US1564383A - Coin-controlled vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Decr 8 L I I G. S. VARCOE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1923 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jmmrur? GHRL. HNILE UHRLZUE Dec. 8, 1925- G. E3. vVARCOE:

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 14. 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 jl/ENTUR [ITS/mans. I

fl7T'E Dec. 8, 1925- 1,564,383

I G. s. VARCOE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1925 v Sheets-Sheet s Dec.

G. S. VARCOE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1925- v Sheets-Sheet 4' JM/EN TU Elma/v0.17, UHR'ZUE.

Dec. 8; 1925. 1,564,383

G. S. VARCOE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1923 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jl/ENTUR 25 E it Dec. 8, 1925- G. s. VARCOE com CONTROLLED vmmme mcnma Filed July 14, 1923 '7'Sheets-Sheet 6 M w m5 u a mm Dec. 8, 1925- G. S. VARCOE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE '7 Sheets$heet Filed J ly 14, 1923 mwfggw Ill/EN rm Emu. film. Unqnus.

- Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

lJNlTED ISTATES PATENT OFFICE. I

GARLAND SLATER VARCOE, OF FENELON FALLS, ONTARIO, CANADA.

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING 'MACH INE.

Application med July 14, 1923. ser'm No. 651,514.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that-- I, GARLAND SLATER VARCOE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and-resident of the town of Fenelon Falls, in the Provinceof Ontario and Dovminion of Ganada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This inven ion relatesto improvements in coin-controlled vending machines, which are designed to be operated or released upon the insertion of a coin or the like of prede termined value corre'spondlng to or greater than the amount required to be paid.

The objects of this invention are to provide a machine of this character particularly adapted for use for the sale of specific articles at a predetermined price and also adapted for use in places of amusement for the sale of tickets or'the like at a predetermined price and in general designed to provide automatic, eiiici-ent and convenient means for selling articles in which the amount received is automatically accounted for and retained, and further a machine m which, where more than the predetermined amount is deposited therein, the difference will be returned as change with the article sold.

Still further objects are the provision of a vending machine of this kind formed with different compartments in which to store or house difierent articles.

Yet another and essential object oi. my

improved vending machine is the revision therein of means whereby only one iide coins are allowed to pass through the machine, anything in the way of a mutilated coin, slug or otherwise after insertion heing immediately directed into ,the discharge chute and returned.

Still further objects are to provide a coincontrolled and electrically-operated vending 1 machine of comparatively few parts, which can be economically manufactured, and in which the several parts are so arranged as to more satisfactorily perform the various functions required of them, and further constitute a compact machine of light build that can be easily transported and set up where required.

- 'VVith these and otherohiects in view, the

invention consists essentia ly in the novel construction and arrangement of parts described in the "present specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings that form part of the same, in connection.

with which it is to be clearly understood that one embodiment only of my invention is here described and shown, which is, therefore, not to be interpreted in a limited sense.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in each figure.

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofuan em- I bodiment of my machine as a whole.

Figure 2 IS a rear view. Flgure 8 1s a similar View to Figure 2, with the door removed.

Figure 4 1s a longitudinal section of the machine. I

Figure 5 is an enlarged sect1on on line 55 on Figure 4.

-propelling andslug-discharging elements in thedetector. Figure 13 is a plan View of the channel portion ofthe detector.

Figure 14 is a section on line 14-44 of Fig. 13.

Figure change-giving mechanism.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a section on line l7-17 Fig.v 16

. igure 18 is a section on line 1818 Fig.

Figure 19 is a perspective-detail of the circuit regulator for the ejector solenoid.

wiring.

In the drawings, the example ofcthe ma chine illustrated is adapted to sell articles at a predetermined price of fifteen cents, also to return change and to discard mutilated coins, slugs. or the like, and is con structed of any suitable materiaL-comprisfront elevation of Figure 8; l

i5 is a perspective detail of the Figure %0 is a diagrammatic view'oi the and 14 are designed to receive twenty five and fifty-cent pieces, respectively. It should here be noted that each chute is made of different dimensions to fit a coin to be inserted through the slot with which the chute is connected, and further that each chute is formed with a slot or opening 9 in the bottom, whereby a coin smaller than that for which the chute is designed will {all therethrough, In other words, these slots are designed to prevent the machine being tampered with or improperly used.

