Coin conveying device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conveying device for conveying coins from a first level to a second higher level, comprising a coin inlet on the first level and a coin outlet on the second level, and comprising an endless conveyor driven by a drive for conveying coins from the coin inlet to the coin outlet, wherein the endless conveyor is a chain link conveyor with a plurality of articulated chain links.

[0002] These types of conveying devices transport coins from a lower to a higher level. This may be necessary, for example, in payment machines, change machines, or gaming machines. Such devices have a coin inlet at the lower level, through which the coins to be conveyed are fed into the conveying mechanism, in particular an endless chain conveyor. The coins are carried by the chain links of the endless chain conveyor to the higher level, where they typically fall from the chain links into a coin outlet due to gravity. The coins can then be dispensed, for example, via the coin outlet.

[0003] In chain link conveyors, the coins are generally held mechanically to the chain links during conveying, unlike conveyor belts where coins are held by friction. This mechanical holding mechanism in chain link conveyors provides reliable coin transport. A generic conveying device is known from WO 2018 / 141421 A1. The conveyor chain of this device is guided in a modular rail system consisting of a plurality of detachably connected rail elements. This allows for the simple implementation of different track configurations for the conveyor chain, particularly different conveying heights. The chain links of the known chain conveyor have carrying devices in the form of carrying projections for capturing coins as they are conveyed from a lower to a higher level.To prevent coins picked up by the conveying devices from falling, the oval formed by the chain conveyor is inclined relative to the vertical.

[0004] The known conveyor system reliably transports and thus moves the coins from a lower to a higher level. However, the requirement for the conveyor path to be inclined relative to the vertical results in a considerable size when there are large height differences between the first and second levels.

[0005] To prevent coins held by chain links from falling, even when the conveyor chain is arranged in both vertically ascending and vertically descending directions, WO 2018 / 115944 A1 proposes a pressure element to press the coins transported by the conveyor loop onto the conveyor loop. The pressure element extends essentially along the ascending section of the conveyor loop. While such a pressure element reliably prevents coins from falling even with a vertically ascending conveyor loop, thus enabling a smaller conveyor design, particularly with a large height difference between the first and second levels, the design with the pressure element is complex. In particular, a pressure element fixed relative to the conveyor chain results in considerable wear and a risk of maintenance failure. A pressure element that moves with the conveyor loop or...A pressure element moving parallel to the conveyor loop significantly increases the design effort.

[0006] US 2017 / 0213408 A1 describes a coin conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor elements for conveying coins along a loop-shaped conveying path. Each conveyor element includes first and second support surfaces for coins, each holding a single coin. The support surfaces are separated by a hinged section, allowing relative movement between them.

[0007] From GB 2513539 A, another coin conveying system is known, comprising first and second continuous conveyors, wherein the second continuous conveyor is arranged inside the first continuous conveyor. Conveyor sections of the coin conveyor have coin-holding ledges on which coins can rest.

[0008] US Patent 5531331 A discloses a sorting device that can be used, for example, for sorting chips in gaming applications. The sorting device comprises a rotating transfer disk that feeds individual chips to a conveyor. The conveyor carries the chips to a sensor that detects the color of the chips and then to a chip output unit that sorts the chips into different containers according to their color.

[0009] The invention solves the problem with a conveying device according to independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0010] For a conveying device of the type mentioned above, the invention solves the problem by providing that the chain links each have at least one coin-holding bridge which holds the coins to be conveyed on the one hand against a conveying direction of the coins from the first level to the second level and on the other hand transversely to the conveying direction on the respective chain link.

[0011] The conveying device according to the invention transports coins from a first, lower level to a second, higher level. The coins to be conveyed are preferably currency coins of a specific currency, for example, euro coins, or the like. However, they can also be other types of coins or tokens. The coins to be conveyed are preferably made of a metal. However, other materials are also conceivable, for example, plastic. The coins to be conveyed are fed to the endless chain link conveyor according to the invention via a coin inlet on the first, lower level. The endless chain link conveyor consists of a plurality of articulated chain links and is driven by a drive mechanism during operation. This causes the coins fed in via the coin inlet to be conveyed from the first level to the second level.A coin outlet is provided on the higher, second level, through which the coins conveyed to the second level are dispensed for further use, for example, for payout. The conveying device can also include a coin hopper connected to the coin inlet, which feeds coins to it for conveyance to the second level, for example, for payout. During their rotation, the chain links according to the invention pick up coins fed through the coin inlet and mechanically hold them in place during conveyance to the second level. During their rotation, the articulated chain links pivot intermittently. On the second level, the coins can fall, for example, due to gravity, from the chain links, which change their orientation during rotation, into the coin outlet. An electric drive motor can be provided to drive the chain link conveyor.For example, the drive can rotate a gear that meshes with corresponding teeth on the chain links, thus rotating the chain link conveyor. The chain link conveyor can have a housing in which the chain links are arranged to rotate.

