GB2262132A

GB2262132A - Cash drop facility

Info

Publication number: GB2262132A
Application number: GB9208252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Leslie Evans
Original assignee: Alpa Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Alpa Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1992-04-14
Filing date: 1992-04-14
Publication date: 1993-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-14
Also published as: GB2262132B; GB9208252D0

Abstract

A cash drop facility comprising a casing (10) with a drawer (11) slidable therein from an open position in which items can be placed in the drawer to a closed position inside the casing, the bottom of the drawer having an opening (15) therein and slidable with respect to a plate (18) which is also slidable in and out of the casing, the plate containing an opening (20), the arrangement being such that in the closed position the openings are aligned and items placed in the drawer pass through both openings to a secure compartment below. <IMAGE>

Description

CASH DROP FACILITY The invention relates to a cash drop facility.

It is known to provide a casing or the like having a drawer which when opened appears to all intents and purposes to be ordinary in normal use. Items which could be of value can be placed wIthin the drawer. When the drawer is closed the contents are able to drop into a secure lower compartment, which may also be in the form of a drawer. On reopening the drawer no items will be remaining or visible. This sequence can be repeated as required and is generally used to limit the amount of valuables readily available.

Such cash drop facilities normally have a hinged bottom that can drop down when the drawer is closed. This systems tends to be noisy in operation, both whilst dropping and on opening of the drawer. Moreover, being brought back to the horizontal position can be impaired by the contents within the lower secure compartment. Further, should the secure compartment be a drawer, then additional features have to be incorporated to ensure that the hinged bottom when in the drop position can not be fouled by the back of the secure drawer. Should be drawer be required to be fully extended then additional mechanisms have to be added to prevent the hinged bottom being released.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cash drop facility of the above general kind.

According to the present invention a cash drop facility comprises a casing with R drawer slidable therein from an open position in which items can be placed in the drawer to a closed position inside the casing, the bottom of the drawer having an opening therein and slidable with respect to a plate which is also slidable in and out of the casing, the plate also containing an opening, the arrangement being such that in the closed position the openings are aligned and items placed in the drawer pass through both openings to a secure compartment below.

In one preferred arrangement a wiping mechanism is provided to ensure the contents of the drawer are not trapped between the drawer and the plate.

In one convenient arrangement, stops are provided on both the drawer and sliding plate and are arranged so that the openings are aligned in the closed position.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 - is a view generally in section of a cash drop facility according to the present invention in the open position and Figure 2 - is a similar view with the drawer in the closed position In the Figures a casing 10 of generally rectangular form is adapted to receive a slidable drawer 11. The drawer is mounted to slide by means (not shown) between an open position as shown in Figure 1 and a closed position as shown in Figure 2.

The drawer has an open top area 12 into which articles to be deposited can be introduced.

The drawer has on its underneath a sliding plate return stop 13 at its forward end and a second stop 14 spaced at approximately its centre. The base of the drawer is provided with an opening 15 through which items such as 16 placed in the drawer can pass. At the forward end of the opening 16 is a wiping plate 17 made of rubber, brush like material or similar and extends below the drawer across the length of the opening.

A plate indicated generally at 18 also slides inwardly and outwardly with respect to the casing and has an opening 20 in it.

The plate has a forward stop 21 adapted to co-operate with stop 14 and a rear stop 22 adapted to engage a stop 23 on a plate 24 extending forwardly from the front end of the casing approximately half way across it. The stop 22 is arranged te engage a stop 25 in the casing.

In operation items placed in the drawer are dropped to the bottom and rest on the plate 15. When the drawer is closed the wiping mechanism 17 causes the item 16 to be moved into the casing and when they reach the opening 20 drop through it. In this position as can be seen in Figure 2 the two openings are aligned and are beyond the plate 24. The inner part of the casing maybe a second drawer as indicated at 26.

With the present invention the hinged bottom arrangement is eliminated and this also enables both compartments or drawers to be used. The capacity of the secure drawer is effectively increased and the drawer can be made to operate without mechanical clatter.

The timing of the sliding plate is controlled by the stops referred to and the stops ensure that the sliding plate can move with the drawer or remain stationary relative to the casing.

When the drawer is opened the sliding plate returns to tne position shown in Figure 1.

Claims

1. A cash drop facility comprising a casing with a drawer slidable therein from an open position in which items can be placed in the drawer to a closed position inside the casing, the bottom of the drawer having an opening therein and slidable with respect to a plate which is also slidable in and out of the casing, the plate containing an opening, the arrangement being such that in the closed position the openings are aligned and items placed in the drawer pass through both openings to a secure compartment below.

2. A facility as claimed in Claim 1, in which a wiping mechanism is provided to ensure the contents of the drawer are not trapped between the drawer and the plate.

3. A facility as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which stops are provided on both the drawer and the sliding plate and are arranged so that the openings are aligned in the closed position.

4. A cash drop facility substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.