Safe assembly for automated transaction machine

Abstract

A safe assembly can include a body and a door. The body can define an internal cavity and an opening into the internal cavity from an exterior of the body. The door can be pivotally mounted to the body, pivotally moveable between closed and open positions. A majority of an inwardly-facing opening perimeter of the opening and a majority of an outwardly-facing door perimeter of the door can extend flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position. At least a first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter can confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into the internal cavity of the body when the door is in the closed position.

Description

SAFE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATED TRANSACTION MACHINECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 467,612 for a SAFE FOR AUTOMATED TRANSACTION MACHINE, filed on May 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to safes which are receptacles for repelling or protecting their contents from explosion, penetration of missiles, other attacks by force or stealth (including burglary or larceny), fire, or for any other protective, or safe-guarding purpose not elsewhere provided for, such as covered by class 109 of USPC.2. Description of Related Prior Art

[0003] Automated transaction machines (“ATMs”) are commonly used to carry out a variety of financial or commercial transactions. Most commonly, these transactions include dispensing cash, checking account balances, paying bills and / or receiving deposits from users. ATMs may also perform a variety of other transactions, including the sale and purchase of tickets, issuance of coupons, check or voucher presentation, the printing of script and a variety of other functions. For carrying out these transactions or performing these functions, ATMs typically include a variety of components, and these components are chosen based upon what is necessary to include for the particular design and build of a particular production line or model of machine. Because the transactions include items of significant value, security and safekeeping of the documents, currency, and other materials is critical. Thus, a significant portion of the components in an ATM serve to provide security and safekeeping for the documents inside. The general portion of an ATM related to this security is a safe, and a substantial part of the safe’s functionality is a door. The safe’s door is secured by a bolt and a lock, along with emergency locking devices in the event of a break-in.

[0004] Figure 1 is an isometric view of safe assembly according to the prior art. The safe assembly 10 includes a body 12 with a plurality of walls, such as a top wall 14 and a first side wall 16. It is noted that the body 12 is shown in phantom, with the outer surfaces in lighter gray and the inner surfaces defining a cavity in darkergray. The safe assembly 10 also includes a door 18 pivotallymounted on the body 12. A slot 20 is defined in the door 18. Electromechanical components can extend through the slot 20.

[0005] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.SUMMARY

[0006] This section provides a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify “key” or “critical” elements of the present disclosure or to delineate the scope of the various aspects described herein. The purpose of this portion of the document is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] A safe assembly can include a body and a door. The body can define an internal cavity and an opening into the internal cavity from an exterior of the body. The body can extend a height between a top and a bottom and can extend a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and can extend a depth between a front and a back. The door can be pivotally mounted to the body. The door can extend a height between a top and a bottom and can extend a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and can extend a depth between a front and a back. The door can be pivotally moveable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein the door is received in the opening and an open position angularly spaced from the closed position about the pivot axis. The opening can extend along an inwardly-facing opening perimeter. The door can extend along an outwardly-facing door perimeter. A majority of a length of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of the outwardly-facing door perimeter can extend flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position. At least a first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter can confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into the internal cavity of the body when the door is in the closed position.

[0008] According to other features, the safe assembly can further comprise a currency dispensing and storing assembly. The currency dispensing and storing assembly can include at least one currency cassette and a dispenser. The at least one currency cassette can be configured to storenotes of currency and can be positioned in the internal cavity of the body. The dispenser can be engaged with the at least one currency cassette and can be configured to at least draw the notes of currency from the at least one currency cassette. At least a portion of the dispenser can extend through the slot when the door is in the closed position.

[0009] In other features, the at least a portion of the dispenser can be cantilevered out of the slot when the door is in the closed position. The dispenser can further comprise a first port and a second port. The first port can be through which the notes of currency are received from the at least one currency cassette. The second port can be opposite the first port and can be spaced further from the at least one currency cassette than the first port. The second port can be through which the notes of currency received from the at least one currency cassette are dispensed to a user. The second port can be outside of the internal cavity and outside of the slot when the door is in the closed position.

[0010] According to additional features, the door can pivot along an arcuate path of movement between the open position and the closed position and the door can be underneath the at least a portion of the dispenser over at least a part of the arcuate path that is between and spaced from both of the closed position and the open position. The at least the first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter can extend adjacent to the first top of the body and between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The at least a first portion of the outwardly -facing door perimeter can extend adjacent to the second top of the door and between the third lateral side and the fourth lateral side. The dispenser can be spaced from the at least the first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and from the at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter.

[0011] According to other features, the body can further comprise a first aperture and a second aperture positioned along a second portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter. The at least the first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter can be spaced from the second portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter. The safe assembly can further comprise a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly can include a hinge body, a hinge pin, a guide pin, and a fastener. The hinge body can have at least a third aperture, a fourth aperture, and a fifth aperture. The hinge pin can be received in the third aperture and also in a sixth aperture defined in the door. The guide pin can be received in the fourth aperture. The guide pin can be circumferentially compressed within the second aperture and thereby fixed with the hinge body. At least part of the guide pin can project out of the fourth aperture and can be received in the first aperture defined in the body. The fastener can be receivable within the fifth aperture and can be threadingly engageable with the second aperture defined in the body. Engagement between the fastener and the second aperture can releasably interconnect the hinge body and the body of the safe.

[0012] In other features, the door can further comprise a first aperture. The body can further comprise a second aperture. The safe assembly can further comprise a hinge pin assembly. The hinge pin assembly can include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a spring. The first shaft and the second shaft can be telescopically engaged with one another. The spring can be positioned in at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft and can bias the first shaft and the second shaft apart from one another. The hinge pin assembly can be positioned in both of the first aperture and the second aperture and can thereby interconnect the body and the door. A central axis of the hinge pin assembly can define the pivot axis. At least one of the first shaft and the second shaft can include a bulbous end.

[0013] A method of forming a safe assembly can include forming a body defining an internal cavity and an opening into the internal cavity from an exterior of the body wherein the body extends a height between a first top and a first bottom and extends a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and extends a depth between a first front and a first back and to include an inwardly-facing opening perimeter. The method can also include forming a door to extend a height between a second top and a second bottom and to extend a width between a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side and to extend a depth between a second front and a second back and to include an outwardly-facing door perimeter. The method can also include pivotally mounting the door to the body wherein the door is pivotally moveable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein the door is received in the opening and an open position that is angularly spaced from the closed position about the pivot axis. At least one of the forming the body and the forming the door can be further defined as forming one of the opening and the door such that a majority of a length of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of the outwardly-facing door perimeter extend flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position, wherein at least a first portion of the inwardly -facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position, and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into the internal cavity of the body when the door is in the closed position.

[0014] According to other features, the method can also include positioning the at least one currency cassette of a currency dispensing and storing assembly in the internal cavity of the body. The method can also include interconnecting the at least one currency cassette and a dispenser of the currency dispensing and storing assembly. The method can also include positioning the dispenser to extend through the slot and beyond the door when the door is in the closed position.

[0015] In other features, the pivotally mounting can further comprise interconnecting the body and the door with a hinge assembly that includes a hinge body and at least one guide pin fixed in anaperture the hinge body. The pivotally mounting can alternatively or additionally comprise interconnecting the body and the door with a hinge pin that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a spring between the first and second shafts whereby the first and second shafts are biased apart from one another, and wherein at least one of the first and second shafts has a bulbous end and at least one of the first and second shafts includes a flat end.

[0016] An automated transaction machine (ATM) can include a fascia and a safe assembly. The safe assembly can be positioned behind the fascia. The safe assembly can have a body and a door. The body can define an internal cavity and an opening into the internal cavity from an exterior of the body. The body can extend a height between a first top and a first bottom and can extend a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and can extend a depth between a first front and a first back. The door can be pivotally mounted to the body. The door can extend a height between a second top and a second bottom and can extend a width between a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side and can extend a depth between a second front and a second back. The door can be pivotally moveable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein the door is received in the opening and an open position angularly spaced from the closed position about the pivot axis. The opening can extend along an inwardly-facing opening perimeter and the door can extend along an outwardly-facing door perimeter. A majority of a length of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of the outwardly-facing door perimeter can extend flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position. At least a first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter can confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into the internal cavity of the body when the door is in the closed position.

[0017] According to other features, the ATM can further comprise a currency dispensing and storing assembly. The currency dispensing and storing assembly include at least one currency cassette and a dispenser. The at least one currency cassette can be configured to store notes of currency and can be positioned in the internal cavity of the body. The dispenser can be engaged with the at least one currency cassette and can be configured to at least draw the notes of currency from the at least one currency cassette. At least a portion of the dispenser can extend through the slot when the door is in the closed position.

