WO2001059719A1

WO2001059719A1 - Bill handling apparatus of simplified structure

Info

Publication number: WO2001059719A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/001049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noriyuki Kanno
Original assignee: Japan Cash Machine Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-02-14
Filing date: 2001-02-14
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: EP1166232A1; DE60123330T2; JP4572015B2; ES2272442T3; DE60123330D1; EP1166232B1; JP2001229436A

Abstract

Provided between a casing (2a) and each of sidewalls (5, 6) in a bill handling apparatus is a coupler (10) which comprises a notch (30) formed with one of the sidewalls (5, 6) and casing (2a); a hook (32) formed with the other of each of the sidewalls (5, 6) and casing (2a) for engagement of the hook (32) with the notch (30) when the sidewalls (5, 6) and casing (2a) are moved relative to each other; a guide (31) formed with each of the sidewalls (5, 6) for guiding movement of the casing (2a); and a stopper (33) for preventing relative movement of the casing (2a) and each of the sidewalls (5, 6). The casing (2a) of a conveyer (2) is positioned between a pair of the sidewalls (5, 6) for easy attachment of the casing (2a) to each of the sidewalls (5, 6) by the coupler (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION BILL HANDLING APPARATUS OF SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bill handling apparatus more particularly of its small size and simplified structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bill handling apparatuses for automatically processing bills have been utilized for various applications with current diversification of consumption life, and as a result, there have been produced a demand for new bill handling apparatuses of small size and low price. For example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2,558,977 discloses a bill handling apparatus which comprises validating means for discriminating authenticity of a bill, a stacking means for storing in a storage box bills considered genuine by the validating means, and conveyer means for transporting the bills from the validating means to the stacking means. The stacking means of this bill handling apparatus includes a pushing means for putting bills in the storage box with a pusher, and a motor for driving the pushing means, however, this motor is also employed as a power source of the conveyer means for transporting the bill. As the motor is rotated in the forward direction, the conveyer means is operated to carry the bill through the passageway to the standby position. As the motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the stacking means is operated to push the bill into the storage box. An one way clutch mechanism is connected between the motor and stacking means to prevent actuation of the stacking means during the forward rotation of the motor to transport the bill. Such an arrangement utilizing the single motor to transport and stack the bill can decrease the number of parts and provide a low- cost bill handling apparatus.

The bill handling apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2,558,977 is advantageous in that it can utilize a single motor as a driving source for downsizing of the apparatus, however, it still is disadvantageous in that the size of the apparatus cannot be reduced any further because the vahdating means must be assembled with the conveyer means and stacking means after separate production of these means, and the conveyer means must be mounted perpendicularly to the stacker means. In addition, a prior art bill handling apparatus disadvantageously has its increased number of constructive components which must be assembled by complicated working processes due to the structure wherein the conveyer means is disposed normal to the stacker means with the single motor for common use to drive the conveyer means and stacker means.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a bill handling apparatus of small size and simplified structure.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a bill handling apparatus which can be easily assembled.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The bill handling apparatus according to the present invention, includes a frame (1), a vahdating means (3) mounted in the frame (1) for discriminating authenticity of a bill inserted from an inlet (8), a stacking means (4) for storing bills which have been considered genuine by the vahdating means (3), and a conveyer means (2) with a casing (2a) for transporting the bill inserted from the inlet (8) through the vahdating means (3) and for pushing the bill into the stacking means (4). The frame (1) has a pair of side walls (5, 6) positioned in parallel and spaced relation to each other. Provided between the casing (2a) and each of the side walls (5, 6) is a coupling means (10) which comprises a notch means (30) formed with one of the side walls (5, 6) and casing (2a), a hook means (32) formed with the other of each of the side walls (5, 6) and casing (2a) for engagement with the notch means (30) when the side walls (5, 6) and casing (2a) are moved relative to each other, and a stopper means (33) for preventing relative movement of the casing (2a) and each of the side walls (5, 6). The casing (2a) of the conveyer means (2) is positioned between a pair of the side walls (5, 6) for attachment of the casing (2a) to each of the side walls (5, 6) by the couphng means (10).

