US2604967A - Receipt issuing night depository - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1952v J. J. MURTAUGH, JR

RECEIPT ISSUING NIGHT DEPOSITORY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1948 July 29, 1952 J. J. MURTAUGH, JR

RECEIPT ISSUING NIGHT DEPOSITORY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2. 1948 M MJ www www,

July 29, 1952 J. J. MURTAUGH, JR

RECEIPT ISSUING NIGHT DEPOSITORY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2, 1948 JNVENToR. dof/N J MUR mum UR.

July 29, 1952 J. J. MURTAUGH, JR

RECEIPT ISSUING NIGHT DEPOSITORY 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed yom. 2. 1948 RH. /r mfuu mA wm V 1U M J N mw Patented July 29, 1952 RECEIPT IssUING NIGHT DEPosrroRY John J. Murtaugh, Jr., Floral Park, N. Y., as-

signor to The Mosler Safe Company,

Hamilton,

hio, a corporation of New York Application October 2, 1948, Serial No. 52,481

(Cl. 194-l8) 12 claims. 1

This invention relates to depositories for money and other valuables and more particularly relates to a depository for receiving bank deposits and the like at night or on holidays.

An object of this invention is to provide a depository of this type which can issue a receipt for each deposit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a night depository having wholly mechanical apparatus for automatically issuing a receipt for each deposit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a depository of this type which issues a receipt bearing indicia, which indicia is automatically printed on the deposit or an envelope containing the deposit, as well as on the receipt.

A further object of this invention is to provide a night depository from which it is impossible to remove a deposit for which a receipt is issued.

A further object of this invention is to provide a night depository of this type in which all linkages are mechanical and operated manually from outside the depository.

A still further object of the invention is tov provide a depository having means rendering the receipt and stamping mechanism inoperative unless and until a deposit or envelope containing the same is iirst placed in a receiving receptacle of the depository.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a depository having a locked coin feed door and mechanism controlled by the closing of the door after a deposit has been placed in the receiving compartment for rendering the receiptingr and stamping mechanism operative and discharging the deposit intov a main compartment after the deposit has been stamped.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a night depository constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the depository illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing a door and latch of the depository;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 showing a hinged stamper support in stamping position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 3 showing the stamper support arm in cocked or raised position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 in Fig. 3, a deposit envelope being shown in position in a deposit receiving compartment;

Fig. 7 is a schematic rear elevational view of the depository, the depository being partly broken away and in section to show details of construction;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken along a line 8-8 in Fig. '7, linkages being shown in the position assumed when the stamper support plate has been released to stamping position, the stamper support plate being indicated in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view along the line 8-'8 in Fig. 7, the linkages being shown in the position assumed when the stamper support plate is raised; A

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of the night depository;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view along a line Il-II in Fig. 10 showing a ratchet release lever in raised position;

Fig. l2 is a sectional view along a line I2-I2 in Fig. 10, showing the ratchet release lever engaged to release a ratchet;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along the line l2-l 2 showing the ratchet and pawl in engaged position;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along a line |4-I4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. l5 is a sectional view along a line |5-I5 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the depository with the door in open position.

Brieiiy, this invention provides a night depository that is wholly mechanical in operation and issues a receipt upon which are printed indicia, the indicia being the same as indicia which are printed or stamped on each deposit as the deposit is made. The deposit is placed in a receiving compartment. After the deposit is placed in the receiving compartment, a door is closed and locked automatically to prevent removal of the deposit and to cause a numbering device or the like to apply indicia to the deposit or to an envelope containing the deposit. After the deposit has been numbered, the door cannot be unlocked to allow removal of the deposit from the depository. When the deposit has been numbered, a handle or the like may be turned by the depositor, first to eject the deposit from the receiving compartment, and then to cause issuance of a receipt bearing the same indicia as on the deposit. The door is provided with means for holding the door normally in latched or locked position.4 The latch may be released by the insertion of a coin or the like. Then the door can be opened for inserting a deposit. After the door has been closed, it can be reopened again only after the deposit has been ejected to a main receiving receptacle and a receipt has been issued. However, if the door is opened and closed again without a deposit being inserted, neither the numbering device for numbering deposits nor the receipt issuing apparatus can be actuated.

