US1776462A - Package-ejecting mechanism for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 23, 1930. w. F. BERNART, JR 1,776,452

PACKAGE EJECTING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 1926 5 Sheets$heet l ATTOR e t 23, 1930. B RNART. JR 1,776,462

PACKAGE EJECTING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 9 1,926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Sept. 23, 1930. w. F. BERNART, JR 1,776,462

PACKAGE EJECTING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 9, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR wmim (5 iwr/namhjz.

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' v ATTORNEY Patenteel Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED fsTA E PATENT OFFICE I VWILLIAM F. .BERNART, JR/"10F PAWTUCKET, RHODE'ISLAND, ass enoa To PACK snors, INC.,1OF NEW YoaK, N. Y., a CORPORATION OF NEW YORK rnoxnen na norme micnnnis vi non VENDING MACHINES A ears]. filed aprne, 1926. Serial No. 100,963..

The invention relates in general to a coin control manually actuated vending machine ofthe type intended for use in vending different articles of manufacture and the invention specifically relates: to a removable and replaceable unit containing all of the 'Jmechanism for ejectingthe package. The present disclosureconstitutes a further deavelopment of the-invention disclosed in" the applications of Landon C. Manning being Serial No. 66,906. filed November 5,1925, and Serial No. 71,599,filed November 27, 1925.

The primary object in this application as was the case in application No. 66,906 is to provide a simplified form. of coin controlled and manually actuated package ejecting mechanism and 1 the present disclosure disitinguishes from this (go-pending application in'thatlitifeatures areduction in the number of necessary partswhich go to make up the completed structure. Furtherpthe present disclosure features the rovidin of astand- .ardized unit adapted tobe assembled with other similar units to form the completed vending machine; is designed to withstand rough usage isdesigned sothat the manual force actuating the control handle istransmitted directly to the package ejecting element of the mechanism: without passing therefore this disclosureis to be regarded more: particularly as another and more simplified embodnnentiof the inventions defined in the above identified copending applications.

Various other. objects and advantages of theinvention :will be obviousfrom an in-- spection of, the accompanying drawings and inpartwill be'inore fully setforth in the following particular;description of one form of device embodying my invention, and the invention also consists inlcerta in new and" novel featuresfof construction and combinaof the package ejecting mechanisms constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 7

Fig.2 is a'view in front elevation of the replacement unit as disclosed when the portion ofxthe mechanism enclosing casing shown in Fig. 1 is removed;

. Fig. 3is a view in rear elevation of the unit shown in F 1g. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View in side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the left side of Fig. 2, with parts of the casing broken away to show internal construction and with the parts in position just after the actuator has been moved slightly on its actuating stroke and I I Fig.5 is a view similar to Fig. twith certain parts omitted and with the adjacentside plate removed to show the actuatorinfull lines in. its normal inoperative position, and i in dotted lines showing the same at the end of its actuating stroke.

, In the drawingsand referring'specificall to Figs. 1 and, there is disclosed a mechanism containing casing 10 providedwithan inset face plate 11 preferablyin the form of a stamping with an arcuate rear side 12 corresponding to a closing element hereinafter de scribed. The face plate is provided with an L-shaped slot 13 including an upper broad portion 14:.designed when the device is inits inoperative position to provide access to a coin slot 15 carried by a swinging actuator 16 here inafter described. The slot 13 also includes along vertically extending portion 17 which provides a guideway for a handle 18 projecting therethrough from the actuator16. The

