Belt Or Chain Patents (Class 453/56)
  • Patent number: 11833545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sorting out coins (02), in particular elongated parts (06) and/or copper mesh (07), from a bulk of metal, in particular a bulk of heavy metal and/or NE metal, comprising at least one sorting gap (04) for coins (02), each gap being delimited by at least two rollers. The rollers can be rotated about a rotational axis (A) by means of a drive (13) such that objects which cannot be conveyed through the sorting gap (04), in particular NE metal objects or heavy-metal objects, are forced away from the sorting gap (04) either in a direction along the rotational axes (A) or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes (A). According to the invention, the rollers are designed as brush rollers (01), and each brush roller has brushes with at least two different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Georg Schons, Marc Schons
  • Patent number: 11684952
    Abstract: A sorting device for sorting out coins from bulk material, includes at least one sorting gap (5) for coins that is limited by at least one roller (2) which can be rotated by a drive (33) about an axis of rotation (A) such that objects that cannot be conveyed through the sorting gap (5) are applied with force by the roller (2) in a direction away from the sorting gap (5) wherein a discharge hood (6) is provided for an eddy current separator device (29), which has an adjustable trajectory separator unit (4) in a hood interior (7), wherein the at least one roller (2) is arranged in or on the discharge hood (6) in relation to the trajectory separator unit (4) such that a non-ferrous metal fraction separated from the bulk material by the trajectory separator unit (4) is guided in the direction of the sorting gap (5) by the weight force of the non-ferrous metal objects (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Georg Schons, Marc Schons
  • Patent number: 10011438
    Abstract: A machine (1) for orienting objects (T) includes a hopper (2) for receiving the objects (T) in bulk and a belt conveyor (3) with a plurality of small blades to withdraw the objects (T) from the hopper (2). The belt conveyor (3) has an ascending length (5) suitable to select the objects (T) having a predetermined orientation, so that, at the upper end of the ascending length (5) only the objects (T) having all the same predetermined orientation are present on the belt conveyor (3). The small blades form a rest surface facing upwardly in the ascending length (5) and have a plurality of reliefs suitable to prevent free rolling of the objects (T) rested on the rest surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: BONINO S.P.A. CON UNICO AZIONISTA
    Inventor: Alessandro Bonino
  • Patent number: 9481015
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting out coins from bulk metal, in particular from non-ferrous bulk metal and/or heavy bulk metal, includes a conveying system, provided with a conveyor belt (2), for conveying the bulk metal in a conveying direction (4) to a sorting slot (14) through which coins can pass and which is defined by a roller (10, 11), and, on the side opposite the roller (10, 11), by the conveyor belt (2), wherein the roller (10, 11) can be rotated about an axis of rotation (6, 7, 30, 31) by a drive such that the metal, which cannot be conveyed through the sorting slot (14) in the conveying direction (4), can be transported by the roller (10, 11) in a direction (13, 19, 22) leading away from the sorting slot (14) such that the metal can be removed at the side, wherein the sorting apparatus further comprises an apparatus for removing the metal, which is not conveyable through the sorting slot (14) in the conveying direction (4), and wherein the apparatus is embodied such that the removal of the metal to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Georg Schons
  • Patent number: 9235945
    Abstract: Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Patent number: 8991584
    Abstract: A coin depositing and dispensing machine is provided where its transport mechanism is simplified and downsized while coins to be dispensed are subjected to the identifying action. A coin passage 32 is provided in an annular form along which a single annular transporting belt 43 remains supported for transporting the coins. An input feeding portion 34, denomination-specific accommodating and ejecting portions 35, a bulk escrow portion 36 are disposed at the inner side of the coin passage 32. The coin passage 32 has a receiving and transporting zone 39 for receiving the coins released from the input feeding portion 34, the denomination-specific accommodating and ejecting portions 35, and the bulk escrow portion 36 and a sorting and transporting zone 41 for sorting and delivering the coins to the input feeding portion 34, the denomination-specific accommodating and ejecting portions 35, and the bulk escrow portion 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Eisei Nishida
  • Patent number: 8961276
