US1782768A - Coin-operated vending machine - Google Patents

Description

4 sheets-sheet, 1

F. .1. mowsE F'iled NOV. 23, 1925 G01N OPERATED VENDING MACHINE fc3 @H1 Nov'. 25, 1930.

Nov. 25, 1,930. F. .1. RowsE COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINEv 4 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Zazyze s."

Filed Nov. '23. 192e Nqv. 25, 1930. F. J. ROwsE GOIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 23, 192e www Nov. 2.5, `1930v F. J. `Rowsri 1,782,758

COIN OERATED VENDING MAICHINE Patented" Novi'. *25,V 1930 `I i x f @FRANK-.i2

applicati@ sied iv'oveiiber eratioirofthesaine. l i l i .5 l1liprincipalolojectotheinventionis to provide a machine having coin-operated inechanisniffori vending' packages containing' Y `toilet Iaccessories such `as towels and 'soap vor various othersmall articles and commodities.`

"H10 LH Another object oftheginvention istofpro` vide aohinefoi'ithetypespecified iii'vvhlch theeoin-operated mechanism is siniple in` L ConstructionV and prooi? against?4 derange nient or `gettiiigout 'of order.1

Another objeotoftheinvention istoprovide a anilachine "Whicli 1is1 "proof against*` unauthorized'tampering or Vpilfering of its con-` tents land the eoinscollectedtherein.

Another object o'f the invention is to pro- 'lhvide La #machine `of the type specified having f vention` relates `*to eoineoontrolled-` i vendi-n imaehinesgaiid consistsfoflimprovements 2in' the construction" andfniethod of 10p-f eratingmeohanism in dotted lines ;f

View" :of the coinLeontrolled operating'lmech" anislii rof the machine `shovvilfbl" l the? frontof l -theeasing n'sectiongf` I a f v Fig. 5 isa detailed View ofthe operatin crank Ifonthe coin-controlled i'neohanisml;

Figi `6 isan enlarged plan view of the coin- 65` Y fthe inachineinf fsection onfthelfilinef (-tfof` j l controlled mechanism", showing the casing f o Fig. 7 is an .enlarged detailed View ofthe" coin-carrier` and 4coin-ej ecti-ng A mechanism showing thieinethod Lof ejection of the. coin;-`

erall arrangement of the` `coin-controlled fopf Y A v u View `of theA achine shovv`- j' ing its easingins otlon on line 2-`2 ofrFlg. 1;-

Fig. l *is 1an enlarged'partA seetionallsideV-.f

gal i i means-afer'preventiiigfftlie insertion oi' the Fig?" enlarged eletailed'viewshoiv hausted.` "11 plllSfWhlCll'eoImeCtlthelmaiiiicasingWithlits Another oh-jectofltheinventionis toprohwk-Plate?" f l @li-i1 wide ta machine `of theI type"I specified' which arged sider view@ fof" the p vide: a lniaehiae'hayiag deiivery'fmechanism abllrqoebrollei"lfhanmshowmethe @asf t for thearficlesto belvended Which'acts posi ma, 'theuinaohinelinseetioiion line lj-ll a `tivelyfaite'rl the insertion of theproper coin,`

115#themenemistaim@thecashgoirwerCreu.` @1011.*B1P0jj0ihememo Othglwm e isotherme@me invasioni-Lamp@ hFelsaffet vwon @f the Same videa `niaohineV `invvhich `the coin-operated s mill-ga e'pal'tsfuift. e 'Sum'eieplatln mechanisrnlis assembledl `With 'the easing to Fig' l3lS1aVleW snmlallo Fliqilllnshw' d `t to lbe reinovedtherefromias a unit ing the comicmiewm poslmon .av-tplhavmg lo gil; al?, 1f .g1 j 4 a o i .f: geeenoperatedto actuate the delivery-media 90 Qlrepau ollgphlcment and also to Permflt nism `and after the coin has been' ejected gand lnieialfihe delwerrmehamsn as a 11mi- Figa-lilies front-viewofl-ehefsamewahf Fmthe', 0103?@55 of theilmlntlngare Set thepartsfinthelsame relation?, f Ipoth; m the ,uOWmglspcllhlon Whlch ln itsrpresentf embodiment fthe invention [.zgfflSClbeS- i9 plfem'ed` ellbOdmenUtheleO US v appliedlto;"afrnzhinev Tol' vending. i 'hand 95 illustra-ted by the accompanying drawings tamis; foiled 1 orwfoldedrinto maill oblong In the drawings: Y i paclag s-contaiiiing apiece of soap7 and-foi' Fig. l is a front'viewl offthe improved convenienceof.descriptionthe artic-lesto be g vendingmaohine Vshowingf `itsiiiaiii casing vendedwvvilllhereinafterbe referred toas im L- partly broken away andillustrating the genand illustrating the ooin'-contrlled mechanism With theparts in `normalypo'si" that the machine may be adapted for vending any other kind of article or commodity.

