JP3423121B2 - Vending machine product storage device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product storage device for a vending machine, in which a meandering product storage passage is formed in a portion surrounded by a pair of left and right side wall plates and a pair of front and rear meandering wall plates, and particularly, the side wall plates are opposed to each other. The present invention relates to a product storage device of an automatic vending machine, in which a space is defined by a space regulating member installed on the space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are a side view and a front view of a product storage device which is widely used in automatic vending machines for selling products such as canned drinks and bottled drinks. The product storage device 1 includes a pair of left and right side wall plates 2 that are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, a pair of front and rear meandering wall plates 3 that are spaced apart from each other between both side wall plates 2, and both sides. It is composed of a plurality of spacing regulating members 4 installed between the wall plates 2,
A meandering product storage passage 5 is formed in a portion surrounded by each wall plate. Incidentally, as the meandering wall plate 3, there is a meandering wall plate 3 which is formed by continuously arranging curved plate 3a having a unit shape in the vertical direction as shown in the figure, and a single plate having a similar meandering curved surface.

Products such as canned drinks and bottled drinks to be sold are laterally put into the aisle through the upper opening of the product storage aisle 5 and stacked and stored in the aisle while being in the horizontal state. At the lower opening of the product storage passage 5, a product carry-out device 6 and a carry-out port width regulating plate 7 are arranged so as to face each other, and the lowest product in the path is dropped and carried out one by one by the operation of the product carry-out device 6. .

The distance regulating member 4 has a role of connecting the side wall plates 2 to each other and a function of defining a facing distance t of the side wall plates 2. Below, referring to FIG.
A conventional interval regulating member shown in Japanese Patent No. 46885 will be described.

The space restricting member 11 has a pipe-like shape as a whole, and an end part is provided with an insertion restricting portion 11a formed by deforming a part of its peripheral surface to the outside. A locking piece 11c having an inclined side 11b on the side of the insertion restricting portion 11a is formed by cutting the periphery of the peripheral surface closer to the edge than the insertion restricting portion 11a. On the other hand, the side wall plate 2 has a circular mounting hole 2 that matches the outer diameter of the distance regulating member 11.
a is formed.

[0006] Now, the procedure for connecting the side wall plates 2 by means of the distance regulating member 11 will be described. First, one end of the space regulating member 11 is inserted into the mounting hole 2a formed in the side wall plate 2 correspondingly from the side wall plate inner surface side, and the side wall plate inner surface is brought into contact with the insertion regulating portion 11a. Next, while maintaining the above contact state, the locking piece 11c protruding toward the outer surface of the side wall plate is deformed outward so that the inclined side 11b of the locking piece 11c is pressed against the outer surface of the side wall plate, and the insertion restricting portion is formed. The side wall plate 2 is sandwiched between 11a and the locking side 11c. The other end of the distance regulating member 11 is also connected to the side wall plate 2 in the same procedure.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above conventional one,
Since it is necessary to deform the locking piece 11c to the outside with one end of the distance restriction member 11 inserted in the circular mounting hole 2a, the distance restriction member 11 is deformed when deforming the locking piece 11c.
The rotation itself interferes with the rotation of the locking piece 11
There is a problem that the connecting work cannot be performed as desired due to the deformation of c.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a product storage device for a vending machine, which can easily and reliably connect the side wall plates to each other by means of the space regulating member. Especially.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 arranges meandering wall plates at a front and rear interval between side wall plates opposed to each other through a plurality of interval regulating members. in fact, the product storage apparatus of a vending machine obtained by forming a meandering product storage passage in a portion surrounded by the wall plate, the space restricting member forms a pipe-shaped, inner and outer surfaces in the both end edges of their a plurality of inserts curvature equal are formed at intervals about the axial center extension line as the center of curvature of each other coincides with the axis extension line of the space restricting member, each insert piece
Is an inclined locking groove having a groove width corresponding to the wall thickness of the side wall plate
Toward the one side base portion of the pixel on the other side it is formed, one
On the other hand, in the side wall plate, a plurality of insertion holes matching the end face shapes of the plurality of insertion pieces formed at both end edges of the interval regulating member.
There are formed, the space restricting member is space restricting collectively inserted into a plurality of insertion holes formed in the side wall plate Correspondingly a plurality of insertion pieces formed on the edge of the space restricting member an edge member brought into contact with the side wall plate inner surface, then bite into the locking groove portion of <br/> each insert is rotated in a predetermined direction the space restricting member about its axial line in the side wall plate to Rukoto to
It is characterized in that it is locked to the side wall plate . In addition, the invention of claim 2 includes a plurality of interval regulating members.
Between the side wall plates that are placed opposite to each other with a space in front and back.
By arranging row wall boards, the parts surrounded by each wall board
Vending machine products that form a meandering product storage passage
In the storage device, the interval regulating member has a pipe shape.
However, there are multiple insert pieces with equal inner and outer surface curvatures on both edges.
The center of curvature of each other coincides with the axial extension line of the spacing control member
Are formed at intervals around the axis extension line so that each
The insert piece has a slant with a groove width corresponding to the wall thickness of the side wall plate.
The locking groove is formed from its one side base to the other side.
On the other hand, on both sides of the side wall plate,
A plurality that matches the end face shape of the inserts formed on the edge
The insertion hole of the
Corresponds to multiple insert pieces formed on the edge of the regulating member
And then insert them all together into the multiple insertion holes formed in the side wall plate.
Abutting the edge of the interval regulating member against the inner surface of the side wall plate, and then
Deform one side part of each insertion piece to the outside and
By engaging the wall plate, it is locked to the side wall plate.
It is characterized by

According to the present invention, the plurality of insertion pieces formed on the end edges of the distance regulating member are collectively inserted from the inner surface of the side wall plate into the plurality of insertion holes formed in the side wall plate corresponding to the insertion pieces. When the end edge of the spacing regulating member comes into contact with the inner surface, the spacing regulating member is rotated in a predetermined direction around its axis, or one side portion of each insertion piece is deformed to the outside. The locking groove portions of the pieces are bite into the side wall plates to lock them, whereby the side wall plates can be connected to each other via the space regulating member.

[0011]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a gap regulating member and a side wall plate in a state before locking, and FIG. The partial perspective view of the space | interval control member and side wall board in the state before locking is shown, respectively. Since the basic structure of the side wall plate is the same as the conventional one, the same reference numeral (2) as that in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used here, and the description thereof is omitted.

The interval regulating member 21 is in the form of a pipe as a whole, and three insert pieces 21b of the same shape having the same inner and outer surface curvatures are provided at both end edges 21a thereof. It is formed at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) around the axis extension line so as to coincide with the axis extension line. Further, each insertion piece 21b has a groove width corresponding to the wall thickness of the side wall plate from one side base portion to the other side, and has a width of 2 in the front end direction.
A locking groove 21c that is inclined about 0 degrees is formed. The formation positions and angles of the engagement grooves 21c at both ends of the pipe are symmetrical so that the desired engagement can be achieved by rotating the interval regulating member 21 in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, the side wall plate 2 is formed with three insertion holes 2b that match the end face shapes of the three insertion pieces 21b formed at both end edges of the interval regulating member 21.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, the interval regulating member 21 has a notch Ka formed in the end of a rectangular plate K having a predetermined size by punching so as to obtain an insert piece and a locking groove. It can be easily manufactured by folding it into a circle.

Now, a procedure for connecting the side wall plates 2 by the distance regulating member 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First, the three insert pieces 21b formed on both end edges of the space regulating member 21 are respectively formed on the side wall plates 2 in correspondence therewith.
The side wall plate inner surface side is collectively inserted into the three insertion holes 2b formed on the side wall plate, and the end edges 21a of the interval regulating members are brought into contact with the side wall plate inner surface (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

Next, while maintaining the above-mentioned contact state, the interval regulating member 21 is rotated counterclockwise about its axis, and the engaging groove 21c of each insert piece 21b is fitted to the side wall plate 2. It is made to bite into the portion between the insertion holes (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Since the locking groove 21c has a groove width corresponding to the wall thickness of the side wall plate and is inclined in the tip direction, the inter-insertion hole portion of the side wall plate 2 is deformed according to the inclination by the above rotation. It is firmly locked in the stop groove 21c.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the insertion pieces 21b formed at both end edges of the space regulating member 21 are inserted into the insertion holes 2b formed in each side wall plate 2, and the space regulating member 2 is formed.
It is possible to connect the side wall plates to each other by engaging the end portions of the interval regulating members 21 with the side wall plates 2 by a simple operation of simply rotating 1 in a predetermined direction.

Further, since the gap between the insertion holes of the side wall plate 2 is made to bite into the inclined locking groove 21c by the rotation of the space regulating member 21, both end edges of the space regulating member 21 are firmly fixed to the side wall plate 2. The side wall plates can be securely connected to each other by locking the side wall plates.

Further, since the distance regulating member 21 itself is not required to be complicatedly processed, the cost of the distance regulating member 21 is low, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

4 and 5, after inserting the insert pieces 21b formed at both end edges of the space regulating member 21 into the insertion holes 2b formed in each side wall plate 2, the space regulating member 21 is rotated. Although an example in which the both ends are moved and locked to the side wall plate 2 is illustrated, the desired connection can be performed by the following procedure.

First, the three insertion pieces 21b formed on one end edge of the space regulating member 21 are inserted into the three insertion holes 2b formed on one side wall plate 2 correspondingly from the inner side of the side wall plate. When the end portions 21a of the spacing regulating members come into contact with the inner surface of the side wall plate all at once, the spacing regulating member 21 is rotated in a predetermined direction around its axis, and the locking groove 21c of each insertion piece 21b is locked. The side wall plate 2 is engaged and locked in the portion between the insertion holes.

Next, the three insert pieces 21b formed on the other end edge of the interval regulating member 21 are correspondingly inserted into the three insert holes 2b formed in the other side wall plate 2 to form the inner surface of the side wall plate. Insert from the side (see FIG. 6A). Then, when the end edge 21a of the interval regulating member comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall plate, one side portion of each insertion piece 21b protruding to the outer surface side is forcibly deformed to the outside by using a jig or the like, and each insertion piece is deformed. 21b locking groove 2
The inner surface of 1c bites into the outer surface of the side wall plate 2 and is locked (see FIG. 6B).

Of course, the insertion pieces 21b formed on both end edges of the space regulating member 21 are inserted into the insertion holes 2 formed in each side wall plate 2.
After inserting from the inner side of the side wall plate into b, one side portion of each insert piece 21b protruding to the outer side is forcibly deformed to the outside by using a jig or the like, and the inner surface of the locking groove 21c of each insert piece 21b is The side wall plates can also be connected to each other by biting into the outer surface of the side wall plates 2 and locking them.

Further, although the locking groove which is inclined in the front end direction is shown as an example, even if the locking groove is inclined in the opposite direction (center direction), the both ends of the interval regulating member are sidewalls by the same procedure as above. It can be locked to the plate.

[0025]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the invention, the insert piece formed at the edge of the interval regulating member is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the side wall plate, and the interval regulating member is inserted. The side wall plates can be connected to each other by engaging the end portions of the distance regulating members with the side wall plates by a simple operation of rotating the inserts in a predetermined direction or deforming one side portion of each insertion piece to the outside. it can. Further, since the engaging groove portion is made to bite into the side wall plate by rotating the interval restricting member or partially deforming each insertion piece, the end of the interval restricting member is firmly engaged with the side wall plate. The side wall plates can be reliably connected to each other.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a gap regulating member and a side wall plate in a state before locking.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a distance regulating member and a side wall plate in a state before locking.

FIG. 3 is a development view of a space regulating member

FIG. 4 is a view showing a procedure for connecting side wall plates by a space regulating member.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a procedure for connecting the side wall plates by the space regulating member.

FIG. 6 is a view showing another connection procedure of the side wall plates by the space regulating member.

FIG. 7 is a side view and a front view of the product storage device.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a conventional interval regulating member and a connecting procedure thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Side wall plate, 2b ... Insertion hole, 21 ... Spacing restriction member, 21
a ... edge, 21b ... insertion piece, 21c ... locking groove.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 11/00-11/72 F16B 9 / 02,21 / 04

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A meandering product storage passage is formed in a portion surrounded by each wall plate by arranging the meandering wall plates at front and rear intervals between side wall plates facing each other through a plurality of space regulating members. in product storage device for a vending machine obtained by forming, the space restricting member forms a pipe-shaped, its plurality of insert piece inner and outer surfaces of curvature are equal in both edges of the mutual center of curvature space restricting member axis at intervals around the axial center extension line to match the cardiac extension is formed, one side of the inclined engaging groove pixel in each insert piece having a groove width corresponding to the thickness of the side walls is formed toward a base on the other side, on the other hand, the above-mentioned side walls, a plurality of insertion holes matching the edge shapes of the plurality of insertion pieces formed on both edges of the space restricting member is formed the space restricting member includes a plurality formed in the end edge of the space restricting member Irihen At the end edges of the bulk insert to the space restricting member into a plurality of insertion holes formed in the side wall plate supports is brought into contact with the side wall plate inner surface, then the axial center line of the space restricting member the Rukoto not bite into the locking groove portion of each insert is rotated in a predetermined direction to the side wall plate around, it is engaged in the side wall plate, product storage device of a vending machine, characterized in that . 2. A plurality of gap restriction members are arranged to face each other.
Place the meandering wall plates at a distance between the front and back side plates.
By doing so, the product that is meandering in the area surrounded by each wall plate is collected.
The product storage device of a vending machine that forms a storage passage
Te, the space restricting member forms a pipe-like, inner to the end edges
Multiple inserts with the same outer surface curvature are spaced from each other
Align the extension line of the shaft center with the extension line of the center line of the regulating member.
Spaced around, each insert has a side wall meat
The slanted locking groove having a groove width corresponding to the thickness
Is formed from the portion toward the other side, and on the other hand, the side wall plate is formed on both end edges of the distance regulating member.
Multiple inserts that match the end face shapes of multiple inserts made
A hole is formed, and the distance regulating member is formed on the edge of the distance regulating member.
Correspondingly, a plurality of insert pieces were formed on the side wall plate.
Insert into multiple insertion holes all at once, and insert the edge of the space regulation member
Abutting the inner surface of the plate, then one side of each insert piece to the outside
By deforming and engaging the locking groove part into the side wall plate
And a product storage device for a vending machine, wherein the product storage device is locked to the side wall plate .