Including Electric Circuit With Switch Operated By Check Patents (Class 194/230)
  • Patent number: 7516829
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a bill-operated capsuled article vending machine. The capsuled article vending machine 10 is provided with a capsule container 12 at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit 14 at a lower portion thereof. The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with a reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 of the handle 32, a bill identifying unit 50, a bill storing box 52 and a rotation control unit 54 for the handle 32, in addition to the handle 32. The rotation control unit 54 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 for locking or unlocking the handle 32, a sensor 62 for detecting a rotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32 and a control unit 64. When the bill identifying unit 50 recognizes reception of a prescribed bill, the rotation control unit 54 enables one rotation of the handle 32, by which an article is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kite International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7083036
    Abstract: An apparatus for securely monitoring the sales transactions in bulk vending machines, said apparatus comprising at least one bulk vending machine having a coin mechanism. The coin mechanism includes a coin plate; a selectively rotatable shaft extending radially therefrom; a coin shuttle, a cam-bearing lobe and a coin mechanism adapter plate co-axially and collectively located around the selectively rotatable shaft; and a first switch and a second switch. The first and second switches are fixedly mounted and oriented on the coin mechanism adapter plate so that the maximum amount of backlash in the coin mechanism is less than the angular spread of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Coinstar Entertainment Services Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Publication number: 20040011622
    Abstract: To change a bill storage box for deposit/withdrawal in a bill handling machine to a bill storage box for withdrawal only, a recycling box has conventionally been exchanged with a withdrawal-only box. That is, an extra withdrawal-only box exchanged with a recycling box must be prepared. The present invention provides a bill handling machine processing bills under various condition without preparing an extra bill storage box. The bill handling machine comprises a deposit/withdrawal port, via which bills are deposited or withdrawn, and a plurality of recycling boxes each of which stores bills of each denomination and dispenses deposited and stored bills. An operation of a recycling box, deposit-only box, and withdrawal-only box are set up for each recycling box and operation information on the recycling box is stored in the recycling box for use in checking consistency with the machine to prevent a malfunction in the recycling box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Omori, Minoru Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 6062370
    Abstract: A coin counter is provided for push-pull coin vending machines, arcade machines and pay-per-use appliances. The counter comprises a bracket assembly having first and second chambers. The first chamber for receiving, processing and expelling a coin, and the second chamber having a switch assembly which is interactive with the coins moving through the first chamber by means of an actuator arm so as to register counts on a connected numeric display. The counter further comprises a stop which receives the weight of the coins processed through the machine and also redirects the coins, allowing the actuator arm to rotate in a reduced arc than the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Nova Resolution Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Nikolayev, Elliott Porco
  • Patent number: 5737401
    Abstract: A coin box monitoring circuit for use in pay telephones, providing coin detection, coin volume totalization, and full coin box signaling to the telephone central office. An included coin chute assembly has three channels that cause nickels, dimes, and quarters to pass through specific locations within each channel. Light sources and light detectors detect the passage of coins. A microprocessor is utilized to control the light sources, monitor the detectors, and volumetrically count the coins passing through the coin chute. On reaching a full condition, a microprocessor then controls a relay to signal that the predetermined coin box level has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Quadrum Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Grantland, Gregory L. Distler
  • Patent number: 5709294
    Abstract: A coin chute trigger assembly having separate coin paths for nickels, dimes, and quarters. Intentionally, the dime coin path is made at least twice as wide as the thickness of a dime in order to prevent hangups and jams. A trigger included in each coin path is operated in response to deposit of the appropriate coin through the coin chute or path and causes operation of an included pair of switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Quadrum Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald B. McGough
  • Patent number: 5007519
    Abstract: An improved coin drop construction suitable for replacing the coin slide elements of a coin collector box forming part of a coin operated appliance comprising a front mounting plate adapted to overlie an opening in the appliance, and a coin guide element carried by an inner surface of the mounting plate and serving to guide inserted coins to the collection box; the guide element including first and second plates interconnected in spaced parallel relation to define an elongated coin channel therebetween, the mounting plate having a coin receiving opening communicating with the channel; a first coin blocking member pivotally mounted between the plates at a first end thereof, the member including a first end located in the area of the coin receiving opening, and having an upper longiutudinal edge surface forming a path for conducting a coin therealong; an elongated track member in fixed relation between said plates and having an upper surface forming a continuation of the upper edge of the first coin blocking me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Set-O-Matic Sales Corp.
    Inventor: Leonard Mercurio
  • Patent number: 4687089
    Abstract: In the stacking chamber (9) of a stacking box (50) for superimposed coins (2, 3), a stack carrier (11) supporting the stacked coins is arranged, the top surface (18) of which is inclined with respect to the horizontal (c). For the stacking of coins, the stack carrier (11) is lowered so that the uppermost (3) of the stacked coins (2, 3) is in each case closely below the upper stacking box rim (19). For issuing coins, the stack carrier (11) is lifted, during which step respectively the uppermost (3) of the coins (2, 3) stacked in an oblique position slides along the coin lying therebelow and downwards over the upper stacking box rim once this uppermost coin has been lifted above this rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Autelca AG.
    Inventor: Werner Wuethrich