The bill handling apparatus according to the present invention can be made in small size with the conveyer means (2) which can be incorporated in the casing (2a) as a unit of the conveyer means and pushing means, whereas a prior art bill handling apparatus is assembled with separately fabricated conveyer means and pushing means. In addition, the bill handling apparatus of the invention can be formed by means of four modular assemblies of (a) a pair of side walls (5, 6) for forming the frame (1); (b) conveyer means (2); (c) the vahdating means (3); and (d) the stacking means (4) for easy assemblage of the apparatus. The notch means (30) is formed in one of the casing (2a) and side walls (5, 6), and the hook

(32) is formed in the other of the casing (2a) and side walls (5, 6). The casing (2a) and each of the side walls (5, 6) are moved relative to and in parallel relation to each other, while the movement of the casing (2a) is guided by the guide means (31) formed in the side walls (5, 6). In this way, the hook means (32) is brought into engagement with the notch means (30) to attach the casing (2a) to each of the side walls (5, 6) by the coupling means (10) so that the casing (2a) of the conveyer means (2) can be secured between a pair of the side walls (5, 6). After the hook means (32) comes into engagement with the notch means (30), the stopper means

(33) prevents the relative movement of the casing (2a) and side walls (5, 6). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bill handling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bill handling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the bill handling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the conveyer means with a pusher plate in the extended position.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a casing of the conveyer means.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bill handling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a side wall.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the side wall.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a bottom plate attached to the side wall.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a coupling means to connect the casing to the side walls.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connecting means to connect the bottom plate to the side walls.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the casing in contact to the side wall.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the casing in engagement with the side wall by movement from the contact condition of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the bottom plate in contact to the side wall.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the bottom plate in engagement with the side wall by movement from the contact condition of FIG. 15. BEST MODE FOR EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the bill handling apparatus according to the present invention will be described hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 1 to 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bill handling apparatus according to the present invention, includes a frame 1 formed with a pair of side walls 5, 6 disposed in spaced and parallel relation to each other; a conveyer 2 mounted in the frame 1; a validator 3 as a vahdating means mounted above the conveyer 2; and a stacker 4 mounted beneath the conveyer 2. An inlet 8 into which a bill is inserted is formed between the conveyer 2 and vahdator 3, and as shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 8 is formed at one end of a passageway 7 formed between the conveyer 2 and vahdator 3. The stacker 4 is mounted adjacent to the conveyer 2 between a pair of the side walls 5, 6 and opposite to the vahdator 3. The stacker 4 comprises a bottom plate 4a mounted between a pair of the side walls 5, 6; and a connector 11 as a connecting means positioned between the bottom plate 4a and each of the side walls 5, 6 for attaching the bottom plate 4a to each of the side walls 5, 6. The vahdator 3 cooperates with the conveyer 2 to define the passageway 7 in parallel to the conveyer 2 between a pair of the side walls 5, 6. The stacker 4 is mounted adjacent to the conveyer 2 between the side walls 5, 6 opposite to the vahdator 3 across the conveyer 2.

As understood from FIG. 2, the vahdator 3 comprises inlet sensors 20 disposed at the front portion of the passageway 7 for detecting the bill inserted from the inlet 8; a magnetic sensor 22 for detecting a magnetic feature of the bill transported along the passageway 7; an optical sensor 23 for detecting an optical feature of the bill; a control circuit 24 connected to the magnetic and optical sensors 22, 23; and a metallic hd 3c for covering these components. The magnetic and optical sensors 22, 23 include a magnetic head, Hall device or photocoupler to form a vahdating sensor 21 which converts into electric signals to the control circuit 24 the magnetic and optical features of the bill inserted into the inlet 8. The control circuit 24 validates authenticity of the bill based on the electric signals supphed from the vahdating sensor 21. Thus, the vahdator 3 comprises the vahdating sensor 21 and control circuit 24 to form the passageway 7 in cooperation with the conveyer 2 mounted in parallel relation to the validator 3 between a pair of the side walls 5, 6.

