US3514202A - Coin-operated electrostatic copier for selectively making copies of different lengths - Google Patents

Description

l -May 26, 1970 K. M. LI DONNlCl ETAL COIN-OPERATED ELECTROSTATIC COPIER FOR SELECTIVELY Filed Feb. 25, 1967 fi /m /f i4 LA 1;-7 fi 17 zx f5 fz i 4% faz n /z LE fz 5 4f w.

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2 Sheets-Sheet l KENNETH M. LIDONNICI HENRY G. MAU GERALD POST AGENT Filed Feb. 25, 1967 May 26, 1970 K. M. Ll DONNICI ETAL COIN-OPERATED ELECTROSTATIC COPIER FOR SELEGTIVELY MAKING COPIES OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTORS KENNETH M.L.I DONNICI HENRY G- MAU GERALD POST AGENT United Statesv Patent Oilice 3,514,202 Patented May 26, 1970 3,514,202 COIN-OPERATED ELECTROSTATIC COPIER FOR SELECTIVELY MAKING COPIES OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS Kenneth M. LiDonnici Brooklyn, Gerald Post, Kew Gardens, and Henry G. Mau, East Northport, N.Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A., Ivrea, Turin, Italy, a corporation of Italy Filed Feb. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 618,029 Int. Cl. G03g 15/00 US. Cl. 35S- 7 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin-operated electrostatic copier having a movable masking device located at is exposure window for selectively making copies of different lengths. A plurality of light sources and apparatus for selectively turning on certain of the light sources depending upon the location of the masking flap to assure the exposure window is properly illuminated. The apparatus for selectively turning on the light sources is actuated `by either the position of the masking flap or the length of copy selected. The copier casing comprises several sections secured to its frame which are removable only by gaining access to the interior of the casing, and coin apparatus positioned in the casing to afford maximum protection against tampering.

This invention relates in general to copiers and more particularly to coin-operated electrostatic copiers.

The advent of electrostatic copiers has disclosed a need for such equipment not only in oices and other commercial establishments but also in locations where the general public can make its own copies` Where copiers are available for use by the public some means must be associated with the copier equipment to receive the required fee for each copy and to activate the copier for the reproduction cycle.

The manner of working a coin-operated machine must be simple to understand and easy to perform. If persons experience difficulty in operating the machine or in obtaining clear copies then the purpose of such a machine, available for public use, will be defeated. Another factor to be considered is the integrity of the copier against tampering. Coin-operated copiers are generally located in places where they are easily accessible, and accordingly are prime targets for tampering. The problem of tampering stems not only from attempts to remove money from the copier but also from unauthorized attempts to adjust the equipment and controls within the copier. It is important that the coin mechanism and other copier internals be readily accessible for service and at the same time be adequately protected against tampering,

In some copiers presently available on the market it is possible to make copies of different lengths. However, the apparatus used for making such different length copies is not practical in coin-operated machines since it tends to complicate the copy making procedure or to require very complicated mechanisms for assuring that the proper length; and it is preferable if either length cari be copied is possible to provide the maximum length of copy for each exposure regardless of the size of the original. However, such an arrangement would considerably increase the operating cost of the copier lbecause of considerable waste of copy paper. Normally, the originals used in making copies are of either standard -business or legal length; and it is preferably if either length can be copied without wasting paper. It can be appreciated that the paper requirement for copying three legal size documents would, for al1 practical purposes, equal that needed for copying four business size originals. Accordingly for economy of operation it is desirable to make either 11" or 14 length copies.

Another factor to be considered in coin-operated machines is the price to be charged per copy. There are many factors which influence this cost, the location of the machine, the frequency of its use, the requirements for servicing and repair, to mention just a few. It is possible that coin-operated machines in three different locations, while providing virtually identical copies, may be operated at three different costs per copy. It is important that the machine be easily convertible from one cost per copy to another merely by changing the coin mechanisms to accept different coin denominations and without requiring any alterations in structure or arrangements of parts in the copier.

Accordingly, it is a primary object to afford a coinoperated electrostatic copier which is simple to operate and relatively tamper-proof and yet one whose interior is easily accessible for service and maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for making copies of different lengths.

A further object is to include signal devices which will indicate when materials in the copier, necessary for making copies, are either in short supply or completely depleted.

Still :another object is to provide a copier in which various coin mechanisms can be used interchangeably without requiring any alterations to the copiers internal structure. Additionally the coin mechanisms should be arranged so that they are easily accessible for replacement or repair.

Therefore, the present invention is directed to an electrostatic copier having a casing made up of a frame and a number of individual sections or panels which can be locked or interlocked on the frame to prevent tampering with the copier internals, though permitting easy access for service or repair. In addition, the copier includes a control console mounted on the casing and arranged to incorporate a coin slot, controls for operating the copier, and signal lights for indicating that the machine is either empty or in short supply of material for making copies. Within the console a coin acceptor is arranged to receive coins deposited in the coin slot. From the console the acceptor extends downwardly into the casing delivering the coin either to a coin box or into a return coin chute.

The apparatus in the copier for exposing the original and for imaging and developing the copies is generally similar to that already available in the art. However, the :apparatus for illuminating the exposure window in the copier is different since it is arranged to adequately illuminate the window whether or not a portion of it is covered by a masking flap.

Other objects and features of the invention will readily become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment :and from the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copier embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the copier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the copier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic showing of the interior of the copier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the signal panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

lFIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional View taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line '8 8 in FIG. 7.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the exterior arrangement of copier 10 is shown comprising a base 12, a casing 14, and a control console 16 and sign 18, mounted on top of the casing.

The casing is made up of several permanently attached sections, as viewed from the front, a right side wall 20, a left side wall 22 and a top wall 24. Movably hinged to the top Wall 24 is -a sloping front panel 26 having a cut-out portion near its left end, see FIGS. 1 and 2, forming a copy delivery shelf 28. Below front panel 26 are a pair of doors 30, 32 secured to the casing by a lock 34. The rear of the casing is closed by a pair of removable back panels 36, 38, see FIG. 3. The bottom edges of the removable panels are supported on the base 12 and are disposed inwardly of a strip 40 attached to the base and extending upwardly above the lower ends of the removable panels. The right-hand back panel 38 a viewed from the rear is secured by means of screws (not shown) to the casing along its edge adjacent the left-'hand back panel 36. To prevent removal of the screws in panel 38 a portion 37 of right-hand back panel 36 overlaps the adjacent edge of back panel 38, see FIG. 3. The overlapping portion 37 extends from just above strip 40 to the upper end of the back panel 36. For ease in their removal each of the back panels is provided with a lifting handle 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the control console 16 is located on top the left end of the casing and the upper portion 16A of the console forms a continuation of the sign 18. The right-hand end of the sign is supported by a post 44. The lower portion 16B of the console provides the support at the opposite end of the casing for the sign and the upper portion 16A of the control console. Additionally the front face of the lower portion 16B forms a door 46, see FIG. 4, for gaining access to the interior of the console, the door is secured by a lock 48. The sign 18 is composed of a frame 50 and a pair of sign plates 52 one facing toward the front and the other the rear. lIf it is desired the sign may be illuminated by placing lamps within the sign between the sign plates Interiorly, as shown in FIG. 4, the casing is divided by a vertically :arranged partition 54 and a horizontally arranged shelf 56 into a right-side compartment 58, a lower left-side compartment 60 and upper left-side compartment 62. In the lower left-side compartment 60 a roll of photosensitive paper 64 for making copies is -mounted on a frame 66. The paper passes from the roll through an opening in partition 54 and turns upwardly passing through a paper guide 68 to the upper end of compartment 58. At the upper end the paper again passes through partition 54 into the upper left-side cornpartment 62. Within this upper compartment the paper passes downwardly into a processing tray 70 reverses direction and enters conveyor 72 which delivers the paper into the co-py delivery shelf 28.

