U.S. patent number 3,788,577 [Application Number 05/208,756] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-29 for pneumatic tube carrier end closure construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Diebold, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Charles B. Barnett, Larry A. Morrison.
United States Patent |
3,788,577 |
Barnett , et al. |
January 29, 1974 |
PNEUMATIC TUBE CARRIER END CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A closure construction for an open end of a generally tubular
material-conveying carrier for a pneumatic tube system, especially
adapted for banking service transactions. The end closure,
preferably is formed of lightweight molded plastic components, and
is pivotally mounted for smooth and ready lateral movement across
an open end of the carrier body between fully closed and fully open
positions. The end closure side wall is tapered enabling the
carrier to move through pneumatic tube bends having reduced radii.
An inturned flange is formed on the end closure and engages an
outturned flange on the carrier body when in closed position
preventing axial movement of the end closure away from the carrier
body. A spring-biased toggle-connected mechanism is contained in a
cavity formed within the end closure to urge and hold the closure
in either fully closed or fully open position.
Inventors: |
Barnett; Charles B. (Akron,
OH), Morrison; Larry A. (North Canton, OH) |
Assignee: |
Diebold, Incorporated (Canton,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22775925 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/208,756 |
Filed: |
December 16, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
406/188 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
51/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
51/00 (20060101); B65G 51/06 (20060101); B65g
051/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;243/35
;220/38,41,55,33 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Blunk; Evon C.
Assistant Examiner: Rowland; James L.
Claims
We claim:
1. Closure construction for a pneumatic tube carrier including a
generally tubular carrier body wall having two ends, at least one
of which ends is open and has a cylindrical shape larger than that
of the intermediate tubular body wall portion; end closure means
for said one open end, and means pivotally mounting the closure
means on the body for lateral movement of the closure means across
said one open end between fully opened and fully closed positions;
the pivotal mounting means including a pivot shaft fixed to the
body within the circumference of the larger open end and having an
axis, and means journaling the end closure means on said pivot
shaft; the end closure means including an end cap and a disc
member, the disc member having cavity and bottom faces; the end cap
having top and side walls forming a cavity into which an end of the
pivot shaft extends; the end cap side walls being smooth, and
tapered downwardly and outwardly from the top wall; means securing
the disc member to the end cap to close the end cap cavity, the
secured disc and the end cap side wall providing the end closure
means with a smooth outer side wall free of radially extending
projections; spring-biased, toggle-control means located in said
end closure cavity for urging the closure means towards and holding
said closure means in either fully open or fully closed position;
the larger cylindrical one open end of the carrier body terminating
in first and second connected curved sections, with said first
curved section having a shorter length than the second curved
section; the first section being arcuate and having a radius of
curvature equal to the radius of the carrier body cylindrical open
end and projecting axially beyond the end of the second section;
the first end section terminating in first and second shoulder
means; said first shoulder means engaging the end closure means to
stop said end closure means upon reaching open position; the second
section having a first arcuate portion with a radius of curvature
equal to the radius of said first curved section, and a second
portion extending in chord-like fashion between said first curved
section and the arcuate portion of the second curved section; the
first end section first shoulder means being arcuately aligned with
the arcuate portion of the second end section, and the second
shoulder means being offset laterally outwardly of the chord-like
second portion of said second end section; curved flange means
formed on the chord-like portion and projecting laterally outwardly
therefrom and terminating within the periphery of the cylindrical
open end; the end closure means having an arcuate flange segment
having a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the cylindrical
open end and extending axially below the bottom face of the disc
member; a laterally inwardly projecting flange at the free end of
said flange segment spaced from the bottom face of the disc member
and forming groove means with said disc member; the closure means
having an annular segmental recess formed therein and extending
above the bottom face of the disc member and circumferentially of
the closure means; and said annular segmental end closure recess
extending a distance generally equal to the arcuate length of the
projecting first end section, whereby the outwardly projecting body
flange means is seated in the end closure groove means when the
closure means is in closed position, and said end closure segmental
recess receiving and overlying the projecting first body section
when the closure means is in closed position.
2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the second shoulder
engages the end closure means flange segment to stop said end
closure means upon reaching closed position.
3. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the ends of the end
closure flange segment are provided with shoulders; and in which
one of said shoulders is engageable with the offset body shoulder
when the closure means is in closed position.
4. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the closure means
includes a sleeve on the end cap; in which the carrier body wall
has an enlarged recess surrounding the pivot shaft; in which a
bushing member is telescoped within the enlarged recess; and in
which the sleeve is journaled on said pivot shaft within said
bushing.
5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which both the end cap
and the disc member are formed of plastic material.
