[individual card output control method and card output control mechanism using the method]

Abstract

A card output control mechanism used in a card vending machine is disclosed to include a housing, transferring rollers for transferring cards forwards, output rollers for outputting each transferred card from the transferring rollers to a card outlet, and a dispensing wheel, which is rotated counter-clockwise at first to push a second card apart from a first card toward the transferring rollers when two cards are simultaneously transferred by the transferring rollers and then rotated clockwise to move the first card forward to the output rollers after the second card has been pushed away from the first card.

1 . An individual card output control method used in a card output control mechanism comprising a housing, a plurality of transferring rollers adapted to transfer cards forwards, a set of output rollers adapted to output each transferred card from said transferring rollers to a card outlet, and a dispensing wheel set between said transferring rollers and said output rollers, the individual card output control method comprising a first step of rotating said dispensing wheel counter-clockwise to push a second card apart from a first card toward said transferring rollers when two cards are simultaneously transferred by said transferring rollers, and a second step of rotating said dispensing wheel clockwise to move the first card forward to said output rollers after the second card has been pushed away from the first card.  
   
   
       2 . The individual card output control method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a base frame shell, said base frame shell having a card outlet at a front side thereof, a top chamber defined above said base frame shell for accommodating a number of cards in a stack, and a bottom chamber defined below said base frame shell for accommodating said transferring rollers; said set of output rollers is pivotally mounted inside said bottom chamber of said housing between said card outlet and said transferring rollers.  
   
   
       3 . The individual card output control method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said card output control mechanism further comprises an adjustment unit set between said transferring rollers and said set of output rollers, said adjustment unit comprising a fixed base, said fixed base having a vertical screw hole, an adjustment board suspending below said fixed base, said adjustment board having a forwardly extending guide portion, said forwardly extending guide portion defining with said base frame shell of said housing a card output gap for guiding cards out of said top chamber toward said output rollers individually, and a adjustment knob mounted in said vertical screw hole and connected to said adjustment board and rotatable to move said adjustment board vertically relative to said base frame shell of said housing; said dispensing wheel is disposed in front of said guide portion.  
   
   
       4 . The individual card output control method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said dispensing wheel is an oval wheel movable vertically with said adjustment board relative to said base frame shell of said housing.  
   
   
       5 . A card output control mechanism comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising a base frame shell, said base frame shell having a card outlet at a front side thereof, a top chamber defined above said base frame shell for accommodating a number of cards in a stack, and a bottom chamber defined below said base frame shell;    a plurality of transferring rollers in said bottom chamber adapted to transfer cards out of said top chamber;    a set of output rollers pivotally mounted inside said bottom chamber of said housing between said card outlet and said transferring rollers;    an adjustment unit set between said transferring rollers and said output rollers, said adjustment unit comprising a guide portion defining with said base frame shell of said housing a card output gap for guiding cards from said transferring rollers to said output rollers individually; and    a dispensing wheel set between said transferring rollers and said output rollers in front of said guide portion of said adjustment unit and adapted to control and move one individual card out of said card output gap.    
   
   
       6 . The card output control mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said adjustment unit comprises a fixed base, said fixed base having a vertical screw hole, an adjustment board suspending below said fixed base, said adjustment board having a part forming said guide portion, and a adjustment knob mounted in said vertical screw hole and connected to said adjustment board and rotatable to move said adjustment board vertically relative to said base frame shell of said housing.  
   
   
       7 . The card output control mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said dispensing wheel is an oval wheel movable with said adjustment board vertically relative to said base frame shell of said housing.