Patent Publication Number: US-9424707-B2

Title: Actuated castellation plate for a currency acceptor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to fraud protection for currency acceptors, and more particularly to an improved anti-string fraud device and method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of valuable document validators for use in automatic transaction machines, such as vending or gaming machines, are well known. Typically, a consumer inserts coins and bills into such vending machines in order to purchase a product or service. Currency acceptors receive currency, for example paper money or coins, and perform various authenticity and denomination tests, and then either accept the tendered currency as valid or reject the currency and return it to the consumer. When accepted as genuine currency, the bill or coin is usually transported to a currency storage assembly, for example a cashbox or coin tube, where it is stored and a selected item is vended along with any change that may be due. 
     Thieves have been known to attempt to cheat vending machines to receive products or services without actually paying for them. Often, thieves fool currency acceptors with things that would not fool humans. For example, a thief may attach a string-like member, or any object capable of creating a tail, to a bill and then manipulating the tail to retrieve the bill after it has been accepted by a bill validator. This type of fraud is commonly known as “string-fraud.” Although areas containing automatic transaction machines, such as vending machines and gaming machines, are increasingly monitored by automatic video devices, the string-fraud technique can be difficult to detect during or after an occurrence because during normal operation of the machine genuine bills are returned to consumers if they cannot be validated due to wear or foreign matter. Moreover, it is a never-ending game between thieves and the developers of automatic transaction machines—as thieves develop new methods to overcome current anti-fraud methods and devices, new countermeasures must be developed. 
     SUMMARY 
     One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an improved anti-string fraud device and method. Currently, there are few solutions to prevent the latest string fraud techniques used by thieves, which utilize a wide tail attached to a bill for example, to fool automatic transaction machines. One such solution is an object of the present invention. 
     An example embodiment of the present invention includes a currency acceptor assembly including a currency passageway, mounting assembly arranged along a length of the currency passageway, currency storage assembly having an entrance coupled to the currency passageway, the currency passageway being arranged to guide a currency denomination (e.g., bill, coin, etc.) in a forward direction to the entrance of the currency storage assembly, and an actuated castellation plate mounted to the mounting assembly and configured to transfer between an open state and a closed state. The actuated castellation plate can include an array of teeth coupled to a baseplate, the baseplate can include a receptacle and two opposing mounting ends mounted to the mounting assembly. 
     In some example embodiments the currency acceptor assembly can further include a currency validator having an exit coupled to the currency passageway, the currency passageway being further arranged to guide currency in a forward direction from the exit of the currency validator toward the entrance of the currency storage assembly, wherein the mounting assembly is further arranged along the currency passageway between the currency validator and the currency storage assembly. The currency validator can be a bill validator operative to authenticate one or more bill denominations. The currency storage assembly can be a cashbox assembly operative to store the one or more bill denominations. In other example embodiments, the currency storage assembly can be a recycler assembly operative to recycle a bill denomination associated with providing a sum of change from a transaction. In still further embodiments the currency acceptor assembly can include multiple currency storage assemblies, such as multiple recycler assemblies and cashbox assemblies. 
     In some example embodiments the currency acceptor assembly can further include a spring mechanism coupled to the currency storage assembly and the receptacle of the baseplate, the spring mechanism being configured to transfer the castellation plate to the open state. The castellation plate can be arranged to be actuated from the open state to the closed state by the currency denomination (e.g., bill, coin, etc.) traveling in a reverse direction from the entrance of the currency storage assembly. The receptacle of the baseplate can be a first receptacle, the spring mechanism can be a first spring mechanism, the baseplate can further include a second receptacle, the first and second receptacles can be arranged on opposing sides of the baseplate, and the currency acceptor assembly can further include a second spring mechanism coupled to the second receptacle of the baseplate and the mounting assembly, the second spring mechanism being configured to further transfer the castellation plate to the open state. The two opposing ends of the baseplate can include a flat-end and a T-end, and the mounting assembly can further include a flat-groove and a T-groove matching the corresponding flat-end and the T-end, respectively, and arranged at the entrance of the currency storage assembly. In some example embodiments the mounting assembly can be integral to the currency storage assembly. The flat-groove can be a slot and the T-groove can have a closed-end and an open-end. The flat-groove and T-groove can be arranged off-horizontal. The castellation plate can be arranged to be actuated from the open state to the closed state by a string-like member attached to the currency denomination (e.g., bill, coin, etc.) traveling in a reverse direction from the entrance of the currency storage assembly. The array of teeth can be tree-shaped teeth forming restricted openings therebetween, and at least some of the teeth are adjacent to one another in a direction across the currency passageway, partially overlap one another without contacting one another, and can be angled such that any string-like member attached to the bill will be trapped within a restricted opening to further prevent extraction of the bill. 
     A still further example embodiment of the present invention can include an improvement to a known hook array for use with a bill acceptor including a plurality of tree-shaped teeth forming restricted openings therebetween and positioned in a currency passageway of the bill acceptor, wherein at least some of the teeth are adjacent to one another in a direction across a width of the passageway, partially overlap one another without contacting one another, and wherein the teeth are angled such that any string-like member attached to a bill will be trapped within a restricted opening to prevent extraction of the bill, and the improvement includes the plurality of tree-shaped teeth being transferable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position at least partially obstructs the currency passageway and further prevents extraction of the bill. The hook array can further include a baseplate connected to the teeth. The baseplate can further include at least one receptacle to receive a spring mechanism. The baseplate and the teeth can be of a unitary construction. The baseplate can further include a flat end. The baseplate can further include at least one flange arranged at a flange end. At least one flange can be a T-shaped end. The hook array can further include sharp edges within at least one of the restricted openings. A top portion of at least one of the teeth can be curved to promote unimpeded travel of a bill in a first direction toward a cashbox and further promotes the teeth being transferred to the open state. An inner surface of at least one of the teeth can be abrasive to promote movement of the teeth to the closed position thereby obstructing travel of a bill in a second direction out of a cashbox. 
     A further example embodiment can include a currency acceptor assembly including a means for transporting a currency denomination (e.g., bill, coin, etc.) along a currency pathway in a forward direction to an entrance of a currency storage assembly, and a means for transferring a castellation plate between an open state and a closed state along the currency passageway at the entrance of the cashbox assembly. 
     The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. For example, example embodiments of the present invention can be used to prevent string fraud in which a thief utilizes a wide tail instead of a string-like member to prevent the string-like member from falling into the teeth of a hook array. Further advantages include that example embodiments are simple to implement and low cost. Therefore, automatic transaction machines that are currently deployed can be retrofitted relatively easily and inexpensively. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example embodiment of an actuated castellation plate for a currency acceptor assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the actuated castellation plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are detailed perspective views the actuated castellation plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate prior art implementation of a currency acceptor assembly which may include an example embodiment of an actuated castellation plate. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a bill acceptor assembly including an example embodiment of an actuated castellation plate. 
         FIG. 6A-6E  are partial cutaway perspective views of an example embodiment of a cashbox assembly for implementation with the actuated castellation plate of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As methods of detecting fakes and other anti-fraud technologies are developed and incorporated into currency acceptors, thieves, likewise, develop new techniques and methods to outmaneuver the new defenses in a never-ending cycle. For example, a hook array for a bill acceptor, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,998, entitled “Hook Array For A Bill Acceptor” issued to Mosteller et al. on Dec. 30, 2003, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, was developed as a counter measure to the classic string-fraud. In general, to perform the classic string fraud the thief attaches a string-like member to a bill (or coin) and then manipulates the string-like member to retrieve the bill after it has been accepted by the bill validator. As used herein, a “string-like member” denotes any type of string, thin natural or artificial fiber, monofilament line, thin cord, thread, twine, tape, wire or the like that could be attached to a denomination of currency. Although the hook array can be successful at preventing classic string-fraud in which string-like members are used (the string-like members become stuck in the restricted openings of the hook array and prevent the accepted bill from being extricated from the bill acceptor), enterprising thieves have developed an outflanking technique. 
     To overcome the previous limitation, thieves create a wide tail to attach to a bill. For example, by overlapping a long length of packing tape so that the end portion of the bill is sandwiched between portions of the tape and the remaining length is adhered to itself, thieves can create a wide tail for string-fraud. Because the wide tail can avoid falling between the teeth of the hook array, thieves can overcome that defense. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device to prevent string-fraud that is simple to implement and low cost. 
