Apparatus for transporting media items within an ATM

Abstract

To provide a device for determining a transfer path of a medium item in an SST (self-service terminal) including an ATM (automated teller machine).SOLUTION: A method and a device for determining at least a part of a medium item path is disclosed. The device includes a transfer module including a rotatable shaft spaced apart in a substantially parallel relation. A removable module is positioned relative to the transfer module to selectively position a spaced-apart row of a projection guide element relative to an arm element. At least one arm element includes an abutment member that moves together with the arm element and abuts on an abutment area of at least one guide element when each shaft element rotates. A part of the medium item path is determined at least in part via an opposite guide surface of the guide element and the arm element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of media item transfer through a self-service terminal (SST), and in particular to helping to avoid problems caused by misalignment between modules in different zones within an automated teller machine (hereinafter referred to as "ATM") when removable modules are moved in and out of the ATM frame during maintenance / replenishment. [Background technology]

[0002] Different types of self-service terminals (SSTs) are known. An example of an SST is an automated teller machine (ATM). Other types of SSTs include point-of-sale terminals, such as checkout terminals, often used in retail environments. Traditionally, ATMs are used as a means of payment processing, where many different types of media items may be deposited into or withdrawn from the machine. They are used within the banking sector to provide a wide range of services to customers. For example, a customer may wish to withdraw paper money to be dispensed from a safe within the ATM. Instead of paper money, the media item may be a cheque being deposited, or other token, etc. The physical transport of media items through the ATM to facilitate such functions is provided by a so-called media handling system.

[0003] The media handling system is the physical system of belts and other mechanical devices used to physically transport media items to and from various locations within the ATM, depending on what is needed.

[0004] An ATM and its own media handling system can be conceptually broken down into several major subsystems. For example, the lower zone of the ATM contains a storage area for media items and includes a vault housing formed from strong vault walls. The storage area contains a number of bill and check storage boxes that are housed within the vault housing. The vault housing includes a vault door that allows an operator to access the vault for refilling or removal purposes.

[0005] The safe housing around the lower zone of the ATM includes one or more openings through which media items may be deposited in or withdrawn from the lower zone. These openings are often located in the top surface of the safe housing and may be formed as slits. Each zone within the ATM has a respective media handling subsystem that moves items of media to and from designated locations.

[0006] The upper zone of the ATM provides many of the remaining functions of the ATM, such as cash recognition, stacking of media items, and entry / exit orifices for the purposes of dispensing and / or receiving media from customers. The transfer zone is the interface area between the upper and lower zones.

[0007] The transport zone conventionally includes a mechanism at each opening providing access through the safe housing. This is a fixed-position mechanism that provides an interface for bidirectional or unidirectional media item transfer between the lower and upper zones of the ATM. Both the upper and lower zones of the ATM include removable modules mounted on cradles and racks that may be moved in and out of the ATM by a human operator for maintenance or inspection, or for refilling or removing notes. The media item transport mechanism associated with the transport zone remains fixed in a position that is at least partially fixed to the rigid safe housing or frame of the ATM.

[0008] Common items for ATM transport media handling systems include bank notes, checks, and other thin, flexible, paper-like items. These media items are generally rectangular in shape with two spaced long ends and two short ends. Each media item requires physical support along its length during transport or is prone to deformation with unintended consequences, such as deviation from the intended path.

[0009] Traditionally, when a media item having paper-like properties moves through a transport zone of an ATM, the leading long edge of the material may travel down an alternative, undesirable path that results in a blockage as the media item passes in and out of the safe housing. This can occur when finger-like guides in the transport mechanism do not precisely align with cooperating fingers in the upper or lower removable modules associated with the upper or lower zones.

[0010] This can result in an event known as a jam, which can cause the ATM to go out of service, leading to customer dissatisfaction and excessive costs for those responsible for keeping the ATM functioning.

[0011] Depth misalignment may occur particularly when an ATM operator installs a removable module, such as a lower module containing a currency cassette, into the lower zone of the ATM by sliding the lower module on a rack system within the ATM. Similar misalignment problems may occur when an upper module containing several other component parts of the ATM is slid out of the upper zone of the ATM and then slid out again.

[0012] This may be due to the removable module sliding slightly or far enough back on the rack mount of the associated cradle. For example, this may be due to manufacturing tolerances in the racking and deactivation parts. This may cause alignment issues at the transfer zone and upper zone and / or transfer zone and lower zone interface. This interface is sometimes referred to as the comb interface.

[0013] Media such as paper are highly sensitive to alignment issues when transported between different zones of the ATM due to the order of magnitude difference between the width of the media transport path compared to the size of the individual modules in the lower or upper zones of the ATM. Summary of the Invention

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems.

[0015] It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for determining at least a portion of a media item path in an SST.

[0016] It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus for assisting in determining a portion of an overall media item path in an SST such as an ATM, whereby the path portion is determined in a manner that helps avoid the risk of a media item such as a bank note or cheque being intercepted between modules that comprise part of a media handling system within the ATM.

[0017] It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method for determining at least a portion of an entire media item path, where removable modules used to determine other portions of the media item path are selectively stored within and racked out of the ATM, and performance in the transfer zone between the movable modules is then controlled such that the risk of media item obstruction items is fully or partially eliminated.

[0018] It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an intermediate transport module of a type that can be secured at the interface zone between a safe module cradle and an upper module cradle in an ATM and that reduces or eliminates the risk of jamming media items as they pass through the intermediate transport module.

[0019] It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to help align the cooperating guide protrusions of the guide arms and opposing modules in the SST, where alignment is achieved in a manner that is independent of manufacturing and rack tolerances when parts of the ATM, such as the lower module including the lower media handling subsystem, and the ATM's currency cassettes and intermediate transport module, are positioned relative to one another.

[0020] It is an objective of certain embodiments of the present invention to address the problem of media path deviations at the comb interfaces between the lower and transport zones, and between the upper and transport zones in an ATM. The result of media path deviations is often a blockage, thus preventing further media movement until the blockage is addressed.

[0021] An objective of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method for consistently aligning command elements in a transport zone with command elements in a lower zone, or aligning command elements in a transport zone with command elements in an upper zone, by using reference points on the path designating elements themselves.

[0022] An objective of certain embodiments of the present invention is to address the problem of media items occasionally deviating from their intended / desired path between the lower zone and the transport zone, or the upper zone and the transport zone, of an SST such as an ATM, due to misalignment between the lower zone and the transport zone, or the upper zone and the transport zone modules.

[0023] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for determining at least a portion of a media item path, the apparatus comprising: Substantially parallel spaced apart relationship At Transferable Multiple a transfer module comprising a shaft element;

[0024] A removable module , S Spaced apart on shaft element situation The projection of the removable module relative to the arm element carried by the did a removable module positionable relative to the transfer module to selectively position the two spaced apart rows of guide elements;

[0025] Multiple arm elements At least one arm element moves with the arm element and each shaft element rotates to move the arm element. Distal The at least one guide element has an abutment member that abuts against an abutment region of the at least one guide element when the at least one guide element is moved from the at least one guide element to the operating position. , Ga via the opposing guide surfaces of the guide element and the arm element ,Part of the media item path is It is decided.

[0026] Preferably, Distal In the position, the transfer module and the removable module are top and bottomThe removable module is positionable in a direction such that in an operating position, when the transfer module and the removable module are in their respective fixed locations relative to one another, a tip region of the guide surface of each arm element is spaced at least a predetermined threshold distance from a guide surface provided by at least one adjacent guide element of the removable module.

[0027] Preferably, the tip region of each arm element extends a distance of at least 5mm along the end of the respective arm element away from the most distal end of the arm element, the entire tip region being at a predetermined threshold distance of at least 1.5mm setback from the guide surface of the adjacent guide element when viewed at end.

[0028] Preferably, Multiple Shaft Elements The first plurality of arm elements carried by the first shaft element are independently positionable relative to the further plurality of arm elements carried by the further shaft element by independently rotating the respective plurality of rotatable shaft elements.

[0029] Preferably, the device comprises ,So The inclination of each shaft element End It is located in tsu Shaft element Each of of Prescribed It further comprises a biasing element arranged to bias in the rotational direction.

[0030] Preferably, each biasing element comprises a torsion spring fixed at one spring end to a region of the transfer module and at the remaining spring end to a respective shaft element, wherein each torsion spring biases a respective shaft element in a rotational direction, thereby biasing an arm element extending along that shaft element into an operative position.

[0031] Preferably, each abutment member comprises a rod element, the rod element being end Extends away from the enda cylindrical outer surface area connected to at least one arm element at a portion of the arm element, the arm element being spaced apart from the remaining arm elements; end Distal to the guide surface provided by the area of ​​the position Placed in ,above Note end The arm element is Distal Follow the movement as it moves from position to operating position end Includes parts.

[0032] Preferably, at least one arm element of each of the plurality of arm elements is adapted to each stop rotational movement of the arm element carried by a respective shaft element at a respective desired rotational position, thereby setting the arm element in a respective operating position. Department It is equipped with materials.

[0033] Preferably, the desired rotational position of each of the first shaft elements about its respective longitudinal axis is independent from the desired rotational position of each of the further shaft elements about its respective longitudinal axis.

[0034] Preferably, the apparatus comprises: Multiple Further comprising a pinion element. , Pi The Nion elements are Multiple The rack elements each have a respective pinion tooth arranged to engage with the rack teeth of a respective one of the rack elements and rotate as the rack elements move, the first pinion element moves with the first shaft element and is disposed on a pinion end region of the first shaft element, and the further pinion element moves with the further shaft element and is disposed on a pinion end region of the further shaft element, the pinion teeth of the first pinion element not meshing with the pinion teeth of the further pinion element.

[0035] Preferably, the transfer module comprises a pusher plate member and the removable module comprises a drive element arranged to engage a pusher plate pushing surface of the pusher plate member when the removable module moves towards and adjacent to the transfer module.

[0036] Preferably, the pusher plate member comprises an upper rack contact arm extending towards the body of the first rack element and a lower rack contact arm extending towards the body of the further rack element.

[0037] Preferably, the body of the first rack element has respective rack teeth which, in use, extend downwards and the body of the further rack element has respective rack teeth which, in use, extend upwards.

[0038] Suitably, the apparatus further comprises a pusher plate biasing element which biases the pusher plate member in a direction towards the drive element, optionally the pusher plate biasing element being an extension spring or a compression spring.

[0039] Preferably, each arm element comprises an elongate body either integrally formed with a single respective shaft element or secured to a respective shaft element at a root region of the arm element.

[0040] Preferably, each elongate body has a first end and a remaining end, the first end extending between a distal-most end of the arm element and a root region proximate the respective shaft element, and the remaining end being curved or angled as the remaining end extends from the distal-most end to the root region, whereby the body has a cross-sectional thickness more proximate the root region than at the distal-most end.

[0041] Preferably, the transport module comprises a rigid cuboid-shaped housing having spaced side walls and spaced end walls, an open bottom and an open top, and a first item guide body and a further item guide body arranged in spaced relationship and extending at least partially between the open bottom and the open top.

[0042] Preferably, the transfer module comprises an intermediate module fixed over a media access opening in an upper region of a safe housing of an automated teller machine (ATM), and the removable module comprises a lower module that is selectively slidable into the ATM safe housing by a security operator, where slits in the removable module are located between rows of protruding guide elements to allow the media item to pass into the ATM safe housing, or the removable module comprises an upper module that is selectively slidable within the ATM.

[0043] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining at least a portion of a media item path, the method comprising:

[0044] In substantially spaced parallel relation to the removable module At Transferable Multiple Positioning a transfer module having a shaft element, thereby , S Spaced apart on shaft element situation positioning two spaced apart rows of protruding guide elements of the removable module relative to an arm element carried by the removable module;

[0045] When the transfer module and the removable module are positioned relative to each other , S The shaft elements are rotated, thereby rotating the arm elements carried on the respective shaft elements. Distal a step of moving the movable member from a fixed position to an operating position;

[0046] and stopping further rotation of the shaft element carrying the at least one arm element when an abutment member moved together with the at least one arm element abuts an abutment area of ​​the at least one guide element, thereby setting the arm element in an operating position, thereby at least partially determining a media item path via the opposing guide surfaces of the guide element and the guide surface of the arm element.

[0047] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: the arm elements connecting both shaft elements to each other; Distal With the removable module held in position, the removable module with the lower module is urged into a safe housing of the ATM with a media item opening, thereby sliding the removable module against the transport module. top and bottom The method further includes positioning the removable module in a direction.

[0048] Preferably, the method further comprises positioning a tip region of a guide surface of each arm element at least a predetermined threshold distance from a guide surface provided by at least one adjacent guide element of the removable module when each arm element is adapted to its respective operating position.

[0049] Preferably, the tip region of each arm element extends a distance of at least 5mm along the end of the respective arm element away from the most distal end of the arm element, and rotating each arm to the operative position includes positioning the entire tip region of each arm element at a predetermined threshold distance of at least 1.5mm setback from the guide surface of an adjacent guide element in a direction away from the slot between the two spaced apart rows.

[0050] Preferably, the method further comprises independently positioning the arm element carried on the first shaft element relative to an arm element carried on the further shaft element by independently rotating each shaft element.

[0051] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: when the removable module moves towards and adjacent to the transfer module; , S The method further includes automatically rotating the shaft element to move the arm elements to their respective operating positions.

[0052] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: when the removable module is moved from the adjacent position away from the transfer module; , S Automatically rotate the shaft elements and move the arm elements to their respective Distal The method further includes moving the device to a position.

[0053] Preferably, the method further includes engaging a drive element of the removable module with the pusher plate member when the removable module moves toward the transfer module, and pulling at least one rack element when the pusher plate member is urged by the drive element, thereby rotating a pinion element mounted on a respective shaft element and having pinion teeth meshing with rack teeth of the rack element.

[0054] Preferably, the pusher plate member selectively pulls two rack elements, each associated with a respective pinion element at an end region of each shaft element and moving therewith, thereby independently rotating each shaft element to a desired rotational position as the removable module moves relative to the transfer module.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an automated teller machine (ATM) comprising:

[0056] a safe housing having a safe chamber for receiving at least one currency cassette and having at least one media access opening in a top surface;

[0057] at least one transfer module provided as an intermediate module fixed adjacent to each media access opening;

[0058] at least one removable module including a lower module slidable into the safe housing to support at least one currency cassette or an upper module slidable relative to the safe housing;

[0059] The media item path determined for a media item passing through the opening is determined by the guide surfaces of the guide elements of the removable module and the guide surfaces of the arm elements of the transport module, which are positioned in the same location relative to each other in response to their mutual positions when the removable module is positioned relative to the first transport module.

[0060] Preferably, when the lower module is stored within the safe housing, a reference point associated with the guide element of the lower module, and which is not a fixed point associated with the transfer module, is used to determine the rotational orientation of the operating position of the arm element of the middle module, and the guide surface of the arm element is set back from the guide surface of the guide element in a direction away from the media item path by at least a predetermined distance to prevent interference with the front ends of the media items passing through the media access opening.

[0061] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for determining at least a portion of a media item path, where opposing guide surfaces of elements used to help guide the media item along the path are precisely aligned with respect to one another to help completely avoid or reduce the risk of obstruction.

[0062] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an automated teller machine (ATM) including a safe and removable lower and / or upper modules, each including a respective media handling transport module, having one or more intermediate transport modules positioned around respective openings in a safe housing of the ATM.

[0063] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a reference point for the guide arms of the intermediate transfer module that is relative to the relative positions of their guide arm elements and cooperating guide protrusions that move with the moveable module, rather than some arbitrary fixed point within the ATM, which helps to ensure that the positions of the guide protrusions and arm elements, each of which includes a guide surface, are identical, thereby achieving better alignment and reducing problems associated with transfer manufacturing tolerances.

[0064] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a transport module, which may be an intermediate module of the ATM, and a further removable module, which may be a lower or upper module of the ATM, where the component parts of the transport module and the removable module cooperate relative to each other's positions rather than to fixed points associated with the ATM's safe frame or external frame, so that the guide surfaces presented to the media items to be transported are arranged in a cooperative manner, thereby helping to determine the path of the media items entering and leaving the transport module.

[0065] Certain embodiments of the present invention address the problem of media items deviating from a desired / intended path and therefore obstructing the ATM. This is achieved by determining at least a portion of the media item path between a fixed transport module and a moveable module in a manner that sets guide surfaces at respective locations that do not risk the edges of the media items wetting themselves between the guide surfaces provided by adjacent guide arms / protrusions.

[0066] Certain embodiments of the present invention overcome the problem that as an operator stores modules in and out of an SST, misalignment between the modules in the lower zone and the transport zone or between the transport zone and the transport zone sometimes causes media items to deviate from their intended path between the lower zone and the transport zone, or between the upper zone and the transport zone, of the SST.

