GB2123196A - Coin separator - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin separator is arranged to separate three types of coins of differing thicknesses. The intermediate thickness coin II, which is of largest diameter, is diverted from a main coin path by its engagement with a ramp member 60 under which the other coins travel. The other coins are separated by directing them to a slot 62 through which the lesser thickness coins I fall, and over which the large thickness coins III pass. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coin separator This invention relates to coin separators.

Coin separators are often used in coin handling apparatuses such as those found in vending machines. The coin handling apparatus comprises a coin validatorwhich receives coin-like items inserted into the machine. The validator tests the items, and those found to be non-genuine coins are directed to a reject path. At least some of the acceptable coins are passed to the coin separator which directs the different denominations of coins to respective locations. Some denominations may be passed to a common cashbox, while at least one, and typically several, denominations are delivered to respective containers or coin storage tubes. Each container or storage tube contains only one denomination of coin. Some machines dispense change by selectively releasing coins from the respective containers.

One way in which a prior art coin separator operates is by passing the coins along a path adjacent a set of windows of progressively increasing size. The smallest coins fall through the first window, out of the main coin path. The second smallest coins fall through the second window, etc.

Such an arrangement is convenient for coins of significantly differing diameters. However, it would be inadequate for separating coins of identical or similar diameters, as is the case with British 20p coins and the forthcoming British 1 coins.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a coin separator which is operable to separate coins on the basis of their thicknesses.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a coin separator operable to separate coins of at least first, second and third types, the coins of the first type having a diameter which differs from that of the coins of the second type, and which is substantially similar to that of the coins of the third type, the separator being operable to separate the coins of the first and third types by directing them to a passageway through which the thinner of these types of coins can pass, but through which the thicker cannot pass, and being operable to separate the coins of the second type from coins of the first and/orthirdtypes by providing a path into which only coins of a relatively small diameter can travel.

The coins of the second type (which may be of a thickness intermediate the thicknesses of the first and third types) are preferably separated from the coins of the first and third types before the latter are directed to the passageway. This ensures that the coins of the second type cannot foul the passageway.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a coin separator which is operable to separate relatively large diameter coins from relatively small diameter coins by providing a member arranged to be engaged only by the large diameter coins as the coins travel (preferably on their edges) along a main coin path, the member being arranged to divert the large diameter coins out of the main coin path. This aspect is particularly useful for separating large diameter, intermediate thickness coins from other coins which are then separated on the basis of their differing thicknesses.

According to a specific aspect of the invention there is provided a coin separator operable to separate coins of first, second and third types, which have respectively increasing thicknesses, the separator having a common path along which coins of all three types are arranged to travel, and being arranged to direct, on the one hand, coins of the second type, and, on the other hand, coins of the first and third types, along separate paths, the separate path for carrying the first and third types of coins leading to a further path which can be reached via a passageway which is sufficiently wide to permit coins of the first type to pass therethrough, but too narrow to permit coins of the third type to pass therethrough.

The invention is particularly useful when the first and third types of coins are of similar or identical diameters, e.g. when the first type comprises British 20p coins and the third type British 1 coins. The invention provides an effective way of separating these on the basis of their thicknesses. The intermediate-thickness coins (i.e. those of the second type), which may be British 50p coins, are first separated from the other coins, so that the passageway can be made substantially wider than the coins of the first type without worrying about the coins of the second type entering the further path. This allows one to use the difference in thickness between the first and third types of coins to maximum effect.Accordingly, even if the coins of the first type exhibit minor variations in their thicknesses, or are slightly bent or burred, or wiggle slightly during their travel, it will be ensured that all these coins go through the passageway and enter the further path.

The second type of coin may be separated from the others on the basis of diameter. This is particularly advantageous with the particular coins mentioned above, wherein the second type comprises 50p coins. A convenient way of achieving the separation is to provide a member which is engaged by the second type of coins (but not by the first and third types because of their smaller diameters), and is thereby diverted to a different path.

Another way of achieving the separation would be to provide one or more windows through which the first and second types of coins fall so that they leave the main coin path and are thereafter sorted on the basis of thickness. However, this is less convenient because it requires two denominations to leave the main coin path and thereafter to be separated, rather than having only one coin diverted out of the main coin path.

If the second type of coin is smaller than the others, it would be convenient to have this diverted from the main coin path by arranging for it to fall through a relatively small window at the side of the path.

The first and third types of coins are preferably arranged to roll along a surface (preferably inclined downwardly), in which a slot is disposed. The slot is sufficiently wide to allow coins of the first type to fall therethrough, but too narrow to allow coins of the third type to fall through. The slot is preferably disposed at one side of the surface, and the coins caused to roll along that side, e.g. by inclining the surface to the horizontal, and/or inclining a side wall to the vertical so that the coins roll in an inclined orientation.

The separator could also be arranged to separate out further coins, other than the three types mentioned above.

An arrangement embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a coin handling apparatus including a coin separator in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the disassembled separator; Figure 3 is a side elevation of one part of the separator; and Figure 4 is a section through lines IV-IV of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the coin handling apparatus 2 includes a coin validator 4 for receiving coin-lime items as indicated at 6. During the passage of the items 6 along a path 8 in the validator, the validator provides signals indicating whether or not the items are acceptable, genuine coins, and if so the denomination of the coins.

After leaving the validator 4, items which have been found to be unacceptable are led straight to a reject slot via a path 10.

If, on the other hand, the items have been found to be acceptable coins, they are instead led into a coin separator 12, where they travel along a common path 14.

There may, for example, be a solenoid-operated gate located between the validator 4 and the separator 12, and responsive to the signals generated by the validator 4 to determine whether items are delivered to the reject path 10 or the separator path 14.

The coins travelling along path 14 are separated, and, depending upon their denomination, enter one of paths 16, 18 and 20. Coins travelling along paths 16 and 18 are delivered to respective coin storage tubes 22 and 24, from which the coins can be selectively dispensed in change-giving operations.

The coins travelling along path 20 are delivered to a cashbox (not shown). These coins'may have a larger denomination than the others, in which case they would not be needed in change-giving operations.

If desired, other denominations of coins could also be directed to the cashbox either by the separator 12, or by operating a gate to deliverthem directly to the cashbox from the validator 4. In addition, each of the denominations of coins normally delivered along paths 16 and 18 to the storage tubes 22 and 24 can instead be delivered to the cashbox when the respective tube is full, by selectively operating a gate arranged either before or after the separator 12.

Figures 2 to 4 show the coin separator 12 in detail.

The separator 12 is formed in two parts, 30 and 32.

Hook-like members 34 projecting from the part 30 can be snap-fitted through corresponding apertures 36 in the part 32 to hold the parts together.

An entrance chute or path 38 (corresponding to path 14 in Figure 1) between the two parts 30 and 32 is arranged to receive coins of various denominations (such as coin types I, II and Ill shown in Figure 3) from the coin validator 4 of Figure 1.

The coins entering the chute 38 fall onto the upper surface 39 of a snubber 40 fastened to the part 30, which snubber 40 absorbs the impact of the fall, and prevents bouncing of the coins.

The coins then travel along a main coin path, the first part of which is formed by the upper surface 39 of the snubber 40, and the rest of which is formed by a ledge 46 of the part 30. This entire path is straight, and inclined downwardly so that the coins tend to roll along it.

The entire separator, when in use, is inclined in the direction indicated in Figure 4. This causes the coins to travel along a surface 48 of the part 32, which forms one of the side walls of the main coin path.

This tendency is increased by the fact that the side wall 48 is itself inclined to the general plane of the part 32, so as to guide the coins in an inclined orientation in which they rest against the wall 48, and by the fact that the bottom surface of the main coin path (i.e. the ledge 46 and the upper surface 39 of the snubber 40) is itself slightly inclined, instead of being in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of the part 30.

The overall effect is that the coins lean against the part 32 as they roll down the main coin path.

At the opposite side of the main coin path from the side wall 48, the other side wall is formed by surfaces 50 and 52 of the part 30. A window 54 is disposed between these surfaces. The edges 56, 58 of the window 54 are disposed in a plane which is at an angle to the main coin path (i.e. the edges 56 and 58 are laterally spaced when viewed in the direction of the main coin path, as well as being spaced apart when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main coin path). There is thus a further path between the edges 56, 58 of the window 54 which leads off at an angle from the main coin path and which corresponds to the path 16 of Figure 1.

