US1260372A - Vending-machine. - Google Patents

Description

A. n. GnovER L E. E'BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.19x2.

1,260,372. Patented Mar. 26, 1918. 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Fl 1- a l Earl E. Barber.

A. D. GROVEH da E. E. BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED lun' 21. 1912.

1,260,372. Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 7. j VII/IJ;

' @i f ew" A. D. GROVER & E. E. BARBER.

VEND|NG` MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED luLY 21.1912.

Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN VEN TUF- 5 Jlber 17. @rover am WE 5.,. m4 Ef, W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. GBOVER, 0F MALDEN, AND EARL E. BARBER, OF `BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

ABSIGNOBS TO AUTOSALES YORK.

GUM & CHOCOLATE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 27, 1912. Serial No. 711,797.

To rIl whom t may concern Be it known that we, ALBERT D. GROVER and EARL E. BARBER, citizens of the United States, and residing, respectively, at Malden, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, and Boston, county of Suliolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specilication.

Our invention-relates to vending machines adapted to be operated upon the detposition of a proper coin for the delivery o a suitable commodity, and has for its general object the revision of a machine embod 'ng various eatures of novelty over anyt g disclosed in prior machines. Our machine is of the magazine type and is so compact in its arrangement of parts that a machine containing several magazines takes up com paratively little room. The different arts that go to make up our machine are inc osed in a substantially rectan lar casing, preferably made of sheet meta beyond which no parts project to cause Aobstruction or unsightline. Our machine is thus excellently a apted for use in places where but little space is available-as, for instance, on railroad cars.

Onesobj ect of our invention is to (provide a movable coin carrier having a rigi pin or projection adapted to hold the coin 1n operative position during the movement of the carrier, so that the coin may operate as a connectionbetween the coin carrier and a suitable member connected with the ejecting mechanism. The pin or projection on the carrier engages the coin substantially at the center, so that a washer falls back on the carrier into inoperative position.

In the preferred form of our invention, the coin carrier is provided with a ldable member arranged to hold a coin of ess than the prescribed weight in such position that it is readily stripped from the carrier by the member connected with the ejecting mechanism, without causing operation of that member. In the precise embodiment of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawin this yieldable member is 1n the form o al weighted arm having a free end which projects into a coin-retaining groove on the carrier. It is necessary that the coin depress this free end of the weightf displaced portion i portion, will strike the edge of the retained coin olf center and be thereby automatically ejected through a lateral opening in the chute.

A further object of our invention is to provide a pivoted switch at a suitable point 1n the coin chute leading to the coin carrier for automatically to be refunded when the magazine is empty. The normal position of the switch is such that a deposited coin will find its way to the coin carrier. However, as soon as the last package has been ejected from the magazine, the switch is automatically tilted so as to divert the deposited coin into a refunding chute open to the outside, so that the, patron may get his money back.

A further object of our invention is to provide means under the control of the coin carrier for supporting a deposited coin in the coin chute when the carrier is 'out of normal position. The arrangement is Such that the return of the supporting means to release the coin which thereupon drops on the carrier.

A further object of our invention is to provide a multiple-magazine machine in which the operating mechanism associated with each magazine is carried by a frame workwhich is removable as a unit from the machine, independently of the other mechanisms. Also, the magazines associated with the ejecting mechanisms are so mounted in the casing as to pendently of each other.

The above and other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, through a portion of our machine, substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6, with arts of the casing broken away above and below; i

.be readily removable inde causing a deposited coin f carrier operates the Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the broken line 2-2 ofv Fi 1;

Fig. 3' is a sectiona view in plan taken substantially 'on the irregular line 3-3 of Figl;

g. 4 represents a sectional view on line Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a fra entary view in detall showing a modi ed arrangement `of the switch or refunding a deposited com when the machine is empty;

8 vis a rear view of the modified switc arrangement shown in Figi. 7, the magazine bein omitted from this gure;

Fig. 9 is a ragmentary sectional view on line 9-9 of lFig. 1 showing the osition of a coin of proper wei ht on the coin carrier;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 sh ing the position of a coin of less than prescribed weight on the coin carrier; and

Fig. 11 1s a cross-sectional view on line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

The diiferent parts that make mechanism ofour machine are hou` the in a i substantially rectangular casing constructed locking plate 13 secured to t preferabl of sheet metal and having a ront wal or panel 1, a rear wall 2, sides 3v and 4, a ytop 5 and bottom 6. The metal on the front edge of the casin is bent back upon itself, as shown at 7 in igs. 3, 4 and 5, to provide a double thickness of metal for reinforcement. The front panel is formed with a continuous flange. 8 which isvadapted to lit over the reinforced edge 7 of ,thecasing, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. In this way a tight tween the front panel the casin and the reinforcement along the line of c osure prevents the parts from being easily separated by the attempted insertion of a hand tool. The front panel is removably mounted on the casing by means. of pins or lugs 9 secured to the top portion of the iiange 8 and extending downwardly through corresponding openings in the to of the casin as shown 1n Fig. 5. A loc 1G of suitab e construction is secured upon the inner side of the front panel near the bottom, and thebolt 11 of the lock is adapted to engage the upstandin` lug 12 'of the e bottom 6 of the casing by rivets 14, or otherwise. To remove the front necessary to unloc it at the bottom and then s wi the panel outwardly at its lower end suiiiciently to permit its being lifted out of en agement with the casing at the top.