6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the control means
includes a laterally extending lug rigidly mounted on the pivot
shaft end within said cavity, and spring means within said cavity
operably connected at one end with the closure means and at the
other end with said lug; and in which the spring means includes
stop means located within the cavity, a rod pivotally connected at
one end with the lug and at the other end with the stop means, and
a compression coil spring surrounding said rod reactively engaged
with said stop means.
7. The construction defined in claim 6 in which projections are
formed on the end cap and disc member cavity face; and in which
said projections extend into the end closure cavity forming said
stop means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The invention involves improvements upon the carrier closure
construction shown in the copending application of Walter G. Anders
et al., U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 63,233, filed Aug. 12, 1970, which
issued Oct. 31, 1972 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,497.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a carrier for materials which move through
a pneumatic tube and especially to non-captive pneumatic tube
system carriers used in performing banking services between a
teller station and a remote customer station. More particularly the
invention relates to an improved end closure for a hollow carrier
body readily movable between fully open and fully closed position,
in each of which positions the closure is held securely.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many closure arrangements for pneumatic tube system carrier access
openings have been used. Frequently the mounting and latch
mechanisms for carrier closures have been complicated and subject
to injury and wear in use. The structure of the end closure shown
in the copending application satisfies requirements as to
simplicity, wear and frictional problems which develop between
relatively movable parts of the control mechanism.
It is becoming increasingly more important in the design of
pneumatic tube systems to reduce the size of the bend radii in the
pneumatic tubes through which carriers move, without the carrier
becoming lodged, damaged or losing propelling force, and without
reducing the interior volume or load carrying capacity of the
carrier.
This may be accomplished by tapering the carrier ends such as shown
in said copending application. However, this results in a smaller
carrier end opening and reduces the effective carrier storage
volume. It also reduces the size of the material which may be
inserted into the carrier, and makes it more difficult for manually
removing material lodged or held within the carrier.
It is desirable to reduce the weight of the carrier end closure to
prevent premature opening of the end closure during movement
through the tubes by centrifugal forces which may act on a heavy
end closure during travel at high speed through a tube system. This
heretofore has presented a problem. Reduced weight may be obtained
by molding the end cap components of lightweight, rugged plastic
material. Reducing the weight of the end closure by use of plastic
material results in wear and friction problems between the
relatively movable parts of the pivotal mounting and control
mechanism. Prior wear and friction must be reduced for satisfactory
carrier operation.
Thus, the need exists in the art for a rugged, simple, lightweight
carrier end closure construction which enables carriers to pass
through tube bends having smaller radii of curvature then
heretofore possible with prior carriers, without a reduction in
carrier storage capacity or end opening diameter; which end closure
can be readily opened and closed without binding and without excess
friction, and which can be effectively held in either position with
full access to the carrier when opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objectives of the invention include providing a pneumatic tube
system carrier with a closure for its end opening that may be moved
readily without binding between open and closed positions; which
eliminates latches and reduces friction and wear; which is
effectively held in fully closed position when closed and in fully
opened position when open; which has stop means on the carrier
walls to prevent further opening movement of the end closure when
in open position to prevent damage to the end closing control
mechanism; which is tapered to enable smaller radii pneumatic tube
bends to be used in a pneumatic tube system without the storage
capacity or the open end diameter of the carrier body being
reduced; which is lightweight preventing premature opening due to
centrifugal forces acting on the end closure during transit; which
is formed inexpensively of molded plastic components easily
assembled, together with a control mechanism of an inherently
bistable nature and of toggle-arrangement, so as to urge the
closure to hold the closure in either fully opened or fully closed
positions; which has flanges engageable with the carrier body when
in closed position preventing axial separation of the end closure
from the carrier body; and which is simple in construction and
operation, and composed of rugged parts not subject to fatigue
failure from use and which can withstand severe shocks.
These objectives and advantages are obtained by the pneumatic tube
system closure construction for carrier access openings, the
general nature of which may be stated as including a generally
tubular, preferably transparent plastic material carrier body
having two ends and open at least at one end; closure means for
said open end, and means pivotally mounting the closure means on
the body for lateral movement of the closure means across the open
end between fully opened and fully closed positions; the pivotal
mounting means including a pivot shaft fixed to the body having an
axis, and means journaling the end closure means on said pivot
shaft; the end closure means including an end cap and a disc member
having cavity and bottom faces; the end cap having top and side
walls forming a cavity into which an end of the pivot shaft
extends; means securing the disc member to the end cap to close the
cavity; the end cap side walls being tapered downwardly and
outwardly from the top wall; spring-biased, toggle control means
located in said end closure cavity urging the closure means towards
and holding said closure means in either fully open or fully closed
position; the open end portion of the carrier body wall having
first and second connected curved sections; the first section being
arcuate and having a shorter length than the second section; the
first section projecting axially beyond the end of the second
section; the projecting first section terminating in stop
shoulders, one of which is arcuately aligned with an arcuate
portion of the second section and the other of which is offset
laterally outwardly of the arcuate section; a curved laterally
outwardly projecting flange formed on the second section adjacent
said offset shoulder; the end closure means having an arcuate
flange segment extending axially below the bottom face of the disc
member; a laterally inwardly projecting flange at the free edge of
said flange segment spaced from the bottom face of the disc member
and forming therewith an annular groove; the end of the flange
segment providing shoulders one of which is engageable with the
offset body shoulder when the closure means is in closed position;
the curved outwardly projecting body flange being seated in said
annular groove when the closure means is in closed position; the
closure means having an annular segmental recess formed therein
extending above the bottom face of the disc member; said segmental
recess extending circumferentially of the closure means away from
said one flange segment shoulder; and said segmental recess
receiving and overlying the projecting first body section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention -- illustrative of the best
mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles
-- is set forth in the following description and shown in the
drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set
forth in the appended claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier provided with the
improved end closure construction;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1, with parts
broken away;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the closure in
partially open position in dot-dash lines, and in fully open
position in solid lines;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4--4, FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5--5, FIG. 2,
showing the journal pivot mounting of the end cap on the housing
pivot shaft;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line
6--6, FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction
of arrows 7--7, FIG. 3, showing the carrier body closure
flange;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the end closure removed
from the carrier body;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9--9, FIG.
5;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary, elevational view looking in the
direction of arrows 10--10, FIG. 3; and
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11--11, FIG.
3.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The improved pneumatic tube system carrier 1 (FIG. 1) has a carrier
body 2 formed by cylindrical side wall portions 3 and generally
flat side wall portions 4. A plurality of spaced reinforcing ribs 5
are formed integrally with and extend along wall portions 3 between
enlarged cylindrical end portions 6.
Body 2 may have either one or two open ends, two open ends 7 being
provided for the carrier 1 illustrated. Each open end is closed by
an end closure 8 which forms the closure means for the carrier.
An annular shoulder 9 (FIG. 5) is formed on each end portion 6 and
an accelerator ring 10 is mounted thereon and surrounds body 2. A
collar 11 is press-fitted over and preferably bonded to each end
portion 6 and retains rings 10 on shoulders 9.
Each end closure 8 includes a disc member 12 and a cap 13 is
secured to the disc member 12 in any suitable manner as by a screw
14. Disc 12 and cap 13 preferably are molded of lightweight, rugged
plastic. Disc 12 is formed with an outer annular rib 15 which
engages an annular shoulder 16 formed on cap 13 (FIGS. 5 and 11)
when joined by screw 14.
In accordance with the invention the side wall 17 of cap 13 is
tapered and forms and internal control mechanism cavity 18 with top
wall 20. Disc 12 closes the bottom of cavity 18 and has cavity and
bottom faces or surfaces, 12a and 12b, respectively. An external
recess 19 is formed in the top wall 20 of cap 13 providing a finger
hold accessible for opening and closing end closure 8.
Carrier body 2 has a thickened wall portion 21 (FIGS. 5 and 6)
adjacent open end 7 formed with an axially extending bore 22,
enlarged at 23 in which a pivot shaft 24 is fixed by a retaining
pin 25. A lug 26 is mounted on the outer end of shaft 24 and
projects laterally of a diametric line 27 passing through the axis
of shaft 24 and the axis of body 2 as shown in FIG. 2. Lug 26 forms
a shoulder 28, and the offset portion 29 of lug 26 is formed with
an opening 30 located eccentrically with respect to shaft 24.
Disc member 12 has a pivot sleeve 31 formed integrally therewith
which is telescoped over the pivot shaft 24 when the parts are
assembled as shown in FIG. 5. In assembled condition, lug shoulder
28 engages a washer 28a which is recessed in the surface 12a of
disc 12 within the cavity 18. Shoulder 28 holds disc 12 and
connected cap 13 assembled to carrier body 2 when the retaining pin
25 engages pivot shaft 24.
Thickened wall portion 21 and pivot sleeve 31 both preferably are
formed of plastic. A metal bushing 33 is inserted into enlarged
bore portion 23 so that pivot sleeve 31 pivots within bushing 33.
The pivoting movement of metal-on-plastic and vice versa is much
more desirable than plastic-on-plastic and provides reduced
friction and less binding.
In this manner, pivot sleeve 31 is telescoped within metal bushing
33 which is located in the enlarged bore 23 in body 2 and is
journaled on pivot shaft 24, and lug 26 is located in cavity 18
formed in end closure 8.
End closure 8 thus is pivotally mounted for lateral movement across
the open end 7 of the carrier between fully open position shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and fully closed position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5;
such lateral pivotal movement occurring about pivot shaft 24 as an
axis. During such pivotal end closure movement, lug 26 and offset
portion opening 30 remain in a position fixed with respect to the
carrier body within end closure cavity 18.
Action of end closure 8 is controlled by a compression coil spring
34 which surrounds a rod 35. One end 36 of rod 35 is formed with a
slight U-shape and extends through offset opening 30 and is
pivotally mounted therein. The opposite end 37 of rod 35 extends
slidably through a knuckle cap 38 which is held within end closure
cavity 18 by projections 39 and 40 which are formed on disc 12 and
cap 13, respectively, and which extend into cavity 18 (FIG. 4).
Spring 34 extends between knuckle cap 38 and a collar 41 found on
rod 35 adjacent lug 26. Spring 34 is compressed as end closure 8 is
pivoted counterclockwise about pivot shaft 24 from the position of
FIG. 2 toward that of FIG. 3, and the compressed spring of the
spring-biased, toggle-control mechanism moves end closure 8 either
to fully opened or fully closed position in accordance with toggle
operation.
Rod end 37 slides through knuckle cap 38 in cavity 18 as end
closure 8 is being rotated between open and closed position, as
shown in dot-dash line, FIG. 3, due to the eccentrical location of
offset opening 30.
The structural relationship described of the end closure 8, body 2
and the spring-biased, toggle-control means imports a torque to end
closure 8 so that closure 8 has only two stable positions, either
fully opened or fully closed, as shown. This bi-stable nature of
the end closure and its control mechanism maintains the end closure
8 in positively closed position when closed, for reliable
protection of the carrier contents as it moves through a pneumatic
tube; and also insures that when opened, the closure is held fully
opened for convenient loading and unloading of the carrier
contents.
Each body end portion 6 has another slightly thickened wall portion
42 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 9) axially aligned with the flat side wall
portions 4 and located diametrically opposite thickened wall
portion 21. Thickened portions 42 preferably are formed by a
plurality of spaced elongated internal ribs 43 which provide
sufficient strength for end portions 6, and reduces the weight of
carrier body 2.
The improved sealing and interlocking ability of the carrier end
closure is achieved by the particular structures of end closure 8
and carrier body end portions 6 and their interengagement with each
other.
Each end wall portion 6 of carrier body 2 terminates in curved
sections 44 and 45. Section 44 is arcuate-shaped and generally is
the end of one carrier cylindrical body wall portion 3. Section 45
includes portions 46 and 47. Wall portion 46 also is an extension
of the other cylindrical body wall portion 3 and of the outer end
of thickened wall portion 21. The second portion 47 of curved
section 45 is curved on a larger radius than portion 46 and extends
in chord-like fashion between curved section 45 and portion 46 as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Portion 47 projects outward axially from the
thickened wall portion 42. Section 44 has a shorter arcuate length
than arcuate portion 46 and projects axially beyond the end of
section 45, as shown in FIG. 7. The diameter of cylindrical open
end 6 extends between terminal end sections 44 and 45 with the
radius of curvature of section 44 and arcuate portion 46 being
equal as indicated in FIG. 3.
Section 44 terminates in stop shoulders 48 and 49. Shoulder 48 is
arcuately aligned with arcuate portion 46 and serves as a stop for
end closure 8, when closure 8 is in open position (FIGS. 3 and 10).
Shoulder 49 is offset laterally outwardly of curved portion 47 and
may serve as a stop for end closure 8, when closure 8 is in closed
position (FIGS. 1 and 7).
A curved flange 50 is formed on and projects laterally outwardly
from portion 47 overhanging and spaced from a portion of the end
surface 51 of thickened end portion 42 and terminates within the
periphery of cylindrical open end 6 defined by curved sections 44
and 45 (FIGS. 3 and 5). One end 50a of flange 50 terminates at
offset shoulder 49 and the other end 50b terminates adjacent
arcuate portion 46, (FIG. 7).
An arcuate flange segment 52 is formed on end closure 8 and extends
axially below the bottom face 12b of disc member 12 (FIG. 4). A
laterally inwardly projecting flange 53 is formed at the free edge
of flange segment 52 and is spaced from bottom disc face 12b
forming an annular groove 54 therewith. The ends 55 and 56 of
flange segment 52 form shoulders. End shoulder 55 may engage offset
body shoulder 49 when end closure 8 is in closed position (FIG.
1).
An annular segmental recess 57 is formed in the bottom face 12b, of
disc 12 and extends circumferentially of end closure 8 from flange
segment shoulder 55 a distance, approximately equal to the length
of arcuate section 44 (FIGS. 8 and 11).
When end closure 8 is in closed position, the outwardly projecting
body flange 50 is slidably engaged in end closure groove 54 and
locks end closure 8 against movement axially away from carrier body
2.
Arcuate section 44 seats in recess 57 when end closure 8 is in
closed position to provide a stop for end closure 8 and to provide
a smooth, uninterrupted surface between end closure 8 and end
portion 6 (FIG. 1).
The sudden stopping and starting of the carrier at tube terminals
may cause considerable axial force on the end closure as well as
the force exerted by the carrier contents following such stops and
starts. A person using the carrier for a banking transaction who is
unfamiliar with the carrier may attempt to "lift" the end closure
to gain access to the carrier interior instead of pivotally moving
the end closure across the carrier open end. Such axial forces
could cause damage to the pivotal mounting of the end closure 8 on
the carrier body 2. The engagement of carrier-body flange 50 in end
closure groove 54 avoids such damage, and also avoids loss of
carrier contents from axial separation of closure 8 from the
carrier body which is prevented by the flange-groove 50-54
engagement.
End closure 8 in open position is prevented from further
counterclockwise movement (FIG. 3) by engagement of disc 12 with
shoulder 48 of flange section 44 (FIG. 10). Shoulder 48 stops end
closure 8 from reducing the area of open end 7 and prevents rod
collar 41 and spring 34 from engaging and binding lug 26.
When held in open position by flange shoulder 48, the overlapping
portion of end closure 8 coincides with thickened wall portion 21
thereby providing a maximum access opening area into carrier body
2.
The improved carrier end closure has many advantages. The tapering
of side wall 17 of end cap 13 without tapering the ends of carrier
body 2 enables carrier 1 to maintain its maximum storage volume
while permitting carrier 1 to pass through pneumatic tube bends
having smaller radii than heretofore possible. Since carrier body
end sections 44 and 45 are not tapered inwardly as in prior carrier
constructions, the large carrier diameter between cylindrical side
wall portions 3, indicated by dot-dash diameter line 58 (FIG. 3) is
not decreased, thereby permitting articles having a dimension equal
to diameter 58 to be placed into carrier body 2 through open end
7.
The end section shoulders 48 and 49 serve as stops for end closure
8 when it is in open and closed positions. Likewise, section 44
extends into recess 57 when closure 8 is in closed position forming
an additional stop for closure 8 and also forming a smooth surface
free of projections which could retard movement of carrier 1
through the pneumatic tubes.
Flat side wall portions 4 provide a reduced outside carrier body
diameter intermediate end portions 6 for conveniently handling the
carrier, especially by women or persons who have small hands.
Another advantage is the formation of and interengagement of
carrier body flange 50 and end closure groove 54 to prevent axial
movement between end closure 8 and carrier body 2 when closed.
The construction of end closure 8 of lightweight plastic components
eliminates prior metal plates and minimizes problems of premature
opening of the end closure due to centrifugal force acting on
closure 8 during movement through the pneumatic tube system or
inertia upon sudden stopping of the carrier.
The operation of an end closure formed of plastic which is
pivotally mounted on a plastic carrier body is greatly facilitated
by the particular means by which closure 8 is mounted on the
carrier body including the metal bushing 33 between two plastic
members to eliminate the pivotal movement of plastic on
plastic.
The improved construction of the invention using spring-biased, end
cap, toggle-control means is very simple, sturdy, and shock and
fatigue-resistant. The improved construction enables the carrier
ends to be tapered so that the carrier can pass through pneumatic
tube bends having smaller radii without reducing the diameter of
the carrier open end, and without reducing the storage volume of
the carrier. The end closure means of the improved construction is
formed of lightweight plastic components and is provided with
flanges which engage the carrier body for properly positioning the
end closure in open and closed position and which provides an
effective connection between end closure and carrier body.
Furthermore, the improved construction is simple and convenient to
load, unload, and dispatch in a pneumatic tube and provides a
structure eliminating difficulties that have been encountered in
the art, achieving the stated objectives and solving existing
problems.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for
brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of
the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by
way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to
the exact details shown or described.
Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of
the invention, the manner in which the improved carrier end closure
construction is built and used, the characteristics of the new
construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results
obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements,
arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *