Abstract: A coin handling device for handling a plurality of coins comprises a coin-driving member having a resilient surface and a stationary coin-guiding member having a coin-guiding surface opposing the resilient surface of the coin-driving member. The coin-guiding surface is positioned generally parallel to the resilient surface and spaced slightly therefrom. The resilient surface of the coin-driving member is constructed and arranged to move the coins along the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The coin-guiding member includes lubricant-filled cavities, self-lubricating inserts, or a gall-resistant coating to reduce friction between the coins and the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, the contoured lower surface extending downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels. The lower surface also has an adjustable insert forming an inboard wall of a radially innermost end of at least one of the exit channels.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc. Further, a coin discriminator is used to detect foreign and counterfeit coins and to prevent the detected invalid coins from being discharged with the valid coins.

Abstract: A coin queuing and sorting arrangement comprises a coin queuing device and a coin sorting device. The queuing device receives coins of the same or mixed denominations and delivers the coins to an outlet of the queuing device in single file, in a single layer, and with a radially inner edge of each coin positioned at a common reference location. The queuing device includes a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, and a stationary queuing head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the top surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the queuing head forms a queuing region for aligning the radially outer edges of coins of all denominations at a common radius, and an exit channel for receiving the queued coins. The exit channel includes a radially inner wall spiralling outwardly relative to the center of rotation of the disc to engage the radially inner edges of the queued coins.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include coin denominations of substantially similar diameters, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, disc rotator, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, the contoured lower surface extending downwardly between exit channels at a common radial position providing a positive guide wall which maintains the radial alignment of coins as they pass between exit channels.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include at least one coin denominations of a range of thicknesses, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, means for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, and then sorting the coins according to their respective sizes, the contoured lower surface having at least one exit channel where the downstream guiding wall has a lower portion which is closer to the opposed, upstream wall of the channel than the upper portion of the downstream wall.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the upper surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface presses coins of all denominations downwardly into the resilient top surface at predetermined sections thereof. These predetermined sections include a multiplicity of dimples filled with a solid lubricant for preventing the coins from galling the lower surface of the sorting head at the predetermined sections.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc.

Abstract: The coin sorter includes a rotating hard disc forming the bottom of a hopper, and a stationary sorter plate to one side of the hard disc. The sorter plate includes a circular sorting track that begins at a point adjacent to the perimeter of the hard disc and which includes a series of spaced sorting openings each sized for a particular coin denomination. The track has an edge defined by a thin resilient rail held in place in a groove by an elastomer band. A second rotating disc having a series of resilient fingers depending from its underside is mounted above and in close proximity to the upper surface of the sorter plate. The fingers partially overlap the upper surface of the hard disc. Coins deposited in the hopper are formed into a single file and single layer at the outer edge a central upright portion of the hard disc.

Abstract: A coin sorter have a rotatable disc means for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a feed opening for receiving coins to be sorted, and a lower surface parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom, the lower surface of the sorting head forming an annular recess for receiving coins passing beneath the inner edge of the sorting head, a spiral channel for guiding those coins radially outwardly as the coins are carried along the lower surface of the sorting head by the rotating disc, the lowermost surface of the sorting head forming a region between the inlet end of the spiral channel and the annular recess so that coins traversing the region are pressed into the resilient pad, the lower surface of the sorting head also forming a ramp where the outermost wall of the annular recess meets the region for pressing coins whose outer edges are close to the outer wall into the resilient pad, the outer wall of the annular recess extending radially inwardly from the inne

Abstract: A coin sorting and counting system which comprises a rotatable disc having resilient surface for receiving mixed denomination coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins; a drive motor for rotating the disc; a stationary sorting head having a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc, the sorting head including an outwardly spiralling channel for queuing the coins on the disc into a single file of coins, and a guiding edge which engages selected edges of the coins in the single file and guides the coins along a prescribed path where the positions of the non-engaged edges of the coins are determined by the diameters of the respective coins; a counting station along the prescribed path for separately counting each coin denomination before the coins are sorted; and a sorting station spaced circumferentially from the counting station, in the direction of coin movement, for discriminating among coins of different denominations and sel

Abstract: An improved coin sorter sorts coins of at least a first and second denomination according to their denominations. The first coin denomination defines coins which are thicker and wider than the coins of the second denomination. The coin sorter includes a rotatably mounted coin carrying disk having a resilient surface onto which coins may be fed, a mechanism for rotating the coin carrying disk, and a guideplate having a central opening in a configured surface positioned closely adjacent to the disk and over the resilient surface. The configured surface includes an inner recess area for receiving coins of all denominations from the central opening and for allowing those coins to move radially outward.

Abstract: A coin sorter having a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a drive motor for rotating the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The sorting head has an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, and the feed opening has a center that is offset from the center of rotation of the disc so that coins deposited on the disc at the side of the opening spaced farther away from the center of the disc are carried under the sorting head by rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter for sorting coin mixtures which include at least one coin denomination made of a soft metal such as aluminum, the sorter has a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, a motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the upper surface of the disc and having an opening in the central region thereof for feeding coins between the opposed surfaces of the disc and sorting head, the lower surface of the sorting head being contoured to align the coins in a single file and single layer of coins, and then sorting the coins according to their respective sizes, the contoured lower surface having at least one region for pressing the soft-metal coins into the resilient pad, and at least one rotatable bearing member mounted in the pressing region of the sorting head for engaging soft-metal coins passing thereunder so as to provide a rotatable bearing surface which eliminates or reduces galling of the soft metal of the coin

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins in terms of their diameter comprising a rotatably mounted coin-carrying disc having a resilient top surface onto which coins may be fed; a drive motor for rotating the disc; a guide plate having a central opening and a configured lower surface positioned over and closely adjacent to the disc, and wherein the configured surface includes an inner recess within which coins are free to move radially, and the inner recess extends outwardly from the central opening, and guide plate forming a referencing region for receiving the coins from the inner recess and pressing them against the resilient top surface of the coin-carrying disc while engaging the radially outer edges of the coins of all denominations and moving the coins radially inwardly as the coins are advanced circumferentially so that the radially outer edges of the coins of all denominations are positioned at a common radial location, whereby the radially inner edges of the coins are positioned at different radial locations

Abstract: A coin sorter which includes a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rotating the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom, the lower surface of the sorting head forming a channel for receiving coins passing beneath the inner edge of the sorting head and guiding those coins as the coins are carried along the lower surface of the sorting head by the rotating disc. The channel has an outer wall which extends outwardly away from the center of rotation of the disc, and then returns inwardly toward the center of rotation for a short distance before terminating, and an inner wall which converges toward the outer wall in the region where the outer wall returns toward the center of rotation.

Abstract: A coin sorter having a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rotating the disc, a stationary sorting head having a lower surface parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom, the lower surface of the sorting head forming a channel for receiving coins passing beneath the inner edge of the sorting head and guiding those coins as the coins are carried along the lower surface of the sorting head by the rotating disc. The channel has an inner wall which extends outwardly away from the center of rotation of the disc, and then returns inwardly toward the center of rotation for a short distance before terminating, an outer wall which is substantially parallel to the inner wall, and a middle wall between the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A coin sorting and counting system which comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient surface for receiving mixed denomination coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins; means for rotating the disc; a stationary sorting head having a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of said rotatable disc, the sorting head including a wall for queuing the coins on the disc into a single file of coins, and a guiding edge which engages selected edges of the coins in the single file and guides the coins along a prescribed path where the positions of the non-engaged edges of the coins are determined by the diameters of the respective coins; a counting station along the prescribed path for separately counting each coin denomination before the coins are sorted; and a sorting station spaced circumferentially from the counting station, in the direction of coin movement, for discriminating among coins of different denominations and selecting coins of different deno

Abstract: A coin-sorting system having a rotatable disc with a resilient surface for receiving coins of mixed denominations and imparting rotational movement to the coins; a drive for rotating the disc; and a stationary sorting head having a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc.

Abstract: A coin sorter comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient surface for receiving mixed denomination coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins, and a drive motor for rotating the disc. A stationary guide plate having a contoured surface is spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of said rotatable disc; the guide plate includes an area for queuing the coins on the disc into a single file of coins, and a guiding edge which engages selected edges of the coins in the single file and guides the coins along a prescribed path where the positions of the engaged edges of the coins are determined by the diameters of the respective coins. A sorting area discriminates among coins of different denominations and selects coins of different denominations for discharge from the rotating disc at different locations around the periphery of the guide plate.

