Patent US3944038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3944038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy dissipating device for coin handling mechanisms
Assignee: Mars Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-21
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1994-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for dissipating the kinetic energy that causes bouncing which might otherwise effect the results of the coin tests in coin handling apparatus. The device consists of a piece of very hard material such as sintered aluminum oxide which is mounted on the frame of the mechanism and is arranged to be struck by coins travelling along a path through the coin handling mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Aart van Zeggern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:43
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F1/00; G07F1/04; G07F1/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A coin handling mechanism including means defining a coin path through the mechanism, the means including at least one energy dissipating device arranged to be struck by a coin travelling along the path and cause a change in direction of the path, the energy dissipating device comprising a rigidly mounted solid piece of material having a hardness value greater than 9 on the Mohs scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A coin handling mechanism including means defining a coin path through the mechanism, the means including at least one energy dissipating device arranged to be struck by a coin travelling along the path and cause a change in direction of the path, the energy dissipating device comprising a rigidly mounted solid piece of material having a hardness value greater than 9 on the Mohs scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 1 in which the material is a ceramic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 2 in which the material is sintered aluminium oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A coin handling mechanism to claim 1 in which the said piece is secured directly to a part of the frame of the mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 4 in which the piece has an L-shaped cross-section, one limb of the L-shaped piece being secured to part of the frame of the mechanism, the other limb providing the surface which is struck by the coin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 2 in which the said piece is secured directly to a part of the frame of the mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 6 in which the piece has an L-shaped cross-section, one limb of the L-shaped piece being secured to part of the frame of the mechanism, the other limb providing the surface which is struck by the coin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 3 in which the said piece is secured directly to a part of the frame of the mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 8 in which the piece has an L-shaped cross-section, one limb of the L-shaped piece being secured to part of the frame of the mechanism, the other limb providing the surface which is struck by the coin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A coin handling mechanism for identifying acceptable coins of one or more predetermined denominations including means defining a coin path through the mechanism, the means including at least one energy dissipating device arranged to be struck by a coin travelling along the path and cause a change in direction of the path, the energy dissipating device comprising a rigidly mounted piece of ceramic material having a hardness sufficiently greater than that of any coins of the predetermined denominations that the coin has substantially no bounce when it strikes the energy dissipating device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
A coin handling mechanism for identifying acceptable coins of one or more predetermined denominations including means defining a coin path through the mechanism, the means including at least one energy dissipating device arranged to be struck by a coin travelling along the path and cause a change in direction of the path, the energy dissipating device comprising a rigidly mounted piece of ceramic material having a hardness sufficiently greater than that of any coins of the predetermined denominations that the coin has substantially no bounce when it strikes the energy dissipating device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 10 wherein the ceramic material is aluminum oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 10 wherein one energy dissipating device forms the upstream end of a coin track down which coins can roll along the coin path past a coin identification sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 12 wherein the ceramic material is aluminum oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 10 wherein one energy dissipating device is past the downstream end of a coin track in the direction of coin trajectory from the said downstream end and spaced from said downstream end by at least the diameter of the largest coin acceptable by the mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coin handling mechanism according to claim 14 wherein the ceramic material is aluminum oxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |