IES60828B2 - Transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Transfer apparatus (1) for transferring a lodgement envelope from an opening (2) in a panel (3) to a safe (4), the apparatus (1) comprises a main housing (7) of cylindrical construction. A main inlet (19) and a main outlet (20) are provided in the main housing (7) for communicating respectively with the opening (2) in the panel (3) and the safe (4). A transfer housing (27) which forms a chute (30) is pivotally mounted in the main housing (7) by pivot shafts (35, 36). The transfer housing (27) is pivotal for selectively and alternatively communicating the chute (30) with the main inlet (19) and the main outlet (20) for respectively receiving and discharging the envelope through the chute (30). A closure plate (38) closes the main inlet (19) when the chute (30) communicates with the main outlet (20). A latch mechanism may be provided to hold the transfer housing (27) in the discharge position and which releases the transfer housing once a sensor has detected that the envelope has passed through the main outlet (20).

Description

Transfer apparatus The present invention relates to transfer apparatus, and in particular though not limited to security transfer apparatus for transferring an article to a 5 container.

According to the invention, there is provided transfer apparatus for transferring an article to a container, the transfer apparatus comprising a main housing defining a main hollow interior region having a main inlet to and a main outlet from the hollow interior region, a transfer housing mounted within the main hollow interior region of the main housing, the transfer housing having a secondary hollow interior region for receiving the article, and communicating means for selectively and alternately communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main inlet and main outlet of the main housing, the transfer housing being movable within the main hollow interior region from a receiving position with the communicating means communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main inlet for receiving the article in the secondary hollow interior region to a discharge position with the communicating means communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main outlet for discharging the article into the container, and '60828 closure means on the transfer housing for closing the main inlet of the main housing when the communicating means is communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main outlet, and means for moving the transfer housing between the receiving position and the discharge position.

Preferably, detecting means is provided for detecting when the article has passed from the secondary hollow interior region, the means for moving the transfer housing from the discharge position to the receiving position being responsive to the detecting means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the communicating means comprises a secondary inlet and a secondary outlet in the transfer housing to the secondary hollow interior region. Preferably, the hollow interior region defines an elongated chute extending through the transfer housing from the secondary inlet to the secondary outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the transfer housing is pivotally mounted in the main housing.

In another embodiment of the invention the main housing is of cylindrical construction, the main hollow interior region being of circular cross section, the pivot axis of the transfer housing substantially coinciding with the central axis of the main hollow interior region.

In another embodiment of the invention, the centre line of the main outlet and the centre line of the main inlet extend from the pivot axis and are disposed at an angle of at least 70° relative to each other.

Preferably, the centre lines of the main outlet and the main inlet are disposed to each other at an angle of at least 90°. Preferably, the centre lines of the main outlet and the main inlet are disposed to each other at an angle in the range of 110° to 120°.

In one embodiment of the invention, the transfer housing is pivotal through an angle of at least 70°.

Preferably, the transfer housing is pivotal through an angle of at least 90°.

Advantageously, the transfer housing is pivotal through an angle in the range of 110° to 120°.

Preferably, the transfer housing is arranged so that when the secondary outlet is communicating with the main outlet, the secondary inlet cannot communicate with the main inlet.

In another embodiment of the invention, stop means is provided in the main housing for limiting the angle through which the transfer housing is pivotal.

In another embodiment of the invention, a latch means is provided for releasably retaining the transfer housing in the discharge position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the means for moving the transfer housing from the receiving position to the discharge position comprises a counterweight mounted on the transfer housing. Preferably, means for moving the transfer housing from the discharge position to the receiving position is provided, and preferably, the means for moving the transfer housing from the discharge position to the receiving position comprises a motor. Advantageously, disabling means is provided for disabling the motor when the motor is in the discharge position, the disabling means being responsive to the detecting means detecting failure of the article to pass from the secondary hollow interior region. Advantageously, the latch means is responsive to the motor for disengaging the latch means prior to pivoting of the transfer housing from the discharge position to the receiving position.

