JPS60251064A - Inhibiting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mechanism that provides access to articles stored in a container, for example to enable removal of one or more articles by a customer.

According to a first feature of the invention, there is provided a deterrent mechanism which, in use, allows articles to be removed only one by one from a storage means storing a plurality of articles in a plurality of piles; comprises a fixed end block, a plurality of opening blocks in a single row, and means for controlling the movement of each of said blocks, said control means being arranged such that in one control cycle one article is when removed from said storage means by passing between two blocks;
Furthermore, other articles are controlled to be prevented from passing through the deterrent mechanism. Preferably, means are provided for biasing the sliding block toward the fixed end block, and preferably means are provided for restraining the sliding block from being in a closed state.

Preferably, a stop means is provided to prevent said sliding block from being displaced beyond the width of the stored article when said sliding block is furthest from said fixed end block.

The mechanism preferably comprises means for detecting when the block furthest from the fixed end block is displaced by the width of the stored article.

The mechanism may include a stop means, preferably when the block furthest from the fixed end block is displaced by the width of the stored article.
A progressively acting stop means actuable by a signal from said sensing means may be provided, said stop means being adapted to stop said block furthest away from said fixed block. It acts to prevent movement away from the fixed end block.

□The outer shape and position of the sliding block are preferably as follows. That is, the movement of an article between a pair of blocks does not cause the article and all the blocks located between the fixed end blocks to move, but the movement of the article on the side remote from the fixed end block of the same article the configuration and position to move one or more blocks away from the fixed end block.

Preferably, the outer shape and position of the sliding block are as follows. That is, when the removed article on the side remote from the fixed end block is displaced by at least half the width of the removed article, the other block between the pair of displaced blocks The configuration and position is such that an attempt to push the article forces the block on the side of the other article closer to the fixed end block towards the fixed block.

Each sliding block preferably has an edge portion that is sloped on the side of the block that is closest to the fixed end block, and the sloped edge shape is such that the block faces the fixed end block. When in the closest position, it extends across the path of the associated pile of items. Said edge shape preferably has a double slope so as to define a central apex projecting towards said fixed end block.

Each of the sliding blocks other than the block furthest from the fixed end block preferably has an edge shape that slopes toward the side of the block that is remote from the fixed end block. Said sloping edge portion preferably extends across the path of said associated pile of articles when said block is in its furthest position from said fixed end block.

The edge of each block remote from the fixed end block preferably has a portion extending parallel to the path of the article to be removed.

According to another feature of the invention, a mechanism is provided for controlling the loading and unloading of articles into and from an article storage means, the mechanism comprising a pawl, the pawl having a plurality of of articles can be loaded through the opening of said storage means into said storage means without interference, and the front &! It is movably attached to said storage means to allow said articles to be removed from said storage means one at a time, but non-continuously, through an opening. The mount may be movably mounted on the storage means by mounting means, the mount means allowing the mount to be moved out of engagement with the article during loading. and enabling the mold to be moved into engagement with the article upon removal from said storage means.

Said mounting means preferably enables said mounting to perform both sliding and rotational movements relative to said mounting means.

Sliding biasing means preferably bias the sliding of said handle towards the engaged position, and loading of said article into said storage means causes said handle to bias against said sliding biasing means. Press it away from the alignment position.

The handle preferably has a first contact surface and a second contact surface, the first contact surface being engaged by the first article upon removal of the first article from the storage means and the second contact surface being engaged by the first article upon removal of the first article from the storage means. The contact surface is configured to prevent said first article on said first contact surface from moving from said storage means until said first article is removed from said storage means.
Action of the article causes it to be moved into engagement with successive articles of said method.

The action of the first article on the first contact surface preferably causes a rotational movement of the handle. Preferably, rotational biasing means bias the handle in a direction that disengages the second contact surface from engagement with the article.

Said second contact surface is preferably convex.

Said attachment means preferably comprise a pin on one of said tray and storage means, a slot in the other of said tray and storage means, and guide means for guiding the sliding movement of said tray. Said pin is preferably on said storage means.

An embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

Figures 1 and 2 show that articles can be continuously loaded into a storage means such as a sliding support and that articles can be removed from said sliding support one by one but in a discontinuous manner. This diagram schematically shows the mechanism for

The mechanism comprises a pawl 10 mounted on a support for a rotational movement as shown in FIG. 1 and a sliding movement as shown in FIG. Attachment is effected by a pin 11 on the support which engages a slot 12 in the pawl 10.

The elongated hole 12 is omitted from FIG. 1 because FIG. 1 is for showing the rotational movement of the mold 10.

When it is desired to load an article 13 into the slide support in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, the article 13 pushes the mold 10 out of engagement with the same, so that The mold 10 is moved relative to the stationary bottle 11, and the claw 10 is moved to the position indicated by the chain line in FIG.

In this way, continuous loading of the articles 13 is possible.
This is possible without interference from the mold 10.

A spring biases the mold 10 toward the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, and when it is desired to remove the article 13 from the slide support as shown in FIG. an article 13 contacts a first contact surface 14 of said mold 10;
This causes the pawl 10 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. This rotation causes the M2 contact surface 15 of the pawl 10 to engage the next successive article 13 until said first article has moved past the first contact surface 14 of the pawl 10. prevent it from coming off. The first article is a nail 10
, the spring pushes the pawl 10 over the first contact surface 14 of the
Force it to return to the position indicated by the chain line in the figure.

Each article in the slide support (not shown in schematic FIGS. 1 and 2) is biased in the direction given by the arrow in FIG. 1, so that the configuration of the mold 10 is It is possible to conveniently take out articles 13 one by one. Although the illustrated article 13 is a scent sachet nozzle of the type described in our published UK Patent Application No. 2121762A, it will be understood that this is by way of example only.

Figures 3.4 and 5.6 illustrate a deterrent mechanism that prevents more than one item from being removed from a storage device during a particular control cycle, as initiated by the coin release mechanism. .

Although the article 20 is illustrated as a circle in the schematic Figures 3-6, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be used as well. The claw 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a groove 21
．． 22, 23 are included in the mechanism to allow the feeding of single articles 20, each said article being spaced apart to allow the action of the pawls 10.

The arresting mechanism comprises a fixed end block 24, an intermediate sliding block 25, 26 and an end sliding block 27. The sliding block 25°26.27 is slidable laterally with respect to the path 21, 22j23, and the article 20 is moved along the path 21.22°23. -Sound in unison.

FIG. 3 shows the shape of each of the plotters, and in the same figure, the entire restraining mechanism is restrained by a restraining member 11'2B that engages with a recess in the sliding block 27 at the end.

This Ill! 28 is engaged and disengaged by a solenoid 29. The spring 30 is connected to the blocks 25 and 26.
．． 27 toward the fixed end block 24 side.

When the deterrent mechanism is released, for example by inserting a coin or token, the solenoid 29 raises the pattern 28 and forces it into the sliding end block 2.
7 and then the user decides which item to remove from which column.

As shown in FIG. 3, articles from the central channel 22 are to be removed.

The contours of the three sliding blocks 25, 26, 27 are each sloped at their ends closest to the fixed block 24 and have a central apex towards the fixed block 24 side. are doing. A first contact edge 31 is therefore provided on the front 6d block 25, and likewise a first contact edge 31 is provided on said block 26.
2 is provided, and on said block 27 a first contact edge 33 is provided. Second inclined contact edge 3
4.35.36 as shown in Figures 3-6,
Each contact edge 31.3'2.33 extends below and thus makes it possible to load articles into each row through each said block.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, said first contact edge 31.32.33 extends completely across each path 21.22.23 of said article 20 when said mechanism is inhibited. Exists. When an article is to be removed from the central pile, it is pulled toward the exit, thereby pressing the block 26, 27 to the right in FIG. 4. The block is allowed some movement away from the fixed end block, but this movement is not sufficient to allow the article to dislodge from the left hand pile.

said block 26.2rD said fixed end block 2
4 continues until the position shown in FIG. 5, in which said block 26.4 continues.
27 are in the most displaced state from their original position. In FIG. 5, a microswitch 40 is used to switch the solenoid 29 to drop the pattern 28.
is actuated and to prevent said block 27 from moving further away from said fixed end block 24.
A physical stopper 41 is provided.

Further movement of the central pile of articles to the position shown in FIG. 6 produces the following effect.

The contours of said blocks 25, 26 on the side remote from said fixed end block 24 are activated, these contours being parallel to each of the first inclined edges 45.46 and to the path of movement of said article. Extending second edge portion 47.
48 each. In the position of FIG. 6, any attempt to remove items from the left-hand pile 21 is prevented. This is because the block 25 is obstructed by items taken from the central pile.

Any attempt to pull an item from the right-hand side pile 23 will cause the block 26 to be removed from the fixed end block? 4 to the 4 side, and press the block 2
7 is prevented from following the block 26 by the biasing force of the spring 30. However, the sloped edge profile 35 of said block 26 is also obstructed against the removed article, thus preventing any movement of the article outwardly from the right-hand pile 23.

As articles from the central pile 22 are gradually removed, the wedge 28 is actuated in the system little by little, thereby reducing the entire distance between the fixed end block 24 and the block 27 by one piece. reduced to narrower than the width of the article. Therefore, it is not possible to remove more than one article 20 from the pile until the solenoid 29 is actuated again, which causes the wedge 28 to rise.

Although Figures 3-6 and the foregoing description depict the removal of articles from the central pile 22, the deterrent mechanism may select to remove articles from either the left-hand pile 21 or the right-hand pile 23. It is equally effective in the field where it is done.

If an article is to be removed from said left hand pile 21, all three blocks 2''5.'2'6°27 are pushed away from said fixed end block 24 and said 4 28 operates as previously described. While an item is being removed from the left-hand pile, any attempt to remove an item from the center or right-hand pile will trigger the block 25.26.27. Press to the left and allow said wedge 28 to perform any free action.

If an article is to be removed from said right hand pile 23, blocks 25,26 are not moved and block 2
7 is moved to the right. As explained in connection with FIG. 4, there is initially a small amount of play in the blocks 25, 26 as well, but there is no way to allow the article to be removed from the center or left-hand pile. It's not a thing. When the article passes the top of the block 27, the wedge 28 comes into contact with the block 27 and gradually acts as a stopper.

It will be appreciated that the pawl mechanisms of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the restraint mechanisms of FIGS. 3 and 6 are useful with many types of articles. The invention has been described above purely by way of example, and changes in detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a plan view of the mechanism according to the first feature of the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 in a loaded state; and FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the restraining mechanism in the first position. Figure 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the high displacement restraint mechanism of Figure 3 in the second position; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the restraint mechanism of Figures 3 and 4 in the third position; The figure is a schematic illustration of the deterrent mechanism of figures 3, 4 and 5 in a fourth position. 10...Claw 11...Bin 12...Long hole 1
3... Article 14... First contact surface 15... Second contact surface 20... Article 21.22.23...
Groove (path) 24...Identified end block 25. 26. 27... Falling block 28... Stroke 29... Solenoid 30... Spring 31. 32. 33... First contact Edge 34.35.3
6... Second contact edge 40... Micro switch 41... Stopper 45.46... First inclined edge portion 47.48... Second edge portion

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A restraining mechanism that allows articles to be taken out one by one from a storage means for storing a large number of articles in a plurality of piles at the time of use, and which is fixed. an end block, a plurality of sliding blocks in a single row, and means for controlling the movement of each said block, said control means being configured to allow an article to move between two blocks in one control cycle. A deterrent mechanism, characterized in that the deterrent mechanism is controlled such that when the article is removed from the storage means by passing through the deterrent mechanism, further other articles are prevented from passing through the deterrent mechanism. (2) The deterrent mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising means for biasing the sliding block toward the fixed end block. (3) A state in which the sliding block is closed. The restraining structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the restraining mechanism is provided with a means for restraining the user in the first or second aspect of the present invention.(4) When the sliding block is farthest from the fixed end block, Any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a stopper means for preventing displacement beyond the width of the stored article.
Deterrent mechanism as described in Section. (5) The invention further comprises means for detecting when the block furthest from the fixed end block is displaced by the width of the stored article. The deterrent mechanism according to any one of clauses 4 to 4. (6) comprising a stop means actuable by a signal from the sensing means when the block furthest from the fixed end block is displaced by the width of the stored article; Claim 5, wherein the stopper means acts to prevent the block furthest away from the fixed block from moving away from the fixed end block. Deterrence mechanism described in section. (7) The deterrent mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the stopper means acts gradually. (8) Due to the outer shape and position of the sliding block, the movement of the article between a pair of blocks can be carried out without moving the article and all the blocks located between the fixed end blocks. The one or more blocks on the side away from the fixed end block are moved away from the fixed end block.
Deterrent mechanism as described in Section. (9) when the outer shape and position of the sliding block causes the block of the removed article on the side remote from the fixed end block to be displaced by at least half the width of the removed article; An attempt to push another article between a pair of the displaced blocks pushes the block on the side of the other article that is closer to the fixed end block toward the side of the previously fixed block. 9. The deterrent mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: (10) Each of the sliding blocks has an edge portion that is sloped toward the side of the block that is closest to the fixed end block, and the sloped edge shape is such that the block is not connected to the fixed end block. when it is in the closest position,
10. A restraining mechanism as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it extends across the path of the associated pile of articles. (11) The edge shape has a double slope so as to define a central apex projecting towards the fixed end block.
The deterrent mechanism described in item 0. (12) Each of the sliding blocks other than the block furthest from the fixed end block has an inclined edge shape on the side of the same block that is farthest from the fixed end block. A restraining mechanism according to any one of claims 8 to 11. (13) The sloped edge portion extends across the path of the associated pile of articles when the block is furthest from the fixed end block. A deterrent mechanism according to scope item 12. (14) The edge of each of the blocks that is remote from the fixed end block has a portion that extends parallel to the path of the article to be taken out. or the deterrent mechanism described in paragraph 13. (15) A mechanism for controlling loading of articles into and removal of articles from the article storage means, comprising a pawl, the pawl for passing a large number of articles through the opening of the storage means. said opening to enable uninterrupted loading into said storage means through said opening, and to enable removal of said articles from said storage means one at a time, but discontinuously, through said opening. A control mechanism, characterized in that it is movably attached to the storage means. (16) the pawl is movably mounted on the storage means by mounting means, the mounting means enabling the pawl to be moved out of engagement with the article during loading; Claim 1, characterized in that the mold is capable of being moved into engagement with the article upon removal of the article from the storage means.
Control mechanism according to item 5. (17) The control mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the attachment means allows the pawl to perform both sliding and rotational movements relative to the attachment means. (18) A slide biasing means for biasing the sliding of the pawl toward the engagement position is provided, and loading of the article into the storage means is performed by the pawl against the sliding biasing means. 18. The control mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the control mechanism is pressed so as to separate from the engagement position. (19) the pawl has a first contact surface and a second contact surface, the first contact surface being engaged by the first article upon removal of the first article from the storage means;
The contact surface is arranged to prevent the movement of the next successive article from the storage means by the action of the first article on the first contact surface until the first article is removed from the storage means. 19. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the control mechanism is moved into engagement with successive articles. (20) The control mechanism according to claim M19, wherein the action of the first article on the first contact surface causes rotational movement of the handle. (21) Claim 19 or 20, further comprising rotational biasing means for biasing the handle in a direction in which the second contact surface is disengaged from the article.
Control mechanism described in section. (22) Any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the second contact surface is a convex surface.
The control mechanism described in Section. (23) The mounting means comprises a bottle on one of the trays and storage means, a slot in the other of the trays and storage means, and a guide means for guiding the sliding movement of the tray. Claims 16 to 2, characterized in that
The control mechanism according to any one of item 1. (24) The control mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the bin is on the storage means.