Multiple chute coin mechanism
The present invention relates to coin mechanisms and more particularly relates to a coin mechanism which controls the operation of dispensing machines. 
     Coin mechanisms have long been used in dispensing machines to facilitate operation of the machines in response to a given number of combination of coins deposited therein. For example, in newspaper machines coin mechanisms have been used to allow customers to open the door and retrieve a paper after depositing the required number and type of coins. These coin mechanisms have generally consisted of a single chute for receiving and containing the required number of coins and a sensing mechanism operable to allow retrieval by a customer of a paper after the required number of coins have been deposited in the chute. The use of a single chute requires that the chute be lengthened or shortened or that sensors in the chute be modified as prices or combinations of coins change. If, for example, the price of a Sunday paper changes from $1.50 to $2.00, the entire mechanism may have to be altered or replaced due to the lengthening of the chute to receive the additional coins. Moreover, from a design standpoint, lengthening of the chute may make it too long in relation to the other components of the mechanism. This excessive length may impede an ability to economize space and materials since the other components can generally be contained within the mechanism in the vertical space of just a few coins. Also, the tendency of coins to jam or shingle increases as the chute length increases. As a consequence, a need exists for a practical and workable coin mechanism allowing operation of dispensing machines without altering the length of the chutes after a change in the number of coins required. Such a mechanism would be easier to design and could be produced more efficiently by allowing manufacture of standard size parts. Additionally, such a coin mechanism would have smaller overall length dimensions and require a smaller space in the dispensing machine. 
     The present invention solves the foregoing and other problems long associated with coin mechanisms used in dispensing machines by providing a coin mechanism having multiple chutes which eliminates the need to increase the chute length when coin requirements change and reduces the overall length of the mechanism. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a coin mechanism for use in a dispensing machine to receive and detect the presence of a predetermined number of coins is provided. At least first and second generally vertical coin chutes receive coins of a predetermined dimension, the chutes having a width and thickness of about, but greater than, the width and thickness of the coins. A gate is mounted in the mechanism above the chutes and is movable between at least a first and a second gate position for directing coins into one of the chutes. The gate is operable in its first position to direct coins into the first chute and operable in its second position to direct coins into the second chute. A mechanical linkage, preferably a rocker arm, is mounted adjacent to the first chute for movement between a first and a second position. A contact arm is formed on the mechanical linkage for engaging and moving the gate from the first gate position to the second gate position when the mechanical linkage moves from the first linkage position to the second linkage position. A finger is formed on the mechanical linkage for engaging coins in the first chute and is operable to move the mechanical linkage from the first linkage position to the second linkage position when the finger is engaged by a coin within the first chute so that coins falling by gravity in the first chute will engage the finger causing the finger to move the mechanical linkage to the second linkage position, and cause the contact arm to move the gate from the first to the second gate position. A stop is provided for stopping the coins from moving down the first chute and is positioned a predetermined distance from the finger. A predetermined number of coins of a predetermined dimension will stack up in the first chute and the top coin in the stack will be positioned adjacent to and in contact with the finger thereby holding the mechanical linkage and the gate in their respective second positions directing coins into the second chute. In this construction, a multiple of standard size chutes may be used thereby eliminating the need to increase the length of a chute when coin requirements change and reducing the overall length of the mechanism. For example, one embodiment of the present invention used in newspaper dispensers would have two chutes for receiving quarters. During the week the mechanism is adjusted so that quarters will only enter the one quarter chute and one quarter will actuate the dispenser. On Sunday the mechanism is adjusted so that both chutes are operable and it is necessary to fill both chutes with quarters in order to operate the mechanism. 
     As indicated above, in the use of multiple chutes means should be provided to direct the coins to another chute when one becomes full and the present invention provides for a gate and mechanical linkage assembly operable to direct coins into one chute upon the filling of another. In the prior art, means are known to prevent overfilling of coin storage devices. For example, as shown in German Patent No. 2,937,363 a wiper may be used as a by-pass to prevent blockage of a coil storage device. The wiper is pivoted when the coin storage is full to direct coins through an ejector opening. The lower portion of the wiper engages falling coins and pivots the upper portion of the wiper into the chute to eject coins. 
     The German patent does not suggest that its wiper could be used in coin mechanisms having multiple coin chutes and it would be ill-suited for such use. The German design requires that the coin storage be invaded at the point the coins are ejected, requires an indent in the coin storage to receive the wiper and requires an ejector opening in the coin storage near the wiper. 
     The presence of an ejector opening in the chute invites failure in the form of accidental coin ejection, and the presence of the entire wiper in the coin storage creates a risk of coin jamming. For example, if two coins were falling down the chute together, the first coin would engage the lower end of the wiper and cause it to pivot, and the upper section of the wiper could possibly pin the second coin on the wall of the chute, and both coins would be caught. 
