Testing device for bank notes

A testing device for bank notes, or similar instruments of payment in sheet form for automatic vending machines, has a testing channel (20) with a transport device (7) and scanning devices for recognizing and checking the authenticity of the bank note (3). An input channel (2) of variable width is in front of the testing channel (20). The input channel (2) includes two channel halves (21), one on either side of the longitudinal center axis (22) of the input channel (2). The two channel halves (21) can be adjusted synchronously against the force of a spring. In their contact position, the channel halves (21) determine the minimum width of the channel, and in their separated end position they determine the maximum width. A bank note (3) of any type is introduced into the input channel (2) at its locked maximum channel width as far as a passage detector (19) arranged in a starting region of the testing channel (20). The passage detector (19) unlocks the channel halves (21), as a result of which the side walls (23) of the channel halves (21) are pressed by the force of a spring against the bank note (3) and align it centrally with the testing channel (20).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a testing device for bank notes or similar legal 
tender in sheet form for automatic vending machines, the testing device 
being of the type which includes a transporting device and a testing 
channel equipped with scanning devices for recognizing and checking the 
authenticity of the bank note, the testing channel being preceded by an 
input channel having an adjustable width. 
DE 2,747,795.A1 already discloses a document reader in which the 
positioning of the document during passage through the transporting 
channel relative to the transporting elements is set as a function of the 
width of the document. In other words, the transporting means 
characterized by rollers are stationary but the positioning of the 
document during transport is determined by adjustment means which set the 
position relative to the transporting means as a function of the width of 
the document. The transporting channel of the document reader through 
which the documents are guided during the scanning process is equipped 
with an adjustable side wall for a determination of either certain widths 
of the transporting channel or a width range for operation with documents 
of any desired width within this range. The scanning unit of the document 
reader may be preceded by an input unit, with adjustment elements for the 
channel width being provided in the input unit and in the scanning unit. 
The adjustment elements for the width of the transporting channel in the 
scanning unit here respond in their width setting as a function of the 
position of the width setting elements of the input unit. Thus separate 
width adjustment elements are required for the channel of the input unit 
and for the channel of the scanning unit which is extremely expensive from 
a manufacturing point of view. Since the width setting of the channels is 
effected in each case by changing the position of a movable side wall 
relative to a fixed side wall, the position of the longitudinal center 
axis of the channels changes correspondingly. Such a displacement of the 
longitudinal center axis of the channel of the scanning unit as a function 
of the width of the document to be checked is a drawback insofar as, for 
the checking of bank notes which generally have the same identifying marks 
at the same distance from their longitudinal center axis regardless of 
their width, a number of scanning devices corresponding to the number of 
different widths must be used for the same identifying feature on several 
bank notes of different widths. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the object of the invention to provide a testing device of the above 
mentioned type which overall has a simple and compact structure and 
permits accurate input of bank notes of different widths in a centrally 
aligned longitudinal direction toward and into a testing channel. 
This is accomplished by the invention in that 
the input channel is composed of two channel halves that are separated 
along the longitudinal center axis of the input channel and are adjustable 
in parallel and in synchronism against the force of a spring; 
in their contacting position, the channel halves define the minimum channel 
width and in their separated end position they define the maximum channel 
width; 
the introduction of each bank note into the input channel, when the maximum 
channel width is locked in, is effected up to a passage detector disposed 
in the starting region of the testing channel; and 
the passage detector causes the locking of the channel halves to be 
released so that the side walls of the channel halves place themselves 
against the bank note under the force of the spring and align the note so 
that it is centered in the middle of the testing channel. 
The significant advantage realized by the invention is the precisely flush 
alignment of the longitudinal center axes of bank notes of different 
widths that are introduced longitudinally into the input channel with the 
longitudinal center axis of the testing channel. Consequently, a width 
adjustment of the testing channel is unnecessary which, on the one hand, 
results in a relatively simple configuration and, on the other hand, 
permits the simultaneous use of certain measuring locations of the 
scanning device for bank notes of different widths. Due to the synchronous 
parallel adjustment of the channel halves of the input channel between the 
minimum channel width and the maximum channel width, each bank note of any 
desired width falling within the above-mentioned channel width range can 
have its longitudinal center aligned to coincide with the center of the 
testing channel. 
In order to realize an automatic adjustment of the testing device for the 
checking of bank notes of a given width, an advantageous feature of the 
invention couples the synchronous adjustment of the channel halves with a 
measuring device for detecting the width of the bank notes by means of 
which an appropriate bank note checking program dependent on the width of 
the bank notes can be activated in the scanning devices. 
In order to realize a structurally simple operation of the channel halves 
of the input channel, the channel halves, according to an advantageous 
modification of the invention, are in operative connection with a lever 
bar assembly which, by way of a control disc coupled with a drive motor by 
means of a worm gear, can be charged to effect the proper adjustment of 
the channel halves. 
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the channel halves, 
which have a U-shaped cross section, are guided so as to be slidably 
movable, by way of bearings shaped onto their upper faces, on three 
equidistant transverse shafts that are held in oppositely disposed 
supporting walls. This results in an accurately parallel guidance of the 
channel halves. 
Advisably the center transverse shaft is provided in its center with a 
bearing pin for accommodating a three-armed angle lever of the lever bar 
assembly whose flush lever arms are articulated to the oppositely disposed 
longitudinal sides of the channel halves and whose rectangularly angled 
lever arm accommodates a pin at its end. Due to the action of a tension 
spring connected with this lever arm and the rear transverse axis, this 
pin lies in force locking contact at the free ends of an adjustment rod of 
the lever bar assembly. Thus a synchronous parallel displacement of the 
channel halves relative to one another is provided by simple means. 
Advisably, the free end region of the adjustment rod is here held in a pin 
guide that engages in a long hole or slot and is articulated at its other 
end to a two-sided lever which is pivotal about a bearing pin disposed in 
the longitudinal center axis of the testing channel. The free end of this 
lever, which is configured as a cam, lies against the control disc. 
Moreover, the control disc and the worm wheel of the worm gear are here 
preferably connected with one another so that they rotate together and are 
rotatably mounted on a common shaft. 
In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention 
the transporting device for the bank notes includes a drive motor whose 
direction of rotation can be reversed for driving two endless toothed 
belts that are parallel to one another at a defined distance and which 
rest on pairs of rollers that are arranged within the width of the path of 
the bank notes in the region of the testing channel. The rollers are each 
opposed, in the direction of movement of the bank notes, by a spring 
tensioned pressure roller or runner, with the front pressure rollers or 
runners that directly face the input channel being removable from the 
toothed belts under positive control against the force of the spring. This 
makes it possible to insert a bank note, if the front pressure rollers or 
runners are lifted away, and push it manually into the intake region of 
the testing channel and then, after the front contact rollers or runners 
have been lowered, let the forced transport of the bank note through the 
testing channel by means of the transporting device begin. 
In order to obtain a structurally simple embodiment of the adjustment of 
the front pressure rollers, an advantageous feature of the invention 
provides that the axes of the front pressure rollers and pins shaped 
laterally to the runners, in order to properly control their height 
adjustment, are in operative connection, by way of a spring-tensioned 
lever arrangement, with a cam disc which is fastened to and rotates with 
the control disc that charges the channel halves, the cam disc being 
rotatably mounted on the shaft of the worm wheel of the worm gear drive. 
