WO2002097744A1

WO2002097744A1 - Device for guiding coins or tokens

Info

Publication number: WO2002097744A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/001648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Masse
Original assignee: Kirobo
Priority date: 2001-05-29
Filing date: 2001-05-29
Publication date: 2002-12-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for guiding coins, tokens or similar (2), for installation in a product dispenser. The inventive guiding device comprises at least one displacement track (1), in a specific direction (50), for the coins, tokens or similar (2) and means (3) for releasing said track (1) causing the departure of foreign bodies which could obstruct said track in at least one given clearing direction in order to unblock said device. According to the invention, the latter comprises other unblocking means (13) which can push said foreign bodies in the clearing direction(s).

Description

TITLE: DEVICE FOR GUIDING COINS OR TOKENS

The invention relates to a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, and a product dispenser equipped with such a device.

However, although more particularly developed for such applications, the guide device according to the invention is not limited to such uses.

In known manner, the product distributors are provided with a coin mechanism, intended to allow the determination of the amount paid. Coins, tokens or the like are directed towards it along troughs from an introduction orifice located on the front face.

The operation of these dispensers is unfortunately too often disturbed due to the obstruction of the routing chutes by coins or tokens, veiled, or even foreign bodies such as, for example, pieces of paper or cardboard, crumpled or plaice, chewing gum, match sticks, capsules or the like.

For the evacuation of coins or tokens, veiled, various relatively satisfactory solutions have already been developed. On the other hand, for foreign bodies, additional difficulties arise. Indeed, bodies, such as chewing gum can stick, or bodies, such as pieces of paper or cardboard, crumpled or folded, can brace themselves.

Distributors are then unavailable. In addition, the movement of a technician is necessary for their return to service. The object of the present invention is to provide a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, as well as a product distributor, equipped with such a guide device, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and allows the evacuation of most foreign bodies that could block them. However, distributors are subject to other constraints.

Some people introduce liquids in an attempt to disturb the coin. As these devices work with electrical or electronic components, the presence of liquid can cause short circuits. It sometimes happens that a coin changer is emptied of its contents or even that a distributor is emptied of its goods. In addition to the shortfall, the damage suffered is further aggravated by the fact that the coin mechanism is out of order and must be replaced.

Another object of the invention is thus to propose a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, and a dispenser equipped with such a device which, according to some of its advantageous embodiments, reduces the risks of deregulation in liquid introduction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it. The invention firstly relates to a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, in particular intended to equip a product dispenser, said guiding device comprising at least one track for moving coins, tokens or the like, and means for releasing said track, capable of allowing the departure of foreign bodies which could obstruct it, according to at least one clearance direction given for cleaning of said device, characterized in that it comprises additional cleaning means , able to push said foreign bodies in the said direction or directions of release.

The invention also relates to a product dispenser comprising a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, as described above.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which: - Figures 1a and 1b illustrate, in top view, a first embodiment of the guide device according to the invention, in two different positions,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of part II of FIG. 1a,

FIGS. 3a and 3b are block diagrams illustrating, according to a longitudinal section plane, a second embodiment of the guide device according to the invention, in two different positions,

- Figures 4a-4c respectively show a top view, a side view and a rear view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. As illustrated in these various figures, the device for guiding coins, tokens or the like, according to the invention, comprises at least one movement track 1, coins, tokens or the like 2, in a given direction 50 .

In order to allow cleaning, it also includes means 3 for releasing said track 1, capable of allowing the departure of foreign bodies 4 which could obstruct it, in at least one direction 7 of given clearance.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment, said track 1 consists of at least a bottom 5 and a first side wall 6, connected to said bottom 5, intended to allow the guidance of said coins , tokens or the like 2, by rolling their edge on said bottom 5 and sliding one of their sides, stack or face, against said first side wall 6, in said given direction 50.

