Coin insertion device, particularly but not exclusively for vending machines

Abstract

 A coin insertion device (1), particularly but not exclusively for vending machines, comprising an opening (2) for the insertion of a coin (3) in a temporary receptacle (4) and means (5) for moving the coin inserted in the temporary receptacle toward a release duct (6), the device being provided with viewing means (7) which allow the user to view at least one portion of the coin inserted in the temporary receptacle (4) during its movement toward the release duct (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin insertion device, particularly but not exclusively for vending machines.

[0002] Currently, nearly all commercially available vending machines have devices for inserting the coins that can be used to pay for the product that has been chosen and selected among those available inside the vending machine.

[0003] One need which is particularly felt during the provision and production of these insertion devices is to prevent a direct connection between the opening for inserting the coin into the device and the coin release duct, which is designed to connect the insertion device to a container for collecting the inserted coins.

[0004] As a consequence of this, many of the insertion devices currently in use are of the so-called two-step (or two-movement) type.

[0005] In particular, in these types of devices a receptacle for the coin to be inserted is provided on a movable element which can be moved by the user.

[0006] In a first insertion step, the receptacle is provided with an inlet (or in any case a placement opening), which can be accessed from the outside and through which the user inserts the coin; at this point (second step), the user moves the movable element, moving the coin arranged inside the receptacle toward the release duct.

[0007] During this second step, and particularly in the condition in which the coin is released from the receptacle into the release duct, the inlet or placement opening is blocked by closure means, so as to prevent any possibility to access the release duct from the outside.

[0008] A device of this type currently in use entails placing the coin flat within a receptacle which is formed laterally by an annular protrusion and can be made to slide along a direction of movement which is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of the coin.

[0009] During this movement step, the receptacle is made to slide within a duct which is closed in an upward region until it falls into the release duct. During the movement step, therefore, the closed duct prevents direct access to the release duct.

[0010] All the coin insertion devices used up to now suffer drawbacks.

[0011] First of all, very often the constructive choices devised to ensure that it is impossible to access the release duct make it somewhat difficult for the user to use the device, with consequent jamming, caused in some cases by incorrect maneuvers during coin insertion.

[0012] Moreover, it has been observed that often, due to various reasons, such as intentional tampering, insertion of coins of sizes that differ from the intended ones, et cetera, the receptacle or duct inside which the coin is moved to carry it from the receptacle toward the release duct is partially or completely blocked.

[0013] This of course causes a sort of inconvenience for the user, because it is not possible to purchase the selected product and sometimes it may also make it impossible to recover the inserted coin.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to provide a coin insertion device that allows to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks noted above and in particular allows to check that the receptacle is free from partial and/or total blockages.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin insertion device particularly for vending machines that is simple and intuitive in operation.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a coin insertion device that has a very simple structure and a competitive production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economical standpoint.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a coin insertion device, particularly but not exclusively for vending machines, comprising an opening for the insertion of a coin in a temporary receptacle and means for moving said coin inserted in said temporary receptacle toward a release duct, characterized in that it comprises viewing means which allow the user to view at least one portion of said coin inserted in said temporary receptacle during its movement toward said release duct.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a coin insertion device particularly but not exclusively for vending machines, according to the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of a portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1, provided with a coin insertion device;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the coin insertion device;

Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the coin insertion device;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the coin insertion device, taken along the line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the coin insertion device, taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4;

Figures 7 to 10 are sectional views, similar to the one shown in Figure 5, in the various steps of the insertion and release of a coin.

[0019] In the examples of embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiments.

[0020] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0021] With reference to the figures, a coin insertion device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is particularly but not exclusively associable with a vending machine 100.

[0022] In particular, the coin insertion device 1 is of the type provided with an opening 2 for the insertion of coin 3 in a temporary receptacle 4.

[0023] The coin insertion device 1 further has means 5 for moving the coin 3 inserted in the temporary receptacle 4 toward a release duct 6.

[0024] According to the present invention, the coin insertion device 1 comprises viewing means 7, which allow the user to view at least one portion of the coin 3 inserted in the temporary receptacle 4 during its movement toward the release duct 6.

[0025] According to a first aspect, the viewing means 7 are adapted to allow the user to view at least one portion of the coin 3 inserted in the temporary receptacle 4 throughout the step of movement toward the release duct 6.

