Abstract:
A locking security cover which provides means for locking a depository cassette or receptacle to the currency validator mechanism limiting unauthorized access to the collected currency in the depository cassette, the locking security cover nests the depository cassette to the currency validator by means of key holes located on either side of the cover, cooperable with corresponding studs associated with the validator, thereby securing the locking security cover in a downward position and locked in position by a shackle secured to the rear face of the depository cassette cooperative with a downwardly extending back face of the locking security cover for receipt of a padlock, thereby securing the locking security cover.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application 60/603,289 filed Aug. 23, 2004. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to currency validators and depository cassettes widely used in vending and gaming machines to validate paper currency or bills inserted therein and thereafter stored in a depository cassette or receptacle, and more particularly, to a locking security cover which prevents unauthorized access to the depository cassette or receptacle. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Currency validators and depository cassettes are in widespread use, particularly with respect to vending and gaming machines wherein the currency validator is mounted to the interior frame of the vending machine and has the depository cassette or receptacle fitted to its rear face. Money in the forms of paper currency or bills are inserted into the currency slot on the face of the vending or gaming machine and drawn into the currency validator by a series of gears and conveyer belts whereby the paper currency or bill is positioned in a validation mode and validated by the interior electronics of the validator. Once validated, the paper currency or bill is deposited by means of an actuator arm into the depository receptacle or cassette. Applicant&#39;s invention does not address or have application to the interior functions and structure of the validating of the currency validator or depository cassette, but for a reference to same one can utilize the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,131 for a typical interior mechanism for operation. The currency validator and depository cassette obtain their power from the power provided to the vending machine itself. 
   The currency validator and depository cassette are normally two pieces which are separable by a number of different means. The cassette is removable to allow access to the monies collected within the cassette from the use of the vending machine. In some instances the depository cassette or receptacle merely snap fits back into position with the currency validator and in other embodiments, with no means to secure the depository cassette or receptacle to the currency validator have been made. 
   The depository receptacle or cassette varies in size, but the two most popular and main type of depository cassettes are dimensioned to hold either three hundred separate bills or paper currency or six hundred separate bills or paper currency. Access to the monies in the depository receptacle or cassette is accomplished by one of three means. In the smaller size cassettes or receptacles of the type holding up to three hundred bills, access is made by either the snap fit top opening to allow withdrawal of the bills or the bills may be withdrawn from the front of the cassette which is open and in communication with the currency validator when assembled and in operation as the bills are fed through this opening into the cassette. This opening in the cassette becomes accessible when the cassette is removed from the currency validator. 
   In the larger type depository, cassettes or receptacles of the six hundred bill type, a third means of ingress is also used. This means of ingress are two doors on the lateral sides of the cassette which are pivotally mounted and can be swung open to allow access to the bills from the lateral sides. 
   Some of the currency validator and depository cassettes attempt to incorporate security devices to prevent unauthorized access to the depository cassettes. Unauthorized access could come from the use of an unauthorized key or vandalism which would allow an individual to remove the depository cassette and remove the monies contained therein. In actual operation, the individual responsible for maintaining the vending machine is the only individual who should have access to the depository cassette. 
   Applicant&#39;s invention relates to a locking security cover which can be utilized with all types of currency validators and depository cassettes of both the three hundred bill and six hundred bill size which can be secured to the assembly and insure that an unauthorized person cannot remove the depository cassette or receptacle without having the proper key. Applicant&#39;s locking security cover can be applied to all of the currency validator and depository receptacles currently in use with minor modification to the existing currency validator and depository cassette assemblies. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the invention is to provide for a locking security cover for a currency validator and depository cassette assembly which prevents unauthorized removal and access to the depository cassette. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide for a security locking cover for a currency validator and depository cassette which security locking cover secures depository cassettes of varying sizes. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide for a security locking cover for a currency validator and depository cassette in which all possible means of ingress into the depository cassette are secured by a single locking cover. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a secure locking cover for a currency validator and depository cassette which can be incorporated without any major modifications to existing currency validators and depository cassettes. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A locking security cover which provides means for locking a depository cassette or receptacle to the currency validator mechanism limiting unauthorized access to the collected currency in the depository cassette, the locking security cover nests the depository cassette to the currency validator by means of key holes located on either side of the cover, cooperable with corresponding studs associated with the validator, thereby securing the locking security cover in a downward position and locked in position by a shackle secured to the rear face of the depository cassette cooperative with a downwardly extending back face of the locking security cover for receipt of a padlock, thereby securing the locking security cover. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the currency validator; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the currency validator and depository cassette in a mated orientation; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the depository cassette; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the locking security cover; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the locking security cover; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the shackle; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the locking security cover in situ with a currency validator and mated depository cassette; 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the currency validator and depository cassette illustrating a second embodiment of installation; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the bracket. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a front view of the currency validator and depository cassette  10  and  FIG. 2  is a side view of the currency validator and depository cassette  10  in mated orientation and  FIG. 3  is a front view of the depository cassette  18  disengaged from the currency validator  12 . The currency validator  12  consists of a housing  14  in which the transport means and the validation means is housed. The housing  14  is mounted to the rear face  13  of the front of the vending machine  15  such that the currency slot  16  is accessible to a user when the vending machine is closed. Typically, the user must orient the bill or currency in the correct orientation and feed it into the currency slot  16  where the transport means engages the edge of the bill and transports the bill to a validation point. When the bill is in registration at the validation point, the bill is validated. The user then has the option of choosing or selecting an item from the vending machine. The bill by means of an internal actuation arm will then be inserted into the depository cassette  18 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the depository cassette  18  in mated orientation with the currency validator  12 . The power for the currency validator is by means of a power cord  20  in communication with the power source for the vending machine. 
