Electric Patents (Class 453/32)
-
Patent number: 5355988Abstract: A coin supply device includes a conveyor belt and a separating roller disposed above the conveyor belt. Upper coins of two or more overlapping coins are pushed back and separated by the separating roller rotating in a direction opposite to that of the conveyor belt. The lowermost coin is allowed to pass beneath the separating roller, and is fed to a pay-out hopper apparatus after passing under a coin sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha UniversalInventor: Masaharu Shirasawa
-
Patent number: 5306206Abstract: A coin feeding device is provided comprising a base plate adapted for mounting predetermined coins on one end thereof, including a scraper for scraping the coins towards the other or opposite end of the base plate along a predetermined coin feeding path. The scraper comprises a main rotating body rotatably mounted on the base plate and includes a coin feeding wing unit or finger assembly extending radially outwardly from the main rotating body. The coin feeding wing unit or finger assembly is used for feeding the coins to the other or opposite end of the base plate while traveling along the coin feeding path by virtue of the rotation of the main rotating body. The coin-feeding device includes a movable engagement piece biased to force one of the coins against the main rotating body along the coin feeding path.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Abe
-
Patent number: 5299977Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1992Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Joseph J. Geib, Gary Watts, John P. Gibbons, James M. Rasmussen, Stephen G. Rudisill
-
Patent number: 5297986Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus receives coins through an opening in a guide plate onto the resilient surface of a rotating disc. The surface of the guide plate is contoured and includes portions positioned sufficiently close to the surface of the disc to press coins traveling therebetween into the resilient surface of the disc. As the coins are circulated circumferentially between the discs, the countours in the guide plate guide the coin into a single file along a first prescribed path. Coins of at least one selected denomination are displaced to follow a second prescribed path. The coins are discharged along each described path at exit locations at the periphery of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 5277651Abstract: 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 selType: GrantFiled: August 21, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Richard A. Mazur, Stephen G. Rudisill
-
Patent number: 5244207Abstract: The invention relates to a gaming device comprising a gaming machine, a payout machinery controlled by the gaming machine and driven by a direct voltage motor, the operating time of which machinery proportional to the size of the payouts is controlled by a control signal (4) produced by the gaming machine, and means for feeding the motor with drive current depending on the control signal (4) of the gaming machine. To improve the reliability of the operation of the payout machinery, the control signal (4) is a digital code of at least 2 bits and the means for feeding the motor with current comprise a control register (5), a shift register (7), and a logic (8) for time control to reset the shift register output (Q) to zero after the control time set in the logic (8) for time control has expired, whereby the shift register (7) output (Q) comprises the drive current for the motor of the payout machinery either directly or through a current amplifier (11).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1992Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Raha-automaattiyhdystysInventor: Jouko Laatikainen
-
Patent number: 5190495Abstract: A high capacity coin hopper is disclosed comprising a cylinder mounted for rotation above a coin dispensing disc assembly. The central axis of the cylinder is offset above the central axis of the coin dispensing disc, creating a wall in the cylinder. Coins pile up against the wall, alleviating pressure and jamming in the region of the disc. Coins spill over the wall where they are picked up by the disc. In addition, lift fingers inside the cylinder pick up coins from the base of the wall and lift them above the wall so they can fall into the region of the disc.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Bally Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Thomas N. Taxon
-
Patent number: 5176565Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus receives coins through an opening in a guide plate onto the resilient surface of a rotating disc. The surface of the guide plate is contoured and includes portions positioned sufficiently close to the surface of the disc to press coins traveling therebetween into the resilient surface of the disc. As the coins are circulated circumferentially between the discs, the contours in the guide plate guide the coins into a single file along a first prescribed path. Coins of at least one selected denomination are displaced to follow a second prescribed path. The coins are discharged along each prescribed path at exit locations at the periphery of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1990Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 5152716Abstract: An improvement of a coin dispensing apparatus, in particular of an agitator mounted on a central circular stage of a coin transferring rotary disc rotatably disposed in a hopper containing a plurality of coins to be dispensed. The agitator is composed of an agitating member having a plurality of agitating arms extending outwards from the central portion thereof and a resiliently deformable sheet having a thickness thinner than that of the coin, which are secured at their central portions to the central circular stage of the rotary disc such that the agitating elements rotate together with the rotary disc.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1991Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Abe
-
Patent number: 5141443Abstract: 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 denoType: GrantFiled: May 14, 1990Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Richard A. Mazur, Stephen G. Rudisill
-
Patent number: 5123873Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1990Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventor: James M. Rasmussen
-
