U.S. patent number 3,690,332 [Application Number 04/887,063] was granted by the patent office on 1972-09-12 for bill and coin changer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rowe International, Inc.. Invention is credited to David B. Dykehouse, Oliver G. Okkonen, Norman J. Zoodsma.
United States Patent |
3,690,332 |
Dykehouse , et al. |
September 12, 1972 |
BILL AND COIN CHANGER
Abstract
A machine for changing currency such as bills or coins of larger
denomination for change in the form of coins of a lower
denomination. When a bill is to be changed, a settable group of
coin ejectors is operated. When a coin is to be exchanged, for
example a 50-cent piece, other groupings of coin ejectors are
operated in combinations which can be varied at the option of the
machine service personnel.
Inventors: |
Dykehouse; David B. (Muskegon,
MI), Okkonen; Oliver G. (Grand Rapids, MI), Zoodsma;
Norman J. (Grand Rapids, MI) |
Assignee: |
Rowe International, Inc.
(Whippany, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
25390372 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/887,063 |
Filed: |
December 22, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
453/21;
194/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D
1/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07D
1/04 (20060101); G07D 1/02 (20060101); G07D
7/00 (20060101); G07d 001/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;133/1,2,4,5
;194/DIG.14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Coleman; Samuel F.
Claims
Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:
1. In a change dispensing machine, a plurality of coin dispensing
tubes, a plurality of individually operable coin dispensing means
cooperative with said tubes to dispense coins therefrom, motive
means operable through a dispensing cycle, means for operatively
coupling said dispensing means to said motive means, said coupling
means operatively bi-stable between a home position and a second
position on successive cycles of said motive means to dispense
coins on movement from either position, and means responsive to the
severance of the coupling between said coin tubes and said motive
means for automatically sequentially restoring all displaced
coupling means to their respective home positions.
2. A machine as in claim 1 in which said plurality of tubes
comprises a first set of tubes and a second set of tubes
complementary to said first set and in which the coupling means in
said home position disposes said dispensing means in cooperation
with said first set to release coins therefrom, and said coupling
means in said second position disposes said dispensing means into
cooperation with said second set to release coins therefrom.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Machines for changing bills and coins as shown by the prior art
generally provide fixed combinations of coin ejection tubes, with a
full back and forth cycle necessary for each dispensing operation.
Such machines have a low storage capacity and generally a slower
operating cycle time.
A different approach to the dispensing of change is shown by U.S.
Pat. No. 3,366,127, issued on Jan. 30, 1968, to Charles T.
Breitenstein et al. In the Breitenstein patent, a high storage
capacity changer is provided in which one-fourth of a complete
slide reciprocatory cycle only is required for each dispensing
operation. Each coin dispensing slide remains in the position to
which it has moved during the last operation. Certain dispensing
slides may be operated simultaneously to provide a multiplicity of
different output conditions in the dispensing of change.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a machine for exchanging coins for
currency such as bills or coins, and whose dispensing system has a
number of improvements over the dispensing mechanism shown by the
Breitenstein patent. The present machine utilizes in its dispensing
operations a dual bank of coin tubes providing large capacity
storage. The bank of coin tubes may readily be dropped into place
for operation and may be readily removed as a unit. Removal of the
unit is sensed to inactivate acceptance of further currency.
It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a new and an
improved bill and coin changer.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved
currency changer which allows the output of coins for various
currency inputs to be changed readily.
It is a further object of our invention to provide a currency
changer which permits ready removal and replacement of the coin
tubes.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a currency
changer which responds to malfunction and in response thereto
renders itself inoperative.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view in perspective of a machine embodying our
invention, one corner of the cabinet being broken away to show the
interior thereof;
FIG. 2 is a front view in perspective of the mechanism embodying
the invention with a coin magazine shown separated from the
dispensing mechanism;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the dispensing mechanism taken along
line 3--3 of FIG. 2 with the components thereof operatively
joined;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a sample pair of coin tubes and their
slide and dispensing plate, the components being shown in exploded
form below the tubes;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the machine with the front service
door in the fully open position;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the door check structure of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side view in exploded form of the major elements of the
door check structure of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit drawing of one form of electrical
circuit which may be used with our bill and coin changing
machine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1 there is shown the exterior of the coin and bill changer
10 embodying our invention. The changer 10 has an exterior cabinet
12 of rectangular configuration forming a decorative housing in
addition to safeguarding the changer contents which may total $ 500
to $1,000 at any one time. The machine may be mounted in a number
of ways, none of which has been shown. These include mounting on a
pedestal or stand or, optionally, the cabinet may be wall
mounted.