[0012] In principle, there are different requirements for coin conveyors. On the one hand, in certain applications, the transport of exactly one coin per chain link is desired. This is then referred to as a singulator chain link conveyor. Singulator chain link conveyors are used, for example, when coins are to be counted or examined individually. On the other hand, it may be desirable to convey several coins with one chain link in order to enable the fastest possible conveying of the coins from the first level to the second level, for example, for the fastest possible dispensing of a quantity of coins. Such chain link conveyors are also referred to as escalator chain link conveyors. The conveying device according to the invention is fundamentally suitable for both requirements. The chain link conveyor according to the invention can therefore be either a singulator chain link conveyor or an escalator chain link conveyor.

[0013] According to the invention, the chain links of the chain link conveyor each have at least one coin-holding lug. Of course, the chain links can also each have more than one coin-holding lug, for example, two coin-holding lugs. The at least one coin-holding lug holds the coins being conveyed during transport from the first level to the second level, on the one hand, against the conveying direction of the coins. In particular, the at least one coin-holding lug prevents coins from falling downwards against the conveying direction during transport to the second level. On the other hand, the at least one coin-holding lug also holds the coins being conveyed transversely to the conveying direction on the respective chain link during transport from the first level to the second level, in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction. The at least one coin-holding lug thus also prevents the coins from falling laterally.The coins are prevented from tipping off the chain link, as would be possible, particularly with a steep incline up to a vertical rise of the chain link conveyor, without the need for a pressure element. The coins are thus held in a direction away from the respective chain link or its base. The at least one coin-holding ledge forms a pocket in which the coins being conveyed are at least partially received during transport to the second level. In this way, even without an additional pressure element and even with steep inclines up to a vertical rise of the chain link conveyor, the coins are reliably held mechanically solely by the chain links and thus secured against unwanted premature falling due to gravity.According to the invention, reliable coin conveying is thus enabled even with a large height difference between the first and second levels of more than 1 m, for example up to 2 m, with a compact conveying device and in a structurally simple manner. The invention is based on the surprising finding that reliable singulation and conveying of coins is possible even with at least one coin retainer, especially if the quantity of coins to be conveyed is appropriately designed or selected. For example, euro coins differ sufficiently in their thickness and diameter to allow for reliable singulation. For other coin quantities, a selection of coins approved for the conveying device can be made, whereby, for example, coins with significantly different diameters or thicknesses are not accepted and can be rejected and returned upon insertion.

[0014] Depending on whether the chain link conveyor is a singulator chain link conveyor or an escalator chain link conveyor, each pocket can hold either exactly one coin or several coins. In principle, the coin-holding platform can be designed to hold exactly one coin at a time during conveying from the first to the second level. Alternatively, the coin-holding platform can be designed so that it cannot hold two coins simultaneously, especially not stacked on top of each other. However, if desired, the coin-holding platform can also be designed to hold several coins simultaneously during conveying from the first to the second level, particularly when very high conveying capacities are required.

[0015] The chain link conveyor has a first section that ascends when driven and a second section that descends when driven. The first section transitions at its higher end via a third section into the higher end of the second section, and the second section transitions at its lower end via a fourth section into the lower end of the first section. Thus, a third section of the chain link conveyor is provided between the higher end of the first section and the second section, and a fourth section is provided between the lower end of the second section and the first section. The sections are formed by the interconnected chain links of the chain link conveyor. Together, the sections form the conveying path of the chain link conveyor. They can, for example, form an oval conveying path.The first and second sections can, for example, be arranged parallel to each other. A vertical ascent and / or descent of the chain link conveyor enables a particularly compact design of the conveying device, even with a large height difference between the first and second levels. At the same time, the inventive design of the chain links ensures that the conveyed coins are held securely at all times, particularly in the first section.

