Coin-rejecting device

Claim 1

A coin rejecting device for coin-operated machines in which the maximum diameter and maximum thickness of an inserted coin is limited by the dimensions of a rectangular slot, there being a plurality of such slots arranged parallel one to another and differently dimensioned for the acceptance of different coins, and in which there is provided means for simultaneously monitoring both the diameter and thickness of a coin inserted in any slot, such means comprising, for each slot, a chute defined by side walls and of such internal cross-section as to pass the coin, which chute constitutes a path inclined for the gravitational passage therethrough of the coin and also inclined in a second plane so that the coin leans against one of the walls of the chute in so passing while supported by the floor of the chute, such one wall having formed therein a window beneath which the floor of the chute is formed as a channel of tapered crosssection the dimensions and taper of which are such that an unacceptably thin coin descends into the channel so that its uppermost point clears the upper margin of the window and the coin, being inclined as the chute is inclined, topples through the window, whereupon it is rejected through a rejection outlet, and the floor is also so formed that an acceptably thick coin of unacceptably small diameter will similarly topple through the window and be rejected, the plurality of chutes being arranged side by side with the inclinations parallel, the slots being in a common plane, there being provided in a path, of which the centre line is spaced below the plane in which the slots lie by less than half the length of the smallest slot, a plurality of spherical elements movably arranged in the path which is parallel with the plane of the slots, such elements collectively offering a space between adjacent elements greater than the width of the largest slot and such that, when this space is momentarily occupied by a coin passing through it in descent from a slot, the other slots are obstructed by the elements, so that only one coin at a time can be inserted into the machine, and there being provided slot-clearing coin-recovery means to facilitate removal of a coin which has partially penetrated a slot, comprising an externally accessible key pivotally connected through a link to a group of sliding bars one to each slot, the link connection being such that operation of the key causes all the bars to slide across the outlets from all the slots, any one bar thus wedging a partially penetrated coin back up through its slot so that it becomes accessible for removal from the machine.