The present patent concerns coin boxes for dispensers of objects or services in general, and more specifically it concerns a new compact and improved electronic release device especially suited to be used in coin boxes and to be adapted to existing devices, since it has standard and compact shape and size.

Automatic dispensers of objects of various types, such as games, food, gadgets, etc. are known.

Automatic and mechanical dispensers generally comprise at least one container suited to contain the goods or objects to be dispensed, at least one coin box where banknotes, coins or tokens can be introduced, and mechanical and/or electromechanical means for dispensing said objects, the operation of which is allowed by the coin box once coins/tokens in the required number and/or for the required value have been correctly introduced therein.

Automatic/mechanical dispensers with exclusively mechanical operation are known, wherein the introduction of coins or tokens causes the release of mechanical means, for example a knob which can be operated by the user to activate mechanisms that allow the objects to be dispensed.

For example, the common small-sized automatic/mechanical dispensers of objects such as candies, gadgets, games, etc. comprise an operating knob connected to a shaft and a mechanical coin box with a gear wheel connected to the knob by means of said shaft, wherein the introduction of the coin releases the gear wheel and allows it to rotate.

The user can thus rotate the knob and consequently activate the mechanisms that cause the object to be dispensed, which, for example, is deposited into an apposite collection compartment.

For example, the patent document GB2328059 concerns a coin box provided with a magnetic locking/release system, wherein due to magnetic attraction the introduction of a coin directly causes the movement of a magnet equipped with a tooth that locks the gear wheel. This movement releases the gear wheel, thus allowing the user to rotate the knob and drop the coin.

The patent document GB2166897 concerns a coin box for automatic dispensers, wherein the objects are stacked in columns and held by locking bars, and wherein the locking mechanism is controlled by a solenoid which in turn is activated through a switch by the movement of the coin/token introduced.

Larger automatic dispensers are known, which allow various types of objects to be dispensed and coins and/or banknotes and/or tokens of different values to be introduced therein.

Said distributors, which for example are commonly used for dispensing food items or other products, are powered by the electricity mains and operated electromechanically, and comprise at least one electronic coin box capable of accepting coins and banknotes of different values, of counting the value of the banknotes and coins introduced, of selecting one or more products, and of activating complex electromechanical systems that cause one or more selected products to be dispensed.

Said electromechanical automatic dispensers thus allow the manager of the dispenser to check the takings and the number and type of products selected, since said data are stored in an electronic memory connected to the electronic coin box. Said electromechanical dispensers, therefore, need to be powered electrically and their consumption is high; they cannot be installed in places which are not connected to the electricity mains, for example outside shops or bars or on countertops.

In addition to the above, electromechanical dispensers need to be installed, programmed and serviced by specialized personnel. Furthermore, considered their complexity, on the average the cost of the electromechanical components and of the electronic coin box is rather high. On the contrary, merely mechanical dispensers do not need any power supply and therefore can be placed anywhere, having no special requirements.

On the other hand, however, the dispensers with merely mechanical coin boxes do not allow the takings to be counted automatically. The manager is not able to know what products have been dispensed and how many coins or tokens have been actually introduced, if not by cross-checking the missing products and the takings. Furthermore, mechanical coin boxes can be opened and recharged also with objects whose origin is not declared, or money and/or tokens can be collected without registering any data electronically.

The simplest mechanical coin boxes are not even provided with systems for checking the coins introduced therein, except for a possible check of their size and/or material, which however does not prevent the use of false coins or coins having a lower value than that required.

The drawbacks described above have been overcome by the compact electronic release device which is the subject of patent application WO2017212446 by the same applicant, wherein said device is especially designed for coin boxes and can be adapted to existing devices, having standard and compact shape and size.

The subject of the present invention is a new improved compact electronic release device, especially designed for use in coin boxes.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a simplified compact electronic coin box which integrates the electronic checking and counting functions with mechanical operation and, having compact shape and size, can be mounted on existing dispensers, and which furthermore guarantees the correct reading of the coins/tokens introduced therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box with increased visibility of the area where the token/coin is introduced, thanks to the presence of a backlighting system mounted on the containment body of the device, which is completely or partially transparent or semi-transparent. It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic coin box which simplifies and quickens the recording, storage, communication and retrieval of data concerning the payments made, as well as the execution of the payments.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which is able to perform checking and counting functions with no need for complex electromechanical operating systems and for connection to the electricity mains.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which can be installed in a dispenser of the mechanical type, which in turn can be positioned everywhere, without special power supply requirements, thanks to its reduced electricity consumption.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which is economic and easy to install and to service, wherein installation and service can be performed even by unskilled personnel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which can replace the usual and known merely mechanical coin boxes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which can be installed on new dispensers with no need to modify the original design according to which mechanical coin boxes of the known type are used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which can be made in a compact block and immediately installed in a dispenser.

In fact, the outside of the new device is completely identical, in terms of shape and size, to the outside of the mechanical coin boxes of known type. Also the mechanical connections are identical, which therefore allows the new device to be directly and easily installed on existing dispensers, with no need to make structural or mechanical modifications to the dispenser itself.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coin box which reduces the risk of the coins getting stuck inside the coin box.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new compact and improved electronic release device with standard and compact shape and size and thus particularly suited to be used in coin boxes and to be adapted to existing dispensers.

The device is of the type described in patent application WO2017212446 by the same applicant, and among its main parts comprises the following:

• at least one external operating knob suited to be manoeuvred by the user;

• at least one gear wheel mechanically connected to said knob and suited to be directly or indirectly connected to the dispensing means of the automatic dispenser;

• at least one means for the introduction of payment cards and/or at least one conveyor and/or transporting device for coins/tokens, with at least one area for the introduction of coins and/or tokens;

• at least one actuator suited to selectively allow or prevent the rotation of said gear wheel;

• at least one electronic reading device suited to read the coins and/or tokens introduced in said conveyor and/or transporting device and/or the payment cards introduced in said at least one introduction means,

and wherein said at least one electronic reading device verifies whether the payment is sufficient/insufficient and/or correct/incorrect and instructs said at least one actuator to allow/prevent the rotation of said gear wheel.

In the preferred solution, said gear wheel is connected to said knob through at least one shaft and said device comprises at least one selective locking means suited to directly or indirectly lock said gear wheel, wherein said selective locking means is managed by said actuator.

When said electronic reading device verifies that the payment is sufficient and/or correct, it instructs said at least one actuator to activate said selective locking means, in such a way as to release said wheel, thus allowing the latter to be rotated through said knob. The new release device for coin boxes preferably comprises also at least one frame or structure suited to contain its components, for example a substantially box-shaped frame or structure, which is provided with a hole where said shaft of the external knob is inserted, for example in the front side, and with at least one slot for the introduction of coins/tokens communicating with said introduction area provided on the conveyor and/or transporting device, said introduction slot being obtained, for example, on the top of the body.

According to the invention, said containment frame or body is completely or partially made of a transparent or semi-transparent material and comprises backlighting devices, for example with LEDs, mounted in particular in proximity to or at the level of the token/coin insertion slot.

The new release device for coin boxes may also comprise one or more devices suited to count the coins/tokens introduced therein.

The new release device for coin boxes may also comprise an electronic memory suited to store the data related to the introduction of coins/tokens or to the payments in general, for example their total or partial amount.

Said data can be used to make statistical evaluations of the sold products, to assess any possible price variations that can be decided by the manager of the dispenser. Said device comprises also means for electronic connection to said memory, so that the data can be downloaded, for example, in a device for wireless communication or a Bluetooth device, which in turn sends said data to a server. The data will be conveniently used for fiscal and statistical purposes. Said connection means can also be used to upload data or updates.

The new release device for coin boxes may also comprise means for displaying said data, such as, for example, a display mounted on said containment structure.

According to the invention, the new device may also comprise wireless electronic communication means connected to said electronic reading device, so that the payment can also be made remotely, for example through the Internet or through Bluetooth or similar systems.

According to the invention, the new device may comprise one or more further lighting bodies, for example with leds, intended to signal that sufficient credit has been achieved.

Said conveyor and/or transporting device comprises also at least one outlet opening for the introduced coins/tokens, directly or indirectly communicating with a collection compartment.

According to the invention, said conveyor and/or transporting device may comprise said outlet opening or a further outlet opening for the rejected coins/tokens, directly or indirectly communicating with a return compartment which can be accessed by the user, who in this way can collect the rejected coin or token.

In the case where the introduced amount is not used, the credit remains available, preferably for a limited lapse of time, at the end of which, if possible, it is unloaded in the return compartment.

Said conveyor and/or transporting device may comprise at least one movable wall or partition suited to deviate the introduced coins/tokens either towards the collection compartment or towards the return compartment, wherein the position of said movable partition is controlled by means of an actuator or a solenoid controlled by said reading device.

Said electronic device is, for example, an optical reader suited to verify whether the introduced coins/tokens can be accepted and possibly also the corresponding amount.

Once having verified that the coins/tokens are acceptable, said electronic device instructs said at least one actuator to release said gear wheel.

According to the invention, in order to guarantee the correct reading of the token/coin introduced, said electronic reading device is positioned in a specific point of said conveyor, as described and claimed here below.

Said conveyor is a chute or channel, through which a token/coin is moved by gravity from said insertion area to one of said outlet openings. Said chute is oriented downwards, so that the trajectory of each token is inclined, that is, has a vertical component, intended to allow the token to fall by gravity, and a horizontal component.

More specifically, said chute comprises at least one first inclined section having a vertical component and a horizontal component, and a second inclined section, substantially consecutive to the first one, having a vertical component and a horizontal component with opposite direction with respect to the direction of the horizontal component of the first section, so that in the point where the direction changes the instant speed of the token is zero.

Said electronic reading device is positioned in said point of change of direction in such a way that the reading can be carried out in the moment when the instant falling speed of the token/coin is equal to zero.

In a possible solution, said selective locking means for directly/indirectly locking said gear wheel comprises a locking body suited to interfere with the gear wheel itself in order to prevent it from rotating.

Said locking body, for example, is a wall or body normally resting on a seat or against a projection or locking tooth which is integral with said gear wheel, so that the rotation of the wheel itself is prevented in at least one direction.

For example, said locking body is normally kept against said gear wheel by elastic means.

In order to release said gear wheel, said actuator causes said locking body to move, for example through a solenoid or a micro motor that counteracts the action of said elastic means, so that said locking body moves and releases said gear wheel, which is thus free to rotate when the user acts on the external knob.

As soon as the gear wheel has covered a predefined rotation angle, said actuator releases the locking body and this acts once again on said gear wheel, so as to lock the wheel in position zero, wherein said locking body interferes again with said seat or projection.

For example, said locking body comprises a sensor or an electrical contact that determines the minimum rotation angle which is necessary to cause the locking body to be released.

Preferably but not necessarily, the new release device comprises also a movable safety lever suited to prevent the rotation of the gear wheel in at least one direction. Said movable safety lever is provided with at least one locking tooth suited to be inserted between the teeth of said gear wheel for the purpose of preventing the rotation of said gear wheel in said direction, and in particular in the so-called direction of return, that is, in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of rotation which allows the object to be dispensed.

According to this solution, said selective locking means may alternatively act directly on said movable lever, in such a way as to selectively prevent its movement and consequently also the rotation of the gear wheel.

According to the invention, said actuator may comprise one or more solenoids or motors which, when activated by said electronic reading device, cause said lever to move.

The return of the lever in the locking position can take place automatically or as a result of the rotation of the gear wheel itself.

The energy consumption of said at least one electronic device and said at least one actuator is limited and therefore they can be powered by means of a battery, preferably installed, for example, in said containment structure.

Said battery is preferably of the type which can be recharged with a cable or through induction.

In order to further reduce costs, according to the invention said electronic device is switched off completely between two successive uses. In particular, said electronic device is switched on at the moment when a coin/token is introduced, wherein the passage of the coin/token into said introduction means or conveyor closes the electrical circuit which switches on the electronic device.

For example, the introduction of a coin/token moves a lever that closes the circuit. Said circuit comprises also a timer that opens the circuit and interrupts the power supply after a given lapse of time.

