Bar storage device

Abstract

To reduce a width dimension and a depth dimension.SOLUTION: The present invention is a rod bar storage device 20 including: a rectangular parallelepiped housing 30 having a front opening 31a on a front surface; and a storage tray 40 having a storage portion for storing rod bars in which a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination are stacked and packaged in a rod shape, the storage tray 40 being stored in the housing 30 so as to be slidable in a front-rear direction through the front opening 31a. The storage tray 40 is configured such that a first storage tray 40a, which stores only rod bars of 5-series coins in which one digit is carried over by two sheets, is arranged in a lower stage, and a second storage tray 40b, which stores rod bars other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, is arranged in an upper stage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bar coin storage device, and more particularly to a bar coin storage device for storing bar coins in which the same type of coins are stacked in a predetermined number and packaged in a bar shape.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among currency processing devices which are automatic coin changers, there are known ones equipped with a bar coin storage device. The bar coin storage device stores bar coins in which the same type of coins are stacked in a predetermined number and packaged in a bar shape, and when the coins to be dispensed in the currency processing device are insufficient, it allows bar coins of the same type as the insufficient coins to be taken out and replenished to the currency processing device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the bar coin storage device as described above, storage parts for storing bar coins are provided for each coin type. Therefore, when there are six types of coins to be handled, the storage parts for bar coins of each coin type are arranged side by side on the same plane, and as a result, there is a problem that the width dimension and the depth dimension of the bar coin storage device become large.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bar coin storage device capable of reducing the width dimension and the depth dimension.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a coin bar storage device comprising a rectangular housing having a front opening on its front surface, and a storage tray having a storage section for storing coin bars packaged in a rod shape with a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination stacked on top of each other, and which is slidably stored in the housing through the front opening in the front-rear direction, wherein the storage tray is configured such that a first storage tray for storing only coin bars of the 5 series, where two coins increment one digit, is in the lower position, and a second storage tray for storing coin bars other than those stored in the first storage tray is in the upper position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the storage tray is configured such that the lower section has a first storage tray for storing only rolls of 5-series coins, which increase by one digit when two are used, and the upper section has a second storage tray for storing rolls of coins other than those stored in the first storage tray. This configuration has the effect of reducing the width and depth dimensions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money handling machine to which an article storage device, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a money handling machine to which an article storage device, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is applied. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the bar storage device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bar storage device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the bar storage device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of the base of the enclosure shown in Figure 4, etc. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view showing the main parts of the first locking mechanism shown in Figure 6, viewed from below. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic bottom view showing the main parts of the first locking mechanism shown in Figure 6, viewed from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom view schematically showing a main part of the second lock mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom view schematically showing a main part of the second lock mechanism shown in FIG. 6 from below. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the storage pocket. [Figure 14-1] FIG. 14-1 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 14-2] FIG. 14-2 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 14-3] FIG. 14-3 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 14-4] FIG. 14-4 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 14-5] FIG. 14-5 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 14-6] FIG. 14-6 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of a bar metal in the storage pocket shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the bar metal storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a money processing machine to which an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration.

[0011] The coin processing machine 1 exemplified here is applied as an automatic change machine connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) register device as a host device in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and includes a processor main body 10.

[0012] The processor main body 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a front opening 10a at the front and a top opening (not shown) at the top, and is movable with a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of casters 11a provided on the bottom 11.

[0013] The front opening 10a of the processor main body 10 can be opened and closed by a door body 12, and the top opening can be opened and closed by a top plate portion 13.

[0014] The door body 12 includes a front cover 121 and a front door 122. The front cover 121 is pivotally supported around the central axis of a cover shaft portion 121a extending along the left - right direction on a part of a reinforcing bar 14 on the front - side of the top opening. By swinging upward, the front cover 121 opens the upper part of the front opening 10a, and by swinging downward, it closes the upper part of the front opening 10a.

[0015] The front door 122 is pivotally supported around the central axis of a door shaft portion 122a extending along the up - down direction at the front - end portion of the left - hand side edge of the processor main body 10. By swinging forward, the front door 122 opens the lower part of the front opening 10a, that is, the part that cannot be closed by the front cover 121, and by swinging backward, it closes the lower part of the front opening 10a.

[0016] A locking mechanism 123 is provided on such a front door 122. When the locking mechanism 123 is in the locked state, the front door 122 is held in a state of closing the lower part of the front opening 10a, and when the locking mechanism 123 is in the unlocked state, the front door 122 can swing forward.