[0026] According to another aspect, the viewing means 7 allow the user to view the temporary receptacle 4 entirely even before the coin 3 is inserted therein.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the above cited figures, the viewing means 7 can be provided by having a portion made of a material that is at least partially transparent (such as transparent plastics) interposed between the receptacle 4 and the external surface 8 of the coin insertion device 1.

[0028] With reference again to the same figures, the coin insertion device 1 comprises a retention element 9, which forms the temporary receptacle 4.

[0029] In particular, the retention element 9 is mounted so that it can move with respect to a supporting frame 10 which can be fixed to the vending machine 100.

[0030] With reference to the illustrated embodiment, the retention element 9 is mounted so that it can oscillate, about an oscillation axis 101, with respect to two lateral shoulders 11, which can be fixed to a rear panel 14 by way of screw-and-nut fixing means 12.

[0031] In this regard, two pins 13, which lie substantial along the oscillation axis 101 and engage respectively an engagement seat 14 formed on each lateral shoulder 11, can protrude laterally from the retention element 9.

[0032] Conveniently, the temporary receptacle 4 can be connected to the insertion opening 2 at one end 4a and, at the other end 4b, to an outlet 15 for releasing the coin 3 into an inlet 16 for accessing the release duct 6.

[0033] In particular, the retention element 9 is adapted to pass, when actuated by the user, from an insertion position (shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8), in which the temporary receptacle 4 can be accessed from outside because the insertion opening 2 is aligned with the end 4a of the receptacle 4 and in which the release outlet 15 is at least partially blocked, to a release position (shown in Figure 10), in which the end 4a of the temporary receptacle 4 is at least partially blocked, while the release outlet 15 is arranged substantially above the access inlet 16, so as to allow to release the coin 3 inserted in the temporary receptacle 4 into the release duct 6.

[0034] Advantageously, the retention element 9 can be associated or provided with an actuation region 17, which is arranged toward the outside of the coin insertion device 1 and is designed to be engaged (in the illustrated example, pressed) by the user in order to move the retention element 9 from the insertion position to the release position.

[0035] In order to provide the viewing means 7 simply and inexpensively, the portion of the retention element 9 that is interposed between the temporary receptacle 4 and the actuation region 17 can be made of at least partially transparent material.

[0036] In greater detail, the temporary receptacle 4 comprises a slot, which forms at its ends (4a, 4b) an insertion inlet (which in the insertion position is designed to be aligned with the insertion opening 2) and the release outlet 15.

[0037] Conveniently, as mentioned earlier, the retention element 9 is mounted so that it can oscillate with respect to the supporting frame 10.

[0038] However, there is nothing to prevent the retention element 9 from being associated slidingly with the supporting frame 10; in this case, it is advantageous to provide forced return means (such as one or more return springs), which are adapted to return the retention element 9 to the insertion position.

[0039] The supporting frame 10 is provided with a lower housing or guide 18, which is arranged advantageously below the retention element 9 and is adapted to block the release outlet 15 when the retention element 9 is in the insertion position and conveniently also during the actuation of the movement means 5.

[0040] Advantageously, the lower housing or guide 18 can be provided with one or more cutouts, which conveniently lie within the temporary receptacle 4 at right angles to the oscillation axis 101 and are designed to allow the discharge and evacuation of any liquids that might be introduced.

[0041] Moreover, such cutouts can be used to access, from the inside of the vending machine 100, the temporary receptacle 4 with the aid of a tool (for example a screwdriver) so that it is possible to clear it of any objects inserted and forced therein.

[0042] Likewise, the supporting frame 10 can be provided with an upper closure cross-member 19, which is adapted to block or affect part of the end 4a of the temporary receptacle 4 when the retention element 9 is moved to the release position.

[0043] As mentioned, the retention element 9 can be associated with means for return to the insertion position. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, return to the insertion position is ensured by the action of the force of gravity: it is in fact sufficient to arrange the center of gravity of the retention element 9 below the oscillation axis 101 to allow the retention element 9 itself to reach the insertion position once the action of the user on the actuation region 17 ends.

[0044] Of course, there is nothing to prevent the grouping, at the region delimited by the supporting frame 10, also of the change return button 21 and of a display 22.

