Patent GB-839479-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to counting machines
Inventor: PRICE PETER RALPH
IPC: G06M9/00
Filed: 1957-04-09
Abstract: 839,479. Counting-apparatus. ABELL, G. E. B., PRICE, P. R., BUCKLE, G., and CHADDER, H. L. July 9, 1958 [April 9, 1957], No. 11495/57. Class 106 (1). A machine for checking the number of banknotes arranged in bundles has means for counting the number of banknotes in the bundles and means for discharging the bundles to a receiver operative only if the counted number is correct. As shown, a circular table 11 is fixed to a shaft 12 rotatable through worm gearing 14 by a high-speed electric motor which drives a shaft 15 via a belt 19 and by a low-speed motor which drives a chain and sprocket wheel 17, a clutch 27 allowing the shaft 15 and sprocket 17 to rotate at different speeds. Mounted on the table 11 are four holding devices for bundles of banknotes each comprising outer jaws 40, inner jaws 41 and support platforms 70. The jaws 40 are opened and moved radially inwards by upward movement of pistons operable in air cylinders 54 mounted underneath the table 11, the movement being transmitted by geared racks and pinions (Fig. 7, not shown). The jaws 41 are opened oy upward movement ot pistons mounted in air cylinders 67 also mounted underneath the table 11, the movement being transmitted by levers (Fig. 6, not shown). The support platforms 70 may be tilted from the rear under the control of two fixed air cylinders 74 (only one shown). The air cylinders 54, 67 are supplied by pipes 75 communicating with the interior of a sleeve 76 rotatable about a fixed sleeve 77 having arcuate inlets 78 and arcuate exits 79 both of which can register with the ends of the pipes 75, the inlets being supplied from a supply inlet 81 communicating with the interior of the sleeve 77 and the exits 79 registering with outlets 80 in the sleeve 76. In operation, a bundle of notes is placed in the holding device accessible at station A, the rear jaws 41 closing to grip the bundle, the front jaws 41 closing between stations A and B to hold the notes firmly while their edges are trimmed by a cutter 200 having an oscillating blade 201 which enters a groove 202 in one of the jaws 40 when cutting is complete. The jaws 40 then immediately spring open, the banknotes being arranged in imbricated form by a fixed post 310 which deflects the bundles as they pass. The notes are now counted at station C by a counting device which may be of the kind described in Specifications 688,251, 775,419, 784,209 or 787,624. If the number of banknotes counted is correct, the counting device sends a signal which is arranged to actuate the air cylinder 74 at station D so discharging the bundle into a shoot inaccessible to the machine operator. Should the number of banknotes be incorrect, this signal is not produced, and the bundle is retained on the platform 70 until station A is reached, when the engagement of a jockey-wheel 304 with a cam 303 carried by the table 11 causes air to be supplied to the cylinder 74 at station A, the bundle thus being returned to the machine operator. The table 11 is normally rotated to move the holding devices between stations by its high-speed motor, but this drive is switched off during the period that a jockey-wheel 307 is contacted by a cam 306 carried by the table 11 to enable counting to take place, the table 11 being rotated by the low-speed motor. A hood 103, Fig. 12, is provided to prevent access to the machine except at station A through a cut-out part 105. A detector may be provided in the shoot 205 to detect for counting the correct bundles. A suction nozzle or air jet may be provided for cleaning the bundles. The number of incorrect bundles also may be counted. Two counting devices may be provided, a bundle not being passed down the shoot unless both indicate a correct count. Various other modifications are described.