CA1146043A - Coin operated vending mechanism - Google Patents
Coin operated vending mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- CA1146043A CA1146043A CA000374341A CA374341A CA1146043A CA 1146043 A CA1146043 A CA 1146043A CA 000374341 A CA000374341 A CA 000374341A CA 374341 A CA374341 A CA 374341A CA 1146043 A CA1146043 A CA 1146043A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coin
- plate
- chute
- latch
- theft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/62—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
- G07F11/045—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other for sheet shaped or pliable articles
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
COIN OPERATED VENDING MECHANISM
A coin operated vending mechanism is provided, particularly for use with cab-nets in which newspapers and the like may be stored, for sale, upon insertion into appropriate slots of the correct coinage so as to operate the mechanism. Generally, a pair of coin chutes is provided, so as to provide for suitable combinations of coins. An anti-theft mechanism is provided, whereby return of coins in the coin chutes at the same time that the cabinet door is opened, or vice versa, is precluded -- i.e., either the coins will return and the door latch will remain locked, or the door latch may be unlatched and no coins will be returned. The anti-theft mechanism comprises a first rotatable plate which engages a latch plate on the door, and a second plate supported by the first plate, such that when the latch plate is moved when the door is to be opened, the second plate swings into a position which precludes movement of the coin chutes in which coins are placed to a coin return position; and when the coin chutes are in a coin return position, un-latching of the latch plate is precluded.
COIN OPERATED VENDING MECHANISM
A coin operated vending mechanism is provided, particularly for use with cab-nets in which newspapers and the like may be stored, for sale, upon insertion into appropriate slots of the correct coinage so as to operate the mechanism. Generally, a pair of coin chutes is provided, so as to provide for suitable combinations of coins. An anti-theft mechanism is provided, whereby return of coins in the coin chutes at the same time that the cabinet door is opened, or vice versa, is precluded -- i.e., either the coins will return and the door latch will remain locked, or the door latch may be unlatched and no coins will be returned. The anti-theft mechanism comprises a first rotatable plate which engages a latch plate on the door, and a second plate supported by the first plate, such that when the latch plate is moved when the door is to be opened, the second plate swings into a position which precludes movement of the coin chutes in which coins are placed to a coin return position; and when the coin chutes are in a coin return position, un-latching of the latch plate is precluded.
Description
~146~3 ~IELD 01 T~il INV~NTI~N:
This ;nventi.on relates to coin operated vending mechanl~rns; and more particular].y, to the kind oE mechanism associat:ed w:ith cal~inets from which various art;cles such a~s newspc~pers or the ].i.ke may be obtained, upon i.nsertlon of the proper amount of coinage i.nto the mechanism so as to release a latched access door. The coln operated vend;ng mechanism of the present invention, may, of course, be applied to many other kinds of coin accessi.ble vending cabinets such as th~se from which food or snack items, or notions, may be ob'.ai.ned; and moreover, the mechanism may be applicable to such installations as commercial or industrial security which requires the deposit of a token so as to achieve entry into an otherwi.se restricted are~.
BACKGKOU~D 0~ T~l~ INV~NTION:
In particular, however, the present invention is directed to coin operated vending mechanisms for newspapers and the like, because it is that kind of mechanism, more than any other, where a latched door is unlatched by camming action of a coin (or coins) inserted into the mechanism, for access into the cabinet so as to retrieve that which is being vended.
However, previous mechanisms have had certain short comings, particularly as discussed hereafter.
Very often, coin operated newspaper vending boxes are owned by independent operators. That is, the owners purchase 26 their stock of newspapers from the newspaper publ-ishers at a . ~,~
~46~43 price less than retail, and re-sell the newspapers to the general public, at retail price. In most instances, when access to the storage cabinet is achieved by successful operatlon of the coin operate(l mechanism, more than one nèwspaper may be taken ~ut such is not a common occurrence.
More o~ten, however, it may occur that some persons - most likely vandals -- will attempt to operate the mechanism so as to remove from the interior of the cabinet one or more of the newspapers being stored therein, while at the same time having returned to them their coins by which the mechanism was operated in ~he first instance. It has been found that prior devices can, with some easily developed skill, be manipulated to achieve those ends, by insertin~ the coins in the proper places, and in the proper amount, and then simultaneously operating the coin retu~n mechan-Lsrn and o~enin~ the ~oor to the cabinet.
The present invention goes to preclude such unauthorized and dishonest practice. Thus, cabinets having a coin operated vending mechanism of the present invention are such that retu~n of the coin from the coin chutes within the mechanism at the same time as the access door to the cabinet is opened, may be precluded; and vice versa, that is that the access door cannot be opened at the same time that the coin return mechanism is operated to retrieve coins within the coin chutes.
More particularly, the present invention goes to provic~e a device and mechanism which is more simply and easy to assemble and servlces, having fewer parts than the pnor devices.
28 Coin operating vending mechanlsms of the sort taught in ~J 46~43 ~ ICKERBOCKl~R United St:ates Patent~s 3,2~5,177 clclted August 9, 1966 n1ld 3,403,765 da.e~ ~c~ober 1, 196~, are commonly found in the fleld. Those mechanisms are extremely complicated mechanLsrns which are dif~icu1t to service, and are cllEficlllt to adjust for differences in operatLng coinage at SllCh times when the retail prices of the newspapers or other objects being vended may change.
The present invention, on the other hand, provides ease of operation and adjustment for different price changes ~equiring different coinage, and provides means whereby different combinations of coins can be employed to effect operation of the mechanism. As well, the present invention provicles means by which a weekday/weekend price change can be more easily put into effect than in prior devices, s;mply by alterlng the position of certaJn o the i.nternal clements oE the n~echanL~sm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTI()N
-The present invention comprises, therefore, a mechanism which is coin operated so as to open an access door to a cab;net, for purposes of retrieving an object being stored therein, where the mechanism comprises a number of plates, a first of which has at least one slot therein to receive a coin inserted therethrough, with at least one coin chute in communication with the slot. At least one pawl is adapted to engage an edge of a coin when it is place in the coin chute, and a latch plate is sprin~ biased into co-ope-rating position with a latch hook, and has a camm;ng portion which is operable by co-action between the proper coinage in the coin chute an~
28 the pawl when it is arranged in the proper position to engage 11~6~43 l~at coinage so as to release the latch p:La~e from the latch hook. Ihe latch plate is mounted to the access door so as to thereby permit opening thereof, and when the access door is t:hus opened the colnage in the coin chute fal]s past the posi.tiorl normally occup:i.e(l by the latch plate i.nto a coln collecti.ng receptable wi.thin the mechan:ism. A coin return button ;.s provided in co-operation with the at l.east one coin chute to move it into a coin return position over a coin return chute, when a coin return operation is desired. An antl-theft mechanism is provided to prevent return of the coinage in the coin chute at the same ti.me as the door is opened, or vice versa, and comprises a first anti-theft plate adapted for rotation about a mo~mting poi.nt therefor, which anti-theft plate engages the latch plate so as to he in a first position such that when the latch plate i.s moved out o engagement wi.th the anti-theft plat~, it swings by gravlty i.nto a second position. A counter-balance plate :Ls adapted for rotation about i.ts respect ve mounting point, and engages the anti-theft plate so as to be i.n a first position when the anti-theft plate is in its respective first position, such that when the anti-theft plate assumes its second position the counte---balance plate is permitted to swing by gravity to its second position; the second position of the counter-balance plate being such that it physically precludes movement of the coin chute over the coin return chute.
