Apparatus for selectively supporting and releasing a carrier in a pneumatic tube transportation system

A station for providing access to a carrier in a pneumatic tube transportation system, said station comprising:

• a first air-passage means for providing communication with a transport tube of the transportation system, and a second air-passage means;
• means defining a carrier chamber in communication with said first air-passage means, a coupling chamber in communication with said second air-passage means, a detent chamber in communication with said carrier chamber and said first air-passage means, and an intermediate chamber located between said coupling chamber and said detent chamber and having a port for placing said intermediate chamber in communication with said carrier chamber;
• a valve which closes to prevent air flow directly from said coupling chamber to said carrier chamber in response to greater pressure in said coupling chamber than is present in said carrier chamber;
• a detent member pivotally mounted within said detent chamber, said detent member having a first portion which extends into said carrier chamber to support the carrier when said detent member is in a first position, and a second portion which extends into said detent chamber;
• a biasing mechanism for biasing said detent member into said first position;
• and
• a piston and link assembly responsive to air pressure increases in said coupling chamber for urging said second portion of said detent member against a bias of said biasing mechanism to place said detent member in a second position wherein said first detent member portion is substantially withdrawn from within said carrier chamber.

A banking service pneumatic tube system for transporting between teller and customer terminals along a single conveyor tube network to which each of said terminals is connected, said terminals each having a first air passage by which they are connected to said network, and a second air passage, said system comprising:

• an air pressure regulator apparatus connected to the second air passage of one of said terminals, the other of said terminals having the second air passage in communication with atmospheric pressure;
• and
• in at least one of said terminals:
• means defining a carrier chamber in communication with said first air passage, a coupling chamber in communication with said second air passage, a detent chamber in communication with said carrier chamber and said first air passage, and an intermediate chamber located between said coupling chamber and said detent chamber and having a port for placing said intermediate chamber in communication with said carrier chamber,
• a valve which closes to prevent air flow directly from said coupling chamber to said carrier chamber in response to greater pressure in said coupling chamber than is present in said carrier chamber,
• a detent member pivotally mounted within said detent chamber, said detent member having a first portion which extends into said carrier chamber to support a carrier received within said carrier chamber when said detent member is in a first position, and a second portion which extends into said detent chamber to place said detent member in a second position wherein said first detent member portion is substantially withdrawn from within said carrier chamber,
• a biasing mechanism for biasing said detent member into said first position, and
• a piston and link assembly comprising a piston responsive to air pressure in said coupling chamber for urging said second portion of said detent member against a bias of said biasing mechanism when air pressure in said coupling chamber causes said valve to close.