Abstract: A plug valve assembly has a valve body with an inlet and an outlet each defining a fluid passageway in fluid communication with a cavity defined within the valve body. The valve body further has a collar defining a service opening extending upward from the valve body. A plug with a spindle top and a plug body is disposed within the cavity. The plug has an opening that is operable to obstruct the fluid passageway when it is in a closed position and to connect the inlet to the outlet when it is in an open position. The spindle top of the plug has a hexagonal outer profile and a through opening and adaptable to engage with a variety of actuating devices. A threaded cap is removably engaged with the collar of the valve body and is operable to retain the plug within the valve body cavity.

Abstract: A plug valve assembly has a valve body with an inlet and an outlet each defining a fluid passageway in fluid communication with a cavity defined within the valve body. The valve body further has a collar defining a service opening extending upward from the valve body. A plug with a spindle top and a plug body is disposed within the cavity. The plug has an opening that is operable to obstruct the fluid passageway when it is in a closed position and to connect the inlet to the outlet when it is in an open position. The spindle top of the plug has a hexagonal outer profile and a through opening and adaptable to engage with a variety of actuating devices. A threaded cap is removably engaged with the collar of the valve body and is operable to retain the plug within the valve body cavity.

Abstract: A safety device includes a locking mechanism connected to a first portion and a braking mechanism connected to a second portion. The locking mechanism includes at least one pawl and a biasing member urging the at least one pawl into an engaging position. The braking mechanism includes at least one tooth having an engaging surface, and the at least one pawl engages the engaging surface in the engaging position. The engaging position prevents rotation of the first portion in the first direction and allows rotation of the first portion in the second direction. A force of at least 250 pounds on the first portion allows the braking mechanism to rotate thereby allowing the first portion to rotate in the first direction. The braking mechanism is prevented from rotating when the force has been released from the first portion thereby preventing rotation of the first portion in the first direction.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one sheet dispensing mechanism (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation causes an end sheet to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: An exemplary ATM (10) includes a fascia (12) which extends on the outside of a wall (14) and includes a user interface (15). Responsive to user inputs through the user interface, the ATM is operative to receive a stack of currency notes (84) from a user. A currency note stack can be evaluated through operation of a currency note validator device (88). Acceptable currency notes can be stored in the ATM for recycling. Unacceptable currency notes can be routed to a bulk storage area (100). The ATM also includes an exemplary note picking arrangement to pick currency notes from a received stack, including use of contact and non-contact stripping rollers.

Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.

Abstract: An ATM can accept a bulk stack of currency notes for deposit from a customer. The ATM includes a stack transporter (400) that can rotate an accepted stack while relocating it to a predetermined location inside of the machine. The stack transporter includes a rotatable housing (406) in which a stack holder (404) is radially movable. The stack holder can receive a currency stack (411) deposited in a fascia opening (412) by a customer. The stack holder is retracted to move the stack away from the opening and into the housing to completely move the stack into the machine. The housing, having the bulk stack therein, is then rotated about an axis (408) to move the stack toward a stack processing area in the machine. The stack holder is then extended to expose a stack end out of the housing for stack processing.

Abstract: An ATM currency cassette includes an RFID tag. The tag includes information about the cassette, such as the cassette serial number and the currency denomination. An ATM includes a tag reader that can interrogate the tag to receive the information. The history of a particular cassette can be tracked via the cassette serial number. Problem cassettes can be identified.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a cash dispenser (220). A machine user interface (15) includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), and cash dispensing opening (38). A cash acceptor mechanism (80) includes a chute (82) which enables a user to input a stack of currency notes (84) into the machine through a deposit opening (40). Notes are separated from an inputted stack via a note picker device (158, 352) and a note stripper device (64, 162, 354). Upon sensing multiple notes have been picked, picker device movement is reversed to function with the stripper device in returning notes toward the stack. The stripper device is driven to move a note engaged therewith at a faster rate or for a longer time period relative to a note engaged with the picker device to reorient returning notes to facilitate a subsequent note separation attempt.

Abstract: An automated canister reloading machine is able to reload a currency canister removed from an ATM. The reloading machine includes a supply of currency notes. The reloading machine can transfer currency notes from the supply into a storage area of the canister. The canister includes a memory that can store data representative of information concerning the canister, such as data representative of the type and number of currency notes held in the canister. The reloading machine is able to update the canister memory.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Abstract: A cash dispensing automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Abstract: A cash dispensing automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Abstract: A cash dispensing automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Abstract: An ATM extends a stack of currency notes through a cash outlet opening for presentation to a customer. Each dispensed stack, including those of different sizes, is centered in the opening. The centering of a stack is based on its thickness. The thickness can be based on the quantity of notes in the stack. Different sized stacks require different amounts of movement to be centered. A stack is centered in the opening to facilitate grasping thereof by the customer.

Abstract: A polymer currency cassette for an ATM. The cassette includes a one-piece polymer body attached to a one-piece polymer lid. The lid is arranged with the body to resist entry into the cassette interior. Integral stiffening ribs are provided. The body side walls include integrally formed guide tracks. A one-piece tambour door is securely movable along the guide tracks. The upper edge of each body side wall extends into a gap created between double-walled side walls of the lid when the lid is closed. A tab, which projects outward from an upper edge of a body side wall, extends even further into the closed lid. The tab becomes nested in an aligned slot in the lid when the lid is closed. A nested tab affords further cassette security by providing resistance to lid and body separation.

Abstract: An ATM can accept a bulk stack of currency notes for deposit from a customer. The ATM includes a stack transporter (400) that can rotate an accepted stack while relocating it to a predetermined location inside of the machine. The stack transporter includes a rotatable housing (406) in which a stack holder (404) is movable. The stack holder can receive a currency stack (411) deposited in a fascia opening (412) by a customer. The stack holder is retracted to move the stack away from the opening and into the housing to completely move the stack into the machine. The housing, having the bulk stack therein, is then rotated to move the stack away from the opening and toward a stack processing area in the machine. The stack holder is then extended to expose a stack end out of the housing for stack processing.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a cash dispenser (220). A machine user interface (15) includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), and cash dispensing opening (38). A cash acceptor mechanism (80) includes a chute (82) which enables a user to input a stack of currency notes (84) into the machine through a deposit opening (40). Notes are separated from an inputted stack via a note picker device (158, 352) and a note stripper device (64, 162, 354). Upon sensing multiple notes have been picked, picker device movement is reversed to function with the stripper device in returning notes toward the stack. The stripper device is driven to move a note engaged therewith at a faster rate or for a longer time period relative to a note engaged with the picker device to reorient returning notes to facilitate a subsequent note separation attempt.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment alarm device for use with fall protection equipment includes an elongating member, an alarm, an activation member, and a connecting member. The elongating member has a first end and a second end and extends in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions. The alarm is operatively connected to the first end of the elongating member, and the activation member is releasably connected to the alarm. The activation member activates the alarm when disconnected from the alarm. The connecting member interconnects the activation member and the second end of the elongating member, and the activation member becomes disconnected from the alarm when the elongating member is extended in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions thereby activating the alarm when the elongating member is extended.