Coin storage structure

Abstract

 A coin storage structure includes a flat base plate (20), a first side plate (50), a coin storage path (23), pivot levers (32), projections (40, 41), and escape portions (27, 55). The flat base plate is disposed almost upright. The first side plate is opposite and spaced apart from the base plate by a predetermined distance by at least three spacers (53). The coin storage path is formed between the base plate and the first side plate to store coins dropping in rolling contact with the coin storage path. The pivot levers are pivotally supported in the coin storage path to hold the coins in a radial direction. The projections are formed on both side surfaces of each of the pivot levers, which both side surfaces face the base plate and the first side plate, respectively. The escape portions are respectively formed on the base plate and the first side plate in correspondence with pivotal tracks of the projections so as not to bring the projections into contact with at least one of the base plate and the first side plate.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin storage structure suitably used in a public telephone or vending machine.

[0002] Various coin storage structures of this type have been proposed. For example, in recent years, along with an increase in usable types (denominations) of coins, demands have arisen for selecting a coin having a denomination equal to a message rate or closest to and more than the message rate and preferentially storing this coin in accordance with the message rate, and for simultaneously storing two coins. In this case, of all the stored coins having different denominations, the denominations of coins must be selected for an order of coin storage regardless of an order of coin insertion. A mechanism for satisfying this demand is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-28197. In the disclosed mechanism, a coin sorting path which communicates with a coin discrimination path is formed, and a plurality of coin storage chambers are staggered at both sides of the coin sorting path. A pivot lever having two arms respectively serving as a coin reception portion and a coin support portion is pivotally supported in each coin storage chamber. The coin reception portion of each pivot lever faces the coin sorting path. Authentic coins from the coin discrimination path are sequentially stored in the coin storage chambers from the uppermost coin storage chamber. A coin having a denomination equal to a message rate or closest to and more than the message rate is selected in accordance with the message rate and is stored regardless of an order of coin storage.

[0003] A coin path structure of this type comprises an almost upright base plate and a side plate opposite to and spaced apart from the base plate by a predetermined distance. Various discrimination mechanisms for discriminating thicknesses and outer dimensions of coins and storage mechanisms for storing the discriminated authentic coins are arranged in this coin path structure. The distance between the base and side plates constituting the coin path structure is slightly larger than the maximum thickness of thicknesses of coins used in this structure. When this distance is kept constant, high coin discrimination precision of the discrimination mechanism can be maintained. In addition, coin clogging can be prevented in the storage mechanism.

[0004] The base and side plates constituting the conventional coin path structure are made of metal plates, and the side plate is fixed to the base plate by screws. With this structure, the metal plates are not deformed against changes in external conditions, i.e., changes in temperature and humidity. Therefore, the distance is kept constant. However, since both the base and side plates are made of metal plates, the overall weight is increased. In addition, since the side plate is fixed to the base plate by screws, when coin clogging has occurred, the screws must be removed, degrading operability in maintenance and inspection.

[0005] Another conventional coin path structure is proposed in which a base plate serving as a reference plate is made of a metal plate, a side plate is made of a synthetic resin molded body, and the side plate is freely opened/closed with respect to the base plate.

[0006] In the former conventional structure, since the coin storage chambers are staggered at both sides of the coin sorting path to obtain the coin storage structure, wasteful space can be eliminated, and a compact structure can be obtained. However, since each pivot lever is disposed in a small space between the base plate and the side plate, slight inclination of a pivot shaft of the pivot lever during assembly brings the distal end of the pivot level into slidable contact with the base or side plate, and smooth pivotal movement of the pivot level is avoided. In order to eliminate this, when the width of the pivot level is decreased, a coin having a small width is inserted in a space between the pivot lever and the base or side plate and causes coin clogging. Failure occurs in equipment incorporating such structure , resulting in inconvenience.

[0007] In the latter conventional structure, since the side plate is made of a synthetic resin, the overall weight can be reduced, and the number of members can be reduced due to integral forming of the side plate. However, warping inherent to a molded body occurs in the side plate, and the distance between the base plate and the side plate cannot be kept constant. Coin discrimination precision of the discrimination mechanism is degraded, and coin clogging tends to occur. This indicates that the coin path becomes large in size, and the surface area of the side plate is increased accordingly. As a result, the above problems typically occur.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin storage structure in which a smooth operation of a pivot lever can be assured to achieve high reliability.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin storage structure in which assembly and adjustment periods of the pivot lever can be greatly shortened.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a coin storage structure in which the distance between base and side plates constituting a coin path can always be kept constant.

[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a coin storage structure in which the overall weight can be reduced.

[0012] In order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a coin storage structure comprising a flat base plate disposed almost upright, a first side plate opposite to and spaced apart from the base plate by a predetermined distance by at least three spacers, a coin storage path, formed between the base plate and the first side plate, for storing coins dropping in rolling contact with the coin storage path, pivot levers, pivotally supported in the coin storage path, for holding the coins in a radial direction, projections formed on both side surfaces of each of the pivot levers, which both side surfaces face the base plate and the first side plate, respectively, and escape portions respectively formed on the base plate and the first side plate in correspondence with pivotal tracks of the projections so as not to bring the projections into contact with at least one of the base plate and the first side plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] 

Fig. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a coin storage structure according to the present invention;

Fig. 1B is a perspective view of a pivot lever in the coin storage structure shown in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the coin storage structure shown in Fig. 1A; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the main part in the coin storage structure in Fig. 1A.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1A and 2 show the overall structure of a coin storage structure, Fig. 1B shows a pivot lever in the coin storage structure, and Fig. 3 shows the main part of the coin storage structure. Note that a coin discrimination flapper is not illustrated in Fig. 2. This embodiment exemplifies a coin storage structure incorporated in a public telephone. Referring to Figs. 1A to 3, a flat base plate 20 is made of a metal plate. A coin discrimination plate 2 is mounted on the upper left end portion of the base plate 20. A coin inserted from a coin slot 3 of the coin discrimination plate 2 is guided to a coin discrimination path 9 constituted by a coin discrimination flapper 6, the upper end portion of which is pivotally supported on the coin discrimination plate 2. The coin is then discriminated as an authentic or counterfeit coin by an electronic discriminating means 10. A coin discriminated as an authentic coin is guided to a coin sorting path 22 (to be described later) which communicates with the coin discrimination path 9. A coin discriminated as a counterfeit coin is guided to a return path 25 by a coin removal lever 12 extending in the path 9. Reference numeral 13 denotes a return pin which extends in the coin discrimination path 9 interlockingly when a handset is placed on a hook lever at the end of speech communication to guide coins stored in the path 9 to the return path 25. Although not shown, a solenoid and a link mechanism are mounted on the rear surface of the base plate 20 to actuate the coin removal lever 12 and levers (to be described later) upon reception of signals from a controller in the telephone.

[0015] The almost vertical coin discrimination path 22, five coin storage chambers 23 (23a to 23e), two coin storage/return paths 24, and the return path 25 are formed in the central portion of the base plate 20.

[0016] The coin storage chambers 23a to 23e store coins A to E one by one in accordance with an insertion order regardless of the denominations of the coins A to E inserted from the coin slot 3. The coin storage chambers 23a to 23e have sizes capable of storing the coins A to E. The four upper coin storage chambers 23a to 23d are staggered on both sides of the coin sorting path 22 downward and communicate with the coin sorting path 22. The remaining coin storage chamber, i.e., the lowest coin storage chamber 23e is located immediately below the coin sorting path 22. Coin storage/return levers 30a to 30e are arranged at end positions of the coin storage chambers 23a to 23e, respectively. Pivot levers 32a to 32d are respectively arranged at the four coin storage chambers 23a to 23d to store the coins A to E dropping along the coin sorting path 22.

