Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02521910 2005-09-30
UNITARY CURRENCY/CREDIT CARD UNIT
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.
Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/614,603 filed September 30, 2004 and entitled
"Unitary Coin/Credit
Card Unit".
FIELD
[0002] The invention pertains to coin doors for vending devices or amusement
devices.
More particularly, the invention pertains to coin doors that provide a higher
degree of security for
the contents thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Coin door assemblies are known for use on coin-operated machines. These
include vending machines, amusement devices such as coin operated arcade games
and the like.
[0004] Security is always an important issue since such units are either
associated with or
include coin and/or bill receiving vaults. In this regard it has been known to
incorporate heavy
protruding bars or hasps and padlocks known to extend across known doors for
added security.
[0005] Given the importance of keeping such units secure, there is continuing
need for
improved structures which resist tampering, prying or the like in an attempt
to obtain access to
the vault. Preferably a higher level of security could be provided without
detracting from the
appearance of the respective vending machine or amusement device. Further, it
would be
desirable to be able to readily remove a defective unit, notwithstanding any
structure which
promotes and improves security, for maintenance purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a credit establishing unit in
accordance with the
invention;
[0007] Fig. 2 is a top elevational view of unit of Fig. 1;
[0008] Fig. 3 is a side elevational view with a vault illustrated in Fig. 1
removed;
[0009] Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the unit of Fig. 1 with an
exterior security door
removed;
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[0010] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the unit of Fig. 1 with an interior
security door
opened;
[0011] Fig. 6 is an isometric view, in section, of the unit of Fig. l;
[0012] Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the sectional view of Fig. 6;
(0013] Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a frame in accordance with the
invention; and
[0014] Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the frame of Fig. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms,
specific
embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in
detail with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the
principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and
is not intended to
limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0016] A secure coin door incorporates a generally rectangular frame which
carries an
interior and an exterior security door. A vault is removably coupled to the
frame as well as
locking members for locking the unit to a cabinet of a vending machine or
amusement device.
The locking members can only be accessed when both security doors have been
opened.
[0017] Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are overall views of a unit 10 in accordance with the
invention.
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of unit 10 illustrating details of the front
thereof as would be seen by a
user of the unit or an associated amusement device or vending device. Fig. 2
is a top elevational
view of the unit 10. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the unit 10 with an
exterior cover or vault
12 removed to illustrate various of the details thereof.
[0018] The unit 10 includes a generally rectangular, external frame 16 which
is
removably coupled to the vault 12. An exterior security door 18 is pivotally
attached to the
frame 16 and recessed therein in a region 16e bounded by the four sides
16a...16d of the frame
16.
[0019] Since exterior security door 18 has been recessed within opening 16e of
the frame
16 it is very difficult to pry open. Door 18 eliminates any need for exterior
protruding bars, or
hasps and padlocks which have been used in the prior art to secure coin doors
or credit
establishing units on vending machines or amusement devices.
[0020] The exterior door 18 includes a variety of cutouts or openings through
which
extend a card reader 22, a coin receiving mechanism 24, a coin return 24a, a
bill receiving
mechanism 26, a lock 28 illustrated as an exemplary T-handle lock. An
individual wishing to
establish a credit with associated vending machine or amusement device can use
a card with a
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magnetic strip, such as credit or debit card, coins or bills all of which are
accepted by the unit 10.
Alternately, an identification card can be inserted into and read by reader
22.
[0021] As discussed in more detail subsequently, the unit 10 is clamped or
attached to a
cabinet C of the associated vending machine or amusement device by a
combination of frame
sides 16a, 16c and slidable assembly brackets 32a and 32b, best seen in Fig.
3. Cabinet C has an
opening O formed therein. The opening O is sized so that the unit 10 will
substantially slide into
the opening O until the sides 16a. . .16d of frame 16 contact bounding regions
C 1 of the cabinet C
which stop further travel of the unit 10 into the opening O. The assembly
brackets is 32a, b can
then be moved into a locking position, illustrated in Fig. 3, to clamp the
unit 10 securely to the
cabinet C.
[0022] The brackets 32a,b incorporate an angle 32c in a range of 90-95
degrees. The
preferred angle is on the order of 92 degrees to clamp unit 10 to cabinet C
with an increased level
of force. In addition, the value of angle 32c, in excess of ninety degrees,
takes into account and
minimizes any effects due to variations or tolerances in the thickness of the
respective cabinet C.
[0023] It will be understood that the cabinet C can house any desired variety
of vending
machine, amusement device or the like all without limitation. Unit 10 is
usable with any device
which requires the establishment of a pre-activity or pre-purchase credit.