[0045] Operation of a coin insertion device 1, particularly but not exclusively for vending machines 100, according to the invention is evident from what has been described above.

[0046] In particular, the coin 3 is inserted through the insertion opening 2 into the temporary receptacle 4. Owing to the fact that the retention element 9, on which the temporary receptacle 4 is formed, is made of transparent material, the user can check, before inserting the coin 3, whether the temporary receptacle 4 and the corresponding ends 4a, 4b that connect it on one side to the insertion opening 2 and on the other side to the release outlet 15 are actually clear.

[0047] If they are, the user inserts the coin 3, which after falling through the insertion opening 2 is arranged within the temporary receptacle 4. At this point, the user sees the coin 3 that has just been inserted into the temporary receptacle 4 and therefore instinctively presses the actuation region 17, thus moving the retention element 9 until it reaches the release position, in which the release outlet 15 is arranged above the access inlet 16, so as to allow to release the coin 3, inserted in the temporary receptacle 4, into the release duct 6.

[0048] Due to the transparency of the retention element 9, the user can check whether the inserted coin 3 has actually moved into the release duct 6.

[0049] Once the coin 3 has been released, the user disengages the actuation region 17 and therefore the retention element 9 returns to the insertion position, so that the user, after checking that the temporary receptacle 4 is clear, can optionally insert another coin 3.

[0050] All the characteristics of the invention indicated above as advantageous, convenient and the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

[0051] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0052] In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects in all of its embodiments.

[0053] In particular, the user is able to view, during the insertion and release step, the coin and the temporary receptacle.

[0054] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0055] All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0056] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2006A000045 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A coin insertion device (1), particularly but not exclusively for vending machines (100), comprising an opening (2) for the insertion of a coin (3) in a temporary receptacle (4) and means (5) for moving said coin (3) inserted in said temporary receptacle (4) toward a release duct (6), characterized in that it comprises viewing means (7) which allow the user to view at least one portion of said coin (3) inserted in said temporary receptacle (4) during its movement toward said release duct (6).

2. The coin insertion device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said viewing means (7) allow the user to view at least one portion of said coin (3) inserted in said temporary receptacle (4) throughout its movement toward said release duct (6).

3. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said viewing means (7) allow the user to view said temporary receptacle (4) in its entirety.

4. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said viewing means (7) comprise a portion made of at least partially transparent material (8), which is interposed between said temporary receptacle (4) and the external surface of said coin insertion device (1).

5. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a retention element (9), which forms said temporary receptacle (4) and is mounted so that it can move with respect to a supporting frame (10), said temporary receptacle (4) being connectable to said insertion opening (2) at one end (4a) and, at the other end (4b), to a release outlet (15) for the coin (3) inserted in an inlet (16) for accessing said release duct (6), said retention element (9) being adapted to pass, when actuated by the user, from an insertion position, in which said end (4a) of said temporary receptacle (4) can be accessed from the outside and in which said release outlet (15) is at least partially blocked, to a release position, in which said end (4a) of said temporary receptacle (4) is at least partially blocked and said release outlet (15) is arranged substantially above said access inlet (16) in order to release the coin (3) inserted in said temporary receptacle (4) into said release duct (6).

6. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention element (9) comprises an actuation region (17), which is arranged toward the outside of said coin insertion device (1) and is designed to be pressed by the user in order to move said retention element (9) from said insertion position to said release position, the portion of said retention element that is interposed between said temporary receptacle (4) and said actuation region (17) being at least partially transparent.

7. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said temporary receptacle (4) comprises a slot, which forms, at its ends (4a, 4b), an insertion inlet and said release outlet (15).

8. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention element (9) is mounted so that it can oscillate with respect to said supporting frame (10).

9. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting frame (10) comprises a lower housing or guide (18), which is adapted to block said release outlet (15) when said retention element (9) is in said insertion position.

10. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting frame (10) comprises an upper closure cross-member (19), which is adapted to block said end (4a) of said temporary receptacle (4) when said retention element (9) is in said release position.

11. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention element (9) is associated with means for return to the insertion position.

12. The coin insertion device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower housing or guide (18) comprises at least one cutout.

Drawing