EP0978804A1 - Output module for a ticket producing and delivering apparatus, in particular for transport tickets - Google Patents

Abstract

Device has a ticket outlet (12) with a ramp (15) inclined to the horizontal (PH) so that it defines an outlet direction for the tickets (15). A stopper (18) is positioned so that it holds a ticket (16a) on the ramp. The stopper (18) is arranged close to the ramp and is adapted so that it is elastic in all directions around its fixed end (18').

Description

The present invention relates to an output module for a device for developing and issuing a ticket, including transport ticket.

We know the state of the art of devices developing and issuing transport tickets comprising means for transcribing information such as that the destination, the chosen class, the prices, etc. These information is transcribed, for example, by printing thermal and / or by coded recording of a track magnetic. Training means lead to the end of routes the tickets thus produced towards said output module, which forms a receptacle for collecting tickets and their manual entry.

The problem that arises with the output modules of such devices for issuing and issuing tickets is that they do not always allow easy gripping of tickets, especially when these rest on their entire surface on a flat receptacle. We understand well indeed that it is not easy to enter a plane ticket also placed on a surface plane.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this disadvantage which, if it is occasional for a user, a traveler for example, remains nonetheless repetitive daily for an attendant to issue such tickets, which must focus on the gripping operation and delivery of the ticket, when she should in fact respond to a mechanical gesture.

To this end, according to the invention, an output module for a device for developing and issuing a ticket, in particular transport ticket, said device comprising means for transcription of information and training means from said ticket to said output module, is in particular remarkable in that the output module comprises, of a hand, an exit ramp, inclined to the plane horizontal, defining an exit direction for said ticket, and, on the other hand, a ticket retaining stop on the ramp of outlet, arranged substantially opposite said ramp, said stop being elastically flexible around one end at less in the direction of exit of said ticket.

Thus, as will be seen in detail below, entering the ticket is facilitated due to the retractable nature of the stop of retention whose function is, at the same time, to retain the ticket on the exit ramp against gravity and fade away when entering, in a natural movement that can be performed blind, without encountering any rigid obstacle.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, said retaining stop is arranged at a distance from the ramp output suitable for defining, between the stop and the ramp, a space of gripping the ticket. The entry of the ticket is then done by pinching between two fingers, one being introduced into said gripping space.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the exit ramp has a narrowed width end less than the width of the ticket, said retaining stop being disposed near said outlet ramp. In this case, the edges of the ticket being cleared, entry is made by taking the ticket by the sides.

The present invention also relates to characteristics which will emerge during the description which will follow, and which should be considered in isolation or according to all their possible technical combinations.

• La figure 1 est une vue partielle en plan d'un dispositif d'élaboration et de délivrance d'un ticket, comportant un module de sortie selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe du module de sortie la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus du module de sortie la figure 2.
• La figure 4 est une vue de face d'une variante de réalisation du module de sortie selon l'invention.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4.
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus en coupe selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 4.

This description given by way of nonlimiting example will make it easier to understand how the invention can be produced with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a device for preparing and issuing a ticket, comprising an output module according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of the output module in Figure 1.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of the output module in FIG. 2.
• Figure 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the output module according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 is a top view in section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

In Figure 1 is shown partially a module magnetic printing and recording, overall designated under the reference 1, intended to be incorporated into a device for developing and issuing a ticket 16, in especially a transport ticket.

This device notably comprises cutting means 2 to obtain a ticket by sectioning a strip continuous (not shown) provided with a magnetic track. The ticket 16 is then routed by means of training towards means of transcribing information which, in the embodiment of Figure 1, are means 4 magnetic recording, means 6 for controlling recorded information and printing means 5 such than a thermal printer. These resources are managed by a set of electrical and electronic circuits (not represented) based on information provided by means for detecting the presence of the strip or the ticket, placed at different points along their route.

The means of driving the ticket include a drum 7 controlled in rotation by a motor 8, the movement is transmitted via a belt 9 flexible endless supporting ticket 16 by pinching between the peripheral surface of the drum 7 and the belt 9.

Said drive means end with conveying means, here a driving wheel 10, which direct the ticket 16 coded and printed to the output module 12, object of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, module 12 of outlet includes an outlet ramp 15 inclined relative to the horizontal plane PH and defining an exit direction d for the ticket 16, merged with the median axis xx 'of the ramp 15. Of course, the width 1 ′ of the ramp 15 is at least equal to the width 1 of the ticket 16. On the other hand, a stop 18.18A of retaining the ticket 16 on the exit ramp 15 is arranged substantially opposite said ramp 15, said stop 18, 18A being elastically flexible in all directions around from one end 18 ', 18'A.

The retaining stop 18, 18A may consist of a elongated core of deformable elastic material, overmolded a sheath of relatively rigid material. Of course, other means could also be imagined to make said retractable stop when gripping the ticket.

At the end of the development and delivery system, the ticket 16, subject to its own weight, descends ramp 15 exit until it is stopped in its race by the stop 18, 18A restraint. In this way, it is possible to enter the ticket 16 by releasing it from the exit ramp 15 in a movement carried out against the stop 18.18A, which then naturally retracts due to its flexibility for then resiliently return to its initial position after gripping from ticket 16.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the total height H2 of said stopper 18 is greater than the height H separating the edge of the ramp 15 from the lower plane 17 of the output module 12, so that the difference D = H2-H corresponds a capacity to receive a predetermined number of tickets stacking on top of each other on the exit ramp 15 in the issue of a ticket book.

According to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the stop 18 of restraint is arranged at a distance H1 from the ramp 15 of outlet, suitable for clearing, between the stop 18 and the ramp 15, a space 13 allowing the gripping of the ticket 16 by insertion without discomfort of at least one finger under a free end part 16a of the ticket 16. The entry is then made by pinching the ticket between two fingers, then withdrawal, possibly at against the flexible stop 18.

It can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that in this mode of realization the ticket 16 rests on the ramp 15 of exit on a distance on the order of half its length, so that it's just being kept in balance. In order to prevent the ticket 16 does not fall to the bottom of the output module 12, provision is made that the retaining stop 18 includes means for setting support of the ticket 16, here produced by a projecting shoulder 19, formed on the stopper 18.

In the embodiment of Figures 4, 5 and 6, the exit ramp 15 has a narrowed end 20, the width l "is less than the width l of the ticket 16. This allows gripping the ticket 16 with two fingers of each side of the ticket. In this case, the retaining stop 18A can be disposed near the ramp 15. The ticket 16 then resting on the exit ramp 15 over practically its entire length, it it is not necessary to provide support means such as the shoulder of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the exit ramp 15 defines a plane P in which the normal n to the exit direction d is horizontal, the plane P intercepting substantially the axis of the stop 18 of restraint. So as to center the stop 18 relative to the outgoing ticket 16, there is an advantage for it to be located substantially on the median axis xx 'of the ramp 15 of exit.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a variant according to which the normal n to the direction of exit in the plane P of the exit ramp 15 forms with the horizontal plane PH an angle α slope capable of initiating the reversal of ticket 16 when this one is upside down, magnetic strip above, this so as to facilitate the gesture of gripping and turning full. In this case, the retaining stop 18A is offset laterally with respect to the median axis xx 'of the ramp 15 towards the lower side 15a of the ramp, in order to remain substantially in the axis of ticket 16, which is also offset laterally by gravity to the lowest side 15a of the ramp 15 because of its width l narrower than the width l 'of the ramp 15.

Claims (7)

Output module (12) for a processing device and issuing a ticket (16), in particular a transport ticket, said device comprising transcription means information and means for training said ticket to said output module (12), characterized in that the module (12) exit comprises, on the one hand, an exit ramp (15), inclined to the horizontal plane (PH), defining a direction (d) of exit for said ticket (16), and, on the other hand, a ticket retaining stop (18, 18A) (16) on the ramp (15) of outlet, arranged substantially opposite said ramp (5), said stop (18, 18A) being elastically flexible in all directions around one end (18 ', 18'A). Output module of claim 1, characterized in that said retaining stop (18) is disposed at a distance (H1) of the clean ramp (15) to be defined, between the stop (18) and the ramp (15), a space (13) for gripping the ticket (16). Output module according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining stop (18) comprises means (19) for support of said ticket (16). Output module according to claim 3, characterized in that said ticket support means (16) are formed by a projecting shoulder (19) formed on said retaining stop (18). Output module according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet ramp (15) has a narrowed end (20) of width (l ") less than the width (l) of the ticket (16), said retaining stop (18A) being disposed near said exit ramp (15). Output module according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ramp (15) of exit defines a plane (P) in which the normal (n) to the direction (d) outlet is horizontal, the retaining stop (18, 18A) being located substantially on the median axis (xx ') of said ramp (15). Output module according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ramp (15) of exit defines a plane (P) in which the normal (n) to the direction (d) outlet forms with the horizontal plane (PH) an angle (α) of superelevation, the retaining stop (18, 18A) being offset laterally relative to the median axis (xx ') of said ramp (15) in the direction of the lower edge (15a) of the ramp (15).

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