Abstract: An expandable cash box system for storing bills including a chassis housing attachable to a bill validator and having an open end adapted to receive bills from the validator and a sliding enclosure housing disposed in telescopic relation to the chassis housing. A spring-loaded compressor plate is provided within the two housings and a control system between the two telescoping housing determines the expansion as bills are received by the cash box. The control system may include interengaging resilient members and a set of grooves receiving the resilient members and a guidance system facilitates the alignment of the two housings.

Abstract: This retainer system for vending machine compartment includes a divider having a base member attached to a wall and a cap stop member attached to the base member by a hook and slot arrangement which permits the cap member to be pulled out from a retracted to an extended position in which it is engageable by the cap end of a bottle to provide a stop inhibiting longitudinal migration of the bottle.

Abstract: This retainer system for a vending machine compartment includes a retainer having an upper hook wall connection which interfits a selected upper slot and a lower tab wall connection which includes a spring clip which interfits a selected lower slot aligned with an associated upper slot, the upper and lower slots being arranged in staggered rows to facilitate installation in a vertical orientation of the retainer.

Abstract: A bill validator for detecting the presence of a bill comprising a bill passageway having a first side and a second side, a light source positioned at the first side, the light source for emitting light across the passageway, a reflecting surface positioned at the second side, and a detector device positioned at the first side, the detector device for receiving light reflected from the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling off-line credit vend transactions are provided, including a vending system having a vend selection and delivery portion operable off-line, an associated credit card reader, and a transaction controller operatively connected to the card reader to receive information read from an inserted credit card and operatively connected to the vend selection and delivery portion to enable operation thereof. The system is operable, while off-line, to determine acceptability of an inserted card and the current availability at such system of off-line credit for an acceptable credit card, to enable operation of the vend selection and delivery portion if credit is authorized, and to be responsive to vend completion by the vend selection and delivery portion to store transaction information for the credit vend. The credit vend transaction information can later be downloaded and utilized for credit billing purposes.

Abstract: This retainer system for a vending machine compartment includes a retainer having an upper hook wall connection which interfits a selected upper slot and a lower tab wall connection which includes a spring clip which interfits a selected lower slot aligned with an associated upper slot, the upper and lower slots being arranged in staggered rows to facilitate installation in a vertical orientation of the retainer.

Abstract: This impact dampening system for a vending machine chute includes a resilient sheet disposed above a fixed support and a cushioning arrangement disposed between the resilient sheet and the fixed support. In one embodiment, a sheet metal chute provides the fixed support and a sheet plastic chute having a similar configuration to the sheet metal chute provides the resilient sheet, and foam pads between the two chutes providing the cushioning arrangement for containers received by the plastic sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet plastic chute only is used which is suspended by hangers or attached by brackets to the vending machine and may be provided with a diverter to direct containers away from direct travel to the vending machine access port.

Abstract: A coin detection device for determining a size of a coin traveling along a coin track comprises a first inductive sensor positioned along the coin track, a second inductive sensor positioned above the first inductive sensor, a processing circuit connected to the first and second inductive sensors, each of the sensors for providing an output signal to the processing circuit and the processing circuit determining the size of the coin based upon a ratio of the output signals.

Abstract: This bill validator (10) includes a bill inlet area (30) defined by opposed upper and lower surfaces (24, 26) and having a magnetic read head (50). A pressure device (60) is provided below the magnetic read head (50) and urges a bill B received by the inlet (30) toward engagement with the read head to press the bill into engagement with the read head and assist in moving the bill in the direction of travel of the transport system (21).

Abstract: A programmable multiple coin tube changer for accepting and storing coins of different denomination comprises a plurality of coin tubes with each coin tube for storing one coin denomination and each coin tube being removable from the changer in order to reconfigure the coin tubes, circuitry for initiating a payout configuration mode whenever the coin tubes are reconfigured from an initial configuration to a subsequent configuration, circuitry for selecting which one of the coin tubes are to store a particular coin, a mechanism for routing a particular coin to the coin tube which has been selected for storing that particular coin, and a memory for storing information corresponding to the coin tube which has been selected for storing that particular coin. The programmable multiple coin tube changer also has the capability of accepting one or more coins which were previously rejected by the changer and rejecting one or more coins which were previously accepted by the changer.

Abstract: An integrated credit/information exchange module includes a bill examination portion, a card examination portion, a display portion, and a data entry portion connected to and controlled by a processor portion. The integrated module also includes a modular housing and faceplate configured for simple retrofit installation into existing vending machines having bill acceptor slots to overcome the space limitations of such vending machines. The faceplate includes a bill insertion opening, a card insertion opening, a display screen, and a set of data entry keys located thereon. Bill examination, card examination, and advanced vending machine features such as data retrieval, reprogramming, card revaluation, smart message displays, and control operations are provided through programming of the processor portion.

