US3417941A

US3417941A - Lockable receiver for pneumatic tube conveying systems

Info

Publication number: US3417941A
Application number: US631812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wolfgang R Stieber
Original assignee: Mosler Safe Co
Current assignee: Mosler Safe Co
Priority date: 1967-04-18
Filing date: 1967-04-18
Publication date: 1968-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1985-12-24

Description

Dec. 24, 1968 w. R. STIEBER 3,417,941

LOCKABLE RECEIVER FOR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYING SYSTEMS Filed April 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l /fl l5 ATTORNEYS.

1968 w. R. SITIEBER 3,417,941

LOCKABLE RECEIVER FOR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYING SYSTEMS Filed April 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '[l/l/[l/l/ll/lll ll III/11111111] 1111/11 l/I/l/Il/ll/ 1/! United States Patent Office 3,417,941 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 3,417,941 LOCKABLE RECEIVER FOR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYING SYSTEMS Wolfgang R. Stieber, River Vale, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Mosler Safe Company, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 631,812 12 Claims. (Cl. 24316) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pneumatic tube conveying system is disclosed having receiver devices which are provided with electromagnetically operated locks for locking the receiver devices and thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the carrier upon arrival at the receiver. The electromagnetic locks are selectively actuated to lock the receiver in response to a command signal generated by the one initiating the carrier transmission and are deenergizable for unlocking the receiver in response to a key operated switch located at the receiving station for which only authorized personnel are provided keys.

This invention relates to pneumatic tube conveying systems and more particularly to pneumatic tube conveying systems having receiving stations which can be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of transmitted carriers.

Pneumatic tube conveying systems of the type in which this invention finds particular utility generally include pneumatic tube lines interconnecting a plurality of widely scattered stations. Messages, securities, small articles and the like, are transported from one station to the other in carriers which are propelled through the tubes by pneumatic pressure. In installations of this type, the sender directs the carrier to a selected station in one of a number of ways. For example, the sender may dial the number of the selected station on a telephone-type dial located at the central station and forming part of a central control system. Alternatively, the sender may set the number of the selected station on the carrier itself by manipulatingdials on the carrier, these dials being effective to vary the interconnection between a plurality of conductive rings, or the like, mounted on the carrier body.

In either case, after the carrier has been inserted into the pneumatic line it is automatically directed to the receiving station by means of various conventional, electrically controlled devices such as a central transfer unit, station deflectors and the like. After the carrier arrives at the selected station, it is stored in a receiver unit until it is removed.

Frequently in the use of these penumatic tube systems it is desirable to prevent unauthorized personnel from having access to the receiver device. Such is the case, for example, in systems installed in hospitals Where carriers containing narcotics are frequently transported through the systems for distribution to different receiving stations. To provide for such restricted access transmissions, it has been proposed in the past to permanently lock the receiver devices and provide only authorized personnel with keys for unlocking them. In this manner, only those authorized personnel having keys can gain entrance to the receiver devices for withdrawing the secured, or classified, carrier.

One very serious disadvantage of the prior art, permanently locked receiver proposal is that the receiver device is not available for receipt of unsecured, or unclassified, carrier transmissions. To make provisions for such unsecured transmissions, it has been necessary to provide a second pneumatic tube system having receiver devices which are not key-locked. The obvious difliculty with such a solution is that it involves costly and unnecessary duplication.

It has been a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved pneumatic tube conveying system for handling both secured and unsecured carrier transmissions. In the present system one or more receiving stations are provided with electrically locked doors. The sender, at the same time that he is establishing the signals to direct a carrier, establishes another signal to lock the receiver if desired. Thus, the receiving station need be provided with only a single receiver device and the sender can control whether this receiver device is placed in a locked or unlocked condition when a carrier arrives. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the receiver device remains unlocked, permitting unsecured transmissions unless or until a lock command is generated by the one initiating the transmission, whereupon the receiver device becomes locked and remains so until opened by authorized personnel at the receiving station.

It has been a further principal objective of this invention to provide a pneumatic tube conveying system having dual purpose receiver devices operable in both a secured and unsecured mode which are simple and reliable in construction and operation.

The above objective is achieved in accordance with the principles of this invention by utilizing a novel and unobvious approach in which the receiver devices are provided with electromagnetically operated locks which are energizable for locking the receiver device in response to a command generated by the one initiating the carrier transmission, and de-energible for unlocking the receiver in response to a key-operated switch located at the receiving station for which only authorized personnel are provided keys.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention the command is in the form of a lock switch located at the transmitting station. This switch, when actuated by depressing a button or the like, completes a self-latching circuit for energizing the electromagnetic receiver lock. The circuit once latched remains latched, locking the receiver until the key-operated switch is actuated, whereupon the latching circuit is interrupted and the electromagnetic lock deenergized, permitting access to the receiver device for withdrawal of the carrier.

