EP1145199B1 - Device for storing and issuing sheet-like material, in particular, bank notes, and a guide unit and a transport unit for said device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing and/or issuing sheet-like material, in particular, bank notes (23), comprising a compartment storage device (10) that is provided with a plurality of compartments (11), and comprising a slide (6) which can be inserted into and withdrawn from a compartment (11) so that a sheet-like material (23), said sheet-like material located in front of an opening (11a) of the compartment, (11) can be slid into the compartment (11) while being folded and/or can be issued from the same. The inventive device also comprises a guide unit (3) which can be displaced between two positions, whereby, in the first position, the sheet-like material (23) can be inserted into the guide unit (3) and the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) is closed. In the second position, said opening (11a) of the compartment (11) is open so that the sheet-like material (23) can be inserted into said compartment (11). The inventive device also comprises a guide device for sheet-like material (23), especially bank notes, having a first guide plane (3a). In addition, a second guide plane (3b) is provided which is opposite the first guide plane (3a) so that a guide gap is constructed therebetween. The inventive device has a feed opening (3d) situated on the side of the first and second guide planes (3a, 3b), and has at least one coupling element (3c) for engaging a moving apparatus for the guide unit (3). A transport unit is provided for a sheet-like material (23), especially bank notes, which comprises a first guide plate (16) and a moveable belt (20) that can be moved along the surface of the first guide plate (16) so that the sheet-like material (23) can be transported between the first guide plate (16) and the moveable belt (20).

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing sheet material, in particular banknotes.

Banknote storage and dispensing devices are known, for example, in the form of bank-operated ATMs which issue funds retrieved on the basis of existing credit or check cards and after entry of a PIN within the scope of the existing credit. However, such ATMs are very expensive in terms of their construction.

In the case of gambling machines, for example, after winning a special game series, there is a need to pay out money of a few DM 100, which is currently done, in principle, by the payment of coins. However, in order to avoid the payment of a larger number of coins, there is a need to pay larger amounts also from gambling machines by banknotes, in particular, when the gambling machines are also designed to accept the gambling application on the acceptance of bills. For gaming machines, however, only devices for dispensing banknotes come into consideration, which can be produced inexpensively.

From the U.S.-A-4,807,736 is already a device for storing and dispensing sheet material with a fan battery having a plurality of subjects, and a guide device known. The GB-A-2 236 143 discloses a banknote storage with a pusher which serves to fold a banknote and push it into a slot of a cassette.

The EP-A-0 985 199 is to be considered as state of the art under Article 54 (3) EPC. There is described an apparatus for storing and dispensing sheet material in which a timing belt forms a kind of guide means in connection with this arranged opposite guide plates as a guide means.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described above, which is characterized by a simple and economically viable design and at the same time ensures reliable promotion of banknotes, as well as to provide a guide device and conveyor for the device.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention for storing and dispensing sheet material, in particular banknotes, has a compartment battery in which a plurality of individual compartments are arranged. In this case, a slider is provided, which is in and out of a compartment. It can be provided both a single slider for the entire device, as well as a slider for each subject. With the slider, a lying in front of an opening of a tray sheet material inserted under folding in the tray and out of this Tray will be reissued. Furthermore, a guide device is provided, which can be moved between two positions. In this case, the guide means is designed so that in a first position, the sheet-like material can be introduced into the guide means and the opening of the compartment, in which the sheet material is to be introduced; is blocked by the guide device. The guide means can be brought to a second position so that the opening of the compartment is released, whereupon the sheet material can be introduced with the slider. Thus, a secure and reliable guidance of the sheet material or bill can be ensured by the guide means, such as a guide in the feed level of the bill before the opening of the subject. An erroneous evasion of the bill to the side can be prevented by the guide device. The reaching at the intersection between eg horizontal insertion of the bill in the tray and eg vertical feeder bank note can no longer be misguided by the guide means in the now locked opening of the bin, so that the bill is securely guided in the desired feed level. This intersection point between import direction in the tray and feed direction of the bill can be safely run over by the bill with the guide device, so that the bill is reliably forwarded to this intersection. After the bill has completed its feeding movement, the guide means is brought into the second position in which the opening of the tray is free, so that the bill can be introduced with the slider in the tray.