Abstract: This optical scanner for testing the validity of a bill transported through a bill validator includes lower and upper members spaced to allow a bill to pass therebetween, at least one member including a light transmissive area. A light emitting element is arranged to direct light through the light transmissive area and a light receiving sensor is arranged to receive light from the light emitting element during passage of bill (B) therebetween. The light transmissive area includes a recessed portion to provide non-contact face portions of the light transmissive area spaced from the bill to preclude the transfer and build-up of dirt and abrasion of these areas.

Abstract: A circuit which includes a primary power source, a reserve power source, switch means, a first diode, a second diode, and processing means selectively provide power to each of the lock actuator and the processing means from either the primary power source or the reserve power source. The reserve power source is connected between ground and the lock actuator and the switch means is connected between the reserve power source and the lock actuator. The first diode is connected between the reserve power source and the switch means and the second diode is operatively connected between the primary power source and the switch means such that a cathode of the second diode is connected between the first diode and the switch means. The processing means includes a first input operatively connected between the switch means and the lock actuator.

Abstract: This credit card reader (10) with a liquid diverting system (50, 52) includes a reader housing having lower and upper housing portions (12) and (14) and having an outwardly disposed entry portion (36, 46) defining an opening leading to a credit card enclosure (16) retained within the housing and having an opening 70. The liquid diverting system (50, 52) includes a movable member (50) movable from a first position blocking the enclosure (16) and providing drainage, to a second, flexed position permitting entry of a credit card (SC) into the enclosure (16).

Abstract: This anti-bridging system for vending machine storage compartments having a relatively tapered walls leading to an exit, includes a relatively narrow elongate member attached to one of the walls and arranged to tilt the longitudinal axis of a container in the vicinity of the baffle area out of parallel relative to the baffle and also relative to the axes of adjacent containers. This arrangement facilitates the downward travel of the containers toward the exit.

Abstract: This modular cash box system includes a bill validator transport housing (12) having a bill exit opening (18), a cash box housing (10) connectable to the transport housing (12) to receive bills and a plurality of modular sections (20) each having a first end (96) connectable to the transport housing (12) and a second end (98) connectable to the cash box housing (10). The first and second ends (96, 98) of the modular sections (20) are also connectable to each other. An adaptor frame (14) may be used to connect the cash box (10) and the modular sections (20) to the transport housing (12) and a substitute enlarged capacity cash box housing (110) may also be used.

Abstract: An electrically controllable locking device includes a lock stud having at least one groove formed thereon. A motor assembly having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom is provided with a cam member mounted on the motor assembly shaft. The cam member includes a cam surface with a slot formed therealong. A latch member has a first portion which is biased toward the lock stud and engages the lock stud groove when the locking device is in a locked arrangement. The latch member also has a second portion which is biased toward the cam member and is positioned to contact at least a portion of the cam surface during rotation of the cam member. In one embodiment, the lock stud is a lock barrel of a T-handle lock assembly.

Abstract: An improved cash box system for a bill validator (11) which includes bill inlet (16) a sensor (OS) associated with the opening, a bill transporting assembly (21) and a bill stacking assembly (30). A cash box (10) associated with the bill validator (11) receives bills (B) from the bill stacking assembly (30) when the stacker motor (M2) is activated. A processing system (100) measures the current draw of the stacker motor (M2) and compares it to a predetermined limit of the current draw to determine whether the cash box (10) is full, when a bill is placed in the bill inlet.

Abstract: A four coin tube/four coin denomination coin changer is configured for installation and operation within existing vending machines, which existing vending machines have vending machine controllers configured to recognize and operate with coin changers having only three coin tubes and which vending machine controllers are operable to effect payout of coins from such three coin tube coin changers by signals produced on three coin tube interface lines. The four coin tube coin changer includes a processor which, when installed, is operatively connected to the three coin tube interface lines of the vending machine. The processor of the four coin tube coin changer is programmed to interpret signals received from the coin tube interface lines as particular monetary values, and the processor buffers or stores such values thereby accumulating a change payout amount. The processor is operable in various modes to effect payout of the accumulated change payout amount.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting on a vending control device used for paying back change to a customer for a deposit in excess of the amount of a selected vend including a coin storage device located at a higher elevation than the payback coin tube, the coin storage device when energized releasing one or more coins from the bottom end thereof when it is determined that the number of coins available in the payback coin tube is less than the amount needed for a payback, and a passageway communicating the lower end of the coin storage device with the upper end of the payback coin tube for guiding coins released from the coin storage device to move into the payback coin tube.