GB2175574A - Video cassette dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A video cassette-dispensing machine (10), which takes money or credit, comprises a cabinet (11) and means (15) for storing a substantial number of different varieties of video cassettes within the cabinet (11), with one or more windows (13) in the front of the cabinet so that the actual video cassettes (12) being dispensed can be seen, means for establishing credit for issue of a cassette, means (14) for selecting a cassette and means (29) for dispensing the selected cassette.

Description

SPECIFICATION Video cassette dispensing machine This invention relates to a video cassette dispensing machine.

With the growth of the market for recorded video film cassettes and the emergence of numerous distribution companies ("discoteques") there is no shortage of attempts to automise the issuing of cassettes and to thereby render it independent of place and business hours of opening. Since it is here predominently a question of hire and not of sale there arise, in contrast to a normal automated sale, special questions regarding payment of deposit, registration of the date of issue (cassette number, customer number, time of issue), release and restriction of the number of withdrawals. For the most part, this results in the necessity for registered membership in a club, whose members receive limited access to the vending machine via appropriate means (magnetic card, key, tokens etc). There are also extensive proposals to automise the returns.

For the automated issuing of cassettes, it is in principle possible to utilise conventional and established mechanisms, for example cigarette machine technology, in which the various types are each piled on top of one another to form stacks, which leads to a large total capacity with a comparatively small diversity of types. However, this would not conform to marketing practice for video film cassette, since in this case the possibility of selection and the sale or hire stimulus arises mainly as a result of observing the illustrations on the cassette cases. Cassettes which are not seen in the original, are rarely selected. The solution whereby a copy of the illustration is provided for each of the cassettes in supply and attached to the outside thereof would be complicated and would have to ensure that the illustration of a cassette which is no longer in supply is not still shown.Furthermore, the large capacity with relatively low diversity of type typical of cigarette machines is also not well suited for the video market since the latter requires a larger diversity of supply but in each case only a few copies with the same content.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine for dispensing a selection of video cassettes for money or credit, comprising a cabinet, means for storing a substantial member of different varieties of video cassettes within the cabinet in such a way that at least one cassette of each variety and/or an associated cassette cover or jacket are or can be displayed through one or more windows of the cabinet, means for establishing credit for issue of a selected variety of cassette, means for making a selection between the different varieties of video cassettes, and means for dispensing a cassette of a selected variety upon credit being established and selection being made.

Preferably the cassette storing means comprises a relatively large number of stores each adapted to store a relatively small number of cassettes in such a way that all of said stores simultaneously can each display a cassette or the associated cover or jacket through the one or more windows. A single sufficiently large window is preferred for the display.

The stores are preferably arrayed in horizontal rows and/or vertical columns. Each store may be adapted to store its relatively small number of cassettes in a stack so that an end cassette of the stack, or the associated cover or jacket, is displayed, each store comprising a resilient device to act upon the stack so as to urge the said end cassette of the stack against stop means adapted to permit the display thereof.

Each cassette may be stored so that the cassette is tilted back from a front of the cabinet, the one or more windows being provided in the front of the cabinet.

The machine may have under-supports each adapted to be withdrawn to release a selected cassette, with solenoids for operating the under-supports.

The machine is preferably adapted for a selected cassette to descend towards an outlet and is adapted to slow down the descent so as to cause the cassette to arrive at the outlet gently. For example there may be two members arranged for the cassette to descend between them with a wedging action, causing movement of at least one said member away from the other, to slow down the descent.

The machine may have means to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette for a sufficient period of time after selection of a first cassette for the first cassette to arrive at a predetermined location, and means provided to detect arrival, at said predetermined location, of the first cassette to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette except upon establishment of further credit.

For the purposes of hire the machine should have means for enabling a user to be identified and to record the user's identity and the identity of the dispensed cassette as well as the date of issue.

To put the invention into practice, one possibility would be an adaption of the known "spiral' machine, which is a machine of large height, depth and width in which a large number (for example 16 or 25) of horizontal spirals are visible through a display window, the spirals being individually actuated by motors after an associated selector button has been pressed and then executing a turn in each case during which goods disposed between the spiral windings move forward in the direction towards the customer, the contents of the foremost turn then falling into a delivery compartment. This principle allows for a wide range of goods with different dimensions.This wide range is not an essential feature in the case of cassettes, which are almost geometrically identical, whilst on the other hand the cost of the spirals and motor drive is rather high and the appearance of the spiral turns itself has an undesirable effect on the optical presentation. Similar objections relating to presentation, diversity of type or technical cost also speak against conventional drop shutter machines, drum machines or partition machines.