In order to further reduce consumption, according to the invention said electronic devices and actuators are activated, for example, through a microswitch, by simply introducing coins or tokens or other means of payment.

The new device may also comprise at least one means for electronic connection with at least one fiscal meter, for example at least one transponder or card or similar device.

The new device preferably comprises also at least one credit card reader or a reader for cards in general.

All the components described above are contained in said compact containment body. According to the invention, said body may be partially disassembled in order to access the internal components and carry out maintenance operations or repairs. Conveniently, the shape and size of said containment body are identical to those of the mechanical coin boxes of known type mounted on dispensers, in such a way that it can completely replace the latter with no need for any structural or mechanical modification to the dispenser.

The characteristics of the new release device are highlighted in greater detail in the following description, in which reference is made to the drawings attached hereto by way of non-limiting examples.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the rear part (14) of the release device (1), in which it is possible to see the internal components.

Figure 2 shows the front part (12) of the release device (1).

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a conveyor or transporting device (6) for coins/tokens (M), comprising a chute or channel (60) through which a token/coin is moved by gravity from said insertion area (61) to an outlet opening (62). The new release device (1) is suited to be installed on automatic dispensers of objects in general, games, food, gadgets, etc., for example of the type comprising at least one container suited to contain the objects to be dispensed and means for dispensing said objects.

The new release device (1) can also be installed on coin boxes for dispensing services in general or for releasing trolleys or the like.

The new release device (1) comprises a substantially box-shaped containment frame or structure (11) suited to be mounted on said automatic dispenser.

The new release device (1) comprises at least one external operating knob (2) mounted on the front part (12) of said containment structure (11), a shaft (3) connected to said knob (2), at least one gear wheel (4) connected to said shaft (3) and suited to be connected to the dispensing means of the automatic dispenser.

Said gear wheel (4) comprises in particular a shaped central hole (41), in which the correspondingly shaped end (31) of said shaft (3) is engaged, in such a way that the rotation of said knob (2) by the user causes a corresponding rotation of said gear wheel (4).

When the release device (1) is not used, said gear wheel (4) is in position zero (A).

A plurality of teeth (42) are distributed on the circumference of said gear wheel (4), wherein two adjacent teeth (42) define lowered portions (43, 44) between them.

For example, said position zero (A) is defined by one of said lowered portions (44) which is deeper than the others (43), between which a lever (5) or another projection is inserted.

The new release device (1) comprises also at least one conveyor and/or transporting device for coins/tokens having at least one area (61) for the introduction of coins and/or tokens and at least one area where said coins and/or tokens are unloaded.

In particular, according to the invention said introduction area (61) may communicate with a slot (13) made in said containment structure (11).

Said unloading area preferably comprises at least one first outlet opening communicating with a compartment suited to collect the accepted coins and not illustrated in the figures, and at least one second outlet opening (62) communicating with a compartment suited to return the rejected coins/tokens.

For example, said first outlet opening is made on the rear part (14) of said containment structure (11), while said second outlet opening (62) is made on the front part (12) of said containment structure (11).

Said conveyor and/or transporting device (6) preferably comprises at least one partition suited to deviate said introduced coins/tokens towards said first or towards said second outlet opening (62), not illustrated in the figures.

Said conveyor (6), for example, is substantially positioned beside one face of said gear wheel. According to the invention, a rocker arm may be hinged to said face in an eccentric position, wherein said rocker arm tends to remain in vertical position so that, when said gear wheel is rotated, the rocker arm slides in the conveyor in order to allow the coins that may have got stuck in the conveyor itself to move downwards.

At least one electronic reading device for the introduced coins and/or tokens is installed on said conveyor and/or transporting device, said electronic reading device being suited to check whether the introduced coins/tokens are acceptable.

Figure 3 shows in detail said conveyor or transporting device (6) comprising a chute or channel (60) through which a token/coin (M) is moved by gravity from said introduction area (61) to one of said outlet openings (62).

Said chute (60) is oriented downwards, in such a way that the trajectory of each token (M) is inclined, meaning that it has a vertical component (Z), intended to allow the token/coin to fall by gravity, and a horizontal component (XI, X2).

