Abstract: A reduced-size coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes an integral base member which concentrically and circumferentially mounts both the rotatable disc and the sorting head. The unitary base member also provides a mounting structure for the electronics and the motor.

Abstract: A fill bag holder and method for holding a fill bag within the body (interior) of a slot machine. In the preferred embodiment, the fill bag rests on a bag support and the bag support is supported by a support bracket. The support bracket can be further braced by an angle support. The fill bag holder is attached to the interior of the slot machine. The fill bag holder holds a fill bag above the coin hopper of the slot machine to facilitate quicker refilling of the coin hopper during play.

Abstract: A guide rail spacer is provided that can be adjusted among a plurality of predetermined fixed positions with respect to the guide rail which it supports. The spacer can also be secured when not in use such that it does not interfere with conveyor line operations while remaining readily available for use.

Abstract: A rotary coin mechanism is provided with a braking system in which one end of a stationary brake arm is anchored to the frame of the mechanism. The other end of the brake arm provides a breaking ring which surrounds the hub of the drive gear and applies a compressive force thereto, to frictionally restrain the drive gear and thus prevent the coin mechanism from free-wheeling rotation. In the preferred embodiment the braking ring is open at one end and merges into a bifurcated stem which provides an adjusting screw to adjust the compressive force applied by the braking ring.

Abstract: A vertically oriented payment-receiving enclosure and player's console for an arcade game has two juxtaposed check acceptors hinged to it. This allows one of the acceptors to be swung out of the way while the other remains in its normal operating position during servicing and inspection. The arrangement also allows improved maintenance access to an enclosed portion of a player's control mounted in a top portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method are shown for providing accounting for the collection of monies in a plurality of independently operated transaction stations. Each transaction station is provided with a uniquely identifiable secure cashbox or vault in which to store monies received in a transaction. The transaction stations include electronics sufficient to validate, verify, and tally received monies. The transaction stations record information with respect to the received monies as well as the identification of the cashbox into which it is stored. The transaction stations are probed upon removal of the cashbox in order to download the recorded information into a control system. The removed cashboxes securely contain the received monies until opened in a secure environment for emptying. When emptied, the money contents are independently verified and matched with the unique identification of the cashbox from which it came.

Abstract: A coin selector is provided which is adapted to electronically sample coins and compare the sampling data to stored data for genuine coins. The stored data can be preset or can be acquired and stored in memory by using a key coin. Data stored determines if a key coin is authentic and if it is, places the selector processor in a condition to accept and store new or modified data for determining the authenticity of other coins.

Abstract: A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card processing network. The present vending machine includes an integrated microprocessor to control the mechanical motion and position of the stacked carousels, accept payment from either cash or credit cards, maintain accounting records, provide printed receipts, and to control on-line modem communications with credit approval sources as well as dial-up auditing of machine's inventory. A significant feature of the certified credit card terminal is the ability to transact purchases in both an off-line and on-line mode and the ability to enter bad credit card numbers into a credit card file when purchase is attempted with an invalid card number.

Abstract: A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.

Abstract: A clip or protrusion which is built into the mechanism of a parking meter allows the mechanism to be attached outside the meter housing in an upright position so that it can be evaluated and simple repairs can be performed quickly without dropping the mechanism onto the pavement. By designing the clip with tapered notches, the mechanism can be attached to various thicknesses or styles of meter housings.

Abstract: A battery and battery lifting system for a mining or construction vehicle, the vehicle having a frame, the system having a battery, the battery having at least one slot, the at least one slot having vertical sidewalls which extend toward convergence, and at least one wedge-shaped arm for lifting the battery, the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm having a bellcrank and a leveling arm for pivotally coupling to the frame, whereby the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm is guided and aligned with the battery as the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm moves inwardly in the direction of convergence along the vertical sidewalls. The at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm having a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder having a shaft with a locking plate located at the end of the shaft. The locking plate is used to lock the battery to the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm.

Abstract: A token for use with a token operated device includes a plurality of predetermined optical characteristics. The plurality of predetermined optical characteristics are disposed in a substantially radially symmetrical manner with respect to the token, and each of the optical characteristics have the property of a facet wherein an effective surface normal of said facet is a line along a predetermined vector angle with an elevational angle ranging preferably between 30.degree. and 60.degree.. An azimuthal angle of the facet surface is other than substantially along a radial line of the token or substantially along a line tangent to an annular ring centered on the token such that a token operated device can validate the predetermined optical characteristics substantially independent of token orientation.

