Universal currency acceptor

A note acceptor for validating a paper currency note introduced therein, said acceptor being arranged to accept a first paper currency note and a second, paper currency note, said second paper currency note being larger in width than said first paper currency note, said acceptor comprising a validator unit and at least a first entrance port means for guiding said first paper currency note to said validator, said validator unit comprising a housing, conveying means, and sensor means, said housing having a pair of spaced apart internal surfaces defining a path therebetween, said path extending through said validator unit and being arranged to have either the first or second paper currency notes conveyed therethrough, said path being of a width sufficient to accommodate the second paper currency note, said sensor means being disposed adjacent said path to sense either the first or the second paper currency note, said conveying means being disposed within said housing adjacent said path to convey either the first or the second paper currency note to said sensor means for sensing thereby, said first entrance port means being releasably secured to said housing to form the entrance to said path and comprising a front portion from which a pair of elongated rails project rearwardly, said front portion being located outside said housing with said rails extending substantially into said housing along said path when said first entrance port means is releasably secured to said housing, said elongated rails defining therebetween a first channel of a first predetermined width corresponding to the width of the first paper currency note, whereupon when the first paper currency note is inserted into said channel said channel guides the first paper currency note to said conveying means, which in turn conveys the first paper currency note in proper alignment and orientation to said sensor means, said validator unit being arranged to accept the second paper currency note when the first entrance port means is removed from said housing, whereupon the second paper currency note is guided through said path by said spaced apart internal surfaces of said validator unit.