Patent Publication Number: US-7591463-B2

Title: Media support apparatus for media cassette of automatic media dispenser

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit of Patent Application No. 10-2003-0101536 filed on Dec. 31, 2003 in Republic of Korea, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a media cassette of an automatic media dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to a media support apparatus of a media cassette with an adjustable height and width to accommodate various sizes of media so that the media, stacked in the media cassette, can be supported more accurately. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As used herein, the term “media” refers to sheets of material, such as bank notes, checks, tickets, and certificates. The term “media dispenser” refers to an apparatus which automatically supplies such media according to a customer&#39;s demand. 
     FIG. 12  shows a media cassette and a structure for drawing media out of the media cassette, which are employed in a related art automatic media dispenser. A media cassette  1  is installed in the automatic media dispenser. Herein, the media cassette  1  may be either integrated with, or separately formed from, the automatic media dispenser. 
   Media m are arranged in a stack in the media cassette  1 . In the media cassette  1 , the media m are pushed toward a discharge port by a push plate  3 , so that they are located in tight contact with each other. The push plate  3  is supported by a spring  5  so as to push the media. The spring  5  provides an elastic force which enables the push plate  3  to push the media. 
   Each sheet of the media, pushed toward the discharge port by the push plate  3 , comes into tight contact with a pickup roller  7  before passing through the discharge port. The pickup roller  7  is located at one end of the media cassette  1 , comes into contact with and separates each sheet of the media in the media cassette  1 , and then moves the separated sheet out of the media cassette  1 . The pickup roller  7  may be formed either integrally with the media cassette  1 , or separately from the media cassette  1  in the automatic media dispenser. 
   A feed roller  9  and a contra-roller  10  are disposed close to and opposed to each other, so as to promote separation of a stacked sheet of the media from another sheet and transfer the single separated sheet. That is, the media are separated and transferred one sheet at a time by the feed roller  9  and the contra-roller  10  while each sheet passes through a gap between the feed roller  9  and the contra-roller  10  rotating in the same direction. 
   Each sheet of the media, having passed through the gap between the feed roller  9  and the contra-roller  10 , is transferred by a feed roller or a belt provided at a delivery module (not shown). 
   However, the aforementioned related art has problems. The media m, which are stacked in the media cassette  1 , have various sizes. Nevertheless, the media cassette  1  cannot change the way it supports or guides the media m based on the media&#39;s size and thus cannot be used for media m of various sizes. Therefore, different media cassettes  1  must be provided to accommodate respective sizes of the media m. Having many different sized media cassettes  1  to accommodate different sizes of media is expensive to the manufacturer in design costs and inventory space, and expensive to the media dispenser purchaser since several different media cassettes may need to be purchased. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the one or more of the drawbacks in the related art. An object of the present invention is to provide a media support apparatus adapted to support and guide media, which are used in an automatic media dispenser. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving these and other objects, there is provided a media support apparatus for a media cassette of an automatic media dispenser, comprising: a base plate having a guide piece which is provided with a guide slot; a link mechanism having at least one connection pin, which is moved along the guide slot, and a connection link plate, the level of which can be adjusted; at least two media seats which are horizontally seated on the connection link plate of the connection mechanism with a predetermined spacing and are elongated along a direction; and a support mechanism for retaining the link mechanism at a predetermined level. 
   A pair of guide pieces is formed on each of the opposite ends of the link mechanism. 
   The link mechanism includes: a connection link plate having an upper surface on which the media seat is seated; an elevating leg rotatably connected to each of the opposite ends of the connection link plate via a connection pin; and a connection lever connected to each end of both of the elevating legs via a connection pin, which is positioned in the guide slot. 
   The support mechanism includes: a support table which is movably positioned on the base plate and has a slant portion with a predetermined slant; a connection support shaft which penetrates the connection link in a traverse direction and is supported on the slant portion to retain the link mechanism; and a resilient member which provides a resilient force so that the connection support shaft is forced against the slant portion. 
   The support table is positioned between the link mechanisms. 
   The slant portion of the support table has a number of seating recesses formed parallel to a direction along which the connection support shaft extends, in order to seat the connection support shaft therein. 
   The link mechanism is positioned on each of the opposite ends of the support table and the connection support shaft is connected to the elevating leg of the opposite link mechanisms at the same time. 
   The support table has a pair of long movement apertures, through which coupling screws are coupled on the base plate, in order to position the support table. 
   The media seat is adapted to move in a direction that traverses the connection link plate, the connection link plate has a serration formed along a direction that traverses the media seat, and the media seat is provided with a holder having a deformable elastic manipulation piece, which is provided with a coupling serration that can be selectively coupled with the serration. 
   The media seat is provided with guides in locations corresponding to those of leading and tailing ends of the connection link plate, so that the media seat is guided to move in a direction that traverses the connection link plate. 
   The link mechanism includes: a connection link plate having an upper surface on which the media seat is seated; an elevating leg rotatably connected to the connection link plate via a connection pin; and a connection pin which is positioned on an end of the elevating leg and the opposite ends of which are positioned in the guide slot. 
   The support mechanism includes: a support table which is movably positioned on the base plate and has a slant portion with a predetermined slant; a support end which is integrated to the base plate and has a number of hook steps, which have different levels; a connection support shaft which penetrates the connection link in a traverse direction and is supported on the slant portion to retain the link mechanism; and a resilient member which provides a resilient force so that the connection support shaft is forced against the slant portion. 
   The support table is positioned on each of the opposite ends of the link mechanism. 
   The slant portion of the support table has a number of seating recesses formed parallel to a direction along which the connection support shaft extends, in order to seat the connection support shaft therein. 
   The connection support shaft is connected to each elevating leg of both of the link mechanisms at the same time and the opposite ends of the connection support shaft are supported on the support table. 
   The support table has a pair of long movement apertures, through which coupling screws are coupled on the base plate, in order to position the support table. 
   The media seat is adapted to move in a direction that traverses the connection link plate, the connection link plate has a serration which has a sectional shape of a right triangle and is formed along a direction that traverses the media seat and the media seat is provided with a holder having a deformable elastic manipulation piece, which is provided with a coupling serration that can be selectively coupled with the serration and has a sectional shape of a right triangle. 
   The present invention, configured as above, is advantageous in that a single media cassette can be used for media of various sizes and it is possible to adjust the height of a feature that supports the ends of the stacked media. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the configuration of one embodiment of a media support apparatus for a media cassette according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view, partially broken, showing the configuration of one embodiment of a media support apparatus for a media cassette according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view showing features of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front sectional view showing a feature for positioning a media seat, which constitutes an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of a media seat, from below, which constitutes an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7   a  shows the level adjustment feature of a media seat, during service, of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7   b  shows the lateral movement adjustment feature of a media seat, during service, of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7   c  shows the movement of a supporting table for the purpose of setting the level of a link mechanism, during service, of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a lateral view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a lateral view showing features of another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  shows the operation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing a media cassette, which is used in a related art automatic media dispenser, and a feature for separating the media from the cassette. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a media support apparatus for a media cassette of an automatic media dispenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a media support apparatus for a media cassette according to the present invention;  FIG. 2  is a side view showing one embodiment of a media support apparatus for a media cassette according to the present invention;  FIG. 3  is a front view showing the embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 4  is a top view showing features of the embodiment of the present invention. 
   As shown in the drawings, a base plate  20  is provided with guide pieces  22 . The base plate  20  may be integrally form with the body of the media cassette or may be a separate plate which is fastened within the body of the media cassette. The present embodiment includes four pairs of guide pieces  22  (i.e., a total of eight). The guide pieces  22  protrude from the base plate  20 . The guide pieces  22  are provided with elongated guide slots  23 . 
   The base plate  20  is also provided with holding pieces  25 . The holding pieces  25  also protrude from a side of the base plate  20 . Ends of resilient members  39 , which will be described below, are hooked on the holding pieces  25 . 
   A pair of link mechanisms  30  is positioned on the left and right sides of the base plate  20  with a predetermined spacing to adjust the level at which the media are supported. The link mechanisms  30  are provided with elevating legs  31 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the elevating legs  31  are rectangular plates and have a width which is slightly smaller than the spacing between the pair of guide pieces  22 . Connection pins  31 ′ extend through the lower ends of the elevating legs  31  and also through the guide slots  23  of the guide pieces  22 . In the present embodiment, two elevating legs  31  are assigned to each of media seats  50 , which will be described below (i.e., a total of four). 
