GB925094A - Improvements in coin gauging and selecting mechanism such as used in coin-freed apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

925,094. Coin testing. FISHER & LUDLOW. May 26, 1961 [June 21, 1960], No. 21704/60. Class 27. A coin tester comprises in sequence an overweight balance 11 which will accept only coins which do not exceed a maximum predetermined weight, a magnet 17 and an impact surface 19 upon which a coin retarded a predetermined amount by the magnet will bounce either to an accepted or rejected path. An inserted coin is first tested for excess diameter between the edge 7 of a block 6 on the hinged clearing wall 2 and a flange 8 on the fixed wall 1 and falls to a runway 9 past a projection 10, which is described in Specification 925,093, and which controls the initial speed of the coin down the runway. A ledge 11 on a counterweighted lever forms a continuation of the runway and an over-weight coin will depress the ledge so that the coin tilts through an opening 13 under the block 6 and lies against a tongue 14 where it is held by a stop 16. A coin which is not over-weight but is too small in diameter will also tilt against the tongue 14. A coin of correct weight and diameter rolls along the ledge 11 and past the poles of the magnet 17. If the coin is of correct composition the retarding effect of the magnet is such that the coin bounces from the surface 19 against a stop 21 and rebounds to an " accept " runway 22. Coins of incorrect composition are trapped by the magnet or fall short of the surface 19 and bounce from a surface 23 and over a plate 25 into a " reject " path. An under-weight balance 26 is prefer. ably provided after the impact test but it may be provided after the over-weight balance or after the magnet. This balance is similar to the balance 11 but it tilts if the coin is underweight and rejects it to a passage 28. Coin-clearing.-The clearing wall may be moved against the action of a spring 3 by depressing a platform 29 so that a lever 30 rotates and causes a projection 32 to push on a roller 33. Depression of the platform also causes a shelf 34 to push off coins held in the region of a slot 34 and causes a finger to move through a slot 37 and remove any coin on the ledge 26. A stripping lever 36 is also swung between the magnet and the fixed wall 1. Alternatively, the clearing wall may be operated electrically so that it is closed for a set time interval, during which a coin can be accepted or rejected, and then re-opened.