In this case, a lever is provided, which is coupled to the guide device and the slider, so that the slide engages during extension or in its extended position from the tray in the lever, whereby the lever is pivoted from its rest position, wherein on the coupling of the Levers with the guide means the guide means is also moved, so that the opening of the compartment is locked by the guide means. When retracting the slide for inserting a bill in the tray is the lever pivoted back to its rest position so that the guide device releases the opening of the compartment again.

As already stated, it is possible to provide each individual compartment with a slider, so that advantageously the slider of the respective compartment is only moved when a bill is to be inserted or removed. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a single slide in the device, with which bills can be introduced into the individual compartments or removed from these. In this case, either the slider along the individual compartments of the fan battery or the fan battery can be moved past the slide.

Preferably, on the apparatus for storing and dispensing sheet material, a conveyor for feeding the sheet material is provided, with which the sheet material or a bill is fed from an input port of the guide means. In this case, a checking device for the banknote can advantageously be provided.

Advantageously, the lever is biased by a spring in its rest position, wherein the opening of the compartment is released by the guide means.

There may be provided driving elements for the slider, the guide means, the lever and the conveyor, or only individual elements thereof, which ensure the desired sequence when introducing the sheet material into the compartment. In this case, suitable detectors may be provided for controlling the respective drives, which detect individual elements in certain positions, such as the slider in waiting position or a sponsored bill shortly before reaching the crossover of feed level and insertion into the subject. Suitable detectors may be, for example, light barriers or limit switches, which output signals desired when in contact with a bill, the slider or other moving parts of the device.

Advantageously, the fan battery is designed to be displaceable, wherein a controlled drive for moving the fan battery can be provided.

Preferably, the slider or the actuator for the slider is turned off so that the slider from the retracted position in the tray is further displaced to a dispensing position to issue a banknote in the tray.

In this case, at the output side of the compartment, which is advantageously opposite the input side, an output device may be provided which can receive the bill and continue to transport. Advantageously, the output device can be formed by a roller pair, between which the issued bill is transported. The banknotes can then be attached to the pair of rollers, e.g. be transported by a suitable belt conveyor.

Advantageously, the slide is designed as a flat plate which has one or more recesses in order to be able to pass the dispensing device, in particular the pair of rollers. As a result, a secure guidance of the issued bill to be implemented in the output device.

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Aus- führungsform der Erfindung zum Speichern oder Ausgeben von blattförmigem Material mit einer Banknote in Eingabeposi- tion;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 mit weiter eingeführter Banknote und Schieber in halb ausgefahrener Stellung;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 mit Schieber in ganz ausgefahrener Stellung und Führungseinrichtung in Sperrposition, durch wel- che die Banknote hindurchgeführt wurde;

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 mit Schieber und Banknote in halb eingeführter Position;

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 mit Schieber und Banknote in einer in das Fach eingeführten Position;

Fig. 6

eine Vorrichtung zum Speichern oder Ausgeben von blattför- migem Material mit Führungseinrichtung in Sperrposition ge- mäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform ;

Fig. 7

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6 mit Führungseinrichtung in Frei- gabeposition;

Fig. 8a

die erfindungsgemäße Führungseinrichtung in Explosions- Darstellung;

Fig. 8b

die Führungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 8a im zusammenge- setzten Zustand;

Fig. 8c bis 8e

Seitenansichten und Draufsicht auf ein Seitenelement der Führungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 8a und 8b.

The invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1

the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention for storing or dispensing sheet material with a banknote in input position;

Fig. 2

the device of Fig. 1 with further introduced banknote and slider in half extended position;

Fig. 3

the device of Fig. 1 with slider in completely extended position and guide device in locked position, through which the banknote was passed;

Fig. 4

the device of Fig. 1 with slider and banknote in half inserted position;

Fig. 5

the device of Fig. 1 with slide and banknote in a position inserted in the compartment;

Fig. 6

a device for storing or dispensing sheet-like material with guide device in blocking position according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 7

the device according to Fig. 6 with guide device in release position;

Fig. 8a

the guide device according to the invention in an exploded view;

Fig. 8b

the guide device according to Fig. 8a in the assembled state;

Fig. 8c to 8e

Side views and top view of a side member of the guide device according to Fig. 8a and 8b ,

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for storing and / or outputting sheet material, in particular banknotes, with the guide element or blocking element according to the invention in the release position. At the upper end of the device, a banknote 23 is entered, for example via a slot in the device. The bill 23 is fed into the conveyor 1 between baffles 15 and 16 with the upper baffle 16 bent up at the entrance opening to facilitate insertion of the bill 23. In the lower baffle 15 cutouts are provided, in which conveyor rollers 7 and 8 protrude, over which a belt 20 is guided. On the conveyor 1, a guide element 22 is provided, which can engage through recesses in the upper guide plate 16 and is biased by a spring 21 so that a pressing force in the direction of the belt 20 is formed. The guide member 22 engages in the representation shown on recesses in the baffles 15 and 16 so that a resting on the belt 20 guided past the recesses banknote 23 pushes the guide member 22 against the force of the spring 21 upwards and thus of the guide member 22nd is held by a counter-pressure on the belt 20, whereby a defined pressure force between banknote 23 and belt 20 can be generated. This is in Fig. 2 for the front end of the banknote 23. It is also possible to configure the lower conveyor roller 8 so that it is biased, for example, by a spring force in the direction of the upper guide plate 16 in order to produce the desired pressure force between banknote 23 and belt 20.

In the region of the lower end of the conveyor 1, the fan battery 10 is arranged with a plurality of parallel to each other compartments 11. This fan battery 10 can be guided vertically on a linkage 13 and moved over the rack 14 in a desired position. In each compartment 11 of the fan battery 10 sword-like slide 6 are provided, which in Fig. 1 all are in the retracted position.

Fig. 2 shows that a slider 6 is moved out of a compartment 11 by a driver, not shown, and passes by the upper end of the guide element 3.

How out Fig. 3 As can be seen, the slider has been moved to its outermost position and abuts against a contact edge of the lever 4, which moves the guide element into the blocking position via the engagement 3c of the guide element 3, so that the opening 11a of the compartment is blocked. This pivotal movement of the lever 4 takes place against the tensile force of the spring 24, which biases the lever 4 a its rest position. The banknote 23 can be inserted at the upper end of the guide element 3 via the fork-shaped tongues 17 and 18 securely between the guide planes 3a and 3b of the guide element and exits at the outlet opening 3e again from the guide element 3. In this case, the crossing point of vertical feed direction of the banknote 23 and horizontal insertion direction into the compartment 11 via the slider 6 is securely formed by the guide means 3 so that a faulty lateral deviation of the banknote 23 is excluded.

Fig. 4 shows that the slider 6 is retracted back into the compartment 11. As a result, the lever 4 is no longer biased against the spring 24, but withdrawn from this in its rest position, whereby the guide member 3 is again brought into the release position. The banknote 23 can thus be safely inserted into the compartment 11 via the slide 6.

Fig. 5 shows the slider 6 in its fully inserted into the compartment 11 with banknote 23 position.

To enter a further banknote 23 into another compartment, the compartment battery 10 can be moved over the rack drive 23 so that a free compartment 11 again lies at the entry position for a banknote.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for storing and / or dispensing banknotes 23 with the guide element 3 according to the invention in the locked position.

The compartment battery 10 is in turn guided vertically on the linkage 13 and is moved over the rack 14 in position. Furthermore, the fan battery 10 is equipped in their subjects with sword-like slides 6. By the respective slide banknotes to be stored can be inserted into the subjects under loop-like folding after the corresponding compartment 11 has been moved by the rack drive 14 in the center plane of the banknote to be stored, as described above.

For movement of the respective slider 6, a driver not shown is also provided, which can be moved by a toothed belt drive. The respective slide 6 can thus be guided in the horizontal direction via the driver.

To control the drive rollers 7, 8, the rack drive 14 and the toothed belt drive for the driver of the respective slide 6 each motors are provided, which are controlled by a central microprocessor.