The conveyer 2 comprises a casing 2a mounted between a pair of the side walls 5, 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyer 2 further comprises a motor 25; a pinion 70 attached to an output shaft of the motor 25; a first gear 71 meshed with the pinion 70; a second gear 72 attached on a common rotation shaft for the first gear 71; a third gear 73 in engagement with the second gear 72; a forth gear 74 mounted on a common rotation shaft for the third gear 73; a fifth gear 75 interlocked with the forth gear 74; a sixth gear 76 mounted on a common rotation shaft for the fifth gear 75; a seventh gear 77 meshed with the sixth gear 76; a eighth gear 78 mounted on a common rotation shaft for the seventh gear 77; a ninth gear 79 engaged with the eighth gear 78; a tenth gear 80 mounted on a common rotation shaft for the ninth gear 79; and a eleventh gear 81 interlocked with the tenth gear 80. The eleventh gear 81 is mounted on a common rotation shaft for a conveyer roller 32 rotatable along the arcuate passage 7b. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyer roller 32 has a pair of two parallel rubber rings 32a attached to the outer surface of the conveyer roller 32 to prevent shppage of the bill on the conveyer roller 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the eleventh gear 81 is formed with a drive wheel 82 around which a toothed drive belt 83 is wound. The drive belt 83 is further wound around a plurality of idle wheels and a driven wheel 84 which is mounted on a common rotation shaft for a conveyer belt wheel 26 around which a toothed conveyer belt 27 is wound. As seen in FIG. 7, the upper side of the conveyer belt 27 is disposed on the examination passage 7a and wound around a driven wheel 28 to convey the bill inserted into the inlet 8.

