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US 4,386,691 AGranted
Electromechanical coin-operated latch mechanism
OwnerRonald C. Voegeliinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronically controlled, coin-operated latch mechanism includes an inclined coin chute through which different size coins travel at different angles to provide an electrical connection between different coin detecting contacts. An electronic circuit is responsive to signals generated at the contacts to totalize and store the monetary value of deposited coins. When the stored value equals or exceeds a programmed price, an electromagnet is actuated to enable a hook to be pivoted away from engagement with a latching member. Subsequent movement of the released latching member causes deposited coins to be placed in a coin receptacle and resets the hook for subsequent latching.
Claims19
A coin-operated, electronically controlled latch mechanism, comprising:
- coin receiving means including a coin chute and a coin receptable for receiving deposited coins passing through said chute;
- coin value detecting means disposed in said chute and responsive to the passing of a deposited coin through said chute to generate an electrical signal indicative of the monetary value of a deposited coin;
- an electronic control circuit including means for receiving the electrical signals generated by said detecting means and means for producing an output signal when the total monetary value of deposited coins equals or exceeds a predetermined amount;
- an electromagnetic device actuated by the output signal of said electronic control circuit;
- a latch member;
- and
- a latching assembly including
- a pivotally mounted actuator having a locking means and adapted to be pivoted in response to actuation of said electromagnetic device,
- a pivotally mounted latch lock normally engaged by the locking means of said actuator,
- a latch hook biased into engagement with said latch member by said latch lock when said latch lock is engaged by said actuator locking means, and
- biasing means for pivoting said latch lock away from said actuator and biasing said latch hook out of engagement with said latch member when said actuator is pivoted in response to actuation of said electromagnetic device.
8 more elements
A coin-operated, electronically controlled latch mechanism, comprising:
- coin receiving means including a coin chute, a coin receptacle for receiving deposited coins passing through said chute, a movable member disposed intermediate said coin chute and said coin receptacle for interrupting the travel of deposited coins from said chute to said receptacle and being movable in a first direction in response to movement of said latch member to direct deposited coins along a first path of travel to said coin receptacle, and means for moving said movable member in a second direction to direct deposited coins along a second path of travel whereby they are returned to a customer;
- coin value detecting means disposed in said chute and responsive to the passing of a deposited coin through said chute to generate an electrical signal indicative of the monetary value of a deposited coin;
- an electronic control circuit including means for receiving the electrical signals generated by said detecting means and means for producing an output signal when the total monetary value of deposited coins equals or exceeds a predetermined amount;
- an electromagnetic device actuated by the output signal of said electronic control circuit;
- a latch member;
- and
- a latching assembly normally biased into engagement with said latch member to inhibit substantial movement of said latch member, and responsive to actuation of said electromagnetic device to disengage from said latch member to permit freedom of movement thereof.
4 more elements
Apparatus for detecting the monetary value of different coins deposited into a single coin-receiving chute, comprising:
- inclined side walls in the coin-receiving chute that impart angular orientation with respect to vertical to coins passing through the chute;
- a plurality of steps disposed on one of said side walls and disposed with respect to each other so that coins of different diameters pass through the chute at different angular orientations;
- and
- switch contacts respectively disposed on at least some of said steps so that each contact is responsive to the passage of a coin of only one diameter through the chute.
1 more element
A coin-operated, electronically controlled latch mechanism, comprising:
- a coin chute having interior side walls that are inclined with respect to vertical so that a deposited coin passes through said coin chute on an incline, with a lower one of said walls including stepped portions disposed with respect to each other so that coins of different diameters pass through said coin chute at different angles of inclination;
- coin value detecting means including a plurality of switches having contacts respectively disposed on said stepped portions so that each contact is respectively responsive to the passage of a coin of only one diameter through said coin chute to generate an electrical signal indicative of the monetary value of a deposited coin;
- an electronic control circuit including means for receiving the electrical signals generated by said detecting means and means for producing an output signal when the total monetary value of deposited coins equals or exceeds a predetermined amount;
- an electromagnetic device actuated by the output signal of said electronic control circuit;
- a latch member;
- and
- a latching assembly normally biased into engagement with said latch member to inhibit substantial movement of said latch member, and responsive to actuation of said electromagnetic device to disengage from said latch member to permit freedom of movement thereof.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.