Apparatus for moving a paper sheet

Abstract

A statement printer of an automated banking machine includes a lower roll shaft (118) having round paper engaging rolls (120) thereon. An upper roll shaft (122) has flat spot rolls (124, 125, 126, 127) thereon. The flat spot rolls are positioned in opposed relation with the round rolls. The round rolls are moved by a drive mechanism (128, 129). A paper sheet (130) is moved between the round rolls and the flat spot rolls. As the paper sheet is moved between the rolls lateral stresses in the paper are relieved and creases and puckers in the paper sheet are reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to banking devices and particularly to automated teller machines. Specifically this invention relates to a printer mechanism for use in an automated teller machine that can be used to print customer statements, checking account statements, vouchers, scrip, and other documents. This invention further relates to an apparatus for moving a paper sheet through such a printing mechanism while removing puckers and creases therefrom.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated teller machines (ATM's) are known in the prior art. Banking customers may access their accounts using a magnetically encoded card. Generally the customer will insert their card into the ATM which will correlate the identifying information encoded on the card with a personal identification number provided by the customer. This verifies the customer's identity to the computer system which operates the machine. Thereafter the customer may use the ATM to conduct banking transactions as well as to check the status of various accounts that they have with the financial institution. When all the transactions and inquiries are completed, the customer will receive his card back from the ATM along with one or more receipts documenting the transactions performed.

As more people conduct their banking transactions electronically using ATM's, there is a need to provide more information concerning the status of their accounts. Customers often want to know, for example, what checks have cleared and/or what other deductions and/or charges may have been applied against their accounts. Customers may also wish to obtain information about other services provided by the financial institution such as investments, retirement accounts or the terms available for loans.

It is usually not possible to print much information on a receipt that is provided by an ATM. This is because such receipts are usually fairly small in size and are much like a cash register tape. To provide all the information that customers want in a legible format, larger sheets are needed.

Given the space constraints within the interior of an automated teller machine, it has been difficult to obtain enough space to accommodate a printer that can print large sheets. Because ATM's must operate unattended for extended periods of time, a substantial quantity of paper is required. Large sheets of paper will consume valuable space within the automated teller machine and further complicate incorporating a suitable printing mechanism.

Other factors also present difficulties in attempting to use statement printers within an automated teller machine. Parallelism between the paper supply, paper drive mechanisms and transport boundaries is critical to preventing paper jams. Lack of parallelism accumulates as a transverse skew, causing the paper to pucker or become caught when fed into printers. This problem is complicated due to the confined space within an automated teller machine. As a result, properly threading the paper into a printer becomes a problem. Another problem is the need to periodically change the ribbon cartridge on the printers. Due to the limited space and access, it is often difficult to properly align and secure a new print cartridge after the previous cartridge has been removed.

Other problems associated with large statement printers in automated teller machines involve the need to obtain the maximum useful life out of a printer cartridge and to compensate for the decrease in available ink as a printer cartridge is used. In addition, there is often no satisfactory means for monitoring when the paper supply which is being used by a statement printer has reached a point where a replenishment is required. This task is particularly complicated because paper is used at different rates, and because stacks of paper are not necessarily uniform. This makes it difficult to determine when replenishment of paper is required.

Another problem with statement printers in automated teller machines involves providing a reliable cutting mechanism for cutting the paper after the statement has been printed. While cutting mechanisms are available, their size and complexity often makes it impractical to use them within an automated teller machine.

Thus there exists a need to provide a statement printer within an automated teller machine that overcomes the deficiencies and problems which have existed in the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that is capable of printing on large sheets and yet is sufficiently compact to be housed within an automated teller machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer on which it is easy to change the print cartridge within the restricted space in the interior of an automated teller machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer which simplifies the loading of paper therein.

It is a further object to provide a printer that accommodates paper which is loaded at an off angle and which achieves straightening of the paper as it is moved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer that reduces skewing, pucker and prevents folds from being pressed into the paper.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer that enables rapid and reliable cutting of wide statement sheets.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer that may be operated for long periods without a need for service.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer that provides a signal when the paper supply is low.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer that maintains the printing quality despite the aging of the ribbon cartridge.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of straightening a paper sheet as it is moved.

Further objects of the present invention will be made apparent in the following Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in the preferred embodiment of the invention by a statement printer having a housing. The housing includes a cartridge-supporting top plate that is pivotally mounted. The top plate includes a longitudinally extending channel having a leaf spring extending upwards near a front portion thereof.

A print ribbon cartridge which is replaceably mounted on the top plate includes guides which extend downward in straddling relation of the top plate, so that the print ribbon extends traversely across the bottom of the plate. The print cartridge further includes a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending projections which are accepted in the recess in the top plate in close fitting relation. The projections of the cartridge include a pair of traversely aligned notches wherein the leaf spring is accepted when the cartridge is in properly mounted position. The leaf spring holds the cartridge in the properly aligned location during use.

The cartridge further includes a pair of traversely extending wing projections which extend from opposed sides of the cartridge. The top plate includes a pair of spaced slots for accepting the wing projections therein. The slots serve to hold the cartridge against the top plate and counter the force of the leaf spring.