[0067] Embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0068] In the drawings, like reference numbers refer to like parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1] 1 shows a self-service terminal (SST), shown as an automated teller machine (ATM), and a diagram of the paths used to transport media items to different areas of the SST. [Diagram 2] 1 shows the upper module "racked out" for operator access. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an isometric view of the transfer zone between the transfer module and the removable lower module. [Figure 4] 1 shows a bottom isometric view of the area between the transfer module and the lower module. [Diagram 5] 1 shows an isometric view further detailing several separate shafts, their arms, and cooperating driver and pusher plates. [Figure 6] 1 shows an abutment member and a torsion spring biasing the shafts apart. [Figure 7] 13 shows a side view of a portion of a transfer module and a removable module, identifying the contact points between the arms on the shafts and the protruding guide elements with the modules at one extreme of alignment. [Figure 8] Showing alternative alignment extremes. [Figure 9] It is helpful to show the shaft spaced apart from the top view. [Figure 10] 1 shows a pusher plate. [Figure 11] The lower rack on the shaft and associated pinion are shown. [Figure 12] The upper rack on the shaft and associated pinion are shown. [Figure 13]1 illustrates steps during a rack-out process associated with a removable module. [Figure 14] The figure shows the rack process with the removable module located at the rear within the SST. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0070] Figure 1 is illustrative of a self-service terminal (SST) 100. The SST shown is an automated teller machine (ATM).

[0071] The ATM 100 includes a frame 105 that defines the outer tip of the ATM. The frame and components within the ATM serve to define a lower region or zone 110 and an upper region or zone 115 of the ATM. The lower region 110 includes a safe 117 formed by rigid metal walls 119, which define a central chamber of the safe, and a lower, removable module 120 that may be used to house separate currency cassettes or the like, which are selectively positionable within the chamber and thus the safe.

[0072] A lower removable module 120 is arranged to slide on a telescopic mount 122, i.e., with mounting portions on opposing faces of the safe. A portion of the mount 122 is fixed to a lower cradle 124 near the inner surface of the safe wall, and a further portion of the mount is carried on the lower slidable module.

[0073] By opening the vault door 126 at the front of the ATM (shown on the left side of FIG. 1), an operator can selectively access the central chamber and selectively remove the lower module 120 by pulling the module out of the safe housing through the door using the extendable mount 122. It will be appreciated that alternatively, the vault door may open at the front or side of the ATM. The cradle is secured to the vault and helps facilitate smooth running of the lower module in and out of the vault during the "racking" process.

[0074] The top surface of the safe housing includes a first opening 128. Each opening in the safe housing is a through opening that allows media items, such as bank notes or checks, to be inserted into or removed from a lower stationary module, which may include currency cassettes or the like. The opening shown is a slit, but it will be appreciated that other shapes of openings may be used. One, two, three, or more openings formed as through-holes in the safe wall may be used.

[0075] FIG. 1 helps illustrate how the top removable module 130 is mounted within the ATM 100 so that it can be selectively racked in and out of the ATM by an operator.

[0076] Each telescopic mounting system 132 interfaces between an upper cradle 134 of the ATM and a removable module that can be moved / slid in and out of the ATM. By moving the upper module in and out, an operator can perform maintenance and / or part replacement on the upper receptacle element.

[0077] As shown in Figure 1, the upper movable module contains an associated media handling subsystem that removes media from an input pocket 140 through the ATM. Alternatively, a slit may be used as a substitute for a pocket. Similarly, media items may pass through the ATM and be handed to the user through the same pocket 140 that is used as the exit pocket during withdrawal.

[0078] FIG. 1 helps illustrate how an overall media item path 150 includes a substantially horizontal (left to right in FIG. 1) path portion 151 that includes elements that identify currency or checks and process those media items.

[0079] The media item path then includes a vertically downward but angled portion 155 leading to opposed rollers 156, 157 which can be selectively actuated to move media items to the left in FIG.

[0080] If a media item is moved to the left by rotation elements 156, 157, the item may eventually be moved downward via media item path portion 160 towards intermediate transport module 170. Thus, the media item moves generally vertically from upper module 130 to lower module 120 along a portion of the media item path.

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates alternative sections (or portions) of the overall media item path 150 and helps illustrate how the ATM 100 shown in FIG. 1 has an opening 128 that allows media items to selectively pass into or out of the safe depending on whether a deposit or withdrawal operation is being performed.

[0082] A respective transport module 170 is used for each opening. Each intermediate transport module 170 that controls the movement of media items into / out of the safe is used to help define a portion of the total media item path as media items such as banknotes moving from the upper area of ​​the ATM into the safe or from the safe into the upper area. The movement depends on the operation being performed by the ATM 100 at any one time.

[0083] 1 shows a schematic side view of ATM 100 and serves to show upper module 130 and lower module 120 in the "rack" position, i.e., with the mounts unextended and the ATM shown in a suitable arrangement for customer use.

[0084] 2 shows the upper module 130 in a "racked out" position with the upper mount 132, a telescopic mount, fully extended by an operator to allow the operator to perform maintenance. The lower module can likewise be removed (or "racked out") from the safe for maintenance or restocking purposes.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the transfer module 170.

[0086] 3 is an intermediate transport module that can be used to transport media items from the upper module to the removable module 120 at the bottom of the safe. Alternatively, the intermediate module can assist in the transport of media items from above the safe to the upper module for presentation to a customer.

[0087] As shown in Figure 3, the transport module is a fixed-position module, i.e. the housing of the module is fixed to the top surface of the safe and does not move once installed. In contrast, the lower removable unit may be stored inside or outside the safe. Arms 300 carried on respective shafts (shown below in further figures) extend outwards when the lower removable unit is pulled out by an operator to provide access for maintenance or replenishment. Distal Move to position (see below).

[0088] In this manner, the arms disposed in spaced apart relationship along each shaft do not impede movement of the adjacent module when it is removed. As shown in Figure 3, two spaced apart rows 310, 320 of protruding guides providing guide elements extend upwardly from the removable module.

[0089] Two spaced apart rows of upwardly protruding guide elements cooperate with the arm elements when the arm elements are in the operating position as shown in FIG. 3, thereby helping to guide the media items as they are transported downwardly through the transport module from the safe and into the upper module or from the upper module into the safe.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer module 170 includes a rigid, cube-shaped housing 325 including two spaced apart elongated sides 326 separated by an end wall 328, also in spaced apart relationship.

[0091] The housing has an upper opening 330 and a lower opening 335. Figure 3 also helps to show how the drive post 360 is provided in an upright relationship on the removable module.

[0092] Drive post 360 is an example of a drive element that travels with removable module 120 as the operator removes the unit and then replaces it within the safe. When the removable module is returned to the safe, an abutment surface 365 on the drive post abuts against a pusher plate 370. Pusher plate 370 (described in more detail below) is a pusher plate that is supported by an arm mounted on the shaft of the transport module. Distal The deflection position is moved away from the deflection position.

[0093] As the pusher plate moves, the drive post pushes the pusher plate laterally to the left, rotating the shaft to which the arm is attached as it pushes into the page in Figure 3. The drive element is thus positioned to move with the removable module and engage the pusher plate at a push surface of the pusher plate as the removable module moves toward and proximal to the transfer module. Alternatively, the drive element may be a recessed wall in the removable module and the pusher plate may include legs that move within the recess and are driven by the recessed wall.

[0094] Figure 4 helps to show the transfer module in more detail, in particular how the housing is provided by spaced apart, elongated side walls 325, 326, which create space within the housing.

[0095] In space, a first shaft 400 and a further shaft 410 are supported in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship. Each shaft is an elongated body capable of rotation. The first shaft 400, shown in FIG. 4 as being closer to the viewer, carries a respective plurality of spaced apart arms 300. There are inclusively eight arms 300 on the first shaft 400 in FIG. 1~300 8 is shown. Of course, the length of the shafts and the number of arms carried by each shaft may be selected according to the size of the media items to be transported and therefore the width of the opening in the safe. The arms shown are separate elements fixed to their respective shafts.

[0096] Alternatively, each shaft and its respective plurality of spaced apart arms may be integrally formed. Each arm comprises an elongate body integrally formed with a single respective shaft element, or alternatively an elongate body secured to a respective shaft element at a root region of the arm element. Each elongate body comprising an arm includes a first end and a remaining end.

[0097] The arms may all have a similar general shape (except that some parts may include abutment elements, as described below), or the overall configuration, or alternatively, most of the arms may have a given shape and the other arms carrying their respective abutment members may have a modified general shape to provide support for the abutment features, as described in more detail below.

[0098] 4 helps to show a first pinion 415 fixed on a pinion end 416 of the shaft 400. The pinion is an element having respective pinion teeth 417 which engage respective lower rack teeth 420 of the lower rack. The lower rack 425 is an element that is movable and slides relative to a shaft support 430. The shaft support 430 may be fixed to the safe similar to the manner in which the transport module housing 325 is fixed in place, effectively locking those components in a fixed position relative to the safe.

[0099] FIG. 4 helps show how pusher plate 370 includes lower rack contact arm 375. The pusher plate is driven by drive post 360, which moves with the lower removable module, so that the pusher plate is pushed in one direction on the page of FIG. 4. This causes the lower rack 425 and Distal position An associated lower rack contact arm 375 engaged at its end is driven. This causes rotational motion on the pinion 415, which in turn causes associated rotation of the shaft 400.

[0100] In this manner, the guide arm 300, shown in its operational orientation in FIG. Distal 4. Each of the plurality of spaced apart arms 300 may be rotated from the position to the operating position (as shown more clearly in FIG. 5). 9 ~300 16 It helps to show how the remaining shaft 410 carrying the upper rack has respective pinions 440 with respective pinion teeth 445. The upper rack is moved by a further upper rack contact arm of the pusher plate to rotate that shaft.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows the spaced apart shafts 400, 410 with their respective guide arms in greater detail.

[0102] In the orientation shown in Figure 5, the arm Distal It is in position. Distal In this position, the adjacent lower (or alternatively upper) module may be easily racked out of the safe without concern that the downwardly extending arms would otherwise impinge on a portion of the lower module. The shafts are biased by respective biasing elements, as described in more detail below. Distal The switch is biased to the position.

[0103] 5 helps illustrate how a drive element formed as a drive post 360 having an abutment surface 365 can abut a pusher surface 500 of a pusher plate 370. As the pusher plate moves, the respective lower and upper rack contact arms cause the respective racks to move laterally, causing relative rotational movement of the two shafts.

[0104] The driving force created by the movement of the rack urges each shaft to move its associated arm. Distal This overcomes the biasing force that places the Distal In the operating position, the transfer module and the removable module are positionable laterally relative to one another. In the operating position, where the transfer module and the removable module are in their respective fixed positions relative to one another, the tip region 505 of the guide surface 510 of each arm is located at a desired position. The tip region of the guide surface of each arm is spaced at least a predetermined threshold distance from a guide surface provided by an adjacent guide element of the removable module, which is described in more detail below.

[0105] 5 helps illustrate how each arm is an element comprising an elongate body. Each elongate body has a first end 515 and a remaining end 520. The first end 510 extends between a distal end 525 of the respective arm and a root region 530 of the arm.

[0106] The root region is the region proximate the shaft from which each arm extends. The remaining end 520 of each arm is curved or angled (in FIG. 5, the remaining end is shown angled as it extends from the most distal end 525 to the root region). Thus, the body of each arm has a cross-sectional thickness closer to the root region than at the most distal end.

[0107] FIG. 5 illustrates at least one arm 300 carried by a first shaft 400. 25B is useful to show how the rod-like abutment member 550 may be included.

[0108] A further arm 300 on the remaining arms carried by another shaft 410 shown in FIG. 10 Each of the abutment members 550 likewise has a respective abutment member 550. Each abutment member is a generally rod-like element presenting an outer substantially cylindrical contact surface.

[0109] The impact of the abutment member abutting the lower guide element of the underlying lower module (or the guide element of the upper module) and the abutment member carried by the arm and the guide element of the removable module act as respective reference points, so that regardless of the exact orientation between the fixed transport module and the removable module, the arm and guide element are positioned in the same location in a desired orientation that helps to determine part of the path of the media item in such a way that the risk of interference is fully or at least partially mitigated.

[0110] Figure 6 helps to illustrate the two spaced apart rows of protruding guide-like teeth. These may be referred to as comb elements. As shown in Figure 6, a first row 310 is provided by spaced apart upwardly extending protrusions that are separated from a further row 320 of similar upstanding protrusions.

[0111] The upstanding protrusions resemble tines that provide guide elements for the removable lower module. Two rows are spaced apart around a slit in the lower guide body that aligns with an opening in the safe to allow media items to pass therethrough.

[0112] Figure 6 serves to show a bar 550 extending between two adjacent guide elements. The bar 550 is carried by an arm on a shaft and has a substantially cylindrical outer surface 610. The bar 550 shown in Figure 6 is an example of an abutment element.

[0113] 6 is shown secured to and extending across adjacent protruding teeth, it will be appreciated that the bar may be secured only at a single end to an arm carried on shaft 400 so as to abut a single guide element or multiple guide elements on one side, or alternatively the bar may extend across multiple guide elements.

[0114] The rods are arranged such that the arms carrying the abutting rods are substantially horizontal, with each arm carried by a shaft. Distal position, the abutment elements are provided such that when the arms are moved to a generally upright operating mode, the cylindrical outer surface of the rod abuts against a contact surface 620 of at least one upright (or downwardly extending, when referring to the upper module) guide element. As shown in Figure 6, the protruding comb elements of the row in the lower module immediately adjacent to the arm carrying the abutment elements have a modified cross-section with respect to the comb elements that are not planned to abut against the abutment members.

[0115] The guide surface 620 provided by the comb element influenced by the rod-like abutment member presents a substantially vertical abutment surface. Having a substantially cylindrical outer surface of the abutment element and a substantially vertical abutment surface of the comb element adjacent to the arm carrying the abutment element provides a precise definition of the interrelationship between the arm carried by the shaft and the row of guide teeth of the removable module.

[0116] Of course, other shapes and sizes of abutment elements can be envisaged. For example, the ends of the abutment members can run in cooperating recesses on the side walls of the protruding guides that provide the comb elements. Alternatively, the abutment element, which is an elongate body extending from at least one end from the arms, may have an oval or hexagonal or square or rectangular cross section along part or all of its length.

[0117] 6 helps to show how the arm carrying the abutment element can have a slightly different shape and configuration than the rest of the arm carried by the shaft: the body of the arm carrying the abutment element has a shape and configuration such that the abutment element is held in a desired orientation to cooperate with an abutment surface on the comb element to set the arm carried by the shaft in a desired location.

[0118] Providing one or more arm parts on each of the plurality of arms carried by a respective shaft that engages parts on one or more respective protruding guide teeth of the comb element means that the relative locations of the arms and comb teeth when the module is swapped into an ATM are set by the interrelationship between fixed and movable parts in the ATM. This is advantageous compared to conventional techniques which otherwise utilise fixed locations on the transfer module to set the position of the arms.

[0119] FIG. 6 also helps illustrate how each torsion spring 630 at the spring end region 640 of each shaft is secured to the housing at a first spring end. The other spring end is secured to the shaft. The spring is a biasing element that biases the shaft in a first rotational direction, and this bias causes the arm to rotate. Distal The switch is biased to the position.

[0120] Figures 7 and 8 show how cooperating abutment members carried by one or more arms on a shaft and protruding guide teeth such as comb elements on a removable module can cooperate to determine a portion of a media item path between a lower removable module and part of the transport module.

[0121] In Figure 7, the extreme lateral (from left to right in Figure 7) positions of the components of the lower module are shown as far to the right as possible. This position effect may occur due to manufacturing tolerances of the components of the rack mechanism.

[0122] In contrast, Figure 8 serves to show the portion of the lower removable module in its leftmost lateral position relative to the fixed transfer module. In both instances, it can be seen that, regardless of the respective resulting lateral position of the lower module (similar arguments apply to the upper removable module) and the portion of the transfer module when the removable module is stowed, the guide surfaces provided by the arms carried on the shafts are always provided in the same desired location relative to the guide surfaces of the guide elements of the lower (or upper) transfer module.

[0123] In this way, a portion of the media item path is determined. Figures 7 and 8 help to show how the tip region 700 of the guide surface of each arm extends along the end of the respective arm element for a distance of at least 5mm away from the most distal end. Preferably, alternatively, the distance is approximately 3mm or 4mm or 6mm.

[0124] Its entire tip region, i.e. the entire 5mm from its very tip, is set back at least a predetermined threshold distance X from the guide surface of the adjacent guide element when viewed in end view, i.e. at least the predetermined distance of the tip of any arm is always set back a distance from the guide surface of the adjacent guide element to its side on the field of view.

[0125] Preferably, the setback distance is approximately 1 mm, or 2 mm, or 3 mm, or 4 mm. This minimum setback distance helps ensure that a media item transported along the portion 710 of the total media item path can never accidentally find the edge of the media item wetting its path between opposing guide surfaces.

[0126] Figure 9 shows a top view of drive post 360 with associated drive surface 365 and how it presses against pusher surface 500 of pusher plate 370. As shown, an upper rack contact arm 900 is provided on pusher plate 370 which is shown abutting contact surface 910 on the top portion 920 of the upper rack member. Also shown in Figure 9 is rigid shaft support 430.

[0127] FIG. 9 helps show the position before the drive post 360 begins to impact the pusher plate. In this position, the spring 930 biases the pusher plate into position (downward in FIG. 9), and the upper rack contact arm 900 positions the upper rack in a similar downward motion. Effectively, the pusher plate overcomes the rack's natural tendency (caused by the torsion spring acting on the shaft) to pull the rack to a higher (FIG. 9) position. In this position, the lower rack contact arm 375 positions the lower rack in a similar manner, so that the two shafts 400, 410 push the arms together. Distal Rotate to a position to put it in position.

[0128] Figure 10 helps to show the pusher plate in more detail and helps to show the lower rack contact arm 375 and the upper rack contact arm 900. When the drive post 360 is pressed against the pusher plate contact surface 500, the rack contact arms move with the plate, which relieves pressure on the racks and causes the respective racks to move as their respective pinions, which are toothed to the racks, are torsion spring driven and move independently. Figure 10 helps to show the guide slots that allow the sliding movement of the pusher plate but also allow the pusher plate to be effectively mounted within the transport module.

[0129] FIG. 11 shows the lower rack 425 with associated teeth 420 in more detail and helps show how the pinion 415 rotates as the lateral movement indicated by arrow YY in FIG. 11 moves as the pusher plate is moved. As the rack teeth move in the direction YY, the pinion teeth rotate, which causes the shafts 400 to rotate about their respective shaft longitudinal axes AB. When the pusher plate is pushed, the rack moves with the shaft and therefore moves. When the pusher plate spring is pushed with the pusher plate not being pushed, the rack is pulled.

[0130] 12 shows a pair of alternative spaced apart substantially parallel shafts 410 which are mounted to respective pinions 440 at the pinion ends of the shafts 410. The pinions have teeth 445 which mesh with the teeth 1200 of the rack element when the upper rack is moved laterally as indicated by the arrow XX in FIG.

[0131] This movement is due to the pusher plate being either driven or not driven by the drive post and pusher plate spring. The upper rack body has an elongated slot 1210 that allows for sliding movement of the rack while still holding or supporting the rack in place within the transport module.

[0132] Figure 13 shows a method for unracking a removable module from an ATM. In a first step S1305, the lower module is fully stowed, i.e., the telescopic mount is not extended and the lower removable module is within the safe. In a next step S1310, the ATM, which was previously in operation, is turned off for maintenance.

[0133] In the next step S1315, security personnel open the ATM safe door. In the next step S1320, the lower module cradle supporting the lower module begins to disengage from the safe housing on a telescopic slider, which may be accomplished by an operator pulling a handle on the lower removable module.

[0134] In the next step S1325, the drive plate attached to the lower module cradle continues to slide out from the ATM. The movement of the drive post means that the pusher plate is no longer driven by the drive post.

[0135] In the next step S1330, the pusher plate, no longer restrained / positioned by the drive post and by the biasing spring, starts to slide freely towards its rest position. The pusher plate has arms that abut with cooperating abutment elements in the form of respective protruding walls of the body of the upper and lower racks, causing them to move in the same direction as the pusher blocks.

[0136] This is shown as step S1335 in Figure 13. The pinion is shown engaging the upper rack rotating in a clockwise direction via step S1338. The rotatable shaft, which moves with the pinion, is also shown being rotated in a clockwise direction via step S1339.

[0137] Concurrent with the movement of the upper rack and its associated shaft, the movement of the pusher plate shown in step S1335 causes the pinion that meshes with the lower rack to rotate in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the pusher plate end of the shaft, as shown by step S1341. A rotatable shaft element attached to the lower pinion likewise rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as shown by step S1343.

[0138] A rotatable arm attached to a rotatable shaft moves from a low operating position Distal The pusher blocks / plates rise towards the rest position. The torsion springs attached to the spring ends of each shaft rotate against their bias increasing their tension. This is shown in step S1345. The pusher blocks / plates now reach a rest position with no tension in the linear springs biasing the pusher blocks.

[0139] This is shown at step S1350. Via step S1355, the pusher plate is shown to stop driving the upper and lower racks. The pinions that mesh with the upper and lower racks stop rotating, and the rotatable shafts attached to the pinions stop rotating as well. At this point, the guide arms stop rotating in their tracks. Distal position has been reached, so the ascent will stop.

[0140] This is shown at step S1360. The lower removable module cradle can now be slid to full extension on the telescopic slider by a human operator, as shown at this step S1365. At this point, the lower module can be fully racked out and maintenance or refilling can be performed, as shown at step S1370.

[0141] 14 shows certain steps in the rack installation in process. With the vault door open, the ATM begins in a maintenance state S1405 and the lower module cradle is slid completely out. Via step S1410, the lower module cradle is shown beginning to be slid or "stowed" into the vault housing on a telescopic mount.

[0142] This is accomplished by the operator pushing the removable module into the safe. Next, in step S1415, a drive post attached to the lower module cradle slides into the ATM. At some stage, indicated by step S1420, the drive post runs into and abuts the pusher surface of the pusher plate and begins to drive the pusher plate in the same direction as the drive post. The upper and lower racks lose the biasing force against them and are no longer fully constrained by the pusher block. This is indicated by step S1425.

[0143] Step S1430 and the steps below it on the left side of Figure 14 relate to the action and experience of the upper rack. In step S1430, a torsion spring attached to one end of a rotatable shaft rotates the rotatable shaft counterclockwise.

[0144] The arm element attached to the rotatable shaft includes: Distal Via step S1431, a pinion attached to a rotatable shaft element is shown being driven in a counterclockwise direction.

[0145] Step S1432 shows how the upper rack, meshed with that pinion, is driven towards the pusher plate. Step S1433 shows how an abutment member attached to the rear of one or more arm elements on that shaft eventually abuts a non-moving back abutment surface on the protruding guide, thereby stopping the downward movement of all arm elements on that shaft.

[0146] At this point, the set of arms attached to the rotatable shaft are properly aligned in an operable location. The guide surfaces of the arm elements and the guide surfaces of the protruding guide elements of the removable module are spaced apart to minimize the possibility of wetting between them with media items. The next step S1434 shows how the pinion attached to the rotatable shaft element is held stationary.

[0147] The upper rack, which is engaged with the pinion, is also held stationary, as shown in step S1435. Step S1436 shows that the upper rack is no longer in contact with the pusher plate and is still moving.

[0148] Steps S1440-S1446 mirror steps S1430-S1436 with respect to the remaining shafts and associated arms and associated pinions and racks.

[0149] Step S1450 represents the lower removable module cradle reaching a rest (stowing) position. This step is associated with the drive post attached to the lower removable module also reaching a rest position.

[0150] The pusher plate that abuts the drive post is held in place by the drive post, as shown in Figure 14 via step S1455.

[0151] The final step S1460 shown in Figure 14 depicts the lower module stored and the intermediate transport module guide surfaces properly aligned with similar guide surfaces on the lower module. The ATM can be switched on and can begin moving media items in and out of the safe, with a portion of the media item path between the lower module (or upper module) and the transport module determined, fully or at least partially, in a manner that mitigates the risk of obstruction.

[0152] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments and various aspects thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include the embodiments described herein, the alternatives discussed above, and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for determining at least a portion of a media item path, comprising: a transfer module comprising a plurality of shaft elements rotatable in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship; a removable module positionable relative to said transfer module for selectively positioning two spaced rows of projecting guide elements of said removable module relative to respective shaft elements carrying a plurality of arm elements carried in spaced relation on said plurality of shaft elements; an abutment member that moves with at least one arm element of the plurality of arm elements and abuts an abutment region of at least one guide element when the respective shaft element rotates to move the arm element from a distal position to an operative position; Equipped with In the operating position, a portion of the media item path is determined via opposing guide surfaces of the guide element and the arm element.

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: in the distal position, the transfer module and the removable module are positionable upward and downward relative to one another; and in the operating position, when the transfer module and the removable module are in their respective fixed locations relative to one another, a tip region of a guide surface of each arm element is spaced at least a predetermined threshold distance from a guide surface provided by at least one adjacent guide element of the removable module.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: the tip region of each arm element extending a distance of at least 5 mm along the end of its respective arm element away from a most distal end of the arm element, the entire tip region being at a predetermined threshold distance of at least 1.5 mm setback from a guide surface of an adjacent guide element when viewed in end.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of arm elements carried by a first shaft element of the plurality of shaft elements being independently positionable relative to additional plurality of arm elements carried by other shaft elements by independently rotating respective rotatable shaft elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element disposed at an end of each shaft element and arranged to bias each of said shaft elements in a predetermined rotational direction.

6. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the abutment member comprises a rod element having a cylindrical outer surface area extending away from an end of the arm element and connected to at least one arm element at said end, a tip area of ​​a guide surface of the arm element being located in a distal position relative to a guide surface provided by a remaining end area of ​​the arm element, the end including a path along which the arm element moves from the distal position to the operating position.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one arm element of each of the plurality of arm elements comprising a member each for stopping rotational movement of the arm element carried by a respective shaft element at a respective desired rotational position, thereby setting the arm element in a respective operative position.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a desired rotational position of each of the first shaft elements about its respective longitudinal axis being independent of a desired rotational position of each of the further shaft elements about its respective longitudinal axis.

9. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pinion elements, each of said pinion elements having respective pinion teeth arranged to engage rack teeth of a respective one of a plurality of rack elements and to rotate as the rack elements move, a first pinion element moves with the first shaft element and is disposed at a pinion end of the first shaft element, and a further pinion element moves with the further shaft element and is disposed near the pinion end of the further shaft element, the pinion teeth of the first pinion element not meshing with the pinion teeth of the further pinion element.

10. the transfer module comprising a pusher plate member; the removable module comprises a drive element; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: the drive element being positioned to engage a pusher plate pushing surface of the pusher plate member when the removable module moves toward and adjacent to the transfer module.

11. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: the pusher plate member comprising an upper rack contacting arm extending toward a body of a first rack element and a lower rack contacting arm extending toward a body of a further rack element.

12. 1. A method for determining at least a portion of a media item path, comprising: positioning a transfer module having a plurality of rotatable shaft elements in a substantially spaced parallel relationship relative to the removable module, thereby positioning two spaced rows of protruding guide elements of the removable module relative to respective shaft elements carrying a plurality of arm elements carried in a spaced apart relationship on the plurality of shaft elements; rotating the shaft elements when the transfer module and the removable module are positioned relative to one another, thereby moving arm elements carried on respective shaft elements from a distal position to an operative position; and stopping further rotation of the shaft element carrying at least one arm element when an abutment member moved together with the at least one arm element abuts an abutment area of ​​at least one guide element, thereby setting the arm element in an operating position, thereby at least partially determining a media item path via the opposing guide surfaces of the guide element and the guide surface of the arm element.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: with the arm element carrying both shaft elements in their distal positions, urging the removable module with the lower module into a safe housing of an ATM with a media item opening, thereby positioning the removable module vertically relative to the transport module by sliding it.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning a tip region of a guide surface of each arm element at least a predetermined threshold distance from a guide surface provided by at least one adjacent guide element of the removable module when each arm element is adapted to its respective operating position.

15. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising independently positioning an arm element carried on a first shaft element relative to an arm element carried on a further shaft element by independently rotating each shaft element.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising automatically rotating the shaft elements to move arm elements to their respective operating positions as the removable module moves toward and adjacent to the transfer module.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising automatically rotating the shaft elements to move arm elements to their respective distal positions when the removable module moves from a proximal position away from the transport module.

18. engaging a drive element of the removable module with a pusher plate member as the removable module moves toward the transfer module; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: pulling at least one rack element when the pusher plate member is biased by the drive element, thereby rotating a pinion element mounted on a respective shaft element and having pinion teeth meshing with rack teeth of the rack element.

Images