Said bottom 5 is inclined, for example, in a first direction between the entry point and the exit point of said track 1 to allow the rolling of said coins, tokens or the like 2 under the effect of their weight. Said first side wall 6 as well as, optionally, said bottom 5 are further inclined in another direction so as to allow the sliding of said coins, tokens or the like 2, also under the effect of their weight, against said first wall lateral 6.

According to this embodiment, in order to allow cleaning, said bottom 5 and said first side wall 6 together define, at a portion of said track 1, a cornice, in L, allowing the departure of foreign bodies 4 by tilting above said cornice, in the direction or directions 7. Said release means 3 are thus constituted by the absence, at the level of the ledge portion, of a second side wall which would enclose said coins, tokens or the like 2 or foreign bodies 4 in a channel or conduit , such a second side wall 8 can nevertheless be provided on the rest of the trajectory, beyond the ledge portion.

According to another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the track 1 is made up, in particular, of a channel or conduit 9 where the coins, tokens or the like 2 slide on one or the other of their sides flank or face, in said given direction 50 of movement. The release means 3 then consist, in particular, of a hatch 10 provided at the bottom 11 of the channel 9, for the departure of foreign bodies 4 through an orifice 12 created by the opening of said hatch 10. Said bodies strangers 4 are thus evacuated under the effect of their own weight, in the release direction 7, in particular perpendicular to direction 50.

With the release means 3, the cleaning of some of the foreign bodies 4 which could obstruct the track 1 is thus possible.

In order to further improve this result, according to the invention, additional cleaning means 13, capable of pushing said foreign bodies 4, in the said direction or directions of release 7, are used.

It is thus possible to combine two effects to unlock the foreign bodies 4 which would continue to obstruct the track 1 if only the release means were used 3. In fact, with the additional cleaning means 13, one acts actively, by pushing on said foreign bodies 4 which makes it possible to complete the action of said release means 3 especially if these only use the effect of the own weight of the foreign bodies 4 to ensure their evacuation.

Said release means 3 and said additional cleaning means 13 are located, for example, in the vicinity of the entry point of said coins, tokens or the like 2 into said movement track 1.

If we refer again to Figures 1 and 2, we see that the additional cleaning means 13, associated with the track 1 partially in cornice, consist of a piston 14, capable of exerting a thrust in a direction 7 substantially perpendicular to the direction 50 of movement of the parts, that is to say that of said first side wall 6, along at least part of said ledge portion.

In a first position, illustrated in Figure 1a, the piston

14 is in the retracted position and the track 1 allows the passage of coins, tokens or the like 2. According to a second position, illustrated in FIG. 1b, the piston 14 has been actuated to rid the track 1 of foreign bodies 4 which l 'obstructed.

Said cornice portion has, for example, a curved profile, which facilitates the departure of foreign bodies 4. Said piston 14 then comprises a thrust plate 15 having the same curvature as that of the first side wall 6, and a actuating rod 16, oriented orthogonally to the tangent at a given point on said push plate 15.

Said piston 14 is actuated, in particular, by an electromagnet

17, capable of driving said actuating rod 16 along its longitudinal axis. The latter and said electromagnet 17 are located, for example, in the middle part of said thrust plate 15. Said electromagnet 17 can be fixed to said first side wall 6.

However, as already mentioned above with the hatch 10, said release means 3 may according to other embodiments, consist of a movable member. The device according to the invention can then comprise, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, means actuation 18 of said release means 3 and actuation means 19 of said additional cleaning means 13, cooperating with each other to authorize the simultaneous and parallel use of said release means 3 and said additional cleaning means 13. If the we are interested more specifically in the embodiment of the release means 3 with hatch, said additional cleaning means 13 associated may consist, for example, of a piston 20, movable in the direction of the orifice 12 created at opening the hatch 10.

Said actuation means 18 of said release means 3 and said actuation means 19 of said additional cleaning means 13 then comprise, in particular, common triggering means, for example an electromagnet 21, acting simultaneously on said piston 20 to drive it towards said opening and onto said hatch 10 for its opening / closing, by means of one or more articulated rods 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 3a, when said electromagnet 21 is not actuated, the hatch 10 is closed and the piston 20 is in the high position.

