US3795252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal coin sorter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-20
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A whirling horizontal disc receives bulk coins of random denomination, near its center, and centrifugal force causes the coins to slide outwardly on the disc. A stationary shear ring lets only a single layer of coins move under it into the entrance ends of radial channels on the disc where they are arrested against an annular barrier shoulder. A single stationary cam adjacent the shoulder lifts an edge of only one coin in each channel entrance to clear the shoulder and permits only one coin to enter each channel by centrifugal force at each revolution of the disc. The channels define outwardly tapered coin paths so that the coins will be stopped at radial positions determined by their diameter or denomination and they are then discharged at a fixed station where coins of the same denomination are counted and accumulated in a receiver until a predetermined number have been accumulated. A gate then deflects coins of that denomination to a second receiver and the counting process is repeated. Means are provided for preventing centrifugal and other forces acting on the coins at said shoulder to cause them to pile up upon each other.
Inventors
- 👤 T Black
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D3/00; G07D3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: A base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis; directing means for directing loose coins of random denomination downwardly onto the central portion of said disc and for directing said coins in all radial directions outwardly from said axis whereby centrifugal force causes said coins to move radially outwardly on said disc; and sorting means on the outer annular portion Of said disc comprising radially spaced means for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins, and further radially spaced means for receiving coinS from respective arresting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: A base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis; directing means for directing loose coins of random denomination downwardly onto the central portion of said disc and for directing said coins in all radial directions outwardly from said axis whereby centrifugal force causes said coins to move radially outwardly on said disc; and sorting means on the outer annular portion Of said disc comprising radially spaced means for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins, and further radially spaced means for receiving coinS from respective arresting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said directing means comprises a generally circular hopper having a discharge opening substantially concentric to said axis and a generally conical deflector mounted centrally on said disc with its apex directly upwardly into said discharge opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
167 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantial y horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly of said disc; a stationary annular member over said Disc generally concentric to said disc and having a lower edge portion spaced from the upper surface of said disc a distance to permit any single coin to pass thereunder but to prevent the passage thereunder of any coin resting on top of any other coin, whereby only a single layer of coins can move outwardly under said annular member; and sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc comprising radially spaced means for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins, and further radially spaced means for receiving coins from respective arresting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantial y horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly of said disc; a stationary annular member over said Disc generally concentric to said disc and having a lower edge portion spaced from the upper surface of said disc a distance to permit any single coin to pass thereunder but to prevent the passage thereunder of any coin resting on top of any other coin, whereby only a single layer of coins can move outwardly under said annular member; and sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc comprising radially spaced means for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins, and further radially spaced means for receiving coins from respective arresting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on the central portion of said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly; sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins; said sorting means comprising a multiplicity of generally radial channels in the outer annular portion of said disc, each channel defining a coin path of outwardly diminishing width whereby coins of different denominations are stopped at respectively different radial positions; transfer means for releasing only a single coin to move from said central portion of said disc into each of said channels at each revolution of said disc; and radially spaced means, each arranged to receive coins of a single denomination from said channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on the central portion of said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly; sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial distances corresponding to the denominations of respective coins; said sorting means comprising a multiplicity of generally radial channels in the outer annular portion of said disc, each channel defining a coin path of outwardly diminishing width whereby coins of different denominations are stopped at respectively different radial positions; transfer means for releasing only a single coin to move from said central portion of said disc into each of said channels at each revolution of said disc; and radially spaced means, each arranged to receive coins of a single denomination from said channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said transfer means comprises barrier means having an annular inwardly facing shoulder extending upwardly above the upper surface of the central portion of said disc, defining the boundary between said outer annular potion and said central portion of said disc, whereby said barrier means arrests outward movement of coins on said central portion of said disc; and at least one stationary cam adjacent said barrier means, on the inner side thereof, and arranged to engage and lift the outer edge of a coin bearing against said shoulder, as said disc rotates, to an elevation above said shoulder so that centrifugal force causes said coin to move over said barrier to said outer annular portion of said disc and thus transfer coins at said cam to said outer annular portion in single coin sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine as defined in claim 5 including means for selectively moving said cam out of the path of coins on said disc to thereby prevent transfer of coins to said outer annular portion of said disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as defined in claim 5 including upwardly yieldable means on said disc, closely above the upper surfaces of coins engaging said barrier means to prevent centrifugal force from causing coins adjacent said barrier means to rise and rest one upon another at said barrier means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said yieldable means comprise freely movable elongated weighted bodies extending generally tangentially of said axis, guide means on said disc guiding said bodies for generally vertical movement, and means limiting downward movement of said bodies to positions spaced upwardly from said disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said channels are formed in the bottom face of said outer annular portion of said disc and extend over said barrier means to said central portion of said disc, the portions of said channels inwardly of said barrier means being of a width to permit only a single coin therein, of any denomination, to engage said shoulder of said barrier means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said outer annular portion of said disc is an annular member arranged with its lower surface abutting the upper surface of the outer edge portion of said central poRtion and secured thereto, said channels opening downwardly through said lower surface; said base structure having a stationary upper surface portion underlying said channels and over which coins in said channels slide as said disc rotates; and said radially spaced means comprising openings through said surface portion, at said different radial positions, through which coins at said different radial positions are discharged and accumulated according to denomination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
197 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on the central portion of said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly; sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial positions corresponding to the denominations of respective coins; said sorting means comprising a multiplicity of generally radial channels in the outer annular portion of said disc, each channel defining a coin path of outwardly diminishing width whereby coins of different denominations are stopped at respectively different radial positions; said channels opening downwardly through the lower surface of said outer annular portion; said base structure having a stationary upper surface portion underlying said channels and over which coins in said channels slide as said disc rotates; and openings through said surface portion, at said different radial positions; deflector fingers on said base structure, extending upwardly through said openings to engage coins in said channels and deflect the same downwardly through said openings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
197 words
A centrifugal coin sorting machine comprising: a base structure; a substantially horizontal disc mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis on said base structure and drive means for rotating said disc about said axis, whereby centrifugal force acting on loose coins on the central portion of said disc causes said coins to move radially outwardly; sorting means on the outer annular portion of said disc for arresting outward movement of said coins at different radial positions corresponding to the denominations of respective coins; said sorting means comprising a multiplicity of generally radial channels in the outer annular portion of said disc, each channel defining a coin path of outwardly diminishing width whereby coins of different denominations are stopped at respectively different radial positions; said channels opening downwardly through the lower surface of said outer annular portion; said base structure having a stationary upper surface portion underlying said channels and over which coins in said channels slide as said disc rotates; and openings through said surface portion, at said different radial positions; deflector fingers on said base structure, extending upwardly through said openings to engage coins in said channels and deflect the same downwardly through said openings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said deflector fingers each include guide means for directing said deflected coins along a predetermined discharge path, in predetermined orientation, to an accumulating receiver; and counting means for counting coins moving along said predetermined path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A machine as defined in claim 12 including a second accumulating receiver adjacent each of said first-named receivers, and movable gate means on said base structure adjacent said predetermined path, said gate means being movable between a first position wherein discharged coins move therepast to said first-named receiver, and a second position wherein discharged coins are further deflected to said second receiver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine as defined in claim 13 including means responsive to achievement of a predetermined count by said counting means for moving said gate means from one of said positions to the other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1979659A
Cited
US2109658A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |