Abstract:
An automatic bank note pushing device is movably mounted for extending into and out of a bank note storing holder that in turn is slidably mounted in a bank note storing device or safe. The pushing member can retract from the bank note storing holder when the lid is open to enable the bank note storing holder to be slid out. The pushing member can be activated to extend into the bank note storing holder to bias a stack of bank notes to a discharge position when the lid is closed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to a pushing or biasing device which pushes a stack of bank notes in a bank note storing device to a let off device for releasing individual bank notes. More especially, the pushing device automatically is enabled to push the bank notes, when the bank note storing device is either inserted into or out of the storing device.  
           [0003]    2. The Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Small bank note dispensing devices are known. Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 4-341473 discloses a pushing board to bias bank notes to a separating board by a spring. The bank notes are stored in a bank note storing device and can sometimes become stuck.  
           [0005]    “Bank note” as used in this specification can embrace a check, a certificate, a coupon or similar substance of value.  
           [0006]    When the bank note storing device is inserted onto the body of a bank note dispensing device, a pushing can board can push the bank notes to a let off device by gravity, because forces generated by a spring can be released by an actuator. Also, when the bank note storing device is removed from the body, the spring forces can be applied to the pushing board.  
           [0007]    The prior art generally uses as actuator which is a electric motor to automatically release the force of the spring from the pushing board. When such an actuator is used, the operation can be jammed if the electrical connection is disturbed. Also, the bank note storing device can&#39;t be miniaturized, because the actuator is also attached in the bank note storing device. Thus, the prior art is still seeking to improve the cost and efficiency of prior art pushing devices.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    A purpose of this invention is to eliminate a motor-driven actuator and to have a pushing board automatically push against and be released from the bank notes;  
           [0009]    Another purpose of this invention is to miniaturize the size of the pushing board;  
           [0010]    A third purpose of this invention is to reduce the cost of the pushing board;  
           [0011]    An automatic bank note pushing device for a bank note storing device includes a bank note storing device which has a lid and a separating board which can separate a storing section of a bank note holder, a pushing board which is located in the storing section, a first urging device which can urge the pushing board to one side of the separating board, a second urging device which can urge the pushing board to move away from the separating board and is larger than the force of the first urging device, and a release device which can expand or retract the second urging device upon movement of a cover or lid member.  
           [0012]    In this structure, the bank notes are placed in the bank note holder, and afterwards the lid is closed. When the lid closes, the second urging device is retracted by the release device with the closure of the lid. In this situation, the pushing board is moved towards the separating board by the first urging device, therefore the bank notes are automatically pushed by the pushing board. Afterwards, the bank note storing device can be inserted into a vending machine or ATM. When the bank notes are dispensed, the pushing board pushes the bank notes with a predetermined force to the let off device, to assist in the release of individual bank notes.  
           [0013]    When the lid is opened to remove or for replenishing of bank notes, the pusher is driven away from the separating board by the second urging device, because the second urging device becomes operative when the lid is opened. Therefore, the work for redemption from the bank note holder or replacement to the bank note holder can be easy.  
           [0014]    An automatic bank note pushing device for a bank note storing device comprises a bank note storing device which has a top board, a lid, a separating board which can separate a storing section of the bank note holder, a slider which can slide on the top board, a parallel link mechanism which can slide one of a pair of shafts along the longitudinal direction of the top board, a pushing board which is attached to the parallel link mechanism and is located in the storing section, a first spring which is hooked between the top board and the shaft and urges the pushing board to the separating board, a second spring which is hooked between the slider and the bank note storing device and urges the slider in a predetermined direction and provides a larger force than the force of the first spring, a wire which is fixed to one end at the slider and is fixed to another end at the parallel link mechanism, and a lever which slides the slider along the top board and operatively connects with the lid.  
           [0015]    In this structure, after the bank notes are placed in the bank note holder, the lid is closed by an operator. Therefore, the lever is pivoted by the lid and the slider moves in opposition to the force of the second spring.  
           [0016]    The pushing board is moved towards the side of the separating board by gravity and the force of the second spring. Therefore, bank notes are automatically pushed by the pushing board, because the parallel link mechanism doesn&#39;t receive any effect from the slider. In this situation, the bank note storing device can be put in a vending machine or a money exchange machine.  
