| 摘要 |
A coin acceptor produces an output or operates a switch or vending mechanism when a coin acceptor slide reaches a certain point of advance relative to a housing. The slide receives coins or tokens tendered by a customer ("coins") and carries the coins into a discriminator responsive to size, shape or the like. The discriminator can have feeler levers, a limited passage size or similar features that permit the slide to advance if all the correct coins are present, or obstruct movement of the slide if coins are missing or are the wrong type. The discriminator is breakable with sufficient force, which could break away the feeler levers or other test structures the obstruct movement unless the correct coins are in place, which would permit the slide to be operated repeatedly without the correct coins. According to an inventive aspect, a latch mechanism engages if the slide is forced beyond its normal operating span, for example because it is forced, and locks the slide in an advanced position where it remains until serviced. The limit of the normal operating span can be defined by a frangible abutment that breaks away under moderate force. In any event, the slide locks in an advanced position and cannot be operated repeatedly without the correct coinage.
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