     As used throughout this specification, the terms currency denomination, denomination of currency, valuable document, currency bill, bill, banknote, note, bank check, paper money, paper currency, coin, coinage, and cash may be used interchangeably herein to refer to a type of a negotiable instrument or any other writing that evidences a right to the payment of a monetary obligation, typically issued by a central banking authority. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example embodiment of an improved castellation plate  10  (also referred to herein as a hook array) for use with a currency acceptor (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). The castellation plate includes a baseplate  12  and a plurality of tree-shaped teeth  14   a  to  14   i  connected to the baseplate. The baseplate  12  includes opposing end members  24  and  26 , one of which or both of which may include a flange. In some example embodiments the end members are a flat-end  26  and a T-end  24 . The base plate  12  can further include receptacles  20  and  22 . As will be described in more detail below, the receptacles  20  and  22  can be used for mounting a spring or other translational force providing mechanism between the baseplate  12  and a cashbox assembly (not shown). 
     With respect to the hook array of  FIG. 1 , each of the teeth  14   a - 14   i  includes branches  16   a  and  16   b  that overlap with, but do not contact, the branches of neighboring teeth to form restricted openings  18  between them. The branches  16   a  and  16   b  of each of the teeth are angled downward to encourage any string-like member or other foreign matter to fall into the restricted openings the purposes of which will be explained in detail below. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the teeth  14   b - 14   d  and  14   f - 14   h  have branches that are also offset from a plane that is parallel to the baseplate  12 . The geometry of the teeth is optimized in this manner to minimize the amount of travel that a string attached to a bill must move to become caught in one of the restricted openings between adjacent teeth. The number of teeth fabricated along the length “L” is chosen such that they extend for a length approximately equal to the width of a currency passageway, as will be explained in more detail below. In addition, the hook array  10  may be of a one-piece construction. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example embodiment of the castellation plate  10  of  FIG. 1 . The perspective view of  FIG. 2  more clearly shows the curvature of the hook array teeth  14   a - 14   i . Other features of the baseplate  12  are more clearly shown, such as the receptacles  20  and  22  and the flat-end  26  and T-end  24 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show the T-end  24  and flat-end  26 , respectively, in further detail. The receptacles  20  and  22  can be generally cylindrical in shape and further include an interior cylindrically shaped portion that matches the outer diameter, to more easily receive and mate with, a helical spring mechanism ( 54  and  56 , as shown in  FIGS. 6C-6E ) or other translational force mechanism. The ends  24  and  26  generally can be extensions of baseplate  12 . The T-end  24  is generally a “T” shape in that a cap or flange portion is coupled to a flat-end in a perpendicular arrangement. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a prior art implementation of a currency acceptor assembly  50   a  that includes a bill validator  100  connected to a currency stacker  200 . The details of the validator  100  pertaining to banknote validation are not part of this invention, and thus those aspects of the validator are not discussed further. Likewise, various aspects of the electrical and mechanical connection of the validator  100  and the stacker  200  do not form a part of this invention and are not discussed further. It should be understood that the currency acceptor assembly  50   a  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is just one example of a currency acceptor configuration which may be retrofitted with the castellation plate  10 . 
     Briefly, bill validator  100  determines whether inserted banknotes are acceptable. Banknotes are inserted one at a time into validator  100  at an entrance of the currency passageway  102 . From the entrance of the currency passageway  102 , a banknote is transported through the validator  100  to the validator banknote output by a series of pairs of pulleys or rollers  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114  and a pair of belts  118 , which grip the side edges of the banknote and which are driven by a drive means  116  including a motor and drive train. 
     While the banknote is transported through the validator  100 , it is tested by a group of sensors to ascertain its validity and denomination. Output signals from the sensors are processed by logic circuits in validator  100  to determine whether the banknote is acceptable. A banknote which is unacceptable is ejected back out through entrance  102  by reversing the drive means  116 . 
     An acceptable banknote is driven by the pairs of belts  118  and the pairs of rollers  112  and  114  into an interconnection region  120  of the currency passageway  102  in which the validator  100  and the stacker  200  are connected together. In this example, the stacker  200  and cashbox  600 , each of which are parts of the cashbox assembly  500  (a type of currency storage assembly), are connected to the validator  100  in what is commonly known as an “up-stacker” configuration because accepted bills are transported from a horizontal orientation upwards to a vertical orientation. It should be understood, however, that an example embodiment of the actuated castellation plate according to the invention may be used in currency acceptors configured in other ways, such as in a “down-stacker” configuration. Referring again to  FIG. 4A , the interconnection means in the interconnection region  120  establishes a smooth uninterrupted path for a banknote to follow in leaving validator  100  and entering stacker  200 . The interconnection means establishes the initial portion of the currency passageway  102  in the stacker  200  and serves to direct the leading edge of the banknote to the region  220  where the two side edges of the banknote are gripped between rollers  308 , belts  312  and stacker drive rollers  114 . 
     The stacker  200  includes transport means having a series of pairs of pulleys  306 ,  308  and  310 , a pair of belts  312 , and a pair of retractable pinch rollers  304 . It should be recognized that one of each of the above components  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312  is located on each side of the banknote path, and the validator roller  114  drives the transport means. 
     The accepted banknote is transported from the entrance of the cashbox assembly  500  into a pre-storage compartment  400 . In a fashion somewhat analogous to the way that a picture frame holds a picture, compartment  400  “frames” the banknote and holds it stiff prior to stacking. A central region is open, and a pusher plate  502  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) which is part of the cashbox assembly  500  passes through this opening as it strips a banknote from compartment  400 , and pushes it into the cashbox  600 . 
     After a predetermined distance of travel sufficient to allow the accepted banknote to be fully driven into a compartment  400  by the transport means, the retractable pinch rollers  304  are retracted, and the pusher means  501  is operated. (It should be understood that other types of bill acceptors might use alternate methods to transport a bill into a prestorage compartment and to monitor its progress before storing the bill.) A mechanical portion of the pusher means  501  is shown, but the details of its operation are not part of the present invention and thus will not be discussed in detail herein. Pusher means  501  forces the accepted banknote from prestorage compartment  400  into a stack  602  in the cashbox  600  where it is stored until removed by service personnel. The cashbox  600  is designed to be readily removed, or opened so that stacked banknotes can be collected. 
       FIG. 4B  is a further example embodiment of a currency acceptor assembly  50   b , which can be used with the actuated castellation plate  10  described herein. The currency acceptor assembly  50   b  operates in a similar manner to the currency acceptor assembly  50   a  of  FIG. 4A  described above, and, as such, will not be discussed in further detail. The currency acceptor assembly  50   b  can include one or more recycler assemblies  500   b , a type of currency storage assembly which is used to recycle denominations of currency previously accepted by the ATM to provide change due to a customer as part of a transaction. As shown in the example currency acceptor assembly of  FIG. 4B , the recycler assemblies  500   b  can be in a vertical configuration, each having an entrance and exit coupled to the currency passageway (not shone in detail) so that the recycler assemblies  500   b  can accept particular currency denominations. For example, the recycler assemblies  500   b  can store and return $1 and $5 denominations for use in providing change to a customer to complete a transaction. The currency acceptor assembly  50   b  can further include a cashbox assembly  500 . The cashbox assembly  500  and recycler assemblies  500   b  are referred to herein generally as currency storage assemblies, as the function of each is to store currency. 
     Now that example embodiments of currency acceptors and the overall operation from banknote insertion to stacking and removal have been briefly discussed, the details of the apparatus according to the present subject matter will be described in greater depth. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a currency acceptor assembly  50  incorporating an example embodiment of a castellation plate  10 .  FIG. 5  illustrates two positions “A” and “B” of the pusher plate  502  for the case wherein a thief has inserted a genuine bill  30  with attached tail  32  (also referred to herein as a bait bill  30 ), into the currency validator  50 . This is done by a thief to defraud the currency acceptor by first allowing the bill to be authenticated and then stored in the cashbox  600 , receiving the product or service, and then pulling on the tail  32  to retrieve the bait bill  30  from the cashbox  600  back out of the entryway. 
     In the above example the thief inserts the bait bill  30  connected to the tail  32  into the entryway of currency passageway  102 , wherein after being accepted by the bill validator  100 , the bill  30  is then transported to the bill stacker  200  for storage in the cashbox  600 . The bill  30  is first transported to the pre-storage compartment  400  wherein the pusher plate  502  begins in position A. The pusher plate  502  then operates to move in the direction of arrow  36  to position B to push the bill  30  into cashbox  600 . As the bill  30  is moved in this manner to position B, the motion of the pusher plate  502  and movement of the bill  30  drags the tail  32  against the castellation plate  10 . When the thief attempts to retrieve the bill  30  by pulling on the tail  32 , the pressure and/or friction caused by the tail  32  and the bill  30  will actuate the castellation plate  10  from an open state “A′” to a closed state “B′” at area  40 . The open state A′ enables the bill  30  to travel unimpeded into the cashbox  600  as described above. The closed state B′ prevents the bill  30  from moving backwards toward the bill entryway by obstructing the currency passageway  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the castellation plate  10  is mounted using mounting assembly  501  (shown in  FIG. 6A ) between the cashbox  600  and a first portion of the currency passageway  102  at the cashbox assembly  500  entrance  42  to inhibit such retrieval of paper currency. If the tail  32  is relatively weak, it may snap when the thief pulls. Since the bill has already been safely stored, this is an acceptable result. Alternately, the thief may abandon the tail  32  when he realizes that the bait bill  30  cannot be retrieved which may cause the currency validator to go out of service. Although the next customer who tries to use the automatic transaction machine will be disappointed, such an event is somewhat beneficial because then a service call is required. When service personnel arrive and verify that a fraud has been attempted, a surveillance tape can be checked to identify the thief for possible arrest or banishment from the establishment. Further, after a thief repeatedly fails to succeed in his attempt to defraud the machine, the incidence of string-fraud attempts will drop. Although the castellation plate  10  is mounted along the currency passageway  102  at the cashbox assembly entrance  42  in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the castellation plate  10  can be mounted along any length of the currency passageway  102  between the currency validator assembly and the currency storage assembly. For example, the castellation plate  10  can be mounted immediately following the currency validator (i.e., at the exit of the currency validator), such that the currency can travel along the currency passageway through the validator, through the castellation plate, and then to a currency storage assembly (e.g., cashbox, recycler assembly, etc.). 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective cutaway view of an example implementation of a mounting assembly  501  (which can be integral to cashbox assembly  500  as presented) to illustrate arrangement of a castellation plate  10 . As shown, the castellation plate  10  may be configured in an off-horizontal arrangement with a side wall  602  using receptacles  20  and  22  (not shown in  FIG. 6A ) and mounting ends  24  and  26 . For example, the off-horizontal arrangement of the castellation plate  10  from the side wall  602  of mounting assembly  501  can be at an angle ranging from 0 degrees (horizontal) through 45 degrees or more, with 22 degrees being a preferred arrangement. As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the castellation plate  10  is fully translated and in a closed state B′ (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). A spring mechanism ( 50  and  52  shown in  FIG. 6C ) or other translational force providing mechanism can be couple to and arranged between the mounting assembly receptacles ( 620  and  622  in  FIG. 6B ) and the receptacles  20  and  22  of the castellation plate  10  to provide force to translate the castellation plate  10  into an open state A′ (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The castellation plate  10  can be arranged such that the teeth  14   a - 14   i  are oriented in a slightly inward facing direction in relation to the bill opening  504 . The teeth  14   a - 14   i  can be angled or curved towards the stacked notes so that they do not obstruct any part of an accepted bill as it is pushed into the cashbox  600  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), while at the same time catch any bill being pulled out and thus actuate the castellation plate to closed position B′. It should be understood that the baseplate  12  of the hook array can be formed to include alternate receptacles, connection points, and cut-out portions to enable the easy retrofit to existing cashbox assemblies for various currency acceptor assemblies, as well as to fit new currency acceptor designs. 
