Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic transfer terminal adapted to receive and dispatch a non-captive, tubular article carrier of predetermined length from and to a single pneumatic transfer tube. The terminal includes a carrier receiver having the internal chamber dimensioned to receive an article carrier therein and to position the carrier in operable alignment with the transfer tube. The carrier receiver includes a first opening for communicating the chamber with the transfer tube and a second opening for insertion and removal of the carrier into and from the chamber. A blower assembly is attached to the transfer tube and is operable to create a vacuum therein. A gate mechanism is operable to open and close the second opening. The gate means includes a generally planar gate movable between a first position where the gate mechanism covers the second opening and a second position wherein the gate is removed from the second opening. An actuator connects the motor to the planar gate.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: An accelerator ring arrangement for use on an article carrier used in a pneumatic transfer system, the system including a transfer tube defining a passage through which the carrier is propelled. The accelerator ring arrangement includes a continuous seal member surrounding the carrier which is operable to form a pneumatic seal thereabout. The seal member has an outer edge dimensioned to generally conform to the cross-sectional profile of the passage. The seal member is mounted to the carrier wherein the seal member is laterally movable relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A blower and valve apparatus for a pneumatic tube system is enclosed in a divided housing (10). A conventional blower fan (36) operates to create pressure in a pressure area P and suction in a suction area S of the housing. Area P has two air passage outlets; a first pressure outlet (38) to atmosphere and a second pressure outlet (40) to a neutral area C. Area S likewise has two air passage outlets; a first suction outlet (44) to atmosphere and a second suction outlet 42 to neutral area C. Area C is connected through a coupling (23) to the end of a pneumatic tube. A first rotatable flapper vane (50) is mounted in area P. At one extreme of its arcuate movement, the rotatable flapper vane closes the first pressure outlet to atmosphere and at the other extreme closes the second pressure outlet to area C. A second rotatable flapper vane (54) is mounted in area S.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a customer terminal for a single conveyor tube visual banking service pneumatic tube system to which a teller terminal also is connected. The customer terminal has a cylindrical carrier-receiving pocket extension connected to the system tube. The pocket is formed by two molded plastic members, one fixed in the terminal cabinet and one a door. The members are hinged together so that the door may be opened for carrier placement or removal through a fixed member opening which provides access to the pocket when the door is opened. The door is biased open and is closed manually which automatically locks the door closed and pressurizes the system to send a carrier from the terminal. A carrier delivered to the terminal during system vacuum operation automatically opens the door. The system airflow terminal connection provides an air brake effect to abruptly arrest carrier movement avoiding noise and shock.

Abstract: An enclosure construction for pneumatic tubes and power and control cables installed overhead for remote visual auto teller banking systems which is inexpensive and attractive and readily installed. The enclosure includes plastic half sections which are snap-engaged along laterally opposite longitudinal joints having weather seals therein. One of the plastic half sections is fixed internally to a semicircular clamping member which cooperates with a second clamping member. The clamping members are clamped to the pneumatic tube before one of the plastic enclosure members is assembled with the other.

Abstract: Heavy-duty railway transport equipment for carrying out banking services between a teller terminal inside a bank and a customer terminal at a remote drive-up station visible to the teller, which transport equipment can accommodate heavy and bulky banking material loads for commercial banking transactions. The transport system includes a track-traveling car-cradle-container assembly which moves as a unit along a track connected with the terminals. The terminals each have doors normally latched closed but automatically opened upon arrival of the assembly at the terminal. The terminal doors are latched closed when moved to closed position. The container is moved to differently oriented positions at the two terminals when the terminal doors are opened for convenient access by a teller of customer. The container has a multi-pivot mounting on the car to enable such different orientation, and has a large generally rectangular top opening for easy access.

Abstract: A banking service pneumatic tube system teller terminal having a single conveyor tube. A carrier is transported in the system and is removable from the terminal housing formed of molded plastic material. The housing may be installed for carrier arrival vertically from above or below. The housing has an access opening closed by a cradle-door movable between open and closed positions. The cradle has a cylindrically walled carrier receiving compartment located between cylindrical end portions of the housing when the door is closed. One housing end portion is coupled with an end of the system conveyor tube. A carrier arrival switch is mounted on the cradle actuated by carrier arrival to automatically open the door by release of latch mechanism mounted on the cradle which normally locks the cradle-door in closed position. A carrier is presented in the cradle outside of the housing when the door opens. The cradle-door is manually closed, automatically actuating the latch mechanism to lock the cradle-door closed.

Abstract: A customer terminal for a single conveyor tube banking service pneumatic tube system. The terminal has a cabinet which can be opened by unlocking and removing a hinged front member to expose system components and terminal mechanism. The carrier receive and send housing has a hinged door and the housing communicates with the system conveyor tube. The mechanism is operative automatically to present a carrier arriving at the terminal to a customer seated in an adjacent vehicle. The presented carrier is conveniently positioned at an angle at the outer end of a pocket on the door for removal and replacement by a customer without requiring precise positioning. The carrier is returned automatically to the conveyor tube system when replaced in the door pocket. The door has safety mechanism automatically reopening the door if it encounters an obstacle on closing.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system for conducting banking transactions with a non-captive carrier traveling between a bank teller terminal in a two-tube carrier conveyor connected with a remote customer terminal with visual communication between the teller and the customer. The terminals and tube structure and their components are combined, interrelated and cooperatively arranged with simple and inexpensive construction to provide quiet and reliable operation. Prior complex carrier delivery and dispatch holding and release devices and blower operating timers and controls are eliminated. The operation of a blower located at the customer terminal, which supplies air for pressure or vacuum movement of the carrier in the two-tube system, is controlled by carrier arrival at or dispatch from either terminal. Noise emanating from air currents in the system is reduced by mufflers located at the terminals in the tube system. The carrier moves through one of the mufflers during travel.

Abstract: A bank window frame structure wherein bullet-proof glass is installed from the outside of a bank building wall in which the frame is located, and the glass is clamped in the frame in a weather-proof manner with a sealed joint all around by clamping means accessible only at the inside of the building wall. All sill, head and side frame members are composed of cut lengths of formed channel-shaped, sheet metal, base and support members secured together in box-like cross-sectional arrangement. The glass is installed from the outside of the frame, with sealing gasket means around its perimeter, and is retained by a formed sheet metal retaining channel member which compresses the sealing gasket means to provide the weather-proofed joint. The clamping screw means for the retaining channel is accessible only at the inside of the frame.

Abstract: A modular bank window construction having a main window frame and a glass frame within the main frame in which bullet-resistant glass is mounted. Window frames of various widths are assembled with the same vertical window frame components and with horizontal window frame components cut to various lengths depending on a selected window width. Various window widths are assembled using one or a plurality of standard sized bullet-resisting glass panels. The exterior portions of the main window frame may be clad with any one of a number of different thin sheet materials such as bronze, aluminum, stainless steel, and various colors of vinyl material to satisfy architectural specifications. The cladding and primary window frame components are constructed to provide weather-sealed joints at the primary frame corners and also between the main window frame and glass frame.