It therefore seems expedient to produce a vending machine which is adapted to the special features of the video film market, i.e., a large illuminated presentation as on shelves of a plurality of cassettes, but only one or two cassettes each having the same content, a simple, economical, service-friendly selection and delivery mechanism providing soft landing of the dispensed cassettes to avoid damage and allow easy refilling.A preferred embodiment of the invention is a machine comprising a cabinet of for example 2 metres in height and 1 metre in width, which allows a plurality of illuminated video film cassettes disposed as on shelves next to one another and above one another to be viewed through a large display window, each cassette position being characterised by a serial number or letters, a push-key panel with the same serial number or inscription being provided next to the display window for the selection of the chosen cassette. An input slot is provided for tokens, magnetic card, coins etc., to activate a credit relay selection release.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates the above-mentioned preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the machine of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a modification.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a machine 10 for dispensing a selection of video cassettes for money or credit, comprising a cabinet 11, means for storing a substantial member of different varieties of video cassettes 12 within the cabinet 11 in such a way that at least one cassette 12 of each variety, normally in an associated cassette cover or jacket, is displayed through a large window 13 in the front of the cabinet 11, means (not shown) for establishing credit for issue of a selected variety of cassette, a row of buttons 14 for making a selection between the different varieties of video cassettes, and means for dispensing a cassette of a selected variety upon credit being established and selection being made.

The cassette storing means comprises a relatively large number of stores 15 each adapted to store a single cassette 12 in such a way that all of said stores 15 simultaneously can each display the cassette 12 (or the associated cover or jacket) through the window 13. The stores 15 are arrayed in horizontal rows and vertical columns.

Each store 15 comprises a substantially L-shaped support plate 16. the top end 16a of which is hooked as shown through an aperture 17 in a fixed frame 18 so that the support plate 16 can pivot thereon. A portion 19 of support plate 16 forms an under-support for the cassette 12, whilst a portion 20 of the fixed frame 18 supports the back of the cassette 12, the support plate portion 19 projecting forwardly through an aperture 21 in the frame portion 20.

To cause the release of a selected cassette 12, each store 15 comprises a solenoid 22 formed by a fixed electromagnet 23 and axially movable armature 24, the armature being pivoted at 25 to a bracket 26 on the support plate 16. The pivot at 25 is formed by a screw or pivot pin projecting from the armature 24 through an oblong hole in the bracket 26, the oblong hole accommodating the pivotal movement of the support plate 16 to the linear movement of the armature 24. A compression spring 27 biases the support plate 16 forwardly to provide under-support for the cassette.

Energisation of the solenoid causes the support plate 16 to pivot rearwardly, withdrawing support plate portion 19 out from underneath the cassette 12 so that the cassette falls. A stop 28 in the solenoid limits the rearward pivoting of support plate 16.

Each cassette 12 is stored so that the cassette is tilted back from the front of the cabinet 11. The tilting back of the cassette 12 is due to the angles to the horizontal and vertical respectively of support plate portion 19 and frame portion 20. Because the bottom of each cassette 12 is clear of (that is, further forward than) the top of the cassette 12 immediately below it, any selected cassette 12 can, when released by rearward pivoting of its associated support plate 16, fall relatively freely down to an outlet 29 at the bottom of the cabinet 11. The tilting back of the cassettes 12 helps to prevent anyone from fraudently or accidentally obtaining a cassette 12 by merely tipping the machine 10 forward.

An important requirement is a soft landing of the falling cassette 12. Even if the cassettes, which are usually sufficiently protected by their jackets or covers, do not easily incurr actual damage on impact, heavy loud impacts of the (expensive) cassettes must be avoided in any case for psychological reasons. To this end there is a deceleration system in which the cassette wedges itself whilst falling between two plates 34, 35 which are inclined at an angle in relation to each other, of which the plate 34 can be pivoted about pivot 36 by the falling cassette 12. In the stationary position, the plate 34 is maintained at an angle in relation to plate 35 by a restoring moment, which is so small that even the weight of a stationary cassette 12 would be sufficient to separate the plates 34 and 35 and thereby free the way downwards. A falling cassette must overcome the moment of inertia of the plate 34. The material of the plate 34 and 35 is shock absorbing and elastically somewhat yielding. A considerable portion of the energy of the falling cassette is expended by the frictional slipping during the parting of the plates 34, and 35 by conversion into kinetic energy of the opening plate 34, resulting in a quiet and gentle landing. If an empty cassette store 15 is erroneously selected, an electrical sensor (not shown) is effective to detect the non-pivoting of the plate 34.

If there is a danger of the machine 10 being severely shaken or tipped forward, the machine may be modified by provision of a respective support (not shown) in front of each cassette 12. A support of this type should influence the clear view of the cassette as little as possible and should therefore be either transparent or consist of a thin horizontal wire stretched transversely in front of each row of cassettes.

Electrical circuitry (not shown) within the machine 10 has means whereby, according to known technology, an electrical signal is fed in from outside (triggered by magnetic card, data key, coin, token, personal code or similar means). This signal leads to the generation of credit within the unit, which lasts long enough for a selected cassette to have physically dropped down to the outlet. (Erroneous selection of an empty store does not therefore lead to loss of credit).

Reciprocal key locking in known manner prevents the simultaneous selection of more than one cassette. Manipulation by selections in rapid succession is prevented by electromagnetic key locking, which lasts for a certain minimum period of time irrespective of the length of time the key is pressed. At the same time this also prevents the cassette support plate 16 (16') from swinging back into the starting position before the falling cassette is completely out of the way as a result of too short a magnetic activation. If erroneous selection of an empty store 15 results in non-pivoting of plate 34 (see above) within the expected time, credit is maintained for a fresh selection to be made.Thus, means (not shown) are provided to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette for a sufficient period of time after selection of a first cassette for the first cassette to arrive at a predetermined location and means are also provided to detect arrival at said predetermined location of the first cassette to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette except upon establishment of further credit.

Means (not shown) of known type (for example, responsive to inserting of plastic identity cards) is provided for enabling a user to be identified and to record the user's identity and the identity of the dispensed cassette as well as the date of issue.

Although different stores 15 may hold cassettes 12 of the same title, greater choice for the user is obtained if all the titles are different.

In the modification of Figure 3, each store 15' can hold up to two cassettes 12 (preferably of the same title). To this end, the under-support portion 19' is longer than the corresponding portion 19 of Figure 2. Furthermore, a spring 30 is mounted to the fixed frame portion 20' and acts upon a movable back-rest 31 to push any single cassette 12 as shown into a forward position ready for release. (Obviously each store can be adapted to take even three or more cassettes 12 if desired.) In this modification a front support 32 is provided as shown for each row of cassettes 12, the front support 32 being transparent or otherwise adapted not to obscure each front cassette 12 from view. A stop 33 on frame 18' limits rearward pivoting of support plate 16', the effect being that only the front cassette 12 is released each time. The support plate 16' is made to pivot forwardly again quickly enough after a front cassette 12 has been released to prevent the next cassette from also being released. This requires de-energisation of the solenoid 22' quickly to follow its energisation.

Claims (13)

1. A machine for dispensing a selection of video cassettes for money or credit, comprising a cabinet, means for storing a substantial member of different varieties of video cassettes within the cabinet in such a way that at least one cassette of each variety and/or an associated cassette cover or jacket are or can be displayed through one or more windows of the cabinet, means for establishing credit for issue of a selected variety of cassette, means for making a selection between the different varieties of video cassettes, and means for dispensing a cassette of a selected variety upon credit being established and selection being made.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cassette storing means comprises a relatively large number of stores each adapted to store a relatively small number of cassettes in such a way that all of said stores simultaneously can each display a cassette or the associated cover or jacket through the one or more windows.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein a single sufficiently large window is provided for the display.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said stores are arrayed in horizontal rows and/or vertical columns.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein each store is adapted to stores its relatively small number of cassettes in a stack so that an end cassette of the stack, or the associated cover or jacket, is displayed.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein each store comprises a resilient device to act upon the stack so as to urge the said end cassette of the stack against stop means adapted to permit the display thereof.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein each cassette is stored so that the cassette is tilted back from a front of the cabinet, the one or more windows being provided in the front of the cabinet.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein under-supports are each adapted to be withdrawn to release a selected cassette.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein solenoids are provided for operating the under-supports.

10. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the machine is adapted for a selected cassette to descend towards an outlet and is adapted to slow down the descent so as to cause the cassette to arrive at the outlet gently.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein two members are arranged for the cassette to descend between them with a wedging action, causing movement of at least one said member away from the other, to slow down the descent.

12. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein means are provided to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette for a sufficient period of time after selection of a first cassette for the first cassette to arrive at a predetermined location and wherein means are provided to detect arrival at said predetermined location of the first cassette to prevent selection and dispensing of a second cassette except upon establishment of further credit.

13. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein means is provided for enabling a user to be identified and to record the user's identity and the identity of the dispensed cassette as well as the date of issue.