Check-actuated control mechanisms – Control mechanism actuated by check – other than coin – which... – By pliant currency
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2001-07-03
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Control mechanism actuated by check, other than coin , which...
By pliant currency
C271S085000, C271S177000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253899
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing flexible sheets, comprising a stacker for maintaining a stack of sheets and a sheet path extending from a sheet entry point across the top of the stacker's stack space.
A known storage device for banknotes comprises a box which has a slot extending centrally along one wall. A platform is mounted within the box on a spring which pushes the platform towards the slot. When a banknote is to be put into the box, it is placed flat over the slot and then pressed along its centre line. The central part of the banknote then enters the box and presses against the platform, pushing it down. The edges of the banknote eventually follow the central portion through the slot.
A problem with such storage devices is that they are not well adapted for storage of notes of different sizes. For instance, a box having a slot sufficiently wide to receive a wide banknote may well be so wide that narrower notes would fall out.
It is an aim of a first aspect of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problem.
An apparatus according to the present invention is characterised by a carriage for pulling a sheet along the sheet path for deposition at the stack top location of the stacker, wherein the carriage passes over the stack top location when pulling a sheet and is configured to contact a top sheet of the stack with contact means arranged to have zero velocity with respect to the top sheet of the stack as the carriage passes. In such an apparatus, a new sheet is dragged to the top of the stack. Normally, this would result in the top sheet of the stack crumpling as the carriage passes. This is avoided in the present invention by arranging the carriage such that its points of contact with the top sheet have zero velocity relative thereto.
The term “top of the stack” has been used for convenience and means the end of the stack to which new sheets are added, irrespective of the orientation of the stack. Related terms should be construed accordingly.
It is preferred that the points of contact be driven in some way to avoid the need for expensive very low friction bearings. Conveniently, the contact means comprises a wheel driven such that the velocity of its circumference is equal and opposite to the velocity of the carriage. However, the contact means could comprises driven caterpillar-type tracks or feet.
Preferably, the stacker includes spring means for urging the stack towards the sheet path.
The contact means could be driven using a dedicated motor. However, it is preferred that the apparatus include a rack extending along that part of the sheet path which extends across the stack top location and the contact means be driven by a pinion gear which engages the rack.
Preferably, the carriage is provided with gripping means for gripping the leading edge of a sheet being inserted at the entry point. However, gripping means for gripping the side edges of a sheet or suction means for gripping a face of a sheet could be used. Preferably, the gripping means comprises a pair of jaws. More preferably, the jaws are biased closed, one jaw is provided with a lever arm and actuator structures, which may be stationary, are provided in association with the entry point and the stacker such that the lever is operated by the actuator structures to open the jaws at the entry point for collection of a sheet and at the stacker for deposition of a sheet. Alternatively, the jaws can be operated by a solenoid mounted to the carriage. A combination of these techniques could also be used. That is an actuator structure may be provided at one end of the sheet path and some other means for opening the jaws may be provided at the other end.
An apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes a motor for driving the carriage, a tape spool drivingly coupled to the motor and a tape extending between the spool and the carriage such the carriage can be driven along the sheet path in either direction by the motor. The motor may be reversible or a transmission providing forward and reverse gears may be used.
Preferably, the carriage includes gripping means for gripping a sheet to be pulled along the path and the apparatus including guide means arranged such that the gripping means is withdrawn away from the sheet path when travelling towards the entry point. More preferably, the carriage includes a guide projection and the guide means comprises a side panel having an arrangement of guide grooves for receiving the guide projection, the guide grooves comprising a first groove at the stacker end of the sheet path which bifurcates into second and third grooves that extend side by side towards the entry point and combine to form a fourth groove before reaching the entry point. The guide projection is preferably mounted on an element of the gripping means so that the gripping means are withdrawn from the sheet path when the carriage is returning unloaded to the entry point. Thus, the carriage as a whole does not have to change its route.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3831932 (1974-08-01), Conrad
patent: 4448408 (1984-05-01), Faltin
patent: 4535794 (1985-08-01), Bellis et al.
patent: 4886265 (1989-12-01), Wetter
patent: 5116037 (1992-05-01), Gerlier et al.
patent: 5156393 (1992-10-01), Erkisson
patent: 0 803 845 A1 (1997-10-01), None
Bartuska F. J.
Innovative Technology Limited
Killworth, Gottman Hagan & Schaeff LLP
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