GB344361A - Improvements in or relating to coin-controlled vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

344,361. Coin-freed apparatus. GREENWALL, M., Long Copse, Bookham, Surrey. Dec. 3, 1929, No. 37038. [Class 27.] Delivery of articles stored in piles.-Articles are delivered in turn by a recessed delivery cylinder from at least two hoppers, which are mounted for movement above the cylinder, the arrangement being such that, at each operation of the machine, the cylinder is rotated to deliver an article from one of its pockets and to receive in another pocket an article from one of the hoppers, the hoppers being moved at each operation to bring one into, and another out of, position for delivering the bottom article therein to a pocket of the delivery cylinder. In one arrangement, two hoppers only may be mounted above the pockets of the delivery cylinder, one being moved into and the other out of position above a pocket at each actuation of the machine. In the form illustrated, the hopper group comprises two sets of double hoppers 12f, 12r, Fig. 1, and is suspended to swing on a pivot 13 supported by brackets 14. One pair of hoppers is arranged behind the other longitudinally of the delivery cylinder which is rotated step by step on a spindle 15a and is provided with two sets of pockets 25a .. 25d, 26a .. 26d arranged in staggered relationship. A plate 16 moving as one with the delivery cylinder is formed with a cam groove 17, Fig. 3, which rocks the hopper group about the pivot 13 at alternate movements of the delivery cylinder through a bell-crank lever 18 having a projection 23 on one arm engaging the cam groove. The other arm is connected by a link 21 to a supporting link 22, the link 21 engaging a pin 22a on the hopper group. The cylinder is rotated through one-eighth of a revolution at a time by a spring-plunger 31, Fig. 6, engaging a ratchet wheel 28, and mounted on a spring-controlled drive member 30, which works between two stops 40, 41 and is actuated by an operating member after the insertion of a coin. Backward rotation of the cylinder is prevented by a pawl 42 engaging the ratchet wheel 28, and in authorized forward rotation by a pawl 44 engaging a second ratchet wheel 27 provided with inversely inclined teeth. A cam 46 on the member 30 engages a pin 47 on the pawl 44 to disengage this pawl, when the member 30 is moved to rotate the cylinder. Shelf members 33, 34 extend between the hoppers and the cylinder, leaving a space equal to the width of one hopper for a packet to fall into a pocket on the cylinder. Shelf extensions 35, 36 prevent a packet from falling to a delivery opening 38 until it reaches a position 26d. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the bottom packet in the front hopper 12f of the second set has passed to the pocket 25a. At the next actuation of the machine, the bottom packet of the front hopper 12f of the first set will pass to the pocket 26b, the packets in the other hoppers being held up by the shelf 34 and the plain portion of the cylinder between the pockets 25a, 25b. Upon the following operation, the hoppers will be rocked and a packet will fall in succession from the rear hoppers, the hoppers being rocked at each alternate movement of the cylinder. There may be more than two hoppers in each set. Specification 329,279, [Class 27, Coin-freed apparatus &c.], is referred to.