Escrow And Security Device For Coin And Dollar Bill Operated Vending Machine

Abstract

A door may be slid across the insert slot of a dollar bill validator for a vending machine to prevent removal of an inserted dollar bill during the validation and vending process. The door also closes the coin slot to prevent the insertion of coins after a dollar bill has been inserted. A locking arrangement is provided to prevent opening of the door until the dollar bill has been validated and transported to the cashbox. Once the vend of merchandise has been completed, the locking arrangement releases the door permitting the door to slide open for subsequent insertions of coins or dollar bills.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dollar bill receiving mechanisms for vending machines, and more particularly, to a device for securely retaining an inserted dollar bill in escrow pending validation of the dollar bill in a coin and dollar bill operated vending machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Coin and dollar bill operated vending machines are well known to the art. The recent development of means for automatically authenticating the validity of dollar bills has provided a tremendous flexibility to the operation of vending machines. No longer is it necessary for the purchaser to have coins to make purchases from a vending machine, and now purchases totaling one or more dollars may be accomplished by a vending machine without inconvenience.

However, the introduction of equipment making it possible to utilize paper currency in vending machines has caused problems. In particular, because of the basic differences between the validation process for coins as opposed to currency, it is necessary to provide an escrow arrangement so that the inserted currency is held in escrow pending the validation of the authenticity of the bill and pending a determination by the machine that the desired merchandise is available for delivery. If the currency proves to be counterfeit or of the wrong denomination, or if the desired merchandise is not available in the machine, the currency is returned from escrow to the purchaser. However, since currency is usually inserted into the vending machine through a receiving slot so that one edge of the bill is available to retrieve the bill if the bill is returned for any reason, it is necessary to provide some form of security arrangement to prevent the unauthorized removal of the bill after validation and the vending process has commenced. Thus, the security arrangement should permit the purchaser to retrieve inserted currency only if an appropriate return button is actuated which terminates further operation of the vending machine, if the desired merchandise is not available, or if the currency is determined to be counterfeit or of the wrong denomination. The security arrangement should also provide means for terminating the further operation of the vending process if a dishonest or unscrupulous purchaser circumvents the other security devices and retrieves the inserted currency prior to delivery of the merchanidse.

Another problem experienced by prior art vending machines which are operated by both coins and currency results when both currency and coins are inserted simultaneously into the vending machine. Prior art vending machines which are not adapted for simultaneous insertion of currency and coins may inaccurately total the amount of coins and currency inserted thus either charge less than the required price for the item purchased or more than the required price. Thus, it is desirable to provide a means for preventing the simultaneous insertion of coins and currency into the vending machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An escrow and security device in accordance with the present invention is used in conjunction with a coin and dollar bill operated vending machine. The vending machine generally includes coin receiving and totalizing means, dollar bill receiving and validating means, a cashbox for receiving the coins and dollar bills inserted into the vending machine and vending means for initiating the delivery of merchandise from the vending machine to the purchaser in response to customer selection and insertion of the correct denomination of coins or currency.

An improved escrow and security device for use in conjunction with a coin and dollar bill operated vending machine comprises a door adapted to be manually actuated by the purchaser to move the door to a closed position thereby closing access to the coin receiving means and to the dollar bill receiving means after the dollar bill has been inserted. Locking means are provided for locking the door in a closed position when the door is moved to the closed position after a dollar bill has been inserted into the dollar bill receiving means. Initiating means is provided for initiating operation of the validating means is response to insertion of a dollar bill into the dollar bill receiving means and in response to the movement of the door to a closed position. Once the dollar bill has been validated, transportation means are provided to transport the dollar bill to the cashbox. Vend start means is provided for initiating operation of the vending means to deliver merchandise to the purchaser in response to the transporting of the dollar bill by the transporting means. Operation of the vend start means also terminates operation of the locking means so that the door may be moved to an open position for subsequent purchases.

Thus, when the door is in its closed position, access to the inserted currency is prevented thereby preventing the unauthorized removal of the inserted currency prior to or during the vending process. Also, the door closes access to the coin receiving means thereby preventing simultaneous insertion of both currency and coins into the vending machine.

Also provided is an appropriate return means for terminating operation of the locking means, initiating means, and transport means before the vending operation is commenced in case the purchaser changes his mind and wishes the return of the inserted coins or currency. However, once the vending process has commenced, the inserted currency is transported to the cashbox and cannot be returned.

A disabling means may also be provided to prevent operation of the locking means and the initiating means when coins are inserted in the vending machine before the dollar bill is inserted. In addition, as pointed out above, the door closes access to the coin receiving means when it is locked by the locking means, thus preventing the insertion of coins after a dollar bill has been inserted and the door is locked in its closed position.

The present invention prevents the unauthorized removal of the inserted dollar bill during the validation and vending process. The door, when locked in a closed position, prevents access to the inserted dollar bill by closing access to the dollar bill receiving means until the validating means causes the initiating means to initiate delivery of merchandise and transport means transports the dollar return to the cashbox. Once the dollar bill is in the cashbox the door is unlocked for subsequent insertions of bills.

Another embodiment of the present invention would hold the dollar bill in escrow until completion of the vend operation and transport the dollar bill to the cahsbox only upon delivery of the vended merchandise. Thus, if for any reason whatsoever, the merchandise is not available for delivery, the purchaser would be able to retrieve the inserted currency by actuation of the return button.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved escrow and security device for coin and currency operated vending machine wherein access to an inserted dollar bill is prevented after insertion of the bill and during the validation and vending process to prevent the unauthorized removal of currency inserted into the vending machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an escrow and security device for coin and currency operated vending machines having a door adapted to be slid across the coin and currency insert openings to initiate operation of the vending machine and to prevent access to the coin and currency openings during the validation and vending process.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved escrow and security device for coin and currency operated vending machines wherein the operation of the vending machine is terminated when the door is opened prior to completion of the vending operation.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the subject invention will hereinafter appear, and for the purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper right front perspective view of the exterior portion of a vending machine having the present invention incorporated therein.

FIG. 2 is a block and schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block and schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block and schematic diagram of a coin credit disabling mechanism for use in connection with the FIG. 2 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a coin opening 10 and a dollar bill opening 12 are formed in the front face 14 of a coin and currency operated vending machine (not shown). A door 20 is slidably positioned behind front face 14, and a knob 22 attached to door 20 extends through vertical slot 16 in the front face 14. Also attached to the back of door 20 is locking flange 24. Positioned immediately behind dollar bill opening 12 are dollar bill guides 26 and 28. A dollar bill inserted into dollar bill opening 12 is received between dollar bill guides 26 and 28 and properly aligned under validating sensing head 30. Rollers 32 are mounted beneath and extend through dollar bill guide 26, and are operably connected to motor 40. Rollers 32 engage and transport the inserted dollar bill between guides 26 and 28 to an internal cashbox (not shown) when motor 40 is operated. Pivotably mounted by pin 34 is latching member 36. Attached to latching member 36 is spring member 38 which tends to pivot latching member 36 in a clockwise direction.

A source of 25 volts alternating current is provided to the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 2 across points A and B. Point A is connected to return switch 50 by line 52. Return switch 50 is normally closed and is connected by line 54 to the center poll 56 of microswitch 58. Center poll 56 of microswitch 58 is normally closed with respect to contact 60 and normally opened with respect to contact 62. When a dollar bill is inserted between guide 26 and 28, the bill contacts arm 64 causing center poll 56 to close with contact 62, thus breaking contact with contact 60. Contact 60 is connected by line 66 to center poll 68 of microswitch 70. Arm 72 connected to center poll 68 is positioned adjacent the end of guides 26 and 28 so that when a dollar bill passes out of guides 26 and 28, center poll 68 opens with respect to contact 74.

Contact 62 of microswitch 58 is connected to contact 76 of latch switch 78 by line 80. Latch switch 78 is normally open and is closed when flange 24 engages member 82 on the end of contact 84.

Contact 84 of latch switch 78 is connected by line 86 to one side of latch solenoid 88 and to the anode of diode 90. The armature of latch solenoid 88 is connected to the lower end of latching member 36 so that actuation of latch solenoid 88 causes latching member 36 to pivot to the position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2. The cathode of diode 90 is connectd in parallel to one side of resistor 92 and bill position switch relay 94.

Capacitor 96 is connected in series with resistor 92 across both sides of bill position switch relay 94, and in turn is connected to one side of latch solenoid 88 by line 98. Line 98 and latch solenoid 88 are connected to voltage line 100 which is connected to voltage terminal B of the 25 volt AC power source (not shown). Provided on line 100 are jacks 102 and 104 which may be disconnected so that the coin disabling means illustrated in FIG. 4 (more fully described hereinafter) may be connected in series.

Bill position switch relay 94 is operably connected to the poles 106 and 108 of bill position switch 110. Actuation of bill position switch relay 94 closes pole 106 against contact 112 and pole 108 against contact 114. Contact 114 is connected to voltage line 100 by line 116 and contact 112 is connected to contact 74 of microswitch 70 by line 118. Pole 106 of bill position switch 110 is connected by line 120 to the vend circuits 121 (designated by a rectangular box). Pole 108 of bill position switch 110 is connected to one side of validating sensing head solenoid 122 by line 124. The other side of validating sensing head solenoid 122 is connected by line 126 to voltage line 54.

Validating sensing head 30 is connected by lines 126 and 128 to solid state amplifier 130. Solid state amplifier 130 is connected to voltage line 100 by line 132 and to one side of motor 40 by line 134. The opposite side of motor 40 is connected to voltage line 54 by line 136.

To operate the FIG. 2 embodiment, a dollar bill is inserted between guides 26 and 28 and door 20 is moved upwardly to a closed position as shown by the dotted lines thus closing dollar bill opening 12. When the dollar bill is inserted between guides 26 and 28, it contacts arm 64 of microswitch 58 thus closing center pole 56 and contact 62. When flange 24 contacts member 82 and causes latch switch 78 to close, a circuit is completed from voltage terminal A to voltage terminal B through return switch 50, microswitch 58, latch switch 78, and latch solenoid 88 and bill position switch relay 94 in parallel. Thus, latch solenoid 88 is actuated to pivot latching member 36 to position shown by the dotted lines to engage flange 24 locking door 20 in an elevated closed position. Also, bill position switch relay 94 closes poles 106 and 108 of bill position swich 110. When pole 108 of bill position switch 110 is closed, a circuit is completed from voltage line 100 through validating sensing head solenoid 122 to voltage line 54. This causes validating sensing head solenoid 122 to actuate to move validating sensing head 30 across the face of the dollar bill inserted between guides 26 and 28. Validating sensing head 30 may either by a conventional magnetic ink sensing head or a conventional light operated sensing head for determining the authenticity of the bill inserted between guides 26 and 28.

If the dollar bill inserted is valid, a signal is conveyed through lines 126 and 128 to solid state amplifier 130 which operates to close an internal switch (not shown) in solid state amplifier. This completes a circuit from line 132 to line 130 thus applying voltage from lines 100 and 54 across motor 40. Motor 40 then operates to cause rollers 32 to transport the inserted bill out of guides 26 and 28 (from left to right as shown in FIG. 2) to a cashbox (not shown) in the vending machine.

As the dollar bill is transported out of guides 26 and 28 the bill contact arm 72 of microswitch 70 thus opening the circuit between center pole 68 and contact 74. When the dollar bill clears arm 64, microswitch 58 returns to its normal position with center pole 56 in contact with contact 60 thus breaking the circuit to latch solenoid 88 and bill position switch relay 94. However, the combination of resistor 92 and capacitor 96 across bill position switch relay 94 acts as a time delay circuit to hold bill position switch relay in an actuated condition maintaining bill position switch 110 in a closed position for a short period of time after the circuit is broken. Capacitor 96 is large enough to hold bill position switch 110 in a closed position unitl the dollar bill clears arm 72 and center pole 68 closes with contact 74. Thus, a circuit is completed from voltage line 54 through microswitch 58, microswitch 70, bill position switch 110 to the vend circuits 121 which causes the selected item to be dispensed to the purchaser.

If at any time prior to the completion of the validating process, the purchaser wishes not to make a puchase and to retrieve the inserted dollar bill, the purchaser can press the return button 18 which opens return switch 50 thereby breaking the circuit from voltage source A to the latch solenoid 88 and bill position switch relay 94. Thus unlocks door 20 and breaks the circuit to the bill position switch relay 94 which prevents operation of the sensing head relay 122 and the vend circuits 121.

A coin disabling mechanism for use in conjunction with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Coin disabling means 150 generally comprises escapement wheel 152 pivotably mounted for rotation around a shaft 154. Provided on escapement wheel 152 is cam surface 156 which engages follower 158 when escapement wheel 152 is rotated. Follower 158 is operably connected to switch 160 so that switch 160 is open when escapement wheel 152 is rotated in a clockwise direction past its first position. Switch 160 is connected to jacks 102 and 104 on line 100 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the opening of switch 160 breaks the circuit from voltage source B to latch solenoid 88 and bill position switch relay 94. Escapement wheel 152 is operably connected to solenoid 162 so that when solenoid 162 is actuated, escapement wheel 152 is rotated one increment. Increments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent nickel increments of coins inserted into the vending machine. Thus, if a quarter is inserted, escapement wheel 152 rotates to position 5. Solenoid 162 is connected to coin totalizer circuits 164. Coin totalizer circuits 164 operate upon the insertion of various denominations of coins to totalize the amount of coins inserted and to actuate solenoid 162 to rotate escapement wheel 152 an appropriate number of increments. Thus, if any coins are inserted into the vending machine, escapement wheel 152 is rotated so that follower 158 opens switch 160 breaking the circuits to the latch solenoid 88 and the bill position switch relay 94 to prevent operation of those circuits. Escapement wheel 152 is also operably connected to release solenoid 166 so that actuation of release solenoid 166 releases escapement wheel 152 permitting it to rotate back to the first position. Release solenoid 166 is electrically connected to the vend circuit so that completion of the vend causes actuation of release solenoid 166.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the operation of which is substantially the same as the FIG. 2 embodiment except that the dollar bill is held in escrow between guides 26 and 28 until completion of the delivery of the merchandise to the purchaser.

With reference to FIG. 3, a voltage source of 25 volts AC is applied across terminals A and B. This voltage is applied through return switch 200 to the center poles 202 and 204 of microswitches 206 and 208 respectively. When a dollar bill is inserted between guides 26 and 28, arm 210 of microswitch 206 causes center pole 202 to close with contact 212 of microswitch 206 completing a circuit through latch switch 78, latch solenoid 88, bill position switch relay 94 to voltage source B in the same manner as previously described with respect to the FIG. 2 embodiment. Latch solenoid 88 operates to pivot latching member 36 to clock the door 20 in a closed position over dollar bill opening 12 as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 3. Also, bill position switch relay 94 operates to close both poles of bill position switch 110. The closing of pole 106 of bill position switch 110 completes a circuit from voltage terminal A through validating sensing head solenoid 122 to voltage terminal B. This causes validating sensing head 30 to be moved across the face of the dollar bill inserted between guides 26 and 28. If the bill is authentic, a signal is then conveyed to solid state amplifier 130 which causes the closing of an internal switch (not shown) in solid state amplifier 130 to complete a circuit from terminals A and B to vend solenoid 220 through lines 214 and 218. This causes vend solenoid 220 to close switch 222 completing a circuit through line 224, bill position switch 210, line 226, switch 222 and line 228 to the vend circuits 121. The completion of this circuit causes vend circuits 121 to deliver the selected merchandise. If the selected merchandise is available and is delivered, vend circuits 121 cause poles 232 and 234 of switch 230 to close. The closing of pole 232 of switch 230 completes a circuit from voltage source A through motor 40 to voltage source B causing motor 40 to rotate rollers 32 to move the inserted dollar bill through guides 26 and 28 to the cashbox (not shown).

Also included in the FIG. 3 embodiment is a coin disabling means 240 which operates substantially the same as the coin disabling means 150 illustrated in FIG. 4. When coins are inserted into the vending machine, coin totalizer circuits 242 cause solenoid 244 to index escapement wheel 246 one increment for each five cent denomination of coins inserted into the vending machine. Escapement wheel 246 has provided thereon a cam surface 248 which engages follower 250 when escapement wheel 246 is rotated to open switch 252. When switch 252 is opened, the circuit from latch solenoid 88 and bill position switch relay 94 to voltage source B is broken preventing the operation of these circuits. Consequently, if coins are inserted into the vending machine before a dollar bill is inserted into the vending machine, the dollar bill validating circuits are rendered inoperative.

Return button 18 is operably connected to the return switch 260. When return button 18 is pressed, pole 262 opens with respect to contact 264 thereby breaking the circuit from voltage terminal A releasing latch solenoid 88 so that door 20 can drop and the inserted dollar bill can be retrieved. Also, actuation of reutrn button 18 causes pole 266 to open with respect to contact 268 and close with respect to contact 270. The closing of pole 268 with contact 270 completes a circuit from voltage terminal A through release solenoid 236 to voltage terminal B which releases escapement wheel 246 to permits it to return to its starting position. Thus, the return button 18 operates to permit the return of inserted dollar bills, and also operates to return the coin totalizing escapement wheel to its starting position so that switch 252 is closed. Consequently, a dollar bill may be inserted into the vending machine and validated for vending purposes. Also, when the vend circuits 121 complete the delivery of vended merchandise, pole 234 of switch 230 is closed thereby completing a circuit from voltage terminal A through release solenoid 236 to voltage terminal B thereby returning escapement wheel 240 to its starting position.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a coin and dollar bill operated vending machine having coin receiving and totalizing means, dollar bill receiving and validating means, a cashbox for receiving coins and dollar bills inserted into the vending machine, and vending means for initiating the delivery of merchandise from the vending machine, and improved escrow and security device comprising:

a door, said door adapted to be manually actuated to move to a closed position thereby closing access to the coin receiving means and to the dollar bill receiving means;

locking means for locking said door in the closed position when said door is moved to the closed position after a dollar bill has been inserted into the dollar bill receiving means;

initiation means for initiating operation of the validating means in response to insertion of a dollar bill into the dollar bill receiving means and in response to the movement of said door to the closed position;

transport means for transporting a dollar bill to the cashbox in response to validation of the dollar bill by the validating means; and

vend start means for initiating operation of the vending means to deliver merchandise to a purchaser in response to said transport means transporting the dollar bill to the cashbox and for terminating operation of said locking means so that said door may move to an open position;

disabling means for preventing operation of said locking means and said initiating means when a coin is inserted into the coin receiving and totalizing means.

2. An escrow and security arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising return means for terminating operation of said locking means, initiating means and transport means before operation of said vend start means in response to purchaser stimulus so that a purchaser may retrieve deposited coins or dollar bills before initiation of operation of the vending means to deliver merchandise.

3. An escrow and security arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pivotably mounted lever member, said lever member mounted so that a first end thereof will engage and lock said door when said lever member is pivoted in response to the insertion of a dollar bill into the dollar bill receiving means and said door is moved to the closed position.

4. An escrow and security arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said initiating means comprises initiating switch means operable to provide electrical power to the validating means in response to insertion of a dollar bill into the dollar bill receiving means and movement of the door to a closed position.

5. An escrow and security arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transport means comprises:

rotatable roller means for contacting and moving the dollar bill when said roller means are rotated;

motor means operably connected to said roller means to rotate said roller means in response to validation of the dollar bill by the validating means.

6. An escrow and security arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vend start means comprises:

vend switch means operable in response to the transport means transporting a dollar bill to the cashbox, said vend switch means for completing an electrical circuit to the vending means when operated to initiate operation of the vending means.

7. An escrow and security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disabling means comprises:

disabling switch means for terminating electric power to the locking means, and initiating means, when said switch means is opened;

coin and follower means for opening said disabling switch means in response to coins being inserted into the coin receiving and totalizing means.

8. In a coin and dollar bill operated vending machine having coin receiving and totalizing means, dollar bill receiving and validating means, a cashbox for receiving coins and dollar bills inserted into the vending machine and vending means for initiating delivery of merchandise from the vending machine, an improved escrow and security device comprising:

a door, said door adapted to be actuated to move to a closed position thereby closing access to the coin receiving means and the dollar bill receiving means;

locking means for locking said door in the closed position when said door is moved to the closed position after a dollar bill has been inserted into the dollar bill receiving means;

initiating means for initiating operation of the validator in response to insertion of a dollar bill into the dollar bill receiving means and in response to the movement of said door to the closed position;

vend start means for initiating operation of the vending means to deliver merchandise to the purchaser in response to the validating means validating a dollar bill inserted into the receiving means;

transport means for transporting the dollar bill to the cashbox in response to the delivery of merchandise by the vending means; and

disabling means for preventing the operation of said locking means and said initiating means when a coin is inserted into the coin receiving and totalizing means.

9. An escrow and security device, as claimed in claim 8, and further comprising return means for terminating operation of said locking means, initiating means, and transport means before operation of said vend start means in response to purchaser stimulus so that a purchaser may retrieve deposited coins or dollar bills before the initiation of operation of the vending means to deliver merchandise.

10. An escrow and security arrangement for use in combination with a dollar bill validator for a vending machine, the validator comprising a sensing head for determining the authenticity of the dollar bill, said escrow and security arrangement comprising:

receiving means for receiving and retaining the inserted dollar bill, the validator being adjacent said receiving means;

coin receiving and totalizing means for receiving and totalizing inserted coins;

a door, said door adapted to be manually actuated to move to a closed position to close access to said receiving means and said coin receiving means after a dollar bill is inserted into said receiving means;

locking means for locking said door in the closed position in response to the insertion of a dollar bill into said receiving means;

initiation means for initiating operation of the validator in response to insertion of a dollar bill into said receiving means and in response to the movement of said door to the closed position;

transport means for transporting a dollar bill to a cashbox in the vending machine in response to the validator determining the authenticity of the inserted dollar bill; and

vend means for initiating the vending of merchandise from the vending machine and for terminating operation of said locking means so that the door may move to an open position in response to the transporting of a dollar bill by said transport means;

disabling means for preventing operation of said locking means and said initiating means when a coin is inserted into the coin receiving and totalizing means.