       FIG. 6B  is a partial perspective end view of an example embodiment of the mounting assembly  501 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates an example assembly of the castellation plate  10  with spring mechanisms  56  and  54 , which can couple to receptacles  20  and  22 , respectively.  FIGS. 6D and 6E  are alternative partial perspective end views of the example embodiment of the mounting assembly  501  illustrating different features for coupling the castellation plate  10  to the currency passageway ( 102  in  FIG. 4A ) at the entrance of the cashbox assembly  500 . Mounting assembly receptacles  620  and  622  can be coupled to a first end of spring mechanisms  56  and  54  or other translational force mechanisms, and the second end can be coupled to the castellation plate receptacles  20  and  22 , respectively (shown in  FIG. 6C ). T-groove  624  is a “T” shaped groove that matches and corresponds to the T-end  24  of the castellation plate  10 . Slot  626  is a closed groove that matches and corresponds to the flat-end  26  of the castellation plate  10 . The T-groove  624  and slot  626 , or other types of ridges or grooves, can be parallel to each one another and angled off horizon, preferably at 22 degrees off horizon. The T-groove  624  and slot  626  enable the castellation plate  10  to slide forward into the currency passageway  102  when pressure is applied by a tail or string-like member, thus allowing the castellation plate  10  to completely block the currency passageway  102  and preventing the fraud. Pressure from the spring mechanisms  56  and  54  or other translational force mechanism can cause the castellation plate  10  to bounce back into the open state A′ from the closed state B′, thus allowing bills to be transported into the cashbox assembly  500 . In a preferred embodiment, the castellation plate  10  can slide a maximum of 3.25 mm into the currency passageway  102  before it is stopped by either the collision of the teeth  14   a - 14   i  with opposite side of the currency passageway  102  or by the spring mechanisms  56  and  54  which will be at their fully condensed position. The T-groove  624  and slot  626  provide mechanical support for mounting of the castellation plate  10  using mounting assembly  501 , preferably at the entrance of the cashbox assembly  500 . Additionally, by using the T-groove  624  and slot  626  the castellation plate  10  is keyed so as to allow only proper installation and prevent incorrect assembly. It should be understood that the flat-end, T-end and corresponding slot and T-groove are provided as illustrative examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     The tree-shaped teeth  14   a - 14   i  can be angled, and when connected to a bill acceptor assembly the teeth face towards the cashbox  600  in the direction of arrow  36  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) so as not to impede the progress of an accepted bill. Further, the top portions of the teeth  14   a - 14   i  may be made smooth to further allow for unimpeded entry of a bill into the cashbox  600 , and to encourage a string to enter and be trapped within a restricted opening  18 . In contrast, the lower, inner surface of the teeth  14   a - 14   i  that forms the restricted opening may be rough or abrasive to promote the actuation of the castellation plate  10  to the closed state B′ and the further obstruction of a bill in the reverse direction. 
     Alternate implementations of a hook array structure may include a base plate  12 , a plurality of tree-shaped teeth  14   a - 14   i , a cut-out portion  25  and an aperture or connection point. An alternate hook array may include a base plate  12 , teeth  14   a - 14   i , central cut-out portion  25  and two connection points located on flanges. Another alternate hook array may include a base plate  12 , teeth  14   a - 14   i , central cut-out portion  25 , flanges and connection points. It should be understood that the connection points or end mounts could be circular, oval or other shape. Further, the flanges could be of different dimensions and shapes in order to facilitate connection to a currency acceptor, cashbox assembly or other support structure. As described above, when the castellation plate is connected, the teeth permit a banknote to enter a cashbox and prevent a thief from pulling the banknote back out of the currency acceptor by using a tail or string to retrieve the banknote. 
     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the hook array  10  may include areas within the restricted openings  18  that have sharp edges or blade structures that may operate to engage, cut, rip or tear the string when a thief attempts to pull a bill out of the cashbox. Such sharp edges may be fabricated to only engage and cut objects that move in a direction that is opposite to the direction of an accepted bill that has been stacked in the cashbox. If the restricted openings include such sharp edges, then the largest diameter of the restricted openings should be made sufficiently small to prevent insertion of a finger in order to protect personnel entrusted with removing and emptying full cashboxes. 
     Further exemplifying the scope of the present subject matter, currency acceptors may include coin validators, operative to validate coinage, and an embodiment of a castellation plate may be tailored to the typically narrower currency passageway used for coinage. Such currency acceptors equipped with coin validators may be further equipped with currency storage assemblies, such as coin tubes or coin hoppers, coupled to the currency passageway. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.