Before the conveyor 1, a bill validator may be provided, as he, for example, from the DE 40 05 291 C2 is known. Once the bill has passed the bill validator and reaches the inlet of the conveyor 1, it is detected by the drive roller 7 and transported between the baffles 15, 16. As soon as the front end of the banknote reaches position A, this is detected by a light barrier (not shown), whereupon the drive rollers 7, 8 timed driven until the center of the bill is approximately opposite the compartment 11 of the fan battery 10. Previously, the slider 6 has been moved with the driver not shown from the compartment 11 of the fan battery 10 in the waiting position B. In this position, the lever 4 mounted about the pivot axis 5 is actuated by the slider 6 in the counterclockwise direction, so that the guide member 3 is pushed vertically upwards. The guide element 3 consists of two parallel baffles 3a and 3b between which the bill to be transported is performed. In the in Fig. 6 illustrated position of the guide element 3, the bill to be transported 23 is inserted from the baffle 16 directly into the opening formed by the baffles 3a and 3b 3d of the guide element 3, so that reliably prevents the front end of the bill from the position A in the corresponding compartment 11 of the compartment battery 10 or misdirected back to the waiting position B.

Fig. 7 shows the apparatus for storing and dispensing banknotes according to Fig. 1 with the guide element 3 according to the invention in the release position. Once the bill 23 has been moved to a corresponding compartment 11 of the compartment battery 10 central position, the slider 6 is moved over the driven by a toothed belt drive driver in an inserted position in which the other slide the fan battery 10 are. In the Fig. 7 shown position C shows an intermediate position between the in Fig. 6 As soon as the slider 6 is moved from the waiting position B, the lever 4 is released by the slider 6 and moves with the guide member 3 in a clockwise direction, so that the tray 11 for the Slider 6 has been released. When moving the slider 6 in the retracted position in the compartment 11 of the fan battery 10 thus the banknote is folded centrally inserted into the compartment 11.

For dispensing the banknote 23, the slider 6 is moved in the tray 11 from the retracted position further into a dispensing position, so that the Banknote of a pair of extraction rollers 12 is detectable. The slide 6 in this case has a recess on the center, so that the slide can pass by right and left next to the take-off rollers and thus the bill 23 can be detected by the slider unhindered by the pair of take-off rollers 12.

Out Fig. 8a the guide element 3 is shown in exploded view. The opposing baffles 3a and 3b are formed symmetrically to each other and have in the assembled state, as in Fig. 8b shown at the upper end in pairs opposing fork-shaped tongues 17 and 18, which can supply a brought-in top note safely the feed opening 3d, laterally both baffles 3a and 3b recesses 3c, which for engaging the previously described lever 4 for moving the guide member 3 serve. At the bottom is in Fig. 8b Dashed lines the outlet opening 3e shown, on which an inserted banknote can emerge again from the guide element 3.

The Fig. 8c to 8e show side views and a plan view of one of the symmetrically shaped baffles 3a or 3b.

The solution according to the invention is further characterized in that in guides of a housing a slidably guided fan battery is provided by intermediate walls separate, open-ended compartments, that a slide in a channel longitudinally displaceable between a waiting position and an inserted position is movable, wherein the slide in the process from the waiting position to the inserted position by folding a banknote supplied by a conveyor, inserting it into a corresponding compartment of the compartment battery and providing a blocking element which is operatively connected to the slider in such a way that the blocking element makes its way from the conveyor at least then locks in the channel when the slider is in the waiting position, and that the blocking element releases the path from the conveyor into the channel, at least when the slide in the corresponding Fac h the fan battery is moved.

The device according to the invention is further characterized by the compartment battery guided displaceably in a housing, in the bins of which the banknotes are sorted according to their value and stored in a loop-like manner on a folded form. For their storage, the banknotes can be easily inserted into the compartments by a slider. In order to prevent that fed from the conveyor bill directly and without actuation of the slide enters a compartment of the fan battery, the blocking element is provided according to the invention. The control of the locking element according to the invention ensures that the bill can be positioned on its way from the conveyor into a corresponding compartment of the fan battery first in a flat form in front of the fan battery before the slider enters the fan battery.