[0018] In other features, the door can further comprise a first aperture. The body can further comprise a second aperture. The safe assembly can further comprise a hinge pin assembly. The hinge pin assembly can include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a spring. The first shaft and the secondshaft can be telescopically engaged with one another. The spring can be positioned in at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft and can bias the first shaft and the second shaft apart from one another. The hinge pin assembly can be positioned in both of the first aperture and the second aperture and can interconnect the body and the door. A central axis of the hinge pin assembly can be transverse to a central axis of the slot.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:

[0020] Figure l is a safe assembly for automated transaction machines according to the prior art;

[0021] Figure 2 is a first isometric view of a safe assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure from a front and right perspective, wherein internal portions are shown in phantom;

[0022] Figure 3 is a second isometric view of the first embodiment from a rear and right perspective, wherein internal portions are shown in phantom;

[0023] Figure 4 is a third isometric view of the first embodiment, with a door of the first embodiment opened, from a front and left perspective;

[0024] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the door and hinge assemblies of the first embodiment apart from a body of the safe assembly;

[0025] Figure 6 is an isometric view of one of the hinge assemblies of the first embodiment;

[0026] Figure 7 is an isometric view of fasteners and guide pins of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 6;

[0027] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a safe assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, with a door in an open position and including a currency dispensing and storing assembly, from a front and left perspective;

[0028] Figure 9 is a front view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 8;

[0029] Figure 10 is a first isometric view of a body of the safe assembly shown in Figures 8 and 9, without other components, and shows top and left portions of an opening of the body;

[0030] Figure 11 is a second isometric view of the body of the safe assembly shown in Figure 10 and shows top and right portions of the opening of the body;

[0031] Figure 12 is a third isometric view of the body of the safe assembly shown in Figures 10 and 11 and shows bottom and right portions of the opening of the body;

[0032] Figure 13 is a fourth isometric view of the body of the safe assembly shown in Figures 10 - 12 and shows bottom and left portions of the opening of the body;

[0033] Figure 14 is a first isometric view of a door of the safe assembly shown in Figures 8 and 9, without other components, and shows top and left portions of an outer edge of the door;

[0034] Figure 15 is a second isometric view of the door of the safe assembly shown in Figure 14 and shows top and right portions of the outer edge of the door;

[0035] Figure 16 is a third isometric view of the door of the safe assembly shown in Figures 14 and 15 and shows bottom and right portions of the outer edge of the door;

[0036] Figure 17 is a fourth isometric view of the door of the safe assembly shown in Figures 14 - 16 and shows bottom and left portions of the outer edge of the door;

[0037] Figure 18 is a front view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 8 with the door open;

[0038] Figure 19 is a cross-section taken through section lines 19 - 19 in Figure 18;

[0039] Figure 20 is a cross-section taken through section lines 20 - 20 in Figure 18;

[0040] Figure 21 is a cross-section taken through section lines 21 - 21 in Figure 18; and

[0041] Figure 22 is an isometric view of a hinge pin assembly that can be utilized in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and / or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.

[0043] The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiment described below, can provide an enhanced safe for ATMs. Referring now to Figures 2 - 7, an exemplary enhanced safe assembly 22 includes a body 24 with a plurality of walls, including a top wall 26, a right side wall 28, a left side wall 30, a front wall 32, a back wall 34, and a bottom wall 36. It is noted that structures internal to the body 24 are shown in phantom in Figures 2 and 3. The safe assembly22 also includes a door 38 pivotally mounted on the body 24. The exemplary door 38 is pivotal between an open position shown in Figure 4 and a closed position shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0044] The body 24 defines an opening 40 in which the door 38 is received when the door 38 is in the closed position. The exemplary opening 40 is generally rectangular but includes a notch 42 that deviates from the otherwise generally rectangular perimeter. The exemplary notch 42 is a portion of a perimeter of the opening 40 that is closest to the top wall 26. When the door 38 is in the closed position, the door 38 closes most of the opening 40 and cooperates with the notch 42 to define a slot 44. The exemplary slot 44 extends through the body 24 into an internal cavity of the safe assembly 22. One or more electromechanical or mechanical components can extend through the slot 44. For example, the component(s) that extends through the slot 44 can be configured to move currency notes out of cassettes that are positioned in the internal cavity of the safe assembly 22.

[0045] The exemplary door 38 is mounted to the body 24 with two hinge assemblies 46, 48. Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the hinge assembly 46 includes a hinge body 50, fasteners 52 and 54, and guide pins 56 and 58. The hinge assembly 46 can also include a hinge pin (not visible in Figures 2 - 7). The hinge pin is received in a blind aperture in the body 24 and is also received in an aperture formed in the door 38.

[0046] The body 24 of the safe assembly 22 also includes threaded apertures for receiving the fasteners 52, 54 and smooth apertures for receiving the guide pins 56, 58. These various apertures can be defined in the opening 40. The fasteners 52, 54 can be slidably received in apertures in the body 50 and the guide pins 56, 58 can be fixedly mounted in apertures in the hinge body 50. The guide pins 56, 58 can be a circumferential spring. The guide pins 56, 58 can be circumferentially compressed, placed in apertures in the hinge body 50, and then partially released from circumferential compression to become fixed with the hinge body 50. At least part of each guide pin 56, 58 can project out of the apertures in which they are received.

