US3722649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coin accumulator circuit and apparatus
Assignee: TWCA CORP
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Filing: 1971-09-23
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A coin accumulator circuit and apparatus is provided with electromagnetic relays arranged to be energized sequentially in such order as to accumulate credits up to and including a maximum amount corresponding to value of a bill credit. Insertion of a coin will produce a first number of credits while subsequent insertion of coins will produce a different number of unit credits until accumulation to a maximum amount of one dollar is reached and no further accumulation can take place. Credits per coin can be two credits for 25 cents, five credits for 50 cents, eight credits for 75 cents and 12 credits for 1 dollar, the 1 dollar value being accumulated in any order of coins, i.e. either 25-cent coins or 50-cent coins or a single bill.
Inventors
- 👤 R Pfitzer
- 👤 R Drakes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/20; G07F5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
In a coin accumulation circuit and apparatus to receive coins to actuate credit register means, the combination including credit accumulation means, first energizable circuit means responsive to a first coin actuated switch means to register a number of credits on said credit accumulation means, first setting means responsive to said first coin actuated switch to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, second energizable circuit means responsive to a subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said first setting means to register a further number of credits on said credit accumulator means, a second coin actuated switch means connected in circuit with said second energizable circuit means to energize the same directly in response to a single actuation of said second Corn actuated switch, second setting means responsive to both a single actuation of said second coin actuated switch and a subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, third energizable circuit means responsive to a second subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said second setting means during one instance and responsive to the single actuation of said first and second coin actuated switches during another instance to register a further number of credits on said credit accumulator means, third setting means responsive to both instances of energizing said third energizable circuit means to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, and fourth setting means responsive to a third subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said second and third setting means during one instance and being responsive to a first subsequent actuation of said second coin actuated switch during another instance for registering a further and maximum number of credits on said credit accumulator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
In a coin accumulation circuit and apparatus to receive coins to actuate credit register means, the combination including credit accumulation means, first energizable circuit means responsive to a first coin actuated switch means to register a number of credits on said credit accumulation means, first setting means responsive to said first coin actuated switch to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, second energizable circuit means responsive to a subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said first setting means to register a further number of credits on said credit accumulator means, a second coin actuated switch means connected in circuit with said second energizable circuit means to energize the same directly in response to a single actuation of said second Corn actuated switch, second setting means responsive to both a single actuation of said second coin actuated switch and a subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, third energizable circuit means responsive to a second subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said second setting means during one instance and responsive to the single actuation of said first and second coin actuated switches during another instance to register a further number of credits on said credit accumulator means, third setting means responsive to both instances of energizing said third energizable circuit means to set the accumulator circuit in readiness to receive an additional coin, and fourth setting means responsive to a third subsequent actuation of said first coin actuated switch means through said second and third setting means during one instance and being responsive to a first subsequent actuation of said second coin actuated switch during another instance for registering a further and maximum number of credits on said credit accumulator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 1 further including an input circuit terminal for connection to a bill reader, said input circuit terminal being connected in circuit with said third energizable circuit means and said fourth setting means to energize the same directly in response to a single input signal at said input circuit terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 2 further including diode circuit means connected from said input circuit terminal to said first setting means and to said third energizable circuit means and said fourth setting means to apply unidirectional current pulses thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 1 further including charging circuit means to be charged in response to energization of said fourth setting means, cancel switch means responsive to the cancellation of credits from said credit accumulator to be actuated upon decreasing the number of credits to a predetermined number, a circuit line connected between said cancel switch means and said forth setting means to deenergize the same, and a discharge path from said charging circuit means to said third energizable circuit means to again energize the same and reestablish in said credit accumulator the number of credits previously cancelled to thereby achieve the maximum number of credits obtainable by said credit accumulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third energizable circuit means are formed by solenoid coils and said first, second, third and fourth setting means are formed of electromagnetic relay circuits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first coin actuated switch means is responsive to a 25-cent coin and said second coin actuated switch means is responsive to a 50-cent coin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 6 wherein the energization of said fourth setting causes indication of a maximum accumulated amount of coins to equal a one dollar value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 1 wherein the total cost of each credit set into said credit accumulator means decreases correspondingly with the sequential energization of said first, second and third energizable circuit means and said fourth setting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a coin accumulator circuit and apparatus to receive coins to actuate credit accumulation means, the combination including first circuit means to be actuated by a coin of a first kind to register a number of credits, each credit costing a first amount, second circuit means to be actuated by a coin of a second kind to register a number of credits with each credit costing a second amount but less than said first amount, third circuit means to be actuated by bill reading means to register a number of credits with Each costing a third amount but less than said second amount, interconnecting circuit means having first and second circuit portions, said first circuit portion connected between said first and second circuit means to energize said first circuit means in response to actuation of said second circuit means when a coin of said second kind is sensed, and said second circuit portion connected between said third and said first and second circuit means to energize said first and second circuit means in response to energization of said third circuit means when a bill is sensed, and setting means connected in circuit with said first and second circuit means to be responsive to coin deposits up to the value of the bill sensed by the bill reading means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a coin accumulator circuit and apparatus to receive coins to actuate credit accumulation means, the combination including first circuit means to be actuated by a coin of a first kind to register a number of credits, each credit costing a first amount, second circuit means to be actuated by a coin of a second kind to register a number of credits with each credit costing a second amount but less than said first amount, third circuit means to be actuated by bill reading means to register a number of credits with Each costing a third amount but less than said second amount, interconnecting circuit means having first and second circuit portions, said first circuit portion connected between said first and second circuit means to energize said first circuit means in response to actuation of said second circuit means when a coin of said second kind is sensed, and said second circuit portion connected between said third and said first and second circuit means to energize said first and second circuit means in response to energization of said third circuit means when a bill is sensed, and setting means connected in circuit with said first and second circuit means to be responsive to coin deposits up to the value of the bill sensed by the bill reading means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
The coin accumulator circuit and apparatus of claim 9 wherein setting means includes a first relay circuit means responsive to a first subsequent deposit of a coin of said first kind to energize said second circuit means, and a second relay circuit means responsive to second and third subsequent deposits of coins of said first kind to energize said third circuit means, thereby registering an accumulation of credits equal to that obtainable by said third circuit means when energized by said bill reader.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |