Automatic coin depositing and paying machine

• US 4,635,661 A
• Filed: 01/03/1985
• Issued: 01/13/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Company Limited
• Inventors: Uematsu, Yoshiaki, Sentoku, Hideshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alexander, Jay I.
• Application Number:
  US06/688,546
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 133/3 F, 133/3 R, 133/3 C, 133/3 D, 133/3 H, 133/8 R, 133/8 D, 133/8 E, 133/2, 133/4 R, 194/100 A, 194/1 C, 194/1 D, 194/10, 194/DIG. 26, 194/302
• US Class Current: 194/217
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/00 Counting coins in combination with coin-sorting G07D3/16; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving

Abstract

The automatic coin depositing and paying machine has a function of depositing coins and another function of paying out a portion of the deposited coins. The deposited coins are discriminated by one discriminator into acceptable ones and unacceptable ones. The accepted coins are stored in coin storing tubes in accordance with their kinds which are discriminated by another discriminator. Some of coins stored in coin storing tubes are used as paying money. The unaccepted coins are returned to the customer through the exit. The recovery hole is provided to be opened and closed by a recovery cover for providing communication between the safe and the exit.

Claims

1. An automatic coin depositing and paying machine, said machine comprising:

a machine body;

an inlet opening defined by said body for receiving coins therethrough;

a first discriminator for discriminating the kinds and genuineness of coins received through said inlet;

storage means for temporarily storing all of the coins received in a single transaction after each of the coins have been discriminated by said first discriminator, said storage means including two shutters for dispensing coins after the coins have been temporarily stored;

a horizontal transfer passage for receiving genuine coins from said storage means through one of said two shutters;

a second discriminator disposed in the path of travel of coins on said horizontal transfer passage for discriminating the kinds of coins;

a plurality of coin storing tubes disposed below and along said horizontal transfer passage for respectively storing coins in accordance with the kinds of coins discriminated by the second discriminator;

a pay-off mechanism for paying off coins one by one from a lower portion of the coin storing tubes;

a lift belt for receiving coins paid out from the pay-off mechanism and for transferring the coins in an upward direction;

an exit defined by said body for receiving coins from the lift belt and for passing the coins through said exit;

a safe for receiving coins to be stored when at least one of the coin storing tubes is full of coins;

a recovery hole defined by said body providing a communication path between said safe and said exit; and

a recovery cover mounted on said body for opening and closing said recovery hole, said recovery cover being closed to prevent passage of coins from entering said recovery hole (1) when coins are paid out by said pay-off mechanism and (2) when an improper coin is detected by said first discriminator.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said lift belt receives coins directly from said storage means through the other of said two shutters.

3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein said one of said two shutters is opened when an improper coin is detected by said first discriminator, whereas said other of said two shutters is opened when all genuine coins are detected by said first discriminator.

4. A machine according to claim 1, further comprising an overflow detector disposed in an upper portion of the coin storing tubes for detecting if any of the coin storing tubes is filled with coins.

5. A machine according to claim 4, further comprising a chute connected to the horizontal transfer passage at the end thereof for guiding coins, and when the overflow detector detects that any of the coin storing tubes is filled with coins, the coins intended for the storing tube which is full are transferred by said chute to said safe.