           [0017]    The pushing board helps to let off the bank notes by gravity and the force of the second spring. When the lid is opened to resupply bank notes, the slider slides opposite to the direction of the second spring, because the lever doesn&#39;t receive an urging force from the lid in conjunction with the opening of the lid.  
           [0018]    Therefore, the pushing board automatically goes away from the separating board, because a wire is drawn and the parallel link mechanism is compressed by the slider. Therefore, the bank notes can be resupplied without any interference from the pushing board. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a bank note storing device of the present embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is perspective view of the bank note storing device without the housing cover and removed from the bank note holding frame;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of the bank note storing device; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is perspective view of the bank note storing device without the cover and with the lid closed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and user the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a mechanical automatic banknote pushing device for a safe.  
         [0025]    The bank note pushing device of the present invention is installed within a bank note storing device  1  of a bank note dispenser, e.g., for use in a vending machine or a change machine (shown in FIG. 1). Bank note storing device  1  can be opened and closed by a lid  3  which has hinges on the lower section at case  2 .  
         [0026]    Lid  3  is locked to case  2  by a lock member  4  which is fixed at the upper section of lid  3 . Handle  5  is gate like in shape and is also fixed at lid  3 . Therefore, bank note storing device  1  can be transported by an operator. The storing section  6  of the bank note storing device  1  (shown in FIG. 2) is defined by a separating board  7  and a top board  8 . Bank note transporting device  10  is attached on top of the separating board  7  and has rollers  9 .  
         [0027]    Next, bank note hold frame H is explained. Bank note holding frame H has a rectangular box shape and includes a sidewall H 10  attached on holding board H 11  which is a horizontal support structure. Holding board frame H 11  can slide along separating board  7  to extend out of storing device  1  (as shown in FIG. 2). Driven rollers  9  make contact with the bank notes in bank note holding frame H through openings in the holding board H 11  to release a bank note.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 2, the bank note pushing device P includes a parallel link mechanism P 10  and a pushing board P 30 . Parallel link mechanism P 10  further includes a first rod P 11 , a second rod P 12 , a third rod P 13  and a fourth rod P 14 . The middle sections of first rod P 11  and second rod P 12  are connected by pivot pin P 15  and can pivot about the pin P 15 . The upper end of first rod P 11  can also pivot on a fixed shaft P 16  connected to the top board  8 .  
         [0029]    Guiding board P 18  is fixed along top board  8  and has an extended rectangle guiding hole P 17 . Pin P 19  is located at the upper end of second rod P 12  and is inserted into guiding hole P 17 . Third rod P 13  is integrated with fourth rod P 14  by pin P 20  and they can also pivot about pin P 20 .  
         [0030]    The upper end of third rod P 13  can pivot on the lower end of the first rod P 11  about pin P 21 . The upper end of fourth rod P 14  can pivot on the lower end of the second rod P 12  about pin P 22 . The lower end of third rod P 13  can pivot on pin P 24  of bracket P 23  which is fixed on the upper surface of pushing board P 30 .  
         [0031]    Guiding board P 26  is fixed on the upper surface of the pushing board P 30  and has an extended rectangular guiding hole P 25 . Pin P 27  is fixed at the lower end of fourth rod P 14  and can slide in guiding hole P 25 . Pushing board P 30  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction by a spring P 28  as shown in FIG. 3. The pushing board P 30  is located parallel to holding board H 11 .  
         [0032]    Next, a first urging or biasing device D 1  of pushing board P 30  is explained. Spring D 12  is hooked between a projection D 11 , which is fixed at the rear surface of top board  8  and a pin P 19 . First urging device D 1  is formed by the spring D 12 .  
         [0033]    Therefore, pin P 19  is pulled or biased towards the right as shown in FIG. 3 by the spring D 12  and is moved along the guiding hole P 17 . During the moving of pin P 19 , second rod P 12  pivots in the clockwise direction about pin P 15 .  
         [0034]    Fourth rod P 14  also pivots in the counterclockwise direction about pin P 20 . Therefore, pin P 28  will slide toward the right. As a result, parallel link mechanism P 10  will extend and push downward the holding board H 11 .  
         [0035]    Next, a second urging device D 20  is explained. (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). Slider D 21  has a channel shape in cross-section, and can slide above and along the top board  8 . Spring D 24  is hooked between a projection D 22  which protrudes downwards from the slider D 21  and a projection D 23  on case  2 .  
         [0036]    Springs D 24  are located at the left and right sides to provide a balance application of forces, however only one spring D 24  is shown. The second urging device is spring D 24 . The force of spring D 24  is larger than spring D 12 .  
         [0037]    One end of wire D 25  is fixed at the rear surface of slider D 21  near the pin P 19  by a screw D 26 . Wire D 25  has contact with pin P 16  and extends downwards and also has sliding contact with pin P 22  and is fixed at second rod P 12  near pin P 15  by a fastener screw P 27 .  
         [0038]    In this structure, when slider D 21  is drawn to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, by spring D 24 , pin P 22  is pulled upward by wire D 25 . Therefore, pushing board P 30  is also pulled upward, because the parallel link mechanism P 10  is contracted to become short in length. Wire D 25  call be changed to be a rope or a chain.  
         [0039]    Next, a release device N is explained, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Lever N 10  is boomerang like in shape and can pivot on pin N 11  which is fixed at case  2 . Levers  10  are located respectfully at the left and right side of case  2 , however only one lever  10  will be explained because they both have the same function.  
         [0040]    Pin N 13  protrudes from the side of slider D 21  and can slide in the elongated hole N 12  at the upper section of lever N 10  (see FIG. 4). U-shaped groove N 13  at the lower section of lever N 10  has contact with a pin N 14  which protrudes from the case  2 . Therefore, when U-groove N 13  is stopped by pin N 14 , the lower end of lever N 10  doesn&#39;t protrude out of the side of case  2 .  
         [0041]    Projection N 15  is fixed to extend towards the side of lever N 10  at a side edge of lid  3 . When lid  3  is closed, projection N 15  has contact with the lower section N 16  of lever N 10  and pushes it into the inside of case  2 . In this process, lever N 10  is pivoted in the clockwise direction and slides pin N 13  to the right (as shown in FIG. 4).  
         [0042]    By the sliding of pin N 13 , slider D 21  is moved to the right. Therefore, the parallel link mechanism P 10  can be extended because the distance between screw D 26  and pin P 16  becomes shorter. As a result, pushing board D 30  is moved downward by gravity and the force of spring D 12  to push the bank notes to the side of the separating board  7  and also holding board H 11  and bank note let off device  10 .  
         [0043]    Next, the operation of this embodiment is explained. When lid  3  is closed, lower edge N 16  of lever N 10  is pushed by projection N 15  and lever N 10  is pivoted in the clockwise direction about pin N 11 . Therefore, slider D 21  is moved to the right through contact of pin N 13  with lever N 10 .  
         [0044]    As a result, the distance between screw D 26  and pin P 16  is lesser and pushing board P 30  pushes the bank notes toward holding board H 11  and bank note let off device  10  by both gravity and the force of spring D 12 , as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0045]    Next, an operation which puts bank notes into the storing section  6  is explained. The lock  4  is unlocked and afterwards lid  3  is opened. Therefore, projection N 15  stops pushing against the lower end N 16  of lever N 10 . As a result, slider D 21  is moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the left by the force of spring D 24 . Screw D 26  moves in the same direction, and as a result, the distance between screw D 26  and pin P 16  is extended and wire D 25  is drawn upward.  
         [0046]    Pin P 22  is pulled up by wire D 25  and the parallel link mechanism P 10  is contracted and rises up towards the top board  8 . Also, pushing board P 30  is automatically drawn up to a portion near top board  8  and releases contact with the bank notes. Next, holding frame H is drawn out from the storing section  6  and the bank notes can be resupplied free of pushing board P 30 . Afterwards, holding frame H is re-inserted into the storing section  6  and lid  3  is closed and is locked by lock  4 .  
         [0047]    With the closing motion, projection N 15  pushes the end N 16 . Therefore lever N 10  is pivoted in the clockwise direction. Slider D 21  slides to the right in conjunction with the movement through pin N 13 . Therefore, spring D 24  is render ineffective. As a result, the distance between screw D 26  and pin P 16  becomes short, and the parallel link device P can be extended. Pushing board P 30  is moved downward by gravity and the force of spring D 12  to automatically push against the bank notes to bias them against roller  9 .  
         [0048]    In this specification, “horizontal” and “vertical” are conveniently used, however the full advantages of the present invention are not limited by the drawings. For example, the first urging device can be structured for operation by only gravity.  
         [0049]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.