The front wall 14 of the cabinet 12 has an upper control area with
a bill inlet opening 16 and a coin insert slot 18 to allow bills or
larger denomination coins to be inserted and tested. The bill inlet
opening 16 may feed a bill detector or acceptor of the type shown
in co-pending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 633,903, filed Apr.
26, 1967 by Donald Hooker, the bill acceptor being shown herein
schematically in FIG. 8. The coin insert slot 18 may pass coins to
a conventional multi-denominational coin testing and validating
mechanism of any standard type known to the art, (not shown
herein). Such accepting mechanisms are well known in the art, and
as is generally known, provide an output in the form of a switch
pulse designating the value of the coin accepted.
The machine front wall 14 has below the control area and recessed
therefrom a vertical panel 24, which with the control area, forms a
service door 26 pivotal about a hinge axis 28 along the top front
edge of the cabinet 12. Below service door 26 and spaced therefrom
adjacent the cabinet base 30 is a convenience shelf 32. The shelf
32 has a recessed coin tray 34 partially covered by the panel 24 of
the wall 14 and partially accessible from the exterior of the
machine. Depending from panel 24 and covering the vertical extent
of the opening provided by recessed tray 34 is a small
semi-circular door 38 movable about a horizontal axis at its upper
edge. The door 38 is pivotal such that its curved lower portion
moves freely forward on being struck by coins dispensed from inside
the machine and allows these coins to enter the tray 34. Blocking
shoulders (not shown) are provided to the rear of door 38 to
prevent inward movement of the door thereby deterring improper
access to the cabinet interior. Various indicator lamps have been
provided, a first lamp 40 to show that no further change is
available for dollar bills and a second lamp 42 to indicate the
unavailability of change for coins.
A coin return button 44 is provided adjacent the insert openings to
allow an optional return of coins or the bill, if desired by the
user. Naturally such button must be actuated prior to the
acceptance of the inserted money in order to return the bill or
coin, since the changing operation occurs automatically on
acceptance. Coins returned in this manner or coins rejected by the
coin validator pass through the coin return chute and tray 46
located below the coin insertion area.
In FIG. 1, there can be seen a bank of coin tubes 50 positioned
within the coin tube assembly 51 located generally above and behind
the recessed coin tray 34. In FIG. 2, we show the bank of coin
tubes 50 mounted in a carrying holder 52, the holder being of
generally U-shaped configuration with base plate 54 and side
uprights 56. Extending normally downwardly from the front of base
54 are flanges 58 and protruding normally outwardly from uprights
56 are mounting lugs 60. Top and side brackets 62 hold the tubes
fixedly in alignment with one another with respect to carrying
holder 52 to form the assembly 51.
The coin tube assembly 51 seats cooperatively on dispensing motor
housing 70 (FIG. 2). Housing 70 is rigidly affixed to cabinet base
30 within the enclosure cabinet 12 as can be seen best in FIG. 5.
Housing 70 is comprised of side housing walls 72 supported mutually
in parallel relationship by transverse top bracing plate 74,
transverse tie rod 76 and coin chute 78. Affixed suitably to the
underside of bracing plate 74 (as seen best in FIG. 3), are three
dispensing motors 80, 82 and 84 each disposed with its output shaft
(not shown) extending upwardly. The output shaft of each motor is
connected to provide the input to a speed reducing gear box 88 to
reduce the rotary speed of each motor output. Each gear box 88
rotates an eccentric 89, each eccentric having its respective crank
pin 90, 92, and 94 extending upwardly to protrude through laterally
slotted openings 100, 102 and 104 in the respective reciprocating
driving slides 110, 112 and 114. These driving slides are channel
members with the channel web disposed downwardly. The driving
slides are individually reciprocated by the eccentric movement of
the respective crank pins 90, 92 and 94. The slides are restrained
and guided within a forward to rear path by the mating of inwardly
facing bosses 116 on the respective stationary bracing members 120
within horizontal slots 118 in each slide side wall. Bracing
members 120 are stationarily secured to the top plate of motor
housing 70 in a suitable fashion to provide structural guiding
members for the respective slides.
