Coin sorter

Claim 2

A coin sorter foi mixed denominations of coins, comprising a rotatable resilient disc (13); and means (24, 27) for rotating said disc; characterized by a stationary sorter plate (16) spaced from said disc, said sorter plate having a central opening (29) so that coins may be placed on said disc, said sorter plate also having a series of guide surfaces (34, 42) opposing said disc and spaced closer to said disc than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted, said guide surfaces (34, 42) being adapted to pinch coins between the sorter plate (16) and said disc (13) to cause a single layer of coins of mixed denomination to form in a single file at the periphery of the disc as said disc rotates; and a plurality of graduated sorting stations spaced about the periphery of said disc and each including means adapted to engage and release coins from the pinch between the sorter plate and disc in descending order of their diameter.

Claim 3

A coin sorter according to claim 1, characterized in that said sorting stations each include a channel (65) formed in the sorter plate and leading from a point adjacent the innermost edge of the file of coins to the periphery of the sorter plate, and a plow (50-60) engaging the outermost edge of the coin at each station to tip the innermost edge of the coin into the channel.

Claim 4

A coin sorter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said series of guide surfaces includes a first guide surface (34) disposed at a distance from the disc (13) which is substantially less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted, a ramp (33) connecting said first guide surface (34) to an area (31) adjacent said central opening (29), a second guide surface (42) disposed at a second distance from the disc (13) which is greater than the distance of the first guide surface (34) from said disc but still less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted, and an outer peripheral track (45) at the perimeter of said sorting plate (16), at least a portion of the radial width of said track being spaced from said disc a distance which is less than the thickness of the thinnest coin, said track including an outwardly facing shoulder (47) against which the inner edge of the file of coins is positioned.

Claim 5

A coin sorter according to claim 3, characterized in that said area adjacent said central opening is defined by a surface (32) of said sorter plate (16) which is spaced from said disc (13) a distance greater than the thickness of the thickest coin to be sorted.

Claim 6

A coin sorter according to claim 3, characterized in that said shoulder (47) is formed as a spiral.

Claim 7

A coin sorter according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized by a relief area (38) provided in said first guide surface (34) before said second guide surface (42), said relief area including a surface (40) which is spaced from the disc a distance greater than the thickness of the thickest coin to be sorted.

Claim 8

A coin sorter, characterized by a rotating disc (13) having a resilient, relatively high friction surface (14); a stationary sorter plate (16) confronting said disc surface and including a peripheral track ( 45 ) with a relatively low friction surface (46) facing towards the disc surface (14) and at least a portion of the radial width of the track surface (46) being spaced a distance from the disc surface (14) which is less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted, said track including a shoulder (47) spaced inwardly from the periphery of the sorter plate and following a spiral path; means (32,. 34, 42) for delivering a single layer of coins in a single file to said track where said coins are pinched between the opposing surfaces of said disc (13) and sorter plate (16) and with the inner edge of the file of coins disposed against said shoulder; and means (50-60, 67) for removing coins from said track in descending order of size at spaced points about the perimeter of said sorter plate.

Claim 9

A coin sorter, characterized by a rotating disc (13) having a resilient, relatively high friction surface (14); a stationary sorter plate (16) confronting said disc surface and including a peripheral track ( 45 ) with a relatively low friction surface (46) facing towards the disc surface (14) and at least a portion of the radial width of the track surface (46) being spaced a distance from the disc surface (14) which is less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted, said track including a shoulder (47) spaced inwardly from the periphery of the sorter plate and following a spiral path; means (32,. 34, 42) for delivering a single layer of coins in a single file to said track where said coins are pinched between the opposing surfaces of said disc (13) and sorter plate (16) and with the inner edge of the file of coins disposed against said shoulder; and means (50-60, 67) for removing coins from said track in descending order of size at spaced points about the perimeter of said sorter plate.

Claim 10

A coin sorter according to claim 7, characterized in that said removal means includes a series of protrusions (50-60) each spaced a distance from-said shoulder (47) which is unique to a particular size of coin to be sorted so that the outer edges of all coins of that size will be engaged by the respective protrusion as the coins are carried along said track.

Claim 11

A coin sorter according to claim 8, characterized in that said removal means also includes a channel (65) in said track (45) opposite each protrusion, said channels extending from a point adjacent the shoulder (47) to the perimeter of the sorter plate (16) to engage the inner edge of the coin engaged by the respective protrusion and to direct the coins off of the track (45).

Claim 12

A coin sorter in accordance with claim 7 together with a discharge chute (67) at each spaced point to receive coins removed from the track (45) at that point.

Claim 13

A coin handling mechanism for forming a plurality of coins into a single layer and a single file, comprising a rotatable resilient disc (13); and means for rotating said disc (24, 27); characterized by a stationary plate (16) having surfaces confronting said disc (13), said plate including a central opening (29) so that coins may be placed against said disc, a ramp (33) leading from an area adjacent said central opening to a first guide surface (34) which extends in an arcuate direction and leads to a second guide surface (42) which in turn leads to a peripheral track surface (46) at the perimeter of said plate, said second guide surface (42) and at least a portion of the radial width of said track surface (46) being disposed at a distance from said disc (13) which is less than the thickness of the coins, and said first guide surface (34) being disposed at a distance from said disc which is less than the spacing of said second guide surface (42) and track surface (46) from said disc (13).

Claim 14

A coin handling mechanism for forming a plurality of coins into a single layer and a single file, comprising a rotatable resilient disc (13); and means for rotating said disc (24, 27); characterized by a stationary plate (16) having surfaces confronting said disc (13), said plate including a central opening (29) so that coins may be placed against said disc, a ramp (33) leading from an area adjacent said central opening to a first guide surface (34) which extends in an arcuate direction and leads to a second guide surface (42) which in turn leads to a peripheral track surface (46) at the perimeter of said plate, said second guide surface (42) and at least a portion of the radial width of said track surface (46) being disposed at a distance from said disc (13) which is less than the thickness of the coins, and said first guide surface (34) being disposed at a distance from said disc which is less than the spacing of said second guide surface (42) and track surface (46) from said disc (13).