Coin bin with locking lid

A removable coin bin apparatus usable in a coin-handling device, said coin-handling device defining at least a first bin position the apparatus comprising:

• a bin having at least a first opening
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin for receiving a key coupled to said coin-handling device
• at least a first lock movable from a locking configuration to maintain said cover in said closed position to an unlocked configuration permitting movement of said cover to said open position wherein said lock and said cover lie in the same plane;
• at least a first key mounted in a first key position with respect to said coin handling such that when said bin is inserted in said first bin position, a detent coupled to said cover is engaged with said key wherein insertion of said key a first distance along said keyway pushes said cover toward said open position.

A removable coin bin apparatus usable in a coin-handling device, said coin-handling device defining at least a first bin position the apparatus comprising:

• a bin having at least a first opening;
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• at least a first lock comprising at least a first arm fixed to said cover and resiliently movable from a locking configuration to maintain said cover in said closed position to an unlocked configuration, permitting movement of said cover to said open position;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin;
• at least a first key mounted in a first key position with respect to said coin handler such that when said bin is placed in said first bin position, said key is automatically inserted in said keyway, wherein said key has a camming surface to unlock said lock, wherein said cover is coupled to a detent such that, when said cover is in said open position and said key is inserted in said keyway, said detent is engaged with said key wherein withdrawal of said key a first distance along said keyway pulls said cover toward said closed position.

A removable coin bin apparatus usable in a coin-handling device, said coin-handling device defining at least a first bin position the apparatus comprising:

• a bin having at least a first opening
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• at least a first lock movable from a locking configuration to maintain said cover in said closed position to an unlocked configuration, permitting movement of said cover to said open position;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin;
• at least a first key mounted in a first key position with respect to said coin handler such that when said bin is placed in said first bin position, said key is automatically inserted in said keyway wherein said cover is coupled to a detent such that, when said cover is in said open position and said key is inserted in said keyway, said detent is engaged with said key wherein withdrawal of said key a first distance along said keyway pulls said cover toward said closed position;
• and
• said key is resiliently mounted in said first key position.

A self-locking apparatus for a bin, said bin having a top with an opening therein, said apparatus comprising:

• a first channel formed in said top of said bin and adjacent said opening, said first channel defining first and second recesses spaced from said opening;
• a cover plate shaped to move in said channel from a closed position covering said opening to an open position spaced from said opening, said cover plate having first and second spaced-apart arms, having first and second tabs, respectively, positioned to be aligned with said first and second recesses, respectively, when said cover plate is in said closed position, said arms being resilient such that when said tabs are aligned with said recesses, said tabs are urged into said recesses to engage said recesses of said channel and said arms being sufficiently deflectable to permit said arms to be deflected so as to disengage said tabs from said recesses, said first and second arms further defining first and second cam follower surfaces, respectively;
• a key shaped to move in said channel and defining first and second cam surfaces configured to engage said first and second cam follower surfaces of said first and second arms of said cover plate, respectively, wherein when said cover plate is in said closed position, as said key is moved in said channel in a direction toward said cover plate, said cam surfaces of said key engage said first and second cam followers such that, on further movement of said key toward said cam plate, said cams force said cam followers to move in such a fashion as to deflect said resilient first and second arms to disengage said first and second tabs from said first and second recesses, and wherein further movement of said key in a direction toward said cover plate pushes said cover plate toward said open position.

A removable coin bin apparatus usable in a coin-handling device, said coin-handling device defining at least a first bin position, the apparatus comprising:

• a bin having at least a first opening;
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin for receiving a key coupled to said coin-handling device;
• at least a first lock means integral to said cover and movable from a locking configuration for maintaining said cover in said locking position to an unlocked configuration for permitting movement of said cover to said open position;
• means for automatically positioning said cover when said bin is placed in said first bin position by engaging a detent coupled to said cover, with said key, wherein insertion of said key a first distance in said keyway pushes said cover toward said open position.

