JP2007316838A - Merchandise storage column for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the merchandise storage column of an automatic vending machine for preventing the disturbance of the posture of merchandise when it is dropped or stored due to recessed or projected parts without generating any recessed or projected part on the plane of the merchandise storage side of a spacer. <P>SOLUTION: A slide plate 5 is arranged at the opposite side of a merchandise storage side to a spacer 4, and the spacer 4 and the slide plate 5 are formed so that the both sides of the width direction can be engaged so as to be freely movable to the vertical direction. Thus, any recessed or projected part (for example, linking part with a link member 6) can be prevented from being formed at the merchandise storage side of the spacer 4, and the disturbance of the posture of merchandise when it is dropped or stored due to the recessed or projected part can be surely prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a product storage column of a vending machine that stores cans, bottles or beverages in plastic bottles.

Conventionally, as a product storage column of this type of vending machine, a pair of side plates facing each other with a space therebetween, a product passage formed so as to extend vertically between the side plates, and a width direction in the product passage A passage width adjustment spacer provided on one end side and extending in the vertical direction along the product passage, a slide member provided on the spacer to be movable in the vertical direction, and one end rotatably connected to one side plate. A link member rotatably connected to the slide member at the other end, and stores the product between the side plate on the other end side in the width direction of the product passage and the spacer, and moves the spacer in the width direction of the product passage. The thing which adjusted the passage width of the goods passage by moving is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1). In this commodity storage column, a long hole extending in the vertical direction is provided in the connecting piece formed by cutting up from the spacer, and the end of the link member connected to the slide member can be freely moved vertically in the long hole of the connecting piece. By connecting, the slide member and the link member are assembled to the spacer.
JP 2005-208929 A

  However, since the product storage column is formed by cutting and raising the connecting piece from the spacer, an uneven portion is formed on the surface of the spacer on the product storage side by the opening of the cut and raised portion. For this reason, the product in the product passage is disturbed in the posture when dropped or stored by the concave and convex portions of the spacer, and there is a possibility that the product is clogged or unsuccessfully carried out by storing in an inappropriate posture.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to prevent the formation of uneven portions on the product storage side of the spacer, and the posture when the product is dropped or stored by the uneven portions. An object of the present invention is to provide a product storage column for a vending machine that can prevent disturbance of the product.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pair of side plates facing each other with a space therebetween, a product passage formed so as to extend vertically between the side plates, and one end in the width direction in the product passage. A spacer for adjusting the width of the passage extending in the vertical direction along the product passage, a slide member provided on the spacer so as to be movable in the vertical direction, one end of which is rotatably connected to one side plate, and the other end A link member rotatably connected to the slide member, and stores the product between the side plate on the other end in the width direction of the product passage and the spacer, and moves the spacer in the width direction of the product passage. In a product storage column of a vending machine configured to adjust the passage width of the product passage, the slide member is disposed on the opposite side of the product storage side with respect to the spacer, and the spacer and the slide member are both disposed in the width direction. Side is formed so as to engage movably in the vertical direction.

  As a result, the slide member is arranged on the opposite side of the product storage side with respect to the spacer, and both end sides in the width direction are movably engaged with the spacer in the vertical direction. (For example, a connection part with a link member) is not formed.

  According to the present invention, since the uneven portion (for example, the connecting portion with the link member) is not formed on the product storage side of the spacer, the product posture is not disturbed by the uneven portion, and the uneven portion It is possible to reliably prevent the posture from being disturbed when the product is dropped or stored.

  1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a product storage column, FIG. 2 is a partially omitted front view, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are link members and slides. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main part, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows XX in FIG.

  The product storage column includes a pair of side plates 1 facing each other at an interval in the left-right direction, a product passage 2 formed between the side plates 1, and a plurality of arcs facing the product passage 2 in the front-rear direction. A plate 3, a passage width adjusting spacer 4 disposed on one end in the width direction in the product passage 2, a slide plate 5 provided on the spacer 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the slide plate 5 and one side plate. A plurality of link members 6 connected to 1 are provided, and the product A is stored between the side plate 1 and the spacer 4 on the other end side in the width direction of the product passage 2.

  Each side plate 1 is arranged so as to form both side surfaces of the product passage 2, and one end of each link member 6 is connected to one side plate 1.

  The product passage 2 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction, and a product carry-out mechanism 2a for dropping and carrying out the products A in the product passage 2 one by one is provided at the lower end thereof.

  Each arc plate 3 is curved so as to form a convex shape on the outer side of the product passage 2, and its upper end is rotatably supported by each side plate 1. A large number of each circular arc plate 3 is arranged in the vertical direction in front of and behind the product passage 2, and a meandering product passage 2 is formed by each circular arc plate 3.