FIG. 2 demonstrates the tenth gear 80 formed with a crank plate 33 (FIG. 5) which has a pin 34 attached to an eccentric portion of the crank plate 33, and one end of a connecting rod 35 is rotatably attached to the pin 34. FIG. 5 depicts the connecting rod 35 which has the other end pivotally mounted by a shaft 37 received in an elongated hole 36. The shaft 37 is pivotally connected to one end of a first link 38 the other end of which is pivotally connected to a pusher plate 40 by a pin 41. Another pin 42 pivotally connects an approximately middle portion of the first link 38 to a second hnk 43 which has one end pivotally connected to the casing 2a by a pin 44 and the other end pivotally connected to the pusher plate 40 by a pin 45. With rotation of the crank plate 33, the other end of the connecting rod 35 performs a reciprocal movement together with the shaft 37 positioned in the elongated hole 36 so that the first and second links 38, 43 are extended and retracted to move the pusher plate 40 into and out of the stacker 4. The motor 25 is electrically connected to the control circuit 24 which drives the motor 25 in the reverse direction to rotate the crank plate 33 when the control circuit 24 decides that the bill is genuine, and therefore, the first and second links 38, 43 is extended to push the bill into the stacker 4. The crank plate 33 is mounted on the tenth gear 80 through an one-way clutch means not shown so that the crank plate 33 does not rotate during rotation of the motor 25 in the forward direction. When the motor 25 is rotated in the adverse direction, the crank plate 33 rotates to move the pusher plate 40 between the original and extended positions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passageway 7 comprises an examination passage 7a connected to the inlet 8 at one end of the examination passage 7a, an arcuate passage 7b connected to the other end of the examination passage 7a at one end of the arcuate passage 7b, and a standby passage 7c connected to the other end of the arcuate passage 7b. The arcuate passage or channel 7b diverts the passageway 7 at an angle of substantially 180 degrees to direct the bill to the standby passage 7c formed beneath and in parallel relation to the examination passage 7a. The conveyer 2 has a deflector 9 as a diverting means mounted between the side walls 5, 6 for defining an arcuate passage 7b as a part of the passageway 7 opposite to the casing 2a so that the arcuate passage 7b diverts the passageway 7 at an angle of substantially 180 degrees. As shown in FIG. 2, the deflector 9 comprises a holder 15 rotatably mounted by pins 15a and a tensional spring 16 connected between the holder 15 and a cabinet 9a of the deflector 9 for maintaining the holder 15 in the horizontal position. The holder 15 is mounted on the deflector 9 for rotation from the horizontal position to the inchned position, and the holder 15 is retained in the horizontal position by the tensional spring 16. The holder 15 supports a rear end of the bill conveyed to the standby passage 7c so that the holder 15 is rotated to release the rear end of the bill when the bill in the standby passage 7c is pushed into the stacker 4. The cabinet 9a is formed integrally with lugs 9b which are fitted in dents 5a, 6a (FIGS. 7 and 8). When the bill is supphed in the standby passage 7c, the holder 15 is retained in the horizontal position to temporally support the rear end of the bill in the horizontal condition. When the pusher plate 40 is downwardly moved, the bill in the standby passage 7c is urged into the stacker 4. In this case, the holder 15 is downwardly rotated by the rear end of the downwardly pushed bill, and the rear end of the bill is forcibly curved or bent to override the holder 15 so that the bill is brought under the holder 15. Thus, the pushed bill is disposed beneath the holder 15 to prevent the rear end of the stacked bill from protruding into the standby passage 7c so that the rear end of the stacked bill does not interfere entry of a next bill into the standby passage 7c to avoid the jamming of the next bill. As represented by FIG. 11, the casing 2a is attached to the side walls 5, 6 by a coupler 10 provided between the casing 2a and each of the side walls 5, 6. The vahdator 3 is pivotally mounted between the side walls 5, 6 around shafts 3a between the closed position for defining the examination passage 7a and the opened position for exposing the examination passage 7a. The validater 3 has pins 3b which are detachably engaged with the side walls 5, 6 or casing 2a in the closed position. The vahdator 3 is attached to the side walls 5, 6 over the conveyer 2 to form the examination passage 7a, and the stacker 4 is attached to the side walls 5, 6 beneath the conveyer 2 to form the standby passage 7c. The casing 2a can be secured to the side walls 5, 6 when the hook 32 is properly attached to the notch 30 without undesirable widthwise deviation upon the attachment. The side wall 5 is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 11 and the description of the side wall 6 is omitted because the side walls 5, 6 are formed by mirror image to each other. The coupler 10 comprises a notch 30 and a guide 31 formed with the side wall 5, and a hook 32 and a stopper 33 formed with the casing 2a. The guide 31 may form a guide means formed with each of the side walls 5, 6 for guiding movement of the casing 2a. The notch 30 is formed between the wall panel 5a of the side wall 5 and a protrusion 34 downward from an upper guide 31a of the guide 31. The wall panel 5a has an opening 35 on the wall panel 5a in the projected position of the protrusion 34 so that a shding mold of a mold device can pass through the opening 35 to form the protrusion 34 integrally with the plastic side wall 5. Also, the wall panel 5a is provided with a recess 36 to receive a shaft 3a projecting from opposite sides of the vahdator 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the casing 2a has a plastic pawl 18 formed integrally with the casing 2a with a sht 19 so that the pawl 18 can restorably be bent or deformed due to the plastic elasticity.

As shown in FIG. 14, the shaft 3a is rotatably received in the recess 36 so that the vahdator 3 is attached between the side walls 5, 6 for rotation around the shafts 3a between the closed position shown by sohd lines in FIG. 1 to define the examination passage 7a and the opened position shown by dotted lines in FIG. 8 to open the examination passage 7a. As understood from FIG. 7, the vahdator 3 has pins 3b projecting from elongated holes 3d, and these pins 3b are elastically urged rearward by bias springs not shown. When the validator 3 is moved to the closed position, the pins 3b are brought into contact with inclined surfaces 17a of grooves 17, and are moved forward along the inchned surfaces 17a against the resilient force of the bias springs. When the validator 3 reaches the closed position, the pins 3b come into engagement with horizontal plane 17b of the grooves 17. Accordingly, when released from the grooves 17, the pins 3b are moved forward by some tool against the resilient force of the bias springs away from the horizontal plane 17b, and the vahdator 3 can be rotated upward from the closed position. The shafts 3a and recesses 36 have their so specific sectional shapes that the shafts 3a can be removed from the recesses 36 only when the vahdator 3 is rotated perfectly to the opened position. To this end, for example, each of the shafts 3a has a flat or chamfered circular section. The vahdator 3 may be detachably attached to the casing 2a in lieu of removable attachment to the side walls 5, 6. The vahdator 3 is mounted on the side walls 5, 6 to define the examination passage 7a above the conveyer 2, and stacker 4 is mounted on the side walls 5, 6 to define the standby passage 7c beneath the conveyer 2.