The cartridge of the present invention may be readily changed within the limited confines of an automated teller machine. The pivoting top plate of the statement printer is tilted upward by turning a release mechanism which disposes the ribbon of the cartridge from the impact area of the print head. The top plate may be pivoted so that the plate extends to a near vertical position. A person may thereafter slide the cartridge off the top plate, providing sufficient initial force so as to disengage the leaf spring from the cut-outs in the spaced projections. Further upward movement of the cartridge disengages the wing projections from the slots and enables the cartridge to be removed as the ribbon is no longer in straddling relation of the top plate.

Thereafter a new cartridge may be installed by bringing a new cartridge adjacent the top plate such that the spaced projections are aligned in interfitting relation with the recess in the top plate. The new cartridge is slid downwardly and forwardly on the top plate such that the wing projections are accepted in the slots and the leaf spring engages the cut-outs in the spaced projections. As this is done the cartridge is automatically positioned so that the guides straddle the top plate and the ribbon is positioned under the top plate for proper printing.

Once the new cartridge is installed, the top plate is returned to its original position adjacent to the print head of the device. The feed rollers of the printer are then operable to move the paper between the top plate and the print ribbon so that the statement information may be printed thereon.

The cooperating print cartridge and top plate enable easy alignment, installation and removal of the cartridge within the limited confines of the interior of an automated teller machine. The design enables an unskilled individual to install the cartridge by "feel" in situations where visibility is limited. Further, the pivoting character of the top plate enables movement to any one of a number of rotational positions wherein the cartridge may be replaced by a person located either in front of or behind the printer. As a result, the statement printer is enabled to be readily installed in automated teller machines that are serviced either from the front or the rear.

The statement printer further includes apparatus for moving a paper sheet through the printer so that printing may be conducted thereon. The moving apparatus corrects for misalignment in loading the paper also operates to remove transverse puckers and stresses in the sheet as the sheet is moved. The apparatus also reduces skewing of the sheet and minimizes the risk that folds or creases which could result from puckering or misalignment will be pressed into the paper sheet. Because the apparatus for moving the paper compensates for misalignment of the paper, achieving proper loading of the paper into the printer is simplified and the frequency of paper jams is substantially reduced.

The paper moving apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of opposed paper feed rolls. The paper sheet extends between the opposed rolls in each pair and is engaged with each of the rolls. At least one of the rolls is a driving roll which is driven by a drive or equivalent device. The paper is moved in engagement with the driving roll.

A pair of spaced guiding edges are positioned on opposite sides of the sheet adjacent to the feed rolls. The guiding edges extend generally parallel to the direction of sheet movement. The sheet is moved by the rolls in generally engaged relation with each of the guiding edges.

At least one of the rolls in each pair of rolls includes a circumferential discontinuity. When the circumferential discontinuity is adjacent to the paper sheet, the sheet is sufficiently released from engagement with the roll pair that the sheet is enabled to move in a direction that is transverse to the direction that the sheet is moved through the printer. The sheet moves in the transverse direction to relieve puckers which comprise excess sheet material between transversely adjacent roll pairs. The discontinuities also relieve transverse tensile and compressive forces in the paper between transversely adjacent roll pairs. As puckers are removed and transverse tensile and compressive forces are relieved, the paper tends to lie flatter and track straighter.

The discontinuities on the rolls in the plurality of roll pairs are preferably arranged to come adjacent to the sheet at different times during sheet movement. This assures that the sheet is always positively engaged with the rolls by at least one roll pair. The discontinuities also preferably move adjacent to different transverse areas of the sheet in a repeating sequence as the sheet is moved by the rolls. This configuration removes puckers and stresses from the entire transverse width of the paper sheet as it is moved through the printer. As a result if the sheet is skewed in the sheet path, the forces of the guiding edges acting on the sheet tends to move the sheet towards an aligned condition. The stresses and puckers in the sheet that result from the guide edges acting on the sheet to move it to the aligned condition are removed by the action of the circumferential discontinuities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the statement printer of the present invention shown with its top plate lifted and with its lower paper guide plate removed so as to expose the print head and cutting mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the print ribbon cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the top plate of the statement printer.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the lower surface of the printer cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top plate with the printer cartridge shown mounted thereon.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the statement printer showing the major internal components thereof as well as the paper lead-in tray and the guiding edges thereon.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the statement printer showing the drive mechanism for the print head.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the lower drive roll shaft of the statement printer.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a drive roller on the lower drive roll shaft shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the upper drive roll shaft of the statement printer.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a drive roller taken along line 11--11 in FIG. 10

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a drive roller taken along line 12--12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a drive roller taken along line 13--13 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a drive roller taken along line 14--14 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the upper and lower drive rollers showing statement paper between the rollers having creases and puckers therein.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the paper after having moved a distance through the rollers.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the paper after it has undergone further movement.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the paper after the rollers have undergone further movement and showing the final orientation of the paper without creases or puckers.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the print head and cutter mechanism of the statement printer.

FIG. 20 is a back view of the print head shown in FIG. 19 with the cutter wheel shown in a cutting position.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the print head and cutting wheel of the statement printer of the present invention shown in the cutting position.

FIG. 22 is a back view of the print head and cutter shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the print head and cutter mechanism shown with the cutter in a retracted position.

FIG. 24 is a back view of the print head and cutter shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the print head and cutter mechanism with the actuating lever shown in the cutting position.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the print head and actuating lever shown in the retracted position.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the actuating lever which serves to move the cutter mechanism.