In a second preferred embodiment of this invention, the command for operating the electromagnetic receiver lock is obtained by providing the carrier with a detectable security designation indicator which is sensed by a reader associated with the pneumatic tube as the carrier passes through the tube toward the receiving station. The reader, in response to sensing the security designation indicator, completes a latching circuit for energizing the electromagentic receiver lock. This circuit, like the latching circut of the other preferred embodiment, remains latched locking the receiver, until the key is inserted into the switch at the receiving station, unlatching the energization circuit for the lock and thereby permitting access to the receiver for carrier removal.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of one preferred embodiment of a portion of pneumatic tube conveying system having a lockable receiver constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a second preferred embodiment of a pneumatic tube conveying system having a lockable receiver constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier suitable for use with the embodiment of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view in cross-section of a receiver, showing the details of the electromagnetic receiver lock.

One section of a preferred embodiment of a pneumatic carrier conveying system constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention is depicted in FIGURE 1. This embodiment includes a transmitting station 10, receiving station 11 and a control circuit 12 appropriately connecting the transmitting station and the receiving station. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the pneumatic tube system may include a plurality of transmitting stations and a plurality of receiving stations located at different points throughout the system for servicing different locations.

The system of FIGURE 1 has two principal modes of operation, namely, a conventional or nonsecurity mode and a security mode. In the conventional mode a carrier C is inserted into a main pneumatic tube 16 through a tube insertion port 13 at the transmitting station and the appropriate destination switch 14 depressed corresponding to the destination to which it is desired to send the carrier. Actuation of the destination switch 14 functions to operate a station deflector 15 as the desired receiving station 11, which deflects the transmitted carrier from the main pneumatic tube 16 to a receiver 17 located at the receiving station. Upon arrival of the carrier at the receiver 17, the carrier is free to be removed by an attendant for processing as desired. The deflector 15 is automatically reset, conditioning the system for further carrier transmissions, by means to be described.

In the other mode of operation, the security mode, the carrier C is inserted into the main pneumatic tube 16 through the tube insertion port 13. As in the conventional mode of operation, a destination switch 14 corresponding to the destination to which the carrier is to be transmitted is depressed. Actuation of the destination switch 14 operates, as described above, to actuate the station deflector 15 for deflecting the carrier to the receiver 17 upon arrival at the receiving station 11. In addition and unlike in the conventional mode of operation, a security button 20 is also depressed. Depression of the security button, which is also located at the transmitting station, functions, through the control circuit 12, to actuate an electromagnetic receiver lock 22. The electromagnetic receiver lock 22 upon actuating prevents withdrawal of the carrier from the receiver 17 except by authorized personnel possessing a security key designed to de-actuate the electromagnetic lock and permit access to the receiver.

The transmitting station, more specifically, includes the tube insertion port 13 through which the carriers C are inserted into the main pneumatic tube 16. The tube insertion port 18 may be of any of the well-known designs and consequently is not described in detail. The transmitting station also includes the destination switch 14 which has a normally open movable contact 25 connected between a destination relay 27 via line 28 and a grounded terminal 26. The destination switch 14 initiates operation of the deflector associated with the receiving station to which transmission is desired. The transmitting station 10 further includes the security switch having a normally open movable contact 29 which is connected between a grounded terminal 30 and a normally open conditioning contact 31 of the control circuit 12. The security switch 20 functions when actuated to operate the electromagnetic locking means 22 at the receiver 17 for preventing unauthorized removal of carriers. Also forming part of the transmitting station 10 is a security lamp 35 connected between a source of positive potential 36 and a normally open security lamp contact 37 of the control circuit 12. The other side of the lamp contact 37 is connected to ground 34. The lamp provides a visual indication to transmitting station personnel when the locking means 22 is actuated.

Should there be plural receiving stations 11 in the system, the destination switches 20 and security switches 14 will equal in number the number of receiving stations, and be adapted to actuate the deflectors 15 and receiver locks 22 associated with their respective receiving stations.

The receiving station 11 includes the station deflector 15 which is also of conventional and well-known design and, therefore, is not described in detail. The deflector 15 includes a deflector solenoid 38 connected between a source of positive potential 39 and a grounded terminal 40 via a normally open station deflector contact 41 of the control circuit 12. The deflector solenoid 38 is mechanically linked to the deflector mechanism (not shown) of the station deflector 15 and when energized functions to intercept a transmitted carrier traveling in the main pneumatic tube 16 and deflect it into the receiver 17 via a station tube 18.