To attach the casing 2a to the side wall 5, as shown in FIG. 13, the protrusions 34 are fitted in pits 39 formed in the casing 2a, and the casing 2a is disposed between the upper and lower guide portions 31a, 32b forming the guide 31. The upper and lower guide portions 31a, 32b are formed in parallel with longitudinal ribs 12. Then, the casing 2a is moved horizontally rightward relative to the side wall 5 along the guide 31 as shown in FIG. 14 to fit the hook 32 into the notch 30 formed between the wall panel 5a and protrusion 34. In this case, the stopper 33 of the casing 2a is brought into contact with an abutment 40 of the side wall 5 to prevent a further movement of the casing 2a relative to the side wall 5. In addition, the pawl 18 is elastically bent due to contact with the wall panel 5a of the side wall 5 and then is engaged with an edge of the opening 35 to prevent the reverse movement of the casing 2a. Accordingly, the coupler 10 attains easy attachment of the casing 2a for the conveyer 2 between a pair of the side walls 5, 6. When pushed inward from outside of the opening 35, the pawl 18 is easily removed from the opening 35. Alternatively, without the pawl 18, the shafts 34 may prevent the reverse movement of the stopper 33 of the casing 2a when the shaft 3a of the vahdator 3 is fitted in the recess 36 of the side wall 5 for rotation of the vahdator 3 between the side walls 5, 6 as shown in FIG. 14. In this case, only the stopper 33 and shaft 3a may prevent the movement of the casing 2a in the fitting and reverse directions.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the stacker 4 comprises a bottom plate 4a attached between a pair of the side walls 5, 6 by a connector 11; a support plate 14 movably disposed over the bottom plate 4a for receiving and supporting the bill pushed by the pusher plate 40 out of the standby passage 7c into the stacker 4; and a compression spring 13 for resiliently urging the support plate 14 toward the longitudinal ribs 12 (FIG. 2) formed with each of the side walls 5, 6. As shown in FIG. 3, two ribs 12 are formed in each of the side walls 5, 6 opposite to each other to define the standby passage 7c and a cavity 40a through which the pusher plate 40 passes upon the reciprocal movement. The only side wall 5 is described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 12, and the description of the side wall 6 is omitted because the side wall 6 has its mirror image of the side wall 5. Similarly to the coupler 10, the connector 11 comprises a notch 50 and a support 51 formed with the side wall 5; and a latch 52, a stopper 53 and a dent 56 formed with the bottom plate 4a. The notch 50 is formed with the support 51 at the bottom portion of vertical ribs 54 integrally formed with the side wall 5. The side wall 5 has openings 55 on the wall panel 5a in the projected position of the notch 50 so that a shding mold of a mold device can pass through the openings 55 to form the notch 50 at the bottom portion of the vertical ribs 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom plate 4a has a plastic pawl 57 formed integrally with the bottom plate 4a with a sht 58 so that the pawl 57 can restorably be bent or deformed due to the plastic elasticity. Like the coupler 10, the connector 11 comprises a notch 50 formed with one of the bottom plate and side walls 5, 6, a latch 52 as a latch means formed with the other of the bottom plate and side walls 5, 6 for engagement with the notch 50 when the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 are relatively moved in parallel relation to each other, a support 51 as a support means formed with each of the side walls 5, 6 for guiding movement of the bottom plate 4a, and a stopper 53 as a stopper 53 for preventing the relative movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6. The bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 can be moved relative to and in parallel relation to each other while the support 51 provides a guide for movement of the bottom plate 4a. In this way, the latch 52 is brought into engagement with the notch 50 to secure the bottom plate 4a to and between the side walls 5, 6 by the connector 11. The stopper 53 assures to prevent the relative movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 after the couphng of the latch 52 with the notch 50.

When the bottom plate 4a is attached to the side wall 5 as shown in FIG. 15, an side edge of the bottom plate 4a is positioned on the support 51 while the vertical ribs 54 are put in the corresponding dents 56. Then, the bottom plate 4a is moved rightward relative to the side wall 5 along the support 51 as shown in FIG. 16 to fit the latch 52 into the notch 50 until the relative movement of the bottom plate 4a is blocked due to contact of the stopper 53 with the abutment 59 or vertical ribs 54. At the same time, the pawl 57 is elastically bent by contact with the wall panel 5a of the side wall 5 to come to engagement with an edge of the opening 55 and to prevent the reverse movement of the casing 2a so that the bottom plate 4a can be easily attached to and between the side walls 5, 6. The pawl 57 can easily be disengaged from the opening 55 by pushing the pawl 57 from outside of the opening 55. The pawl 57 provides a fixing means for preventing the relative movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6. In this case, the bottom plate 4a is guided by the support 51 formed in the side walls 5, 6 for relative and parallel movement of the bottom plate 4a to the side walls 5, 6 to attach the latch 52 in the notch 50 in order to mount and fix the bottom plate 4a between a pair of the side walls 5, 6 by the connector 11. The stopper 53 is effective to block a further relative movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 after the latch 52 is attached to the notch 50. Similarly to the coupler 10, the connector 11 has the fixing means for preventing the relative adverse movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 so that the fixing means maintains the latch 52 in the notch 50 without the adverse movement of the latch 52 once the latch 52 is accurately received in the notch 50.

The hook 32 of the casing 2a and latch 52 of the bottom plate 4a are formed for homodromos or unidirectional operation so that the casing 2a and bottom plate 4a simultaneously are attached to the side walls 5, 6 when they are moved in the same direction relative to the side walls 5, 6. The coupler 10 and the coupler 11 interconnect the casing 2a and bottom plate 4a with respectively the upper and lower sides of the side walls 5, 6 in different vertical positions to strongly maintain a pair of the side walls 5, 6 in the stably spaced relation to each other by the casing 2a and bottom plate 4a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a cover 60 is removably attached to each front portion of the side walls 5, 6 to moved between the closed position and opened position, and in the opened position, the bills stored in the stacker 4 can be taken out of the stacker 4. The cover 60 provides a stopper means to prevent the relative adverse movement of the casing 2a and side walls 5, 6. The cover 60 has the opposite sides formed integrally with a pair of axles 61 which are rotatably received in through holes 62 formed at each bottom of the side walls 5, 6. The axles 61 can be removably attached in the through holes 62 utilizing the elastic deformation of the plastic side walls 5, 6 for rotation of the cover 60 between the closed and opened positions. When the cover 60 is retained in the opened position, the bills in the stacker 4 can be taken out. When the axles 61 are attached in the through holes 62, a bottom portion 63 of the cover 60 is mounted before the bottom plate 4a to block the relative reverse movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6 without the fixing means.

In assemblage, the deflector 9 is positioned between a pair of the side walls 5, 6 in a spaced relation to each other, and the casing 2a is moved rightward as shown in FIG. 13 along the deflector 9 relative to the side wall 5 to put the hook 32 of the coupler 10 in the notch 30 and to bring the pawl 18 into engagement with the edge of the opening 35. Simultaneously, the bottom plate 4a is moved rightward relative to the side wall 5 along the support 51 to fit the latch 52 of the connector 11 in the notch 50 and to hook the pawl 57 over the edge of the opening 55. Then, the support plate 14 and the spring 13 are disposed in position, and the shafts 3a of the vahdator 3 are fitted into the dents 36 of the side walls 5, 6. Subsequently, the vahdator 3 is rotated downward to the closed position to bring the pins 3b of the vahnator 3 under the horizontal plane 17b of the grooves 17 formed in the side walls 5, 6. Finally, the axles 61 of the cover 60 are positioned in the through holes 62 of the side walls 5, 6, and then the cover 60 is closed. Each of the shafts 3a, pawl 18 and stopper 33 provide a fastening means for preventing the relative adverse movement of the casing 2a and side walls 5, 6 in the direction to release the engagement between the hook 32 and notch 30 so that the conveyer 2 is retained in position between the side walls 5, 6 when each of the shafts 3a is attached in the corresponding dent 36 of the side walls 5, 6.

Thus, the bill handling apparatus according to the present invention can perfectly be assembled as a whole without utilizing any screw since the coupler 10 can connect the casing 2a with the side walls 5, 6, the connector 11 can connect the bottom plate 4a with the side walls 5, 6; and the fixing means 3a, 18, 33 can bar the relative adverse movement of the casing 2a and side walls 5, 6. However, screws may be used to reinforce the connected portions or to attach accessories such as electric connectors to the bill handling apparatus. The bill handling apparatus according to the present invention can be made in small size with the conveyer 2 which can be incorporated in the casing 2a as a unit of the conveyer means and pushing means, whereas a prior art bill handling apparatus is assembled with separately fabricated conveyer means and pushing means. In addition, the bill handling apparatus of the invention can be formed by means of four modular assemblies of (a) a pair of side walls 5, 6 for forming the frame 1; (b) conveyer 2; (c) the vahdator 3; and (d) the stacker 4 for easy assemblage of the apparatus.

In operation, a bill is inserted into the inlet 8, and the inlet sensor 20 detects existence of the bill to produce a detection signal to the control circuit 24 which forwards a drive signal to the motor 25 to rotate it in the forward direction. Then, the bill is inwardly transported from the inlet 8 through the examination passage 7a since the motor 25 drives the drive belt 27 and conveyer belt 30 in the forward direction. In this case, the vahdating sensor 9 converts the magnetic and optical features of the bill into electric signals to the control circuit 24 which decides the bill to be genuine or not based on the received electric signals. When the control circuit 24 determines that the bill is not authentic, it supplies the motor 25 with the inverted signals to reverse the conveyer belt 30 and return the bill to the inlet 8 through the examination passage 7a. Adversely, when the control circuit 24 judges that the bill is genuine, it continuously drives the motor 25 in the forward direction, the bill is transported through the arcuate passage 7b by the conveyer roller 32 and supphed to the standby passage 7c. At the moment, the opposite sides of the bill are supported on a pair of the longitudinal ribs 12, the rear end of the bill is supported on the holder 15, and the pusher plate 40 is retained at the original upper position above the standby passage 7c. After that, when a given time has elapsed, the control circuit 24 provides the motor 25 with the inverted signal to rotate the crank plate 33. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the first and second links 38, 43 are extended to move the pusher plate 40 so that the bill in the standby passage 7c is forcibly pressed into the stacker 4. When the pusher plate 40 passes through the cavity 40a formed between a pair of the longitudinal ribs 12, the holder 15 is rotated downward to an inclined position by some angle relative to the horizontal plane against the elastic force of the tensional spring 16. When the bill overrides the holder 15, the rear end of the bill is moved away from the holder 15 for disengagement of the bill from the holder 15 which is returned to the original horizontal position by the elastic force of the tensional spring 16. With the reciprocal movement of the support plate 14, projections 14a of the support plate 14 are guided by the vertical ribs 54. By a further rotation of the motor 25, the crank plate 33 is rotated through a whole angle of 360 degrees, the first and second links 43 are retracted to return the pusher plate 40 to the original position above the standby passage 7c. A spring not shown may be provided between the pusher plate 40 and casing 2a to resihently urge the pusher plate 40 toward the original position in order to accelerate the returning movement of the pusher plate 40 to the original position.

The foregoing embodiment of the present invention may be varied in various ways. For example, the foregoing embodiment indicates the notch 30 and guide 31 provided in the side walls 5, 6 and hook 32 provided in the casing 2a for engagement of the hook 32 with the notch 30. Alternatively, the hook 32 and stopper 33 may be formed in the side walls 5, 6, and the notch 30 and guide 31 may be formed in the casing 2a to engage the hook 32 with the notch 30 by relative and parallel movement of the casing 2a and side walls 5, 6. Also, the above- mentioned embodiment indicates the notch 50 formed in the side walls 5, 6 and latch 52 formed in the bottom plate 4a for engagement of the latch 52 with the notch 50. Alternatively, the latch 52 may be formed in the side walls 5, 6, and the notch 50 may be formed in the bottom plate 4a for engagement of the latch 52 with the notch 50 by relative and parallel movement of the bottom plate 4a and side walls 5, 6.

As above-mentioned, the present invention can provide a bill handling apparatus of small size with the simplified structure which can be easily assembled with less number of components.

Claims

1. A bill handling apparatus which comprises a frame having a pair of side walls positioned in parallel and spaced relation to each other, a vahdating means mounted in said frame for discriminating authenticity of a bill inserted from an inlet, a stacking means for storing bills which have been considered genuine by said vahdating means, a conveyer means with a casing for transporting the bill inserted from said inlet through said validating means and for pushing the bill into said stacking means, a notch means formed with one of said side walls and casing, a hook means formed with the other of each of said side walls and casing for engagement with said notch means when said side walls and casing are moved relative to each other, and a coupling means provided between said casing and each of said side walls, said couphng means having a stopper means for preventing relative movement of said casing and each of said side walls, said casing of said conveyer means being positioned between a pair of said side walls for attachment of said casing to each of said side walls by said couphng means.

2. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said couphng means comprises a fastening means for preventing a relative adverse movement of said casing and each of said side walls.

3. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a guide means formed with each of said side walls for guiding movement of said casing,

4. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said stacking means comprises a bottom plate mounted between a pair of said side walls, a connecting means positioned between said bottom plate and each of said side walls for attaching said bottom plate to each of said side walls, said connecting means comprises a notch means formed with one of said bottom plate and side walls, a hook means formed with the other of said bottom plate and side walls for engagement with said notch means when said bottom plate and side walls are relatively moved in parallel relation to each other, a support means formed with each of said side walls for guiding movement of said bottom plate, and a stopper means for preventing the relative movement of said bottom plate and side walls.

5. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said casing and bottom plate are moved in the same direction relative to said side walls to attach said casing and bottom plate to each of said side walls.

6. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connecting means comprises a fixing means to prevent a relative adverse movement of said casing and each of said side walls.

7. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vahdating means comprises a vahdating sensor and a control circuit, said vahdating means cooperates with said conveyer means to define a passageway in parallel to said conveyer means between a pair of said side walls, said inlet for receiving the bill is formed at one end of said passageway, said stacking means is mounted adjacent to said conveyer means between said side walls opposite to said vahdating means, said conveyer means having a diverting means for defining an arcuate passage as a part of said passageway opposite to said casing, said arcuate passage diverting said passageway at an angle of substantially 180 degrees.

8. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said vahdating means has pins pivotally supported between a pair of said side walls to provide said fastening means to prevent the relative adverse movement of said casing and side walls when each of said pins is attached in a corresponding dent of said side walls.

9. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a cover is removably attached to each front portion of said side walls, said cover can be moved between the closed position for conceahng said control means and the opened position for taking out the bills stored in said stacking means, said cover provides a stopper means to prevent the relative adverse movement of said casing and side walls.

10. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said passageway comprises an examination passage connected to said inlet at one end, an arcuate passage connected to the other end of said examination passage at one end, and a standby passage connected to the other end of said arcuate passage, said diverting means comprises a holder for supporting a rear end of the bill conveyed to said standby passage, said holder is rotated to release the rear end of the bill when the bill in the standby passage is pushed into said stacking means.

11. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vahdating means is pivotally mounted around shafts between the closed position for defining said examination passage and the opened position for exposing the examination passage, said vahdating means has pins detachably engaged with said side walls or casing in the closed position.

12. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vahdating means is attached to said side walls over said conveyer means to form said examination passage, said stacking means is attached to said side walls beneath said conveyer means to form said standby passage.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 01 June 2001 (01.06.01) original claim 6 replaced by amended claim 6 (1 page)]

6. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connecting means comprises a fixing means to prevent a relative adverse movement of said bottom plate and each of said side walls.

7. A bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vahdating means comprises a vahdating sensor and a control circuit, said vahdating means cooperates with said conveyer means to define a passageway in parallel to said conveyer means between a pair of said side walls, said inlet for receiving the bill is formed at one end of said passageway,