US1258765A - Coin-controlled vending-machine. - Google Patents

Description

E N H c A M 6 R m VD N w Gv D F. DL L 0 Ann T N o flu N 0 c APPLICATION FILED MAY II, I915- Patented. Mar. 12, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I R. a M m a W 8 w WI TNESSEE A. D. GROVER. com CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATIQN FILED MAY II, 1915- Patnted MaQrflQ, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 21 W/ TNESSEE d.% gm% A. D. GROVER. I COT-N CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1915.

1,258,765 1 Patented M21212, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 lM/ENTUR- Jllberi 17. Grover ALBERT n. GROVER, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB To, AUTOSALES GUM- A D CHOCOLATE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A OORPORATION or NEW YORK. I

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

Application filed May 11, 1915. Serial No. 27,302.

To aZ7 hom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT D. GROVER, a citizen Of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to coin-controlled vending machines and its object is to provide a machine especially adapted for use in theaters or other places where only machines of small dimensions are allOWed to be operated. The machine of my invention is of the magazine-type, as distinguished from the so-called single-action machines in which the machine must be replenished after each operation. The magazine theater machines are commonly known as penny theater machines and may be repeatedly operated until the stack of goods is exhausted.

The machine of my invention embodies various improvements and advantages over machines of that kind heretofore constructed, with the result that my machine is compact in form, contains no openings in the outer casing except the coin-slot and the delivery opening, is adapted to operate only with a proper coin, is reliable in its operation, and is of such simple construction as to be manufactured and maintained at low cost.

The different features of novelty which characterize my invention will be apparent from a detailed description of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whioh- Figure 1, is a front view of a machine embodying the various features of my invention in the form now preferred by me. I V

Fig. 2, is a side view of Fig. 1, looking from left to right.

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal cross-section on line 8-3 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4, is a rear view of the interior mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 5, is a transverse cross-section on line 55 of Fig. 4, looking downwardly.

Fig. 6, is a longitudinal cross-section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4 (looking in the direction of the arrows), showing the delivery mechanism in normal position.

Fig. 7, is a longitudinal view in cross-section approximately n the broken line 7-7 erated about halfway.

of the casing.

in Fig.4, looking in the direction of the of the magazine section, which. carries the coin controlled ejecting mechanism..

Fig. 10, is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6, showing the delivery mechanism 0p- Fig. 11, is a View similar to Fig. 10, showingthe delivery mechanism fully operated, and also showing how the column of goods is supported during the delivery operation.

Fig. 12,.is a fragmentary view in longitudinal cross-section approximately on line 1212 ofFig. 6, looking toward the front Fig. 13, is a detached view in perspective of the hand-operated slide by means .of which the delivery mechanism is operated through the medium of the deposited coin.

Fig. 14, is a fragmentary view showing in detail how the hand-operated lever carrying the coin-controlled connecting pawl is normally locked against operation.

Fig- 15,,is a side view of Fig. 14, looking from left to right; and r s Fig. 16, is a fragmentary view showing a modified construction for normally locking the hand-operated lever against movement.

The drawings show the machine in actual size. The outer casing is made of. sheet metal and, comprises a front section A and a rear section B. The front section A consists of the front wall 1, which terminates on top at the line 2, sides 3 and 4, and bottom 5. The bottom 5 is provided with flanges 5', which are folded over and riveted to the sides 3 and 4. At its .upper edge the front wall 1 has riveted theretoa U-shaped bracket or frame-piece 1 which extends partly above the outer edge 2 of the front wall, as clearly seenfrom Figs. 3,6, and 7. The rear section B consists of a back plate 6, a top 7, a bottom flange 8 and longitudinal side flanges 9. The top 7 is provided with a front flange 10' and side flanges 11, which are in the same plane as the flanges 9. WVhen the two sections of the casing are -brought together, the bracket 1 fits within the top piece of section B and the upper edge of the front plate fits against the flange 10. The sides 3 and 4 lie flush against the flanges 11 and and he bo om 5 rests at its rear end over the flange 8 of the rear section. In this way a tight casing is produced. The two sections are held locked in position by any suitable lock, such as indicated by L, carried by the front section and having one or more bolts 72 adapted to enter alined recesses formed by the projection c embossed in the side flanges 9 .of the rear section B, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

I have shown and described the foregoing specific construction of casing merely by way of illustration, as it is obvious that any suitable casing may be used to properly house and support the interior mechanism.

Within the casing is mounted the magazine section which is best shown in Fig. 9 and which comprises a pair of side walls 12 and 13, a front wall 14 and rear flanges 15 and 16. This magazine section may be readily formed out of a single piece of sheet metal, except that as a matter of convenience I prefer to attach the rear flange 16 separately, since the side 13 extends slightly beyond that flange for the purpose of covering the joint formed by the side pieces 3 and 9 of the casing, as shown in Fig. 8. The upper portion of the magazine section constitutes the chamber or compartment for containing the vendable goods or packages, some of which are shown in the drawings and indicated by'G.

Between the side walls 12 and 13 of the magazine section is supported a rod 17 which, for convenience of assembling, is preferably composed of two sectionsa main section having the hollow hub portion 18, and a second section consisting of a pin or bolt 17, adapted to fit into the hub portion 18 and to be secured thereto by any suitable means, as a pin 18. This construction is best shown in Fig. 12. On the rod 17 is pivota-lly mounted the delivery shelf 19, provided at the rear with an upstanding flange 20. When the shelf is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 6, it forms the bottom 1 of the goods compartment and supports the packages therein.

p position shown in Fig. 10, to its On the'side wall 12 of the magazine section is mounted the reciprocable slide 21 by means of headed pins 22, which engage in the vertical slots 23 of the slide. These slots also limit the movement of the slide, which is operatively connected with the shelf 19 through a link24. This link is connected to the slide 21 by means of a pin 25 which passes through the vertical slot 26 in the side wall 12 of the magazine section, as shown in Fig. 12. With this connection between the shelf 19 and the operating slide 21, it will be clear that when the slide is moved downwardly from its normal position, as shown in ig. 6, the shelf will be rocked from its horizontal or normal position through the final position as shown in Fig. 11. During this triping. 7 Between the recess f and the magazine is arranged a readily flexible sprin blade 9 which is shown 1n the drawings as being secured to the lower end of the front wall 1 1- of the magazine section, by means of rivets 0 or otherwise. Fig. 10 illustrates how this flexible blade is moved aside by the forward end of the ejected article. The purpose of the spring I takeup the description of the return movement of the parts constituting the coin-con-- trolled delivery mechanism of my invention.

A manually operated lever 27 is pivoted at one end to the magazine section in any suitable way, as by means of the pin 28 carried by the lug 29 which is secured to the side wall 13. The lever 27 carries a coincontrolled connecting pawl 30 which is pivoted to the lever by the pin or stud 31. The pawl 30 is provided with a weighted portion 32, which so balances the lever that the lower toe 33 thereof hangs normally out of the path or plane of the projection 34; extending rearwardly from the slide 21. The pawl 30 is further provided with an up wardly extending hook 30 which is normally in looking engagement with the shoulder l2 formed on the side wall 12 of the magazine section. In other words, the lever 27 is normally locked against operation. The object of this construction isto pre vent a person from pushing the'lever down before inserting a coin, as otherwise the coin would. be lost to the intending purchaser. The normal or inoperative position of the pawl 30 is indicated by the dotted lines 30 in Fig. 4E, and in full lines in Fig. 14. The pawl 30 is so adjusted in its balanced position as to be moved into locking engagement with the projection 34 under the weight of a proper coin deposited in the coin-chute S. As seen from Fig. 7, the coin-chute is supported from the front wall 1 of the casing by brackets 35 and 36. The coin-chute inclines from front to rear and its upper end blade 9 will appear later on when ldU is in alinement with the coin-entrance slot 43 is so spaced with respect to'the opposite side wall 40 of the coin-chute, that when aproper coin is deposited, it will be supported between the side wall 40 and the shoulder 43, approximately in the position indicated by the dotted lines 0 in Fig. 4. The pawl 30 is moved by the weight of the coin from its normal position to its operated or con- )osition, as indicated-in full lines in Fig. 4. When the pawl 30 has thus been moved under the weight of the deposited coin, the toe 33 is in alinement with the tooth or projection 34 of the slide 21, and the hook 30 is in releasing or inoperative position. Consequently, with the proper coin deposited, the lever 27 is free to be moved downwardly, and during this movement the toe 33 engages the projection 34 and carries the slide 21 downwardly. As previously explained, this downward movement of the slide causes tilting of the delivery shelf to deliver the lowermost piece of goods.

The coin-actuated pawl 30 also acts as a coin-testing device. For instance, ifthe deposited coin is too small in diameter, it will either pass through the space between the shoulder 43 of the pawl 30 and the opposite side of the coin-chute, or else the pawl will not be moved sufliciently to bring the toe 33 into connecting engagement with the projection 34. Should the deposited coin be too light, its momentum will not be sufficient to move the pawl 30 into connecting position,

I have provided means for sustaining the column of goods independently of the shelf 19 during the ejecting operation of the latter. In the particular embodiment illustrated, this means comprises the dog 44 piv otally mounted on the rod 17'and having a pointed upper end 45 which is normally pressed forwardly against the column of goods by any suitable spring means, such as the spring 46 coiled about the rod 17 and pressing upwardly at one end against the dog 44 at the point indicated at 47 in Figs. 4 and 6. The end 48 of the spring 46 bears against the lug 29. The pointed end 45 of the supporting dog 44 is normally held out of the magazine by the hand-operated lever 27 through the medium of the bracket' or extension 49 fixed upon the lever 27. WVhen the lever-27 is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 6, the upper end of the bracket 49 engages" the extension 50 of the dog 44 and thereby holds the pointed end 45 necting v out of contact with the column of goods.

When the lever 27 is moved downwardly, the spring 46 asserts itself and rocks the dog 44 forwardly-that is to say, toward the column of goods,-.until the pointed end 45 is firmly embedded in the lowermost piece of goods, as clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 1'1. By this means the column of goods is supported independently of the shelf 19 during the ejecting or delivery movement thereof. When the parts return to normal position, the bracket 49 of the ascending lever 27 strikes the extension 50 of the dog 44 and rocks the latter rearwardly out of engagement with the column of goods. This allows the column to fall down upon the delivery shelf. However, the dog 44 is not moved into releasingposition until the shelf 19 has almost reached its normal position. There is, of course, an interval between the release of the lowermost package by the dog 44 and the final return position of the shelf 19. In other words, the column of goods is released while the shelf 19 is still in an inclined position on its way back to normal. The lowermost package falling on the slightly inclined shelf will, of course, assume an inclined position and tend to fall forward. To prevent the forward end of this displaced package from being wedged by the returning shelf against the shoulder d of the rib (Z, I provide the readily flexible spring g, already referred to. This spring member guides the displaced article back to proper position within ,the magazine, as will be readily understood from Fig. 10. Although this figure shows the shelf in a halfway operated position to eject the package P, the figure also illustrates how the spring 9 will guide the displaced article back into the magazine during theupward movement of the shelf.

1n the lower part of the magazine section between the side walls 12 and 13, is secured the partition 51, which forms with the front wall of the casing the deliverychute or chamber D, into which the goods are dropped from the shelf 19. The bottom'of the delivery chamber D is formed by the plate 52 which, in the specific construction illustrated, also constitutes the top plate for the lock L. The side wall 3 of the casing is provided with a delivery opening 53 through which the ejected package is'withdrawn. To facilitate the removal of this package, the front wall of the casing is provided with an opening 54 through which a finger may. be inserted to push the package out of the delivery opening 53. 7