The coin-controlled mechanism of the machine is of that type in which the coin is inserted through a slot in the front of the case and received in a coin-carrier, so-called, where it becomes the active element for effecting the operation of the deliveryor vending-mechanism. rPhat is to say, with the proper coin in position in the coin-carrier suitable means are operated manually to cause the coin to function to positively actuate the delivery-mechanism, whereby when the coin is finally ejected from the carrier `nto the cash-box the delivery-mechanism will be again actuated to release the package to can e it to fall into position to be accessible forl removal from the machine through an opening in the casing thereof. Y

rThe present invention embodies certain elements of coin-controlled mechanism such as shown and described in my earlier patents hereinafter specifically referred to. In the present invention, however, these elements `1re constructed and arranged to provide improvementsl as will be hereinafter particularly pointed out.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the improved machine comprises a main cabinet or casing 2 which contains the supply7 of articles to be vended and the coin-controlled delivery-medianism. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2 the casing 2 is preferably constructed of sheet-metal and comprises a back-plate 3 adapted to be permanently att-ached to a wall or other-'support by means of screws l concealed within the sides of the casing. vProjecting forwardly from the backplate 3 is a horizontal top-plate 5 which is provided with bent over flanges 6 to overlap the sides 7 of the front or main portion 8 of the casing which is hinged to the bottom of the back-plate 3. is illustrated most clearlyY in Figs. 2 and G the back-plate 8 is constructed of relatively thin sheet-metal and forms the tie or connection between the topplate and a bottom hinge-plate 9, these latter plates being suitably riveted or welded to the back-plate 3 to render them unitary therewith. The top-plate 5 is bent into angular shape with its vertical portion secured to the front of the back-plate 3 in the manner as previously described; while the bottomplate 9 is of fiat construction with a pair of hinge-ears 10 bent up from its' lower edge, see Figs. 8 and 9.

rPhe front or main portion 8 of the casing takes the form of rectangular box constructed with the sheet-metal sides 7, a slopbottom 17 and a slightly inclined upper front wall 18; the upper tapering portion of the casing being considerably longer than the lower compartment which contains the operating-mechanism of the machine as indicated in Fig. 10; Figs. l and 2 illustrating this part of the casing as broken away to condense the drawings. Preferably, the sides 7 of the casing are connected at the rear by a falseback 19 shown in detail in Fig. 6. The falseback 19 is flanged over along its lateral edges, the flanges 2() being spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the sides 7 of the casing. The false-back 19 may be constructed of relatively thin sheet-metal and cut away with openings if desired to save weight while also giving access to the mechanism in the casing.

rl` he sloping bottom 17 of the casing is provided with hinge-ears 21 either formed integral therewith or on a strip 22 welded or riveted toits under side asshown in Fig. 2. The hinge-ears 21 aline with the ears 10 on the bottom-plate 9 to adapt them to receive a pair of hinge-pins 23 inserted from the sides of the casing, see Fig. 8. The hinge-pins 23 are turned down at their inner ends to provide flanges or buttons 24 adapted to be engagedby a pair of pawls 25 pivoted to theV bottom-plate 9. The pawls 25 are maintained in engagement with the sides of the buttons 24 by means of a hairpin spring 2'? coiled around a stud 28 as shown in Fig. 8. In this manner the pins 23 are locked in position against removal from the outside of the casing, it being necessary to individually release the pawls 25 from the inside before the pins can be withdrawn to disconnect the main part of the casing from its baclr plate 3. A f

At the forward end of the sloping bottom 17 is a horizontal shelf 30 adapted to receive the packages P :as they drop down and slide vforwznd after being discharged by the delivery-mechanism to be later described, see Fig. 2. Preferably the shelf 30 is constructed as a casting and is secured to the sides of the main casing 2 by means of screws 31 reaching up from the bottom. The screws 31 engage suitable tapped holes in the sides 7, the walls of which are thickened at the front by folding over the metal to form flanges 34 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Above the shelf 30 is a rectangular opening 33 in the front of the casing through which the packages P are delivered, the forward part of the shelf SO being provided with an upstanding inclined lip 32 against which the package brings up to prevent it from sliding olf from the shelf.

