GB1224240A - Article dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,224,240. Coin dispensing apparatus. ADVANCE DATA SYSTEMS Ltd. 30 July, 1969 [8 Aug., 1968], No. 38002/68. Heading G4X. [Also in Division A4] A coin dispenser comprises a tubular magazine of circular cross-section and a dispensing mechanism, said mechanism having separable sections, a first of which is lockable to the magazine so that the interlocked combination of magazine and said section leaves no opening through which a coin large enough to fill the magazine cross-section may be extracted. The first section 9 fits within sides 7 and 8 of the magazine and is locked in place by rotation of a D-section shaft 19 in slots 20. The shaft 19 is retained in the position by a lock 23. The coins to be dispensed are forced through a block 25 into a space defined between a surface 28 and the top of the block, which space is closed by a rear wall 30, and by side walls 31, 32. Locking members 36 have a lost motion connection with the shaft 19 such that when the shaft is locked to the magazine, clockwise movement of the locking members is prevented and the coin discharge opening 26 is blocked. The interlocked parts are insertable into a housing 3 having a lock 24 with a part 62 which slides axially to bolt the housing door 59 and at the same time inserts key 63 into lock 23. Locking lock 24 by a key 65 thus unlocks lock 23 and turns shaft 19 to release locking members 36 thereby permitting the dispensing of coins. Turning of shaft 19 to this position also locks it in slots in the second dispenser section. A member (68) (Fig. 7, not shown) on the door prevents the sliding of part 62 and hence the locking action above unless the door is closed. A plunger 13 running in guides 39 ejects coins when reciprocated by rocking of a lever 40 which is pivoted to an arm 42 pivotable through angle a. When coins are to be dispensed a solenoid 46 is energized to pivot a lever 47 anticlockwise so that it abuts and forms a fulcrum for the lower end of lever 40. Subsequent anticlockwise movement of arm 42 causes lever 40 to pivot anticlockwise about its lower end and actuate the plunger 13. A latch 48 engages a projection 40a on lever 40 to retain lever 47 in its abutting position after de-energization of the solenoid. The upper end of lever 40 has a roller spring- retained in recess in the plunger, and the linkage disengages if the coins jam so as to prevent damaging the apparatus. When the dispenser magazine is empty a switch 54 actuates warning devices. The coins may be forced up the tube by the spring means shown or by fluid pressure. Two coin tubes are shown, each with its own dispensing mechanism.