Abstract: Sheet stacking apparatus comprises a sheet feed system formed by a belt (9) movable past a sheet stacking hopper (1) in a sheet accept direction to feed sheets to the hopper. At least one pusher member (23) is movable in the sheet accept direction through the hopper to push successive portions of a stack (24) in the hopper (1) out of the path of an incoming sheet so as to permit unrestricted entry of a sheet into the hopper.

Abstract: A sheet store, such as a banknote cassette, comprises a container having an access opening. The access opening is provided with a closure member and a locking device for locking the closure member in the closed position. The locking device includes an electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic member supported for movement between locked and unlocked positions. The member is biased to one of the positions and caused to move to the other of the positions in response to the generation of a magnetic field in the vicinity of the member.

Abstract: A sheet store, particularly a banknote cassette, adapted for dispensing or accepting sheets comprises a container having two openings adjacent one another. Each opening is associated with respective first and second closure members movable between closed positions in which the openings are closed and open positions. A control assembly is provided for controlling operation of the closure members, the arrangement being such that when the store is to be used to dispense the sheets the control assembly enables both of the closure members to open but when the store is to be used to accept sheets the control assembly enables only one closure member to open.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus such as a cash dispenser comprises a first transport system having feed rollers (5), separation rollers (6), and a contra-rotating roller (7); a second transport system comprising a pair of belts (11, 12); and a diverter (25) positioned between the two transport systems. The diverter is movable between a first position in which sheets may be conveyed from the first transport system to the second transport system and a second position in which sheets may be conveyed upon reverse movement of the second transport system past the diverter (25) and away from the first transport system. The diverter is biassed towards its second position and is movable towards its first position in response to engagement of the diverter by a sheet fed towards the diverter by the first transport system.The first transport system withdraws sheets from a store (1) having a lid (34) which provides a dump into which rejected sheets are fed upon reverse movement of the second transport system.

Abstract: A sheet feeding system comprises an interlock assembly for use with a sheet store which includes, a carriage slidably mounted in a housing. A disc shaped locking member locks the carriage in a first position relatively to the housing. A probe can be inserted into the carriage to move a spring biassed plunger out of engagement with the disc to allow the disc to move into an aperture in the probe in order to lock the probe with the carriage for movement relative to the housing.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus such as a cash dispenser comprises a first transport system having feed rollers (5), separation rollers (6), and a contra-rotating roller (7); a second transport system comprising a pair of belts (11, 12); and a diverter (25) positioned between the two transport systems. The diverter is movable between a first position in which sheets may be conveyed from the first transport system to the second transport system and a second position in which sheets may be conveyed upon reverse movement of the second transport system past the diverter (25) and away from the first transport system. The diverter is biassed towards its second position and is movable toward its first position in response to engagement of the diverter by a sheet fed towards the diverter by the first transport system.A belt (53) extends between a pair of pulleys (54, 55), the pulley (55) being mounted via a single direction three-wheel clutch to the shaft (5'). The pulley (54) is non-rotatably mounted to the shaft (14').

Abstract: A sheet store, particularly for banknotes, comprises a container having an opening through which sheets can pass closed by a shutter. A pressure member is positioned in the container. The pressure member is biassed by two springs connected in series. A clamp is provided selectively to restrain the influence of one spring allowing two bias forces to be applied to the pressure member.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus for use in a cash dispenser comprises two withdrawal systems (7,8) operated by a stepper motor (5) to withdraw sheets from respective cassettes (1,2). A transport system (17) operated by a continuously driven drive motor (16) receives sheets from the withdrawal systems (7,8) and transports them to an output station (28). The arrangement is such that in use the transport system (17) is continuously driven by the drive motor (16) and the withdrawal systems (7,8) are selectively driven by the stepper motor (5) during a transaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus including a cassette for holding a stack of sheets. It is known to provide in the cassette a lip or spring extending into the space in front of the stack, so that when a suction feeder acts on the front sheet to swing it through an arc and introduces it leading end into the nip of a pair of rollers, the leading end is momentarily retarded by the lip of spring. This has the effect of reducing the number of double feeds. In the present invention, the degree to which the lip or spring extends into the space in front of the stack of sheets is adjusted as the cassette is inserted into the apparatus by a control device which is set in accordance with the required rate of feed of the sheets.

Abstract: Automatic banknote dispensing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a stacker wheel (5) for feeding banknotes to form a stack (4), and a dispensing module for conveying the stack to a selected one of two presentation positions (not shown). The dispensing module comprises an elongated base plate (1) at 15.degree. to the horizontal, a support plate (2) along one side of the base plate and against which the stack is formed, a movable pusher plate (9) disposed adjacent to and at right angles to the base plate and to the side support plate and mounted (at 10) to traverse in the direction of the length of the base plate, and means for driving the pusher plate between two positions intermediate the ends of the base plate. The stacker wheel delivers a stack of banknotes onto a central portion of the base plate (1) lying between the said two positions of the pusher plate. This central portion is preferably pivotable downwardly (about 20) to provide a "dump" facility.