GB864207A - Improvements in and relating to vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

864,207. Coin-freed vending apparatus. GLOSTER AIRCRAFT CO Ltd. Dec. 7, 1959 [Dec. 8, 1958], No 39469/58. Class 27 An article dispensing machine comprises a number of endless conveyers 13 arranged side-by-side and carrying openended article containers 2 in staggerec relationship, the articles falling from the containers in succession as the conveyers are simultaneously indexed to bring a container on each conveyer ir turn over a discharge aperture 19 extending across and below the group of conveyers. The belt or chain members 13 are carried over sprockets 14, 15 or shafts 16, 17 and the sprockets are displaced relatively to each other on their shafts to give the staggered relationship of the containers. The lower shaft is rotatable by an external lever handle connected to a plate 46, Fig. 9, normally prevented from moving by a latch having a projection 58 extending into a coin aperture 60. A coin in the aperture depresses the projection 58 against the action of a spring 59 and the full movement of the released plate 46 is transmitted to drive pins 36, Fig. 7, on plates 34 carried by a shaft 33 which also carries a pawl 30 and is mounted in spring-loaded members 32. The pins 36 first move across apertures 37 in the members 32 and the pawl rotates so that a projection 38 releases a latch 30a from a ratchet wheel 29 on the shaft 16 and the pins then engage the ratchet to index the shaft. The projection 38 moves clear of the arm 39 of the latch 30a, the latch engages the next tooth of the ratchet and the spring-loaded members 32 return the parts to their rest position. In an alternative arrangement, Fig. 11, a handle 74 moves a bar 76 so that a stop 77 releases a latch 72 from a ratchet wheel 71 on the shaft 16 and the end 78 of the bar then engages one of several pegs 70 on the shaft to idex the shaft, the stop 77 clearing the latch so that it engages the next tooth of the ratchet. A full-stroke pawl and ratchet 80, 81 are provided. Two plungers 76 controlling distinct groups of conveyers and having interlocking mechanism may be provided and be controlled by a single slide 82 having a coin-released latch. Brake means may be provided on the shaft 16 to prevent it rotating due to a partially unloaded conveyer or the end 78 of the bar 76 may be shaped so that the pegs will not pass when the bar is in its extended position. Cool air from a refrigerator unit is circulated by a fan and the released articles are accessible through a door 5.