Granted Patent B2

US 7,063,254 · App. 10/797,658 · Granted Jun 20, 2006

Abstract

Claims (38)

1. A cash dispensing automated banking machine comprising:

a frame;

a cash dispenser in operative connection with the frame;

at least one transaction function device in operative connection with the frame, wherein the transaction function device includes an opening which is operative to provide at least one of a dispensed item and a deposited item therethrough;

a fascia in operative connection with the frame, wherein the fascia includes at least one removable bezel, wherein the bezel includes an opening therethrough which is operative to be positioned adjacent the opening to the transaction function device, wherein the opening includes a portion which is accessible to pass an item therethrough, wherein bezel includes an obstructing block, wherein the obstructing block is operative to slide adjacent the opening of the bezel to change the portion from a first size to a second size.

2. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the bezel includes fasteners which are operative to lock the obstructing block to the bezel to prevent the obstructing block from moving relative the bezel opening.

3. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the bezel includes a funnel in surrounding relation about a portion of the bezel opening, wherein the funnel includes a top wall and a bottom wall on opposed sides of the opening which converge to form a slit which is relatively narrower than the bezel opening, wherein the obstructing block is operative to slide through the funnel.

4. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein the obstructing block includes a flange positioned within the funnel, wherein the flange forms a side wall within the funnel which extends from the bezel opening to the slit.

5. The machine according to claim 4 , wherein the flange has a shape which corresponds to a cross-sectional interior shape of the funnel.

6. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the transaction function device includes a printer.

7. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the transaction function device includes a passbook printer.

8. A method comprising:

a) mounting a fascia bezel to a fascia of an automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser, wherein the bezel includes an obstructing block that is operative to slide adjacent an opening through the bezel, wherein the opening includes a portion with a first size which is accessible to pass an item therethrough;

b) sliding the obstructing block adjacent the opening to change the portion of the opening which is accessible to pass an item therethrough from the first size to a second size; and

c) locking the obstructing block to the bezel to prevent the obstructing block from moving relative to the opening.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein in (a) the bezel includes a funnel in surrounding relation about a portion of the opening, wherein the funnel includes a top wall and a bottom wall on opposed sides of the opening which converge to form a slit which is relatively narrower than the opening, wherein in (b) the obstructing block slides through the funnel.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein in (a) the obstructing block includes a flange positioned within the funnel, wherein the flange forms a side wall within the funnel which extends from the opening to the slit.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein in (a) the flange has a shape which corresponds to a cross-sectional interior shape of the funnel.

12. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

d) mounting a transaction function device within the machine, wherein the transaction function device includes an opening having a size, wherein in (b) the second size of the portion corresponds to the size of the opening to the transaction function device.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein in (d) the transaction function device includes a printer.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein in (d) the transaction function device includes a passbook printer.

15. A cash dispensing automated banking machine comprising:

a frame;

a cash dispenser in supporting connection with the frame;

a transaction function device in supporting connection with the frame, wherein the transaction function device includes a device opening adapted to pass items therethrough that are at least one of received by the machine and dispensed from the machine;

a fascia in supporting connection with the frame, and a bezel portion in supporting connection with the fascia, wherein the bezel portion includes a bezel opening therethrough, wherein the bezel opening is generally aligned with the device opening;

a member in slidably movable supporting connection with the bezel portion, wherein the member bounds an open portion of the bezel opening, and wherein the member is selectively slidably movable relative to the bezel opening so as to change at least one dimension of the open portion through which items are enabled to pass.

16. The machine according to claim 15 , wherein the bezel portion includes a funnel shaped portion in adjacent relation to the bezel opening, wherein the funnel shaped portion includes a top wall and a bottom wall on opposed sides of the bezel opening which converge toward the open portion, wherein the member is selectively movable transversely in the funnel shaped portion, whereby a transverse dimension of the open portion is changed responsive to movement of the member.

17. A method carried out with an automated banking machine including a cash dispenser and a fascia, wherein the fascia includes a fascia bezel including an opening therethrough, and wherein the fascia bezel is in operative connection with an obstructing block, wherein the obstructing block is adapted to slidably move adjacent the opening to selectively change at least one dimension of an open portion of the opening through which items are enabled to pass, comprising:

a) sliding the obstructing block adjacent the opening to a first position relative to the opening so as to change at least one dimension of the open portion of the opening through which items are enabled to pass; and

b) subsequent to (a) locking the obstructing block in the first position such that a size of the open portion remains substantially constant during a plurality of subsequent banking machine transactions which include passing items through the open portion.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the automated banking machine includes a first transaction function device which is operative to at least one of receive and dispense items passed through the open portion, and further comprising:

c) subsequent to (b), removing the first transaction function device from the automated banking machine and installing a second transaction function device in the automated banking machine;

d) sliding the obstructing block adjacent the opening from the first position to a second position relative to the opening so as to change at least one dimension of the open portion through which items are enabled to pass; and

e) subsequent to (d) locking the obstructing block in the second position such that a size of the open portion remains substantially constant during a plurality of subsequent banking machine transactions which include passing items through the open portion responsive to operation of the second transaction function device.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the second transaction function device installed in (c) is not capable of at least one of dispensing or receiving items movable through the open portion when the obstructing block is in the first position.

20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the fascia bezel includes a funnel shaped portion adjacent the opening, wherein the funnel shaped portion includes a top wall and a bottom wall on opposed sides of the opening which converge toward the opening, and wherein (a) includes moving at least a portion of the obstructing block within the funnel shaped portion.

Assignments (23)