CA1317605C - Force modifying device - Google Patents
Force modifying deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1317605C CA1317605C CA000604209A CA604209A CA1317605C CA 1317605 C CA1317605 C CA 1317605C CA 000604209 A CA000604209 A CA 000604209A CA 604209 A CA604209 A CA 604209A CA 1317605 C CA1317605 C CA 1317605C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- force
- plate
- cable means
- axis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
- B65H1/12—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device comprising spring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
- G07D11/10—Mechanical details
- G07D11/12—Containers for valuable papers
- G07D11/13—Containers for valuable papers with internal means for handling valuable papers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a system for transmitting a biasing force created by a force generating component to a load remote from the force component. The system includes a first elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible element being connectable to the force generating component, and a second elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second flexible element being connectable to the load. A force modifying member rotatable about a fixed axis is provided and includes first and second outwardly facing surfaces of predetermined lengths which curve about the axis. The second ends of the elongated flexible elements are connected respectively to the first and second surfaces at one end of the surface, wherein the flexible elements are operable to be wound or unwound on the respective surfaces as the member rotates about the axis.
The first flexible element produces a force moment about the axis in a first direction biasing the force modifying member into rotation in the first direction. The second element exerts a resultant biasing force on the load. The first and second surfaces are dimensioned such that rotation of the member about the axis in the first direction causes one of the elements to be wound onto its respective surface as the other element is unwound from its respective surface to vary the force moments about the axis, to render the biasing force on the load generally more uniform.
The present invention provides a system for transmitting a biasing force created by a force generating component to a load remote from the force component. The system includes a first elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible element being connectable to the force generating component, and a second elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second flexible element being connectable to the load. A force modifying member rotatable about a fixed axis is provided and includes first and second outwardly facing surfaces of predetermined lengths which curve about the axis. The second ends of the elongated flexible elements are connected respectively to the first and second surfaces at one end of the surface, wherein the flexible elements are operable to be wound or unwound on the respective surfaces as the member rotates about the axis.
The first flexible element produces a force moment about the axis in a first direction biasing the force modifying member into rotation in the first direction. The second element exerts a resultant biasing force on the load. The first and second surfaces are dimensioned such that rotation of the member about the axis in the first direction causes one of the elements to be wound onto its respective surface as the other element is unwound from its respective surface to vary the force moments about the axis, to render the biasing force on the load generally more uniform.
Description
FORCE MODIFYING DEVICE ~ 3 ~ 7 Field of the Invention m e present invention relates generally to spring driven systems for article dispensing devices, and more particularly to a force modifying arrangement to produce a more uniform output force in a spring actuated biasing system. The arrangement is particularly applicable for use in a dlspenser for dispensing very thin planar articles, such as currency notes, sheet paper, or the like, ~nd will be described with partict~ar reference thereto, altho~gh it will be appreciated that the invention has other broader applications where planar articles are driven by a push plate tcwards a dispensing position.
Backqround of the Invention ~ he present invention finds advantageous application in a currency dispenser as used in automatic teller machines (AqMS). In such machines, a stack of bills of a parti¢ular denomination is generally disposed within an elongated canister having a dispensing position at one end thereof.
From this dispensing position, the bills are dispensed individually by a transfer mechanism. The sta¢k of bills is urged towards the dispensing position by means of a push plate. Generally, the push plate is biased (pulled) toward the dispensing position by means of a tension spring system. With such a system, the removal of currency and the resultant contraction of the tension spring inevitably leads to a reduction of the biasing force exerted on the push plate. In other words, the force on the push plate at the position where the canister lS fully loaded continuously 2S decreases as the push plate moves toward the dLtspensing position. In this respect, it is not un sual for the blas mg force in such devices to ~
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1317 6 ~ 3 ~~` decrease 67% or more as the push plate travels from a fully loaded position to an empty position. This change in the biasing force places severe requirements on the transfer mechanism which picks or removes the b;lls from the dispensing position, and generally leads to degraded performance of the transfer mechanism when the canister is fully loaded or near empty. The present invention overcomes this and other problems and provides a simple, reliable device for use with a spring force system, which device modifies the force generated by such system to produce a more uniform output biasing force.
Su~mary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system for transmitting a biasing force from a force generating component to a lcad remote from the fcrce com~onent. The system includes a first elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible element being connectable to the force generating component, and a second elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second flexible element being connectable to the load. A force modifying member rotatable about a fixed axis îs provided and includes first and second outwardly facing surfaces of predetermined length which curve about the axis. The second ends of the elongated flexible elements are connected respectively to the first and second surfaces at one end of each surface. The flexible elements are operable to be wound or unwound on the respective surfaces as ~ the ~Ember rotates about the axis. The first flexible element produces a force moment about the axis in a first direction biasing the force modifying member into rotation in the first direction. The second element ' 13~7&~
exerts a resultant biasing force on the load. The first and second surfaces are dimensioned such that rotation of the member about the axis in the first direction causes one of the elements to be wound onto its respective surface as the other element is unwound from its respective surface in a manner which varies the force mcments about the axis.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for moving a stack of generally planar articles toward a dispensing position where individual articles are to be dispensed, which device includes means for maintaining a generally uniform force on the stack in the direction of the dispensing position. The device includes plate means movable along a predetermined path between a first position remote fr~m the dispensing cpening and a second position adjacent the dispensing opening for pushing the stack toward the dispensing position; a plate cable means having a first end and second end, the irst end being connected to the plate means; a tension spring having a stationary end fLxed relative to the dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermuned spring path between a first position wherein the spring is extended a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, the spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in the first position, which tension force diminishes as the spring retracts along the spring path t~ward the second position; spring cable means having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the free end of the tension spring; and a force modifying member for transmitting the tension force in the spring to the plate means to move ~he plate means along the plate path. ~he modifying member is rotatable akout an axis fixed relative to the ' ~, ~ 13~7~
dispensing opening, and includes first and second outwardly facing contoured surfaces to receive the tension spring cable means and the plate cable means, respectively. The second ends of the cable means are attached to the modifying member such that the spring cable means is disposed on the first surface when the spring is in the first position. The tension force of the spring biases the modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction, which rotation produces a resultant biasing force on the plake means via the plate cable means to force the plate means toward the dispensing position. The first surface is dimensioned to vary the distance between the spring cable means and the axis as the modifying member rotates, wherein the resultant biasing force acting on the plate means is maintained generally more uniform as the plate moves between the first position and the second position.
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a device to modify the force generated by a spring system or the like into a more uniform force with a less radical drop-off as the spring contracts.
Another object of an aspect of the invention is to provide a dispensing canister for currency, documents or the like wherein the force exerted on the currency or documents to move the same toward a dispensing position remains more uniform between a full canister condition and an empty canister condition.
A still further object of an aspect of the invention is to providP a device for moving planar articles toward a dispensing location.
According to aspect of the invention, an elongated, generally rectangular currency canister for moving a stack of sheet currency toward a dispensing position at one end thereof where individual sheets are dispensed, the canister having a first lengthwise compartment for holding the stack of currency, a second lengthwise compartment, and a device for biasing the ~' 1 3 1 7 ~
stack in the direction of the dispensing position, the biasing means comprises:
plate means disposed within the first and second compartments movable along a predetermined plate path between a first position remote from the dispensing opening and a second position adjacent the dispensing opening for pushing the stack in the first compartment toward the dispensing position, plate cable means having a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the plate means in the second compartment, a tension spring disclosed in the second compartment having a stationary end fixed relative to the dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermined spring path within the second compartment between a first position wherein the spring is extending a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, the spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in the first position which diminishes as the spring retracts along the spring path toward the second position, spring cable means having a first and a second end, the first end is connected to the free end of the tension sprin~, and a force modifying member disposed in the second compartment for transmitting the tension force in the spring to the plate means to move the plate means along the plate path, the modifying member is rotatable through at least 270 degrees about an axis fixed relative to the dispensing opening from a first rotation position corresponding to the first spring position and second rotation position corresponding to the second spring position and having ~irst and second outwardly facing non-circular arcuate surfaces to receive the tension spring cable means and the plate cable means respectively, the first arcuate surface is generalIy helical in shape and spiralling outwardly, the : 4a ~,~
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second ends of the cable means is attached to the modifying member wherein the spring cable means is disposed on the first surface when the spring is in the first position, the tension force biasing the modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction wherein the plate cable means is wound onto the second arcuate surface and the spring cable means is unwound from the first arcuate surface and the rotation of the member producing a resultant force on the plate means via the plate cable means to force the plate means toward the dispensing position, the first and second surfaces is dimensioned to vary the respective distances between the spring cable means and the plate cable means and the axis as the modifying member rotates, the ratio of the distance between the spring cable and the axis relative to the distance between the plate cable and the axis continually increasing as the modifying member rotates 4~
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Brief Description of the Drawinas The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currency dispensing canister illustrating a preferred embcdiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the position of various components of the currency dispensing canister when the canister is in a fully loaded condition;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
l;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view illustratIng a force m~difying eleme~t incorporating another concept of t~e present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional vlew taken alo~g line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
4; and FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to that shcwn in FIG. 2, illustrating the position of the various ccmponents of the currency dispensLng canister when the dispensing canister is in a nearly empty con~ition.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings wherein the showin~s are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred e~bodLment of the pr~sent invention and not for the purpose of limiting~same, FIG. I shows a currency , .. ~
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~ispensing canister 10 for use in an automatic teller machine (AIM).
Canister 10 is camprised of a generally rectangular housing 12 having side walls 14, 16, end walls 18, 20 and bottam wall 22. End wall 18 includes a generally rectangular opening 24 in the upper portion thereof, which opening 24 defines a dispensing opening from which individual bills are to be removed by a transfer n~chanism (not shown). A pair of generally Lr shaped tracks 30, 32 extend along the length of side walls 14, 16 and are secured thereto by fasteners 33. Tracks 30, 32 include horizontal leg portions 30a, 32a and vertical leg portions 30b, 32b. Tracks 30 and 32 are positioned such that horizontal leg portions 30a, 32a are generally coplanar and define a surface 34, best seen in FIG. 3. Tracks 30, 32 generally divide the canister into an upper compartment 36 and a lower ccmpartment 3&. Upper compartment 36 is dimensioned to hold a stack of planar, sheet like material such as currency, which stack is designated "S" in the drawings. In this respe¢t, sta¢k S rests on surface 34 as shown in the drawings, and a push plate 40 is prcvided to move stack S
along surface 34 tcward cpening 24.
Push plate 40 includes a front side 42 adapted to engage sta¢k S
and a back side 44. As best seen in FIG. 3, push pla~e 40 includes an upper portion 46 adapted to move within upper ccmpartment 36 and a-lower portion 48 dimensioned to travel in lower ccn~Lrtnent 38. In this respect, notches 50, 52 are provided in the sides of push plate 40 to accommcdate horizontal legs 30a, 32a of tracks 30, 32, respectively. A
rectangular notch 54 is also provided at the bottom of lower portion 48, as seen in FIG. 3. PUsh plate 40 is mounted for horizontal travel along parallel cylindrical guides 60, 62 which ext~nd between end walls 18 and ..,,~. ,,..,,. ~ - - ; :
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20; Guides 60, 62 are secured to end walls 18, 20 in a known manner.
Secured to back side 44 of lower portion 48 of push plate 40 is a generally U-shaped bracket 64, best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8. Bracket 64 has a closed end 66 an opened end 68, with mounting feet 70, 72 adjacent opened end 68. Bracket 64 is mounted to push plate 40 such that mounting feet 70, 72 are on opposite sides of rectangular notch 54, as shcwn in FIG. 3. 8racket 64 may be secured to push plate 40 by soldering, welding or by conventionally-known fastener means.
A flexible element 80 is provided and secured at one end to closed end 66 of bracket 64. Flexible element 80 may be comprised of a cord, rope, cable or timing chain. In the preferred embodiment, flexible element 80 is comprised of a flexible wire cable. Flexible element 80 extends æound a pair of pulleys 82, 84 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7.
Pulleys 82, 84 are slightly elongated in shape to allow verti~al travel of flexible element 80 along the bearing surface thereof. Pulleys 82, 84 a~e fixedly se~ured to bottom wall 22 of housing 12 by threaded fasteners in a conventional manner. The other end of flexible element 80 is secured to a force mcd~ifyin~ unit 90 which is rota W le about a fixed axis designated "A" in the drawings (see FIGS. 2 and 4). ElemQnt 90 is fixe~ly mounted to housing 12 as will be described in greater detail below. Flexible element 80 operatively engages force modifying unit 90 to one side of axis A.
Another elongated flexible element 92 is connected to force modifying element 90. As with flexible element 80, flexible element 92 may be comprised of a cord, rope, cable or timing chain. In the preferred embcdiment, flexible element 92 is also formed of a flexible wire cable.
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m e other end of flexible element 92 is connected to an elongated tension sprin~ 94. Tension spring 94 extends around a pulley 96 which is secured by conventional means in a fixed position to bottom wall 22. The other end of tension spring 94 is attached to a vertical post 98 which is fixedly secured to bottom wall 22. Spring 94 has a predetermined configuration, which will be discussed in greater detail below, and is dimensioned to maintain at all times tension on flexible element 92.
Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, force mcdifying umt 90 is shcwn. Unit 90 is generally comprised of three disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106, best seen in FIG. 7. Disk-shaped elements 102 and 106 also include, respectively, cam portions 108, 110, which are molded, machined OE otherwise formed thereon. Disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106 are securel together by threaded fasteners 114, 116 (best seen in FIGs~ 6 and 7) to form an integral unit. Cam portion 108 includes an outward facing arcuate cam surface 120 and two yenerally planar surfa¢es 122, 124, best seen in FIG. 6. In similar resF~cts, cam element llO includes an outwan~
fa~in~ ar~uate ¢am surface 130 and two generally planar surfaces 132, 134, best seen in FIG. 6. Cam surfaces 120, 130 are of a predetermined length and shape, and have a predetermined a~gular orientation wlth respect to ea¢h~other.
Cam surface 120 is adapted to receive flexible element 80 thereon with one end of element 80 being secured thereto by fastener 126 as shcwn in FIG. 6. In simllar respects, cam surface 130 is adapted to receive flexible element 92 thereon, with one end of element 92 being secured to surface 130 by means of a fastener 136. In this respect, flexible elements 80, 92 are adapted to be wound or unwound on cam surfaces 120, :
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130 respectively as force modifying unit 90 rotates about axis A. In this respect, each of the disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106 includes an aperture therethrough, which aperture is in registry with apertures of the other elements to define a cylindrical opening or bore 138 through unit 9o. Bore 138 is dimensioned to receive a pin 140 therein. PLn 140 includes a head portion 142, a shank portion 144 and a threaded fastener portion 146. Threaded fastener portion 146 has a smaller diameter than shank portion 144 and defines a shoulder 148 at the juncture therewith. A
conventional nut fastener 150 secures pin 140 to bottom wall 22 of housing 12 as best seen in FIG. 7, wherein shoulder 148 is maintained agains'c wall 22 by fastener nut 150. Force modifying unit 90 is adapted for pivotal movement ab~ut pin 140, the axis of pin 140 being axis A as defined above.
A bearing member 152 is provided to elevate unit 90 above bottom wall 22 and to Eermit free rotation of unit 90 3bcut pin 140.
The operation of force modifying unit 90 can best be des~ribed with reference to FIG. 6. Force mcdifyin~ unit 90 basically operates by varying the force moment arms acting thereon about axis A. The tension force created by tension spring 94 acts through one of the mament arms, acting on unit 90, and the output or resultant force generate~ in flexible element 80 is determined by the other mcment arm acting on unit 90. More specifically, as seen in the drawings, flexible element 92 wraps around cam surfaoe 130 and lS attached to tension sprLng 94 which exerts a force thereon. The tension force is exerte: along the axis of tension spring 94, and in FIG. 6, an arrow designated "TF" depicts the tension force and its direction relative to unit 90. ~ension force IF produces a force :: :
;~ momnt about axis A which is a function of;the tension on spring 94 and DB9588US ~ g 131 ~ 6 ~ f the perpendicular distance from flexible element 92 to axis A. ~his force moment biases unit 90 into clockwise rotation about axis A. This rotation of unit 90 produces a resultant force designated "RF" on flexible element 80, and rotation of unit 90 causes flexible element 80 to wrap around or be wound onto surface 120 of cam portion 108~ Element 80 is attached to a load (in the present ~mbodiment, the load being push plate 40) remote from unit 90. The resultant force RF exerted on push plate 40 is a function of the tension force TF exerted on unit 90 by spring 94 and the relative lengths of the two moment arms. In this respect, the resultant tension force RF can be determined by dividing the force mcment generated by tension force TT, by the perpendicular distance between axis A and flexible element 80. In other words, resultant force RF = force moment generated by tension spring 94 divided by the distance between axis A and flexible element 80.
As best seen in FIG. 6, surface 130 of cam portion 110 is gene~ally helical in shape and spirals outwar~ly from surface 134 to surface 132. In this respect, as force unit 90 rotates, the moment arm between tension force TF and axis A gradually increases. Simultaneously, tension spring 94 contracts. Thls, as tension spring 94 contracts and the tension force TF diminishes, the moment arm between such tension force and axis A increases thereby maintaining a more uniform force moment about axis A generally. With respect to cam portion 108, as can be seen from FIG. 6 cam surface 120 spirals outwardly slightly about axis A for an angular sweep of about 180 after which cam surface 120 decreases slightly as it approaches surface 122. In this respect, cam surface 120 also varies the moment arm between flexible element 80 and axis A and thereby .
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modifies the resultant force acting on the remote load. Cam portions 10~, 110 are oriented relative to each other such that rotation of force modifying unit 90 modifies tension force TF in a manner such that r~lltant force RF exhibits a substantially less radical force drop-off than that exhibited in tension spring 94 as the spring contracts.
Force modifying unit 90 finds advantageous application in a money dispensing canister as described above. The operation of such a money canister can kest be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 8 wherein FIG. 2 shows the money dispensing canister 10 in a fully loaded condition.
In this condition, push plate 40 is disposed away from dispensing opening 24 and tension sprlng 94 is fully extended with flexible element 92 wrapped around cam surface 130 of cam portion 110. Flexible element 80 connected to cam p~rtion 10~ exerts the resultant biasing force RF on push plate 40 t¢ uLge a sta¢k of bills S (not shown) t¢ward dispersing opening 24. As understoo~, tension spri~g 94 maintains the r~tant biasing for¢e ~F ¢n push plate 40. ~s individual bills are indi~idually dispensed by a t~ansfer mechanism (not shGwn), the tension on spring 94 ¢auses force modlfyLng unit 90 to rotate ¢lockwise, which in turn ~raps flexible element 80 onto cam portion 108 thereby pulling push plate 40 toward opening 24. As force modifying unit 90 rotates, the moment arm between the tension force TF exerted by spring 94 and a~is A increases as a result of cam portion 110. Thus, although the tension force TF exerted by the spring is constantly decreasing, the moment arm between the tension force and axis A continually increases to generally mQintain a more uniform resultant force on push plate 40. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the dispensing canister when push plate 40 is near, or at, an e~pty position.
D~9588US 11 ~: :
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As seen in this drawing, tension spring 94 has contracted a substantial length and rotated force modifying unit 90 approximately 270. m is rotation has caused flexible element 80 to be wrapped onto cam surface 110 of cam portion 108 and thereby pulled push plate 40 to dispensing opening 24. In this respect, the rectangular notch 54 on the lower portion of push plate 40 facilitates movement of push plate 40 over pulley 82.
As will be appreciated from the preceding discussion, the relation ketween tension force TF and resultant force RF is a function of the shapes of respective cam portions 108, 110 of modifying unit 90, and the spring constant of tension spring 94. In addition, with respect to the shape of unit 90, cam surfaces 120, 130 are relat~d to the desired travel of push plate 40 between a fully loaded position and a fully empty ~osition, as well as the le~gth of tension spring 94.
Consider as an example with respect to the currency disEensing canister disclosed in the drawings, it was desired: to produce a m~ney dispensing canister wherein the travel of the push plate 40 would be approximately 34 centimeters, to provide a m mimum resultant force RF of approxImately 600 grams on push plate 40 when the canister was nearly empty, and to maintain the resultant tension force within several hundred grams (approximately 300) throughout the travel push plate 40 from a fully loaded condition to a fully empty condition. With respect to such a device, a stack of currency approximately 34 centimeters long weighs approximately 2,900 grams. Therefore to compensate for an estimated 290 grams of frictional force resistance, the force on~the push plate 40 when the;canister is fully loaded is preferably approximately 890 grams. To provide the tension force, a tension spring 94 having a sprlng constant of : DB9588US 12 - -. .
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approximately 34 grams (force)/centimeter of spring extension was selected. As set forth above, the tension spring 94 is installed in such a manner that a tension is constantly maintained on flexible element 92 even when the push plate is in an empty condition as shcwn in FIG. 8.
With respect to the embodiment shown, a spring with the aforementioned spring constant wais installed such that the spring would be extended 14.7 centimeters and provide a 500 gram force when the canister and push plate were a~ an empty condition. An additional extension beyond ~his empty condition establishes the "working range" of tension spring 94. The working range of spring 94 is illustrated by~the position of spring 94 in FIGS. 2 and 8. With respYct to the embcdiment shown, the working range of tenston s~ring 94 is approximately 27 centi~eters. Accordi~gly, for~e mc~ifying unit 90 was dimensione~ su~h thiat ai ¢ontrai~tlon of 27 centimeters by tension spring 94 produGes a tra~el of appr~ximately 34 centimeters by push plate 40, and at thie same time, exerted on push plate 40 a force varying between 890 grams at thie fully loa~ied;c3n~ tionito approximately 600 grams at the fully empty position. With respect to thie aforementioned tension sprin~ 94, at its f~ly exten~ied Fosition, the force of spring 94 i9 approxlmately 1,400 grams and as set forth akcve, and at the end of its "working rcmge" (i.e~ at its contracted Ecsition) is approximately 500 grams. Cam portions 108, 110 have been dimensioned to modify the tension ~orce exerted by spring 94 into a more uniform resultant force RF exerted on push plate 40. ~he following table provides speclfic information on force modifying unit 90 shown in the drawings.
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Ratio "RF" Travel '~F" Sprir~ ~ ~-TF A~m of Push ~tal Device A~ tension at Given Fo~e Arm to ~ngth ~late Rotation I~r~th (workir~ Bctension (g=
Driven ~cm) 40 ~?adians/Cegr~s ~cm) ra~e) (gra~ for~e) A~m ~ rcnl rCn) for~) Full Canist~
.633 6.0 0 0 3~80 26.65 1406.1 890 1.36 .640 6.125 .224 12.8 3.92 25.78 1376.5 881 2.72 .647 6.25 .444 25.4 4.045 24.91 1346.9 871 4.08 .654 6.38 .659 37.8 4.175 24.03 1317.0 861 5.44 .662 6.51 .870 49.8 4.31 23.19 1288.5 853 6.8 .665 6.69 1.076 61.6 4.45 22.23 1255.8 835 8.16 .673 6.82 1.277 73.2 4.59 21.32 1224.9 824 9.52 .680 6.956 1.475 84.5 4.73 20.40 1193.6 812 10.88 .687 7.10 1.668 95.6 4.88 19.47 1162.0 798 12.24 .695 7.24 1.858 106.5 5.035 18.53 1130.0 785 13.6 .706 7.36 2.04~ 117.1 g.l9S 17.58 1097.7 775 14.95 .717 7.476 2.22& 127.7 5.36 16.61 1064.7 763 16.32 .7}2 7.54 2.409 138.0 5.52 15.52 1031.1 755 }7.68 .745 7.61 2.588 l4a.3Q 5.68 14.62 997.1 744 19.04 .76} 7.674 2.766 158.sQ 5.84 13.60 962.4 7}2 20.4 .776 7.732 2.943 16&.6 6.00 12.55 925.7 719 21.76 .790 7.797 3.118 17a.6 6.16 11.48 890.3 703 23.12 .809 7.812 3.292 188.6Q 6.32 10.40 85}.6 691 24.48 .8}8 7.733 3.467 198.6C~ 6.48 9.28 815.5 683 2S .84 .868 7.6S 3.644 208.8Q 6.64 8.12 776.1 674 27.2 .897 7.6b 3.822 219.0~ 6.82 6.92 735.3 660 28.56 .934 7.S44 4.002 229.3 7.046 5.67 692.8 647 29.92 .978 7.44 4.184 239.7 7.27S 4.37 648.6 634 31.28 1.037 7.242 4.369 2S0.3 7.51 3.00 602.0 624 32.64 1.103 7.026 4.SS9 261.2 7.75 l.SS 552.7 610 34.00 1.18 ~ 6.80S 4.7S6 272.S 8.00 0 S00 S90 *with allowance to ~nQen~ate for friction of ~ o~en~ on sLIpporting su~facQ.
DB9 5 8 8 US ~ - 1 4 - -..... ,.. ,.. , . - - ~ : -1 3 ~ 7 3 ~ ~
Table 1 sets forth the respective dimensions of the moment arms between axis A and tension force TF and resultant force-RF for cam portions 108, 110 at various positions of rotation of unit ga fram its initial position. Table 1 shaws that as force modifying unit 90 rotates fram its initial position shawn in FIG. 2, the moment arm of tension force TF continuously increases (to ccmpensate for the decreasing tension force TF in spring 94) and the moment arm of resultant force RF increases slightly, then decreases. Table 1 also illustrates the force degradation in tension spring 94, i.e. fram 1,400 grams to 500 grams as the tension spring contracts, and shaws the resultant force RF as modified by modifying unit 90, i.e. from 890 grams to 590 grams. Thus, whereas the tension force TF ~enerated by spring 94 aver its "working ran~e" has a net chanye of 900 grams between its fully extended position and its contracted position, the output force on the push plate varies by only 300 grams between the fully loaded position and the fully empty position. m e present invention thus provides a force modifying unit which substantially reduces the force degradation in the illustrated spring biasing system and produces a more uniform biasing force on the push plate.
The invention has been described with respect to a preferre~
embodiment. Modifications may occur to others skilled in the art upon their reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included in so far as they come within ~he scope of the invention as claimed or the equiv21ent thereof.
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Backqround of the Invention ~ he present invention finds advantageous application in a currency dispenser as used in automatic teller machines (AqMS). In such machines, a stack of bills of a parti¢ular denomination is generally disposed within an elongated canister having a dispensing position at one end thereof.
From this dispensing position, the bills are dispensed individually by a transfer mechanism. The sta¢k of bills is urged towards the dispensing position by means of a push plate. Generally, the push plate is biased (pulled) toward the dispensing position by means of a tension spring system. With such a system, the removal of currency and the resultant contraction of the tension spring inevitably leads to a reduction of the biasing force exerted on the push plate. In other words, the force on the push plate at the position where the canister lS fully loaded continuously 2S decreases as the push plate moves toward the dLtspensing position. In this respect, it is not un sual for the blas mg force in such devices to ~
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, ~ ' ' ' ~ , ' ' :: . :
1317 6 ~ 3 ~~` decrease 67% or more as the push plate travels from a fully loaded position to an empty position. This change in the biasing force places severe requirements on the transfer mechanism which picks or removes the b;lls from the dispensing position, and generally leads to degraded performance of the transfer mechanism when the canister is fully loaded or near empty. The present invention overcomes this and other problems and provides a simple, reliable device for use with a spring force system, which device modifies the force generated by such system to produce a more uniform output biasing force.
Su~mary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system for transmitting a biasing force from a force generating component to a lcad remote from the fcrce com~onent. The system includes a first elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible element being connectable to the force generating component, and a second elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second flexible element being connectable to the load. A force modifying member rotatable about a fixed axis îs provided and includes first and second outwardly facing surfaces of predetermined length which curve about the axis. The second ends of the elongated flexible elements are connected respectively to the first and second surfaces at one end of each surface. The flexible elements are operable to be wound or unwound on the respective surfaces as ~ the ~Ember rotates about the axis. The first flexible element produces a force moment about the axis in a first direction biasing the force modifying member into rotation in the first direction. The second element ' 13~7&~
exerts a resultant biasing force on the load. The first and second surfaces are dimensioned such that rotation of the member about the axis in the first direction causes one of the elements to be wound onto its respective surface as the other element is unwound from its respective surface in a manner which varies the force mcments about the axis.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for moving a stack of generally planar articles toward a dispensing position where individual articles are to be dispensed, which device includes means for maintaining a generally uniform force on the stack in the direction of the dispensing position. The device includes plate means movable along a predetermined path between a first position remote fr~m the dispensing cpening and a second position adjacent the dispensing opening for pushing the stack toward the dispensing position; a plate cable means having a first end and second end, the irst end being connected to the plate means; a tension spring having a stationary end fLxed relative to the dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermuned spring path between a first position wherein the spring is extended a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, the spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in the first position, which tension force diminishes as the spring retracts along the spring path t~ward the second position; spring cable means having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the free end of the tension spring; and a force modifying member for transmitting the tension force in the spring to the plate means to move ~he plate means along the plate path. ~he modifying member is rotatable akout an axis fixed relative to the ' ~, ~ 13~7~
dispensing opening, and includes first and second outwardly facing contoured surfaces to receive the tension spring cable means and the plate cable means, respectively. The second ends of the cable means are attached to the modifying member such that the spring cable means is disposed on the first surface when the spring is in the first position. The tension force of the spring biases the modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction, which rotation produces a resultant biasing force on the plake means via the plate cable means to force the plate means toward the dispensing position. The first surface is dimensioned to vary the distance between the spring cable means and the axis as the modifying member rotates, wherein the resultant biasing force acting on the plate means is maintained generally more uniform as the plate moves between the first position and the second position.
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a device to modify the force generated by a spring system or the like into a more uniform force with a less radical drop-off as the spring contracts.
Another object of an aspect of the invention is to provide a dispensing canister for currency, documents or the like wherein the force exerted on the currency or documents to move the same toward a dispensing position remains more uniform between a full canister condition and an empty canister condition.
A still further object of an aspect of the invention is to providP a device for moving planar articles toward a dispensing location.
According to aspect of the invention, an elongated, generally rectangular currency canister for moving a stack of sheet currency toward a dispensing position at one end thereof where individual sheets are dispensed, the canister having a first lengthwise compartment for holding the stack of currency, a second lengthwise compartment, and a device for biasing the ~' 1 3 1 7 ~
stack in the direction of the dispensing position, the biasing means comprises:
plate means disposed within the first and second compartments movable along a predetermined plate path between a first position remote from the dispensing opening and a second position adjacent the dispensing opening for pushing the stack in the first compartment toward the dispensing position, plate cable means having a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the plate means in the second compartment, a tension spring disclosed in the second compartment having a stationary end fixed relative to the dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermined spring path within the second compartment between a first position wherein the spring is extending a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, the spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in the first position which diminishes as the spring retracts along the spring path toward the second position, spring cable means having a first and a second end, the first end is connected to the free end of the tension sprin~, and a force modifying member disposed in the second compartment for transmitting the tension force in the spring to the plate means to move the plate means along the plate path, the modifying member is rotatable through at least 270 degrees about an axis fixed relative to the dispensing opening from a first rotation position corresponding to the first spring position and second rotation position corresponding to the second spring position and having ~irst and second outwardly facing non-circular arcuate surfaces to receive the tension spring cable means and the plate cable means respectively, the first arcuate surface is generalIy helical in shape and spiralling outwardly, the : 4a ~,~
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second ends of the cable means is attached to the modifying member wherein the spring cable means is disposed on the first surface when the spring is in the first position, the tension force biasing the modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction wherein the plate cable means is wound onto the second arcuate surface and the spring cable means is unwound from the first arcuate surface and the rotation of the member producing a resultant force on the plate means via the plate cable means to force the plate means toward the dispensing position, the first and second surfaces is dimensioned to vary the respective distances between the spring cable means and the plate cable means and the axis as the modifying member rotates, the ratio of the distance between the spring cable and the axis relative to the distance between the plate cable and the axis continually increasing as the modifying member rotates 4~
~' ~ 3 ~
Brief Description of the Drawinas The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currency dispensing canister illustrating a preferred embcdiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the position of various components of the currency dispensing canister when the canister is in a fully loaded condition;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
l;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view illustratIng a force m~difying eleme~t incorporating another concept of t~e present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional vlew taken alo~g line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
4; and FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to that shcwn in FIG. 2, illustrating the position of the various ccmponents of the currency dispensLng canister when the dispensing canister is in a nearly empty con~ition.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings wherein the showin~s are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred e~bodLment of the pr~sent invention and not for the purpose of limiting~same, FIG. I shows a currency , .. ~
1317~
~ispensing canister 10 for use in an automatic teller machine (AIM).
Canister 10 is camprised of a generally rectangular housing 12 having side walls 14, 16, end walls 18, 20 and bottam wall 22. End wall 18 includes a generally rectangular opening 24 in the upper portion thereof, which opening 24 defines a dispensing opening from which individual bills are to be removed by a transfer n~chanism (not shown). A pair of generally Lr shaped tracks 30, 32 extend along the length of side walls 14, 16 and are secured thereto by fasteners 33. Tracks 30, 32 include horizontal leg portions 30a, 32a and vertical leg portions 30b, 32b. Tracks 30 and 32 are positioned such that horizontal leg portions 30a, 32a are generally coplanar and define a surface 34, best seen in FIG. 3. Tracks 30, 32 generally divide the canister into an upper compartment 36 and a lower ccmpartment 3&. Upper compartment 36 is dimensioned to hold a stack of planar, sheet like material such as currency, which stack is designated "S" in the drawings. In this respe¢t, sta¢k S rests on surface 34 as shown in the drawings, and a push plate 40 is prcvided to move stack S
along surface 34 tcward cpening 24.
Push plate 40 includes a front side 42 adapted to engage sta¢k S
and a back side 44. As best seen in FIG. 3, push pla~e 40 includes an upper portion 46 adapted to move within upper ccmpartment 36 and a-lower portion 48 dimensioned to travel in lower ccn~Lrtnent 38. In this respect, notches 50, 52 are provided in the sides of push plate 40 to accommcdate horizontal legs 30a, 32a of tracks 30, 32, respectively. A
rectangular notch 54 is also provided at the bottom of lower portion 48, as seen in FIG. 3. PUsh plate 40 is mounted for horizontal travel along parallel cylindrical guides 60, 62 which ext~nd between end walls 18 and ..,,~. ,,..,,. ~ - - ; :
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20; Guides 60, 62 are secured to end walls 18, 20 in a known manner.
Secured to back side 44 of lower portion 48 of push plate 40 is a generally U-shaped bracket 64, best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8. Bracket 64 has a closed end 66 an opened end 68, with mounting feet 70, 72 adjacent opened end 68. Bracket 64 is mounted to push plate 40 such that mounting feet 70, 72 are on opposite sides of rectangular notch 54, as shcwn in FIG. 3. 8racket 64 may be secured to push plate 40 by soldering, welding or by conventionally-known fastener means.
A flexible element 80 is provided and secured at one end to closed end 66 of bracket 64. Flexible element 80 may be comprised of a cord, rope, cable or timing chain. In the preferred embodiment, flexible element 80 is comprised of a flexible wire cable. Flexible element 80 extends æound a pair of pulleys 82, 84 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7.
Pulleys 82, 84 are slightly elongated in shape to allow verti~al travel of flexible element 80 along the bearing surface thereof. Pulleys 82, 84 a~e fixedly se~ured to bottom wall 22 of housing 12 by threaded fasteners in a conventional manner. The other end of flexible element 80 is secured to a force mcd~ifyin~ unit 90 which is rota W le about a fixed axis designated "A" in the drawings (see FIGS. 2 and 4). ElemQnt 90 is fixe~ly mounted to housing 12 as will be described in greater detail below. Flexible element 80 operatively engages force modifying unit 90 to one side of axis A.
Another elongated flexible element 92 is connected to force modifying element 90. As with flexible element 80, flexible element 92 may be comprised of a cord, rope, cable or timing chain. In the preferred embcdiment, flexible element 92 is also formed of a flexible wire cable.
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m e other end of flexible element 92 is connected to an elongated tension sprin~ 94. Tension spring 94 extends around a pulley 96 which is secured by conventional means in a fixed position to bottom wall 22. The other end of tension spring 94 is attached to a vertical post 98 which is fixedly secured to bottom wall 22. Spring 94 has a predetermined configuration, which will be discussed in greater detail below, and is dimensioned to maintain at all times tension on flexible element 92.
Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, force mcdifying umt 90 is shcwn. Unit 90 is generally comprised of three disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106, best seen in FIG. 7. Disk-shaped elements 102 and 106 also include, respectively, cam portions 108, 110, which are molded, machined OE otherwise formed thereon. Disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106 are securel together by threaded fasteners 114, 116 (best seen in FIGs~ 6 and 7) to form an integral unit. Cam portion 108 includes an outward facing arcuate cam surface 120 and two yenerally planar surfa¢es 122, 124, best seen in FIG. 6. In similar resF~cts, cam element llO includes an outwan~
fa~in~ ar~uate ¢am surface 130 and two generally planar surfaces 132, 134, best seen in FIG. 6. Cam surfaces 120, 130 are of a predetermined length and shape, and have a predetermined a~gular orientation wlth respect to ea¢h~other.
Cam surface 120 is adapted to receive flexible element 80 thereon with one end of element 80 being secured thereto by fastener 126 as shcwn in FIG. 6. In simllar respects, cam surface 130 is adapted to receive flexible element 92 thereon, with one end of element 92 being secured to surface 130 by means of a fastener 136. In this respect, flexible elements 80, 92 are adapted to be wound or unwound on cam surfaces 120, :
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130 respectively as force modifying unit 90 rotates about axis A. In this respect, each of the disk-shaped elements 102, 104, 106 includes an aperture therethrough, which aperture is in registry with apertures of the other elements to define a cylindrical opening or bore 138 through unit 9o. Bore 138 is dimensioned to receive a pin 140 therein. PLn 140 includes a head portion 142, a shank portion 144 and a threaded fastener portion 146. Threaded fastener portion 146 has a smaller diameter than shank portion 144 and defines a shoulder 148 at the juncture therewith. A
conventional nut fastener 150 secures pin 140 to bottom wall 22 of housing 12 as best seen in FIG. 7, wherein shoulder 148 is maintained agains'c wall 22 by fastener nut 150. Force modifying unit 90 is adapted for pivotal movement ab~ut pin 140, the axis of pin 140 being axis A as defined above.
A bearing member 152 is provided to elevate unit 90 above bottom wall 22 and to Eermit free rotation of unit 90 3bcut pin 140.
The operation of force modifying unit 90 can best be des~ribed with reference to FIG. 6. Force mcdifyin~ unit 90 basically operates by varying the force moment arms acting thereon about axis A. The tension force created by tension spring 94 acts through one of the mament arms, acting on unit 90, and the output or resultant force generate~ in flexible element 80 is determined by the other mcment arm acting on unit 90. More specifically, as seen in the drawings, flexible element 92 wraps around cam surfaoe 130 and lS attached to tension sprLng 94 which exerts a force thereon. The tension force is exerte: along the axis of tension spring 94, and in FIG. 6, an arrow designated "TF" depicts the tension force and its direction relative to unit 90. ~ension force IF produces a force :: :
;~ momnt about axis A which is a function of;the tension on spring 94 and DB9588US ~ g 131 ~ 6 ~ f the perpendicular distance from flexible element 92 to axis A. ~his force moment biases unit 90 into clockwise rotation about axis A. This rotation of unit 90 produces a resultant force designated "RF" on flexible element 80, and rotation of unit 90 causes flexible element 80 to wrap around or be wound onto surface 120 of cam portion 108~ Element 80 is attached to a load (in the present ~mbodiment, the load being push plate 40) remote from unit 90. The resultant force RF exerted on push plate 40 is a function of the tension force TF exerted on unit 90 by spring 94 and the relative lengths of the two moment arms. In this respect, the resultant tension force RF can be determined by dividing the force mcment generated by tension force TT, by the perpendicular distance between axis A and flexible element 80. In other words, resultant force RF = force moment generated by tension spring 94 divided by the distance between axis A and flexible element 80.
As best seen in FIG. 6, surface 130 of cam portion 110 is gene~ally helical in shape and spirals outwar~ly from surface 134 to surface 132. In this respect, as force unit 90 rotates, the moment arm between tension force TF and axis A gradually increases. Simultaneously, tension spring 94 contracts. Thls, as tension spring 94 contracts and the tension force TF diminishes, the moment arm between such tension force and axis A increases thereby maintaining a more uniform force moment about axis A generally. With respect to cam portion 108, as can be seen from FIG. 6 cam surface 120 spirals outwardly slightly about axis A for an angular sweep of about 180 after which cam surface 120 decreases slightly as it approaches surface 122. In this respect, cam surface 120 also varies the moment arm between flexible element 80 and axis A and thereby .
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modifies the resultant force acting on the remote load. Cam portions 10~, 110 are oriented relative to each other such that rotation of force modifying unit 90 modifies tension force TF in a manner such that r~lltant force RF exhibits a substantially less radical force drop-off than that exhibited in tension spring 94 as the spring contracts.
Force modifying unit 90 finds advantageous application in a money dispensing canister as described above. The operation of such a money canister can kest be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 8 wherein FIG. 2 shows the money dispensing canister 10 in a fully loaded condition.
