U.S. patent application number 11/690436 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for coin collecting machine and coin bin.
Invention is credited to Robert E. Gunst, Joseph P. Hanus, Myron W. Spoehr.
Application Number | 20080035445 11/690436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049549 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gunst; Robert E. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
Coin Collecting Machine and Coin Bin
Abstract
A coin collecting machine and coin bin are disclosed. The coin
bin includes a brake system that can be selectively applied by a
detachable handle. A plurality of ports can be provided in the lid
of the coin bin for distributing coins evenly through the bin, and
the apertures can be selectively opened to receive coins and
prevent access to the coins. The bin further includes a floor that
includes sloped surfaces. The coin collecting machine includes a
motorized funnel system for funneling coins to each of the ports in
the bin for even distribution.
Inventors: |
Gunst; Robert E.; (Neosho,
WI) ; Spoehr; Myron W.; (Lake Mills, WI) ;
Hanus; Joseph P.; (Watertown, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUARLES & BRADY LLP
411 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 2040
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-4497
US
|
Family ID: |
39049549 |
Appl. No.: |
11/690436 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60822330 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
194/318 ;
194/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 17/026 20130101;
G07D 3/06 20130101; H04M 17/02 20130101; G07D 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
194/318 ;
194/350 |
International
Class: |
H04M 17/02 20060101
H04M017/02 |
Claims
1. A bin for collecting coins, comprising: a housing for receiving
coins; a wheel assembly coupled to the housing and including at
least one wheel; a handle, detachably coupled to the housing; and a
braking element coupled to the handle, the handle moving the
braking element between a braked position in which the braking
element contacts a surface in the wheel assembly to limit the
motion of the wheel and a brake release position in which the
braking element is separated from the surface in the wheel
assembly.
2. The coin bin as recited in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly
comprises a pin and the handle includes an opening sized and
dimensioned to be selectively received on the pin.
3. The coin bin as recited in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly
includes a slot for receiving an axle, and movement of the handle
between the braked position and the brake release position causes
the axle to move in the slot.
4. The coin bin as recited in claim 3, wherein the slot includes a
substantially vertical portion and a diagonal portion.
5. The coin bin as recited in claim 3, wherein the wheel assembly
comprises a pin, and the handle is rotationally coupled to the
wheel assembly through the pin.
6. The coin bin as recited in claim 5, further comprising a linkage
coupling the pin to the axle, wherein rotation of the handle about
the pin causes the axle to move in the slot.
7. The coin bin as recited in claim 1, wherein the braking element
comprises a surface of the wheel assembly that contacts a
wheel.
8. A bin for collecting coins, comprising: a housing for receiving
coins; a coin access opening formed in a side of the housing; and a
wedge-shaped door selectively positioned adjacent the coin access
opening for opening and closing the coin access opening.
9. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 8, wherein the
wedge shaped door includes a substantially vertical surface
positioned adjacent the side of the housing including the coin
access opening and a sloped surface on the side of the door
opposite the substantially vertical surface.
10. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 8, further
comprising a handle extending from an upper surface of the
door.
11. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 10, wherein
the handle comprises a right angle bend.
12. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 8, wherein the
housing comprises a floor including a channel that is sloped in the
direction of the coin access opening, and the width of the door is
substantially equivalent to the width of the channel.
13. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 12, wherein
the floor of the housing further comprises at least one plane that
is sloped toward the channel.
14. The bin for collecting coins as recited in claim 8, wherein the
housing comprises a front, a back, and opposing side walls, the
coin opening access is formed in the front wall, the channel is
substantially centered between the opposing side walls and is
sloped toward the coin access opening from the back wall to the
front wall, and a planar floor surface slopes from each side wall
toward the channel.
15. A bin for collecting coins, comprising: a housing; a lid
coupled to the housing and including a plurality of coin apertures
for receiving coins and distributing the coins in the housing; and
a wheel assembly coupled to the housing for moving the bin.
16. The bin as recited in claim 15, further comprising a lid for
selectively closing the plurality of coin apertures.
17. The bin as recited in claim 16, wherein the lid is a sliding
plate that is selectively slid over the coin apertures.
18. The bin as recited in claim 16, further comprising a latch for
latching the sliding plate in position.
19. The bin as recited in claim 18, wherein the latch is a spring
loaded plunger that is received in a mating latching aperture.
20. The bin as recited in claim 17, further comprising an access
aperture in the lid, wherein the sliding plate is accessible
through the access aperture to allow the coin apertures to be
selectively closed when the lid is shut onto the bin.
21. The bin as recited in claim 15, further comprising: a handle,
detachably coupled to the housing; and a braking element coupled to
the handle, the handle selectively moving the braking element
between a braked position in which the braking element prevents the
bin from moving and a brake release position
22. A bin for collecting coins, comprising: a housing for receiving
coins; a wheel assembly coupled to the housing and including at
least one wheel; a handle, detachably coupled to the housing; and a
brake shoe coupled to the handle, the handle moving the brake shoe
between a braked position in which the brake shoe contacts a
surface in the wheel assembly and a brake release position in which
the brake is separated from the surface in the wheel assembly.