Abstract: An electronic parking meter mechanism that can be dis-assembled and re-assembled by parking authority personnel without the need for tooling. This electronic parking meter mechanism is compatible with any conventional parking meter housing, thereby allowing the device to replace either a mechanical parking meter mechanism or other electronic parking meter mechanisms. In addition, a rugged and secure vehicle detector unit can be electrically coupled to this electronic parking meter mechanism for providing vehicle detection information to the electronic parking meter, thereby allowing the meter to, among other things, reset any unused parking time, while being able to reliably detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in the corresponding parking space. Furthermore, this electronic parking meter utilizes unique and universal symbology for indicating a number of important parking space/meter conditions to both the parking authority personnel, as well as to patrons.

Abstract: Method of operating a bill and coin changer wherein an existing bill validator from an existing bill acceptor and validator is replaced with a new bill validator which is operable to recognize both new style and old style United States currency. The bill validator is connected directly to the test vend inputs of an existing microprocessor control and a microprocessor control is conditioned so that when the new bill validator accepts and validates currency an output is provided from the bill validator to a test vend input of the microprocessor control which has a value which corresponds to the value of the currency validated in the bill validator, and wherein the microprocessor control, in response to the test vend input from the bill validator, dispenses a predetermined amount of change which is controlled by the value of the validated currency.

Abstract: Conventional lift arm arrangements for construction machines include a pair of lift arms that are welded fabrications forming box-beams. The lift arms are typically connected by a cross tube that is welded to the inner walls of each lift arm. This type of construction creates an extremely heavy arrangement that requires several very labor intensive welding operations to manufacture. The present invention provides a lift arm arrangement that includes lift arms that are made of one-piece, cast members. Each lift arm includes an integral abutment portion that defines a surface that is adapted for welding to a cross tube assembly. The surface is configured to be spaced laterally from the inner side surfaces of each lift arm. Being so positioned, the stress concentrations created by the welded joint are moved to a location that is removed from the juncture between the cross tube assembly and the side surfaces of the lift arms.

Abstract: A free-access vending system for use in a cafeteria or similar dining facility, which permits patrons to freely take food items from cafeteria self-service units and to pay for what they take at the time of taking with a payment card or similar instrument, via an automated payment handler. The automated payment handler not only receives payment from patrons, but also has item sensing devices to detect food items as they are removed, thereby eliminating the need for staff personnel to account for food items taken and receive payment from patrons or charge their accounts for meals. Food items removed from the cafeteria self-service units may be replenished directly and conveniently from the kitchen as patrons take them. Packaged food items, such as beverages, may be stored within the cafeteria self-service unit and reloaded independently of freshly-prepared food items, and the stocks thereof optionally maintained by outside personnel.

Abstract: A coin collecting mechanism with top coin slot and coin return function is provided. The coin collecting mechanism has a main support onto which both a coin return mechanism and a coin comparison mechanism are mounted. The coin comparison mechanism is in a vertical position but inclined backward by about 15 degrees. The coin return mechanism includes a hood defining a downward opened chamber for the coin comparison mechanism to move up and down therein. The hood is provided at a lower front end with a horizontal rail inclined backward by about 15 degrees for catching an inserted coin vertically falling from the coin slot and guiding the coin into the coin comparison mechanism. The hood also has a spring-loaded member mounted thereto for pushing a jammed coin out of the inclined rail. A locating clamp is adjustably mounted on the hood for easily adjusting a size of the coin slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a coin in free fall employs a coin sensor that has a pair of drive coils for generating a horizontally elongated magnetic field across a free-fall path of the coin. The drive coils are driven by a square wave, and ringing waveforms induced in a pair of sensor coils disposed on the two sides of the free-fall path are measured when the coin passes through the magnetic field. A digitized signature is derived from the measured ringing waveforms and compared to a set of pre-stored reference signatures to find a match. A diverter mechanism directs the coin to an accept path when a match is found and to a reject path when a match is not found.

Abstract: A tripper/hopper car rides on a conveyor via four wheel tires running on T-section rails, with respective hold down wheels riding adjacent the underside of the rails and respective caster side wheels riding adjacent the vertical edges of the T-rails. Each wheel tire is driven by a motor drive unit employing a shaft-mount gearbox with a motor brake that utilizes the reduction of the drive gearbox to increase the effective braking torque developed. A pair of caliper-type brakes is further provided for redundancy.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for viewing both sides of a plurality of coins including a three-dimensional enclosure with a top, a bottom and a plurality of sides in combination defining a hollow interior. A lens is secured within an aperture in the top and provides for magnified viewing of an interior location of the enclosure. A coin supply is secured to the enclosure and is adapted to hold a plurality of coins. The coins are advanced in succession from a holding position to an inspection position for viewing through the lens. A pair of planar shaped reflectors are secured within the enclosure interior and arranged in opposing and angularly extending fashion relative to the lens and the selected coin to be inspected and so as to facilitate a clearer viewing of the selected coin. Following inspection, the coin is ejected and a further coin is transferred from the holding position to the inspection position.