System for transporting and stacking coins

Claim 1

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel, said slots forming a flexible pair of legs having a coin receiving portion and a coin retaining portion, whereby a coin entering said slots pushes between the receiving portions of said legs to force said legs apart, and is held by the coin retaining portions of said legs; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 2

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel, said slots forming a flexible pair of legs having a coin receiving portion and a coin retaining portion, whereby a coin entering said slots pushes between the receiving portions of said legs to force said legs apart, and is held by the coin retaining portions of said legs; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 5

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel, said slots forming a flexible pair of legs having a coin receiving portion and a coin retaining portion, whereby a coin entering said slots pushes between the receiving portions of said legs to force said legs apart, and is held by the coin retaining portions of said legs; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 6

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel, said slots forming a flexible pair of legs having a coin receiving portion and a coin retaining portion, whereby a coin entering said slots pushes between the receiving portions of said legs to force said legs apart, and is held by the coin retaining portions of said legs; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 10

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane, said second substantially horizontal plane being distinct from said first substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the con transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 11

An apparatus for transporting coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane, said second substantially horizontal plane being distinct from said first substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; and means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the con transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 14

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 15

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 19

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel.

Claim 20

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel.

Claim 23

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 24

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 27

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 28

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 29

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the con transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 30

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the con transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 31

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 32

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 37

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 38

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 39

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of said coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 40

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of said coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 41

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of said coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 42

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: first and second endless belts mounted on respective pairs of pulleys, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of said coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 43

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another, said second pair of pulleys being spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in a direction along the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 44

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another, said second pair of pulleys being spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in a direction along the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 50

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of space apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another, said second pair of pulleys being spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in a direction along the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 51

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of space apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with one another, said second pair of pulleys being spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel coin engaging portions of said belts which form the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in a direction along the coin transporting channel in response to the movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 52

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on sad frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 53

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on sad frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 55

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of space apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 56

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of space apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 59

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 60

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 61

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and mean for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 62

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and mean for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 63

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; an means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 64

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; an means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to a predetermined number of coins being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 65

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 66

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 67

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 68

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 69

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 70

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 72

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts form the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 73

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts receive a coin at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, transport the coin between said belts form the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, said coin transporting channel having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, whereby diametrically opposed edges of the coin are engaged by said coin engaging portions of said belts when the coin is in the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 76

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 77

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for vertically moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to vertical movement of the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 81

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 82

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal.

Claim 83

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal, thereby stacking consecutively ejected coins on top of one another; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 84

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal, thereby stacking consecutively ejected coins on top of one another; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel in response to raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 85

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals.

Claim 86

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said second pair of pulleys being aligned with and horizontally spaced apart from said first pair of pulleys; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts transport a coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals.

Claim 87

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the con, transport the coin between said belts form the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the con ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals, thereby positioning the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel to begin a stack of coins; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel i response to lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 88

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the con, transport the coin between said belts form the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the con ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals, thereby positioning the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel to begin a stack of coins; and means for allowing horizontal movement of the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel i response to lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel.

Claim 89

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a first predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal, thereby stacking consecutively ejected coins on top of one another; and means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a second predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals, thereby positioning the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel to begin a stack of coins.

Claim 90

An apparatus for transporting and stacking coins, comprising: a frame; a first pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a first vertical plane; a second pair of spaced apart pulleys being rotatably mounted on said frame, and having substantially vertical axes of rotation, said axes defining a second vertical plane which is parallel to said first vertical plane and spaced therefrom; each of said pairs of pulleys include a first and second pulley, said respective first pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a first substantially horizontal plane, and said respective second pulleys being aligned and adapted to rotate in a second substantially horizontal plane; first and second endless belts mounted on the first and the second pair of pulleys respectively, each of said belts having a coin engaging portion, said coin engaging portions being substantially parallel to one another and forming a coin transporting channel therebetween having a coin receiving end and a coin ejecting end and having a width responsive to the diameter of a coin to be transported, said belts having an outwardly facing slot therein adapted to grip diametrically opposed edges of a coin in the transporting channel; means for controllably varying the width of said coin transporting channel; means for counter-rotating said endless belts, whereby said belts converge on a coin to be transported at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel, grip the diametrically opposed edges of the coin, transport the coin between said belts from the coin receiving end to the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and eject the coin at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; means for sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel, and delivering a signal in response thereto; means for raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a first predetermined amount in response to said delivered signal, thereby stacking consecutively ejected coins on top of one another; and means for lowering the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a second predetermined amount in response to receiving a predetermined number of said delivered signals, thereby positioning the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel to begin a stack of coins.

Claim 92

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively ejected coins one o .top of the other.

Claim 93

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively ejected coins one o .top of the other.

Claim 94

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts each having a coin engaging portion and a coin gripping slot therein, said coin engaging portions forming a coin transporting channel therebetween; gripping diametrically opposed edges of coins as the coins consecutively enter the coin transporting channel; transporting the coins between said belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the coins consecutively exit the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutive coins one on top of the other as the coins exit the coin transporting channel.

Claim 95

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts each having a coin engaging portion and a coin gripping slot therein, said coin engaging portions forming a coin transporting channel therebetween; gripping diametrically opposed edges of coins as the coins consecutively enter the coin transporting channel; transporting the coins between said belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the coins consecutively exit the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutive coins one on top of the other as the coins exit the coin transporting channel.

Claim 96

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively released coins one on top of the other.

Claim 97

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively released coins one on top of the other.

Claim 98

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively ejected coins one on top of the other in response to said signal.

Claim 99

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutively ejected coins one on top of the other in response to said signal.

Claim 100

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutive coins one on top of the other in response to said signal.

Claim 101

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and moving the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel in a direction to effect stacking of consecutive coins one on top of the other in response to said signal.

Claim 102

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said signal.

Claim 103

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; engaging diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins between the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; disengaging the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said signal.

Claim 104

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said signal.

Claim 105

A method of transporting coins, comprising: counter-rotating a pair of slotted endless belts which converge around a first pair of pulleys to form a coin receiving end of a coin transporting channel and diverge around a second pair of pulleys to form a coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; gripping diametrically opposed edges of consecutive coins in the slots of the converging belts at the coin receiving end of the coin transporting channel; transporting said coins between the belts along the coin transporting channel; releasing the edges of the coins as the belts diverge at the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel; sensing a coin being ejected from the coin ejecting end, and delivering a signal in response thereto; and raising the coin ejecting end of the coin transporting channel by a predetermined amount in response to said signal.