GB914652A - Improvements in or relating to coin sorting apparatus and recording mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

914,652. Sorting coins. BONE, A. E. Aug. 10, 1959 [May 9, 1958], No. 14869/58. Class 27. [Also in Gioup XIX] Apparatus for sorting mixed coins into separate denominations and counting and recording them comprises an endless belt or a rotary disc 3 for conveying coins separately past a record controlling pin 14 and then over a series of apertures 8, 9, 10 of progressively increasing widths through which the coins fall to separate collecting stations. As described, the apparatus sorts threepenny pieces, sixpences and shillings and the inclined rotary disc 3 has equally-spaced peripheral pockets 4 from which the coins project to different extents according to their diameters and impart corresponding movements to the pin 14. Two sets of registering mechanisms may be provided, one set on a spindle 39 indicating at 35, 36 and 37, the total number or value of each denomination of coins for each batch fed to the apparatus and another set on a spindle 44 indicating at 40, 41 and 42 the denominational values of coins sorted over an extended period; for each set, the total values for the three denominations are indicated at 38 and 43. As a coin is about to pass the pin 14, a cam 26 moves a sliding selector bar 22 against the action of a spring 25 so that a stop plate 20 is disengaged from a segmental plate 19 having a stepped edge and when the pin has set the plate 19 to a position corresponding to the coin diameter the spring returns the selector bar so that the plate 19 engages the appropriate part of the stepped edge. One of a series of notches 31, 32, 33 in the bar is then set so that a finger 48 on a pawl-carrying disc 45 for the appropriate indicator on the shaft 44 can move through the notch until an extension 49 of the finger engages the bar when the pawls have moved over one tooth on the primary wheel of the registering mechanism. For recording the total value of the coins, a notch 34 has three different depths so that according to the value of the coin, the pawls on the pawl-carrying disc move over one, two or four teeth. The pawl-carrying discs 45 on the spindle 39 are ganged to those on the spindle 44 by a connecting rod 47 so that they are simultaneously and equally advanced and they have a finger 50 engageable by a swinging bar 51 which is moved by a second cam 60 to return any finger which has been advanced to its normal position and so advance the primary wheels to register the value of the coin which has actuated the recording pin. For stopping the apparatus when any one of the coin-collecting bags has received a requisite amount, a lever plate 62 has two teeth 64a and slots 67 are formed in the counting wheels 66. When one fewer than the requisite number of coins has been registered, a slot 67 will be in register with both of the teeth 64a and as the final coin moves the extension 49 of the finger 48 the teeth move into the slots and cause a pin 68 to engage a cam surface 69 on a batching lever 70 and also actuates a trigger 71 which moves into the path of the swinging bar 51. On return of the bar 51, the bar 70 is moved so that the teeth 64a are withdrawn from the slots, a diverting plate 75 is moved to a position in which it ejects coins from the conveying disc and the shorter arm 76 of a J-shaped member 77 is disengaged from the bar. The arm 76 moves behind the bar 70 to lock it in advanced position and operates switches for a warning lamp 83 and for stopping the driving motor. The member 77 can be depressed by a push-button 79 to restore the apparatus to operative condition. A masking plate 17 may be provided over the pin 14 and the apertures 8, 9, 10 and may have leaf springs underneath to assist the coins through the apertures. Zeroizing means for the registering mechanisms on spindle 44 may be operated by a gear 86 and a handle 87, the latter being locked against unauthorized use by a key-operated lock. In modifications, the driving motor may be controlled by a separate push-button switch associated with a key-operated lock and the pawl-carrying discs on spindle 44 may pass through their associated notches in the selector bar to differing amounts according to the coin value so that the pawls ride over one or several teeth. If only a single set of registering mechanisms is provided, the pawl-carrying discs may have two radial fingers, one co-operating with the selector bar and one with the swinging bar.