Ticket diverter module

A ticket diverter module for placement in a ticket handling system includes a housing having a transport passage for receiving a ticket from an adjacent transport module, and a diverter blade for selectively diverting the ticket to either one of an exit passage for return to a patron or a capture passage for discarding. An alternate embodiment includes an escrow control device for retaining the ticket in a holding position within the capture passage for inspection. A further embodiment includes a thermal cancel device for cancelling a ticket.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
The present application is directed to a modular unit that is part of a 
system covered by co-pending application Ser. No. 211,022 entitled 
"Modularized Ticket Handling System For Use In Automatic Ticket Processing 
System", by John B. Roes et al and filed Dec. 1, 1980. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to ticket handling systems and pertains 
particularly to a ticket diverter module for such systems. 
Automated ticket handling systems are becoming more prevalent throughout 
the world today. Such ticket handling systems are useful in conjunction 
with transportation systems, entertainment and sporting events, and 
banking and other similar operations. 
The utilization of automated equipment is becoming more popular in order to 
reduce labor costs involved in ticketing and the like, and to reduce 
losses due to theft and pilferage. In order to be feasible, such automated 
ticketing systems must be highly reliable, durable and easily repaired. 
The approach of the present invention to the problem of reliability and 
easy repair is the construction of systems in modular units that are 
quickly and easily removable and replaceable within the system. This 
approach is to separate the various functions involved in the system into 
separate and distinct functions performed by separate and distinct modular 
units. This quickly and easily isolates functional failures into modular 
units which can be quickly and easily removed and replaced to quickly 
correct the functional problem. 
It is also desirable that such units be as simple and inexpensive as 
possible. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved 
diverter module for a ticket handling system. 
In accordance with the primary aspect of the present invention a diverter 
module for a ticket handling system includes a ticket inlet passage with 
selective diverter means for selectively diverting a ticket to a selected 
one of an exit passage or a capture passage in response to predetermined 
signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning to FIG. 1 of the drawing a diverter module 10 is illustrated in a 
perspective view showing the unit from the ticket entry end and generally 
comprises a housing having a base mounting plate 12 with a plurality of 
mounting bores 14 for receiving quick release screws for mounting the unit 
to a wall panel or mounting plate (not shown). The unit is designed for 
detachably mounting on a wall panel of mounting plate adjacent to and in 
mechanical interfacing relation with an adjacent modular system unit such 
as a transport module 16. The ticket handling system is designed to 
include related modular units that quickly and easily detachably mount 
directly to a support panel plate for quick and easy detachable removal of 
the modular units. Each modular unit is interfaced with but not directly 
secured to adjacent units. This modularized construction permits the quick 
and easy removal of any one of the modular units independent of the 
remaining units and replacement thereof such that a defective unit may be 
quickly and easily replaced, and taken to a shop or maintenance station 
for repair and the like. 
As best seen in FIG. 2, the unit 10 interfaces with an adjacent transport 
module 16 for receiving a ticket therefrom. The unit comprises a base 
plate 12 as above described and a spaced apart end plate 18 having a 
plurality of plates mounted therebetween for defining a plurality of 
ticket passages to be described. 
As seen in FIG. 1, a ticket inlet opening designated generally by the 
numeral 20 is defined by spaced apart forwardly extending fingers formed 
at the forward edge of upper and lower plates 22 and 24. These fingers 
match with and interface with like fingers at the outlet of the transport 
passage of the transport module. This enables the unit to mechanically 
interface with, for receiving a ticket from, the transport module. 
A diverter plate 26 is mounted on a shaft in bearings in spaced apart 
aligned bores in the end plates 12 and 18 and is movable about its axis 
for approximately 15.degree. of oscillation for selectively directing a 
ticket to a selected one of two passages. An exit passage extends upward 
from the inlet 20 to the top of the unit for returning a ticket to a 
patron from the transport unit. A capture passage extends downward from 
the inlet 20 of the unit for capturing a ticket and holding it for escrow 
or for dumping it to a discard bin for used or defective tickets. 
The exit passage 25 opens upward and angles backward toward the back of the 
unit at an angle as will be seen in FIG. 5 to an outlet or exit opening 27 
at the upper edge of the unit. The unit will be housed within a housing or 
the like and a ticket will be returned to a patron at this outlet. The 
exit passage 25 is defined by the upper plate 22 which is detachably 
secured to a lower plate 28 with the lower plate 28 being mounted between 
the inner and outer side plates 12 and 18. An exit ticket drive or 
transport roller 30 is mounted on a rotatably shaft 32 which is rotatably 
mounted bearings in the side plates 12 and 18 and driven by a pulley 34. 
The transport roller 30 extends through an opening in the lower plate and 
into the exit passage 25 defined between the plates 22 and 28 for engaging 
the ticket therein. 
A pinch roller 36 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, is mounted on the upper plate 
22 by a spring biased bracket 38 and extends through an opening plate 22 
for engaging the drive roller and pinching a ticket therebetween. 
Ticket sensing means such as a light emitting diode LED 40 and a light 
sensing unit 42 are mounted on the upper and lower plates and sense the 
presence or passage of a ticket therebetween. These are connected in a 
control circuit not shown but shown and described in the aforementioned 
related application for controlling the transport module. 
The diverter plate 26 for diverting the ticket to the exit passage or the 
capture passage as seen in FIG. 3 of a generally pie shaped configuration 
and is formed or mounted on a shaft of the like, journaled in the end 
plates 12 and 18. The curved back portion of the plate 26 includes arcuate 
ridges therearound for extending into slots in the plate 28. Attached to 
the end of the shaft for selectively rotating the plate to its selective 
diverting positions is an arm 44 (FIG. 4) connected to an arm 46 of a 
clapper type solenoid 48. A spring 49 biases the arm 46 to a position for 
normally holding diverter 26 to the lower position (FIG. 5) for diverting 
a ticket to the exit passage. The solenoid is controlled by a signal from 
the transport unit for selectively rotating the diverter plate to its 
upper diverter position (FIG. 6). 
As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower passage or capture passage 51 is 
defined by plate 24 and a spaced apart plate 50, both of which curve from 
a position intersecting the diverter plate 26 at the top downward to a 
position for dumping a ticket into a discard container or the like. The 
plate 24 of the capture passage includes a plurality of fingers 53 which 
mesh with and cooperate with like fingers 55 at the end or outlet of the 
transport passage of the transport module. 
As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, a transport roller 52 for the capture 
passage is mounted on a shaft 54 journaled in the end plates 12 and 18 and 
driven by a pulley 56 from a common drive belt or chain 58 (FIG. 2) driven 
from the transport unit as shown in FIG. 2. This transport roller 52 
extends through an opening in the lower plate 24 into the capture passage 
for engaging and driving a ticket therein. 
A pinch or escrow roller 60 is mounted on an arm 62 and extends through an 
opening in the opposed plate 50 for selective engagement with the 
transport roller 52 for drivingly engaging a ticket therebetween. This 
pinch or escrow roller 60 as it may be called, is selectively actuated to 
the engaged position by means of a clapper solenoid 64 connected by arm 66 
and pin 68 as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, for selective movement 
into and out of engagement with the drive or transport roller 52. The 
escrow roller 60 is biased to a non-engaging position (FIG. 5) by means of 
a tension spring 70 (FIG. 4). 
Turning to FIG. 7, the unit can include a heat cancelling unit in the form 
of a pair of spaced apart heating elements or pads 70 for engaging the 
edges of a ticket and including resistance heaters 72 for heating the pads 
70. The heating pads 70 may preferably be mounted on a heat insulator (not 
shown) for insulating the heat from the remaining housing. A pair of 
fingers 74 are pivotally mounted on a shaft 76 and spring biased by a 
spring 78 into engagement with a ticket 79 for biasing the ticket into 
engagement with the thermal cancelling elements 70. 
As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the capture passage also includes ticket 
sensing means in the form of a light source such as a light emitting diode 
(LED 80) and a light sensing element 82 for sensing the light from the 
diode and any interruptions therein. Thus, a ticket passing between or 
situated between the LED 80 and the sensing element interrupts the light 
therebetween and such interruption is sensed by control means and a signal 
generated. 
The diverter unit as above described can be constructed without escrow, 
that is, without the feature of holding a ticket in the capture passage 
for subsequent inspection, with the escrow feature, and also with the 
thermal cancel feature. Thus, the unit can have either one or both of 
these modifications. 
In operation, the unit is disposed in interfacing cooperative relationship 
with a transport unit 16 as shown in FIG. 2 for receiving a ticket 
therefrom as shown in FIG. 5. The condition of the ticket is sensed or 
read and if the ticket is to be returned to the patron, no signal need be 
transmitted to the diverter unit. The ticket passes up the exit passage as 
shown in FIG. 5. If the ticket is to be retained, and a signal generated 
thereby is transmitted to and activates the control solenoid 48 of the 
diverter unit for shifting the diverter plate 26 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 
for diverting the ticket to the capture passage. 
Should the ticket be invalid or have insufficient fare, it will be diverted 
to the capture passage, either for depositing in the discard container or 
for holding in escrow for subsequent inspection. If the ticket is to be 
held in escrow, pinch roller 60 is left in the disengaged position (FIG. 
5) and the ticket will hang up in the curve between plates 24 and 50 out 
of engagement with drive roller 52. Upon engagement of the ticket between 
rollers 52 and 60 it will be driven by the normally rotating roller 52 
through the passage and out the lower end thereof. 
A suitable signal can be generated for the existence of a ticket to be 
inspected. For example, should the ticket require inspection, a suitable 
signal will be given that a ticket is held within the capture passage for 
inspection. Such action can be indicated a suitable signal such as an 
audible alarm or a light. Upon removal of the ticket, the unit can be 
reactivated and immediately put back in service. 
Should the ticket require cancelling, the thermal cancel elements 70 will 
be heated and the ticket passing therealong as in FIG. 7, will be biased 
into engagement with the thermal elements and the coding thereon suitably 
cancelled. 
Thus, while I have illustrated and described my invention by means of 
specific embodiments, it is to be understood that numerous changes and 
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.