In the right-side compartment 58 relay chassis 74 contains the circuitry which provides the sequenced operation of the copier. Since the invention is not related to the circuitry and the means required for operating a copier are Well known in the art no further description of the circuitry is provided. Closely spaced laterally from the paper guide 68 is a corona charging unit 76 for impressing a charge on the copy paper disposed within the guide 68. Above the guide is a cutter 78 for selectively trimming the copy paper to the desired length. The top wall 24 of i the casing, forming the upper end of compartment 58,

ferring an image from the exposure window 80 onto the copy paper located in the paper guide 68.

Just below the exposure window 80 near the right-side wall 20 is a masking ap 86, see FIG. 4, which blocks the line of sight between the optical imaging means 84 and the exposure window when the flap is in its horizontal position. As seen in FIG. 7 a solenoid switch 88, controlled from the relay chassis 74, is provided for moving the flap 86 from its horizontal to its vertical position (shown in phantom in FIG. 4). Located between the optical imaging means andthe exposure window is a pair of reflectors 90 one of which extends along each of the long sides of the exposure window, see FIGS. 7 and 8. Within and running along the reflectors is a series of quartz iodide lamps 92A, 92B and 92C. These lamps are controlled by means of the relay chassis 74 so that lamps 92A and 92B illuminate the exposure Window 80 when masking flap 86 is in its horizontal or interfering position and lamps 92A and 92C illuminate the window when the ilap is in its vertical or non-interfering position. If only the end lamps 92A and 92C were used, because of the position of lamp 92C, a shadow on the exposure window would be cast by the flap when in its interfering position. Due to the shadow a portion of the image transferred to the copy paper would not be clearly readable.

In the lower left-side compartment 60 is a toner container 94 which delivers toner to the processing tray 70. Since it is not a feature of the invention the details of the apparatus for circulating the toner through the processing tray are not illustrated and described. However, reference is made to patent application, Ser. No. 579,239, led Sept. 14, 1966, by K. M. LiDonnici and G. Post for Movable Shelf Support Mechanism, now abandoned, which discloses the arrangement of the toner and toner concentrate supply apparatus.

Positioned beneath the toner container 94 is a weighing device 96 which, through relay chassis 74, activates a signal on panel 98, see FIG. 4A, situated on the control console when the supply of toner has been depleted to a point where the copier can no longer make readable copies. Additionally, a follower arm assembly 100 depends from the lower side of shelf 56 into contact with the roll of copy paper 64. The end of the follower arm assembly acts as a sensor of the amount of paper on the roll. When the amount of copy paper or the roll reaches a predetermined minimum level the follower arm assembly, acting through the relay chassis 74, activates a round signal on panel light 98 indicating this condition exists. When the paper is cornpletely depleted the follower arm assembly affords another signal showing on the panel 98 that there is no paper left for making copies by lighting up the word empty. The same signal on the panel is used to indicate that either the toner or copy paper has been depleted.

Extending between the upper portion of left upper compartment 62 and the control console 16 is a coin acceptor bracket 102 having spring securing means 104 located at its upper end. Coin acceptor 106 fits into the bracket and is held in place by the spring means 104. A coin chute 108 extends between the upper end of the coin acceptor and a coin slot 110 in panel 98 on the control console. Below the coin acceptor a coin guide 112 extends downwardly to a coin box 114 resting on the shelf 56. The coin box is secured in place against movement on the shelf by means of a pair of oppositely disposed angle brackets 116. Spaced laterally from coin guide 112 is a return coin chute 118 extending between the coin acceptor and a coin return opening 120 in front door 32 of the casing.

On the face of the upper portion 16A of the control console there is a pair of switch buttons 122, 124 communicating with the relay chassis 74. The switch button 122 permits the masking ilap 86 to be displaced so that the full extent of the exposure window 80v can be seen by the optical imaging means 84. The switch button 124 initiates the reproduction cycle which will be described subsequently. To the right of the switch buttons is a return coin lever 126 and a free copy switch 128. Return coin lever 126 communicates with the coin acceptor 106 for diverting coins into the return coin chute 118. The panel 98 is divided by two perpendicularly arranged lines into four rectangular boxes, see in detail in FIG. 4A. The lower right-hand box contains the coin slot 110, the upper left box contains signal lights or signs. The upper righthand and lower left-hand boxes are used to designate information concerning coin insertion. The upper left-hand box contains the signals previously described, it is subdivided into a right-side signal which indicates whether or not the machine is empty of either toner or copy paper and a left-side signal which indicates that the paper roll 64 has dropped below a selected minimum level as anindication to the copier service man that a new roll of paper will be needed shortly.

A locking device 130, see FIG. 5, is positioned in rightside compartment 58 in the vicinity of the cutter 78 for retaining back panels 36 and 38 in position on the casing. A pair of U-shaped ybrackets 132 are connected to the underside of partition member 134 which forms a part of the optical imaging apparatus 84. A locking bar 136 is supported by the brackets 132 having a right angle handle 138 located at one end closely spaced from the inside of right-side door 20 and a right angle lug 146 situated at the opposite end which bears against a right angle section 142 secured to the inside of back panel 36. With lug 140 bearing down on angle section 1-42 it is not possible to lift back panel 36 from the casing and this panel in turn secures the other 'back panel 38 in place. To remove the back panels it is necessary to gain access to the interior of the casing and to pull handle 138 forward or toward the front of the copier. This forward action releases the lug 140 from angle section 142 and permits the rear panel 36 to be slipped upwardly so that its lower edge clears the strip 40 and can be removed from the copier. With back panel 36 removed its companion panel 38 can then be removed exposing the rear of the copier for maintenance or repair.

As with the back panels the sloping front panel 26 is also secured to the casing so that it can lbe removed only after gaining access to the interior of the copier. Locks 144 are secured to the frame of the casing above the doors 20, 22 of the copier, see FIG. 6. The locks 144 are provided with a rotatable handle member 146 attached to a locking arm 148. By rotating the handle member 146 the locking arm 148 moves up and down. In its down position the locking arm engages a right angle member 150 on the sloping front p-anel and the panel is held securely in place. When the locking arm is moved to its up position it 1s free of the member 150 and the sloping front panel can be swung upwardly and then removed from the casing permitting access to the top of the copier.

The instructions for operating the copier are preferably placed directly on the face of the control console 16. Initially the power to the copier is turned on by inserting the proper coins in the coin slot 110. Next the window cover 82 is lifted from the exposure window 80 and the original to be copied is placed face down on the window against the edges closest to the control console, and the cover is replaced. If the original is of greater length than the size of the exposure window with the masking tlap 86 in its horizontal position, usually this will be greater than eleven inches, the top button 122 is depressed which through the relay chassis 74 programs the machine to make copies commensurate with the total exposed surface of the exposure window with the masking ap in its displaced or vertical position. Finally by depressing the lower button switch 124 the reproduction cycle is instituted and proceeds as follows:

(1) The corona charging unit 76 deposits a charge on the copy paper Within the paper guide 68 as the unit travels laterally across the face of the paper guide.

(2) After charging, depending upon the position of the masking flap, the lamps 92A, and 92B or 92C yare turned on illuminating the exposure window so that the optical imaging apparatus can transfer a latent image of the original onto the copy sheet.

(3) The Ipaper is then moved upwardly through the paper guide a distance commensurate with the exposed surface of the exposure window passing through the partition 54 into the processing tray 70. As the paper passes through the partition 54 the cutter 78 trims the copy paper oi at the desired length.

(4) In the processing tray the latent image on the copy sheet is developed.

(5) After being developed the copy sheet is taken by the conveyor 72 and transported upwardly and deposited in the copy delivery shelf 28.

(6) Upon delivery of the copy into the shelf the reproduction cycle has been completed and the power is cut ofr in the machine. With the power of the masking ap 86, if it has been displaced, is returned to its horizontal position covering the right-hand end of the exposure window. In this way at the start of each cycle the copier is set to make the shorter of the two possible copy lengths. Unless the button switch 122 is depressed in the reproduction cycle the shorter length copy will be provided.

The copier is provided with a key actuated free copy switch 128 for making copies without depositing the required coins.

In the course of operating the copier when only feet of copy paper remain on the roll a signal is transmitted from the follower arm apparatus 100 through the relay chassis 74 to the panel 98 of the control console which displays a signal indicating to the service man that a new roll of paper will be required shortly. When the toner in the container 9'4 becomes depleted the scale means 96 will signal through the relay chassis 74 to the panel 98 of the control console lighting an empty sign on the panel indicating that readable copies are no longer obtainable. Similarly, when there is no longer any copy paper left on the roll a signal is passed to the panel which will also light the empty sign to indicate that copies are no longer obtainable. The empty sign will cue users that the machine is no longer capable of making copies. At the same time when the empty signal appears the coin acceptor can be programmed to return any coins deposited in the machine.

The bracket 102 is arranged to receive many of the standard coin acceptors used at the present time. By releasing the spring securing means 104 the coin acceptor can be ltaken out of the copier and a new one installed. If a com acceptor does not lit the existing bracket, the bracket is constructed so that an adapter can be readily made to lit the coin acceptor to the bracket 102.

As previously described the copier casing is specifically constructed to prevent any unauthorized persons from gaining access to the interior of the copier particularly to 'avoid any loss of revenue from the coin boX 114. The com box may be of the sealed type which cannot be opened by a service man, preventing pilferage in that manner, or it may be arranged to be emptied by the serv- 1ce man and replaced in the machine. The various removable panels are all locked in place within the copier and the front doors must be unlocked before the panels can be removed. =In addition the coin box cannot be reached or removed through the control console only by unlocking the copler door 32. Further, the coin chute is designed top revent anyone from blocking its passageway for retaining money passing through it. Accordingly the copier embodying the present invention is relatively tamperproof.

-In the sign 18 the plates 52 are easily replaceable to complement any change in the coin acceptor 106. It will be appreciated that the varrangement of the casing, the coin mechanism, the reflectors and lamps, the masking flap, the signal panel and lights, etc. are not limited to use in a copier as disclosed herein but may be employed with other copiers and similar types of apparatus.

yIt is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the copier shown and mentioned, nor is it intended to restrict it to the specic mechanism illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrostatic copier means for selectively making copies of different lengths of an original document comprising:

(a) an exposure 'window in said copier arranged to receive the original document,

(b) optical imaging means for transferring an image of the original document onto copy material,

(c) a masking flap movable between a first position disposed across said exposure window blocking at least a portion of the line of sight between said optical imaging means and the exposure window and second position clear of the line of sight between said exposure window and optical imaging means,

(d) means for moving said ap between its rst and second positions, and

(e) means within said copier for illuminating the exposure window comprising:

(l) a plurality of light sources and reflecting means therefor for directing the light toward said exposure window, and

(2) means for selectively turning on certain of said light sources depending upon the location of said masking ilap to assure the exposure window is properly illuminated.

2. In an electrostatic copier according to claim 1 wherein said means for selectively turning on certain of said light sources comprises relay means actuated by said masking flap being in its rst position for turning on a rst arrangement of said light sources and actuated by said masking ap being in its second position for turning on a second arrangement of said light sources to uniformly illuminate a larger area of said |window than when said masking ap is in its rst position.

3. In an electrostatic copier according to claim 1 wherein said means for selectively turning on certain of said light sources comprises relay means actuated by selecting a rst length of copy for turning on a rst arrangement of said light sources and actuated by selecting a second longer length of copy for turning on a second arrangement of said light so-urces to uniformly illuminate a larger area of said window than when said first length is selected.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,128 3/1914 Avers 352-172 1,651,767 12/1927 Green 95-73 2,405,140 8/1946 Grimm 73-308 3,382,783 5/1968 Chen 88-24 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner R. M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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