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin feeding device in which coin jam can be easily eliminated and coins causing a coin jam can be easily removed. When a coin jam occurs between a transporting belt 57 and a separating roller 65, the separating roller 65 is moved by a moving unit 66 in a direction to expand a clearance 64 between the separating roller 65 and the transporting belt 57. By moving the separating roller 65, coin jam can be easily eliminated, and coins causing the coin jam can be easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Eisei Nishida
  • Patent number: 8961275
    Abstract: A coin depositing and dispensing machine that enables reduction of the space required to be provided above the coin passage in order to transport coins, thereby enabling the machine body to be made more compact, or increasing the coin accommodating capacity of the accommodating and ejecting units by the amount equivalent to the volume of the reduction of the space. An endless transporting belt is provided above an identifying passage and a sorting passage. The transporting belt is stretched across a plurality of pulleys rotatably supported in a horizontal position by vertically extending shafts. As the space required to be provided above the coin passage to install the transporting belt can be reduced, it is possible to make the machine body more compact, or increase the coin accommodating capacity of the accommodating and ejecting units by the amount equivalent to the volume of the reduction of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tanaka, Shinichi Chiba, Keita Toyama, Masao Hayashi, Atsushi Nagase
  • Patent number: 8920223
    Abstract: A coin sorter comprising a housing and a rotary disc arranged in the housing and rotatingly drivable by a rotary drive for coins to be sorted, the rotary disc is surrounded by a guide wall and a coin discharge area delimited by a wall section is provided, through which coins on the rotatingly driven rotary disc arrive at a coin conveyor track connecting to the coin discharge area, a rotatingly driven conveyor belt progressing in section above the rotary disc for conveying the coins along the coin conveyor track is arranged above the coin conveyor track, wherein the coin conveyor track is delimited by a guide edge, along which the coins are conveyed by the conveyor belt, wherein the bottom of the coin discharge area next to the wall section delimiting the coin discharge area has a discharge hole, through which the coins conveyed against the wall section can fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Payment Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140335770
    Abstract: Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Publication number: 20140323024
    Abstract: Coin conveyor for coin processing machines, with a channel having: a first coin (16) reception segment (1), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5) and by an opposite fixed wall (10), both converging towards each other towards the inside of said channel; a second coin transportation and alignment segment (2), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5), by an opposite fixed wall (10) and by an also fixed bottom (12); a third coin separation segment (3), defined by the lateral surface of a freely rotating cylindrical roller (14), by a longitudinally movable wall (5), by an opposite fixed wall (10) supported on the lateral surface of said cylindrical roller along the length of an arch of approximately 90°, and by a fixed bottom (12); and a fourth coin delivery segment (4), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5) and by an also fixed bottom (12). The longitudinally movable wall (5) of all segments is constituted by a single endless belt being mounted on pulleys (6-6?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: AZKOYEN, S.A.
    Inventors: Alvaro MARTINEZ CHAVOY, Jose Manuel NAVARRO CUEVA, Miguel Angel CALLEJA LAFUENTE
  • Patent number: 8844704
    Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Money Controls Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm Reginald Hallas Bell
  • Patent number: 8839938
    Abstract: The coin receiving and dispensing machine of the present invention includes a plurality of storing and feeding parts provided for each of denominations, which dispense coins to a coin outlet as required, and each of the plurality of storing and feeding parts includes: a first storing part which receives coins that are input and classified by one of the denominations; a second storing part which is provided parallel to the first storing part in a horizontal direction, and stores coins separately from the first storing part; a first conveying part which separates and conveys the coins stored in the first storing part one by one; a differentiating part which differentiates the denominations of the coins conveyed by the first conveying part, and counts quantity of the coins; a coin switching part which switches the coins differentiated and counted by the differentiating part to either one of the coin outlet and the second storing part selectively; and a second conveying part which conveys the coins stored in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Laurel Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokuharu Shimizu, Hirohumi Haruna
  • Patent number: 8840450
    Abstract: A coin sensing unit having a rotary sweeping arm is used to determine characteristics of the coins so that the coins can be deposited in a correct one of the hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Money Controls Limited