The receiver 17, as shown in FIGURE 4, is a modified form of the conventional receivers well-known in the art. The modification involves the addition to the conventional receivers of a electromagnetic receiver lock 22. The lock 22 may, for example, include an electromagnet 70 which is mechanically coupled to a conventional latching device 71 on the receiver closure 73. The latching device 71 preferably includes a horizontal latch pin 75 shiftable in

supports

74A and 74B secured to the closure 73 between a rightward lock position wherein the pin end 76 engages a hole 77 in the receiver wall 78 locking the closure, and a leftward unlock position wherein the pin end and hole are disengaged, unlocking the closure. A bias spring 79, which urges the latch pin leftwardly, is used to keep the receiver closure 73 unlocked when the electromagnet 70 is not energized, permitting free access to the receiver. The electromagnet 70 overcomes this spring bias when energized, preventing access to and removal of a carrier from the receiver 17 except by authorized personnel possessing the security key (FIGURES 1 and 2) designed to permit de-energization of the electromagnetic lock 22 and access to the receiver 17.

The electromagnetic receiver lock 22 is connected between a source of positive potential 45 and a grounded terminal 46 via a receiver lock contact 47 of the control circuit 12. As indicated previously, the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 may be of any desired construction which functions to lock the receiver closure when the electromagnet is energized and unlock the receiver door when the electromagnet is de-energized. Alternatively, by altering the spring biasing of the latching device and the normal state of energization of the electromagnetic lock 22, the lock may function to lock the receiver when de-energized and unlock it when energized.

The receiving station 11 also includes a deflector reset contact 50 which is connected between a grounded terminal 51 and a latching contact 52 of the control circuit 12. The deflector reset contact 50 functions to interrupt a latching circuit for a relay of the control circuit 12 upon receipt of a carrier in the receiver 17, thereby de-energizing the deflector solenoid 38 and resetting the station deflector 15. The deflector reset contact 50 may be of any suitable construction and may, for example, be a switch which is tripped as the carrier passes through the station tube 18. The tripping can be mechanical in nature such as occurs if the carrier strikes a movable switch-actuating arm projecting into the carrier path. The switch tripping can also be magnetic in nature such as occurs if the carr 1er comprises a magnet which trips a reed switch positioned adjacent the carrier path near the station tube 18. The control circuit 12 includes a security relay having one terminal connected in common with the conditloning contact 31 and a latching contact 61, and a second termlnal connected to a source of positive potential 62.

The latching contact 61 is controlled by the security relay 60, closing upon energization of the security relay for completing a portion of a latching circuit for the security relay. The other portion of the latching circuit for the security relay 60 constitutes a normally closed, key-controlled switch 63 connected between ground potential 64 and the latching contact 61. The switch 63 may be of any suitable design adapted to be opened upon insertion of a security key K. The conditioning contact 31 which is normally open, disables the security switch if the destination button 14 has not previously been actuated. Thus, the destination switch 14 must be actuated prior to actuation of the security switch 20 if carrier transmission in the security mode is desired. The relay 60 also controls the

contacts

37 and 47 for actuating the lamp 35 and lock 22 upon ener-gization of the relay 60.

The control circuit 12 further includes the destination relay 27 which has one terminal connected in common to the destination button 14 and the latching contact 52 and another terminal connected to a source of positive potential 66. This relay latches through its own contact 52 and the normally closed reset contact 50, maintaining its other contact 41 closed for energizing the solenoid 38 and operating the station deflector 15.

In operation, if transmittal of a carrier in the conventional mode is desired a carrier is inserted into the main tube 16 via the insertion port 13, and the destination switch 14 corresponding to the receiving station 12 to which the carrier is to be transmitted is depressed. When the destination switch 14 is depressed the movable contact is momentarily closed completing the energization circuit to the destination relay 27 via closed contact 25 and line 28. The destination relay 27 upon energization closes the latching contact 52 completing the destination relay latching circuit via the normally closed deflector reset contact 50 and the latching contact 52. Energization of the destination relay 27 in response to momentarily depressing the destination switch 14 also closes the station deflector contact 41 completing an energization circuit through the contact 41 of the deflector solenoid 38, cansing the deflector solenoid to become energized. Energization of the deflector solenoid 38 in turn is effective to position the deflector mechanism (not shown) of the deflector station 15 in the main pneumatic tube 16 to thereby'intercept and deflect the carrier which is inserted through the port 13 and transmitted through the main pneumatic tube to the receiver 17 via the pneumatic station line 18.

