Patent ID: 8123112

Claim:
A self-locking security mechanism for a coin operated machine, comprising: a first unit having an upper mounting connector plate with a funnel extending therefrom, the funnel having a plurality of flexible legs with mounting holes for attachment of the funnel to a coin chute of the coin operated machine, the mounting connector plate being fixed to a lower receiver plate wherein the mounting connector plate has a hole in communication with a hole in the receiver plate to allow passage of coins; a second unit including an upper receptacle assembly which is slidably attached to a lower coin bag assembly for receiving and storing coins, the upper receptacle assembly being slidably and removably attached to the receiver plate of the first unit such that the first unit is slidably and removably attached to the second unit, and the upper receptacle assembly having an aperture in communication with the holes of the first unit wherein the aperture is opened and closed via a cooperating spring biased sliding door which moves between an open and closed position; the second unit further comprising a spring biased locking member including a stopper, a pivoting arm receiving a torsion spring, a slider receiving the pivoting arm, and a pin wherein the pin passes through each of the stopper, pivoting arm, torsion spring, and slider for assembly thereof; and wherein, when the second unit is attached to the first unit, the sliding door moves to the open position, and when the second unit is removed from the first unit, the sliding door moves to the closed position and the torsion spring lifts the stopper to prevent the sliding door from moving to the open position.