Patent number: 5104353Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus receives coins through an opening in a guide plate onto the resilient surface of a rotating disc. The surface of the guide plate is contoured and includes portions positioned sufficiently close to the surface of the disc to press coins traveling therebetween into the resilient surface of the disc. As the coins are circulated circumferentially between the discs, the contours in the guide plate guide the coins into a single file along a first prescribed path. Coins of at least one selected denomination are displaced to follow a second prescribed path. The coins are discharged along each prescribed path at exit locations at the periphery of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1989Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Ristvdet-Johnson, Inc.Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 5080633Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus counts and sorts coins by denomination in an efficient manner. The steps involve receiving the coins on a disc having a resilient surface and imparting rotational movement to the coins by rotating the disc with a stationary guide plate having a contoured surface spaced slightly over the resilient surface of the disc. The guide plate includes a recess for guiding the coins on the disc into a single file of coins. A referencing portion of the contoured surface is used to guide one edge of the coins in the single file along a prescribed path. The coins of a selected denomination are then counted as they are moved along the prescribed path. Coins of different denominations are discharged at different locations around the periphery of the stationary guide plate, and, in response to the counting, the discharge of the coins is interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 5076414Abstract: A coin discriminating and counting apparatus including a light emitter disposed linewise in the direction perpendicular to a coin transporting direction on one side of a coin passage with respect to the vertical direction, a sensor array disposed so as to be opposite to the light emitter on the other side of the coin passage, a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic properties of coins, the magnetic sensor being disposed so that the coin passage and the sensor array are disposed therebetween with respect to the vertical direction, an optical data memory for storing optical data detected by the sensor array, a magnetic data memory for storing magnetic data detected by the magnetic sensor, a coin diameter detector for detecting diameters of coins based upon the optical data stored in the optical data memory, a denomination discriminator for discriminating coin denominations based upon the coin diameters detected by the coin diameter discriminator, a reference magnetic data memory for storing reference magneticType: GrantFiled: May 22, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toyoki Kimoto
-
Patent number: 5055086Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventors: Donald E. Raterman, Richard D. Primdahl, Richard A. Mazur
-
Patent number: 5046989Abstract: A coin storage and dispensing apparatus comprising a coin hopper assembly and a coin track assembly is disclosed for orienting coins in edge-to-edge relationship in the coin track assembly, and for dispensing coins from the coin track assembly at an elevation higher than that of the coin hopper. An impact drive assembly for preventing damage to the drive or gear box when a coin jam occurs or there is a malfunction in the coin hopper or coin track assembly is also disclosed. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus also incorporates an improved coin counter device, an anti-theft device, and a coin ejector for propelling coins from the exit slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1989Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignees: Jack Dass, Charles F. PophamInventor: Jack D. Dass
-
Patent number: 5026320Abstract: A disc-type coin sorter has a rotatable disc with a resilient top surface and a stationary sorting head positioned above the disc with the lowermost surface of the sorting head only slightly spaced from the resilient top surface of the disc. The sorting head has coin queuing device for arranging coins of mixed denominations in a single row and a single layer with selected edges of the coins aligned at a common radial position. A first guide surface engages selected edges of the aligned coins and progressively moves the engaged coins radially as the coins move circumferentially along the first guide surface. A plurality of elongated second guide surfaces spaced radially from, and facing toward, the first guide surface force coins of selected denominations past the first guide surface at selected circumferential locations. Each of the elongated second guide surfaces has a substantially constant radius from the axis of rotation of the disc so that the coins engaged thereby are not moved radially.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1989Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventor: James M. Rasmussen
-
Patent number: 5022889Abstract: A coin sorter in which a sorting head is positioned over a rotating pliable disc and wherein coins are sorted by the combination of an inwardly or outwardly extending tapered edge and a series of pins generally positioned in an outwardly extending line spaced from the tapered edge. The spacing between the line of pins and tapered edge changes with radial dimension, whereby coins of different diameter are urged over the tapered edge by pins at different positions. The coins are then captured between the head and pliable disc and rotated to exit positions which are unique for each coin about the outside of the sorting head.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1988Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 5011456Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and discharging coins is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon ConluxInventors: Osamu Kobayashi, Mitsugu Mikami, Kenji Nishiumi, Kenji Nakajima
-
Patent number: 5011455Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1990Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventor: James M. Rasmussen
-
Patent number: 5002516Abstract: A coin wrapping machine which discriminates genuineness, denomination, etc. of coins, counts the monetary amount of the coins, sorts them out by denomination and wraps them in a desired order in separate denominations.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1989Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenkichi Watanabe, Hideshi Sentoku, Takayoshi Asaoka
-
Patent number: 4863414Abstract: A coin sorter in which a sorting head is positioned over a rotating pliable disc and wherein coins are sorted by the combination of an outwardly extending tapered edge and a series of pins generally positioned in an outwardly extending line spaced from the tapered edge. The spacing between the line of pins and tapered edge increases with outward dimension, whereby coins of different diameter are urged over the tapered edge by different pins at different positions. The coins are then captured between the head and pliable disc and rotated to exit positions which are unique for each coin about the outside of the sorting head.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1987Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Ristvedt, Mark E.
