GB2143648A

GB2143648A - A device for inspecting value symbols

Info

Publication number: GB2143648A
Application number: GB08410031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Ulrich Klippert
Original assignee: WC Heraus GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: WC Heraus GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1983-07-12
Filing date: 1984-04-18
Publication date: 1985-02-13
Also published as: FR2549260B1; FR2549260A1; DE8320020U1; GB2143648B; GB8410031D0

Abstract

An authenticity checking device for value symbols, e.g. in postage stamps, banknotes, cheques and credit cards, chips, tokens or the like comprises a transversely transilluminated pane 15 against which the material to be checked 14 is pressed e.g. by a thrust plate 13 in which the material to be checked is placed and moved against a thrust-receiving element 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for inspecting value symbols The invention relates to a device for inspecting and thus checking on the authenticity of value symbols, in particular water marks in material intended to be checked such as postage stamps, banknotes, cheques, credit cards, chips, tokens or the like.

A checking device for semi-automatic visual inspection of banknotes or the like regarding authenticity, in which differences in thickness established by embedment or overprinting and detected, was disclosed in German Patent specification No. 24 28 975. The material to be checked is pressed against a transversely illuminated glass pane and observed visually.

It is an object of the invention to provide a checking device of the kind referred to above, which may be handled particularly easily.

Accordingly, the invention consists in a device for inspecting value symbols of the kind comprising a light source and a transversely transilluminated pane, below which a pressure or contact thrust plate is displaceably arranged in respect of the pane within a receiving element, wherein the pressure or contact thrust plate and!or an adjacent carrier is or are arranged to be displaceable not only vertically but also with at least one horizontal component in the lateral direction to the vertically movable spindle in pivotable, foldable or shiftable manner.

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show certain embodiments thereof by way of example and in which: Figure 1 shows an authenticity checking device in cross-section, Figure 2 shows the same device in another position, Figure 3 shows a cross-section along the central axis depicted in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the device, Figure 5 shows another cross-section along the central axis of the spindle in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a further embodiment, and Figure 7 shows the embodiment according to Figure 6 in another position.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 denotes a thrust-receiving element comprising a square section member extruded from metal, particularly aluminium, and having sidewalls and a base, that is io say at a portion of finite length of the extruded section. A bore 5 is provided in the centre of the base in this embodiment.

This bore 5 is tapped, and a movable spindle 12 is constructed as a contact thrust bolt, for example to pass therethrough. A thrust plate 13 on which is to be placed the material 14 which is to be inspected, such as a postage stamp or the like, is pressed against a transparent pane 15. The pane 15 is transversely transilluminated by means of a light source 16, so that the material which is to be checked may be inspected visually from above as shown by the arrow 17. The thrust-receiving element 1 bears the contact thrust via projections 8 along the longitudinal side edges 7 of the portion of the extruded section.As shown particularly clearly in Figure 3, the extruded member 1 is divided in this case into a lower part 6 and an upper part 4, the lower part 6 being located in the upper part 4 by means of longitudinal lateral edges or flanges 9 projecting externally like a collar or shoulder. It may be borne on the base of the upper part 4, or be located on the same.

The upper part 4 may be swung, pivoted or slid away laterally on the lower part 6, e.g. as will be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2, and denoted by arrows 18 in Figure 2. The direction of rotation of the thrust bolt or spindle 12 is also denoted by arrows in Figures 1 to 3.

To this end, the material to be checked, such as a postage stamp, banknote or the like, is placed on the contact thrust plate 13 lowered into position as in Figure 2, and the upper part 4 is pushed over the same,towards the right in Figure 2, together with the transparent e.g. glass pane 15 and an incandescent bulb 16 and reflector secured thereto.

The material 14 which is to be checked is pressed against the pane 15 by turning the contact thrust bolt or spindle 12, after the upper part 4 has been restored to the position shown in Figure 1. The water mark becomes discernible in the material to be checked upon switching on the light source.

Although the displacement of the upper part 4 with respect to the lower part or vice versa, was depicted or illustrated in Figure 2, it is evidently also possible using a pivot spindle, to apply a swinging or pivoting displacement to reach the two positions, for receiving material to be checked (Figure 2) and for checking material to be checked (Figure 1). A vertically positioned pivot spindle is incorporated in the first case, and a horizontally positioned pivot spindle is provided in the second case, connecting the two parts of the thrust-receiv ing element made up of parts 4 and 6. Easy access to the material which is to be checked, and thus simple operation of the device, is obtained in any case.

An embodiment utilising a hinged displacement of the thrust plate is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

To this end, the material which is to be checked is laid on the thrust plane 13 downwardly pivoted away according to Figure 4, and is pressed by turning the contact thrust bolt or spindle 12 against the pane 15 which for its part bears on the thrustreceiving element 1. The pivot spindle or joint is also horizontally placed in this case and denoted by 19 and rigidly connected to the thrust plate 13.

The material to be checked is positioned directly below an aperture 20 in the upper area of the thrust-receiving element 1.

In the embodiment according to Figures 6 and 7, the lateral shifting displacement of the carrier for the material to be checked does not take place over guiding bars or rails as illustrated in Figure 2, but telescopically, in such manner that the carrier 21 for the material to be checked cannot merely describe the lateral shifting displacement denoted by arrows 18, but complementarily also the pivotal displacement around the horizontal spindle or joint 23, as denoted by arrows 22. The telescopic arm has the reference symbol 24 and is provided with a ball-joint 25 at its extremity facing away from the joint 23, said ball-joint for its part being connected in the manner of an universal joint to the carrier 21. so that two posisble directions of displacement result. The carrier 21 is then displaced on the thrust plate 13 installed like a stage on the spindle 12.

Claims

1. A device for inspecting value symbols of the kind comprising a light source and a transversely transilluminated pane, below which a pressure or contact thrust plate is displaceably arranged in respect of the pane within a receiving element, wherein the pressure or contact thrust plate andlor an adjacent carrier is or are arranged to be displaceable not only vertically but also with at least one horizontal component in the lateral direction to the vertically movable spindle in pivotable, foldable or shiftable manner.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a horizontally or vertically arranged pivoting and hinging spindle.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising two parts displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the thrust receiving element, with respect to each other.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a carrier for the material which is to be checked, which is secured in articulated manner on a telescopic arm.

5. A device for inspecting value symbols substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A device for inspecting value symbols substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A device for inspecting value symbols substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.