    Inventors: Mark J. Watson, Kevin Mulvey, Graham R. Jones
  • Patent number: 8226458
    Abstract: Coin dispenser comprising a coin storage unit, a coin extractor (2) comprising an endless chain (3), a coin identifier (4) for the coins transported by the endless chain, and a coin deflector (8). The endless chain (3) comprises two series of flat alternating links, parallel to the plane defined by said chain and consecutively articulated according to two axes perpendicular to the links, forming open cavities (40) all along the chain, each one of said cavities being able to transport a coin (7) in a position parallel to the bottom of said cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Azkoyen SA
    Inventors: Jesús María Aguado Vitas, Miguel A. Calleja Lafuente, Juan Miguel Irurita Loyarte, Oscar Lacarra Fernandez, Alvaro Martinez Chavoy, Bernardo Sola Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8181765
    Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123) having a money item acceptor (10, 124) and a hopper arrangement (23, 126). The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1) having sorting means (15, 16, 17) operable to selectively direct a money item (12) to one of a first money item store (27) and a second money item store (142), to money item dispensing apparatus (139) having two hopper arrangements (23, 150), to a money item acceptor (10) having a self-clearing mechanism (37, 38), to a money item conveyor (160), to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123, 139) having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180) and filling apparatus (170) for filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Money Controls Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm Reginald Hallas Bell
  • Publication number: 20120122385
    Abstract: A coin apparatus in which coin conveyors convey coins along substantially vertical and horizontal planes to coin hoppers. A coin sensing unit having a rotary sweeping arm is used to determine characteristics of the coins so that the coins can be deposited in a correct one of the hoppers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Mark J. Watson, Kevin Mulvey, Graham R. Jones, Wayne Farrar
  • Publication number: 20110189933
    Abstract: A coin storing apparatus has at least one receiving space for coins as well as a feeding and/or dispensing device and/or a coin overflow for feeding and/or dispensing coins. A chain that stores the coins is disposed in the receiving space. The chain has chain links each having a storage area adapted to selectively receive at least one coin. The chain is helically wound in several planes. The storage area has a holding device formed by one or more of the chain links arranged in an adjacent plane of the several planes that is adjacent to that one of the several planes where the storage area is located. The coin storing apparatus is installed in a machine such as a ticket machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Höffges
  • Publication number: 20100330892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin feeding device in which coin jam can be easily eliminated and coins causing a coin jam can be easily removed. When a coin jam occurs between a transporting belt 57 and a separating roller 65, the separating roller 65 is moved by a moving unit 66 in a direction to expand a clearance 64 between the separating roller 65 and the transporting belt 57. By moving the separating roller 65, coin jam can be easily eliminated, and coins causing the coin jam can be easily removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Eisei Nishida
  • Patent number: 7806756
    Abstract: A coin receiving device in a coin processing apparatus is provided with a flat belt stretched around a pair of rollers substantially horizontally. A reverse rotation roller is disposed above the flat belt so that it is parallel with the axial line of the rollers, and the lower circumferential face is separated from the flat belt by a distance which is larger than thickness of a coin. A movable restrictor is disposed above the reverse rotation roller, which extends upstream of the flat belt in substantially parallel with the flat belt. A distance between the movable restrictor and the top face of the flat belt is smaller than a diameter of a coin having the largest diameter. The movable restrictor is convex toward an upstream direction of the flat belt. The movable restrictor is replaceably attached to a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Asaji Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20100227539
    Abstract: Coin dispenser comprising a coin storage unit, a coin extractor (2) comprising an endless chain (3), a coin identifier (4) for the coins transported by the endless chain, and a coin deflector (8). The endless chain (3) comprises two series of flat alternating links, parallel to the plane defined by said chain and consecutively articulated according to two axes perpendicular to the links, forming open cavities (40) all along the chain, each one of said cavities being able to transport a coin (7) in a position parallel to the bottom of said cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AZKOYEN MEDIOS DE PAGO, S.A.
