Patent ID: 7470174

Claim:
A coin distribution device for separating coins of different denominations comprising: a storage member for storing coins in bulk; a separator feeding device for removing coins from the storage member in a one by one manner; a coin denomination unit determines the coin denominations; a transfer device for translating the coins from the coin denomination unit along a transfer path in one direction; an inclined guide plate forming a portion of the transfer path including a first selecting port, and a first moveable gate located within the first selecting port and aligned with the inclined guide plate for one of releasing a first coin denomination from the transfer path and transferring other coin denominations, wherein the inclined guide plate and first movable gate supports and guides a side of each of the coins of different denominations; a guide rail forming another portion of the transfer path including a second selecting port, and a second moveable gate located within the second selecting port and aligned with the guide rail for one of releasing a second coin denomination from the transfer path and transferring other coin denominations, wherein the guide rail and second movable gate supports and guides a peripheral edge of the coins of different denominations and wherein the first selecting port and the second selecting port are located adjacent each other at the same location on the transfer path wherein the first coin denomination and the second coin denomination are selectively released from the transfer path; a transfer device located between the guide rail and the inclined guide plate, the transfer device including a plurality of pusher pins moving the coins of different denominations guided by the inclined guide plate and supported by the guide rail along the predetermined direction; and an activating unit selectively opening the first moveable gate and the second moveable gate in accordance with a denomination of each coin in the coins of different denominations for release at the same location to shorten the length of the transfer path.