Coins types land Ill roll pastthe window 54 because of their tendency to stay on the side of the coin path adjacent the part 32.

However, coins of type II (in this case 50p coins), as they roll along the main coin path, engage a ramp 60 formed on the part 32 above the side wall 48. This ramp turns the type li coins into the window 54, so that they are diverted from the main coin path.

The type land Ill coins, however, travel under the ramp 60. They then reach a slot 62 between the parts 30 and 32, which is formed by a narrowing of the ledge 46. Coins of type I (in this case 20p coins) fall through this slot into an exit path 64 (corresponding to the path 18 in Figure 1). They tend to pass through the slot 62 rather than running along the ledge 46 because of their biae toward the side wall 48 of the main coin path.

The type Ill coins (in this case 1 coins), however, are too thick to fall through the slot 62, and therefore continue on the ledge 46 to another exit 66 (corresponding to the path 20 in Figure 1).

The surface 50, which forms part of the side wall of the main coin path, is preferably inclined so that it is parallel to the surface 48. This helps to maintain the coins in their inclined orientation and prevent their bouncing from side to side. There is preferably a ramp surface 68 between the edge 56 of the window 54 and the surface 50 to guide any coins which are not quite correctly oriented into the space between the surfaces 48 and 50.

The illustrated separator also has a slot 70 through which rejected items pass (corresponding to the path 10 in Figure 1).

The part 30 (except for the snubber 40 and the screw fastening it to the part 30) and the part 32 may each be formed in a single piece by, for example, injection moulding.

In an alternative embodiment, the coins of type II could be diverted from the main coin path by a solenoid-operated gate arranged to be actuated in response to the signals from the validator.

Claims (13)

1. A coin separator operable to separate coins of at least first, second and third types, the coins of the first type having a diameter which differs from that of the coins of the second type, and which is substantially similar to that of the coins of the third type, the separator being operable to separate the coins of the first and third types by directing them to a passageway through which the thinner of these types of coins can pass, but through which the thicker cannot pass, and being operable to separate the coins of the second type from coins of the first and/or third types by providing a path into which only coins of a relatively small diameter can travel.

2. A coin separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separator is arranged to separate the coins of the second type from coins of both the first and third types, so that the coins of the first and third types, but not the coins of the second type, are led to said passageway.

3. A coin separator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including a member arranged to divert coins of relatively large diameter away from the said path, so that only the relatively small diameter coins can travel into the path.

4. A coin separator operable to separate coins of first, second and third types, which have respectively increasing thicknesses, the separator having a common path along which coins of all three types are arranged to travel, and being arranged to direct, on the one hand, coins of the second type, and, on the other hand, coins of the first and third types, along separate paths, the separate path for carrying the first and third types of coins leading to a further path which can be reached via a passageway which is sufficiently wide to permit coins of the first type to pass therethrough, but too narrow to permit coins of the third type to pass therethrough.

5. A separator as claimed in claim 4, wherein coins of the second type have diameters greater than, or smaller than, coins of both the first and third types, and wherein the separator is arranged to separate the coins of the second type from the coins of the first and third types on the basis of the diameters.

6. A separator as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coins of the second type are larger in diameter than the coins of the first and third types.

7. A separator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the separator has a member which is engageable by the coins of the second type but not by coins of the first and third types, the member being arranged to divert the coins of the second type along their separate path.

8. A separator as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the passageway comprises a slot in a surface over which the coins of the first and third types are arranged to travel so that the coins of the first type fall through the slot to the further path, and the coins of the third type pass over the slot.

9. A separator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slot is located at one side of the surface.

10. A separator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said surface is, in use, inclined to the horizontal so as to cause coins travelling along the surface to be biassed toward the side of the surface on which the slot is located.

11. A separator as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the separate path along which the first and third types of coins are arranged to travel has a side wall, located at the side of said surface on which said slot is located, which is in use inclined to the vertical to support coins in an inclined orientation as they travel along said separate path.

12. A separator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Coin handling apparatus comprising a coin validator and a coin separator as claimed in any preceding claim, the coin validator being operable to test coin-like items, to direct items found not to be genuine coins along a reject path, and to direct genuine coins of at least said first, second and third types to said coin separator, the apparatus further including at least one coin container for receiving one of said types of coins and operable selectively to dispense coins therefrom.