Stacker mechanisms and cassettes for banknotes and the like
View Patent ↗A lockable, removable cassette is described. In an implementation, the cassette includes a plastic shell and a currency access door. The cassette may also include a flexible handle and/or an integrated grip. In addition, the cassette may include at least one of an aperture and a transparent window positioned to reveal the contents of the cassette. In an implementation, the cassette includes a stacking mechanism which may include a drive means having non-circular drive gears.
1. A stacker mechanism for a cassette to store banknotes and the like, the stacker mechanism comprising:
a stacker plate; and
a drive means to drive the stacker plate, wherein the drive means includes non-circular drive gears, and wherein each non-circular drive gear has an operating radius that varies with angle as the gear rotates.
2. The stacker mechanism of claim 1 wherein the non-circular drive gears include a pair of gears whose combined operating radii add up to a constant value for any given input angle.
3. A stacker mechanism for a cassette to store banknotes and the like, the stacker mechanism comprising:
a stacker plate;
a first scissor arm pivotally connected at a first end about a point on the stacker plate;
a second scissor arm slidably connected at a first end to the stacker plate, and pivotally connected to the first scissor arm about a scissor pivot point located approximately at the center of the length of the first scissor arm, wherein the second scissor arm is pivotally connected at a second end about a fixed point on a frame;
a link arm for driving the stacker plate, the link arm connected to the first scissor arm at a pivot point located between the scissor pivot point and a second end of the first scissor arm that is slidably connected to the frame; and
a drive means to drive the link arm and having non-circular drive gears, wherein each non-circular drive gear has a profile such that its operating radius varies with angle as the gear rotates.
4. The stacker mechanism of claim 2 wherein the stacker plate comprises a banknote stacker plate.
5. The stacker mechanism of claim 3 wherein the link arm is substantially in a same plane as the first scissor arm and is connected directly to the first scissor arm.
6. The stacker mechanism of claim 3 wherein the link arm is connected via a driven gear to a crankshaft operable to rotate about a fixed center.
7. The stacker mechanism of claim 3 wherein the non-circular drive gears include a pair of gears whose combined operating radii add up to a constant value for any given input angle.
8. A stacker mechanism for a cassette to store banknotes and the like, the stacker mechanism comprising:
a stacker plate;
a first scissor arm connected at a first end the stacker plate;
a second scissor arm connected at a first end to the stacker plate and pivotally connected to the first scissor arm about a scissor pivot point located approximately at the center of the length of the first scissor arm;
a link arm for driving the stacker plate, the link arm connected to the first scissor arm at a pivot point located between the scissor pivot point and a second end of the first scissor arm; and
a drive means to drive the link arm and having non-circular drive gears, wherein each non-circular drive gear has a profile such that its operating radius varies with angle as the gear rotates.
9. The stacker mechanism of claim 8 wherein the link arm is substantially in a same plane as the first scissor arm and is connected directly to the first scissor arm.
10. A cassette for storing banknotes and the like comprising:
a banknote stacker plate;
a first scissor arm pivotally connected at a first end about a fixed point on the stacker plate;
a second scissor arm slidably connected at a first end to the stacker plate and pivotally connected to the first scissor arm about a scissor pivot point located approximately at the center of the length of the first scissor arm, wherein the second scissor arm is pivotally connected at a second end about a fixed point on a frame;
a link arm for driving the stacker plate, the link arm connected to the first scissor arm at a pivot point located between the scissor pivot point and a second end of the first scissor arm that is slidably connected to the frame; and
a drive means to drive the link arm and having non-circular drive gears, wherein each non-circular drive gear has a profile such that its operating radius varies with angle as the gear rotates.
11. The cassette of claim 10 wherein the link arm is substantially in a same plane as the first scissor arm and is connected directly to the first scissor arm.
12. The stacker mechanism of claim 10 wherein the link arm is connected via a driven gear to a crankshaft operable to rotate about a fixed center
13. The cassette of claim 10 wherein the non-circular drive gears include a pair of gears whose combined operating radii add up to a constant value for any given input angle.
14. The cassette of claim 13 wherein the non-circular gears are arranged such that a maximum reduction ratio is achieved at highest torque demand.