  The spacer 4 is made of a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction of the product passage 2, and engaging portions 4 a that engage with the slide plate 5 are provided at both ends in the width direction. Each engaging portion 4 a is formed by folding both end portions of the spacer 4 into an L shape, and is formed so as to continuously extend from the upper end to the lower end of the spacer 4.

  The slide plate 5 is composed of a plate-like member disposed on one side of the spacer 4 (the surface on the opposite side to the product storage side), and both end portions in the width direction are vertically directed to the engaging portions 4a of the spacer 4, respectively. Is movably engaged. In addition, connecting pieces 5 a to which the other ends of the link members 6 are respectively connected are provided at a plurality of positions on the slide plate 5. The connecting pieces 5 a are formed so as to protrude to the opposite side of the spacer 4 by cutting and raising a part of the slide plate 5, and a pair of connection pieces 5 a are provided at intervals in the width direction of the slide plate 5. The connecting piece 5a is formed in a vertically long substantially square shape, and a connecting hole 5b for connecting the link member 6 is provided at the center in the vertical direction. A cutout portion 5c through which the link member 6 can be inserted in the width direction is provided at the leading end of the connecting piece 5a in the protruding direction, and the cutout portion 5c is disposed at the center in the vertical direction of the connecting piece 5a. Further, on both ends of the slide plate 5 in the width direction, protrusions 5d protruding toward the spacer 4 are provided so as to extend in the vertical direction. The slide plate 5 has only the protrusions 5d on the surface facing the spacer 4. It is formed to contact.

  The link member 6 is a plate-like member, and one end of the link member 6 is rotatably connected to one side plate 1 via a shaft 6a. On the other end side of the link member 6, a connecting portion 6b extending from one end side in the width direction of the link member 6 toward the other end side is provided, and the connecting portion 6b is inserted into the connecting hole 5b of the slide plate 5. ing. Further, the link member 6 is provided with a protrusion 6c that protrudes toward the connecting portion 6b by a length L1 on the other side in the width direction, and the protruding portion 6c is predetermined in the longitudinal direction of the link member 6 between the connecting portion 6b. They are provided at an interval L2. In this case, the interval L2 is narrower than the shortest distance L3 between the opening edge of the connecting hole 5b in the protruding direction of the connecting piece 5a and the leading edge of the connecting piece 5a, and the opening edge of the connecting hole 5b in the same direction and the notch 5b. It is formed wider than the shortest distance L4 from the bottom of the.

  In the product storage column configured as described above, when the width adjusting mechanism 8 provided on the product input port 7 side is moved in the width direction in accordance with the width of the stored product A, the spacer 4 together with the width adjusting mechanism 8 is The space between the side plates 1 is moved in the width direction, and the width of the product passage 2 is set according to the size of the product A. That is, the spacer 4 is supported by each link member 6, and the spacer 4 moves in the width direction while maintaining a parallel state with respect to the side plate 1 by the rotation of each link member 6 and the vertical movement of the slide plate 5. At that time, the slide plate 5 is disposed on the opposite side of the product storage side with respect to the spacer 4, and both sides in the width direction are supported by the respective engaging portions 4a of the spacer 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. An uneven portion (for example, a connecting portion with the link member 6) is not formed on the product storage side of the spacer 4.

  When the other end of the link member 6 is connected to the slide plate 5 during the assembly of the product storage column, the connection portion 6b of the link member 6 is connected to the connection piece 5a of the slide plate 5 as shown in FIG. Insert into hole 5b. At that time, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the connecting member 6b is connected to the connecting hole 5b at one end of the link member 6 in the width direction at a predetermined rotation position of the link member 6 (direction in which the link member 6 is orthogonal to the slide plate 5). 7 to the other end side, the protruding portion 6c of the link member 6 moves to the outside in the width direction of the connecting piece 5a while passing through the notch 5c of the connecting piece 5a. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line, the link member 6 is connected to the slide plate 5 by rotating the link member 6 to another rotation position (a position where the notch 5c does not exist). Thereby, even if the link member 6 is moved in the width direction, the projecting portion 6c is locked to a portion of the connecting piece 5a where the notch portion 5c does not exist, so that the link member 6 does not come off the slide plate 5. .

  Thus, according to the product storage column of the present embodiment, the slide plate 5 is disposed on the opposite side of the product storage side with respect to the spacer 4, and the spacer 4 and the slide plate 5 are arranged so that both end sides in the width direction are in the vertical direction. Since it is formed so as to be movably engaged, an uneven portion (for example, a connecting portion with the link member 6) is not formed on the product storage side of the spacer 4, and the product A is dropped or stored by the uneven portion. It is possible to reliably prevent the posture from being disturbed.

  Further, a pair of engaging portions 4a extending in the vertical direction are formed by bending both ends of the spacer 4 in the width direction, and the spacer 4 and the slide plate 5 are vertically movable by the engaging portions 4a. Since they are combined, each engaging portion 4a becomes a reinforcing portion against the bending deformation of the spacer 4, and the bending of the spacer 4 can be prevented. Note that the spacer 4 and the slide plate 5 may be engaged by providing a similar engagement portion on the slide plate 5.

  Further, since the protrusion 5d extending in the vertical direction is provided on the surface of the slide plate 5 facing the spacer 4, only the protrusion 5d contacts the surface of the spacer 4 and the slide plate 5, so that the spacer The frictional resistance due to the contact between 4 and the slide plate 5 can be reduced, and the slide plate 5 can be smoothly slid with respect to the spacer 4.

  Further, the connecting piece 5a of the slide plate 5 and the connecting portion 6b of the link member 6 are allowed to be inserted into the connecting hole 5b at a predetermined rotation position of the link member 6, Since the connecting portion 6b is formed so that the movement of the link member 6 from the other end side in the width direction to the one end side is restricted at the rotation position, when connecting the slide plate 5 and the link member 6, it is like a split pin. In addition, no separate parts are required, and post-processing after retaining is not required, and the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced.

  In this case, by inserting the protruding portion 6c of the link member 6 into the cutout portion 5c of the connecting piece 5a in the width direction, insertion of the connecting portion 6b into the connecting hole 5b is allowed at a predetermined rotation position of the link member 6. Since the protruding portion 6c is locked in the width direction at a portion where the notch portion 5c does not exist, the movement of the connecting portion 6b in the width direction is restricted at the other rotation position of the link member 6. The slide plate 5 and the link member 6 can be reliably connected with a simple structure.

  FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a first reinforcing portion 5e and a second reinforcing portion 5f extending in the vertical direction are provided on the slide plate 5. As shown in FIG. That is, the first reinforcing portion 5e is formed by bending a part of the slide plate 5 so that the cross section is uneven in the thickness direction, and the second reinforcing portion 5f is the both ends of the slide plate 5 in the width direction. Are each folded in the thickness direction.

  Thereby, since the bending deformation of the slide plate 5 can be suppressed by the reinforcing portions 5e and 5f, the slide plate 5 can be prevented from bending. Only one of the first reinforcing portion 5e and the second reinforcing portion 5f may be provided.

  FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a rotation restricting portion 5g for restricting the rotation of the link member 6 at a predetermined position is integrally provided on the connecting piece 5a of the slide plate 5. FIG. That is, the rotation restricting portion 5g is formed by extending the upper part of the connecting piece 5a in the protruding direction of the connecting piece 5a, and the link restricting member 5g is positioned above the position substantially orthogonal to the slide plate 5 by the turning restricting portion 5g. Rotation to is restricted.

  As a result, the rotation of the link member 6 can be restricted within a predetermined range, and the rotation restricting portion 5g is provided integrally with the connecting piece 5a. Therefore, it is necessary to add another component for restricting the rotation. Therefore, the structure can be simplified.

  10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The link member 9 shown in the figure has a first connecting portion 9a and a second connecting portion 9b that extend from one end side in the width direction to the other end side of the link member 9, respectively. It is connected to one connecting piece 5 a of the slide plate 5, and the second connecting portion 9 b is connected to the other connecting piece 5 a of the slide plate 5. In addition, the other end side in the width direction of the link member 9 (the first connecting portion 9a side) is provided with a protruding portion 9c that protrudes toward the first connecting portion 9a as in the above-described embodiment. Further, the first reinforcing portion 5e of the slide plate 5 is provided with a notch portion 5h through which one end side in the width direction of the link member 9 (the second connecting portion 9b side) can be inserted when the link member 9 is connected. It has been. Thereby, since the link member 9 can be connected to the slide plate 5 by the two connecting portions 9a and 9b, the strength of the connecting portion of the link member 9 can be increased as compared with the case where one connecting portion is provided. .

  12 and 13 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a plurality of engagement pieces 5 i that engage with one engagement portion 4 a in the width direction of the spacer 4 are provided at one end in the width direction of the slide plate 5 at intervals in the vertical direction. A plurality of notches 4b through which the engaging pieces 5i of the slide plate 5 can be inserted are provided at the same distance as the engaging pieces 5i in the bent portion of the joint portion 4a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, after engaging the other end in the width direction of the slide plate 5 with the other engagement portion 4 a in the width direction of the spacer 4, each engagement piece 5 i on one end side in the width direction of the slide plate 5. Is inserted into each notch portion 4b on one side in the width direction of the spacer 4, and the slide plate 5 can be assembled to the spacer 4 by shifting the slide plate 5 in the vertical direction with respect to the spacer 4. Assembling work 5 can be easily performed.

The schematic side view of the goods storage column which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Product storage column partially omitted front view Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the connection structure between the link member and the slide plate Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the connection structure between the link member and the slide plate The principal part perspective view which shows the connection structure of a link member and a slide board The principal part disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of a link member and a slide board XX sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. The principal part plane sectional view showing the connection structure of the link member and slide board in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. The principal part perspective view which shows the connection structure of the link member and slide board in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The principal part plane sectional view showing the connection structure of the link member and slide board in a 4th embodiment of the present invention. The principal part plane sectional view showing the connection structure of the link member and slide board in a 4th embodiment of the present invention. The principal part disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the link member and slide plate in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. Plane sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the assembly | attachment process of the link member and slide plate in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Side plate, 2 ... Product path, 4 ... Spacer, 4a ... Engagement part, 4b ... Notch, 5 ... Slide plate, 5a ... Connection piece, 5b ... Connection hole, 5c ... Notch part, 5d ... Projection part 5e ... 1st reinforcement part, 5f ... 2nd reinforcement part, 5g ... Turning control part, 5h ... Notch part, 5i ... Engagement piece, 6 ... Link member, 6b ... Connection part, 6c ... Projection part , 9 ... Link member, 9a ... 1st connection part, 9b ... 2nd connection part, A ... Goods.

Claims (10)

A pair of side plates opposed to each other at intervals, a product passage formed so as to extend in the vertical direction between the side plates, and provided on one end side in the width direction in the product passage, and extend in the vertical direction along the product passage A spacer for adjusting the passage width, a slide member provided on the spacer so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a link having one end rotatably connected to one side plate and the other end rotatably connected to the slide member. The product is housed between the side plate on the other end in the width direction of the product passage and the spacer, and the passage width of the product passage is adjusted by moving the spacer in the width direction of the product passage. In the product storage column of vending machines,
The slide member is arranged on the opposite side of the product storage side with respect to the spacer, and the spacer and the slide member are formed so that both end sides in the width direction are movably engaged with each other in the vertical direction. Product storage column. By bending one end in the width direction of the spacer and the slide member, a pair of engagement portions extending in the vertical direction is formed, and the spacer and the slide member can be moved and slid in the vertical direction by the engagement portions. The product storage column of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the product storage column is engaged with the product. An engagement piece that engages with one engagement portion in the width direction of the spacer is provided at one end in the width direction of the slide plate, and a cut portion through which the engagement piece of the slide plate can be inserted into a bent portion of the one engagement portion of the spacer. The product storage column of a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein a notch is provided. The protrusions extending in the vertical direction are provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the spacer and the slide member, and the opposing surfaces of the spacer and the slide member are formed such that only the protrusions contact each other. Product storage column of vending machine according to 1, 2 or 3. The commodity storage column of the vending machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the slide member is provided with a reinforcing portion whose cross section is uneven in the thickness direction so as to extend in the vertical direction. The vending machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the slide member is provided with a reinforcing portion formed by folding the end portion in the width direction in the thickness direction so as to extend in the vertical direction. Product storage column of the machine. A link portion extending from one end side in the width direction of the link member toward the other end side is provided on the other end side of the link member,
The slide member is provided with a connecting piece to which the other end of the link member is rotatably connected, and a connecting portion of the link member can be inserted into the connecting piece from one end side in the width direction of the link member to the other end side. A connecting hole,
The connecting piece and the connecting portion are allowed to be inserted into the connecting hole at a predetermined rotational position of the link member, and the connecting portion is connected from the other end in the width direction of the link member at other rotational positions of the link member. The product storage column for a vending machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the movement to the one end side is restricted. Providing a projecting portion projecting to the connecting portion side on the other end side in the width direction of the link member,
By allowing the connecting piece of the slide member to pass through the notch provided at a predetermined position of the slide member in the width direction of the link member, insertion of the connecting portion into the connecting hole is allowed at a predetermined rotation position of the link member. Then, by locking the protruding portion in the width direction at the portion where the notch portion does not exist, the connecting portion restricts the movement of the link member from the other end side in the width direction to the one end side at the other rotation position of the link member. The product storage column of the vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the product storage column is formed as described above. The product storage column of a vending machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a rotation restricting portion for restricting the rotation of the link member at a predetermined position is provided integrally with the connecting piece of the slide member. 10. A pair of connecting pieces of the slide member are provided in a width direction, and connecting portions connected to the connecting pieces are provided on one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the link member, respectively. Product storage column for vending machines.

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