Hook array for a bill acceptor
AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsHerb Mosteller, Robert Daniels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hook array for use with a currency validator is described. The hook array includes a plurality of tree-shaped teeth that form restricted openings between them. In an implementation, the teeth may span a currency passageway of a bill acceptor and be angled such that any string-like member attached to a bill will be trapped within a restricted opening to prevent extraction of the bill.
Claims27
A hook array for use with a bill acceptor comprising a plurality of tree-shaped teeth forming restricted openings therebetween and positioned in a currency passageway of the bill acceptor, wherein at least some of the teeth that are adjacent one another in a direction across a width of the passageway partially overlap one another without contacting one another, and wherein the teeth are angled such that my a string-like member attached to a bill will be trapped within a restricted opening to prevent extraction of the bill.
A bill acceptor comprising:
- a bill validator including a bill entryway that leads to a first portion of a currency passageway;
- a currency stacker and cash box assembly connected to the bill validator, the stacker and cash box assembly forming a second portion of a currency passageway therebetween;
- and
- a hook array positioned between the cash box and the bill validator, the hook array including a plurality of tree-shaped teeth that include restricted openings therebetween for capturing any string-like member attached to a bill, wherein at least some of the teeth that are adjacent one another in a direction across a width of the passageway partially overlap one another without contacting one another, and wherein the hook array is operative to inhibit retrieval of the bill from the cash box.
A hook array for connection to a pusher plate of a bill stacker comprising a plurality of tree-shaped teeth that form restricted openings therebetween, wherein at least some of the teeth that are adjacent one another in a direction across a width of the passageway partially overlap one another without contacting one another, and wherein the teeth are angled to trap any a string-like member attached to a bill within a restricted opening to prevent extraction of a bill.
A method for preventing string-fraud comprising:
- fabricating a hook array to have a plurality of tree-shaped teeth that form restricted openings therebetween;
- attaching the hook array within a bill passageway between a bill validator and a cash box wherein at least some of the teeth that are adjacent one another in a direction across a width of the passageway partially overlap one another without contacting one another;
- and
- trapping any string-like member connected to a bill in the restricted openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.