The depository is adapted to be mounted in an outside wall of a bank or the like. As illustrated in Figure l, the depository includes a facing plate 20, which may be attached to a wall of a building or the like in any appropriate manner. The facing plate 29 includes .a hinged deposit door 2|, a hinged cover 22 for closing a receipt slot, a coin receiving aperture 23, and an operating knob or handle 24. A handle 25 is attached to door 2| and can be grasped for opening the door.

As shown in Fig. 3, when a coin 25 is inserted through the aperture 23, it falls into a coin chute 21, which is attached to the inside of the facing plate. A pivotally mounted latch member 28 normally holds the door 2| in latched position. The member 28 has an arm 29 which extends through an opening 30 into coin chute 21; and, as coin 25 falls through the coin chute, it falls against arm 29 to swing latch member 28 for releasing the door. When released, door 2| can be swung outwardly about a hinge 3|. Latch member 28 has a latch projection 32 which ts into a C-shaped latch keeper 33 attached to door 2|. Vifhen the projection 32` is in a lower arm 34 of keeper 33, it holds the door in latched position. On the other hand, when the projection 32 is raised, as shown in Fig. 4, the door may be opened. Until the door is opened the projection 32 bears against an upper arm 35 of keeper 33, and the coin is held in the coin chute. When the door is opened, the weight of the coin 25 swings latch member 28 further to allow' coin 26 to fall through the coin chute into a coin box 33 (Fig. 2) and the latch member 28 can then swing back into position for latching or locking door 2|. The sides of the opening 30 limit the swinging of latch member 28.

When door 2| is opened, as shown in Figs. fl and 5, an arm 31 attached to door 2| is swung upwardly to bring a roller 3S against the lower end of a vertically mounted slidable bar 39. The bar 38 is mounted for sliding vertically with respect to facing plate 28. At the upper end of bar 39 is mounted a roller 4| which is raised against a hinged stamper support plate 42 when door 2| is opened. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the support plate 42 is hinged to facing plate 2|) and is raised when the door is pulled to a fully opened position. When the door is released a spring 43 closes the door.

The vertical bar 39 is equipped with a notch 44 on its inner edge for receiving an end of a horizontally mounted siidable bar 46, and when the vertical bar 39 is raised by the act of opening door 2|, a catch 46 attached to horizontal bar 46 is forced into notch 44 by a spring 41 which moves bar 45 for holding the vertical bar and bracket plate 42 is raised or cocked position.

When the door 2| is closed, a cam 48 on arm 31 bears against the end of horizontal bar 45 and actuates catch 46 out of engagement with notch 44, after the door has been closed, the vertical bar 39 is no longer supported by horizonta-l bar 4E. If no deposit or envelope is in a receiving compartment 5| when the door .is closed the stamper plate 42 will remain in cocked position. Before door .2| is closed, a deposit package or envelope 49 (Fig. 5) is normally positioned in the deposit receptacle or slot 5|. When a deposit or envelope is in compartment 5| the stamper support arm is unlocked so that it will uncock or release to stamping position as soon as the door closes. rThe envelope 49 rests on a pivotally mounted envelope supporting plate or trap door 52. The envelope swings a pivoted stop or lock 53 out of position so that when the door 2| is closed, the vertical bar and the stamper plate can fall to stamping position. If, however, when door 2| is closed, no envelope is inserted, an upper end 54 of pivoted stop 53 can bear against an arm 55 attached to vertical bar 39 to prevent the vert-ical bar and the bracket plate from falling.

When support plate 42 falls, a stamper 51 falls by gravity to print a number, or the like, on the deposit envelope. The stamper may be of a conventional type which numbers items consecutively. As shown in Figure 2, a push-rod 58 of stamper 51 is supported by the bracket plate, and the stamper 51 falls against the envelope to stamp a number thereon when the bracket plate isreleased or uncooked.

Plate 42 is weighted by weights 59 and 6D attached thereto to insure positive action of the stamper when released. Push rod 58 passes through a slot 6| in the bracket plate and a bore in weight 68. A coil spring 52 links weight 63 and a knob 63 at the upper end of support arm 58. This spring urges knob 63 toward plate 42 and prevents push rod 58 from bouncing upwardly after a deposit has been stamped so that the stamper can stamp each deposit only once. As shown in Fig. 2, the push rod is raised when the support plate 42 is raised, and the spring 62 holds the stamper down when the support plate falls onto its stop 61. Guides 64 attached to a horizontal plate 66 on opposite sides of st-amper 51 maintain the stamper vertical.

The horizontal plate 66 and the envelope support plate 52 form upper and lower sides respectively of deposit receiving receptacle 5|. Walls 69 on three sides of horizontal plate 66 extend downwardly therefrom about envelope supporting plate or trap-door 52 when trap-door 52 is closed. Access to the fourth side of receiving compartment 5| can be had through door 2|. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, stamper 51 slides through an opening 1| in horizontal plate 86. The pivoted stop or lock 53 is supported on a bracket 12 attached' to the upper side of horizontal plate 56. As shown in Fig. 7, pivoted stop 53 swings through ia slot 13 in plate 65. Stop 53 normally extends vertically through compartment 5|, and the lower end of stop 53 can .swing through a slot 14 in trap-door 52.

The support plate 42 carries an arm 19 (Fig. '1) for operating a pivoted hammer lever 8| (Figs. 7 and 8) as the bracket plate falls, which unlocks a trap door release mechanism and an operating mechanism for a receipt printing and issuing devicey described hereinafter. Details of construction of hammer lever 8| are shown most clearly in Figures 8 and 9. In these views, the position of support plate 42 is shown in dotdash lines, the plate being in released position when the hammer lever is positioned as shown in Fig. 8 and in cocked position as shown in Fig. 9. The hammer lever 8| is pivotally mounted on a bracket 82 xed to the facing plate 20. An end 83 of lever 8| is weighted to hold an arm 84 of lever 8| in contact with arm 19. When plate 42 is raised arm 84 swings upwardly to the position shown in Figure 9. When the plate 42 is releasedy arm 84 is swung to bring end 86 against a pivoted anvil B1. The pivoted anvil is mounted at the upper end of a vertical,

its hammer slidably mounted bar 88, and when anvil 81 is hit byhammer 86, bar 88 is pushed down. A spring 89 urges bar 86 upwardly; and after bar 88 has been pushed down by the hammer, the bar is raised again by the spring to the position shown in Figure 8 Then, when support plate 42 is again cocked, the hammer end 86 rides over the pivoted anvil swinging it about its pivot until the hammer lever rises free of the anvil to the position shown in Fig. 9. The bar 88 is mounted in slide bracket 90 attached to face plate 20. A pin 9| attached to bar 83 limits swinging movement of anvil 81.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 11 and 12, lowering of vertical bar 88 onto an end 92 of a pawl release lever 93 causes the lever to turn and raise th pawl releasing end 94 of the release lever. As shown in Fig. 12 the end 94 of lever 93 can engage a pawl 95 to lift the pawl out of engagement with a circular ratchet 96. A spring 96 urges the end 94 toward the pawl and ratchet. The ratchet 98 is mounted on a sleeve 91 keyed to handle 24. The pawl is pivoted to a wheel 91 attached to an operating shaft or rod 98; and, as will be understood, the shaft 98 and handle 24 are releasably engageable by the pawl and ratchet. As long as pawl release lever 93 engages a lug 99 on pawl 95, handle 24 and shaft 98 are disengaged. However, when vertical bar 88 raises the pawl release lever, the pawl is forced into engagement with the ratchet by spring |00 to permit shaft 98 to be turned by means of handle 24. A pivoted support |02 attached to wheel 91 is swung beneath release arm 94 by spring |03 to hold end 94 of lever 93 in elevated position and prevent releasing of the pawl after engagement until the rod and handle are given a full turn. As shown, shaft 98 can be turned in one direction only through the handle and pawl and ratchet described.

Rotation of shaft 98 actuates a receipt printing mechanism shown generally in Fig. 2. The receipt printing mechanism includes a roll of tape |05, guides |06, and printing mechanism |01, not shown in detail. The receipt printing mechanism issues a numbered or otherwise identified receipt into a receipt chute 83 as shaft 98 is turned. The release chute leads to receipt door 22 which may be opened by means of handle |01 after a turn of handle 24 to remove the receipt. The receipt printing mechanism may be of a conventional type such as that employed in cash registers and the like and may be constructed to issue a single, numbered receipt bearing the same number as is applied to the deposit envelope at each turn of handle 24 and shaft 98. When shaft 98 has been turned through the position where the receipt ticket has been ejected into chute 83, the handle 24 is disengaged from the shaft by lever 93.

Turning of shaft 98 additionally operates mechanism for opening trap-door 52 and releasing the deposit to the main compartment of the depository. The releasing mechanism is shown in Figures 2, 10, 13, and 14. As shaft 98 is turned, a wheel |08 having a cam |09 is turned by the shaft. Cam |09 engages the lower end of a vertically mounted slidable bar or lifter ||2 to raise bar ||2 immediately after the ratchet and pawl are engaged and turning of shaft 98 commences. The bar ||2 and a pivoted latch member I4 are mounted on a vertical plate ||6 attached to horizontal plate 66 and to one of walls 69. When bar ||2 is raised, latch member ||4 is swung for releasing a support arm |1 atforce arm |33 into notch |34.

tached to the pivoted trap-door or envelope support plate 52. A spring ||8 holds latch member ||4 and vertical bar ||2 in engagement. When latch ||4 releases arm H1, the trap-door opens by gravity to the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 10 to permit envelope 49 to fall into an appropriate repository -or compartment C. The trap-door falls freely until stopped by a curved upper end I9 of a closing bar or lifter |2|. The closing lifter |2| is slidably and vertically mounted on facing plate and, as shaft 98 is further turned, a tooth |22 (Fig. 13) on pawl wheel 91' comes against the lower end of lifter 2| and raises the lifter, as shown in Fig. 13. The lifter |2| is raised as the shaft 98 is turned, thereby returning the trap-door 52 to its closed position in which it is locked by latch member ||4andarm ||1.

As shaft 98 rotates, a cam |23 attached to shaft 98 is brought to bear against a curved end |24 of a lever |25. The lever |25 acts yto reset a stop member |26 in coin chute 21. As shown in Fig. 15, the stop lever includes a projection |21 which can extend into coin chute 21 to haltcoins during operation of handle 24. The stop member |23 is pivoted at |28 to face plate 20. Springs |29 urge a lower end |30 of stop member |26 and projection |21 toward face plate 20. When the stamper support plate 42 is raised by opening of door 2|, an arm |3| (Fig. 2) attached to bracket plate 42 is brought to bear against an upper end |32 of stop member |26 to swing member |26 about pivot |28. As shown in Fig. 15, when stop member |26 is swung about pivot |28, an arm |33 is released from a notch |34 at the lower end of member |26. A spring |35 pulls arm |33 away from notch |34 and swings lever |25, which is attached thereto by pivot member |36, into position for engagement with cam |23. The arm |33 is brought to bear against a lower cam surface |31 of member |26 as shaft 98 is rotated, and cam |23 forces lever 25 away from shaft 98 and causes arm 33 to bear on cam surface |31 and As long as arm |33 is held in notch 34, a coin can fall freely through the coin chute into engagement with latch arm 29. However, when arm 33 is disengaged from notch |34, the projection |21 extends into coin chute 21 above latch member 28, and it is not possible to release latch projection 32 from latch keeper 33 or to open door 2| until the shaft 98 has been turned one complete revolution. Guides |39 attached to coin chute 21 guide the swinging of stop member |26.

The operation of the depository will be clear from the foregoing detailed description and the drawings. When a deposit is to be made, the depositor can insert an appropriate coin or token 26 in coin receiving aperture 23 (Figs. l and 3). The coin falls through coin chute 21 past projection |21 (Fig. 15) and against latch arm 29 (Fig. 3) to raise latch projection 32 from lower arm 34 of latch keeper 33. Door 2| can then be .lopened by the depositor.

As door 2| is opened, latch projection 32 is released by upper keeper arm 35, and arm 29 swings further to release coin 26. Then, the coin can fall through coin chute 21 into coin box 36 (Fig. 2). As door 2| is opened further, arm 31 attached to door 2| is swung upwardly to bring roller 38 (Figs. 3 to 5) against the lower end of vertical bar 39. When door 2| is fully opened, stamper support plate 42 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 5, and piv-4 oted stop 5.3 swings into vertical position below stop arm 55. Catch 45 engages notch 44 to hold 'bar 39 and support plate 42 in raised or cocked position. In addition, as door 2| is opened, -arm |3| is brought against `upper end |32 of stop member |26 to swing the stop member about pivot |28 for releasing arm |33 and lever |25.

