초록 ▼

A device for monitoring the coins in one or more coin tubes on a vending machine to maintain a running total of the coins therein that are available to pay back excess deposits and to make refunds. The device may include one or more coin tubes for containing a supply of coins of respective denominat

A device for monitoring the coins in one or more coin tubes on a vending machine to maintain a running total of the coins therein that are available to pay back excess deposits and to make refunds. The device may include one or more coin tubes for containing a supply of coins of respective denominations, the coin tubes being included in a coin unit for receiving coins deposited in the vending machine and for directing the coins to the respective coin tubes. The coin unit includes an accumulator associated with each coin tube for counting each coin that enters therein and for subtracting therefrom the number of coins paid out, each of the accumulators including a mechanism for establishing a minimum and a maximum number of coins that can be maintained in the coin tube. The coin unit also has a deflector device that is responsive to the mechanism that establishes the maximum number of coins in each respective coin tube and is operable to prevent further deposited coins from entering the coin tube when there are a maximum number of coins therein, and the coin unit has a device that is responsive to the mechanism that establishes the minimum number of coins to inhibit the paying out of further coins therefrom when the number therein is at a minimum. The device may also have a display device operatively connected to the accumulators to display the number of coins in the respective coin tubes.

대표청구항 ▼

Means to monitor the coins available in a coin tube on a vending machine comprising means for producing a signal representative of each coin deposited, a coin tube having a coin input thereto and means to discharge coins therefrom, said coin tube being an unobstructed tubular member whereby coins en

Means to monitor the coins available in a coin tube on a vending machine comprising means for producing a signal representative of each coin deposited, a coin tube having a coin input thereto and means to discharge coins therefrom, said coin tube being an unobstructed tubular member whereby coins entering at the input end accumulate therein in a stack without the necessity of having any means on or adjacent to the coin tube capable of detecting or sensing the level of coins therein, means to feed coins deposited in the vending machine to the coin tube for accumulation therein, means independent of the coin tube to establish a predetermined maximum number of coins that are permitted to be in the coin tube, means responsive to said last named means to divert coins deposited from entering the coin tube if the number of coins therein at least equals the predetermined maximum number of coins established, means to keep a running accumulation of coins entering the coin tube, and means to reduce the running accumulation by each coin that is discharged from the coin tube.