An object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a coin operated vending mechanism which is easi.ly assembled and 28 more easily and econo~ically produced than prior art devices.
1~6~43 A furthe1- object of thi.s invention is to prov;de such a coi.n operat:ed vending mechanism which has an anti-theft mecl1anism ln it whjch precluc1es return oE any coins in the coin chu~es at the same ti.me as the door is opened;or putting i.t in ~ e opposite mode~ the an~i-theft mechanism precluc1es opening t:he door at the same ti.me that any attcmpt is made to retrieve coins within the coin chutes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS:
These and other features of the objects of the invention are discussed i.n greater detail hereafter, in assocition wi.th the accompanying drawin~s,in which:
Figure l is a general perspective view of a cabinet having a coin operated vending mechanism secured thereto;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective vi.ew of the principal oper~t~ng p~rt6 of a coi.n opeKated vending mech~n:Lsm accorc1ing to th:is 1.nvention;
Fi.gure 3 i.s a partially cut-away view taken substantially along the arrows 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partially cut-away section taken substantially along the arrows 4-4 of Fi~ure 3, but extended to include the upper portion of the coin chute mechani.sm;
Figure 5 is a section taken along the arrows 5-5 in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the coin return button depressed;
Figure 7 is a view equivalent to Figure 5, showing the relative position of the parts thereof when in the position 28 shown in Figure 6, and taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 of ~ 1 4 6 ~ 4 3 ,.I.gur~ 6;
Figure ~ is a partially cut-away ~section taken in the direction of arrows 8-8 in ~igure 2;
Figure 9 is a rear elevation showing a` detail of Figure 8;
Fi.gure 10 is a vi.ew si~i].ar to Fi.gure 8 showing the components in a somewhat d:ifferent operating position;
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, being a rear view of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a view si.milar to Figure 10, showing the door and latch in yet a further position;
Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the door and latch components in a posi.tion similar to that of Figure 12;
and Figures 14 and 15 are equivalent to Fi.gu~es 5 an(l 7 ~ut sllowlng a further embodiment whereby only a single pair of springs is used for spring biasing certa;n components.
DESCRIPTION O~ T~IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
_ A cabinet 10, having a door 12, is shown in Figure 1.
Mounted on top of the cabinet 10 is a coi.n operated vending mechanism within an enclosure 14; and a portion of the mechanism is housed withln an upper portion 16 of the door 12.
Slots 18 and 20 are seen in the housing 14, together with a coin return button 22. A handle 24 is provided for opening the door 12, as discussed hereafter. The cabinet 10 is shown as being of the sort in wh;ch newspapers .may normally ~e kept for ~etail vending to the public, but as noted above the coin 28 operated.vend~ng mechanlsm of the present invention, within its ~6~3 .~using 14, may be otherwise placed without depal-t:ing from the spirit and scope o~ this invention.
Turn;.ng to ~igure 2, the principal features and components of the present i.nvent:ion are shown in detail; and the operation wl.ll be d:iscussecl hereafter in associati.on wiL:h others of the F:;gures.
A cover plate 26 for the housing 14 i.s provided. To the cover plate 26 there is mounted a base plate 28, which may be secured i.n place by suitable fasteni-ng means 30. Behind the base plate 28 there is a front plate 32 for the coin operated vending mechanism, secured in posit;on by tangs 34, wi.th split pin 36. As will be noted hereafter, the front plate 32 is essentially hingedly mounted to the base plate 28 and therefore with respect to the cover plate 26, where i.t is mounted to the tan~s 34.
A p~wl mountin~ plate 38 is mountetl at each si.cle oE the mechanlsm, and each pawl mounting plate 38 is rnounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a rod 40. The upper end 42 of each of the rods 40 is, in turn, secured to a crank rod 44, which is operated from a push rod 46 secured at its lower end to a.crank arm 48 of a key cylinder 50. When the crank arm 4~
is rotated from its vertical to its horizontal position, or vice verse, by an operating key placed in the front side of the key cylinder, the pawl mounting plates 38 are moved upwards and downwards in the manner shown by arrows 52, thereby effecting a change in the operating mechanism from weekday to weekend operation, or vice versa. Other arrows 53 and 55 are shown in 28 association wi.th the crank arm, push rod and crank rod, to 1146~43 ~-;sist undel^standing of the weekday/weekend or weekend/weelcday operating change wh;ch can he effect-ed in the coin operat:ed vending mechani.sm according to this invention. In the eml-odimRnt of ~igure 2, the pawl mounting plate ls b;ased in i~s close(l posllion by springs 54, as cliscussed in greater detaiL hereafter with respect to Figures 5 and 7.
In the e~bodiment shown, a.s noted, there are two coin ehute cover mounting plates 58, one on each side of a pair of web plates 56, each of which is upstanding from the front plate 32, so that a pair of coin chutes is defined between the respective web plates 56 ancl coin chute c~ver plates 58.
Along each side of the mechanism, there may be located a number of pawls, several of which are speclfically noted at 60, 62, 64, 64a, 66 and 68.
In the lo~er portion of the meehanisrn, there is a lal~ch pLate 70 whieh extends through a la~ch openlng 72, and has a eoin eammlng portion 74 at the rear end thereof beneath the coin chutes. Behind the lower portion of the mechanism, there is an anti-theft mechanism generally indicated at 76, the prineipal components of which are the anti-theft plate 78, and the eounter-balanee plate 80 to whieh is secured a counter-balance ball 82, as diseussed in greater detail hereafter. A eoin return ehute 84 is provided, having an opening 88 through the cover plate 26, for aeeess into the lower portion of the eoin return ehute 8~ so as to reeover returned eoins as diseussed in greater detail hereafter.
