CARTRIDGE FOR AUTOMATIC BANK NOTE DISPENSERS

Abstract: The present invention refers to an exchangeable cartridge-type cash box for automatic bank note dispensers or similar apparatuses into which bank notes are entered, comprising a closed box formed with a larger opening which may be closed by means of a lockable main door, and with a smaller opening for automatic insertion of bank notes when the cash box cartridge is connected to a dispenser. The invention refers particularly to a cash box (7) which comprises a covering panel (12) to close the bank-note insertion opening (11), said cash box (7) arranged to allow removal of said cash box from a dispenser only when the covering panel (12) is in its closed position.

Description: CARTRIDGE FOR AUTOMATIC BANK NOTE DISPENSERS Technical Field The present invention relates to an exchangeable cartridge-type cash box for automatic bank note dispensers or similar apparatuses into which bank notes are entered, comprising a closed box formed with a larger opening which may be closed by means of a main lockable door, and with a smaller opening for automatic insertion of bank notes when the cash box cartridge is connected to the dispenser. Background Many types of automatic dispensers exist by means of which payment may be made by insertion thereinto of bank notes, such as petrol dispensers, exchange machines, coffee machines, and so on. In these machines, the bank notes are entered by means of a feeder belt or the like, are checked in a bank-note scanner for validity and are then transmitted further into a cash box for storage therein. The cash box cartridge preferably is exchangeable, allowing the safety personnel, upon emptying of the apparatus, to conveniently exchange the cash box for an empty one, whereupon the filled cash box is transported to a bank or the like. This type of exchangeable cash boxes generally has a larger, lockable door through which the bank personnel or the like empties the box. The box also comprises a slot- shaped opening into which the bank notes are inserted when to be used in the automatic dispenser. However, it is desirable that this opening, too, may be closed to prevent bank notes in close vicinity to the bank-note opening mouth from being a temptation to the personnel in charge of cash box exchanges. In addition, it is desirable that the bank-note insertion opening in the box is arranged in such a manner that it may be opened when the cash box is located within the automatic dispenser but is prohibited from being opened when located outside the dispenser. Also, it is desirable that the box cannot be pulled out while the bank-note insertion opening is open. Finally, it is also essential that the mechanism arranged to close the bank-note insertion opening be sufficiently simple not to occupy too much space or be too complicated and expensive to manufacture. Object of the Invention Consequently it is an object of the present inven- tion to provide a cash box of cartridge type by means of which all or at least some to the disadvantages outlined above are removed. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures In the accompanying drawings: Fig 1 is a partly sectionalised view of an automatic bank note dispenser incorporating a cash box cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figs 2 to 5 are sectionalised views of the cash box cartridge of Fig 1 in different positions. Description of Preferred Embodiments For exemplifying purposes, the invention will be described in closer detail in the following. Fig 1 illustrates a common automatic bank note dispenser including a cartridge-type of cash box in accordance with the invention. The dispenser comprises feed-in means 1 for entering bank notes into the dispenser. Positioned after the feed-in means 1 there is a first feeder belt 2, which advances the bank notes essentially horizontally past a bank note scanner 3. The bank note scanner checks the bank note for validity and denomination. Accepted bank notes are thereafter advanced further up to a second, essentially vertical feeder belt 4. This feeder belt advances the bank notes to a bundle-forming means 5 assembling the notes into bundles and pushing them into the cash box 7. The cash box 7 is joined to the dispenser proper in that it is introduced into a cartridge holder 6. The cash box 7 is shown in more detail in Fig 2. The box comprises an outer cover 10 having a lockable door (not shown) . The box further comprises a bank-note insertion opening 11, which may be covered for non-access by means of a covering panel 12. The covering panel preferably is slidable along a groove 13 formed in the body of a double wall at one end of the cash box 7. The mechanism for actuating the covering panel 12 preferably is located in a double wall forming the side of the box that is adjacent the one provided with the bank-note insertion opening 11. Preferably, the covering panel is sufficiently large for one part thereof to extend downwards along said adjacent side. This covering panel part is also formed with an abutment pawl 14. A catch 15 is arranged to be moved towards and away from the covering panel between a latching position, wherein it abuts against the abutment pawl 14, thus preventing the covering panel from being slid aside, exposing the bank-note insertion opening, and an unlatching position wherein it is spaced from the abutment pawl, thus allowing the covering panel to be slid to its open position, i.e. to expose the