[0017] Furthermore, the front door 122 has a function to hold down a portion of the front cover 121 when it is in a closed state, and when the locking mechanism 123 is locked, the front cover 121 is held in a closed state.

[0018] Inside the processing machine body 10, a coin processing unit 2 for handling coins and a banknote processing unit 3 for handling banknotes are arranged, as well as a banknote storage device 20.

[0019] Figures 3 to 5 are perspective views showing the coin bar storage device 20 shown in Figure 2. These coin bar storage devices 20 shown in Figures 3 to 5 store coin bar stock for replenishing the coin processing unit 2. A coin bar here refers to a package of coins of the same denomination stacked in a predetermined number and packaged in a rod shape, forming a single handling unit. The coin bar storage device 20 is designed to store coin bar stock (1 yen bar, 5 yen bar, 10 yen bar, 50 yen bar, 100 yen bar, 500 yen bar) of 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, and 500 yen coins, each stacked in a predetermined number (for example, 50 coins) and packaged in a rod shape.

[0020] Such a bar storage device 20 is configured to include a housing 30 and a storage tray 40. The housing 30 includes a box-shaped base 31 having openings on the front and top surfaces, and a cover 32 (see Figure 2) formed to cover the opening on the top surface of the base 31 (hereinafter also referred to as the top opening). When this cover 32 covers the top opening of the base 31, a rectangular housing 30 is formed that has an opening on the front surface (hereinafter also referred to as the front opening) 31a.

[0021] The storage tray 40 comprises a first storage tray 40a and a second storage tray 40b. The first storage tray 40a is a box-shaped structure configured to be large enough to enter the interior of the housing 30 through the front opening 31a. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, this first storage tray 40a is attached to the housing 30 via a conventionally known rail mechanism and is slidable along the front-to-back direction through the front opening 31a of the housing 30.

[0022] Such a first storage tray 40a is equipped with a first storage section 41. The first storage section 41 stores only rolls of 5-series coins, where two coins increment by one digit, in predetermined positions. There are six storage pockets 41a to 41f capable of storing the coin rolls, arranged from left to right. In this embodiment, the two leftmost storage pockets 41a and 41b are capable of storing 500-yen coin rolls, the two central storage pockets 41c and 41d are capable of storing 50-yen coin rolls, and the two rightmost storage pockets 41e and 41f are capable of storing 5-yen coin rolls.

[0023] The second storage tray 40b is a box-shaped structure located above the first storage tray 40a, and is sized to enter the interior of the housing 30 through the front opening 31a. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the second storage tray 40b is attached to the housing 30 via a conventionally known rail mechanism and is slidable along the front-to-back direction through the front opening 31a of the housing 30.

[0024] Such a second storage tray 40b is formed to be larger in front-to-back dimensions than the first storage tray 40a and is equipped with a second storage section 42. The second storage section 42 stores in predetermined positions the coins other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, namely the coins of the 1 series, which increase by one digit every 10 coins, and the coins of the 5 series that are not stored in the first storage tray 40a, and is composed of a combination of multiple units 421 to 423.

[0025] The second storage section 42 comprises a first unit 421 in the front row and a second unit 422 and a third unit 423 in the rear row, arranged in order from the front to the rear in the sliding direction of the second storage tray 40b. The second unit 422 and the third unit 423 are arranged side by side in the rear row.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the first unit 421 is provided with four storage pockets 421a to 421d on the front, back, left, and right sides, each capable of storing a bar of metal. In this embodiment, for example, there are four storage pockets 421a to 421d capable of storing 1-yen and 5-yen bar of metal. The second unit 422 is provided with four storage pockets 422a to 422d extending from front to rear, each capable of storing a bar of metal. In this embodiment, for example, there are four storage pockets 422a to 422d capable of storing 100-yen bar of metal. The third unit 423 is provided with four storage pockets 423a to 423d extending from front to rear, each capable of storing a bar of metal. In this embodiment, for example, there are four storage pockets 423a to 423d capable of storing 10-yen bar of metal.

[0027] In other words, the storage tray 40 is configured such that the lower section is a first storage tray 40a which stores only rolls of 5 series coins, where two coins increment one digit, and the upper section is a second storage tray 40b which stores rolls of coins other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the housing 30 is provided with a first locking mechanism 50 and a second locking mechanism 60.