' actuator is provided on its forward side with a curved flanged guard plate 19 concentrically disposed relative to theaxis of swing of the of the lower part of the face scribed. 'structed are-identicallyalike so that they may be standardized and: made interchangeable rear side 12 and remove the coin slot back plate'and thus prevent access to the slot. 7

he unit includes package ejecting mecha- IliSl'll which is enclosed within a frame comfor loosely pivoting the lower end of a pack-"* age ejecting arm hereinafter more fully de- The side plates as originally conwith each other and with the side plates of the similar units in the complete vending machine. These plates are preferably formed of pressed metal each providedwith a large enibossment '26. andtherebelow with a small horseshoe shaped embossment 26 both de signed to give strength to the plates and thus 7 permit the use of relatively thin sheet metal ward to receive an electric magnet 39 and other parts'of the mechanism housed within the frame. Each of the plates is provided. on its front edge with laterally turned hanging brackets 27 and 28 which are designed to he hung on pins 29iprojecting from the casing 10. From this construction it is appreciated.

that the unit as a whole may be simply hung in its proper position in the casing and in this way the ready replacement of a damaged unit or a different'size unit may" be obtained."

- Each of the plates isprovided atits upper edge witha readily replaceable L-shaped' bracketl30 conventionally secured by its depending flange 31'to the'outside of the adjacent plate. The other flange 32 of the bracket isinturnedin the instant case but may be outturn'ed wherea large size package is to to providethe bottom of a reservoir 33 for containing the packages P to be vended as shown in Fig. 4.1 The package support :pro-

'vide'd by theseinturned flanges 32 are slight ly spaced apart as shown in 3 so as'to permitthe passage therethrough of the upper end of the ejector-arm25 and itsassociatedparts.

is a pivot .pin 34 on which is pivotally suspended the actuator 16. This actuator comprises a vertically hanging thin metal plate 35 to one side of which and adjacent its upper edge the handle 18 is secured and to a forwardly projecting frontedgeof which the guard plate'l9is secured. To one side andadjacent. the upper: edge o f the plate 35 are;

secured a pair of coin guiding strips 36 and 37 coacting to provlde therebetween an inwardly and downwardly inclined co n pas sageway .38 leading from the slot 1 5' at its outer end towards coin stops adjacent the lower inner corner of the plate. 35. This coin belowthe inner discharge end of the passageway 38 and in position to receive the proper coin C (see Fig.4) discharged therefrom is, a connector 40 for coupling the actuator 16 with the ejector arm 25. This connector is in the form of ajbell crank lever and includes a long horizontally extending arm 40 pivotally mounted adjacent one of its ends on .a "pin ll projecting'laterally; from the plate 35. "The upstanding arm of the connector adjacent thepivotal mounting is proavi'ded with a vcoinst-opping pin 42 and the propericoin C is intended following the initial movement of the handle 8 to fitbetween the pin 42. the rounded lower edge 53, and a fixed .stop' 43' secured to the side ofthe plate 35.

The upper'edge of this'relativefixed'stop 43 constitutes a guide for assisting the coin as" it is discharged from the passageway 38 to fall into position and engagethe pin 42am therethrough control the connector.

' The plate 35 is provided with an arcuate slot 44 spaced from but concentric with the axis of-rotationxof the actuator about its pivotal mounting-provided by the pin 34.

the. propercoin is inserted there is "no positive connection between the e ector arm and The slot provides-a support for a pin 4C5 extending transversely through and in turn providinga sup portfor the ejector arm 25. It is understood that'normally and evenwh-en, be vendedQ In either case these fiangescoact llO.

the actuator for the coin is not heavy enough .to swing the connector. v Assumingfthat the coin has not yet been forced into position to lift the connector into operative position as hereinafter"described, the movement ofthe finger 46' which normally is disposedfto rest on a support 47 formed atthe lower edge of I .thefplate 35as sliownin Fig. 5. -Wlfen thus disposed the connector is in position so that the upper edge of, the finger46 when swung swam will be clear of and pass beneath the pin 45. Assuming; that the proper coin C which initially rests on top of the two point support provided by the pin 42'and stop 43 as shown iaFig. '5 has been forced against the pin 42 and'stop' 753 "by the advancing stop 43 the connector willbe swung and the hook end provided by the finger 46 will be swung from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5 and elevated into the position shown in Fig. 4