A stop pin 90 is shown, loeking up pawl 66. The stop p;n 28 is seeured to the base plate 26, and is sueh that pawl 66 falls ~1~6~3 ,to place only when the pawl mounting plate 38 is in its upper posiLion. Likewise, the pawl 62 is shown swung out of position by a stop pawl 92; so that the pawl 62 also becomes operative only wlen the paw] mounting plate 38 ;s in its upper position.
Referrin~ to Figures 3 ancl ~, a coin 94 is shown restin~, above the latch p]ate 70 at the bottom end of the left coin chute, when viewed from behind. The other components are shown~ in their rest position -- i.e., in a position when the only thing that has happened is that the coin 94 has been inserted into the appropriate slot 20 and has fallen to the bottom of the respective coin chute. Obvlously, as it fell, the coin 94 brushed past the lower leg portions of the pawls 64 and 64A, each of which is shown in its position extending into the coin chute, due to the overbalancing of the wing portion thereof and the fact that each pawl is loosely mountetl on its respectivt mountin~ pin. As can be seen, the latch platt-~ 70 extends beneath the bottom of the coin chute, so as to support any coins which are within either of the coin chutes, as discussed hereafter. It will also be noted, in Figure 4, that the latch plate 70 is sprlng biased in its upper position, as shown, by spring 96. Moreover, as previously stated, the latch plate 70 is mounted to the upper portlon 16 of the door 12.
~L~46Q43 Turning now to ~igures 5, 6 and 7, a description follows as to the coin return operation and mechanism of coin operated vcnding mechanisn)s according to the preserlt i~vention. As noted in Fig~lre 5, a coirl 94 is in place, in the same manner as in Figure 4, and the coin return button 22 is unpressed -- i.e.
it, too, is in the same position as in Figure 4. As previously stated, the coin chutes are defined l)etween the webs 56 and ~he coin chute cover plates 58.
If it is desired by the operator (customer) to have his coin returned, the coin return button 22 is pressed inwards, as at arrow 98 in Figure 6. This causes the front pl~te 32 to pivot: or hinge inwardly, as shown, about its mounting position on tangs 34, carryin" with it- the associated components mounted upon it. As thc ront plate 32 pivots backwnrdly, shown at arrows 100 in Figures 6 and 7, the latch plate 70 is forced do~nwardly as indicated in dotted lines in ~igure 6, and then due to the bias of spring 96, it swings upwardly to its rest position, this operation being shown by arrow 102 in Figure 6.
As will be shown hereafter, the rearward motion of the coin return button 22, and the upsetting action whic]l it causes on the latch plate 70, must be quite rapid, otherwise a blocklng arrangement of the anti-theft plate 78 and counter-balance plate 80 will preclude rearward motion of the coin chutes, and thereby preclude a coin return operation. As will be noted, this is so that the main latch plate 70 does not remain in an 26 open or unlatched position, with respect to the latch hook to ~46~3 ...lich it ]atches, other than momentarily.
Assuming that the coin chute mechanism has been permitted to swing baclcwardly far enough to clear the counter balance p]ate 80 as discussed hereafter, and referring specifically to t~he cmbod:iment: o~ Fi~ures 1 through 7 at this poi.nt upon fur~her rearward motion of the front plate 3~., the lower wing extensions 104 of the pawl mounting plates 38 strike tabs 106 and are upset by them so as to open the coin chute cover plates 58 in the manner shown at arrows 103 in Figure 7. As there in now nothing beneath the coin chute to retain the coin in place, it falls from the chute into the coin return chute 84, as shown in Figure 6.
With reference now to Figures 8 and 9, t~e initial operation of the ant:i-theft mechanism is discussed. As noted, the anti.-theft pl.ate 78 is mounted for rotation about a mountin~ point or pLn 110. The anti-the~t plate is dimens:Loned -- and, in the present emhodiment, notched as at 112 -- so as to engage the rear end of the latch plate 70. As stated, in i.ts normal position, the latch plate 70 is such as to co-operate with latch hook 114, so as to preclude forward movement of the door by more than a short amount represented by the openin~ 116 in the latch plate into which the latch hook 114 extends. Thus, except when the latch plate 70 is cammed downwardly so as to clear the interference of the latch hook 114 with the rear end of latch opening 116 in the latch hook, the door cannot be unlatched.
As noted in Figures 8 and 9, the colmter-balance plate 80 28 is mounted for rotation about a mounting point or pi.n 118. As ~146~3 n~ed in ligures 2 and 9, t-he lower ~oint 120 of ~he coin chute structure is such that i~ is above edge 122 o~ the lower leaf portlon 123 of the coun~er-balance p]ate 80. Clearly, then, in order for ~he coin chute assembly to move far enough rearwardly so ~llat l:he coins i.n the coin chute clear contact with the la~ch plate 70 and rnay then fall into the coin return chute 84, the coin chu~e assembly must move rearwardly sufficiently quickly that the lower point 120 of the cojn chute assembly clears the edge 122 of leaf port;on 123 before the ]o counter-balance plat:e ~0 can fall into place due to gravity acting upon the weight 82. This is shown more clearly in Figure 11, where the counter-balance plate 80 is shown to have rotated in the manner shown by arrows 124, so as ~o cause an interference oE the lower leaf portion 123 of the plate 80 with the lower end 12n of the coin chute ac;sembly. See also F~f,ure 10 .
When t:he door 12, and t,hus the latch plate 70, is moved forwardly to any extent, the anti-theft p]ate 78 is permitted to swing downwardly as indicated at arrow 126 in Figure 10, and 20 the counter-balance plate 80 is permitted to swing as indicated by arrow 124 in Figures 10 and 11. This, then, creates a blocking action against rearward motion of the coin chute mechanism, as clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11. As previous].y discussed, in order for the coin chute mechanism to move rearwardly as indicated in Figure 6, the coin return button 22 must be depressed quickly; and moreover, the door 12 cannot be swung forwardly, because to do so crea~es a blocking 28 action of the anti-theft mechanlsm described above. A positive ~1~6~)~3 ti.ng, sirnply constructed, an~i-thet mechani.sm is ~.hereby provided.
Referri.ng, then, to Figures 10 and 12, a normal vendi.ng operation i.s clearly indicated, whereby. the coin 94 acts a~ai.nst the coin cam~.ing portion 74 of the latch plal.e 70, retainirlg the latch plate 70 below a posi.tion where the rear end of slot 116 i.nterferes w;th the latch hook 114, and thereby permitt;ng forward movement of the door 12 and the latch plate 70. This is caused by interference between the edge of the coin 94 and the pawl 64, such that the pawl pushes dowr. against the coin, which pushes against the spring bias of spring 96 against latch plate 70, causing latch plate 70 to tilt downwardly as indicated in Figure 10 so as to clear the latch hook 114.
Refe~ring, now, to Figure 13, the inal ope~atlon -Ls noted, whereby the coin 94 falls past the position normally occupied by the latch plate 70 as it swings clear of engagement with the latch hook 114, thereby permitting the customer to have access to the interior of the cabinet 10 to retrieve therefrom a newspaper or other arti.cle being vended; as well. as retention within the coin vending mechanism of ~he coin or coins by wh;ch the operation was successfully completed.
With reference to the operation of ~he pawls, th~ speclfic arrangement illust-a,ed in Figure 2 is such that for a ueekday operat~on, .he coin operated vending mechanism can be operated by insertion of twenty five cents, being one quarter (twenty five cent piece) or three dimes (ten cent p;.eces) with no 28 change. This is accomplislled by either the pawl 64 or the pawl 1~46~43 A weekend operation is 5 as noted above, set into place by rotation of the key cylinder 50, whereby pawls 66 and 62 are unlocked. This is then set up for a forty cent operation, which mfly be one qual-ter, one nickel and one dime, one quarter and th~ee niclcels, or two quarters tno change). 'Ihe exact spacing and placement of the pawls 64 and 64a is such that pawl 64 will not operate with one quarter beneath it, but pawl 64a will operate with two yuarters beneath it, one of which shoves aside the lower end of pawl 64 making it inoperative. Also, pawl 64a will not operate with one quarter and one nickel, which are nearly the same in size but sufficiently different that ordinary manufacturing tolerances are acceptable in the assembly of the coin operated vending mechanism according to this invention.
The combination pawl 62 i.s such that, if only a quarter and a nickel a~e in the left hand coin chute (as viewed from behind), and a vending operation is attempted to be initiated, the top most coin rises upwardly into slot 128, and fails to depress the latch plate 70. However, when a dime is in place in the right hand coin chute, the bottom end of the combination pawl 62 is swung out of place to the right, so that the point 130 interferes with the edge of the top most quarter or nickel in the left hand chute, whereby a camming of the coins against the latch plate 70 may occur, permitting the latch plate 70 to be withdrawn and the door opened, so that all of the coins including the dime in the right hand coin chute fall into the 28 coin receptacle within the coin operating vending mechanism.
11~6~43 Complicated cross-over and lock-out pawls, such as those used in prior known devices, are thereby elirninated.
Finally, havi.ng regard to ~.igures 14 and 15, they are cquival.ent to ~1.gures S and 7, except -- havi.ng regard to Fig~lre 2 -- a somewhat dLfferent arrflngement: ls shown whe~eby the biasing springs by which the front plate 32 is biased towards cover plate 26, and the coin chute cover plates 58 are biased into their closed position, us;ng the same springs 138.
As seen in Figure 2, the front plate 32 is biased towards the cover plate 26 by springs 132. The upse~ting of the coin chute cover plates away from the webs 56 is indi.cated in Figure 7, by interference of the tab 104 with wing 106.
In the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15, a tab 134 is secured to each pawl mounti.ng plate 38, and a pair of wings 136 i.s placed so as to bear against the tabs 134. Howeve~, when, as i.ndicated i.n Figure lS, the coin return button 22 is depressed, the outer ends of the pawl mounting plates 38 i.nterfere with the inner surfaces of the wings 136, thus upsetting the coin chute cover plates S8 against the spri.ng tension of springs 138. Indeed, springs 138 are essentially the same as springs 132, the di.fference being in the construction of the lower portion for interference with wings 136, as discussed immediately above. Only two springs, of reasonable weight and tension are used, as opposed to as many as five springs, including heavy compression springs, of the prior known devices.
28 The above discussion and description has been in respect ~,~
:' f. a preferred embodlment: of coin operated vending mechan;sm accord;ng to the present inventi.on, with a specific second eml)o~iment being shown in respect of a more simpli.fied st~ucture. There has been some di.scussi.on of ~.he operating rnechanism, particularly as to values of coinage used, and clearly those matters are a question of design and placement of the pawls, having in mind the specific sizes of coins or tokens (in security installations) to be used. Some ernphasis has been made as to the anti-theft mechanism, particularly the fact that if a coin return is to be effected, the coi.n chute assembly must be swung rearwardly over the coin return chute sufficiently quic~ly as to preclude interference of the counter-balance plate with the coin chute mechanism. Thi.s also, o~ course, afEords a security l~tching sy.stem when only a token of the correct size can be used to ~ai.n access to a restricted area; and only one access operation per token is, of course, posslble.
Finally, the simplicity of the design, with fewer operating parts and more easy accessibility for purposes of service and adjustment, when compared with prior known devices, have. been clearly emphasized. It follows that a more simple :~ operation, not only in warm weather, but especially also in cold weather, when the parts may be likely to become stuck to each other because oE cold and stiff oil Eilm on them, or by freeæing.
No specifics as to component design or size are intended or meant, either in the above description or the accompanying drawings, except as falls within the spirit and scope of t.he 29 appendqd claims.
This ;nventi.on relates to coin operated vending mechanl~rns; and more particular].y, to the kind oE mechanism associat:ed w:ith cal~inets from which various art;cles such a~s newspc~pers or the ].i.ke may be obtained, upon i.nsertlon of the proper amount of coinage i.nto the mechanism so as to release a latched access door. The coln operated vend;ng mechanism of the present invention, may, of course, be applied to many other kinds of coin accessi.ble vending cabinets such as th~se from which food or snack items, or notions, may be ob'.ai.ned; and moreover, the mechanism may be applicable to such installations as commercial or industrial security which requires the deposit of a token so as to achieve entry into an otherwi.se restricted are~.
BACKGKOU~D 0~ T~l~ INV~NTION:
In particular, however, the present invention is directed to coin operated vending mechanisms for newspapers and the like, because it is that kind of mechanism, more than any other, where a latched door is unlatched by camming action of a coin (or coins) inserted into the mechanism, for access into the cabinet so as to retrieve that which is being vended.
However, previous mechanisms have had certain short comings, particularly as discussed hereafter.
Very often, coin operated newspaper vending boxes are owned by independent operators. That is, the owners purchase 26 their stock of newspapers from the newspaper publ-ishers at a . ~,~
~46~43 price less than retail, and re-sell the newspapers to the general public, at retail price. In most instances, when access to the storage cabinet is achieved by successful operatlon of the coin operate(l mechanism, more than one nèwspaper may be taken ~ut such is not a common occurrence.
More o~ten, however, it may occur that some persons - most likely vandals -- will attempt to operate the mechanism so as to remove from the interior of the cabinet one or more of the newspapers being stored therein, while at the same time having returned to them their coins by which the mechanism was operated in ~he first instance. It has been found that prior devices can, with some easily developed skill, be manipulated to achieve those ends, by insertin~ the coins in the proper places, and in the proper amount, and then simultaneously operating the coin retu~n mechan-Lsrn and o~enin~ the ~oor to the cabinet.
The present invention goes to preclude such unauthorized and dishonest practice. Thus, cabinets having a coin operated vending mechanism of the present invention are such that retu~n of the coin from the coin chutes within the mechanism at the same time as the access door to the cabinet is opened, may be precluded; and vice versa, that is that the access door cannot be opened at the same time that the coin return mechanism is operated to retrieve coins within the coin chutes.
More particularly, the present invention goes to provic~e a device and mechanism which is more simply and easy to assemble and servlces, having fewer parts than the pnor devices.
28 Coin operating vending mechanlsms of the sort taught in ~J 46~43 ~ ICKERBOCKl~R United St:ates Patent~s 3,2~5,177 clclted August 9, 1966 n1ld 3,403,765 da.e~ ~c~ober 1, 196~, are commonly found in the fleld. Those mechanisms are extremely complicated mechanLsrns which are dif~icu1t to service, and are cllEficlllt to adjust for differences in operatLng coinage at SllCh times when the retail prices of the newspapers or other objects being vended may change.
The present invention, on the other hand, provides ease of operation and adjustment for different price changes ~equiring different coinage, and provides means whereby different combinations of coins can be employed to effect operation of the mechanism. As well, the present invention provicles means by which a weekday/weekend price change can be more easily put into effect than in prior devices, s;mply by alterlng the position of certaJn o the i.nternal clements oE the n~echanL~sm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTI()N
-The present invention comprises, therefore, a mechanism which is coin operated so as to open an access door to a cab;net, for purposes of retrieving an object being stored therein, where the mechanism comprises a number of plates, a first of which has at least one slot therein to receive a coin inserted therethrough, with at least one coin chute in communication with the slot. At least one pawl is adapted to engage an edge of a coin when it is place in the coin chute, and a latch plate is sprin~ biased into co-ope-rating position with a latch hook, and has a camm;ng portion which is operable by co-action between the proper coinage in the coin chute an~
28 the pawl when it is arranged in the proper position to engage 11~6~43 l~at coinage so as to release the latch p:La~e from the latch hook. Ihe latch plate is mounted to the access door so as to thereby permit opening thereof, and when the access door is t:hus opened the colnage in the coin chute fal]s past the posi.tiorl normally occup:i.e(l by the latch plate i.nto a coln collecti.ng receptable wi.thin the mechan:ism. A coin return button ;.s provided in co-operation with the at l.east one coin chute to move it into a coin return position over a coin return chute, when a coin return operation is desired. An antl-theft mechanism is provided to prevent return of the coinage in the coin chute at the same ti.me as the door is opened, or vice versa, and comprises a first anti-theft plate adapted for rotation about a mo~mting poi.nt therefor, which anti-theft plate engages the latch plate so as to he in a first position such that when the latch plate i.s moved out o engagement wi.th the anti-theft plat~, it swings by gravlty i.nto a second position. A counter-balance plate :Ls adapted for rotation about i.ts respect ve mounting point, and engages the anti-theft plate so as to be i.n a first position when the anti-theft plate is in its respective first position, such that when the anti-theft plate assumes its second position the counte---balance plate is permitted to swing by gravity to its second position; the second position of the counter-balance plate being such that it physically precludes movement of the coin chute over the coin return chute.
An object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a coin operated vending mechanism which is easi.ly assembled and 28 more easily and econo~ically produced than prior art devices.
1~6~43 A furthe1- object of thi.s invention is to prov;de such a coi.n operat:ed vending mechanism which has an anti-theft mecl1anism ln it whjch precluc1es return oE any coins in the coin chu~es at the same ti.me as the door is opened;or putting i.t in ~ e opposite mode~ the an~i-theft mechanism precluc1es opening t:he door at the same ti.me that any attcmpt is made to retrieve coins within the coin chutes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS:
These and other features of the objects of the invention are discussed i.n greater detail hereafter, in assocition wi.th the accompanying drawin~s,in which:
Figure l is a general perspective view of a cabinet having a coin operated vending mechanism secured thereto;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective vi.ew of the principal oper~t~ng p~rt6 of a coi.n opeKated vending mech~n:Lsm accorc1ing to th:is 1.nvention;
Fi.gure 3 i.s a partially cut-away view taken substantially along the arrows 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partially cut-away section taken substantially along the arrows 4-4 of Fi~ure 3, but extended to include the upper portion of the coin chute mechani.sm;
Figure 5 is a section taken along the arrows 5-5 in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the coin return button depressed;
Figure 7 is a view equivalent to Figure 5, showing the relative position of the parts thereof when in the position 28 shown in Figure 6, and taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 of ~ 1 4 6 ~ 4 3 ,.I.gur~ 6;
Figure ~ is a partially cut-away ~section taken in the direction of arrows 8-8 in ~igure 2;
Figure 9 is a rear elevation showing a` detail of Figure 8;
Fi.gure 10 is a vi.ew si~i].ar to Fi.gure 8 showing the components in a somewhat d:ifferent operating position;
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, being a rear view of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a view si.milar to Figure 10, showing the door and latch in yet a further position;
Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the door and latch components in a posi.tion similar to that of Figure 12;
and Figures 14 and 15 are equivalent to Fi.gu~es 5 an(l 7 ~ut sllowlng a further embodiment whereby only a single pair of springs is used for spring biasing certa;n components.
DESCRIPTION O~ T~IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
_ A cabinet 10, having a door 12, is shown in Figure 1.
Mounted on top of the cabinet 10 is a coi.n operated vending mechanism within an enclosure 14; and a portion of the mechanism is housed withln an upper portion 16 of the door 12.
Slots 18 and 20 are seen in the housing 14, together with a coin return button 22. A handle 24 is provided for opening the door 12, as discussed hereafter. The cabinet 10 is shown as being of the sort in wh;ch newspapers .may normally ~e kept for ~etail vending to the public, but as noted above the coin 28 operated.vend~ng mechanlsm of the present invention, within its ~6~3 .~using 14, may be otherwise placed without depal-t:ing from the spirit and scope o~ this invention.
Turn;.ng to ~igure 2, the principal features and components of the present i.nvent:ion are shown in detail; and the operation wl.ll be d:iscussecl hereafter in associati.on wiL:h others of the F:;gures.
A cover plate 26 for the housing 14 i.s provided. To the cover plate 26 there is mounted a base plate 28, which may be secured i.n place by suitable fasteni-ng means 30. Behind the base plate 28 there is a front plate 32 for the coin operated vending mechanism, secured in posit;on by tangs 34, wi.th split pin 36. As will be noted hereafter, the front plate 32 is essentially hingedly mounted to the base plate 28 and therefore with respect to the cover plate 26, where i.t is mounted to the tan~s 34.
A p~wl mountin~ plate 38 is mountetl at each si.cle oE the mechanlsm, and each pawl mounting plate 38 is rnounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a rod 40. The upper end 42 of each of the rods 40 is, in turn, secured to a crank rod 44, which is operated from a push rod 46 secured at its lower end to a.crank arm 48 of a key cylinder 50. When the crank arm 4~
is rotated from its vertical to its horizontal position, or vice verse, by an operating key placed in the front side of the key cylinder, the pawl mounting plates 38 are moved upwards and downwards in the manner shown by arrows 52, thereby effecting a change in the operating mechanism from weekday to weekend operation, or vice versa. Other arrows 53 and 55 are shown in 28 association wi.th the crank arm, push rod and crank rod, to 1146~43 ~-;sist undel^standing of the weekday/weekend or weekend/weelcday operating change wh;ch can he effect-ed in the coin operat:ed vending mechani.sm according to this invention. In the eml-odimRnt of ~igure 2, the pawl mounting plate ls b;ased in i~s close(l posllion by springs 54, as cliscussed in greater detaiL hereafter with respect to Figures 5 and 7.
In the e~bodiment shown, a.s noted, there are two coin ehute cover mounting plates 58, one on each side of a pair of web plates 56, each of which is upstanding from the front plate 32, so that a pair of coin chutes is defined between the respective web plates 56 ancl coin chute c~ver plates 58.
Along each side of the mechanism, there may be located a number of pawls, several of which are speclfically noted at 60, 62, 64, 64a, 66 and 68.
In the lo~er portion of the meehanisrn, there is a lal~ch pLate 70 whieh extends through a la~ch openlng 72, and has a eoin eammlng portion 74 at the rear end thereof beneath the coin chutes. Behind the lower portion of the mechanism, there is an anti-theft mechanism generally indicated at 76, the prineipal components of which are the anti-theft plate 78, and the eounter-balanee plate 80 to whieh is secured a counter-balance ball 82, as diseussed in greater detail hereafter. A eoin return ehute 84 is provided, having an opening 88 through the cover plate 26, for aeeess into the lower portion of the eoin return ehute 8~ so as to reeover returned eoins as diseussed in greater detail hereafter.
A stop pin 90 is shown, loeking up pawl 66. The stop p;n 28 is seeured to the base plate 26, and is sueh that pawl 66 falls ~1~6~3 ,to place only when the pawl mounting plate 38 is in its upper posiLion. Likewise, the pawl 62 is shown swung out of position by a stop pawl 92; so that the pawl 62 also becomes operative only wlen the paw] mounting plate 38 ;s in its upper position.
Referrin~ to Figures 3 ancl ~, a coin 94 is shown restin~, above the latch p]ate 70 at the bottom end of the left coin chute, when viewed from behind. The other components are shown~ in their rest position -- i.e., in a position when the only thing that has happened is that the coin 94 has been inserted into the appropriate slot 20 and has fallen to the bottom of the respective coin chute. Obvlously, as it fell, the coin 94 brushed past the lower leg portions of the pawls 64 and 64A, each of which is shown in its position extending into the coin chute, due to the overbalancing of the wing portion thereof and the fact that each pawl is loosely mountetl on its respectivt mountin~ pin. As can be seen, the latch platt-~ 70 extends beneath the bottom of the coin chute, so as to support any coins which are within either of the coin chutes, as discussed hereafter. It will also be noted, in Figure 4, that the latch plate 70 is sprlng biased in its upper position, as shown, by spring 96. Moreover, as previously stated, the latch plate 70 is mounted to the upper portlon 16 of the door 12.
~L~46Q43 Turning now to ~igures 5, 6 and 7, a description follows as to the coin return operation and mechanism of coin operated vcnding mechanisn)s according to the preserlt i~vention. As noted in Fig~lre 5, a coirl 94 is in place, in the same manner as in Figure 4, and the coin return button 22 is unpressed -- i.e.
it, too, is in the same position as in Figure 4. As previously stated, the coin chutes are defined l)etween the webs 56 and ~he coin chute cover plates 58.
If it is desired by the operator (customer) to have his coin returned, the coin return button 22 is pressed inwards, as at arrow 98 in Figure 6. This causes the front pl~te 32 to pivot: or hinge inwardly, as shown, about its mounting position on tangs 34, carryin" with it- the associated components mounted upon it. As thc ront plate 32 pivots backwnrdly, shown at arrows 100 in Figures 6 and 7, the latch plate 70 is forced do~nwardly as indicated in dotted lines in ~igure 6, and then due to the bias of spring 96, it swings upwardly to its rest position, this operation being shown by arrow 102 in Figure 6.
As will be shown hereafter, the rearward motion of the coin return button 22, and the upsetting action whic]l it causes on the latch plate 70, must be quite rapid, otherwise a blocklng arrangement of the anti-theft plate 78 and counter-balance plate 80 will preclude rearward motion of the coin chutes, and thereby preclude a coin return operation. As will be noted, this is so that the main latch plate 70 does not remain in an 26 open or unlatched position, with respect to the latch hook to ~46~3 ...lich it ]atches, other than momentarily.
Assuming that the coin chute mechanism has been permitted to swing baclcwardly far enough to clear the counter balance p]ate 80 as discussed hereafter, and referring specifically to t~he cmbod:iment: o~ Fi~ures 1 through 7 at this poi.nt upon fur~her rearward motion of the front plate 3~., the lower wing extensions 104 of the pawl mounting plates 38 strike tabs 106 and are upset by them so as to open the coin chute cover plates 58 in the manner shown at arrows 103 in Figure 7. As there in now nothing beneath the coin chute to retain the coin in place, it falls from the chute into the coin return chute 84, as shown in Figure 6.
With reference now to Figures 8 and 9, t~e initial operation of the ant:i-theft mechanism is discussed. As noted, the anti.-theft pl.ate 78 is mounted for rotation about a mountin~ point or pLn 110. The anti-the~t plate is dimens:Loned -- and, in the present emhodiment, notched as at 112 -- so as to engage the rear end of the latch plate 70. As stated, in i.ts normal position, the latch plate 70 is such as to co-operate with latch hook 114, so as to preclude forward movement of the door by more than a short amount represented by the openin~ 116 in the latch plate into which the latch hook 114 extends. Thus, except when the latch plate 70 is cammed downwardly so as to clear the interference of the latch hook 114 with the rear end of latch opening 116 in the latch hook, the door cannot be unlatched.
As noted in Figures 8 and 9, the colmter-balance plate 80 28 is mounted for rotation about a mounting point or pi.n 118. As ~146~3 n~ed in ligures 2 and 9, t-he lower ~oint 120 of ~he coin chute structure is such that i~ is above edge 122 o~ the lower leaf portlon 123 of the coun~er-balance p]ate 80. Clearly, then, in order for ~he coin chute assembly to move far enough rearwardly so ~llat l:he coins i.n the coin chute clear contact with the la~ch plate 70 and rnay then fall into the coin return chute 84, the coin chu~e assembly must move rearwardly sufficiently quickly that the lower point 120 of the cojn chute assembly clears the edge 122 of leaf port;on 123 before the ]o counter-balance plat:e ~0 can fall into place due to gravity acting upon the weight 82. This is shown more clearly in Figure 11, where the counter-balance plate 80 is shown to have rotated in the manner shown by arrows 124, so as ~o cause an interference oE the lower leaf portion 123 of the plate 80 with the lower end 12n of the coin chute ac;sembly. See also F~f,ure 10 .
When t:he door 12, and t,hus the latch plate 70, is moved forwardly to any extent, the anti-theft p]ate 78 is permitted to swing downwardly as indicated at arrow 126 in Figure 10, and 20 the counter-balance plate 80 is permitted to swing as indicated by arrow 124 in Figures 10 and 11. This, then, creates a blocking action against rearward motion of the coin chute mechanism, as clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11. As previous].y discussed, in order for the coin chute mechanism to move rearwardly as indicated in Figure 6, the coin return button 22 must be depressed quickly; and moreover, the door 12 cannot be swung forwardly, because to do so crea~es a blocking 28 action of the anti-theft mechanlsm described above. A positive ~1~6~)~3 ti.ng, sirnply constructed, an~i-thet mechani.sm is ~.hereby provided.
Referri.ng, then, to Figures 10 and 12, a normal vendi.ng operation i.s clearly indicated, whereby. the coin 94 acts a~ai.nst the coin cam~.ing portion 74 of the latch plal.e 70, retainirlg the latch plate 70 below a posi.tion where the rear end of slot 116 i.nterferes w;th the latch hook 114, and thereby permitt;ng forward movement of the door 12 and the latch plate 70. This is caused by interference between the edge of the coin 94 and the pawl 64, such that the pawl pushes dowr. against the coin, which pushes against the spring bias of spring 96 against latch plate 70, causing latch plate 70 to tilt downwardly as indicated in Figure 10 so as to clear the latch hook 114.
Refe~ring, now, to Figure 13, the inal ope~atlon -Ls noted, whereby the coin 94 falls past the position normally occupied by the latch plate 70 as it swings clear of engagement with the latch hook 114, thereby permitting the customer to have access to the interior of the cabinet 10 to retrieve therefrom a newspaper or other arti.cle being vended; as well. as retention within the coin vending mechanism of ~he coin or coins by wh;ch the operation was successfully completed.
With reference to the operation of ~he pawls, th~ speclfic arrangement illust-a,ed in Figure 2 is such that for a ueekday operat~on, .he coin operated vending mechanism can be operated by insertion of twenty five cents, being one quarter (twenty five cent piece) or three dimes (ten cent p;.eces) with no 28 change. This is accomplislled by either the pawl 64 or the pawl 1~46~43 A weekend operation is 5 as noted above, set into place by rotation of the key cylinder 50, whereby pawls 66 and 62 are unlocked. This is then set up for a forty cent operation, which mfly be one qual-ter, one nickel and one dime, one quarter and th~ee niclcels, or two quarters tno change). 'Ihe exact spacing and placement of the pawls 64 and 64a is such that pawl 64 will not operate with one quarter beneath it, but pawl 64a will operate with two yuarters beneath it, one of which shoves aside the lower end of pawl 64 making it inoperative. Also, pawl 64a will not operate with one quarter and one nickel, which are nearly the same in size but sufficiently different that ordinary manufacturing tolerances are acceptable in the assembly of the coin operated vending mechanism according to this invention.
The combination pawl 62 i.s such that, if only a quarter and a nickel a~e in the left hand coin chute (as viewed from behind), and a vending operation is attempted to be initiated, the top most coin rises upwardly into slot 128, and fails to depress the latch plate 70. However, when a dime is in place in the right hand coin chute, the bottom end of the combination pawl 62 is swung out of place to the right, so that the point 130 interferes with the edge of the top most quarter or nickel in the left hand chute, whereby a camming of the coins against the latch plate 70 may occur, permitting the latch plate 70 to be withdrawn and the door opened, so that all of the coins including the dime in the right hand coin chute fall into the 28 coin receptacle within the coin operating vending mechanism.
11~6~43 Complicated cross-over and lock-out pawls, such as those used in prior known devices, are thereby elirninated.
Finally, havi.ng regard to ~.igures 14 and 15, they are cquival.ent to ~1.gures S and 7, except -- havi.ng regard to Fig~lre 2 -- a somewhat dLfferent arrflngement: ls shown whe~eby the biasing springs by which the front plate 32 is biased towards cover plate 26, and the coin chute cover plates 58 are biased into their closed position, us;ng the same springs 138.
As seen in Figure 2, the front plate 32 is biased towards the cover plate 26 by springs 132. The upse~ting of the coin chute cover plates away from the webs 56 is indi.cated in Figure 7, by interference of the tab 104 with wing 106.
