[0001] The present invention concerns a security arrangement for a cash till or other money
handling device.
[0002] If a money handling device has to be left in place, perhaps containing money, it
needs to be secure. Simple locking may not be thought sufficient, particularly if
the device itself is complete and costly, since it may be damaged in an attempt to
find money or merely from spite. Moreover, it may be damaged so as to destroy a record
it holds in order to facilitate fraud. As examples of the type of money handling device
concerned, reference can be made to British Patent Specifications 2088609A, 2088610A
and 2088611A.
[0003] Accordingly, the invention proposes a security cabinet for a money handling device
comprising vault means for safely storing a money handling device with a removable
top member, elevator means for moving the device into and out of the vault means,
and securing means for locating and securing the top member over the device within
said vault means.
[0004] Thus security is achieved by enabling the handling device to nest in a locked vault.
In order to facilitate use of the nesting capability it is useful if the effort required
to lower and raise a heavy device such as a coin and bill handler be easily within
the capability of a young, light weight clerk. The present invention may achieve that
result through the use of a servomechanism or a stored energy system.
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention achieves its beneficial results by using
a pantograph like structure in which the source of stored energy is a resilient device
such as one or more springs which effectively act as a counterbalance and source of
stored energy.
[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention uses an electrically powered actuator
to raise and lower the money handler into and out of the vault.
[0007] While other earlier inventors have invented various structures to make secure the
storage of one-armed bandits, jewelry cases and even teller's cages, none of those
devices have the ease of use or the functional simplicity of the present invention.
[0008] In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, several exemplary embodiments
thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 shows a section of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 taken along the lines
2-2 shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 with the money
handler in the secure position.
Figures 4 and 5 show sectional views of the device shown in Figure 1 taken along the
lines 4-4 and 5-5 shown in Figure 1 respectively.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the elevator structure which forms a part of
one embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 7 and 8 show two additional embodiments of the present inventions having different
elevator member structures.
Figures 9 and 10 show a still further embodiment of the present invention using a
servomechanism to raise and lower the automatic money handler operating modules into
and out of the vault.
Figures 11 and 12 show another embodiment of an automatic money handling device having
a novel locking arrangement which can be used in combination with every other embodiment
of the present invention.
[0009] Figure 1 shows in perspective an automatic money handling device 10 set adjacent
to a counter (shown in outline). The money handler is shown mounted above a vault
130 which has steel sides 138, 140, 142, 136 and a door 131. The door has hinges,
not shown in this Figure, a lock 132 and a handle 134.
[0010] The money handler 10 has a keyboard 120 which is part of an upper cover 118. The
upper cover has one or more viewing windows 112 and one or more bill guides 114. The
outside dimensions of the devices are about 26 inches wide, 22 inches deep and 32
inches high.
[0011] The money handler 10, as shown in Figures 4,5 and 6 rests en an elevator system 11
formed of horizontal rib members 34, 44, vertical rib members 32, 42, linking rib
members 30, 40, and front and rear rib members 36, 38 which effectively form two rigid
triangles linked together by ribs 36, 38.
[0012] The elevator 11 is supported by a pantograph-like structure which is shown in three
embodiments in Figures 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. The general structure which pertains to all
three embodiments is shown in Figures 2 and 3 and is described as follows. The pantograph
is formed of ribs 52, 54, 56, 58 which are linked for relative motion by pins 51,
55, 59, 61. Members 52, 56 are linked for rotation by pin 59 and members 54, 58 are
linked by pin 61. The pins 59, 61 may be formed as part of a spring 60. Members 52
and 54 are linked by pin 51 for rotation and pin 55 similarly links members 56, 58.
[0013] Figures 7 and 8 show two further embodiments of the same basic structure in which
like parts are similarly numbered but preceded by the number 1 or 2 respectively.
Thus parts 52, 152 and 252 are performing the same function in each embodiment. Figure
7 shows an embodiment in which the single spring 60 is replaced by two springs 160
and 160' in parallel. This structure is utilized to prevent excessive demands on one
spring and to improve the life expectancy of the system.
[0014] The Figure 8 embodiment of the present invention shows a structure virtually identical
to that shown in Figure 7 except that added to the lower pin 255 is a tail like structure
15 which is in turn mounted to the vault by member pin 257. This tail 15 enables the
device to give a slightly larger range of motion thereby extending the range of operation
of the elevator.
[0015] The description of the detailed structure and the operation of the elevator 45 which
follows is specific to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 6 but it applies equally
to the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8 except for the details previously described
with respect to those figures.
[0016] Figure 2 shows a spring member 60 in a relatively relaxed state where it produces
a force tending to move pins 59 and 61 closer together thereby producing a force to
counterbalance the weight of the elevator 11 and money handler 10. A plate 53 is fastened
to pin 51 and rear support rib 38 to interconnect the pantograph structure 60 to elevator
11. Guide members 70, 74 have channels 72, 76 respectively formed therein. Elevator
11 has rollers, 47, 49, 35, 37 mounted on axles 147, 149, 135, 137 respectively. The
rollers ride in channels 72, 76 to provide both a low friction coupling to the inside
wall of the vault and a counter torque to prevent the rotation of the elevator 11
and the money handler 10 about axis 135, 149.
[0017] Figure 3 shows the elevator 11 and money handler 10 i the retracted position within
vault 130. In this position, spring 60 is stretched compared to its state as shown
in Figure 2. Accordingly, spring 60 is a source of stored energy helping to lift elevator
11 and money handler 10 out of the vault. The entire assembly of elevator 11 and the
automatic money handler 10 weighs about 150 pounds. A force of about 15 pounds is
sufficient to raise or lower the assembly into and out of vault 130. Even a relatively
young and lightweight employee in a fast food restaurant or a convenience food store
is able to raise and lower the assembly 11, 10 into and out of vault 130 easily.
[0018] During raising and lowering of elevator 11 it is desirable that all four rollers
35, 37, 47, 49 be in contact with the proper channels 72, 76. It is also desirable
that the elevator 11 be stable while in motion and neither rock from side to side
nor tip forward or backward. This stability is achieved by making the lift point of
the elevator where plate 53 is connected by pin 51. Furthermore, elevator 11 and its
load are supported by rear rib 38 at the base of the elevator 11. In addition the
side triangles of elevator 11 carry virtually no load and the elevator is essentially
free of any significant torque in the horizontal plane. Thus the elevator is permitted
to flex in a manner analogous to the system used in designing an aircraft frame or
wing. This ability to flex enables all four rollers to be in solid, continuous contact
with the guides and the vault.
[0019] A spring loaded detent system 270 acts to lock the elevator 11 in place when it is
in either its raised or lowered position. Upper and lower recesses 271, 272 are formed
in guide rail 74. The recesses are adapted to mate with latch member 273 which has
first and second ramp surfaces 274 and 275. The centerline of latch member 273 is
slightly misaligned with the center lines of recesses 271, 272 when in the upper and
lower locked position respectively. The misalignments insure that in the lower locked
position the upper edge of lower recesses 272 engages the upper surface 275 of latch
pin 273. Spring 60 by providing a force tending to raise elevator 11 holds the device
11 in a locked position. A similar but reversed situation occurs in the upper locking
position in which lower edge of recess 271 engages surface 274 of latch member 273
locking elevator 11 in place.
[0020] Latch rod 276 is held in place under elevator 11 by brackets 277, 278 and has a handle
279 formed on an outer extending end. Spring 280 is captured between bracket 278 and
latch pin 273 and operates to bias the latch mechanism into a locked position.
[0021] The upper portion of vault 130 is formed with a ledge to receive a lightweight but
very strong top 20 formed from a reinforced fibreglass structure. Top 20 cannot exceed
15 pounds in weight or it will not be easy to physically move by many of the people
employed in fast food restaurants and convenience food stores.
[0022] Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 show the construction of the ledge for supporting the top
20. Side supports 21, 23 run parallel to and above supports 17, 19 to provide a resting
place for top 20. Front and rear support is provided by upper bars 22, 26 which are
above and parallel to bars 24, 28. In combination, supports 17, 19, 21, 23, 22, 26,
24 and 28 form a channel with upper and lower ledges 25, 27 around three sides of
the vault for securely supporting top 20. Top 20 is the same size as the inside dimensions
of vault 130 in depth and width and can be slide into the channel from the fourth
side so that closing door 131 closes top 20 within the vault 130. Top 20 is made of
one of a number of suitable commercially available reinforced materials which can
be strong enough to prevent penetration of the material by a high powered bullet at
close range. Safeguard Security makes such materials.
[0023] The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 11 and 12 has an electrically powered
actuator to raise and lower the device into the vault. The control elements for this
operation are two actuator buttons located on each side of the vault. Both buttons
must be actuated to make the actuator move the money handler. The required simultaneous
actuation of the buttons and the requirement for continued actuation of the buttons
ensures that the operators hands are on the buttons and not somewhere else where injury
could occur. If an object blocks or resists the movement of the elevator, the actuator
goes to a "down" position. If the operator releases one button, the elevator stops
its motion. Reactuation of the released button returns the elevator to its previous
direction of motion.
[0024] The operation of the control system for the elevator is controlled either by a logic
network 675 mounted in the base of the cabinet or by the microprocessor which forms
a part of the automatic money handler. The logic network is connected electrically
to the power supply, to the buttons and to the motor which drives the actuator shaft.
No detailed description of the electronics or of the logic is believed necessary in
view of the knowledge readily available for such control systems.
[0025] In Figures 11 and 12, parts with like numbers to those in Figures 4 and 5 are shown
with like numbers preceded by a "4" or "5". Figures 11 and 12 show a money handler
510 supported on a shelf 700 which is supported in part by the ribs 544, 540, 534,
530, etc. Shelf 700 is connected to a collar 640 which is in turn connected to a threaded
member 622. A tube member 620 is in turn engaged by a gear 610 which is housed within
cover 600. Cover 600 encloses an electric motor which drives gear 610 which drives
member 620 which in turn drives threaded member 622 which telescopes with respect
to member 620. A motor driver gear arrangement of this type is commercially available
sold by Jasta, Inc. of San Jose, California.
[0026] Figures 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the present invention which can be used
in combination with any other embodiment of the invention described in this application.
This embodiment of the invention can be best understood by examining the embodiment
of the invention shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 show the construction
of the ledge for supporting the top 20. Side supports 21, 23 run parallel to and above
supports 17, 19 to provide a resting place for top 20. Front and rear support is provided
by upper bars 22, 26 which are above and parallel to bars 24, 28. In combination supports
17, 19, 21, 23, 22, 26, 24 and 28 form upper and lower ledges 25, 27 for securely
supporting top 20. Top 20 is the same size as the inside dimensions of vault 130 in
depth and width and fits below ledge 25 so that closing door 131 closes top 20 within
the vault 130.
[0027] The structure described is satisfactory for many purposes, but it does require opening
the door to allow the top 20 to be removed and to raise the money handler 10 into
position. To eliminate that need in the circumstances where necessary, the embodiment
in Figures 9 and 10 is shown.
[0028] Figure 10 shows a front view of the vault of this embodiment of the present invention
with the top 620 in place. Vault 600 has a door 330 with a handle 334 and first lock
332. The top 620 slides between members 622, 624 and can be held in place there secure
from removal by the lock system shown generally by the numeral 200.
[0029] Lock system 200 has a bolt element 204, a base member 202 and a rotatable cam member
218 which can be rotated by a key operated central core 240. Base member 202 is fastened
to the inside surface 631 of the vault door 330 by welds or other suitable method.
The base member 202 has two primary cavities 215 and 250. Cavity 215 is formed to
allow space for the rotatable cam member 218 which has a curved surface 222 and a
flat surface 220. Central core 240 which is rotated by a key, not shown, causes the
cam to rotate in the direction shown by the arrow for actuating bolt member 204.
[0030] Bolt member 204 is formed in a generally "U" shaped cross section with legs 205,
206 and 208. Bolt 204 has a guide slot 210 formed in leg 205. Guide slot 210 is supported
for translation on post member 212 which has a relieved portion 216. Bolt 204 is captured
on post 212 by a "C" ring 214.
[0031] Base member 202 has first and second cam surfaces 230 and 232 which co-operate with
surface 234 of bolt 204. Bolt 204 is moved by cam 218 along post 212 and cam surfaces
230 and 232 such that bolt 204 leg 208 can be positioned to block the space between
members 622 and 624 when cam surface 218 is against surface 236 of bolt 204. In the
blocked position top 620 cannot be removed except by destruction of the lock 200.
[0032] The money handler 10 requires electrical power and information for operation. To
make those connections, vault 130 has a channel 150 running along its lower front
edge behind the door 131 (see Figures 2 and 5). The channel is formed by an inwardly
extending lip 153 formed as part of vault 130. Extending downwardly from lip 153 in
the base 22 of vault 130 is a vertical member 152 which can be formed as part of lip
153. Inlet 162 is formed in member 152 to permit electrical wire or a connector 158
to be placed either therein or therethrough. A rear cover plate 154 formed in an "L"
shape is bolted to lip 153 at intervals along its length by bolts 156 and nuts 155.
A cable 160 is run along channel 150 and connected to connector 158 to supply both
electrical power and transfer information to and from the money handler 10. The connection
to the money handler is made through electrical lead 164 which is terminated by connector
166 at the main printed circuit board assembly. Power and signals (data) are brought
to the bill and coin handlers by a distribution panel which is also connected to the
main printed circuit board with a cable. The structure described above allows electrical
energy to enter and leave the vault without impairing the physical security of the
vault 130. Even if channel 152 were broken open, entry is gained only through a small
port 162 formed in the vault which is too small to permit removal of any money or
part of the device.
1. A security cabinet for a money handling device comprising vault means for safely
storing a money handling device with a removable top member, elevator means for moving
the device into and out of the vault means, and securing means for locating and securing
the top member over the device within said vault means.
2. A security cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevator means has means
for storing energy for raising and lowering the money handling device within the vault
means; the elevator means requiring an amount of force to be applied by an operator
to be far less that the total weight of the elevator means and the money storage means.
3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said vault has reinforced sides and
bottom and a slide-in top member.
4. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said energy storage means comprises
one or more resilient members.
5. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim including a blind channel means formed
therein to conduct an electrical cable from outside the apparatus to inside it.
6. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said elevator means includes
a pantograph device having a spring means linking opposing pivot points of said pantograph.
7. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim including means for reducing the friction
between the vault means and the elevator means when the elevator means is raised and
lowered.
8. A cabinet as claimed in claim 7 including guide means disposed within said vault
to receive said friction reducing means and to prevent the tipping of said money storage
means inside said vault.
9. A cabinet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stored energy means supplies substantially
more than half the effort required to raise and lower said housing means.
10. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the top member is formed of
lightweight reinforced material having an impact resistance strength approximating
that of steel and said vault member has a door member which when closed and locked
confines said top member making it non-removable.
11. A cabinet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein said top member is locked
in position by locking means at a top edge of the cabinet.
12. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim including locking means for positively
holding said elevator means in a first and a second fixed position.
13. A cabinet as claimed in claim 12 wherein said locking means comprises a locking
member spring biassed in the locking direction.
14. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elevator means has means
for raising and lowering said housing means into and out of said vault means, said
raising and lowering means being electrically powered.
15. As an independent invention, the additional feature of any of claims 1 to 14.
16. A security cabinet for a money handling device substantially as herein described.