This invention relates to coin operated vending machines and, more specifically, to the simple coin mechanism for use in conjunction with such machines. Included within the vending art are many coin mechanisms which are intended to ensure that correct coinage has been inserted into a machine before the vending operation takes place.

Classic Bubble Gum & Candy Machine Coin Mechanism - In need of a new coin mechanism for your Classic Bubble Gum & Candy Machine? Get an authentic replacement coin mech! This is a factory original part for the Classic Bubble Gum & Candy Machine. Dimensions: W 3 9/16' X H 3 1/8' Extended 9-tooth gear designed for Classic machine; Coins: $0.25. The vending machine mechanism of claim 13 wherein the vending machine mechanism is a M60 style quarter-slot vending machine having a coin wheel with an approximate diameter of 27/8 inches, and a raised cylindrical portion with an approximate diameter of the 7/8 inches, and a raised perimeter portion occupying an area of approximately 1/4 inches.

I claim:

1. A coin wheel for use in a vending machine mechanism comprising:

a raised cylindrical portion having a top surface and a side surface, said top surface having formed therein a first opening to allow a handle stem to pass through the coin wheel, and a second opening formed in said side surface with a portion of said raised cylindrical portion overlaying the second opening to allow a disk with a smaller diameter than a required coin to fall through the mechanism;

a raised perimeter area having a disk exit area formed therein.

2. The coin wheel of claim 1, wherein the vending machine is a M60.

3. The coin wheel of claim 1, wherein said required coin is a United States quarter dollar.

4. The coin wheel of claim 1, wherein said second opening is formed on one side of a central axis of said raised cylindrical portion.

5. The coin wheel of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the raised cylindrical portion is formed by a casting process.

6. A coin wheel for use in a vending machine mechanism comprising:

a circular disk having a backside and a frontside, said frontside being flat, said backside having a raised cylindrical portion formed in its center, said raised cylindrical portion having a top face and a side portion, said top face having formed in its center an opening passing through said frontside to allow a shaft to pass through, said backside having formed therein a raised perimeter area, said raised perimeter area having formed therein notches which allow interaction with a spring-loaded pawl, said raised perimeter area having formed therein a disk exit area, said raised perimeter area having formed therein a coin slot, said side portion having an opening formed therein with a portion of said raised cylindrical portion overlaying the opening for allowing a disk of smaller diameter than a required coin to pass from said coin slot through said side portion opening between said raised perimeter area and said shaft.

7. The coin wheel of claim 6 wherein said vending machine mechanism is a M60 style quarter-slot vending machine.

Tightening The Slot For A Gumball Machine Coin Mechanism Diagram

8. The coin wheel of claim 6, wherein said circular disk is formed by a casting process.

9. The coin wheel of claim 6, wherein said opening in said side portion of said raised cylindrical area being formed by a casting process.

10. A coin receiving mechanism for a vending machine comprising:

Tightening the slot for a gumball machine coin mechanics

a face plate having a center opening formed therein, said face plate formed therein a slot for receiving quarters;

a shaft passing through said center opening in said face plate;

a backplate having an opening formed therein;

a coin wheel received in an indention formed in a backside of said face plate, said coin wheel having formed in its center a raised cylindrical portion, said raised cylindrical portion having a top face and a side portion, said top face having formed in its center an opening to allow said shaft to pass through, said coin wheel having formed therein a raised perimeter area, said raised perimeter area having formed therein a coin slot, said side portion having an opening formed therein with a portion of said raised cylindrical portion overlaying said opening for allowing a disk of smaller diameter than a quarter to pass from said slot between said shaft and said raised perimeter area.

11. The mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a disk exit area formed in said raised perimeter area.

12. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein the vending machine mechanism is a quarter-slot vending machine having a coin wheel with an approximate diameter of 27/8 inches, and a raised cylindrical portion with an approximate diameter of the 7/8 inches, and a raised perimeter portion occupying an area of approximately 1/4 inches along the perimeter of the coin wheel.

13. A vending machine mechanism comprising:

a face plate having a center hole formed therein, said face plate having formed therein a slot for receiving quarters;

a knob;

a shaft attached to said knob and passing through said hole in said face plate;

a backplate having an opening formed therein;

a spring loaded pawl movably attached to said backplate;

a washer pawl for stopping counter-clockwise movement movably attached to said inside of said face plate;

a coin wheel received in an indention formed in a backside of said face plate, said coin wheel having formed in its center a raised cylindrical portion, said raised cylindrical portion having a top face and a side portion, said top face having formed in its center an opening to allow said shaft to pass through, said coin wheel having formed therein a raised perimeter area, said raised perimeter area having formed therein notches which allow interaction with the spring-loaded pawl to prevent clockwise movement of said coin wheel, said raised perimeter area having formed therein a disk exit area, said raised perimeter area having formed therein a coin slot, said side portion having an opening formed therein with a portion of said raised cylindrical portion overlaying said opening for allowing a disk of smaller diameter than a quarter to pass through said coin slot through said side portion opening between said shaft and said raised perimeter area to said disk exit area.

14. The vending machine mechanism of claim 13 wherein the vending machine mechanism is a M60 style quarter-slot vending machine having a coin wheel with an approximate diameter of 27/8 inches, and a raised cylindrical portion with an approximate diameter of the 7/8 inches, and a raised perimeter portion occupying an area of approximately 1/4 inches along the perimeter of the coin wheel.

15. A method for operating a vending machine comprising:

accepting a coin of a required size;

rejecting a disk of a size smaller than said required size by passing said disk through an opening formed in a side portion of a raised central cylindrical portion of a coin wheel, said central cylindrical portion having said side portion and a face portion, said face portion having a handle stem passing through an opening formed at its center and wherein a portion of said central cylindrical portion overlays the opening formed in the side portion.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

discharging said disk through a disk exit area formed in a raised perimeter area of said coin wheel.

17. In a bulk vending machine having a coin receiving portion for accepting coins of a proper denomination and rejecting coins of other than the proper denomination and actuating a merchandise dispensing mechanism upon payment of one or more coins of the proper denomination into the coin receiving portion and operation of a handle associated with the coin receiving portion, an improvement comprising:

a coin wheel having:

a central hub, said central hub having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion comprising a solid central shaft portion for connect