     Problems such as the above are prevented in the present invention by using a single gate with a multiple of coin chutes. Since the coins are directed into the chutes independently of the chutes themselves by the gate, the risk of jamming in the chutes is minimized. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least first, second and third generally vertical coin chutes for receiving coins of a predetermined dimension having a width and thickness of about, but greater than, the width and thickness of the coins are used in a coin mechanism for dispensing machines. A gate is mounted in the mechanism above the chutes and is movable between at least a first, second and third gate position for selectively directing coins into one of the chutes. The gate is operable in its first position to direct coins into the first chute, operable in its second position to direct coins into the second chute, and operable in its third position to direct coins into the third chute. A rocker arm is mounted adjacent to the first chute for rocking between at least a first, second and third rocker arm position having a contact arm formed thereon to engage and move the gate to the first, second and third gate positions when the rocker arm moves to its first, second and third positions. A finger is formed on the rocker arm for engaging coins in the first chute and is operable to move the rocker arm. When engaged by a coin falling by gravity in the first chute, the finger causes the rocker arm to move to the second rocker arm position which causes the contact arm to move the gate from the first to the second gate position. A coin stop is positioned a predetermined distance from the finger means so that a predetermined number of coins will stack up in the first chute and the top coin in the stack will be positioned against the finger thereby holding the rocker arm and the gate in their respective second positions and directing coins into the second chute. 
     A second finger is mounted adjacent to the second chute to engage coins in the second chute and is movable between a first and a second position. This second finger is disposed in the second chute so that coins falling in the second chute will engage and move it from the first to the second position. A mechanical linkage is connected beween the second finger and the rocker arm and moves the rocker arm to the third rocker arm position in response to movement of the second finger means to its second position, thereby moving the gate to its third position. The stop is operable to stop the coins from moving down the second chute and is positioned a predetermined distance from the second finger. Thus, a predetermined number of coins will stack up in the second chute and the top coin in the stack will be positioned against the second finger thereby holding the rocker arm and gate in their respective third positions to direct coins into the third chute. 
    
    
     The advantages and further aspects of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coin mechanism showing two chutes, a gate, a rocker arm, a pawl assembly, and a catch plate along with other parts of one embodiment of the present invention, some parts being broken away and shown in section to illustrate details of the construction; 
     FIG. 2a is a fragmentary front elevational view of the coin mechanism illustrating the positions of the gate coin slot and the gate relative to the chutes and the outer coin slot; 
     FIG. 2b is a fragmentary front elevational view of the coin mechanism showing a chute between the coil slot of the dispensing machine and the top opening of the gate; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the coin mechanism illustrating the rocker arm position in the first chute as a coin passes through the gate, some parts being broken away and shown in section; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the coin mechanism illustrating the rocker arm and gate positions when a coin is adjacent to the rocker arm, some parts being broken away and shown in section; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the coin mechanism taken on the view lines 5--5 of FIG. 3 showing the lower part of the rocker arm; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the coin mechanism showing three chutes and illustrating the positions of the gate, the pawl and the rocker arm when the first and second chutes are filled with coins, some parts being broken away and shown in section; 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the coin mechanism showing three chutes and illustrating the positions of the gate, the pawl and the rocker arm when only the first chute is filled with coins, some parts being broken away and shown in section; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the coin mechanism illustrating the rocker arm shown in FIG. 5 in combination with a contact lever attached to the second of the three chutes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the coin mechanism illustrating a modified gate and rocker arm assembly; 
     FIG. 10 is a view of the coin mechanism shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the coin mechanism shown in FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatical detailed view of the modified gate used in the coin mechanism shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. 
    
    
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like or similar parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a coin mechansim 20 embodying one form of the present invention. The coin mechanism 20 includes a downwardly directed rectangular gate 22 pivotally mounted above first and second downwardly directed rectangular chutes 24 and 26. A generally vertical rocker arm 28 is located on the first chute 24 and is operable to pivot the gate 22. A pawl assembly 30 is located adjacent the second chute 26 and prevents upward movement of coins in the second chute 26 and a generally horizontal catch plate 32 is located below the chutes 24 and 26. The catch plate 32 is attached to the front door 33 (partially shown) of the dispensing machine and supports coins deposited in the chutes 24 and 26, and is operable to be moved from beneath the chutes 24 and 26 when they become filled with coins. All components are conventionally constructed of a suitable metal or plastic. 
     Basically, the gate 22 functions to direct coins into one of the two chutes 24 or 26, and the rocker arm 28 controls the position of the gate 22. Coins stack up the chutes 24 and 26 while resting on the catch plate 32, and when the first chute 24 is stacked full, the rocker arm 28 moves the gate 22 so that coins are then directed into the second chute 26. The gate 22 and its interaction with the rocker arm 28 and associated mechanisms, as hereinafter described in greater detail, are operable to provide a reliable mechanism for directing coins into a number of chutes with a minimized risk of failure or jamming. 
