CA2171136C - Slide mounting arrangement for currency validators - Google Patents
Slide mounting arrangement for currency validators Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2171136C CA2171136C CA002171136A CA2171136A CA2171136C CA 2171136 C CA2171136 C CA 2171136C CA 002171136 A CA002171136 A CA 002171136A CA 2171136 A CA2171136 A CA 2171136A CA 2171136 C CA2171136 C CA 2171136C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- validator
- mounting
- telescopic slide
- secured
- mounting bracket
- 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/04—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by paper currency
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
- G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
- G07F19/205—Housing aspects of ATMs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
Abstract
A telescopic mounting arrangement for a currency validator simplifies securement of the validator and reduces the space required in a machine for mounting of the validator. The mounting arrangement includes a bracket secured to the machine and a telescopic slide adjustably mounted to the bracket. The position of the telescopic slide on the bracket is changed to accommodate different depths of machines.
Description
4~~ ~1'~I13 ~TFT.D OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mounting of currency validators and accumulators in vending machines, and in particular is directed to a mounting arrangement for a currency validator to allow simplified securement of validator in vending machines in a space efficient manner.
~A~'KGROL1ND OF THE INVENTION
Vending machines have typically received coins, however, in recent years there has been a move to have these vending machines accept bills of various denominations. Currency validators and accumulators basically allow vending machines to dispense more expensive products. Currency validator and accumulators also provide a quality control check for the owner of the vending machine confirming that a proper bill has been received.
For this reason, Currency validators and accumulators have become increasingly popular.
Currency validators are typically mounted in their own unique way to suit the particular vending machine and it is often difficult to retrofit a vending machine with a currency validator without extensive modification. The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing a unique support arrangement for currency validators and accumulators which is easy to use and does not require excessive space within the vending machine for accommodating and servicing of the validator.
~11MMA_R_Y OF THE INVENTION
A mounting structure for a currency validator and accumulator comprises a telescopic slide secured to a mounting bracket having a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to a wall. The mounting bracket supports the telescopic slide generally perpendicular to the mounting plate with the telescopic slide telescoping in a direction generally perpendicular to the mounting plate. The ~Z'~113~
telescopic slide has a first portion directly secured to the mounting bracket and a validator mounting portion supported by said first portion allowing telescopic movement between a retracted position defining the normal in-use position of a validator secured to the validator mounting portion and a service position where the telescopic slide is extended and provides improved access for servicing of a supported validator.
According to an aspect of the invention, the telescopic slide includes an intermediate portion which is supported by the first portion and is slidable therewith, with the intermediate portion supporting the validator mounting portion such that a three-stage telescopic slide is defined.
According a further aspect of the invention, the first portion of the telescopic slide is adjustably secured to the mounting bracket to accommodate different spacings of the first portion from the mounting bracket which allows for accommodation of different depths of vending machines in which the mounting structure is intended to be secured.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the validator mounting portion includes a pivot arrangement adapted to allow securement of a validator in a use position overlapping with the mounting portion and movable to a service position generally perpendicular to the mounting portion.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the pivot arrangement includes a counterbalance mechanism for controlling movement of a secured validator from the service position to the in-use position.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the telescopic slide defines two stop positions, with one stop position defining the in-use position with the telescopic slide contracted and the other stop position defining the service position with the telescopic slide extended.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket overlaps to a significant extent with
The present invention relates to mounting of currency validators and accumulators in vending machines, and in particular is directed to a mounting arrangement for a currency validator to allow simplified securement of validator in vending machines in a space efficient manner.
~A~'KGROL1ND OF THE INVENTION
Vending machines have typically received coins, however, in recent years there has been a move to have these vending machines accept bills of various denominations. Currency validators and accumulators basically allow vending machines to dispense more expensive products. Currency validator and accumulators also provide a quality control check for the owner of the vending machine confirming that a proper bill has been received.
For this reason, Currency validators and accumulators have become increasingly popular.
Currency validators are typically mounted in their own unique way to suit the particular vending machine and it is often difficult to retrofit a vending machine with a currency validator without extensive modification. The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing a unique support arrangement for currency validators and accumulators which is easy to use and does not require excessive space within the vending machine for accommodating and servicing of the validator.
~11MMA_R_Y OF THE INVENTION
A mounting structure for a currency validator and accumulator comprises a telescopic slide secured to a mounting bracket having a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to a wall. The mounting bracket supports the telescopic slide generally perpendicular to the mounting plate with the telescopic slide telescoping in a direction generally perpendicular to the mounting plate. The ~Z'~113~
telescopic slide has a first portion directly secured to the mounting bracket and a validator mounting portion supported by said first portion allowing telescopic movement between a retracted position defining the normal in-use position of a validator secured to the validator mounting portion and a service position where the telescopic slide is extended and provides improved access for servicing of a supported validator.
According to an aspect of the invention, the telescopic slide includes an intermediate portion which is supported by the first portion and is slidable therewith, with the intermediate portion supporting the validator mounting portion such that a three-stage telescopic slide is defined.
According a further aspect of the invention, the first portion of the telescopic slide is adjustably secured to the mounting bracket to accommodate different spacings of the first portion from the mounting bracket which allows for accommodation of different depths of vending machines in which the mounting structure is intended to be secured.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the validator mounting portion includes a pivot arrangement adapted to allow securement of a validator in a use position overlapping with the mounting portion and movable to a service position generally perpendicular to the mounting portion.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the pivot arrangement includes a counterbalance mechanism for controlling movement of a secured validator from the service position to the in-use position.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the telescopic slide defines two stop positions, with one stop position defining the in-use position with the telescopic slide contracted and the other stop position defining the service position with the telescopic slide extended.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket overlaps to a significant extent with
- 2 -2171~3~
the first portion to directly support at least 50~ of the first portion.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket is fabricated from a single piece of metal and is generally 'L' shaped.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the 'L' shaped mounting bracket includes two side flange arrangements located to opposite sides of the 'L' shape, which side flanges are secured to the mounting plate and form struts to maintain the 'L' shape.
The present invention is also directed to the combination of a currency validator and a vending machine where the vending machine has an interior cabinet with a front opening door. The currency validator is secured within the vending machine by the mounting arrangement, which is secured to the back wall of the vending machine.
The currency validator is secured to the telescopic portion of the mounting arrangement and the first portion of the telescopic portion is fixed relative to the mounting arrangement such that a portion of the currency validator extends through a port in the front door of the vending machine. The currency validator with the telescopic slide fully retracted defines an in-use position with a portion of the currency validator extending through the front door of the vending machine and the currency validator is movable to a service position generally forward of the vending machine exposing the currency validator for service.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting arrangement allows pivoting in a vertical plane of the currency validator in the service position to further increase the access to the currency validator.
~~tIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial side view of the mounting arrangement and validator secured in a vending machine;
the first portion to directly support at least 50~ of the first portion.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket is fabricated from a single piece of metal and is generally 'L' shaped.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the 'L' shaped mounting bracket includes two side flange arrangements located to opposite sides of the 'L' shape, which side flanges are secured to the mounting plate and form struts to maintain the 'L' shape.
The present invention is also directed to the combination of a currency validator and a vending machine where the vending machine has an interior cabinet with a front opening door. The currency validator is secured within the vending machine by the mounting arrangement, which is secured to the back wall of the vending machine.
The currency validator is secured to the telescopic portion of the mounting arrangement and the first portion of the telescopic portion is fixed relative to the mounting arrangement such that a portion of the currency validator extends through a port in the front door of the vending machine. The currency validator with the telescopic slide fully retracted defines an in-use position with a portion of the currency validator extending through the front door of the vending machine and the currency validator is movable to a service position generally forward of the vending machine exposing the currency validator for service.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the mounting arrangement allows pivoting in a vertical plane of the currency validator in the service position to further increase the access to the currency validator.
~~tIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial side view of the mounting arrangement and validator secured in a vending machine;
- 3 -Figure 2 is a side view of the mounting arrangement and validator.
Figure 3 is a side view with a mounted validator in a service position;
Figure 4 is a front view of a mounted validator;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line B-B
of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a partial sectional side view of an alternate embodiment; and Figure 7 is a top view of Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The currency validator and accumulator 2 has a nose portion 4 which projects through the front door 32 of the vending machine, generally shown as 30. The nose portion includes the bill receiving slot 6, any controls 8 which the user must access, and status indicators 9 (see Figure 5). This allows feeding of bills into the currency validator and accumulator 2. The currency validator and accumulator 2 includes an accumulator cassette, generally shown as 10, in which received bills are stored. Servicing of the currency validator includes removal of this cassette and replacement with an empty cassette.
The mounting structure 14 is secured to the rear wall 34 of the machine 30 (vending type machine) and supports the currency validator and accumulator 2. The mounting structure 14 includes a mounting plate 20 secured to the rear wall of the vending machine and an integral cantilevered arm 22 which projects in a cantilevered manner from the mounting plate and in cooperation therewith forms a generally ~L~ shaped mounting structure. Within the mounting structure is a telescopic slide 16. This slide is secured to the cantilevered arm 22 and the slide is also secured to the currency validator and accumulator 2. Side flanges 24 act as a strut between the mounting plate and the cantilevered mounting arm 22. With the structure shown, the mounting structure 14 is formed from a single piece of metal bent into the 'L~ shape with the side
Figure 3 is a side view with a mounted validator in a service position;
Figure 4 is a front view of a mounted validator;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line B-B
of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a partial sectional side view of an alternate embodiment; and Figure 7 is a top view of Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The currency validator and accumulator 2 has a nose portion 4 which projects through the front door 32 of the vending machine, generally shown as 30. The nose portion includes the bill receiving slot 6, any controls 8 which the user must access, and status indicators 9 (see Figure 5). This allows feeding of bills into the currency validator and accumulator 2. The currency validator and accumulator 2 includes an accumulator cassette, generally shown as 10, in which received bills are stored. Servicing of the currency validator includes removal of this cassette and replacement with an empty cassette.
The mounting structure 14 is secured to the rear wall 34 of the machine 30 (vending type machine) and supports the currency validator and accumulator 2. The mounting structure 14 includes a mounting plate 20 secured to the rear wall of the vending machine and an integral cantilevered arm 22 which projects in a cantilevered manner from the mounting plate and in cooperation therewith forms a generally ~L~ shaped mounting structure. Within the mounting structure is a telescopic slide 16. This slide is secured to the cantilevered arm 22 and the slide is also secured to the currency validator and accumulator 2. Side flanges 24 act as a strut between the mounting plate and the cantilevered mounting arm 22. With the structure shown, the mounting structure 14 is formed from a single piece of metal bent into the 'L~ shape with the side
- 4 -flanges 24 bent and riveted to underlying bent flanges 31 on the cantilevered arm 22.
Fasteners 26 serve to secure a first telescopic portion of the telescopic slide 16 to the cantilevered arm 22. There are various ports for securing locations in the cantilevered bracket 22 or in the first portion of the telescopic slide to allow adjustment in the position of the telescopic slide 16 relative to the front of the vending machine. In this way, the location of the telescopic slide within the mounting bracket can be adjusted to suit the depth of the vending machine. This is particularly useful in retrofitting vending machines and as will be more fully described, the retrofitted currency validator and accumulator need only have a slot to accommodate its dimensions from the rear wall to the front wall and the validator can slide on a telescopic slide with the front door open to allow service. In this way, the space occupied within the vending machine is relatively small while still providing excellent access to the currency validator and accumulator 2 in front of the vending machine with the telescopic slide extended.
The validator as shown in Figure 1 has a release lock 33 to service the guideway leading form the receiving slot 6 to the accumulator cassette 10. Note that the front segment 35 opens forwardly in the horizontal position of Figure 1 (see Figure 3). Top segment 37 cooperates with front segment 35 to form a clam shell arrangement allowing access to the guideway. In one embodiment, the accumulator is contained within an outer, open-ended container with the telescopic slide located therein.
A key lock is provided on the slide to lock the slide in a fully collapsed state with the cassette fully received in the container and not accessible. Front segment 35 and top segment 37 are accessible to allow service, but not access to the cassette and money therein.
In this way, some service can be completed without providing access to the cassette. Some jurisdictions require two people to be present if the cassette becomes _ 5 _ accessible. As shown in Figure 5, access to release lock . 33 is at the front face, which also contains the receiving slot 6.
