Patent ID: 7341406

Claim:
A method comprising: (a) servicing at least one terminal component of a pneumatic terminal from a front of the terminal, wherein the terminal is in operative connection with a first end of a pneumatic transport tube, wherein the terminal is operative to receive a pneumatic carrier therein, and to send a pneumatic carrier therefrom, wherein the at least one terminal component includes at least one of a door assembly, a catch assembly, and a panel assembly, and wherein the servicing includes: (a)(i) selectively removing a door assembly from operatively supported connection with a frame of the terminal through a front opening thereof, wherein the door assembly includes a rotatable door member and a drive mechanism associated with causing rotation of the rotatable door member; (a)(ii) selectively removing a carrier catch assembly from operatively supported connection with the frame through the front opening, wherein the catch assembly includes a carrier catch mechanism comprising a movable catch member; (a)(iii) moving a panel assembly from an operative position to a service position, wherein the panel assembly includes a component panel having a mounting surface, and at least one panel component mounted in supporting connection with the component panel, wherein when the panel assembly is in the operative position, the mounting surface is generally inwardly facing and inaccessible from the front of the terminal, and wherein when the panel assembly is in the service position, the mounting surface is accessible from the front of the terminal; and (b) subsequent to step (a), placing the door assembly in supporting connection with the frame, placing the catch assembly in supporting connection with the frame, and moving the panel assembly into the operative position.