Automated teller machine (ATM) having a sidecar and methods of supporting an ATM having a sidecar

An automated teller machine (ATM) comprises a safe enclosure in which ATM modules which require a relatively higher security level are housed. The ATM further comprises a first standard enclosure housing attached to a first side of the ATM, and in which ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level are housed. The ATM also comprises a support plate secured to bottom of the safe enclosure and to bottom of the first standard enclosure housing to structurally support both the safe enclosure and the first standard enclosure housing as a unit when the ATM is lifted and thereby to allow the ATM to be lifted without applying force to the first standard enclosure housing and thereby to prevent damage to the first standard enclosure housing.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to automated teller machines, and is particularly directed to an automated teller machine (ATM) having a sidecar and methods of supporting an ATM having a sidecar.

A typical ATM having a sidecar includes a safe enclosure and a standard enclosure housing (i.e., the sidecar) which is mounted to a side of the safe enclosure. The safe enclosure generally houses ATM modules which require a relatively higher security level, such as a bank note container or dispenser, for examples. The standard enclosure housing generally houses ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level, such as a printer or a coin module, for examples. The safe enclosure is structural, whereas the standard enclosure housing is non-structural. Accordingly, the safe enclosure provides the structural rigidity and strength needed for lifting, moving, and installing the ATM having the sidecar.

An ATM having a sidecar provides limited access to lifting by a fork of a forklift truck since the forklift should only approach the ATM from a side in which no sidecar is mounted so as to prevent damage to the sidecar. For an ATM having only one sidecar, a forklift truck should only approach the ATM unit from one of three sides (i.e., from the front, the back, or the side opposite to the side on which the sidecar is mounted). For an ATM having two sidecars, a forklift truck should only approach the ATM unit from one of two sides (i.e., from the front or the back). It would be desirable to provide an ATM having at least one sidecar with sufficient structural rigidity and strength to allow the ATM unit to be lifted by a forklift truck from any side without applying any force to sidecars.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an automated teller machine (ATM) comprises a safe enclosure in which ATM modules which require a relatively higher security level are housed, a first standard enclosure housing attached to a first side of the ATM, and in which ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level are housed, and a support plate secured to bottom of the safe enclosure and to bottom of the first standard enclosure housing to structurally support both the safe enclosure and the first standard enclosure housing as a unit when the ATM is lifted and thereby to allow the ATM to be lifted without applying force to the first standard enclosure housing and thereby to prevent damage to the first standard enclosure housing.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided of supporting an automated teller machine (ATM) having a safe enclosure and a first standard enclosure housing. The method comprises supporting bottom of the safe enclosure and bottom of the first standard enclosure housing with a single structural support plate which is secured to bottom of the safe enclosure to provide rigidity and strength to the safe enclosure and the first standard enclosure housing and thereby to enable the first standard enclosure housing to be lifted together with the safe enclosure as a unit when the ATM is lifted by a forklift.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, an automated teller machine (ATM) comprises a safe enclosure in which ATM modules which require a relatively higher security level are housed, a first standard enclosure housing attached to a first side of the ATM, and in which ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level are housed, and a second standard enclosure housing attached to a second side of the ATM which is opposite the first side of the ATM, and in which ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level are housed. The ATM further comprises a support plate secured to bottom of the safe enclosure, bottom of the first standard enclosure housing, and bottom of the second standard enclosure housing to structurally support the safe enclosure and the first and second standard enclosure housings as a unit when the ATM is lifted and thereby to allow the ATM to be lifted without applying force to the first and second standard enclosure housings and thereby to prevent damage to the first and second standard enclosure housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is particularly directed to an automated teller machine (ATM) having a sidecar and methods of supporting an ATM having a sidecar.

Referring toFIG. 1, an ATM100comprises a user interface102including a screen104, a keypad106, a card reader108, and a media dispenser110. Respective modules for these components are housed in a safe enclosure housing112of ATM100. Additional functionality is provided by way of an additional module housed in a standard enclosure housing114(i.e., a sidecar) mounted to the right-hand side of safe enclosure housing112. Sidecar114of ATM100is mounted in a front facing configuration with respect to user interface102. The additional module housed in sidecar114includes a receipt printing device116and a screen118. The additional module may include one or more of other such modules including, for example, a controller module, a customer display and/or keypad, a card read/write module, a printer module, a cash dispenser module, a journal printer module, and an operator panel module.

Referring toFIG. 2, a partial view of ATM100ofFIG. 1with parts removed is illustrated. Parts are removed to show a safe enclosure140located in safe enclosure housing112, a frame part130of sidecar114, and a frame part132for supporting user interface102and screen118, and a sidewall134. Each of frame part130and frame part132typically comprises sheet metal material. Safe enclosure140typically comprises heavy-duty metal material, such as cast iron, for example. Safe enclosure140generally houses ATM modules which require a relatively higher security level. Sidecar114generally houses ATM modules which require a relatively lower security level.

As shown inFIG. 2, example structural support plate160includes a plurality of openings162through which a corresponding plurality of threaded bolts164can be fastened to bottom of safe enclosure140. The pattern of openings162, as shown inFIG. 2, is only an example pattern. It is conceivable that other opening patterns, or any combination of opening patterns, may be used. Support plate160has a size which covers substantially the entire bottom area of safe enclosure140and substantially the entire bottom area of sidecar114.

The plurality of threaded bolts164may be fastened at any combination of a number of different locations on bottom of safe enclosure140. For example, each of threaded bolts164may be fastened in a tapped hole which extends through bottom of safe enclosure140. In this example, each of threaded bolts164would protrude slightly into interior of safe enclosure140. In the case of bottom of safe enclosure140being made of concrete material, threaded inserts would be used.

As another example, each of threaded bolts164may be fastened in a tapped hole which does not extend through bottom of safe enclosure140. In this example, the tapped hole may be at any combination of a number of different locations on bottom of safe enclosure140. For examples, the tapped hole may be at a bottom wall location which is in vertical alignment with an exterior sidewall of safe enclosure140, or at a bottom wall location which is in vertical alignment with an interior wall of enclosure140, or at a bottom wall location which is a reinforced bottom wall portion of safe enclosure140. In the case of bottom of safe enclosure140being made of concrete material, threaded inserts would be used.

Support plate160may comprise material made of aluminum, for example. As another example, material of support plate160may be made of steel. Other types of materials or combinations of materials are possible. Thickness of support plate160depends upon the material of support plate160and the specified weight it needs to support. Material and thickness of the material of support plate160are selected such that support plate160is sufficiently strong enough to support the ATM100including safe enclosure140and sidecar114without bending.

Referring toFIG. 3, a fork of a forklift truck (not shown) lifts ATM100having sidecar114(FIG. 1) and places the ATM unit onto a forklift pallet170. Pallet170includes a flat surface172and a number of jackscrews174which extend through flat surface172. Structure and operation of jackscrews used in forklift pallets are known.

Pallet170further includes a number of cushion pads176which are disposed on flat surface172. Cushion pads176may comprise wooden blocks made out of either oriented strand board or plywood. Each of cushion pads176may have a height of about 54 mm, for example. Cushion pads176are positioned relative to each other such that they are aligned with the plurality of threaded bolts164(FIG. 2) which are fastened through support plate160to bottom of safe enclosure140. Cushion pads176protect the plurality threaded bolts164when the ATM unit is placed on pallet170. Pallet170has known standard construction and, therefore, will not be further described.

Another embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. Since the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5is generally similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, similar numerals are utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “a” being associated with the embodiment ofFIGS. 4 and 5to avoid confusion.

As shown inFIG. 4, a partial view of an ATM having two sidecars with parts removed is illustrated. Parts are removed to show a safe enclosure140a, a frame part130aof a first sidecar, a frame part150of a second sidecar, and a frame part132afor supporting a user interface and screen (both not shown). Each of frame part130a, frame part150, and frame part132atypically comprises sheet metal material. Safe enclosure140atypically comprises heavy-duty metal material, such as cast iron, for example.

Example structural support plate160aincludes a plurality of openings162athrough which a corresponding plurality of threaded bolts164acan be fastened to bottom of safe enclosure140a. The pattern of openings162a, as shown inFIG. 4, is only an example pattern. It is conceivable that other opening patterns, or any combination of opening patterns, may be used. Support plate160ahas a size which covers substantially the entire bottom area of safe enclosure140aand substantially the entire bottoms of both sidecars.

The plurality of threaded bolts164amay be fastened at any combination of a number of different locations on bottom of safe enclosure140a. For example, each of threaded bolts164amay be fastened in a tapped hole which extends through bottom of safe enclosure140a. In this example, each of threaded bolts164awould protrude slightly into interior of safe enclosure140a. In the case of bottom of safe enclosure140abeing made of concrete material, threaded inserts would be used.

As another example, each of threaded bolts164amay be fastened in a tapped hole which does not extend through bottom of safe enclosure140a. In this example, the tapped hole may be at any combination of a number of different locations on bottom of safe enclosure140a. For examples, the tapped hole may be at a bottom wall location which is in vertical alignment with an exterior sidewall of safe enclosure140a, or at a bottom wall location which is in vertical alignment with an interior wall of enclosure140a, or at a bottom wall location which is a reinforced bottom wall portion of safe enclosure140a. In the case of bottom of safe enclosure140abeing made of concrete material, threaded inserts would be used.

Support plate160amay comprise material made of aluminum, for example. As another example, material of support plate160amay be made of steel. Other types of materials or combinations of materials are possible. Thickness of support plate160adepends upon the material of support plate160aand the specified weight it needs to support. Material and thickness of the material of support plate160aare selected such that support plate160ais sufficiently strong enough to support the ATM including safe enclosure140aand sidecar114awithout bending.

As shown inFIG. 5, a fork of a forklift truck (not shown) lifts the ATM having the two sidecars and places the ATM unit onto a forklift pallet170a. Pallet170aincludes a flat surface172aand a number of jackscrews174awhich extends through flat surface172a. Structure and operation of jackscrews used in forklift pallets are known.

Pallet170afurther includes a number of cushion pads176awhich are disposed on flat surface172a. Cushion pads176amay comprise wooden blocks made out of either oriented strand board or plywood. Each of cushion pads176amay have a height of about 54 mm, for example. Cushion pads176aare positioned relative to each other such that they are aligned with the plurality of threaded bolts164a(FIG. 4) which are fastened to bottom of safe enclosure140a. Cushion pads176aprotect the plurality threaded bolts164awhen the ATM unit is placed on pallet170a. Pallet170ahas known standard construction and, therefore, will not be further described.

As is known, ATM units which have relatively smaller safe enclosures may have larger footprints and may be bulkier than ATM units which have relatively larger safe enclosures. With their larger and bulkier footprints, the ATM units with relatively smaller safe enclosures have more limited access to lifting by a forklift truck. A support plate, such as support plate160,160adescribed hereinabove, provides a relatively larger surface area against which a fork of a forklift truck can be applied to lift the ATM unit and place the ATM unit onto pallet170,170a. Support plate160,160aeffectively provides additional lifting areas other than that of safe enclosure140,140afor lifting the ATM unit. Accordingly, support plate160,160aprovides the structural rigidity and strength to allow these ATM units with relatively smaller safe enclosures to be more easily accessed by a forklift truck for lifting, moving, and installing thereof.

It should be apparent that support plate160,160aprovides an ATM having at least one sidecar with sufficient rigidity and strength such that the ATM unit can be lifted with a forklift truck from any side of the ATM unit without applying force to a sidecar. Forces applied to support plate160,160ain area of a sidecar are transferred to safe enclosure140,140a. Support plate160,160areduces risk of a fork of a forklift truck damaging a sidecar when the forklift truck approaches the ATM unit from the side of a sidecar. Accordingly, support plate160,160aprevents damage to a sidecar as the ATM unit is lifted, moved, and installed.

Although the above description describes structural support plate160,160aas having all of the above-described features, it is conceivable that the may have any combination of the features. It is also conceivable that the above-described structural support plate160,160abe provided in an ATM having at least one sidecar of any style and size.

Also, although the above description describes support plate160,160aas having a size which covers substantially the entire bottom one or more sidecars, it is conceivable that support plate160,160amay have a size in which outer edges of support plate160,160aare recessed from outer edges of a sidecar by only a small amount. By recessing outer edges of support plate160,160afrom outer edges of a sidecar by a small amount, support plate160,160amay not be visible to an ATM customer using the ATM unit to conduct an ATM transaction.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of example processes and system components, and while the various processes and components have been described in detail, applicant does not intend to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will also readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broadest aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, implementations, or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.