EP0047172B1 - Dispositif de déblocage et leur distribution automatique de denrées actionné par pièces de monnaie - Google Patents

Dispositif de déblocage et leur distribution automatique de denrées actionné par pièces de monnaie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0047172B1
EP0047172B1 EP19810303993 EP81303993A EP0047172B1 EP 0047172 B1 EP0047172 B1 EP 0047172B1 EP 19810303993 EP19810303993 EP 19810303993 EP 81303993 A EP81303993 A EP 81303993A EP 0047172 B1 EP0047172 B1 EP 0047172B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
contact
coins
screw
chute
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19810303993
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0047172A1 (fr
Inventor
Herman Berthold Ratzker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PRECISION VENDING MACHINES LIMITED
Original Assignee
PRECISION VENDING MACHINES Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PRECISION VENDING MACHINES Ltd filed Critical PRECISION VENDING MACHINES Ltd
Publication of EP0047172A1 publication Critical patent/EP0047172A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0047172B1 publication Critical patent/EP0047172B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/10—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks actuated electrically by the coin, e.g. by a single coin
    • G07F5/14—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks actuated electrically by the coin, e.g. by a single coin wherein two or more coins of different denominations are required for each transaction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/10—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks actuated electrically by the coin, e.g. by a single coin

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a releasing apparatus for coin-freed vending machines.
  • Known slot machines have coin testers which test each individual coin inserted into the machine for properties such as size and weight, the coin tester rejecting counterfeit or defective coins before they can release the locking mechanism of the slot machine.
  • a slot machine can be opened on the insertion of a number of coins of the same or different denominations, and the invention was devised to provide a coin-freed mechanism which checks the complete combination of coins inserted. As indicated below, however, the invention is also applicable to a coin-freed mechanism which is released by a single coin of a particular denomination.
  • the mechanism should be able to cope with dissimilar coins inserted into the machine in different orders and must be capable of aligning the inserted coins accurately for checking purposes.
  • sufficient lateral clearance must be provided in the coin inlet yet the coins must come to rest in predetermined positions in which an overall dimension can be checked.
  • a coin-freed apparatus which comprises an electrical circuit controlling a unit of the apparatus which permits or prevents the apparatus to be freed and goods to be dispensed from the machine, and electrical coin sensing contacts forming part of a circuit which is normally open across the sensing means.
  • the insertion of a predetermined number and size of coins is effective to establish a conductive path across the sensing contacts via the coins to close and energize the circuit and to free the unit.
  • this known apparatus does not include means for distinguishing between the real and counterfeit coins.
  • a coin-freed apparatus in which inserted coins are caused to roll down an inclined chute provided with a fixed stop and electrical contacts.
  • a circuit is closed through the relevant contact and an electromagnet swings the chute to one side to allow the coins to drop into a collector box and to release the dispenser.
  • a separate selector checks the inserted coins before allowing them to reach the chute via a further electromagnet controlling a pin.
  • the resulting machine is complex, involves the use of a plurality of electromagnets and does not reliably reject counterfeit coins.
  • DE-C-905 685 discloses a coin-operated mechanism with two chutes.