-
Patent number: 4822318Abstract: A coin dispenser for discharging coins stored in a bucket in an automatic vending machine, a money exchanging machine, a coin-operated amusement machine such as a slot machine and the like, comprising a bucket for storing a number of coins therein which has an opening at its bottom, a rotary disk driven by a motor for receiving thereon coins supplied from the bucket through the opening, the rotary disk being adapted to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane and causing the coins placed thereon to slide outwardly with centrifugal force; and a guide wall adapted to guide the coins impelled by centrifugal force along the periphery of the rotary disk and formed with an opening for discharging the coins. The rotary disk comprises a rotary pedestal including a hub fixed to an output shaft of a motor and a plurality of frames projecting in the radial direction from the hub, and a thin disk fixed to the rotary pedestal and adapted to bear the coins thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1986Date of Patent: April 18, 1989Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha UniversalInventor: Kazuo Okada
-
Patent number: 4800997Abstract: The width of a coin passageway in a coin handling machine is varied in accordance with the type of coins to be handled. The coin passageway comprises a pivotable rail extending from a guide member and pivotably mounted adjacent to the guide member, and a slide rail formed integrally on a slide bar. The slide bar is slidably inserted into the pivotable rail. A guide roller is formed on the end of the slide bar and engaged with a slide guide so that the sliding movement of the slide bar changes the guide roller from one position to another position and the pivotable rail is pivoted. A passageway width setting cam has a cam face which is adapted to act on the slide rail to move it translationally with the pivotable rail through the bar guide.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1987Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamichi Ozeki, Mamoru Takasaki
-
Patent number: 4798558Abstract: Coin dispensing apparatus comprises a rotary disc 25 mounted on a baseplate 22 so as to rotate through coins in a hopper 1. Individual coins pass through holes 25 into coin receptacles between projections 8. The disc is rotated by a motor 4 through a reduction gear 6 and a drive gear 5. Coins 27, 28 in the receptacles are swept into engagement with a spring loaded finger 10 against the spring bias until they become aligned with an outlet 14. The spring bias then urges the coins outwardly through the outlet. The apparatus has particular application to amusement machines with payout.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1987Date of Patent: January 17, 1989Assignee: Coin Controls LimitedInventor: Robert D. Bellis
-
Patent number: 4753625Abstract: A coin pay-out apparatus in which a rotary disc is rotated by a motor to effect a coin pay-out. The motor is controlled by a plurality of binary input signals. Only when a combination of the plurality of input signals is found to be a predetermined combination including the binary input signals, is the motor driven to rotate the rotary disc in the normal direction so that coins are paid out. In this way, erroneous payment of coins can be prevented. In the event of a coin jam, the motor is driven in the reverse direction to clear the jam. The number of times the motor is thus reversely driven is counted, and when the count reaches a predetermined number, a warning of malfunction is given.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1986Date of Patent: June 28, 1988Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha UniversalInventor: Kazuo Okada
-
Patent number: 4752274Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is disclosed including a cylindrical coin container mounted on a substrate and connected to the bottom of a hopper for storing coins, a coin transporting rotary disc being rotated on the substrate in the container and having a plurality of coin receiving apertures and transporting arms radially extending between each adjacent pair of the apertures on the bottom of the rotary disc with a radial length such that their outer ends do not extend beyond a circle upon which lie the centers of the apertures, an outlet guide member mounted on the substrate in the container at the outlet portion opening an outlet slot and a scraper being rotated on the substrate outside the container synchronously with the rotary disc and having radial scraping arms of the same numbers as that of the transporting arms.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1986Date of Patent: June 21, 1988Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Abe
-