[0029] The first locking mechanism 50 is provided on the left side of the bottom surface of the base 31, towards the rear. As shown in Figure 7, the first locking mechanism 50 includes a latch 51 and a ratchet 52. The latch 51 is a member that is rotatable around a latch pivot shaft 511 located in the center, and has a locking groove 512 that allows the locking portion 43 provided on the first storage tray 40a to enter. The ratchet 52 is located to the right of the latch 51 and is a member that extends rearward from a ratchet pivot shaft 521 located in front. The ratchet 52 is rotatable around a ratchet pivot shaft 521. The ratchet 52 is also biased to rotate to the left at all times in Figure 7 by a ratchet spring (not shown), and a portion of it can engage with the latch 51.

[0030] In this first locking mechanism 50, when the first storage tray 40a slides backward, the locking portion 43 enters and presses into the locking groove 512, causing the latch 51 to rotate clockwise in Figure 7, engage with the ratchet 52, and enter a locked state. This restricts the first storage tray 40a, which is housed in the housing 30, from sliding forward. When the first locking mechanism 50 is in the locked state, the tip of the sensing member 53 attached to the ratchet 52 interposes between the light-emitting element 541 and the light-receiving element 542 of the light sensor 54, blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 541 and turning off the light sensor 54. As a result, the light sensor 54 sends an off signal to a control unit (not shown) to output that it is in a locked state.

[0031] Incidentally, when an open command is given from the POS register device, the first locking mechanism 50 drives an actuator 55, such as a solenoid. As a result, in the first locking mechanism 50, as shown in Figure 8, the ratchet 52 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the ratchet spring, releasing the engagement between the latch 51 and the ratchet 52, resulting in an unlocked state. In this case, the tip of the sensing member 53 separates from the light-emitting element 541 and the light-receiving element 542 of the light sensor 54, allowing the light emitted from the light-emitting element 541 to be received by the light-receiving element 542, turning the light sensor 54 ON. As a result, the light sensor 54 sends an ON signal to the control unit, outputting that it is in an unlocked state.

[0032] In this way, the first locking mechanism 50 becomes unlocked, allowing the first storage tray 40a to slide forward. When the first storage tray 40a is slid forward, the latch 51 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 8, so that the open end 512a of the locking groove 512 faces forward. Although not shown in the figure, when the actuator 55 stops driving, the ratchet 52 rotates clockwise in Figure 8 due to the ratchet spring, but the open end 512a of the locking groove 512 engages with the latch 51, which is facing forward, and the tip of the sensing member 53 is held detached from the optical sensor 54. In other words, the first locking mechanism 50 can only turn off the optical sensor 54 when it is locked.

[0033] The second locking mechanism 60 is located on the right side of the rear surface of the base 31 and is positioned above the first locking mechanism 50. As shown in Figure 9, the second locking mechanism 60 includes a latch 61 and a ratchet 62. The latch 61 is a member that is rotatable around a latch pivot shaft 611 located in the center, and has a locking groove 612 that allows the entry of a locking portion 44 provided on the second storage tray 40b. The ratchet 62 is positioned to the right of the latch 61 and extends rearward from a ratchet pivot shaft 621 located in front of it. The ratchet 62 is rotatable around a ratchet pivot shaft 621. The ratchet 62 is also biased to rotate to the left at all times in Figure 9 by a ratchet spring (not shown), and a portion of it can engage with the latch 61.

[0034] In this second locking mechanism 60, when the second storage tray 40b slides backward, the locking portion 44 enters and presses into the locking groove 612, causing the latch 61 to rotate clockwise in Figure 9, engage with the ratchet 62, and enter a locked state. This restricts the second storage tray 40b, which is housed in the housing 30, from sliding forward. When the second locking mechanism 60 is locked in this way, the tip of the sensing member 63 attached to the ratchet 62 interposes between the light-emitting element 641 and the light-receiving element 642 of the optical sensor 64, blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 641 and turning off the optical sensor 64. As a result, the optical sensor 64 sends an off signal to a control unit (not shown) to output that it is locked.

[0035] Incidentally, when an open command is issued from the POS register device, the second locking mechanism 60 drives an actuator 65, such as a solenoid. As a result, in the second locking mechanism 60, as shown in Figure 10, the ratchet 62 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the ratchet spring, releasing the engagement between the latch 61 and the ratchet 62, resulting in an unlocked state. In this case, the tip of the sensing member 63 separates from the light-emitting element 641 and the light-receiving element 642 of the optical sensor 64, allowing the light emitted from the light-emitting element 641 to be received by the light-receiving element 642, turning the optical sensor 64 ON. As a result, the optical sensor 64 sends an ON signal to the control unit, outputting that it is in an unlocked state.