Passage of the deflected carrier through line 18 transfers the reset contact 50 from its normally closed state, momentarily interrupting the latching circuit for the destination relay 27, thereby producing de-energization of the destination :relay. With the destination relay 27 deenergized the latching contact 52 transfers to its normally open condition preventing re-energization of the destination relay 27 when the deflector reset contact 50 returns to its normally closed state after passage of the carrier to the receiver 17. Assuming that the security button 20 has not been actuated subsequent to actuation of the destination switch 14, the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 remains de-energized, allowing personnel at the receiving station to have access to the receiver 17 for withdrawing the carrier.

If transmission of a carrier in the security mode is desired, the carrier is inserted and the appropriate destination switch 14 and security switch 20 are actuated. Actuation of the destination switch 14 functions, as described previously with respect to operation of the system in the conventional mode, to momentarily close the contact 25, energizing and latching the destination relay 27, and thereby operating the deflector mechanism (not shown) of the station deflector 15. Energization of the relay 27 also closes the normally open conditioning contact 31, enabling the security relay 60 to become energized when contact 29 is momentarily closed by actuation of the security switch 20.

With the conditioning contact 31 closed and the security switch actuated, an energization circuit is completed to the security relay 60 via the

closed contacts

29 and 31, energizing the security relay. Energization of the security relay 60 in turn closes latching contact 61 completing a latching circuit for the security relay via closed latching contact 61 and the normally closed key switch 63. Energization and latching of the security relay 60 closes the receiver lock contact 47 completing an energization circuit to the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 actuating the eletromagnetic receiver lock. With the electromagnetic lock 22 actuated, the receiver door or closure 73 is locked and access to the reeciver for removal of the transmitted carrier is prevented except to those authorized personnel possessing a security key K.

In addition, with the security relay 60 energized and latched, the security lamp contact 37 is closed completing an energization circuit to the security lamp 35, thereby providing a visual indication at the transmitting station 10 of the existence of the security operational mode. More specifically, the lamp 35 indicates, when illuminated, that the electromagnetic lock 22 is energized and the reeciver 17 locked.

The electromagnetic receiver lock 22 remains actuated and the receiver 17 locked until the security key is inserted into the key switch 63. When the security key is inserted into the key switch 63 the key switch opens and the latching circuit for the security relay 63 is momentarily interrupted, de-energizing the security relay '60. Deenergization of the security relay 60 in turn transfers the latching contact 61 to its normally open condition preventing the security relay 60 from becoming again energized through the normally closed key switch 63 upon withdrawal of the security key from the key switch. De-energization of the security relay 60 also returns contact 37 to its normally open state extinguishing the security lamps 35, thereby providing a visual indication at the transmitting station that the electromagnetic receiver lock is no longer actuated.

The deflector mechanism (not shown) of the deflector station 15 is returned to its normal, non-deflecting state in the same manner as described above with respect to the conventional operational mode. Specifically, the station deflector 15 is reset :by de-energization of the deflector solenoid 38 in response to opening of contact 41 which occurs when the deflector reset contact 50 opens, momentarily interrupting the latching circuit and deenergizing the destination relay 27 as the carrier passes from the main tube 16 through the station tube 18 to the receiver 17.

A second preferred embodiment of a pneumatic carrier conveying system constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention is depicted in FIGURE 2. This system includes a carrier transmitting station having a tube insertion port 101 into which carriers are placed for transmission to a receiving station 103 via a main pneumatic tube 104. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, this embodiment like the embodiment of FIG- URE 1, may also contain a plurality of transmitting and receiving stations 100 and 103, respectively, located at diiferent positions throughout the conveying system in accordance with the needs of the user. The system of FIG- URE 2, like the system of FIGURE 1, is operable in either a conventional mode or a security mode.

In the conventional mode of operation the carrier is inserted into the main tube 104 via the tube insertion port 101 after having set the appropriate destination number on the carrier, herein termed the conventional destination number, corresponding to the particular one of the receiving stations 103 to which it is desired to transmit the carrier. Having set the conventional destination number on the carrier and inserted it into the main tube 104 the carrier travels through the tube 104 passing the destination number reading stations associated, respectively, with the various receiving stations 103. When the carrier passes through the destination number read station, herein termed the designated read station, associated with the receiving station 103 to which the carrier is to be transmitted, herein termed the designated receiving station, a read signal is generated by the designated read station which is operative to actuate the station deflector 112 of the designated receiving station. The station deflector 112 in response to the read signal deflects the carrier traveling in the main tube 104 into the receiver via the station tube 116. When the carrier has arrived in the receiver 115 it is free to be removed by the personnel at the receiving station.