     A generally vertical support wall 34 is located between the chutes 24 and 26 and an inside surface 35 of the front of the mechanism 10. A generally vertical side plate 36 extends from the surface 35 and is generally perpendicular thereto. A horizontal support arm 37 extends from the top of the side plate 36. The arm 37 is generally perpendicular to the side plate 36 and extends along its length parallel to the support wall 34, and is spaced apart from the support wall 34 sufficient to receive the width of the chutes 24 and 26 therebetween. 
     A horizontal gate pin 38 is perpendicular to the support wall 34 and extends from near the top of the support wall 34 to the support arm 37 and through an aperture 39 located in the approximate center of the end of the support arm 37. The gate 22 is pivotally mounted on the pin 38 by means of a front tab 40 and a rear tab 41. The tabs 40 and 41 extend perpendicular to the uppermost part of a first rectangular side wall 42 of the gate 22. The gate 22 also includes a second rectangular side wall 43 spaced from the first side wall 42 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the coins that the gate 22 is designed to receive. The sides 42 and 43 are generally parallel and are approximately the same size. First and second rectangular edge walls 44 and 45 extend between the side walls 42 and 43 forming a passageway 46 through which deposited coins travel to chutes 24 and 26. The edge walls 44 and 45 are generally parallel and are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the coins that the gate 22 is designed to receive. The tabs 40 and 41 which extend from the first side wall 42 are essentially coplanar with the edge walls 44 and 45, respectively. 
     A rectangular coin slot 47 is located in the approximate center of the first edge wall 44 for receiving into the gate 22 coins which have been deposited in the dispensing machine. 
     The first chute 24 is pivotally mounted on the gate pin 38 by means of front and rear tabs 70 and 71 (see FIG. 8) and in a preferred embodiment includes a width wall 72, a first edge wall 74 and a second edge wall 76. The first chute 24 is open at the top and bottom and dimensioned generally to receive coins of the width and thickness which will be deposited therein. The tabs 70 and 71 are attached to the top of the width wall 72 of the first chute 24 and are generally perpendicular to the plane of the width wall 72 and generally coplanar with the edge walls 74 and 76 of the first chute 24. The distance between the first and second edge walls 74 and 76 of the first chute 24, and therefore the distance between the tabs 70 and 71, is such that the gate 22, when pivotally mounted on the gate pin 38, is between the tabs 70 and 71 so that the plate 22 may rotate within and essentially independently of the first chute 24. The front tab 40 and the rear tab 41 of the gate 22 are adjacent to and may be in contact with the inward surfaces of the front and rear tabs 70 and 71, respectively, of the first chute 24. 
     The rocker arm 28 is pivotally mounted on a generally horizontal rocker arm pin 80 and serves as a mechanical linkage. The rocker arm pin 80 is attached to the support wall 34 and extends perpendicular to the wall 34. The rocker arm 28 is mounted on the pin 80 by insertion of the pin 80 into apertures 81a and 81b provided in the approximate center of two pivot tabs 82a and 82b, respectively. An upper finger 84 at the top of the rocker arm 28 rests on a gate cam 85 located on the outer surface of the side wall 42 of the gate 22. The upper finger 84 enters the first chute 24 through a first opening 86 in the upper part of the width wall 72 of the first chute 24. A lower finger 88 enters the first chute 24 through a second opening 89 in the lower part of the width wall 72. The lower finger 88 and upper finger 84 are preferably formed by bending a small portion of the upper and lower ends of the rocker arm 28 such that the bends form obtuse angles with the side of the rocker arm 28 closest to the first chute 24. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 2 through FIG. 4, the rocker arm 28 is configured to provide for rotation of the arm 28 about the pin 80 as coins fall through the first chute 24. The rotation of the arm 28 due to movement of coins past the lower finger 88 causes the upper part of the rocker arm 28 to move from a first position 90 toward the first chute 24. As the upper part of the rocker arm 28 moves toward the first chute 24, the movement of the upper finger 84 which is in contact with the gate cam 85 causes the gate 22 to rotate from a first position 91 to a second position 92 so that the lower opening of the gate 22 is above a top opening 93 of the second chute 26. After the coin passes the lower finger 88, the rocker arm 28 and the gate 22 return to their first positions 90 and 91, respectively, with the lower opening of the gate 22 above the first chute 24. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, the catch plate 32 is oriented in a plane approximately perpendicular to the side plate 36 of the coin mechanism 20 below the chutes 24 and 26 and is configured with a generally flat recessed center section 96 which supports the coins deposited in the chutes 24 and 26. In the approximate center of the recessed section 96 of the catch plate 32 an opening 98 receives a hook 100. The hook 100 is configured to prevent the catch plate 32 from moving toward the front of the dispensing machine unless the catch plate 32 is rotated down and away from the chutes 24 and 26. The catch plate 32 includes a first cam 102 and a second cam 103. The cams 102 and 103 are preferably formed from an appendage located on each side of the catch plate 32 by bending each appendage upwardly to form a smooth path of travel for the coins up the cam 102 and down a lip 106 located at the rearward end of the cam 102. 
