Abstract: The present invention is a machine for dispensing articles, such as a vending machine, wherein the bottom article in a stack of articles is dispensed. To solve the problem of frictional resistance and excessive weight on the bottom article as it is being dispensed, the present invention provides a lifting mechanism to raise a portion of the stack of articles while the machine dispenses the bottom article. The lifting of the stack of articles above the bottom article relieves the weight of the stack from the bottom article, thereby reducing the frictional force as the machine slides the article out of a gate. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of lifting mechanisms operated by a common driving source cooperate to lift the portion of the stack of articles during the sliding operation and return the stack automatically once the bottom article has been dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact transmission assembly for use in a coin storage and dispensing apparatus. The transmission assembly can connect the rotational output of a reversible electrical motor to a link unit that supports a switching gear unit. A helical gear unit can be mounted adjacent to the link unit and can be driven axially along a shaft to contact a mounting unit to receive a thrust force and to drive the link unit in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending upon the rotation of the reversible motor. The switching gear unit is radially mounted at an offset position on the link unit and can appropriately contact output gears connected to output shafts for providing a selective dual power output.

Abstract: A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation. A device is also provided to distribute the coin reserved in said temporary reservation to the storage.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus includes a storage interior for storing bulk coins, a coin passageway extending along a vertical longitudinal axis upward from the storage container to an exit aperture, and a coin selector for selectively sending coins upward along the coin passageway. A lever is pivotably mounted for contacting the coin as it exits the exit aperture, and a sensor unit operatively connected with the lever can count the coins as they exit. The lever and the sensor unit can be appropriately aligned in a fixed relationship and a mounting assembly that is mounting the lever and the sensor unit adjacent the exit aperture can be adjusted traverse to to the longitudinal axis to accommodate different size coins.

Abstract: A coin hopper device for dispensing coins in an economical manner is provided having a coin selecting mechanism for storing a first quantity of coins and selecting coins that are to be dispensed. A coin storage member stores a second quantity of coins in bulk and may directly permit coins in the coin storage member to pass operatively to the coin selecting mechanism directly by gravity flow from the coin storage member along a first direction when the stored coins are of a predetermined height. A coin carrier device is mounted adjacent the coin storage member for removing coins from the coin storage member on one side, elevating the coins and then dropping them into the coin selecting mechanism from the same side wherein only a portion of the coins in bulk storage may be lifted at any one time.

Abstract: A coin dispensing assembly with an improved coin transport surface facilitates a sliding movement of coins within a hopper through the use of a low friction wall surface for contacting the coins as they move towards a coin feed mechanism. The wall surface can have protrusions of a substantially smaller size than the coin which are arrayed to provide minimal contact with the coin surface. Alternatively, a plastic liner can be fastened to the wall of the hopper assembly and can include graphite particles on its surface for contacting the coins. The graphite particles will have a substantially higher hardness than that of the coin, thereby preventing scratching and the formation of metal particles within the hopper.

Abstract: A secure dispensing magazine for an article dispenser capable of dispensing a plurality of stacked articles includes a housing member having a lid that is operable to permit access to an internal cavity. The lid can be secured to the housing member and an internal gate member can be movable mounted within the housing member to permit the dispensing of articles. A gate operating mechanism can permit the gate to be opened and the magazine to be secured to a dispensing apparatus, while a gate locking assembly can lock the gate member after it has cycled through an open and closed position.

Abstract: A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was stored in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for thin flat articles, such as monetary currency bills, includes a plenum chamber having an aperture of a size smaller than the articles to be dispensed. A suction device is connected to the plenum chamber to provide sufficient negative pressure to adhere an article to the aperture. A contact member, such as an endless belt, is mounted for movement across the aperture to drive the article adhering to the aperture for release from the stack of articles. The stack of articles can be stored in a storage tray and biased towards the plenum chamber aperture. A series of spacer members can relieve part of the bias pressure. The released articles can be counted and stored in a storage chamber until a predetermined number of articles are accumulated. Subsequently, the passageway from the storage chamber to a dispenser tray can be opened and the articles ejected to the user.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus of a compact design for dispensing coins at high speed from a storage hopper includes a selection mechanism for selecting the coins from the hopper and passing the coins along a passageway to an exit opening. A coin ejection guide assembly is positioned adjacent the exit opening and includes a movable member that is spring biased to contact the coin. A contact member is positioned opposite the movable member at a pre-determined distance for forcing the coin to push against the movable member. A guide unit is located downstream of the movable member for changing the direction of movement of the coin after it is pushed against the movable member. The guide unit can include a rotatable guide roller and a sloping guide rail. The movable member can further exert the storage spring energy as an ejection force against the rear edge of the coin to propel it through the exit opening in the direction determined by the guide unit.