[0017] The pivot levers 32a to 32d comprising almost L-shaped levers form the coin storage chambers 23a to 23d together with the coin storage/return levers 30a to 30d. Bearing portions 44 formed at the bent portions of the pivot levers 32a to 32d are pivotally supported by shafts 34 extending upright on the front surface of the base plate 20. The shafts 34 of the pivot levers 32a to 32d are located at positions below the boundaries between the coin sorting path 22 and the coin storage chambers 23a to 23d, respectively. Arms 37a to 37d of the pivot levers 32a to 32d respectively serve as coin reception portions for receiving coins dropping along the coin sorting path 22. Arms 38a to 38d of the pivot levers 32a to 32d respectively serve as coin support portions for supporting coins guided to the coin storage chambers 23a to 23d. For this reason, the right pivot levers 32a and 32c and the left pivot levers 32b and 32d in Fig. 2 are arranged such that the coin reception portions 37a and 37c and the coin reception portions 37b and 37d are disposed back to back so as to face the coin sorting path 22. The coin reception portions 37a to 37d are biased by the effect of counterweights 43 in a direction to cause the coin reception portions 37a to 37d to normally extend into the coin sorting path 22. More specifically, the right coin reception portions are biased counterclockwise, and the left coin reception portions are biased clockwise.

[0018] As described in detail in Fig. 1B, three pairs of projections 40a, 40b, and 40c formed to constitute a comb-like unit as a whole are formed on the front and rear surfaces (i.e., on the base plate 20 side and the side plate 60 side) of the coin reception portion 37 of each pivot lever 32. Two pairs of projections 41a and 41b similarly extend on the coin support portion 38 of each pivot lever 32. Of these projections, the projections 40a and 41a are equidistantly spaced apart from the bearing portion 44 of each pivot lever 32. The projections 40b and 41b are also equidistantly spaced apart from the bearing portion 44 of each pivot lever 32.

[0019] At least one pair of projections may be formed on each of the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 of each pivot lever 32. Alternatively, a plurality of projections may be formed on one surface of each pivot lever 32. Although the pairs of projections are located at symmetrical positions on both the surfaces of each pivot lever 32, the pair of projections may be staggered on the surfaces of each pivot lever 32. The plurality of projections need not be equidistantly formed. In this case, an escape portion is formed in correspondence with the projection.

[0020] A recessed portion 27a in which the projections 40a and 41a of each pivot lever 32 are loosely fitted is formed in each of the four coin storage chambers 23a to 23d of the base plate 20. A recessed portion 27b in which the projections 40b and 41b of each pivot lever 32 are loosely fitted is formed in each of the four coin storage chambers 23a to 23d. Similarly, a recessed portion 27c in which the projection 40c of each pivot lever 32 is loosely fitted is formed in each of the four coin storage chambers 23a to 23d. The recessed portions 27a, 27b, and 27c are arcuated using the pivot shaft 34 of each pivot lever 32 as its center. The pivot range of each pivot lever 32 is determined by abutting the corresponding projections 40 and 41 against both end portions of the recessed portions 27.

[0021] The coin storage chamber 23e formed immediately below the coin sorting path 22 is formed by a space surrounded by a stopper 33 and the coin storage/return lever 30e. The stopper 33 serves as a coin support surface for supporting a coin. In this case, the coin storage chamber 23e is formed at the lowest position. Since the coin storage chamber 23e finally stores the coins after the coins are stored by the four coin storage chambers 23a to 23d, the coin storage chamber 23e need not open/close the coin sorting path 22 and does not have any lever similar to the pivot levers 32a to 32d.

[0022] The distal ends of the coin storage/return levers 30a to 30e selectively extend from the front surface of the base plate 20 to the corresponding coin storage chambers or are selectively retracted from the corresponding coin storage chambers during speech communication. At the end of speech communication, all the distal ends of the coin storage/return levers 30a to 30e are retracted from the corresponding coin storage chambers.