     A tongue 108 extends from the catch plate 32 in a direction toward the front of the dispensing machine and rests on a stop 110. The tongue 108 is maintained in a resting position on the stop 110 by a spring 112 mounted on a pin 114 which also pivotally supports the catch plate 32. The spring 112 is biased to urge rotation of the catch plate 32 in the direction of the chutes 24 and 26 and to provide support by the catch plate 32 of the coins deposited in the chutes 24 and 26. The pin 114 is mounted on support arms 116 and 118 which extend back toward the catch plate 32 from a stop support plate 120. The stop support plate 120 is attached to the door 33 (partially shown) of the dispensing machine. 
     The pawl assembly 30 is adjustably mounted on a notched rim 122 which extends outwardly from the side plate 36 in a direction away from the coin mechanism 20. A pawl 124 is pivotally mounted on a horizontally oriented pawl pin 126 which is attached to a pawl support 128. The pawl assembly 30 is generally mounted on the notched rim 122 so that a pawl arm 130 extends downwardly toward the second chute 26. The pawl arm 130 extends into the second chute 26 through a side plate opening 132 located at a predetermined height above the catch plate 32 to allow stacking of a given number of coins in the second chute 26 which is located adjacent to the side plate 36. 
     A finger 138 is provided at the lower end of the pawl arm 130. The finger 138 is preferably formed by bending a short section of the arm 130 upward so that the angle between the finger 138 and the upper surface of the arm 130 is obtuse. Preferably, the angle is sufficient to provide that the finger 138 points slightly downward in the second chute 26 so that coins which pass by the finger 138 deflect and pass by the finger 138 instead of becoming lodged on its upper surface. Also, the length of the finger 138 from the bend to its tip should be sufficient to allow the finger 138 to almost traverse the second chute 26 and prevent coins from moving up the second chute 26. 
     The pawl 124 is biased by a pawl spring 140 to rotate upward and into the second chute 26 after being deflected down by a coin falling through second chute 26. The upward rotation of the pawl 124 is preferably stopped by contact of the upper surface of the pawl arm 130 with the top of the side plate opening 132. The angle between the pawl arm 130 and the side plate 36 should be such that the finger 138 will nearly traverse the second chute 26 and prevent coins from moving up the second chute 26 when the catch plate 32 is moved toward the front of the dispensing machine. 
     The second chute 26 is pivotally mounted between the first chute 26 and the side plate 36 by a second chute pin 142 configured similar to the gate pin 38. The second chute 26 has, as its width wall adjacent the side plate 36, the inside of the side plate 36 of the coin mechanism 20 and has a first edge wall 144 and a second edge wall 145 extending perpendicular to the side plate 36. The second chute 26 is dimensioned similar to and is essentially coplanar with the edge walls 74 and 76 of the first chute 24. The second chute 26 has, as its width wall adjacent to the first chute 24, a width wall 147, providing for sharing of the width wall 147 between the first and second chutes 24 and 26. The width wall 147 does not extend to the top of the second chute 26 as do the edge walls 144 and 145. Instead, the width wall 147 extends up to and is terminated immediately below the path of rotation of the gate 22 as it pivots from its first position 91 to its second position 92. So configured, the width wall 147 will not interfere with movement of the gate 22. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a sliding hinge 146 is pivotally attached for vertical rotation by a pin 148 to the second edge wall 76 of the first chute 24 near the bottom, and is slidably attached by a pin 150 to the first edge wall 144 of the second chute 26. The sliding hinge 146 provides for restricted horizontal movement of the chutes 24 and 26 with respect to each other, the potential distance of separation of chutes 24 and 26 being limited by the length of a slot 152 in the sliding hinge 146. Horizontal movement of the chutes 24 and 26 is further restricted by a chute spring 154 attached to the first chute 24 on the second edge wall 76 slightly above the sliding hinge 146, extending to the inside wall of the side plate 36 of the coin mechanism 20. The chute spring 154 is configured to somewhat restrict independent motion of the chutes 24 and 26 with respect to each other, and to somewhat restrict movement of the chutes 24 and 26 in tandem with respect to the other parts of the coin mechanism 20 while the coin mechanism 20 is shaken to alleviate shingling of coins, jamming, etc. 
