CURRENCY DISPENSING APPARATUS

• US 3,675,816 A
• Filed: 06/18/1970
• Issued: 07/11/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edgar R. Bourke II, Robert C. Snow
• Original Assignee: Edgar R. Bourke II, Robert C. Snow
• Inventors: Bourke, Edgar R. II, Snow, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coleman, Samuel F.
• Application Number:
  US05/047,585
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 221/12,84,1,2,9,82,83,85,86,150 133/1,2 194/4 292/137,144 222/146,76
• US Class Current: 194/206
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/20 Controlling or monitoring the operation of devices; Data handling
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/24 Managing the stock of valuable papers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing variable amounts of currency. Verification data on a check and an identification card are read and compared to ascertain authenticity of a currency request. If the request is authentic, the currency is transferred from storage to a receptacle using data representing the amount of the check to select the numbers of each currency denomination to be dispensed. The number of bills actually transferred and the number requested are compared while the currency is temporarily stored in the receptacle located behind a locked door. If the two numbers coincide, the door is unlocked for access by the recipient and the check is transferred to another internal storage location as the operator retrieves his identification card. Otherwise, the door remains locked; the currency is transferred to still another storage location; and both the check and card are returned to the operator.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a variable, predetermined amount of currency to a recipient upon receipt of signals indicating an amount, said apparatus comprising:

A. a first, normally inaccessible receptable means, B. means for storing bills of one currency denomination, C. a transporter for moving bills form said storage means to said receptacle, D. control means responsive to said signals. 1. for determining a required number of bills for deposit on said transporter from said storage means, and 2. for depositing bills from said storage means onto said transporter, E. a counter for determining the total number of bills transported to said first receptacle, and F. a comparator for rendering said first receptacle accessible to the recipient when the determined number of bills and the number counted by said counter coincide.

2. a plurality of plate members having sleeve portions,

3. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first receptacle means includes:

A. a receptacle including a plurality of integral compartments adapted for rotation, one of said compartments being located to receive currency from said transporter, B. a door for permitting an access to said one compartment, and C. means for locking said door, and D. means for rotating said receptacle, said locking means disengaging from said door when numbers of bills coincide and said locking means maintaining said door locked and said compartment rotating means displacing said receptacle from said door when the numbers do not coincide.

4. means responsive to said dispensing means for engaging said pin members to increment said belt and move one plate member over said opening to dispense a bill. C. a transporter for moving bills from said storage means to said receptacle, D. control means responsive to said signals,

5. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 4 additionally comprising:

A. means responsive to said verification signal and subsequent bill number comparison which enables access to said receptacle for thereafter inhibiting said verification signal generating means in response to the same verification information.

6. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 4 additionally comprising a door for permitting access to said receptacle means, and wherein A. said reading means comprises means for separately engaging the identification card and the check, B. said control means includes a release switch and means responsive to the closing of said door for enabling said release switch, the identification card being returned to the recipient and the check being transferred into the apparatus by said reading means when the recipient actuates the enabled release switch.

7. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said verification signal generator produces a non-verification signal when the veRification information does not coincide, said identification card and check engaging means returning the check and identification card to the recipient in response to the non-verification signal or to a signal from said comparator indicating that the two numbers differ.

8. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of bill storage means are included in said apparatus, and arranged in plurality of rows, A. said transporter comprising:

9. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each bill storage means stores a plurality of bills individually.

10. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said control means is responsive to certain amounts on a check for requiring at least two bills from certain of said storage means, said control means selecting said storage means and actuating said selected storage means simultaneously to dispense bills onto said transporter, and thereafter selecting and simultaneously actuating said certain storage means for dispensing another set of bills onto said transporter.

11. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein an individual storage means contains bills of a given denomination and wherein said apparatus comprises several storage means for different currency denominations, said control means responding to a check amount for selecting certain of said storage means.

12. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein each storage means comprises:

A. a housing with opposite parallel sidewalls, each sidewall including an elongated oval track and an opening extending between said sidewalls, B. a plurality of plate members having sleeve portions, C. a plurality of pin members, each pin member interconnecting sleeve members on a pair of adjacent plate members and being adapted to ride in one of said tracks whereby said plate and pin members form an endless belt, and D. means responsive to said control means for engaging said pin members to increment said belt and move one plate member over said opening to dispense a bill.

13. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said apparatus includes a support member, said currency storage means and said support member including locking means for registering and locating said storage means on said support means whereby each storage means is positioned uniquely.

14. A currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising:

A. data processing means for storing identification information and the currency amount, and B. means for reading an identification card, said data processing system being responsive to said reading means for obtaining the stored verification information for comparison with similar information on the identification card and for supplying the amount to said control means.

15. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 14 additionally comprising means responsive to each withdrawal from said currency dispensing apparatus for inhibiting further transfers for the same identification card.

16. Currency dispensing apparatus comprising:

A. a supporting and a closing housing, B. a receptacle supported for rotation on said housing, C. means for dispensing currency into said receptacle, D. means for rotating said receptacle to a first operating position in response to a first set of operating conditions E. a door in said housing adjacent said receptacle adapted to be opened to permit access to said receptacle if a second set of operating conditions are met and to remain locked if said second set of operating conditions are not met; and

means for rotating said receptacle to a second operating position when said second set of operating conditions are not met.

17. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said receptacle comprises:

A. integral, equiangularly spaced containers, and B. a hub portion, each container having a hollow portion for accepting currency when it is rotated to a first position.

18. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 16 additionally comprising means for locking said door under the first set of operating conditions and unlocking said door under the second set of operating conditions.

19. Currency dispensing apparatus comprising:

A. a supporting and enclosing housing, B. a door mounted on said housing comprising

20. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 19 additionally comprising means for locking said door in a closed position comprising:

A. a solenoid adapted to be energized under a first set of operating conditions, and B. an armature operatively associated with said solenoid and including a ramped surface for engaging said first plate to thereby jam said first plate against said housing.

21. Apparatus for dispensing a variable, predetermined amount of currency to a recipient upon receipt of signals indicating an amount, said apparatus comprising:

A. a first, normally inaccessible receptacle means, B. means for storing bills of one currency denomination comprising;

22. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein each plate member includes a bill supporting surface and a spring member affixed to a surface parallel to the bill support surface whereby the spring on one plate member keeps a bill properly located on the bill supporting surface of an adjacent plate member and whereby adjacent plate members and the walls of said housing constitute individual bill storage compartments.

23. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said means for engaging said pin members comprises:

A. a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted on said housing and positioned to engage said pins in the Curve portion of the track members, B. a shaft, C. a gear mounted on said shaft outside said housing, D. a driving pawl member mounted on said housing, E. means to advance said pawl member in response to said bill dispensing means and F. detent means connected to said shaft to provide definitive incremental motion on said shaft and said plate members.

24. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 21 additionally including means for generating a signal when a bill storage means is empty, said means comprising:

A. a tab member formed on one of said plate members, and B. electrical circuit means including a switch having an actuator adapted to be engaged by said tab, said switch member changing conductive states when engaged by the path.

25. Currency dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein a plurality of said bill storage means are supported in a second housing member to form an integrated set of bill storage means, said apparatus housing and said second housing supporting the set of cannisters including keying means operatively associated so an unique set of cannisters are loaded in a given position.