Pivoting coin input tray for a coin processing device

#This invention relates generally to coin input devices for coin processing devices, and more particularly to a pivoting coin input tray for a coin processing device.

#Generally, coins are input to coin processing devices, such as coin sorters, in one of two ways. According to one approach, coins are deposited (i.e., dumped) directly by an operator into the coin processing device so that coins fall directly from the operator's control to inside the coin processing device. According to another approach, coins are first deposited into a pivotal coin tray and then the tray is pivoted upward to move the coins, which flow under the force of gravity, into the coin processing device.

#Pivotal coin trays are constructed such that coins are inhibited from moving into the coin processing device until the coin tray is lifted. This construction allows an operator of the coin processing device to load the coin tray while a prior batch of coins is being processed by the device. One type of pivoting coin tray arrangement found in the prior art includes a pivoting coin tray disposed adjacent to a coin chute, which directs coins into the coin processing device. As the coin tray is upwardly pivoted, the coin tray funnels the coins over an upper rim of the coin chute and into the coin chute.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin processing system having a pivoting coin input tray according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views of the coin tray of the coin processing system of FIG. 1 shown in a first coin receiving position and a second coin transferring position, respectively;

#FIGS. 3a and 3b are side views of the coin tray of the coin processing system of FIG. 1 shown in a first coin receiving position and a second coin transferring position, respectively;

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments will be shown by way of example in the drawings and will be desired in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIG. 1, a coin sorter 10 having a pivoting coin input tray 12 (“coin tray”) is shown. The coin tray 12 holds coins prior to inputting some or all of the coins in the coin tray 12 to the coin sorter 10. The coin tray 12 transfers the coins by pivoting upward causing coins deposited therein to move, under the force of gravity, to a sorting mechanism (not shown) disposed within a cabinet 14. The sorting mechanism discharges sorted coins to a plurality of coin bags (not shown), or other coin receptacles, that are suspended from the cabinet 14, the bottoms of the bags resting upon a platform 16. While the coin tray 12 of the present invention is shown and is discussed in connection with the coin sorter 10, the coin tray 12 can be used with coin counters, rail-type coin sorters, coin redemption machines and other types of coin processing devices according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

#An operator interface 18 interacts with a controller (not shown) of the coin sorter 10. The controller determines the coin totals during sorting, controls the termination of coin sorting (e.g., when a predetermined number of coins have been transferred to a coin bag) and calculates pertinent data regarding the sorted coins. The operator interface includes a display 20 for displaying information to an operator of the coin sorter 10 and a keypad 22 for receiving input from an operator of the coin sorter 10. Input from an operator of the coin sorter 10 can include selection of predefined modes of operation, instructions for defining modes of operation, requests for certain output to be displayed on the display 20 and/or an optional printer (now shown), identification information such as an identification code for identifying particular transactions or batches of coins, etc. According to an alternative embodiment, the operator interface 18 comprises a touch screen type display/interface.