Coin dispensing device with aligned hoppers

Abstract

A coin dispensing device provides a housing frame that can be mounted within a predetermined space within a machine that requires dispensing coins in more than one denomination. A plurality of coin hoppers for respectively different denominations of coins can be stacked in vertical alignment within the housing frame for dispensing the coins. A cover member can provide a common passageway connected to the coin hoppers. The coin hoppers can be slid out of the housing frame for servicing and slid back into the housing frame for engagement with a transmission assembly to permit selective driving of a coin hopper dispensing unit from a power source such as a single motor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention relates to an improvement in a coin dispensing device which can be used in a vending machine, a checkout machine or a change machine and more particularly to a coin dispensing device which dispenses coins of different denominations from a plural of coin hoppers positioned in a compact configuration.

2. Description of Related Art

“Coin” which is used in this specification embodies metals, discs or tokens like a coin. In the known prior art, coins are piled up in parallel tubes of common denomination, and are selectively dispensed from the lower section of the tubes, such as in the Japanese Patent 3137163. Therefore a coin mechanism includes a coin receiving device, a coin distinguishing device, a coin diverter and a coin dispensing device, and the overall size is of a de facto standard for the industry.

In the prior art, the coins are generally inserted in the tubes, one by one, by hand. The present applicant has applied for an application which stores coins in bulk for each denomination and has a storing member (a coin hopper) which dispenses the coins one by one as shown in the Japanese publication of patent application 9-265561.

The coin hopper has a rotating disc which dispenses the coins and uses a motor for rotating the rotating disc. Therefore the coin hopper is limited by the size of the rotating disc. As a result, four standard coin hoppers cannot be mounted in the de facto standard size housing that manufacturers of machines that incorporate coin dispensing devices allocate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a smaller coin dispensing device for a plurality of different denominations. By improving a layout arrangement of the coin hoppers and their coin passageway, the coin dispensing device can incorporate a plurality of coin hoppers. More specifically, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device which is smaller and can be incorporated in the space provided for in existing vending machines.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device with the ability to meet the de facto standard measurements accepted in the industry.

Still another purpose of the present invention is to reduce the cost of a coin dispensing device.

Another purpose of the present invention is to enable an easy and quick refilling to the coin dispensing device.

The coin dispensing device includes at least two coin hoppers which both have a rotating disc to dispense coins one by one, the coin hoppers being located and aligned in a lateral horizontal direction, a common dispensing passageway which is used by both of the hoppers to guide and dispensed the coins from these hoppers.

In this structure, each denomination can be stored in bulk in a separate coin hopper with a rotating disc and selected denominations are dispensed through the common dispensing passageway one by one.

Two rotating discs of the coin hoppers can be located in parallel and are aligned laterally in a compact space. The dispensed coins are dispensed from the coin hoppers and are guided to the dispensing exit by the common dispensing passageway. As a result, the coin dispensing device becomes smaller and can be attached into existing standard spaces. Also, the refilling of the coins isn't tedious nor time consuming.

The coin dispensing device can further include at least three coin hoppers which have rotating discs which dispense coins one by one. The coin hoppers are positioned both adjacent to each other and in a vertical direction within a housing member, and a dispensing passageway which is common for all the hoppers can guide and dispense the coins from these hoppers.

In this structure, the coins are stored in bulk in the coin hoppers with rotating discs. Selected coins are dispensed from the selected hoppers one by one into the dispensing passageway which is common to each hopper and can form part of a closing member for the housing member.

Therefore the space of the coin hoppers becomes smaller, and the coin dispensing device can be made smaller.

The rotating discs can be slanted and the project areas of the rotating discs are made smaller, because the rotating discs are positioned at a slant.

Therefore the project area of the rotating discs are smaller. Also, the diameter of each rotating disc can be increased. Therefore the through-holes of the rotating disc can be increased, because the diameter of the rotating disc can be increased. As a result, the dispensing of the coins becomes smooth, because the through frequency of coins is increased.

The common dispensing passageway is adjacent to a pair of rotating discs of these coin hoppers which are aligned in the lateral direction and also the coin hopper aligned in the vertical direction.

In this structure, the coins are dispensed by the coin hoppers from the left and right side. Therefore the dispensing condition of the coin hoppers can be arranged in a common manner. The arranging operation becomes easy and the coin dispensing becomes smooth, because the left and right sides of the coin hoppers can be arranged in the same manner. Also, the overall layout becomes smaller, as a result, the coin dispensing device can be located in the de facto standard size for vending machines.

This present invention is desirable because further, it can use a single driving motor assembly which is common to these rotating discs for each coin-hopper, and a transmission assembly which can selectively couple the driving motor and the rotating discs. In this structure, the rotating discs of plural coin hoppers are driven by a transmission from the driving motor. Therefore the coin hoppers become smaller, as they don't require separate driving motors and can further reduce the cost, because there is only one driving motor assembly.

In this structure, clutches can be selectively engaged, and only one rotating disc of a coin hopper is rotated at a time, and the coin hopper dispenses the coins to the dispensing passageway one by one. Therefore the coins don't jam, because the coins can only be let off one by one through a common passageway. The dispensing passageway can become smaller, and accordingly the coin dispensing device can be made smaller. Also, the coins aren't dispensed into the dispensing passageway from the left and right side of the hoppers at the same time. Therefore the coins don't jam.

The rotating disc can have at least coin two holes. In this structure, the coins pass through either of the holes by the rotation of the rotating disc, and afterwards the coins are dispensed. Therefore the coin-dispensing-time is shorter, because the coins pass-through probability is in proportion to the number of holes. As a result, the coins are dispensed quickly.

The individual coin hoppers can be moved out of a supporting house frame on sliding mounting assemblies. Therefore the coins are refilled in the coin hoppers at positions which are out of the frame. As a result, the work of refilling is easy.

A transmission driver structure for each rotating disc is located in the housing frame, and when the coin-hoppers are located in the frame, a driven unit for each of these rotating discs has contact with this driver structure. In this structure, when the coin hopper are returned into the frame, the driven units have contact with the associating drivers, and the driven units can be driven by the driver structure. Therefore additional connecting work between driven units and drivers is unnecessary by a service technician.

The coin-hoppers have a first gear which has a rotating axis parallel to the rotating axis of the driver and a second gear which has a rotating axis which slants the same as the rotating disc, and the second gear is directly or indirectly driven by the first gear. In this structure, the first gear is the driver and the driven unit can be made by a spur gear. Therefore the spur gears can be easily contacted and can reduce the cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the coin mechanical with the coin dispensing device of the a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin mechanical of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of X—X line in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the extending device of the coin hopper of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 5 through to 8 are the operational views of the extending device of the coin hopper of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the coin hopper of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view that the coin hopper built into the coin mechanical.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram to explain the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the controls of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 through to FIG. 15 are the flow charts for the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of a coin mechanical with a coin dispensing device of a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the lid of the coin mechanical with the coin dispensing device of the embodiment opened.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the coin mechanical of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the coin hopper of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a front view of a transmitting device which is used in the coin dispensing device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a cross section view along the Y—Y line in FIG. 20 .

