Media storage system for automated banking machine

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a sheet moving mechanism in supporting connection with the frame, wherein the sheet moving mechanism is operative to move sheets along a sheet path;
• a flipper member in supporting connection with the frame and rotatably movable relative thereto about an axis, wherein the flipper member includes a peripherally extending slot sized to accept a sheet therein, and wherein in an engaging position of the flipper member the slot is positioned to engage a sheet extending in the sheet path;
• a gripper member, wherein the gripper member is movably mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member is movable relative to the slot between a first position wherein a sheet in the slot is held in relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member, and a second position wherein a sheet in the slot is enabled to move relative to the flipper member;
• a stop surface adjacent the flipper member, wherein a projection of the stop surface in a direction generally parallel to the axis intersects the slot when the flipper member is in a releasing position rotationally disposed from the engaging position;
• a sheet disposed adjacent to the stop surface, wherein the sheet includes a cam moving surface, and wherein the cam moving surface is operative to cause the gripper member to move between the first and second positions when the flipper member moves between the engaging and releasing positions;
• a moving mechanism operative to cause the flipper member to move between the engaging and releasing positions, whereby a sheet engaged with the flipper member in the engaging position is released adjacent to the stop surface.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a sheet moving mechanism in supporting connection with the frame, wherein the sheet moving mechanism is operative to move sheets along a sheet path;
• a flipper member in supporting connection with the frame and rotatably movable relative thereto about an axis, wherein the flipper member includes a peripherally extending slot sized to accept a sheet therein, and wherein in an engaging position of the flipper member the slot is positioned to engage a sheet extending in the sheet path;
• a gripper member, wherein the gripper member is movably mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member is movable relative to the slot between a first position wherein a sheet in the slot is held in relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member, and a second position wherein a sheet in the slot is enabled to move relative to the flipper member;
• a stop surface adjacent the flipper member, wherein a projection of the stop surface in a direction generally parallel to the axis intersects the slot when the flipper member is in a releasing position rotationally disposed from the engaging position;
• and
• a stack member, wherein the stack member extends in a direction generally normal to the stop surface, and wherein the stack member includes a cam moving surface, and wherein the cam moving surface is operative to cause the gripper member to move between the first and second positions when the flipper member moves between the engaging and releasing positions;
• a moving mechanism operative to cause the flipper member to move between the engaging and releasing positions, whereby a sheet engaged with the flipper member in the engaging position is released adjacent to the stop surface.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a sheet moving mechanism in supporting connection with the frame, wherein the sheet moving mechanism is operative to move sheets in a first direction along a sheet path;
• a flipper member in supporting connection with the frame and rotatably movable relative thereto about an axis extending generally normal of the first direction, wherein the flipper member includes a radially extending recess extending inward from an outer surface of the flipper member and a peripherally extending slot sized to accept a sheet therein, and wherein in an engaging position of the flipper member the slot is positioned to engage a sheet extending in the sheet path;
• a gripper member, wherein the gripper member extends in the radially extending recess and is movably mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member includes a gripper portion that is movable relative to the slot between a first position wherein the gripper portion is moved radially inward such that a sheet in the slot is held in relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member by engagement with the gripper portion, and a second position wherein a sheet in the slot is enabled to move relative to the flipper member as a result of the gripper portion being disposed radially outward relative to the radial position thereof in the first position;
• a stop surface adjacent the flipper member, wherein a projection of the stop surface in a direction generally parallel to the axis intersects the slot when the flipper member is in a releasing position rotationally disposed from the engaging position;
• a cam moving surface adjacent the flipper member wherein the cam moving surface is operative to cause the gripper member to move in a radial direction relative to the axis in the radially extending recess between the first and second positions when the flipper member moves between the engaging and releasing positions;
• a moving mechanism operative to cause the flipper member to move between the engaging and releasing positions, whereby a sheet engaged with the flipper member in the engaging position is released adjacent the stop surface.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a sheet moving mechanism in supporting connection with the frame, wherein the sheet moving mechanism is operative to move sheets along a sheet path;
• a flipper member in supporting connection with the frame and rotatably movable relative thereto about an axis, wherein the flipper member includes a peripherally extending slot sized to accept a sheet therein, and wherein in an engaging position of the flipper member the slot is positioned to engage a sheet extending in the sheet path;
• at least one flexible flap in operative connection with the flipper member;
• a gripper member, wherein the gripper member is movably mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member is movable relative to the slot between a first position wherein a sheet in the slot is held in relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member, and a second position wherein a sheet in the slot is enabled to move relative to the flipper member;
• a stop surface adjacent the flipper member, and a sheet in generally abutting relation with the stop surface, wherein a projection of the stop surface in a direction generally parallel to the axis intersects the slot when the flipper member is in a releasing position rotationally disposed from the engaging position;
• and
• a moving mechanism in operative connection with the flipper member, wherein the moving mechanism is operative to cause the flipper member to move between the engaging and releasing positions, and the gripper member to move from the second position to the first position when the flipper member is generally in the engaging position, and from the first position to the second position when the flipper member is generally in the releasing position, and wherein the flap is operative to engage the sheet when the slot is disposed therefrom.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a generally cylindrical flipper member including an arcuate extending slot, wherein the slot terminates inwardly at an inward portion, the flipper member further including a radially extending recess;
• a gripper member rotationally mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member is movable in the recess between a first position, wherein in the first position a sheet in the slot is held in fixed engagement with the flipper member, and a second position wherein a sheet is movable relative to the flipper member in the slot;
• an engaging mechanism, wherein the engaging mechanism is operative to move the gripper member from the second position to the first position adjacent an engaging rotational position of the flipper member, wherein the engaging position is angularly disposed from the releasing position, and wherein the engaging mechanism comprises a cam moving surface disposed adjacent the flipper member;
• a moving mechanism, wherein the moving mechanism is operative to rotate the flipper member about an axis;
• a stop surface extending adjacent to the flipper member, wherein a projection of the stop surface intersects the inward portion of the slot in a releasing rotational position of the flipper member;
• a releasing mechanism, wherein the releasing mechanism is operative to move the gripper member from the first position to the second position when the flipper member is adjacent to the releasing position;
• a stack member adjacent the flipper member and extending in a direction generally normal of the stop surface, wherein upon rotation of the flipper member to the releasing position the sheet is moved to a storage position intermediate of the flipper member and of the stack member, and wherein the stack member includes the cam moving surface until the sheet is moved to the storage position, whereupon thereafter the sheet includes the cam moving surface.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a generally cylindrical flipper member including an arcuate extending slot, wherein the slot terminates inwardly at an inward portion, the flipper member further including a radially extending recess and a flexible flap in operative connection with the flipper member;
• a gripper member rotationally mounted in supporting connection with the flipper member, wherein the gripper member is movable in the recess between a first position, wherein in the first position a sheet in the slot is held in fixed engagement with the flipper member, and a second position wherein a sheet is movable relative to the flipper member in the slot;
• a moving mechanism, wherein the moving mechanism is operative to rotate the flipper member about an axis;
• a stop surface extending adjacent to the flipper member, wherein a projection of the stop surface intersects the inward portion of the slot in a releasing rotational position of the flipper member;
• a releasing mechanism, wherein the releasing mechanism is operative to move the gripper member from the first position to the second position when the flipper member is adjacent to the releasing position;
• a stack member adjacent the flipper member and extending in a direction generally normal of the stop surface, wherein upon rotation of the flipper member to the releasing position the sheet is moved to a storage position intermediate of the flipper member and of the stack member and the flap engages the sheet in the storage position.