15 is a switch lever adapted, when the machine is connected up to the source of electric energy, to move to the right or left to operate a double point switch 15? to contact with stops 13 and 17 according to the article required to be purchased.

1) is a door communicating with compartments 18 and 19 within the casing and in which are stored different articles to be sold. Below this door on the front or" the machine is mounted an arrester E communicating with the compartments 18 and 19 through 5 openings 20 and 21 in the casing, whereby the articles sold are discharged into the arrester, while 22 is a third opening in the easing beneath compartments 18 and 19 designed for change to be discharged into the arrester E.

The arrester E is adapted to hold the article and change after they have been ejected from the inner part of the machine, and it also prevents anyone, by protecting the apertures where the articles come out, from obtaining them without first having placed a coin in the slots,

The end F of the casing is also provided with a door 23 communicating with a compartment formed within the casing in which are arranged detachable coin-tubes, as shown in Figure 3, and hereinafter more fully described. I

Within the casing proper are arranged supporting partitions 24: and 25 and 26, adapted to supportthe operating mecha- 1118111.

28 is a suitable bar extending transversely of the casing on the inside across the top of the slots, liingedly mounted on one end and provided at the other end with a fibre block 29. designed inoperation to press together uthe contacts 30 and 31, whereby the primary circuit as illustrated in Figure 20, is complete. This bar is adapted to extend slightly ateaeae beyond the fibre block 29 to engage with a notched member 32 pivotally mounted at 33 and adapted to contact at 34 with energizing means in the form of an electromagnet 35 (see Figure 6).

In operation, the switch lever having been set to contact with one of the stops 16 and 17 and when a coin is placed in any of the slots it will cause the bar 28 to rise, thereby, through the block 29, pressing'the contacts 30 and 31 together to complete the primary circuit. At the same time, the end of the bar engages the armature or notched member 32 to hold the bar in position. This bar is released when the armature 32 is subsequently attracted by the energizing of electromagnet 35 which is designed to open the primary circuit.

Suitably connected to the series of slots are a plurality of coin chutes 36 Suitably bent at 37 and 38 and communicating at their lower ends with oppositely sloped and suitably mounted slug detectors 39.

A feature that should be noted with regard to these chutes and the slug detectors is the way they are bent and sloped, respectively, to provide substantially a switch-back formation for the travel of the coin, which enables, the sing to be returned to the discharge chute. i

Referring now more particularly to the detectors 39, including mechanism for-the detection and discharge of improper coins as well as mechanism for the delivery of the correct coin to its next chute and, as illustrated, in Figures 10, 11 and 12., this mechanism comprises a channel member 40 fixedly secured at 421 in the casing and designed to slope upwardly from the inner end where it is connected with the lower end of the coin chute 36 so that any but a bona fide coin will be readily returned to the discharge chute 12 connected also to the inner end of the channel member 40 in such a way as to provide a space 43 between it and the coin delivery chute 36. I

Adjacent the channel member 40 is a solenoid 4 1 provided with anarmature 45,'spring actuated by means of a coil spring 16 wound thereon and connected at its inner end to an arm'? in turn connected to a longitudinally extending rod member 48 parallel with and above the channel member 40; This rod at its outer end is suitably and downwardly. bent at 49 while the channel member has fixedly mounted at 50 the compression spring 51 branched at its other end to form the con- 'cally through In combination with thismechanism, there is pivotally mounted substantially midway 0t its length on the rod 48 at 56 a suitably bent and pointed catch member 57 which is designed to engage with the rim of the coin and to move it forwardly until the coin reaches the outer end of the channel member, there to drop into the coin chute 58.

The foregoing mechanism is designed particularly to deal with the ordinary and bona tide coin If on the other hand, a slug has been inserted in the machine, the member 57 does not engage with it but passes over the rim. of the slug which remains'in the channel member 40 until a projection 59 on the rod-48 strikes an arm member 60 'pivotally and centrally mounted at 61 adjacent the outer end of the channel member on a spindle 62suitably supported on a bracket 63 and designed to swing thereon; This causes the end of the arm member 60 to strike the slug, moving it hackwardly through the opening 43 into the discharge chute 42.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that on solenoid 44 being energized, the armature will shoot inwardly and then automatically outwardly, operating, as already described,

the mechanism to further the travel of a coin and to discharge a slug.