Figure 2 shows three separate positions 40, 42 and 44 of the mounting structure. At position 40, the currency validator is in a fully retracted position, i.e., the telescopic slide is fully retracted and the position of the telescopic slide relative to the cantilevered arm 22 is in the fully retracted location. Position 42 again has the telescopic slide fully retracted, however, the position of the slide relative to the cantilevered arm 22 is in a maximum adjustment position. Position 44 shows a fully extended position of the telescopic slide, which is the service position of the mounting arrangement.
Details of the slide are shown in Figure 3 where the first portion 52 would be secured by fasteners 26 shown in Figure 2 to the cantilevered arm 22. Figure 3 omits the mounting arm to show details of the slide. The telescopic slide includes an intermediate portion 54 which links the first portion with the validator mounting portion 56. It can also be seen how the currency validator mounting portion 56 can be released from the intermediate member by the release mechanism 58. During installation, the mounting arrangement alone is secured and after securement the validator can be secured to the telescopic slide.
Figure 4 shows further details of the slide and the securement of the first portion to the cantilevered arm 22.
Figure 4 shows how glide blocks 60 serve to maintain the spacings of the various portions of the telescopic slide and allow the sliding movement therebetween.
Figure 3 shows further details of securement of the currency validator 2 to the currency validator mounting portion 56 of the telescopic slide. There is a pivot connection, generally shown as 70, which allows pivoting of the currency validator from the in-use position of Figure 1 to the service position of Figure 3. This pivot connection includes a spring loaded counterbalance arrangement which can be partially understood from Figure 2. In this case, a ~1'~i13~
torsion spring is wound about the pivot axis 71 and has a first leg 74 secured to the telescopic slide and a second leg 76 pressing against the validator. The spring allows movement of the currency validator from the in-use position of Figure 2 to the service position of Figure 3, and in so doing, partially offsets the weight of the currency validator. More importantly, this spring, when the currency validator is moved from the service position to the in-use position, provides a bias to allow controlled movement of the validator to the service position.
Otherwise, the currency validator could merely drop under the weight of the validator and cause damage thereto.
The nose portion 4 of the currency validator is shown in Figure 5 and it can be seen that currency is introduced through the access slot 6 and diagnostic indicators 8 and 10 are provided to indicate Whether the bill is accepted or rejected. It is only the nose portion Which extends beyond the front door of the vending machine and the portion generally indicated as 13 would be located behind the front door.
From the above, it can be appreciated that the actual space within the vending machine which the validator requires is relative small and this space is an elongate narrow tube-like clearing from the back wall to the front door. This allows the exact placement of the validator to be simplified for retrofit applications. The mounting structure allows accommodation in different sizes of vending machines and different spacings between the back wall and the front door. In this way, the front door can be retrofitted and the currency validator can be mounted in the vending machine easily. Any adjustments necessary due to the particular vending machine are easily accomplished due to the adjustable relationship of the mounting bracket and the first portion of the telescopic slide. The telescopic slide is specifically designed to have a substantial degree of overlap between the first portion, the intermediate portion and the currency validator mounting portion. In this way, the telescopic slide is _ 7 _ ~1'~1136 relatively stiff. The degree of overlap is in the range of approximately 50~ of the length of each slide. This allows a very positive support of the currency validator when it is in the service position. As can be appreciated, the currency validator is slid forward to a clear position, i.e. a position forward of the internals of the vending machine, and then the currency validator can be rotated in the vertical plane to the 90° service position. In addition, even if the currency validator is not rotated, the bill accumulator or cassette is immediately accessible to remove the cassette and insert a new one. It is also possible to have different sizes of the 'L' shaped brackets, should further adjustment of the currency validator be necessary. It can also be appreciated that in some cases it may be desirable to have a downwardly mounting bracket, which again would have a cantilevered member which would allow adjustable positioning of the slide relative to the counter member in the manner described. It can also be appreciated that a side mount bracket could be used. It has been found that the rear mount wall bracket is the easiest and in most cases the most practical bracket for retrofitting vending machines.
The mounting system is also useful for new vending machines, and therefore, the application is not restricted to retrofitting of vending machines.
Vending machines are used in a very generic sense to identify a broad range of machines which provide users with a particular product or service based on the user initially authorizing the machine by entering a bill in the currency validator accumulator. Such vending machines can include video machines, machines used in casinos for dispensing chips or markers, food dispensing machines, amusement machines, parking ticket issuing machines and gaming machines, as but some examples.