An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable member including a gripper member mounted in supporting connection therewith, wherein the gripper member is operative to selectively engage and release a sheet from relatively fixed engagement with the rotatable member;
• a flexible flap in operative connection with the rotatable member;
• a stop surface adjacent the rotatable member, wherein the stop surface is operative to engage a sheet in engagement with the rotatable member in a first rotational position of the rotatable member, wherein engagement with the stop surface is operative to urge the sheet to disengage from relatively fixed engagement with the rotatable member, and wherein the flap is operative to engage the disengaged sheet;
• a sheet guide, wherein the sheet guide is operative to direct a sheet to engage the gripper member of the rotatable member in a second rotational position of the rotatable member angularly disposed from the first rotational position.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• (a) engaging an incoming sheet moving in a first direction in a sheet path in a peripherally extending slot in a rotating member, wherein the rotating member rotates about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the incoming sheet is engaged in a first rotational position of the rotating member;
• (b) holding the sheet in the slot in relatively fixed engagement with the rotating member by radially moving relative to the axis a gripper portion in supporting connection with the rotating member, wherein the gripper portion moves in a radially extending recess that extends inward from an outer surface of the rotating member and generally perpendicular to the slot;
• (c) rotating the rotating member with the incoming sheet engaged with the gripper portion, to a second rotational position, wherein in the second rotational position the incoming sheet is generally aligned with a stack;
• (d) releasing the incoming sheet from relatively fixed engagement with the gripper portion in generally the second rotational position wherein the incoming sheet is included in the stack.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• (a) engaging a sheet moving in a sheet path with a flipper member, wherein the sheet is engaged in relatively fixed relation with the flipper member in a first rotational position of the flipper member responsive to a member portion in supporting connection with the flipper member being operatively engaged with a sheet supporting surface disposed from the sheet path;
• (b) rotating the flipper member with the sheet in relatively fixed engagement therewith, in a rotational direction from the first rotational position to a second rotational position;
• (c) engaging the sheet with a stop surface in the second rotational position to urge the sheet to release from relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member and into supporting connection with the sheet supporting surface;
• and
• (d) continuing to rotate the flipper member in the rotational direction after the sheet has been released therefrom to the first rotational position.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• (a) engaging a first sheet moving in a sheet path with a flipper member by moving an outer gripper member surface of a gripper member radially inward by engagement with a second sheet in abutting relation with an adjacent stop surface, wherein the first sheet is engaged in relatively fixed relation with the flipper member in a first rotational position of the flipper member;
• (b) rotating the flipper member with the first sheet in relatively fixed engagement therewith, in a rotational direction from the first rotational position to a second rotational position;
• (c) engaging the first sheet with a stop surface in the second rotational position to release the first sheet from relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member;
• and
• (d) continuing to rotate the flipper member in the rotational direction after the first sheet has been released therefrom to the first rotational position.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• (a) engaging a sheet moving in a sheet path with a flipper member by moving a gripper member in supporting connection with the flipper member from a nonholding position to a holding position wherein the sheet is held in fixed relative engagement with the flipper member in a first rotational position of the flipper member;
• (b) rotating the flipper member with the sheet in relatively fixed engagement therewith, in a rotational direction from the first rotational position to a second rotational position;
• (c) engaging the sheet with a stop surface in the second rotational position to urge the sheet to release from relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member;
• (d) generally during step (c), moving the gripper member from the holding position to the nonholding position responsive to moving an outer gripper activating surface of the gripper member radially outward relative to the flipper member responsive to disengaging from a surface of a further sheet in adjacent relation with the stop surface as the flipper member rotates in the rotational direction;
• (e) continuing to rotate the flipper member in the rotational direction after the sheet has been released therefrom to the first rotational position.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• (a) engaging a sheet moving in a sheet path with a flipper member, wherein the sheet is engaged in relatively fixed relation with the flipper member in a first rotational position of the flipper member;
• (b) rotating the flipper member with the sheet in relatively fixed engagement therewith, in a rotational direction from the first rotational position to a second rotational position;
• (c) engaging the sheet with a stop surface in the second rotational position to release the sheet from relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member;
• (d) engaging the sheet with a flexible flap operatively connected to the flipper member;
• and
• (e) continuing to rotate the flipper member in the rotational direction after the sheet has been released therefrom to the first rotational position.

A method of operating an automated banking machine comprising:

• a) engaging a sheet moving in a first direction in a sheet path with a sheet accepting slot in a flipper member, wherein the sheet is engaged in relatively fixed relation with the flipper member in a first rotational position of the flipper member by moving a gripper portion radially inward in a recess that extends in the flipper member generally perpendicular to the sheet accepting slot such that the gripper portion engages the sheet;
• b) rotating the flipper member with the sheet in relatively fixed engagement therewith, in a rotational direction about an axis extending generally normal to the first direction, from the first rotational position to a second rotational position;
• c) engaging the sheet with a stop surface in the second rotational position to urge the sheet to be released from relatively fixed engagement with the flipper member;
• and
• d) continuing to rotate the flipper member in the rotational direction after the sheet has been released therefrom to the first rotational position.