We have now reached the stage in the operation and description of this machine where the coin has travelled through the slot and reached and cleared the slug detecting mechanism, during which travel a primary circuit is closed by the insertion of a coin in the slot, and a secondary circuit is also closed automatically by the coin in its travel exertingpressure through acompression spring to close contact points52 and 53. There is a slug ejecting apparatus, it may be mentioned, adapted for use in combination with each slot. 1

' From the foregoing it will be seen that the essential features in the operation and construction so far described are the slug de tectors in combination with the chutes connected directly to the coin slots, in which chutes the coin on being inserted, automaticontact with operatively mounted bar means, closes a primary circuit, and then-travels by gravitydown the chute and upwardly into the op ositely sloping channel shaped portion of t e detector, and automatically to contact with the compression spring to close a secondary circuit,

whereby the solenoid connected to the detector is energized and'the detector mechae nism automatically and momentarily operated to impel a coin on its way, or in the ary circuit is automatically opened, the coin at the same time continuing on its travel into the chutes 58.

Referring now more particularlyv to these chutes 58, they are designed to communicate with the detectors 39, and are, as here shown, vertically arranged, each being rovided with an electromagnet 64. These 0 iute's are also formed substantially the same as the member 40, in that they are cut out at their lower ends and there provided with spring actuated means adapted to, be operated by the coin passing therethrough to cause contact points 65 and 66 to touch and to close circuits individually, hereinafter more fully described.

. These vertical chutes '58 communicate in turn individually with discharge chutes 58 leading to. a series of interchangeable coin tubes 67, as illustrated in Figure 5, the construction of the vertical chutes 58 being more particularly illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

It will thus be seen that when coins of the value corresponding to the total ofthe selling price of the article to be disposed of, as in this case fifteen cents, pass through the chutes 58, they will intheir travel in the 'difi'erent chutes 58 cause contact points 65 and: 66 to touch, to close .a third circuit, whereby goods ejector mechanism is energized to discharge the article purchased, the coins at the same time travelling into the interchangeable coin tubes 67 through the discharge chutes 58, as illustrated in Figure 5. On coins of a denomination greater than fifteen cents, namely fifty cents and twentyfive cents, reaching the chutes 58 communieating with the slot and discharge chutes for these denominations, contact points 65 and 66 automaticallyv close the third circuitalso energizing the goods ejector mechanism and, in addition,mechanism for returning change, in the case of fifty cents, thirty-five cents, by connecting iii- series solenoids 81 and 82 and in the case of twenty-five cents, ten cents &

storage well 68, substantially made out of its length. This well is adapted to hold a number of ten-cent pieces for returning change, as hereinafter more fully described,

' while a well 69 similar to the well 68 is also provided in the twenty-five cent coin discharge chute. The fifty-cent and five-cent discharge chutes communicate directly, without any storage well interruptions, with the fifty-cent and five-cent container tubes.

7 Leaving the matter of change for the moment on one side, we will now deal with the means, in combination with the mechanism already described, for ejecting the articles purchased. lhis consists of a pair of ejector solenoids 70 and 71 suitably supported in the casing and provided with rods 72 and 7 3 of nonmagnetic material fastened to an armature T4 and designed to eject one at a time through the openings 20 or 21 in the compartments 18 and 19 the article purchased into the arrcster E.

Either of these solenoids are energized on a coin or coins amounting to fifteen cents or over momentarily reaching the lower ends of the vertical chute 58, there operating the compression spring to in turn operate the contact points and 66 to close, as above mentioned, the dillerent circuits.

Referring now more articularly to the giving of change and tie means whereby this is carried out, the coin wells 68and 6S) are n'ovided at their lower ends with discharge chutes leading into a main discharge chute 78, in turn discharging through the aperture 22 in the easing, into the arrester E.

The operatihg mechanism for the wells consists of plates 79 mounted on the armatures 80 oil a pair of oppositely disposed solenoids 81 and 82, designed to be energized whenthe coin or coins for which change is required pass through the vertically arranged chutes 58. These plates 79, on the solenoid being energized, are adapted to move inwardly to Contact with the lowestof the coins in the wells 68 and 69 to shove them into the discharge chute 78.