   The connection pins  31 ′ are connected with connection levers  34  from outside of the guide pieces  22 . Each of the connection levers  34  is connected with two elevating legs  31  and one connection pin  31 ′, which belong to a media seat  50 , to interlock and drive the elevating legs  31 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a total of four connection levers  34  may be positioned on the opposite ends of the elevating legs  31  for the operational stability of the link mechanisms  30 . 
   The elevating legs  31  are provided with connection link plates  35 , which are connected on their upper ends by connection pins  35 ′. The connection link plates  35  are of a rectangular shape having a predetermined area, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Each of the connection link plates  35  connects two elevating legs  31  with each other. 
   The connection link plates  35  are provided with serrations  36  on their upper surfaces, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Each of the serrations  36  traverses the upper surface of each connection link plate  35 , on which it is formed, and extends toward the other connection link plate  35  until it reaches the end of the connection link plate  35 . 
   Connection support shafts  38  extend through approximately middle portions of the elevating legs  31  in a traverse direction. The connection support shafts  38  connect corresponding elevating legs  31  of the pair of link mechanisms  30 , which are positioned with a predetermined spacing. Accordingly, two connection support shafts  38  are used to level the connection link plates  35  which are provided on both of the link mechanisms  30 . 
   A resilient member  39  connects one end of one of the connection pins  35 ′ with one of the holding pieces  25 . Another resilient member  39  connects the other end of the connection pin  35 ′ with another holding piece  25 . The resilient members  39  provide a resilient force so that the connection support shafts  38  are forced into seating recesses  43  of a support table  40  (described below) and seated therein. Although only one connection pin  35 ′, which is positioned on the left-hand side of the connection link plate  35  in  FIG. 2 , has a resilient member  39  in the present embodiment, the other connection pin  35 ′, which is positioned on the right-hand side in  FIG. 2 , may be connected to an end of another resilient member  39  and the other end of the resilient member  39  may be connected to a separate holding piece  25 . 
   Support tables  40  are positioned on the base plate  20  between the link mechanisms  30 . The support tables  40  retain the link mechanisms  30 , more particularly the connection link plates  35 , so that they are positioned at a specific level. To this end, the support tables  40  have slant portions  42 . The slant portions  42  are positioned in locations corresponding to those of the connection support shafts  38  to support them. The slant portions  42  have a number of seating recesses  43  formed along the longitudinal direction of the connection support shafts  38  to support them more securely. As the connection support shafts  38  can be positioned in any of the seating recesses  43 , they can be supported at different levels. 
   The support table  40  has a plurality of movement apertures  45  formed along its longitudinal direction and parallel to one another, through which coupling screws  47  are coupled on the base plate  20 . Accordingly, the range of levels at which the connection support shafts  38  may be positioned and supported by the support table  40 , depends on the location of the coupling screws  47  within the movement apertures  45 . 
   Each of the connection link plates  35  is provided with a media seat or guide  50  on its upper surface. The media seats  50  can be moved along a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection link plates  35 , and extend along the longitudinal direction of the media cassette. The media seats  50  are much longer than the connection link plates  35  and the length of the media seats  50  determines the number of media that can be stacked in the media cassette. 
   The media seats  50  are supported on the upper surfaces of the connection link plates  35 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and the media are stacked with side edges resting on the upper surfaces of the media seats  50  in an upright position. The media seats  50  have side walls  53 , which extend along their longitudinal sides and are perpendicular to their bottom surfaces  52 . The side walls  53  are opposite to each other and guide the corresponding opposite ends of the upright media. 
   A feature for selectively positioning the media seats  50  along the traverse direction of the connection link plates  35  will now be explained. The media seats  50  have holders  55  in locations corresponding to those of the serrations  36  of the connection link plates  35 . 
   The holders  55  are fastened on the bottom surfaces of the media seats  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Each of the holders  55  is made of molded material and has a long manipulation piece  56  on its end. The manipulation pieces  56  can undergo elastic deformation due to their shape and material. The manipulation pieces  56  have leading ends which extend toward each other, in other words, toward each side of the media seats  50 . The manipulation pieces  56  have coupling serrations  57  formed on their surfaces, which correspond to the serrations  36  on the upper surfaces of the connection link plates  35 . The coupling serrations  57  are coupled with the serrations  36  to prevent the media seats  50  from moving in a direction which is perpendicular to their longitudinal direction. 
   Meanwhile, the media seats  50  are provided with guides  60  which guide them to move in a direction which is perpendicular to the connection link plates  35 . The guides  60  are positioned on the lower surfaces of the media seats  50  in locations corresponding to the leading and trailing ends of the connection link plates  35 . 
   Hereinafter, the operation of a media support apparatus for a media cassette of an automatic media dispenser according to the present invention configured as above will be described in detail. The present invention seeks to support media of various sizes using a single media cassette. Accordingly, the media seats  50  are adapted to change their positions according to the horizontal (e.g. width) and vertical (e.g. height) sizes of the media. 
   The level or height of the media seats  50  is adjusted by the link mechanisms  30  interacting with the support tables  40 . This adjustment is based on the vertical size or height of the media to be dispensed. In addition, the spacing between the media seats  50  is adjusted as the media seats  50  are moved on the connection link plates  35  along a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal direction. This adjustment is based on the horizontal size of width of the media to be dispensed. 
   The height of the media seats  50  is adjusted as follows:  FIG. 2  shows a state wherein the media seats  50  are positioned relatively high. In this case, the connection support shafts  38  are seated in seating recesses  43 , which have relatively higher positions, than the other seating recesses  43  of the slant portions  42  of the support table  40  and the level of the connection link plates  35  of the link mechanisms  30  is determined accordingly. The resilient members  39  force and hold the connection support shafts  38  into the selected seating recesses  43  to prevent the link mechanisms  30  from moving arbitrarily. 
   Modification of the level of the media seats  50  can be performed by adjusting the link mechanisms  30 . Specifically, the connection pins  31 ′ are moved from forward ends of the guide slots  23  of the guide pieces  22  to rearward ends, in other words, from a state shown in  FIG. 2  to that shown in  FIG. 7   a.    
   As the connection pins  31 ′ are moved along the guide slots  23 , the connection levers  34  accompany them and the lower ends of the elevating legs  31  are transferred to the other ends of the guide slots  23  together with the connection pins  31 ′. The upper ends of the elevating legs  31  are then lowered, and so are the connection link plates  35 , which are connected to the upper ends of the elevating legs  31 . This also lowers the media seats  50  automatically, which are positioned on the connection link plates  35 . The connection support shafts  38  are seated in relatively lower positions from among the seating recesses  43  of the slant portions  42 . 
   Since the two link mechanisms  30  are connected to each other by the connection support shafts  38 , both of the connection link plates  35  are leveled with each other, and so are both of the media seats  50 . The media seats  50  maintain their level and are not moved by the resilient members  39 , as the connection support shafts  38  are supported by the seating recesses  43  of the slant portions  42  of the support table  40 . 
   The spacing between the two media seats  50  is adjusted as follows: as shown in  FIG. 7   b , the manipulation pieces  56  of the holders  55  are lifted so that the coupling serrations  57  of the manipulation pieces  56  are separated from the serrations  36  of the connection link plates  35 . 
   Then, the media seats  50  can be guided and moved freely by the guides  60 . In this state, the two media seats  50  can be positioned so that they are spaced from each other as desired. When the media seats  50  are positioned relative to the connection link plates  35 , the manipulation pieces  56  are released and naturally, resiliently returned to their original open status. After the manipulation pieces  56  resiliently open, the coupling serrations  57  are coupled with the serrations  36  to prevent the media seats  50  from moving. 
   Next, it will be explained how to change the range of level adjustment of the media seats  50  by moving the support table  40 . The coupling screws  47  are slightly loosened to move the support table  40 . The support table  40  is then moved in a direction as indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 4 . Such a movement is enabled by the movement apertures  45  formed on the support table  40 , through which the coupling screws  47  penetrate. 
   After the support table  40  is moved as desired, the coupling screws  47  are tightened again to hold the support table  40  on the base plate  20 . Such a state, wherein the support table  40  is moved, is shown in  FIG. 7   c . As the support table  40  is moved as seen in the drawing, the range of height adjustment of the media seats  50  is changed by the link mechanisms  30 . 
     FIGS. 8 to 10  show another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, components the same as in the previous embodiment are given the same respective reference numerals, greater by a value of 100, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. 
   A base plate  120  is provided with guide pieces  122 . The present embodiment includes two pairs of guide pieces  122  (i.e., a total of four). The guide pieces  122  protrude from the base plate  120 . The guide pieces  122  are provided with guide slots  123 , which traverse them and extend along the longitudinal direction thereof. 
   The base plate  120  is also provided with holding pieces  125 . The holding pieces  125  also protrude from a side of the base plate  120 . Ends of resilient members  139 , which will be described below, are hooked on the holding pieces  125 . The number of the holding pieces  125  corresponds to that of the resilient members  139 . The present embodiment includes a total of eight holding pieces  125 . 
   A pair of link mechanisms  130  is positioned on the left and right sides of the base plate  120  with a predetermined spacing to adjust the level at which the media are supported. The link mechanisms  130  are provided with elevating legs  131 . The elevating legs  131  are rectangular plates and have a width which is slightly smaller than the spacing between the pair of guide pieces  122 . 
   Connection pins  131 ′ extends through the lower ends of the elevating legs  131  and also through the guide slots  123  of the guide pieces  122 . In the present embodiment, one elevating leg  131  is assigned to each media seat  150 , which will be described below (i.e., a total of two). 
   The upper ends of the elevating legs  131  are connected with connection link plates  135  via connection pins  135 ′. The connection link plates  135  are of a rectangular shape having a predetermined area and are positioned horizontally or parallel relative to the base plate  120 . To this end, the connection link plates  135  have hook ends  137  extending from their ends along their longitudinal direction. 
   The hook ends  137  may be integrated to the connection link plates  135  or may be coupled to them as separate components. The hook ends  137  are preferably made of metal for enhanced strength when, for example, the connection link plates  135  are expected to be subject to a large load. Sides of the hook ends  137  are selectively hooked on hook steps  145  of support ends  140 ′, which will be described below. 
   The connection link plates  135  are provided with serrations  136  on their upper surfaces. Each of the serrations  136  traverses the upper surface of the corresponding connection link plate  135  on which it is formed, and extends toward the other connection link plate  135  until it reaches the end of its own corresponding connection link plate  135 . In the illustrated embodiment, the serrations  136  have a sectional shape of a right triangle, however other shapes are possible. 
   A connection support shaft  138  extend through portions in the approximate middle of the elevating legs  131  in a traverse direction. The connection support shaft  138  connects corresponding elevating legs  131  of the pair of link mechanisms  130 , which are positioned with a predetermined spacing. The connection support shaft  138  is used to level the connection link plates  135 , which are provided on both of the link mechanisms  130 . 
   Resilient members  139  are provided. One end of a resilient member is hooked to one of the connection pins  135 ′ and the other end is hooked to one of the holding pieces  125 . Preferably, a total of four resilient members  139  are provided per one connection link plate  135 . In particular, the resilient members  139  are connected closer to the opposite ends of the connection link plates  135  with a predetermined spacing, respectively. Preferably, two of the four resilient members  139  have their ends connected to the opposite ends of the connection pins  135 ′, respectively, and the other two of resilient members  139  have ends connected closer to the hook ends  137 , respectively. The resilient members  139  provide a resilient force so that the connection support shafts  138  are forced against seating recesses  143  of a ramp or support table  140  (explained below), as well as against hook steps  145  of support ends  140 ′, and are seated therein. 
   Support tables  140  are positioned on the base plate  120  outside of the link mechanisms  130 . The support tables  140  retain the link mechanisms  130 , more particularly the connection link plates  135 , so that they are positioned at a specific level. To this end, the support tables  140  have slant portions  142 . The slant portions  142  are positioned in locations corresponding to the locations of the connection support shafts  138  to support them. The slant portions  142  have a number of seating recesses  143  formed along the longitudinal direction of the connection support shafts  138  to support them more securely. As the connection support shafts  138  can be positioned in any of the seating recesses  143 , they can be supported at different heights. 