[0023] The two coin storage/return paths 24 are located at both sides of the coin storage chambers 23a to 23e. The lower portions of the two coin storage/return paths 24 are bent toward the central portion of the base plate 20 and are merged at this position. A storage lever 46 and a return lever 48 are disposed at the merged position. In a normal state, the storage lever 46 prevents the coin storage/return paths 24 to communicate with a storage path 47, and the return lever 48 prevents the coin storage/return paths 24 to communicate with a return path 49. The levers 46 and 48 are driven while the coins are stored and returned, respectively.

[0024] A pair of upper and lower brackets 28 are formed at corners of one side of the front surface. A pair of support pins 28a extend vertically from the pair of upper and lower brackets 28 so as to oppose each other. A pair of portions 29 bent vertically are formed at corners of the other side of the base plate 20. A pair of upper and lower engaging portions 29a bent inward are formed on the upper and lower bent portions 29, respectively.

[0025] Reference numeral 50 denotes an auxiliary side plate made of a metal plate as a whole and having a surface area corresponding to the coin storage portion of the base plate 20. The auxiliary side plate 50 opposes the base plate 20 spaced apart therefrom by a distance slightly larger than the thickness of a coin. The auxiliary side plate 50 constitutes the coin path portion of the coin storage portion together with the base plate 20. Two notches, i.e. a large notch 51 and a small notch 52 each having a rectangular shape are formed at the lower end portion of the auxiliary side plate 50. A plurality of spacers 53 made of a synthetic resin and having the same height are integrally formed to extend on the peripheral portion of the auxiliary side plate 50. Four recessed portions 55 each consisting of three arcuated recessed portions 55a, 55b, and 55c are formed in the front surface of the auxiliary side plate 50 in correspondence with the recessed portions 27 of the base plate 20. The recessed portions 55a, 55b, and 55c are symmetrical with the recessed portions 27a, 27b, and 27c. The projections 40a, 40b, 40c, 41a, and 41b formed on the front surface of each pivot lever 32 pivotally supported on the base plate 20 are fitted in these recessed portions 55a, 55b, and 55c. Upper and lower support portions (not shown) supported by a pair of support pins 64a formed on a side plate (to be described later) are formed at corners of one side of the rear surface of the auxiliary side plate 50.

[0026] Reference numeral 60 denotes a side plate made of a synthetic resin as a whole and having a surface area almost equal to that of the base plate 20. A recessed storage portion 62 having a size slightly larger than the surface area of the auxiliary side plate 50 is formed on the front surface of the side plate 20. A pair of upper and lower recessed portions 64 each having a rectangular sectional shape are formed at the edge of the front surface of the recessed storage portion 62. The support pins 64a extend upright at the central portions of the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions 64, respectively. Three circular recessed portions 63 are formed in the recessed storage portion 62. At the same time, an elastic hook 65 and an elastic projection 66 which are located at positions respectively corresponding to the notches 51 and 52 of the auxiliary side plate 50 are formed on the recessed storage portion 62. The three circular recessed portions 63 are located at vertices of a regular triangle. One end of each of three compression springs 68 is loosely fitted in a corresponding one of the three circular recessed portions 63.

[0027] A U-shaped upper engaging groove 70 and a lower engaging hole 71 which are respectively engaged with the support pins 29a of the base plate 20 are formed at corners of one side of the side plate 60. Elastic hooks 72 are formed at corners of the other side of the side plate 60 at positions respectively corresponding to the engaging portions 29a of the base plate 20. Rectangular engaging holes 73 engaged with the engaging portions 29a are formed in the hooks 72, respectively.