After door 2| is fully opened, the depositor can insert deposit envelope 49 beneath stamper 51, as shown in Fig. 6. The envelope displaces stop 53 from beneath arm 55. Then, as door 2| 4is released to closed position cam 48 comes against the end of horizontal bar 46 to disengage catch 46 from notch 44 and allow stamper 51, bracket plate 42, and Vertical bar 33 to fall. When the stamper falls, it impresses indicia, such as a number, on the envelope. In addition, when door 2| is closed, arm 19 is lowered to swing hammer lever` 8| as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

kHammer 86 of hammer lever 8| swings against anvil 81 to force vertical bar 8S against end 92 of pawl release lever 93". When vertical bar 88 strikes release lever 93, end 64 of this lever is lifted and disengaged from pawl release lug 99 to permit engagement of pawl 95 and ratchet 96.

Falling of support plate 42 further releases arm |3| from stop member |26 permitting pro jection |21 (Fig. 15) to enter coin chute 21 to prevent unlatching of door 2| until arm |33 is reset in notch |34.

The handle 24, shaft 98, pawl 95, and ratchet 96 form a releasable manually operable actuator for `releasing trap door 52, issuing a receipt, and closing the trap door. When ratchet 96 and pawl 95 are engaged, shaft 98 can be turned by means of handle 24 to open the trap door 52 and discharge the envelope, issue a receipt, and reset or close the envelope supporting platform or trap door. As handle 24 is turned, cam |08 (Fig. raises vertical bar ||2 to disengage latch arm A| |1 from pivoted latch member ||4. Upon release of arm ||1, envelope supporting plate or trap door 52 falls to the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 10 releasing the envelope into receptacle, or compartment C. As the handle is further turned, cam projection |22 (Fig. 13) raises bar |2|, and the trap door 52 is reclosed and latched as previously described.

Turning of handle 24 further operates printing mechanism |01 which issues a printed receipt bearing the same indicia as that stamped on envelope 49 by stamper 51. As turning of the handle is continued, cam |23 (Fig. 2) is brought against curved end |24 of lever |25 to bring arm |33 (Fig. l5) against cam surface |31 and swing the lower end of stop member |26 away from face plate 2D until arm |33 is received in notch |34. Finally, when handle 24 and shaft 98 have been turned one full turn, pawl lug 59 comes against pawl release lever 93 (Fig. 12) to dis.

engage pawl 95 from ratchet 96. Thereafter, handle 24 can be freely turned in either direction without turning shaft 98 until such time as ratchet 96 and pawl 95 are again engaged.

If door 2| is opened and then closed without a deposit envelope or the like being placed in the receiving receptacle or compartment 5|, stamper support plate 42 and vertical bar 39 fall only until arm 55 bears on pivoted stud 53 (Fig. 5). At this point, arm |3| continues to bear on stop member |26, and a coin can be inserted in coin receiving aperture 23 to release latch member 28 from latch keeper 33 and. unlock door 2|. However, after an envelope has been inserted and stamper support plate 42 has fallen, stop projection |21 (Fig. 15) extends into coin chute 21,. Insertion of a coin in aperture 23 at this point fails to cause release of the latch, for stop projection |21 catches any coin inserted in the coin receiving aperture until arm |33 is reset in notch As will be understood, the mechanism of the depository is subject to many variations. If desired, a key operated door latch may be substituted for the coin operated latch shown. The coin operated stop member |26 makes it impossible to open the door and remove a deposit once it has been stamped. The receipt printing mechanism issues a single receipt each time shaft 98 is given one complete turn. After each turn of the shaft, the ratchet and pawl are released. and only after a deposit envelope or the like has been inserted in receptacle 5| and stamper 51 has fallen to impress indicia thereon can the pawl and ratchet be engaged. Thereafter, only one receipt can be issued for the deposit, `and the deposit cannot be removed from the depository after being stamped.