  • a pivoted contact forming part of a solenoid circuit is engageable with the uppermost coin. Closure of the circuit causes a sprung bell-crank to rotate and remove a stop from the chute blocking the coin path, while also causing a motor switch to close and to initiate a cycle releasing the goods and resetting the crank and the solenoid.
  • the resulting machine is complex involves the use of a solenoid and an electronic motor and does not reliably reject counterfeit coins.
  • None of these prior specifications is capable of detecting a certain value of the aggregate of the coins introduced, whether made up of a mix of large and small-value coins. All these prior specifications are capable of a unique measurement of the number of coins.
  • the invention which relates to releasing apparatus for a coin-freed vending machine, comprising an electrical circuit controlling the blocking or release of a part of the machine which provides access to the goods to be dispensed from the machine, and electrical coin-sensing contact assemblies one of which is formed at the base of a coin chute and at least one other assembly at a position spaced above the said one contact assembly at a height which is adjustable to enable the dimension of the coin or of the combination of coins to be varied, the said contact assemblies forming part of said circuit and being positioned and arranged to engage coin(s) of correct denomination(s) and diameters; the said circuit being normally open across said contact assemblies, the insertion of a predetermined number and size of coin(s) being effective to establish a conductive path across said contact assemblies to close and energize the circuit and to free said part.
  • the apparatus is characterised in that the said at least one other of said contact assemblies is pivotably mounted adjacent to and movable with an insulated feeler member under the effect of passage past it of inserted coin(s), the feeler member being effective to gauge the dimensions of the coin(s) inserted and to hold the said other contact asembly out of contact with the coins when their dimensions deviate from the correct ones.
  • Said other contact assembly may include a pivoted flap carrying a pair of parallel screws of which the one nearer to the pivot axis carries a knob of insulating material constituting said feeler member.
  • the free end of said knob is chamfered so that it tapers to a tip on the side nearer to the screw; and the said one screw is longer than the other screw.
  • the releasing apparatus for a coin-freed vending machine is used to lock a drawer which is slidable from the locked position shown to an open position in order to dispense cigarettes.
  • the direction of opening movement of the drawer 1 is perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1.
  • the drawer 100 is fitted with a latch plate into which projects a movable bolt by the armature of an electrical solenoid.
  • One terminal of the solenoid is connected by a lead conductor to a battery (not shown) and the other terminal is connected by a lead 6 to a sprung wiper contact 107 attached at the lower end of a coin chute 108.
  • the latch plate, movable bolt, and solenoid and conductor are not shown in the drawings, but reference may be had to Figure 1 of EP-A-0 047 172 for an illustration of these parts.
  • the wiper contact 107 has a sprung lower end which engages a strip contact 109 mounted in a groove 110 which is inclined to the horizontal, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the machine has a back panel 12 of wood on which is mounted the solenoid and a channel-shaped piece 13 of clear plastics.
  • the chute 108 is defined between the piece 13 of plastics and the back panel 12.
  • the plastics piece 13 of the con chute 108 has an elongated slot 114 within which are clamped, at preselected and variable positions, two top contact assemblies 115 and 115a, capable of pivoting about parallel axes X-X, X'-X' relative to a block 117 clamped in the slot 114 by a respective clamping screw 118. They are electrically in series.