n the casi are secured two transverse shelves or artitions-an up er shelf 15 and a lower s elf 16. 4Theses elves are held in place in any suitable manner-as, fox;

closure is effected be Y and the main body of falso' prevented by the rods anel, it is therefore only instance, by means of rivets 17 which pass through the sides of the casing and througlh flanges 18 formed at the two ends of t e shelves. The upper shelf 15 is arranged to support a. series of magazines in which the vendible articles are stacked. The number of magazines may vary depending upon the size and capacity for wllic the machine has been designed. In the particular form shown in the drawing, tains four magazines indicated at M1, M2,

M, and M. The front panel l maybe provided with sight openings a, one in front of each magazine, these. openings being covered by a iece of glass b, suitably held in place on t e inside of the front panel. Each of these ma azines is a unit in itself, and is removable rom the casin independently of thel other magazines. he magazine is substantially rectangular in form and is proportioned to accommodate the vendible articles. The magazines are preferably constructed of sheet metal and comprise a rear Wall 19, sides 20 and a front wall 21, which has a longitudinalV opening 22. To the rear wall of each magazine near the bottom thereof is secured a orizontal rod 23 in any desired manner. The 'shelf 15 is provided with upwardly extend; ing lugs or brackets .24 arranged in pairs and having vertical slots 25 adapted to receive the ends of the rods 23. By means of this arrangement, the magazines are readily placed in proper position on the shelf 15 and are easily removable independently of each other. As the rods 23 fit snugly in the slotted brackets 24, the magazines are firmly held in 'place' without danger of disarrangement during the operation or transortation of the machine As seen from ig. 3, the brackets 24 extend forward suiiiciently to engagethe sides of the magazines. This positively preventsl transverse movement of the magazines. Such movement is 23 abuttin from Fig. v2. may be provided at the top of the casing to hook over the top of each magazine at 27 to assist in maintaining the magazines in an u right position when the machine is mov about.

Beneath each magazine is arranged a coineontrolled ejecting mechanism adapted to be operated upon the insertion of a proper coin to eject .the goods from the magazine. Each mechanismis carriedbya frame work slidably mounted on'the lower shelf 16 and removable independently of the other mechanisms. 'As the articular machine shown in the drawings 1s va fourpcompartment machine, there are `four of these frameworks diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 6 by F1, F, F" and F. As -these frameworks and the mechanisms carried thereby are identical against each other, as seen spring 26 the machine conin construction, it will be necessary to describe only one of the frameworks and its mechanism. Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the framework F1 is at its lower end provided with a pair of inwardly turned flanges 28 adapted to interlock with upwardly and outwardly turned flanges 29 formed on the shelf 16. The flanges 29 are arranged in pairs, one pair for each framework, so that each framework may be slid into position on the shelf, or removed therefrom, without disturbin the other frameworks. As seen from ig. 2, the adjacent sides of the frameworks are quite close to gether. On each side of the framework near the bottom is provided a pair of inwardly turned flanges 30 spaced apart to form a pair of opposite guide grooves or channels for the base plate 31 of the coin carrier 32. his coin carrier is formed with an inclined surface 33 from which projects a pin 34. From the lower end of the inclined surface 33 extends a ledge 35 at an angle t0 that surface, so as to provide a coin-retaining groove or recess 36 for a coin of proper weight. The 'base plate 3l of the coin carrier 32 is provided with a slot`32", as best shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In the opening 32aL is pivoted an arm 32b at the poi -t 32. This arm has at one end a weighted portion 32", and at the other end an upstanding lug or pro'- jection 32" which is normally adapted to extend into the groove 36, as shown in Fig. l0.

he 'projection 32 is so arranged on the coin carrier that when a coin drops into the carrier 1t strlkes the projection centrally. If the coin is of proper weight, it will be sufficient to depress the projection 32e and assuinethe position shown at C in Fig. 9. In this, its operative position, the coin rests at its lower edge in its retaining groove 36 and is Supported in the inclined position shown 1n Fig. by resting against the lower end of the coin chute to be presently` referred to. Should the deposited check be of light material, such as paper or aluminum, it will not be capable of depressing the upstanding projection 32 of the weighted arm 32", and will be held by said projection out of the coin-retaining groove 36, as clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11. en a coin is thus supported on the projection 32, it is in position to be readily stripped from the coin carrier by the oscillating lever which is connected with the ejecting mechanism, as will presently be described.

hen the coin carrier 32 is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, a coin passing through the chute 37 is received by the coin carrier and retained in the lower end 38 of the chute. As seen from Fig. 2, the lower end 38 of the chute 37 is laterally displaced with respect to the main body portion of the chute, and is in alinement with the coin carrier. The laterally displaced portion 38 of the coin chute 37 has sides 39 and 40 between which the coin C is held, but is open toward the rear to ,allow the coin to be carried rearwardly by the coin carrier 32. The front wall of the lateral extension 38 of the coin chute is provided with a slot 41 to allow the passage of the coin carrier therethrough. The coin chute 37 is o en at 42 for a purpose to be presently explained. When a coin drops down the coin chute 37, it strikes the top of the side flange 40 and is deflected toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) into the extension 38 and onto the coin carrier 32, as best indicated at C in Fig. 2. If, while the coin C is retained by the carrier in the laterally displaced portion 38 of the coin chute, a second coin should be dropped into the coin chute, iti-will strike the coin C off center, as indicated at C in Fig. 2, whereby it will be automatically ejected through the lateral discharge opening 42. It is thus impossible for more than one coin to remain in the coin chute 37 at one time. Otherwise, the coin chute might become clogged up with successively deposited coins and the machine thus put out of commission. The coin chute 37 is rigidly mounted in the framework F by anysuitable means. In Fig. 1 of the drawings we have shown the coin ,chute secui'ed to an upper bracket 43 and a lower brabket 43. These brackets are in turn fixd to the front wall of the framework. Th coin chute 37 is of course given the proper inclination so as to bring the lower end thereof into operative relation to the coin carrier. The coin carrier is operated by means of the plunger 44 which is in the form of a hollow rod secured to the down- Ward extension 45 of the coin carrier. Screws 46 on the extension 45 engage the annular flange 47 formed at the rear end of the plunger 44 and hold the same in fixed relation to the coin carrier. A coil spring 48 bears at one end against the front head of the hollow plunger and at the other end against the rear of the framework, to automatically return the coin-carrier to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. vThe spring 48 is coiled about a guide rod 49 extending forwardly from the rear wall of the framework.v This guide rod extends partially into the hollow plunger and 'prevents the spring from buckling when the plunger is pushed in. To compel full inward movement of the coin carrier before it can return to normal position, we provide a doubleacting pawl 50 1pivotally mounted on a stud 51 carried by t e base plate 31 of the coin carrier. A sprin 52, coiled about the stud 5,1, is at one end xed to the stud and at the other to thel pawl, so as to normally hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 4. The

with teeth 53 at each sideqof which is a recess 54. This arrangement of pawl and ratchet forms a well-known construction in vending machines to prevent return of the movable part carrying the pawl until it completes its stroke. No further description of this arrangement is therefore necessary.

In` he sides of each framework is journaled the transverse shaft 55 which carries the operating lever 56. As will be explained later on in detail, the upper end of the lever 56 is connected with the e'ecting mechanism which is slidably mounte on the top of the framework. A spring `57 normally holds the lever 56 in the posltion shown in Fig: 1. This spring is coiled about the shaft 55 and bears at one end against the in 58 on the lever 56, while the other en engages the pin 59' projecting inwardly from one side of the framework.- When the lever 56 is in normal position, its lower end 60 is in such relation to the coin carrier and the lower end of the coin chute 37, that a coin' G will, at its upper edge, pro]ect slightly above said.

lower end 60 and 1n close roximit thereto. This is clearly shown in Fig. 1. T e spring 57 tends to rock the lever 56 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fi 1). The movement of the lever in this dlrection is by the stop 61 which bears against the lever near its up er end. The stop 61 is best formed by nding a portion of the rear wall of the framework forwardly. To the rear wall of the casing is xed a pair of brackets' 62, as shown in Fig. 4. On a pin 63, journaled in these brackets is mounted a com stripper comprising a pair of stripping arms 64,V an vupward extension 65 and a lowerextension 66. A leaf spring 67 secured to the rear wall of the framework F', bears at its lower end against the upper exi "tension 65 to hold the arms 64 in a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1. Theflower lextension 66 limits the downward movement of the coin stripper by abutting a .ainst the rear wall of the framework. he strip ing arms 64 are at their'free end rovidefiwlth hook portions 68 having inc ined surfaces 69. As seen from Figs. 2 and 4, the arms of the coin stripper are arranged on either side of the operating lever 56.

The operation of the coin-controlled mechanism, as so clearly understood and is as follows: As-

that a proper coin has descended throug the chute 37 onto the coin-carrier 32, it will lean against the front wall of the .laterally displaced extension 38 of the chute, with its upper edge in close proximity to the lower end 60 of the operatm 1ever'56. If now the plunger 44 be push inwardly against the tension of the sprin 48, the coin 32 is moved rearwa y ca g thecoinC. Itwillbeclear m under the iniuence of the spring 67.

limited\ far described, will now bel income Fig. 1 that it needs but a very sli ht movement of the coin carrier to bring t e pin 34 against the coin. As the coin carrier"l is moved inwardly, the upper edge of the coin engages the lower end 60 of the operating lever '56 and rocks the same into the position indicated in dotted lines at 56 in Fig. 1. Durin this Amovement of the coin carrier, the com is held in rigid position on the coin carrier by means of the in 34 and the oove or reoess36. In thls way the coin ormsl a rigid movable connection between the coin carrier andthe operating lever 56.

When the coin comes into engagement with the stripping arms 64, it rides under the inclined sur es 69 and rocks the arms upwardl until it passes by the hooked ortion 68, w ereupon the arms are rocke down When the coin carrier returns, the coin encounters the hooked portion 68 of the stripping arms and is thereby tilted rearwardly until it falls from the coin carrier into the coin box 70 at the bottom of the casing.