Each slide has mounted on its front end a coupler, the couplers
being numbered 320, 322 and 324. Each coupler has equally spaced
apart holes for receiving screws 123 which are tightened into
suitably threaded openings in the driving slides. Each coupler has
an upwardly open, lateral channel 122 at its front end, the
channels 122 being transmissive of the reciprocatory movement of
the driving motors, as will be explained.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, coin tubes 50 are aligned in pairs
of tubes in a forward-to-rear sense, the tubes of a pair being of
the same diameter for holding coins of the same denomination.
Laterally there are ten pairs of tubes mounted in assembly 51. Each
coin tube pair has an individual coin tube base 130 with two
upstanding annuli 132, each annulus is of sufficient height to
carry therein a tube of the pair. Each annulus is sized to receive
a coin tube with the bottom of the annulus and tube open. Secured
slideably to the underside of each coin tube base is a coin
dispensing slide 134, the slide serving the two tubes in the
front-to-rear lineup on base 130. Each coin slide 134 has extending
through it two overlapping coin-sized openings 136 in its slide
face and rearwardly thereof longitudinally elongate mounting slots
138. Mounting pins 139 in the coin tube base 130 ride within the
slots 138 to join the slide 134 to the tube base. The slide face is
formed with upstanding flanged guide rails 140 along both sides and
at its rear edge with a downwardly projecting coupling finger 142.
Finger 142 of each coin tube pair rides in open channel 122 of the
adjacent motor slide coupler when the coin tube assembly 51 is
mounted on the motor housing 70 to thereby couple the coin
dispensers to the coin tubes.
Each coin slide 134 rests between the coin tube base and assembly
base 54 and, as mentioned, is slideable in a forward-to-rear
horizontal plane. Within each assembly base 54 midway between the
front and rear tubes, there is a single coin dispensing opening 144
for passing a coin therefrom to the output coin chute 78, the
assembly base 54 thereby acting as a coin dispensing slide keeper
146.
The lateral width of the respective channels 122 of the coupler
controls the number of dispensing slides which can be operated by
each dispensing motor. Shown are coupler 320 on driving slide for
four coin dispensing slides, coupler 322 on driving slide for three
coin dispensing slides and coupler 324 on driving slide for three
coin dispensing slides respectively. By replacing the couplers
shown with couplers of different widths, other coin combinations
are possible, as will be described. Such replacement can be
effected by removing the mounting screws 123 and reaffixing
couplers of the desired width to the respective slides. When a coin
tube assembly 51 is placed on the dispensing motor housing,
mounting lugs 60 mate within receiving cutouts 150 in housing side
walls 72 and this mating alignment allows each mating finger 142 to
mate with the respective channel 122 of its coupler. On side walls
72 adjacent cutouts 150, there are mounted miniature snap switches
152, 154 and 156 to sense the presence or absence of the coin tube
assembly 51.
In FIGS. 5 through 7 we show a door check mechanism 160 for
positively retaining the service door 26 in the open position
during servicing. As mentioned previously, service door 26 is
opened upwardly about a conventional hinge on the axis 28 along the
top of the door. It is therefore important that the door be kept
open during servicing and prevented from inadvertent closure which
could cause possible physical harm to the serviceman.
