Stacker wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a stacker wheel for handling media, suitable for use in a media dispenser within an automated teller machine. The stacker wheel comprises a plurality of curved tines attached to a central hub. Each curved tine has a thickness that reduces with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine, such that the spacing between adjacent tines increases with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine.

1 . A stacker wheel comprising a plurality of curved tines attached to a central hub, wherein each curved tine has a thickness which reduces with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine, such that the spacing between adjacent tines increases with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine.  
   
   
       2 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each curved tine comprises a curved portion attached at one end to the central hub and a straight portion attached to the other end of the curved portion.  
   
   
       3 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each curved tine has in inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the straight portion is tangential to the curvature of the outer surface of the curved portion.  
   
   
       4 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the stacker wheel is 95 mm and the length of the straight portion is less than 20 mm.  
   
   
       5 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the length of the straight portion is 15.5 mm.  
   
   
       6 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the central hub comprises an axle.  
   
   
       7 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the central hub further comprises a plurality of spokes attached to the axle.  
   
   
       8 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the axle comprises alignment and connection features such that in use a plurality of similar stacker wheels can be connected together.  
   
   
       9 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the axle comprises a first portion extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the axle from one side of the central hub and a second portion extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the axle from the other side of the central hub, and wherein the alignment and connection features are provided on the first and second portions.  
   
   
       10 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the alignment and connection features comprise a plurality of holes in the first portion and a plurality of lugs on the second portion such that at least two of the plurality of lugs are arranged to inter-engage in use with at least two of the plurality of holes on a similar stacker wheel.  
   
   
       11 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each curved tine has a width of 7 mm.  
   
   
       12 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each curved tine is provided with grooves in both sides of at least part of the tine.  
   
   
       13 . A stacker wheel as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising 6 tines.  
   
   
       14 . A media dispenser including a stacker wheel comprising a plurality of curved tines attached to a central hub, wherein each curved tine has a thickness which reduces with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine, such that the spacing between adjacent tines increases with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine.  
   
   
       15 . An automated teller machine including a stacker wheel comprising a plurality of curved tines attached to a central hub, wherein each curved tine has a thickness which reduces with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine, such that the spacing between adjacent tines increases with increased distance from the central hub over substantially the whole length of the tine.