Abstract: Apparatus for preventing unauthorized removal of currency items from a currency handling apparatus is provided. A removable security gate mechanism (500) is provided that comprises a housing (501), a rotatable gate (510), a drive wheel and a positioning member. The positioning member is selectively engageable with the drive wheel for positioning the rotatable gate (510).

Abstract: A security gate mechanism for a currency handling apparatus having a currency passageway includes a rotatable gate having a slit therein. The slit is aligned with the currency passageway when the rotatable gate is in an initial position. A drive wheel is coupled to the rotary gate for driving the rotatable gate in first and second directions, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. A positioning member is selectively engageable with the drive wheel for positioning the rotatable gate in the initial position such that the slit in the rotatable gate is substantially aligned with the passageway. The positioning member is arranged to be engageable with the drive wheel when the drive wheel rotates the rotatable gate in the second direction, but it is not engageable with the drive wheel when the drive wheel rotates the rotatable gate in the first direction.

Abstract: A rotary anti-pullback unit is provided which comprises a rotor 22 and a frame 43 for rotatably supporting the rotor 22. Rotor 22 comprises a plurality of disks 25 arranged coaxially in a line and in axially spaced relation to each other, and a plurality of fletched fins 26 axially protruding from at least one radial surface 25a of disks 25 toward an opposite radial surface 25a of the other adjoining spaced disk 25. Rotor 22 is rotated concurrently with a bill 70 transported along each outer periphery of disks 25 in contact to transported bill 70 to radially inwardly move a flexible extracting tool 71 connected to bill 70, and bring tool 71 into tangled engagement with fin or fins 26 in order to prevent unduly extraction of bill 70.

Abstract: An improved coin receiving mechanism having a foreign object release device. The invention includes first and second chute walls having spaced apart inner surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other when the mechanism is in an unactivated state. The inner surfaces define the walls of a coin chute path through which a coin travels. The first and second chute walls each further have an upper chute wall portion, disposed adjacent an entrance to the coin chute path, and a lower chute wall portion, disposed adjacent to and in communicating relationship with an exit of the coin chute path. The first and second coin chute walls are hingedly mounted to a frame. The invention also includes provisions for moving the coin chute walls from the unactivated state to an activated state wherein the coin chute walls are first pivoted together until the lower chute portions of each of the first and second chute walls are no longer disposed in communicating relationship with the exit of the coin chute path.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods immediately alert a telephone company or other owner/host or operator of a payphone that a vandalizing stuffing has occurred, thereby enabling it or him or her promptly to dispatch a maintenance person to the particular payphone or station to fix it. Stuffing sensing switches are advantageously mounted in a coin return mechanism, and in electromechanical payphones electrically connected to the telephone company central office over one of the existing RING and TIP wires connecting the stuffed or compromised payphone with the central office. Conventional testing techniques periodically employed in the office by the telephone company over the existing wit. installation will then sense whether a payphone has been compromised or stuffed. In electronic payphones, a payphone computer monitors the sensing switches and calls the owner/host or operator to report a problem or gives a local alarm.

Abstract: A coin acceptor comprises a main plate and a side plate which together define a coin path for allowing the passage of coins therebetween. A slot is positioned between the main plate and the side plate for catching any strings that may be attached to coins. Barbs are provided inside the slot for retaining the strings. The width of the slot is smaller than the thickness of the smallest coin and is so arranged that, when a string attached to a coin is tightened, the string is moved into the slot. An acceptance and a rejection channel are positioned downstream from the coin path. The acceptance channel has an additional slot for catching strings. First and second coin sensors are positioned adjacent the acceptance channel. If the first sensor detects the presence of a coin after the second sensor has already detected the same coin, then it is likely that a string is being used to manipulate the coin acceptor and the generation of a credit signal is disabled.

Abstract: A coin handling system comprising an improved coin chute (115) for guiding coins in a coin operated machine is provided comprising a first chute piece (122) and a second chute piece (123), each forming an opposite sidewall of the chute (115). An internal bevelled surface (129) is formed on the backwall (140) of one of the chute pieces (122, 123) so that foreign objects forced into the chute (115) and impacting the backwall (140) will cause the chute (115) to separate into the chute pieces (122, 123) and thereby cause the foreign object to leave the chute (115). Additionally, external bevelled surfaces (144, 148) are formed on the chute pieces (122, 123) so that if a foreign object impacts the outside of the chute (115), the chute (115) separates 15 into the chute pieces (122, 123) and allows continued movement of the foreign object. Thus, the foreign object does not become caught in the coin chute (115). In another aspect of the invention, ridges (130) are formed on the backwall (140) of the chute (115).

Abstract: A coin handling system comprising an improved coin chute (115) for guiding coins in a coin operated machine is provided comprising a first chute piece (122) and a second chute piece (123), each forming an opposite sidewall of the chute (115). An internal bevelled surface (129) is formed on the backwall (140) of one of the chute pieces (122, 123) so that foreign objects forced into the chute (115) and impacting the backwall (140) will cause the chute (115) to separate into the chute pieces (122, 123) and thereby cause the foreign object to leave the chute (115). Additionally, external bevelled surfaces (144, 148) are formed on the chute pieces (122,123) so that if a foreign object impacts the outside of the chute (115), the chute (115) separates into the chute pieces (122, 123) and allows continued movement of the foreign object. Thus, the foreign object does not become caught in the coin chute (115). In another aspect of the invention, ridges ( 130) are formed on the backwall (140) of the chute (115).

