GB2337081A

GB2337081A - A telescopic cash transfer unit with a vertically adjustable shelf

Info

Publication number: GB2337081A
Application number: GB9909727A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Johnson-Jones; Thomas Bartlett Snell
Original assignee: MCELHINNEY THOMAS ANTHONY DAVI
Current assignee: MCELHINNEY THOMAS ANTHONY DAVI
Priority date: 1998-03-22
Filing date: 1999-04-21
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: GB9909727D0

Abstract

A cash transfer unit is installed in a wall for co-operation with the hatch of a delivery vehicle. The unit has a shell 1 for fitting a wall aperture and a duct extension 4 that can project telescopically from the shell 1 to engage the surface around the hatch. A shelf 12 may be adjusted vertically to be level with the lower edge of the hatch and a shelf extension 13 is provided to lengthen the shelf in correspondence with the extension of the duct 4. A slam lock door 3 can close the inner end of the shell 1 and second security door 9 can close the outer end of the duct 4. Provision is made for avoiding interference between the shelf 12 and the second door 9, which opens inwardly, either by lowering the shelf or by use of a pivoting section (figure 4). The lower portion of the duct extension 4 may comprise retractable sections 21 to allow the device engage an irregular surface.

Description

1 2337081 Improvements relating to Cash Transfer Units This invention

relates to cash transfer units and it is concerned with those which are fitted into a wall aperture for co-operation with a security vehicle having a compatible hatch. For transferring cash, the vehicle drives up close, registering its hatch with the unit, and then a duct is projected out from the unit to abut the periphery of the hatch, creating a secure tunnel through which bags, smoke boxes or cassettes can be passed. All this can be con- trolled from within the building and the vehicle, and there is no need for the vehicle crew to get out and expose themselves to danger.

However, there is a problem with this system. The transfer unit is at a fixed height in the wall and is compatible only with a vehicle hatch at a particular height. However, there are several different cash-in-transit companies, and they each run fleets of different vehicles. They do not all have hatches at a uniform height, so only a certain number of vehicles can service any particular cash transfer unit. If a vehicle with a hatch at the wrong height arrives, no transfer can be made.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a cash transfer unit which can cater for a range of hatch heights.

According to the present invention there is provided a cash transfer unit for wall installation and co-operation with a security vehicle having a compatible hatch, the unit comprising a shell for placing within a wall aperture, a duct extension adjustable between a retracted position 2 within the shell and a projected position proud of the outside of the wall, a first security door for closing the inner end of the main duct, a second security door for closing the duct extension, and a shelf assembly vertically movable within the shells and extendible to match the position of the duct extension.

The duct extension will be large enough to embrace almost any vehicle hatch, and the shelf assembly is adjusted to the appropriate height to create the tunnel through which cash or other valuables are transferred.

In one preferred form the shelf is carried by vertical tracks at the interior end of the fixed shell and a shelf extension can be projected forwards therefrom. This will generally be when the duct extension has been moved out.

is But it is also possible to carry the shelf by vertical tracks at the interior end of the duct extension, and a shelf extension can be projected rearwardly therefrom.

The second security door will normally be side hung and open inwards. In order that this should not be impeded by the shelf assembly, the latter may be lowerable to below the lower edge of the second security door, allowing that door to be folded flat against the side wall of the duct extension before the shelf assembly is raised. Alternatively the shelf assembly may be pivotable into an upright attitude about its rear edge to allow the second security door to be opened.

A problem with having a duct extension large enough to cover a range of vehicle hatches is that some vehicles may 3 is have bumpers as high as the hatches of other vehicles. To enable the duct extension to mould itself around a high bumper and engage securely around the hatch above it, the lower front part of the duct extension may be retractable, conveniently in an automatic fashion as the extension and vehicle engage.

For a better understanding of the invention some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cash transfer unit, viewed from above and one side, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the unit of Figure 1 viewed from above and the opposite side, Figure 3 is a detail of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic vertical section of another cash transfer unit viewed from the side, Figure 5 is a cross-section on the line V-V of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic vertical section of a further cash transfer unit viewed from the side, Figure 7 is another vertical section on the line VIIVII of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

The unit of Figures 1, 2 and 3 has a rectangular boxlike shell 1 which will be set upright in a matching wall aperture so that its front and rear edges are substantially flush with the faces of the wall. Around these edges of the 4 shell there are flanges 2 which back on to both faces of the wall, concealing any gaps. The back of this shell, on the inside of the building, is closable by a side hinged security door 3 of the slam lock type.

A slightly smaller shell 4 of similar shape can fit within the fixed shell and is mounted by mutually sliding rails 5 so that it can telescope between a fully retracted and a virtually fully projected position proud of the outside of the building. As it is moved outwardly a pawl (not shown) clicks over a ratchet 6 and holds it fast against retraction, at least until a release button 7 at the inner end of ratchet guide 8 is pressed. The shell 4 is closable by a side hung door 9 which opens inwards from a position set back from its outer end.

The shell 1 has two opposed vertical tracks 10, just inside its rear vertical edges, which guide carriages 11. These are bridged by a shelf 12 which projects forwardly to the front of the shell 4 and which can be lengthened by an extension 13. A pull-out, foldable handle 14 can be wound to raise and lower the shelf assembly, one of the tracks 10 having a rack, for example, engaged by a pinion coupled to the handle 14; and a similar handle 15 can be wound to project and retract the extension 13 by a lead screw, for example.

The shelf 12 has a slim rectangular cut-out 16 from a front corner along one side adjacent that on which the door 9 i s hung. That is to accommodate the door when it is opened. The shelf assembly 12, 13 when not in use is lowered to the dotted line position of Figure 2, below the door 9, which can therefore be opened without impediment. Then the shelf assembly is raised to the required level.

In addition to the retention of the inner shell 4 by the pawl and ratchet 6 when that shell 4 is retracted, additional security is provided by using some of the bolts 17 that are projected from the inner door 3 when that is locked. Extending rearwardly from the inner shell 4 there are cranked arms 18 which go outside the tracks 10 to register holes 19 with apertures 20 in a frame of the outer shell 1 for receiving the bolts. The latter are sufficiently long to penetrate the holes 19 and thus lock the fully retracted shell 4 in place when the door 3 is locked.

The lower front part of the inner shell 4 is not rigid with the rest of the shell in order to overcome a problem sometimes encountered with high bumpers on delivery vans. As best seen in Figure 3, there are three flat bars 21, vertically co-planar, at each side with outwardly projecting flanges 22. They have mutual interengagement by longitudi- nal dovetails, for example, and the uppermost one engages the main body of the shell 4 in that manner. The lowest pair of bars 21 are spanned by a floor 23. The bars 21 are partially housed in slim casings 24 forming the lower portions of the side walls of the shell 4 and open at the bottom to accommodate the floor 23. Each bar has a spring within the casing urging the respective bar 21 outwards to the limit position where the flanges 22 align with the peripheral flange 25 at the mouth of the shell 4. when that 6 meets a van with a high bumper one or more pairs of these bars are forced back into the casing 23, allowing the peripheral flange 25 to over-reach the bumper and abut the van around its hatch.

When a van is correctly positioned outside the building for a transfer to be made, the door 3 is opened and the shell 4 is pushed out to engage the van around that vehicle's hatch. The door 9 is opened inwards, and then the shelf assembly is raised to register with the bottom of the vehicle hatch. The extension 13 is projected from the shelf 12, to the front of the shell 4.

The vehicle hatch is also opened, and the transfer of cash or other valuables made through the secure tunnel provided by the shells 1 and 4, the shelf 12 and the exten- is sion 13.

When that operation is completed, the transfer unit is closed up in the reverse manner. The shelf 9 is returned to the lowermost position before the door 9 is closed.