     The coin mechanism 20 is pivotally mounted on the dispensing machine by a horizontal mechanism support pin 156 which is generally parallel to the front 35 of the mechanism 10. The pin 156 is passed through an aperture 158 in the top of the side plate 36 of the coin mechanism 29 and through another aperture located in a side cover plate (not shown) which is generally parallel to the side plate 36, the aperture in the side cover plate being horizontally aligned with the aperture 158. The pin 156 may be attached to the dispensing machine in any convenient manner such that the coin mechanism 20 will pivot upwardly and away from the front of the dispensing machine. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2a, in a preferred embodiment the coins to be deposited enter the dispensing machine through a rectangular outer coin slot 160 and enter the coin mechanism 20 through the coin slot 47 on the first edge wall 44 of the gate 22. Also depicted in FIG. 2a are the first position 91 of the gate 22 and the second position 92, the former being an orientation of the lower opening of the gate 22 above the first chute 24 and the latter being an orientation of the lower opening of the gate above the second chute 26. As can be seen from FIG. 2a, the coin slot 47 is accessable for depositing coins through the outer coin slot 160 in both gate 22 positions 91 and 92. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2a, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the coin mechanism 20 is empty the gate 22 is in its first position 91. The rocker arm 28 is free in its first position 90 at the bottom so that the lower finger 88 enters the first chute 24 and substantially traverses the first chute 24. The first coin deposited in the outer coin slot 160 and into the coin slot 47 falls through the gate 22 and into the first chute 24. As the coin engages the upper surface of the lower finger 88, the force causes the lower finger 88 to deflect in a direction toward the second opening 89 in the first chute 24 pivoting the rocker arm 28 about the pin 80. The rocker arm 28 pivots about the pin 80 to a second position 162. The resulting force applied by the upper finger 84 on the gate cam 85 causes the gate 22 to rotate about gate pin 38 to its second position 92. After the coin passes by the lower finger 88, the weight of the gate 22 against the upper finger 84 causes the rocker arm 28 to pivot back to its first position 90 where the lower opening of the gate 22 is above a top opening 166 of the first chute 24. The coin comes to rest in a upright position on the recessed center section 96 of the catch plate 32 which is below the lower opening of the first chute 24. The catch plate 32 is positioned below the first chute 24 such that the majority of the coin remains upright in the first chute 24. This process continues until the desired height of coins is reached in the first chute 24 causing, as can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the gate 22 to remain in the second position 92 due to the presence of the top coin in the first chute 24 which forces the rocker arm 28 to remain in its second position 162 supporting the gate 22 above the top opening 93 of the second chute 26. 
     When the first chute 24 is filled and the gate 22 is in the second position 92, a coin deposited in the coin slot 47 passes into the top opening 93 of the second chute 26. As the coin passes down through the second chute 26 it engages the finger 138 of the pawl 124 causing the latter to be deflected downward allowing the coin to pass to the bottom of the second chute 26 where it comes to rest on the recessed center section 96 of the catch plate 32. 
     As additional coins are deposited in the coin mechanism 20 the process above with regard to the pawl 124 repeats until the total predetermined number of coins have been deposited. The preset location of the pawl finger 138 in the second chute 26 is such that when the last coin is deposited into the second chute 26 and the pawl 124 returns from its deflection, the pawl finger 138 comes to rest immediately above the highest coin in the second chute 26. 
     After the chutes 24 and 26 are filled with the required number of coins, the dispensing machine may be opened and the desired item removed by movement of the door 33 to which the catch plate 32 is attached in a direction away from the chutes 24 and 26. The initial movement of the catch plate 32 causes the bottom of the coins to engage the first cam 102. Further movement of the catch plate 32 causes the cam 102 to press the coins with an upward force which is resisted by engagement of the top coin in the second chute 26 with the pawl finger 138. As a result, the coins in the second chute 26 do not rise in the chute but apply a downwardly directed force to the cam 102 causing a downward rotation of the catch plate 32 in opposition to the bias provided by the spring 112. The downward rotation of the catch plate 32 prevents the hook 100 from engaging the catch plate 32 at the opening 98, a downwardly directed barb 167 of the hook 100 being spaced from a rear lip 168 of the opening 98 a sufficient distance to allow for the initial horizontal movement of the catch plate 132 prior to its downward deflection. The barb 167 is vertically dimensioned such that the downward deflection of the catch plate 32 caused by engagement of the coins on the first cam 102 is sufficient to allow the lip 168 of the opening 98 to pass under the tip of the barb 166. This configuration allows full horizontal displacement of the catch plate from beneath the coin chutes 24 and 26 so that the coins will fall into a suitable coin reservoir and the door 33 of the dispensing machine 62 may be opened to allow retrievel of the desired item. 
     Thereupon, the closing of the door 33 causes the catch plate 32 to return to its position under the chutes 24 and 26, the cam 102 being vertically dimensioned such that its highest point does not engage the lowermost point on the first edge wall 74 of the first chute 24 or a corresponding point on the second chute 26, thus preventing the cam 102 from interferring with closing of the door 33. The front of the hook 100 is likewise dimensioned and positioned so as not to interfere with the return of catch plate 32 to its position under the chutes 24 and 26 except by means of a slight downward deflection of the catch plate 32 caused by engagement of a front rearward sloping edge 170 of the barb 167 with a rearmost edge 172 of the catch plate 32. Alternatively, the barb 167 of the hook 100 may be configured with a front edge 170 sloping rearward providing sufficient downward deflection of the catch plate 32 so that the cam 102 does not engage the first edge wall 74 of the first chute 24 when the catch plate 32 is being returned to its position under the chutes 24 and 26. 
     The hook 100 prevents the catch plate 32 from being moved horizontally from beneath the chutes 24 and 26 when an insufficient number of coins have been deposited in the chutes 24 and 26. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the absence of the top coin in the second chute 26 would remove the downward force on the cam 102 caused by engagement of the pawl finger 138 with the top coin. With nothing to restrain the upward movement of the coins in the second chute 26, the catch plate 32 is not sufficiently deflected in a downward direction to escape the barb 167 of the hook 100 thereby causing the barb 167 to engage the rear edge 168 of the opening 98 and prevent horizontal movement of the catch plate 32 from beneath the chutes 24 and 26. 
     Referring to FIG. 2b, an alternate placement of the coin mechanism 20 relative to the outer coin slot 160 is shown with the top opening of the gate 22 below the bottom opening of a rectangular top chute 171. The top chute 171 is provided with a rectangular opening 173 on one of its sides slightly larger than the outer coin slot 160 for receiving coins therethrough. The top chute 171 is attached adjacent to the inner side 35 of the front wall of the dispensing machine where the outer coin slot 160 is located so that the opening 173 covers the outer coin slot 160. The top chute 171 is dimensioned to be slightly larger than the coins to be deposited therein. In the alternative configuration of FIG. 2b, the top opening of the gate 22 is dimensioned larger than the bottom opening, the first edge wall 44 and the second edge wall 45 being wider at the top than at the bottom. The first side wall 42 and the second side wall 43 have the same width at the top and the bottom providing a generally decreasing cross-sectional area of the passageway 46. The top opening of the gate 22 is dimensioned in width such that a coin falling through the top chute 171 cannot engage the periphery of the top opening of the gate 22 either in its first position 91 or in its second position 92 as a coin passes through the top chute 171 into the gate passageway 46. The length of the top chute 171 may vary depending on design requirements of the dispensing machine. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiments the rocker arm 28 protects against removal of the catch plate 32 from beneath the chutes 24 and 26 when coins smaller than those required, e.g., pennies or dimes, are deposited in the coin mechanism 20. The finger 88 is horizontally offset from the rocker arm 28 by means of an offset member 174, the overall vertical length of the rocker arm 28 from the gate cam 85 to the tip of the finger 88 being the same as described above. The horizontal offset of the finger 88 places the finger 88 adjacent to the inside surface of the second edge wall 76 of the first chute 24, the second opening 89 being located on the side of the width wall 72 to allow intrusion of the finger 88 into the first chute 24 to perform the function described above. The offset member 174 preferably extends horizontally from a location immediately below the attachment of the rocker arm 28 to the rocker arm pin 80 to a location near the second edge wall 76. A lower part 175 of the rocker arm 28 then extends from the end of the offset member 174 downward to the lower opening 89 where the finger 88 enters the first chute 24. 
     Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a lock-out device 180 is shown providing the capability of manually positioning the gate 22 in its second position 92 over the top opening 93 of the second chute 26 when a smaller number of coins are required to operate the dispensing machine; e.g., in a newspaper dispensing machine both chutes 24 and 26 might be used for Sunday papers but only the second chute 26 would be required for papers during the remainder of the week. The lock-out device 180 is operable to engage the back surface of the rocker arm 28 above the pivotal attachment of the rocker arm 28 to the support wall 34 and move the gate 22 to its second position 92. Also shown in FIG. 4 is the maximum separation of the chutes 24 and 26 as determined by the length of the slot 152 in the sliding hinge 146 and the movement of both chutes 24 and 26 away from the side plate 36 as limited by the action of the chute spring 154. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 where there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an intermediate rectangular chute 182 is added to the coin mechanism 20 providing additional coin capacity. The intermediate chute 182 is pivotally mounted on the support arm 37 and the support wall 34 between the first chute 24 and the second chute 26 in essentially the same manner as described above with respect to the second chute 26, the support arm 37 and the support wall 34 being dimensioned horizontally to receive the additional chute. The intermediate chute 182 is configured with a first edge wall 184, a second edge wall 186, and a width wall 187 on the side of the intermediate chute 182 adjacent to the first chute 24, the intermediate chute 182 having as its wall adjacent to the second chute 28 the width wall 147 of the second chute 26 providing for sharing between the second and intermediate chutes 26 and 182 of a common wall. It should also be noted that the width wall 187 is shared between the first chute 24 and the intermediate chute 182. 
     The sliding hinge 146 shown in FIG. 1 is modified to contain two slots 188 and 190 for limiting the separation of the chutes from one another when the coin mechanism 20 is shaken to remedy jamming or shingling of the coins. The modified sliding hinge 192 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is pivotally attached to the lower part of the second edge wall 76 of the first chute 24. It is slidably attached to the first edge wall 184 of the intermediate chute 182 at slot 190 and to the first edge wall 144 of the second chute 26 at slot 188 and is essentially horizontal having a length approximately equal to the combined horizontal length of the three chutes 26, 182, and 24. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the slot 190 is somewhat shorter than the slot 188 due to the larger horizontal displacement of the second chute 26 with respect to the first chute 24 than would be the displacement of the intermediate chute 182 with respect to the first chute 24 when all three chutes 26, 182 and 24 are rotated away from the side plate 36. The chute spring 154 shown in FIG. 1 is modified in length and in strength to accommodate three coin chutes. The modified chute spring 196 is attached at one end to the first chute 24 above the sliding hinge 192 and extends generally horizontally to the inner surface of the side plate 36 where the other end of the spring 196 is attached. 
     A contact lever 198 is shown in FIG. 6. The lever 198 is located in the intermediate chute 182 at a vertical position so that by action of the contact lever 198 the desired height of coins to be deposited in the intermediate chute 182 will cause the gate 22 to move to a third position 202 with its bottom opening over the top opening 93 of the second chute 26. The contact lever 198 and its function can be better understood by reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7, the contact lever 198 is pivotally attached adjacent to the first edge wall 184 of the intermediate chute 182 and has a shaft 204 extending through an aperture 206 located in the first edge wall 184 at the desired vertical position and adjacent to the width wall 147 of the second chute 26. The shaft 204 extends into the intermediate chute 182 a sufficient distance to provide for attachment of a contact finger 208 which extends radially outward from the shaft 204. The contact finger 208 is relatively narrow in proportion to the width wall 147 of the second chute 26 and, as shown in FIG. 6, is of sufficient thinness to allow passage of coins down the intermediate chute 182 when the finger 208 is in a vertical position. The finger 208 is located near the inner surface of the first edge wall 184 of the intermediate chute 182 so that it will not be engaged by pennies, etc., and, as shown in FIG. 7, is of sufficient length to extend downward and across the intermediate chute 182 so that the tip of the finger 208 rests on the width wall 187 of the intermediate chute 182 in the manner shown in FIG. 7. 
     A contact arm 210 is attached to the part of the shaft 204 which extends out of the first edge wall 184. The contact arm 210 extends radially outward from the shaft 204 and is oriented on the shaft 204 so that when the contact finger 208 is engaged by a coin passing down the intermediate chute 182 the deflection of the contact finger 208 to an essentially vertical downward position against the width wall 147 of the second chute 26 causes the contact arm 210 to rotate and engage a contact member 212 located on the rocker arm 28. The contact member 212 consists of an angular extention from the rocker arm 28 and is located on the rocker arm 28 at a position so that it will be engaged by the contact arm 210. In one embodiment, the contact member 212 extends horizontally from the rocker arm 28 to a point slightly beyond the second edge wall 76 of the first chute 24 where it makes an approximately ninety degree bend in the direction of the contact arm 210. The part of the contact member 212 extending toward the contact arm 210 and the contact arm 210 are oriented and configured so that when the contact finger 208 is fully deflected and the contact arm 210 has fully engaged the contact member 212, the arm 210 and the member 212 do not meet &#34;head on&#34; thereby inhibiting return to the arm 210 and the member 212 to their prior positions. In their fully engaged positions, both the arm 210 and the member 212 should gently slope upward to the point of contact. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact member 212 extends from the offset member 174 described above with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. 
     A counterweight 214 is attached to the shaft 204 near the contact arm 210 and extends radially outward from the shaft 204. The counterweight 214 is positioned on the shaft 204 to ensure return of the contact finger 208 adjacent to the surface of the wdith wall 187 of the intermediate chute 182 after a coin has deflected and passed by the contact finger 208. 