Many variations in the linkages are possible and the invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing detailed description and the drawings but only as set out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A depository comprising a main receptacle, a door for the receptacle, a lock for said door, a receiving receptacle within said main receptacle and communicating with said door, said receiving receptacle having a trap through which a package may be discharged into said main receptacle, a coin freed mechanism for unlocking said door, a stamper for stamping a package inserted in said receiving receptacle, means actuated by said door when moved to open position for actuating said stamper to cocked position, a first stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the rst stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, an actuator for said trap, means normally disconnecting said actuator from said trap, means operated by said stamper when actuated to stamping position for operatively connecting said actuator to said trap, means actuated by said actuator for releasing said trap to open position, and means operated by said actuator for closing said trap.

2. A depository comprising a main receptacle, a receiving receptacle having a trap opening into said main receptacle, a latch mechanism for holding said trap closed, a lock for said latch mechanism, a stamper in said depository disposed to stamp packages placed in said receiving receptacle, a door for said receiving receptacle, a latch for locking said' door when in closed position, a release mechanism for said trap latch. mechanism within the main receptacle and actuated by the opening of said door for cooking said stamper, a iirst stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle, a manually operated actuator for said trap latch mechanism, means rendering said actuator normally inoperative, means actuated by said stamper in response to movement thereof to stamping position to render said actuator operative, means operated by said actuator for actuating the trap latch and releasing said door to open position, and means operated by said actuator for returning said trap to closed position.

` 3.r In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a door for said receptacle, stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in said receptacle, means operated by opening of the door for actuating said stamper to a cocked position, a first stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding the stamper ink cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stainper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby the stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate said device to cause said device to issue a. receipt, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance of atreceipt following stamping of indicia on the package, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt.

4. kIn a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a door for said receptacle, a stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in said receptacle, means operated by opening of the door for actuating said stamper to a cocked position, a rst stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate ksaid device to cause said device to issue a receipt, a handle releasably engageable .with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means actuated by turning of said shaft for releasing the package from the receptacle, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt and release of the package from the receptacle.

5. In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a door for said receptacle, a latch for said door, means for releasing said latch, a stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in said receptacle, means operated by opening of the door for actuating said stamper to a cocked position, a first stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, means operated by release of the stamper for rendering the latch releasing means inactive, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate said device to cause said device to issue a receipt, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so thatthe shaft maybe turned to cause issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means actuated by turning of said shaft for releasing the package from the receptacle, meansl actuated by further turning of said shaft for rendering thelatch releasing means active and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt and release of the package from the receptacle.

6. In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a door for. said receptacle, a latch for said door, a coin operated means for releasing said latch, a coin chute above said release means for leading a coin to said release means, a coin stop selectively positionable in said chute to hold a coin above said release means, a stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in said receptacle, means operated by opening of the door for actuating said stamper to a cocked position, a first'stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate said device to cause said device to issue a receipt, means actuated by release of the stamper for disposing said coin stop in the coin chute, whereby release of the latch is prevented when the stamped package is in the receptacle, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means actuated by turning of said shaft for releasing the package from the receptacle, and means for disconnecting the handle andthe shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of a receipt and release of the package from the receptacle. l

7. In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a trap door for said receptacle, afre- 11 leasable support for said trap door, a door for Said receptacle, a stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in said receptacle, a linkage between said stamper and said receptacle door for cocking said stamper when said door is opened, a first stamper lock adapted to hold the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the receptacle door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the rst stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the receptacle door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted to actuate said device to cause said device to issue a receipt, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance -f of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means linking said shaft and said trap door for releasing said trap door to permit the package to fall from said receptacle when the shaft is turned, means actuatable by further A turning of said shaft for closing said trap door, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt, release of the trap door, and4 closing of the trap door.

8. In a depository, the combination of a rel ceptacle, a trap door for said receptacle, a releasable support for said trap door, a door for saidr receptacle, a latch for said receptacle door.

means for releasing said latch, a stamper adapted f for stamping a package in said receptacle, a linkage between said stamper and said receptacle door for cooking said stamper when said receptacle door is opened, a rst stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is, empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the receptacleV door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the receptacle door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate said` device to cause said device to issue a receipt, means, operated by release of the stamper for rendering the latch release means inactive, whereby release of said latch is prevented when the receptacle door is closed and a stamped package is in the receptacle, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between saidy shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means linking saidl shaft and said trap door for releasing said trap door when the shaft is turned topermit the package to fall from said receptacle, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the handleV has been turned to cause issuanceY of thevreceipt and release of the package from the receptacle.

