US1250391A - Stamp-vending machine. - Google Patents

Description

G. H. TREADGOLD.

STAMPVENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1AII.2,VI9I7.

Patented Deo. 18, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.'

1P af G.' H. TREADGOLD.

STAMP vENmNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.2. |911- Patented De. 18, 1917..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. H. THEADGOLD.

I STAMP vENnlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-2. 1917.

Patented Dec. 18,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UmTEDsTATEs PAtrmrr oEFrcE.

GEORGE H. TREADGOLD, 0F PORT HUBON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH T0 WILLIAM B. ROBESON, 0F PORT HUBON, MICHIGAN.

STAMP-VENDING- MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented Dec, 18, 1917,

Application inea January a, 1917. serial No. Maase.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. TREAD- eoLD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Port Huron, 1n the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Stamp-Vending Machines, of which the following is a speciicatlon, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to that type of manually operated machines wherein a coin is exchanged for an article or articles dispensed by rtheV machine.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine of the improved type, wherein positive and reliable means are employed, as hereinafter set forth, for vending stamps, so that a predetermined number of stamps may be obtained by depositing a prescribed coin in the machine and then operating the machine to place the stamps in an obtainable position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a'machine of the above type embodying feed rollers adapted to move a strip of stamps, tickets or articles; a knife for severing the strips at predetermined laces, and rotary actuating members a apted for movement in synchronism so-that the knife may be operated to sever the strip. While the rotary actuating members are arran ed for rotation in synchronism, suc-h operation 1s controlled by a connectlng member, as a coin, and prov1s1on 1s made whereby only predetermined connecting members or coins can be employed for successfully operating the machine, thus preventing stamps or other articles from being surreptitiously obtained.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above type wherein the parts are constructed with a view of reducing the cost of manufacture, and at the same time retain those features by which durability, ease of operation and assembling are secured, and with such ends in view my.

invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a machine in accordance with tion; l

Fig. 2 is a detail view illustrating the feed rollers;

my inven- Fig. Sis a vertical longitudinal sectional Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of thefknife.`

In describing my invention by aid of the views above referred to, I desire to point out that the same are merely illustrative of a machine by which my invention may be put into practice, and I do not care to limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown. The following description is therefore to be broadly construed as including such substitute construction and arrangement of parts which are the obvious equivalent of those to be hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a base plate and suitably mounted thereon is an inverted U-shaped casing 2 having detachable front.

and rear walls 3 and 4 respectively. The rear wall 4, at the base plate 1, has a coinreceptacle 5 provided with a suitable door or drawer 6.

7 denotes a vertically disposed partition. in proximity to theL front wall 3 and in parallelism therewith, and extending through said partition is an operating shaft 8 journaled in the front and rear walls 3` and 4 respectively. The shaft 8 also extends through another vertical partition 9 in proximity to the rear wall4 and cooperating therewith in providing a coinway 10. Adjacent the top of the artition 9 is a small coin opening 11 and the lower edge of said partition has a coin chute 12 communicating with an opening 13 in the rear wall 4, so the coin may enter the receptacle'.

14 denotes an actuating member between the partitions 7 and 9 and loose upon the operating shaft 8, said `actuating member having a hub portion 15 extending through an openin tition 7. onnected t0 the hub portion 15 of the actuating member 14, between the front wall 3 and the partition 7, is a large gear wheel 17 loose relative to the operating shaft 16 provided therefor in the par- 8 and this large gear wheel meshes with a small gear wheel 18 mounted on a shaft 19 journaled in the walls 3 and 4 and extending through the partition 7. The actuating member 14 is circular in elevation and has the periphery thereof provided with an annular recess 20 to provide clearance for the annular flange 21 of another actuating member 22, said member being fixed to the operating shaft 8, between the member 14 and the partition 9. The actuating member 14 has the eriphery thereof provided with diametricallly opposed Vradial slots 23 and the member 22 has a slot 24, and as shown in Fig. 1, these slots are adapted to register so that a connecting member or coin 25 may be deposited in said slots to cause the members 14 and 22 to rotate together. A slot 26 in the top of the casing 2 permits of the connecting member or coin 25 being deposited therein.

27 denotes a pin projecting from the flange 21 of the actuating member 22 and Providing clearance for the outer end of this in is a groove 28 in the inner wall of the casmg 2. One end of the groove 28 communicates with a slot 29 in a curved or sector shaped partition 30 set in the wall of the casing 2 and extending below the actuating members 14 and 22, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

31 denotes an arbor between the partition 7 and the rear wall 4 for a roll 32 of stamps, tickets or such articles that may be rolled and then unrolled in the form of a strip 33 adapted to be drawn between guides 34 horizontally disposed within the casing 2 and supported by a side wall thereof. The stamps are unrolled and the strip 33 shifted in the guide 34 by feed rollers 35 and 36, said rollers being knurled or roughened to frictionally engage the strip of stamps 33. The roller 35 is mounted upon the shaft 19 and engages the upper face of the strip of stamps 33. The roller 36 engages the lower face of the strip of stamps 33 and is mounted upon a shaft 37 loosely held in a yoke 38 carried by a resilient arm 39 suitably connected to the inner wall of the casing 2. The resilient arm 39 is adapted to frictionally hold the lower roller 36 in engagement with the lower face of the strip of stamps 33, and the ends of the shaft 37 may eXtend into slots in the partition 7 and at the wall 4.

41 denotes a pin connecting the partition 7 and the rear wall 4, above the guides 34, and fulcrumed on this pin is a lever 42. One end of the lever 42 is pivotally connected, as at 43 to a detent 44 adapted Ato extend y through the curved partition 30 and either enga ge the periphery of the actuating member 14 or extend into a pocket 45 in the periphery of said member. The detent 44 is slidably held by a pin 46 carried by the partition 7 and extending through a slot 47 provided therefor in said detent.

48 denotes a head at the opposite end of the lever 42 and said head has cam surfaces 49 and 50 adapted to be engaged by the pin 27 of the actuating member 22. The head 48 is cut away, as at 51, to provide clearance for a knife 52. This knife is slotted, as at 53, and loosely held upon pins 54 carried by the head 48. The knife 53 has a cutting edge 55 and prongs 56 and the cutting edge of said knife extends into a slot 57 of the guides 34. The knife 52 is adapted to be lowered in the slot 57 to sever the strip of stamps 33 and the prongs 56 of the knife edge are adapted to pass through a perforated portion connecting the stamps of the strip.

58 denotes side arms connected to the head 48 and extending downwardly at the sides of the guides 34, said arms having the lower ends thereof loosely connected to a resilient arm 59 supported by the lowermost guide 34, said arm having a head 6.0 directly beneath the slot 57 of the guide. The head 60 is adapted to engage the resilient armV 59 and lower said arm so as to shift the roller' 36 and cause a cessation in the feeding of the strip 33 into the guides 34.

61 denotes a flat spring on the guide 34 engaging the lower edge of the lever 42 to hold the head 48 of said lever normally elevated, as shown in Fig. 4.

62 denotes al crank on the forward end of the operating shaft 8 and it is through the medium of this crank that the machine is manually operated.

63 denotes a dog carried by the inner wall of the casing 2 and engaging ratchet teeth 64 in the periphery of the actuating member 14, so as to prevent a clockwise rotation of the actuating member 14.

Assuming that a strip of stamps has been removed from the machine and it is desired to obtain another strip of stamps. If the crank or handle 62 is turned counter clockwise the pin 27 will depress the head 48 and lower the knife 52, but as no stamps bridge the slot 57, nothing is accomplished. If the handle ork crank 62 is turned clockwise, the pin 27 abuts the head 48 and limits the rotative movement of the actuating member 22 without accomplishing anything. So, if a coin or connecting member is deposited in 'the slot 26, it will remain in said slot until the slot 24 of the member 22 registers with the slot 23 of the member 14 and then the coin will descend into the slots 24 and 23 and serve as a connecting member between the actuating members 14 and 22. If a coin or connecting member of small size should be placed in the machine in an attempt to surreptitiously operate the same, the small coin will pass through the slot 11 into the coinway 10 and descend into the coin receptacle 5. Assuming however, that a proper coin or connecting member is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the actuating member 22, when rotated, will revolve the actuating member 14 and this member will set the feed roller in motion, through the medium of the large and small gear Wheels 17 and 18 and the shaft 19. In order that the feed roller 36 may also be driven, besides by the frictional contact with the strip of stamps 33, small gear wheels 65 are placed upon the shafts 19 and 37, as best shown in Fig. 2.

As the feed rollers 35 and 36 are revolved, the strip of stamps 33 between said rollers is advanced to bridge the slot 57 and enter the guides 34. This operation continues until the end of the strip of stamps has been projected from the side wall of the casing 2 sow-that the strip of stamps can be easily gripped, and removed after being severed by t-he knife 52. The size of the gear wheels 17 and 18, and the rollers 35 and 36, is such that a number of strips of stamps will be shifted into the guides corresponding in value to the coin which operatively connected the actuating members 14 and 22, and it is in this connection, that the machine may be of various sizes and the various elements thereof correctly proportioned relative to each other, so that a predetermined number of stamps will be dispensed.

As the actuating members 14 and 22 are revolved and a strip of stamps advanced between the guides 34, the pin 27 eventually reaches the head 48 of the lever 42, and by lirst engaging the cam surface 49, the knife 52 is lowered until the prongs 56 thereof engage in the perforations between the l stamps bridging the slot 57. The knife 52 will rest or bear against the strip of stamps until a row of perforations is reached, and then the prongs 56 will enter the perforations. Simultaneously with this operation, the side arms 58 have lowered the arm 59 and caused the head 60 thereof to lower the resilient arm 39, thus moving the feed roller 36 out of engagement with the strip of stamps, causing the cessation in the feeding of the stamps into the guides 34. As soon as the pin 27 rides on'to the cam surface 50 of the head 48, the knife completely severs the strip of stamps and thus permits of the severed strip being withdrawn from between the guides 34.y The knife 52 is loosely held by the head 48 in order that the strip of stamps may be moved beneath the knife until the prongs 56 thereof enter a row of perforations, but when the head 48 is depressed for severing purposes, the head engages the upper edge of the knife and causes a positive action thereof. In order that the lever 42 may be tilted or rocked for severing purposes, the end of the detent 44 enters the pocket 45 in the actuating member 14, and

arrests it sincesaid member has been re` leased relative to the member .22 by the coin or connecting member dropping out of the slots 23 and 24. By arresting the member 14 it is prevented from carrying the coin or connecting member beyond the slot 13, and otherwise the end of the detent engages the periphery of the acuating member 14, maintaining the head 48 of the lever 42 in an elevated position. By arresting the member 14, one of the slots 23 correctly alines with the slot 26 of the casing.

As soon as a strip of stamps is severed and the pin 27 moves out of engagement with the head 48, the spring 61 restores the lever 42 to normal position and the slots 23 and 24 are brought into registration with the coin chute 12 so that the coin may descend into the receptacle 5. The coin automatically releases the actuating member 22 relative to the actuating member 14 and the machine is now in condition for another operation. v

Even after a coin has been deposited in a. machine, to connect the actuating members 14 and 22, the dog 63 will prevent the meme bers from being rotated in the wrong direction. l,

What I claim is 1. In a vending machinel for strips of articles, a rotary actuating member, means adapted for rotating said member, a loose actuating member adapted for rotation with said rotary actuating member when a coin is insert-ed iny the machine to connect said members, a feeding mechanism fora strip of articles adapted to be actuated by said loose member and a knife adapted to be released by said loose member to be actuated by said rotary member to sever the strip of articles.

2. In a vending machine for strips of arti- A cles, a rotary actuating member, means adapted for rotating said member, a loose actuating member adapted for rotation with said rotary actuating member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, a feeding mechanism for-a strip of articles adapted to be actu-ated by said loose member, a fulcrum lever held inactive by said loose member adapted to be released thereby and actuated by said rotary member, and a knife carried by' said lever adapted to sever the strip of articles.

3. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination of a casing and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of a rotary member in said casing, a loose member in said casing adapted for rotation with said rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, feeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loose member tovunroll and move the strip of stamps in position to be Withdrawn from said casing, and a knife adapt.- ed to be actuated by said rotary member to sever the strip of stamps.

4. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination with a casing and a roll of strips of stamps in said casing, of a rotary member in said casing, a loose member in said casing adapted for rotation with .said rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, feeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loose member to unroll and move the strip of stamps in position to be withdrawn from said casing, a knife, a lever supporting said knife adapted to be actuated by said rotary member to cause said knife to sever the strip of stamps, and means actuated by the rotary member through the medium of said lever to cause a cessation in the operation of said mechanism.

5. In a vending machine for strips of stamps, the combination With a casing, and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of 'L manually operated shaft in said casing, a rotary member on said shaft, a loose member on said' shaft and adapted for movement With said rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, a feeding mechanism adapted to be actuated by said loose member to unroll and move the strip of stamps into position to be Withdrawn from said casing, a fulcrum lever held inactive by said loose member and adapted to be released thereby to be actuated by said rotary member, and a knife carried by said lever adapted to sever a strip of stamps.

6. In a vending machine for strips 0f stamps, the combination With a casing, and a roll of strip stamps in said casing, of a manually operated shaft in said casing, a rotary member fixed on said shaft, a loose member on said shaft and adapted for movement with said rotary member when a coin is inserted in the machine to connect said members, feed rollers adapted to unroll and move said stamps into position to be Withdrawn from said casing, gears actuated by said loose member adapted to impart movement to said feed rollers, a fulcrum lever held inactive by said loose member and adapted to be released thereby to be actuated by said rot-ary member, a knife carried by said lever adapted to sever the strip of stamps, and means actuated by said lever adapted to cause a cessation in the operation of said feed rollers.

7 In a stamp vending machine, a rotary member, means adapted for rotating said GEORGE H. TREADGOLD.

Witnesses:

ADELE J. MoLLoY, L. W. MILLER.

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