GB983983A - Improvements in or relating to coin sorting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

983, 983. Sorting coins. VACUUMATIC Ltd., and S. HAINES. Nov. 10, 1961 [Sept. 26, 1960), No. 33012/60. Heading G4X. A coin sorting apparatus comprises a rotatable inclined plate 27 with holes 40 in which coins are received singly from a hopper 30, gauging channels on the back of the plate which taper towards the plate centre and a fixed annular shutter 38 which shuts off each channel from its associated hole until a coin therein falls by gravity through a shutter aperture 56 and takes up a position in a gauging channel at a radius corresponding to its diameter; counter-operating feelers 73 are arranged at corresponding radii and are depressed as the coins are moved past them to fall subsequently through transfer holes 81, 82, 83, 84 to containers 17. The plate 27 is driven through a slipping clutch 23 and belt 25 from a motor 12 and the gauging channels may be formed by plates having one stepped side or one side inclined to a radius or may be formed by pegs. When a coin actuates one of the feelers 73, a switch delivers an impulse to a counter indicating the number of coins passing to a container. When that container indicates a predetermined number, a relay energizes a solenoid to raise one of four stop pins 91, 92, 93, 94 to prevent further coins passing to that container and also, through a delay device, illuminates one of four warning lamps 96, 97, 98, 99 when the last win has reached the container. The relay also energizes a solenoid to raise a spring-loaded ejector 8 into the path of the holes 40 and eject all coins in them back to the hopper. When the operator swings the full container down about its horizontal axis, the coins are delivered and a switch 101 is operated to withdraw the raised stop pin and the ejector 8 and to extinguish the warning lamp. Sorting and counting begins again and coins collect in the passage to the container until it is swung up again to its collecting position. To clear jams, the plate 27 may be rotated slightly backwards by means of a toothed wheel 102 on its shaft and a lever 104 pivoted about the shaft. A spring-loaded rod 106 within the lever operates a rod 112 having a tapered end and, when the rod 106 is pushed in, the tapered end engages, or is ready to engage, between two teeth of the wheel 102. The rod operates a switch 132 to stop the motor 12 and also lock the counters so that a coin which has already operated a feeler 73 will not operate it a second time. As the lever 104 is pulled down, a pin 121 in a stepped slot 120 prevents the rod 106 from returning under the action of its spring and return of the lever beyond its initial position is necessary to release the pin from the slot. A modified lever is described in which a pawl arrangement prevents movement of the lever until the rod 106 is actuated. Specification 983,984 is referred to.