US 5,444,750 A · Tally punch machine

Abstract

Apparatus for counting and selectively voiding tickets. An input bin is provided wherein a stack of tickets are initially queued. Using a conveyor, each ticket is advanced from the input bin past a sensing device. The sensing device detects the presence of each ticket and produces a signal indicative of the passage of each ticket past the sensing device. This signal is conveyed to an electronic counting device that maintains a cumulative total count of the tickets. The apparatus may be set to continuously count any tickets placed in the input bin or set to stop after counting a predetermined number of tickets. The apparatus also includes a punch that is selectively controlled to enable the optional voiding of each ticket as it is counted.

Claims17

Dependent claims

Apparatus for counting and selectively voiding tickets comprising:

(a) a bin for holding at least one ticket;
(b) an electronic counting device for selectively counting tickets;
(c) a ticket invalidator for optionally canceling each ticket, said ticket invalidator including a reciprocating ticket punch rod;
(d) a conveyor for advancing tickets from the bin past the electronic counting device and ticket invalidator;
and
(e) a plurality of selection switches for controlling the electronic counting device, ticket invalidator, and conveyor, said plurality of selection switches including an invalidator control that selectively shifts the reciprocating ticket punch rod to one of two positions, including a first position in which the tickets are voided as they are counted and a second position in which the reciprocating ticket punch rod does not void the tickets as they are counted.

3 more elements

Apparatus for counting and selectively voiding tickets comprising:

(a) an input bin for holding at least one ticket;
(b) a prime mover coupled to an output shaft, said prime mover drivingly rotating the output shaft;
(c) counting means for counting the tickets;
(d) voiding means, coupled to the output shaft, for voiding the tickets, said voiding means including:
(i) a lever that is adapted to be grasped by a user and moved between a first position in which the lever enables the voiding means to void the tickets by removing a portion of each ticket and a second position in which the voiding means remain coupled to the output shaft but do not void the tickets;
(ii) a punch rod having opposed ends;
(iii) an arm, connected to one end of the punch rod and coupled to the output shaft and the lever;
(iv) a punching base having an aperture through its body through which said one end of the punch rod is thrust through the ticket by the motion of the output shaft, the aperture maintaining the alignment of the rod to the ticket, said lever shifting the punch rod away from the punching base when in the second position to selectively prevent the punch rod from being thrust through the ticket;
and
(e) a conveyor coupled to and driven by the output shaft, said conveyor advancing tickets from the input bin past the counting means and voiding means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tally punch machine

Life of this patent

Tally punch machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17