>. Thus, the attachment portion <NUM> can be attached to the toothed belt <NUM> in such a manner as to be removable from the toothed belt <NUM>.

It is noted that the retainer <NUM> may be provided further to the second gripper <NUM>. In this case, the retainer <NUM> of the first gripper <NUM> and the retainer <NUM> of the second gripper <NUM> may be formed as claws opposite to each other, and the belt unit <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> may be attached by being press-fitted into a position between the claw-like retainers <NUM>.

The coin handling machine <NUM> using the foregoing coin transporting belt <NUM> transports coins stably along the transport path <NUM> to allow stable implementation of process.

A coin transporting belt according to the invention is shown in <FIG> will be described next.

The attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> is connected at a lower end side. At an upper end side of the attachment portion <NUM>, the attachment portion <NUM> is separated and comprises the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> catching the belt unit <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> therebetween, and the retainer <NUM> arranged at the first gripper <NUM> and engaged with the tooth <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM>.

It is noted that the retainer <NUM> is provided at an intermediate position of the first gripper <NUM> in the top-down direction to project from both side surfaces of the first gripper <NUM> parallel to the contact surface <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> is formed into a claw-like shape having a tilted surface 63a tilted toward a side corresponding to the tip of the first gripper <NUM>, and an engagement surface 63b provided on the opposite side substantially vertical to the first gripper <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> projects more widely than the attachment portion <NUM> in a direction following the long-edge direction A of the toothed belt <NUM>.

For attachment of the engagement member <NUM> to the toothed belt <NUM>, the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> are fitted to a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> and to a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> on the both surfaces of the belt unit <NUM>. Next, a clearance between the tips of the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> is fitted to one edge, namely, a lower edge of the belt unit <NUM> in the belt width direction B. Then, the engagement member <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> are moved relative to each other and assembled together in such a manner as to insert or press-fit the belt unit <NUM> into the holding groove <NUM> between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>. At this time, the retainer <NUM> of the first gripper <NUM> abuts on the tooth <NUM> and this abutment is formed between the tilted surface 63a of the retainer <NUM> and the tooth <NUM>. This allows assembling of the engagement member <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> together while the toothed belt <NUM> is deformed elastically without causing hooking of the retainer <NUM> on the tooth <NUM> or while the clearance between the tips of the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> is increased. The lower edge of the belt unit <NUM> is inserted into a position at which the lower edge comes into abutting contact with the upper surface of the connecting portion <NUM> corresponding to the bottom of the holding groove <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> is fitted into the cutout <NUM> resulting from cutting of a part of the tooth <NUM>.

While the engagement member <NUM> is attached to the toothed belt <NUM>, the belt unit <NUM> is caught from the belt thickness direction C between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>, and the belt unit <NUM> is held from the belt width direction B between the connecting portion <NUM> and the engagement surface 63b of the retainer <NUM> engaged with the tooth <NUM>. Further, the first gripper <NUM> is fitted into a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM>, and the second gripper <NUM> is fitted into a position between the teeth <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way, the engagement member <NUM> is attached with the attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> fixed to the belt unit <NUM>.

It is noted that, to detach the engagement member <NUM> from the toothed belt <NUM>, the retainer <NUM> is separated from the tooth <NUM>, and the engagement member <NUM> and the toothed belt <NUM> are moved relative to each other in a direction of being separated from each other.

The attachment portion <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> is connected at the lower end side. At the upper end side of the attachment portion <NUM>, the attachment portion <NUM> is separated and comprises the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> catching the belt unit <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> therebetween, and the retainer <NUM> provided at the first gripper <NUM> and engaged with the tooth <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM>. Thus, the attachment portion <NUM> can be attached to the toothed belt <NUM> in such a manner as to be removable from the toothed belt <NUM>.

It is noted that, if the cutouts <NUM> and <NUM> are provided together with the teeth <NUM> and <NUM> on the both surfaces of the toothed belt <NUM>, the retainer <NUM> may be provided further at the second gripper <NUM>.

It is noted that, the retainer <NUM> of the engagement member <NUM> may have a configuration other than the configuration of each of the foregoing embodiments. If the belt unit <NUM> of the toothed belt <NUM> has a hole, for example, the retainer <NUM> of at least one of the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> may be configured as a projection to be engaged with the hole at the belt unit <NUM>.

Additionally, in the coin handling machine <NUM> of each of the embodiments, the transport path <NUM> is not limited to a tilted shape. The transport path <NUM> having a horizontal shape also allows transporting of coins using the coin transporting belt <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A coin transporting belt (<NUM>) comprising: a toothed belt (<NUM>) with teeth (<NUM>) (<NUM>) formed on both surfaces of a belt unit (<NUM>); and an engagement member (<NUM>), which is attached to the toothed belt (<NUM>), that is configured to engage the peripheral surface of a coin (C1) and transport the coin (C1) along a transport path (<NUM>),
the engagement member (<NUM>) comprising:
an attachment portion (<NUM>) attached to the toothed belt (<NUM>); and
a contact portion (<NUM>) formed into a linear shape extending in a direction perpendicular to a long-edge direction (A) of the toothed belt (<NUM>), the contact portion (<NUM>) being configured to contact the coin (C1), and wherein
the attachment portion (<NUM>) is connected at one end side, and separated at the other end side, the attachment portion (<NUM>) comprises a first gripper (<NUM>) and a second gripper (<NUM>) catching the belt unit (<NUM>) of the toothed belt (<NUM>) therebetween, and a retainer (<NUM>) arranged at least at the first gripper (<NUM>) and engaged with the tooth (<NUM>) of the toothed belt (<NUM>),
the toothed belt (<NUM>) comprises a cutout (<NUM>) resulting from cutting of a part of the tooth (<NUM>), and
the retainer (<NUM>) is fitted into the cutout (<NUM>) at the tooth (<NUM>).