In other words. when change is required, the ejector solenoids and 71 as well as these change operating solenoids 81 and 82 are energized.

7 As an example, on a fifty-cent piece being inserted and travelllng, as already described,

through the upper portion of the machine,

including the detector 39, and on reaching, in its particular chute, the vertical chute communicating therewith, it will, on lodging in the bottom, compress the spring causing the contact points adjacent thereto to touch,

,as shown in Figures 8 and 9, thereby completmg, in this case, circuit No. 3, Figure 20,

energizing the solenoids 81 and 82, and also either of the solenoids 70' and 71.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate more particularly the change returning mechanism operated by solenoid 81 for returning the twentyfive cent piece simultaneously with the travel of the fifty-cent piece throughits own disscribed, comprises an arm mounted on. the

armature of the solenoid 81 and designed,

when the solenoid is energized, to move inwardly to contact with one of the twentyfive cent pieces in the well 69 and eject it into the discharge chute and from thence into the main discharge. The ten-cent tube acts exactly the same, and thns'out of fifty cents the thirty-five cents is returned as change, while simultaneously with the change giving operation either ofthe solenoids 70 and 71 is operated to eject the article purchased. I

To impel the coin on its travel after contarting, as above described, with the compression spring in the vertical chute 58, the arm 82- of the plunger 74 of the solenoid 71 moves inwardly pressing together contact points 8% and of part 86, completing another-electric circuit. The completion of this circuit, energizes the electromagnets (il (see Figure 7) attracting armature 87 to cause the arm 88 to strike the coin in the chute 58, knocking it into the discharge tubes 58*.(see Figure 8).

Simultaneously with the closing of cir-.

thereby releasing the slot bar and thus opening the primary circuit.

A further circuit No. 7 1s also closed,

which is designed to operate the adding mechanism, This mechanism, however, is not shown in the present application as it constitutes new patentable matter for another application. v

In further explanation of the operation of my improved vending machine as here arranged for articles at fifteen cents, and assuming in the first instance that the purchaser has not the correct amount but has fifty cents, thiscoin is inserted in the slot 14 and travels by gravity, as already described, operating the bar 28 to in turn com- .)lete the primary circuit or circuit No. l hy bringing the contact points 30 and 31 together.

The coin now proceeds on its way through the chute 36 into the channel member 40, where it momentarily, by means already described, causes the contact points 52 and 58 to touch, thereby completing a secondary circuit and energizing the solenoids li whereby the coin is impelled on its way into the vertical coin chute 58, here causlOll menace of the ejector solenoids 70 and 7laccording as the double switch 15 is set and at the sanictilne energizing both change-giving mechanism solenoids 81 and 82 to cause a twenty-five ccnt piece to be ejected into the discharge'chute from the twenty-five cent well and at the same time a ten-cent a piece from the ten-cent well, the article bought andthe change being delivered pracchange-giving mechanism is connected in series with the cyector solenoids, thereby only returning a ten-cent piece in change.

leferring now to Figure 20, on a coin of ten or fifteen cent denomination being inserted, a primary circuit is closed automati cally by the touching of the contact points 36 and 31. the leads 91 and 92 from the source of power to a transformer 90, lead 91 being interrupted by the contact points above referred to, 30 and 31.

0n the coin, as above mentioned, reaching one of the detectors 39, into which it is shot by gravity, it momentarily closes a secondary circuit comprising a lead and return 93 to transformer 90, interrupted by the contact points 52 and on the closing of which thesolenoids 44 are energized to propel the coin on its'way or to discharge a slug. 4 i

Dealing now with a third circuit, and assumming the double switch 15 to be in contact with the point l7, to operate the solenoid T1 for the ejector mechanism, this circuit comprises lead and return 94 from the transtorn ier 90, and interrupted by the doublcswitclr15, and then by contact points (55 and 66 for coins of fifty-cent denomination, and whereby on this circuit being closed, solenoid 71'is energized to operate the ejector mechanism and also solenoids 81 and 82 for the change-giving mechanism r Circuit No. 4 comprises the same lead and return 94 to the transformer with, however, different contact points interrupting for twenty-five cent coins, which, on contacting,

close circuit No. 4 to operate solenoids 71 and 81 simultaneously, also as the armature ot' solenoid 71 moves, circuit No. 5 is closed by the contact points 84 and 85 touching. This circuit No. 5 comprises lead 95 from the transformer through 9% and contacts 84: and '85, to clcctromagnets 6 lenergized (when this 1 circuit is closed), and then through return lead 94 back to transformer.