   In normal operation the depository cassette  18  is removable from the currency validator  12  by pressing a release button  22  located on the top  24  of the currency validator  12  which releases an internal catch. The depository cassette  18  is then slid upwardly on internal guides in engagement with the currency validator  12  until four finger-like protrusions  26  on the lateral sides  28  and  30  of the depository cassette  18  are in alignment with four cutouts  32  on the rear face  34  of the currency validator  12 . The currency validator  12  and the depository cassette  18  can then be separated by pulling the depository cassette  18  rearwardly disengaging it from the currency validator  12 . 
     FIG. 3  is a front view of the depository cassette  18  illustrating its lateral side walls  28  and  30  and the four finger-like protrusions  26  which must be aligned with the cutouts  32  on the currency validator  12  in order to remove the depository cassette  18 . Enclosed within the depository cassette  18  housing is a biased depressable plate  36  which when empty is positioned approximate the front face  38  of the depository cassette  18 . As bills are transferred from registration in the currency validator  12  into the depository cassette  18 , the depressable plate  36  is depressed against a biasing means until the depository cassette  18  has accumulated the maximum number of bills which it is designed to hold. 
   Access to the bills is in one of three manners. If the depository cassette  18  has been removed from the currency validator  12 , authorized personnel can remove the accumulated bills from the front face  38  of the depository cassette  18 . Alternatively, the depository cassette  18  is formed with a snap lock pivotal upper cover member  40  which frictionally engages the depository housing. By the use of one&#39;s thumb the upper cover member  40  can be pivotally opened and access to the accumulated currency can be had from the top of the depository cassette  18 . 
   A third alternative means of access utilized primarily on the larger depository cassettes accumulating six hundred bills is a pair of pivot doors  42  formed on the lateral sides  28  and  30  of the depository cassette  18 . These doors  42  again snap fit to the depository cassette  18  housing and are pivotally mounted such that they can be disengaged from their frictional seal and access to the accumulated bills can be had through the lateral side walls  28  and  30  of the depository cassette  18 . 
   As long as the vending machine is secure and not subject to vandalism and as long as the proper authorized individual is the only individual who has access to the interior of the vending machine, the system works as intended. However, if the machine is subject to possible vandalism or if a person other than authorized personnel can gain access to the interior of the vending machine, the depository cassette  18  can be easily accessible and the accumulated monies removed. There is therefore a need to be able to secure the depository cassette  18  to the currency validator  12  and to prevent the opening of the pivotal upper member  40  of the depository cassette  18  or the lateral side doors  42  of the depository cassette  18  even if the depository cassette  18  remains secured to the currency validator  12 . Applicant&#39;s locking security cover accomplishes the securing of all three means of ingress with little modification to the assembly. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the only modification to the currency validator  12  as an original piece of equipment manufacture would be the placement of a pair of outwardly depending studs  44  on opposing lateral sides  46  and  48  of the currency validator  12  proximate its top surface  24 , the pair of studs  44  being rigidly secured to the currency validator  12  by any suitable means. The only modification to the depository cassette  18  as an original piece of equipment manufacture would be the securing of a shackle member  52  on the rear face  54  of the depository cassette  18 . The shackle member  52  being for receipt of a locking means in the form of a padlock or the like. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , there is illustrates the Applicant&#39;s locking security cover  60  and shackle  52 . Applicant&#39;s locking security cover  60  would be of one piece construction made of stamped metal or other suitable material. The security locking cover  60  would have a top surface  62  the width and length thereof would approximate the top surfaces of the currency validator  12  and depository cassette  18  when in mated orientation. The lateral edges  64  and  66  of the top surface  62  would be formed at 90 degree perpendicular angles to form opposing side surfaces  68  and  70  of the security locking cover  60  and one end of the top surface  62  would be formed at a 90 degree angle to form an end wall  72 , the side surfaces  68  and  70  and the end wall  72  depending from the same side of the top surface  62  of the locking security cover  60 . L-shaped keyholes  74  are formed in the lateral side surfaces  68  and  70  of the locking security cover  60 , the dimensions of the L-shaped keyholes  74  approximating the diameter of the studs  44  positioned on the currency validator  12 . The depending end wall  72  of the locking security cover  60  would have a slot  76  formed therein, said slot cooperable with the outwardly depending portion  51  of shackle member  52  positioned on the rear face  54  of the depository cassette  18 . 