[0024] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the vault 12 includes a slot 12a which
receives a respective
bracket 32a. A similar slot 12b can be positioned for receipt of assembly
bracket 32b. With this
configuration when the brackets 32a, b are extended to lock the unit 10 to the
respective cabinet
C, the vault 12 is simultaneously locked thereto and cannot be removed from
the interior of the
cabinet C. Rather, as discussed below, the vault 12 can only be released from
within the unit 10.
This is particularly advantageous in that it provides a high degree of
security for the funds which
may have accumulated in the unit I O over a period of time.
[0025] It will also be understood that the security of the proceeds in the
unit can be
further increased by,. as illustrated in Fig. 3, providing an expansion C2
(illustrated in phantom)
to cabinet C such that the assembly brackets 32a,b extend into a slot
therebetween. While Fig. 3
illustrates the unit 10 in the absence of vault 12 it will be understood that
the extension C2 of
cabinet C will overlie, in part, a portion of vault 12 adjacent to the
assembly brackets 32a,b
thereby making it even more difficult to remove the vault 12 from the unit 10.
[0026] Subsequent to unlocking the lock 28 and opening the door 18 an inner
door 38 is
exposed. The inner door 38 is also bounded by the four sides of the frame 16,
in the opening
16e, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The interior door 38 is locked closed by a
second lock 40 which can
only be opened with a second, different key. Hence, two different levels of
security can be
provided.
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[0027] In one level, a key can be provided for the lock 28 so as to open door
18. This can
then make available for maintenance or operational purposes yet another key on
hook 42a which
could be used to provide access to other areas of cabinet C. An electrically
actuated button or
buttons, generally indicated at 42b could be provided for maintenance
purposes. Finally, one or
more meters 42c could be provided for recording machine or device cycles all
without limitation.
[0028] A second level of security is provided by door 38 and lock 40. Thus,
the ability to
conduct maintenance in cabinet C can be separated from access to accumulated
cash.
[0029] As further illustrated in Fig. 4, the interior door 38 provides further
security for
cash proceeds such as coins received through slot 24 and accumulated in
container 24b or bills
received via bill accepter 26 and accumulated in container 26a. Additionally,
as discussed
subsequently, door 38 provides additional security for fasteners for brackets
or flanges 32a,b.
[0030] Fig. 5 illustrates unit 10 when the inner security door 38 has been
opened. In this
condition the currency, the coins in container 24b and bills in container 26a
can be accessed and
removed. Further, in this state the unit 10 can be released from the
associated cabinet C by
releasing the locking brackets 32a,b and then withdrawing the unit 10 through
the opening O.
[0031] In a disclosed embodiment, coin and bill receivers 24, 26 are attached
to and
carried by door 38. Card reader 22 can be carried by frame 16. The plate 22-1
that carries card
reader 22 can be attached to the frame 16 or to the locking brackets 32a,b
without limitation.
Alternately, it can also be carried on door 38.
[0032] Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate additional details of the unit 10. As
illustrated therein
exterior door 18 overlays interior door 38. Door 38 has a U-shaped cross-
section for security and
strength.
[0033] When the interior door 38 is closed, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7,
fasteners 42a,b,
best seen in Fig. 7, which lock brackets 32a,b into a extended position are
covered by ends 38a,b
of the door 38. Hence, fasteners 42a,b can only be removed when the door 38
has been opened.
[0034] Unit 10 can not be removed where an individual only has access to an
interior
region of the cabinet C. Unit 10 can only be removed from cabinet C by
releasing the fasteners
42a,b which are within the interior of that unit.
[0035] Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate additional details of frame 16. Frame 16
incorporates slots
16-1, -2 which slidably receive the locking brackets 32a,b, best seen in Fig.
7. Frame 16 also
includes fastener receiving openings generally indicated at 44a,b and 46a,b
for receipt of
respective fasteners such as 42a,b.
[0036] Those of skill will understand that while the locking elements 32a,b
have been
illustrated as slidable brackets, rotatable, cam-like, locking members also
come within the spirit
and scope of the present invention for purposes of locking the unit 10 to the
cabinet C as well as
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for locking the vault 12 thereto. All such variations come within the spirit
and scope of the
invention.
[0037] If desired, one or more sources of illumination 16-1, -2 can be
incorporated into
frame 16 to illuminate door 18. Sources of illumination could include one or
more light emitting
diodes.
[0038] Further, while not illustrated, it will be understood that the units
22, 24 and 26
could be electrically coupled to other control circuitry within the respective
cabinet C. Such
connections do not represent limitations of the present invention. It will
also be understood that
the unit 10 could be configured so as to be operable as a fully stand alone
self contained unit
including its own power supply, if needed and providing only credit establ
fishing outputs to
adjacent control circuitry of the cabinet C. All such connection variations
come within the spirit
and scope of the invention.
[0039] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and
modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. It is
to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus
illustrated herein is
intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the
appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
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