FIG. 22 through to FIG. 24 are operation views for explaining the control of the second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of the controls of the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a schematic front view of the coin mechanical with the coin dispensing device of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the coin vending art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a compact coin dispensing device with a plurality of hoppers.

The three embodiments of the present invention use Japanese Yen, however, they can use U.S. coins, Euro coins, tokens, medals, medallions, etc. The first embodiment can dispense two denominations which can be either 10 Yen or 100 Yen.

As known a coin selector 2 is located at the upper section of a housing frame 1 F which is box like in shape for a coin mechanical device as shown in FIG. 1 . The coin selector 2 distinguishes coins 4 which are charged from a coin entry 3 and the coins 4 are diverted into passageways as they roll along the diverting passageway 6 . False coins are diverted into a returning passageway 7 which are guided to the returning outlet. A 10 Yen coin is diverted into a first receiving passageway 8 . A 100 Yen coin is diverted into a second receiving passageway 9 . When the corresponding coin hopper for the denomination is full, the coins are guided into a backup passageway 10 for storing in a backup safe as known in the art.

A coin dispensing device 11 is located at the coin storing section 1 S which is located under the coin selector 2 . In other words, the coin hoppers store and dispense the coins, and they are located in the coin storing section 1 S. The coin selector 2 and the coin dispensing device 11 are attached to the same frame 1 F, however they can be attached at different frames and the frames could be combined by a connector.

A structure which can separate the coin selector 2 and the coin dispensing device 11 is convenient, because when either the selector 2 or the coin dispensing device 11 breaks down or the denominations of coins are changed, the broke-down device or the selector 2 can be changed to another device. In the first embodiment, a first coin hopper 100 H for 100 Yen and a second coin hopper 10 H are located parallel and in the lateral direction.

Lid 1 R or cover member is hinged at the frame 1 F by hinge 1 H, and the coin storing section 1 S is closed by the lid 1 R as shown in FIG. 2 . Dispensing passageway 15 is approximately vertical and is made up by a first partition D 1 and a second partition D 2 at lid 1 R. Notch 14 is rectangular and is located at the rear 1 RR of the left side of the dispensing passageway 15 and accommodates the bulge 34 AP of the first coin hopper 100 H.

Notch 16 is rectangular in shape and is located at the rear 1 RR of the right side of the dispensing passageway 15 and accommodates the bulge 34 BP of the second coin hopper 10 H. The dispensing passageway 15 is adjacent to the side of the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H and is face-to-face with the coin hoppers of the same length.

In other words, in the front view (shown in FIG. 1 ), the dispensing passageway 15 overlaps with the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H. Preferably rotating discs 33 A and 33 B are face-to-face and connect to exit apertures connecting with the coin dispensing passageway 15 of a horizontal length as shown in FIG. 3 to service both coin hoppers.

The coin dispensing passageway 15 is rectangular in cross section and is thicker than the coins 4 to be dispensed. As a result the coins will fall smoothly. The thickness of the coin dispensing passageway 15 is bigger than the thickness of one coin but smaller than the thickness of three coins, because the coin dispensing device 11 becomes smaller, in other words the depth of the coin mechanical device becomes short.

With this thickness, when the two coins are dispensed into the coin dispensing passageway 15 at the same time, the coins don't jam. When the coin hoppers are controlled so that they don't dispense at the same time, the thickness can be smaller than the thickness of two coins. The width of the coin dispensing passageway 15 is larger than the diameter of the maximum coin.

Locking devices 17 A and 17 B are attached at the front and right section of the lid 1 R to lock the lid 1 R to the frame 1 F. Incorporating opening 18 is configured like an arrow shaped upwards and is face to face with the dispensing passageway 15 at the rear 1 RR which faces the coin storing section 1 S. Incorporating opening 18 is face to face with dispensing mouth 42 A as will be explained later.

The first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H can be moved in or out the coin storing section 1 S. Therefore the refilling of the coins and maintenance of the coin hoppers are convenient. In other words, the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H can slide relative to base 1 B of frame 1 F by a sliding mounting device 20 .

Next, the sliding mounting device 20 is explained. The sliding mounting device 20 of the second coin hopper 10 H is explained by referring to FIG. 4 through to FIG. 7 , because the sliding mounting devices 20 of the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 are the same (only the directions are different). A guide 21 is shaped like a rectangular prism and is fixed at base 1 B which is located at the center of the coin storing section 1 S. Sliding base 22 is located between the guide 21 and the side wall of frame 1 F.

Elongated holes 23 A, 23 B and 24 B are positioned parallel to each other and are located at the sliding base 22 . Pins 25 A and 25 B are inserted into each of the elongated holes 23 A and 23 B. The pins 25 A and 25 B are fixed at the front section of the base 1 B. The elongated holes 23 A and 23 B are parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding base 22 . Therefore the drawing position of the sliding base 22 is limited. The head sections of the pins 25 A and 25 B are as large as the diameter of the flange, and doesn't guide the sliding base 22 away from base 1 B.

Pins 26 A and 26 B penetrate through the elongated holes 24 A and 24 B. The pins 26 A and 26 B are fixed at the reverse of the second coin hopper 10 H. The edges of pins 26 A and 26 B cannot be pulled out from the elongated holes 24 A and 24 B, because they have a larger diameter than the flange shape. A linear moving device includes the elongated holes 23 A, 23 B, 24 A and the pins 26 A, 26 B.

The elongated hole 24 B is shorter than the elongated hole 24 A and has a detachable section 24 BP which is triangular in the middle. The width of detachable section 24 BP is larger than the large diameter section of the pin 26 B. Arc section 27 is the center at the front edge section and is located from the middle section to the front end section of the elongated hole 24 A. Pivoting device includes the arc section 27 , the front edge section of the elongated hole 24 B, pins 25 A and 25 B. Pins 26 A and 26 B are located at the rear section of the elongated holes 24 A and 24 B.

When the second coin hopper 10 H is stored in the coin storing section 1 S, the pins 25 A and 25 B are located at the front edge section of the elongated holes 23 A and 23 B as shown in FIG. 4 . The pins 26 A and 26 B are located at the rear section of the elongated holes 24 A and 24 B.

In this situation, when the second coin hopper 10 H is extracted, the liner moving device operates. In other words, the sliding base 22 is guided by the pins 25 A, 25 B, guide 21 and the side wall of frame 1 F and is moved to base 1 B, and is extracted outward of the coin selector 2 . The sliding base 22 stops and pins 25 A and 25 B have contact with the rear section of elongated holes 23 A and 23 B (shown in FIG. 5 ).

