Abstract: A currency note condition recognition apparatus and method uses a programmed microelectronic CPU to execute program instructions stored in a PROM to read in pixel data from an optical imaging section, including LEDs and photodiodes for generating signals which can be converted to a first image of a currency note being transported along the path of travel. The CPU receives position and skew data detected by external sensors for sensing the position and skew of the note.

Abstract: A parking meter system consisting of a cylindrical housing having an upper section for a driver assistance display, control buttons, payment means and a time display. The housing is located adjacent a plurality of parking spaces and a single parking meter mechanism is mounted within the housing for controlling parking for each of the plurality of spaces. A separate enforcement display is located on the street side of the housing so that an enforcement officer can observe the compliance status without leaving his vehicle. The housing also supports a coin collection canister in a lower section thereof and access doors are provided for both the upper and lower housing sections for ease of servicing. The contours of the doors preserves the cylindrical housing shape when the doors are closed.

Abstract: A coin detection device for determining a size of a coin traveling along a coin track comprises a first inductive sensor positioned along the coin track, a second inductive sensor positioned above the first inductive sensor, a processing circuit connected to the first and second inductive sensors, each of the sensors for providing an output signal to the processing circuit and the processing circuit determining the size of the coin based upon a ratio of the output signals.

Abstract: A coin validator is arranged to sample the outputs of electromagnetic sensors in order to derive measurements for use in testing coins. Frequency measurements are made by counting a predetermined number of oscillator cycles, terminating the sample period in response to this count being reached, and taking into account the duration of the sampling period and the number of cycles of the oscillator during the sampling period, including any cycles which may have occurred following the predetermined number. The predetermined number is altered in order to change the sampling period.

Abstract: A material handling device comprising first and second upper arm members having respective proximal and distal end portions and first and second forearm members having respective proximal and distal end portions. The proximal end portions of the first and second forearm members are pivotally coupled to the distal end portions of the respective first and second upper arm members by respective first and first and second pivot assemblies. The distal end portions of the first and second forearm members are attached together. A material handler is carried by the distal end portions of the first and second forearm members. The first and second forearm members have a retracted position in which the first and second forearm members extend linearly along an imaginary line passing through the first and second pivot assemblies with the distal end portions of the first and second forearm members being disposed approximately midway between the first and second pivot assemblies.

Abstract: A transfer device for a linear conveyor (1) comprising means for displacing objects (2) along a direction different of the conveying direction (XX′) of the conveyor, whereby a pendulum lever (5) is capable of exerting selectively onto the objects a thrust load (E), whereas the pendulum lever is controlled by a rod (11) brought into rotation by a driving assembly (8), whereby the cinematic link between the rod and the lever is a sliding link, in order to enable pivotless evacuation of the objects (2) outside the conveyor.

Abstract: A strip of riveted belt fasteners is provided manufactured in a punch press or the like to form multiple belt fasteners at a time with the fasteners each being attached to an end of a conveyor belt by way of a single rivet extending through single apertures in upper and lower plates of each of the fasteners. The small fasteners herein are provided with sufficient strength to be used in abusive hay baler applications while the fasteners must travel about small pulleys, e.g. 3″ to 3.5″ inches in diameter. Further, the installation of this rivet belt fastener in the field is about as simple as driving a nail requiring a portable applicator tool and a hammer. That is, the fasteners can be riveted attached to the belt end by way of a low cost applicator tool that includes recessed hardened anvil surfaces integrally formed in the body thereof to upset initially rivets which are driven through the belt with a separably attached pilot nail.

Abstract: An elongatable conveyor belt capable of traversing horizontal curves during its conveying run while still allowing for retention of the material to be conveyed thereon, the conveying belt being made of a stretchable or elongatable elastomeric material and including an upper layer of transverse reinforcing cords and a substantially heavier lower layer of transverse reinforcing cords disposed at opposing angles relative to the transverse axis of the conveyor belt. The belt also includes an internal stretch limiter such as an angularly woven fabric in the central region of the belt.

Abstract: A carton feeder has a plurality of suction-cup stations for engaging cartons. A valve mechanism which includes a rotating valve, a stationary valve and a change-over valve selectively applies vacuums to different ones of the plurality of suction-cup stations such that particular combinations of suction-cup stations can be activated or deactivated to engage particular sizes and styles of cartons. Changeover of the application of vacuum is accomplished by changing the alignment of vacuum apertures in the changeover valve and vacuum apertures in the stationary valve with respect to another whereby a first alignment provides vacuum to a first combination of suction-cup stations and a second alignment provides vacuum to a second combination of suction-cup stations.

Abstract: A baseball dispenser for storing and dispensing a balls, comprising a cylindrical container which has an interior sized to hold a large supply of baseballs, softballs, and the like, and an opening at its top for receiving balls into the interior thereof. The baseball dispenser has a pair of handles secured to the upper end of the container and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the lower end thereof for facilitating easy transportation across the surface of the ground. One or more support columns extend vertically from the bottom of the container, wherein a compression spring is disposed about each of the support columns. A circular platform is vertically slidably disposed within the container and is engaged with the support columns such that the compression springs are constrained axially between the bottom of the container and the platform.

Abstract: A dunnage infeed station is designed to receive generally planar dunnage objects such as tier sheets and tier sheet picture frames from a forklift and to deposit a stack of the dunnage objects onto a conveyor which transports the stack out from the infeed station.

Abstract: A coin-operated massage table features an intersegmented traction table having a plurality of rollers rotating in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions that travel up and down a patient's back. The patient is lying in a supine position on the table during the massaging process. A control panel is used to increase or decrease the height of the rollers which increases or decreases, respectively, the pressure on the back muscles. The control panel is mounted to the table and is connected to a bill acceptor device which accepts coins, bills, tokens, credit cards or debit cards. The massage table operates for a predetermined amount of time based upon the amount of money the patient inserts in the bill acceptor device. Other optional features of the massage table include a vibration device, and hot and cold and moist supplying devices in the table which are controlled by the control panel.

Abstract: In a returning system for service carts (24), said system comprising electronic monitoring of the movement of the carts (24) through an activity area, the main novel features are a) that the returning system is an electronic system operable in a deposit-free manner, the elements of said system being mutually related in a compulsorily activating manner from a collection station, at which the carts stand in readiness to be collected, and via an activity area again back to a readiness collection station, b) that the system comprises an electronic signal director (20) that is both controllable and/or controlling and comprises fixed and variable functions, c) that the system further comprises, c1) mobile electronic communication devices (28) intended and constructed for placement on the system's service carts (24) so as to accompany the latter, each of said communication devices (28) being adapted for electronic identification of the particular service cart on which it is placed, and c2) stationary electronic

Abstract: A simplified, compact coin-controlled coin latch unit includes a latching arm and a deactivating arm, arranged on the same pivot. The operation of the deactivating arm, which is controlled by the opening and closing of the door latched by the latch unit, operates a magnetic switch which deactives the solenoid which controls the latching arm. The deactivating arm also controls a hinged flap which forms part of a temporary coin receptacle. When the door opens, the deactivating arm is released, deactivating the solenoid and releasing the hinged flap to permit coins to fall into a chute to a permanent coin receptacle. When the door is closed, the deactivating arm is moved to it's original point, closing the hinged flap and activating the magnetic switch to close, thereby permitting reactivation of the solenoid circuit, in response to a coin detecting device.

Abstract: A coin turning entrance chute for coin-operated devices descends from an upper coin-entry slot to a lower exit slot floor and curved sidewalls. The sidewalls have different radii of curvature to define a wider coin path at the curvature to allow the coin to turn. An exit slot is provided. The entrance chute rotates the coin from an initial edge-forward orientation to a face-forward orientation when passing through the exit slot.

Abstract: System for feeding empty containers on a conveyor belt, namely for packaging installations, such as bottling plants. The system for feeding containers comprises a supporting surface having dimensions sufficient to accommodate a multitude of empty containers placed side by side. This supporting surface continuously moves the containers against an abutment wall. The movement of the supporting surface causes empty containers to agglomerate against the abutment wall. A pushing device is provided to selectively push out from the containers agglomeration a number of containers over a secondary conveyor belt that will lead those containers to successive processing stations, such as a filling station, capping station, labeling station etc. The pushing device is mounted relative to the supporting surface such that it moves generally parallel to the abutment wall.

Abstract: A conveyor drop turn system for reorienting product through redirection of product flow at a substantially perpendicular angle includes a first product supply conveyor that, with the assistance of a vacuum control system, delivers product to a second conveyor that is substantially perpendicular to the first product supply conveyor. In accordance with an aspect of the drop turn system, a third spreader conveyor is interposed between the first product supply conveyor and the second conveyor that can be adjusted to cause product to separate in a conveyance direction defined by the second conveyor. More specifically, the third spreader conveyor includes a plurality of endless belts that can be terminated to a variety of positions on a pair of cylindrical pulleys. Through an appropriate arrangement of the belts on the pulleys, product flow can be delivered directly or an offset can be introduced by angling the belts between the pulleys.

Abstract: A conveyor system for retaining an empty box thereon includes a conveyor assembly slidably adjustable on a frame. The conveyor assembly includes a set of rollers rotationally mounted on a support rail attached to the conveyor assembly. A corresponding set of rollers are rotationally mounted to another support rail parallel and spaced apart from the first support rail and fixedly attached to the frame. The rotational axis of each of the rollers is angled forward in the direction of operative travel of the conveyor belt and box. In operation, the angled rollers snugly engage the box and urge the box against the conveyor belt when the box is translated thereby. The distance between the two sets of rollers is adjusted by sliding adjustment of the conveyor assembly with respect to the frame, thus providing for expedited set up of the conveyor system to handle boxes of different widths.

Abstract: A manifold adapted to distribute six coin denominations discharged from a coin sorter to a standard cash till is set forth. The manifold includes a plurality of paths to deliver at least five of the coin denominations to the five coin compartments of the standard cash till. The manifold delivers the sixth coin denomination to a receptacle within the manifold.

Abstract: Around one coin pullout prevention lever, another coin pullout prevention lever with tip position thereof being different from that of the one coin pullout prevention lever is arranged.