The lever 27 is adapted to be operated by hand from; the outside of the casing through any suitable connection. In the preferred form of my invention, I employ for that purpose a vertically slidable plate 55 mounted in close proximity to the side wall'4 of the casing. A detailed View of this slide is shown in Fig. 13. A finger piece 56 on theo-utside of the casing is attached to the slide 55 by any suitable means-such as a bolt or screw 57' extending through an opening 58 in the slide into the finger piece 56, as best shown in Fig. 8. The side 4 of the casing is provided with a slot 59 which operates the inner portion of the finger piece 56. The slide 55 is'provided with a pair of lateral lugs and 61 between which extends the free end of the lever 27. It will be apparent from the foregoing that as the slide 55 is reciprocated, the lever 27 is rocked. A contractile spring 62, secured at its lower end to the pin 63 on the slide 55 and at its upper end to a fixed plate or bracket 64, automatically returns the downwardly pressed slide and the parts con-' nected therewith to normal position.

In order to lessen the metallic noise of the returning parts, I have provided retarding means which prevents the retracting slide 55 from suddenly reaching normal position. This retardingmeans consists of a fixed cylinder 65 in which operates a piston 66 connected at its lower end to the lug 60 in any suitable way, as by a screw or bolt 67 secured in the opening 68 of the lug 60. The cylinder 65 is fixedly held in place by any suitable meanssuch as the bracket 64 which is secured to the side wall of the casing. As above explained, the bracket 64 also acts as a connection for the upper end of the retracting spring 62.

When the downwardly operated slide 55 is released, the retracting spring 62 not only carries the connected lever 27 back to normal position, but the coin-controlled slide 21 for the delivery mechanism is moved upwardly to normal position by the lever 27 which engages the rearwardly extending lug or shoulder 69' of the slide 21. This construction dispenses with the necessity of a separate retracting spring for the delivery mechanism, anda single spring is sutlicient' to return all of the operated parts to normal position, except that the supporting dog d-il-has a separate spring 46, as previously explained.

It should be noted that the hand operated slide 55 at all times covers the slot 59 in the outer wall 4 of the casing. This is a very desirable and advantageous construction because it prevents the insertion of any instrument into the casing, as is liable to happen with machines of the prior art where the casing is open to the outside through slots or openings necessary to accommodate movable parts. The only openings in the casing are the coin-entrance opening 37 and the delivery opening 53. These openings are, of course, essential in any coin-controlled vending machine. The delivery-opening 53 is so arranged with respect to the magazine and the delivery mechanism that no instrument could be inserted therethrough in an efl'ort to work the machine without a coin.

I have provided means for preventing a return movement of the parts unless they receive their full operative movement upon the deposition of a coin. To this end a gravity pawl 70 is so mounted with respect to the coin-chute as to normally hang in the path of the descending coin. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the pawl 70 is conveniently pivoted at 71 to a lug 72 extending rearwardly from the rear wall 39 of the coin-chute S, as best shown in Figs 4:, 5 and 7. At its free or lower end the pawl 70 is provided with a series of stepped shoulders 73, as best shown in Fig. 7. The walls of the coin-chute are provided with a pair of alined slots 74.- and which allow the lower end of the pawl to swing freely across the coin-chute. The operation of the stepped pawl will now be understood. When a proper coin is deposited, it strikes the pawl and by its momentum forces the same aside, as shown in Fig. 7 wherethe deposited coin, is indicated at C. When new the lever 27 is operated, the stepped shoulders 73 of the pawl will successively engage the upper edge of the descending coin and thereby lock the same progressively against return movement.

To supplement the action of the pawl 70, I haveprovided additional means to prevent the return of the operated parts to completion of their forward movement, which additional means is automatically set in operation after the coin has passed out of engagement with the stepped shoulders of the pawl 70. This additional means consists of a double-acting pawl 76 pivoted on the slide by the pin or stud 77. The pawl 76 is substantially triangular in shape, having a pointed forward end and a fiat rear, end

which is engaged by the flexible spring blade 78 secured to the slide 21 in any suitable manner, as by being mounted upon the lateral lug 79 extending from the lower end of the slide 21. Cooperating with the double-acting pawl 76 is a series of fixed teeth 80 mounted upon the front plate of the casing. When the slide 21 has been moved downwardly a sutlicient distance, the pawl 76 engages the teeth 80 and rides over the same, the spring 78 allowing movement of the pawl 76 for that purpose. However, the pawl prevents upward or return movement of the slide 21 until it has passed out of engagement with the teeth, as will be clear from Fig. 7. When the parts are released after their operative movement, the pawl 7 6 rides upwardly over the teeth 80 and allows the restoration of the slide 21 to uppermost or normal position.

The purpose of providing means to prevent the'return movement of the parts unless they receive their full operation, is to prevent tampering of the machine in an effort to secure more than one delivery for a single coin. Unless such locking means be provided, it might be possible to work the handoperated slide 55 up and down to cause para tial tilting of the delivery-shelf 19 and then move the same back until the next piece of v same against movement independently of the lever 27 which normally holds the slide in uppermost position by engaging the lug 69 thereof. At the bottom of the casing is pivoted a dog 81 having a shoulder 82 in the path of movement of the lug 34 extending rearwardly from the slide 21. The dog 81 is pivoted in a suitable bearing at 82 and is normally held in looking position by a suitable spring 83 fixed to the bottom of the casing. The free end of this spring engages a lateral lug 84: on the dog 81. As long as the shoulder 82 is in the path of the lug 341, the slide 21 is effectively locked against downward movement. The coin-controlled pawl 30 is provided with a lateral projection 85 extending into the plane of the dog 81. The upper endof the dog is beveled or cam-shaped as indicated at 86 in Fig. 1. WVhen a coin is deposited and the lever 27 moved downwardly, the projection 85 engages the cam-shaped upper end of the dog 81 and forces the same outwardly so as to remove the shoulder 82 out of the path of movement of the lock 84. In this way the pawl 30 automatically unlocks the slide 21 for operation.

To prevent operation of the machine with magnetic slugs, I provide a permanent horse' shoe magnet M which is shaped as shown in Fig. 7, and mounted on the rear wall 39 of the coin-chute. The rear wall of the coinchute has a portion bent at an angle to the coin-passage, as indicated at 87 in Fig. 7, to provide a discharge path 88 for magnetic slugs which are attracted to the poles of the magnet and thereby shunted out of the main coin-chute.

I have also provided the machine shown in the drawings with a washer-catching device like that which forms the subject-matter of my 781,072, filed July 25, 1913. However, the washer-catching mechanism shown in this application also serves as means for closing the coin-entrance slot when the supply of goods becomes exhausted. This washercatching mechanism, which is very simple in construction and occupies but little space, is mounted beneath the top or cover plate of the casing in a suitable bracket orframework 89 securely held in place by any suitable means. This mechanism comprises a coin-engaging lever 90 and a washer-catching lever 91. The lever 90 is pivoted at 92 and the lever 91 at 93. The lever 90 has a co-pending application Serial No.

coin-engaging portion 94: which normally extends across one end of the coin-slot 37, as best shown in Fig. 5. The lever .90 is held in normal position by a suitable expansion spring 95. The extension 96 of the lever 90 engages the extension 97 of the lever 91 and thereby holds the free end.98 of the latter out of the coin-slot 37 When the lever 91 is released, the forward end 98 thereof is thrust against the coin-chute by means of the spring 99, which at one end engages the lever 91. When a coin is inserted through the coin-slot 37, it engages the projection 91 of the lever 90 and thereby rocks the lever, moving the extension 96 away from the extension 91. This allows the spring 99 to exert its pressure. If the deposited coin is a good coin, the free end 98 of the lever 91 will merely exert a slight pressure against the side of the coin without interfering with its passage into the coin-chute S. However, should the deposited check be a washer, it will be clear that as soon as the opening in the washer comes into alinement with the projecting finger 98 of the lever 91, that finger will be thrust by the spring 99 across the coiirchute through the openingin the washer and thereby lockthe same against further insertion into the coin-slot. The underside ofthe catching finger 98 is beveled so as to permit ready withdrawal of the caught washer. 1

I have provided connections whereby the lever 90 of the washer-catching mechanism above described is automatically locked 1 against movement bya coin when the maga zine of the machine is empty. These locking connections are controlled by the position of the weight or follower W resting upon the column of good in the magazine. The weight IV has mounted thereon a slide 100 by means of headed pins 01' lugs 101 passing through the slots 102 in the slide. The slide 100 is provided with an extension 103 which is normally within the goods chamber, as shown in Fig. 4. Alug 104 extends rearwardly from the slide" 100 in proximity to the flange 16 of the magazine section. As seen from Fig. 4:, the flange 16 is provided with a beveled or cam portion 105. The side wall 12 of the magazine section is provided with an opening 106 in alinement with the extension 103 of the slide 100. This opening may be conveniently formed by displacing the section 107 of the side wall 12, as best shown in Fig. 9. On the side wall 12 of the magazine-section, is slidably mounted the bar 108 by means of headed pins or studs 109 extending through slots 110 in the bar. The bar 108 is normally in lowermost position and is adapted to be moved upwardly by the arm 111 pivoted at 112 on the side wall 12 of the magazine-section. The rear end of the arm 111 is in the path of movement of the extension 103 when the slide is in its operated position, as will be presently explained. The upper end of the gravity bar 108 lies normally below the plane of operation of the lever 90, as seen from Figs. 4 and 6. However, when the bar is in its uppermost or operated position, the upper end thereof stands against the coin-engaging end of the lever 90 and locks the same against movement by the coin attempted to be inserted into the coin-slot 37. In this way, the yieldable obstructing lever 90 also acts as a slotclosing device. The operation of the bar 108 into locking position is controlled by the slide 100. By reference to Fig. 41, it will be observed that as the weight 100 descends, the lug 101- will come into contact with the cam surface 105 of the flange 16, whereby the slide is gradually shifted laterally in the direction toward the side wall 12 of the magazine-section. The arrangement of the cam surface 105 is such that when only one piece of goods remains in the magazine, the slide 100 will have been operated sufficiently to bring the extension 103 into the plane of the pivoted arm 111. Consequently, after the ejection of the last package, the descent of the weight causes the extension 103 to bear down on the rear end of the arm 111 to rock the same and thereby elevate the bar 108 to locking position. Fig. 9 very clearly shows thi co-action between the slide 100 and the bar 108.

The slide 100 is provided with an upstanding finger piece 113 by means of which the weight may be readily grasped and raised when it is desired to replenish the compartment. The displaced section 107 of the side wall 12 guides the extension 103 back into the magazine and permits ready removal of the weight out of the magazine. To guide the slide 100 into the magazine when the weight is put in place, I provide the side wall 12 of the magazine-section with an outwardly displaced cam piece 114. No matter in what position the slide happens to be on the weight when the latter is inserted into the magazine, the guide piece 114 will allow insertion of the weight by guiding the extension 103 into proper position.

In Fig. 16 I have shown a modified construction of means for normally locking the lever 27 against operation. In this modified form the locking hook, instead of being mounted on the coin-controlled pawl 30, is mounted separately and independently thereof, as shown at 115. The locking dog 115 is pivoted at 116 from the bracket 117 suitably secured to the coin-chute S. The dog 115 is provided with a weighted portion 117 which normally causes the dog to hang in such a position that the pin 118 of the lever 27 rests in the horizontal or looking portion of' the L-shaped slot 119 formed in the dog 115. By virtue of this construction, the lever 27 is normally locked against downward movement by the dog 115. In order to cause movement of the dog 115 into releasing position when a coin is deposited, I provide the same with a lateral lug 120 adapted to extend into the path of the coin. W hen a proper coin is deposited, it moves the lug 120 out of the coin-chute, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16. When the dog 115 is in its actuated position, the pin 118 of the lever 27 is in alinement with the vertical portion of the slot 119. Consequently, the lever 27 is now free to be moved downwardly, as above explained in detail.

The discharge of the coin from between the pawl 30 and the opposite side of the coin-chute, takes place automatically when the lever 27 has been moved downwardly a sufficient distance. In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, this automatic discharge of the coin does not take place until after the double acting pawl 76 has engaged the teeth 80 to lock the parts against return movement. In this way the delivery of the goods is insured after the coin has performed its intended function.

From the foregoing detailed description of the construction and operation of the various parts in the accompanying drawings, the operation of the machine to cause ejection of an article when a proper coin is deposited and the finger piece 56 pulled down, will be understood without repeating here what I have already said above.

Altough Ihave herein shown a machine of certain specific construction embodying the various features of my invention, I will have it clearly understood that I have shown and described this specific construction merely for the sake of illustration. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that in the broader aspect of my invention the various features thereof may be mechanically carried out in other ways than those herein set forth, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will also be apparent that certain features of my invention may be used without certain other features.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a coin-controlled vending machine, operative mechanism, a movable member for operating said mechanism, a movable device for normally locking said member against operation, a hand-operable element normally disconnected from said member, a coin-controlled pawl carried by said element coin into connecting engagement with said member, said pawl being normally out of engagement with said member, and cooperating means on said device and said pawl and adapted to be moved by the deposited an operating member,

whereby the latter when in connecting position automatically forces said device into unlocking position to permit full operation of said member.

' 2. In a coin-controlled vending machine, operative mechanism, a reciprocable slide for operating said mechanism, a movable device for normally locking said slide against operation, a pivoted lever normally disconnected from said slide, a coin-controlled pawl carried by said lever and adapted to be rocked by the deposited coin into connecting engagement with said slide, said pawl being normally out of engagement with said slide, means for operating said lever by hand, and cooperating means on said device and said pawl whereby the latter when in connecting position automatically forces said device into unlocking position to permit full operation of said slide.

3. In a coin-controlled vending machine,

means for normally locking the same against operation, a hand operable element provided with a coin-controlled device adapted to be moved by the deposited coin into connecting engagement with said member, said device being normally out of engagement with said member, and means whereby said device when in connecting position moves said locking means into unlocking position to permit full operationof said member.

i. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a downwardly movable hand-operable member having means adapted to be actuated by the coin and to support the same at the lower end of said coin-chute, an operating element adapted to be operatively connected with said member through said coin-actuated means, and a pivoted pawl arranged to hang normally across said coin-chutebut adapted to be deflected by a descending coin, said pawl being at its free end provided with a series of stepped shoulders which successively engage the upper edge of the supported coin in its descent during the initial operation of said member to positively lock the same against return movement.

5. In a coincontrolled vending machine, a casing provided with a coin-chute for receiving the deposited coin, a downwardly movable member adapted to support the deposited coin in operative position, a pivoted pawl arranged to hang normally across said coin-chute but adapted to be deflected by a descending coin, said pawl being at its free end provided, with a series of stepped shoulders which successively engage the upper edge of the supported coin in its descent during the initial operation of said member to positively lock the same against return movement.

6. Ina coin-controlled vending machine,

ing means on said coin-chute a casing provided with a coin-chute for receiving the deposited coin, a downwardly movable memberadapted to support the deposited coin in operative positiom-a pivoted pawl arranged to hang normally across said coin-chute but adapted to be defiectedby a descending coinfsaid pawl being at-its free end provided with a series of stepped shouldate which successively engage the upper edge of the supported coin in its descent during theinitial operation of said member to positively lock the same against return movement, and independent means adapted to lock said operating member against return movement when the coin moves out of engagement with said pawl.

7 In a coin-controlled vending machine,

a movable member arranged to support the deposited coin in operative position, and a pivoted pawl having its free end in the path of the deposited coin, said free end of the pawl being provided with a series of stepped shoulders which successively engage the edge of the supported coin to positively lock said member against return movement. 8. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, an operating .device, a hand-operable member, a movable element mounted on said member and having a portion adapted to engage the deposited coin, said element being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said device through the weight of the engaged coin, and means arranged to cooperate with said coin-engaging portion to sustain the deposited coin in engagement with said ele ment, said means and said engag ng portion being so arranged that the space between them is widened during the operation of said member to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin.

9. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, an operating device, a hand-operable member, a movable element mounted upon said member, and cooperatand said element to support the deposited coin at or near the lower end of said coin-chute in'engagement with said element, said element being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said device through the weight of the supported coin, said cooperating means being so arranged that the space between them is widened during the operation of said member to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin.

10. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, an operating device, a hand-operable member, a movable element mounted on said member and having a portion adapted to engage the deposited coin, said element-being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved intooperative engagement with said device through the weight of the engaged coin, means arranged to cooperate with said coinengaging portion to sustain the deposited coin in engagement with said element, said means and said engaging portion being so arranged that the space between them is widened during the operation of said member to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin, and means for normally locking said member against movement, said locking means being automatically moved into releasing position by the deposited coin.

11. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, an operating device, a hand-operable member, a movable element mounted on said member, cooperating means on said coin-chute and said element to support the deposited coin at or near the lower end of said coin-chute in engagement with said element, said element being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said device through the weight of the supported coin, said cooperating means being so arranged that the space between them is widened during the operation of said member to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin, and means carried by said movable element for normally locking said member against movement, said locking means being automatically moved into releasing position by the deposited coin.

12. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a flat and substantially rectangular casing, a vertically reciprocable slide mounted within said casing, a hand-operable lever pivotally supported at one end and extending transversely across said casing, a swinging pawl mounted upon said lever between the ends thereof and normally out of engagement with said slide, said pawl being engaged by the deposited coin and thereby swung into engagement with said device, whereby said lever becomes operatively con nected with said device, and means provided on said pawl for normally locking said lever against movement, said locking means being automatically moved into releasing position by the deposited coin.

18. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, a vertically movable slide, a pivoted lever adapted to be operated by hand, a swinging pawl mounted on said lever and having a portion adapted to engage the deposited coin, said pawl being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved'into operative engagement with said slide through the'weight of the engaged coin, and means arranged to cooperate with said engaging portion to sustain the deposited coin in engagement with 'said pawl, sald means and said engaging portlon being so arranged that the space bewea etween them is widened during the operation of said lever to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin.

14. In a coin-controlled vending machine, a descending coin-chute, a vertically movable slide, a pivoted lever adapted to be operated by hand, a swinging pawl mounted on said lever and having a portion adapted to engage the deposited coin, said pawl-being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said slide through the weight of the engaged coin, means arranged to cooperate with said engaging portions to sustain the deposited coin in engagement with said pawl, said means and said engaging portion being so arranged that the space between them is widened during the operation of said lever to cause automatic discharge or release of the deposited coin, and means for normally locking said lever against movement, said locking means being automatically moved into releasing position by the deposited coin.

15. In a coin-controlled vending machine, an operating device, a hand-operable member, a swinging pawl mounted upon said member, a fixed element, meansat the upper end of said swinging pawl adapted normally to engage said fixed element and thereby lock said member against operation,means provided on said pawl between the ends thereof to engagethe deposited coin and thereby cause movement of said pawl through the weight of the coin, and means provided at the lower end of said pawl to engage said operating device when said pawl is moved under the weight of the coin, said lastmentioned means being normally in an inoperative position, said locking means being automatically moved into releasing position when said pawl is moved into connecting position.

16. In a coin-controlled vending machine,

a fiat and substantially rectangular casing, a reciprocable slide mounted approximately midway of said casing and operable in a plane at right angles to the plane of said casing, a hand-operable lever pivoted at one end. and extending transversely across said casing, said lever being movable in the plane of said casing, and a swinging pawl mounted upon said lever for operatively connecting said lever with said slide to actuate the same, said pawl being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved in engagement with said slide through the medium of the deposited coin."

17. Ina coin-controlled vending machine,

a flat and substantially rectangular casing, a reciprocable slide mounted approximately midway of said casing and operable in a plane at right angles to the plane of said casing, a hand-operable lever pivoted at one end and extending transversely across said casing, said lever being movable in the plane of said casing, a swinging pawl mounted upon said lever for operatively connecting said lever with said slide to actuate the same, said pawl being normally in an inoperative position but adapted to be moved in engagement with said slide through the medium of the deposited coin, and means for normally locking said lever against movement, said locking means being automati 1) F. E. LANG, I M. A. LYoNs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. v s

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