Additionally when the second coin hopper 10 H is extracted, pins 26 A and 26 B of the back of the second coin hopper 10 H are guided by the elongated hole 24 A and 24 B. Therefore the coin hopper 10 H displaces along the slide base 22 . Also the pin 26 B is stopped by the edge of the elongated hole 24 B (shown in FIG. 6 ). In this situation, approximately all of the second coin hopper 10 H has been extracted from the coin storing section 1 S.

Next the pivoting device is used. When the second hopper 10 H is pivoted in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 6 , the pin 26 B which is located at the front edge section of the elongated hole 24 B becomes the point of support. Therefore pin 26 A moves in the arc section 27 and is stopped by the edge of the elongated hole 24 A (shown in FIG. 7 ). By the pivot motion, the second coin hopper 10 H pivots out to one side of an extending line of the coin storing section 1 S (shown in FIG. 7 ).

Therefore the coin refilling work is easy to accomplish, because the storing bowl 34 B of the second coin hopper 10 H is now located out side of the coin storing section 1 S. In this situation, when the second coin hopper 10 H is pivoted in the clockwise direction, the pin 26 B is located at the detachable section 24 BP. Therefore the head section of pin 26 B can be pulled from the elongated hole 24 B.

Also notch 28 is made up at the large diameter section of pin 26 A and is face to face with notch 29 of the edge of elongated hole 24 A. Therefore the pin 26 A can be removed from elongated hole 24 A.

As a result the second coin hopper 10 H can also be removed from the sliding base 22 (shown in FIG. 8 ). The detachable section 24 BP, notch 28 and 29 enables a detachable device.

When the second coin hopper 10 H is put in the coin storing section 1 S, it is executed in an opposed manner to the aforesaid work. In this present invention, the coin refilling work could be accomplished in the situation where the second coin hopper 10 H is only linearly extracted from the coin storing section 1 S. But when the coin refilling work can be executed in a situation where the coin hopper pivots, the coin refilling work is made easier.

Next the structure of the coin hopper is explained. The second coin hopper 10 H is explained by referring to FIG. 9 , because the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H are located symmetric to each other and they have the same structure.

The parts of the first coin hopper are attached in the same number as the parts of the second coin hopper 10 H and the figure references are changed from B to A. The second coin hopper 10 H includes a hopper base 31 B which has a slanting surface 30 B, a rotating disc 33 B which has a through hole 32 B and a storing bowl 34 B which is cylindrical. There are two through holes 32 B and they are located symmetric to the rotating axis line. When the through holes are plural in number, the probability of the coins passing increases. Therefore the coin dispensing time is reduced, however, the through hole can be limited to one.

A rotating disc 33 B is located adjacent to the slanting slid surface 30 B and is parallel to the disc 33 B and is rotated by a second electric motor 35 B which is thin and is built in the hopper base 31 B. The rotating disc 33 B is made of a material which can be a resin or metal, etc. A preferred production method is to make the hopper parts by an integral molding procedure with resin. Therefore storing bowl 34 B is made of a resin and is made by integral molding, and the lower section is circular, and the lower section is fixed detachable at the slanting slide surface 30 B.

The upper section of a storing bowl 34 B has chamfers and is approximately pentagonal in shape. Preferably the storing bowl 34 B is rectangular for increasing the volume for stored coins. But an approximate round shape is suitable, because such a shape can increase the stirrer effect by the rotating disc 33 B. When the storing bowl 34 B is pentagon, the dispensing of the coins becomes smooth for easy movement of coins.

The storing bowl 34 B has a bulge 34 BP to receive the coins. The bulges 34 BP and 34 AP are located on both sides of the dispensing passageway 15 . The rotating disc 33 B is located in the lower section of the storing bowl 34 B. A pushing protrusion 36 B has a curved shape which is extended from the center of the rotating disc 33 B and is located at the reverse of the disc 33 B and is face to face with a through hole 32 B. The hopper base 31 B is a box which is made of a resin, and the upper surface is the slanting slide surface 30 B.

A stopping pin 37 B is fixed at the middle of the front and downward slope and is located at the first coin hopper 100 H side of the slanting slide surface 30 B. The stopping pin 37 B protrudes over the slanting slide surface 30 B by a spring (not shown) and can be pushed down by a predetermined downward force. Accordingly the stopping pin 37 B is retracted back into the hopper base 31 B. When the rotating disc 33 B is reversed in rotation, the coins can pass over the stopping pin 37 B because the protruding end of the stopping pin 37 B is semi-round and the stopping pin 37 B can be pushed downward.

Dispensing guide 38 B has a triangular shape and is fixed at the lower section of the downward slope of the slanting slide surface 30 B and is further located on the outside of the rotating disc 33 B. The dispensing guide 38 B is made of metal which prevents wear and tear by the coins 4 . Roller 39 B is located away from the end 38 BT of dispensing guide 38 B, and the distance is shorter than the coin's diameter.

The roller 39 B is rotatable at the end of a lever 41 B which pivots at shaft 40 B which in turn is fixed at the slanting slide surface 30 B. The lever 41 B pivots in the counter clockwise direction by a spring (not shown), and it stops on the out side of the rotating disc 33 B by a stopper (not shown). The roller 39 B, the shaft 40 B and the lever 41 B provide the structure of coin projector 42 B.

Coin dispensing mouth or aperture 43 B is the space between the end 38 BT of the dispensing guide 38 B and roller 39 B. Dispensing guide surface 44 B is on the outside of the coin dispensing mouth 43 B which slants downwards and towards the dispensing passageway 15 . Tier 44 BB is located on and continues to the slanting guide surface 44 B, and slanting guide surface 44 BC is formed the same as the surface 44 B. The opposed surface to the dispensing guiding surface 44 B of the storing bowl 34 B is a downward slanting guide surface 48 B which slants downwards.

Therefore the dispensing guide surface 44 A of the first coin hopper 100 H, tier 44 AB, guiding surface 44 AC, downwards slanting guide surface 48 A, dispensing guide surface 44 B of the second coin hopper 10 H, tier 44 BB and downwards slanting guide surface 48 B create a guiding section 49 which is a pyramid shape as shown in FIG. 10 . The bottom of the guiding section 49 is front wall 15 F.

Accordingly when the dispensing coins from either the coin hopper 100 H or 10 H rebound from the front wall 15 F, the coins are guided by the guiding surfaces 44 A, 44 AB, 44 AC, 44 B, 44 BB, 44 BC, 48 A, 48 B and the front wall 15 F, and are guided into the dispensing passageway 15 . In this structure, the coins are stirred by the rotation of rotating disc 33 B and pass through the hole 32 B and are supported by the slanting slide surface 30 B.

Coin 4 is pushed in the clockwise direction by the pushing protrusion 36 B and slides on the slanting slide surface 30 B, and is stopped by the stopping pin 37 B. The stopped coin 4 is additionally pushed by the pushing protrusion 36 B and goes to the projector 42 B side and is guided by the dispensing guide 38 B. Accordingly the roller 39 B is slightly moved in the clockwise direction by the coin 4 . Afterwards coin 4 is dispensed by coin projector 42 B and is dispensed from the coin dispensing mouth 43 B.

In the process of pushing the coin 4 by pushing the protrusion 36 B, the edge of the coin 4 passes through the opening 18 and arrives into the dispensing passageway 15 therefore the coin 4 has contact with the front wall 15 F. Accordingly the coin 4 is placed in a position which slants downwards towards the front in accordance with the dispensing guide surface 44 B. Therefore the coin 4 has contact with the front wall 15 F at a relatively blunt angle. The direction of coin 4 is changed to a downward direction by the front wall 15 F and the dispensing guide surface 44 B. In this process, the tier 44 BB and the dispensing guide surface 44 B don't obstruct the coin 4 .

The diameter section of the coin 4 passes through between the end 38 BT and the roller 39 B, whereupon the coin 4 is flipped by the coin projector 42 a . Therefore the coin 4 falls down and is guided by the dispensing passageway 15 at the same time, and it is guided to the dispensing mouth of the vending machine. When the slanting slide surface 30 B is viewed from the lid 1 R side, the surface 30 B is slanted, and has a three-dimensional area which slants downwards to the lid 1 R opposed the frame 1 F and slants downwards from the first coin hopper 100 H side.

The slanting slide surface 30 A of the first coin hopper 100 H slants symmetrical to the slanting slide surface 30 B. Therefore the slanting slide surface 30 B is slanted downwards toward the lid 1 R side and is slanted downwards towards the second coin hopper 10 H side. The rotating disc 33 A and 33 B slant in accordance with the slanting slide surface 30 A of 30 B. In other words, the rotating discs 33 A and 33 B slant towards the width and depth of the coin mechanical 1 . Accordingly the width of the coin mechanical device 1 reduces by an amount W 1 , when compared to a level layout of a rotating disc 33 B (shown the by dotted line) as shown in FIG. 11 .

Also, the depth of the coin mechanical 1 reduces by an amount D 1 . Furthermore the width reduces W 2 and the depth reduces D 2 , because the dispensed coin 4 slants. The width of coin mechanical device 1 reduces (W 1 +W 2 )*2, because the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H are aligned in the lateral direction.

Next a dispensing sensor is explained. The end of guide 21 corresponds to a rectangular section 18 R of the lower section of the opening 18 . A dispensing sensor 45 can be a coil type and is located at one end. The dispensing sensor 45 can be changed to a photoelectric sensor. The dispensing sensor 45 has a function which detects the falling coin 4 in the dispensing passageway 15 .

Next a full sensor of the coin hoppers is explained by referring to FIG. 1 . First full sensor 46 A is fixed at frame 1 F which is face to face with a position which is located slightly upwards of the bulge 34 AP and below the second receiving passageway 9 . Second full sensor 46 B is fixed at frame 1 F which is face to face with the position which is located slightly upwards of the bulge 34 BP and below the first receiving passageway 8 .

The first full sensor 46 A detects a full load of coins situation in the coin hopper 100 H by the height of the coins. The second full sensor 46 B also detects the full situation in the coin hopper 10 H by the height of coins. When the full sensors 46 A and 46 B detect a full situation, the receiving coins are guided into a backup safe. The full sensors 46 A and 46 B can be changed to a photoelectric type or a coil type, etc.

First empty sensor 47 A is attached in the lower section of the storing bowl 34 A. Second empty sensor 47 B is attached in the lower section of the storing bowl 34 B. The empty sensors 47 A and 47 B detect an empty situation of coins in the coin hopper 34 A or 34 B. Therefore the empty sensors 47 A and 47 B can be changed to another detecting type. Additionally observation holes 48 for a service technician are located at the front wall 15 F of the lid 1 R along the dispensing passageway 15 .

Next the control block diagram is explained by referring to FIG. 12 . Micro processor 50 receives signals from dispensing signal P 100 and P 10 , the dispensing sensor 45 , the first full sensor 46 A, the second full sensor 46 B, the first empty sensor 47 A, and the second empty sensor 47 B. The micro processor 50 selectively drives an electric motor 35 A of the first coin hopper 100 H, an electric motor 35 B of the second coin hopper 10 H and outputs a finished signal PF and outputs a display to display 51 and/or printer, etc. based on the installed control program.

The operation of the first embodiment is explained by referring to FIG. 13 through to FIG. 15 . There are 50 coins of 100 Yen in bulk in the first coin hopper 100 H, and there are 50 coins of 10 Yen in bulk in the second coin hopper 10 H. The case of dispensing 150 Yen is explained. Accordingly the coin mechanical device 1 receives the dispensing signal P 100 which dispenses one coin of 100 Yen and the dispensing signal P 10 which dispenses five coins of 10 Yen.

At step S 1 , when there is the dispensing signal P 100 , the program goes to subroutine SUB 1 and when there isn't a dispensing signal P 100 , the program goes to step S 2 . At step S 2 , when there is a dispensing signal P 10 , the program goes to subroutine SUB 2 and when there isn't a dispensing signal P 10 , the program goes to step S 3 .

At step S 3 , the empty signal of the first empty sensor 47 A or the second empty sensor 47 B is distinguished. When there isn't any empty signals, the program goes to step S 4 , and when there is at least one empty signal, the program goes to step S 5 . At step 5 , the empty signal is outputted, and a predetermined display is displayed at display 51 , etc. and the program goes to step S 4 .

At step S 4 , either the full signal of the first full sensor 46 A or the full signal of the second full sensor 46 B is distinguished. When there aren't any full signals, the program returns to step S 1 , and when there is a full signal, the program goes to step S 6 . At step S 6 , a backup safe using signal is outputted, and the program goes to step S 1 .

Next the operation of the subroutine 1 is explained. At step S 11 , electrical motor 35 A of the first coin hopper 100 H rotates. The rotating disc 33 A is rotated by the electrical motor 35 A. Therefore one coin of 100 Yen is dispensed into the dispensing passageway 15 .

The dispensed coin of 100 Yen falls down through the dispensing passageway 15 and is guided to the dispensing mouth of the vending machine. The dispensing sensor 45 outputs the detecting signal P. At step S 12 , the detecting signal P is distinguished, and the program goes to step S 13 .

At step S 13 , the detecting signal P is counted. In this case, if it is the first time, therefore one is counted. At step S 14 , the counted number is compared to the set instruction number. In this case, the instruction number is one, and is the same as the counted number. Accordingly the program goes to step S 15 , and the electrical motor 35 A is stopped, and the program returns to the main routine.

Additionally the counted number of the 100 Yen coin is reset relatively to the stopping of the electrical motor 35 A. Also the dispensing finished signal PF of 100 Yen coin is output, and only the dispensing signal P 10 is output from the control device of the vending machine.

When the detecting signal P of the coin isn't detected, the program goes to step S 16 . At step S 16 , the rotating time from the start of the rotation is clocked, and is compared with a predetermined time. When the rotating time isn't over the predetermined time, the program returns to step S 11 .

When the rotating time is over the predetermined time, the program goes to step S 17 , and motor 35 A rotates in a reverse direction for a predetermined time period. When the coin isn't dispensed from the start of the rotation of the rotating disc 33 A within the predetermined time period, the program assumes that coins are jammed in coin hopper 100 H. Accordingly the rotating disc 33 A is rotated in the reverse direction in an effort to insure that jam is broken up. Next the program returns to step S 11 , and the motor 35 A rotates in the normal direction, and a coin of 100 Yen is dispensed.

Next the process of subroutine 2 is explained. At step S 21 , the electrical motor 35 B of the second coin hopper 10 H rotates. The rotating disc 33 B is rotated by the electrical motor 35 B, and one coin of 10 Yen is dispensed into the dispensing passageway 15 . The dispensed coin of 10 Yen falls down in the dispensing passageway 15 and is guided to the dispensing mouth of the vending machine. The coin of 10 Yen falls down into the dispensing passageway 15 . Whereupon the dispensing sensor 45 outputs the detecting signal P.

At step S 22 , the detecting signal P is distinguished, and the program goes to step S 23 . At step S 23 , the detecting signal P is counted. In this case it is the first time, therefore one is counted. At step S 24 , the counted number is compared to the instruction number. In this case, the instruction number is five, and the program returns to step S 22 . The rotating disc 33 B continually rotates, and the coins of 10 Yen are dispensed continually as has been previously described.

When five coins are dispensed, the count number becomes five, and the program goes to step S 25 . At step S 25 , the motor 35 B stops and the program returns to the main routine. Additionally the count number of the 10 Yen coin is reset, and the dispensing finished signal of 10 Yen coin is outputted.

When there isn't a coin signal, the program goes to step S 26 . At step S 26 , the rotating time from the start of the rotation is checked, and is compared with a predetermined time period. When the rotating time isn't over the predetermined time, the program returns to step S 21 . When the rotating time is over the predetermined time, the program goes to step S 27 , and the motor 35 B rotates in a reverse direction during a predetermined time, and any jam is broken up.

Next the program returns to step S 21 , and motor 35 B rotates normally, and a coin of 10 Yen is dispensed. Additionally, when the dispensing coins are over two, the predetermined time of step S 26 is clocked from the last output timing of the coin dispensing signal P.

Next a second embodiment of the present invention is explained by referring to FIG. 16 through to FIG. 25 . The second embodiment includes four coin hoppers, and four denominations wherein 500 Yen, 100 Yen, 50 Yen and 10 Yen can be dispensed. As known, a coin selector 202 is located at the upper section of a frame 201 F which is box like in configuration of coin mechanical 201 as shown in FIG. 16 .

The coin selector 202 distinguishes the coins 204 which are charged from coin entry 203 . And the coins are diverted into passageways on the way to rolling onto the diverting passageway 206 . False coins are diverted into a returning passageway 207 which are guided to the returning section. The coin of 10 Yen is diverted into a 10 Yen receiving passageway 208 . The coin of 100 Yen is diverted into a 100 Yen receiving passageway 209 . The coin of 50 Yen is diverted into a 50 Yen receiving passageway 211 . The coin of 500 Yen is diverted into a 500 Yen receiving passageway 212 . When the corresponding coin hopper for the denomination is full, the coins are guided into a backup passageway 210 for storing in a backup safe.

A coin dispensing device 213 is located at the coin storing section 201 S which is located under the coin selector 202 . The coin dispensing device 213 includes a first coin hopper 100 H for 50 Yen, a second coin hopper 10 H for 500 Yen, a third coin hopper 50 H for 100 Yen, a fourth coin hopper 500 H for 10 Yen and a common dispensing passageway 215 .

Lid 201 R is hinged at frame 201 F by hinge 201 H, and the coin storing section 201 S is closed by lid 201 R as shown in FIG. 17. A third passageway 214 , a common dispensing passageway 215 and a fourth passageway 216 are approximately vertical and parallel and are made up by a third partition 2 D 3 and a fourth partition 2 D 4 at lid 1 R.

The dispensing passageway 215 is adjacent to the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H and the third coin hopper 50 H and the fourth coin hopper 500 H and is face-to-face with the coin hoppers. In other words, when it's viewed from the front (shown in FIG. 16 ), the dispensing passageway 215 is adjacent to the side which is aligned lateral to the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H and the side which is aligned lateral to the third coin hopper 50 H and the fourth coin hopper 500 H and is face-to-face with the coin hoppers.

Preferably, the rotating discs 33 A, 33 B, 33 C and 33 D overlap to the dispensing passageway 215 all at an even length. The width of the passageways 214 , 215 and 216 are smaller than the diameter of two coins. The thickness of the passageways 214 , 215 and 216 are smaller than the thickness of two coins.

Locking devices 217 A and 217 B are attached at the front right section of lid 201 R, which lock lid 201 R to the frame 201 F. First incorporating opening 218 A and second incorporating opening 218 B are arrow shaped and extend upwards at the rear 201 RR of the lid 201 R and face to face with the coin storing section 201 S. The second opening 218 B is face to face with the coin dispensing mouth 43 A of the first coin hopper 100 H and is face to face with the coin dispensing mouth 43 B of the second dispensing hopper 10 H.

The first opening 218 A is face to face with the coin dispensing mouth 43 C of the third coin hopper 50 H and is face to face with a coin dispensing mouth 43 D of the fourth coin hopper 500 H. Opening 214 U is located at the middle at a perpendicular direction to lid 201 R and is the lower edge of third passageway 214 . Opening 219 continues downward from the opening 214 U, and is dented for receiving the first coin hopper 100 H. Opening 216 U is at the lower edge of the fourth passageway 216 .

The coin storing section 201 S is separated into an upper storing section 201 U and under storing section 201 L by a middle separating board 214 which is level or horizontal as shown in FIG. 18 . The first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H are located at the lower storing section 201 L and are aligned laterally in the same manner as the first embodiment. The first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H can move in or out of the coin storing section 201 L by sliding devices 220 A and 220 B mounted in the frame housing in the same manner as the first embodiment.

The third coin hopper 50 H and the fourth coin hopper 500 H are located at the upper storing section 201 U and are aligned laterally. The third coin hopper 50 H can move in or out of the coin storing section 201 U by a sliding device 220 C the same as the sliding device 220 A. The fourth coin hopper 500 H can move in or out of the coin storing section 201 u by a sliding device 220 D the same as the sliding device 220 C.

The third coin hopper 50 H is the same as the first coin hopper 100 H however the shape of the storing bowl 34 C is slightly different. The fourth coin hopper 500 H is the same as the second coin hopper 10 H; however the shape of the storing bowl 34 D is slightly different. The third coin hopper 50 H is located above the first coin hopper 100 H, and the fourth coin hopper 500 H is located above the second coin hopper 10 H. Accordingly the coin hoppers are aligned lateral and are aligned perpendicularly or vertically; as a result, the space is smaller and more compact.

The upper opening of the storing bowl 34 C is located under the 100 Yen receiving passageway 209 , and the third coin hopper 50 H which dispenses 100 Yen. The upper opening of the storing bowl 34 D is located under the 10 Yen receiving passageway 209 , and the fourth coin hopper 500 H which dispenses 10 Yen. The upper opening of the storing bowl 34 A is located under the opening 214 U of the third passageway 214 which continues to the 50 Yen receiving passageway 211 , and the first coin hopper 100 H which dispenses 50 Yen.

The upper opening of the storing bowl 34 B is located under the fourth passageway 216 which continues to the 500 Yen receiving passageway 212 , and the second-coin hopper 10 H dispenses 500 Yen. A guiding passageway 34 DA which extends perpendicular and a guiding passageway 34 DB are located at the lid 201 R side of the storing bowl 34 D of the fourth coin hopper 500 H. The guiding passageway 34 DB extends perpendicular and the lower opening is closed by an arc surface and opens towards the side of the storing bowl 34 D, and is located adjacent to the guiding passageway 34 DA. Accordingly the 10 Yen coins arrive into the storing bowl 34 D and pass through the 10 Yen passageway 208 and the coin passageway 34 DB.

The 500 Yen coins arrive into the fourth passageway 216 and pass through the 500 Yen passageway 212 and guiding passageway 34 DA. Guiding section 49 A is pyramid like in shape which lays down and is structured by the dispensing guide surface 44 A of the first coin hopper 100 H, dispensing guide surface 44 B of the second coin hopper 10 H, downwards slanting guide surfaces 48 A and 48 B and the rear 201 RR.

Next a transmission device for supplying power to the rotating discs is explained. In the transmission device of the second embodiment, the rotating discs are rotated by only one electrical motor. Firstly, a disc driving device 260 of the coin hopper is explained by referring to the second coin hopper 10 H shown in FIG. 19 . The rotating disc 33 B is fixed at the disk 261 in a coaxial direction. Shaft 262 is fixed at the rear of the disk 261 and penetrates in hole 263 at the center of the hopper base 31 B.

Therefore the rotating disc 33 B can rotate in shaft 262 on the slanting slide surface 30 B relative to a horizontal plane. Screw gear 264 has a spiral shape and is fixed at the lower section of the shaft 262 . The screw gear 264 is a second gear which has a slanting rotating shaft the same as the slant of the rotating disc 33 B. Spar gear 266 is rotatable on shaft 265 which is fixed at base plate 31 BB of the hopper base 31 B and is perpendicular. The screw gear 264 engages with the upper section of gear 266 .

Gear 267 engages with the lower section of gear 266 which is rotatable on shaft 268 and which is fixed at the base plate 31 BB. Gear 269 engages with gear 267 and is rotatable on shaft 270 . Gear 271 is unified with gear 269 and engages with gear 273 which rotates on shaft 272 . A part of driven gear 273 is exposed at the hopper base 31 B. The driven gear 373 is a first gear which has a rotating shaft line parallel to the rotating shaft line of a gear 312 A which we will explain later, and it is a driven unit.

The driven unit can alternatively be changed to a friction roller which is a pair of drivers. However, a gear transmission assembly is desirable because a gear transmission can provide a higher transmission of power. In this structure, when the driven gear 273 is driven, the screw gear 264 is rotated through the gears 271 , 269 , 267 and 266 . Therefore the rotating disc 33 B is rotated by the rotating shaft 262 and disk 261 .

Accordingly, the driving device of the rotating disc 33 B becomes simple and inexpensive because the driving force of the gear changes from the level direction to the slanted direction. The driving device of the fourth coin hopper 500 H is the same as the driving device 260 . The driving devices of the first coin hopper 100 H and the third coin hopper 50 H are overall the same as the driving device 260 however the gears are located in an opposite position.

Next selectively driving unit 280 of the coin hoppers is explained by referring to FIG. 20 through to FIG. 24 . The selectively driving unit 280 has a function of being selectively rotatable to the specific rotating discs of the first coin hopper through to the fourth coin hopper. Shafts 282 A and 282 B are attached at frame 281 and are parallel to each other. Driving shaft 284 is located between shaft 282 A and shaft 282 B and is parallel to the shafts and is further rotatable on the bearings 283 A and 283 B of frame 281 .

Spur gear 285 is fixed at the upper section of the driving shaft 284 and engages with idle gear 286 . The idle gear 287 is unified to the idle gear 286 and engages with driving gear 289 which is fixed on the output shaft of a reversible electrical motor 288 . The motor 288 is fixed at bracket 290 . The idle gears 286 and 287 are rotatable on a shaft (not shown).

Spur gears 291 A and 291 B are attached on the driving shaft 284 which are spaced away from each other. The spur gear 291 A engages with spur gear 292 A which is fixed at the upper section of shaft 282 A. Spur gear 291 B of the lower section of the driving shaft 284 engages with spur gear 292 B which is fixed on shaft 282 B. Slider 293 is located between spur gears 291 A and 291 B and in a unified manner is rotatable and is slidable on the driving shaft 284 .

Claw 294 A is located at the edge of slider 293 and is face to face with the edge of spur gear 291 A. Claw 294 B is located at the edge of the spur gear 291 and is face to face with the edge of slider 293 . First clutch 294 is structured by claws 294 A and 294 B. Claw 295 A is located at the edge of slider 293 and is face to face with the edge of spur gear 291 B. Claw 295 B is located at the edge of spur gear 291 B and is face to face with the edge of slider 293 . Second clutch 295 is structured by claws 295 A and 295 B.

Next, a first changing device 296 A of the clutch is explained. The first changing device 296 A has a function that permits a selectively reversible rotation to either shafts 282 A or 282 B to address any jamming of coins. Rod 297 can slide in the perpendicular direction and is located between driving shaft 284 and frame 281 . Pin 297 B is fixed at the lower end of rod 297 and is inserted into groove 293 C of slider 293 . Pin 297 A is fixed at the upper section of rod 297 and is inserted into hole 300 at the edge of lever 299 which can pivot on shaft 298 .

Pin 303 is fixed at the edge of lever 302 and is slidable and is further inserted into elongated hole 301 at the other end of lever 299 . Lever 302 pivots on shaft 304 which is fixed at bracket 290 . Pin 308 is fixed at armature 307 of a first solenoid 306 and is slidable and is inserted into elongated hole 305 at the other end of the lever 302 . The first solenoid 306 is fixed at bracket 290 . The armature 307 is usually moved by spring 309 .

When first solenoid 306 is not excited, armature 307 is located at the lower position as shown in FIG. 20 . Accordingly lever 302 pivots in the counter clockwise direction through pin 308 and elongated hole 305 . Also, lever 299 pivots in the clockwise direction through pin 303 and elongated hole 301 . Therefore slider 293 moves to the lowest position through hole 300 , pin 297 A, rod 297 and pin 297 B, and second clutch 295 which are all operatively connected. As a result, shaft 282 B is rotated through slider 293 , clutch 295 , spur gears 291 B and 292 B by driving shaft 284 .

When the first solenoid 306 is excited, armature 307 is drawn upwards. Therefore slider 293 lifts up, and first clutch 294 is connected. Shaft 282 A is rotated by driving shaft 284 through slider 293 , clutch 294 , spur gears 291 A and 292 A. Changing position sensor 310 A detects piece 302 S of lever 302 . Therefore it detects a connecting situation of the second clutch 295 indirectly.

Changing position sensor 310 B detects piece 302 S of lever 302 . Therefore it detects a connecting situation of the first clutch 294 indirectly. This structure is a selecting device which can select the hoppers which are either positioned left or right.

Next the driving device of the coin hoppers which are located at a perpendicular or vertically aligned direction is explained. First spur gear 311 A is rotatable at the lower section of the shaft 282 A. Third spur gear 311 B is rotatable on shaft 282 A and is located between first spur gear 311 A and spur gear 292 A.

The first spur gear 311 A and the third spur gear 311 B cannot slide along shaft 282 A. Also the second spur gear 312 A is rotatable and is attached at the lower section of shaft 282 B. Fourth spur gear 312 B is rotatable and is located between second spur gear 312 A and spur gear 292 B. The second spur gear 312 A and the fourth spur gear 312 B cannot slide along shaft 282 B. The first spur gear 311 A, the second spur gear 312 A, the third spur gear 311 B and the fourth spur gear 312 B are driving gears which are fixed at the frame 1 F.

Slider 313 A is supported on shaft 282 A and is located between first spur gear 311 A and third spur gear 311 B and cannot rotate to shaft 282 A and can slide along shaft 282 A. Clutch piece 314 A is located at the edge of third spur gear 311 B side and of slider 313 A. Clutch piece 314 B is located at the edge of the third spur gear 311 B. The clutch pieces 314 A and 314 B form a structure or a third clutch 314 .

Clutch piece 315 A is located at the edge of the first spur gear 311 A side of the slider 313 A. Another clutch piece 315 B is located at the edge of the first spur gear 311 A. Clutch pieces 315 A and 315 B form a structure a fourth clutch 315 .

The slider 313 B is supported on shaft 282 B and is located between the second spur gears 312 A and 312 B and cannot rotate to shaft 282 A and can slide along shaft 282 B. Clutch piece 316 A is located at the end of the fourth spur gear 312 B side of the slider 313 B. Another clutch piece 316 B is located at the fourth spur gear 312 B. The clutch pieces 316 A and 316 B form a structure of a fifth clutch 316 .

Clutch piece 317 A is located at the edge of the slider 313 B and is face to face with the second spur gear 312 A. Another clutch piece 317 B is located at the edge of the second spur gear 312 A. The clutch pieces 317 A and 317 B form a structure of a sixth clutch 317 .

Next a second changing device 296 B is explained. The second changing device 296 B has a function that selectively connects between the third clutch 314 and the fifth clutch 316 or between the fourth clutch 315 and the sixth clutch 317 . Pins 320 A and 320 B protrude from slider 320 and are inserted into groove 319 A of the slider 313 A and groove 319 B of the slider 313 B.

Slider 320 is connected with armature 321 A of the second solenoid 321 which is fixed at frame 281 and is located in the space which is enclosed by the driving shaft 284 , the third spur gears 311 B and 312 B and is located between shafts 282 A and 282 B. The solenoid 321 has a function that permits the changing position of the armature 321 A.

For example, the fourth clutch 315 and the sixth clutch 317 are connected when the second solenoid 321 is excited and the armature 321 A is pulled upwards. Therefore slider 320 is pulled upwards, and the third clutch 314 and fifth clutch 316 are connected. Next when the second solenoid 321 is excited, the fourth clutch 315 and the sixth clutch 317 are connected.

The third position sensor 322 A detects piece 320 C of slider 320 , and detects the connection between third clutch 314 and fifth clutch 316 indirectly. The fourth position sensor 322 B detects piece 320 D of the slider 320 , and detects the connection between the fourth clutch 315 and the sixth clutch 317 indirectly.

Accordingly when the second clutch 295 , the fourth clutch 315 and the sixth clutch 317 are connected as shown in FIG. 20 , the second spur gear 312 A is rotated, because shaft 282 B is rotated by the motor 288 .

In this situation, when the second solenoid 321 is excited, the second clutch 295 , the third clutch 314 and the fifth clutch 316 are connected. Accordingly fourth spur gear 312 B is rotated as shown in FIG. 22 . When the first solenoid 306 is excited and the second solenoid 321 is re-excited, first clutch 294 , fourth clutch 315 and sixth clutch 317 are connected. Therefore spur gear 311 A is rotated as shown in FIG. 23 .

When the first solenoid 306 is excited and the second solenoid 321 is re-excited, first clutch 294 , third clutch 314 and fifth clutch 316 are connected. Accordingly the third spur gear 311 B is rotated as shown in FIG. 24 . Also, when the rotating discs are rotated in the reverse direction, motor 288 rotates in the reverse direction. The driving device is structured by the mechanical clutches and is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. However, the mechanical clutches could be changed to electric clutches in an alternative configuration.

In the selectively driving device 280 , the cover covers shafts 282 A, 282 B and clutches, and the exterior of the cover has a triangular prism shape. Shafts 282 A and 282 B are perpendicular and are attached to the back wall 210 B of frame 201 F. Therefore, it is located at the triangular section 201 A which is located between the first coin hopper 100 H and the second coin hopper 10 H, and between the third coin hopper 50 H and the fourth coin hopper 500 H (as shown in FIG. 3 ).

The storing hoppers of the coin hoppers have specific alignment chamfers 34 AC, 34 BC, 34 CC and 34 DC to secure the locating section of the selectively driving device 280 . The first changing device 296 A is located between the coin selector 202 and the rear wall 201 B. The first spur gear 311 A and the second spur gear 312 A are exposed at the lower storing section 201 L. The third spur gear 311 B and the fourth spur gear 312 B are exposed at the upper storing section 201 U.

When the first coin hopper 100 H is contained in the lower storing section 201 L, the spur gear 273 has contact with the spur gear 311 A. When the second coin hopper 10 H is contained in the lower storing section 201 L, the spur gear 273 has contact with the spur gear 312 A. When the third coin hopper 50 H and the fourth coin hopper 500 H are contained in the upper storing section 201 U, the spur gear 273 has contact with each of the spur gears 311 B and 312 B. The third coin hopper 50 H has a third empty sensor 47 C and a third full sensor 46 C, and the fourth coin hopper 500 H has a fourth empty sensor 47 D and a fourth full sensor 46 D. Thus a removable drive connection is provided that permits the coin hoppers to be slid out of the housing for recharging of coins.

