GB1307921A - Coinfreed vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1307921 Coin-freed vending machines AUTONUMIS Ltd 19 April 1971 [18 March 1970] 12934/70 Heading G4V A coin-freed vending machine comprises a coinreceiving member 66 mounted on a common shaft 64 with one or more article dispensing units, the inserted coin or coins acting as cams on latch means 61 to free the shaft for rotation and permit actuation of dispenser means for delivery of an article. Locating means (16), (Figs. 1, 13, not shown), are provided for the dispensing units enabling them to be readily laterally repositioned to accommodate different article sizes. Coin-action.-Inserted coins are received in a pocket 58 in a coin-counting block (57) that is removably positioned in the element 66 (Figs. 8 to 10, not shown). A plate (59) may be inserted in the pocket to restrict the number of coins required. On initial rotation of the shaft 74 the coins act on dogs 61 to lift them above stops 64 and permit further rotation of the shaft. Dispensing mechanism.-In one embodiment each dispenser unit comprises an arm 76 loosely mounted on shaft 74 and operatively coupled thereto by means of pins 80 riding in cut-out segments in sleeves 78. Each arm carries a pull knob 41 and spindle 52, non- return pawl and ratchet means 82 and a counterweighted pivoted paddle 92. After insertion of the appropriate coinage the knob 41 is first pulled until the paddle 92 engages the front of a packet and then pushed to deliver the packet into a delivery shoot. In another embodiment (Figs. 14 to 16, not shown), the coin-receiving element (66a) is fixedly mounted on a square shaft. Preventing actuation of more than one dispensing unit.-In the first embodiment each arm 76 has a knife-edge 88 that on pulling of the delivery knob 41 enters between locking bars 90 moving them laterally and hence preventing actuation of other units. In the second embodiment knife-edges (88a) are arranged to enter the gap between locking blocks (112) slidably carried in a guide rail (114). Preventing actuation when machine empty.-A weight (44) rests on the top of each pile of articles and when sold out the weight depresses a lever (47) into engagement with a notch 50 in spindle 52 (Fig. 4, not shown) or alternatively (Fig. 13, not shown) presses the lower end (108) of a spring-loaded bar (102) into engagement with the notch 50. Coin-return.-A sliding block (69) attached to a spindle 68 is provided to return coins by pushing them out of the pocket 58 when the spindle 68 is pulled (Figs. 5 to 7, not shown). The block (69) and element (66) co-operate to prevent coin return if a dispenser unit is actuated.