    Inventors: Jesús Maria Aguado Vitas, Miguel A. Calleja Lafuente, Juan Miguel Irurita Loyarte, Oscar Lacarra Fernandez, Alvaro Martinez Chavoy, Bernardo Sola Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7775864
    Abstract: A coin processor according to the present invention includes a temporary storage portion that temporarily stores coins, and the temporary storage portion includes: a conveyor belt; a one side conveyor guide that is disposed on one edge side of the conveyor belt in a width direction thereof; an other side conveyor guide that is disposed on an other edge side of the conveyor belt in the width direction with a spacing narrower than a diameter of a coin to be stored between the one side conveyor guide and the other side conveyor guide, and that slopes upward toward outside in the width direction; a drive portion that drives the conveyor belt; and a stacking surface guide that is provided at one end portion of the conveyor belt in a lengthwise direction thereof, and that slopes upward toward outside of the conveyor belt in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Laurel Precision Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Miyazaki, Mitsuo Sakamoto, Soichi Ozaku
  • Patent number: 7682228
    Abstract: A self-service change redemption machine (10) has a coin hopper area (41) for receiving batches of mixed coinage and a powered mechanism (43) for transporting them to an intake opening (44) into the machine (10) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of coin receptacles. The transport mechanism has a pivotable cover (46, 46a) for preventing access to a portion of the feed path leading into the machine (10) and, if the cover (46, 46a) is lifted, the powered mechanism (43) will be stopped. The mechanism (43, 46) is designed to prevent jamming of the coins in the hopper area (41) or along the feed path (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Talaris Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Gunst, Joseph P. Hanus, Thomas P. Adams
  • Patent number: 7654891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin feeding device that can separate coins of multiple denominations that are different in diameter. A rotary disk has a circular base plate and a pushing out disk with a plurality of space radial projecting portions extending above the circular base plate. The spaces between the radial projecting portions form coin separating concave portions for receiving coins. The circular base plate can have cam grooves. A pivoting moving body can be driven by the cam grooves and can be positioned at either a radially inward surface of the separating concave portion or extended forward to discharge a coin. One side of the separating concave portions are curved as a coin pushing portion while the other side has a protruding portion that is cantilevered to extend into the concave portion and to project upward to remove any extraneous coin that may be carried by movement of the rotary disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Enomoto, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20090215373
    Abstract: A coin processor according to the present invention includes a temporary storage portion that temporarily stores coins, and the temporary storage portion includes: a conveyor belt; a one side conveyor guide that is disposed on one edge side of the conveyor belt in a width direction thereof; an other side conveyor guide that is disposed on an other edge side of the conveyor belt in the width direction with a spacing narrower than a diameter of a coin to be stored between the one side conveyor guide and the other side conveyor guide, and that slopes upward toward outside in the width direction; a drive portion that drives the conveyor belt; and a stacking surface guide that is provided at one end portion of the conveyor belt in a lengthwise direction thereof, and that slopes upward toward outside of the conveyor belt in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Osamu Miyazaki, Mitsuo Sakamoto, Soichi Ozaku
  • Patent number: 7559831
    Abstract: A coin separating unit of a compact configuration for separating coins of different thicknesses from a bulk supply includes a coin transporting unit such as a rotating belt having a support surface of a predetermined flexibility and friction characteristic. A separating roller unit is positioned above a support surface and rotates in a direction opposite to the movement of the belt. A supporter unit is operatively located upstream of the separating roller unit and can displace coins that are overlaid with each other. The belt has sufficient flexibility so that a gap between the surface of the belt and a separating roller unit can be increased to accommodate a particular thickness of coin as it passes beneath the separating roller unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 7503840
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin arranging/conveying apparatus that is capable of reliably conveying coins one at a time into a coin passage unit even if there is such a great difference in diameter or thickness of coins. A first gate portion is defined by a separation roller, an arranging/conveying surface of an arranging/conveying belt, and a movable roller. The movable roller faces the underside of the arranging/conveying surface of the arranging/conveying belt. A second gate portion is defined by a coin passage upstream end roller, and the portion of a transfer belt wrapped around the coin passage upstream end roller. Coins are arranged in a single layer in single file by means of the first gate portion, as well as the second gate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Glory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyofumi Iwami, Mitsuhiko Muranaka
  • Patent number: 7422518
    Abstract: To ease a load to drive power for rotationally driving a coin dispensing belt even if the number of coins on the coin dispensing belt which carries the coin increases, a belt guide mechanism is provided which includes a belt guide for guiding the coin dispensing belt along a coin carrying direction, a coin contacting face which is located at both sides of the belt guide, and is located lower than a coin carrying surface, and an escape space for allowing the coin carrying surface of the coin carrying belt to be located lower than the coin contacting face when a downward bending force is applied to the coin dispensing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumi Kotani
