Detachable coin sorting mechanism and coin acceptor arrangement

Abstract

A detachable coin sorting mechanism and coin acceptor arrangement is disclosed to include a coin acceptor having a coin acceptor module for verifying the authenticity of each inserted coin and a track assembly for the mounting of the rail unit of a coin sorting mechanism to sort coins inserted into the coin acceptor. The track assembly has a positioning space, two sliding grooves at two sides of the positioning space, and a retaining notch at the front side of the positioning space between the sliding grooves. The rail unit of coin sorting mechanism has a locating block protruded from the top, two rails protruded from the locating block at two sides and respectively coupled to the sliding grooves of the coin acceptor, a hook plate protruded from the locating block and hooked on the retaining notch of the track assembly.

Description

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of my patent application, Ser. No. 10 / 754,580, filed on Jan. 12, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates coin acceptors and more specifically, to a detachable coin sorting mechanism and coin acceptor arrangement, which allows quick installation of a coin sorting mechanism in a coin acceptor for sorting each inserted coin. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Following fast development of modern technology, various automatic vending machines (food or beverage vending machines, ticket vending machines, coin exchanging machines are used everywhere to sell different products or to provide different services without serviceman. The use of automatic vending machines creates new marketing routes for the suppliers, and gives inconveniency to consumers. Further, an automatic vending machine may be equipped with a coin sorting mechanism to sort coins. [0006]FIGS. 7 and 8...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a detachable coin sorting mechanism and coin acceptor arrangement that allows quick installation of a coin sorting mechanism in a coin acceptor to sort each inserted coin. It also allows selective installation of different coin sorting mechanisms in a coin acceptor to assort different coins. The coin sorting mechanism is detachably fastened to the coin acceptor and has a coin inlet on the top side thereof for receiving coins from the coin outlet of the coin acceptor, and a rail unit for fastening to the track assembly of the coin acceptor. The rail unit has a locating block protruded from the top at one side of the coin inlet, two rails formed integral with the locating block at two sides and respectively coupled to the sliding grooves of the coin acceptor, and a hook plate protruded from the locating block and suspending between the two rails and hooked on the retaining notch of the track assembly.

Problems solved by technology

The use of automatic vending machines creates new marketing routes for the suppliers, and gives inconveniency to consumers.

This design of coin sorting mechanism A is still not satisfactory in function because of the following drawbacks:

The multiple connection points between the lifter A1 and the link A11 may wear quickly with use, causing vibration of the link A11 relative to the lifter A1 and inaccurate functioning of the coin sorting mechanism A.

Therefore, the maintenance work of the coin sorting mechanism A is complicated, requiring much labor and time.

In consequence, the inventory cost will be high.

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