this coupling the actuator With the ejector arm through its supporting pin 45.-

The ejector arm 25 comprises a fiat plate 48 with its edges turned at rightangles to pro- 'vide side flanges 48" the lower ends of each of which are bifurcated as shown at 49, Fig. 4,

and. looselystraddle the lowermost spacing bolt 23. This connector provides a fioating pivotal connection withthe lower end of the ejector arm but the arm is free not only to rockabout the bolt 23 as a center but is also a free to move logitudinally, that is vertically, for a limited distance. It is apparent that the ejector arm is not supported from the pin 23 about which it rocks but is supported by'the engagement of the pin 45 inthe slot 44.

Pivotally mounted between the flanges 48 attheir upper ends is a'package engaging tripping finger 50 designed in its operative movement to engage the lowermost package LP iii-the reservoir 33 and move the same off the support provided by the flanges 32- of the brackets as indicated in Fig. 5. Theifinger 50 has a relatively long, heavy, "depending tail portion 51. which tends to maintain the part 50 in "tended to engage the package normally in upstanding position when clear "ot the packages but which will permit the finger to be turned HDtI-ClOCliWlSQlIltO position to slide under the packages n thereservoir in its return movement from left to right in 5 to its normal position after having ejected ;a package from the reservoir.

' It isa'feature of this disclosure that the ejecting finger 50 passes across the bottomof the reservoir in a linesubstantially parallel to the .seat provided by the flanges 32and that during the ejecting stroke the-finger 50 is below the next adjacent package in the stack. This movement is attained by a definite designing of the s ot 44in such way that the rotary movement of the actuator about its fpivotal connection-34 will cause a; straight line movement of thekfinger 50 after ithas engaged the lo iern'iostjpackage LP; It is apparent that if the ej ector arm was mounted to swing about a fiXed aXis at the pin 34 whichlis centered below the supp'ort'32-the upper end would describe an elevating are across the top of the support. .However thepurve of the slot 44 is downward or in the reverse direction, thearm as a whole is loweredon the bolt 23 as the upper end with vthe'finger 50 is advanced across the package j the pivotal pin support. The configurationv of the slot in its relation to the pivot 34 and the length of the support may be worked out experimentally or mathematically following conventional practices in designing cam construe tions. There is therefore provided in cifect a pin and slot form of camn'iing means which will translate a rotary movement of the, ac-

tuator about its fixed support into a straight,

linear movement of the package engaging iiii 'er 50 in its movements in both directions across the package support.

V ith the advance of the coin C from its initial position filled betweenthe stops therefore shown in Fig. 4 into its final operative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 it is guided between guid'eway forming plates and 53 attached to the side plate 20 by conventional fastening means 54. The plate 53 is provided with a stop edge 55 disposed in the path of and against which abuts the coin C when the actuator approaches the end of its inoveinent as shown in F hand this forces the coin downwardly and out of the medium.

The pin 42 at the end of its travel engages the bolt 22 and this interengagement tips the connector and swings the same clockwise from its position engaging the ejector arm and positively returns the connector into its initial lowered position engaging the stop 47. i

The ejector arm is positively moved in its retreat to its initial position by the engagement of the end of the slot 44 with the advanced side of the pin so that asthe actuatoris either lifted or returned by spring action to'itsinitial position, the ejector armis returned positively to its initial position.

El i.

For the purpose of returning the actuator mechanically into its initial position, there is provided a return spring or preferably a pair of relatively l'on return springs 56 and '57 which are connected by means of an equalizing plate 58 to a pin 59 projecting from the lower corner of the plate 20. The opposite upper ends of the sprii'igs are similarly connected through plate with a pin 61 projecting laterally from the actuator plate 35 his ilk)

tor restored to its initially, unclutchcd posi tion. A curved plate 65'secured to the upper portion of the actuator acts as a stop for engaging the lower end51 of the package ejecting'finger to move the same positively into I shown in Fig; 4. The continued its upstanding position in case it become stuck-or is thrown into a horizontal position by the inertia of the end 51 when the ejector arm is returned quickly. This plate also constitutes part or a means for locking the mechanism when the reservolr is empty but this forms no part of the present disclosure.