An alternate embodiment of the mounting structure is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The mounting structures, generally shown as 114, includes a mounting plate 120 for securement to the rear wall of a machine or cabinet and a _ g _ mounting arm 122 which projects in a cantilevered manner from the mounting plate and forms therewith a generally 'L' shaped mounting structure. Attached to the mounting arm 122 is a telescopic slide arrangement, generally shown as 116.
In this embodiment, the validator is secured to the mounting brackets 158 which are pivotally secured by pivot 160 to the third portion 156 of the slide 116. As in the earlier embodiment, there is an intermediate or second portion 154 and a first portion of the telescopic slide, shown as 152. The third portion 156, as shown in Figure 7, is shorter in length and essentially terminates at the mounting brackets 158. The validator is secured to the mounting brackets 158 at a position slightly in front of the mid portion of the validator and to the lower surface of the validator. In this way, in the fully collapsed position of the telescopic slide 116, the validator cannot pivot the mounting brackets 158.
Movement of the slide arrangement to fully extend the slide, and thus position the validator at a forward position, removes the overlap of the telescopic slides adjacent the mounting brackets 158, and therefore, the validator can then pivot to move the front portion downwardly. The position of this pivot on the validator can be selected to be of a generally neutral or slight bias whereby there is no need for a counterbalance arrangement, as described in the earlier embodiment. The validator includes thereon a.pin which is received within the slot 164 of the control link 162, which is pivotally secured at 168 to the third portion 156 of the telescopic slide. In a vertical position of the validator, the pin located within the slot 164 has moved to the stop and hold point 166, and thus, maintains the validator in the vertical position.
The mounting brackets 160 also cooperate with a locking mechanism 170 which locks the slide in the extended position. In this way, it is not possible to collapse the slide without prior movement of the validator to the generally horizontal position. In the horizontal position, ~1'~113 the validator cooperates with a spring latch 172 to generally hold the validator in this position. The latch can be overcome merely by exerting sufficient upward force thereon, causing pivotting of the validator about the pivot point 160.
The embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 also show how the stationary spring latches 180 can lock the telescopic slides in the fully collapsed position or the fully extended position.
It can also be appreciated from a review of Figure 6 that the mounting plate 120 could include side portions and a top portion to enclose the cassette of the validator within a container, making it non-accessible without extending of the telescopic slide. Such an arrangement has advantages in certain jurisdictions, as it would allow service of the front portion of the validator while maintaining the cassette box and the accumulated currency within a protected environment. As previously described, a lock arrangement for the telescopic slide would be provided such that the operator could not merely extend the slide to gain access to the cassette. Such a limited container, which would basically stop at about the mounting brackets 158, would still allow the front segment 35 and the top segment 37 of the validator to be opened to allow service of the front end of the validator. Therefore, a user would merely have to open the cabinet to expose the front or nose portion of the validator and allow service, whereas the-telescopic slide could remain locked and the cassette would be protected within the container.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Fasteners 26 serve to secure a first telescopic portion of the telescopic slide 16 to the cantilevered arm 22. There are various ports for securing locations in the cantilevered bracket 22 or in the first portion of the telescopic slide to allow adjustment in the position of the telescopic slide 16 relative to the front of the vending machine. In this way, the location of the telescopic slide within the mounting bracket can be adjusted to suit the depth of the vending machine. This is particularly useful in retrofitting vending machines and as will be more fully described, the retrofitted currency validator and accumulator need only have a slot to accommodate its dimensions from the rear wall to the front wall and the validator can slide on a telescopic slide with the front door open to allow service. In this way, the space occupied within the vending machine is relatively small while still providing excellent access to the currency validator and accumulator 2 in front of the vending machine with the telescopic slide extended.
The validator as shown in Figure 1 has a release lock 33 to service the guideway leading form the receiving slot 6 to the accumulator cassette 10. Note that the front segment 35 opens forwardly in the horizontal position of Figure 1 (see Figure 3). Top segment 37 cooperates with front segment 35 to form a clam shell arrangement allowing access to the guideway. In one embodiment, the accumulator is contained within an outer, open-ended container with the telescopic slide located therein.
