Coin receiving mechanism having foreign object release device

Abstract

An improved coin receiving mechanism having a foreign object release device. The invention includes first and second chute walls having spaced apart inner surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other when the mechanism is in an unactivated state. The inner surfaces define the walls of a coin chute path through which a coin travels. The first and second chute walls each further have an upper chute wall portion, disposed adjacent an entrance to the coin chute path, and a lower chute wall portion, disposed adjacent to and in communicating relationship with an exit of the coin chute path. The first and second coin chute walls are hingedly mounted to a frame. The invention also includes provisions for moving the coin chute walls from the unactivated state to an activated state wherein the coin chute walls are first pivoted together until the lower chute portions of each of the first and second chute walls are no longer disposed in communicating relationship with the exit of the coin chute path. The coin chute walls are then pivoted separately with the coin chute wall which is further from the exit being pivoted to a greater extent so that the coin chute walls open to eject foreign objects caught between the coin chute walls and thereby clear the coin chute path while restricting the objects from falling into the exit.