The energizing of the ele'ctromagnets- 64 also. (loses a sixth circuit, comprising lead 96, electromagnet 35, and return 97 to transformer 90 through lead 94:, whereby the slot bar is released. v

This primary circuit includesv Simultaneously with the closing of as, cuit' No. 6, a circuit No. 7 is also closed, comprised of lead 96 and return 98, to return 94 to transformerand which, being :losed, is designed to operate a solenoid 99 for adding mechanism, as shown.

On a coin of ten or five cent denomination reaching the third circuit, as above 'described, the contact points 65 and 66 are closed, thereby closing a circuit comprising lead 94: interrupted by contact points 65 and 6G and return 94 to transformer, which energizes the ejector solenoid 71 only.

In further operation, it should be noted,

with regard to the storage wells and the giving of change, that before-the machine is set up these wells can be tilled with twenty-five and ten-cent pieces, respectively, when in each case the twenty-five and ten-cent pieces inserted in the machine and subsequently in their travel will pass "over the wells, the

coins therein being on a level with the surface of the chute. If, however, nocoins are placed in the wells before the machine is set up, these coins as inserted will be deposited in the wells until they are full and so on.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely difierent' embodiments of my inven-' tion, within the scope of the claims, constructed without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification and drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A vending machine comprisin in combination, a plurality of suitably ent coin chutes, slots communicating with said chutes and adapted to receive coins, a plurality of detectors for said chutesandmeans in com-- bination with the coin slots operable on the insertion of a coin whereby a primary circuit is closed to automatically operate the detectors and means operated by the coin in the first-mentioned chutes with the discharge chutes, compartments in the casing adapted to hold the articles to be purchased, ejectors 'for' said compartments and means carried by said vertical chutes and automatically operated by a coin passing therethrough to close an electric circuit to operate said ejectors, change-giving means connected to the discharge chutes and adapted on certain coins passing through said vertical chutes to be operated simultaneously with said ejector means to return change, electromagnetic means in combination with said litivertical chutes whereby the .coin is discharged into the discharge chutes, a change discharge chute, and an arrester carried by the casing communicating with said discharge chute.

2. A vending machine of the character de scribed comprising, in combination, a suitable casing having coin slots therein adapted to receive coins of different denominations, merchandise compartments in the casing and an arrester carried by the casing and communicating with said compartments, a plurality of fee tubes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, 'coin discharge chutes communicating with said fee tubes and storage means in said chutes for coins of certain denominations and a change discharge chute communicating with said storage means and with the arrester to deliver change into the latter, a plurality of coin chutes connected to said slots at one end and communicating at the other end with, said discharge chutes, means intermediate of said slots and said discharge chutes for controlling the travel of the coin and means adapted to be automatically engaged by the coin to close one at a time a plurality of electric circuits to operate change giving mechanism to said storage chutes; ejectormechanism for the merchandise compartments and means for ,operating said mechanism simultaneously or individually,

3. A vending machine of the character de scribed comprising, in combination, a suitable casing havingslots therein adapted to receive coins of different denominations, having openings therein to drop coins of smaller denominations than the chutes, a plurality of coin chutes connected tosaid slots whereby the coins travel therein by gravity, a plurality of slug detectors commimicating with the lowerend's of said. chutes, operatively mounted and partially closing means across said slots adapted to be raised by the insertion of a coin to close an electric circuit and energize the detector mechanism to impel the com on its way or discharges. slug, compartments in the easing and ejector mechanism for said compartments, a plurality of coin fee tubes in the casing and change discharge means for said tubes, a plurality of -com discharge chutes for the tubes and a plurality of coin chutes connecting the detectors and said tubes and means carried by the latter automaticallyoperated by the coin in its travel to close.

electric circuits to energize the ejector'mechanlsm and the com discharge ine'chanlsm simultaneously automatically operable elec tric means for opening said circuit and the primary circuit. i

4. A vending machine of the characte described comprising in combination a suitable casing having merchandise compartments therein and provided with an arrester communicating with said compartments, a plurahty of com fee tubes in said casing and a plurality of coin discharge chutes communicating with said fee tubes; coin storage means in said discharge chutes and electris cally operated means for said storage means and means in combination with the storage means to discharge change into the arrester, ejector mechanism comprising solenoids provided with spring actuated armatures operatively connected to rod means adapted on' the solenoids being energized to eject the article purchased from said compartments, a plurality of coin chutes for said slots, detector means for said chutes and means auto matically operated by the insertion of a coin in the slots for closing a circuit to operate said detectors. a plurality of coin chutes connecting the detectors and the coin discharge chutes and means in said chutes automatical-v ly operated by the coin in its travel for 0105- with and forwardly impel a coin in said casing on the solenoid being energized, a slug discharge chute for said casing member and means carried by the casing member in combination with a lug on said rod adapted to kick a slug backwards into said discharge -chute; coin chutes communicating with said detectors and provided with spring actuated means adapted to close an electric c-lrcult on contact with a coin travelling thercthrough,

means for ejecting merchandise from said change in combinationwith storage means carried bythe coin chutes. y

6. A vending machine of the character described comprising. in combination, a casing with coin slots designed to receive coins of different denominations, a plurality of coin receptacles within the casing, merchandise compartments within the casing, an arrester carried by the casing and communicating with said compartments, a change discharge chute communicating with the arrester, a plurality of coin chutes for said slots, a plurality of detectors communicating with said chutes and adjustable contact means across said slots whereby on a coin being inserted a primary circuit is closed, means carried by the detectors and automatically operable by contact with the coin for closing a second compartments and means for returningcircuit whereby the coin is impelled on its way and a slug e ected, a second series of coin chutes provided wlth means automatically operable by a coin to close a third circuit, ejector means connected with said compartments designed to be electrically-operatcd. on the closing of the third circuit and double switch means for controlling the operation of said e ector-s. com discharge chutes communl -ating with said second series of coin chutes and provided with coin storage,

- :ing with coin slots therein designed to receive coins of different denominations, a plurality of coin receiving tubes in the cusing and a plurality of coin chutes connecting said slots and said coin tubes, sto 'age means for coins of certain denominations in said tubes and coin operable electric means in combination with a change discharge chute connected to said arrester for returning change and comprising a solenoid with a spring actuated armature designed on the solenoid being energized to eject from the bottom coin in the storage chutes and means connecting said storage means with the coin discharge chute whereby on the coin being ejected it is delivered to the coin discharge chnte'and into said arrester.

8. A vending machine of the character described comprising, in combination, :1 casing havin slots therein designed to receive come of different denominations, a plurality of coin tubes in the casing, merchandise storage compartments within the casing and arrester means carried by the casing and communicating with said compartments and with the coin tubes, a plurality of coin chutes connected tosaid slots and pivotally mounted bar means in combination with a coin inserted in said slots for closing a primary circuit, a plurality of coin detectors con1- municating with said coin chutes and ar ranged at an opposite slope to said chutes, a slug discharge chute connected to said detector-sand means adapted to, be automatically operated by a slug in its travel to close a second electric crcuit to operate ejecting mechanism for said slug, a plurality of coin chutes communicating with said detectors and with, the coin tubes and spring actuated its travel to close a third circuit to eject the merchandise and to return change simultaneously. I

9. In a vending machine of thecharacter described and in combination with a suitable casing having coin slots therein adapted to receive coins of different denominations and provided with merchandise holding means and change giving means and means for ejecting the merchandise carried in the casing and means for receiving the change and merchandise when ejected, a plurality of coin chutes connected to said slots and connnunicating through a series of coin detectors and with coin receiving tubes, electrically operated change-giving mechanism in combination with storage means carried in said chutes.

