Abstract: A coin acceptor which accepts authentic coins includes a main plate and a side plate corresponding to the main plate for allowing coins to pass therebetween. A plastic film hinge pivotally attaches the side plate to the main plate. A spring biases the side plate against the main plate. The film hinge is formed from polyoxymethylane. The film hinge has a film section and V-shaped film edges on either side of the film section. The film hinge is mounted at an angle approximately 30 degrees off of a vertical line. The spring is hairpin shaped with first and second shanks and the side plate has a supporting member for receiving the spring. The second shank detachably engages the main plate for biasing the side plate against the main plate.

Abstract: A coin acceptor which accepts authentic coins includes a main plate and a side plate pivotally attached to the main plate for allowing coins to pass therebetween when the side plate is in a first position. An opening lever is pivotally attached to a pivot pin formed from the main plate. Upon rotation, the opening lever pivots the side plate into a second position. A leaf spring biases the opening lever into a rest position corresponding to the side plate being in the first position. The opening lever has a shoulder which moves in rotation with the opening lever. The main plate has a slot for passing the shoulder therethrough to the other side of the plate. The leaf spring engages the shoulder for biasing the opening lever into the rest position. The shoulder also engages a switch arm of an electrical switch for switching the switch upon rotation of the opening lever from the rest position.

Abstract: The invention refers to a coin switch for a coin handling device. According to the invention, the switching element is an individual member made of plastic material, the armature is provided with at least a lateral projection extending towards the magnet and the magnet includes a yoke portion extending parallel and in a small distance with respect to said projection.

Abstract: A coin accepting apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart plates. The plates define a coin track for receiving and guiding coins wherein each plate has a side facing the coin track and an opposing side facing away from the coin track. The apparatus further includes a sensor on the opposing side of one plate for detecting a characteristic of coins to be validated and first and second retainers on the opposing side of the plate for inhibiting movement of the sensor. The first retainer includes a spring arm for engaging the sensor and biasing the sensor against the opposing side of the plate. The second retainer engages the sensor and constrains movement of the sensor along an axis generally perpendicular to the opposing side of the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movable switch for a coin machine comprising an electrically driven actuator for moving the switch element between at least two positions, in which the coins are selectively guided into one of at least two channels, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric element deformable by a D.C. voltage which element is electrically connected to a D.C. source and is mechanically coupled to the switch element.