  • Patent number: 7255639
    Abstract: A compact coin delivery device includes a rotary disk with indented concave portions for receiving a coin from a hopper or a coin storage bowl. A movable member in the concave portion can have controlled movement for ejecting the coin at a desired location. An endless conveyer member with pins can receive the coin and transport it in an L-shaped path. The coins can be released to individual chutes for separating coins of different dimensions and denominations, both on a path away from the coin delivery device and on a return path to the coin delivery device. Solenoid activated members can assist in displacing certain coins from the conveyor path, including into a separate retention or storage box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Minoru Enomoto, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20070149102
    Abstract: A coin receiving device in a coin processing apparatus is provided with a flat belt stretched around a pair of rollers substantially horizontally. A reverse rotation roller is disposed above the flat belt so that it is parallel with the axial line of the rollers, and the lower circumferential face is separated from the flat belt by a distance which is larger than thickness of a coin. A movable restrictor is disposed above the reverse rotation roller, which extends upstream of the flat belt in substantially parallel with the flat belt. A distance between the movable restrictor and the top face of the flat belt is smaller than a diameter of a coin having the largest diameter. The movable restrictor is convex toward an upstream direction of the flat belt. The movable restrictor is replaceably attached to a frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventor: Masayoshi UMEDA
  • Patent number: 7147552
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for separating coins (1) whose diameter and thickness lie within predetermined magnitudes, with a coin funnel (12), with at least one revolving coin conveyor (3) whose conveying strand which rises in the conveying direction and leads upwardly out of the coin funnel (12) forms a part of the rear wall (13) of the coin funnel (12) and comprises coin receivers for individual coins (1), with an ejector device for coins (1) axially lying above one another in the coin receivers and with a removal device (24) for the separated coins (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Novotech Elektronik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Johannes Schimpl
  • Patent number: 7112130
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coin change which comprises a coin sort section 50 for sorting coins C discharged from an input hopper 21, and a coin storage section 60 for storing the coins C sorted by the coin sort section 50 on a coin type by type basis. The coin storage section 60 includes a plurality of coin storage grooves 63 provided respectively to the plural coin types and disposed parallel to each other. Each of the coin storage grooves has a width dimension slightly greater than the diameter of a corresponding one of the types of coins and extends approximately horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishimura, Hiroaki Yamauchi, Nobuo Takashima
  • Patent number: 7066807
    Abstract: A receiving and dispensing device for coins comprises a coin receiving device to receive the entry of coins of various denominations. The coins are segregated and verified as to authenticity. The coins are then transported along an upper and lower selecting section which are connected by appropriate guiding passageways to sets of upper and lower coin hoppers aligned in both a horizontal and vertical configuration to form a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 6761627
    Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is provided with a coin hopper for storing coins and a coin dispenser operatively connected to the coin hopper for selectively dispensing coins from the coin hopper. An auxiliary bowl assembly for storing coins includes a coin transporter unit for removing coins from the auxiliary bowl assembly and transporting the coins to the coin hopper. The coin hopper can deliver overflow coins to the auxiliary bowl assembly. The coin transporter unit can comprise a plurality of block members pivotally connected to form an endless loop member for transporting coins and flexibly mounted within the auxiliary bowl assembly. A position adjusting device permits a removable sliding of the auxiliary bowl assembly to an operative position adjacent to the coin hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 6656034
    Abstract: A coin handling device comprises a hopper and an escalator for receiving coins from the hopper. The escalator is connected to the hopper and extends upwardly from the hopper. At least a portion of the escalator is downwardly foldable toward the hopper to reduce an overall height of the coin handling device. The reduced height facilitates removal of the coin handling device from a gaming machine cabinet and installation of the coin handling device into the cabinet in the event the cabinet provides minimal clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Gregory J. Tastad, Norman R. Wurz, Erik J. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 6629885
    Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus for a coin handling machine includes a coin sorting passage extending substantially one-dimensionally and having transporting belt means for conveying coins, and a denomination discriminator provided in the coin sorting passage for discriminating the denominations of coins, wherein the coin sorting passage is bifurcated at a downstream portion thereof into a coin selecting passage for leading coins to be sorted therethrough and a coin collecting passage for leading coins other than those to be sorted therethrough, the coin sorting apparatus further including a gate member provided at the portion where the coin sorting passage is bifurcated into the coin selecting passage and the coin collecting passage for selectively leading coins into the coin selecting passage or the coin collecting passage in accordance with results of discrimination made by the denomination discriminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Tsuruda, Yuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6592446
