Coin identification unit and coin separator therefor

Claim 3

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel and opposite the primary frictional surface for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving each of said frictional surfaces with the primary frictional surface traveling upwardly and the secondary frictional surface traveling downwardly; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; and a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin.

Claim 4

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel and opposite the primary frictional surface for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving each of said frictional surfaces with the primary frictional surface traveling upwardly and the secondary frictional surface traveling downwardly; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; and a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin.

Claim 5

The coin identification unit of claim 2 further characterized in that the coin sensing device includes an oscillator circuit with a coil adjacent a lower portion of said channel so that a coin passing thereby can be identified in accordance with its mass and composition by the changes it effects in the electrical output of the oscillator circuit.

Claim 6

The coin identification unit of claim 2 further characterized in that the means for driving endless belt frictional surface includes a motor, said motor driving said primary frictional surface downwardly adjacent said channel and said secondary frictional surface upwardly adjacent said channel.

Claim 7

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving at least one of said frictional surfaces; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin; said means for providing a primary frictional surface including an endless belt with the primary frictional surface thereon, a drive roller for driving the endless belt, a guide roller for guiding the belt along said channel, and a tensioning roller to maintain frictional contact between said drive roller and said belt so the latter can be driven.

Claim 8

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving at least one of said frictional surfaces; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin; said means for providing a primary frictional surface including an endless belt with the primary frictional surface thereon, a drive roller for driving the endless belt, a guide roller for guiding the belt along said channel, and a tensioning roller to maintain frictional contact between said drive roller and said belt so the latter can be driven.

Claim 9

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving at least one of said frictional sufaces; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; and a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin; said means for providing a primary frictional surface including a primary roller with the primary frictional surface thereon.

Claim 10

A coin identification apparatus comprising: channel means for defining a coin guiding channel having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing edges, said channel having a width at least as great as the maximum coin diameter and a thickness at least as great as the maximum coin thickness, said channel being defined so that coins can travel in a generally downward direction therethrough while being oriented so that the axis of each coin is generally perpendicular to the direction of coin travel; means for providing a primary frictional surface along the first side of said channel for engaging a first coin and for imparting a force thereto in a generally downward direction; means for providing a secondary frictional surface along the second side of said channel for engaging a coin covering the first coin and for retarding the downward motion of the second coin to separate the coins from each other; means for driving at least one of said frictional sufaces; means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces relative to the other so as to widen said channel to alleviate jams; deflector means for retarding the descent of a coin falling adjacent said first edge of said channel so as to separate it vertically from a coin adjacent said second edge of said channel sharing the same altitude so that the coins proceed down the channel one at a time; and a coin sensing device for determining the denomination of a descending coin; said means for providing a primary frictional surface including a primary roller with the primary frictional surface thereon.

Claim 11

The coin identification unit of claim 5 further characterized in that said means for providing a secondary frictional surface includes a secondary roller with said secondary frictional surface thereon.

Claim 12

The coin identification unit of claim 7 further characterized in that the means for displacing at least one of said frictional surfaces includes a plate upon which said secondary roller is mounted, said plate being displaceable against restoring forces.