Patents by Inventor Donald E. Raterman

Donald E. Raterman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4570655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and automatically terminating the sorting process in response to a sensed operating parameter. Sorting is provided by a stationary disk and a rotating disk positioned sufficiently proximate to one another so that when the group of mixed coins are dropped into the center opening of the stationary disk, they are rotated by the rotating disk and guided by the stationary disk on a radially outward spiral sorting path which exits each denomination of the coins at discrete locations along the periphery of the stationary disk. As the coins are sorted, a sensing device provides signals indicating the presence of a predetermined condition. A bridge guide and a diverter guide, which are part of the stationary disk, are responsive to the signals from the sensing device to redirect the radially outward sorting path of the coins to a radially inward path so as to terminate the sorting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Donald E. Raterman