US3700118A

US3700118A - Check separator system

Info

Publication number: US3700118A
Application number: US144798A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas H Snethen
Original assignee: UNITED BUSINESS EQUIPMENT CORP
Current assignee: UNITED BUSINESS EQUIPMENT CORP
Priority date: 1971-05-19
Filing date: 1971-05-19
Publication date: 1972-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-24
Also published as: CA950309A

Abstract

Checks are separated from a bank of checks and indexing guides carried by an insert-carrier removably supported within a storage-work tray. To perform the check separating operation, the insert-carrier is gravity supported on a vertically inclined vibratory platform having a plurality of separation assisting leaves arranged to be inserted into the bank of checks and indexing guides. Upon vibration of the platform, checks are gravity fed from between the indexing cards onto a platform supported, generally L-shaped holder, which is adapted to be manually withdrawn from adjacent the bank as the checks are separated therefrom. The holder is provided with side walls adjustable to accommodate for the length of the bank thereby to insure that the checks are constrained to remain on the holder in the same relationship they assumed in the bank.

Description

Snethen 5] Oct. 24, 1972 [54] CHECK SEPARATOR SYSTEM Thomas H. Snethen, Dewittville, NY.

['72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: United Business Equipment Corporation, Buffalo, NY.

[22] Filed: May 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.1 144,798

[52] US. Cl. ..214/l R, 209/74 [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 57/28 [58] Field of Search ..209/73, 122, 74; 214/1 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,476,265 11/1969 Powers ..2l4/1 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-Gene A. Church Attorney-Bean & Bean [57] ABSTRACT Checks are separated from a bank of checks and indexing guides carried by an insert-carrier removably supported within a storage-work tray. To perform the check separating operation, the insert-carrier is gravity supported on a vertically inclined vibratory platform having a plurality of separation assisting leaves arranged to' be inserted into the bank of checks and indexing guides. Upon vibration of the platform, checks are gravity fed from between the indexing cards onto a platform supported, generally L-shaped holder, which is adapted to be manually withdrawn from adjacent the bank as the checks are separated therefrom. The holder is provided with side walls adjustable to accommodate for the length of the bank thereby to insure that the checks are constrained to remain on the holder in the same relationship they assumed in the bank.

15 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENT'EDnm 24 I972 SHEET 3 0F 3 IN VENTOR. THO/7H5 H. .S/VETHEN Quad @41 A T TOP/VEYS CHECK SEPARATOR SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present day banking practice, files are provided to store cancelled checks for return to a customer with his periodic statement. Such files conventionally comprise a plurality of open topped, elongated storage-work trays, which are housed with a suitable slide or rotary type file cabinet. Each tray is dimensioned to accommodate a bank of from one to four thousand checks and account indexing cards, which are required to separate and identify the checks by customer name, address and account number. While trays of diverse constructions have been employed, it is conventional to either employ a removable follower rod on which indexing cards are threaded much in the same manner as is done with library card file trays, or

to fix one or more rods in the tray and form the index cards such that they are removably snap-fixed onto such rods. The trays may be fixedly secured within their enclosing cabinet or made removable therefrom to permit a clerk to work at a remote station.

At the end of a statement period, a clerk is assigned the task of manually pulling or removing accumulated checks of each account present in a tray and placing such checks in a stack according to numerical account sequence for subsequent manual or machine separation, checking with statements, etc. prior to mailing the checks and their associated statements to customers.

Time studies indicate that an experienced clerk requires upwards of possibly 45 minutes to remove checks from a conventional storage-work tray accommodating the normal number of perwnal monthly checking accounts, for example, upwards of about 200 Checking accounts, accumulating an average of about twenty cancelled checks each. Of course, re-checking is necessary to insure that all of the checks are removed and that the accounts are maintained in proper numerical sequence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION,

The present invention is directed to a system by which checks may be removed from a storage-work tray in a matter of seconds without the possibility of clerk error.

More specifically, the present system features a novel two piece check storage unit having a removable insert-carrier by means of which a bank of checks and index cards may be positioned on a vibratory apparatus for separation and collection of the checks; the index cards being fixed to remain with the insert-carrier.

The checks are collected with the accounts in proper numerical sequence and are immediately available for subsequent processing.

