Small apparatus for dispensing circular plate objects

• US 6,099,402 A
• Filed: 09/11/1998
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asahi Seiko CO., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Asahi Seiko CO., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ichihara, Noboru, Abe, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/151,531
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 453/13, 453/33, 453/49, 453/57, 221/241, 222/305
• US Class Current: 453/57
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing disc bodies such as coins or tokens is set forth which includes a fixed substrate and a dispensing disc spaced from said substrate a distance related to the thickness of said disc bodies. The dispensing disc includes a plurality of openings having a diameter adapted to receive a disc body for dispensing thereof. The dispensing disc is attached to a shaft which is axially moveable to adjust the space between the dispensing disc and substrate. The shaft is connected to a motor through an axially aligned planetary gear apparatus. Rotation of the dispensing disc receives coins or tokens in the openings and space whereupon the coins are moved for dispensing. An elevation body engages the dispensing disc and includes a plurality of annular teeth. An adjustment body has teeth to engage the elevation body teeth. Rotation of the adjustment body axially adjusts the elevation body and dispensing disc to adjust the space to accept different thicknesses of coins.

Claims

1. A discharge apparatus for disc bodies comprising;

a fixed substrate;

a disc spaced from said substrate a distance related to the thickness of said disc bodies, said disc including at least one opening having a diameter adapted to receive a disc body;

means for rotating the disc to accent disc bodies in said opening and said space for discharge thereof, said rotating means including a shaft coupled between said disc and means for rotating the shaft for axial movement thereof and said adjusting means including an elevation body disposed about the shaft and at one end engaging the disc and at the other end including a plurality of axially extending projections and an operation body including a plurality of projections adapted to engage the projections on said elevation body, engagement of said projections displacing said disc to adjust said space.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, relative to said shaft, said projections on said elevation body and said operation body are arranged annularly and are adapted to, in response to rotation of said operation body, engage to displace said disc to adjust said space.

3. A discharge apparatus for disc bodies comprising;

a fixed substrate;

a disc spaced from said substrate a distance related to the thickness of said disc bodies, said disc including a main disc having coupled to one face thereof a cover disc, each including bores adapted to register to define at least one opening, said disc bodies accepted through said cover disc into said opening, said main disc including at least one arm disposed in said space and adapted to engage a disc body in said space for discharge thereof, said main and cover discs are coupled by one of said discs including a ferromagnetic element and the other including a magnetic element;

means for rotating the disc to accept disc bodies in said opening and said space for discharge thereof; and

means for adjusting said space to accept disc bodies of differing thicknesses.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cover disc includes a protruding pin adapted to stir said disc bodies.

5. A discharge apparatus for disc bodies comprising;

a fixed substrate;

a disc spaced from said substrate a distance related to the thickness of said disc bodies, said disc including at least one opening having a diameter adapted to receive a disc body;

a shaft coupled between said disc and means for rotating the shaft for axial movement thereof to space said disc relative to said substrate, rotation of said disc to accept disc bodies in said opening and said space for discharge thereof;

an elevation body disposed about the shaft and at one end engaging the disc and at the other end including a plurality of axially extending projections; and

an operation body including a plurality of projections adapted to engage the projections on said elevation body, engagement of said projections displacing said disc to adjust said space to accept disc bodies of differing thicknesses.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a stopper to retain said shaft to said substrate.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said elevation body and operation body projections have a saw-tooth configuration.