In this condition, push plate 40 is disposed away from dispensing opening 24 and tension sprlng 94 is fully extended with flexible element 92 wrapped around cam surface 130 of cam portion 110. Flexible element 80 connected to cam p~rtion 10~ exerts the resultant biasing force RF on push plate 40 t¢ uLge a sta¢k of bills S (not shown) t¢ward dispersing opening 24. As understoo~, tension spri~g 94 maintains the r~tant biasing for¢e ~F ¢n push plate 40. ~s individual bills are indi~idually dispensed by a t~ansfer mechanism (not shGwn), the tension on spring 94 ¢auses force modlfyLng unit 90 to rotate ¢lockwise, which in turn ~raps flexible element 80 onto cam portion 108 thereby pulling push plate 40 toward opening 24. As force modifying unit 90 rotates, the moment arm between the tension force TF exerted by spring 94 and a~is A increases as a result of cam portion 110. Thus, although the tension force TF exerted by the spring is constantly decreasing, the moment arm between the tension force and axis A continually increases to generally mQintain a more uniform resultant force on push plate 40. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the dispensing canister when push plate 40 is near, or at, an e~pty position.
D~9588US 11 ~: :
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As seen in this drawing, tension spring 94 has contracted a substantial length and rotated force modifying unit 90 approximately 270. m is rotation has caused flexible element 80 to be wrapped onto cam surface 110 of cam portion 108 and thereby pulled push plate 40 to dispensing opening 24. In this respect, the rectangular notch 54 on the lower portion of push plate 40 facilitates movement of push plate 40 over pulley 82.
As will be appreciated from the preceding discussion, the relation ketween tension force TF and resultant force RF is a function of the shapes of respective cam portions 108, 110 of modifying unit 90, and the spring constant of tension spring 94. In addition, with respect to the shape of unit 90, cam surfaces 120, 130 are relat~d to the desired travel of push plate 40 between a fully loaded position and a fully empty ~osition, as well as the le~gth of tension spring 94.
Consider as an example with respect to the currency disEensing canister disclosed in the drawings, it was desired: to produce a m~ney dispensing canister wherein the travel of the push plate 40 would be approximately 34 centimeters, to provide a m mimum resultant force RF of approxImately 600 grams on push plate 40 when the canister was nearly empty, and to maintain the resultant tension force within several hundred grams (approximately 300) throughout the travel push plate 40 from a fully loaded condition to a fully empty condition. With respect to such a device, a stack of currency approximately 34 centimeters long weighs approximately 2,900 grams. Therefore to compensate for an estimated 290 grams of frictional force resistance, the force on~the push plate 40 when the;canister is fully loaded is preferably approximately 890 grams. To provide the tension force, a tension spring 94 having a sprlng constant of : DB9588US 12 - -. .
, ' ' , :, :
.
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approximately 34 grams (force)/centimeter of spring extension was selected. As set forth above, the tension spring 94 is installed in such a manner that a tension is constantly maintained on flexible element 92 even when the push plate is in an empty condition as shcwn in FIG. 8.
With respect to the embodiment shown, a spring with the aforementioned spring constant wais installed such that the spring would be extended 14.7 centimeters and provide a 500 gram force when the canister and push plate were a~ an empty condition. An additional extension beyond ~his empty condition establishes the "working range" of tension spring 94. The working range of spring 94 is illustrated by~the position of spring 94 in FIGS. 2 and 8. With respYct to the embcdiment shown, the working range of tenston s~ring 94 is approximately 27 centi~eters. Accordi~gly, for~e mc~ifying unit 90 was dimensione~ su~h thiat ai ¢ontrai~tlon of 27 centimeters by tension spring 94 produGes a tra~el of appr~ximately 34 centimeters by push plate 40, and at thie same time, exerted on push plate 40 a force varying between 890 grams at thie fully loa~ied;c3n~ tionito approximately 600 grams at the fully empty position. With respect to thie aforementioned tension sprin~ 94, at its f~ly exten~ied Fosition, the force of spring 94 i9 approxlmately 1,400 grams and as set forth akcve, and at the end of its "working rcmge" (i.e~ at its contracted Ecsition) is approximately 500 grams. Cam portions 108, 110 have been dimensioned to modify the tension ~orce exerted by spring 94 into a more uniform resultant force RF exerted on push plate 40. ~he following table provides speclfic information on force modifying unit 90 shown in the drawings.
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Ratio "RF" Travel '~F" Sprir~ ~ ~-TF A~m of Push ~tal Device A~ tension at Given Fo~e Arm to ~ngth ~late Rotation I~r~th (workir~ Bctension (g=
Driven ~cm) 40 ~?adians/Cegr~s ~cm) ra~e) (gra~ for~e) A~m ~ rcnl rCn) for~) Full Canist~
.633 6.0 0 0 3~80 26.65 1406.1 890 1.36 .640 6.125 .224 12.8 3.92 25.78 1376.5 881 2.72 .647 6.25 .444 25.4 4.045 24.91 1346.9 871 4.08 .654 6.38 .659 37.8 4.175 24.03 1317.0 861 5.44 .662 6.51 .870 49.8 4.31 23.19 1288.5 853 6.8 .665 6.69 1.076 61.6 4.45 22.23 1255.8 835 8.16 .673 6.82 1.277 73.2 4.59 21.32 1224.9 824 9.52 .680 6.956 1.475 84.5 4.73 20.40 1193.6 812 10.88 .687 7.10 1.668 95.6 4.88 19.47 1162.0 798 12.24 .695 7.24 1.858 106.5 5.035 18.53 1130.0 785 13.6 .706 7.36 2.04~ 117.1 g.l9S 17.58 1097.7 775 14.95 .717 7.476 2.22& 127.7 5.36 16.61 1064.7 763 16.32 .7}2 7.54 2.409 138.0 5.52 15.52 1031.1 755 }7.68 .745 7.61 2.588 l4a.3Q 5.68 14.62 997.1 744 19.04 .76} 7.674 2.766 158.sQ 5.84 13.60 962.4 7}2 20.4 .776 7.732 2.943 16&.6 6.00 12.55 925.7 719 21.76 .790 7.797 3.118 17a.6 6.16 11.48 890.3 703 23.12 .809 7.812 3.292 188.6Q 6.32 10.40 85}.6 691 24.48 .8}8 7.733 3.467 198.6C~ 6.48 9.28 815.5 683 2S .84 .868 7.6S 3.644 208.8Q 6.64 8.12 776.1 674 27.2 .897 7.6b 3.822 219.0~ 6.82 6.92 735.3 660 28.56 .934 7.S44 4.002 229.3 7.046 5.67 692.8 647 29.92 .978 7.44 4.184 239.7 7.27S 4.37 648.6 634 31.28 1.037 7.242 4.369 2S0.3 7.51 3.00 602.0 624 32.64 1.103 7.026 4.SS9 261.2 7.75 l.SS 552.7 610 34.00 1.18 ~ 6.80S 4.7S6 272.S 8.00 0 S00 S90 *with allowance to ~nQen~ate for friction of ~ o~en~ on sLIpporting su~facQ.