FIG. 28 is an exploded isometric view of the paper holding tray and low paper actuating mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view demonstrating the operation of the low paper actuating mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the print head, guide block and cutter mechanism.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart for the control of the print head.

FIG. 32 is a graph of the print striking force used versus ribbon age.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown therein the preferred embodiment of the statement printer of the present invention, generally indicated 10. The device includes a housing including a pair of spaced side walls 12 which are connected to a tray portion generally indicated 14. The device further includes a top plate 16 which is pivotally mounted between the sidewalls. In FIG. 1 top plate 16 is shown in its raised position and the bottom guide plate is removed to expose the other components of the machine. When the printer device is in operation the top plate is in the down and locked position and a lower guide plate is installed as shown in FIG. 6.

The printer of the present invention includes a print ribbon cartridge 18 which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. Cartridge 18 holds a print ribbon 20 which is impregnated with ink and which extends across the underside of the top plate when the print cartridge is mounted thereon. The print cartridge further includes a pair of downward extending ribbon guides 22 which guide the ribbon 20 and straddle the top plate 20 of the statement printer when the cartridge is mounted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 3, top plate 16 includes a longitudinally extending recess 24 in the top thereof. Recess 24 extends on both sides of a laterally extending depressed area 26. A leaf spring 28 extends upwardly in the forward section of recess 24. The leaf spring includes a pointed angled top which is directed upwards.

The top plate further includes a pair of spaced finger projections 30. The finger projections include openings 32 at the front thereof which are sized for accepting a pin that enables the top plate to pivot with respect to the side walls 12. The finger projections 30 also define slots 34 which extend between the projections and the upper surface of the top plate.

Printer cartridge 18 includes on each side an extending wing projection 36. The wing projections 36 are sized for acceptance in slots 34. The wing projections 36 are positioned so that when the cartridge is mounted on the top plate, the finger projections 30 hold the cartridge 18 in close abutting relation to the top plate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower side of cartridge 18 includes a pair of spaced downward extending projections 38. The downward extending projections extend longitudinally the length of the cartridge. Each includes a V-shaped notch 40 near the front of the cartridge.

When the print cartridge 18 is properly installed on the top plate, the pointed leaf spring 28 nests in the notches 40. In the preferred embodiment the notches are oriented so that the leaf spring is engaged when the wing projections on the cartridge are inserted to the full depth of the slots 34 formed by finger projections 30.

The construction of the print cartridge and top plate assures that the cartridge is in the proper position for printing documents. It further provides for an easy snap-in and snap-out fit. This enables the cartridge to be changed by a non-technician such as a bank teller. A fundamental advantage of this construction is that it is particularly well-suited for use within the confined space inside an automated teller machine. The ability of the top plate 16 to pivot about the openings 32 allows the top plate to be moved out of the printing position through an arc of rotation to a position beyond the vertical. This enables a person to replace the cartridge while standing in a position either in front of or in back of the statement printer.

A further advantage of this design is that the spaced projections 38 on the bottom of the cartridge may be guided by feel in the recess 24 on the back of the plate. As a result, the cartridge may be readily installed in the proper location without the need for the person changing the cartridge to see the exact position of the cartridge. This is particularly important when the printer is mounted in an obscure location within the automated teller machine. The pointed leaf spring 28 also assures that the cartridge 18 is uniformly locked in position on the top plate and the construction enables the technician to feel locking action of the leaf spring against the cartridge, thus assuring proper installation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 18 includes a ribbon drive post 42 therein. The drive post has a chamfered, self-centering recess in the bottom thereof which accepts the top of the ribbon drive shaft 44 which is best shown in FIG. 1. The drive post in the cartridge has a knob 46 connected at the top thereof which enables the manual take up of the ribbon.

To enable the ribbon drive shaft to disengage from the drive post of the cartridge during a cartridge change, the top plate includes an opening 48 therethrough (see FIG. 1). This enables the cartridge and the plate to move away from the ribbon drive shaft as the top plate 16 is raised. Of course, when the top plate is lowered, the ribbon drive shaft 44 extends upward through opening 48 and engages the recess in the bottom of the ribbon drive post 42 of the cartridge. As a result, a person changing the ribbon cartridge in the statement printer need not be concerned about disengaging the drive mechanism for the ribbon, as it will automatically occur when the top plate is raised.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the top plate 16 includes a pair of latching levers 50 and 52. Latching lever 52 includes a handle portion 54. The latching levers are connected by a shaft 56 that extends through the depressed area 26 in the top of the top plate 16. The latching levers 50 and 52 each include recesses 58 that accept and latch on pins 60 that extend outward on the side walls 12 of the device. The engagement of pins 60 in the recesses serves to latch the top plate in position.

As shown in FIG. 3, a cam 62 on shaft 56 engages a flat spring 64 which biases the latching levers 50 and 52 towards the engaging position. An advantage of this design is that the latching levers will tend to be in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 unless manual force is applied to the handle portion 54. If the top plate should fall downward, the bottom faces 66 of the latching levers will engage the pins and prevent the top plate from slamming against the print head, cutter or other components of the statement printer assembly.

The top plate further includes a pair of lateral recesses 68 which have flat springs 70 mounted therein. When the top plate is engaged to pins 60 by the latching levers, the flat springs 70 are biased upwardly by pins 72 that extend inward from the side walls. The biasing action of the leaf springs 70 against the pins 72 provides for solid positioning of the top plate when it is latched in the down position.

The top plate further has a cutter bar 74 mounted thereon. The cutter bar is comprised of hardened metal and is positioned in a recess in the bottom side of the top plate. The cutter bar cooperates with a cutter disk 76 to cut the paper that has been printed on by the statement printer as hereafter described.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 19 through 27, the cutter disk 76 has an outer tapered band 78 and a central band 80. As later explained, the tapered band is sized for being in close abutting relation with the trailing edge of the cutter bar 76 to slice through the paper as the cutter disk moves across a sheet of paper.

Cutter disk 76 is mounted in a u-shaped arm 82. The u-shaped arm is mounted to a shaft 84. Shaft 84 extends through a print-head guide block 86. A spring-loaded button head 88 is mounted on shaft 84 at the opposed end of the guide block from arm 82. The button head 88 is biased in the forward direction by a coil spring 90. An actuating lever 92 that is best shown in FIGS. 25 through 27 is mounted on shaft 84 between the button head 88 and the spring 90. Actuating lever 92 has a first arm 94, and a second arm 96 extending perpendicular to its first arm. The second arm 96 has a pin 98 extending forward therefrom as best shown in FIG. 27. First arm 94 has a pin thereon that is connected to a torsion spring 100. Torsion spring 100 has an opposed end that is connected to a spring-mounting pin on the guide block.

As best shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, actuating lever 92 operates to move shaft 84 (and consequently cutter disk 76) up and down. Guide block 86 is driven by a belt drive inside the housing, as later explained. The guide block is mounted on an upper guide rod 102 and a lower guide bar 104 (see FIG. 30). Lever stops 106 are in aligned arrangement with pin 98 on the actuating lever, and are positioned at the extremes of travel of the guide block as best shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. As the guide block 86 moves in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 26, the pin 98 on actuating lever 92 engages lever stop 106. When this occurs, the actuating lever is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, so that the first arm 94 moves upward. The torsion spring 100 serves to bias the actuating lever and keep it in this position. When the guide block moves to the other extreme of its travel at the opposed end of the housing, pin 98 engages another lever stop. This opposite hand lever stop when engaged moves the lever back to the position shown in FIG. 26. The torsion spring then operates to bias the actuating lever to this position. The torsion spring 100 thereby operates to hold the actuating lever 92 in whichever one of the positions it is currently in.

As previously discussed, actuating lever 92 is connected through shaft 84 to the cutter disk 76. As a result, the rotation of shaft 84 by the actuating lever causes the cutter disk to move correspondingly up and down. Thus when the guide block reaches one extreme of its travel as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the cutter disk will move up. Thereafter when the guide block reaches the other extreme of its travel which is shown in FIGS. 21 through 24, the cutter will move down.

In addition, the cutter mechanism of the present invention includes cam rollers 108 at the extremes of travel of the guide block. As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 23, the function of the cam rollers is to depress the button head against the force of coil spring 90. This causes the cutter disk to move outwardly. The button head includes flattened cam engaging surfaces 89 thereon, to facilitate ease of engagement with the cam rollers and to facilitate the rotation of the button head (FIGS. 25-26). When the guide block moves so that the button head disengages from a cam roller, the cutter disk moves under the force of spring 90 inward towards the guide block. As a result, if the cutter disk is in the upward position, the tapered band 78 will be positioned abuttingly against the edge of the cutter bar 74. This enables a clean, sharp cut of the paper.

At the other extreme of travel of the guide block, when the cutter disk is retracted downward, the engagement of the cam roller and the button head again moves the cutter disk away from the cutter bar and allows it to be readily retracted. As a result, the cam rollers minimize the risk of possible impacts between the cutter disks and the edge of the cutter bar and further serve to minimize the friction associated with engaging and disengaging the cutting disk and the cutter bar. In addition, the central band 80 on the cutter disk rides on the bottom of the cutter bar and serves to provide precise positioning of the cutter disk.

In operation, when it is desired to cut the paper that is passing through the machine, guide block 86 is moved to the extreme of travel shown on the right side of the device in FIG. 1. This causes the cutter disk to rise and engage the cutter bar. The guide block then moves traversely across the paper which the cutter disk cuts along the entire length of the cutter bar. When the guide block reaches the other side of the housing, the cutter disk retracts downward.

As previously mentioned, the guide block 86 also has mounted thereon a print head 110. The print head includes a plurality of impact pins (not separately shown) which are positioned in an impact area 112. As best shown in FIG. 1, the impact area 112 of the print head is positioned below ribbon 20 when the top plate 16 is in the down position.

As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 30, the print head is driven back and forth in the housing of the statement printer on upper guide rod 102 and lower guide bar 104. The guide block 86 which holds the print head is moved by a belt 114. Belt 114 is driven by a motor 116 which drives the belt through a pulley arrangement. In operation the motor controls movement of the guide block and thus selectively moves the print head back and forth as printing is accomplished on the paper.

When the statement is printed and the paper is advanced in the manner hereafter described, the motor moves the guide block 86 to the first extreme of travel to raise the cutter disk 76, moves it across the sheet, cutting the paper, until it reaches its other extreme of travel where the cutter retracts. The cut statement is then ready to be passed on to the next device, which in the preferred form of the invention is a statement presenter which stacks the statements and presents the stack to the ATM customer.

Further novel features of the present invention include the ability of the invention to remove puckers and creases from the paper passing therethrough and to correct for misalignment of the paper. Although these novel features are used with a continuous sheet in the embodiment shown, they are also suitable for use with separate sheets. The invention includes a lower roll shaft 118 which is best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Lower roll shaft 118 has 4 round rubber rolls 120 mounted thereon. The rolls 120 are preferably rubber or other material that is suitable for providing good frictional engagement with the paper to be moved through the statement printer. The invention further includes an upper roll shaft 122 which, as shown in FIG. 1, is preferably located above and adjacent to lower roll shaft 118.

As best shown in FIGS. 10 through 14, upper roll shaft 122 has 4 flat spot rolls 124, 125, 126 and 127 mounted thereon. As shown in FIGS. 11 through 14, the preferred embodiment of the flat spot rolls each have a discontinuity which in cross section is a flat spot in the circumferential surface of the roll. The flat spot on each roll is angularly disposed from the flat spot on a transversely adjacent roll. The flat spots are sized so that when a flat spot is adjacent an opposed lower roll 120, the paper is enabled to move laterally in a direction transverse to the direction the paper moves through the printer in between the opposed rolls. However, paper control is maintained by always providing positive contact between the paper sheet and one and preferably at least two pairs of drive rollers and opposed flat spot rolls at all times. Maintaining engagement of the paper with two transversely spaced roll pairs at all times avoids application of driving force unevenly, which could cause paper skewing. During each rotation of upper roll shaft 122, each of the flat spots on the rolls thereon moves adjacent to the lower roll that it is paired with in opposed relation.

As shown in FIG. 6, lower roll shaft 118 is driven by a drive mechanism including a motor 128. Motor 128 is preferably a stepping motor which drives a toothed belt 129 which engages a pulley on the lower roll shaft. Motor 128 enables accurate control of the rotation of the lower roll shaft and the driving rolls 120 thereon. The upper roll shaft 122 has its rolls 124, 125, 126 and 127 generally in engagement with the rolls 120 through the paper sheet which extends between the driving rolls and the flat spot rolls, or are engaged directly when paper is not present. As a result, the upper roll shaft rotates with the driving rolls and movement of the intermediate paper sheet.

The shaft 122 and the flat spot rolls thereon serves as a releasing mechanism and enables the releasing of tensile and compressive forces in the paper and smoothing of puckers and creases in a paper sheet that is passed through the statement printer. It also avoids pressing folds into the paper as often occurs with other printers. This is best illustrated in FIGS. 15 through 18. As shown in FIG. 15, the paper 130 between the rolls will sometimes have puckers or creases as shown for example between the transversely outboard rolls in FIG. 15. This is particularly common after the paper has first been fed into the rolls. This is more of a problem with wide paper, and is more common within an automated teller machine wherein there is limited room, and it is difficult to see and the paper is prone to misalignment.

As shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, as each of the flat spots on the flat spot rolls approaches and moves adjacent to the face of the cooperating roll 120 in the roll pair, the puckers and creases are enabled to smooth out because the paper 130 may move laterally to relieve transverse forces in the paper sheet. As a result, within a matter of a very few rotations of the rolls the paper has approached a flat, smooth and aligned condition as shown in FIG. 18.

In the preferred embodiment the flat spot rolls are arranged so that the paper is released from holding engagement with and is laterally movable with respect to one pair of abutting rolls at a time. As shown in FIGS. 11-14 the flat spots are each arranged generally at 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree. and 270.degree. relative to the shaft 122 on which the rolls are in fixed engagement. In a preferred embodiment the two "inner rolls" 125, 126 have flat spots that are angularly disposed 90.degree. apart. Likewise the "outer rolls" 124, 127 have their flat spots 90.degree. apart.

As is apparent from FIGS. 10-14 only one of the roll pairs releases the paper at a time. If the shaft 122 and flat spot rolls all rotate clockwise as shown, with roll 125 releasing the paper first, the rolls release in an order or sequence 125, 126, 124, 127, and thereafter the sequence repeats as shaft 122 rotates. If the shaft 122 and the rolls all rotate counter clockwise, assuming roll 126 releases first, the release order or sequence is 126, 125, 127, 124 and is thereafter repeated. It is apparent that in this preferred embodiment, regardless of the direction of rotation, the paper sheet is released to move by an inner roll on a first side of a central area or portion 131 of the paper sheet, then the paper sheet is released by the inner roll on an opposed side of the central portion. Thereafter the outer roll on the first side releases the paper sheet and then the outer roll on the opposed side releases. It should be remembered that the portions of the paper sheet that are not released are held between the pairs of opposed lower rolls 120 and the adjacent upper rolls. Thus in the preferred form of the invention the sequence releases stresses in areas of the paper beginning with the laterally central portion of the paper sheet and moving outward in a "back and forth" progression.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment smoothes out puckers in the paper as it moves through the printer. Of course in alternative embodiments other arrangements, sequences, and configurations may be used for the discontinuities or other features of rolls, or other paper engaging means to sequentially operate to release and hold the paper to enable it to relieve stresses and to move laterally in response to forces causing puckering or creasing while moving in the paper feed direction.

In the preferred embodiment the statement printer also has a paper lead-in tray 132 as shown in FIG. 6 which includes spaced upright guiding edges 133 thereon. The guiding edges engage the side surfaces of the paper sheet and urge the paper to track straight. The guiding edges also help a technician who must initially feed the paper between the rolls of the statement printer to feed the paper in a manner that is generally close to alignment with the direction of paper movement.

If the paper is skewed relative to the direction of paper movement when it is first fed by a technician between the rolls or otherwise, the paper moving apparatus moves the paper into alignment with the direction of paper movement. The apparatus also removes puckers and stresses in the paper which result from the paper being moved into alignment. If the paper is skewed the guiding edges 133 act on the side surfaces of the paper and urge it to move so as to become aligned with the guiding edges. This movement of the paper results in tensile and compressive forces in various locations across the paper. These forces also cause puckering. As the rolls move the paper these forces are relieved so the paper is soon tracking flat and straight.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide rolls are operated under control of a printer control which includes a processor. Each time the top plate 16 is lowered, which indicates a paper jam or a cartridge change, the processor causes the rolls to drive the paper back and forth several inches. This removes puckers and creases in the paper and assures that the paper extends above the ribbon 20. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch 29 is used to sense when the top plate has been moved to the down position. Switch 29 also serves to verify that the top plate is properly latched before printing is commenced.

Another novel feature of the statement printer of the present invention is its ability to accommodate large stacks of paper. This enables the printer to operate unattended for a long period of time. However, any stack of paper will eventually be depleted and require replenishment.

The statement printer of the present invention includes a novel mechanism which enables the printer to provide a signal when the paper is low. As shown in FIG. 29 the tray portion 14 of the device includes an outer tray 134 and a middle tray 136 which nests within the upright walls 138 of the outer tray. An inner tray 140 is positioned inside the middle tray 136. The inner tray 140 includes a pair of pivots 142 at the rear thereof. The pivots 142 suspend the rear of the inner tray slightly above the surface of the middle tray 136. As a result the inner tray 140 is pivotally movable to a slight degree within the middle tray 136.

The inner tray further includes a tab 144 which extends laterally outward therefrom. A leaf spring 146 includes a yoke 148 which has a pin extending therethrough (see FIG. 29). The pin extending through yoke 148 extends through the wall of the middle tray 136 and engages the upright walls 138 of the outer tray. The mechanism further includes an overlying bracket 150 which has a slot 152 therein. The bracket 150 includes a downward-extending flange 154 which engages an upright wall 138 of the outer tray and is fixably mounted thereto by conventional fastening means.

An adjusting slider 156 is mounted below bracket 150. Slider 156 includes a roller pin 158 which extends below leaf spring 146. Slider 156 further includes a threaded stud 160 which extends upward through slot 152 and is threadably engaged with a knob 162. As shown in FIG. 29, leaf spring 146 engages the underside of tab 144. As a result, leaf spring 146 tends to bias the front of the inner tray 140 upward. Because stud 160 is selectively movable in slot 152, the amount of biasing force exerted by leaf spring 146 on tab 144 is adjustable. This enables selective adjustment of the weight of the paper that can reside on inner tray 140 before tab 144 will rise upward in response to the biasing force.

An electrical switch 164 is positioned to actuate in response to the rising of tab 144 and to generate a signal. As a result when the weight of the paper on the inner tray 140 has decreased to a point where the biasing force of the leaf spring 146 overcomes the weight of the paper, switch 164 will send a signal which indicates that the amount of paper available for the statement printer is low and needs to be replaced.

In the preferred form of the invention, bracket 150 adjacent to slot 152 is graduated to indicate the positions of knob 162 which correspond to the amount of paper remaining when the inner tray will rise and provide a signal. This enables accurate setting of when the low paper signal is given. In addition, large amounts of paper may be placed on the inner tray 140 without causing any damage, as the movable front of the inner paper tray will not move any further than to engage the upper surface of middle tray 136. As a result, the statement printer of the invention provides a reliable and accurate indication of when the paper is low. This enables it to run unattended for long periods of time.

In alternative embodiments of the invention the middle tray may be eliminated. In such designs the inner tray is pivotally mounted directly in the outer tray.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the path of paper 130 through the statement printer is through the lead-in tray 132 and between the rollers on the upper and lower roll shafts 122 and 118 respectively. The paper then passes below the top plate 16 and above a lower guide plate 164 which extends above the guide block 86 and the print head 110 so as to support the paper. The guide plate 164 terminates rearwardly where the printer ribbon 20 passes under the top plate 16, and serves to direct the paper above the ribbon. The printer further includes a support plate 166 as best shown in FIG. 1 which is arcuate in cross section and extends between the side walls 12. The support plate holds the paper upward and adjacent to the cutter bar 74. Support plate 166 is preferably coated with a non-stick, plastic material to facilitate free passage of the paper thereover.

In operation, the paper is moved through the statement printer by the action of the rolls 120 which are driven by motor 128. As the paper is advanced, the print head 110 is moved back and forth in the guide block and is operated under the printer control as directed by signals from a remote processor to print the characters on the advancing paper. The print head is operated under the printer control so as to correlate between the advance of the paper by rollers 120 and the movement of the print head 110 across the paper.

A further novel aspect of the present invention is that the computer processor which controls the operation of the print head functions to maintain print quality as the ribbon ages and ink is depleted. Cartridge 18 is such that the ribbon 22 may pass the print head many times during its useful life. The processor which controls the operation of the print head is programmed with information concerning the anticipated depletion of the ink from the ribbon with each pass of the ribbon over the print head and the printing of characters therewith. This information is used to modify the strike force of the pins of the print head 110. As a result, the life of the ribbon as well as the life of the print head is extended.

In operation, a central processor 170 either in the ATM or positioned remotely therefrom has stored in a non volatile memory 172 associated therewith a "strike force versus age" curve for ribbon cartridge 18 such as shown in FIG. 32. The central processor sends signals representative of characters to be printed to the control module 174 which includes processor and circuitry which drives the printer. The control circuitry is adapted to run in either draft or letter quality modes in accordance with signals from the central processor. This enables the institution operating the ATM to vary the print quality for various types of documents. The signals which are presented to the printer control are generally presented as ASCII characters, however graphics may also be printed by signals presented in a bit mapped format.

The printer control 174 is initialized with a value for the striking force of the needles of the print head 110 based on an initialization signal from the central processor 170. The printer control module 174 then converts the signals into the striking signals for the needles, the signals for the movement of the head and for movement of the rolls 120 that move the paper. The control module 174 changes the pulse width of the electrical signals that drive the needles of the print head. As a result the "newer" the ribbon, the more ink that is present and the less the striking force required to attain the desired print quality. The reduced striking force is attained by lessening the pulse width of the signals that drive the needles.

Upon completion of printing a document the printer control totals the number of needle firings. This number is calculated by a counting routine 176 in the control module. The total is divided by a constant to produce an approximate number of "draft characters". This number is reported to the central processor 120 where it is added to the prior total number of draft characters printed for the ribbon. The total is then stored in the non-volatile memory 172 associated with the central processor.

At the start of the next transaction conducted through the ATM which requires the printer to operate, the central processor 170 reads the accumulated ribbon use data stored in memory 172. It then forwards the data to the printer control module 174 to adjust the pulse width of the signals that activate the needles of the print head 110. As the ribbon cartridge is used and the ink depleted, the strike force of the needles is increased to maintain the print quality.

The printer of the present invention also tracks the use of the ribbon and generates a signal warning of the depletion of the ribbon cartridge. This signal is generated by the central processor based on the amount of characters stored in the memory reaching a preset limit. When the ribbon is replaced the person who replaces the ribbon inputs a signal to the central processor to reset its memory and begin the process anew.

Because the needles of the print head do not strike with full force when the ribbon is new the ink is conserved on the ribbon. This increases the life of the ribbon. Reducing the impact force during much of the print head' use also prolongs its life. This reduces the frequency of maintenance and reduces cost.

Thus the new statement printer of the present invention achieves the above-stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solves problems and attains the desirable results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding, however, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions and illustrations given are by way of examples and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performing a function shall be construed as encompassing any means capable of performing the recited function and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown in the foregoing description as performing the function or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated and the advantages and useful results attained, the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for moving a paper sheet, comprising:

a drive;

a plurality of laterally disposed pairs of generally opposed rolls, wherein at least one roll each pair is operatively connected to the drive and is rotated thereby, and wherein said rolls in each pair are disposed such that the paper sheet is extendable between said opposed rolls in each of said pairs, and when the paper sheet is extended between the roll pairs the sheet is engaged therewith and is moved by the plurality of roll pairs in a first direction generally perpendicular to a lateral direction, and wherein at least one of said rolls in each of said plurality of pairs includes a circumferential discontinuity, wherein the rolls are configured such that as the sheet extending between the plurality of roll pairs moves in the first direction in engagement with the roll pairs a lateral area of the sheet passes between a first pair of rolls, and wherein the circumferential discontinuity on the roll in the first pair repeatedly moves adjacent to and away from the lateral area of the sheet, wherein when the circumferential discontinuity moves adjacent to the sheet, the lateral area of the sheet is enabled to move in the lateral direction between the rolls in the first pair, and wherein when the circumferential discontinuity is disposed away from the sheet, the lateral area is prevented from moving in the lateral direction by engagement with the first roll pair.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of spaced guiding edges, wherein the guiding edges extend in the first direction and are spaced laterally apart and are adapted to be generally in engagement with laterally disposed sides bounding said sheet when said sheet extends between said guiding edges.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pluralit of roll pairs are arranged such that when said circumferential discontinuity on said roll in the first pair is adjacent said sheet, a second roll pair immediately laterally adjacent said first roll pair are positioned to hold said paper sheet in laterally fixed relation between the rolls of the second pair.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of roll pairs are arranged such that when the roll having the circumferential discontinuity in the second pair is adjacent the paper sheet, in which position the paper sheet is enabled to move laterally between the rolls of the second pair, the rolls in the first pair are positioned to hold said sheet in laterally fixed relation between the rolls of the first pair.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of roll pairs rearranged such that at all times as the sheet is moved in the first direction in engagement with the roll pairs the sheet is held in laterally fixed relation between the rolls of at least two of the plurality of roll pairs.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each roll pair comprises a first roll, wherein said first rolls are generally co-axially aligned, and wherein each roll pair further comprises a second roll, wherein said second rolls are generally co-axially aligned.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a first roll shaft, wherein each roll pair includes a first roll in rotatably fixed engagement with the first roll shaft, and wherein at least two of said plurality of first rolls include the circumferential discontinuity.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the circumferential discontinuity on one of said first rolls is fixed in angularly disposed relation from the circumferential discontinuity on a second of said first rolls.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said first rolls includes the circumferential discontinuity, and wherein the circumferential discontinuity on each of the first rolls is angularly disposed from the circumferential discontinuity on all of the first rolls immediately laterally adjacent thereto on the first roll shaft, wherein the first rolls are configured such that no immediately laterally adjacent first rolls ever simultaneously enable the sheet to move in the lateral direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the circumferential discontinuity on each of the first rolls is angularly disposed from the circumferential discontinuity on each of the other rolls on the first roll shaft.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the circumferential discontinuity is a cross sectional flat spot.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each of the first rolls in each pair has a circumferential discontinuity comprising a cross sectional flat spot, and wherein each roll pair comprises a second roll, wherein each second roll is in cross section a generally round roll.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 and further comprising a second roll shaft, and wherein each second roll in each roll pair is in rotatably fixed engagement with the second roll shaft.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said rolls are configured such that as said paper sheet moves in the first direction said circumferential discontinuities on said rolls move adjacent to the sheet in a sequence.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 and further comprising a sheet path, wherein the sheet moves in the first direction in the sheet path, and wherein the sheet path, includes a laterally central portion generally laterally centered in the sheet path, and wherein in said sequence the circumferential discontinuities on the roll pairs closer to the laterally central portion of the sheet move adjacent to the sheet before the circumferential discontinuities on roll pairs disposed laterally outwardly from the laterally central portion move adjacent to the sheet.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 and further comprising a sheet path, wherein the sheet moves in the first direction on in the sheet path, and wherein the sheet path includes a laterally central portion generally laterally centered in the sheet path, and wherein in the sequence the circumferential discontinuities in the roll pairs come adjacent to the paper both progressively laterally outwardly from the laterally central portion and alternatively laterally on opposite sides of said laterally central portion.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a guide mechanism, wherein the guide mechanism is operative to guide said sheet to move in the first direction.

18. Apparatus for moving a paper sheet, comprising:

a plurality of first moving surfaces, wherein each of said first moving surfaces is configured to be engageable with a first side of said sheet;

a plurality of second moving surfaces, wherein each said second moving surface is configured to be engageable with a second side of said sheet, wherein each of said second moving surfaces is generally opposed of a first moving surface, wherein a first moving surface and a second moving surface comprise a pair, and wherein said first and second surfaces are configured to generally hold said sheet in engaged relation between said first and second moving surfaces and are operative to move said sheet in a first direction, and wherein the first and second moving surfaces are configured such that when the first and second moving surfaces are in engaged relation with said sheet said sheet is prevented from moving in a lateral direction generally transverse of the first direction;

a releasing mechanism, wherein the releasing mechanism is operative to release said sheet from engagement with said pairs in a sequence while said sheet moves in the first direction, wherein when said sheet is released from a pair said sheet is enabled to move in the lateral direction between said released pair, and wherein in said sequence at least one pair is always in engagement with the sheet, wherein releasing the sheet from the pairs in the sequence relieves lateral forces in the sheet.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the releasing mechanism is operative such that the sequence releases the sheet from pairs in a laterally central portion of the sheet and then thereafter releases the sheet from pairs disposed from the laterally central portion of the sheet, and then repeats the sequence.

20. A method comprising the steps of:

extending a paper sheet between a plurality of first and second moving surfaces, the first moving surfaces engaging a first side of the sheet and the second moving surfaces engaging a second side of the sheet, and wherein each first moving surface and each second moving surface are in generally opposed relation and comprise a pair, each pair generally holding the sheet engaged with the first and second moving surfaces and moving the sheet in a first direction, and wherein when the pair is engaged with the sheet the sheet is prevented from moving in a lateral direction generally transverse to the first direction; and

temporarily releasing the sheet from the pairs in a sequence, at least one of the pairs always remaining engaged with the sheet moving it in the first direction, wherein releasing the sheet from the pairs in the sequence is operative to remove puckers from the sheet.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the sequence comprises temporarily releasing the paper sheet from pairs near a central portion of the sheet, and then thereafter releasing the sheet from pairs disposed from the central portion.

22. The method according to claim 20 wherein in the sequence the paper is released from one pair at a time.

23. The method according to claim 20 and further comprising the step of:

guiding the sheet to move in the first direction by engaging a third side of the sheet with a guiding edge, the guiding edge extending in the first direction.

24. A method comprising the steps of:

placing a supply of paper in an automated banking machine;

extending a sheet of paper from the supply into engagement with a plurality of laterally disposed pairs of generally opposed rolls, wherein at least one of the rolls in each pair includes a circumferential discontinuity, wherein the sheet is engaged between the opposed rolls in a pair and is enabled to move in the lateral direction between the rolls in the pair when the circumferential discontinuity on a first roll in the pair moves adjacent to the opposed roll in the pair; and

rotating said rolls in said roll pairs with a drive, said sheet moving in engaged relation between said rolls in said pairs in a first direction generally normal to said lateral direction and moving in the lateral direction where the circumferential discontinuities move adjacent to the sheet.

25. The method according to claim 24 and prior to the extending step, further comprising the step of placing the sheet in engagement with at least one guiding edge, wherein the guiding edge extends generally in the first direction.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the placing step comprises placing the sheet between a pair of laterally disposed guiding edges.

27. The method according to claim 24 and further comprising the steps of moving the sheet in a forward direction along said first direction with said rolls, and then moving the sheet in a backward direction along said first direction with said rolls.