Check receiving and testing apparatus

In an apparatus adapted to receive checks including coins, tokens and the like wherein detecting means are provided for inspection of the checks, the improvement comprising means for receiving the checks and separating means for the checks whereby the checks are moved one at a time to the detecting means, said separating means comprising a first engaging surface for engaging one side of said checks, a second engaging surface positioned in spaced relationship with said first surface for engaging the opposite side of said checks, said first and second surfaces being defined by substantially parallel, spaced-apart plates, drive means for driving at least one of said plates relative to the other whereby checks in overlying relationship are engaged one by the first surface and the other by the second surface to separate the checks one from the other due to movement of the one check relative to the other check, and a guide means located between said plates, said guide means defining a check edge-engaging surface spaced inwardly of the peripheries of the plates and limiting the inward movement of the checks, the operation of the drive means normally driving the edge of each check against said guide means, said guide means defining a guide surface comprising an elongated extension of said check edge-engaging surface, said extension being directed outwardly of said plates, said drive means driving the check along said guide surface whereby the checks are removed one at a time from between said plates.

In an apparatus adapted to receive checks including coins, tokens and the like wherein detecting means are provided for inspection of the checks, the improvement comprising means for receiving the checks and separating means for the checks whereby the checks are moved one at a time to the detecting means, said separating means comprising a first engaging surface for engaging one side of said checks, a second engaging surface positioned in spaced relationship with said first surface for engaging the opposite side of said checks, said first and second surfaces being defined by substantially parallel, spaced-apart plates, drive means for driving at least one of said plates relative to the other whereby checks in overlying relationship are engaged one by the first surface and the other by the second surface to separate the checks one from the other due to movement of the one check relative to the other check, one of said plates comprising a disc means carrying a rug-like material comprising a pile adapted to engage checks and to move the checks therewith, said drive means being connected to said disc means, said second surface on the other plate comprising a rubber material, said other plate being normally held stationary whereby said disc member is rotated relative to the second surface, spring means normally urging said other plate toward said disc member, said other plate being movable away from said disc member in opposition to said spring means upon forcing of objects between said surfaces which are of undue thickness relative to the normal spacing between said surface, and a guide means located between said plates, the operation of the drive means normally driving the edge of each check against said guide means, said guide means defining a guide surface directed outwardly of said plates, said drive means driving the check along said guide surface whereby the checks are removed one at a time from between said plates.

In an apparatus adapted to receive checks including coins, tokens and the like wherein detecting means are provided for inspection of the checks, the improvement comprising means for receiving the checks and separating means for the checks whereby the checks are moved one at a time to the detecting means, said separating means comprising a first engaging surface for engaging one side of said checks, a second engaging surface positioned in spaced relationship with said first surface for engaging the opposite side of said checks, said first and second surfaces being defined by substantially parallel, spaced-apart plates, drive means for driving at least one of said plates relative to the other whereby checks in overlying relationship are engaged one by the first surface and the other by the second surface to separate the checks one from the other due to movement of the one check relative to the other check, and a guide means located between said plates, the operation of the drive means normally driving the edge of each check against said guide means, said guide means defining a guide surface directed outwardly of said plates, said drive means driving the check along said guide surface whereby the checks are removed one at a time from between said plates, said detecting means comprising means for measuring the diameter of said checks, said guide means comprising a ramp, said measuring means comprising a plurality of light transmitting means located in progressive spaced relationship away from said ramp and positioned on one side of checks engaged with said ramp, a plurality of light detecting means located in progressive spaced relationship away from said ramp on the opposite side of checks engaged with the ramp, and means connected to said light detecting means for recording the detection of light beams from said light transmitting means whereby different recordings are made depending upon the size of checks engaged with said ramp.

In a farebox apparatus adapted to receive checks including coins, tokens and the like wherein detecting means are provided for inspection of the checks, the improvement comprising means for receiving the checks and separating means for the checks whereby the checks are moved one at a time to the detecting means, said separating means comprising a first engaging surface for engaging one side of said checks, a second engaging surface positioned in spaced relationship with said first surface for engaging the opposite side of said checks, said first and second surfaces being defined by substantially parallel, spaced-apart plates, a check receiving throat defined by the farebox and communicating with the space between said plates for the passage of said checks from the throat into said space, drive means for driving at least one of said plates relative to the other whereby checks in overlying relationship are engaged one by the first surface and the other by the second surface to separate the checks one from the other due to movement of the one check relative to the other check, one of said plates comprising a disc means carrying a rug-like material comprising a pile adapted to engage checks and to move the checks therewith, said drive means being connected to said disc means, said second surface on the other plate comprising a rubber material, said other plate being normally held stationary whereby said disc member is rotated relative to the second surface, spring means normally urging said other plate toward said disc member, said other plate being movable away from said disc member in opposition to said spring means upon forcing of objects between said surfaces which are of undue thickness relative to the normal spacing between said surfaces, and a guide means located between said plates, the operation of the drive means normally driving the edge of each check against said guide means, said guide means defining a guide surface directed outwardly of said plates, said drive means driving the check along said guide surface whereby the checks are removed one at a time from between said plates.