[0028] With this structure, a method of assembling the side plate, the auxiliary side plate, and the base plate will be described below. One end of each spring 68 is stored in the corresponding circular recessed portion 63. While support portions (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the auxiliary side plate 50 are supported by the support pins 64a, the hook 65 and the projection 66 are elastically deformed to be engaged with the notches 51 and 52, so that the auxiliary side plate 50 is stored in the recessed storage portion 62 of the side plate 60, thereby mounting the auxiliary side plate 50 in the side plate 60. The hook 65 prevents the auxiliary side plate 50 from removal from the side plate 60. The projection 66 and the support pins 64a regulate horizontal and vertical movements of the auxiliary side plate 50. At this time, the other end of each spring 68 urges the rear surface of the auxiliary side plate 50, and the auxiliary side plate 50 is biased in a direction to separate from the side plate 60. Finally, the engaging groove 70 and the engaging hole 71 of the side plate 60 are fitted on the support pins 28a, and the support pins 28a are pivoted clockwise about pivot fulcrums. The engaging holes 73 of the hooks 72 are elastically deformed and engaged with the engaging portions 29a of the base plate 20, respectively, thereby mounting the side plate 60 on the base plate 20. At this time, the end faces of the spacers 53 on the auxiliary side plate 50 are brought into contact with the surface of the base plate 20. The distance between the front surface of the base plate 20 and the front surface of the auxiliary side plate 50 is determined by the uniform height of the spacers 50 and is thus set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the coin. The base plate 20 and the auxiliary side plate 50 constitute the coin storage portion. The gap in the coin storage portion, i.e., the above distance between the front surface of the base plate 20 and the front surface of the auxiliary side plate 50 is always kept constant in any surface portion because the auxiliary side plate 50 is always biased toward the base plate 50 by the springs 68 located at positions corresponding to vertices constituting a regular triangle, and warping or the like of the base plate 20 or the side plate 60, if any, can be absorbed by the three springs 68.

[0029] In this embodiment, the base plate and the auxiliary side plate constitute the coin storage portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to various coin path portions such as a coin discrimination portion, a coin storage path portion, and a coin return path portion, which require control for maintaining a distance in a direction of thickness of the coin. In this embodiment, the auxiliary side plate is constituted by one plate. However, a plurality of partial plates located at portions corresponding to necessary parts such as pivot levers may be used to constitute the auxiliary side plate.

[0030] In this assembled coin storage portion, the plurality of projections 40a to 40c and 41a and 41b which constitute a comb-like unit and extend on rear and front surfaces of the two arms, i.e., the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 of each pivot lever 32 are loosely fitted with an appropriate gap in the recessed portions 27a to 27c of the base plate 20 and the recessed portions 55a to 55c of the auxiliary side plates 50.The width d of each of the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 of each base plate 20 is smaller than distance D between the base plate 20 and the auxiliary side plate 50 which constitute the coin path portion, as compared with the conventional case. With this structure, when each pivot lever 32 is obliquely mounted on the corresponding shaft 34 due to some reason, the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 are inclined with respect to the coin path, as indicated by an alternate and two short dashed line. As described above, however, since the width d of each of the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 is smaller than the distance D of the coin path portion, as compared with the conventional case, the distal end portions of the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 tend not to be brought into contact with the front surface of the base plate 20 or the auxiliary side plate 50. Therefore, smooth pivotal movement of each pivot lever 32 can be assured. At this time, the coin C having a relatively small thickness tends to enter into a space between the rear surface of the coin reception portion 37 and the front surface of the base plate 50. Entrance of the coin C can be prevented by the projections 40a to 40c, and the coin C is sorted by these projections 40a to 40c. In other words, the projections 40a to 40c, 41a, and 41b formed on the front and rear surfaces of the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 of each pivot lever 32 cooperate with the coin reception portion 37 and the coin support portion 38 to perform a coin sorting operation. With this structure, even if each pivot lever 32 is slightly inclined, and if the inclination does not avoid the smooth pivotal movement of the pivot lever 32, this inclination can be regarded to fall within the allowance, thereby greatly reducing the assembly and adjustment periods.