   In this manner, when the currency validator  12  and the depository cassette  18  are in mated orientation, the locking security cover  60  is positioned on top of the upper surface of the currency validator  12  and depository cassette  18 . The end wall  72  of the locking cover  60  depends along the rear face of the depository cassette  18 . The studs  44  are brought into registration with L-shaped keyholes  74  and locking security cover  60  is pressed downwardly over studs  44  and then pushed forwardly such that the studs  44  are further engaged in the L-shaped keyhole  74  such that the locking security cover  60  can be pressed no further forward and the end wall  72  of the locking security cover  60  has engaged the rear face  54  of the depository cassette  18  with the outwardly depending portion  51  of shackle member  52  extending through slot  76  formed in the end wall of the locking security cover  60 . A securing means in the form of a padlock or lock  80  can then be passed through the aperture  78  on outwardly depending portion  51  of the shackle member  52  and secured. 
   In this configuration (see  FIG. 7 ), the depository cassette  18  cannot be removed from the currency validator  12  unless the locking security cover  60  is removed. Still further, access to the upper cover member  40  of the depository cassette  18  is denied by the locking security cover  60 . Still further, the lateral side surfaces  68  and  70  of the locking security cover  60  depend a sufficient length such that the pivotal access doors  42  in the lateral sides of the depository cassette  18  cannot be pivoted to an open position to allow access to the monies accumulated therein. 
   The locking security cover thus far described is suitable for a validating assembly and depository cassette as an original piece of equipment manufacture wherein the studs  44  and the shackle  51  would be secured or unitarily formed on the particular apparatus at the time of manufacture. There are however millions of vending machines in operation which include the currency validator and depository cassette without the modifications heretofore described. Applicant&#39;s locking security cover can be adapted to these in use currency validators and depository cassettes by means of an additional bracket which allows the locking security cover to function in the manner previously described.  FIG. 8  is a rear view of the currency validator and depository cassette secured to the rear face of a vending machine illustrating the positioning of Applicant&#39;s bracket,  FIG. 9  is a side view of the currency validator and depository cassette illustrating Applicant&#39;s bracket and locking security cover, and  FIG. 10  is a top view of the bracket. 
   The currency validator  12  and depository cassette  18  are arranged in the same manner as previously illustrated on the inside face  13  of a vending machine wall  15  with the currency receiver  16  extending through the wall of the vending machine. The currency validator is in communication with a power source  20  and the currency validator and depository cassette would operate as previously disclosed. In this instance as an aftermarket add on item, there would be no aligned studs  44  extending outwardly from both sides of the currency validator to allow engagement with the locking security cover. Therefore in the aftermarket, a bracket  90  would be secured to the inside face  13  of the vending machine alignable with the currency validator  12  and depository cassette  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the bracket consists of a generally planar vertical wall portion  92  having a plurality of apertures  94  there through for the receipt of threaded fasteners  96  to secure the bracket  90  to the inside face  13  of the wall  15  of the vending machine. The vertical wall portion  92  of the bracket  90  is generally U-shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the width of the currency validator. Extending outwardly from vertical wall portion  92  and away from the rear face  13  of the vending machine would be a horizontal planar face  97  having a U-shaped cutout  98  formed therein so as to engage the upper surface  24  of the currency validator  12  and accommodate the release button  22  which normally allows separation of the currency validator  12  and the depository cassette  18 . 
   Horizontal planar surface  96  has depending side walls  100  and  102  which abut the side walls  46  and  48  of the currency validator  12 . Formed on these depending side walls are a pair of aligned outwardly extending studs  104  and  106 . Bracket  90  therefore embraces a portion of the upper surface  24  of the currency validator  12  and a portion of the side surfaces  46  and  48 . A shackle  52  would be secured to the rear face  54  of the depository cassette  18  in the same manner as previously illustrated. The locking security cover  60  as described and illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  can then be slidably secured over the depository cassette  18  and currency validator  12  with the inverted L-shaped slots  74  of the locking security cover  60  engaging the outwardly extending studs  104  and  106  on the side walls  46  and  48  of bracket  90 . The rear wall  72  of the locking security cover  60  would have a slot formed therein for engagement with the shackle  52  on the rear face of the depository cassette  18 . Once the locking security cover is secured to shackle  52  and the outwardly extending studs  104  and  106 , a padlock  80  or other suitable locking means can be secured through shackle  52  so as to secure the currency validator and the depository cassette from unauthorized access. 
   While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.