  • the two contact assemblies 115 and 115a are essentially identical, so it will be sufficient to describe one, 115, only.
  • the contact assembly 115 is capable of pivoting about an axis X-X relative to a block 117 clamped in the slot 114 by a clamping screw 118.
  • a contact screw 116 of the contact assembly 115 is connected by an electrical lead to a contact screw mounted in an insulating block carrying a depending beryllium-copper spring contact, the block being mounted on the back panel 12.
  • the upper end of the solenoid armature carries a nylon cap which, on its upward movement, engages the beryllium-copper spring contact and urges the latter into electrical contact with the contact screw so as to complete a circuit to a device which produces a 'vend accept' audible signal.
  • the contact assembly 115 includes a metal plate flap 130 carrying screw 116 as well as a screw 132 parallel with screw 116.
  • the screw 116 is in a lower plane as viewed, and its curved surface (or at least the bottom portion thereof) is provided with an insulated covering or coating 134.
  • Its plane end face 136 is bare metal so that only this end face 136 can make electrical contact with the coins to complete a circuit, as will be explained.
  • the other screw 132 carries at its end a knob 138 of insulating material.
  • the bottom surface of the knob 138 is partly chamfered at 140 so that it tapers to a tip 142 on the side nearer the screw 116.
  • the screw 132 with the tip 142 is slightly longer than the screw 116.
  • the apparatus can be actuated by one high-value coin (such as the U.K. d1 coin) or by an equal combination of two or more coins. Moreover, if the high-value coin (again, such as the U.K. d1 coin) is of relatively small diameter, the step 111 in the groove 110 will ensure that it comes to rest in the desired plane and does not, for instance, roll too far to the right, as viewed in Figure 1.
  • the high-value coin such as the U.K. d1 coin
  • the step 111 in the groove 110 will ensure that it comes to rest in the desired plane and does not, for instance, roll too far to the right, as viewed in Figure 1.
  • the coating or covering 134 - it is ensured that electrical contact is made only when a correct coin is directly under the end face 136, thereby preventing fraud e.g. by jogging the drawer or rocking the whole vending cabinet in an attempt to make coin edge-to-screw contact.
  • the contact screw(s) 116 which act(s) as sensitive feeler(s), will engage the edge region of the uppermost coin at a position offset from the diametral line through the coins 25.
  • the drawer 100 is in its retracted closed position, electrical continuity is established from the contact screw 116 through the stack of inserted coins, through the lower strip contact 109 mounted on the drawer 100 through the wiper contact 107 and thence to the solenoid. Completion of this electrical circuit energises the solenoid the armature of which moves upwardly to release the drawer 100.
  • the contact assembly 115a has a fine adjustment mechanism for its position.
  • the block 117 is slidably mounted in the slot 114 and carries a bracket 150 formed with a threaded aperture in which engages one end of a fine adjustment screw 152 extending from a bracket 154 fixed to the chute 108.
  • the other end of the screw 152 has a head 156 which can be turned by a screwdriver to raise or lower the bracket 150 and so the assembly 115a.
  • the mechanism is designed to dispense on the insertion of (i) one d1 coin, or (ii) two 50p coins, but a) one 10p or 50p or other current U.K. coin would not have the right diameter or thickness to disable the insulating knob 138, or b) one 50p and one 10p coin are of insufficient length and the screws 116,132 would be above them in the chute and engage the back panel 12, or c) one 50p and two 10p coins would be of sufficient length but the wrong thickness and so the chamfered surface 140 would hold the surface 136 of the screw 116 away from the third coin.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)