Abstract: The large-capacity coin dispensing apparatus of the present invention is directed to increasing the coin storage capacity of a hopper-type coin dispensing apparatus using a rotary disc to dispense coins one at a time. The coin storage capacity of the hopper-type coin dispensing apparatus is limited by the storage capacity of a hopper used to supply coins to the rotary disc. To increase coin storage capacity, the present invention uses a first tank to supply coins to the rotary disc and a second tank to hold a large supply of coins. As the coins in the first tank are depleted, coins are transported from the second tank to the first tank using a conveyor. The addition of the second tank increases coin storage capacity and reduces the frequency at which coins have to be loaded into the large-capacity coin dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: This invention involves an apparatus which is able to payout surly and speedily sheet bodies one by one, while minimizing the overall dimensions of the apparatus and with a simplified structure. This present invention is an apparatus for paying out a sheet body which comprises at least a suction device which has an opening to absorb a sheet body, and a sending out device to send out the sheet body which is absorbed on this suction device, resisting to the absorption.

Abstract: This invention involves an apparatus which is able to payout surly and speedily sheet bodies one by one, while minimizing the overall dimensions of the apparatus and with a simplified structure. This present invention is an apparatus for paying out a sheet body which comprises at least a suction device which has an opening to absorb a sheet body, and a sending out device to send out the sheet body which is absorbed on this suction device, resisting to the absorption.

Abstract: Equipment is provided for issuing IC cards packed in transparent films, etc. without damaging the card or the packaging. The equipment includes a dispenser which can be loaded with s large number of cards in simple and at short time. An elevator for the card bodies is provided with a flexible rack a driving mechanism for moving the rack in up and down directions, a movable base which arranged at the bottom end, for carrying card bodies. The dispenser includes the elevator with the movable base as well as a fan for taking up the top most card body on the movable base and a tire or wheel for sending out the card body which is taken up at the fan.

Abstract: A coin selector assembly includes a frame member having an upper entrance opening for receiving a coin and a plurality of coin ejection openings. A passageway extends through the frame member from the upper entrance opening to a plurality of ejection openings. The entrance passageway has an arcuation entrance portion to contact a peripheral surface of a coin and to change its direction through the frame member. A replaceable roller unit can assist in sorting the coins. The frame member has a vertical height approximating a horizontal length to facilitate a vertical mounting in a coin operated machine.

Abstract: A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was stored in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus having a storage member for holding bulk coins that are introduced through an opening of the top of a storage member as provided with a detector assembly to determine any intrusion into the storage member. Detector assembly can create a grid pattern of radiation, such as light or infrared light that can be monitored by a computer system to determine if the object intruding into the storage base warrants the activation of an alarm.

Abstract: A card-like article is provided with an elevator assembly that can elevate a stacked array of cards to a discharge station. The elevator assembly can be incrementally advanced by reciprocating operating rods that extends between pairs of rails. The elevator assembly can be releaseably affixed to the rails by a braking assembly.

Abstract: A coin storage and dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing coins from a gaming machine includes a frame member for mounting in the gaming machine and for positioning a respective first container device and a second container device at a diagonal angle to support a surface. The first and second container devices store loose bulk coins with a coin transporting device rotably mounted in the second container device to pick up coins and to drop them in the first container device. A transitional groove structure is provided for aligning coins with the coin transporting device. A pivotable support plate is directly mounted to the first container device to support its weight and a sensor can monitor the presence of coins in the first container device and activate the coin transporting device when a predetermined presence of coins is sensed.