In an alternative form the storage unit is constructed such as to permit the entire unit to be mounted on the vibratory apparatus and checks separated therefrom through one open side wall thereof.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of operation will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check storage unit formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insert-carrier portion of the check storage unit mounted on a separating apparatus preparatory to a check separating operation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing sub sequent steps in the check separating operation;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus the separating apparatus modified to accommodate the check storage units of FIGS. 6 through 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is now made particularly to FIG. 1, wherein a check storage unit employed in the practice of the present invention is generally designated as 10. Unit 10 includes a storage-work tray 12, which may be suitably mounted within a multiple unit enclosure, not shown, and an insert-carrier 14, which is normally supportably positioned within tray 12. Tray 12 may be of sheet metal construction and formed with bottom, side, front and rear walls l6, 18, 20 and 22, respectively; the front and rear walls being preferably identical and formed with hand grip openings 24 to facilitate manual manipulation of the tray within its storage enclosure or removal therefrom to a more convenient work location. Insert 14 is formed with identical front and

rear panels

26 and 28, respectively; and three essentially parallel, metal support-guide rods 30, which serve to rigidly interconnect

panels

26 and 28, and slidably support a pair of sheet metal end plates or followers 32.

Panels

26 and 28 are formed with hand grip openings 34 to accommodate the fingers of a user passing through hand grip openings 24 and upper ledge portions 36, which are adapted to overlie the upper edges of walls 20 and 22 in order toprovide a finger grip for facilitating lifting of the insert out of the tray. Accurate positioning of the insert within the tray is insured by providing the front and rear walls with inwardly projecting lugs or pins 38, which are adapted to be received within insert panel slots 40. One or the

other ofpanels

26 and 28 is preferably provided with a pair of slots 40 or other indicia to visually indicate to the user which of

panels

26 and 28 is front.

Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 5, it will be understood that in practice, a plurality of index cards 42 are removably mounted on rods 30, as by forming the cards with bottom edge opening, key-hold shaped apertures 44, whose bounding walls are deformable to permit the index card to be snap-fitted onto the rods. Index cards 42 bear a checking account customers name, address and account number; the number of index cards or accounts being provided in any one unit being determined by the activity of such accounts. Cancelled checks, which are filed in association with the index card of each account, are designated generally as 46 and are bottom edge supported on rods 30.

Again viewing FIG. 5, it will be understood that when insert 14 is positioned within tray 12, the bottom edges of

panels

26 and 28 are supported on tray bottom wall 16 and end plates 34 and index cards 42 are suspended by rods 30 for free sliding movement lengthwise thereof to permit the bank of checks and index cards to be opened? or spread apart as required to insert additional checks. Preferably, index cards 42 are sized to extend above and beyond the ends of the checks; the index cards being dimensioned such that their ends lie closely adjacent side walls 18 so as to prevent checks from slipping from between such cards.

It will be understood that the length of a given bank of checks and index cards may be greater'or less than that illustrated in the drawing. Normally, however, the bank would substantially fill the insert by the end of a statement period in order to reduce the total number of units required to be employed.

Various changes may be made in insert 14, as thus far described. For instance, the insert may be supported within the tray by any other suitable means, such as by engagement of ledge portions 36 with the upper edges of walls 20 and 22; means other than pins 38 and slots 40 may be employed to provide for accurate positioning of the insert within the tray; and one or more of .rods 30 removably received in panel 26 and/or 2.8, thereby topermit ease in threading end plates 32 and index cards 42 on one or more of such rods.

In accordance with the present invention, checks are automatically removed from between their associated index cards and collected inproper numerical order by the apparatus shown in FIGS. 24 as generally including a separator unit and a manually manipulatable check holder 52.

Separator unit 50 generally includes a base portion 54, which serves to support the separator unit on a conveniently located table or transport cart, as desired; a vibrating platform portion 56, which is movably supported above base portion 54 by a suitable number of spring devices 58; and a vibrating unit 60. Unit 60 may be of any suitable construction, but is shown for purposes of illustration as including a pair of weights 62 mounted eccentrically on a shaft 64, which is in turn journaled' by a pair of platform portion mounted brackets 66; a base portion mounted electric motor 70 and gear reduction unit 72; and a flexible drive shaft 74 for connecting unit 72 with shaft 64. It will be understood that when motor 70 is energized, platform portion 56 is vibrated or set into forwardly and rearwardly directed oscillating movement, as generally indicated by arrow 76 in FIG. 4.

Platform portion 56 includes a vertically inclined sheet metal platform 80 terminating adjacent its lower 8 edge in an upstanding stop flange or abutment 82; a

pair of elongated guide-

support blocks

84 and 86, which are fixed adjacent opposite vertically extending sides of platform 80; a pair of L-

shaped standards

88 and 90, which are arranged to upstand from adjacent upper corners of platform 80; and a separation assisting unit 92.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 2-4, platform 80. is apertured, as at 94 and 96, to receive generally U-shaped leaf spring, retaining

elements

98 and 100, which are deformable to lie flush with the upper surface of platform 80 for the reason to be hereinafter described. Further, it will be seen that guide-

support blocks

84 and 86 are each formed with three upwardly opening, transversely extending grooves 102, which are dimensioned to receive rods 30 of insert 14, thereby to removably support the insert on platform 80.