More specifically, said chute (60) comprises at least one first inclined section (6a) having a vertical component (Z) and a horizontal component (XI), and a second inclined section (6b) having a vertical component (Z) and a horizontal component (X2) with opposite direction with respect to the direction of the horizontal component (XI) of the first section (6a).

At the point of change of direction (63) the instant speed of the token (M) is therefore equal to zero. In this way, with the electronic reading device positioned in said point of change of direction (63), the reading is more precise, as it is carried out in the moment when the instant falling speed of the token/coin (M) is equal to zero. Said coin box preferably comprises at least one further actuator, for example at least one solenoid, connected to said reading device and suited to manoeuvre said partition deviating the introduced coins/tokens.

The new release device (1) comprises at least one selective locking means suited to selectively prevent the gear wheel (4) from rotating, and thus also selectively preventing the object from being dispensed.

According to the first solution, said selective locking means acts directly on said gear wheel (4) and, for example, comprises a locking body (7) which is pushed against said gear wheel (4) by elastic means, so that said gear wheel (4) is locked in said position zero (A).

For example, said position zero (A) is defined through the insertion of a projection/pin of said locking body (7) between said teeth (42) of the gear wheel (4) or in a dedicated auxiliary seat created in the gear wheel (4) and not illustrated in the figures.

Said coin box (1) comprises also at least one actuator suited to manage the position of said selective locking means, said actuator comprising, for example, at least one solenoid.

Once it has been verified that the introduced coin/token can be accepted, said reading device instructs said actuator to release said gear wheel (4).

This can be obtained by supplying power to the solenoid which thus moves said locking body (7), counteracting the action of said elastic means, so that the gear wheel (4) is released.

Once said gear wheel (4) has been released, the user can rotate the knob (2), causing the corresponding rotation of the gear wheel (4) and thus the activation of the dispensing means of the automatic dispenser.

The rotation of the gear wheel (4) is preferably allowed in a single direction, while its rotation in the opposite direction is prevented, for example through a movable lever (5) that fits between said specially shaped teeth (42) of the gear wheel (4).

Once the gear wheel has been rotated by a predetermined angle, said locking body (7) is released so that, due to the action of the elastic means, it returns to rest on said gear wheel (4), thus locking it.

According to the invention, for example, in order to determine the above mentioned predetermined angle, a sensor may be mounted in proximity to said gear wheel (4), wherein said sensor detects the passage of an indicator mounted on the gear wheel

(4)·

When said sensor detects the passage of the indicator, the actuator circuit is opened, causing the release of the locking body (7) which returns to rest against the gear wheel (4).

In this way, once the rotation of said gear wheel (4) has been completed, for example covering a 360° angle or a fraction/multiple of such an angle, said locking body (7) comes again to interfere between said teeth (42) or with said auxiliary seat provided on the gear wheel (4), causing said gear wheel (4) to be locked in said position zero (A).

The new release device (1) preferably comprises said movable lever (5), in turn comprising a body (51) hinged (53) to said containment structure (11) and provided with at least one locking tooth (52) suited to be inserted in said lowered portions (43, 44) between the teeth (42) of said gear wheel (4).

Said movable lever (5) preferably defines also said position zero (A) of said gear wheel (4) when said tooth (52) of the movable lever (5) is inserted in said deep lowered portion (44).

According to the invention, said knob (2) may be constrained to said shaft (3) by means of anti breakage rings, meaning rubber elements placed in the hole created in the knob, between the knob itself and the shaft, so that in the case where the knob is forced to rotate, it doesn’t break, but possibly rotates idly with respect to the shaft. The new release device (1) may also comprise at least one display (10) suited to display the data related to the introduction of said coins/tokens, for example the value and/or number of the introduced coins/tokens.

Said display (10), for example, is mounted on the front part (12) of said containment structure (11).

Said containment structure or body (11) is preferably made of a transparent or semi- transparent material and comprises one or more backlighting devices mounted inside it, in particular at the level of the slot (13) through which the coin/token (M) is introduced.

In this way, the visibility of the coin box is improved, also in situations where lighting is scarce, since the introduction slot becomes more visible and evident, as well as the other parts of the device.

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.