Inorder to provide means for limiting the returno't the ejector arm, the embossment 26 'on the ad acent plate 21 1s out about lts horseshoe shaped inner edge and the material the'rebet'ween forming the tongue 66 is bent at right angles and a stop screw 67 threaded throughan aperture 68 pinched therein to provide an adjustable stop against whichthe ejector arm is held by the springs 56 and 57.' In operation and assuming that the parts are in the full lineposition shown in the: several figures it is obvious that an illegal token may be attracted by the magnet 39 and held from falling into operative position. Atoken so held. will-be moved by the advancing edge 51 against the downwardly inclined advanced edge 53? of the plate 53 and dropped from the machine without affecting the connector.

It is also obvious that when there is in- Serted a coin of two small a dimension, as is shown at Z) in Fig. 5, it will fall idly past the stops provided by the membersv 42 and 43 and will pass through the machine and be returned to the operator as is known in such structures,

Should a coin of the requisite dimension as shown at C be inserted through the coin slot 38it will firstfall into the positionslightly abovejthe position shown in Fig. 4 and rest mg-on the pin 42 and advanced edgeol the stop 43 but without etlect to lift the connector. On the initial movement of the actuator fby downward manual pressure on the handle 18 the stop 43 will be moved clockwise into forceful engagement with the acent edge of the coin. The coin will thus be forced horizontally into engagement with the edge 53'' .WlllCll 111 turn rolls the coinclookw se and forces the coindown. into engagement with the side of the pin 42 swinging the pin and with it the connector from its inoperative unclutched position shown; in dotted lines in Fig. 5 into the position shown in Fig. 4. The coin will eventually come to rest on the three point support provided by the pins 41-, 42 and stop 43 as shown in Fig, The manual force acting onthe actuator will be thus trans- As the'handle -18;.is lowered; the slot 15 is .of'cojurse removed from possibility of insertion of another coin andthe,guard 19;pre-

vents. any ;acce'ss"t0 the m'echanisrn through,

the slot in the front of the casing. In moving tromitheposition engaging the pin 42 to the end of the actuator stroke the -coin remains in position holding the lightweight actuator in its operative position until the ejectorarm has completed its actuat ng stroke and movement ofthe actuator just before the end of its stroke discharges the coin into a suitable receptacleprovided therefore and not herem shown. The final movement of the actuator.-

causes bolt 22 to returnconnector to itsinitial position.

The j actuator is returned to its normal inoperative position by lifting thehandle 18 orv by the spring actionashereinb'efore described- The lon 'jsorin which has been.

i D I D placed under tension and elongated by this 1 movement of the actuator reacts on the actuator and returns the same to. its initial position-andxat the same time the ejector arm is moved back into its initial position- .If for any reason the trippingjs finger is not in its upstanding position, the engagement of the depending end 57 with the curved plate 65 Wlll cause the finger to be restored to its normal upstanding positionas shown in Figs.v

4 and 5and the deviceis ready to be again actuated on the insertion of theproper coin.

Having .thus described my invention,jI

claim: i. r V

1.. In avendin'g machine, the combination ofa mechanism containing casing having an opening, a face plate fitted;-therein, having 1 an L-sliaped slot and provided on its rear side wit-ha curved face, an actuator pivoted concentrically of the curved rear face, said actuator pro-v1ded, with a 'guard plateconforming in curvature to said rearface and in juxtaposition te the same, said guardplate provided witha coins-lot normally ac v ccssible through. one part of the slot and said actuator provided with a handle movable along another portion of the slot, and'said guard plate acting to close the slot. In a vending machine, thecombination of a manually controlled, pivotally mounted I actuator provided with an arcuate support mg means disposed concentric relative to the axis of movement of the actuator, av rocking ejector arm normally supported-from said'arcuate means but otherwise, free of any 7 directjactuating connection with the actua-- tor, said-actuatornormally free to swing idly 7 past the" ejector] arm, a coin actuatedcon .nector pivoted to the ejectoiynorma'lly dis 3onnected from the ejector arm. and adapted to be moved by actuator acting th ji'igh a;

properj cointo move :the connectori nto an operatlve positionposltive'ly connectingithe actuatorwiththe ejectorwherebya sequent movement t e "actuator i ment.

direction will cause the actuator to pull 7 the ejector arm on its package ejecting movel 3. In a vending machine, the combination of a manually controlled, pivotally mounted actuator provided with an arcuate support- "ing means disposedconcentric relative to the 'axisof movement of the actuator, a swingingiejector arm' normally supported from sa d arcuatemeans but otherwise tree of any direct actuating connection with the "actualtor,]said' actnator normally free to swing idly.

7 past the ejector arm, a coinactuat e'd connec- Itor pi'voted to the'ejector,normally disco'n nected from the ejecto r arm and adapted to beimoved due to the presence of a proper coin thereon by the actuator to moveinto ,jan operative position positively connecting -the actuator with the "ejector arm whereby a subsequent movement'of the actuator in one direction willfcause the ejector arm to j move'on its package ejecting movement, and said arcuate supporting means constltuting part of a camming ineansbetween the ac tuator and ejector arm for causing the portionot the e ector arm engaging the package gto move substantially in astraightline as a the ejector arm is swung by the pnllfof the engaging connector. l '30 4. In a vending machine, the combination of amanually controlled, pivotally mounted actuator provided with an ,arcuate supportmg means disposed concentric relative tothe axis of movement 'of the actuator, a swinging ejector arm normallyi supported from said arcuate means but otherwise free of any direct actuatingconnection with the actuator, said actuator nor1nally"free to tuat-or in one direction will cause the ejector .arm to move on lts'packagee ecting move- In a vending, machine, the combination of a manually controlled and pivotally mountedactuator, package ejecting means, a connector pivoted to theactuator and adapt ed to be moved into position to couple the 7' connector with the ejecting means, anda stop disposed in the path of movement of the connector when moved by the actuator, sa d connectorand stop coacting asthey come together to force the connector positively from f Y the actuator approaches the end of its packits engagement with the ejecting means as age ejecting stroke, 7 v p 6. In a vending machine, thecombination of an actuator, package ejecting means,a connector adapted to be moved into position to porting said other arm of the couplelthe connector with the ejecting means,

and a stop disposed in the path of movement of the connector when moved by the actuator, said connector and stop coacting to force the connector away from its engagement with the ejecting means and'into its normal inoperative position as the actuator approaches the end of its package ejecting stroke.

7. In a vending machine, the combination of a manually controlled actuator provided Wltll a C0111 slot, a swingmg packagee ector,

a coin 'controlled connector in the form/of a bell crank lever pivoted to theactuator and .movable bodily therewith, one arm of the actuator disposed in the path'of the coin passing along said chute, and the other arm of the connector provided with means for engaging the ejector to swing the same on its actuating stroke when the actuator is manipulated, and means on the actuator for supconnector when free of a controlling coin.

'8. In a vending machine, thecombination of a manually controlled actuator provided 1 with a coin slot, a swinging package ejector,

a coin controlled connector'in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted to the actuator and movable bodily therewith, a short arm of the bell crank lever and the actuator provided-withcoin receiving stops at the inner end of the'slot, the free end of the connector provided-with a hook end for engaging the ejector'tol'swing the same on its actuating "stroke when the actuator is manipulated, and

means carried by the actuator for supporting the free end of the connector in an operative position when free of a controlling coin.