10. A vending machine of the character described and in combination with a suitable casing having a plurality of slots therein adapted to receive coins of different denominations and provided with merchandise-carrying compartments, an arrcstcr con'm'iunicating with said compartments and through a change discharge chute with a plurality of coin tubes, a pluralityot' coin chutes connecting said slots and said tubes. storage means in certain of said chutes and coin operable electric means actuated by a coin in its travel in combination with said storage means for returning change, ejector means for said compartments adapted to be ope'ated simultaneously with said change-giving means to discharge lll(1'Cl1zll1- disc, from one of the colnpartn'lents and means for controlling said ejector means.

.11. An elect-ric-ally-operated coin-controlled vending machine of the character dcsc-ribed'suitably connected to the source ol power and comprising, in combination with a plurality of electric circuits and double switch controlling means, a suitable casing having a plurality of slots therein adapted to receive coins of difl'erent denominations and aplurality of coin tubes within the easing, a plurality of coin chutes connecting the slots with the tubes and electrically operated mechanism controlled by said circuits for, first, propelling the coin on its Way and e ecting slugs and, secondly, ejecting the goods purchased and discharging change,

said circuits being individually and automatically closed at certain points in the travel of the coin through said chutes and being individually and automatically opened at other points in the travel of the coin in said chutes.

12. In a coin vending machine of the character described and in combination with a suitable casing, a plurality of slots adapted. to receive coins of different denominations and a plurality of coin tubes in said casin z, a plurality of coin chutes connecting the means adapted on contact with the coin in slots and the tubes and storage means in said q chutes, a change discharge chute for said tubes and means connecting the storage chutes with the change discharge chute and electrically operable means for said storage chutes whereby the coins to be returned therefrom are ejected from the bottom into the discharge chute by electrically operated rods carried on the spring actuated armatures of suitable solenoids, said solenoids being energized through-the automatic closing of an electric circuit by a coin of certain denomination and at a certain point in its travel through said chutes.

13. A vending machine of the character described comprising, in combination with a suitable casing having slots therein adapted to receive coins of different denominations and provided with merchandise-carrying compartments and a plurality of coin receiving tubes, said tubes and compartments communicating with an arrester carried by the casing, a plurality of coin chutes pro- 3 vided with coindetector means connecting the "slots and the coin receivlng tubes,

ejector mechanism for the merchandise compartments and change-giving mechanism in combination with coin storage means carried by said chutes, a plurality of electric circuits adapted to be automatically and individually closed by a coin at certain points in its travel, the first circuit being designed to be automatically closed b the insertion of a coin, the second circuit eing automatically closed by the coin reaching another point in its travel to propel the coin on its way or to eject a slug, the third circuit being closed by a coin above a certain denomination at a third point in its travel to operate the merchandise ejecting mechanism and the change-giving mech-- anism and to open the primary circuit and close a circuit to the adding mechanism.

14:. In a vending machine of the character described, the'combin-ation with electrically operated mechanism adapted to receive coins of different denominations and to, be oper- I ated thereby to actuate goods-ejecting mechanism and in the case of coins above a certain denomination-to return simultaneously change and in the case of coins of predetermined denomination to eject the goods only, of a plurality of electric circuits designed to be operated individually and automatically by the coin at certain points in its travel whereby the circuits are automati-' cally closed, and means for automatically opening said circuits on the coin passing said points and means at anotherpoint in the travel of the coin for closing circuits to propel the coin on its way to open a primary circuit.

15. A machine of the character described designed to sell articles at a predetermined price and to return in change the difference between the amount inserted in the machine and said predetermined price and coin operated mechanism in combination with chute means for the travel of said coin whereby on a coin reaching certain points the mechanism is automatically operated and whereby on the coin passing said points the mechanisms automatically assume a normal position.

16. In a vending machine of the character described, the combination with detector, ejector, and change-giving mechanisms, of a plurality of coin chutesprovided with electrically operated means designed at certain points to be automatically operated by a coin in its travel to individually close electric circuits to operate said mechanisms whereby coins totaling a predetermined amountautomatically eject the goods and whereby-coins of a greater amount than the predetermined amount similarly operate the ejector mechanism and simultaneously therewiththe change-giving mechanism, arrester means for recelving the goods andchange so ejected and means for automatically opening said electrical means on the coins, passing theseveral contact points and means for con trolling the ejecting of the articles and transformer means for the electrically operating means.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my

Images