Abstract: An improved coin validation apparatus for detecting and accepting or rejecting a coin in a limited vertical and horizontal space. The validator includes a first downwardly inclined coin path for guiding a rolling coin along a predetermined first pathway toward a coin box, and a second downwardly inclined short coin path beginning at a predetermined point along the first coin path and positioned below the first coin path for directing a rejected coin from the first coin path along a predetermined second pathway toward a coin return outlet. An electronic coin sensor is positioned to sense the presence of a valid coin travelling along the first coin path, and a coin-directing guide member or flipper is provided along the first coin path to guide a valid coin toward the coin box and to release a rejected coin to fall to the second coin path to the coin return outlet.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for carbonated beverage dispensing machines employs the low voltage AC supply for the solenoid dispensing valves as a source of clipped, balanced ac which is applied to one or more water-imersed sensors. One sensor senses ice mass size and the other senses carbonated water supply level. The balanced ac prevents electroplating by the sensors. Peak detector circuits associated with the sensors produce dc control signals whose levels increase and decrease respectively as the control shut-off point is reached. These dc control signals are applied to Schmitt circuits, the output of one of which is used to control the carbonated water supply pump and the other of which inversely controls the refrigerant compressor. In addition, the balanced ac signal is used to clock a counter which is held at full count.

Abstract: An improved electronic coin validator responsive to detect a plurality of different denominations of valid coins. The validator is constructed around a microcomputer (60). A single coil (30) in the tank circuit of an oscillator is used to determined content. The output of the oscillator is rectified (111, 112) and filtered (115, 116) to give an output signal (120) having a magnitude proportional to the envelope of the oscillator output. An improved diameter detection arrangement using only two LED/optodetector pairs (32, 132, 35, 135) is used to determined diameter by determining the actual average velocity of the coin as it travels down the runway by the sensors and thus to calculate a chord length using the calculated average velocity and a time period (T3) measured as the coin passed the sensors. A plurality of vend prices may be set by the state of a plurality of dip switches (69) and the microcomputer also provides control signals (150, 156) to a laundry machine.

Abstract: An improved coin chute is disclosed which incorporates a diameter gauging dog which is capable of tilting and lateral shifting whereby it actively seeks out a peripheral gap in a coin socket created by an undersize coin and penetrates deeply into said socket so as to arrest movement of the coin chute slide. Also disclosed is a novel arrangement of coin tilting mechanism and an abutment member which cooperatively operate to prevent further forward motion of the slide, or to strip a coin from a strip of tape intended to defeat the discharge or depositing of the coin and thereby permit retrieval of the coin by the user.

Abstract: Two reciprocating slides are biased toward payout positions by coiled compression springs which are located so as to reduce cocking and skewing of the slides as the slides move to and from their payout positions. Each spring is compactly located in an opening in its slide and is sandwiched between stationary plates disposed above and below the slide.

Abstract: Two reciprocating slides are biased toward payout positions and are adapted to discharge coins from separate storage tubes when the slides are moved to the payout positions. The slides normally are latched in home positions and are released in such a manner that either or both of the slides may move to the payout position during a payout cycle. As a result, a coin may be discharged from either one of the tubes or coins may be simultaneously discharged from both tubes during any given payout cycle.