   The support table  140  can change its position, as in the previous embodiment. In other words, the support table  140  can be moved on the base plate  120  along the transfer direction of media and fixed to the base plate  120  at the desired position. 
   A support end  140 ′ is provided at one end of the base plate  120  and replaces the second support table  140  (illustrated in the previous embodiment). The support end  140 ′ is integrated on a side of the base plate  120  and is positioned at a level higher than that of the support table  140 . The support end  140 ′ directly supports the hook end  137 , which has no elevating leg  131 . Actually, the support end  140 ′ is formed along an inner wall of an end of the media cassette. The support end  140 ′ has hook steps  145 , on which the hook ends  137  are actually hooked. The number of the hook ends  145  may correspond to the number of the seating recesses  143  of the support table  140 . 
   Each of the connection link plates  135  is provided with a media seat  150  on its upper surface. The media seats  150  can be moved along a direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection link plates  135 , and extend along the longitudinal direction of the media cassette. The media seats  150  are much longer than the connection link plates  135 , and the length of the media seats  150  determines the number of media that can be stacked in the media cassette. 
   The media seats  150  are supported on the upper surfaces of the connection link plates  135  and side edges of the media are seated on the upper surfaces of the media seats  150  such that the media rest in an upright position. The media seats  150  have side walls  153 , which extend along their longitudinal sides and are perpendicular to their bottom surfaces  152 . The side walls  153  are opposite to each other and guide the respective ends of the upright stacked media. 
   In order to selectively move the media seats  150  along their traverse direction on the connection link plates  135 , the media seats  150  have holders  155  in locations corresponding to the serrations  136  of the connection link plates  135 . The holders  155  are fastened on the bottom surfaces of the media seats  150 . Each of the holders  155  is made of molded material and has a long manipulation piece  156  on its end. The manipulation pieces  156  can undergo elastic deformation due to their shape and material. The manipulation pieces  156  have leading ends which extend toward each other, in other words, toward each respective side of the media seats  150 . The manipulation pieces  156  have coupling serrations  157  formed on their surfaces, which correspond to the serrations  136  on the upper surfaces of the connection link plates  135 . The coupling serrations  157  are coupled with the serrations  136  to prevent the media seats  150  from moving in a direction which is perpendicular to their longitudinal direction. To this end, the coupling serrations  157  have a sectional shape of a right triangle. The right-angled surfaces of them face the serrations  136 . 
   The media seats  150  are preferably provided with guides (not shown), which guide them to move perpendicularly to the connection link plates  135 , as in the previous embodiment. 
   The operation of the present embodiment, configured as above, will now be explained in detail. For clarity, only characteristic features of the present embodiment will be described. The height of the media seats  150  is adjusted as follows: the media seats  150  have their connection support shafts  138  and hook ends  137  supported on the support table  140  and the support end  140 ′, respectively. In order to adjust the height of the media seats  150 , the seating recesses  143  and the hook steps  145 , on which the connection support shafts  138  and the hook ends  137  are seated, respectively, are simply changed. To this end, the connection support shafts  138  are moved away from the slant portions  142  of the support table  140 , i.e. out of the seating recesses  143 . The movement of the connection support shafts  138  is accompanied by movement of the elevating legs  131 . As a result, the connection pins  131 ′ of the elevating legs  131  change their locations in the guide slots  123 . The hook ends  137  should also be supported on different hook steps  145  to orient the media support table  150  horizontally. 
   The resilient members  139  can provide a resilient force so that the connection support shafts  138  and the hook ends  137  are continuously biased to be seated in the seating recesses  143  and the hook steps  145 , respectively. As such, the media support table  150  does not change its height due to slight external forces, such as bumping or jarring of the media cassette. Rather, it takes a purposeful manual manipulation on the part of the user to change the height of the support table. 
   According to the present invention as described in detail above, the following advantages can be obtained. Since a single media cassette can be used for media of various sizes, it is possible to provide a highly compatible and adaptable media cassette. Further, two link mechanisms are interlocked to adjust the height of media seats based on the media&#39;s size. Therefore, the two media seats can be automatically and simultaneously leveled accurately and the media can be supported correctly. Furthermore, the media seats can be adjusted based not only on the height of the media to be dispensed, but also on the basis of the width of the media to be dispensed. 
   The scope of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiments but defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.