[0036] In this way, the second locking mechanism 60 becomes unlocked, allowing the second storage tray 40b to slide forward. When the second storage tray 40b is slid forward, the latch 61 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 10, so that the open end 612a of the locking groove 612 faces forward. Although not shown in the figure, when the actuator 65 stops driving, the ratchet 62 rotates clockwise in Figure 10 due to the ratchet spring, but the open end 612a of the locking groove 612 engages with the latch 61, which is facing forward, and the tip of the sensing member 63 is held detached from the optical sensor 64. In other words, the optical sensor 64 can only be turned off when the second locking mechanism 60 is locked.

[0037] With the above-described configuration of the coin bar storage device 20, the storage trays 40, which are slidably stored in the housing 30 through the front opening 31a along the front-to-back direction, are configured such that the first storage tray 40a, which stores only coin bars of the 5 series (where two coins increment one digit), is in the lower position, and the second storage tray 40b, which stores coin bars other than those stored in the first storage tray 40a, is in the upper position. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the width dimension (left-to-right dimension) and the depth dimension (front-to-back dimension).

[0038] In particular, the upper second storage tray 40b mainly stores rolls of Series 1 coins, so the most frequently used Series 1 coins are stored on the upper side, improving user convenience.

[0039] The storage pockets 41a, etc., in the storage tray 40 described above had an inner diameter that could accommodate bars of the corresponding denominations. However, in the present invention, a more versatile storage pocket like the following may be used.

[0040] Figures 11 to 13 show modified examples of the storage pocket 41a, etc., with Figure 11 being a perspective view, Figure 12 a cross-sectional view, and Figure 13 a plan view. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the storage pocket 70 is composed of a side wall portion 71 that extends along the vertical direction and a bottom wall portion 72 that extends in an inclined upward direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 71 as it moves away from the side wall portion 71. A material identification sensor 73 for identifying the material of the coin is provided at the lower part of the bottom wall portion 72, and a hole identification sensor 75 for identifying the presence or absence of a hole and an outer diameter sensor 76 for detecting the outer diameter are provided on the front wall portion 74 connected to the front end of the side wall portion 71.

[0041] In such a storage pocket 70, as shown in Figures 14-1 to 14-6, each coin can be stored with its roll in contact with the side wall 71 and the bottom wall 72. Figure 14-1 shows the storage of a roll of 1 yen coins, Figure 14-2 shows the storage of a roll of 5 yen coins, Figure 14-3 shows the storage of a roll of 10 yen coins, Figure 14-4 shows the storage of a roll of 50 yen coins, Figure 14-5 shows the storage of a roll of 100 yen coins, and Figure 14-6 shows the storage of a roll of 500 yen coins.

[0042] By utilizing the storage pocket 70, the flexibility of storing the metal rods in the storage tray 40 can be improved, thereby enhancing convenience.

[0043] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0044] In the embodiment described above, the coin bar storage device 20 was arranged inside the processing machine body 10 together with the coin processing unit 2 and the banknote processing unit 3. However, in the present invention, the coin bar storage device may not be arranged inside the processing machine body, but rather arranged so as to be stacked with the coin processing units. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1...Cash processing machine, 2...Coin processing unit, 3...Banknote processing unit, 20...Rolling bar storage device, 30...Housing, 31...Base, 31a...Front opening, 32...Cover, 40...Storage tray, 40a...First storage tray, 40b...Second storage tray, 41...First storage section, 42...Second storage section, 50...First locking mechanism, 60...Second locking mechanism.

Claims

[Claim 1] A rectangular housing with a front opening on the front, It has a storage section for storing a bar of coins, which is packaged in a rod shape with a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination stacked on top of each other, and a storage tray that is slidably stored in the housing through the front opening along the front-to-back direction. A metal bar storage device equipped with, The aforementioned storage tray is The storage system is configured such that a first storage tray, which stores only rolls of 5-series coins (where two coins increment a single digit), is located on the lower level, and a second storage tray, which stores rolls of coins other than those stored in the first storage tray, is located on the upper level. A bar storage device characterized in that the first storage tray has a smaller front-to-back dimension than the second storage tray.

Images