GB2154551A

GB2154551A - Cash box assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2154551A
Application number: GB08502911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence Webster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-24
Filing date: 1985-02-05
Publication date: 1985-09-11
Also published as: GB2154551B; GB8404890D0; GB8502911D0

Abstract

Cash box 10 is releasably secured to a fixed, preferably inclined, support surface 32 by internal catch means 27 engaging a projection 41 which extends into the box through an aperture 26. The catch means 27 can only be released when the lid 17 of the box is open so the box can be left locked and secured to the support surface for short periods with minimal risk of theft. Internally, the box has a versatile arrangement of compartments formed by plates 22 for banknotes and for coinholders 24. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cash box assembly This invention relates to a cash box assembly.

Hitherto it has been usual for cashiers in banks and building societies etc., to store cash which is received or is to be dispensed in lockable drawers located at one or other sides of their desks or counter positions. In some cases the cash may actually be arranged in a removable liner or tray which fits neatly into the drawer and has appropriate partitions providing compartments for the various denominations of coins and banknotes. In some instances, and it is particularly well known in Post Offices, the cashiers are provided with coinholders consisting of blocks or modules formed with recesses of generally semi-circular cross-section. Different recesses have appropriate diameters for reception of different denominations of coins and they are usually of appropriate lengths to hold a standard number of such coins, e.g. five or ten.

At the present time, particularly with the advent of "open plan" building societies where cashiers work from individual, exposed desks rather than from behind a communal counter having a protective screen, there is a need for a flexible cash storage system which combines the security of a lockable container with the ease of access and use of a coinholder or partitioned tray.

It is an object of the present invention to fulfill this need.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a cash box assembly comprising a cash box having a lockable lid, and fixed, preferably inclined, support means to which the box is releasably securable.

It is envisaged that the support means will be permanently fixed at a suitable position on the top of a desk or counter in a bank or building society or in any other place where cash is to be received and dispensed. When a cashier is going to work at that desk or counter position he or she will secure the cash box to the support means and when this is opened it will provide a particularly convenient cash storage area.

Advantageously, the box is provided with an aperture and with internal catch means and a projection is provided on or adjacent to the support means, the box being releasably secured to the support means by insertion of the projection through the aperture and engagement of the catch means with the projection. The catch means may, for example incorporate a finger adapted to project into or through a slot in the projection.

With the aforesaid internal catch means the box can be secured to the support means while its lid is open or closed, but can only be released therefrom when its lid is open. This is especially favourable because it means that the cash box may be left locked and secured to the support means during short absences of the cashier, with minimal risk of theft.

The catch means is preferably biassed into its "catch" position, that is to say the position in which it is capable of engagement with the projection, by biassing means, such a small spring, and is movable to its release position against the action of the spring by a lever-operated mechanism.

The cash box is preferably provided with corresponding rows of slots along opposing internal walls and with a plurality of removable and interchangeable partitions which may be supported at selected intervals between corresponding pairs of slots to provide compartments suitable for reception of banknotes and coin modules. The slots may conveniently be provided by removable slotted sections, for example of wood.

The coinholder modules, which may be provided inside the cashbox, are preferably in the form of elongate strips provided with recesses of generally semi-circular cross-section of an appropriate size for reception of various denominations of coins.

Such coinholders may conveniently be seated upon the aforesaid rows of slots between some of the partitions. Although the preferred size of cash box will hold a maximum of seven or eight such coinholder modules, a preferred embodiment will include four coin holder modules, having between them the appropriate sizes of recesses for all types of coins in circulation. These modules may be releasably attached together, for example by complementary dovetail lugs and recesses.

Preferably the cashbox also has at least one external handle to facilitate carrying of same when it is not secured to the support means.

The lid of the cash box may be a two-part foldable lid so as to give a neat appearance when the box is open and in use. Also, a pad, for example of foam rubber, may be fixed to the inside of the lid to hold the banknotes and coins (in the coinholder modules) in place when the lid is closed.

The fixed support means is preferably formed by an inclined surface extending between triangular struts or end plates, and the surface and1or the end plates may have flanges which are fastened to a substantially horizontal work top of a desk or counter.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred practical embodiment of the cash box assembly of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-section through the centre of the cash box of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary front view in the direction of the arrow 3 in Figure 2 illustrating the catch means inside the cash box; and Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-section showing an alternative lock for the cash box lid.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the assembly of the invention comprises a cash box 10 releasably secured to support means 11.

The cash box 10 consists of a rectangular base 12, four side walls 13, 14, 15, 16 and a foldable two-part hinged lid 17 which is lockable in conven tional manner by means of a key-operated locking mechanism in the form of a cam lock 18 and associated ledge 58. The box 10 is made of metal and a metal handle 19 is pivotally connected to one of the side walls 13. Foam rubber pads 30 are fixed to the underside of the two parts of the lid 17. These serve to hold the contents of the box 10 in position. Also four feet 52 are attached to the underside of the base 12 of the box 10.

Elongate wooden slotted sections 20, which are readily removable, are provided on the interior surfaces of the opposed longitudinal side walls 14, 16 so as to define a plurality of corresponding pairs of slots 21. A plurality of partitions in the form of plates 22 having central cut-away portions 23 along one side edge are also provided. These may be located transversely of the cash box 10 supported in respective pairs of slots 21. The slotted sections 20 guide and support the shorter side edges of the plates 22 and the cut-away portions 23 face the top of the box 10. The plates 22 may, of course, be slotted into the box 10 whenever desired to provide compartments suitable for receiving banknotes, cheques and/or coinholder modules 24, and since they are not fixed in any way they are readily removable and interchangeable.

The positioning of the slots 21 in the slotted sections 20 is such that it allows coin holder modules 24 and note compartments to be used in any combination of positions within the box 10. It is envisaged that in a longer version of the box 10 there will be seventeen slots 21 in each section 20 and up to a maximum of eight coinholder modules 24 will be capable of being accommodated whilst in a shorter version of the box 10 there will be fifteen slots 21 in each section 20 and up to a maximum of seven coinholder modules 24 will be capable of being accommodated.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 1,the cash box 10 contains a unit of four coinholder modules 24 attached together by means of interengaging dovetail lugs and recesses (not shown). Each coinholder module 24 is in the form of a plastics strip provided with recesses 25 of generally semi-circular cross-section of an appropriate size for reception of coins of certain denominations as well as respective finger access slots 31 leading therefrom. The unit consisting of four modules 24 includes recesses of a size suitable for all types of coins in circulation. The depth of the modules 24 is such that they can be seated upon the tops of the slotted sections 20 (which do not extend the full height of the side walls) without protruding beyond the top edge of the side walls 13, 14, 15, 16.As illustrated, the coin holder unit is located at one end of the box 10, the remainder of the box interior, except for the central region, being free for accommodation of notes in compartments selectively formed from the partitions 22.

However, it will be appreciated that the coinholder modules 24 can be separated and re-arranged and any suitable arrangement of modules and banknote compartments can be chosen by the user.

A strengthening channel 60 is provided inside the box 10 at or near the centre line of the base 12 of the box 10 and a small circular aperture 26 is provided through this channel 60 and through the base 12. Catch means 27 is fitted to the channel 60 adjacent this aperture 26. As shown more clearly in Figure 2 the catch means comprises an approximately right-angled bracket 34 having one limb 35, which tapers in width at each side towards its free end, bolted onto the channel 60 and the base 12 of the box 10 and the other limb 36 arranged substantially perpendicular to the base 12 and having a bushed guide aperture 37 therethrough. A lever 38 is pivotally attached to the slightly upturned free end 39 of the one limb 35.Pivotally attached to the lever 38, at a short distance away from the free end 39 of the bracket 34 is a link piece 145 which in turn is pivotally attached to a latch finger 29 which extends through the guide aperture 37 and is engageable with a projection 41 of the support means 11. The forward end of the finger 29 carries a specially formed engagement member 28 having a rounded surface facing the base 12 of the box 10. A helical spring 47 is provided between the engagement member 28 and the bushed aperture 37 of the upstanding bracket limb 36. This spring 47 serves to bias the catch means 27 into the position shown in Figure 2.That is to say, the tension of the spring 47 biasses the catch means 27 into its "catch" position where the finger 29 lies over the aperture 26 and is capable of engagement with the projection 41 and the lever 38 is held approximately perpendicular to the base 12 of the box 10.

Pegs 46 are provided on the finger 29 to abut the bracket limb 36 and thus limit the forward movement of the finger 29 through the aperture 37.

Another aperture or slit 33 is provided at or near the centre line of the base of the box 10, above the aperture 26 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and close to the side 16 of the box to which the lid 17 is hinged. An additional locking device 48 is fitted onto the channel 60 between the apertures 26 and 33. This device 48 comprises a plate member having upturned side edges so as to provide a pair of guide elements 49 and a flat bolt 50 which is slideable between the guide elements 49. A knob 51 on the bolt 50 enables it to be moved so that its forward end can lie over the aperture 33 and engage with a further projection 43 on the support means.

The support means 11 consists of a metal plate 32 providing an inclined surface extending between a pair of triangular end plates 40. The inclined surface is of the same dimensions as or is slightly larger than the base 12 of the cash box 10 and the end plates 40 have horizontal flanges 45 for attachment to a surface. Located on the plate 32 are the projection 41, which corresponds in position to the aperture 26 in the base 12 of the box 10, and the further projection 43, which corresponds in position to the aperture 33 in the base 12 of the box 10, both projections 41, 43 being of a suitable size to project through their respective apertures 26, 33. The projection 41 has a notch 42 and is rounded at its end whereas the projection 43 supply has an opening 53 therethrough.

The function of the cash box assembly will readily be appreciated from the foregoing with refer ence to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings. In use, the flanges 45 of the support means 11 are permanently fixed to a horizontal work top of a desk or counter in a suitable position. A cashier intending to work from that desk or counter position will carry the locked cash box 10 (usually containing a certain amount of coins and banknotes in the coinholder modules 24 and the note compartments between the partitions 22) to the desk or counter position by means of the handle 19. Once there, the cashier will place the box 10 onto the inclined surface 32 with the lid locking mechanism 18 at the front, lower edge of the surface. As the box 10 is placed onto the surface 32, the projections 41 and 43 on the surface 32 pass through the respective apertures 26,33 in the base 12 of the box 10.The rounded end of the projection 41 abuts the rounded surface of the engagement member 28 of the catch means 27 and pushes the finger 29 against the action of the spring 47 until the engagement member 28 springs into the notch 42, as shown in Figure 2.

The cashier can then unlock the box 10 (i.e. the key-operated cam lock 18) and fold back the lid 17, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to have easy access to the coins and notes arranged as previously described in the coinholder modules 24 and other compartments between partitions 22.

Once open, the box 10 can be additionally secured to the support means 11 by sliding the bolt 50 through the opening in the projection 43, as shown in Figure 2.

To release the box 10 from the support means 11, the bolt 50 must be drawn back and the catch means 27 released whilst the lid 17 is open. As regards release of the catch means 27, downward actuation of the lever 38 of the catch means 27 serves to draw the finger 29 back against the action of the spring 47 so that the engagement member 28 is retracted from the notch 42 and the box 10 can be lifted out of engagement with the projections 41, 43. Of course, when the lever 38 is released the finger 29 snaps back into its "catch" position under the action of the spring 47. Downward actuation of the lever 38 to release the catch means 27 is accomplished quickly and easily by a rapid movement of the cashier's hand and once the cash box 10 has been lifted free of the support means 11 it can be locked and taken away to a place of safe-keeping.

As mentioned in the introduction, the box 10 can safely be left locked while secured to the support means 11 since it can only be released and removed by actuation of (and thus access to) the internal catch means 27. Moreover, the locking device 48 provides additional security so that the locked box 10 is most unlikely to be stolen when secured to the support means 11. The assembly is also extremely advantageous in providing the cashier with an easily accessible and well organized cash storage area in a convenient orientation for quick and efficient handling of cash.

It will, of course, be understood that the foregoing detailed description is illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention and many variations are possible. For example, the lid of the box need not be formed in two parts and may be a conventional, one piece lid without any facility for folding. Also the locking mechanism on the mid may vary. It could for example be a snap lock, as shown in Figure 4, which means that the lid 17 can be snapped shut without a key being required for locking (as is the case with the cam lock shown in Figures 1 and 2). Other known types of locking mechanism are also possible. Furthermore, the slots at opposing sides of the box for arrangement of compartments could be provided in some other way, the detailed construction of the catch means and the locking device may differ from that described and many other minor variations are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A cash box assembly comprising a cash box having a lockable lid, and fixed, preferably inclined, support means to which the box is releasably securable.

2. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box is provided with an aperture and with internal catch means and a projection is provided on or adjacent to the support means, the box being releasably secured to the support means by insertion of the projection through the aperture and engagement of the catch means with the projection.

3. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the catch means incorporates a finger adapted to project into or through a notch or opening in the projection.

4. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the catch means is biassed into its "catch" position, that is to say the position in which it is capable of engagement with the projection, by spring means and is movable to its release position against the action of the spring means by a lever-operated mechanism.

5. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the box is provided with an additional aperture associated with an internal locking device and an additional projection is provided on or adjacent to the support means, the box thus being capable of being additionally secured to the support means by insertion of the additional projection through the additional aperture and engagement of the locking device with the additional projection.

6. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cash box is provided with corresponding rows of slots along opposing internal walls and with a plurality of removable and interchangeable partitions which may be supported at selected intervals between corresponding pairs of slots to provide compartments suitable for reception of banknotes and/or coin-holder modules.

7. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cashbox has at least one external handle to facilitate carrying of same when it is not secured to the support means.

8. A cash box assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lid of the cash box is a two-part foldable lid.

9. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fixed support means is formed by an inclined surface extending between triangular struts or end plates, and the surface and/ or the end plates have flanges which can be fastened to a substantially horizontal surface.

10. A cash box assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-10 above have been deleted (b) New claims have been filed as follows:

1. A cash box assembly comprising a cash box having a lockable lid and fixed, preferably inclined, support means, the box being releasably securable to the support means by insertion of a projection on the support means through an aperture in the box and automatic engagement of said projection by spring-biased catch means located inside the box, characterised in that the catch means is releasable therefrom by a manually actuable lever mechanism which is located inside the box and is only accessible when the lid is unlocked.

2. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catch means incorporates a finger adapted to project into or through a notch or opening in the projection.

3. A cash box assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the box is provided with an additional aperture associated with an internal locking device and an additional projection is provided on or adjacent to the support means, the box thus being capable of being additionally secured to the support means by insertion of the additional projection through the additional aperture and engagement of the locking device with the additional projection by manual actuation of the locking device when the lid is open.

4. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cash box is provided with corresponding rows of slots along opposing internal walls and with a plurality of removable and interchangeable partitions which may be supported at selected intervals between corresponding pairs of slots to provide compartments suitable for reception of banknotes and/or coinholder modules.

5. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cash box has at least one external handle to facilitate carrying of same when it is not secured to the support means.

6. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lid of the cash box is a two-part foldable lid.

7. A cash box assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fixed support means is formed by an inclined surface extending between triangular struts or end plates, and the surface and/ or the end plates have flanges which can be fastened to a substantially horizontal surface.