rPhe frontpart of the casing 2 is cut away below the sloping wall 18 clear to the top of the package opening or exit 33 to provide for the insertion of a supplementary framework or casing which carries the complete operating-mechanism of the machine embodied in a unitary structure. This supplementary casing 35 comprises a vertical front wall 36 having lateral lianges 37 which overlap the sides 7 of the main casing 8. At its top is a rearwardly inclined wall 38 which is bent around at 39 to form a lip 40 which hooks in back -site side of the coin-rest is a metal strip 88 which abuts the side of the plate 72 and is formed with an overhanging beveled shoulder 89 which is inclined upwardly toward the top of the coin-plate as shown more yparticularly in Figs. 3 and 12. The present construction of the coin-holding means provides an improvement over the similar instrumentalities in my prior United States Patents Nos. 992,258, May 16, 1911; and 1,568,792, January 5, 1926. Y

In the present construction the shouldered abutment or coin-holder 89 is an independent ly movable element, forming a part of an arm or lever 90 which is pivoted at 91 on one Yof the hubs 74 separating the two plates 71 and 72, see Fig. 12. The coin-holder 89 is held in operative relation with respect to the coin-rest 75 by meansof a latch or detent 92 which engages a shoulder 93 cut into the edge of the lever 90. The latch 92 is of bifurcated construction in plan view, as shown more particularlyin Fig. 13, and overlies the face of the coin-rest 75 in inclined relat-ion thereto whereby to provide a guard ior guiding t-he coin into place beneath the coin-holder 39 and ledge 87, see Fig. 12, to insure that the coin will lie fiat against the rest. The detent-latch 92 is provided with projecting pintles 94 onv its opposite sides which are received in suitable holes in the plates 71 and 72 to pivotally mount the latch above the coin-rest 7 5. A spring 95 is coiled around one of the pintles 94 with one end bearing on the top of the latch and its op- .A posite end anchored to the plate 72, see Figs.

12 and 13, thus tending to rock thelatch to engage its linger 96 with the shoulderg93 in the edge of -t-he lever 90. Extending in the opposite directionY from its linger 96 `the latch 92 has a tail-piece 97 adapted to be enby a strip or plate 98 which projects at right-angles from the front wall 36 of the casing 35. see Fig. 14. Through this engagement the latch 92 is rocked to release its iinger 96 from the shoulder 93 of the lever 90.

The release of the detent-latch 92 allows the lever 90 to rock on its pivot 91 to release the coin-holder 89 from the edge of the coin, whereby the latter is ejected from the coincarricr in the manner as later more fully eX'- plained.

As before indicated the presser-lever 100 constitutes the means for venergizing the deliverjhmechanism of the machine, the lever being moved by and with the coin-carrier through the action l of 'the coin thei'eagainst. rlhe presserlever 100 is provided with a hub 101 which is free to rotate on'the main operating shaft 66 so 'that the coin-carrier is movable independently thereof when no coin 'I is in place on the carrier. The presser-lever 100 has a curved finger 102 adapted to project through a longitudinal slot or opening 103 in the coin-rest 75. When a coin C is in place on the coin-rest and held by the coinholder 89 the end of tlieiinger 102 will bear against its under side so that the coin will act to rock the presser-lever underlthe movement of the coin-carrier 76. The rear- Wardlyextendingarm of the presser-lever is formed with a cam-face 86 which, as before indicated, is adapted to slide `under the toe ot' the pawl 69 to rock the latter to release it'from the ratchet-teeth 82. Atthe end of its cam-tace 86 the arm 85'is provided with a shoulder 105 which strikes against'the end of the pawl 69ito limit the return movement oi' the presser-lever 100 after it has been operated` from the coincarrier. The presser-lever 100 is connected to operate the delivery-mechanism of the machine through instrumentalities as next described.

Extending forwardly from the vertical plate 49 on the casing'35 are two arms 108 and 109 to which is pivoted a swinging delivery-frame or package-carrier 110. The frame 110 comprises two upright arms 111 joined by a web 112, see Figs. 11 to 14, and also having a tubular sleeve or bearing 113 extending horizontally at the bottom. Suitable studs 114 are screwed into the ends of the bearing or sleeve 113 with their heads journalled in holes in the arms 108 and 109, as clearly shown in Fig. 12. The frame or packageecarrier 110 is thus adapted to rock on an aXis at right-angles to the axis of the coin-carrier and is controlled by a helical spring 115 coiled around the sleeve 113.

vOne end of the spring bears against the vertical plate 49 of the casing 35 and its opposite end is bent around the web 112 of the frame 110 as shown at 116 in Fig. 11. The tension of the spring 115 thus tends to rock the upper part ot' the frame 110 towards the front of the casing 35, its movement in this direction being limited by the engagement of an arm 117 at its lower end with a detent lug 118 on the arm 109, see Fig. 11. The arm 117 is provided at its end with a hole into which is hooked the end ot a link 119 which connects the frame or package-carrier 110 with the presser-lever 100, see Figs. 11, 13 and 14. It will thus be seen that the rocking movement of the presser-lever 100 in a contra-clockwise direction will cause the package-carrier 110 to be swung away from the front of the casing into the position shown in Fig. 13.