Advisably the lever arrangement includes two flat levers that are 
longitudinally displaceable on the oppositely disposed side walls of the 
testing device and are each provided with a cam track that is associated 
with the shaft of the corresponding front pressure roller and with one of 
the pins of the front runners, respectively. At their ends opposite the 
cam track, the flat levers are each provided with an indentation into 
which engage the diametral arms of a three-armed pivot lever that is 
charged by the cam disc. Additionally it is preferably provided that the 
three-armed pivot lever is mounted on the bearing pin disposed in the 
longitudinal center axis of the testing channel and its cam arm, which is 
angled away from the diametral arms, rests against the cam disc due to the 
action of a tension spring that acts on the respective arm. 
In order to monitor the adjustment of the channel halves of the input 
channel and the front pressure rollers or runners in a further 
advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, a 
spring tensioned two-armed lever is supported on the bearing pin 
accommodating the three-armed pivot lever of the lever arrangement and the 
two-sided lever of the lever bar assembly. This two-armed lever 
cooperates, on the one hand, with a cam disc that is coupled with the 
drive motor and, on the other hand, with the forks of two fork couplers 
that generate positioning pulses. Advisably the end of the two-armed lever 
facing the cam disc is here configured as a cam which, due to the action 
of a tension spring extending between an angled portion of the two-armed 
lever and a pin disposed at the upper wall of the testing device, lies 
against the cam disc. The cam disc is fastened to the worm wheel of the 
worm gear so as to rotate together with it and is also rotatably supported 
on the shaft of the worm wheel. 
In order to easily determine the opening width of the channel halves of the 
input channel when a bank note of a certain width is inserted, the 
measuring device for determining the width of the bank notes includes, as 
an advantageous feature of the invention, a disc equipped with a ring of 
perforations. The ring of perforations, which is arranged at an angle to 
the disc, moves in the forks of two fork couplers that are arranged with 
an offset of 90.degree. to one another and generate positioning pulses. 
The disc with the ring of perforations supports a toothed wheel that 
meshes with a toothed ring segment that is connected with the angle lever 
for making adjustments to the channel halves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The bank note testing device 1, which is arranged in a horizontal position, 
is preceded by an input channel 2 for a bank note 3. The outlet of testing 
device 1 is directly followed by a 90.degree. transfer guide 4 for a bank 
note 3 leaving testing device 1 for guiding bank note 3 to a stacking 
device 5 that is attached in a vertical position. Stacking device 5 is 
disposed opposite the charging opening of a bank note stack container 6 
which in its interior is provided with a spring-tensioned plate. The 
transport of bank note 3 in its longitudinal format through testing device 
1 over the 90.degree. transfer guide 4 into the stackable position between 
stacking device 5 and the charging opening of stack container 6 takes 
place by way of a transporting device 7 that includes two endless toothed 
belts 8 extending parallel to one another at a certain distance. Toothed 
belts 8 are placed onto pairs of reversal rollers 9 in the intake region 
of testing device 1, intermediate roller 10 in the discharge region of 
testing device 1, deflection rollers 11 and 12 of transfer guide 4, 
supporting rollers 13 in the upper region of stacking device 5 and 
non-illustrated drive rollers which are coupled by way of a worm gear with 
a reversible rotation drive motor, with all rollers being mounted on 
shafts that are held in side walls 14. Moreover, four spring-tensioned 
pressure rollers 15 are fastened to side walls 14; they lie against the 
toothed belts 8 in the region of the pairs of reversal rollers 9 and 
intermediate rollers 10. The bank note 3 is thus gripped and carried by 
pressure rollers 15 in cooperation with toothed belts 8. The shaft 16 of 
each pressure roller 15 is held in a pivotally movable holder 17 that is 
fastened in the associated side wall 14, with the respective series 
arranged holders 17 being charged by a common wire spring 18 in the 
direction toward toothed belts 8. 
In order to determine the presence of a bank note 3 in testing device 1, a 
passage detector 19 that is coupled with a switching device is disposed 
behind the front pressure roller 15 in the path of movement of bank note 
3. Moreover, testing device 1 is equipped with scanning devices associated 
in a known manner with testing channel 20, which are not illustrated in 
detail, for checking the authenticity of a bank note 3. 
Input channel 2 is composed of two channel halves 21 that have a U-shaped 
cross section and can be moved back and forth in parallel and in 
synchronism relative to the longitudinal center axis 22 of input channel 
2. In the contact position of channel halves 21, produced by spring force, 
these channel halves define the minimum channel width of the input channel 
while the separated, lockable end position with the channel halves 21 
being moved apart against the spring force defines the maximum channel 
width of input channel 2. If input channel 2 is locked in the maximum 
channel width, a bank note 3 is pushed manually through input channel 2 up 
to passage detector 19, which then sends a signal to the switching device 
that in turn initiates the release of the lock of channel halves 21 so 
that, due to the spring force, the interior faces of side walls 23 of 
channel halves 21 place themselves against the longitudinal sides of the 
bank note and thus align its longitudinal center axis precisely with the 
longitudinal center axis 24 of testing channel 20. 
In order to control the sequence of movements of channel halves 21, a 
spring tensioned lever bar assembly 25 is provided that is connected with 
the channel halves and can be actuated by means of a control disc or cam 
26 that is connected to rotate together with the worm wheel 27 of a worm 
gear 29 coupled with a drive motor 28. Control cam 26 and worm wheel 27 
are mounted so as to rotate on a common shaft 31 that is held at the upper 
wall 30 of testing device 1. The drive motor 28, whose shaft carries a 
worm 32 that meshes with worm wheel 27, is also fastened to upper wall 30. 
In the form of a cam follower 33, the free end of a two-sided lever 34 
lies against control cam 26. This lever 34 is rotatably held on a bearing 
pin 35 that lies in the longitudinal center axis 24 of testing channel 20 
and is fastened to upper wall 30. An adjustment rod 36 articulated to 
lever 34 extends up to channel halves 21 and is held above channel halves 
21 by a pin guide 38 that engages in a long hole or slot 37 and whose pin 
39 is fastened to upper wall 30. The free end of adjustment rod 36 
cooperates with a three-armed angle lever 40 which is coupled with channel 
halves 21. On their upper faces, channel halves 21 are provided with 
shaped-on bearings 41 by means of which channel halves 21 are guided so as 
to slidably move on three equidistant transverse shafts 42. Supporting 
walls 43 fastened opposite one another to upper wall 30 accommodate 
transverse shafts 42. The middle transverse shaft 42 is provided with a 
pin 44 in its center, on which angle lever 40 is pivotally mounted. The 
mutually flush lever arms 45 of angle lever 40 are connected by way of 
pins 46 with diametrally oppositely disposed bearing brackets 47 that are 
shaped onto the mutually facing longitudinal sides of channel halves 21. A 
lever arm 48 whose end carries a pin 49 branches off at a right angle from 
the mutually flush lever arms 45 of angle lever 40. Due to the action of a 
tension spring 50 connected with lever arm 48 and the rear transverse 
shaft 42, this pin 49 lies against the free end of adjustment rod 36. 
Control cam 26 is thus designed in such a way that, if a bank note 3 is 
introduced into the input channel, channel halves 21 take on the locked 
maximum channel width setting shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The locking of 
channel halves 21 is then released by actuation of drive motor 28 by way 
of passage detector 19. 
In order to securely grip bank note 3 in the intake region of testing 
channel 20, the front, spring tensioned pressure rollers 15 may be lifted 
from toothed belts 8 under a positive control and then lowered again. For 
this purpose, the shafts 16 of the front pressure rollers 15 are in 
operative connection by way of a spring tensioned lever arrangement 51 
with a cam 52 which is fastened to rotate with control cam 26 and is 
mounted on common shaft 31. The shafts 16 of the front pressure rollers 
extend outwardly through corresponding notches in the side walls 14 and 
are here each supported at a cam track 54 that is formed in a flat lever 
53. The flat levers 53, which are held to be longitudinally displaceable 
on the exterior faces of side walls 14, are provided with an indentation 
55 on the side opposite cam track 54 into which engage the diametral arms 
57 of the three-armed pivot lever 58 that extend through respective long 
holes or slots 56 in side walls 14. Pivot lever 58 is likewise mounted on 
bearing pin 35 and its cam follower arm 59, which is angled away from the 
diametral arms 57, lies under spring tension against cam 52. Between a pin 
60 fastened to upper wall 30 and the corresponding arm 57 of pivot lever 
58, there extends a tension spring 61. Cam 52 is designed in such a way 
that, with the input channel locked at its maximum width, the cams tracks 
54 of flat levers 53 lift the front pressure rollers 15 away from toothed 
belts 8. Only if the centering of the bank note 3 in its longitudinal 
center has been completed by the unlocked channel halves 21, are the front 
pressure rollers 15 released by the cam 52, which is charged by drive 
motor 28, and by the associated lever arrangement 51 so that, because of 
the action of wire springs 18, they press bank note 3 against toothed 
belts 8 and thus ensure reliable transport of bank note 3. 
In order to monitor the motion sequence of channel halves 21 and of front 
pressure rollers 15, a two-armed lever 62 is provided which is pivotally 
mounted on bearing pin 35 and cooperates, on the one hand, by way of a 
bend 63 with two juxtaposed fork couplers 64 and 65 and, on the other 
hand, by way of a cam follower 66, with a cam 67. Cam 67 is connected so 
as to rotate together with worm wheel 27, which rotates in the direction 
of arrow 68. An angled portion 69 branches off from lever 62 and is 
coupled by way of a tension spring 70 with pin 60. In the locked position 
of the channel halves 21 of input channel 2, the bend 63 of lever 62 is 
disposed outside of fork couplers 64 and 65. As soon as the alignment of 
bank note 3 to its longitudinal center has been completed by the unlocked 
channel halves 21, lever 62 drops into fork coupler 64, which forwards a 
corresponding information signal to the switching device. As soon as the 
front pressure rollers 15 have been lowered, lever 62 drops into fork 
coupler 65 so that the switching device receives a signal for startling 
transporting device 7. In order to permit the return of an unacceptable 
bank note, the channel halves again take up their locked position, with 
lever 62 again engaging in fork coupler 64 and there giving a 
corresponding signal to the switching device. Thereafter, the front 
pressure rollers are raised again, which is reported to the switching 
device by lever 62 exiting from fork coupler 64. 
The detection of the width of the bank note is effected by way of a 
measuring device 71 which is coupled with the synchronous adjustment of 
channel halves 21 of input channel 2. Corresponding to the detected width 
of the inserted bank note, the measuring device initiates an associated 
testing program for the scanning devices, that is, the width of the bank 
note as determined by the measuring device determines the testing program 
that is applicable for this bank note. Measuring device 71 includes a disc 
72 equipped with a ring of perforations 73 which is placed at an angle to 
the disc. Ring of perforations 73 moves in the forks of two fork couplers 
74 that are offset by 90.degree. relative to one another and generate 
positioning pulses while additionally permitting the detection of the 
direction of rotation of the disc 72 equipped with the ring of 
perforations. A toothed wheel 76 is connected with perforation disc 72, 
which is mounted to rotate concentrically with it on shaft 75; this 
toothed wheel 76 meshes with a toothed ring segment 77. This toothed ring 
segment 77 is a component of angle lever 40 for the adjustment of channel 
halves 21. The translatory movement of channel halves 21 is thus converted 
to a rotational movement of perforation disc 72 from which results the 
path traversed by channel halves 21. 
The invention has been described and illustrated above with reference to a 
preferred embodiment thereof and selected features. Of course, the 
invention is not limited to this illustration. Instead all features may be 
employed alone or in any desired combination, also independently of their 
combination in the claims.