DB9 5 8 8 US ~ - 1 4 - -..... ,.. ,.. , . - - ~ : -1 3 ~ 7 3 ~ ~
Table 1 sets forth the respective dimensions of the moment arms between axis A and tension force TF and resultant force-RF for cam portions 108, 110 at various positions of rotation of unit ga fram its initial position. Table 1 shaws that as force modifying unit 90 rotates fram its initial position shawn in FIG. 2, the moment arm of tension force TF continuously increases (to ccmpensate for the decreasing tension force TF in spring 94) and the moment arm of resultant force RF increases slightly, then decreases. Table 1 also illustrates the force degradation in tension spring 94, i.e. fram 1,400 grams to 500 grams as the tension spring contracts, and shaws the resultant force RF as modified by modifying unit 90, i.e. from 890 grams to 590 grams. Thus, whereas the tension force TF ~enerated by spring 94 aver its "working ran~e" has a net chanye of 900 grams between its fully extended position and its contracted position, the output force on the push plate varies by only 300 grams between the fully loaded position and the fully empty position. m e present invention thus provides a force modifying unit which substantially reduces the force degradation in the illustrated spring biasing system and produces a more uniform biasing force on the push plate.
The invention has been described with respect to a preferre~
embodiment. Modifications may occur to others skilled in the art upon their reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included in so far as they come within ~he scope of the invention as claimed or the equiv21ent thereof.
:
:
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Claims (4)
1. An elongated, generally rectangular currency canister for moving a stack of sheet currency toward a dispensing position at one end thereof where individual sheets are dispensed, said canister having a first lengthwise compartment for holding said stack of currency, a second lengthwise compartment, and a device for biasing said stack in the direction of said dispensing position, said biasing means comprising:
plate means disposed within said first and second compartments movable along a predetermined plate path between a first position remote from said dispensing opening and a second position adjacent said dispensing opening for pushing said stack in said first compartment toward said dispensing position, plate cable means having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said plate means in said second compartment, a tension spring disclosed in said second compartment having a stationary end fixed relative to said dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermined spring path within said second compartment between a first position wherein said spring is extending a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, said spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in said first position which diminishes as said spring retracts along said spring path toward said second position, spring cable means having a first and a second end, said first end being connected to said free end of said tension spring, and a force modifying member disposed in said second compartment for transmitting said tension force in said spring to said plate means to move said plate means along said plate path, said modifying member being rotatable through at least 270 degrees about an axis fixed relative to said dispensing opening from a first rotation position corresponding to said first spring position and second rotation position corresponding to said second spring position and having first and second outwardly facing non-circular arcuate surfaces to receive said tension spring cable means and said plate cable means respectively, said first arcuate surface being generally helical in shape and spiralling outwardly, said second ends of said cable means being attached to said modifying member wherein said spring cable means is disposed on said first surface when said spring is in said first position, said tension force biasing said modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction wherein said plate cable means is wound onto said second arcuate surface and said spring cable means is unwound from said first arcuate surface and said rotation of said member producing a resultant force on said plate means via said plate cable means to force said plate means toward said dispensing position, said first and second surfaces being dimensioned to vary the respective distances between said spring cable means and said plate cable means and said axis as said modifying member rotates, the ratio of the distance between said spring cable and said axis relative to the distance between said plate cable and said axis continually increasing as said modifying member rotates from said first position to said second position.
plate means disposed within said first and second compartments movable along a predetermined plate path between a first position remote from said dispensing opening and a second position adjacent said dispensing opening for pushing said stack in said first compartment toward said dispensing position, plate cable means having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said plate means in said second compartment, a tension spring disclosed in said second compartment having a stationary end fixed relative to said dispensing position and a free end movable along a predetermined spring path within said second compartment between a first position wherein said spring is extending a predetermined distance and a second contracted position, said spring defining a tension force having a predetermined value when in said first position which diminishes as said spring retracts along said spring path toward said second position, spring cable means having a first and a second end, said first end being connected to said free end of said tension spring, and a force modifying member disposed in said second compartment for transmitting said tension force in said spring to said plate means to move said plate means along said plate path, said modifying member being rotatable through at least 270 degrees about an axis fixed relative to said dispensing opening from a first rotation position corresponding to said first spring position and second rotation position corresponding to said second spring position and having first and second outwardly facing non-circular arcuate surfaces to receive said tension spring cable means and said plate cable means respectively, said first arcuate surface being generally helical in shape and spiralling outwardly, said second ends of said cable means being attached to said modifying member wherein said spring cable means is disposed on said first surface when said spring is in said first position, said tension force biasing said modifying member to rotate in a predetermined direction wherein said plate cable means is wound onto said second arcuate surface and said spring cable means is unwound from said first arcuate surface and said rotation of said member producing a resultant force on said plate means via said plate cable means to force said plate means toward said dispensing position, said first and second surfaces being dimensioned to vary the respective distances between said spring cable means and said plate cable means and said axis as said modifying member rotates, the ratio of the distance between said spring cable and said axis relative to the distance between said plate cable and said axis continually increasing as said modifying member rotates from said first position to said second position.
2. A biasing device as defined in claim 1 wherein such distance between said spring cable means and said axis increases as said force modifying member rotates in said predetermined direction.
3. A biasing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said spring cable means and said plate cable means are wire cables.
4. A biasing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said spring cable means and said plate cable means are timing chains.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US23606688A | 1988-08-23 | 1988-08-23 | |
| US236,066 | 1988-08-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1317605C true CA1317605C (en) | 1993-05-11 |
Family
ID=22887998
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000604209A Expired - Fee Related CA1317605C (en) | 1988-08-23 | 1989-06-28 | Force modifying device |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0383904A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH03500876A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1317605C (en) |
| HU (1) | HUT53341A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1990002092A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE9012932U1 (en) * | 1990-09-11 | 1990-11-15 | Develop Dr. Eisbein Gmbh & Co, 7016 Gerlingen | Paper cassette for a copier |
| DE10151145B4 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2010-04-08 | Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh | Cassette for recording documents of value |
| DE102004037359A1 (en) | 2004-07-30 | 2006-03-23 | Marker Deutschland Gmbh | Attachment device for e.g. ski, has latch body placed at slider device and is adjusted by handle arranged at the slider device in self-retentive, form-fit latch contact that include latch recesses at guiding rail devices |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS4945599B1 (en) * | 1970-12-29 | 1974-12-05 | ||
| US3871725A (en) * | 1974-03-18 | 1975-03-18 | Blakeslee & Co G S | Self leveling mechanism for tray cart |
| US4524965A (en) * | 1984-01-25 | 1985-06-25 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Envelope stacking machine |
| US4685648A (en) * | 1985-05-17 | 1987-08-11 | Bausch & Lomb Incorporated | Counterbalancing apparatus for use in an optical instrument |
-
1989
- 1989-06-28 CA CA000604209A patent/CA1317605C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-08-21 WO PCT/US1989/003586 patent/WO1990002092A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1989-08-21 EP EP19890910262 patent/EP0383904A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1989-08-21 HU HU895976A patent/HUT53341A/en unknown
- 1989-08-21 JP JP1509347A patent/JPH03500876A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH03500876A (en) | 1991-02-28 |
| WO1990002092A1 (en) | 1990-03-08 |
| EP0383904A4 (en) | 1991-03-13 |
| HU895976D0 (en) | 1990-09-28 |
| EP0383904A1 (en) | 1990-08-29 |
| HUT53341A (en) | 1990-10-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |