GB2137000A - Sheet counting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Relates to sheet counting apparatus of the kind employing a number of hollow spindles (2) arranged in a circle on and extending vertically from a horizontal rotatable base (4), suction being applied to each spindle during each rotation of the base as the spindle passes a stack (10) of sheets to be counted, one end of the stack being held (12, 14) and each spindle head having an apertured suction face (6) which is presented to the free end of the stack so that the free end of each sheet in turn is deflected to a new position as the base rotates. The spindle is formed with a head 36 detachable from the body 30, the spindle head including the apertured suction face and being fastened to the body by a bayonet connection 38, 40 or other fastening means defining the relative angular position of the head and body. This permits easy access to a filter 42 provided within the body below the suction face and easy replacement when a suction face shows wear or to facilitate counting of different kinds of sheets. The filter is provided with lifting ring 46 for easy withdrawal, the ring 46 lying within the retaining spring 44. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sheet counting apparatus This invention relates to sheet counting apparatus of the kind employing a number of hollow spindles arranged in a circle on a rotating base and extending perpendicularly to the base, a portion of each spindle being formed with a lateral face having holes which, through the hollow spindle, communicate with a suction source in each cycle of rotation of the base for an interval during which the spindle passes the free end of a stationary stack of sheets, the other end of the stack being clamped. As each such spindle reaches the free end of the note stack, suction is applied to its lateral face and as a consequence the free end of the endmost sheet of the stack adheres to the spindle.The rotation of the spindle and the rotation of the base together cause the free end to be moved away from the stack and, as the base continues to turn, the sheet end is deflected to a new position. Each sheet in turn is deflected in this way and suction-operated means responds to the adhesion or release of each sheet end to advance a counter. An example of such a sheet counter is shown in British patent specification No. 1243785. Apparatus-of this kind is used for counting banknotes, for example.

A problem encountered with sheet counters of this kind is the effect of dust which is sucked into the hollow spindle through the holes in the suction face. To reduce this problem, a filter is placed in the hollow spindle just below the suction holes and to permit cleaning or replacement of the filter, a screw cap is provided at the top of the spindle.

According to the present invention, in a sheet counter of the above mentioned kind, each spindle is formed with a hollow body portion and a detachable spindle head containing the lateral face with the suction holes, the spindle head and the body portion having cooperating fastening means which, when fastened, define the relative angular position of the head and body portion in relation to the spindle axis.

One advantage of such apparatus is the ease of access to the filter, which may now be located at the top of the spindle body. Previously, when the screw cap was removed, the filter had to be hooked out of a location typically about one inch below the surface of the top of the spindle.

Another advantage is the ease of replacement of suction heads. It has been customary to use different spindles for different batches of banknotes, depending on whether the banknotes are in a new or worn condition. One type of spindle was formed with a flat suction face.

Another type of spindle was formed with a slightly concave face. It will be appreciated that spindle changes may be required several times each day.

With the present invention, it is necessary only to replace the spindle heads. In a similar manner, when that portion of the face which is struck by the notes becomes worn, only the spindle head needs to be replaced.

Preferably, the fastening means is in the form of a bayonet fitting, with the slot formed in the hollow head. The direction in which the slot is arranged is such that the force exerted by the notes hitting the side of the spindle top is in a direction opposite to that of the rotary portion of the motion necessary to release the bayonet fitting.

To further facilitate removal of the filter, which usually has the shape of an elongate thimble, the top of the filter is formed with a hoop-like handle which, when the filter is in place, extends above the plane of the upper end of the spindle body and, when the head is in place, lies within the internal spring fitted between the top of the head and the filter.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an example of a spindle embodying the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show the known form of spindle sheet counter in perspective and in plan view respectively; Figure 3 illustrates a spindle embodying the present invention, in side elevation and partly in section; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a removable head of the spindle shown in Figure 3.

In the known apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, spindles 2 extend vertically from a horizontal base 4 and are arranged in a circle on the base. In the example shown, the base 4 is driven in an anticlockwise direction about a stationary vertical stub shaft. Each spindle 2 is hollow and is gear-driven from the rotating base 4 so as to rotate in a clockwise direction about its axis. A lateral face 6 on each spindle is formed with suction ports 8 which sequentially connect through the hollow spindle body to a source of suction by way of a distribution port, as the base rotates.

A stack 10 of banknotes to be counted is clamped at one end between a spring-loaded pressure plate 1 2 and a backing plate 1 4. In the arrangement shown, the pressure plate 1 2 is mounted on a post 1 6 arranged to move in an arcuate slot 1 8 and the assembly is lightly biassed in a clockwise direction (Figure 2) so that the free end of the stack always remains in light contact with the deflecting mechanism as the notes are fed.

When the base and spindles are driven in rotation, each spindle in turn attracts the free end of a note to its working surface and the combined rotation of the spindle about its axis and arcuate motion of the spindle as a whole about the axis of the base, pull and deflect the note end through position 1 0A to position 1 or. In this way, free ends of the notes of the stack are progressively transferred to the new position 10B at a rate of, for example, twenty notes per second. As each spindle bearing a note is turned, a suction pulse causes a counter unit to advance by one. As will be seen from Figure 2, the hollow interior of each spindle connects through a bore in the base 4 in turn with four angularly spaced ports in the stub shaft. The port 20 is the suction port, through which the interior of the spindle is connected to an external source of suction.The port 22 is the sensing port and is connected to a pressure sensitive switch S, which controls the counter C. A port 24 is an exhaust port connected internally with a port 26.

The closure screw 28 at the top of each spindle is clearly shown in Figure 1.

For a fuller description of a machine of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2, reference may be made to the above-mentioned British specification No.

1243785.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, a spindle 2 embodying the present invention has a conventional hollow body 30, a hole 32 to connect the interior of the spindle body with the source of suction, and an internally screwthreaded end 34 for connection by means of a pinion to the base 4. In this case the spindle head 36 is formed separately and connects to the base by way of a bayonet fitting comprising a slot 38 formed in the head and a pin 40 extending radially from the body. It will be appreciated that the bayonet fitting defines the angular position of the spindle head in relation to the spindle body.

As also shown in the drawing, a filter 42 is seated in the top of the hollow spindle body and is held in place by means of a spring 44. A hoop-like handle 46 attached to the filter facilitates its removal when the head has been removed from the spindle body, with the spring 44. An O-ring 48 provides a seal between the outside of the spindle body and the inside of the hollow head.

Claims (6)

1. A sheet counting apparatus employing a number of hollow spindles arranged in a circle on a rotating base and extending perpendicularly to the base, a portion of each spindle being formed with a lateral face having holes which, through the hollow spindie, communicate with a suction source in each cycle of rotation of the base for an interval during which the spindle passes the free end of a stationary stack of sheets, the other end of the stack being clamped, and in which each spindle is formed with a hollow body portion and a detachable spindle head containing the lateral face with the suction holes, the spindle head and the body portion having cooperating fastening means which, when fastened, define the relative angular position of the head and body portion in relation to the spindle axis.

2. Sheet counting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the fastening means is in the form of a bayonet fitting.

3. Sheet counting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, in which the slot of the bayonet fitting is formed in the hollow head, the direction in which the slot extends from its open end, in the sense of rotation of the spindle, being such that the force exerted by sheets hitting the side of the spindle head is in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotary portion of the motion necessary to release the bayonet fitting,

4. Sheet counting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a removable filter extending across the hollow body portion of the spindle, the filter having a projection extending into the hollow head of the spindle to facilitate its removal when the spindle head has been removed.

5. Sheet counting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, in which the filter handle is in the form of a hoop extending from one marginal portion of the filter to a diametrically opposite marginal portion.

6. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a compression spring located in the hollow head of the spindle between the top of the hollow head and the spindle body.