23. The bin for collecting coins as defined in claim 22, wherein
the wheel assembly is coupled to the housing through a rotational
bearing.
24. The bin for collecting coins as defined in claim 22, further
comprising a lever coupled between the brake shoe and the wheel
assembly.
25. The bin for collecting coins as defined in claim 24, wherein
the handle is coupled to and end of the lever coupled to the brake
shoe.
26. A coin collecting machine, comprising: a cabinet including an
upper and a lower portion; a coin sorting mechanism provided in the
upper portion of the cabinet; a coin collecting bin movably
provided in a lower portion of the cabinet and positioned beneath
the coin sorting mechanism to receive coins, the coin bin including
a plurality of wheels, a detachable handle and a braking system for
braking at least one of the wheels when the handle is in a first
position and for releasing the brake to allow the bin to be moved
when the handle is in a second position.
27. The coin collecting machine as defined in claim 26, further
comprising a handle storage device provided in the cabinet for
storing the handle from the coin collecting bin when the handle is
detached.
28. The coin collecting machine as defined in claim 26, wherein the
coin collecting bin includes a lid having a plurality of apertures
for receiving coins, and the coin counting mechanism further
comprises a motor-driven funnel that is selectively moveable
between the plurality of ports to deliver coins to any one of the
plurality of ports.
29. A coin collecting machine, comprising: a cabinet including an
upper and a lower portion; a coin sorting mechanism provided in the
upper portion of the cabinet including an output for directing
sorted coins from the coin sorting mechanism; a coin collecting bin
movably provided in a lower portion of the cabinet and positioned
beneath the coin sorting mechanism to receive coins, the coin bin
including a plurality of ports for receiving coins; a motorized
drive for positioning the output of the coin sorter, wherein the
coins sorted by the output of the coin sorter is positionable
adjacent each of the ports in the coin bin for distributing the
coins evenly in the bin.
30. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, wherein the output
comprises a funnel.
31. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, wherein the motorized
drive is coupled to the funnel to reposition the funnel adjacent
the ports.
32. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, further comprising a
second funnel for directing coins from the coin sorting mechanism
to the funnel.
33. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, wherein the coin bin
includes at least one wheel, a handle and a braking system
including a brake element, the handle being pivotally coupled to
the brake element to cause the braking element to move onto the at
least one wheel in a first position, and to cause the braking
element to separate from the at least one wheel in a second
position.
34. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, wherein the handle is
detachable from the coin bin, and the coin collecting machine
includes a handle storage element for storing the handle.
35. The coin collecting machine of claim 29, further comprising a
sensor for sensing the position of the coin bin in the coin
collecting machine.
36. The coin collecting machine of claim 35, wherein the sensor
comprises a pivotable lever actuating a switch.
37. The coin collecting machine as recited in claim 36, further
comprising a controller receiving a signal from the switch to
verify the position of the bin.
38. The coin collecting machine as recited in claim 29, further
comprising a pivotable tubular spout element sized and dimensioned
to be received in a coin aperture in a coin bin receivable in the
machine, the tubular spout element extending into the coin bin to
lock the coin bin to the coin collecting machine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/822,330 filed Aug. 14, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention is directed to a coin bin, and more
specifically, to a coin bin for use in an automated coin collection
machine.
[0003] Coin collecting machines, such as coin redemption machines,
automated teller machines (ATMs), vending machines, gaming
machines, and toll booth machines, include coin storage devices or
bins for collecting the coins inserted into the machines. To allow
for efficient use of the machine, bins are designed to capture a
significant number of coins. For example, bins can be constructed
to store the average number of coins used during a single shift or
during an entire day. At the end of each shift or day of operation,
the coin bin is typically removed from the coin collecting machine
to allow the coins to be processed or deposited into an
account.
[0004] To increase efficiency and limit costs, it is desirable for
the coin bin to be handled by a single person, even someone not
skilled in moving coins. The coin bins, however, can be extremely
heavy, particularly when full. Full bins can, in fact, weigh
hundreds of pounds, and are therefore difficult to handle based
merely on their weight. Complicating this issue, also due to the
weight, the bins pick up speed quickly and easily when on a ramped
or sloped surface. The bins, moreover, are typically located in
hard-to-access areas inside of the coin collecting machine, and can
be difficult to access and retrieve. The coins, moreover, are
typically piled in a single location in the bin, and therefore may
cause instability when the bin is moved. Therefore, maneuvering the
bins into and out of a coin collecting machine can be
difficult.
[0005] It is desirable, therefore, to provide a coin bin that is
easy to maneuver, that can be steered over a wide angle, and that
is easy to brake or stop in a safe and automatic manner. The bin,
moreover, must be easy to store within a confined area. It is also
desirable to provide multiple bins within the storage area, to
distribute the weight of the coins, and therefore to be able to
arrange the bins in tandem or other configurations. The present
invention addresses these issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a bin for collecting coins.
The bin includes a housing for receiving coins, a wheel assembly
coupled to the housing, and a handle, detachably coupled to the
wheel assembly. A braking element is coupled to the wheel assembly,
and is moveable via the handle against the weight load of the bin
bearing downward between a first position in which the braking
element contacts a surface in the wheel assembly to prevent
rotation of the wheel and a second position in which the braking
element is separated from the wheel. The wheel assembly can be
coupled to the housing through a rotational bearing to allow for a
range of steering angles.
[0007] In another aspect of the invention, a coin collecting
machine is provided including a cabinet having an upper and a lower
portion. A coin sorting mechanism is provided in the upper portion
of the cabinet, and a coin collecting bin is movably provided in
the lower portion of the cabinet, positioned beneath the coin
sorting mechanism. The coin bin includes a plurality of wheels, a
detachable handle and a braking system for contacting a brake shoe
to at least one of the wheels when the handle is in a first
position and for releasing the brake to allow the bin to be moved
when the handle is in a second position. The coin collecting
machine can also include a handle storage device in the cabinet for
storing the handle when the handle is detached. The coin collecting
bin can include a lid having a plurality of ports for receiving
coins, and the coin counting mechanism can include a motor-driven
funnel that is selectively moveable between the plurality of ports
to deliver coins to any one of the plurality of ports.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the invention, a coin collecting
machine is provided including a cabinet having an upper and a lower
portion, and a coin sorting mechanism provided in the upper portion
of the cabinet. The coin sorting mechanism includes output funnels
for directing counted and sorted coins to a coin collecting bin,
movably provided in a lower portion of the cabinet. The coin bin
includes a plurality of ports for receiving coins, and a motorized
drive positions the output of the coin sorting mechanism to
selectively distribute the coins among the various ports to
distribute the coins evenly in the bin.
[0009] The output of the coins from the coin sorting mechanism can
be directed by a funnel. A second funnel can also be included for
directing coins from the coin sorting mechanism to the funnel.
[0010] These and other aspects of the invention will become
apparent from the following description. In the description,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the
invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full
scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the
claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin bin constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a close-up cutaway view of the front swiveling
wheel assembly of coin bin of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the swiveling wheel assembly of
FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the coin bin FIG. 1 illustrating the
rotational angle of the swiveling wheel assembly;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the swiveling wheel
assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 and showing the brake
deactivated;
[0016] FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 5 showing the brake in an
activated position;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of a braking system
showing the brake in a deactivated position;
[0018] FIG. 8 is the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing the braking
system in the activated position;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a second alternate embodiment of a braking system
showing the brake in a deactivated position;
[0020] FIG. 10 is the embodiment of FIG. 9 showing the braking
system in the activated position;
[0021] FIG. 11 is corner perspective view of coin and collecting
machine that can be used with the coin bin of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the coin collecting machine
of FIG. 11 with a door open to illustrate the coin bin;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the coin collecting machine
illustrating tandem coin bins stored in a lower compartment;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a cutaway side view of the cabinet of FIG.
13;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a cutaway view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14
and illustrating a handle storage;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of coin bins stored in tandem
within the coin collecting machine;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a coin bin constructed
in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention and of a
motor-drive funnel assembly for filling the coin bin; and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a side view of the coin bin and motor-driven
funnel assembly of FIG. 17.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
a coin bin as inserted into a coin collecting machine.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a corner perspective view of the coin bin of FIG.
19.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of two of the coin bins of
FIG. 19 aligned in tandem.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the tandem coin bins of FIG.
21.
[0033] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the coin bin of FIG. 19 and
the removable handle.
[0034] FIG. 24 is a cutaway side view of the coin bin of FIG. 19,
illustrating the position of the handle in the braking
position.
[0035] FIG. 25 is a cutaway side view of the coin bin of FIG. 19,
illustrating the position of the handle in the moving position.
[0036] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a wheel assembly of the
coin bin of FIG. 19.
[0037] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the bottom of the bin of
FIG. 19.
[0038] FIG. 28 is a cutaway view of the bin of FIG. 27 illustrating
the locking assembly for locking the lid of the bin to the front
side wall.
[0039] FIG. 29 is the cutaway view of FIG. 28, illustrating a hasp
in a rotated position to receive a lock.
[0040] FIG. 30 is the cutaway view of FIG. 28, illustrating a
padlock received on the hasp.
[0041] FIG. 31 is a side cutaway view through the center of the bin
of FIG. 19, illustrating the internal door.
[0042] FIG. 32 is a side cutaway view through the center of the bin
of FIG. 19, illustrating the sliding of a door to allow access to a
coin access opening in the front of the bin.
[0043] FIG. 33 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the floor
of the bin of FIG. 19.
[0044] FIG. 34 is a top view of the bin of FIG. 19.
[0045] FIG. 35 is a partial perspective view of the lid in an open
position, with the apertures open.
[0046] FIG. 36 is a cutaway side view of the lid illustrating a
spring loaded plunger received in an aperture for locking the
lid.
[0047] FIG. 37 is a partial perspective view of the bin of FIG. 19
with the lid in an open position and with the apertures closed.
[0048] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a coin collecting machine with the upper portion of the cabinet
removed, and illustrating a fill tray assembly.
[0049] FIG. 39 is an exploded view of the fill tray assembly of
FIG. 38.
[0050] FIG. 40 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 38, with no
coin bin received in the lower compartment.
[0051] FIG. 41 is a cutaway view taken along line 41-41 of FIG.
40.
[0052] FIG. 42 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 38, with coin
bins received in the lower compartment, and with the fill tray in
an open position.
[0053] FIG. 43 is a cutaway view taken along line 43-43 of FIG.
42.
[0054] FIG. 44 is a cutaway side view of the machine of FIG.
42.
[0055] FIG. 45 is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of a coin
collecting machine constructed in accordance with the present
invention having a rear access door.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] Referring now to the Figures, and more particularly to FIG.
1, a coin bin 22 constructed in accordance with the present
invention is shown. The coin bin 22 comprises a housing 21 having
an opening (not shown) for receiving coins, and which can be
constructed from steel, a rotationally molded plastic, or other
materials that are sufficiently strong for retaining the coins. The
bin 22 is coupled to two sets of wheels, a swiveling wheel assembly
24 provided at the front end of the bin 22, and a pair of rear
wheels 26 provided at the back end of the bin 22. A handle 28 is
detachably connected to the front end of the bin 22, and more
specifically to the swiveling wheel assembly 24, as described more
fully below. A lower portion 58 of each side of the housing 21 is
sloped inward, toward a center of the housing 21, to allow the
wheels 24 and 26 to be retained substantially beneath the footprint
of the housing 21 to maximize coin storage while minimizing the
footprint of the coin bin 22, also as discussed more fully
below.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 2, the swiveling wheel assembly 24
includes right and left wheels 38 and 40, respectively, which are
coupled to opposing ends of an axle 42 through a hub 51 and 53,
respectively. The hubs 51 and 53 are of a smaller diameter than but
rotate with the wheels 38 and 40, and may be constructed as a
portion of the wheels 38 and 40. Referring still to FIG. 2, the
swiveling wheel assembly 24 further comprises first and second
brake mounting members 50, that are coupled to brake shoes 52
positioned above hubs 51 and 53. A braking lever 48 is coupled
between each wheel 38 and 40 and the corresponding brake mount 50,
and is selectively actuated by the position of the handle 28 to
activate the brake shoes 52 as described below. Referring now also
to FIG. 3, the swiveling wheel assembly 24, and specifically the
brake mount members 50, are coupled to the housing 21 through a
rotational bearing 46, which can include, as shown here, first and
second plates having a plurality of ball bearings therebetween.
Although the brake mount members 50 are shown and described as
separate elements, the brake mount portions 50 could also be formed
as part of the lower plate of the rotational bearing 46.
[0058] Referring again to FIG. 2, a handle mount 36, sized and
dimensioned to receive a tubular end of the handle 28, protrudes
from the axle 42 and includes a locking projection 44 sized and
dimensioned to mate with an aperture 34 provided in the handle 28,
for detachably connecting the handle 28 to the swiveling wheel
assembly 24. As shown here, the connection between the handle 28
and the handle mount 36 is a twist-to-lock type of connector,
although various other coupling devices could be used to connect
the handle 28 to the axle 42, as will be apparent to those of skill
in the art.
[0059] Referring now also to FIG. 4, when attached, the handle 28
can be used to rotate the swiveling wheel assembly 24 around
rotational bearing 46. The angle of rotation can be selected by
providing stops in the rotational bearing 46 at a selected angle,
or a ninety degree swing can be provided by allowing the handle 28
to swing between contact points on opposing sides of the housing
21, as shown. In alternate embodiments, the wheels 38 and 40 could
also be locked rather than provided in a swiveling
configuration.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a first embodiment of a
braking system for braking the coin bin 22 is shown. As described
above, the braking system includes a brake shoe 52, that is coupled
adjacent a bottom surface of the brake mount member 50, and is
positioned above the hub 51 adjacent the wheel 38. The brake shoe
52 can be, as shown here, arced at a radius selected to mate to the
outer surface of the hub 51, and is preferably constructed of
steel, although various other materials will be apparent to those
of skill in the art. A brake link or lever 48 is coupled between
the axle 42 and a pivot point 47 provided in a portion of the brake
mount member 50 that extends behind the hub 51, such that the axle
42 and pivot point 47 are substantially horizontally aligned when
the coin bin 22 is in a rest position, as shown in FIG. 6.
