Note receptacle for currency validator

A note receptacle for currency validators is presented which is capable of receiving notes of two distinct widths, while offering both such notes to the validator in proper registration for testing. The invention includes two distinct note paths, one beneath the other, which note paths blend together into a final note path which communicates directly to the slot of a currency validator. Side rails are provided along each note path for purposes of alignment and registration.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention herein resides in the art of apparatus for receiving and 
determining the authenticity of currency, securities, notes, drafts, and 
the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a receptacle for 
receiving the currency or documents to be validated, which receptacle is 
adapted for accommodating papers of various widths. The invention is 
adapted for implementation with validators which utilize slot acceptors, 
in which the paper to be validated is inserted in a slot and then 
transported to or through a testing station. The invention is uniquely 
adapted for inclusion with a universal type of security validator such as 
the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 085,394, filed Oct. 
16, 1979, for "SECURITY VALIDATOR,", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,656 which 
application has been assigned to Ardac, Inc., of Eastlake, Ohio, the 
assignee of the instant invention. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Apparatus for receiving and determining the authenticity of papers such as 
securities, stocks, bonds, notes, and the like have been known for many 
years. Typically, such security validators have been of either the tray 
acceptor type, in which the security is deposited in a tray for transport 
to a testing station, or the slot acceptor type, in which the paper is 
inserted into a slot and transported by rollers to the testing station. A 
universal slot acceptor is taught in the aforementioned U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 085,394, for "SECURITY VALIDATOR." Such a device is 
considered universal in that it utilizes a programmable microprocessor to 
allow the security validator to be adapted for use in determining the 
authenticity of a large variety of documents. For example, the 
microprocessor may be programmed to conduct tests on various denominations 
of United States currency, while it may be similarly programmed for 
receiving and testing the authenticity of currencies of various foreign 
countries. The microprocessor allows the hardware of the security 
validator to remain substantially fixed, irrespective of the particular 
currency to be validated. In principle, changes need only be made to the 
software of the system, defining the tests peculiar to a particular 
denomination of the currency of the particular country in which the 
validator is to be used. Accordingly, a single structure has been 
developed for worldwide use, with software changes being made as a 
function of the country in which each specific apparatus is to be placed. 
Applicants have found that, throughout the world, while currencies are of 
somewhat standard sizes, currency width does vary from country to country, 
and from denomination to denomination within a given country. Utilizing a 
slot of fixed width to receive the note requires that the slot be of 
sufficient width to accommodate the widest note which might possibly be 
introduced to the validator. In such case, the slot must be of sufficient 
width that when narrower pieces of currency are introduced, there is a 
significant likelihood that the note will be received at the test station 
out of registry, or misaligned, with the testing circuitry, lamps, 
reticles, sensors, and the like. The result is erroneous rejections of 
valid currency. The validator then gives the appearance of being 
inaccurate and unreliable when, in fact, the problem is merely the result 
of misalignment of the offered paper with the test apparatus. 
To overcome the problem of misregistration, the validator of the 
aforementioned copending patent application might be provided with slots 
of widths determined by the widths of the various currency to be 
introduced to the particular apparatus. However, such provision defeats 
the concept of a universal slot acceptor and validator, since substantial 
hardware changes would be required as a function of system application. As 
a result, the benefits sought to be obtained by a universal validator, 
would be defeated. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
In light of the foregoing, a first aspect of the invention is the provision 
of a note receptacle for a currency validator which includes a plurality 
of tracks of different widths feeding to the slot of the acceptor. 
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a note receptacle for a 
currency validator wherein plural tracks are fed to a single slot, which 
tracks have a common centerline for properly receiving a paper and 
presenting it to a test station. 
Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a note receptacle 
for a currency validator which is readily adaptable for inclusion with 
presently existing slot acceptors. 
Yet an additional aspect of the invention is the provision of a note 
receptacle for a currency validator which is simplistic in concept and 
construction, while being accurate, reliable, and durable in operation. 
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent 
as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a note receptacle for 
a currency validator, comprising: top and bottom plates having first ends 
in spaced-apart, parallel relationship with each other, and defining a 
passageway therebetween; and side rails connected to said top and bottom 
plates along lateral edges thereof, said side rails defining plural widths 
of said passageway at second ends of said top and bottom plates.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, it can 
be seen that a note receptacle according to the invention is designated 
generally by the numeral 10. A back plate 12 is provided with holes 14 at 
each end thereof for allowing the receptacle 10 to be affixed to a slot 
acceptor-type of currency validator, the receptacle 10 being placed over 
the slot and in communication therewith. 
Connected to and extending from the back plate 12 is a top plate 20 and a 
bottom plate 22, the same defining a passage 18 therebetween. Plates 20,22 
may be characterized by tines or fingers 16 extending from the back edges 
thereof. The tines 16 are received within the slot of the slot acceptor 
and are provided for the purpose of mating with complementary fingers or 
tines within the slot to obtain secured registered placement of the 
receptacle 10 with respect to the slot of the validator. 
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided an intermediate plate 
24 between the plates 20,22. As best shown in FIG. 2, the passage 26 
between the plates 20,24 is a straight passage communicating directly in 
line with the passage 18. The passage 28, defined between the plates 
22,24, inclines upwardly to communication with the passage 18. For this 
reason, the intermediate plate 24 terminates at the inclined portion of 
the plate 22 and is beveled or tapered as at 30 on the same angle as the 
incline of the plate 22 at that area such that the passage 28 is of 
uniform height. The top back edge portion of the plate 24 is also 
preferably chamferred, as at 31, such that papers being returned from the 
validator slot will easily ride up over and be returned along the plate 24 
without fear of catching bent or turned edges or the like. It will be 
appreciated that, irrespective of the path taken by the paper for entry to 
the slot of the validator, returns will be made along the straight and 
widest path 26. 
Side rails 32 define the width of the upper passage 26 between the plates 
20,24. The side rails 32 may be provided with leading edges which are 
tapered inwardly as at 34 to facilitate entry and positioning of the 
currency offered through the passage 26 along the top of the intermediate 
plate 24. In similar fashion, side rails 36 are provided in 
interconnection between the bottom plate 22 and intermediate plate 24 to 
define the width of the passage 28. Again, tapered leading edges 38 are 
provided to facilitate reception and positioning of the paper offered to 
the validator. 
As will be seen from FIG. 1, the spacing of the side rails 32 is wider than 
that of the side rails 36, such that the passage 26 is wider than the 
passage 28. Typically, the passage 18 would be of the same width as the 
passage 26. Accordingly, denominations of a first width may be offered 
through the passage 26, while denominations of a narrower width may be 
tendered to the passage 28. In either event, the paper tendered is passed 
through the passage 18 and to the slot acceptor in proper registration for 
receipt at the test station. 
With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the invention 
may be seen as designated generally by the numeral 40. Again, the note 
receptacle 40 includes a back plate 42 having holes 44 therein for 
securing engagement with the slot acceptor. Tines 46 are also provided for 
proper secured alignment between the receptacle 40 and the validator slot. 
A passage 48 is defined between an upper plate 50 and a lower plate 52, 
the lower plate 52 having an arcuate inclined portion beneath the front 
edge of the top plate 50. Side rails 54 define the width of the bottom 
plate 52, which plate is adapted for receiving papers of a narrow width. 
In similar fashion, side rails 56 are provided in engagement with the top 
plate 50 for defining a passage for wider notes or pieces of currency. The 
top portion 58 of the side rails 54 helps to define a track for such wider 
pieces of currency, the track 58 leading directly into the top surface of 
the lower plate 52, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Again, the leading edge 
of the side rails 56 may be tapered as at 60 to facilitate insertion and 
reception of the currency being tendered. 
It will thus be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4 that a narrow note may be 
placed between the side rails 54, moved upwardly across the inclined 
portion of the bottom plate 52, and through the passage 48 for registered 
reception by the slot acceptor. In similar fashion, a wider note may be 
placed on the tracks 58, between the side rails 56 and tendered to the 
passage 48 for registered receipt by the slot acceptor. 
It should now be apparent that the receptacles 10,40 provide means for 
adapting a universal slot acceptor to receive currency and the like of 
various widths by simple application of the receptacle adapters disclosed 
herein. With the main structure of the universal slot acceptor remaining 
constant, the acceptor may be adapted for use in virtually any country by 
the implementation of software programming and the application of an 
appropriate receptacle adapter 10,40. 
Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied 
by the structure presented hereinabove. The invention allows the 
presentation of at least two distinct widths of notes or pieces of 
currency to a slot acceptor-type of currency validator, with both widths 
being received by the validator in fixed, predetermined registration for 
testing. While only the best mode and preferred embodiments of the 
invention have been presented and described in detail, it will be 
understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. 
Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the 
invention, reference should be had to the following claims.