    Abstract: A device for conveying separate objects (1), especially disk-shaped objects such as coins is provided with a guideway (2) and with a conveyor (4) running on a conveying arm (3) at a distance from the guideway (2). The distance (d) between a strand (5) of the transport belt (4) facing the guideway and the guideway (2) is smaller than the smallest height of an object (1) above the guideway (2). The objects (1) can be grasped by the strand (5) of the conveyor (4) facing the guideway (2) and can be conveyed on the guideway (2) and wherein the static friction and/or sliding friction forces between the objects (1) and he conveyor (4) are greater than the static friction and/or sliding friction forces between the objects (1) and the guideway (2). The conveyor (4) is a lamella belt (4) and the strand (5) of the lamella belt (4) facing the guideway (2) is guided over the entire longitudinal extension of the conveying arm (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: F. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6579166
    Abstract: A coin hopper device for dispensing coins in an economical manner is provided having a coin selecting mechanism for storing a first quantity of coins and selecting coins that are to be dispensed. A coin storage member stores a second quantity of coins in bulk and may directly permit coins in the coin storage member to pass operatively to the coin selecting mechanism directly by gravity flow from the coin storage member along a first direction when the stored coins are of a predetermined height. A coin carrier device is mounted adjacent the coin storage member for removing coins from the coin storage member on one side, elevating the coins and then dropping them into the coin selecting mechanism from the same side wherein only a portion of the coins in bulk storage may be lifted at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., LTD
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 6554694
    Abstract: A miniaturizes lifting style coin hopper is provided with a coin escalator device. The lifting style hopper equipment uses a small hopper with improved escalator equipment. The escalator equipment for coins includes a back plate with a curved surface for carrying a plurality of coins which are arranged in a single plane row from bottom to top. A pair of spacers are placed at each side on the upper surface of this back plate, respectively. The escalator equipment for coins has at least a plurality of idlers which are freely rotatably arranged, covering the back plate between the paired spacers. A spring device presses these idlers to the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Umeda, Hiroshi Abe
  • Publication number: 20030032387
    Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus is provided with a coin hopper for storing coins and a coin dispenser operatively connected to the coin hopper for selectively dispensing coins from the coin hopper. An auxiliary bowl assembly for storing coins includes a coin transporter unit for removing coins from the auxiliary bowl assembly and transporting the coins to the coin hopper. The coin hopper can deliver overflow coins to the auxiliary bowl assembly. The coin transporter unit can comprise a plurality of block members pivotally connected to form an endless loop member for transporting coins and flexibly mounted within the auxiliary bowl assembly. A position adjusting device permits a removable sliding of the auxiliary bowl assembly to an operative position adjacent to the coin hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20030019716
    Abstract: A token count/sort apparatus includes a rotary disc (10) for supporting tokens (11) and is manually rotatable, an arcuate transfer track (23) extending along the periphery of the disc and formed with one token transfer inlet (24). A plurality of sorting holes are formed in the transfer track for successively sorting and dropping the tokens in the order of increasing diameters as the tokens are transferred upstream toward downstream in the transfer direction. An endless transfer belt (30) rotates in synchronism with the rotary disc (10) by intermediate gears (40), (41) and (42), thereby transferring the tokens (11) in a pressed condition. A token discerner (31) is provided between the token transfer inlet (24) and the sorting hole located at the most upstream position in the transfer direction for counting the tokens and determining the diameters of the tokens. In a batch processing mode, the token discerner determines whether the preset value for the token count or sum is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Katsumi Sugai, Nobuyuki Nakatani, Masanari Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20020058471
    Abstract: A coin sorting machine includes a coin guide structure (3) that conveys coins (C) on a passage surface (30) along a guide member (32), and a conveyor belt (43) extended so as to hold coins (C) on the passage surface (30) and capable of conveying the coins (C). An exclusion hole (60) is formed in the passage surface contiguously with the guide member. The exclusion hole has a guide side wall (60a) extending away from the guide member toward the downstream side. A support roller member (62) is disposed below the exclusion hole opposite to the conveyor belt. The support roller member can be selectively set at a coin-passing position where a top part thereof is on a level not lower than that of an upper end of the guide side wall of the exclusion hole and a coin-excluding position where the top part thereof is on a level lower than that of the upper end of the guide side wall of the exclusion hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Yushi Hino, Masaharu Tochio, Kisho Yanase, Daisuke Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6328646