Abstract: The invention is a coin receiving mechanism having a foreign object release device for use with a coin receiving machine having a coin acceptor/counter device. The invention has a pair of hinged coin chute walls with planar sections arranged in a zigzag manner which define the coin path. The coin chute walls also have a section angled from the zigzagged sections. A cam member is connected by linking arms to the coin chute walls. A coin return lever on the outline of the machine is connected to a drive arm inside the machine. When turned, the coin return lever turns the cam member and causes the coin chute walls to flip open and eject any foreign objects contained therebetween. The drive arm is connected to the coin return lever through a clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A coin handling system prevents jamming of the coin chutes of coin operated machines and keeps foreign objects out of coin validators and other internal mechanisms of coin operated machines. A coin chute 15 guides coins into the coin validator 24. An exit end of coin chute 15 is moved from a rest position above the coin validator 24 to a position above a return chute 25. Coin chute 15 then separates into two pieces, causing large foreign matter to fall out of the coin chute 15. Foreign objects that are pushed into coin chute 15 are forced out of coin chute 15 by slots 30 formed on the back edge of coin chute 15. Foreign objects are thus prevented from going further into coin chute 15 and coin validator 24. A bevelled edge 29 is formed on an edge of chute piece 23, one of two pieces forming coin chute 15. Foreign objects are pushed into coin chute 15, it impacts bevelled edge 29, causing coin chute 15 to separate into two chute pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency validation is disclosed in which a belt-pulley arrangement is provided in a housing to transport a bill along a passageway for identification of the bill by sensing the optical or magnetic characteristics of the bill. A lever with notches is mounted for rotation between a protective position protruded within the passageway and a release position retracted from the passageway. When a thin tool is inserted into the passageway, it is engaged with the notches of the lever to prevent movement of the lever from the protective to the release position.

Abstract: A coin handling system is provided to prevent the jamming of coin chutes used in coin operated machines and to keep foreign objects forced into coin chutes out of coin validators and other internal mechanisms of coin operated machines. The invention comprises a coin chute 15 for guiding coins into a coin validator 24 in which the exit end of coin chute 15 can be moved from a rest position above the entry to coin validator 24 to a position above a return chute 25. The coin chute can then be separated into two pieces, causing lodged coins and foreign matter to fall out of the coin chute. In another aspect of the invention, foreign objects like coat hangers that are pushed into coin chute 15 are forced out of coin chute 15 by slots 30 which are formed on the back edge of coin chute 15. Coat hangers or other objects are thus prevented from going further into coin chute 15 and coin validator 24.

Abstract: Jam reducing apparatus for use in coin operated machines, such as telephones, acts to prevent the insertion of coins when the entryway is obstructed by foreign matter, assists in dislodging jammed coins and discourages vandals. The apparatus comprises a coin entryway which includes an inclined surface as part of a flared end of a lid. An entry slot in an entrance blocker, which is an integral part of the lid, as in substantial alignment with the coin insert slot of the front panel of the machine in normal operation. The lid is connected to a torsion spring and is associated with a coin reject lever. The inclined surface of the entryway lies opposite the blocker slot and is angled toward an exit of the coin entryway, which directs a coin into the machine. In normal use, inserted coins pass through the entryway and are directed into a coin mechanism for coin testing. Foreign matter inserted into the machine hits the inclined surface and exerts a camming force on the lid, rotating the lid about a torsion spring.

Abstract: A coin chute construction for a dispensing machine and method of making same are provided wherein such machine requires at least one coin of predetermined size and valuation to initiate one operation of the machine for one item of goods or service. The construction comprises cooperating structural components for providing movement of the coin away from and then back toward a rectilinear path during movement of a slider of the construction which carries such coin from an inoperative position to a test position for the coin prior to initiation of the one operation of the machine.

Abstract: The coins roll along track surfaces (1, 2, 3) merely supporting the bottoms of the coins, these track surfaces each being associated with respectively one steep guide surface supporting the coins along one side. The guide surfaces are formed on plates (11, 19, 24) that can be spread apart by pivoting. Beside the end of a first track surface (1) oriented toward a baffle surface (8), a second track surface (2) begins that extends in the opposite direction, on which the coins roll into a steadying chamber (15) having a V-shaped bottom cross section (35, 36), from which emanates a third track surface (3) on which the previously steadied coins pass through a coin checking station (20) at a velocity independent of the speed with which the coins have reached the steadying chamber (15).

Abstract: A coin chute construction for a dispensing machine and method of making same are provided wherein such machine requires at least one coin of predetermined size and valuation to initiate one operation of the machine for one item of goods or service. The construction comprises cooperating structural components for providing movement of the coin away from and then back toward a rectilinear path during movement of a slider of the construction which carries such coin from an inoperative position to a test position for the coin prior to initiation of the one operation of the machine.