     As discussed above, when the first chute 24 is filled with coins, the rocker arm 28 holds the gate 22 in a position directing coins into the next adjacent chute. Addition of the intermediate chute 182 to the coin mechanism 20 between the first and second chutes 24 and 26 results in coins being directed into the intermediate chute 182 when the gate 22 is held in position by coins within the first chute 24. 
     It can be seen from FIG. 6 that when the coins in the intermediate chute 182 are stacked to the desired height, the contact arm 208 in the intermediate chute 182 will be held in a downward vertical position holding the rocker arm 28 in a third position 216 which supports the gate 22 in its third position 202, thereby directing the remainder of deposited coins into the second chute 26. When the second chute 26 is filled, the dispensing machine may be operated as described above where the catch plate 32 is moved from beneath the coin chutes when the door 33 is opened allowing the coins deposited in the coin mechanism 20 to fall into a suitable coin reservoir, after which the door 33 is closed and the catch plate 32 returned to its position under the coin chutes 24 and 26 and the process is ready to begin again. As this alternate embodiment indicates, a number of intermediate chutes may be added to the coin mechanism 20. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 there are shown various views of an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating the use of a swinging gate 222 located between the first and second chutes 24 and 26 and the front enclosure 34 of the coin mechanism 20. The gate 222 is operable to selectively direct coins (which have been deposited in the outer coin slot 160) into either the first or the second chute 22 and 24. 
     The gate 222 is suspended between the first and second chute 22 and 24 and the front 34 by an outer hanger 224 located adjacent the side plate 36 near the pawl assembly 30, and by an inner hanger 226 located adjacent the front 34. The hangers 224 and 226 are both pivotally connected to the gate 222 at their lower ends. All the connections of the hangers 224 and 226 are configured to allow motion of the gate 222 in a generally horizontal direction parallel to the front wall 34 of the coin mechanism 20. 
     The inner hanger 226 is pivotally connected at its top to the front wall 34 and the outer hanger 224 is connected at its top to an outer hanger support 228. And, as best seen in FIG. 9, the outer hanger 224 is attached at its lower end on the far left-hand side of the gate 222 while the inner hanger 226 is attached to the upper right-hand corner of the gate 222. 
     A coin slot 230 located in the gate 222 provides an opening through which coins are deposited into the coins chutes 24 and 26. Referring specifically to FIG. 12, in its first position 232 the gate is located so that the coin slot 230 directs coins from the outer coin slot 160 into the first chute 24. In its second position 234 the gate is located so that the coin slot 230 directs coins from the outer coin slot 160 into the second chute 26. 
     In operation, the gate 222 is moved from its first position 232 to its second position 234 as coins pass downward in the first chute 24 and engage the lower end of a linkage arm 236. The arm 236 is pivotally attached adjacent the first chute 24 to a linkage arm support 237 which extends from the first chute 24. When the coin engages the lower end of the arm 236, the arm 236 pivots about the support 237 and engages an adjustment linkage 238 which is located adjacent the top of the arm 236. The adjustment linkage 238 is pivotally attached to the gate 222 at the location where the inner hanger 226 is attached and by virtue of engagement of the arm 236 the adjustment linkage 238 is pivoted about its attachment to the gate 222. The rotation of the linkage 238 is very slight as the part of the linkage 238 above its attachment to the gate 222 engages a flange 240 which extends from the inner hanger 226 perpendicular to the front wall 34. Once the linkage 238 has engaged the flange 240 its rotation ceases whereby continued rotation of the linkage arm 236 imparts a force on the inner hanger 226 causing essentially horizontal movement of the gate 222 from its first position 232 to its second position 234. And when the coins in the first chute 24 reach a predetermined height so that the top coin is against the lower end of the linkage arm 236, the gate 222 will be held in its second position 234 and the remaining coins deposited in the outer coin slot 160 will pass through the coin slot 230 in the gate and into the second chute 26. 
     An adjustment bar 242 is attached to the front wall 34 and serves to maintain the gate 222 in its first position 232 during periods where no coin has engaged the lower end of the linkage arm 236. The position of the gate 222 is maintained in this manner by cooperation of the bar 242, the adjustment linkage 238 and the top of the linkage arm 236. As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the gate 222 is in its first position 232, the part of the adjustment linkage 238 below its attachment to the gate 222 rests against the top of the linkage arm 236. And a lateral extension 244 of the adjustment linkage rests with its lower surface in contact with the upper surface of the bar 242. Thus, the gate 222 remains in its first position 234. 
     As the above description of this alternate embodiment suggests, the movement of the gate 222 approximates a horizontal sliding motion. In fact, the upward or downward movement of the gate 222 is so slight that for all practical purposes, the gate 222 is sliding from its first position 232 to its second position 234. Therefore, it is understood that substituting a track or other suitable supporting means for the hangers 224 and 226 will produce the same effect as the structure specified in this embodiment. 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.