Coin distribution mechanism and apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins

A mechanism for distributing coins into their denominations during conveyance;

• the mechanism comprising:
• a coin conveyance path having a gate for dropping coins;
• a first gate member that is placed below the gate in a vicinity of the coin conveyance path and that is configured to be movable around a first axis;
• and
• a first position switching device that is configured to switch a position of the first gate member by moving the first gate member around the first axis;
• wherein the first gate member is configured to be movable among (i) a default position where the gate is closed, (ii) a first switched position where the gate is opened to allow a coin to drop from the coin conveyance path through the gate, thereby moving the dropped coin in a first direction, and (iii) a second switched position where the gate is opened to allow a coin to drop from the coin conveyance path through the gate, thereby moving the dropped coin in a second direction which is different from the first direction;
• when a coin that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path to be about to reach the gate has a predetermined first denomination, the first gate member is moved from the default position to be located at the first switched position by the first position switching device, thereby allowing the coin to drop from the coin conveyance path through the gate in the first direction;
• when a coin that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path to be about to reach the gate has a predetermined second denomination which is different from the first denomination, the first gate member is moved from the default position to be located at the second switched position by the first position switching device, thereby allowing the coin to drop from the coin conveyance path through the gate in the second direction;
• and
• when a coin that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path to be about to reach the gate has a denomination unequal to the first denomination nor the second denomination, the first gate member is kept at the default position, thereby allowing the coin to pass through the gate without dropping from the coin conveyance path through the gate.