It can be provided that the blocking element is coupled to a lever and is biased by a spring in a position releasing the channel, wherein the lever is actuated by the slider upon reaching the waiting position such that the blocking element pushed into the channel obstructing position becomes. In this way, a particularly simple mechanical control of the blocking element is possible.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the blocking element is displaceable by a controlled drive, wherein for driving a detector is provided, which is actuated by the slider in the waiting position. For controlling a microprocessor can usually be provided. As soon as the slider is detected by the detector in the waiting position, a signal is forwarded to the microprocessor which causes the slider to lift the locking member into its channel obstructing position. If, on the other hand, the slider is moved out of the waiting position, the detector detects the end position so that the blocking element clears the path to the corresponding compartment in the compartment battery.

Another possibility is that the detector detects the carried bill shortly before reaching the channel. Accordingly, the blocking element becomes retracted into the channel as soon as the detector element the microprocessor reports the reaching of the bill and then moved back either time-controlled or after appropriate detection of the position of the detector element in the releasing position.

The detector may for example consist of a light barrier or a corresponding limit switch or touch switch.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the control of the blocking element can also be done centrally by a microprocessor which controls the fan battery, the slide and the blocking element by controlled drives. The control can be done for example by stepper motors, so that the microprocessor, the exact positions of the fan battery, the slide and the locking element are known at any time.

The blocking element can consist of two parallel walls, between which the banknote can be inserted or conveyed.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the conveyor consists of toothed belts driven by pairs of rollers. The driven toothed belts may, for example, be arranged parallel to one another and guided over a metal sheet, so that a banknote is transported between the metal sheet and the two belts.

According to another embodiment, it may be provided that the slider from the retracted position is further displaced into an output position, wherein in the dispensing position, the banknote is detected by an output device and transported on. In this way, the device according to the invention can be used both for storing and for dispensing banknotes. The dispenser preferably consists of a pair of delivery rollers and adjoining, driven by pairs of rollers timing belt. The driven toothed belts are to be provided in particular when the Output shaft is not located directly behind the pair of take-off rollers, but is further away from the take-off roller pair. Between the driven timing belt can be transported in this way, the folded bill. Depending on the application, the issue and the input of the bill can be made on the same slot or it is provided a separate output slot and a separate input slot.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the slider has a corresponding recess in the middle, so that the slider can pass by right and left next to the take-off rollers. In this way, the take-off rollers can grasp the ticket and pull it down from the slider.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for storing and/or dispensing sheet-shaped material, in particular banknotes (23), having:

   a) a compartment battery (10) having a plurality of compartments (11),

   b) a slide (6) which can be moved into and out of a compartment (11), with the result that a sheet-shaped material (23) which lies in front of an opening (11a) of the compartment (11) can be pushed into the compartment (11) while being folded and/or can be output from the said compartment (11); and

   c) a guide device (3) which can be displaced between two positions, it being possible in the first position for the sheet-shaped material (23) to be inserted into the guide device (3) and the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) being shut, and the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) being free in the second position, with the result that the sheet-shaped material (23) can be inserted into the compartment (11), a lever (4) being provided which is coupled to the guide device (3) and the slide (6) in such a way that, in a position which is extended out of the compartment (11), the slide (6) moves the lever (4) in such a way that the guide device (3) is pushed into the position which shuts the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) and, in another position of the slide (6), the guide device (3) is moved by the lever (4) into the open position.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, each compartment (11) having a slide (6).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, a conveying device (1) being provided for feeding the sheet-shaped material (23).
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1, a spring (5) prestressing the lever (4) in a position, in which the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) is opened by the guide device (3).
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, the compartment battery (10) being displaceable.
6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, it being possible for the slide (6) to be displaced from the pushed-in position in a compartment (11) further into a dispensing position.
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, a dispensing device (12), in particular a roll pair, being arranged in the dispensing position of the sheet-shaped material (23).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, the slide (6) having a cut-out, with the result that the slide (6) can be guided past the dispensing device (12).

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