The advantagesof our new coin carrier will now be apparent. In the first place,

should a washer find its way to the coin v carrier, the pin 34 will enter the opening in the washer as the carrier is moved rearwardly, and instead of beinlpropped up in rigid position, the washer w fall back onto the inclined surface 43 of the coin carrier. In this position, the up er edge of the washer will lie below the ower end of the operating lever, so that no connection is established between the coin carrler and the o erating lever through the medium of t e washer. When the coin carrier returns to normal position, the washer is stripped from the carrier the same as the proper coin will be, as above described in detail. The coin carrier is cut away at 33 and 33 to accommodate the stripping arms 64, so that the hooked portion 68 the 4washer on the surface 33 and strips the same from the coin carrier. Should the coin be of less than the prescribed weight, it will beheld out of the coin-retaining groove by the upstanding projection 32 on the weighted arm 32". Should the coin carrier be ushed inwardly with the deposited check 1n this position, the engagement of the check with .the lower end of the operating arm 56 will automatically cause the lower edge of the coin to ride upwardly on the ledge 35 ofthe coin carrier 32, whereby the check is automatically discharged from the carrier without causin operation of the arm 56. Another advan e of our new coin carrier is in the automatic testing of the coin as to diameter. It will be clear from F' 1 that if the coin be of smaller diameter t an that of the coin-C shown, the operatinl arm 56 would either not be engaged at l or else engaged only during a part of the vinward reaches lower than movement of the coin carrier. event. the operating lever 56 would not be rocked to its full extent, as indicated in dotted lines at 56', and this incolnplete movement would be insufficient to cause ejection of the articles from the associated magazine. Should the deposited coin be of soft or easily breakable material, it would not withstand the pressure of the pin 3l and would become either bent or broken. In either case, there would be no operation of the lever 56.

It will be obvious that in the broad aspect of our invention so far as the coin-carrier is concerned. the particular form or function of the member 56 is immaterial. In the particular machine illustrated, the member 56 is shown in the form of a pivoted level'. but, broadly speaking. the member or device to be engaged by the coin on the coin-carrier or coin-support 32 may be any suitable element contained in the machine and adapted to be actuated.

It may sometimes happen that a coin is deposited when a coin carrier is not in its normal position. To prevent the loss of such a coin to the patron, we have provided means for temporarily retaining such a coin in the coin chute until the coin carrier is moved back to normal position, whereupon the coin automatically drops on the coin carrier, and the machine may be operated in the usual way. In the present embodiment of our invention, this temporary retaining means comprises a depending arm 71 pivoted on the pin TQ which is mounted in a pair of ears or lugs T3 extending forwardlv from the coin chute 3T. The lower end of the arm Tl is provided with a lateral lug T1 which is arranged to bear against the coin carrier, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. From the rear of the arm 71 projects a. Vhen the c0111 carrier supporting lug T5. 32 is in its normal or unoperatled position, as shown in Fig. 1, the arm Tl is held substantially vertical, so that thc supporting lug T5 remains out of the coin chute 37. However. when the coin carrier is moved inwardly (toward the right as viewed in Fig. l), the arm T1 is moved rearwardly by the spring T6 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The leaf spring 76 maybe conveniently secured to the coin chute 37 by screws or rivets TT and is arranged to bear at its lower end against the extension 78 on the arm 71. Any suitable means may be provided for swinging the arm 71 rearwardly when the coin carrier' is moved out of normal position. 'hen the arm 71 is in its operated position. the supporting lug extends into the coin slot through an opening 7). 'ith the arm T1 in this position. a deposited coin will bc arrested by the lug 75 and temporarily remain in the position indicated at C2 in Fig. 2. The coin will In the latter" remain supported in this position until the coin carrier 32 returns to normal position and forces the arm T1 back into its normal position. as shown in full lines in Fig. l. As soon as the lug T5 is withdrawn from the coin chute. a coin drops on to the coiu carrier and the latter may then be pushed inwardly to actuate the operating lever 56.

The rear or upper side Sl) of the coin chute 3T terminates in a rearwardly curved lip or flange 81 at some distance above the lower end of the coin chute, and thus provides a rear discharge opening 82 for magnetic slugs. A permanentmagnet 8:2 is rigidly mounted by any suitable means on the upper side of the coin chute in such a position that the poles of the magnet terminate at the guide flange 81. The means which we have shown for holding the magnet rigidly in place on the coin chute comprises a non-magnetic block 83 which is fixed to the upper side 80 of the coin chute and is of a shape to fit between the legs of the magnet. A non-magnetic bar 81 ex tends over the legs of the magnet, as shown in Fig. :2, and is held in place by a screw or pin 85 which passes into the block S3. In this way, the magnet is not only lirmly held in place but may be readily removed by simply taking out the screw 85. Then an iron slug passes down the coin chute 37, the magnet diverts it out of the coin chute through the opening S2. the flange Sl guiding the slug rearwardly and preventing the same from becoming attached to the poles of the magnet. The lower end of the actuating lever 56 is bent rearwardly away from the coin chute, as indicated at S6, so as not to interfere with the discharge of the magnetic slugs. ll'hen a slug is diverted by a magnet, it drops on the curved portion 86 of the lever from which itfalls into the coin-box 70.

We will now describe the ejecting mechanism which is connected with the upper end of the actuating lever 56. As seen from Figs. 1 and 2. the upper end of this lever has a slot 8T in which engages the pin 88 carried by a pair of spaced lugs or ears 89 extending downwardly from the ejector plate 90. This plate is mounted to slide over the top flanges 91 of the framework F1. As seen from Figs. 2 and 3. the sides of the plate 90 extend over the lianges 91, andA retaining lugs 92 are provided 011 the plate 90 to engage the underside of the fianges 91 and thus prevent vertical displacement of the njector plate. The lugs 92 may be conveniently struck u from the metal of the ejector plate 90. l t its rear.

theplate 90 is provided with a pair of spaced bearing lugs 93, as best shown in Fig. 3. A pin 94 is supported at its ends in the lugs 93 and has rotatably mounted thereon a Vsubstantially U-shaped framework indicated as a whole by E. This plate 90 and connected at the rear by a tion under the action o i out of sheetv metal and is secure crosspiece 96. The arms 95 are provided with upwardly extending portions 97, through which the pin 94 passes. The plate 90 is provided with an opening or cut-away portion 98 to allow the arms 95to extend above the plate. The arms 95 are provided at their free end with upright ejecting lugs 99 having a vertical front surface 100 and an inclined or cam-shaped rear surface 101. These ejecting lugs extend through slots 102 in -the ejector p ate 90,and also through slots 103 formed in the transverse shelf or partition 15. The rear wall of each magazine is at the lower end provided with slots 104 through which the ejecting lugs 99 may freely pass to engage the lowermost article in the magazine and push the same out of the magazine. A.` spring 105 coiledV about the pin 94 bears at one end n the ejector plate 90, as shown at 106, and at the other end on the cnosspiece 96 of the framework E, as shown at 107. The spring 105 thus tends to throw the ejecting lu 99 upwardly and hold them in an uprig t position, as shown in Fig. 1. The operation of the ejecting mechanism will now be clearl understood and may be briely describe as follows: When the lever 56 1s operated through the medium of a deposited coin, as heretofore described in detail, the plate 90 is moved into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.` 1. During this movement of, the ejector plate 90 the lugs 99 engage the lowermost article l (which is intended to represent a small box or packe containing any suitable commodity), an pushes the same out of the magazine into the delivery chute D carried b the front panel 1 of the casing. During t e return movement of the ejector mechanism from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to that shown in full lines, the ejecting lugs 99 are automatically depressed and ride under the stack of articles. As soon as the lugs have cleared the magazine, they snap u into ejecting posil) sprin 105.

The delivery chute D is pre erabl formed t0 the front panel in any .suitable way. This chute consists of sidewalls 108 and a rear wall 109 bent into shape as best shown in Fig. 1. At the to of the chute, the sides areextended -inwar ly to form the flanges 110 thro h which pass fastening pins or rivets 111 or securing the chute to the front panel. At its lower end, the rear wall 109 terminates in a llange 112 which rests against the front anel for receiving the fastening rivets 113.

he rear wall109 is curved rearwardly at 114 to form a deep recess or chamber opprosite the opening 115 in the front panel. o

prevent the ejected goods from falling out of the chamber 114, we provide a rearwardl -inclined shelf or'led 116 which exten into the mouth of the elivery chute, as best shown in Fig. 1. The shelf 116 is carried by or forms part of an extension 117 rovided on the plate 118. The form of t is plate is best shown in Fig. 6. As the machine illustrated in this figure has four magazines, there will of course be four delivery chutes, or a common delivery chute may extend across the front panel to receive the goods from all of the magazines. There are as many retaining shelves 116 as there are magazines, and each shelf is arranged in vertical alinement with each magazine so as to receive the goods ejected from that `magazine. These retaining ledges need not be very wide.. In fact, they should preferably be narrower than the coin required to operate the machine, because as will be pres# ently explained, the refunded coins come out of the deliver chute D and rest u on the shelves 116. f the coin is wider t an the shelf, it is more easily asped by the patron. The position of a delivered ackage on the shelf 116 is indicated in otted lines G in Fig. 1. This not only prevents the package from falling out of the delivery chiite, but supports it in position to be easily withdrawn by the atron. A pair of guide rods 119 positionedp at the upper end of the delivery chute assist in directing the e'ected package properly downthe chute. hese rods are secured to a cross bar 120 mounted in the sides 108 of this chute.

The plate 118 is secured to thefront panel b means of rivets 121, or in any other suitalile way. This plate is formed with a recess 122 into which the plungers 44 extend. The recess 122 thereforeforms a housing for the projecting ends of the plun rs which terminate substantially ilush wit the front `of the casing. The openin 123 in the rear wall of the recess 122 or reoeivin A lungers, are suiliciently large to permit thev ower end of the front panel to be swung outwardly about the pins 9 as a pivot. As the openings 123 are at a considerable distance from the point of rotation of the front panel, they need not be very much larger than the diameter of the plungers.

We come now to that eature of our invention by which a coin deposited when the machine is empty, is automatically refunded through the delivery chute D. To the front panel above the delivery chute D is secured a hood 124 provided with a partition 125 the A which` is spaced from the downwardly Hanges are best shown on the modified through lateral flanges 124" extendin outwardly from the sides of the hood. hese form of hood illustrated on Fig. 8, but they are precisely the same on the form of hood shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of the coin chute is in alinement with an opening 128 formed in the front panel. This opening is covered by a plate 129 rovided with a series of coin slots 130. here are 0f course as many coin slots 130 and coin chutes 127 as there are magazines in the machine. The bottom of the coin chute 127 is provided with an opening 131 of a width slightly smaller than the diameter of a prescribed coin, so that when a coin is deposited which is smaller than a coin intended for the machine, it will drop through the opening 131 into the delivery or refunding chute-D. The coin chute 127 terminates at is lower end in alinement with a pivoted coin switch 132. This switch may be arranged in several ways, two of which have been shown in the drawings-one in Fig. 1 and the other in Fig. 7. Referring first to the switch as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be observed that the switch is pivoted on a pin or rod 133 mounted in the sides 134 of a frame or bracket S secured to the lower end of the magazine by screws or rivets 135. As best shown in Fig. 3, these rivets pass through the front flanges of the magazine and corresponding flanges 136 extending outwardly from the sides 134 of the frame' S. The coin switch 132 normally rests at its upper end against a crosspiece 137 provided on the frame or bracket S, and rests by gravity in the position shown in Fig. 1. At its lower end, the coin switch 132 is provided with a rearward extension 138 which is adapted to be engaged by the lug 139 formed on the weight 140 in the magazine, when the latter is empty. It will be clear from Fig. 1 that when the last package of goods has been discharged from the magazlne, the Weight 140 will descend to the bottom of the magazine and in doing so it will strike the projection 138, thereby rocking the switch 132 into the position shown in dotted lines. W ith the switch in this position, any coin descending through the coin chute 127 will be deflected by the switch into the delivery or refunding chute from which the patron may recover the coin. As soon as the weight 140 is moved up when the magazine is refilled, the switch 132 automatically assumes the position shown in full lilies 1n Fig. 1. Vlien in this, its normal position, the switch forms in eii'ect a continuation of the coin chute 127 and directs the coin into the lower coin chute 37 from which it falls onto the coin carrier, as previously explained. The switch 132 ma)r also be considered asa movable section of the coin passage which extends from the coin entrance slot 130 to the coin carrier 32, the other sections of this coin passage being the upper chute 127 and the lower chute 37.