If it is desired to operate the system of FIGURE 2 in the security mode, the carrier is inserted into the main tube 104 via the tube insertion port 101 after having set a destination number on the carrier, herein termed the security destination number, corresponding to the station to which the carrier is to be transmitted. This security destination number differs from the conventional destination number. Specifically, the security destination numher, when it passes the designated read station 110 will, in addition to operating the deflector 112 of the designated receiving station for diverting the carrier into the receiver 115, also operate an electromagnetic receiver lock of the designated receiving station, preventing access to the receiver 115 except by authorized personnel possessing a security key. Thus, when the carrier having a security destination number is inserted into the main pneumatic tube 194 the carrier travels down the tube successively passing the read stations until it reaches the designated read station whereupon suitable signals are generated by the read station. The signals so generated *actuate the deflector 112 of the designated receiving station to thereby deflect the carrier into the receiver 115 via the station tube 116, and actuate the electromagnetic receiver lock 120 for preventing unauthorized access to the carrier.

The transmitting station 100, more specifically, includes the tube insertion port 101 permitting carriers having destination numbers therein to be inserted into the main tube 104. No additional controls or apparatus is required at the transmitting station 100.

The receiving station 103 includes the station deflector 112 which is provided with a solenoid for actuating upon energization a deflector mechanism (not shown) of the station deflector 112. The deflector solenoid 125 is connected to a grounded terminal 126 via the normally open, relay operated station deflector contact 127 which directly controls solenoid energization and to a source of positive potential 128. A normally closed deflector reset contact 129 is connected between a grounded terminal 130 and a latching contact 131. The deflector reset contact 129 is opened in response to the passage of a carrier through the station tube 116 to the receiver 115, interrupting a latching circuit for a relay which indirectly controls the deflector solenoid 125 to be described. The electromagnetic lock 120 forming a portion of the receiving station 103 is connected between a grounded terminal 132 via a receiver lock contact 133 and a source of positive potential 134. The receiving station 103 further includes a normally closed key switch 137 connected between a grounded terminal 138 and a latching contact 139. The key switch 137 is adapted to be opened in response to the insertion therein of the security key K by authorized personnel seeking access to a locked receiver.

The key switch 137, station deflector 112, tube insertion port 101, deflector reset contact 129, receiver115 and electromagnetic receiver lock 120, and

tubes

104 and 116 of the embodiment of FIGURE 2 have the same functions and structure as their respective counterparts in the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

A carrier suitable for use in the embodiment of this invention may be of the type constructed in accordance 8 with the principles disclosed in Gerhardt Todt, et al., US Patent 3,117,743, for Automatic Pneumatic Tube Carrier, Jan. 14, 1964. With carriers of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent, two of the plurality of destination numbers provided on the carrier are allotted for each destination in the conveying system, one of the two destinations corresponds to the security destination number and the other corresponds to the conventional destination number. Thus, with carriers of this type in which, for example, it is possible to enter twenty different destination numbers, transmission to ten diflerent stations in both the conventional mode and the security mode is possible.

The read station includes a first contact 140 connected to the grounded terminal 141, a second contact 142 connected to the anodes of

diodes

143 and 144, and a third contact 145 connected to the junction of the cathode of diode 144, the latching contact 131 and a destination relay 147. The destination relay 147 is also connected to a source of positive potential 148, and functions to control the energization of the deflector solenoid 125 via the contact 127. The latching path for destination relay 147 includes

contacts

131 and 139. The read station further includes a security relay connected between a source of positive potential 149 and the junction of the cathode of diode 143 and the latching contact 139. The security relay 150 latches through its contact 139 and the key switch 137 and, via its contact 133, controls the energization of the electromagnetic receiver lock 120.

The read stations associated with the various receiving stations are each responsive to different security destination numbers and different conventional destination numbers. For example, if a carrier passes through the read station bearing the conventional destination number corresponding to that read station, the

contacts

140 and 145 are bridged actuating the station deflector 112, but not the electromagnetic receiver lock, producing operation in the conventional mode. However, if the same carrier passes through the read station bearing the, security destination number corresponding to that read station, the contact 140 and a contact 142 are bridged actuating both the station deflector 112 and the electromagnetic receiver lock 120, producing operation in the security mode.

One form of carrier suitable for use with the embodiment of FIGURE 2 is depicted in FIGURE 3. The carrier, generally indicated by the reference numeral 160, includes an open-ended tube 161 having a destination controlling end cap 162 and a security indicating end cap 163. At least one of the end caps 162 and 163 is selectively removable to permit insertion of an article in the tube 161 for transmission. The end caps 162 and 163 for reasons to become evident hereafter, are also selectively rotatable relative to the tube 1611. Tube 161 does not rotate when in the tube 104 by reason of a radially projecting key 159 which engages a slot 158 formed in the tube wall 167. The destination controlling end cap 162 and the security indicating end cap 163 include axially disposed electrically conductive contact bridging bars 162A and 163A, respectively, secured to their respective exterior cap surfaces. Bridging bar 162A, when in the angular position shown, is adapted to momentarily bridge

contacts

140 and 145 as the carrier 160 passes through the read station 110. The bridging contact 163A on the security indicating end cap 163, when in the angular position shown, is adapted to momentarily bridge

contacts

142 and 145 as the carrier 160 passes through the read station 110.

