| CPC G07D 3/14 (2013.01) [G07D 3/128 (2013.01); G07D 5/02 (2013.01); G07D 2205/00 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |
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1. An apparatus for discrimination and conveyance of coins, comprising:
a coin separator that is configured to separate coins which are stored in a coin storage from each other, thereby sending the separated coins in a predetermined attitude, the coin separator including a first rotor that pushes coins;
a coin discriminator that is mounted on a support and configured to discriminate a denomination of coins which are sent from the coin separator, the support having an opening that is configured to allow passage of the discriminated coins from the coin discriminator to a coin conveyor/distributor, the coin discriminator including a second rotor that pushes coins; and
the coin conveyor/distributor that is configured to distribute coins which are subjected to denomination discrimination in the coin discriminator according to respective denominations while conveying the coins;
wherein coins separated in the coin separator are moved in a first direction in a plan view through a first delivering region and delivered to the coin discriminator; wherein the first delivering region is formed at a connecting part of the coin separator to the coin discriminator;
coins whose denomination is discriminated in the coin discriminator are moved in a second direction which is approximately perpendicular to the first direction in a plan view through a second delivering region and delivered to the coin conveyor/distributor by passing through the opening; wherein the second delivering region is formed at a connecting part of the coin discriminator and the coin conveyor/distributor;
a moving direction of coins is changed from the first direction to the second direction as the coins pass through the opening and fall from the opening in the second delivering region such that the coins are delivered to the coin conveyor/distributor; and
the coins are subjected to distribution while being conveyed in the second direction in the coin conveyor/distributor;
wherein a coin conveyance path is formed in the coin conveyor/distributor, wherein the coin conveyance path is configured to allow the coins that are delivered from the coin discriminator to be distributed while being conveyed;
a diverter is formed between the opening and an entrance of the coin conveyance path; wherein the diverter is configured to change a moving direction of coins which are delivered from the coin discriminator toward the coin conveyor/distributor through the opening; and the diverter is disposed near an entrance of the coin conveyance path;
and the moving direction of the delivered coins from the coin discriminator through the opening is changed by contact with the diverter and the coins whose moving direction has been changed are entered into the entrance of the coin conveyance path;
an endless belt to which pins are fixed at intervals is extended along the coin conveyance path; and
wherein each coin is engaged with any one of the pins and conveyed on the coin conveyance path according to traveling of the belt, and wherein the diverter is positioned outside of the endless belt and is located alongside a straight side of the endless belt, and
wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are arranged side-by-side such that a direction passing through both a center of the first rotor and a center of the second rotor is generally perpendicular to the straight side of the endless belt.
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