Variable magnetic flux coin-sensing devices

Claim 2

In a coin-sorting apparatus wherein a coin is caused to move down a chute defined by an inclined runway and a pair of substantially parallel plates, the improvement comprising: a magnet positioned in the chute; a slide face physically and magnetically coupled to said magnet, and projecting into said chute so that a coin moving in the chute is in direct, sliding, face-to-face contact therewith; a magnetic flux adjusting means directly contacting, and magnetically coupled to, said magnet; and a casing, formed of non-magnetic or non-magnetizable material, physically uniting said magnet, said slide face and said magnetic flux adjusting means and serving to secure the same to one of said plates; the strength of the magnet having been adjusted by said magnetic flux adjusting means in the following manner: (a) to attract and hold all coins made of iron or steel or other ferromagnetic metals and those coins made of nickel or other paramagnetic metal having a smooth face; and (b) to attract and retard the speed of movement of coins made of nickel or other paramagnetic metal and having an imprinted face.

Claim 3

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing is secured to said slide face, wherein said magnetic flux adjusting means is threadedly secured, within said casing, and wherein said magnet is relatively slidably concentrically disposed within said magnetic flux adjusting means, theReby holding the magnet and securing it adjacent said chute.

Claim 4

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the casing is formed of brass or copper.

Claim 5

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slide face is formed of steel.

Claim 6

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slide face is in direct contact with the pole of a bar or rod magnet.

Claim 7

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetic flux controller is movable axially with respect to the casing and with respect to the pole of a bar or rod magnet.

Claim 8

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 including such magnet means for testing coins of two different denominations.

Claim 9

The coin sorting apparatus of claim 1, including such magnet means for testing coins of three different denominations.

Claim 10

The improved coin-sorting apparatus of claim 1 further including a cradle in the coin chute, the cradle being pivotally mounted with respect to the coin chute and having one arm thereof provided with a magnet, an extension of one pole of the magnet projecting into the coin chute, the magnet including said magnetic flux adjusting means, the strength of the magnet having been adjusted: (a) to attract and hold by the rim thereof all coins made of iron or steel or other ferromagnetic metals; and (b) to attract and retard the speed of movement of coins made of nickel or other paramagnetic metal.

Claim 11

The improved coin-sorting apparatus of claim 9, including such magnet means for testing coins of two different denominations, said cradle dividing said chute into two chutes for conveying and testing for genuineness coins of said two different denominations.

Claim 12

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cradle divides the chute into at least two chutes for conveying and testing for genuineness coins of at least two different denominations.

Claim 13

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pivotally mounted cradle is adapted to be engaged by a coin, and wherein a coin having a predetermined size and weight is adapted to pivot the cradle and be automatically discharged down one predetermined coin chute.

Claim 14

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pivotally mounted cradle is adapted to be engaged by a coin, wherein a coin having a predetermined size and weight is adapted to pivot the cradle and to be automatically discharged down one said predetermined coin chute, and wherein coins not having said predetermined size and weight are adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted cradle, and wherein a coin having said second predetermined size and weight is adapted to pivot the cradle and to be automatically discharged down said second predetermined coin chute.

Claim 15

The coin-sorting apparatus of claim 8, further including a cradle in the coin chute, the cradle being pivotally mounted with respect to the coin chute and having one arm thereof provided with a magnet, an extension of one pole of the magnet projecting into the coin chute, the magnet including said magnetic flux adjusting means, the strength of the magnet having been adjusted: (a) to attract and hold by the rim thereof all coins made of iron or steel or other ferromagnetic metals; and (b) to attract and retard the speed of movement of coins made of nickel or other paramagnetic metal; wherein said pivotally mounted cradle divides such chute into three chutes for conveying and testing for genuineness coins of said three different denominations; wherein said pivotally mounted cradle is adapted to be engaged by a coin, and wherein a coin having said predetermined size and weight is adapted to pivot the cradle and to be automatically discharged down one said predetermined coin chute; wherein coins not having said first predetermined size and weight are adapted to engage said second pivotally mounted cradle, wherein a coin having said second predetermined size and weight is adapted to pivot the cradle and to be automatically discharged down said second predetermined coin chute; wherein coins Ot having said second predetermined size and weight but having a third predetermined minimum and maximum size are adapted to engage a counter-weighted pivotally mounted gate; and further wherein coins having a first predetermined minimum momentum pivotally open the gate and are automatically discharged to a third predetermined coin chute, and wherein coins having less than said first predetermined momentum but more than said second predetermined momentum are deflected to a fourth predetermined coin chute.

Claim 16

In coin-handling devices, the improvement comprising: magnetic sensing means comprising a magnet, and a slide face, physically and magnetically coupled to said magnet and located in the path the coin follows to ensure physical face-to-face contact with the coin and further including means selectively to vary the magnetic attractive force of said portion projecting into the path, said means comprising a casing, formed of non-magnetic or non-magnetizable material, a magnetic flux adjusting means mounted within said casing, said magnet being relatively slidably concentrically disposed within said magnetic flux adjusting means.

Claim 17

In coin-handling devices, the improvement comprising: magnetic sensing means comprising a magnet, and a slide face, physically and magnetically coupled to said magnet and located in the path the coin follows to ensure physical face-to-face contact with the coin and further including means selectively to vary the magnetic attractive force of said portion projecting into the path, said means comprising a casing, formed of non-magnetic or non-magnetizable material, a magnetic flux adjusting means mounted within said casing, said magnet being relatively slidably concentrically disposed within said magnetic flux adjusting means.

Claim 18

The coin-handling device of claim 15 wherein a coin is caused to move and be guided along a selected path inclined downwardly, including a cradle located in said path to intercept the coin during movement along said path, said cradle being pivotally mounted and in one position receiving the coin and by the weight of the coin received therein to be pivoted to another position to discharge the coin therefrom, said cradle having one arm consisting of magnetic material or magnetizable material with means to magnetize the same and means associated therewith selectively to vary the magnetic flux in said one arm.

Claim 19

A coin-handling device as defined in claim 16 wherein the coins are guided and roll edgewise along downwardly inclined chutes.