Should it be desired to transmit the carrier 160 to a different receiving station the angular position of the destination controlling end cap 162 is altered from that shown in FIGURE 3 to position the bridging contact 162A at the appropriate angular position corresponding to the particular angular position of the

contacts

140 and 145 of the destination to which it is desired to transmit the carrier. Likewise, should it be desired to transmit the carrier 160 in a nonsecurity mode the angular position 9 of the security indicating cap 163 is altered to a position diflerent from that shown in FIGURE 3 wherein the bridging bar 163A does not bridge the

contacts

142 and 145 at the read station 110 associated with the destination to which it is desired to transmit the carrier.

In operation, if transmission of a carrier in the conventional mode is desired, the conventional destination number corresponding to the station to which the carrier is to be transmitted is set into the carrier by rotating the destination controlling end cap 162 to a position such that the bridging bar 162A bridges the

contacts

140 and 145 at the read station 110 associated with the desired destination. With the conventional destination number so set the carrier is inserted into the main pneumatic tube 104 at the transmitting station 100 via the tube insertion port 101. Having inserted the carrier into the main pneumatic tube 104 the carrier travels down the tube successively passing the read stations 110 until it arrives at the designated read station whereupon the contacts 162A on the carrier, the position of which has been adjusted in accordance with the conventional destination number, bridges the

contacts

140 and 145 at the read station 110. The bridging of the

contacts

140 and 145 in response to the arrival of the carrier at the designated read station completes an energization circuit to the destination relay 147 energizing this relay. The energization of the destination relay 147 closes the latching contact 131 completing a latching circuit for the destination relay through the normally closed deflector reset contact 129. The energization and latching of the relay 147 closes the station deflector contact 127 completing an energization circuit through the station deflector contact to the deflector solenoid 125. Completion of this energization circuit energizes the deflector solenoid actuating the deflector mechanism (not shown) of the station deflector 112. The actuated station deflector 112 is eflective to deflect the transmitted carrier into its associated receiver 115 via the station tube 116.

Passage of the carrier through the station tube 116 momentarily opens normally closed deflector reset contact 129, momentarily interrupting the latching circuit for the destination relay 147. The destination relay 147 becomes de-energized transferring the latching contact 131 to its normally open condition, preventing the destination relay 147 from becoming re-energized upon the closure of the deflector reset contact 129 upon passage of the carrier past the contact 129. The de-energization of the destination relay 147 also transfers the station contact 127 to the normally open position, interrupting the energizing circuit for the deflector solenoid 125 causing it to become de-energized and the station deflector 112 to be reset or disabled. Since the security relay 150 has not become actuated in response to the generation of a signal by the read station 110 the electromagnetic receiving lock 120 remains de-energized and the door or closure of the receiver 115 can be opened by persons manning the receiving station without use of the security key, thereby providing free access to the carrier.

It operation in the security mode is desired, the security mode destination number is set into the carrier by rotating the security indicating end cap 163 to the position shown in FIGURE 3 wherein the bridging contact 163A is aligned with the

contacts

142 and 145, and the carrier inserted through the tube insertion port 101 into the main pneumatic tube 104. Having set in the security designation number and inserted the carrier into the main pneumatic tube 104, the carrier passes through successive read stations until it arrives at the designated read station. When the carrier reaches the designated read station the contacts 163A on the carrier which have been set in accordance with the security destination number are effective to bridge the contact 142 and the grounded contact 140.

The bridging of

contacts

140 and 142 is eflective to complete an energization circuit through the diode 144 causing the destination relay 147 to become energized and to latch through its latching contact 131 and the normally closed deflector reset contact 129. The energization and latching of the destination relay 147 is also effective to close the station deflector contact 127 energizing the deflector solenoid 125 and thereby actuating the station deflector 112. With the station deflector 112 actuated, the carrier is deflected to the receiver via the station tube 116. The passage of the carrier through the station tube 116 opens the normally closed deflector reset contact 129' momentarily interrupting the latching circuit for the destination relay 147 causing this relay to become de-energized. The de-energization of the destination relay 147 is effective to de-energize the deflector solenoid disabling or resetting the station deflector 112. In addition, the latching contact 131 is returned to its normally open state preventing re-energization of the destination relay 147 by the return of the deflector reset contact 129 to its normally closed state subsequent to the passage of the carrier into the receiver 115.

