Card counter with self-adjusting card loading assembly and method
US4978845A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06M9/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A credit card counter (40) with a self-adjusting card loading apparatus (42) having a card elevator plate (46) for elevating a rack of cards (14) to a position with the top edges (19) aligned with a sensor location (26) for optimal sensing. A spring (56) biases a pivot plate (52) to rotate in a direction to move the card elevator (46) until the top edges (18) abut a card guide member (50) aligned with the sensor location (26) which is located above the cards (14A) and out of path of debris carried by the rack of cards (14). The connection to the elevator plate (46) is by means of a pivot axle (72) and the sides of a slot (44A) in a base plate (44) have a snug fit with the sides of the elevator plate (46), so that relative movement is substantially translational. The elevator plate (44) is lowered sufficiently to allow the edges (18) under the guide member (50) and then permitted to rise to the correct position depending upon the height of the cards (14A).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.