Abstract: An improved coin sorter sorts coins of at least a first and second denomination according to their denominations. The first coin denomination defines coins which are thicker and wider than the coins of the second denomination. The coin sorter includes a rotatably mounted coin carrying disk having a resilient surface onto which coins may be fed, a mechanism for rotating the coin carrying disk, and a guideplate having a central opening in a configured surface positioned closely adjacent to the disk and over the resilient surface. The configured surface includes an inner recess area for receiving coins of all denominations from the central opening and for allowing those coins to move radially outward.

Abstract: A coin sorter having a rotatable disc includes a brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the disc in response to a predetermined number of counted coins. The disc is driven through a gear train by an electric motor. The brake mechanism includes a first brake mechanism coupled to the motor for stopping rotation thereof, a second brake mechanism coupled to the coin disc for stopping rotation thereof, and a control mechanism for operating the brake mechanisms in a synchronous manner so as to avoid any shock loads upon the gear train due to existence of torque differentials on either ends thereof. The brake mechanisms are adapted to have substantially identical stopping times and are operated in such a manner as to be energized in a substantially instantaneous manner when the braking sequence is initiated.

Abstract: A coin sorter comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient surface for receiving mixed denomination coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins, and a drive motor for rotating the disc. A stationary guide plate having a contoured surface is spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of said rotatable disc; the guide plate includes an area for queuing the coins on the disc into a single file of coins, and a guiding edge which engages selected edges of the coins in the single file and guides the coins along a prescribed path where the positions of the engaged edges of the coins are determined by the diameters of the respective coins. A sorting area discriminates among coins of different denominations and selects coins of different denominations for discharge from the rotating disc at different locations around the periphery of the guide plate.

Abstract: In a coin sorter of the kind in which coins of mixed denomination are sorted between a rotating resilient disc and a sorting head, stacked coins are broken up and the excess coins recirculated prior to referencing a single-file stream of coins to a fixed radial position and recirculating excess coins that are not properly referenced. By recirculating the coins in these two different circumstances, the breaking up of the stacked coins does not hinder the referencing of the coins, and consequently the possibility of miss-sorting due to stacked coins is reduced and the sorting speed is increased, especially when sorting predominately small thin coins such as dimes. To increase the sorting speed when small thin coins are mixed with large thick coins, the large thick coins are preselected before being referenced together with the coins of other denominations.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins in terms of their diameter includes a referencing wall engaging the radially outer edges of the coins as they are advanced circumferentially so that the radially outer edges of the coins are positioned at a preselected radial location, whereby the radially inner edges of the coins are positioned at different radial locations determined by the diameters of the respective coins. A series of circumferentially spaced exit recesses are formed around the outer periphery of a guide plate with the radially inner edges of the inner ends of successive exit recesses located at different radial positions for receiving the inner portions of coins of progressively increasing diameter. A ramp at the inlet end of each of the exit recesses slopes from the lowermost surface of the guide plate at the inlet end of the exit recess upwardly to the top surface of the exit recess for easing coins into the exit recess under the pressure of a resilient surface.

Abstract: A coin sorter has a rotating disc with a resilient upper surface that operates in conjunction with an overlying stationary sorter plate. The plate has a nominal plane surface that is spaced from the resilient surface of the disc a distance less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted. A series of recesses are provided from the nominal surface. Each recess has inwardly and outwardly facing converging shoulders which extend from a distance at least as great as the diameter of the largest coin to a distance which is less than the contact width of the smallest coin. Coins are deposited on the disc through a central opening in the plate and are moved through the recesses. The converging shoulders form the coins into a single file against one of the shoulders and strip overlapped or interleaved coins so that a single layer of coins is formed in a single file adjacent the perimeter of the disc.

Abstract: A coin sorter having a rotatable disc includes a brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the disc in response to a predetermined number of counted coins. The disc is driven through a gear train by an electric motor. The brake mechanism includes a first brake mechanism coupled to the motor for stopping rotation thereof, a second brake mechanism coupled to the coin disc for stopping rotation thereof, and a control mechanism for operating the brake mechanisms in a synchronous manner so as to avoid any shock loads upon the gear train due to existence of torque differentials on either ends thereof. The brake mechanisms are adapted to have substantially identical stopping times and are operated in such a manner as to be energized in a substantially instantaneous manner when the braking sequence is initiated.