The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1999
International Game Technology, Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
A coin singulator for outputting coins in single file in a known orientation for effecting payout from a gaming terminal is provided. A rotatable disk is positioned spaced-apart from a backplate to define a substantially cylindrical region therebetween in conjunction with a rim region. Vanes on the front surface of the rotating disk convey coins picked up from a randomly-oriented mass of coins to a central opening of the disk for conveyance through the central opening into the space between the disk and the backplate. The distance between the disk and the backplate is such that only a single layer or thickness of coins is accommodated. Preferably the backplate is inclined such that the coins are positioned in face-to-face contact with the backplate. A plurality of vanes on the back surface of the disk moves the coin along the rim to an exit opening in the rim with the back surface vanes preferably shaped to output no more than a single coin as each rim passes the opening. The device can accommodate a range of coin or token sizes thus reducing the number of configurations or parts to be kept in inventory.