Safes – bank protection – or a related device – Bank protection devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2002-07-23
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3676)
Safes, bank protection, or a related device
Bank protection devices
C109S024100, C109S047000, C902S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06422158
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the moving of automatic teller machines (ATMs) between operational positions and servicing positions for servicing. In particular, the present invention relates to moving an ATM located on an island in a drive-through bank lane between operational and servicing positions.
DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) and, more recently, automatic loan machines (ALMs), have made it more convenient for consumers to take care of their routine banking needs. ATMs are frequently housed in small buildings, or “kiosks” on concrete “islands” between lanes of a drive-through bank. Consumers may obtain cash, make deposits, check on balances, obtain consumer loans, etc., by simply driving up to the ATM from the appropriate lane and accessing its control panel.
These ATMs must be serviced periodically by reloading them with cash, retrieving the deposits, changing printer ribbons, and performing routine maintenance and repair. However, the nature of kiosks and orientation of the ATM in relation to the kiosk complicates servicing. The kiosks are narrow and relatively small buildings. Because servicing of the ATM is done from inside the kiosk, the formalities associated with construction of any occupied or building apply to kiosks, such as windloading standards, occupancy standards, building permits and installation of air conditioning.
Furthermore, servicing of ATMs is done from the back. Because the kiosks housing the ATMs are narrow, to occupy as narrow a drive-through island as possible, there would be insufficient space behind the ATM in the kiosk for servicing unless (1) the ATM were rotated so that its back is oriented to the side; (2) the ATM could be pushed out of the kiosk into the drive-through lane to provide room behind it in the kiosk; or (3) the back of the kiosk opened up to allow access to the ATM from the next lane. This last alternative is generally unacceptable because it puts two lanes of a drive through bank out of service: the lane where the ATM is accessed, and the next lane where the servicing employee is standing.
ATM rotation systems are often somewhat complicated so “push out” systems are preferred. Consequently, a number of systems have been designed to move the ATM between a operational position inside a kiosk and a servicing position pushed out of a kiosk. These are generally referred to as transport systems.
For example, the transport systems described by Dallman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,999 include several approaches to moving an ATM between servicing and operational positions, including two designs based on the use of cables. The cable systems are complicated and involve multiple cables and pulleys and air or hydraulic cylinders. Another of the designs uses a rack and pinion arrangement.
In the designs of ATM transport systems there is usually a bearing that allows movement between a base and a carriage that supports the ATM. The base remains stationary and the carriage moves between the operational position and servicing position. Additionally, there is a device that causes the movement of the carriage with respect to the base.
An effective ATM transport system would move the ATM simply, reliably and inexpensively between the operational and servicing positions on as narrow a drive-through island as possible, yet providing sufficient room behind the ATM to allow access by an employee standing on the island.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is an apparatus for moving an automatic teller machine (ATM) and the like between a operational position and a servicing position. The apparatus in its essential embodiment comprises a stationary frame and a moving carriage supported by the frame. In the operational position, the front end of the carriage is coextensive with the front end of the frame and both are inside the kiosk. In the servicing position, however, the front end of the carriage is cantilevered beyond the front end of the frame. In order to move and support the carriage, especially in the servicing position, there is a shaft held by bearings attached to the front end of the frame. The shaft rotates freely in the bearings and the carriage rides directly on the shaft. The back end of the carriage rides within the frame's rails to prevent the carriage from moving up or down but otherwise freely allows lateral movement. By turning the shaft with a hand crank or a small motor, the carriage with the teller machine resting on it can easily be moved between operational and servicing positions.
In alternative embodiments, the ATM transport system includes the ATM housing, which is also transported between servicing and operational positions along with the ATM. The housing has a door located on its back so that the ATM can be accessed by someone standing on the island to which the frame is secured and who obtains access by opening the door of the housing.
In another alternative embodiment, additional space behind the ATM can be obtained by use of telescoping carriage.
An advantage of the present invention is its simplicity. The ATM can be moved easily using a simple handcrank. Therefore, there are no sprockets, no pulleys, no chains, and no complicated arrangements of moving parts to require service and repair. Furthermore, in the event of an electricity failure, the ATM can still be serviced or retracted into the kiosk. Because ATMs are serviced daily and have useful lives that span several years, reliability of operation of the ATM transport system is an important consideration.
An important feature of the present invention is the rotating shaft. Not only does it support the ATM, via the carriage, but the shaft moves it between the servicing position and operational position. The use of a simple, sturdy shaft to roll the ATM between its extreme positions greatly simplifies the design by combining support and moving mechanisms in one structure.
Extending the housing along with the ATM is another feature of the present invention. By making the housing extend along with the ATM, it no longer needs to be a “building” from a building codes standpoint because no one needs to enter it. Therefore, it no longer needs to meet a number of requirements that increase costs.
Use of a telescoping carriage makes it possible to provide additional space behind the ATM for servicing, making it possible to have slimmer ATM housings and kiosks on narrower islands, making better use of bank property.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment presented below and accompanied by the drawings.
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patent: 4497261 (1985-02-01), Ferris et al.
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patent: 5379704 (1995-01-01), Couvrette
patent: 5440999 (1995-08-01), Dallman et al.
patent: 5615623 (1997-04-01), Capraro, Jr.
patent: 5711231 (1998-01-01), Couvrette et al.
patent: 5836256 (1998-11-01), Senterfeit, Sr.
Fitts, Sr. John E
Senterfeit, Sr. Kenneth G
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Concept Unlimited Inc
Mann Michael A
Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard LLC
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