Patent number: 4746319Abstract: A count mechanism for a dispensing machine which delivers coins in a single file along a track has a star wheel in the path of travel of the coins. The star wheel is indexed one point for each coin which passes it. The star wheel can be locked against rotation by a latch which engages a point on the wheel and which is held disengaged by a first solenoid. A second solenoid assists in disengaging the latch from the star wheel. A spring biased pawl rides the periphery of the star wheel between points to prevent free rotation. The star wheel is provided with spaced reflective areas on its top surface and a pair of spaced optical sensors detect the presence and absence of reflective surfaces as the reflective areas pass beneath the sensors. The optical sensors generate a pair of out-of-phase pulses which are employed to count the coins. A mechanism is also provided to test for dirty conditions of the star wheel or optical sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1981Date of Patent: May 24, 1988Assignee: Brandt, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Zwieg, Charles T. Bergman
-
Patent number: 4682288Abstract: An electronic totalizer countrol for a coin sorter allows the user to assign and change fractional and whole-number coin values for denominations sorted at ten coin sorting stations in the sorter. The totalizer has a liquid crystal display (LCD) that integrates several cursors with the usual digits for displaying totals. A keyboard includes a BAG COUNT key operable to select a particular coin sorting station as indicated by one of the cursors. The keyboard also has DISPLAY keys operable to display monetary totals that has been accumulated by counting signals generated at the coin stations and adding a user-entered coin value for each signal to the total for the respective denomination. Coin data is stored in display data structures in a coin station data table for advantageous operation of the LCD.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Assignee: Brandt, Inc.Inventors: Dale L. Taipale, John G. Brome
-
Patent number: 4681128Abstract: A coin sorter in which a sorting head is positioned over a rotating pliable disc and wherein coins are sorted by the combination of an outwardly extending tapered edge and a series of pins generally positioned in an outwardly extending line spaced from the tapered edge. The spacing between the line of pins and tapered edge increases with outward dimension, whereby coins of different diameter are urged over the tapered edge by different pins at different positions. The coins are then captured between the head and pliable disc and rotated to exit positions which are unique for each coin about the outside of the sorting head.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Inventors: Victor G. Ristvedt, Mark E. Ristvedt
-
Patent number: 4681204Abstract: A device for counting and sorting coins belonging to a set of coins with a guideway 8 tangentially connected to a horizontal coin plate 3 is to be developed for separating foreign coins 11' through a sort-out opening 16. To this end, and behind a coin identifying device 14 and immediately in front of the sort-out opening 16, a diversion element 18 is movably arranged for the coins 11' identified as foreign or counterfeit coins by the coin identification device 14, with its front edge 35 arranged at a distance of at least the width of guide rail 17 from the guiding edge 9, with the diversion element 18 able to be triggered by the coin identification device 14. The diversion element 18, which in its active position is brought into the path of movement of coins 11, 11', diverts the coins from guiding edge 9 by at least a distance that is equal to or greater than the width of guide rail 17. In this manner, the foreign coins 11' to be separated out can drop through the sort-out opening 16.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Assignee: F. Zimmermann & Co.Inventor: Gert Zimmermann
-
Patent number: RE32799Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is disclosed having a hopper for storing coins, a rotary disc rotatably mounted within said hopper at an angle to the horizontal, a plurality of delivery pins spaced in the peripheral direction on said rotary disc, a delivery knife for guiding coins at the upper delivery portion to a discharge chute and a counter at the upper delivery portion. The rotary disc is rotatably supported on a supporting plate by means of a plurality of balls interposed between the bottom surface of the rotary disc and the upper surface of the supporting plate and the rotary disc is urged toward the supporting plate so as to obtain effective engagement therebetween through the balls. The counter has a removable and replaceable counter roller rotatably mounted on a rocker arm having an actuating arm adapted for moving into a slot between a pair of sensor coils of an electromagnetic sensor such as a proximity switch or a slot switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1986Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Abe