9. :In a vending machine, the combination of a pivotally mounted actuator provided with means formingalong coin passageway and having a slot concentric with its pivotal axis, apackageejecting arm provided with a slot, a com controlpin projecting into said ling connector pivoted to the actuator normally disposed in an inoperative position and adapted to connect the actuator with the pin onthe ejecting arm, said connector provided witha coin stopping pin disposed in the path of the coin moving alongsaid passageway and said actuator provided with a relatively fixed of coin stop,'said stop and pin coacting to receive and stopthe further free movement of the coin as it is discharged from the coin passageway and a coin so received acting as a connection between the pin on the connector and the actuator to swing the connector from its'normal inoperative position into operative position on the initial movement ofthe actu-v ator. I

10. In a vending machine,the combination of a manually cont-rolled actuator mounted for oscillation about a fixed axis, a package e ecting arm mounted for rocking movement about an axis below the'actuator axis, a coin controlled connector pivoted to the actuator and adapted to beengaged byf an inserted coiii, a stop disposed in the aath, of movement stop to move thecOnnectOr-int position to of the actuator will swing the ejector arm or the coin and saidcoin reacting against said positively couple the actuator with the ejecting arm whereby the Subsequent movement 3 von its actuating stroke independently "of thepresence of the coin and means for discharg- '10 the coin prior to the te'i mination of said ot a manually manipulated actuator mounted for reciprocatory movement in a vertical plane MIClPlOVlClQCl' with means defining a coin passageway, package ecting means in cluding an upstanding lever, a normally in operative connector provided with a hook end for engaging said upstanding'lever, means at p I I I Signed at New York, in the countyof New York and State of New Yorlnthis 27th day the inner end of saidipassageway operable through an inserted coin and controlled by the initial downward movement ofthe actuator on its actuating stroke for moving the coin into engagementjwith the connector and v advance of the actuate acting therethrough to move connector into: position to couple the actuator with the eject ing nieans whereby the "further downward izwill positively afctuate the ejecting means. 1 t

12. In a vending machine, the combination of a manually manipulated actuator provided with means forming a coin passageway package ejectingmeans, a. normally inoperative e V connector, means at the inner end of said assa ewa rovidin a three Joint su ort.

for the coin, means including one of said coin supports operable through an inserted coin and controlled by the initial movement of ment with said pin, and tripping'means inthe path of movement of the connector forr'- ,moving the, connector fromits engagement with said pi nq ,7 a g 15. In a vending machine, the combination of a package ejecting arm'having itslower end bifurcated, fixed pivoting means enment with said pin, and tripping means "in the path or niovementof the connector for removing the connector fronrits engagement cwith said pin, and a stop for locating the connectorwhen removedfrom ts engagement with the pin in position clear of the pin.

of March, A. 11 1926. I 7 WILLIAM ngnnnuan'r, JR,

gaged by said bifurcated end, a pin prcjecting laterally irom StlCl arm, an actuator prothe actuatoron its actuating strokefor inoving the connector into position to couple the actuator with the e ecting means whereby the further advance of. the actuator W1llp0Sll3lV6- ly actuate the ejecting means, said subsequent actuation of the ejectin means beingdirect between the actuator and ejecting means and independent of the presence of the coin, and means for discharging the coin troni said coin supports prior to the termination of the actuator on its actuating stroke. e

13 In a'vending machine, the combination of a package ejecting arm having its lower end bifurcated, fixed pivoting means engaged by said bifurcated end, a pin projecting laterally from said arm, an actuator provided witha camrning slot containing said pin anda connector pivoted to the actuator and adapted to be moved into hooked engagement with said pin. 1 7 y 14. In a vending machine, thecombination of a package ejecting arm having itslower end bifurcated, fixed pivoting -means engaged by said bifurcated end,a pin projecting laterally from said arm, an actuator provided with a camming slot containing-said pin and a connector pivoted to the actuator

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