US3756363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Change dispensing apparatus
Assignee: Ardac Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-15
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for accepting a piece of paper currency, performing a validating operation on the currency, and, if the currency is valid, dispensing an equal value of coins. The coin dispensing portion of the apparatus includes a hopper which receives randomly oriented coins, an inclined rotating wheel for taking coins individually from the hopper to a discharge chute, a stop arrangement for holding the desired number of coins in the chute until the dispensing is called for, and a sensor for detecting when the coin chute is filled to stop the rotating feed disc.
Inventors
- 👤 A Dolejs
- 👤 F Novak
- 👤 K Schreiber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:38
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/24; G07F7/00; G07F7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
The device according to claim 1 further including a drive motor for the coin feed mechanism and a light source and an associated light sensor positioned near the top of the coin discharge chute for determining when the number of coins in the chute exceeds the predetermined number, the control circuit interfaced with the light sensor so as to actuate the drive motor only when the number of coins in the chute does not exceed the predetermined number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein the control circuit includes a time delay charging capacitor and a solid state circuit element operative to stop the motor after a predetermined time interval of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein the control circuit further includes means to prevent operation of the validity determining means until at least the predetermined number of coins have been supplied to the chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the coin feed mechanism comprises a disc mounted in an inclined position and rotatable about the center of the disc, the upper surface of the disc being provided with a plurality of coin receiving regions adjacent the periphery of the disc, the disc being positioned relative to the hopper opening so that coins pass through the opening into the lowermost of the coin receiving regions, means to rotate the disc, and means to direct coins from the uppermost portion of the disc to the discharge chute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control circuit has associated therewith a smoothing capacitor operative to negate the effects of any false signals created by the photo transistor due to the passage of coins within the coins discharge chute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 6 wherein the distance between the pawls is slightly greater than the sum of the diameters of the predetermined number of coins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for accepting a piece of paper currency and dispensing an equal value of coins therefor, comprising: a paper currency validating device for accepting the piece of currency and determining the validity thereof, the device producing a signal upon acceptance of a valid piece of currency; a supply hopper of receiving a quantity of coins; a discharge chute; a pair of pivotally movable stops adapted to enter substantially the full width of the chute to prevEnt passage of coins therethrough, the stops being spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the sums of the diameters of the coins required to equal the value of the paper currency; means to move one or the other of the stops into the chute; a coin feed mechanism for transferring coins one at a time from the supply hopper to the discharge chute; and control means responsive to the signal from the validity device to actuate the stop moving means to release the coins between the two stops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the coin feed mechanism comprises an inclined rotating disc having a plurality of coin receiving regions on its upper surface and positioned to receive coins from the supply hopper and transfer the same to the chute and a drive motor for the disc, the apparatus also including means to detect the presence of a coin in the chute above the upper stop and additional control means responsive to the detecting means to operate the motor only when no coin is detected by the detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the additional control means includes a time delay resistor-capacitor circuit controlling a solid state switching element to prevent operation of the motor beyond a predetermined time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the additional control means includes means to prevent operation of the validating device except when sufficient coins are available, as determined by the detecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3173431A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |