GB1047648A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1,047,648. Vending machines. AUTOMATIC CANTEEN CO. OF AMERICA. Sept. 30, 1964 [Oct. 25, 1963], No. 39758/64. Heading G4V. A vending machine comprises a row of article dispensing units, each comprising a plurality of shelves on an endless belt conveyer, and each being readily displaceable. Fig. 5 shows one unit, the casing of which is suspended by hooks 120 from a telescopic runner in the roof of a cabinet, and is closed on one side face only, so that each unit may be drawn forwards, reloaded from the open side, and then replaced. The endless conveyer comprises articulated sections running over sprocket-wheels, and supports shelves 100, each of which in turn deposits its article on to a plate 102 behind an inspection window 70. The closed side of the unit is double walled, and contains mechanism which on displacement of lever 264 accessible through slot 112, deflects plate 102 to dispense an article, and advances the conveyer one step. Mounted within the cabinet and beneath each unit is a frame 230, Fig. 11, mounted on a common shaft 220 and having a normally retracted finger 248. Insertion of coinage at a common station is noted by a stepper mechanism, and pressing of a button corresponding to a selected dispensing unit will, if correct coinage has been inserted, release a catch 244 electromagnetically so that the corresponding finger 248 is released, and extended by spring 250. At the same time, an electric motor 200 effects one oscillation of shaft 220, so that the lever 264 of the selected unit is deflected once, roller 254 returning the finger 248 to the locked retracted position on completion of the movement. The selected article is thus dispensed, and replaced by another. A further common shaft has cams 168 locking the units in retracted position, rotation of this shaft being interlocked with closure of a front door of the cabinet.