bank-note insertion opening. The catch 15 is actuated by a spring 16, the force of which urges the pawl in the direction towards the covering panel 12 and the latching position. The catch may be locked in the unlatching, panel- opening position by means of a biasing element 17. The biasing element 17 may be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the catch 15 and, when the latter assumes the unlatching position, the biasing element 17 may be pushed forward to a biasing position in which the catch is prevented from returning to the latching position. Also the biasing element 17 preferably is spring-actuated by a spring 18 acting to urge the biasing element to the biasing position of the latter. The biasing element further is formed with a follower abutment means 19, which is turned towards the covering panel 12. Owing to the arrangement of this follower abutment means the biasing element 17, as a result of the contact between the biasing element abutment means and the pawl 14 on the panel, is brought along in the movement of the covering panel to the open position thereof. The catch 15 further comprises an oblique face, which is turned away from the catching face thereof, and also the covering panel 12 comprises an oblique face, which is turned away from the pawl 14. Owing to this arrangement the pawl 15, when being moved to the unlatching position, will be biased as the spring force acts on the biasing element, urging the latter forwards, thus preventing the catch from returning to its latching position. Preferably this arrangement is such that depression of the catch to the unlatching posi ¬ tion may be effected only from within the cash box, so that only a person having access to the key to the cash box may bias the box in this manner. When the covering panel is moved to its open position, it will carry along the biasing element in its movement as a result of the pawl 14 being brought into contact with the biasing element abutment means 19 against the action of the biasing element. The spring action exerted on the catch 15 will then make the latter return to its latching position while at the same time the covering panel assumes its open position. When the covering panel is then returned to its closed position, the oblique faces on the catch and the covering panel, respectively, will act to temporarily depress the catch, whereby the catch will act as a snap-in lock and secure the covering panel in the closed position of the latter. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the covering panel 12 is actuated by rotation of a rotary shaft 20. The rotary shaft 20 is coupled to the covering panel via a system of pivotal links. The rotary shaft is fixedly secured to a first end of a first link 21. The opposite end of said link is hinged to one of the ends of a second link 22 the opposite end of which is hinged to a third link 23. Finally, this third link is hinged to the covering panel 12. The third link 23 is also arranged to pivot about a pivot pin 24 positioned at a point intermediate the third link ends hinged to the second link 22 and the covering panel 12, respectively. The hinged connection between the second link and the first link preferably is effected by means of a pin 25 formed on the second link and arranged for sliding movement in a groove 26 formed in the first link. Preferably, the groove is not straight but has a curved configuration. The pin 25 is also arranged for sliding movement in a groove formed in the cash box wall. The groove guides/controls the movement of the second links relative to the first link. In addition, the first and the second links preferably are interconnected by a spring biasing the two links towards one another. In the same manner the third link preferably is connected to the covering panel by means of a pin 27 on the covering panel, which pin is arranged to slide in a groove 28 formed in the third link. The function of the latching mechanism and the pivotal link system referred to above will be described in the following by way of a sequence of operational steps illustrated in Figs 2 to 5. Fig. 2 illustrates a position wherein the covering panel 12 assumes its closed position while at the same time the catch 15 assumes its latching position or door- securing system. In this position, the covering panel 12 therefore cannot be opened. In Fig 3, the catch 15 has been moved to the unlatching panel-release position wherein the biasing element 17 has been moved to its projected position, wherein it prevents return movement of the catch. In this position, the cash box is biased, allowing the covering panel to be opened. Biasing of the catch 15 preferably may be effected only from within the box and consequently only by persons having access to the appropriate key. Fig 4 shows the situation when rotation of the rotary shaft 20 has started. Rotation of the shaft causes the first link 21, fixedly mounted on said shaft, to rotate and thus also the second link 22, which is hinged to the first arm. As a consequence of the displaceable interconnection between the first and the second links, the third link, however, has not yet been affected by the above rotation. Fig 5 shows the situation upon continued rotation, to affect also the third link, and in consequence thereof, also the covering panel has been moved from its closed to its open position. Upon displacement of the covering panel, also the biasing element 17 will be retracted as a result of the contact