[0047] The two hinge assemblies 46, 48 are substantially similar in terms of structure, differentiated in that the hinge assembly 46 receives a bottom of the hinge pin while the hinge assembly 48 receives a top of a similar, second hinge pin. A bottom of the second hinge pin would be received in an aperture formed in the door 38. Assembly of the door 38 to the body 24 will now be described with respect to the hinge assembly 46 and the assembly of the hinge assembly 48 would be the same.

[0048] In an exemplary operation for installing the door 38 on the body 24, a hinge pin can be placed in the aperture 62 of the hinge assembly 46 and also in a corresponding aperture defined by the door 38. The door 38 and the hinge assembly 46 can then be jointly moved into a position whereinthe guide pins 56 and 58 are aligned with mating apertures in the opening 40 and then slid into these apertures. Next, the threaded fasteners 52, 54 can be slidably received in apertures in the hinge body 50 and then threadingly engaged with the threaded apertures in the body 24 of the safe assembly 22. Removal of the door 38 from the body 24 can be accomplished by disengaging the threaded fasteners 52, 54 from the threaded apertures in the body 24 of the safe assembly 22. It is noted that the hinge assembly 48 can be similarly assembled to the door 38 and then to the body 24 of the safe assembly 22. Thus, to remove the door 38 from the body 24, the threaded fasteners which connect the hinge bodies to the body 24 of the safe assembly 22 must be disengaged from the body 24.

[0049] Referring now to Figures 8 - 21, a second exemplary safe assembly 22a includes a body 24a with a plurality of walls. The body 24a includes a top wall 26a that defines a top of the body 24a and a bottom wall 36a that defines a bottom of the body 24a. The orthogonal distance between the top wall 26a and the bottom wall 36a defines a height of the body 24a. The body 24a also includes a right side wall 28a that defines a first lateral side of the body 24a and a left side wall 30a that defines a second lateral side of the body 24a. The orthogonal distance between the right side wall 28a and the left side wall 30a defines a width of the body 24a. The body 24a includes a front wall 32a that defines front of the body 24a and a back wall 34a that defines a back of the body 24a. The orthogonal distance between the front wall 32a and the back wall 34a defines a depth of the body 24a. The plurality of walls 26a, 28a, 30a, 32a, 34a, 36a defines an internal cavity 64a and an opening 40a into the internal cavity 64a from an exterior of the body 24a. The exemplary safe assembly 60a can be part of an automated transaction machine (ATM), as shown by a portion of an ATM fascia referenced at 150a in Figure 19.

[0050] The safe assembly 22a also includes a door 38a pivotally mounted on the body 24a. The exemplary door 38a is pivotal between an open position shown in Figure 8 and a closed position shown in Figure 9. The exemplary door 38a extends a height between a top 68a and a bottom 70a. The exemplary door 38a also extends a width between a right lateral side 72a and a left lateral side 74a. The exemplary door 38a also extends a depth between a front 76a and a back 78a. The exemplary door 38a pivotally moveable relative to the body 24a about a pivot axis 80a between a closed position wherein the exemplary door 38a is received in the opening 40a and an open position angularly spaced from the closed position about the pivot axis 80a.

[0051] The exemplary opening 40a extends along an inwardly-facing opening perimeter referenced at 82a. The exemplary, inwardly-facing opening perimeter is referenced by dashed lines in Figures 10 - 13. A length of the exemplary, inwardly-facing opening perimeter 82a is made up ofsegments 84a - 98a referenced at in Figures 10 - 13. Each of the exemplary segments 84a - 98a is straight and the exemplary segments 84a - 98a are coplanar with one another.

[0052] The exemplary door 38a extends along an outwardly-facing door perimeter referenced at 100a. The exemplary, outwardly-facing door perimeter is referenced by dashed lines in Figures 14 - 17. A length of the exemplary, outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a is made up of segments referenced at 102a - 116a in Figures 14 - 17. Each of the exemplary segments 102a - 116a is straight and the exemplary segments 102a - 116a are coplanar with one another.

[0053] As is clear from Figures 10 - 17, a majority of the length of the exemplary inwardly- facing opening perimeter 82a and a majority of a length of the exemplary outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a extend flush with respect to one another when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position. By way of example and not limitation, when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position, the segment 88a of the exemplary inwardly-facing opening perimeter 82a and the segment 106a of the exemplary outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a directly abut one another along their lengths so as to fit snugly and eliminate and / or minimize any gap therebetween and are thus flush with respect to one another as the term “flush” is defined in dictionaries. Similarly, when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position, the exemplary segments 90a and 108a are flush with respect to one another, the exemplary segments 92a and 110a are flush with respect to one another, and the exemplary segments 94a and 112a are flush with respect to one another.

