Abstract: A coin separation device has a conveying device for conveying coins from an inlet container in a conveying direction along a conveying line and a checking device arranged on the conveying line for recognizing a coin that is conveyed along the conveying line. An acceleration device also is provided. The acceleration device is formed to accelerate a coin conveyed along the conveying line and recognized by the checking device in the conveying direction so that the coin is conveyed from the conveying line into a coin collection device. In this way, the coin separation device reliably conveys only coins, and not other objects from the conveying line into a coin collection device.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is provided which can detect a dispensed coin without lowering a dispensation speed of coins, even dispensed small-diameter coins without lowering a dispensation speed without damaging a coin detecting device. The coin dispensing apparatus has a throwing-out device and a noncontact type detecting device. A rebound member is provided against which the coin thrown out by the throwing-out device strikes, to rebound in a predetermined direction. The noncontact type coin detecting device continuously detects a coin before the coin strikes against the rebound member and after the coin rebounds.

Abstract: A method of validating coins which includes a piezoelectric element to convert movement caused by the collision of a coin to a signal and a processor to analyse the signal. The signal is digitised to produce a sequence of values. The processor analyses portions of the digitised signal to derive characterising features of the signal and discriminates between valid and invalid coins based on the characterising features.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved coin acceptor are described. In one aspect, an electronic coin acceptor exaggerates relatively small differences in coin diameters. A coin deposited into the coin acceptor passes along a coin path through two sensing beams, with at least one of the beams positioned at a nonperpendicular angle to the coin path. Timing information relating to the coin's passage through the beams is recorded and utilized to identify the coin. In another aspect, the thickness of the coin is determined as the coin passes through the sensing beams.

Abstract: A coin assorter (1), wherein a particular coin route (32) having a coin retaining mechanism (100) disposed therein is formed, meanderingly generally in S-shape, on the upstream side of the coin retaining mechanism (100) to set longer the route length of the particular coin route (32) having the coin retaining mechanism (100) disposed therein in order to increase the number of coins (C) temporarily retained in the route length.

Abstract: A coin sorter, wherein three distributing levers (30, 42, 150) are connected to each other through a link means (202) so that the number of the driving means thereof is not increased even when the number of the distributing lever is increased and driven interlockingly with each other by a single solenoid (201) operating one of the three distributing levers (30, 42, 150).

Abstract: A coin separator and rejector is described. One or more magnets are positioned in a coin race to reject ferrous coins, slugs, tokens, and the like before they can be completely inserted through the coin entry slot. A coin retaining member is disposed in the coin entry portion of a coin race adjacent to and downstream of the magnet. A ferrous coin, token or slug inserted into the coin slot is immediately attracted by the magnet and forced against the coin retaining member and blocked from proceeding down the race.

Abstract: A coin sorting device of an automatic vending machine which can easily change a price without changing the automatic vending machine or the coin sorting device, is disclosed. In the coin sorting device, each of a pair of coin sorting levers prevents rotation of the turn plate due to engagement of the engaging portion with the coin sorting pawl portion when a put-in coin is smaller than a normal coin. On the other hand, when a put-in coin is the normal coin, the engaging portion is arranged to ride over the coin sorting pawl portion due to a sliding contact of the normal coin following rotation of the turn plate. One of the pair of coin sorting levers is provided with a coupling pin which can couple or coupling-release the coin sorting levers.

Abstract: An improved coin receiving mechanism for a vending machine, especially of the bulk vending machine type, and a method for operation thereof. The coin receiving mechanism accepts magnetic coins of a proper denomination and rejects other coins. The improved coin receiving mechanism includes a coin reception slot into which a coin of proper denomination can be received, a coin rejection slot aligned with respect to the coin reception slot so that a coin received in the coin reception slot is expelled from the coin receiving mechanism through the coin rejection slot, and a magnet mounted adjacent to the coin reception slot and adapted to apply a magnetic field to retain a magnetic coin in the coin receiving mechanism so that the magnetic coin can be directed into a coin storage area.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement of a magnet within a coin chute assembly is disclosed which serves as a ferro-magnetic slug rejection system for a coin chute adapted to receive coins in a vertical position. The coin chute includes a coin slide disposed for movement inwardly of the assembly to an operate position. The magnet is mounted to a cover plate which is connected to a flange of the coin chute. The magnet is captured between the flange and projections on the cover plate thereby to be securely held in its mounted position. Alternatively, the magnet may be fitted within opposed notched edges of the cover plate in an interference fit relation. The magnet raises the slug carried by the coin slide so that inward movement of the slide causes the slug to abut against an abutment surface of the assembly thereby to prevent continued inward movement of the slide to its operate position.

Abstract: For sorting input coins by use of their paramagnetic properties, such as a paramagnetic coin, a ferromagnetic coin, and nonmagnetic coin, a device comprises an attracting magnet for attracting the ferromagetic coin by an attracting force of magnetic flux density between 700 and 800 gauss and to allow passage of the paramagnetic coin and the nonmagnetic coin. An incliend rail rolls coins to make coins fly out from a outlet end. A guide magets is disposed on the outlet end and guides the paramagentic coin but the nonmaganetic coin to a under side of the outlet end by attractive force of magnetic flux density between 4000 and 5000 gauss.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement of a magnet within a coin chute assembly is disclosed which serves as a ferro-magnetic slug rejection system for a coin chute adapted to receive coins in a vertical position. The coin chute includes a coin slide disposed for movement inwardly of the assembly to an operate position. The coin chute has a flange formed with a recessed portion in its inner surface. A magnet is a cover plate which is fitted and secured within the recessed portion of the flange. The magnet raises the slug carried by the coin slide so that inward movement of the slide causes the slug to abut against an abutment surface of the assembly thereby to prevent continued inward movement of the slide to its operate position.

Abstract: A coin slide with attracting magnets is disclosed which incorporates a coin slide body with integral mounting flange, a keeper secured rearwardly of the mounting flange to position a plurality of magnets in vertical, side-by-side relationship, the magnets defining coin checking paths therebetween, a bridge secured to the body rearwardly of the mounting flange whereby the forward edge of the bridge and the rearward surface of the mounting flange define a clearance space therebetween, the magnets being positioned in the clearance space to detect any ferrous slugs as they pass through the magnet defined coin checking paths, the magnets lifting the slug sufficiently to cause the slug to jam against the forward edge of the bridge and not to pass through the bridge.

Abstract: A coin slide [10] is provided having an apparatus for rejecting magnetic coins and magnetic slugs and comprises a housing [11], a mounting flange [12] and a track [16]. A slide or carrier [21] is slidably received within the track [16] and has slots [23] for carrying coins standing vertically on edge along a horizontal coin path. A cylindrical permanent magnet [33] is positioned above the coin path for lifting magnetic coins and magnetic slugs at least partly out of the coin path to prevent the slide from carrying the coins farther along the coin path. An elongated cylindrical stop [34] provides a positive barrier against which magnetic coins and slugs which have been lifted by the magnet can engage to prevent further insertion of the slide [21].

Abstract: A coin sorting device is designed to inhibit tampering with a coin operated machine by means of a wire, metal tape or the like, and to further prevent non-acceptable coins from being accepted by the coin-operated machine.