Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for discriminating between coins of different denominations in which discrimination is effected by determining whether each individual coin lies within or outside a threshold (143; 36; 57) of diametral size that is related to a reference abutment (13; 38; 60) for the coin, characterised in that the determination of the relationship of each coin to the said threshold (143; 36; 57) as aforesaid is carried out with the coin abutting one or the other of two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) in dependence upon whether or not that coin has a characteristic, other than of diameter, which as between two denominations is distinctive of one denomination or the other, the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) being displaced with respect to one another such that a coin of a predetermined diameter lies within or outside the said threshold (143; 36; 57) in dependence upon which of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) the coin abuts during said determination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for discriminating between coins of different denominations in which discrimination is effected by determining whether each individual coin lies within or outside a threshold (143; 36; 57) of diametral size that is related to a reference abutment (13; 38; 60) for the coin, characterised in that the determination of the relationship of each coin to the said threshold (143; 36; 57) as aforesaid is carried out with the coin abutting one or the other of two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) in dependence upon whether or not that coin has a characteristic, other than of diameter, which as between two denominations is distinctive of one denomination or the other, the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) being displaced with respect to one another such that a coin of a predetermined diameter lies within or outside the said threshold (143; 36; 57) in dependence upon which of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) the coin abuts during said determination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that said characteristic is thickness, the individual coins abutting one or the other of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) during said determination in dependence upon their thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the threshold is established in the size of an aperture (143) through which a coin of the predetermined diameter will pass only when in abutment with one (17) of the two reference abutments (13, 17).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the threshold is established in the spacing of a deflector device (36) from one (38) of the two reference abutments (38,40) such that a coin of the predetermined diameter will be deflected by the deflector device (36) only when in abutment with this one (38) of the two reference abutments (38,40).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the threshold is established in the location of a sensor device (57)-with respect to one (60) of the two reference abutments (60, 61) such that a coin of the predetermined diameter is sensed by the sensor device (57) only when in abutment with this one (60) of the two reference abutments (60, 61).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for discriminating between coins of different denominations in which a threshold (143; 36; 57) for gauging coin diameter is established with respect to a reference abutment (13; 38; 60), and coins are presented to the threshold (143; 36; 57) abutting the reference abutment (13; 38; 60) for determining whether they lie within or outside the said threshold, characterised in that a second reference abutment (17; 40; 61) displaced from the first-mentioned reference abutment (13; 38; 60) is provided, and that each individual coin is presented to the threshold (143; 36; 57) in abutment with one or the other of the two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) in dependence upon whether or not that coin has a characteristic, other than of diameter, which as between two denominations is distinctive of one denomination over the other, the displacement of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) from one another being such that a coin of a predetermined diameter lies within or outside the said threshold (143; 36; 57) in dependence upon which of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) the coin abuts during said determination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for discriminating between coins of different denominations in which a threshold (143; 36; 57) for gauging coin diameter is established with respect to a reference abutment (13; 38; 60), and coins are presented to the threshold (143; 36; 57) abutting the reference abutment (13; 38; 60) for determining whether they lie within or outside the said threshold, characterised in that a second reference abutment (17; 40; 61) displaced from the first-mentioned reference abutment (13; 38; 60) is provided, and that each individual coin is presented to the threshold (143; 36; 57) in abutment with one or the other of the two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) in dependence upon whether or not that coin has a characteristic, other than of diameter, which as between two denominations is distinctive of one denomination over the other, the displacement of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) from one another being such that a coin of a predetermined diameter lies within or outside the said threshold (143; 36; 57) in dependence upon which of the two abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) the coin abuts during said determination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to Claim 6 characterised in that said characteristic is thickness, that the two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) are being arranged such that all coins are urged towards abutment with the same one (17; 40; 61) of the reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 40; 60, 61) at the location of said threshold (143; 36; 57), and that any coin of more than a predetermined thickness is obstructed at that location from abutment with the said one reference abutment (17; 40; 61) by the other reference abutment (13; 38; 60).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to Claim 7 characterised in that a surface (9; 31) against which coins lie in movement into the location of said threshold (143; 36), and a recessed element (11; 30) upstanding from said surface (9, 31) to provide the two reference abutments (13, 17; 38, 39) .