    Abstract: The large-capacity coin dispensing apparatus of the present invention is directed to increasing the coin storage capacity of a hopper-type coin dispensing apparatus using a rotary disc to dispense coins one at a time. The coin storage capacity of the hopper-type coin dispensing apparatus is limited by the storage capacity of a hopper used to supply coins to the rotary disc. To increase coin storage capacity, the present invention uses a first tank to supply coins to the rotary disc and a second tank to hold a large supply of coins. As the coins in the first tank are depleted, coins are transported from the second tank to the first tank using a conveyor. The addition of the second tank increases coin storage capacity and reduces the frequency at which coins have to be loaded into the large-capacity coin dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20010004582
    Abstract: A miniaturizes lifting style coin hopper is provided with a coin escalator device. The lifting style hopper equipment uses a small hopper with improved escalator equipment. The escalator equipment for coins includes a back plate with a curved surface for carrying a plurality of coins which are arranged in a single plane row from bottom to top. A pair of spacers are placed at each side on the upper surface of this back plate, respectively. The escalator equipment for coins has at least a plurality of idlers which are freely rotatably arranged, covering the back plate between the paired spacers. A spring device presses these idlers to the back plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Masayoshi Umeda, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6200213
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the delivery, holding, storage, and dispensing of coins, and the like, from coin-operated gaming machines, such as “slot” machines, or the like, into which coins are deposited and, when an award is indicated, coins are dispensed as part of, or all, of the award or prize, is disclosed. After depositing coins in the coin slot of the gaming machine, the coins are typically passed through a coin-counting and delivery mechanism then deposited into one or more coin hoppers located in the front or the rear, or the top or bottom, or to the left or right of the coin counting and moving mechanism in the slot machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Cole
  • Patent number: 6086471
    Abstract: A cash register terminal and process for operating a cash register terminal especially for self-service in gaming casinos, with bill-accepting and coin-deposition as well as coin-dispensing structure and with at least one coin box. To design the cash register terminal for high speed of operation and a large storage capacity for coins, the coins (17) are conveyed upward from the bottom from the coin box (2), of which there is at least one, and the coins (17) are dispensed above the at least one coin box (2), to at least one outlet (19, 20, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: F. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6086472
    Abstract: A throw-in coin discriminator is shown which includes a hopper to receive the coins to be discriminated. From the hopper a conveyor conveys the coins to a coin handling mechanism. A roller unstacks any stacked coins. The unstacked coins are deposited on a second conveyor which is traveling at a faster speed to singularize the coins. The coins pass a series of detectors to determine, for example, whether the coins are genuine or counterfeit. The coin handling mechanism directs authentic coins in a first direction and counterfeit coins in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6042471
    Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus comprising a combination of a separating device unit and a cover device unit, the cover device unit being operative to guide sorted coins separately and in a substantially standing position but with a slant along a path for sorting and collection. The separating device unit includes a guide wall for guiding the coins and having a plurality of adjustable sized windows for selectively receiving the coins for sorting and collection. The cover device unit has a motor-driven belt that with the guide wall defines the path and is oscillated to open and close a gap between the moving belt to effect movement of coins of variable size along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6039643
    Abstract: Coin division equipment is provided which can be programmed for a shape which it is possible to physically store easily and operate with equipment such as a money register. The coin division equipment may be applied to many coin types in the various European, Asian, American countries etc. The equipment includes a cover with a low big circular board form, a slender ring for coin conveyance which is rotatably mounted along the outside periphery of bottom of the cover means; and coin passage. The passage has a ring-shaped inclination board form approximately, the outside perimeter thereof being high and the inside perimeter thereof being near the outside periphery of ring. The coin passage has a plurality of openings for coin division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoharu Kurosawa, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6030284
    Abstract: A coin counting and sorting machine has a coin lifting device with an open bowl for receiving and forwarding an unsorted mass of coins, a sorting device for sorting coins being supplied thereto, and a coin transferring device for transferring the coins from the coin lifting device to the coin sorting device while establishing an order among the coins suitable for sorting and counting. The coin transferring device is provided with a first and a second element between which a transportation channel for the coins is disposed, wherein the first element is movable with respect to the second element so as to effect the transferring of the coins, and with a resilient device arranged with the transportation channel for pressing the coins against the first, movable element with a locally increased coin transferring speed as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Scan Coin AB
    Inventor: Jerry Frank