Separation assisting unit 92 includes a bearing shaft 104, which is joumaled adjacent opposite ends thereof by standards 88 and a plurality of generally rectangular sheet metal separation assisting leaves 106, which are provided adjacent one end thereof with sheet metal bearing-stop devices 108 by which the leaves are freely joumaled on bearing shaft 104; and a generally U- shaped handle operation member 110, which is supported by bearing shaft 104 for pivotal movement between its rest and operating positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The extent of pivotal movement of member may be suitably determined, as by engagement of the member with the upper rear edge surfaces of

standards

88 and 90 when the member is pivoted into rest position and by engagement of the member with one or more standard carried abutment flanges l 12 when the member is pivoted into operating position. It will be understood that pivotal movement of leaves 106 about bearing shaft 104 is determined by engagement of their respective bearing-stop devices 108 with upper and lower edges of connecting flange portion 114 of member 110. Preferably, an apertured guide flange l 16 is fixed adjacent the mid-point of connecting portion 114 for the purpose of preventing bending deformation of, bearing shaft 104 between its ends and to provide a convenient centering reference for leaves 106. It will be understood that the number of leaves to be provided for any given unit will depend on the maximum length of the bank of checks and index cards to be processed; it being necessary to space the leavessubstantially the same distances apart throughout the bank in order to insure both simultaneous and uniform separation of the checks. Aswill be apparent, the bearing-stop device associated with each leaf serves as a convenient spacing element to insure equal spacing between leaves. If desired, bearing shaft 104 may be completely filled? with leaves, so .as to negate the requirement for any adjustment thereof.

Holder 52 is in the form of an L-shaped sheet metal member having integrally formed support portion and an upstanding stop portion 122; and a pair of mirror image, L-shaped'retainer members 124 and 126, which are slidably supported for movement on stop portion 122 by headed guide pins 128 and 130 slideably received within stop

portion guide slots

132 and 134, respectively. Handle devices 136 and 138 are fixed to retainer members 124 and 126, respectively, to facilitate adjustment of the retainer members transversely of stop portion 122 and to provide a convenient means for manually manipulating holder 52. As will be apparent, support portion 120 is guided by guide-support blocks 84 and 86 for sliding movement on platform 80.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 2-4, by manipulation of handles 136 and 138, holder 52 may be moved between the positions shownin solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3; retaining

elements

98 and 100 being cammed downwardly by

portions

120 and 122 to. lie flush with the upper surface of platform 80 during movement of holder 52 between these positions. By referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that retaining

elements

98 and 100 serve to releasably retain holder 52 in its uppermost position, wherein support portion 120 is supported on the upper surface of platform 80 to lie beneath insert rods 30. Retainer members 124 and 126 are shown as being cut away to define lower edge portions 140, which lie immediately above insert rods 30, and lower tab portions 142, which extend downwardly into close proximity to support portion 120 adjacent stop portion 122. Of course, it will be appreciated that sufficient clearance is provided between insert rods 30 and the upper surface of platform 80 to permit passage of support portion 120 therebetween without engaging the lower edges of insert end plates 32 or index cards 42.

When employing the system thus far described for removing checks from unit at the end of the statement period, the following procedural steps would be followed by the bank clerk. The bank clerk-assigned the task of removing the checks would first manually force insert end plates 32 towards one another so as to compress the bank of checks and index cards in order to reduce the likelihood of checks falling out or being displaced relative to their associated index cards during subsequent manipulations of insert 14. Thereafter, the clerk would remove insert 14 from its associated tray 12, as by grasping ledge portions 36, and position the insert onunit 50 with the ends of rods 30 received within recesses 102. Holder 52, which normally resides in its lower position illustrated in FIG. 2, would then be moved up into its full line position illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein it is temporarily retained by engagement of retaining

elements

98 and 100 with the lower edge of stop portion 122. At this point, it is preferable to slightly loosen the previously compacted bank and thereafter bring members 124 and 126 into abutting engagement within plates 132, if required; the proximity of stop portion 122 to the side of the bank or lower end edges of the checks preventing any of the checks from sliding completely out of the bank at this time. Preparation for the separating operation is completed when the clerk manipulates member 110 so as to bring leaves 106 downwardly into engagement with the top of the bank and preferably to partially insert at least the bottom edges of such leaves thereinto, as generally indicated in FIG. 3; any required adjustment of the spacing between leaves 106 having been previously attended to.

Separation of the checks is effected by energizing motor 70 by a suitably located electrical switch, not shown, thereby to initiate vibration of platform portion 56 relative to base 54. When vibration is initiated, leaves 106 automatically gravity feed downwardly into the bank into the position generally indicated in FIG. 4, whereat they are constrained from further motion by engagement with the lower edge of connecting portion 114 in the manner described above.

At any time after the commencement of vibration, the clerk may grip handles 136 and 138 to manipulate holder 52 with a view to initially depressing retaining

elements

98 and 100 and thereafter sliding holder 52 downwardly towards its normal rest position; the speed of movement of the holder being determined by the speed at which the checks are gravity separated from between their respective index cards. During downward movement of holder 52, care is exercised to maintain stop portion 122 of the holder closely adjacent to or in engagement with the leading edges of the checks thereby to insure that all of the checks are separated at the same rate. Thus, the separated checks are maintained in the same vertical orientation, which they assumed in the bank, and do not slip under one another. The fully separated checks are prevented from slipping under members 124 and 126 by tab portions 142. With a little practice, the entire operation thus far described may be accomplished in only a matter of seconds.

After separation has been completed, motor is turned off and the checks are either removed as a stack from holder 52 or the holder carried to a suitable receiver into which the stack of checks may be dumped. If the stack of checks is to be manually separated, it would be preferable to provide each ac count with a card having color or other indicia; such card being separated from the bank with the checks and thereafter providing a convenient visual boundary between checks of adjacent accounts within the collected stack of checks.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of the check storage unit, wherein like parts are designated by the suffix a. In this form, there isno separately formed insert, at least one of the side walls of storage-work tray 12a is omitted, and guide rods 30a are fixed within the tray directly to front and rear tray walls 20a and 220.

FIG. 7 illustrates a unit constructed in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 6, except that at least one of tray side walls 18a is fixed to bottom wall 16a, as by means of binge 150, so as to permit-such side wall to be folded downwardly to lie co-planar with or beneath the bottom wall. Suitable means, such as a friction latch 151 may be employed to releasably retain the hinged side wall in tray closing position. This construction is preferred over that shown in FIG. 6, in that accidental dislodgement of checks transversely of guide rods 30a is prevented when the hinged side wall is in tray closing position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further modification of unit 10a, wherein at least one of the tray side walls is replaced by a retainer rod or plate 152, which is removably supported adjacent opposite ends thereof by front and rear wall mounted clips 1S4. Clips 154 may be of U-shaped configuration and, if desired, formed of resilient material so as to permit the ends of rod 152 to be snap fitted thereinto.

FIG. 9 illustrates the manner in which the separator unit may be modified to accommodate any of check storage units 10a of FIGS. 6-8. In this form of the separator unit 50, platform is formed with an offset tray bottom wall supporting surface portion 80 joined thereto by a shoulder portion 80 with which an edge of tray bottom wall 16a engages. The amount by which surface portion 80 is ofiset relatively to platform 80 is sufficient to accommodate for the thickness of tray bottom wall 16a in the case of the tray embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 8, and the thickness of both the tray bottom wall and hinged side 18a of the tray embodiment of FIG. 7. Of course, in the case of the tray embodiment of FIG. 7, the hinged side wall could be arranged to lie co-planar with its bottom wall and in such case the positioning of shoulder 80" and the degree of offsetting of surface portion 80" would be appropriately modified. By this construction; the upper surface of the tray bottom wall 16a is arranged flush with platform 80, thereby to permit holder support portion to freely slide upwardly into underlying relationship with guide rods 30a. Of course, rods 300 are necessarily spaced relative to bottom wall 16a sufficiently to permit free sliding of the index cards along guide rods 30a when support portion 120 is accommodated within the tray.

When employing the system described with reference to FIGS. 6-9, the procedural steps would be the same as those discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-5; except that tray a would be mounted directly on separator unit 50.

A further modification of the storage units illustrated in FIGS. 68 would be to delete the bottom wall and rely only on guide rods and possibly one side wall to rigidly interconnect the end walls. When employing this construction, the separator unit platform would serve to supportingly engage either the guide rods in much the same manner as discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-5 or the end walls of the tray.

Iclaim:

1. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit divided in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and for subsequently simultaneously separating said checks from said storage unit and collecting said separated checksfin stack form, said system comprising in combination:

a storage unit including an insert for storing cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and an upwardly open tray for removably storing said insert therewithin, said insert including end panels facilitating manual removal of said insert vertically from within said tray and subsequent manipulation thereof, a plurality of guide rods rigidly interconnecting said end panels, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained on said insert to extend transversely of said rods for sliding movement between said panels, at least one of said tray and insert having means to supportingly position said insert within said tray whereby to permit free sliding movement of said index cards on said rods for facilitating manual insertion of said checks into said insert between said cards into bottom edge supporting engagement with said rods, said index cards and checks inserted therebetween cooperating to form a bank wherein said index cards and checks are normally disposed in face to face engagement, said tray when said insert is supported therewithin preventing movement of said checks transversely of said rods from between said index cards; and

separating unit for simultaneously separating checks stored within said insert from between said index cards and collecting separated checks as a stack of checks wherein checks are in the same relationship they assumed within said insert, said separator unit including platform means having a vertically inclined upper surface bounded by upper, lower and connecting side edge portions, said platform means having means for removably supporting said insert on said platform means adjacent said upper edge portion with said rods disposed to extend transversely between said side edge portions in an essentially parallel relationship to said platform surface, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for 1 movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said rods when said insert is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members into said bank at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of checks and/or index cards comprising said bank, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said bank is vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof towards said lower edge portion thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means arranged intermediate said lower edge portion and said insert when supportedas aforesaid to collect said separated checks and to form a stack of checks, said holder means constraining said separated checks from movement away from'the relationship they assumed within said bank.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said holder means includesa member having a support portion and stop portion upstanding therefrom; and a pair of retainer members adjustably supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion, said retainer members having handle means for facilitating manipulation of said holder means and adjustment of said retainer members transversely of said support and stop portions, said holder means being supported on said platform means by said'support portion for movement between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and'are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies'adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are fed, and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from-beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack,

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said platform means includes spring means to releasably retain said holder means in said upper position and stop means to releasably retain said holder means in said lower position.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said means for removably supporting said insert includes means arranged one adjacent each of said side edge portions and having upwardly opening grooves arranged to removably receive opposite ends of said guide rods therewith, the last said means cooperating to guide said support portion during movement of said holder mean between upper and lower positions.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said leaf members includes a shaft for end supporting said leaf members and arranging said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relation, said shaft being arranged to extend transversely between said side edge portions in an essentially parallel relationship to said platform surface adjacent said storage unit and collecting said separated checks in upper edge portion, and handle operating means for pivoting said leaf members about the axis of said shaft, stacked form, said system comprising in combination:

a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in acwhereby to move said leaf member within said plane as aforesaid.

cordance with checking accounts against which 6. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be 5 said checks are drawn, said unit including facing manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit difront and rear end walls, a bottom wall joining said vided in accordance with checking accounts against end walls, a plurality of essentially parallel guide which said checks are drawn and for subsequently rods extending between and end supported on said simultaneously separating said checks from said end walls, said guide rods being arranged in a storage unit and collecting said separated checks in spaced essentially parallel relationship relative to stacked form, said system comprising in combination: said bottom wall, and a plurality of index cards for a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in acidentifying separate checking accounts against cordance with checking accounts against which which said cancelled checks are drawn and for said checks are drawn, said storage unit including separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index facing front and rear end walls, a plurality of essencards being apertured to slideably receive at least tially parallel guide rods extending between and one of said rods whereby said index cards are end supported on said end walls, and a plurality of retained in said unit to extend transversely of said index cards for identifying separate checking acrods above said bottom wall for free sliding movecounts against which said cancelled checks are ment between said'end walls, said rods serving to drawn and for separating checks of adjacent acbottom edge support said checks when inserted counts, said index cards being apertured to between for surface engagement with said index slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby cards, and

said index cards are retained in said storage unit to a separating unit' for simultaneously separating said extend transversely of said rods for sliding movecancelled checks stored within said storage unit ment between said end walls, said rods serving to from between said index cards and collecting bottom edge support said checks when inserted separated checks as a stack of checks wherein between for surface engagement with said index checks are in the same relationship they assume cards; and within said unit, said separator unit including vertia separating unit for simultaneously separating said cally inclined platform means for removably botcancelled checks stored within said storage unit tom wall supporting said storage unit to position from between said index cards and collecting said guide rods to extend horizontally within a verseparated checks as a stack of checks wherein tically inclined plane and in an essentially parallel checks are in the same relationship they assume spaced relationship to an upper surface of said within said unit, said separator unit including vertiplatform means and to position said bottom wall to cally inclined platfonn means for removably suplie with an upwardly facing surface thereof subporting said storage unit thereon with said guide stantially flush with said platform surface, a plurods arranged to extend horizontally within a vertirality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf cally inclined plane and arranged in a spaced rela- 40 members in an essentially parallel spaced relationtionship to said platform means, a plurality of leaf ship and to support said leaf members on said platmembers, means to arrange said leaf members in form means for movement within a plane essenan essentially parallel spaced relationship and to tially perpendicular to said guide rods when said support said leaf members on said platform means support unit is supported on said platformmeans for movement within a plane essentially perpenwhereby to removably insert said leaf members dicular to said guide rods when said support unit is between said index cards and said checks at points supported on said platform means whereby to spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement removably insert said leaf members between said with facing surfaces of said index cards and/or index cards and said checks at points spaced checks, means for vibrating said platform means lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing whereby said index cards and checks are vibrated surfaces of said index cards and/or checks, means and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof for vibrating said platform means whereby said in a direction transversely of said guide rods index cards and checks are vibrated and said thereby to separate said checks from between said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof in a index cards, and holder means for collecting said direction transversely of said guide rods thereby to separated checks during separation thereof as a separate said checks from between said index stack of checks, said holder means includingasupcards, and holder means supported on said platporting portion slideably supported on said platform means to collect said separated checks and to form surface for movement from a position interform a stack of checks, said holder means conmediate said bottom wall and guide rods thereby straining said separated checks from movement to bottom edge support said checks as said checks away from the relationship they assumed within are separated from said storage unit and a pair of said storage unit. spaced retaining portions fixed for movement with 7. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be said supporting portion from positions above said manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit diguide rods thereby to support opposite ends of said vided in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and for subsequently simultaneously separating said checks from said stack of separated checks thereby to constrain said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said storage unit.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said storage unit includes side wall means extending substantially between said end walls, said side wall means normally preventing movement of said checks transversely of said guide rods from between said index cards, and at least one of said side wall means being movable to permit unobstructed passage of said checks out of said storage unit for separation from between said index cards in a direction transversely of said guide rods.

9. A vibrating unit for use in separating cancelled checks from a storage unit characterized as including a pair of end members rigidly interconnected by a plurality of parallel guide rods and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained within said storage unit to extend transversely of said guide rods for sliding movement between said and members to facilitate .manual insertion of checks between said index cards into bottom edge supporting engagement with said rods, said index cards and cancelled checks inserted therebetween cooperating to form a bank wherein said index cards and cancelled checks are normally disposed in face to face engagement, said vibrating unit comprising in combination:

platform means having a vertically inclined upper platform surface bounded by upper, lower and connecting side edge portions; supporting means for removably supporting said storage unit on said platform means adjacent said upper edge portion with said rods disposed to extend transversely between said side edge portions in a spaced relationship to said platform surface; a plurality of leaf members; I means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said rods when said storage unit is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf mam-- bers into said bank at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of checks and/or index cards comprising said bank;

means for vibrating said platform means whereby to vibrate said bank and to gravity feed said checks lengthwise thereof towards said lower edge portion and to separate said checks from between said index cards; and

holder means arranged intermediate said lower edge portion and said support unit when supported as aforesaid for collecting said separated checks to form a stack of checks and for constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said bank.

10. A vibrating unit according to claim 9, wherein said holder means includes a memberhaving a support portion and stop portion upstanding therefrom; and a pair of retainer members adjustably supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion, said retainer members having handle means for facilitating manipulation of said holder means and adjustment of said retainer members transversely of said support and stop portions, said holder means being supported on said platform means by said support portion for movement between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed when said storage unit is supported as aforesaid, and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack.

11. A vibrating unit according to claim 10, wherein said platform means includes spring means to releasably retain said holder means in said upper position and stop means to releasably retain said holder means in said lower position, and said supporting means includes means arranged one adjacent each of said side edge portions and having upwardly opening grooves arranged to removably receive opposite ends of said guide rods therewithin, the last said means cooperating to guide said support portion during movement of said holder means between said upper and lower positions.

12. A vibrating unit for use in simultaneously separating cancelled checks from a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn, said storage unit including facing front and rear end walls, a plurality of essentially parallel guide rods extending between and end supported on said end walls, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained in said storage unit to extend transversely of said rods for sliding movement between said end walls, said rods serving to bottom edge support said checks when inserted between for surface engagement with said index cards, said vibrating unit comprising in combination:

vertically inclined platform means for removably supporting said storage unit thereon with said guide rods arranged to extend horizontally within a vertically inclined plane and arranged in a spaced relationship to said platform means, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said guide rods when said support unit is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members between said index cards and said checks at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of said index cards and/or checks, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said index cards and checks are vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof in a direction transversely of said guide rods thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means supported on said platform means to collect said separated checks and to form a stack of checks, said holder means constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said storage unit.

13. A system according to claim 6, wherein said holder means includes a member having a support portion and a stop portion upstanding therefrom; a pair of retainer members supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion and for adjustment transversely of said support and stop portions, said member being supported on said platform means for movement of said holder means between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack; and handle means for moving said holder means between said upper and lower positions.

14. A system according to claim 6, wherein said storage unit further includes a bottom wall joining said end walls and spaced from said guide rods to accommodate for free sliding movement of said index cards between said end walls; said platform means bottom wall supports said storage unit; and said holder means includes a member having a support portion and a stop portion upstanding therefrom; a pair of retainer members supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion and for adjustment transversely of said support and stop portions, said holder means being supported on said platform means by said member for movement between an upper position wherein said support portion is inserted between said guide rods and said storage unit bottom wall, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from between said guide rods and said storage unit bottom wall and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack, and means for moving said holder means between said upper and lower positions.

15. A vibrating unit according to claim 12, wherein said holder means includes a member having a support portion and a stop portion upstanding therefrom; a pair of retainer members supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion and for adjustment transversely of said support and stop portions, said member being supported on said platform means forniovement of said holder means between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack; and handle means for moving said holder means between said upper and lower positions.

Claims

1. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit divided in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and for subsequently simultaneously separating said checks from said storage unit and collecting said separated checks in stack form, said system comprising in combination: a storage unit including an insert for storing cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and an upwardly open tray for removably storing said insert therewithin, said insert including end panels facilitating manual removal of said insert vertically from within said tray and subsequent manipulation thereof, a plurality of guide rods rigidly interconnecting said end panels, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained on said insert to extend transversely of said rods for sliding movement between said panels, at least one of said tray and insert having means to supportingly position said insert within said tray whereby to permit free sliding movement of said index cards on said rods for facilitating manual insertion of said checks into said insert between said cards into bottom edge supporting engagement with said rods, said index cards and checks inserted therebetween cooperating to form a bank wherein said index cards and checks are normally disposed in face to face engagement, said tray when said insert is supported therewithin preventing movement of said checks transversely of said rods from between said index Cards; and a separating unit for simultaneously separating checks stored within said insert from between said index cards and collecting separated checks as a stack of checks wherein checks are in the same relationship they assumed within said insert, said separator unit including platform means having a vertically inclined upper surface bounded by upper, lower and connecting side edge portions, said platform means having means for removably supporting said insert on said platform means adjacent said upper edge portion with said rods disposed to extend transversely between said side edge portions in an essentially parallel relationship to said platform surface, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said rods when said insert is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members into said bank at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of checks and/or index cards comprising said bank, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said bank is vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof towards said lower edge portion thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means arranged intermediate said lower edge portion and said insert when supported as aforesaid to collect said separated checks and to form a stack of checks, said holder means constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said bank.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said holder means includes a member having a support portion and stop portion upstanding therefrom; and a pair of retainer members adjustably supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion, said retainer members having handle means for facilitating manipulation of said holder means and adjustment of said retainer members transversely of said support and stop portions, said holder means being supported on said platform means by said support portion for movement between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are fed, and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said leaf members includes a shaft for end supporting said leaf members and arranging said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relation, said shaft being arranged to extend transversely between said side edge portions in an essentially parallel relationship to said platform surface adjacent said upper edge portion, and handle operating means for pivoting said leaf members about the axis of said shaft, whereby to move said leaf member within said plane as aforesaid.

6. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit divided in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and for subsequently simultaneously separating said checks from said storage unit and collecting said separated checks in stacked form, said system comprising in combination: a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn, said storage unit including facing front and rear end walls, a plurality of essentially parallel guide rods extending between and end supported on said end walls, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained in said storage unit to extend transversely of said rods for sliding movement between said end walls, said rods serving to bottom edge support said checks when inserted between for surface engagement with said index cards; and a separating unit for simultaneously separating said cancelled checks stored within said storage unit from between said index cards and collecting separated checks as a stack of checks wherein checks are in the same relationship they assume within said unit, said separator unit including vertically inclined platform means for removably supporting said storage unit thereon with said guide rods arranged to extend horizontally within a vertically inclined plane and arranged in a spaced relationship to said platform means, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said guide rods when said support unit is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members between said index cards and said checks at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of said index cards and/or checks, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said index cards and checks are vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof in a direction transversely of said guide rods thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means supported on said platform means to collect said separated checks and to form a stack of checks, said holder means constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said storage unit.

7. A system for permitting cancelled checks to be manually inserted one at a time into a storage unit divided in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn and for subsequently simultaneously separating said checks from said storage unit and collecting said separated checks in stacked form, said system comprising in combination: a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn, said unit including facing front and rear end walls, a bottom wall joining said end walls, a plurality of essentially parallel guide rods extending between and end supported on said end walls, said guide rods being arranged in a spaced essentially parallel relationship relative to said bottom wall, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained in said unit to extend transversely of said rods above said bottom wall for free sliding movement between said end walls, said rods serving to bottom edge support said checks when inserted between for surface engagement with said index cards, and a separating unit for simultaneously separAting said cancelled checks stored within said storage unit from between said index cards and collecting separated checks as a stack of checks wherein checks are in the same relationship they assume within said unit, said separator unit including vertically inclined platform means for removably bottom wall supporting said storage unit to position said guide rods to extend horizontally within a vertically inclined plane and in an essentially parallel spaced relationship to an upper surface of said platform means and to position said bottom wall to lie with an upwardly facing surface thereof substantially flush with said platform surface, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said guide rods when said support unit is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members between said index cards and said checks at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of said index cards and/or checks, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said index cards and checks are vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof in a direction transversely of said guide rods thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means for collecting said separated checks during separation thereof as a stack of checks, said holder means including a supporting portion slideably supported on said platform surface for movement from a position intermediate said bottom wall and guide rods thereby to bottom edge support said checks as said checks are separated from said storage unit and a pair of spaced retaining portions fixed for movement with said supporting portion from positions above said guide rods thereby to support opposite ends of said stack of separated checks thereby to constrain said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said storage unit.

9. A vibrating unit for use in separating cancelled checks from a storage unit characterized as including a pair of end members rigidly interconnected by a plurality of parallel guide rods and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained within said storage unit to extend transversely of said guide rods for sliding movement between said end members to facilitate manual insertion of checks between said index cards into bottom edge supporting engagement with said rods, said index cards and cancelled checks inserted therebetween cooperating to form a bank wherein said index cards and cancelled checks are normally disposed in face to face engagement, said vibrating unit comprising in combination: platform means having a vertically inclined upper platform surface bounded by upper, lower and connecting side edge portions; supporting means for removably supporting said storage unit on said platform means adjacent said upper edge portion with said rods disposed to extend transversely between said side edge portions in a spaced relationship to said platform surface; a plurality of leaf members; means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpenDicular to said rods when said storage unit is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members into said bank at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of checks and/or index cards comprising said bank; means for vibrating said platform means whereby to vibrate said bank and to gravity feed said checks lengthwise thereof towards said lower edge portion and to separate said checks from between said index cards; and holder means arranged intermediate said lower edge portion and said support unit when supported as aforesaid for collecting said separated checks to form a stack of checks and for constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said bank.

10. A vibrating unit according to claim 9, wherein said holder means includes a member having a support portion and stop portion upstanding therefrom; and a pair of retainer members adjustably supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion, said retainer members having handle means for facilitating manipulation of said holder means and adjustment of said retainer members transversely of said support and stop portions, said holder means being supported on said platform means by said support portion for movement between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed when said storage unit is supported as aforesaid, and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack.

12. A vibrating unit for use in simultaneously separating cancelled checks from a storage unit for supporting cancelled checks in accordance with checking accounts against which said checks are drawn, said storage unit including facing front and rear end walls, a plurality of essentially parallel guide rods extending between and end supported on said end walls, and a plurality of index cards for identifying separate checking accounts against which said cancelled checks are drawn and for separating checks of adjacent accounts, said index cards being apertured to slideably receive at least one of said rods whereby said index cards are retained in said storage unit to extend transversely of said rods for sliding movement between said end walls, said rods serving to bottom edge support said checks when inserted between for surface engagement with said index cards, said vibrating unit comprising in combination: vertically inclined platform means for removably supporting said storage unit thereon with said guide rods arranged to extend horizontally within a vertically inclined plane and arranged in a spaced relationship to said platform means, a plurality of leaf members, means to arrange said leaf members in an essentially parallel spaced relationship and to support said leaf members on said platform means for movement within a plane essentially perpendicular to said guide rods when said support uniT is supported on said platform means whereby to removably insert said leaf members between said index cards and said checks at points spaced lengthwise of said rods for engagement with facing surfaces of said index cards and/or checks, means for vibrating said platform means whereby said index cards and checks are vibrated and said checks are gravity fed lengthwise thereof in a direction transversely of said guide rods thereby to separate said checks from between said index cards, and holder means supported on said platform means to collect said separated checks and to form a stack of checks, said holder means constraining said separated checks from movement away from the relationship they assumed within said storage unit.

15. A vibrating unit according to claim 12, wherein said holder means includes a member having a support portion and a stop portion upstanding therefrom; a pair of retainer members supported on said stop portion to extend in a spaced parallel relationship therefrom in overlying relationship to said support portion and for adjustment transversely of said support and stop portions, said member being supported on said platform means for movement of said holder means between an upper position wherein said support portion underlies said guide rods, said retainer members overlie said guide rods and are arranged adjacent opposite ends of said bank and said stop portion lies adjacent one side of said bank through which said checks are to be fed and a lower position wherein said support portion is withdrawn from beneath said guide rods and said retainer members are withdrawn from above said guide rods, said support portion serving to bottom edge support checks of said stack and said retainer members serving to surface engage checks at opposite ends of said stack; and handle means for moving said holder means between said upper and lower positions.