9. In a depository, the combination of a r ceptacle, a trap door for said receptacle, a releasable support for said trap door, a door for said receptacle, a latch for said receptacle door, coin operated means for releasing said latch, a coin chute above said releasing means for leading a coin to said releasing means, a coin stop selectively positionable in said chute to hold a coin above said releasing means, a stamper adapted for stamping indicia on a package in said receptacle, a linkage between said stamper and said receptacle door for cocking said stamper when said receptacle door is opened, a first stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the receptacle door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the receptacle door is closed, a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted for turning to actuate said device to cause said device t0 issue a receipt, means actuated by release of the stamper for disposing said coin stop in the coin chute, whereby release of the latch is prevented when a stamped package is in the receptacle, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft and said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to cause issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means linking said shaft and said trap door for releasing said trap door when the shaft is turned to permit the package to fall from said receptacle, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt and release-of the trap door.

10. In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a trap door for said receptacle, a releasable support for said trap door, a door for said receptacle, a latch for said door, means for releasing said latch, a stamper adapted for stamping a, package in saidV receptacle, a linkage between said stamper and said receptacle door for cooking said stamper when said receptacle door is opened, a first stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the receptacle door is open, means actuated by a package inthe receptacle for releasing the first stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cocked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the receptacle door is closed, means operated by release of the stamper for rendering the latch releasing means inactive. a receipt issuing device, a shaft connected to said device and adapted to actuate said' device to cause said device to issue a receipt, a handle releasably engageable with said shaft, means actuated by the stamper when the stamper is released: to stamping position for effecting engagement between said shaft vand said handle, whereby the handle and shaft are connected so that the shaft may be turned to causeA issuance of a receipt following stamping of indicia on the package, means linking said shaft and said trap door for releasing said trap door when the shaft is turned to permit the package to fall from said receptacle, means actuated by further turning of the shaft for closing said trap door, means actuated by further turning of said shaft for rendering the latch releasing means active, and means for disconnecting the handle and the shaft when the shaft has been turned to cause issuance of the receipt, release of the trap door, closing of the trap door, and rendering the latch releasing means active.

11. In a depository, the combination of a receptacle, a door .for said receptacle, a stamper adapted to stamp indicia on a package in the receptacle, means operated by opening of the door for actuating said stamper to a cocked position, a rst stamper lock for holding the stamper in cocked position when the receptacle is empty, a second stamper lock for holding said stamper in cocked position when the door is open, means actuated by a package in the receptacle for releasing the rst stamper lock, means responsive to door closing for releasing the second stamper lock, whereby said stamper is released from cooked position to stamping position when a package is disposed in the receptacle and the door is closed, a receipt issuing device, and means for causing said device to issue areceipt when the package is stamped.

12. A depository according to claim 9 characterized by the fact that a latch is provided for holding said trap in closed position and that said actuator comprises a shaft extending from the interior to the exterior of said main receptacle, a handle for turning said shaft mounted thereon at the exterior of said receptacle, a sleeve attached to said handle embracing said shaft and extending to the interior of said main receptacle, a pawl and ratchet associated with said sleeve and shaft to provide a driving connection therebetween, a release for normally disconnecting said pawl from said ratchet, whereby the driving connection between the shaft and sleeve is released, means operative on release of said stamper to stamping position for actuating said pawl release and connecting said handle through the pawl and ratchet to said shaft, a pair of cams mounted on said shaft, a lifter operated by one of said cams and disposed to release the trap latch as said shaft is turned to open the trap, a second lifter actuated by the other of said cams on further turning of said shaft to close said trap, and means for disengaging the connection between said pawl and ratchet in response to further turning of the shaft to a predetermined position.

JOHN J. MURTAUGH, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,949,283 Murtaugh, Jr Feb. 27, 1934 2,030,313 Murtaugh, Jr Feb. 11, 1936 2,299,042 Soper Oct. 13, 1942

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