Door check mechanism 160 includes two telescoping slider bars 162
and 164. Lower bar 162 is affixed pivotally to a suitable cabinet
bracket 166 by means of a mounting bracket 168. Upper bar 164 is
pivotally secured to the door through a suitable mounting 170. The
bars 162 and 164 are held adjacent one another by upper and lower
clips 172, the clips allowing relative linear sliding movement of
the bars with respect to one another. The bars have similarly
shaped notches 174 and 176 which reach alignment with the door
fully open. Pinned to upper bar 164 adjacent the notch 176 is a
release latch 178 which nests in the aligned notches 174 and 176
with the notches aligned. A torsion spring 180 holds the latch 178
with its latch tip 182 in the aligned notches to hold the mechanism
fully extended and thereby latch the service door in its open
position. To release the latch 178, pressure is exerted on the
outer finger 184 of the latch to pivot latch tip 182 out of the
notches and to allow the slide bars to slideably telescope while
the service door is being closed.
When the service door is being opened, the slide bars slide
relative to another until the notches are in alignment at which
time under the urging of spring 180, latch tip 182 falls into the
aligned notches.
Turning to FIG. 3, there we show the respective dispensing motors
80, 82 and 84, each with its cam structure 190 and each with its
cam operated switches generally indicated by numeral 192. Each full
cycle of motor operation causes one half revolution of cam 190,
each cycle causing either forward or backward movement of the slide
between forward or alternate position and rear or home positions of
the coin slides.
In FIG. 8 we show the circuitry to operate the changer. The circuit
is powered by 120-volt AC leads L1 and L2 in the motor operating
circuit and derived therefrom a 30-volt direct current from leads
D1 and ground (G), and rectified DC on lead L3 for pulsing lamps 40
and 42. As previously mentioned, each dispensing motor 80, 82 and
84 has three cam switches generally indicated as 192 on FIG. 3.
These cam switches include a first set of cam switches 200, 202,
and 204, one on the structure of and sensing the cycling of each
motor 80, 82 and 84. These switches perform the function of
carrying the motors through one cycle (one half revolution of the
cams 190) and opening the circuits to the respective motors at the
end of the dispensing cycle of the motors. A second set of cam
switches 210, 212 and 214 serves to perform an automatic homing
function for their motor output mechanisms as controlled by homing
switch 152. The latter cam switches close once for each full
revolution of cams 190; hence, they close once for each two motor
cycles of operation. The home position of these switches occurs
when the respective motor slide is in the rear position of the two
possible at-rest positions. The other respective motor cam switches
220, 222 and 224 are normally closed and are mutually in series
such that when one opens, it releases the operating circuit to the
control relays. The cam switches 220, 222 and 224 open near the end
of each cycle of operation of their respective motors 80, 82 and
84.
To control the operation of the circuit, there are provided
respective motor control relays 230, 232, and 234 for operating the
respective dispensing motor 80, 82 and 84. Each relay has two
normally open contact sets, one for holding the relay operated
(230.2, 232.2 and 234.2) and a set of contacts (230.1, 232.1 and
234.1) for operating the respective dispensing motors. A timer
relay 240 with one make-break contact set 242 acts in conjunction
with a solid state timer circuit 244 to protect the machine against
overlong machine operative cycles. A latch relay 250 is controlled
by contact set 242. This relay 250 is electrically actuated and
once actuated must be mechanically reset within the interior of the
machine cabinet. The latch relay 250 controls three sets of
contacts 252, 254 and 256. Contact set 252 is normally closed and
on actuation of relay 250, the contact set opens to disconnect the
120 volt source current on AC source lead L1 from the circuit. A
second contact set 254, normally closed, interrupts the circuit to
latch relay set 250 when opened, resets the solid state timer 244
and the third contact set 256 closes to energize the trouble lamps
40 and 42.
To provide an option as to which motors are to be operated for
different input amounts, there are provided the dollar select
switch 79 and the 50-cent select switch 260. Switch 79 has three
contacts, a first which is connected in parallel through rectifiers
to motors 230 and 234 to permit operation of motors 80 and 84.
Position 2 is connected through a rectifier to relay 230 alone, and
position 3 is connected to relay 234 alone. Circuits through the
contacts of switch 79 are in parallel to a circuit to relay 232, so
that relay 232 will be operated on all dollar bill change
dispensing cycles regardless of which combination of coin payouts
is used. Thus, motor 82 and center slide 112 must be actuated for
all dollar change dispensing cycles and the combination with other
motor or motors 80 and 84 and their respective couplers 110 and 114
are dependent on the setting of switch 79.
Switch 260 provides an option as to whether relay 230 and its motor
80 alone shall be operated (switch position 2) or both 230 and 234
in parallel, the premise being that either a combination of the
left and right motor 80 and 84 or only one motor 80 may be operated
to provide change for a 50-cent piece at the option of the service
personnel.
In addition, the circuit has a bill reject switch 262, operated in
response to the coin reject button. The area designated in dashed
lines as 270 schematically represents the coin testing mechanism
and includes a 50-cent validating switch 272, a 25-cent validating
switch 274, and a coin lockout solenoid 276. Coin empty switch 280
responds to an empty condition of the coin tubes to indicate that
the coins stored are insufficient to provide change for coin
insertions and switch 282 responds to an empty condition of tubes
to indicate that insufficient change is available for dollar
insertions. Each empty switch 280 and 282 has associated therewith
a manual switch shown as 283 and 284, so that each empty switch may
light both lamps or its own, as necessary. The dollar bill acceptor
shown as box 285 provides an indication to the circuit in the form
of an output pulse on lead 286. This pulse transmits information
that a dollar bill has been tested, found valid, accepted and
removed to storage so that one dollar's worth of change may safely
be paid out. A conventional, manually actuatable test switch 288 is
provided, as is a circuit operation counter 290. Two separate
transistor amplifiers are provided, both two-stage networks. A
first amplifier 292 amplifies the bill acceptance signal on lead
286 to trigger a machine cycle, while the second amplifier 294
amplifies a trouble signal or signal indicating empty coin tubes to
actuate the coin mechanism lockout solenoid 276.
As explained previously, three dispensing motors are provided, 80,
82 and 84. Each motor on operation dispenses simultaneously through
the dispensing slides certain of the bank of coin tubes 50. The
number of coin dispensing slides actuated by each motor may be
varied by changing the couplers to ones of desired width to
dispense from the coin tubes to be operated by each motor.
To provide change for a quarter, half dollar or dollar using a
storage medium of 10 coin tubes, the following tube operating
combinations have been found to be quite acceptable.
In a first arrangement, one coin tube pair, the fourth from the
left (D) is not used. The tubes have the following change:
A B C D E F G H I J 5 10 10 0 25 25 5 10 5 5 cents cents cents
cents cents cents cents cents cents
80 82 84
Using this pattern, all motors (80, 82 and 84) will be operated to
dispense $1.00 change in the form of two quarters, three dimes, and
four nickels from the nine tubes in use. For 50 cents change,
motors 80 and 84 may be operated to dispense three dimes and four
nickels in change from tubes A, B, C, G, H, I and J. For 25 cents,
an operation of motor 84 will pay out three nickels and one dime
from tubes G, H, I, and J. To accomplish these combinations of coin
tube dispensings, switches 79 (dollars) and 260 (50 cents) are each
set to its No. 1 position, and indicator switches 283 and 284 are
set to the right (the position shown in FIG. 8).
As an alternative, with all tubes in use, the following coin
loading and slider combinations may be used:
A B C D E F G H I J 5 10 10 25 25 25 5 10 5 5 cents cents cents
cents cents cents cents cents cents cents
80 82 84
Dollar payout in this instance will use only motors 80 and 82.
Motor 80 will dispense a coin from each tube A-D and motor 82 from
tubes E-F. This payout totals three quarters, two dimes and a
nickel. For a 50-cent payout, motor 80 alone will be operated to
dispense from tubes A-D one quarter, two dimes and one nickel.
Quarter payout will cause operation of motor 84 and tubes G-J to
emit one dime and three nickels. Switches 79 (dollar) and 260 (50
cents) are set to their No. 2 position to produce this combination,
and indicator switches 283 and 284 are set to the left in FIG.
8.
Other combinations are possible as can readily be seen, it only
being required by the wiring shown that center motor 82 be operated
on responses to a dollar insertion and motor 84 for all quarter
insertions.
Now, turning to the method of operation of the invention utilizing
the circuit of FIG. 8, we assume the setting combination first
described with switches 79 and 260 both at their No. 1 position, as
shown in FIG. 8.
Insertion of a valid dollar bill into dollar inlet 16 will cause
the bill to pass to the bill acceptor and be accepted by the bill
acceptor 285. The bill will pass to a storage chamber (not shown
herein) and will be stored there. Acceptor 285 will emit a positive
pulse on lead 286, which will reach the base of the left transistor
in the transistor amplifier 292. This amplifier will conduct, will
cause the other transistor to conduct, and will cause relay 232 to
be energized. Relay 232 on energization closed its contacts 232.1
and 232.2. At contacts 232.2, there is now closed an enabling path
for relays 230 and 234, through closed motor cam switches 220, 222
and 224 to ground lead G. With switch 79 at its No. 1 position,
relays 230 and 234 are energized through closed contacts of switch
79 and the previously described enabling path through contacts
232.2.
Relay contacts 230.1, 232.1 and 234.1 close and complete operating
paths for motors 80, 82 and 84 between leads L1 and L2. At contacts
230.2, 232.2 and 234.4, self-holding paths for relays 230, 232 and
234 are closed through the previously described enabling path.
Closure of contacts 230.1, 232.1 and 234.1 close a path to relay
240 between leads L1 and L2. Relay 240 operates and switches its
contacts 242. Contacts 242, on switching over, remove ground from
the R-C timing network 244 to permit the network to start timing,
and place ground on lead 301 to actuate counter 290 through a
one-count cycle. Ground on conductor 301 causes amplifier 294 to
stop conducting and cause normally operated solenoid 276 to
release. This solenoid when released diverts inserted coins to coin
return tray 46. Motors 80, 82 and 84 once operated enter into their
operative cycles to dispense coins from each tube and close their
respective cam switches 200, 202, and 204 to provide an alternate
hold path for the motors and for relay 240, the hold paths being
obvious paths between power leads L1 and L2.
The functional cycle of a motor begins with one coin slide opening
of the connected double opening 136 beneath a coin tube and the
other opening over the dispensing opening 144 of the coin slide
keeper 146. For example, if a driving slide 110, 112 or 114 is in
the forward position at the start of its cycle, the coin dispensing
slides 134 coupled thereto have their forwardmost opening 136.1
under the front tube of the pair with the rear opening 136.2
positioned over dispensing opening 144. A coin within 136.1 will be
pushed rearwardly during the motor operative cycle until forward
opening 136.1 is over single opening 144, at which time the coin
from 136.1 will fall into coin chute 78 and the rear opening 136.2
will then be below the rear coin tube of the tube pair. At this
position, functionally the cycle has been completed.
Simultaneously, each coin dispensing slide to which each driven
motor is coupled has emitted its single coin. As the end of the
dispensing cycle nears, cycle switches 220, 222 and 224 open to
open the hold circuit to the operated relays 230, 232 and 234.
These relays release and open their contacts 230.1, 232.1, 234.1,
230.2, 232.2 and 234.2. The original operating paths to both the
relays 230, 232 and 234 and to the motors are opened. The motors
continue through their cycles through their own alternate hold
paths at contacts 200, 202 and 204.
As the motors 80, 82 and 84 reach the end of their operative
cycles, cam switches 200, 202 and 204 open to terminate the cycle
and release relay 240 and counter 290. The timer 244 is restored by
release of contact set 242 of relay 240 and the changer is then in
condition to accept other bills or coins for changing.
In the circuit, as described, for normal operation, operated
motors, of course, restore after each cycle. If for some reason the
motor cycle does not end within a predetermined time period,
(approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times the normal cycle period), timer 244
will emit an output signal. Timer 244 is a conventional timing
circuit utilizing a unijunction transistor 304 to respond to the
R-C timing to trigger SCR 306 and thereby energize relay 250.
Energization of relay 250 opens contacts 252, 254 and closes
contacts 256. Contacts 252 on opening open conductor L1 and remove
120 volt power from the dispensing motors 80, 82 and 84 and relay
240. Opening of contacts 254 open the circuit to relay 250.
Contacts 256 on closure connect ground to trouble lights 40 and 42
whose circuit is completed to lead L3, a rectified low voltage AC
source causing these lamps to flicker. A ground pulse through
contact 256 passes through diode D4 to end conduction of transistor
combination 294, thereby deenergizing solenoid 276 and causing
rejection of coins inserted. This ground is also closed through
diode D1 to conductor 308 to reject all bills inserted.
Relay 240 on being deenergized restores its contacts 242 to reset
the timer 244 and discontinue timing.
Relay 250 is of the type which, once electrically pulsed, operates
mechanically, latches itself operated, and must be manually reset
by personnel having access to the machine interior, personnel such
as machine servicemen.
In response to the normal insertion and acceptance of a valid
50-cent piece, coin switch 272 closes. With switch 260 in its No. 1
position, a circuit is completed from ground on lead G, closed
contacts 262 and 272 to relays 230 and 234 and lead D1. Relays 230
and 234 are energized, closing their contacts 230.1, 230.2 and
234.1 and 234.2. Closure of these contacts initiates a cycle
similar to the cycle previously described for $1.00 payout, except
that motor 82 is not energized. The payout from motors 80 and 84
dispenses three dimes and four nickels. The timing circuit
functions as described previously in that the operative cycle
length for the dispensing motors does not differ.
Similarly when a quarter is inserted into the machine, tested,
validated and accepted, switch 274 closes to complete a circuit to
relay 234. This relay controls the operation of motor 84 to pay out
a dime and three nickels during a machine operation cycle.
A number of added safeguards have been provided including the
functioning of tube assembly controlled switches 152, 154 and 156.
Switch 154 is normally closed, and switches 152 and 156 are
normally open, the normal condition being with the coin tube
assembly 51 in place on the dispensing motor housing 70.
When the coin tube assembly is removed, switch 154 opens to
deenergize the timer relay 240 so that no trouble timing can occur.
Switch 156 closes to connect ground from lead G to empty lamps 40
and 42. These lamps are connected to lead L3 which provides a 9
volt AC supply. In this way, lamps 40 and 42 are pulsed with a
flickering pulsation which, it has been found, is more noticeable
than steadily lighted lamps. Ground through switch 156 and Diode D1
is closed to lead 308 to inactivate the bill acceptor 285. Ground
through switch 156 is transmitted to the base of the right
transistor of combination 294 to shut off conduction of the
transistor combination and to deenergize solenoid 276.
Deenergization of solenoid 276 rejects all inserted coins.
When switch 152 closes its contacts, it causes any dispensing motor
80, 82 or 84 which is not in the rear slide position to sequence
itself home. With a motor in its forward position, its contacts
210, 212, or 214 will be closed. If it is assumed that only motors
80 and 84 are in the forward position, a circuit will be closed
from lead L2 through switch 152, and closed contacts 210 to motor
80. Motor 80 will cycle itself until contacts 210 open at which
time the motor operating path is opened. This path through contacts
210, switch 152 and the then open contacts 212 (motor 82 being
assumed to be at home) is closed to contacts 214 and motor 84.
Motor 84 will cycle itself to its home position at which time
contacts 214 open to render closed contacts 152 ineffective.
This homing feature assures that all motors will be aligned in
their home position, such that a coin tube assembly can be placed
on the motor housing without the need for any adjustments or
manipulation of the motors or coin tube assemblies.
It can further be seen that closure of either or both empty
switches 280 and 282 will in the manner previously mentioned
connect ground lead G to one or both of these lamps 40 and 42 to
flicker. Further, the ground will also be connected to diodes D1
and/or D2, D3 and/or D4 to disable coin solenoid 276 and the bill
insertion over conductor 308.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are
of utility and may be employed without reference to other features
and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the
scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may
be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing
from the spirit of our invention. It is, therefore, to be
understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific
details shown and described.
* * * * *