To make it extremely difficult if not impossible for someone to prise back these bars from outside, the springs should be powerful. But then it will require considerable force to urge the shell fully out from its flange 25 to meet the side or rear of the delivery vehicle. To solve this problem, the ratchet 6 may be replaced by a lead screw, and the shell 4 is then wound in and out with considerable mechanical advantage. A provision could also be made for locking the bars 21 in the fully extended positions shown when it is known that the delivery vehicle does not need 7 this facility.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a fixed shell 31 and a telescoping inner shell 32 are similar to the shells 1 and 4. But vertical tracks 33 are now fitted to the inside of the movable shell 32 adjacent the rear edges, and adjustable carriages 34 guided by these tracks are spanned by a pivoted shelf 35 which can be swung between vertical and horizontal attitudes as indicated. When horizontal the shelf 35 projects to the front of inner shell. It is hollow and houses an extension 36 which can be locked in a fully retracted position and pulled out rearwardly from that position. The shelf 35 has a lateral cut-out 37 similar to the cut out 16 to accommodate the inwardly opening door 38 which is at the forward end of the shell 32 rather than at an intermediate position. The inner end of the outer shell 31 has a door 39 similar to the door 3.

The operation is generally similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the shelf 35 is kept upright when out of use and is not swung down to the horizontal attitude until the movable shell 32 is engaged with the van and the door 38 has been opened. This hinged shelf arrangement could also be applied to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and There is no provision shown in Figures 4 and 5 for overcoming the high bumper problem, but by setting the door 38 further back, the inner shell could be equipped as in Figure 3.

In both embodiments the outer doors 9 and 38 may be 8 replaced by vertically movable roller shutters. There would then be no need to hinge the shelf 35, nor to reduce the shelves slightly by the cut- outs 16 and 37.

In the embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8 there is a fixed outer shell 41 housing an extendible duct formed by two channel members 42 and 43. The lower one 42 is slightly narrower, is open upwardly, and fits closely within the upper member 43, which is open downwardly. This member 43 may have inner side walls 44, as indicated in broken lines, so that the upper edge portions of the side walls of the member 42 are concealed; and the member 43 can slide in and out of the shell on horizontal tracks (not shown) carrying the member 42 with it. The latter can be raised and lowered to bring its floor to the required height, and the floor of that member 42 will have an extension (not shown) that can be projected rearwardly like the extension 36.

If there are no inner walls 44 the lower member 42 can have a bottom hung inwardly opening door 45 which can fold flat on the floor of that member. If there are inner walls 44, this is still possible but the door 45 will require narrow lateral cut-outs to clear those walls and opening and closing the door will only be possible when there is a certain separation between the floor of the member 42 and the roof of the member 43. The member 42 could instead have a side hung door which is no problem without inner side walls 44, but which would require cut-outs with such walls, and for the door to be hinged only low down, where there is never an overlap between the members 42 and 43. In each 9 the outer end of the upper member 43 has a side hung inwardly opening door 46 which can only be opened after the door 45 has been opened and has to be shut before the door 45 is closed. Whatever form the door 45 takes it will always have a weatherproof overlap by the door 46 in the closed condition. The fixed outer shell has a door (not shown) at its inner end similar to the doors 3 and 39.

When the lower member 42 is raised, it will create a gap underneath which has to be kept closed at least on the outside. This may be done by a roller shutter suspended from longitudinal tracks on the underside of the member and guided by vertical tracks fitted inside the front edges of the fixed outer shell 41. Thus, as the member 42 is raised the shutter is drawn up, and as the member is projected forwards the longitudinal tracks slide relative to the shutter while keeping it supported.

Claims

1 1. A cash transfer unit for wall installation and cooperation with a security vehicle having a compatible hatch, the unit comprising a shell for placing within a wall aperture, a duct extension adjustable between a retracted position within the shell and a projected position proud of the outside of the wall, a first security door for closing the inner end of the main duct, a second security door for closing the duct extension, and a shelf assembly vertically movable within the shells and extendible to match the position of the duct extension.

2. A cash transfer unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the shelf is carried by vertical tracks at the interior end of the fixed shell and a shelf extension can be projected therefrom.

3. A cash transfer unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the shelf is carried by vertical tracks at the interior end of the duct extension, and a shelf extension can be projected rearwardly therefrom.

4. A cash transfer unit as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second security door is side hung and opens inwards.

5. A cash transfer unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the shelf assembly is lowerable to below the lower edge of the second security door, allowing that door to be folded flat against the side wall of the duct extension before the shelf assembly is raised.

11

6. A cash transfer unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the shelf assembly is pivotable into an upright attitude aboutE its rear edge to allow the second security door to be opened.

7. A cash transfer unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the lower front part of the duct extension is retractable as the extension and vehicle engage.