[0016] The third section can be curved, preferably semicircular, according to a further embodiment. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth section can be curved, preferably semicircular. In particular, a symmetrical shape for the chain link conveyor is possible, for example, an oval. The coins to be conveyed can fall from the chain links, particularly in the area of ​​the third section, due to the changing orientation of the chain links as a result of the curvature of the third section, and enter the coin outlet. The time or location of the coins falling can be adjusted as desired by specifically shaping the curvature of the third section. For this purpose, the third section can also have a shape other than a semicircle, especially if an earlier fall of the coins is desired.For example, the third section may have a first curved subsection adjoining the first section, with a relatively small initial radius of curvature, and a second subsection adjoining the first curved subsection, which leads into the second section of the chain link conveyor. The second subsection serves to bridge the gap between the more sharply curved first subsection and the second section of the chain link conveyor. The second subsection may be straight or also curved, in particular with a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature of the first curved section.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the drive can be arranged within the chain link conveyor, with a gear driven by the drive meshing with the chain links in the region of the second section. As explained, the drive can, for example, comprise an electric motor. Arranging the drive within the chain link conveyor and in the region of the second section, preferably at a lower end of the chain link conveyor, allows for a particularly compact design of the conveyor device according to the invention.

[0018] According to the invention, the at least one coin-holding ridge forms an undercut that holds the coins to be conveyed. For example, the at least one coin-holding ridge can have an L-shaped cross-section. Together with, for example, a cuboid-shaped base body of the chain link, the coin-holding ridge can form a C-shape in cross-section. This creates a pocket in which the coins to be conveyed are held particularly securely, even perpendicular to the conveying direction from the first level to the second level. Depending on the size of the undercut, it is possible for several coins to be held stacked on top of each other in the pocket formed by the undercut, or for exactly one coin at a time to be held in the pocket formed by the undercut.

[0019] In a further embodiment, each chain link can have two coin-holding lugs that run at an angle to each other. Providing two coin-holding lugs further improves the retention of the coins. Each of the coin-holding lugs can be designed as described in this application for the minimum of one coin-holding lug. Of course, it would also be conceivable, for example, for two coin-holding lugs, each with a non-straight path, such as a curved path.

[0020] The two coin-holding ledges can be arranged along a V-shape and designed to hold coins in a recess formed by the V-shape during conveyance from the first to the second level. The opening of the V-shape is oriented in the conveying direction in the first section of the chain conveyor. Thus, the coins are securely held in the V-shaped recess during conveyance from the first to the second level.

[0021] In a further embodiment, it is possible for the two coin-holding lugs of a chain link to not touch. In particular, it is possible for the V-shaped, converging ends of the two coin-holding lugs to not touch. Thus, the two coin-holding lugs do not need to form a closed V. The aforementioned embodiment can advantageously allow, for example, small debris or contaminants to fall downwards, preventing them from being conveyed to the coin outlet. A section can also be formed between the ends of the coin-holding lugs, with which a drive gear meshes to power the chain link conveyor.

[0022] In a further, particularly practical design, the chain links can each be formed in one piece with the at least one coin-holding lug. The chain links can be made of plastic. For example, the chain links can each be manufactured using a plastic injection molding process. This allows for particularly simple manufacturing and subsequent assembly and disassembly.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the chain links can be articulated to one another via a snap-fit ​​connection, particularly a detachable one. This allows for particularly easy assembly and disassembly, and thus particularly easy adaptation of the chain link conveyor to different conveying heights. For example, one or more snap-fit ​​receptacles can be provided at one end of each chain link, and one or more snap-fit ​​projections at the opposite end. The snap-fit ​​projections can, for example, have a cylindrical cross-section. The snap-fit ​​receptacles can correspondingly have a C-shaped cross-section. The snap-fit ​​projections and snap-fit ​​receptacles can also be formed integrally with the respective chain link.

[0024] The coin inlet can be further modified to include a chute for coins fed through it. As explained, coins can be fed into the coin inlet from a hopper, for example. The coins fall through the inlet onto the chain link conveyor, particularly in the area of ​​the fourth section. Without a chute, the coins fall directly onto the chain links of the conveyor, potentially leading to coins rolling on their edges or an undesirable accumulation of coins, which can hinder coin handling, especially singulation. The chute prevents these problems. It stops the coins from falling directly onto the chain links. To achieve this, the chute is positioned so that coins fed through the coin inlet first fall onto it.The floor chute can be vibrated by the chain links of the chain conveyor, which preferably move beneath it. The floor chute reliably prevents coins from rolling or accumulating. Simultaneously, coins that would otherwise lie flat on the chain links are oriented by a chain link for easy collection. The floor chute is preferably stationary, allowing the chain links, particularly in the fourth section of the chain conveyor, to move beneath it. The floor chute can have a curved section adapted to the curvature of the fourth section of the chain conveyor. The floor chute can be made of sheet metal, for example, specifically a curved sheet metal adapted to the curvature of the fourth section of the chain conveyor. However, a floor chute made of plastic or a similar material is also conceivable.

[0025] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the end of the floor chute that opens onto the chain link conveyor can be non-perpendicular to the conveying direction of the chain link conveyor, preferably at an angle to the conveying direction or along a non-straight line. For example, the end of the floor chute that opens onto the chain link conveyor can have a V-shaped cutout or another shape that deviates from being perpendicular to the conveying direction. An irregular opening of the floor chute, for example, tilts coins rolling on its side edges so that they can subsequently be properly conveyed by the conveyor. This also prevents unwanted coin accumulations even more reliably.

[0026] In a further design, the coin outlet can include a guide chute for conveying coins from the chain link conveyor, in particular for guiding coins falling from the chain links into the coin outlet. This improves the feeding of coins from the chain link conveyor into the coin outlet.

[0027] The chain links can each have at least one lateral limiting rib, preferably two lateral limiting ribs arranged on opposite sides of a base body of the chain links, for laterally holding a coin to be conveyed. This ensures that the coins are held laterally on the chain links at all times. The at least one lateral limiting rib can also be formed integrally with the chain link.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the chain links can each have two opposing lateral limiting webs, spaced apart in such a way that the two smallest coins of the coins to be conveyed cannot be held side by side between the limiting webs. In a further embodiment, the at least one coin-holding web can be dimensioned such that the two thinnest coins of the coins to be conveyed cannot be held on top of each other by the at least one coin-holding web.

[0029] The aforementioned features ensure the reliable singulation of coins, for example, for targeted payouts. Nevertheless, a high conveying speed of, for example, up to five coins per second is possible with the conveying device according to the invention.

[0030] Instead of lateral limiting ribs, it would also be conceivable, for example, to space opposing side casing walls so far apart that the two smallest coins of the coins to be mined cannot be held next to each other between the casing walls.

[0031] If very high conveying capacities are required, for example 20 coins per second, as may be desired in money exchange devices, a larger dimension of the at least one coin holding bar and / or a dispensing with the side limiting bars is also possible, so that several coins can be stacked on top of each other and / or held next to each other by a chain link.

[0032] The chain link conveyor according to the invention can be modularly constructed. This allows for easy adaptation to different heights. For example, adjustments to the conveyor device according to the invention are possible in the range of 300 mm to 2,000 mm.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the coin outlet can include at least one sensor designed for counting and / or detecting coins dispensed by the coin outlet. In principle, the conveying device according to the invention can be used, for example, in vending machine systems as both an input and output device for coins. A circuit board with electronics, equipped, for example, with sensors and optionally evaluation electronics, can be attached to the coin outlet of the conveying device. Particularly in a configuration of the chain link conveyor such that it feeds coins individually to the coin outlet, the coins can be counted by providing a suitable sensor. The sensor can, for example, comprise an optical measuring device, such as a light barrier. However, it can also be a capacitive or inductive sensor.The results of the coin count can be transmitted to the vending machine control system, preferably via a digital interface, using evaluation electronics and, if necessary, appropriate software. This would also enable start-stop operation of the conveyor, allowing for the suitable integration of downstream components. An inductive sensor, for example, could be used to distinguish the coins discharged through the coin outlet based on their diameter. This allows for the simple identification of the respective coin type and / or value. Based on this information, specific amounts of money can be dispensed or counted, or a certain number of coins can be checked to ensure they have been fully dispensed.Similarly, based on such sensors and, if necessary, appropriate evaluation electronics, a payout speed could also be achieved via speed control of the chain link conveyor, in particular its drive.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. They schematically show: Figure 1 shows a conveying device according to the invention in a side view, Figure 2 shows the section A from Figure 1 , Figure 3, section B from Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a view corresponding to section B in Figure 1 For a further embodiment, Figure 5 shows a chain link that is in Figure 1 The conveying device shown in a first perspective view, Figure 6, the chain link made of Figure 5 in a second perspective view, Figure 7 a chain link of the in Figure 1The conveying device shown in a further embodiment in a first perspective view, Figure 8, the chain link made of Figure 7 in a second perspective view, and Figure 9 a floor slide of the in Figure 1 Conveyor device shown in a perspective view.

[0035] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols in the figures denote the same objects.

[0036] The in Figure 1The illustrated conveying device according to the invention is for conveying coins from a first level to a second, higher level. The conveying device comprises a coin inlet 10, through which coins to be conveyed are fed to an endless chain link conveyor 12 arranged in a partially open housing 11. The chain link conveyor 12 has a plurality of articulated chain links 14, which in the illustrated example are articulated to one another via a snap-fit ​​connection, as will be explained in more detail below. The coin inlet 10 is arranged on the first, lower level. A coin outlet 16 is provided on the second, higher level, to which coins conveyed from the first level to the second level by the chain link conveyor 12 are fed. The coins can be fed to the coin inlet 10, for example, via a coin hopper.The coins from coin outlet 16 can be used for further purposes, for example, paid out.

[0037] In the example shown, a drive 18, for example an electric motor 18, rotates a gear 20 which meshes with a corresponding tooth structure of the chain links 14 of the chain link conveyor 12, so that the chain links 14 of the chain link conveyor 12 are rotated by the drive 18. Figure 1clockwise. Coins fed in via the coin inlet 10 are picked up by the chain links 14 in a manner to be explained in more detail below and conveyed from the first level to the second level, where they are fed to the coin outlet 16. For this purpose, the chain link conveyor 12 has a first section 22 that rises vertically when driven and a second section 24 that descends vertically when driven. The upper end of the first section 22 transitions via a semicircularly curved third section 26 into the upper end of the second section 24. The lower end of the second section 24 transitions via a similarly semicircularly curved fourth section 28 into the lower end of the first section 22. In this way, the chain link conveyor 12 forms an oval with parallel first and second sections 22, 24 and complementary third and fourth sections 26, 28.

[0038] As in Figure 1As can be further seen, the drive 18, including the gear 20, is arranged outside the chain link conveyor 12, specifically outside the housing 11, namely on one side of the chain link conveyor 12 in the lower area of ​​the chain link conveyor 12. This can simplify the disassembly and assembly of the chain link conveyor 12. However, for the sake of a particularly compact design, the drive 18 and the gear 20 could also be arranged inside the chain link conveyor 12, for example, mirrored to the one shown in Figure 1 The arrangement shown is such that the gear in the second section 24 meshes with tooth sections of the chain links 14. Due to the articulated locking connection of the chain links 14 to one another, the chain link conveyor 12 can be adapted to different conveying heights between the first and second levels by simply assembling or disassembling the chain links 14.

[0039] As also in Figure 1As can be seen, a floor slide 30 is provided below the coin inlet 10, arranged above the chain links 14 which rotate beneath it, in Figure 1 The slide is shown with a dashed line. The enlarged view of the floor slide shows the slide in the floor slide. Figure 2 to see more clearly. As in Figure 1 and the enlarged representation of the Figure 3 As illustrated by dashed lines 32, the coins carried by the chain links 14 fall from them into the coin outlet 16 in the area of ​​the second section 26 due to the changing orientation of the chain links 14, caused by gravity. The coins can be guided to the coin outlet 16 by a guide chute arranged along line 32.

[0040] Figure 4Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of the third section 26' of the chain link conveyor 12. In this embodiment, the third section 26' has a first subsection 34 with a smaller radius of curvature than the second section 26 in the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the second section 26' in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 has a smaller radius of curvature than the second section 26 in the embodiment shown above. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a second subsection 36 is added, which merges into the second section 24 with a significantly larger radius of curvature than the first subsection 34. In the embodiment according to Figure 4 The coins carried along by the chain links 14 fall out of them earlier due to gravity into the coin outlet 16.