In the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15, a tab 134 is secured to each pawl mounti.ng plate 38, and a pair of wings 136 i.s placed so as to bear against the tabs 134. Howeve~, when, as i.ndicated i.n Figure lS, the coin return button 22 is depressed, the outer ends of the pawl mounting plates 38 i.nterfere with the inner surfaces of the wings 136, thus upsetting the coin chute cover plates S8 against the spri.ng tension of springs 138. Indeed, springs 138 are essentially the same as springs 132, the di.fference being in the construction of the lower portion for interference with wings 136, as discussed immediately above. Only two springs, of reasonable weight and tension are used, as opposed to as many as five springs, including heavy compression springs, of the prior known devices.
28 The above discussion and description has been in respect ~,~
:' f. a preferred embodlment: of coin operated vending mechan;sm accord;ng to the present inventi.on, with a specific second eml)o~iment being shown in respect of a more simpli.fied st~ucture. There has been some di.scussi.on of ~.he operating rnechanism, particularly as to values of coinage used, and clearly those matters are a question of design and placement of the pawls, having in mind the specific sizes of coins or tokens (in security installations) to be used. Some ernphasis has been made as to the anti-theft mechanism, particularly the fact that if a coin return is to be effected, the coi.n chute assembly must be swung rearwardly over the coin return chute sufficiently quic~ly as to preclude interference of the counter-balance plate with the coin chute mechanism. Thi.s also, o~ course, afEords a security l~tching sy.stem when only a token of the correct size can be used to ~ai.n access to a restricted area; and only one access operation per token is, of course, posslble.
Finally, the simplicity of the design, with fewer operating parts and more easy accessibility for purposes of service and adjustment, when compared with prior known devices, have. been clearly emphasized. It follows that a more simple :~ operation, not only in warm weather, but especially also in cold weather, when the parts may be likely to become stuck to each other because oE cold and stiff oil Eilm on them, or by freeæing.
No specifics as to component design or size are intended or meant, either in the above description or the accompanying drawings, except as falls within the spirit and scope of t.he 29 appendqd claims.
Claims (6)
1. A coin operated vending mechanism for opening an access door to a cabinet for purposes of retrieving an object being stored therein, comprising:
a first plate having at least one slot therein to receive a coin inserted therethrough;
at least one coin chute in communication with said slot;
at least one pawl adopted to engage an edge of said coin when in place in said coin chute;
a latch plate spring biased into co-operating position with a latch hook, and having a camming portion thereof operable by co-action between proper coinage in said at least one coin chute and said at least one pawl when it is arranged in the proper positon to engage said proper coinage, so as to release said latch plate from said latch hook;
said latch plate being mounted to said door so as to thereby permit opening thereof; whereby said at least one coin falls past the position normally occupied by said latch plate into a coin collecting receptacle;
a coin return button co-operating with said at least one coin-chute to move said chute into a coin return position over a coin return chute;
and an anti-theft mechanism to prevent return of said at least one coin in said coin chute at the same time as said door is opened, or vice versa, comprising a first anti-theft plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said latch plate so as to be in a first position, such that when said latch plate is moved out of engagement with said anti-theft plate said anti-theft plate swings by gravity to a second position;
and a counter-balance plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said anti-theft plate so as to be in a first position when said anti-theft plate is in its respective first position, such that when said anti-theft plate assumes its respective second position said counter-balance plate is permitted to swing by gravity to its second position;
said second position of said counter-balance plate being such that it physically precludes movement of said at least one coin chute over said coin return chute.
a first plate having at least one slot therein to receive a coin inserted therethrough;
at least one coin chute in communication with said slot;
at least one pawl adopted to engage an edge of said coin when in place in said coin chute;
a latch plate spring biased into co-operating position with a latch hook, and having a camming portion thereof operable by co-action between proper coinage in said at least one coin chute and said at least one pawl when it is arranged in the proper positon to engage said proper coinage, so as to release said latch plate from said latch hook;
said latch plate being mounted to said door so as to thereby permit opening thereof; whereby said at least one coin falls past the position normally occupied by said latch plate into a coin collecting receptacle;
a coin return button co-operating with said at least one coin-chute to move said chute into a coin return position over a coin return chute;
and an anti-theft mechanism to prevent return of said at least one coin in said coin chute at the same time as said door is opened, or vice versa, comprising a first anti-theft plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said latch plate so as to be in a first position, such that when said latch plate is moved out of engagement with said anti-theft plate said anti-theft plate swings by gravity to a second position;
and a counter-balance plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said anti-theft plate so as to be in a first position when said anti-theft plate is in its respective first position, such that when said anti-theft plate assumes its respective second position said counter-balance plate is permitted to swing by gravity to its second position;
said second position of said counter-balance plate being such that it physically precludes movement of said at least one coin chute over said coin return chute.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, where two coin chutes are provided, each in communication with a respective slot in said first plate.
3. The mechanism of claim 2 where said first plate is a cover plate for said mechanism, and each said coin chute is defined by a web upstanding from a front plate hingedly mounted near its top for hingeable movement with respect to said cover plate, and a coin chute cover plate hingedly mounted at its front for hingeable movement with respect to said web; each said coin chute cover plate being spring biased to a first position so as to be substantially parallel to said web, and said front plate being spring biased to its respective first position so as to be substantially parallel to said cover plate.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, where the means for said spring biasing of said coin chute cover plates and said front plate comprises different springs for each.
5. The mechanism of claim 3, where the means for said spring biasing of said coin chute cover plates and said front late comprises the same springs.
6. The mechanism of claim 1, having more than one pawl mounted to a pawl mounting plate which is moveable vertically from a first to a second position, and stop means to preclude entry of any of said pawls into said at least one coin chute in either of said first or second position of said pawl mounting plate, so that said mechanism may be set for dispensing operation on two different coinage values, according to whether said pawl mounting plate is in its first or its second position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374341A CA1146043A (en) | 1981-03-31 | 1981-03-31 | Coin operated vending mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374341A CA1146043A (en) | 1981-03-31 | 1981-03-31 | Coin operated vending mechanism |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1146043A true CA1146043A (en) | 1983-05-10 |
Family
ID=4119598
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374341A Expired CA1146043A (en) | 1981-03-31 | 1981-03-31 | Coin operated vending mechanism |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1146043A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20070125621A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | Locknet, Llc | Token Operated Access Control System |
-
1981
- 1981-03-31 CA CA000374341A patent/CA1146043A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20070125621A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | Locknet, Llc | Token Operated Access Control System |
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