between the pawl 14 and the abutment means 19. This causes the catch to return to its latching position and when the rotary shaft 20 is thereafter turned in the opposite direction, to its original position, the covering panel will again be in its secured or latched position, i.e. in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. Again with reference to Fig 1, the rotary shaft is provided with a preferably protruding element 30, with which a tool may be brought to engage in order to facilitate rotation of the shaft. This protruding element preferably extends somewhat beyond the plane of the cash box wall. In addition, its extension preferably differs in directions parallel to this plane, making the element oblong. In addition, when the rotary part assumes a position corresponding to the closed position of the covering panel, the longer extension preferably is parallel with the push-in direction of the box as the latter is being inserted into the cartridge holder. For this purpose the holder preferably is provided with a groove 31 to accommodate the protruding element, said groove being sufficiently narrow at its mouth to prevent rotation of the rotary part but widening thereafter to allow rotation of the rotary part. This arrangement ensures that the rotary part may be turned only when the cash box is inserted all the way into the holder while at the same time the cash box may be removed from the holder only when the covering panel is in its closed position. Obviously other embodiments in addition to those described are possible. For instance, other displaceable interconnection arrangements between the links are possible as are also other interconnection arrangements between the rotary shaft and the covering panel than links arms, such as ratchet wheel devices or the like. It is likewise possible to arrange for the covering panel to be pivotal rather than sliding. In addition, the groove formed in the holder and the element protruding from the rotary shaft may be configured to allow the door to open automatically when the cash box is being pushed into he holder. These and other obvious modified embodiments are to be regarded to be within the scope of protection of the invention as the latter is defined in the appended claims .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An exchangeable cartridge-type cash box (7) for automatic bank note dispensers or similar apparatuses into which bank notes are entered, comprising a closed box formed with a larger opening which may be closed by means of a lockable main door, and with a smaller opening (11) for automatic insertion of bank notes when the cash box cartridge is connected to a dispenser, said box further comprising a covering panel (12) to close the bank-note insertion opening (11), said cash box (7) arranged to allow removal of said cash box from a dispenser only when the covering panel (12) is in its closed position, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it further comprises rotary means (20, 30) which may be actuated from the exterior of the box and which are connected to the covering panel (12) in order to cause the latter to open or close, in that the cash box is adapted to be pushed into a holder (6) with which the dispenser is equipped, and in that the rotary means (20, 30) comprise an engagement member (30) which protrudes from the plane of the box wall and the extension of which in a direction in parallel with the push-in direction of said box exceeds the extension of said member in a direction perpendicular thereto, when said rotary means (20, 30) assume a position corresponding to the closed position of the covering panel (12), in addition to which said holder (6) may be provided with a groove (31), the configuration of which is such as to prevent rotation of the rotary means (20, 30), when the cash box (7) is not pushed fully into the holder (6) . 2. A cash box (7) as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the covering panel (12) is actuated by a catch means (15) which is arranged to lock the covering panel (12) in the closed position thereof, preferably by snap action. 3. A cash box (7) as claimed in claim 2, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d in that the catch means (15) may be shifted between a latching position, in which the covering panel (12) may be secured, and an unlatching position, wherein said catch allows the covering panel (12) to be opened, and in that said catch means (15) further may be locked in its unlatching position, said locking of said catch means arranged to cease when the covering panel (12) is opened. 4. A cash box (7) as claimed in claim 3, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d in that the catch means (15) may be locked in its unlatching position only from within the box. 5. A cash box (7) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the interconnection between the rotary means (20, 30) and the covering panel (12) is such that the covering panel is not affected in an initial stage of the rotation of the rotary means (20, 30) that causes the covering panel (12) to open. 6. A cash box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the rotary means (20, 30) are interconnected with the covering panel (12) via a system of links (21 to 23) .

Inventors: FOLKESSON BJOERN, FOLKESSON, BJOERN
Applicants: BILLCOIN SYSTEMS AB, FOLKESSON BJOERN, FOLKESSON, BJOERN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G07F9
IPC codes: G07D11, G07F9