[0054] As also made clear by Figures 10 - 17, at least a first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter 82a and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a confront one another. By way of example and not limitation, when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position, the segment 84a of the exemplary inwardly-facing opening perimeter 82a and the segment 102a of the exemplary outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a are not flush with respect to one another since so the gap between them is not eliminated or minimized. The exemplary segments 84a, 102a confront one another across the gap defined therebetween. The exemplary segments 84a, 102a thus thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot 44a into the internal cavity 64a of the body 24a when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position. The two structures in the form of the segments 84a and 102a cooperate and thus jointly define the slot 44a along with the segments 98a and 86a. Each of these structures defines part of the boundary of the slot 44a.

[0055] As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 18 - 21, the exemplary safe assembly 22a also includes a currency dispensing and storing assembly 118a. The exemplary currency dispensing and storing assembly 118a includes at least one currency cassette configured to store notes of currency. Theexemplary embodiment includes three cassettes referenced at 120a, 122a, 124a in Figures 19 and 20. The exemplary cassettes 120a, 122a, 124a are positioned in the internal cavity 64a of the body 24a.

[0056] The exemplary currency dispensing and storing assembly 118a also includes a dispenser 126a. The exemplary dispenser 126a is engaged with the currency cassettes 120a, 122a, 124a and is configured to at least draw the notes of currency from the at least one currency cassette. The exemplary dispenser 126a and / or a dispenser in one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure could be configured to draw notes of currency from the at least one cassette and also configured to direct currency notes into the at least one cassette, such as when a user is depositing currency that can be dispensed to a subsequent user. As made clear by Figure 19, the exemplary dispenser 126a includes shafts, gears, belts, a motor, and / or other mechanical / electromechanical components to effectuate the movement of currency notes.

[0057] The exemplary dispenser 126a includes a first port referenced at 128a in Figure 19, through which the notes of currency are received from at least one of the currency cassettes 120a, 122a, 124a. The exemplary dispenser 126a also includes a second port referenced at 130a in Figure 19, opposite the first port 128a and spaced further from the currency cassettes 120a, 122a, 124a than the first port 128a. It is through the second port 130a that the notes of currency received from one or more of the currency cassettes 120a, 122a, 124a are dispensed to a user. The exemplary second port is outside of the internal cavity 64a and outside of the slot 44a when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position, as shown by Figures 19 and 20. Thus, at least a portion of the exemplary dispenser 126a extends through the slot 44a when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position and that exemplary portion of the exemplary dispenser 126a is cantilevered out of the slot 44a when the exemplary door 38a is in the closed position.

[0058] The exemplary door 38a pivots along an arcuate path of movement between the open position and the closed position. The arcuate path is referenced at 132a in Figure 21. As made clear by the Figures, the exemplary door 38a is underneath the at least a portion of the dispenser 126a over at least a part of the arcuate path 132a that is between and spaced from both of the closed position and the open position. In the exemplary embodiment, the exemplary door 38a is underneath the portion of the dispenser 126a over about half of the arcuate path 132a.

[0059] The exemplary segment 84a of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter 82a extends adjacent to the top wall 26a of the body 24a and thus not adjacent to the lateral side walls 28a, 30a or the bottom wall 36a. The exemplary segment 84a extends between the lateral side walls 28a, 30a. The exemplary segment 102a of the outwardly-facing door perimeter 100a extends adjacent to the top 68a of the exemplary door 38a and thus not adjacent to the sides 72a, 74a or the bottom 70a. Theexemplary segment 102a extends between the sides 72a, 74a. The portion of the exemplary dispenser 126a extending through the slot 44a is spaced from the segments 84a and 102a, as well as the segments 86a and 98a.

[0060] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot 44a could be formed between a side edge of the exemplary door 38a and a side edge of the opening 40a, such as the where the segments 94a and 112a are shown to extend. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot 44a could formed between a bottom of the exemplary door 38a and an upwardly- facing edge of the opening 40a.

[0061] The exemplary door 38a and exemplary body 24a are interconnected with two hinge pin assemblies. Each of the two interconnections is structurally the same. One will be described in detail and the description is applicable to the other.