Pivoted between the upper'ends of the arms 111; cachemire! non when orgies@ 12o, y the rearward free :fend "of Y,which is'lsupported onthenpper edge of an offsetportion 121 l of the vertical plate 449, seeFig; `11.1 The `rest orjshel i120 normally `stands, Vin position be-` y neath *the magazine f as ,Shownfin-the figure `Nlast relerredoto;Lbutfthejpackages are supfw ported slightly above the shell? yby means of* i rests*` or ledges 124;,` showninlligsall :11161112 projecting inwardlyfrom `the sides'ofthe i "chute The packagesiare Shdozfromfthe` rests or ledges" 1,124 by ineans of pusher-ngers r. 125 projecting rearwardly "rom the `upper ends ol the arms 111oithe frame110. These pusherflingers 125 are i .formed'on 1slides 12614 iwhich u are 1 mounted i tolfrnoveT np.V andi doIwn on ""Lzthe sides ofthe' frame 1110: Y Asgsliowfn in1 ,"pivotsfor the slidingshelf 12O1ar`eiscrewed sintohollowe studs 128 set against the: outer 1 faces; `of `the arms 111i1' Thelslides1126have elongatedsl ots `1129 engagedciby the zbody foi i tliestu'ds 128 whereby they?mayslidefthereon A;V the? lower ends "o'fthe slides-126 being Eguided" by otset lngs"1301p`rojecting .through 'slots 131 at i the bottom .iofxthe `arms 111. v1 Then slides L126 are thns supported [to move `vertically on 1 :lymaintainled in theiruppermost positionby 'the-ends `of a wirespring 132 whichlis coiled y aroundaifscrew 133 securedfin the'web 1120i i the frame: land having i :extensions .134 reachi f l i ing outwardly, `through" the slots` -v131 ",tolbear `against the lower ends ofthe slides aszclearly shownin''Fi-gs,` lliand 12p `Besides serving .as

ipushersto slidethe packages olwlirom'jthe l ledgesvlQi the slides 1126 alsoliunction ;to ien; i gagewbeneath :the 'stackfof 1 packages i remain-'5 wingin the chute alter lone hasfbeen"dischargedl fthere'from whereby to take the weightof theY sanie during y the return"` movement of,` the package-carrierto prevent undue friction or f :plate l or guard y 1371'projects'iforwardly from` wplainedhereinafter, i'

mretardationof its action, `all as more `:fully exi Referring Figs. l2, i 1,1 and 113, inclined thebaelvplatefof the casing12`iin position` slightly above `thels'helf-V or y rest 120 whereby toprevent the packages fromItilting or overv tu'rning on thepackagefcarrierll@ M The package-,carriergor frame llOvis'adapteditobe engaged Vbya trip-lever or` pawl let()V i: to prevent it `from returning to normal `posi- M [tion after 4the last 1 package has beendropped 1- topillerithe coinsll i 1 y 1 l Having nowgdescribed the construction and l which, when the lever is-rcked forward finto thel position indicated byrfull'lines `llgnA I 13, will :engage `in backfof the shelf120ito prevent thepackagef-carrier froincompleting y litsretfurn movement toward the rontofthe casing?` The trip-leverflelisi operated 'by :gravity to tilt "dtm'mwardly` when the last package has been delivered;fronr` the `chiite 5 andds` held in this positionxbyijatoe `1114; which strikesagainst the front w lll-136 of the 'caaingl see1Fig.:f13-.1;

` Referring toFigsf.V 11,

ce'ivingthe r ends of `suitable y stiidsror pins 148 projecting 4from thefinner faces of the arms 414, see Fig. 12; The tillf3145 is locked inpo-u sition -to` close` the bottomof thecasing 35," as shown Fig.11,;byf1neans"olla suitable `cylii'ider lock 1501,1seealso Figs. 12,13 andlli.`