Referring now to FIG. 5, to release the brake 25, the handle 28 is
pulled down, the brake lever 48 rotates about axle 42, causing the
brake mount member 50 to pivot about the pivot point 47, forcing a
separation between the hub 51 and the brake shoe 52. The separation
deactivates the brake system, allowing the wheels 38 and 40 to
rotate, and the coin bin 22 to be moved. Referring again to FIG. 6,
when the handle 28 is instead released or forced upward, gravity
forces the brake link 48 to pivot about the pivot point 47, forcing
the brake shoe 52 down onto the hub 51, preventing the wheel 38
from rotating, and preventing movement of the coin bin 22.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of a
brake system is shown. Here, the brake mount 50 includes a portion
54 that extends downward in front of the hub 51, and the brake
lever 48 is coupled at one end through a pivot point 49 to
downwardly extending portion 54, and at the opposing end to the
axle 42. The handle 28 is also coupled about the pivot point 49,
rather than about the axle as described above. Here, when the
handle 28 is pulled down, as shown in FIG. 8, the brake link 48 is
substantially parallel to the ground, and the axle 42 and pivot
point 49 are substantially aligned. In this position, the brake
shoe 52 rests against the hub 51, braking the coin bin 22.
Referring now to FIG. 7, to release the brake, the handle 28 is
lifted, forcing the brake link 48 to rotate about the axle 42 and
pivoting the brake mount member 50 upward, forcing the brake shoe
52 out of contact with the hub 51, and deactivating the brake
system, allowing the coin bin 22 to be moved.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of a
braking system for use in the present invention is shown. Here, the
brake lever 48 is coupled to pivot point 47 at one end and to the
axle 42 at the opposing end, as described above with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6. The hub 5 1, however, is octagonal in shape as
opposed to round, and the brake shoe 52 includes substantially flat
portions 61 and 63 coupled together with an arcuate portion 65.
When the handle is raised as shown in Fig,. 10, the flat portions
61 and 63 rest on mating flat portions of the octagonal hub,
thereby limiting motion of the wheel 38 and the coin bin 22.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a coin counting machine 10
configured to be used with the coin bin 22 of the present invention
is shown. The coin counting machine 10 is provided in a cabinet 11,
that includes a lower compartment 20 for receiving the coin bin 22,
and an upper compartment 13 for storing internal circuitry and
mechanisms (FIGS. 17, 18) for counting coins. A door 12 of the
cabinet includes a display terminal 18, user input devices 16 and a
coin deposit chute 14. When coins are inserted into the chute 14,
the coins are counted by the internal circuitry, and are captured
in the coin bin 22 stored in the lower portion 20 of the cabinet
11.
[0064] Referring now also to FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower compartment
20 can be sized and dimensioned to receive first and second coin
bins 22 and 23, which are stored in tandem, with the handles 28
detached from the handle mount 36 (FIG. 2). Referring still to FIG.
12, in the compartment 20, the swiveling wheel assembly 24 and rear
wheels 26 are each located beneath a lower portion 58 of the
housing 21 to retain the wheels 24 and 26 substantially within a
footprint of the top 60 of the housing 21. The coin bins 22 and 23
therefore can nest together to make the best use of space within
the coin collecting machine 10. When nested together as shown in
FIG. 16, the swiveling wheel assembly 24 of each bin 22 and 23 can
therefore be entirely contained within the footprint of the bin,
and is inherently protected. Because the handles 28 are detached,
the coin bins 22 and 23 can be stored within a relatively small
area in the machine 10. Although the swiveling wheel assembly 24 is
shown here stored completely under the footprint of the housing 21,
in some applications the swiveling wheel assembly 24 may also
extend beyond a front edge of the housing 21.
[0065] Referring still to FIG. 14, and also to FIG. 15, the lower
compartment 20 of the cabinet 11 is separated from the upper
compartment 13 by a planar member 30. A generally V-shaped handle
storage element 32 is coupled to a bottom of the planar member 30,
and is sized and dimensioned to receive and store the handles 28
when detached from the coin bins 22 and 23. Although shown here
coupled beneath the planar member 30, handle storage could also be
provided elsewhere in the cabinet 11, as, for example, along a side
panel or in other locations.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 17, an alternate embodiment of coin
bins 22 and 23 for use with a motorized funnel assembly 63 is
shown. Here the coin bins 22 and 23 each include a cover 71 and 73,
respectively, each including a plurality of ports for receiving
coins. As shown, bin 22 includes two ports 68 and 70, while bin 23
includes ports 72 and 74. The number of ports provided in each bin
22 and 23, however, can be varied. Referring still to FIG. 17, the
lids 71 and 73 are each selectively locked to the housing 21 of the
bins 22 and 23 through a key lock 76, to prevent unauthorized
access to the coins contained in the bins 22 and 23. Although shown
here as opening toward a front of the bin, it will be apparent that
the lid and key lock 76 can be positioned so that the bin opens
from the back, adjacent the rear wheels 26. The lid can also be
configured to open to the sides of the bin 22. Additionally, coin
exit areas could be provided through the sides of the bin 22 as
well as through the top of the bin 22.
[0067] Referring still to FIG. 17, the motorized funnel assembly 63
including a coin sorter 60 coupled to coin chute 14 (FIG. 11), an
upper funnel 62, a lower funnel 66, and a motor drive assembly 64
are provided to sort the coins input into the coin collecting
machine 10 and to direct the coins into the ports 68, 70, 72, and
74. Coins inserted into the coin chute 14 are sorted by the coin
sorter 60, which is retained in the upper compartment 13 of the
cabinet 11, and are directed through the upper funnel 62 and to the
lower funnel 66. The output of the lower funnel 66 is selectively
positioned over one of the ports 68, 70, 72, and 74 by the motor
drive assembly 64, as controlled by electronic circuitry provided
in the upper compartment 13 of the cabinet 11. The electronic
circuitry (not shown) determines how many coins have been deposited
in each port 68, 70, 72, and 74 by monitoring the number and types
of coins that are deposited into the coin sorter 60 while the lower
funnel 66 is positioned over a specific port 68, 70, 72 or 74.
Based on these calculations, the approximate size of a pile of
coins or "slump" located in a particular location can be determined
for each port 68, 70, 72, and 74, and the motor drive assembly 64
can be activated to reposition the lower funnel 66 to assure even
distribution of the coins.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, another embodiment of a coin
bin 122 is shown as received in a coin counting or collecting
machine 10. The housing 121 of the coin bin 122 includes four side
walls 112, 114, 116, and 118, including a front side 112 and back
side 116, and an open top that is selectively enclosed by a hinged
lid 125. The lid 125 includes a rectangular planar section 126,
hinged to the back side 116 of the housing 121, and an L-shaped lip
127 that, when the lid 125 is closed, rests on the top edge of the
front side 112 of the housing 121, opposite the hinge. The L-shaped
lip 127 includes a vertical section 130, and a horizontal section
132. The housing 121 is preferably constructed of a rotationally
molded plastic material, which is durable, impact resistant, light
weight, sound deadening, and inexpensive. The front side 112 can
include a metal plate 143, that is substantially centered between
the adjacent side walls 114 and 118. The metal plate 143 can
provide a mounting location for a locking mechanism, as discussed
more thoroughly below.
[0069] Referring now also to FIG. 32, where a cutaway view through
the center of the bin 122 is shown, the rotational spin molding of
the housing 121 results in outer and inner walls 182 and 184,
respectively, with an open space between the walls 182 and 184 the
space can be filled with sound deadening filler materials such as
polyurethane to limit the noise as coins are deposited into the
bin. The filler materials can be provided throughout the housing
121, but to limit the weight of the bin 122 while providing reduced
noise, the filler material can also be provided in selected areas
of the bin, and particularly in the floor of the housing 121.
Referring again also to FIG. 20, a raised ridge 186 is formed
around the circumference of the housing 121, which acts essentially
as a bumper for the bin 122, particularly when bins 122 and 123 are
arranged in tandem as described below.
[0070] Referring now also to FIGS. 27-30, a ridge 134 extends from
a center portion of the horizontal section 132, and a rotatable
hasp 136 extends vertically from a bottom surface of the ridge 134.
The hasp 136 is positioned to be received in an aperture 138 formed
in a mating ridge 140 extending perpendicularly from the metal
plate 143 in the front side 112 of the housing 121. Referring first
to FIG. 28, the hasp 136 is initially oriented such that the
longest dimension is parallel to the front wall 112 of the bin 122,
and is inserted through the aperture 138. As shown in FIG. 29, the
hasp 136 is subsequently rotated ninety degrees to latch the ridge
140 to the ridge 134. A locking device, such as a padlock 145 is
received on the hasp 136 to lock the lid 125 to the front side 112
of the housing 121, as shown in FIG. 30. Although a rotatable hasp
is shown and described here, a stationary hasp may also be
used.
[0071] Referring now also to FIGS. 31 and 32, a coin access opening
142 is provided in the front side 112 of the housing 121, in the
metal plate 143, and adjacent the floor 120 of the bin 122. The
coin access opening 142 is selectively closed by a wedge-shaped
door 144 that is mounted inside the housing 121, and is adapted to
be moved vertically over the coin access opening 142 to selectively
open and close the opening 142. The wedge-shaped door 144 is
substantially vertical along a front surface 153 facing the front
wall 112 of the bin 122. The back surface 155 of the door 144 is
angled, sloping downward from the upper edge toward the front
surface 153, meeting the front surface 153 at the bottom edge of
the door 144.
[0072] Referring still to FIGS. 31 and 32, the door 144 is provided
with a door handle 146 including a right angle bend 148 extending
horizontally from a top edge, providing a grip for a user moving
the door 144 up and down. When the hinged lid 125 is closed, a
strip of foam 150 provided under the horizontal section 132 of the
L-shaped lip 127 is positioned adjacent the right angle bend
148.
[0073] When the hinged lid 125 is open, a user can grasp the door
handle 146 at the right angle bend 148, and pull the door 144
vertically upward to provide access to the coin access opening 142
and to any coins in the bin. When the lid 125 is closed, however, a
user cannot access the door handle 146 inside. The door 144 is,
rather, maintained in a closed position by gravity. The door 144,
moreover, is prevented from being moved vertically by the position
of the lid 125, which prevents upward movement. As the door 144
cannot be opened, access to the coins inside of the bin 122 is
prevented.
[0074] Referring again to FIG. 20 and also to FIGS. 34-37, the lid
125 also includes two coin apertures 170 and 172 for receiving
coins when the bin is positioned in a coin collecting machine 10,
and for distributing the coins evenly in the bin 122, as described
above. The coin apertures 170 and 172 are selectively opened and
closed by a sliding panel 174 mounted under the lid 125. An
elongate sliding element 175 including a depression 176 is coupled
to one side of the sliding panel 174, and extends through a slot
177 in the lid 125. To slide the panel 174 to the closed position,
in which the coin apertures 170 and 172 are covered by the sliding
panel 174, a user inserts a finger into the depression 176 and
pulls the sliding panel 174 until a spring loaded plunger 178 lands
in a slotted hole (not shown). When the spring loaded plunger 178
is received in the hole, a user is prevented from sliding the panel
174 in the opposite direction to re-open the coin apertures. When
the coin apertures 170 and 172 are closed and the lid 125 is
locked, a user opens the coin apertures 170 and 172 by unlocking
the lid 125, and manually releasing the spring loaded plunger 178
from the slotted hole 180. Access to the coins inside the bin,
therefore, can be selectively allowed or denied.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 33, the floor 120 inside of the bin
122 includes five separate planes: a central plane 152, right and
left front side planes 154 and 156, respectively, and right and
left back side planes, 158 and 160, respectively. The central plane
152 is centered in the bin 122, is of about the same width as the
coin access opening 142 in the front side wall 112 of the bin 122,
and has a flat bottom surface that slopes continuously from a high
point, at the back 116 of the bin 122, toward the coin access
opening 142 at the front side wall 112, providing a channel 161 for
directing coins toward the opening 142.
[0076] The right and left rear side planes 158 and 160 slope
downward toward the central plane 152 from the opposing sides 114
and 118 of the housing 121, again directing coins toward the
channel 161. The right and left front side planes 154 and 156 slope
downward from the front side 112 of the bin until the planes 154
and 156 meet the planes 158 and 160, respectively. The edges 162,
164, and 166 formed between the central plane 152, the right front
side plane 154 and the left front side plane 156 and the front side
wall 112 of the bin, respectively, are each substantially
horizontal. The door 144 is of substantially the same width as the
channel 161 and the coin access opening 142, and when the door 144
is removed from the bin 122, the slope of the back surface 155 of
the wedge-shaped door promotes the movement of coins into the
channel 161 and toward the coin access opening 142.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, the housing 121 is
movable, and is mounted on a set of wheels 180 including a pair of
front wheels 124 that are positioned adjacent the side walls 114
and 118, and a pair of back wheels 126, which are offset a distance
from each of the side walls 114 and 118 to allow adjacent sets of
front wheels 124 and back wheels 126 to align alongside one another
when the bins are stored in tandem, as shown in FIGS. 21 and
22.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 33, the housing 121 is mounted
on a wheel assembly 183 that includes right and left wheel mounting
plates 147 and 149 on opposing sides of a center channel 151
bounded by right and left vertically-extending sides 145. The front
sets of wheels 124, are coupled to the mounting plates 147 and 149,
and a pair of pins 135 extend from the opposing sides 145 of the
assembly 183 to receive a removable coupling device 131 coupled to
a handle 128. Referring now also to FIGS. 19-20 and FIGS. 23-26,
the removable coupling device 131 includes a center plate 127 and
right and left side plates 129. Each of the side plates 129
includes a hook-shaped portion 133 that defines an opening 137 for
receiving the pins 135. The removable coupling device 131 further
includes a handle mounting plate 123 that is angled downward from a
top edge of the center plate 127, and includes an aperture 119
sized and dimensioned to receive the handle 128. The removable
coupling device 131 can be selectively installed onto the pins 135,
as shown in FIG. 23, and stored inside of a coin collecting
machine, as described above.
[0079] Referring still to FIG. 26, the sides 145 of the wheel
assembly each include a slot 141 which, referring now also to FIG.
24, includes a lower portion that is angled on a diagonal. An axle
139 that connects the rear wheels 126 is received in the slots 141,
and is further coupled to a linkage 137 that is rotatably coupled
at a first end to the pin 135 for receiving the handle 128 and
associated connector 131. Referring now to FIG. 24, when the handle
128 is rotated upward about the pin 135, the axle 139 is forced by
the linkage 137 to move along the slot 141, causing the wheels 126
to contact the plates 147 and 149 of the wheel assembly 183,
wherein the plates 147 and 149 act as braking elements, preventing
the wheels 126 from rotating by the weight of the coins in the bin
122. To move the bin 122, the handle 128 is instead rotated
downward, forcing the axle 139 to move along the slot 141 to the
distal end of the slot 141, wherein the wheels 126 are offset a
distance from the plates 147 and 149, and the braking element is
removed such that the wheels 126 can rotate freely.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 38, an alternative embodiment of a
coin collecting machine 10 for use with the motorized coin
funneling assembly 63 is shown. Here, the coin funneling assembly
63 directs coins to a fill tray 190, which includes tubular
segments or spouts 192 and 194 for directing the coins into the
apertures 170 and 172 in the bin 122, respectively. Referring now
also to FIG. 39, the fill tray 190 includes a locking element 193
which, as shown here, can be a key lock, for locking the fill tray
190 to the planar member 30 separating the upper compartment 13
from the lower compartment 20 of the coin collecting machine 10. As
shown here, the fill tray is constructed of two separate components
189 and 191, each including tubular elements 192 and 194. However,
it will be apparent that the fill tray 190 could be constructed of
a single component, or as a plurality of components.
[0081] Referring still to FIGS. 38 and 39, the fill tray 190
includes a sensing assembly 197 which is positioned along a side of
the fill tray 190 to sense the position of a bin 122 or bins 122
and 123 in the machine 10. The sensing assembly 197 includes a
plurality of pivoting indicator levers 195, equivalent in number to
the number of bins expected to be received in the machine 10, and
associated with switches 196, which are positioned to be activated
by the pivoting indicator levers 195 when the levers 195 are
rotated.
[0082] Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, when the coin collecting
machine 10 is empty, the fill tray 190 can be moved to the closed
position, but the lever 195 does not contact a bin 122 or 123, does
not rotate, and does not activate the switch 196. Referring now to
FIGS. 42 and 43, when the bins 122 and 123 are inserted into the
lower compartment 20 of the coin collecting machine 10 with the
apertures 170 and 172 open, the filler plate 190 is initially in an
open position, rotated up, preventing contact with the bin, such
that the levers 195 are not rotated to activate the switch 196.
Referring now to FIG. 44, when the bins 122 and 123 are positioned
in the machine 10, the filler plate 190 can be rotated down by the
user, typically through the insertion of the key into the locking
element 193, thereby causing the tubular elements 192 and 194 to be
received through the associated apertures 170 and 172, such that
the tubular elements 192 and 194 extend into the bin, physically
locking the bins 122 and 123 to the coin collecting machine 10. As
the tubular elements 192 and 194 are inserted into the apertures
170 and 172 the indicator levers 195 contact the lids 125 of the
bins 122 and 123, pivot about pivot points 198, activating the
associated switches 196. If the apertures 170 and 172 are not open,
the filler plate 190 cannot be pushed down a sufficient distance to
rotate the levers 195. A controller monitors the signals from the
switches 196 and prevents the coin collecting machine 10 from
operating until all of the switches 196 are activated, indicating
that bins 122 and 123 are appropriately positioned in the coin
collecting machine 10 with the apertures 170 and 172 open. Although
the machine is described above as a tandem coin collecting machine
10 for receiving two bins 122 and 123, the machine could also be
designed to receive a single bin 122.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 45, access to the lower compartment 20
of the coin collecting machine 10 can be provided either from the
front or from the rear of the coin collecting machine 10. When
access is from the rear, as shown here, the bins 122 and 123 are
inserted into and removed from the lower compartment 20 from the
back of the machine 10. This arrangement is suitable, for example,
when the coin collecting machine is to be positioned adjacent a
wall, and access provided to the rear of the machine 10 through the
wall. A door, not shown here, can be provided to selectively
enclose the rear access to the machine 10.
[0084] It should be understood that the methods and apparatuses
described above are only exemplary and do not limit the scope of
the invention, and that various modifications could be made by
those skilled in the art that would fall under the scope of the
invention. For example, although two apertures for receiving coins
are described above, it will be apparent that other numbers of
apertures can also be used, and that the number of apertures can be
selected to distribute the coins evenly in the bin. Furthermore,
although a combination plastic and metal construction is described,
it will be apparent that the bin can be constructed either entirely
of plastic materials, entirely of metal materials, or of a
combination of both. Additionally, although the coin bin is
described above for use in a coin collecting machine, it will be
apparent that the coin bin described herein can be used in many
applications, including vending machines, retail and business coin
counting machines, in banking applications, and in various other
capacities. To apprise the public of the scope of this invention,
the following claims are made:
* * * * *