Coin handling apparatus, comprising:

• a frame;
• a coin discriminator, coupled to said frame, configured to receive a plurality of coins, determine the value of said plurality of coins, and output said plurality of coins to at least a first output chute;
• a bin having at least a first opening, said bin configured to fit in a first bin position wherein said first opening is substantially aligned with said first output chute;
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• at least a first lock lying in the same plane as said cover and movable from a locking configuration to maintain said cover in said closed position to an unlocked configuration, permitting movement of said cover to said open position;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin;
• at least a first key mounted in a first key position with respect to said coin handler such that when said bin is placed in said first bin position, said key is automatically inserted in said keyway;
• wherein said cover is coupled to a detent such that, when said cover is in said open position and said key is inserted in said keyway, said detent is engaged with said key wherein withdrawal of said key a first distance along said keyway pulls said cover toward said closed position.

A method for providing security for coins in a coin bin, for use with a coin discriminating machine, said machine defining at least a first bin position for receiving said coin bin, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a coin bin having a top with an opening covered by a movable cover plate;
• mounting a key in a predetermined position with respect to said bin position;
• inserting said coin bin in said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously inserted in a keyway formed in said coin bin;
• engaging at least a portion of said key with a detent coupled to said cover plate, wherein said key unlocks a lock that is integral to said cover plate;
• pushing said cover plate, in response to further movement of said key in said keyway, to at least partially uncover said opening;
• withdrawing said bin from said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously withdrawn from said keyway and wherein said cover plate is substantially simultaneously pulled to a position substantially covering said opening;
• and
• automatically locking said plate in said position substantially covering said opening.

A method for providing security for coins in a coin bin, for use with a coin discriminating machine, said machine defining at least a first bin position for receiving said coin bin, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a coin bin having a top with an opening covered by a movable cover plate;
• mounting a key in a predetermined position with respect to said bin position;
• inserting said coin bin in said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously inserted in a keyway formed in said coin bin, and wherein said key and said cover plate lie in the same plane;
• engaging at least a portion of said key with a detent coupled to said cover plate;
• pushing said cover plate, in response to further movement of said key in said keyway, to at least partially uncover said opening;
• withdrawing said bin from said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously withdrawn from said keyway and wherein said cover plate is substantially simultaneously pulled to a position substantially covering said opening;
• and
• automatically locking said plate in said position substantially covering said opening.

A method for providing security for coins in a coin bin, for use with a coin discriminating machine, said machine defining at least a first bin position for receiving said coin bin, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a coin bin having a top with an opening covered by a movable cover plate, wherein said cover plate is locked in position by resilient arms integral to said cover plate;
• mounting a key in a predetermined position with respect to said bin position;
• inserting said coin bin in said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously inserted in a keyway formed in said coin bin;
• engaging at least a portion of said key with said arms of said cover plate, wherein said key has a camming surface to move said resilient arms and to unlock said cover plate;
• pushing said cover plate, in response to further movement of said key in said keyway, to at least partially uncover said opening;
• withdrawing said bin from said bin position, wherein said key is substantially simultaneously withdrawn from said keyway and wherein said cover plate is substantially simultaneously pulled to a position substantially covering said opening;
• and
• automatically locking said plate in said position substantially covering said opening.

A removable coin bin apparatus usable in a coin-handling device, said coin-handling device defining at least a first bin position, the apparatus comprising:

• a bin having at least a first opening;
• a cover for said opening, movable from a closed position substantially covering said opening, to an open position, at least partially uncovering said opening to permit items to be placed into the interior of said bin through said opening;
• a first keyway positioned in said bin for receiving a key coupled to said coin-handling device;
• at least a first lock means integral to said cover and resiliently movable from a locking configuration for maintaining said cover in said closed position to an unlocked configuration for permitting movement of said cover to said open position wherein a camming surface on said first lock means moves said first lock means to said unlocked configuration when said key is received in said keyway;
• means for automatically positioning said cover when said bin is placed in said first bin position by engaging a detent coupled to said cover, with said key, wherein insertion of said key a first distance in said keyway pushes said cover toward said open position wherein a camming surface on said first lock means moves said first lock means to said open position when said key is received in said keyway.