Abstract: An automated sheet dispenser for dispensing a single sheet removed from the bottom of a stack formed of a plurality of sheets. The dispenser includes a hopper for supporting the stack of sheets, the hopper having an opening provided in the bottom surface thereof to allow passage of a sheet through the opening; a separator for separating a leading edge of the bottom sheet from the stack through the opening and moving the leading edge to a position below the hopper; and a guide for engaging the leading edge of the sheet separated from the stack by the separator and guiding the sheet to a sheet exit chute. The separator is lowered from the stack to separate the leading edge of the bottom sheet and the guide pivots to engage the leading edge and guide the leading edge between a pair of feed rollers that transport the sheet to the exit chute. The lowering of the separator, the pivoting of the guide and the advancing of the gripping feed roller are actuated by rotation of a main cam.

Abstract: A ticket processing device for use on a mass transportation vehicle. A housing, has a substantially horizontal top, provided with an opening therein for receiving a stack of flat cards, and a slot, for accommodating tickets, at said top of said housing spaced from said openings. Within the housing is a U-shaped pathway having a central axis, the central axis of the pathway being linear through a first, vertical portion thereof adjacent to the opening, an elongated cartridge, for accommodating said stack of flat cards, disposed within the first, vertical portion of the pathway. The cartridge has a slot on one sidewall, adjacent the bottom of said cartridge, for permitting the lowest card in the stack at a given time to be expelled.

Abstract: A card reader system for reading a fare card containing data, the card being adapted for insertion into the reader; the operation is such that the card is held in a fixed position while it is being read and while other operations such as erase, write, and the like are being performed. The reader assembly is moved past the card to read the data and perform the other operations and the data representative of the amount of fare already paid is stored and a balance due or remaining is calculated and is written on the card. Preferably, the card has a magnetic stripe carrying the data, and the reader includes a magnetic head, as well as an optional thermal (marking) head. Solenoids are used to clamp in the fixed position and to eject the card after clamping is released.

Abstract: A revenue receiving farebox having a mechanism for receiving and transporting bills and tickets includes a first conveyor mechanism disposed adjacent a bill receiving slot for engaging bills and transporting same along a guide to a second conveyor mechanism. The first conveyor mechanism is disposed relative to the second conveyor mechanism such that a bill will simultaneously be engaged by each. The speed of the first conveyor mechanism is less than that of the second conveyor mechanism so as to accelerate a first bill relative to a second overlapping bill to effectuate a separation of the bills.

Abstract: An oil-filled thermometer tube is heated out and sealed. The tube is mounted with the bulb in a reference bath and sequentially moved through a reference station, a column height measuring station, a marking station and a sorting station. The measuring station includes a photosensitive camera having a columnar light source and a line array of photosensitive devices, which are electronically scanned to measure the column height. A plurality of sequential scans are made as a part of a pattern recognition system to insure a measurement only when an oil column has been scanned. The camera produces a digital output which is converted to an output signal to actuate a marker and a sorter at the respective stations.

Abstract: A mechanism for finishing work pieces of the type having a continuously moving conveyor mechanism having work piece holding fixtures movable therewith wherein the work piece is automatically rotated between separate work finishing stations by a gear mechanism actuated by cam mechanisms associated with the conveyor mechanism.