A key lock is provided on the slide to lock the slide in a fully collapsed state with the cassette fully received in the container and not accessible. Front segment 35 and top segment 37 are accessible to allow service, but not access to the cassette and money therein.
In this way, some service can be completed without providing access to the cassette. Some jurisdictions require two people to be present if the cassette becomes _ 5 _ accessible. As shown in Figure 5, access to release lock . 33 is at the front face, which also contains the receiving slot 6.
Figure 2 shows three separate positions 40, 42 and 44 of the mounting structure. At position 40, the currency validator is in a fully retracted position, i.e., the telescopic slide is fully retracted and the position of the telescopic slide relative to the cantilevered arm 22 is in the fully retracted location. Position 42 again has the telescopic slide fully retracted, however, the position of the slide relative to the cantilevered arm 22 is in a maximum adjustment position. Position 44 shows a fully extended position of the telescopic slide, which is the service position of the mounting arrangement.
Details of the slide are shown in Figure 3 where the first portion 52 would be secured by fasteners 26 shown in Figure 2 to the cantilevered arm 22. Figure 3 omits the mounting arm to show details of the slide. The telescopic slide includes an intermediate portion 54 which links the first portion with the validator mounting portion 56. It can also be seen how the currency validator mounting portion 56 can be released from the intermediate member by the release mechanism 58. During installation, the mounting arrangement alone is secured and after securement the validator can be secured to the telescopic slide.
Figure 4 shows further details of the slide and the securement of the first portion to the cantilevered arm 22.
Figure 4 shows how glide blocks 60 serve to maintain the spacings of the various portions of the telescopic slide and allow the sliding movement therebetween.
Figure 3 shows further details of securement of the currency validator 2 to the currency validator mounting portion 56 of the telescopic slide. There is a pivot connection, generally shown as 70, which allows pivoting of the currency validator from the in-use position of Figure 1 to the service position of Figure 3. This pivot connection includes a spring loaded counterbalance arrangement which can be partially understood from Figure 2. In this case, a ~1'~i13~
torsion spring is wound about the pivot axis 71 and has a first leg 74 secured to the telescopic slide and a second leg 76 pressing against the validator. The spring allows movement of the currency validator from the in-use position of Figure 2 to the service position of Figure 3, and in so doing, partially offsets the weight of the currency validator. More importantly, this spring, when the currency validator is moved from the service position to the in-use position, provides a bias to allow controlled movement of the validator to the service position.
Otherwise, the currency validator could merely drop under the weight of the validator and cause damage thereto.
The nose portion 4 of the currency validator is shown in Figure 5 and it can be seen that currency is introduced through the access slot 6 and diagnostic indicators 8 and 10 are provided to indicate Whether the bill is accepted or rejected. It is only the nose portion Which extends beyond the front door of the vending machine and the portion generally indicated as 13 would be located behind the front door.
From the above, it can be appreciated that the actual space within the vending machine which the validator requires is relative small and this space is an elongate narrow tube-like clearing from the back wall to the front door. This allows the exact placement of the validator to be simplified for retrofit applications. The mounting structure allows accommodation in different sizes of vending machines and different spacings between the back wall and the front door. In this way, the front door can be retrofitted and the currency validator can be mounted in the vending machine easily. Any adjustments necessary due to the particular vending machine are easily accomplished due to the adjustable relationship of the mounting bracket and the first portion of the telescopic slide. The telescopic slide is specifically designed to have a substantial degree of overlap between the first portion, the intermediate portion and the currency validator mounting portion. In this way, the telescopic slide is _ 7 _ ~1'~1136 relatively stiff. The degree of overlap is in the range of approximately 50~ of the length of each slide. This allows a very positive support of the currency validator when it is in the service position. As can be appreciated, the currency validator is slid forward to a clear position, i.e. a position forward of the internals of the vending machine, and then the currency validator can be rotated in the vertical plane to the 90° service position. In addition, even if the currency validator is not rotated, the bill accumulator or cassette is immediately accessible to remove the cassette and insert a new one. It is also possible to have different sizes of the 'L' shaped brackets, should further adjustment of the currency validator be necessary. It can also be appreciated that in some cases it may be desirable to have a downwardly mounting bracket, which again would have a cantilevered member which would allow adjustable positioning of the slide relative to the counter member in the manner described. It can also be appreciated that a side mount bracket could be used. It has been found that the rear mount wall bracket is the easiest and in most cases the most practical bracket for retrofitting vending machines.
The mounting system is also useful for new vending machines, and therefore, the application is not restricted to retrofitting of vending machines.
Vending machines are used in a very generic sense to identify a broad range of machines which provide users with a particular product or service based on the user initially authorizing the machine by entering a bill in the currency validator accumulator. Such vending machines can include video machines, machines used in casinos for dispensing chips or markers, food dispensing machines, amusement machines, parking ticket issuing machines and gaming machines, as but some examples.
An alternate embodiment of the mounting structure is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The mounting structures, generally shown as 114, includes a mounting plate 120 for securement to the rear wall of a machine or cabinet and a _ g _ mounting arm 122 which projects in a cantilevered manner from the mounting plate and forms therewith a generally 'L' shaped mounting structure. Attached to the mounting arm 122 is a telescopic slide arrangement, generally shown as 116.
In this embodiment, the validator is secured to the mounting brackets 158 which are pivotally secured by pivot 160 to the third portion 156 of the slide 116. As in the earlier embodiment, there is an intermediate or second portion 154 and a first portion of the telescopic slide, shown as 152. The third portion 156, as shown in Figure 7, is shorter in length and essentially terminates at the mounting brackets 158. The validator is secured to the mounting brackets 158 at a position slightly in front of the mid portion of the validator and to the lower surface of the validator. In this way, in the fully collapsed position of the telescopic slide 116, the validator cannot pivot the mounting brackets 158.
Movement of the slide arrangement to fully extend the slide, and thus position the validator at a forward position, removes the overlap of the telescopic slides adjacent the mounting brackets 158, and therefore, the validator can then pivot to move the front portion downwardly. The position of this pivot on the validator can be selected to be of a generally neutral or slight bias whereby there is no need for a counterbalance arrangement, as described in the earlier embodiment. The validator includes thereon a.pin which is received within the slot 164 of the control link 162, which is pivotally secured at 168 to the third portion 156 of the telescopic slide. In a vertical position of the validator, the pin located within the slot 164 has moved to the stop and hold point 166, and thus, maintains the validator in the vertical position.
The mounting brackets 160 also cooperate with a locking mechanism 170 which locks the slide in the extended position. In this way, it is not possible to collapse the slide without prior movement of the validator to the generally horizontal position. In the horizontal position, ~1'~113 the validator cooperates with a spring latch 172 to generally hold the validator in this position. The latch can be overcome merely by exerting sufficient upward force thereon, causing pivotting of the validator about the pivot point 160.
The embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 also show how the stationary spring latches 180 can lock the telescopic slides in the fully collapsed position or the fully extended position.
It can also be appreciated from a review of Figure 6 that the mounting plate 120 could include side portions and a top portion to enclose the cassette of the validator within a container, making it non-accessible without extending of the telescopic slide. Such an arrangement has advantages in certain jurisdictions, as it would allow service of the front portion of the validator while maintaining the cassette box and the accumulated currency within a protected environment. As previously described, a lock arrangement for the telescopic slide would be provided such that the operator could not merely extend the slide to gain access to the cassette. Such a limited container, which would basically stop at about the mounting brackets 158, would still allow the front segment 35 and the top segment 37 of the validator to be opened to allow service of the front end of the validator. Therefore, a user would merely have to open the cabinet to expose the front or nose portion of the validator and allow service, whereas the-telescopic slide could remain locked and the cassette would be protected within the container.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A mounting structure for a currency validator and accumulator comprising a telescopic slide secured to a mounting bracket having a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to a wall, said mounting bracket supporting said telescopic slide generally perpendicular to said mounting plate with said telescopic slide telescoping in a direction generally perpendicular to said mounting bracket, said telescopic slide having a first portion directly secured to said mounting bracket and a validator mounting portion supported by said first portion allowing telescopic movement between a retracted position defining the normal in-use position of a validator secured to said validator mounting portion and a service position where said telescopic slide is extended to allow improved service of a supported validator.
2. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein telescopic slide has an intermediate portion which is supported by said first portion and is slidable therewith with said intermediate portion supporting said validator mounting portion in a manner to allow sliding therebetween.
3. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first portion is adjustably secured to said mounting bracket to accommodate different spacings of said first portion from said mounting bracket to adjust for different depths of machines in which the mounting structure is adapted to be secured.
4. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said validator mounting portion includes a pivot arrangement adapted to allow securement of a validator in a use position overlapping with said mounting portion and movable to a service position generally perpendicular to said mounting portion.
5. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pivot arrangement includes a counterbalance mechanism for controlling movement of a secured validator from said service position to said in-use position to at least partially adjust for the weight of the currency validator.
6. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said telescopic slide defines at least two stop positions with one stop position defining the in-use position and the other stop position defining the service position.
7. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said mounting bracket overlaps with said first portion to provide overlapping support an amount equal to at least 50%
of the length of said first portion.
of the length of said first portion.
8. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said mounting,bracket is fabricated from a single piece of metal and is generally 'L' shaped.
9. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket includes two side flange arrangements located to opposite sides of said 'L' shape which are secured to said mounting plate and form struts to maintain said 'L' shape.
10. A mounting structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said validator mounting portion of said slide includes release means for allowing separation of said validator mounting portion from the intermediate portion of said telescopic slide.
11. In combination a currency validator and a machine having an interior cabinet with a front opening door, said front opening door having a port therein through which a front section of the validator extends, said machine having a rear wall opposite the front door, said currency validator being mounted to said back wall by a mounting arrangement comprising a telescopic slide secured to a mounting bracket having a mounting plate fixed to said back wall, said mounting bracket supporting said telescopic slide generally perpendicular to said mounting plate with said telescopic slide telescoping in a direction generally perpendicular to said back wall, said telescopic slide having a first portion directly secured to said mounting bracket and a validator mounting portion attached to said validator and supported by said first portion in a manner allowing telescopic movement between a retracted position defining the normal in-use position of said validator and a service position where said telescopic slide is extended supporting said validator generally in front of said machine.
12. In combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said telescopic slide has an intermediate portion which is supported by said first portion and is slidable therewith with said intermediate portion supporting said validator mounting portion in a manner to allow sliding therebetween.
13. In combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first portion of said telescopic slide is adjustably secured to said mounting bracket to accommodate different spacings of said first portion from said mounting bracket to adjust for the particular depths of said machine.
14. In combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein said validator mounting portion includes a pivot arrangement which secures said validator in a use position overlapping with said mounting portion and movable to a service position generally perpendicular to said mounting portion.
15. In combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said pivot arrangement includes a counterbalance mechanism which controls pivoting movement of said validator by providing a counterbalance force to offset the weight of said validator when rotated relative to said telescopic slide.
16. In combination as claimed in claim 15 wherein said telescopic slide defines at least two stop positions with one stop position defining the in-use position of said validator and the other stop position defining the service position of said validator in front of said machine.
17. In combination as claimed in claim 16 wherein said mounting bracket overlaps with said first portion to provide overlapping support an amount equal to ut least 70%
of the length of said first portion and provides overlapped support of said validator in the in-use position.
of the length of said first portion and provides overlapped support of said validator in the in-use position.
18. In combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mounting bracket is fabricated from a single piece of metal and is generally 'L' shaped.
19. In combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said mounting bracket includes two side flange arrangements located to opposite sides of said 'L' shape which are secured to said mounting plate and form struts to stiffen said 'L' shaped mounting bracket.
20. In combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said validator mounting portion of said slide includes release means for allowing separation of said validator mounting portion and said validator from the intermediate portion of said telescopic slide.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002171136A CA2171136C (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-03-06 | Slide mounting arrangement for currency validators |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002171136A CA2171136C (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-03-06 | Slide mounting arrangement for currency validators |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2171136A1 CA2171136A1 (en) | 1997-09-07 |
| CA2171136C true CA2171136C (en) | 2002-12-03 |
Family
ID=4157697
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002171136A Expired - Fee Related CA2171136C (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-03-06 | Slide mounting arrangement for currency validators |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2171136C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-03-06 CA CA002171136A patent/CA2171136C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2171136A1 (en) | 1997-09-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20160307 |