Nicholas John Frandino

US Patent:

47474785, May 31, 1988

Filed:

Mar 11, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/838526

Inventors:

Evelyn Friedman - Whitehall NY
William R. Carswell - Whitehall NY
Martin A. Borho - Whitehall NY
Nicholas J. Frandino - Whitehall NY

International Classification:

G07F 304
G07F 1104

US Classification:

194227

Abstract:

A coin sorter is described for sorting coins of different denominations by means of ramps and flaps, the sorted coins being directed to different chutes, one chute being provided for each coin denomination, the chutes and coin exit openings at the ends of chutes as well as the ramps being formed in two complementary parts of the coin sorter. The sorter may be provided either in a coin operated assembly for use in an existing coin operated vending machine or in a new machine and in either case is best used in conjunction with a coin totalizer having a ratchet wheel, a price cam and at least two circular cams, the price cam and circular cams being rotatable with the ratchet wheel when the latter is rotated by a trip wire-lever, the degree of rotation being determined by the chute through which a given coin passes. The assembly is further provided with an operating and a reset lever operable to reset the coin totalizer after dispensing a commodity from the machine in response to insertion of the correct amount of coins. Also described is a lock-out mechanism which prevents the return of coins if a purchaser operates a coin return button of the machine simultaneously with the attempted opening of a front door of the machine after depositing the correct coins required for vending the commodity.