The lock 15,0l is controlled# from akey'adaptejd lo be inserted thronglrthe keyholelll onfthe y :front of the casi'ngfto betnrned torotate an arm` or` bolt 15,2"which` engages-against a shouldered keeper lfvprojecting upwardly lirom `theltill "145,5 The bolt 152yf1whe`n in locked `position Salso engages with an abut ment 154` on: aineinberl projecting from the' front wall 36, whereby .to ftake `the strain from thelock itsell to providelor greater se curity. 1 When the bolt 152 is released thetill A1115 will drop down into the position shown l in Figs."` 131 and to *discharge `the coinsfintof thefbottom of the casing 2 `wherethey may-be .collected fby the attendant".` l As bllshown1 in *Fi lla'n'd Mathe bottom o'f the till 14:5 bears theword l Emptyll oriother similar" indicia y stampedlorletteredthereon. l`W`henthe coins have been removed from" the machine thetlll drop's dlownintofpositioi'i to"`display`the indicia above the deliveryshelf l the una* chine is `left l lstanding?ivvithont a supply of I"articles l the till lis dropped fto this position mto indicate `that it"contains`noA coins, 'so as Ito ldissuadel anyone from breaking:V the casing or tampering with lthe finechanism, 1n "an effort arrangement of the? ''coinplete machine;` its 13`and14, a coinrey ceptacie l ortill 145,!V constructed as anA in clined Shelli" having side "flangesyll, is piv-lV oted between the rearwardly extending arms y `4.4L' -ol'zthe framework 43. ,Preferably Vlthe shellorftill 145 lhas a rolled edge `14? for remethodofroperation willnext be "eziplained` Y Tov prepare the "machine `for operation the lirontV section :8iV of; the `casing 2 isnnlocked at the top and ftilted forward into the position shown AinfFigJ 10. if "The l'chute f55 is then `removed and illed with the* `articles 1to i be vendedorf preferred,the empty chute is re# moved :and replaced with another loaded" magazine.` 1 1 "The` chute orr magazine? 55 lslid down `into thefront section of jthebasing 2 nntil its "lugs 531 engagefwith thesockets l52 in the arrnsl ofthe casing 35i `The chute y issjs; thus 1' supportedrfjfrorni` the `sulrplementary I casing k to maintain the packages in a substantially vertical stack above the deliveryshelf 120. The front section of the casing is closed against the back-plate 3 and secured vthereto by means ofthe lock 60. lt will be understood, of course, that either before or after the casing is closed the till lll-5 is're'set in position as shown Ain Figs. 2 and -11 and lockedinplace to receive the coins as they are fail to o aerate an aart of the `mechanism it 'being necessary that a coin bein position in the carrier to serve'as the activeelement for actuating the presser-lever 160. To operate the zmachine 4to venda package or other article thecoinC is 'inserted through Athe coin` slot'65, Iwhereupon'itwill slide down on the coin-rest 7 5 to lodgeits rim beneath the ledge 87 and coin-holder 89; The operator then turns the crank 70 to rotate the coin-carrier 76 Aon its axis whereby the coin C will impinge against the end ofthe nger 1'02 ofthe presser-lever 100 to rock the latter with the carrier. rllhe movement of the presser-lever 100 is communicated through its link' 119 to `the'delivery-frame or p'ackagescarrier 110 to rock the latter toward the yrear of the casmg.

As vthe `package-carrier 110 is rocked in this direction `the pusher-lingers 125 on the slides 126 -will come aga-inst the 4lowermost package P in'the chute 55, see Fig. 11, and as the vmovement of the carrier is continued will slide this package out from under the "As the frame of the package-carrier 110 swings rearwardly the shelf or rest 120 carried thereby is slid out to receive the package P pushed out from under the stack inthe manner as clearly Eillustrated `in Fig. 13. This view `illustrates the crankhandle 70 attlie limit of its stroke "a't"which'pointthecoin-carrier 76 has been rocked to the position shown in Fig. 14, the

"package-carrier 110 1beingthen at ithe end -of itsv throw with the'package completely ejected Afrom the chute` and resting'on the shelf 120,-see Fig. 113. i As the coin-carrier vis rocked-or rotated in'this manner the pawl '69 Vrides across the ratchetteeth 82,l engaging successively ltther'e'with to prevent 'retro- "gressive movement "of the'carrier.; Yit being noted that the pawl lis-'released from ithe Ahigh point of lthe cam 86 `oni-the 'presser- Ilever 100 immediately'said"lever is Irocked With thefcoin-cai'rier. Itwill befapparent 'therefore `that the -package-carrierV is prevented fromswinging back after-its presserfingers -.have.aonce engaged with la i package. P

iigvfeavee Vso that 4itcannot partly ejecta package and then return to first position. That is to say, if the `pressure on the crank-handle is the last end of the stroke of the coin-carrier the tail 97 of the latch-lever 92 strikes against the plate 98 to release the toe of said latch from the notch or shoulder 93 in the lever 90 carrying the coin-holder89. Immediately the detent-'latch is released the pressure of the presser-lever 100 on the under side of the coin C will cause thelatter to raise the coin-holder 89 away from the coin-rest as indicated by the dash 'lines inFigz 7. The lifting of the coin-holder 89 will thus release one edge of the coin C to allow it to rock or cant away 'from the coinrest 7 5 under the pressure ofthe lever 100 whereby it will slide freelyout from=under the ledge 87 and drop down into the till 145 as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 14. In this Way the coin is positively ejected from the'operating mechanism without chance ofits binding or sticking in the coin-carrier. After the coin has been discharged from the coin-carrier 7 6 the lever 90 returns the coin-holder 89 to normal position under the action of the spring 95 and as lthe detent-l'atch 92 is released from engagement Withthe plate`98upon the return of the coin-carrier 76 the latch will again lock the coin-'holder rin operative relation with respect to the coinerest 75.

Immediately the presser-lever 100 is released by the discharge of thecoinC from the coin-carrier 76 thespring 115 will act on the package-carrier 110 to swing the latter back to first position as illustrated Ein 11. This movement of the carrier 11() rocks the presser-lever 100 on its axis to return it to first position, as shown in Fig. 12, with its t 1J to first position under the action'of its 'spring n 77. In this Way the partsof the mechanism are returned vto normal relation to fadapt them'to function againin the same manner when another coin is inserted through .the slotin :the front of 'thefmachine It .hasibeen stated thatpthe package-carrier l 110 isY ,returned to first- ;position after the ejection 4of the coin from the coin-carrier 76,

Y and during this `return movement of the can `rer its shelf 120 is Withdrawn:fromfunder the paelrage'P resting `thereon so that the `latter vvill drop dovvn as indicated by the" i dash lines in Fig; `12 `to.` slide ,forwardly on Vuthesloping bottom ofthe casingQ. "As the `upaclrage P deliversthrough the opening 3S in thefrontiof the casingiitsforward edge `meets thelip 32 of the shelf 30to prevent it from sliding `E from the shelf lWhile, also raising it into position asindicated in the the position shovvnin z1l the `arcuate i npperedges of the slides 125 slidev in'rlnden` veniently grasped in theihgers.

dash `lines inFig. 2 to adapt it to be conf? L .its 'the package-lcarrier` 5.10 swings back to the under side of the lowermost `pachagein the chute to sustain the whole staclr of "packages above the rests or ledges 124,.l

` that `is tol say,n the Weight of theistaclr of packages is supported `on the slides 126 by tbe resilient pressure of the spring 132 acting against the lower ends/of the slides. In `this Way the cumulative Weight Vof the packages is preventedfrom exerting any considerable pressure t0 res'istthe return movement of the package-carrier so that there is nofchanceof n 30` the latter beeoiningfstuclr "or Vimpeded in its 1"aetion `deaths carrier-"reaches itsiirstipcsi` ft-ion shown in Fighl'l` the slideslQG slide,

` been. insertedin the machine `and the cranlrl ai" rests out from nnderfthe.lorvermost package Q lrvhielrthereupon drops down into place on the or ledgesgll at' the sides of the chute It has been e'iiplainedthatrafter a coinhas handle partlyrotatedto` operate the coincarrier 76, returnmovement of the carrier is s preventedlbythe engagement ofthe pavvl; 69

with the ratchet-teeth 82, The coin-carrier "76 1s thus locked 1n positions/'ith its front plate 71 closing the coin-slot 655111 the manner of a shuttertoprevent theireception of an- .lother coin until the `delivery-mechanism of themachine has functioned to deliver the ,package and the VVlir'st fcoinA has beencleaired s from the mechanism. @this provisionguards Il f 5o against the cloggingofthelmechanism by the `insertiou of a secondlcoin ivhen oneis already in place on the coincarrler and prevents the 'Y `loss olfa coin by theloperator.` The saine Uexplained.`

insana also acts toY prevent the `insertion of a" coininthe lnachinewhen the supply: 0f articles is exhausted, in Ythe'mann'er asnext i "For` this latter'purpose `the trip-lever1li() islcausedtorock forward into the position shovvnlby full lines in Figgflvvhenthe last package has beenslid out from the bottom vof the chute 55.` `After `this last package has been delivered Vfrom theishelflQ() the return 'movement of the package-carrier 11G` is i ar- 1 i restedy with the *carrier 1n f `position as 11nd1- py position cated in fragrnentarylvievvby` the dash lines in. Fig." through the engagement `ofthe detent-shoulder `143 on the lever 140 against the forward edgeof the shelfl, i This dean of the'frame or carrier iliholdsltlie jover 1100 from being retuiinedato hrst with-.the `last tooth 82km the `i'atchetwplate 71 to p 1eventthe coin-carrier from `being returned to vfirst position. The coin-slot 65 is` `therefore maintained. closed lto prevent the insertion of a coin when the machine is empty. When afresh supply of packages is placed in the chute 55 the trip-lever 140 is returned tonormal position bearing against the; sides of the lovvermost packages, so that as along as a supply ofarticles remains in the `chute .the paclagercarrier 110is free tosvvingback sothatthe pa'vvl 69 remains engaged f upon the release ofthe presser-lever `100 at` each ejection of a coin,` v 1` 1 will be `observed. that my `invention providesa particularly simple, compact and ef- `fieient mechanism for the i purpose explained.