[0031] In this embodiment, the recessed portions 27 and 55 are respectively formed in the base plate 20 and the auxiliary side plate 50 so as to prevent contact of the projections 40 and 41 of each pivot lever 32. The present invention is not limited to this. The recessed portions may be through grooves formed by punching. It is therefore essential to form escape portions which prevent contact of the projections 40 and 41.

[0032] A coin storage operation and its order in the coin storage structure having the above arrangement will be described below. In a state wherein no coins are stored, the pivot levers 32a to 32d are pivoted by the effects of the counterweights 43, respectively, and are held at initial positions where they are inclined toward the coin sorting path 22 at a predetermined angle. In this state, the coin reception portions 37a to 37d of the pivot levers 32a to 32d are kept extended in the coin sorting path 22 to open the coin storage chambers 23a to 23d. On the other hand, the lowest coin storage chamber 23e is closed by the coin reception portion 37d of the pivot lever 32d.

[0033] In this state, when the first coin A is inserted from the coin slot 3, the size, material, and the like of the coin A are detected by the electronic discriminating means 10. If the coin A is discriminated as an authentic coin, the coin A passes through the coin discrimination path 9 and reaches an upper portion of the coin sorting path 22. The coin A is in rolling contact with the coin reception portion 37a of the highest pivot lever 32a and is stored in the first coin storage chamber 23a. At this time, when the coin A passes through the pivotal center, i.e., the shaft 34, of the pivot lever 32a, the lever 32a is pivoted clockwise in Fig. 2 through 45° by the weight of the coin A against the biasing force of the counterweight 43 and is set in a state indicated by an alternate long and two short dashed line. The coin A abuts against the coin storage/return lever 30a and is then stopped, and at the same time, the coin A is supported by the coin support portion 38a. The coin reception portion 37a stands almost upright to close the coin storage chamber 23a. Therefore, coins from the second coin insertion cannot be stored in the coin storage chamber 23a.

[0034] When the second coin is inserted from the coin slot 3, it is discriminated by the discriminating means 10 and drops on the coin reception portion 37b of the second pivot lever 32b through the coin discrimination path 9. The second coin is in rolling contact with the reception portion 37b and is guided to and stored in the second coin storage chamber 23b in the same manner as described above. Similarly, the third and fourth coins are sequentially stored in the third and fourth coin storage chambers 23c and 23d in the order named. When the fourth coin is stored, the coin sorting path 22 is set in a fully open state and communicates with the lowest coin storage chamber 23e. When the fifth coin E is inserted, this coin E drops and is stored in the coin storage chamber 23e through the coin sorting path 22. When coins are stored in all the five coin storage chambers 23a to 23e, coins from the sixth coin are returned to the return path 25 by the coin removal lever 12.

[0035] The coins A to E represent coins such as ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 coins. The coins are respectively stored in the coin storage chambers 23a to 23e in an order of insertion regardless of denominations of the coins. After coin storage signals are received, the coin storage/return levers 30a to 30e are selectively driven, so that the coins are guided through the coin storage/return path 24 one by one and are stored in a safe (not shown) along the storage path 47 by the coin storage lever 46. The coin storage/return levers 30a to 30e are selectively driven as follows. The controller of a telephone determines a coin having an amount equal to a message rate or a coin storage chamber which stores a coin closest to and more than the message rate, if the coin having the amount equal to the message rate is not present. The coin storage/return lever corresponding to the determined coin or coin storage chamber is actuated. When one coin is stored, the pivot lever of the coin storage chamber which had stored this coin, e.g., the pivot lever 32c of the coin storage chamber 23c is pivoted by the effect of the counterweight 43 and returns to the initial position because the pivot lever 32c is released from the coin. The coin reception portion 37c enters into the coin sorting path 22 again. In this state, when a new coin is additionally inserted, this coin is not removed by the coin removal lever 12 but is stored in the empty coin storage chamber 23c by the pivot lever 32c in the same manner as described above.

[0036] Two or more coins are often required to be simultaneously stored in accordance with a coin storage signal from a telephone office. In this case, since the amounts of the coins A to E stored in the coin storage chambers 23a to 23e are memorized by the controller of the telephone, if a total amount coincides with the coin storage signal, the corresponding coins are stored by the coin storage/return lever, or if no coincidence is established, two or more coins closest to and more than the amount represented by the coin storage signal are stored by the coin storage/return lever, thereby coping with the above requirement, and hence reducing the economical overload on the user.

[0037] According to the present invention, as has been described above, various effects can be obtained as follows. Since the width of the pivot lever can be smaller than the distance between the base plate and the side plate, as compared with the conventional case, a smooth pivotal operation of the pivot level can be assured. The pivot lever will not be locked, thus improving reliability. Even if the pivot shaft of the pivot lever is slightly inclined, the distal end of the pivot lever will not be brought into contact with the base or side plate, and the pivot lever can be smoothly operated, thereby greatly reducing the assembly and adjustment periods.

[0038] In addition, a lightweight side plate can be obtained because it is made of a synthetic resin. At the same time, the coin path portion is constituted by a pair of metal plates. One metal plate is always biased against the other metal plate, so that the distance in the direction of thickness of the coin becomes uniform throughout the coin path portion. Operations of various types of coin storage structures and the coin discrimination structures can be smoothly performed with high precision.

Claims

1. A coin storage structure characterized by comprising:
   a flat base plate (20) disposed almost upright;
   a first side plate (50) opposite and spaced apart from said base plate by a predetermined distance by at least three spacers (53);
   a coin storage path (23), formed between said base plate and said first side plate, for storing coins dropping in rolling contact with said coin storage path;
   pivot levers (32), pivotally supported in said coin storage path, for holding the coins in a radial direction;
   projections (40, 41) formed on both side surfaces of each of said pivot levers, which both side surfaces face said base plate and said first side plate, respectively; and
   escape portions (27, 55) respectively formed on said base plate and said first side plate in correspondence with pivotal tracks of said projections so as not to bring said projections into contact with at least one of said base plate and said first side plate.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said each pivot lever comprises an L-shaped lever having one arm serving as a coin reception portion (37) and the other arm serving as a coin support portion (38).

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said pivot levers are staggered downward at both sides of a coin sorting path (22) along which the coins drop in rolling contact.

4. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said projections comprise a plurality of projections formed on at least one side surface of said each pivot lever, and said escape portions comprise a plurality of escape portions formed in correspondence with said plurality of projections.

5. A structure according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of projections and said plurality of escape portions are equidistantly formed.

6. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said projections are formed on both side surfaces of said each pivot lever at symmetrical positions.

7. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said escape portions comprise arcuated recessed portions in which said projections are loosely fitted.

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said escape portions comprise arcuated through grooves in which said projections are loosely fitted.

9. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said escape portions define a pivotal range of said each pivot lever by bringing said projections thereof into contact with both end portions thereof.

10. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said base plate and said first side plate comprise metal plates, respectively, a second side plate made of a synthetic resin is located on a surface of said first side plate at a position opposite to said base plate, and biasing means (68) for always biasing said first side plate toward said base plate are arranged between said first and second side plates.

11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein said biasing means comprise at least three biasing means arranged in a peripheral portion of said first side plate so as to uniformly bias said first side plate.

12. A coin storage structure characterized by comprising:
   a flat base plate (20) disposed almost upright; and
   a side plate (60) opposite and spaced apart from said base plate by a predetermined distance,
   wherein said base plate is made of a metal plate, said side plate is made of a synthetic resin, an auxiliary side plate (50) made of a metal plate is located on a surface of said side plate at a position opposite to a coin storage path, and biasing means (68) for always biasing said auxiliary side plate toward said base plate are arranged.

Drawing