As illustrated in FIG. 3b, when said electromagnet 21 is on the contrary actuated, the hatch 10 pivots about an axis 25, under the action of the articulated rod or rods 22. In parallel, said piston 20 descends to push the foreign bodies 4 obstructing runway 11.

There is provided, for example, at least one said rod 22, illustrated in dotted lines, articulated, on the one hand, on the actuating rod 23 of the piston 20, and, on the other hand, on said hatch 10.

Said piston 20 will possibly be a long stroke piston, in order to facilitate cleaning.

The channel 9 has, for example, a closed contour and said electromagnet 21 is provided above the upper part of the channel opposite its bottom 11.

As already mentioned above, said release means 3 and said additional cleaning means 13 are provided, for example, at the start of said track 1. Said additional cleaning means 13 are then provided, if necessary, with shutter means capable of preventing access to said track 1 in the event of actuation of said additional cleaning means 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, said shutter means, marked 28, consist, for example, of an extension 29 of said thrust plate 15 of the piston 14. It is, in particular, an extension substantially perpendicular to the tangent to said thrust plate 15 at its longitudinal edge oriented towards the start of track 1.

Such a characteristic makes it possible, inter alia, to prevent the additional cleaning means 13 from being blocked in the actuated position. In order to prevent liquids from flowing downstream, the bottom 5, 11 of track 1 is provided, for example, permeable to liquids. For this, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it is provided, in particular, through lights 30. Naturally, the dimension of said slots 30 according to the direction of movement of the coins, tokens or the like 2, will be sufficiently small so as not to disturb their movement and sufficiently high so as to allow a flow of liquid.

However, it should be noted that the use of electromagnets 17, 21, possibly accompanied by elastic return means 31, as means for actuating said release means 3 and / or said additional cleaning means 13 can be used to jerk them in a jerky fashion which promotes detachments and / or loosening of foreign bodies 4.

Said electromagnets 17, 21 may be provided with a thermal fuse, not shown, controlling their supply. This promotes operational safety when said electromagnets 17, 21 are stressed for too long a period of time. However, Figures 4 show a third type of embodiment of the guide device of the present invention in which there are, as in the previous examples, at least one track 1 of movement, in a given direction 50 of coins, tokens or the like, and means 3 for releasing said track, capable of allowing the departure of foreign bodies 4 which could obstruct it, in at least one given direction of clearance 7, in particular perpendicular to said given direction 50 of movement of the parts. According to this variant, the device also comprises additional cleaning means 13, capable of pushing said foreign bodies 4 in the release direction 7.

In this case, the direction of movement of the parts 50 is substantially perpendicular to the external face 51 of the device which carries the orifice for introducing the parts 32. The electromagnet 41, constituting substantially the additional cleaning means 13 is provided as for it so as to act perpendicular to the direction of the track 1 of movement of the coins, tokens or the like, in order to cause the movement of release 7 of the foreign bodies 4 towards the zone of change change 52. In this third embodiment, there are also the shutter means 28 operating according to the same principle, that is to say to prevent access to said track 1 in the event of actuation of said additional cleaning means 13, via the insertion slot 32.

The movement of movement 53 caused by the electromagnet 41 is transmitted, according to known principles, by a rod system 54 to said piston 14.

The plate 42 constituting substantially the bottom of said track 1 may advantageously be provided permeable to liquids. Similarly, it can cooperate with another plate 43, cooperating to filter the parts in a mouthpiece marked 44, the latter being calibrated on the part or parts to be used, said mouth very naturally retaining the parasitic objects 4.

In this third embodiment, when the part 2 is inserted into the slot 32, it then slides on the bottom plate 42 of the track 1 to go through the mouth 44 towards the coin mechanism, not shown, in the given direction. 50.