The bridging of the contact and 142, which occurs when the read station 110 senses the security destination number, is also eflective to complete an energization circuit to the security relay via the diode 143 energizing the security relay. The security relay 150 latches through its latching contact 139 and the normally closed key switch 137 and is effective to close the normally open receiver lock contact 133, completing an energization circuit to the electromagnetic receiver lock 120. With this circuit complete, the electromagnetic receiver lock 120 becomes energized preventing access to the receiver 115 by persons other than those authorized who possess a security key.

De-actuation of the electromagnetic receiver lock 120 permits access to the receiver 115 for removing the carrier. De-actuation is accomplished by inserting the security key K into the key switch 137, momentarily interrupting the latching circuit for the security relay 150, in turn, causing the security relay to become de-energized. The de-energization of the security relay in turn transfers the receiver lock contact 133 to its normally open position interrupting the energization path for the electromagnetic receiver lock 120. With this energization path interrupted the electromagnetic receiver lock 120 becomes de-energized, permitting removal of the carrier from the receiver 115.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a variety of modifications of the foregoing embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the key-operated security switch may alternatively be a normally closed single pole-double throw switch, which itself is not key-operated, but which is located in a secured location. This effectively prevents all personnel, except those authorized to enter the secured location, from operating the switch and unlocking the receiver.

Instead of using a security lamp contact 37, which is actuated in response to the energization of security relay 60, to complete an energization circuit to the security lamp 35, it is contemplated that a contact located at the receiver 17 can be used. Such a contact can be adapted to complete an energization circuit to the security lamp 35 in response to the actual locking of the electromagnetic receiver lock 22. Thus, instead of the security lamp 35 becoming energized in response to merely energizing the security relay 60, the lamp 35 becomes energized when the electromagnetic receiver lock 22, in fact, becomes locked. In this way, should the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 fail to lock in response to the energization of the security relay 60, the lamp 35 does not become energized, thereby preventing the lamp 35 from providing a false indication that the receiver 17 is locked when, in fact, the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 has not locked.

It is also contemplated that instead of the momentarily operable destination switch 14 and security switch 29, which operate the station deflector 15 and the electromagnetic receiver lock 22, respectively, telephone dials may be provided. With apparatus of this type, if transmission to a given station is desired in the security mode, a first number is dialed, while if transmission is desired to that station in the unsecured mode, a second number is dialed. In each case, that is, in both the secured and unsecured transmission modes, the telephone dial is effective to energize the appropriate ones of the destination and security relays 27 and 60 for operating the station deflector 15 and the electromagnetic receiver lock 22, respectively.

It is further contemplated that instead of the set of electrically

bridgeable contacts

140, 142 and 145 provided in the read station 110 of the preferred embodiment of FIGURE 2, other means of initiating the secured mode of carrier transmission may be provided. For example, it is contemplated that a read station 110 operating on magnetic principles may be employed. Thus, instead of setting dials on the carrier which are operative to cause electrical coupling of the

contacts

140, 142 and 145 when the carrier arrives at the read station 110, the carrier may be provided with selectively positionable magnets which, when the carrier arrives at the read station 110, operate suitable magnetic reed switches thereby completing energization circuits to the various relays of the control circuit.

It is further contemplated that instead of dialing one number for transmitting in the security mode and another number for transmitting in the unsecured mode, a single destination number can be used for each station in conjunction with a selectively positionable security lever provided on the carrier. Thus, to transmit in the security mode it is necessary to dial the number corresponding to the desired destination, as well as to actuate the selectively positionable security lever provided on the carrier. The dialing of the destination number functions to operate the station deflector of the appropriate station while actuation of the security lever functions to energize the security relay of that station. When transmission in the unsecured mode is desired, the security lever' is not actuated, the destination number only being dialed. By using a dialing device in conjunction with a security lever in the manner indicated, if a two digit dialing device is used, 100 destinations may be serviced since only one number is required for each destination, the security mode being indicated by actuating the security lever provided on the carrier. In contrast, if a two digit dialing device is utilized in a system in which different numbers are provided for both the secured and unsecured mode of transmission, only 50 receiving stations can be serviced.

Finally, it is contemplated that the electromagnetic receiver lock 22 may be a pneumatic or hydraulic device which is electromagnetically actuated. Thus, instead of mechanically coupling the electromagnetic device 22 to the receiver 17, the electromagnetic device is coupled to the receiver 22 via either a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pneumatic tube system of the type in which carriers are pneumatically transported through a tube from a transmitting station to a remotely located receiving station, the combination comprising:

a receiver located at said receiving station in communication with said pneumatic tube for receiving carriers transported through said tube to said receiving station;

a selectively lockable closure associated with said receiver for restricting access to said receiver for preventing withdrawal of a carrier therefrom when said closure is locked; and

a closure controller associated with said closure including closure locking means located at said receiving station for locking said closure when actuated, means located at said transmitting station for actuating said closure locking means to thereby lock said closure, and means located at said receiving station to deactuate said locking means for unlocking said closure, said deactuating means being unresponsive to the presence of a carrier at said receiving station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selectively operable closure controller includes an electromagnetic device coupled to said closure for placing said closure in one of a condition of lock and unlock when energized, wherein said closure locking means includes a lock switch for operating said electromagnetic device to place said closure in said locked condition, and wherein said closure unlocking means includes an unlock switch for operating said electromagnetic device to place said closure in said unlocked condition.

3. In a pneumatic tu'be system of the type in which carriers are pneumatically transported through a tube from a transmitting station to a remotely located receiving station, the combination comprising:

a selectively lockable closure associated with said receiver for restricting access to said receiver for preventing withdrawal of a carrier therefrom when said closure is locked; and closure controller associated with said closure including closure locking means located at said receiving station for locking said closure, said locking means including an electromagnetic device coupled to said closure for placing said closure in one of a condition of lock and unlock when energized, means located at said transmitting station for actuating said closure locking means to lock said closure, said actuating means including a lock switch for operating said electromagnetic device, and means located at said receiving station for deactuating said closure locking means for unlocking said closure, said deactuating means being unresponsive to the presence of a carrier at said receiving station and including an unlock switch for operating said closure locking means to place said closure in said unlock condition.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said closure controller includes a security relay adapted to be placed in one condition of energization by actuation of said lock switch and in another condition of energization by actuation of said unlock switch in response to insertion of said security 'key into said key-controlled device, said relay having a contact interconnected in the energization circuit of said electromagnetic device for operating said device to lock said closure when said lock switch is actuated and to unlock said closure when said unlock switch is actuated.

'5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said relay includes a security contact and further including a signal device located at said transmitting station, said signal device being under the control of said security contact for providing an indication of the locked and unlocked status of said closure.

6. 'In a pneumatic tube system of the type in which carriers are pneumatically transported through a tube from a transmitting station to a remotely located receiving station, the combination comprising:

a receiver located at said receiving station in communication with said pneumatic tube for receiving carriers transported through said tube to said re- 65 ceiving station;

a selectively lockable closure associated with said receiver for restricting access to said receiver for preventing withdrawal of a carrier therefrom when said closure is locked;

a carrier having a security status indicator means associated therewith, said indicator means being alternatively and selectively operable in a security condition and a non-security condition; and

a read station associated with said tube and located be- 7 tween said transmitting and receiving stations for detecting the passage therethrough of a carrier having said indicator in said security condition, said read station including a closure controller for locking said closure in response to the detection by said read station of said carrier having said indicator in said security condition.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said closure controller includes selectively operable closure unlocking means located at said receiving station for unlocking said closure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said closure controller includes an electromagnetic device coupled to said closure for placing said closure in one of a condition of lock and unlock when energized, wherein said reader includes switch means actuated in response to the passage therethrough of a carrier residing in said security condition for operating said electromagnetic device to lock said closure, and wherein said unlocking means includes switch means for operating said electromagnetic device to unlock said closure.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said closure unlocking means includes a security key and a security keycontrolled device coupled to said unlock switch for preventing unauthorized operation of said unlock switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said reader includes at least two electrical contacts adapted to be electrically coupled in response to the passage therethrough of a carrier residing in said security condition, said contacts being in circuit arrangement with said electromagnetic device for locking said closure when coupled.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said closure controller includes a security relay adapted to be placed in one condition of energization by said coupling of said contacts and in another condition of energization by actuation of said unlock switch in response to insertion of said security key into said key-controlled device, said relay having a contact interconnected in the energization circuit of said electromagnetic device for operating said device to lock said closure when said contacts are coupled and to unlock said closure when said unlock switch is actuated.

I 12. In a pneumatic tube system of the type in which carriers are pneumatically transported through a tube from a transmitting station to a remotely located receiving station, the combination comprising:

a closure controller associated with said closure including a closure locking means actuable from said transmitting station for locking said closure and a closure unlocking means located at said receiving station for unlocking said closure, said unlocking means being unresponsive to the presence of a carrier at said receiver.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1920 Botscheider 243-36 9/1956 Hanson 24319 US. Cl. X.R.