Clearance of coin jams in coin validators
US7299910B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S193/01
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coin validator includes a coin insertion opening (40), a coin return opening (45) and a structure defining a coin path (30) from the coin insertion opening to the coin return opening. The coin path includes a return region (59) that extends upstream from the coin return opening, and means (55) to detect and identify an object in a detection region (54) of the coin path. Gate means (56) in the coin path between the detection region and the return region is responsive to identification of the object to either divert the object from the coin path or constrain it to traverse the path to the coin return opening. In one aspect, part (10) of the structure is actuable to move so as to widen substantially the whole of the coin path including the return region, whereby to facilitate clearance of jams in the coin path. In another aspect, the validator includes means (75, 65, 63), selectively releasable by a person who has inserted one or more coins into the coin insertion opening, to latch at least the actuable part of the structure in the detection region to hold substantially fixed the width of the air gap (57) in the detection region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.