Both `the package delivery-1nechanism and the coin-egectmg devlcesare pos'ltive'iin iacf` tien and proof against derangementor; geti ting out of order@V i p y Y i y The operatingmechanism of the machine 1s 1 contained in a supplementalfor sub-casing which may be removed from the mainfcasing as a unit sothat ifthe partsbecomedamaged and require repair or adjustment af'new unit can berinserted in itsgplace `Without rendering the machine inoperative for any` considerable y period.` It is `also to be noted that thepaclr-` age deliverymechani'sm `may be .removed from the sub-casing 35 as aunitfor repair or replacement by simply removing the screws 505i detaching the back-plate` `extension 49 and unhooking the link` 119. Moreover,"the` ,thoughconstructed mainly of sheet-metal is practically proof against unwarranted openand particularly strong and rugged to` resist attack. *i i es beforenoted` the coin-operated` mecha-` i ica4 nism isfalso practicallyvproof against derangement or getting outoforderandis designed'to operate toprotect the :purchaser as Well as the vendor. Q i v l l lhile I have herein shovvn and described a preferred form of construction of thesimproved device it isobvious thatjvarious modiiications may be made in thestructure `and arrangement of1 its partswithout departing fromthe` spirit or scope of theinvei'1tion.` `1

i Therefore, Without limiting myselfin `this respect,l claim: l f1' i 11. ln; `a coiiroperated ven g f machine,

the `combinatiwcii off: a` vcasing fcomprising a bach-plate adapted to ha or other simport, a b adapted to tit against tl. lapping hinges on the bac portion ot the casing, p D hinges, detent-means enclosed within the casing and engaging" the hinge-pins to lock them agaiift removal from the o; ide, amagazinc 'for the articles to be vended held in the front portion o1E the casina. deli erymechanism for delivering the articles successively trom the magazine. and coin-actuated mechanism for operating the deliverymechanism. l

2. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination of a casingv having?,` a back-plate adapted to be secured to a wall or other support, a box-like front portion permanently hinged to the back-plate to adapt it to open outwardlT therefrom and to drop down to give access to its interior, means for locking the front portion ot the casing to the baclrplate, an upright chute removabiy supported in the front part of the casi to contain the articles to be vended and adapted to be drawn out from the top oi the :tront part when the latter is lowered, dc-"very-mechanism tor delivering' the articles successively from the chute, and coin-operated 1 echanism for operating the delivery-mechaniam.

3. In a 'vending machine, the combination of a casing` comprising a back-plate adaiited to be fastened to4 a Wall or other supper-han' angle-shaped top-closure secured to the front of the back-plate, a hinge-plate secured to the bottom ot the back-plate, a front box- `likeportion provided Witha slopingI bottom with hinges connecting it to the hinges on the back-plate and terminating in a horizontal shalt at its forward end with a deliveryopening thereabove, means for locking the front portion of the casing` to the bach-plate with the top-closure closing its upper end, a magazine in the casing for supporting a plurality of articles in stacked relation, deliverymechanism in the casingl for delirering;l the articles successively trom the magazine to drop and slide out of the delivery-opening, and'coin-controlled mechanism tor operating the delivery-mechanism.

4. In a vendinginachine, Lhe combination of a casing comprising a back portion adapted to be fastened to a Wall or other support and provided With hinges, a box-like front portion having hinges alining vith the hinges on the back-plate, hinge-pins inserted through the hinges ir m the sides of the casing and Jformed with detents at their ends, pawls pivoted to the back-plate with their ends adapted to engage the detents on the hinge-pins. and means for normailv maintaining said paWls in locking engagement with the hinge-pins.

5. In a vendingmachine, the combination of a mam casing comprising a back-plate, a

box-like portion hined to the and provided with an opening' I. Wall, a loch 'lor fastening the ft to the bach-plate, a sub-casing;` comprising` a Jfront-plate having a lip adapted to liool; in under the upper edge of the opening in the main casing with 'flanges overlapping the side Walls thereof and supported therefrom, means on the interior of the main casing` for securing the sub-casing' in place therein, said sub-casing having slot-s at the top of its sides, a magazine having` lugs engaging the slots in the sides of the rnb-casingl to remova blyv support it tbere'r-nn, and coin-operated mechanism assembled as a unit on the sub-casing and adapted to be actuated to successively deliver the articles Jfrom the magazine.

6. In a vending machine, the combination ot a main casing having an opening in its iront, a sub-casingadapted tor insertion into the main casing and provided with a 'iront fall tor closing the openingl thereof, means for securing the sub-casing Within the main casing at points remote trom the front thereof to prevent its unauthorized removal therefrom, and coin-operated mechanism assembled as a unit on the sub-casingto adapt it to be bodily removed therewith :tor repair or replacement.

7. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing havin g an opening in its "front, a subcasing adapted or insertion in the main casing to close its opening, coin-operated mechanism assembled as a unit on the sub-casing, a frame-like extension removably attached to the sub-casing, and delivery-meclninisin assembled as a unit on the extension and connected to be actuated from the coin-operated mechanism to deliver articles from the machine, said sub-casing being removable as a unit for repair or replacement of the coin-operated mechanism and said extension bein?,` separately removable for repair or replacement of the delivery-mechanism.

8. In a vending machine, the combination of a main casing having an opening in its front, a sub-casing adapted for insertion into the main casing to close its opening, said subcasing' provided with lateral arms and a backplate, coin-operated mechanism assembled as a unit on the sub-casing, a trame-like extension having lateral arms and a back-plate rcmovably secured to the sub-casing, and delivery-mechanism assembled as a unit on the extension Wherebyit is separately removable therefrom for repair or replacement.

9. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing having a deliverv-opening` at the bottom of its front Wall, coin-operated mechanism for delivering` articles from the casinav through its delivery-opening, a coin-receiving till hinged above the delivery-opening at the front thereof to adapt it to swing down to close the opening7 means to lock the till in position ,to collect thecoins discharged from the operating-mechanism, and indicia on the of a main casing having an opening in its front wall, a sub-casing held within the main i casing with its front wall closingy theopening exceptV for a delivery-opening therebeneath,` coin-operated mechanism for dehvermgarticles from the casing to adapt them to be removed through the delivery-opening, a coincollecting till hinged to the front of the subcasing below. the coin-operated mechanism and adapted to dropinto position at the frontA ofthe delivery-opening to close the latter,

. means for locking the till in position to collect the coins discharged from the mechanism, and indicia on the till adapted to b-e displayed e through the delivery-opening when the till is unlocked to indicate that the machine is empty.

11. In avending' machine, theV combina- `tionwith means for supporting a stack of articles to be vended, delivery-means movv able with-respect to the stack to discharge the varticles successively therefrom and to receive the articles in position for delivery, coin-operated mechanism for operating the delivery-means, means for returning said delivery-means to first position to deliver the article received thereon, and means normally'maintained in inoperative position by the presence of an article in the stack andV adapted to be released upon the discharge of the last article to prevent return of the delivery-mechanism to normal position whereby to detain the coin-operated mechanism in position to prevent the reception of another com.` t

`12. In a vending machine, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of articles to be vended, a delivery-frame movable with respect to the magazine and provided with means for pushing the articles out therefrom, a shelf on the frame for receiving the articles as they are pushed out from the magazine, coin-operated mechanism for swinging the frame in one direction to cause it to push out the article and receive it on the shelf, aspring for returning the` frame to first position to cause it to discharge the article off` from the shelf and a triplever normally sustained in inoperative position by engagement withrthe packages in e the magazine and adapted to move into position upon the discharge of the last package to cause it to` engage the frame to prevent it from returning to first position whereby to to detain the coin-operated mechanism in position to prevent the reception of another e coin.

13. In a vending machine, the combination of means for supporting a stack of articles to be vended, an oscillating-frame movable" beneath the stack to successively discharge the articles therefrom, a shelf on the framer 4for receiving the articles as they are discharged from the stack, coin-operated mechanism for actuating the frame to cause receive it on the shelf, means for returning the frame tofrst position to cause it to release the article from the shelf, and a triplever adapted to hold the frame from return movement after it has discharged a package from the shelf to thereby `detain the coinoperated mechanism in position to prevent the reception ofanother coin, said trip-lever beinglnormally sustained .out of the path of the frame through its engagement with the lowermost package in the sta-ck. b

14. In a vending machine, the combination of a magazine for holding a supplyof stacked articlesto be vended, a deliveryframe movable with respectto the magazine to deliver the articles successively therefrom, coin-operated mechanism foractuating the delivery-frame, ratchet-means to prevent retrogressive movement of the coin-operated mechanism when a coin is in place vitto `discharge an'article from the stack and therein, means operated from `the deliveryframe uponthe discharge of the coin torelease the ratchet-means to permit the return ofthe delivery-means to first position, and means controlled by the articles in the magazine to prevent` the frame from operating the y i releasing-means when the last article `has been delivered from the magazine.

15. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing having a delivery-opening in its front wall, coin-operated mechanismfor delivering articles from thecasing through its delivery-opening, a coin-receiving till hinged to thefront wall of the casing at the at the top of the delivery-opening, and means to lock the till in raised position to adapt it to collect the coins discharged from the operating-mechanism `of the machine, said till down across the rim of the delivery-opening to serve as a closuretherefor to indicatethat the money has been removed from the ma- 11o having its bottom portion arranged to swing i

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