Abstract: A coin-queueing head for use in a high-speed coin-sorting and counting apparatus is provided using a spiral coin-processing channel. Coins are fed from a central loading area through an infeed opening into an infeed area having a height permitting unrestricted outward travel of the coins to a peripheral limit having a generally helical shape. The coins are then fed into a coin-processing channel having a first portion for partially separating face-stacked coins. The coins then pass to a second ramped channel portion providing a gradual depessing of the coins and a sudden release into a third channel portion. An inwardly positioned camming lobe and an outwardly positioned expanded area are provided to facilitate lateral separation of the coins upon their release from the second channel portion.

Abstract: A coin-sorting and counting machine having a stationary base and a cylindrical frame wall rotatably mounted on the base for selective rotation relative thereto. A rotatable disc with a queueing head spaced thereabove forms the coins into a queue at the perimeter of the disc whereat they are sorted by denomination, using coin depressing wheels. Counters count the coins according to denomination. The machine further includes a bag-holding receptacle for each denomination of coin being sorted to collect preselected numbers of the coins according to denomination, and holding for collecting and temporarily holding coins in excess of the preselected numbers according to denomination. The receptacles are held on a carrier plate and arranged concentrically about a pedestal supporting the frame wall. The holding tanks each have a manually operable slide gate to selectively transfer the collected excess coins therein to the coin bags.

Abstract: A coin-queueing head for positioning in a spaced relationship over a rotating flexible surface to process randomly oriented coins of varying diameters and place them in a single layer, single file, having: a central opening in the head for receiving the randomly oriented coins; a plurality of guides to channel the coins into a queue; an engagement wall extending generally transverse to the travel of the queue and projecting to a distance above the surface sufficient to engage and block passage of one of a pair of stacked coins having a first diameter; and a ramp positioned a distance radially inward a peripheral limit along which the queue travels sufficiently to permit unrestricted travel of the pair of stacked coins therebetween, and a distance before the engagement wall defined by the path of travel of the queue to permit unrestricted travel of the blocked coin of the pair of stacked coins therebetween, both distances being less than a second diameter of the coins to be processed having a diameter greater

Abstract: A coin-engaging apparatus for use with a coin-sorting machine having a rotating flexible surface, comprising: a cylindrical shaft positionable within a generally horizontally oriented cylindrical opening of the machine sized to receive the shaft therein, the opening having an open end and a closed end, the shaft being rotatably and horizontally positionable within the opening, the shaft having an eccentric, longitudinal, threaded first bore at an end positionable toward the open end of the opening, and having a longitudinal, threaded second bore at another end positionable toward the closed end of the opening; a coin-depressing wheel rotatably mounted along its axis of rotation on a shoulder screw, the screw being threadedly engageable by the eccentric first bore for positioning the wheel above the surface; a spacer screw threadedly engageable by the threaded second bore and adjustably extendable therefrom for butting against the closed end of said opening; and a locking screw for locking the shaft in a selec

Abstract: A coin-sorting and counting apparatus in which a mixture of coins of different denominations is deposited on a rotating surface and queued thereon by multiple coin guides. These coin guides define a coin-queueing channel for lining up coins on the rotating surface in an orderly fashion preparatory to introducing them into a coin-sorting channel. To increase the speed of sorting, a coin recirculation channel is also provided for receiving certain ones of the coins which have been moved by the rotating surface past the entrance to the coin-queueing channel and redirecting such coins to such entrance. One of the queueing channel guides also acts as a coin position retainer for retaining those coins which have been moved past the entrance of the queueing channel, without forming into the queue, at the same radial distance from the axis of the rotating surface while the surface moves such coins toward the recirculation channel.