Method and apparatus for a lockable, removable cassette, for securely storing currency
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United States of America Patent
Stats
-
May 11, 1993
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
May 23, 1991
filing date -
May 23, 1991
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for a lockable, removable cassette for attachment to a bill validator is disclosed. The cassette is removed from a bill validator by service personnel and transported to a central office, where an authorized person unlocks a hinged door with a separate key to remove stored bills. A lever is turned to a predetermined position which unlocks the cassette from the bill validator, and locks a pusher plate to prevent unauthorized bill removal. The lever is prevented from being turned clockwise and from further rotation past the predetermined position. When the hinged door of the secured cassette is opened by authorized personnel, the lever is released from its locked position arming the cassette. The emptied cassette can now be returned to the service person who can now reconnect it to a bill validator by further rotating the lever, which locks the cassette in place and unlocks the pusher plate to prepare the cassette to receive bills accepted by the validator. The cassette is easy to use, compact, tamper resistant, durable, and may use only mechanical parts. Further, the cassette can be modified to store a larger or smaller amount of bills, and works with existing bill pushers with only minor modifications required.
First Claim
Family
- 15 United States
- 10 France
- 8 Japan
- 7 China
- 5 Korea
- 2 Other
Patent Owner(s)
| Patent Owner | Address | |
|---|---|---|
| MEI INC | 1301 WILSON DRIVE WEST CHESTER PA 19380 |
International Classification(s)
- [Classification Symbol]
- [Patents Count]
Inventor(s)
| Inventor Name | Address | # of filed Patents | Total Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clauser, Robert | Coatesville, PA | 14 | 171 |
| Regan, Raymond D | Downingtown, PA | 3 | 69 |
| Zouzoulas, John | West Chester, PA | 15 | 541 |
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Maintenance Fees
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
|---|
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable | $700.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 |
| Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional | $1,640.00 | $820.00 | $410.00 |
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