Coin mechanism and validator improvements

An automatic coin validation apparatus, comprising:

• a coin acceptor mechanism that comprises
• a circular base with a top surface,
• a coin pick-up wheel for advancing coins in a radial path, the pick-up wheel comprising a plurality of scalloped portions disposed at a peripheral edge thereof that each includes
• a first rounded portion of a first radius extending into the peripheral edge of the pick-up wheel having a first radius,
• a second rounded portion of a second radius disposed in a trailing edge of the first rounded portion and having a second radius,
• a chamfered portion extending along a top edge of the first rounded portion and the second rounded portion,
• an internal edge extending perpendicular from a bottom surface of the pick-up wheel along a bottom edge of the first rounded portion and the second rounded portion and intersecting the chamfered portion, and
• a straight portion disposed between the peripheral edge of the pick-up wheel and the second rounded portion for guiding the coins into the second rounded portion,
• wherein the straight portion includes a beveled portion for reducing the surface area thereof and preventing coins from getting caught thereon as the coin wheel advances coins,
• an annular wall disposed around the pick-up wheel at a peripheral edge of the circular base,
• a deflection spring disposed on the annular wall and configured to deflect at least one second coin away from the annular wall when the at least one second coin becomes at least one of superimposed on the first coin or partially disposed in a scalloped portion,
• at least one first brush disposed on the annular wall and configured to complete removal of the at least one second coin from the scalloped portion prior to the scalloped portion moving past a coin validation area as the pick-up wheel rotates,
• at least one second brush disposed on the annular wall and configured to accomplish at least one of seating flush and stabilizing the first coin in the scalloped portion as the scalloped portion moves past the coin validation area,
• a pressure plate disposed on a top surface of the pick-up wheel and configured to maintain the pick-up wheel a desired distance from the top surface of the circular base without covering up the plurality of scalloped portions, and
• a retaining knob disposed though an aperture in the pressure plate that is configured to attach to a rotating shaft and retain the pick-up wheel at the desired distance from the top surface of the circular base with pressure from the pressure plate,
• wherein the desired distance is a distance that prevents a coin in a scalloped portion from becoming jammed between the pick-up wheel and the top surface of the circular base;
• a coin escrow assembly that comprises
• a cylindrical housing comprising
• a peripheral wall extending from a bottom surface of the cylindrical housing,
• a coin outlet aperture extending through the bottom surface,
• a latching mechanism disposed on an outer surface of the peripheral wall, and
• a plurality of cams disposed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall,
• wherein the latch mechanism and the plurality of cams are disposed a substantially equal distance apart near a top edge of the peripheral wall,
• an escrow cover disposed on a top edge of the peripheral wall so as to substantially enclose the escrow assembly, the escrow cover comprising
• a latch catch configured to engage with the latching mechanism with minimal clamping force when the latch catch is in alignment with the latching mechanism, and
• a plurality of cam catches with openings therein each configured to receive one of the plurality of cams as the latch catch is aligned with the latching mechanism,
• wherein the latch catch is aligned with the latching mechanism by placing the escrow cover on the top edge of the peripheral wall and rotating the escrow cover until the latch catch is positioned directly above the latching mechanism and the cam catches receive the cams, and
• an escrow paddle rotatably disposed in the cylindrical housing and having at least two arms extending radially from a central portion thereof, the at least two radially extending arms comprising
• a ramped portion configured to cause at least one coin to slide down onto the bottom surface of the cylindrical housing as the escrow paddle rotates, and
• an abutment surface configured to move at least one coin in a path along the bottom surface of the cylindrical housing as the escrow paddle rotates until the coin is deposited through the coin outlet aperture,
• a paddle insert configured to prevent the at least one coin from becoming jammed between the escrow cover and the escrow paddle, the paddle insert comprising
• a semi-circular portion configured to mount flush with the peripheral wall, and
• an extended curved portion extending radially from an end of the semi-circular portion and configured to further prevent the at least one coin from becoming jammed between the escrow cover and the escrow paddle by providing additional material where the at least one coin is most likely to become jammed;
• and
• a coin identification and validation process that includes the steps of
• applying a first pulse set to determine when a coin enters a coin validation area,
• applying a second pulse set to determine the classification of the coin in the coin validation area, and
• applying the first pulse set to determine when the coin leaves the coin validation area,
• wherein applying the first pulse set and applying the second pulse set do not occur concurrently.