[0041] In the Figures 5 and 6 is a chain link 14 of the chain link conveyor 12 made of Figure 1A first embodiment is shown. The chain link conveyor 14 comprises a cuboid base body 38 with C-shaped locking recesses 40 at one end and cylindrical locking projections 42 at the opposite end. Any number of chain links 14 can be easily and detachably connected to one another via the locking recesses 40 and locking projections 42. In the example shown, external guide pins 44 are also formed in the region of the end with the locking projections 42, which guide the chain links 14 during their rotational movement. Of course, an opposite configuration of the locking recesses 40 and locking projections 42 would also be conceivable, such that the locking recesses 40 are formed at the end with the guide pin 44 and the locking projections 42 at the opposite end.And of course, a mixed design would also be conceivable, in which a detent receptacle 40 and a detent projection 42 are formed at each end.

[0042] On the upper surface of the base body 38, two coin-holding ribs 46 extend along a V-shape. The coin-holding ribs 46 are each L-shaped in cross-section and form an undercut or pocket for receiving a coin 48, as shown in Figure 6 is shown. As in the Figures 5 and 6 As can be seen, the coin retaining bars 46 do not touch. They extend only along part of a V-shape, with the recess of the V-shape in the first section 22 of the chain link conveyor 12 facing upwards in the conveying direction. The height of the coin retaining bars 46, or rather their undercut, is shown in the Figures 5 and 6In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement is such that exactly one coin of the coins to be conveyed can be received in the pocket formed by the coin retaining lugs 46, i.e., not two coins stacked on top of each other. Due to the undercut design of the coin retaining lugs 46, the coin 48 received therein is held, on the one hand, against the conveying direction of the coin 48 from the first level to the second level, i.e., prevented from falling downwards, in the first section 22. On the other hand, the coin 48 is also held transversely to the conveying direction on the chain link 14, in particular such that the coin 48 cannot fall away from the base body 38 of the chain link 14 even during vertical upward conveying in the first section 22.The chain link 14 also includes two lateral limiting webs 50 arranged at opposite lateral ends of the base body 38, by which the coins 48 are also secured against falling laterally off the chain link 14. Furthermore, the distance between the limiting webs 50 is such that no two coins can be held side by side by one chain link 14. Regarding the chain link 14 according to the... Figures 5 and 6 It is therefore a chain link of a singulator chain link conveyor.

[0043] In the Figure 7 and 8 is another embodiment of a chain link 14', which is also used in the Figure 1 The conveying device shown can be used. In this case, it is a chain link 14' for forming an escalator chain link conveyor. This chain link 14' largely corresponds to the chain link 14 from the Figures 5 and 6and identical parts are marked with the same reference symbols. Unlike chain link 14 from the Figures 5 and 6 are the coin holding bars 46' of the chain link 14' from the Figure 7 and 8 The coin retaining bars 46' are arranged parallel to each other and connected by a connecting bridge 62. They are also L-shaped in cross-section and form an undercut, but with a greater height than in the embodiment according to the Figures 5 and 6 , so that several stacked coins 48 can be received simultaneously in the pockets formed by the coin-holding ledges 46', as in Figure 8The geometry of the coin-holding bars 46' with the connecting bar 62, in particular the parallel arrangement of the coin-holding bars 46' with the connecting bar 62 running transversely to the coin-holding bars 46', prevents excessive tilting of the coins held by the coin-holding bars 46'. For this purpose, the depth of the pockets formed by the coin-holding bars 46' can also be limited. The conveying capacity of the conveyor can be significantly increased by the coin-holding bars 46', naturally eliminating the need for coin singulation. Therefore, no lateral limiting bars are required. However, it should be noted that, of course, even in the embodiment according to the Figure 7 and 8 Corresponding limiting webs may be provided, as well as, if necessary, the limiting webs 50 in the embodiment according to the Figures 5 and 6This can be dispensed with. A projection 64, for example triangular in cross-section, is also arranged on the underside of the connecting web 62. This prevents coins 48 from accumulating and potentially becoming trapped between adjacent chain links 14'. Such a projection 64 can also have a different cross-sectional shape and can also be located on the chain link 14 according to the Figures 5 and 6 be planned.

[0044] The chain links 14 and 14' are specifically manufactured as single pieces and consist, for example, of a plastic. They may, for example, be produced using a plastic injection molding process.

[0045] In Figure 9The floor chute 30 of the conveying device according to the invention is shown in an enlarged perspective view. In the example shown, the floor chute 30 is designed as a sheet metal part. Holes 52 are provided on a bent retaining section 50, through which the floor chute 30 can be attached, for example, to a part of the housing 11 of the conveying device, for example by screwing it in place. The retaining section 50 transitions into a flat base section 54, which in turn transitions via a hinge edge 56 into a curved chute section 58. As shown in particular in the Figure 1 and 2As can be seen, the curved slide section 58 is adapted to the curved course of the fourth section 28 in such a way that the slide section 58 is located directly above the chain links 14 rotating beneath it during operation, or rests on the chain links 14. In the latter case, the rotating chain links 14 can advantageously cause vibration of the bottom slide 30.

[0046] In Figure 9It can also be seen that the free end 60 of the chute section 58 has a V-shape. This design has proven particularly advantageous in preventing unwanted coin accumulation in the fourth section 28 of the chain link conveyor 12 or coins from permanently rolling on their edges. During operation, coins 48 fed in via the coin inlet 10 thus fall onto the chute section 58 before sliding from there down onto the chain links 14 in the fourth section 28 of the chain link conveyor 12. It should also be mentioned that at least one sensor can be assigned to the coin outlet 16, designed to count and / or detect coins dispensed through the coin outlet 16. Corresponding evaluation electronics can also be provided. Reference symbol list

[0047] 10 Coin inlet 11 Housing 12 Chain link conveyor 14 Chain link 14' Chain link 16 Coin outlet 18 Drive 20 Gear 22 First section 24 Second section 26 Third section 26' Third section 28 Fourth section 30 Bottom chute 32 Dashed lines / Guide chute 34 First subsection 36 Second subsection 38 Base body 40 Detent receptacles 42 Detent projections 44 Guide pin 46 Coin retaining bar 46' Coin retaining bar 48 Coin 50 Limiting bar 52 Bore 54 Base section 56 Break edge 58 Chute section 60 Free end 62 Connecting bar 64 Projection

Claims

1. A conveyor device for conveying coins (48) from a first level to a second, higher level, comprising a coin inlet (10) on the first level and a coin outlet (16) on the second level, and comprising an endless conveyor, driven by a drive (18), for conveying coins (48) from the coin inlet (10) to the coin outlet (16), wherein the endless conveyor is a chain conveyor (12) with a plurality of chain links (14, 14') connected to each other in an articulated manner, wherein the chain links (14, 14') each have at least one coin retaining web (46, 46'), which holds the coins (48) to be conveyed on the one hand counter to the conveying direction of the coins (48) from the first level to the second level and on the other hand transversely to the conveying direction on the respective chain link (14, 14'), characterized in that the at least one coin retaining web (46, 46') forms an undercut, by means of which the coins (48) to be conveyed are held.

2. The conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one coin retaining web (46, 46') has an L-shaped cross-section.

3. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain links (14, 14') each have two coin retaining webs (46, 46'), which extend at an angle to one another.

4. The conveyor device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two coin retaining webs (46, 46') are arranged along a V-shape and are designed to hold coins (48) in the receptacle formed by the V-shape while they are being conveyed from the first level to the second level.

5. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain links (14, 14') are each formed integrally with the at least one coin retaining web (46, 46') and / or in that the chain links (14, 14') are connected to each other in an articulated manner via a latching connection.

6. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coin inlet (10) has a bottom chute (30) for coins (48) supplied via the coin inlet (10).

7. The conveyor device according to claim 6, characterized in that an end of the bottom chute (30) that opens onto the chain conveyor (12) is designed non-perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the chain conveyor (12), preferably obliquely to the conveying direction or along a non-straight line.

8. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coin outlet (16) has a guide chute (32) for conveying coins (48) away from the chain conveyor (12).

9. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain links (14, 14') each have at least one lateral boundary web (50) for laterally holding a coin (48) to be conveyed.

10. The conveyor device according to claim 9, characterized in that the chain links (14, 14') each have two opposingly arranged lateral boundary webs (50), which are spaced apart such that the two smallest coins (48) of the coins (48) to be conveyed cannot be held next to each other between the boundary webs (50).

11. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one coin retaining web (46, 46') is dimensioned such that the two thinnest coins (48) of the coins (48) to be conveyed cannot be held on top of each other by the at least one coin retaining web (46, 46').

12. The conveyor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain conveyor (12) is built modularly and / or in that the coin outlet (16) comprises at least one sensor designed to count and / or detect coins (48) ejected through the coin outlet (16).