Claims (7)

1. Dispositif de déblocage pour distributeur actionné par des pièces de monnaie, comportant un circuit électrique de commande du blocage ou du déblocage d'une partie (100) du distributeur qui donne accès aux articles à distributeur ainsi que des ensembles contacteurs électriques (107, 109) détectant les pièces de monnaie, l'un desdits ensembles étant disposé à la base d'une glissière à monnaie (108), cependant qu'au moins un autre ensemble (115, 115a, 116) est disposé à une certaine distance au-dessus dudit ensemble (107, 109) à une hauteur réglable de façon telle que les dimensions de la pièce de monniae ou de fa combinaison de pièces de monnaie (25) puissent varier, lesdits ensembles contacteurs étant incorporés audit circuit et positionnés et agencés de manière à contacter une ou des pièce(s) (25) de dénomination et de diamètre corrects; ledit circuit étant normalement ouvert par lesdits ensembles contacteurs, tandis que l'insertion d'un nombre prédéterminé de pièces de monnaie (25) de dimensions prédéterminées provoque l'établissement d'une liaison conductrice à travers lesdits ensembles contacteurs de manière à fermer et activer ledit circuit et à libérer la partie (100) précitée, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins ledit autre ensemble contacteur (115, 116) est monté à pivotement à proximité d'un palpeur (138) isolé déplaçable avec celui-ci sous l'effet du passage devant lui d'une (de) pièce(s) de monnaie (25) insérée(s), ledit palpeur étant susceptible de déterminer les dimensions de la (des) pièce(s) de monnaie (25) insérées(s) et de maintenir ledit autre ensemble contacteur (115,116; 115a) hors de contact d'avec les pièces de monnaie (25) lorsque les dimensions de celles-ci ne correspondent pas aux dimensions correctes.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une pluralité desdits autres ensembles contacteurs (115, 116, 115a) qui sont branchés en série.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit circuit électrique comprend un solénoïde qui, lorsque les ensembles contacteurs électriques (107, 109; 115, 116; 115a) sont reliés entre eux par la(les) pièce(s) de monnaie (25), est excité de manière à libérer une broche de blocage susceptible de s'engager dans une plaque d'arrét liée à ladite pièce (100).
4. Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la glissière (108) à pièces de monnaie est légèrement inclinée par rapport à la verticale, l'ensemble contacteur inférieur (premier) (107, 109) étant incliné tant par rapport à ladite glissière (108) que par rapport à l'horizontale, de façon telle que la première pièce de monnaie (25) insérée soit placée dans une position prédéterminée, son bord prenant appui sur l'ensemble contacteur inférieur (premier) (107, 109) et sur un côté de ladite glissière (108).
5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre ensemble contacteur (115, 116; 115a) s'étend jusque dans la glissière (108) à pièces de monnaie, dans une position décalée par rapport à la ligne diamétrale qui passe par la pièce de monnaie (25) la plus élevée, et parallèle à ladite glissière (108).
6. Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre ensemble contacteur (115, 115a) comporte un volet pivotant (130) qui porte deux vis (116, 132) parallèles dont l'une (132), qui est la plus rapprochée de l'axe de pivotement (X-X; X'-X') porte un bouton (138) en matière isolante qui constitue ledit palpeur.
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité libre dudit bouton (138) est biseautée (140) de manière à se terminer par une pointe (142) sur le côté le plus rapproché de la vis (116); et en ce que la vis précitée (132, 142) est plus longue que l'autre vis (116).
EP19810303993 1980-09-01 1981-09-01 Dispositif de déblocage et leur distribution automatique de denrées actionné par pièces de monnaie Expired EP0047172B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8028197 1980-09-01
GB8028197 1980-09-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0047172A1 EP0047172A1 (fr) 1982-03-10
EP0047172B1 true EP0047172B1 (fr) 1986-07-16

Family

ID=10515771

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19810303993 Expired EP0047172B1 (fr) 1980-09-01 1981-09-01 Dispositif de déblocage et leur distribution automatique de denrées actionné par pièces de monnaie

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0047172B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3174932D1 (fr)
IE (1) IE52847B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1982000909A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2166897B (en) * 1984-09-25 1988-05-05 Terence Thomas Ketteringham Coin freed vending machine
DE3513326A1 (de) * 1985-04-13 1986-10-23 National Rejectors Inc. Gmbh, 2150 Buxtehude Muenzpruefer
GB2180978A (en) * 1985-09-16 1987-04-08 Electronic Rentals Group Plc Coin operated device

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE426637A (fr) *
US1498548A (en) * 1917-10-23 1924-06-24 James W Hughes Coin-controlled lock for vending devices
CH225073A (fr) * 1938-06-28 1942-12-31 Valoris S A Dispositif de commande d'un distributeur automatique actionné électriquement.
GB586269A (en) * 1939-01-09 1947-03-13 Johannes Petersen Improvements in coin-freed vending machines
DE905685C (de) * 1951-10-18 1954-03-04 Heinrich H Kluessendorf Fa Elektrisch angetriebener Selbstverkaeufer
FR1460027A (fr) * 1965-10-14 1966-06-17 S E F M A Dispositif de commande pour distributeur automatique
DE2718656A1 (de) * 1977-04-27 1978-11-02 Hans Hermann Trautwein Automat zur ausgabe von waren

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0047172A1 (fr) 1982-03-10
WO1982000909A1 (fr) 1982-03-18
IE52847B1 (en) 1988-03-30
DE3174932D1 (en) 1986-08-21
IE811989L (en) 1982-03-01

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