In the modified arrangement of coin switch shown in Fig. 7, the coin switch 132 is pivoted on the pin 133' mounted in the sides of the hood 124. When the switch is in normal position, the upper end 141 of the rear side rests against the lower end 142 of the top 126', as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7. When the weight 140 has rocked the switch rearwardly, by engaging the extension 138 thereon, the top 143 of the front side rests against the point 142, as shown in full lines in Fig. 7. The function and operation of the modified form of switch 142 are precisely the same as that of the previously described form 132. Preferably the weight 14() is provided with an upper and lower lug 139 so that no matter how the weight is put into the magazine it will always be in position to operate the switch when the magazine is empty.

ile we have herein shown a specific form of machine embodying the various features of our invention, it is understood that we do not intend to be limited to such construction, hut that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as delined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it is apparent that certain features of our invention may be used without certain other features.

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

1. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin carrier having a rigid extension adapted to sustain the coin in operative position on the carrier, of a movable member arranged to be engaged by the sustained coin and actuated thereby when said coin carrier is operated, said coin-carrier and said member being adapted to retain the coin in connecting position during their complete forward movement, and independent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during the `return movement thereof.

2. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin carrier having an inclined surface, a rigid extension projecting from said surface and adapted to engage the coin at or near the center thereof to sustain the same in operative position on the carrier, whereby a deposited check with an opening at the center is not sustained by said extension but falls on said inclined surface into an inoperative' position, of a movable member arranged to be engaged b v the sustained coin and thereby' actuated when the coin carrier is operated,

said coin-carrier and said member being ada ted to retain 'the coin in connectin position during their complete forward movement, and independent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof.

3. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin carrier having a rigid extension adapted to hold the coin in operative position on the carrier, of a pivoted member having a portion projecting into the path of movement of the coin on the carrier, whereb said member is rotated by the coin, sai coincarrier and said member being adapted to retain the coin in connecting position during their complete forward movement, and independent means for discharging the 'coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof.

4. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with' a coin carrier and means for reciprocating the same, said coin carrier having a rigid pin or extension adapted `to sustain the coin in operative position on the carrier, of a pivoted member having a portion projecting into the path of movement of the sustained coin, whereby said member is rotated by the coin, said coin-carrier and said member being adapted to retain the coin in connecting position during their complete forward movement, and independent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof.

5. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin carrier having an inclined surface, a rigid pin ro- ]'ecting from said surface and adapted to enga the coin at or near the center thereof to ho d the same in operative position on the carrier, whereby a deposited check with an opening at thei center is not sustained by said pin butfalls on said inclined surface in an inoperative position, of a pivoted member having a portion projecting into` the ath of movement of i the coin on the carrier, whereby saidmember is rotated by the coin,

said coin-carrierand said member being adapted to 4retain the coin in connecting position durin their complete forward movement, and in ependent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof.

6. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination .with a coin carrier and means for reciprocating the same, said coin carrier having an inclined surface, a rigid pin projecting from said ed to enga e the coin at or near the center thereof to .old the same in operative position on the carrier, whereby a deposited check with an opening at the center is not sustained by said pin but falls on said inclined surface into an inoperative position,

of a movable member arranged surface and adapt` of a pivoted member having a portion pro- -jecting into the path of movement of the coin on the carrier, whereby said member is rotated by the coin, said coin-carrier and said member being ada ted to retain the coin in connecting position durin their complete forward movement, and in ependent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof. 7 In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair of movable members normally disconnected from each other, one of 'said members being adapted to support a coin, and a rigid in or extension on said last-mentioned member to hold the coin in position to establish operative connection between said members, said members being the coin in connecting position during the complete forward movement thereof, and independent means for ejecting the coin. from between said members during the return movement thereof.

8. In a coin-operated vending machin the combination with a coin carrier an means for reciprocatin the same, said coin carrier havin a rigi in or extension adapted to ho d the coin in operative position on the carrier, of a pivoted having a portion projecting into the path of movement of the coin on the carrier, whereby said member is rotated by the. coin, and 'a separate element for automatically dislodgingA the coin from said coin carrier during the return movement thereof.

9. In al coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a coin chute provided with a laterally displacedV rtion at its lower end, the side fromwhich said Vlower end has been displaced being provided with a discharge openin above said displaced adapted to retain member portion, of a mova le coin carrier below i said coin-chute for supporting a coin in said displaced portion, w ereby a second coin dropped into the coin chiite while a first coin is retained in said displaced ortion, strikes the edge of said first coin o center and 'is thereby `automatically eje ted through said lateral opening.

10. -In a com-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin-carrier having a rigid extension adapted to sustain the coin in operative position on the carrier,

to be enaged by the sustained coin and actuated ighereby when said coin-carrier is operated, spring-pressed arm adapted and a pivoted to strip the coinfrom said carrier during the return movement thereof.

11. In a coin-operated vendin machine, the combination with a horizonta y shdable coin-carrier having a rigid in or extension adapted to sustain the coin in operative position thereon, of a member pivotally beve said carrier and having tills e mounted a lower end in the path of movement o Sustained coin, said coin-carrier andV said member being adapted to retain the coin in connecting position during their forward movement without ejecting the saine.

12. In a coin-operated ven machine, the combinationwith ahorizonta ly slidable adapted to sustain the coin in operative position thereon, of a member mounted wholly above said coin-carrier and in vertical alinement therewith, said member having its lower end extending into the path of movement of the sustained coin.

.13. In a coin-operated vendin machine, the combination with a horizontay slidable coin-carrier having a rigid adapted to sustain the coin osition thereon, of a member mounted wholly above said coin-carrier and in vertical alinemen-t therewith said member ha its lower end ex ing into the ath of movement of the sustained coin, an independent means for dischargin the coin from said coin-carrier during the return movement thereon.

14. In a vcoinperated vending machine, the combination o a vertical swinging lever, a coin-carrier mounted to slide freely y beneath the lower end of said lever without engaging the same, and a rigid pin or extension on said carrier to sustain a coin in position thereon to e e the lower end of said lever, whereby said lever and said coincarrier become operatively connected and retain the coin in connecting position without ejectinlg the Same.

15. n a coin-operated vendin machine casing, a rectan Y having an outer supported in the sides .of said work, a shaft framework, a shaft, a coin-chute secured in said framework, a coin-carrier mounted in the lower portion of said framework and adapted t0 carry the deposited coin against the lower end of said lever, whereby said and said lever become operatively connected through the medium of th eating `push-rod connec carrier and mounted in said push-rod projectinghout of said manual operation ereof, m slid. ably mounted on top of said framework and connected with the upper end of said lever and guides for removably mounting Sai framework within said casing framework and the parts may be readily removed into said casing as a unit.

In a coin-opierated vending machine, a readily remova le unit framework supportin the following parts: a sp presse vertical lever in the center of said framework, a co` chute in front of said lever, the lower end of said lever terminating in close proximity casing for vertical lever pivoted on said lmedium ivoted pivoted substantia y y to the lower end of said coin chute,l a coin carrier slidably mounted below said coin, chute to receive the deposited coin, a push rod for moving said coin carrier rearwardly to bring the coin a inst the lower end of said lever, a yieldab e member for engaging the coin on said coin-carrier during the re turn movement thereof and thereby discharging the same therefrom, and mechanism slidably mounted on said framework and o ratively connected with the upper end o said lever.

17. In a coin-operated vendi machine, a coin chute, a vertical operatingnever pivotally supported at a point between its ends, the lower end of said lever terminating at the lower end of said coin chute, a slidable coin carrier arranged to receive the deposited coin and carry it against the lower end of said lever for actuating the same, means for operating said coin carrier, and an independent device adapted to engage the coin on said coin-carrier du the return movement thereof and ythereryujscharge the same therefrom.

18. In a coin-operated vendin machine having a casin a readily remova le framework mounte in said casin a vertical swinging lever pivoted in sai framework, the rear Wall of said framework having a portion bent toward said lever to form a stop for the saine, a spring for normally holding said lever against said sto and mechanism for operating said lever rough the medium of a coin.

19. In a coin-operated vend' having a casing, work mounted in said casing, Va vertical swinging lever pivoted in said framework, the rear wall of said framework havmg a portion bent toward said lever to form a Sto for the same, a spring for normally ho din said lever against said stop, mechanism or operating said le ver throu h vthe of a coin, a sprmg-pres arm in said framework and having a ependin portion which normally bears against e wall of said framework tohold the arm in substantially horizontal position, the free end of said arm being adapted to strip the coin from said mechanism.

a coin-operated vending machine,

machine a readily remova leframeioo iilo

a coin chute, a vertical operating lever pivv at a point between its ends,

otall supported the lb at wer end of said lever terminating the lower end of said coin chute, a slidable com carrier arranged to receive the depositcd coin and carry it against the lower end of said lever for actuatmg the same, means for operating said coin carrier, a springpressed arm pivoted in said framework and having a depending portion which normally rs against the rear wall of said framework to hold the arm in substantially horizontal position, the free end of Said suitable element to be actuated, a mova being adapted to strip the coin from said coin carrier during the return movement of the latter.

21. In a coin-operated machine havingla e coin-carrier adapted to support the deposited coin in a tilted position and to carry the same into o erative relation to said element and a yiel able member mounted on said coin-carrier and against which the deposited coin falls, said member being constructed and arranged to hold a coin or disk of less than the prescribed weight in an inoperative position on'said coin-carrier and permitting said light-weight coin or disk to be tilted o said coin-carrier during its forward movement.

22,. In a coin-operated vendin machine, a coin carrier provided with a coin-retaining groove and a depressible projection in sai groove to receive the deposited coin, said projection being ada ted to hold a coin of ess than the prescri ed weight out of said groove, and means for actuating said coincarrier to convey the deposited coin into operative position.

23. In a coin-operated machine having a suitable element to be actuated, a coin-carrier having means to retain a coin in operative position thereon, yieldable means mounted on said carrier for holding a coin of less than prescribed weight out of engagement with said retaining means, and means for actuating said coin-carrier to convey the deposited coin into engagement with said element.

24. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movable coin carrier having means to sustain a coin in operative position thereon, of a movable member arranged to be engaged b the sustained coin and actuated there y w en said coin carrier is operated, and means on said carrier for causing automatic discharge of a coin of less than the prescribed weight when the same engages said movable member.

25. In a coin-o erated vending machine, the combination with a movable carrier havin means to sustain a coin in operative position thereon, of a movable member arranged to be enga d bg' the sustained -coin and actuated there y w en said coin carrier is operated, and a ieldable proection on said carrier for hol ing a coin o less than the prescribed weight in position to be automatically discharged from the coin carrier by said member without operating the latter.

26. In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair of movable members normally disconnected from each other one of said members being adapted to rigidly support a. coin to form an operative connection between said and means on said coin-supportmembe ing mem for causing automa-tic discharge of a coin of less than the prescribed weight when said members are moved relatively to each other.

27. In a coin-operated vending machine, a

pair of movable members normally disconnected from each other, one of said members being adapted to rigidly support a coin to form an operative connection vbetween said members, and a yieldable projection on said supppoi'ting member to liold a coin of less than the prescribed weight in position to be automatically ejected from between said members when the same are moved relatively to each other.

28. In a coin-operated machine havin a suitable element to be actuated, a mova le coin-carrier provided with a pivoted arm having its free end arranged to be depressed by a coin of proper weight, means on said coin-carrier whereby a proper coin is operatively supported thereon, and means for actuating said coin-carrier to convey the supported coin into engagement with said element.

29. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable `coin carrier provided with a coinretaining groove and a pivoted arm havin its free end arranged to ,project into sai groove, said free end being adapted to hold a coin of less than the prescribed weight out ofy said retaining groove.

30. In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair of movable members normally disconnected from each other, one of said members having means to support a coin in position `to establish operative connection between said members, and a yieldable projection on said coin-supporting member to hold a coin of less than the prese ibed weight in position to be automatically ejected from between said members when the same are moved relatively to each other.

31. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrier rovided with a rigid projection and a shoul ered recess arranged to sustain a coin of prescribed weight in operative position on said carrier, and a yieldable member mounted on said carrier and normally extendin into said shouldered recess to prevent coins of less than prescribed weight from operatively engaging said shouldered recess.

32. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrier rovidedwith a rigid projection and a shoul ered recess arranged to sustain a coin of prescribed weight in operative position on said carrier, and a yieldablezmember ivoted on said carrier and Donnelly exten ing into said shouldered recess to prevent coins of less than prescribed weight from operatively engaging said shouldered recess.

33. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrier provided at its fornaeova ward end with a transverse rib or shoulder, a projection on said carrier above said shoulder, said projection and said shoulder be` adapted to engage a coin of prescri weight and sustain the same in o ative osltion on said carrier, and a movab e memr mounted on said carrier and adapted to hold a coin of less than the prescribed we' t out of sai shoulder.

34. A vending machine having means to support a stack of articles thereln, a movale coin receiver below said articles and provided with a recess to receive a proper coin and retain its ulpper portion in position to dislodge a vendi le article, said receiver having a member on one side of the coin above saldrecess to coact with the coin, said re ceiver also having a movable tongue extending across the upper art of said recess in the path of coins into t e receiver, to prevent light-weight tokens from operatively entering said recess. v 35. A vending machine having means to support a stack of articles therem, a movable coin receiver below said articles and provided' with a recess to receive a roper coin, said recess being of less depth t an the coin to e ose the upxer portion of the latter to disl ge a ven ble article, said receiver having a member on one side of the coin above said recess to coact with the coin, said receiver also having a ivotal weighted ton e at the upper part o the recess 1n the pat of coins into said recess adapted to be moved by a proper coin to permit its entrance into the recess with the upper part of the coin extending above the recess, said tongue being adapted to prevent light weight tokens from operatively entering said recess.

36. In a coin-operated vending machine, a

operative engagement with coin-carrier havin a 'd in or extension adapted to hold the inpo erative position thereon, manually opera le means for actuating said coin-carrier, and a movable element supported above said coin-carrier and having a portion projecting into the path of the coin on said cari-1er, the coin on said carrier being retained in connecting n the engagement with said element d forward movement of the carrier and automatically dislodged from the carrier during the return movement thereof.

37. In a coin-operated vending machine having an outer casing, a substantially rectangular framewor a shaft supported in the sides of said framework, a vertically swinging lever pivoted on said shaft, coinreceiving mechanism slidably mounted in said framework and adapted tobecome connected with the lower end of said lever through the medium of the deposited coin, said mechanism and said lever being normally disconnected, means mounted4 in said framework to guide the de 'ted coin into operative position on sai mechanism, .a reciprocating usb-rod connected with said mec anism an work for manual operation of said lechanism, a device connected with the up r end of said lever and arranged to slide on top of said framework, and guides for removably mounting said framework insaid casing, so that said framework and the parts carried thereby may be readily removed from or inserted into said casing as a unit.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 12 day of July, 1912.

ALBERT D. GROVER. v EARL E. BARBER.

Witnvesses forrllaolila:

ILLIAM FronnNcn E. Ifnet? projectngout of said framey

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