Removable coin bin

• US 6,854,640 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Peklo, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): FUREMAN, JARED
• Application Number:
  US10/251,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 235/100, 235/379, 235/381, 902/8, 902/9, 902/11, 902/13, 194/350, 194/351, 206/0.8, 206/0.815, 206/0.82, 206/0.83, 206/0.84, 232/12, 232/15, 232/31, 232/66
• US Class Current: 235/100
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/06 Coin boxes

Abstract

Briefly, in accordance with the foregoing, the invention is related to a removable coin storage apparatus being used in a coin processing device, which comprises a bin, a cover, a gate, and a sloped floor. The bin comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein a cover is used for the first opening. To allow the placement of coins inside the bin, the cover is movable between a closed position wherein the cover substantially covers the first opening, and an open position wherein the cover at least partially uncovers the first opening. The gate is proximate the second opening, and is movable between an up position and a down position, the up position at least partially uncovering the second opening to allow the coins to be discharged from the bin, the down position substantially covering the second opening.

Claims

1. A removable coin storage apparatus being used in a coin processing device, said apparatus comprising:

a removable bin comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a cover for said first opening being movable between a closed position wherein said cover substantially covers said first opening, and an open position wherein said cover at least partially uncovers said first opening to allow the placement of coins inside said bin through said first opening;

a gate mounted to said bin and movable between an up position and a down position, said gate while in said up position at least partially uncovering said second opening to allow said coins to be discharged from said bin, said gate while in said down position substantially covering said second opening; and

a sloped floor inside said bin having a plurality of planes, said floor providing a gravity-induced flow of said coins toward said second opening;

wherein said sloped floor is defined at least in part with a laminated metal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coin processing device is a coin redemption machine.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gate is adjustable to control the flow of said coins.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gate comprises a plurality of settings for controlling the flow of said coins.

5. A removable coin storage apparatus being used in a coin processing device, said apparatus comprising:

a removable bin comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a cover for said first opening being movable between a closed position wherein said cover substantially covers said first opening, and an open position wherein said cover at least partially uncovers said first opening to allow the placement of coins inside said bin through said first opening;

a gate mounted to said bin and movable between an up position and a down position, said gate while in said up position at least partially uncovering said second opening to allow said coins to be discharged from said bin, said gate while in said down position substantially covering said second opening; and

a sloped floor inside said bin having a plurality of planes, said floor providing a gravity-induced flow of said coins toward said second opening;

wherein said bin is being defined at least in part by a laminated metal on at least some of a plurality of interior surfaces.

6. A portable coin storage apparatus being used in a coin processing device, said apparatus comprising:

a portable bin comprising a first opening to allow the placement of coins inside said bin, and a second opening to allow said coins to be discharged from said bin;

a cover for covering said first opening;

a gate mounted to said bin for covering said second opening;

a sloped surface inside said bin having a plurality of planes, said surface providing a gravity-induced flow of said coins toward said second opening; and

a plurality of compartments for sorting said coins by category, said compartments being separated by a plurality of plates, each of said compartments being accessible to said second opening, wherein said portable bin is inserted in a coin processing device when receiving said coins and wherein said portable bin is removed from said coin processing device when retrieving said coins.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said coin processing device is a coin redemption machine.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said gate is adjustable to control the flow of said coins.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of compartment doors for controlling the flow of said coins, said doors being individually moveable for each of said compartments.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said plates are being defined at least in part with a laminated metal.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said sloped surface is being defined at least in part with a laminated metal.

12. A portable coin storage apparatus, comprising:

a portable receptacle for receiving coins comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a lid for covering said first opening;

a door mounted to said receptacle for covering said second opening; and

a single-locking mechanism for securing said door to said lid so that neither said door nor said lid can be opened to access said coins, wherein said portable receptacle is inserted in a coin processing device when receiving said coins and wherein said portable receptacle is removed from said coin processing device when retrieving said coins.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a padlock.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said locking mechanism is located on a front exterior surface of said receptacle.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking plate, said plate being connected to said lid, said plate having an aperture for allowing a lock to secure said plate to said door.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said door comprises a locking surface being located perpendicular to said door, said locking surface comprising a first locking hole for allowing a lock to secure said first locking hole to a second locking hole, wherein said second locking hole is located on a locking plate, said locking plate being connected to said lid.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said door further comprises a first ridge having a first locking bole, and wherein said lid further comprises a locking plate having a second ridge, said second ridge including a second locking hole, said first locking hole and said second locking hole being movable to a locking position to allow a single-locking device to secure said apparatus.

18. A portable coin storage apparatus, comprising:

a receptacle for receiving coins comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a lid for covering said first opening;

a door mounted to said receptacle for covering said second opening; and

a single-locking mechanism for securing said door to said lid so that neither said door nor said lid can be opened to access said coins, said locking mechanism having a locking plate, said plate being connected to said lid, said plate having an aperture for allowing a lock to secure said plate to said door.

19. A portable coin storage apparatus, comprising:

a receptacle for receiving coins comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a lid for covering said first opening;

a door mounted to said receptacle for covering said second opening, said door having a locking surface being located perpendicular to said door, said locking surface comprising a first locking hole for allowing a lock to secure said first locking hole to a second locking hole, wherein said second locking hole is located on a locking plate, said locking plate being connected to said lid; and

a single-locking mechanism for securing said door to said lid so that neither said door nor said lid can be opened to access said coins.

20. A portable coin storage apparatus, comprising:

a receptacle for receiving coins comprising a first opening and a second opening;

a lid for covering said first opening, said lid including a locking plate having a second ridge, said second ridge including a first locking hole;

a door mounted to said receptacle for covering said second opening, said door including a first ridge having a second locking hole, said first locking hole and said second locking hole being movable to a locking position to allow a single-locking device to secure said apparatus; and

a single-locking mechanism for securing said door to said lid so that neither said door nor said lid can be opened to access said coins.