If a foreign body 4 were to be introduced through the slot 32, it would be blocked laterally in its path between the front face 51 and the rear plate 43, and by the bottom plate 42, since its size would not allow it to pass through said mouth 44. To evacuate the unwanted body 4, when the operator presses for example the change button, it will cause the electromagnet 41 to be supplied which, by means of the set of rods 54 will give a movement with the piston 14 in a direction 7 substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the parts 50. This movement is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4a by the dotted line of the piston 14. The foreign body is then ejected towards the discharge chute and the coin mechanism is an outlet. During this time, to avoid any blockage of the cleaning system, the slot 32 is closed by the side wing 45 of the additional cleaning means 13. The invention also relates to a product dispenser comprising a guide device as described above.

Said dispenser comprises, for example, an insertion orifice 32 for coins, tokens or the like 2 and a coin mechanism, not shown, intended to receive said coins, tokens or the like 2.

Said guide device is located between said insertion opening 32 and said coin mechanism to allow the movement of coins, tokens or the like 2 from the first to the second.

Thanks to the extension 29 previously mentioned, it can be seen that the said insertion orifice 32 can be closed, and the arrival of new coins, tokens or the like can be prevented. Naturally, other modes of implementation, within the reach of those skilled in the art, could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Device for guiding coins, tokens or the like (2), in particular intended to equip a product dispenser, said guide device comprising at least one track (1) for moving, in a given direction (50), coins, tokens or the like (2), and means for releasing (3) said track (1), capable of allowing the departure of foreign bodies (4) which could obstruct it, in at least one direction of clearance (7) given, for cleaning the device, characterized in that it comprises additional cleaning means (13), capable of pushing said foreign bodies (4) in the said direction or directions of release (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the additional cleaning means (13) consist of a piston (14, 21, 41) capable of exerting a thrust in a direction (7) substantially perpendicular to said given direction (50 ) moving coins, tokens or the like.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the track (1) is constituted by at least one bottom (5) and a first side wall (6), connected to said bottom (5), intended to allow the guidance of said coins. , tokens or the like (2) by rolling their edge on said bottom (5) and sliding one of their sides, heads or tails, against said first side wall (6), said bottom (5) and said first wall lateral (6) defining together at a portion of said track 1 a ledge allowing the departure of foreign bodies (4) by tilting above said ledge.

4. Device according to claim 1, comprising actuation means (18) of said release means (3) and actuation means (19) of said additional cleaning means (13) cooperating with each other to allow simultaneous use and parallel of said release means (3) and said additional cleaning means (13).

5. Device according to claim 4, in which: - Said release means (3) consist of a hatch (10) provided at said track (1), for the departure of foreign bodies (4) through an orifice (11) created by the opening of the hatch (10),

said additional cleaning means (13) consist of a piston (17) movable in the direction of said orifice (12) created at the opening of the hatch (10),

- said actuating means (18) of said release means (3) and said actuating means (19) of said additional cleaning means (13) comprise common triggering means (21), acting simultaneously on said piston (17 ) to drive it towards said opening (12) and onto said hatch (10) for its opening / closing, by means of at least one articulated rod (22).

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said release means (3) and said additional cleaning means (13) are provided at the start of said track (1), said additional cleaning means (13) being provided with shutter means (28), capable of preventing access to said track (1) in the event of actuation of said additional cleaning means (13).

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein said track (1) has a bottom (5, 11, 42) permeable to liquids.

8. Device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the additional cleaning means (13) and / or the actuating means (18) of the release means (3) consist of at least one electromagnet (17 , 21, 41) and a thermal fuse controlling the supply of said electromagnet.

9. Product dispenser comprising a device for guiding coins, tokens or the like (2), according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9 comprising an insertion opening (32) of coins, tokens or the like (2) and a coin mechanism intended to receive said coins, tokens or the like (2), said guide device being located between said insertion opening (32) and said coin mechanism to allow the movement of coins, tokens or the like from the first to the second.