In one embodiment of the invention, limit sensing means is provided for monitoring the position of the transfer housing.

In another embodiment of the invention, the detecting means comprises first detecting means for detecting the 5 presence of the article in the secondary hollow interior region, second detecting means in the secondary hollow interior region for detecting discharge of the article through the main outlet.

Advantageously, the second detecting means comprises at least two sensor means spaced apart longitudinally along the chute for detecting the progressive movement of the article along the chute through the main outlet.

Preferably, each sensor means comprises a photoelectric sensor.

In one embodiment of the invention, the transfer apparatus is a security transfer apparatus for transferring an envelope or the like to a container, and preferably, to a safe. Typically, the security transfer apparatus is for use in transferring a lodgement of funds in an envelope to a safe, from an inlet in a receiving panel mounted remote of the safe.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of transfer apparatus according to the invention with portion of the transfer apparatus removed, Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevational view of the transfer apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the transfer apparatus of Fig 1, Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, v.

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is an underneath plan view of the portion of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated security transfer apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for transferring an article, typically an envelope (not shown) containing a lodgement of funds from an opening (not shown) in a panel (also not shown) to a remotely located safe (not shown) in a bank or the like. The transfer apparatus 1 comprises a main housing 7 of cylindrical construction constructed from 2 mm mild steel sheet material. The main housing 7 comprises a cylindrical shell 8 which defines a central axis 9. An end cap 11 is seam welded to the cylindrical shell 8 at one end thereof, and an end cap 12 is secured to the other end of the cylindrical shell 8 by screws 14 extending from the end cap 11 and nuts (not shown) on the screws 14. The cylindrical shell 8 and end caps 11 and 12 define a main hollow interior region 18. A main inlet 19 of rectangular cross section to the main hollow interior region 18 is foxmed in the cylindrical shell 8 and communicates with the opening (not shown) in the panel (also not shown). A main outlet 20 of rectangular cross section from the main hollow interior region 18 is also formed in a cylindrical shell 8 and communicates with the safe (not shown). Centre lines and 24 of the main inlet 19 and main outlet 20, respectively, extend from the central axis 9 and are disposed at approximately 107° relative to each other.

A transfer housing 27 of 1.5 mm mild steel sheet material is mounted within the main hollow interior region 18 for receiving and transferring the article through the transfer apparatus 1 from the main inlet 19 through the main outlet 20. The transfer housing 27 comprises a pair of side walls 28 joined by end walls which together define a secondary hollow interior region in the form of an elongated chute 30 through which the article passes through the transfer apparatus 1. The chute 30 terminates in communicating means, namely, a secondary inlet 32 and a secondary outlet 33 for selectively and alternately communicating the chute respectively with the main inlet 19 and the main outlet 20. A pair of stub shafts 35 and 36 extend from the end walls 29, and define a common pivot axis which co-incides with the central axis 9 about which the transfer housing 27 is pivotal in the main hollow interior region 18. The transfer housing 27 is pivotal through 107° in the direction of the arrow A about the central axis 9 from a receiving position illustrated in Fig. 5 with the secondary inlet 32 aligned with the main inlet 19 for receiving the article into the chute 30, to a discharge position illustrated in Fig. 1 with the secondary outlet 33 aligned with the main outlet 20 for discharging the article from the chute 30 through the main outlet 20 into the safe (not shown).

Closure means in this case comprising an arcuate closure plate 38 of 1.5 sheet metal material extends from one of the side walls 28 for closing the main inlet 19 when the chute 30 is communicating through the secondary outlet 33 with the main outlet 20, in other words, when the transfer housing 27 has moved from the receiving position to the discharge position. The axis of generation of the arcuate closure plate 38 coincides with the central axis 9 of the main housing 7 and the radius of generation of the closure plate 38 is just less than the radius of generation of the cylindrical shell 8. Support plate members 39 extending between one of the side walls 28 and the closure plate 38 secure and support the closure plate 38 to the transfer housing 27. The transfer housing 27 is arranged so that when the secondary outlet 33 is communicating with the main outlet 20, the secondary inlet 32 cannot communicate with the main inlet 19.

Means for moving the transfer housing 27 from the receiving position to the discharge position comprises counterweights 40 carried on a mounting bracket 41 extending from one of the side walls 28. The counterweights 40 is of sufficient weight and is disposed relative to the central axis 9, namely, the pivot axis of the transfer housing 27 so that the action of the counterweights 40 under gravity urges the 5 transfer housing 27 into the discharge position at all positions of the transfer housing 27.

Means for returning the transfer housing 27 from the discharge position to the receiving position comprises an electrically powered motor 42 mounted on a mounting 10 bracket 43 on the end cap 11. A motor shaft 45 delivers drive from the motor 42 to the stub shaft 36.

A drive disc 46 mounted fast on the stub shaft 36 carries an eccentrically mounted pin 47 which is engagable with a radially extending pin 49 extending 15 radially from the drive shaft 45 for driving the transfer housing 27 in the direction of the arrow B, namely, for returning the transfer housing 27 from the discharge position to the receiving position.

A latch means, namely, a latch 52 pivotally mounted on the bracket 43 releasably engages a recess 54 in the drive disc 46 for releasably retaining the transfer housing 27 in the discharge position. The radial pin 49 extending from the drive shaft 45 is so arranged to engage the latch 52 and pivot the latch 52 out of engagement with the recess 54 as the drive shaft 45 is rotated for rotating the transfer housing 27 from the discharge position to the receiving position.

Stop means comprising four stop members 56 and 57 are mounted on the cylindrical shell 8 and extend into the main hollow interior region 18 for engaging the transfer housing 27 for limiting the pivotal movement of the transfer housing 27 within the main hollow interior region 18. The stop members 57 are engagable with a portion 58 of one of the side walls 28 for limiting movement of the transfer housing 27 in the direction of the arrow A for locating the transfer housing 27 in the discharge position. The stop members 56 are engagable with one of the counterweights 40 for limiting movement of the transfer housing 27 in the direction of the arrow B and for locating the transfer housing in the receiving position.

Limit sensing means comprising a pair of limit photosensors 60 are mounted on brackets 61 which in turn are mounted on the end cap 12 for monitoring and 20 identifying the position of the transfer housing 27.

The photosensors 60 co-operate with a disc 63 carried rigidly on the stub shaft 35 for monitoring the position of the transfer housing 27. Recesses 67 and 68 are provided adjacent the periphery of the disc 63, the position of which is sensed by the photosensors 60 for identifying when the transfer housing 27 is in the receiving and discharge position, respectively. Intermediate recesses 69 are provided on the disc 63 for monitoring if the article jams the transfer housing 27 and for indicating when the transfer housing is halfway between the receiving and discharge position.

Detecting means comprising first detecting means for detecting the presence of an article in the chute 30 comprises three photosensors 70 mounted on one of the side walls 28 and three corresponding light sources 72 mounted on the other side wall 28 of the transfer housing 27. The photosensors 70 are located at spaced apart intervals transversely across the chute 30, and the light sources 72 are located at corresponding positions on the other side wall 28. The detecting means also comprises second detecting means for detecting the discharge of the article from the chute 30 through the main outlet 20 and comprises six photosensors 73 located on one of the side walls 28 and six corresponding light sources 74 located on the other side wall 28 of the transfer housing 27. The photosensors 73 are located in two groups of three, the three photosensors 73 of each group being spaced apart transversely across the chute 30. The two groups of three photosensors 73 are located spaced apart longitudinally along the chute 30 for monitoring the article as it progressively passes from the chute 30 through the main outlet 20. The light sources 74 are located at corresponding positions to the photosensors 5 73 on the other side wall 28 of the transfer housing 27.

Control circuitry for controlling the operation of the transfer apparatus 1 is provided but not illustrated. The photosensors 60, 70 and 73 are connected to the 10 control circuitry, as is the motor 42. An activating switch and other input apparatus is also connected to the control circuitry. Typically, it is envisaged that a keypad may be connected to the control circuitry for enabling an individual wishing to use the transfer 15 apparatus 1 to input a personal identification number prior to using the transfer apparatus 1 for enabling the transfer apparatus 1. A disabling circuit is provided in the control circuitry for disabling the motor 42 when the transfer housing is in the discharge 20 position, in the event that the photosensors 73 fail to detect the passage of the article from the chute 30.

This thus avoids the motor 42 returning the transfer housing 27 to the receiving position which would allow a user to withdraw the article from the chute 30.

In use, once the correct personal identification number has been inputted into the control circuit (not shown), a pushbutton switch (also not shown) is activated by the user and the transfer housing 27 is pivoted from the discharge position to the receiving position by the action of the electric motor 42. The article to be deposited in the safe (not shown) is passed through the opening (not shown) in the panel (not shown) and in turn through the main inlet 19, and the secondary inlet 32 into the chute 30. When the article is safely in the chute 30, the operator depresses the control button again for pivoting the transfer housing 27 into the discharge position. Activation of the control button causes the electric motor 42 to rotate in the reverse direction. The transfer housing 27 pivots under the action of the counterweight 40 and thereby follows the rotation of the motor 42 into the discharge position, at which stage the article passes from the chute 30, through the secondary outlet 33 and the main outlet 20 into the safe (not shown). On the article being placed in the chute 30, prior to the transfer housing 27 being pivoted from the receiving to the discharge position, the photosensors 70 are read by the control circuit for determining if the article has been placed in the chute 30. On a positive identification of the article being made by the photosensor 70, the motor 42 is then enabled so that the motor 42 can be activated to reverse by the action of the individual depressing the control button. As the motor 42 reverses the transfer housing 27 pivots from the receiving position to the discharge position under the action of the counterweights 40. On the transfer housing 27 pivoting into the discharge position, the control circuitry reads the photosensors 73 to ensure that the article has passed from the chute 30 through the main outlet 20. On the photosensors 73 confirming the passage of the article from the chute 30 through the main outlet , the transaction is recorded as having been completed. In the event that the photosensors 73 do not detect the passage of the article through the chute 30 and the main outlet 20, the transaction is recorded as having been incomplete, and the motor 42 is disabled and the latch 52 retains the transfer housing 27 in the discharge position. This thus prevents the return of the transfer housing 27 to the receiving position, and accordingly, avoids any danger of a user retrieving the article from the chute 30. During pivoting of the transfer housing 27, the position of the transfer housing 27 is monitored by the photosensors 60.

The advantages of the invention are many. Firstly, the invention provides a safe and secure transfer apparatus for transferring an article, typically an envelope containing a lodgement, and isolates the opening (not shown) in the panel (not shown) which is accessible to the user, from the safe (not shown), in other words, access cannot be gained through the chute 30 from the opening (not shown) in the panel (not shown) to the safe (also not shown). By virtue of the fact that the disabling circuit disables the motor 42, thereby causing the latch 52 to engage the recess 54 in the drive disc 46 in the event of the photosensors 73 failing to detect the passage of the article from the chute 30 to the safe, the transfer housing 27 is retained in the discharge position. Accordingly, the transfer housing 27 cannot be moved from the discharge position to the receiving position until the article has passed from the chute 30 to the safe. Accordingly, there is no danger of a user returning the transfer housing 27 to the receiving position with the article still in the chute which would otherwise allow the user to retrieve the article from the chute, and fraudulently claim that the article had been lodged in the safe. A further advantage of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the closure plate closes the main inlet 19 first before the secondary outlet communicates with the main outlet, this further avoids any danger of an article being removed from the chute prior to the transfer housing returning to the receiving position. A further advantage of the invention is that by providing the photosensors 70 confirmation of the article in the chute 30 is obtained. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that by providing the photosensors 73, confirmation of the lodgement of the articles having been completed is obtained. This, thus, avoids the danger of a person fraudulently claiming that a lodgement has been made. By virtue of the fact that the transfer housing 27 is pivotal from the receiving position to the discharge position there is no danger of an individuals fingers or hand being caught in the main inlet opening by the transfer housing.

While the transfer housing has been described as being of a particular shape and construction, the transfer housing may be of any other suitable or desired construction. While the main housing has been described as being of cylindrical shape, the main housing may be of other suitable shapes. Needless to say, while it is preferable, it is not essential that the transfer housing be pivotally movable in the main hollow interior region of the main housing, the transfer housing may be otherwise movable. Needless to say, while the chute 30 has been described as being an elongated chute extending between an inlet and outlet, while this is preferable, it is not essential. Indeed, * in certain cases, it is envisaged that a single opening to the secondary hollow interior region may be provided which would act as an inlet and outlet. In which case, the transfer housing would be pivoted or moved through a sufficient distance for aligning the communicating opening with both the main inlet and the main outlet of the main housing.

While particular types of first and second detecting means have been described, other suitable detecting means may be provided. It is also envisaged that the first and second detecting means may be used for detecting both the presence of the article in the chute 10 and also the passage of the article from the chute. It will of course be appreciated that it is not essential to progressively monitor the passage of the article from the chute, all that is required is confirmation that the article has passed from the chute.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Dated this 24th day of May 1993 F.F. GbBM&i I & CO. W/ BY: id'----EXECUTIVE? Agents for the Applicants, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Claims (5)

1. Transfer apparatus for transferring an article to a container, the transfer apparatus comprising a main housing defining a main hollow interior region and having a main inlet to and a main outlet from the main hollow interior region, a transfer housing mounted within the main hollow interior region of the main housing, the transfer housing having a secondary hollow interior region for receiving the article, and a communicating means for selectively and alternately communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main inlet and the main outlet of the main housing, the transfer housing being movable within the main hollow interior region from a receiving position with the communicating means communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main inlet for receiving the article in the secondary hollow interior region, to a discharge position with the communicating means communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main outlet for discharging the article to the container, and a closure means on the transfer housing for closing the main inlet of the main housing when the communicating means is communicating the secondary hollow interior region with the main outlet, and a moving means for moving the transfer housing between the receiving position and the discharge position.

2. Transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the closure means closes the main inlet before the communicating means communicates the secondary hollow interior region with the main outlet.

3. Transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which a detecting means is provided for detecting when the article has passed from the secondary hollow interior region through the main outlet, and disabling means is provided for disabling the moving means for preventing the moving means moving the transfer housing from the discharge position to the receiving means, the disabling means being responsive to the detecting means detecting failure of the article to pass from the secondary hollow interior region.

4. Transfer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means for moving the transfer housing between the receiving position and the discharge position comprises a counterweight mounted on the transfer housing for moving the transfer housing from the receiving position to the discharge position.

5. Transfer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the main housing is of cylindrical construction, the main hollow interior region being of ERRATUM Patent Specification No.60828 Page 1 at (54) should read Transfer apparatus Patents Office, Dublin. circular cross section and defining a central longitudinal axis, the transfer housing being pivotally mounted in the main hollow interior region, and being pivotal between the receiving position and 5 the discharge position about a pivot axis coinciding with the central longitudinal axis, the communicating means comprising a secondary inlet and a secondary outlet in the transfer housing communicating with the secondary hollow interior region, the secondary inlet 10 and the secondary outlet being provided for communicating respectively with the main inlet and the main outlet, the secondary hollow interior region forming an elongated chute extending through the transfer housing from the secondary inlet to the 15 secondary outlet.