[0062] Referring now to Figures 10 and 14, the exemplary body 24a includes an aperture 134a and the exemplary door 38a includes an aperture 136a. The exemplary apertures 134a, 136a define a hinge assembly in combination with an exemplary hinge pin assembly 60a. The exemplary hinge pin assembly 60a is best shown in Figure 22 and includes a first shaft 138a, a second shaft 140a, and a spring 142a (shown in phantom). The exemplary first shaft 138a and the exemplary second shaft 140a are telescopically engaged with one another. The exemplary first shaft 138a receives a first end of the exemplary second shaft 140a. The exemplary first shaft 138a includes a bulbous end 146a and the exemplary second shaft 140a includes a flat end 148a. The exemplary spring 142a is positioned in the exemplary first shaft 138a and biases the exemplary first shaft 138a and the exemplary second shaft 140a apart from one another. The hinge pin assembly 60a is positioned in both of the apertures 134a, 136a and thereby interconnects the body 24a and the exemplary door 38a. A central longitudinal axis 144a of the hinge pin assembly 60a defines the pivot axis 80a and is transverse to a central longitudinal 152a axis of the slot 44a.

[0063] Government regulations are promulgated, such as under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to enhance the ease of use of various machines, including ATMs. The present disclosure provides new and innovative ways to achieve various requirements through the safe design. The safe disclosed herein changes the way a dispenser transport comes out of a front of a safe. In the art, an aperture was placed in the safe door for the dispenser of an ATM. This arrangement limits how far the dispenser can extend out of the front of the safe because the dispenser will interfere with opening of the door. The present disclosure provides extending the dispenser out of the front of the safe and, as a result, all of the fascia components can be squeezed together as tight as possible and this allows the ATM to meet reach standards required by the ADA. In the safe assembly disclosedherein, the dispenser opening is defined in the safe body and the safe door is flat and continuous (without aperture). This yields several advantages over the prior art. First, this arrangement allows for a very narrow safe width by eliminating the problem of having a longer dispenser transport sticking out of the opening on the front load safe and not being able to open the safe door because the dispenser opening width has to remain very small (tight) around the dispenser transport in order to meet government requirements, such as safe attack requirements promulgated by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) (especially CEN III ExGas). Second, having a longer dispenser transport will allow the safe door to be opened without increasing the safe door opening width, which is not allowed by CEN Certification standards. Third, this also allows the dispenser’s position / location adjustments to be made when the safe door is open and eliminates blind type adjustments.

[0064] In addition, further new features are provided in the safe’s body in the form of removable hinge parts. These removable hinge parts make it easier to repair the door of the safe if it is damaged due to burglary or vandalism. The configuration of safe doors in the art makes it very difficult, time consuming, and expensive to remove the safe door for any kind of service requirements such as safe lockout or vandalism repairs. Adding the new removable hinge parts accomplishes this without affecting the safe’s security rating as all the features are only accessible from inside the safe. The new removable hinge parts also allow a service technician to provide service without having to remove any parts or jack-up the safe in order to gain access to safe door hinge pins to remove the safe door, which is a highly desirable service feature.

[0065] What has been described above includes examples of the subject innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the disclosed subject matter, but many further combinations and permutations of the subject innovation are possible. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to be illustrative and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any innovation disclosed herein unless otherwise claimed. The word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. Further, any statements set forth within the Detailed Description of this document and addressing a prior art device(s) are the observations of the inventors and such statements themselves are not prior art or admissions as to what is prior art.

[0066] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless indicated otherwise by context, the term “or” is to be understood as an inclusive “or.” Terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. when used to describe multiple devices or elements, are so used only to convey the relative actions, positioning and / or functions of the separate devices, and do not necessitate either a specific order for such devices or elements, or any specific quantity or ranking of such devices or elements. Use of the terms “about” or “approximately” are intended to cover values that are above and / or below a stated value or range, or within manufacturing tolerances, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art in the respective context. In some instances, this may encompass values in a range of approx. + / -10%; in other instances there may be encompassed values in a range of approx. + / -5%; in yet other instances values in a range of approx. + / -2% may be encompassed; and in yet further instances, this may encompass values in a range of approx. + / -1%.

[0067] It will be understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof, unless indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Recitations of a value range herein, unless indicated otherwise, serves as a shorthand for referring individually to each separate value falling within the stated range, including the endpoints of the range, each separate value within the range, and all intermediate ranges subsumed by the overall range, with each incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. Unless indicated otherwise, or clearly contradicted by context, methods described herein can be performed with the individual steps executed in any suitable order, including: the precise order disclosed, without any intermediate steps or with one or more further steps interposed between the disclosed steps; with the disclosed steps performed in an order other than the exact order disclosed; with one or more steps performed simultaneously; and with one or more disclosed steps omitted, unless expressly contradicted by the text herein or context.

[0068] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to a particular embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill be viewed as covering any embodiment falling within the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques.

[0069] Also, the right to claim for patent coverage a particular sub-feature, a sub-component, or a sub-element of any disclosed embodiment, singularly or in one or more sub-combinations with any other sub-feature(s), sub-component(s), or sub-element(s), is hereby unconditionally reserved by the Applicant. Also, particular sub-feature(s), sub-component(s), and sub-element(s) of one embodiment that is disclosed herein can replace particular sub-features, sub -components, and subelements of another embodiment disclosed herein or can supplement and be added to another embodiment unless expressly indicated otherwise by the drawings or this specification. The inventor(s) also assert that any of the claims set forth after this detailed description can be combined with any other claim or claims regardless of whether or not there is a direct line of dependency, unless there is an express indication in this text or the drawings unambiguously indicating that such a combination is not possible. The order of the claims and the lines of dependency are irrelevant to the various ways that the features, elements, sub-elements, components, sub-components, etc. of the present disclosure can be combined and thus claimed. Further, the doctrine of claim differentiation is to be applied in construing the appended claims. Further, the use of the word “can” in this document is not an assertion that the subject preceding the word “can” is unimportant or unnecessary or “not critical” relative to anything else in this document. The word “can” is used herein in a positive and affirming sense and no other motive should be presumed. More than one patentable “invention” may be disclosed in the present disclosure and it is noted that an “invention” is defined by the content of a patent claim and not by the content of descriptive text or drawings.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A safe assembly comprising: a body defining an internal cavity and an opening into said internal cavity from an exterior of said body, said body extends a height between a first top and a first bottom and extends a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and extends a depth between a first front and a first back; a door pivotally mounted to said body, said door extends a height between a second top and a second bottom and extends a width between a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side and extends a depth between a second front and a second back, said door pivotally moveable relative to said body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein said door is received in said opening and an open position angularly spaced from said closed position about said pivot axis; and wherein said opening extends along an inwardly-facing opening perimeter and said door extends along an outwardly-facing door perimeter, wherein a majority of a length of said inwardly- facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of said outwardly-facing door perimeter extend flush with respect to one another when said door is in said closed position, wherein at least a first portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of said outwardly -facing door perimeter confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when said door is in said closed position, and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into said internal cavity of said body when said door is in said closed position.

2. The safe assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a currency dispensing and storing assembly including: at least one currency cassette configured to store notes of currency and positioned in said internal cavity of said body; and a dispenser engaged with said at least one currency cassette and configured to at least draw the notes of currency from said at least one currency cassette, wherein at least a portion of said dispenser extends through said slot when said door is in said closed position.

3. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein said at least a portion of said dispenser is cantilevered out of said slot when said door is in said closed position.

4. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein said dispenser further comprises: a first port through which the notes of currency are received from said at least one currency cassette; and a second port, opposite said first port and spaced further from said at least one currency cassette than said first port, through which the notes of currency received from said at least one currency cassette are dispensed to a user, wherein said second port is outside of said internal cavity and outside of said slot when said door is in said closed position.

5. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein said door pivots along an arcuate path of movement between the open position and the closed position and wherein said door is underneath said at least a portion of said dispenser over at least a part of said arcuate path that is between and spaced from both of said closed position and said open position.

6. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein: said at least the first portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter extends adjacent to said first top of said body and between said first lateral side and said second lateral side; and said at least a first portion of said outwardly-facing door perimeter extends adjacent to said second top of said door and between said third lateral side and said fourth lateral side; and said dispenser is spaced from said at least the first portion of said inwardly -facing opening perimeter and from said at least a first portion of said outwardly-facing door perimeter.

7. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein said body further comprises a first aperture and a second aperture positioned along a second portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter, said at least the first portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter spaced from said second portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter and said safe assembly further comprises: a hinge assembly including: a hinge body having at least a third aperture, a fourth aperture, and a fifth aperture;a hinge pin received in said third aperture and also in a sixth aperture defined in said door; a guide pin received in said fourth aperture, said guide pin circumferentially compressed within said second aperture and thereby fixed with said hinge body, and at least part of said guide pin projecting out of said fourth aperture and received in said first aperture defined in said body; and a fastener receivable within said fifth aperture and threadingly engageable with said second aperture defined in said body, wherein engagement between said fastener and said second aperture releasably interconnects said hinge body and said body of said safe.

8. The safe assembly of claim 2 wherein: said door further comprises a first aperture; said body further comprises a second aperture; and said safe assembly further comprises a hinge pin assembly including a first shaft, a second shaft, and a spring, wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are telescopically engaged with one another, wherein said spring is positioned in at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft and biases said first shaft and said second shaft apart from one another, wherein said hinge pin assembly is positioned in both of said first aperture and said second aperture and thereby interconnects said body and said door, and wherein a central axis of said hinge pin assembly defines said pivot axis.

9. The safe assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft includes a bulbous end.

10. The safe assembly of claim 1 wherein: said at least the first portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter extends adjacent to said first top of said body and between said first lateral side and said second lateral side; and said at least a first portion of said outwardly-facing door perimeter extends adjacent to said second top of said door and between said third lateral side and said fourth lateral side, whereby said slot extends above and along said second top of said door.

11. The safe assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a hinge assembly including: a hinge body having a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture; a hinge pin received in said first aperture and also in a fourth aperture defined in said door; a guide pin received in said second aperture, said guide pin fixed said second aperture with said hinge body, at least part of said guide pin projecting out of said second aperture and slidably received in a fifth aperture defined in said body; and a fastener receivable within said third aperture and threadingly engageable with a sixth aperture defined in said body.

12. The safe assembly of claim 1 wherein: said door further comprises a first aperture; said body further comprises a second aperture; and said safe assembly further comprises a hinge pin assembly including a first shaft, a second shaft, a spring, wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are telescopically engaged with one another, and wherein said spring is positioned in at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft and biases said first shaft and said second shaft apart from one another, said hinge pin assembly positioned in both of said first aperture and said second aperture and interconnecting said body and said door, wherein a central axis of said hinge pin assembly is transverse to a central axis of said slot.

13. The safe assembly of claim 12 wherein at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft includes a bulbous end and at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft includes a flat end.

14. A method of forming a safe assembly comprising: forming a body defining an internal cavity and an opening into said internal cavity from an exterior of said body wherein the body extends a height between a first top and a first bottom and extends a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and extends a depth between a first front and a first back and to include an inwardly-facing opening perimeter; forming a door to extend a height between a second top and a second bottom and to extend a width between a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side and to extend a depth between a second front and a second back and to include an outwardly-facing door perimeter; pivotally mounting the door to the body wherein the door is pivotally moveable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein the door is received in said opening and an open position that is angularly spaced from the closed position about the pivot axis; and wherein at least one of said forming the body and said forming the door is further defined as forming one of the opening and the door such that a majority of a length of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of the outwardly-facing door perimeter extend flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position, wherein at least a first portion of the inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of the outwardly-facing door perimeter confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when the door is in the closed position, and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into the internal cavity of the body when the door is in the closed position.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: positioning the at least one currency cassette of a currency dispensing and storing assembly in the internal cavity of the body; interconnecting the at least one currency cassette and a dispenser of the currency dispensing and storing assembly; and positioning the dispenser to extend through the slot and beyond the door when the door is in the closed position.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said pivotally mounting further comprises: interconnecting the body and the door with a hinge assembly that includes a hinge body and at least one guide pin fixed in an aperture the hinge body.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said pivotally mounting further comprises: interconnecting the body and the door with a hinge pin that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a spring between the first and second shafts whereby the first and second shafts are biased apart from one another, and wherein at least one of the first and second shafts has a bulbous end and at least one of the first and second shafts includes a flat end.

18. An automated transaction machine (ATM) comprising: a fascia; and a safe assembly positioned behind said fascia and having: a body defining an internal cavity and an opening into said internal cavity from an exterior of said body, said body extends a height between a first top and a first bottom and extends a width between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and extends a depth between a first front and a first back; a door pivotally mounted to said body, said door extends a height between a second top and a second bottom and extends a width between a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side and extends a depth between a second front and a second back, said door pivotally moveable relative to said body about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein said door is received in said opening and an open position angularly spaced from said closed position about said pivot axis; and wherein said opening extends along an inwardly-facing opening perimeter and said door extends along an outwardly-facing door perimeter, wherein a majority of a length of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter and a majority of a length of said outwardly- facing door perimeter extend flush with respect to one another when said door is in said closed position, wherein at least a first portion of said inwardly-facing opening perimeter and at least a first portion of said outwardly-facing door perimeter confront one another and extend non-flush with respect to one another when said door is in said closed position, and thereby cooperate with one another to define a slot into said internal cavity of said body when said door is in said closed position.

19. The ATM of claim 18 further comprising: a currency dispensing and storing assembly including: at least one currency cassette configured to store notes of currency and positioned in said internal cavity of said body; and a dispenser engaged with said at least one currency cassette and configured to at least draw the notes of currency from said at least one currency cassette, wherein at least a portion of said dispenser extends through said slot when said door is in said closed position.

20. The ATM of claim 18 wherein: said door further comprises a first aperture; said body further comprises a second aperture; and said safe assembly further comprises a hinge pin assembly including a first shaft, a second shaft, a spring, wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are telescopically engaged with one another, and wherein said spring is positioned in at least one of said first shaft and said second shaft and biases said first shaft and said second shaft apart from one another, said hinge pin assembly positioned in both of said first aperture and said second aperture and interconnecting said body and said door, wherein a central axis of said hinge pin assembly is transverse to a central axis of said slot.

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