Next a control block diagram of the second embodiment is explained referring to FIG. 25. A microprocessor 250 receives the dispensing signals P 50 , P 100 , P 50 and P 10 of each denomination from the control device of the vending machine, the first dispensing sensor 45 A, the second dispensing sensor 45 B, the first full sensor 46 A, the second full sensor 46 B, the third full sensor 46 C, the fourth full sensor 46 D, first empty sensor 47 A, the second empty sensor 47 B, the third empty sensor 47 C and the fourth empty sensor 47 D. The microprocessor 250 can selectively drive motor 385 , first solenoid 306 and second solenoid 321 , also it can output a dispensing finished signal PF and a predetermined signal to the display or the printer based on the program. The coin hoppers 500 H, 100 H, 50 H and 10 H can dispense coins as indicated by the number of coins in the same manner as the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment has six coin hoppers and is explained by referring to FIG. 26 . The third embodiment adds a 5 Yen hopper and a 1 Yen hopper to the second embodiment. Fifth coin hopper 1 H stores 1 Yen coins and is located over the third coin hopper 50 H in the coin storing section 401 U. Sixth coin hopper 5 H stores 5 Yen coins and is located over the fourth coin hopper 500 H in the coin storing section 401 U. Accordingly the first coin hopper 100 H, the third coin hopper 50 H and the fifth coin hopper 1 H are aligned in the perpendicular direction. Accordingly the second coin hopper 10 H, the fourth coin hopper 500 H and the sixth coin hopper 5 H are aligned in the perpendicular or vertical direction.

The rotating discs of the hoppers can be designed to be selectively driven by individual motors or can be selectively driven by a single motor and multi-clutches in the same manner as the second embodiment.

The coins received by coin selector 402 are diverted to each passageway and are guided to corresponding coin hoppers. The coins are dispensed by the coin hoppers into a common dispensing passageway 415 which is located in the middle of the hopper's alignment and are guided to the dispensing mouth. In the third embodiment, the coins are selectively dispensed the same as in the second embodiment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention.

Claims

1. A coin dispensing device comprising:at least a pair of coin hoppers, a coin dispensing unit in each coin hopper for dispensing a coin through an aperture; and a dispensing passageway that is operatively connected with each coin dispensing unit aperture to provide a common passageway for dispensed coins, the pair of coin hoppers are aligned in a lateral direction to provide a compact configuration with the respective aperture dispensing coins into the common passageway.

2. The coin dispensing device of claim 1 further including a third coin hopper with a coin dispensing unit for dispensing a coin through an aperture, the third coin hopper is aligned vertically above one of the pair of coin hoppers and is operatively connected with the common passageway.

3. The coin dispensing device of claim 1 further including a single drive member for selectively activating the coin dispensing units.

4. The coin dispensing device of claim 1 wherein each coin dispensing unit includes a rotating disc for contacting and dispensing a coin from a coin hopper, the rotating discs have a surface that forms an angle to a rotational axis of the rotating disc.

5. The coin dispensing device of claim 1 further including a housing member and a pair of mounting assemblies connected to the housing member, each mounting assembly is respectively connected to one of the pair of coin hoppers and enables a relative movement of the coin hopper out of the housing member to facilitate charging a coin hopper with coins.

6. The coin dispensing device of claim 5 wherein at least one mounting assembly permits a relative sliding and pivoting movement of a coin hopper from the housing member.

7. The coin dispensing device of claim 5 further including a single drive member for operatively connecting with the coin hoppers when moved into the housing member.

8. The coin dispensing device of claim 7 further including a transmission assembly for selectively engaging the single drive member with the coin hoppers when the mounting assemblies enable an operative movement of the coin hoppers into the housing member.

9. The coin dispensing device of claim 8 further including a closure member for connection with the housing member to secure the coin hoppers within the housing member, the closure member forming a portion of the dispensing passageway.

10. The coin dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the first coin hopper is driven by a first motor and the second coin hopper is driven by a second motor.

11. A coin dispensing device comprising:a housing member; a first coin hopper mounted in the housing member for a coin of a first denomination; a second coin hopper mounted in the housing member for a coin of a second denomination, the second coin hopper is aligned below the first coin hopper; and a dispensing passageway operatively connected to the first and second coin hopper for dispensing coins of both a first denomination and a second denomination and movable from the first and second hoppers to provide access.

12. The coin dispensing device of claim 11 further including a third coin hopper mounted in the housing member, and a fourth coin hopper mounted in the housing member, the fourth coin hopper is aligned below the third coin hopper and is positioned alongside of the second coin hopper.

13. The coin dispensing device of claim 11 further including a movable cover member operatively connected to the housing member, the cover member supporting a portion of the dispensing passageway.

14. The coin dispensing device of claim 11 further including a first mounting member connected to the housing member for permitting relative movement of the first coin hopper out of the housing member and a second mounting member connected to the housing member for permitting relative movement of the second coin hopper out of the housing member.

15. The coin dispensing device of claim 14 wherein the first mounting member and second mounting member provide a relative sliding and pivoting movement of the respective first coin hopper and second coin hopper to the housing member.

16. The coin dispensing device of claim 11 further including a first coin dispensing unit with a rotary disc in the first coin hopper and a second coin dispensing unit with a rotary disc in the second coin hopper, a transmission power assembly for removably supplying a rotation force to the first and second coin dispensing units and a first mounting member connected to the housing member for permitting relative movement of the first coin hopper out of the housing member and a second mounting member connected to the housing member for permitting relative movement of the second coin hopper out of the housing member.

17. The coin dispensing device of claim 11 further including a third coin hopper under the second coin hopper, a fourth coin hopper adjacent a side of the first coin hopper, a fifth coin hopper under the fourth coin hopper and a sixth coin hopper under the fifth coin hopper, each coin hopper dispensing a different denomination of coin and aligned in a compact stack in a vertical direction.

18. A coin dispensing device for mounting within a machine that requires dispensing coins of more than one denomination to a user, comprising:a plurality of coin hoppers, each coin hopper having a rotary disc and structured to store coins in bulk and dispense a different denomination of coin; a housing frame for mounting the plurality of coin hoppers including a mounting member for each coin hopper that permits a sliding movement of each coin hopper out of the housing frame for servicing the respective coin hopper, wherein at least two of the plurality of coin hoppers are stacked in the housing frame in vertical alignment to conserve space; and a single driving assembly to selectively drive each rotary disc.

19. The coin dispensing device of claim 18 wherein at least four coin hoppers are stacked in the housing frame.

20. The coin dispensing device of claim 19 further including a cover member connected to the housing frame, the cover member providing a common passageway for each coin hopper to dispense coins.