US1804221A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

y 1931. M. J. MADISON 1,804,221

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEY y 1931. M. JfMADISON 1,804,221

ENDING MACHINE Filed June 19. 1929 'T SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR:

K fiarf/m/fiad/am g y g m ATTORNEY May 5, 1931. M. J. MADISON 1,804,221

VENDING MACHINE I Filed June 19, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q I IN VEN TOR.

Md Win/M 0930/? WM I ATTORNEY.

May 5, 1931. v M. J. MADISON 1,304,221

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 d INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY May 5, 1931. l M. J. MADISON 1,304,221

VENDING MACHINE v Filed June 19, 1929 .7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: Mar/777 1 Mad/500 A TTORNEY M. J. mAmsor a VENDING MACHINE May 5, 1931.

'7 Sheets-Sheei 6 Filed June 19, 1929 INVEN TOR: M //7/7 J/Vaaww A TTORNE Y M. J. MADISON May 5, 1931.

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I INVENTOR. M fwd/7 A T TORNEY Patented May 5, 1931 MARTIN J. MADISON, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

VENDING Application me'a June 19.

My invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to a device of that character for dispensing package contained articles such as sandwiches, cigarettes or the like; the principal object of the invention being to provide a coin-actuated selector mechanism whereby articles having varying price values may be delivered from the machine, when a coin or coins having a total value equal to 'or in excess of the cost of the selected article are introduced into the machine, means being included for returning the proper change when the coins introduced have a value in excess of the cost of the selected article.

A further object of the invention is to provide coin gages and ejectors for detecting slugs or defective coins and eliminating them from the machine without affecting the selector mechanism provided for delivering articles from the machine.

In accomplishing these andother objects of the invention I have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the i machine on the line 2-2, Fig. 4, illustrating parts of the machine in the mechanical normal position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the mechanical parts of the machine in position for delivering an article.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the machine on the line 44, Fi 2.

Fig. 5 is a. section on the line 5-5, Fig. 2 particularly illustrating the coin-receiving bars in their spaced relation with complementary mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66, Fig. 2 particularly illustrating the article contain-- ers in their horizontal and verticalspaced relation.

Fig. 7 is a, fragmentary sectional view of iihe coin-ejector mechanism on the line 7-7,

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the coin,-

MACHINE 1929. Serial No 371,974.

ejector mechanism on the line 88, Fi 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one o the coin-receiving bars partly broken away for better illustration.

Fig. 10 is a perspective posite side of the coin bar.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the selector plate and the coin ejector rack.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the' coin-detector plate. I 66 Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of a coin-receiving bar partly broken away to illustrate the coin outlet passages from the detector and selector portion of the bar.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional side 5 view of the upper end of t e cabinet illustrating the mounting of the article containingKmagaZines.

eferring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a cabinet mounted on a suitable base 2, and including a rectangular shaped mechanism enclosing housing portion 3 and an upwardly extending commodity containing portion 4, formed by L shaped sidewalls 5, a back wall 6 and a front wall 7, the front wall being provided with openings 8, 9, and 10 for purposes hereafter set forth.

Hingedly mounted in the top of the cabinet and in the opening 8 are lids 11 and 12 for providing access to the respective interior portions of the cabinet and the lids are normally secured in closed position by locks 13 and 13.

Fixed in the opening 9 by a retainer bracket 14 is a glass plate 15 through which contents of the commodity housing portion 4 may be readily observed.

Mounted on the base 2, adjacent the front opening 10, is an angle guide rail 16, having a vertical flange 17, spaced from the lower" rim flange 18 of the opening to form a guideway 19 for the bottom side\of a sectionally constructed and slidable closure member 20.

The guide member 16 is provided with curved portions 21 spaced inwardly from arcuate guide flanges 22 at the front corners of the cabinet and the ends thereof are extended rearwardly in spaced relation view of the op- 5 flange 26 of the opening to form a guideway 27, which receives the top side of the closure member 20 for slidable guidance therein.

The guide rail 24 is provided with curved 31 portions identical to those on the guide member 16 with which it cooperates for guiding and supporting the closure member 20 wh1ch member 20 includes a central mounting plate 28 positioned between hingedly connected closure-sections 29.

Formed adjacent the lower end of the plate 28 is a rectangular shaped opening 30, (Fig. 1) carrying the forward end of a delivery chute 31, which extends rearwardly along the base of the machine and has an upturned'rear portion 32 provided with an inclined mouth 33. An angle plate 34 is attached to the upturned portion of the chute and slidably engages on a rail 35 fixed on the back wall 6 of the cabinet.

Formed in the plate 28 above the opening 30 are horizontally spaced elongated slots 36 and an aperture 37 is located centrally in the plate above said slots, said aperture and slots being adapted for receiving coin mechanism hereafter described.

Spaced inwardly from the back wall 6 and supported from the top of the commodity housing by brackets 38, and spaced from the side walls 5 by means of brackets 38' are a plurality of magazines 39 for containing tiers of dispensable articles.

The magazines include paired wall portions 40 extending downwardly from the top of the cabinet and the bottom ends of the paired walls terminate at varying levels above the mouth of the delivery chute and are provided with inturned rail portions 41 having forwardly projecting inclined portions 42 for intercepting complementary parts of the apparatus when the machine is operated as will hereafter be described.

Angle members 43 are secured on the wallportions 40 in parallel spaced relation with the rail portions 41 to form a shelf for supporting the articles of merchandise in the magazines. Inturned vertical guide flanges 44 and 45 are formed on the wall portions 40 for guiding the articles in their descent between the wall portions and the bottom ends of the flanges 44 terminate on the angle member 43. The flanges 45 are cut back from the angle member 43 to provide an outlet passage 46, (Fig. 2) for the articles of merchandise.

The means for effecting delivery of thearticles of merchandise from the machine mclude a com-selector mechanlsm 47 and to be ejected from a magazine and delivered to ,the purchaser through the delivery chute The selector mechanism 47 includes coin receiving bars 49, 50 and 51 adapted for receiving five, ten and twenty-five cent com pieces respectively. Receiving bars for coins of other values may obviously be provided for similar units dispensing other merchandise.

The forward ends of the coin bars project through the elongated slots 36 of the closure plate member 28 for support by the plate, and to permit the introduction of coins into the machine for actuating the selector mechanism. The rearward ends of the-bars are connected bya tie plate 52 and supported by a bracket 53 fixed to the tie plate and to the upturned portion of the delivery chute.

Since the coin bars referred to are similar in construction, only the coin bar 49 for receiving the five cent coin pieces will be described in detail.

The coin bar 49, consisting of a substantially rectangular shaped member having a rounded forward end, is provided at its lower edge with a depending hook 54, and formed on the upper edge of the bar is a guide flange 55 forming a groove 56 which extends parallel with the top edge of the bar, and cooperates with a like flange 57 on the bar 51 for slidably carrying a selector plate 58 hereafter described.

Provided in the bar 49 is a coin slot 59 opening upwardly through the rounded forward end and extended longitudinally to a point adjacent the rearward end of the bar.

Coin outlet assages 60 "and 61 formed in the lower edge of the bar communicate with the slot 59 to permit the ejection of the coins from the slot.

The outlet passage 61 is of sufficient width to accommodate a pawl 62, and a slot 63v in the upper edge of the bar receives a tooth on the end of the pawl which cooperates with the selector plate 58. The pawl 62 is provided with a depending arm 64 and an upwardly protruding finger 65 on the arm cooperates with pawl release mechanism hereafter described.

Formed in one side of the coin bar and located slightly above the center line of the coin slot is a longitudinally extending opening 66 slidably engaged by T shaped ears 67 at opposite ends of a'coin impeller bar 68, the bar being provided with a toothed III lower; edge 69 engageable by a reversible coin through the slot 59 for actuating the pawl 62, selector plate 58 and complementary mechanism hereafter described.

Provided in the coin bar 4:9 and located opposite the guide slot 66 is an elongated slot 73, and studs 75 protruding outwardly fromopposite sides of the pawl 62 are slidably mounted the respective slots. The end of the stud in the slot ()6 is flush with the outer side "of the coin bar, and the stud on the opposite side of the pawl protrudes out wardly from the opposite wall of the coin bar and is engaged by the upwardly extending arm 76 of a bell crank member 77 pivoted adjacent the lower edge of the coin The member 77 includes :1 depending arm 78 and a forwardly extending offset arm 79.. The arm 78 is connected with the hook 54 of the coin bar by a spring 80 to cause the arm 76 to yieldingly urge the pawl to its forward limit, determined by engagc ment of the stud 75 with the forward end of the slot 73. The forwardly extending arm 79 of the bell crank member is offset outwardly from the coin bar and adapted for cooperating with a coin detector mecha nism presently described.

Formed in the side wall of the coin bar in longitudinal alignment with the coin outlet passage 60 is a rectangular opening 81 provided with a forwardly extending recess 82 at its -upper edge, and formed adjacent the respective forward and rearward edges .of the opening are outwardly protruding 7 cars 83 and 84 provided with openings 85 a rzid 86 for the mounting of a detector plate 8 The detector plate 87 which is shaped to fit freely in the opening 81 is provided at one end with an out-turned flange 88, and an car. 89 protruding from the flange coopcrates with the offset arm 79 of the bell crank member 77. 0

Located centrally on the plate 87 and protruding sidewardly therefrom is a pivot stem 90 engaging the opening in the ear 83 and the opposite end of the plate is provided with a pivot ring 91 axially aligning with the pivot stem and supported on a pivot screw 92 engaged in the opening'86 .of the car 84.

A friction washer 93 is applied between the ear 83 and flange 88 so that pressure applied by the adjustable pivot screw 92 serves to retard the detector plate in its pivotal movement.

Attached to the upper edge of the plate 87,

along the coin bar, the ear serving to engage and urge the ,to prevent ejection of the above the ring 91, is a finger 94 ofiset for ex-- tension through the recess 82 into the upper side of the coin slot 59. Thefinger is provided with a tapered end gauge 95 engageable by coins applied in the slot for effecting pivotal movement of the detector plate for admitting or rejecting coins applied in the receiving slot.

The lower edge of the detector plate is.

normally held away from the slot 59 and when a coin of the proper thickness is introduced for engagement by the gage 95, the bottom edge of the plate 87 is extended into the slot to close the outlet passage 60 Continued inward movement of the coin by the impeller bar 68 causes the coin to engage and actuate the pawl 62, after which the coin drops through the outlet passage .61 to a deflector plate 96 fixed on the delivery chute 31, and from the deflector plate to the bottom of the cabinet.

. \Vhen the coin passes the detector mechanisin and engagesthe pawl 62, the bell crank 77 is rotated on its pivot, and the arm 79 of the bell crank engages the car 89 of the plate 87, and causes the plate to be restored to its normal position.

\Vhen the plate 87 is in normal position, the outlet passage 60 is open. When a coin of insuflicient thickness is applied in the slot the gage will not be actuated sufiiciently to swing the lower edge of thedetector plate into a closed position over the outlet passage 60, therefore the coin will drop from the slot into a receiving mouth 97 which aligns with the outlet openings ofthe bars 49, 50 and 5l and communicates with the chute 31.

Mounted in the forward edge of the plate 87 is an adjusting screw 98 for engaging the finger portion 94 and adjusting extension of the gage 95 into the coin slot 59.

The selector plate-58 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) slidably mounted in the guide grooves 56 on the coin bars 49 and 51 is yieldingly urged forward in its guides by a spring 99 connecting the bar with the .closure plate 28 of the cabinet.

Attached at the rearward end of the plate 58 is a rearwardly extending rack bar 100, constituting. the connecting means between the selector mechanism and coin change mechanism hereafter described. Protruding upwardly from the rack 100 is a stud 101 adapted for engaging the base portion of an upstanding guide bracket 102 for locating the plate in its forward or normal position.

Formed on the side. edges of the plate 58 are teeth 103 aligning with the coin slots 59 of the coin bars 49 and 51 and formed in the plate for alignment with the coin slot 59 of thebar 50 are equally spaced slots 104: forming tooth portions 105 aligning transversely with the teeth 103. The tooth porlUO chute engage the depending arms 64 of the pawls and serve to yieldingly urge the pawls into engagement with the tooth portions.

When a coin is introduced through one of the slots 59, rearward sliding movement of the respective pawl 62 causes rearward sliding movement of the selector plate, and the pawls of the inactive bars serve to retain the plate in its advanced rearward position.

Located on the forward end of the 58 are paired ears 107 positioned on opposite sides of the row of teeth 105 and attached to the cars is av link chain 108 constituting the connecting element between the selector plate and the ejector mechanism presently described.

Mounted on a bracket 109 on the rearward end of the guide portion 55 of the coin bar 49 is a guide channel member 110 having a lower arcuate portion 111 provided with a forwardly opening month which is positioned closely over the plate 58 for recciving the free end of-t-he chain 108.

An upwardly extending portion 112 of I the guide channel extends to a point adjacent the lid 12 to permit upward extension of the chain therein, when the selector plate is shifted rearwardly by the introduction of coins to the coin bars.

Formed in the front and rear walls of the guide channel portion 112 are vertical aligning slots 113, extending downwardly from the upper end to a point substantially midway of the channel member to form a guideway for an ejector bar 114.

The ejector mechanism includes a forked shifting member 116 having an end portion 117 fitted with a stem 118 slidably projected through a bushing 119 fixed in the aperture 37 of the mounting plate 28, and with a knob 120 whereby the member 116 may be manually operated.

Extending horizontally and rearwardly from one end of the portion 117 of the shifting member 116 is a bar 121 slidable in a guide slot of an car 122 on the upstanding bracket 102.

Formed in the upper edge of the bar 121 are teeth 123 engageable by a reversible pawl 124 pivoted on the bracket 102,- and adapted to prevent reverse shifting of the member 116 at. intermediate points of its travel, reverse movement of the member being possible only when the member has arrived'at either the forward or rearward limit of its travel.

Formed on the portion 117 opposite the bar 121 is a vertically extending arm 125 pivotallyaattached to the forward end of the ejector bar 114.

The ejector bar 114 is slidably movable through the guide slots 113 in the channel plate ing a purchase price of fifteen cents,

member 109, and the lower edge of the bar rests on the free end 115 of the chain 108.

Fixed on the rearward end of the ejector bar is a right angular-1y disposed ejector plate 126 adapted for passing between the paired rail portions 41 and paired angle members 43 of the magazines 39. The lower end of the plates is provided with sidewardly projecting studs 127 slidable on the incline portions 42 and rail portions 41of the magazines.

Mounted on the upper end of the ejector plate 126 by a rule hinge 128 is an ejector flap plate 129 adapted for hinging over the back side of the plate 126 and a spring 130 on the hinge pin yieldingly retains the flap plate in normal extended position on the plate 126. j i

The mounting plate 28, delivery chute 31, selector and ejector mechanisms constitute a sidewardly movable unit and means for se-v lectively aligning the unit with the magazine containing the desired article, includes a pointer finger 131 fixed on the upper end of the plate 28 and adapted for registering with name or price indicia 132 on the flange 26 of the cabinet.

Assuming that the magazines from right to left of the machine contain articles increasing in cost-in multiples of five cents and that it is desired to purchase an article from the center magazine containing articles halyt article delivery unit -(Figs. 1 and 2) is shifted sidewardly so that the pointer 131 registers with the indicia 132 designating the fifteen cent purchase price.

When the pointer 131 is in registering position with the indicia 132 (Fig. 1) the e'ector bar will be in lateral alignment with t e central magazine as illustrated in Figs. 4, and 6.

In order to position the ejector bar for engagement with the lower article in the magazine so that inward shifting of the bar will cause delivery of the article, the purchaser may usevarious coin combinations, applying the coins in their respective bars, the coin change mechanism being provided for returning the proper change in the event that the total value of the coins applied is in excess of the purchase price of the article.

Three coins (nickels) may be consecutively introduced through the coin bar 49 by means of the manually operated impeller bar 69 for making the fifteen cent purchase, each coin causing the pawl 62 to advance the selector plate rearwardly a distance of one tooth on the plate, and causing the ejector bar to be lifted with each successive advance of the selector late, the third coin lifting the bar suificientPy to align the studs 127 with the incline rails 42.

The pawls 62 of the coin bars and 51 serve to retain the selector plate and ejector After the three coins totaling fifteen centsv have been introduced, the ejector bar is shifted forwardly. The studs 127 engage the incline rail portions 42 and'lift the ejector flap into engaging position with the article in the magazine. Continued shifting movement causes the studs 127 to slide on the inturned rail portion 41 (Fig. 3). The article is engaged by the plate 129, and shifted from the shelf 43 into the delivery chute 31, and slides to the forward end of the chute to be received by the purchaser.

The article may also be purchased from the magazine containing the fifteen cent article by introducing one nickel into the bar 49 and one dime into the bar 50, since the nickel will advance the selector platea distance of one tooth, and the dime will advance the plate a distance of two teeth, thus effecting a total advance of three teeth, the same as'when three nickels are introduced.

Introduction of a twenty-five cent piece (quarter) into the bar 51 is adapted for advancing the selector plate a distance of five teeth thereforeit'is apparent that various combination of the coin pieces may be employed for selectively locating the ejector bar in position for engaging an article, so that the article may be delivered from the machine.

The varying degree of advance movement imparted to the pawls 62 of the coin bars b the application of the different coins in tile respective bars is determined by the varying locations of the coin outlet passages 61 of the bars. The passages are located so that a coin applied in itsrespective bar will effect an advanced movement of the selector fplate corresponding to the purchase value 0 the coin, whereupon the coin arrives over the outlet passage 61 of the bar and drops into the cabinet.

It is necessary during each delivery stroke of the ejector, that the'selector plate be restored to its normal position to prevent delivery of more than one article should the ejector stroke be repeated without again introducing the coins for the purchaseof .another article.

In order to effect simultaneous disengagement of the pawls from theteeth in the selector plate during the delivery stroke of the ejector bar, a trip mechanism is provided which includes a trip bar 133 extended transversely across the cabinet adjacent the lower ends of the magazines and pivotally supported from .the side walls of the cabinet.

the bar 49, and

; edly mounted ina recessed flange 134 of the bar 133 are a plurality of depending plates 135, aligning with the open front ends of the magazines 39, and the lower ends of the plates are spaced above the lower ends of their respective magazines for engagement and actuation independently of each other by the ejector flap plate 129.

Coil springs 136 are mounted on the hinge pins of the plates 135, (Figs. 2 and 6) and linger portions atthe ends of the springs engage the plates and the trip bar to provide a yielding operative connection for permitting pivotal overtravel. of the plates I.l igainst the limited pivotal movement of the Pivotally mounted between paired bosses 137 on thedelivery chute 31 is a trip plate 138 having a horizontal portion overlyin and contacting with the upwardly protru ing fingers of the pawl arms 64.

Formed at one end of the plate 138 is an car 139 and pivoted on the ear is a connecting rod 140 extending upwardly and rearwardly through a guide bracket 141 extending from the channel member 109. The upper end of the rod 140 terminates in contact relation with the flange 134 of the trip bar and when one of the plates 135 is actuated by the ejector bar, the pivotal movement imparted to the trip bar will shift the connecting rod 140 downwardly thereby d epressing the trip plate 138 and pawl arms 64 to release the pawls from engagement with the selector plate 58.

When the selector plate is released from the pawls, the spring 99 returns the plate to a tapered rearward edge 143, tapering rearward toward the left side of the cabinet and adapted for slidable engagement by a bearing 144 (Figs. 3 and 8). The bearing is fitted with a-rotatable pivot pin 145 carrying coin ejector plates 146, 147 and 148 and coin containing magazines 149.

The pin 145 extending upwardly from the bearing 144 slidably engages an elongated slot 150 in the bracket 53, and a gear 151 loosely mounted on the pin and resting on the bracket is engageable by the rack bar 100 on the selector plate 58.

An upper reduced portion 152 of the pin 145 extends through an elongated slot 153 of a bracket 154, and the bracket is spaced above the bracket 53 and fixed on the upturned portion of th hute 31.

Fixed on the portion152- of the pin and,

' forward by a s between the bracket 154 and gear 151 is a ratchet gear 155 engageable for rotation by a awl 156 carried on the gear 151.

reely mounted on the upper end of the in portion 152 is thelower coin ejector P plate 146, and a downturned tooth 157 of the plate slidably engages the slot 153 of the racket 154 to prevent rotation-of the plate.

The plate 146 is provided with a coin outlet opening 158, and a conduit 159 connecting with the opening and depending from the plate opens into a receiving mouth 160 on t e delivery chute 31.

Fixed on a tenon 161 on the pin portion 152 is the intermediate ejector plate 147 and a plurality of e ually spaced openings 162 are provided in t e plate for registering with the outlet openin 158 of the plate 146 upon rotation of the plate 147.

Protruding upwardly from the tenon 161 is a reduced pin portion 163, and loosely mounted on the pin is the upper ejector plate 148 provided with a downturned tooth 164 whic engages the slot 153 of the bracket 154, for preventing rotation of the plate.

The plate 148 is provided with a plurality of coin outlet openings 165 adapted to registerin with the openings 162 in the plate 147, and t e coin magazines 149 aligning with the openings 165 are adapted for containing five cent pleces (nickels) for ejection into the delivery chute as will hereafter be described.

The assembled coin ejector mechanism carried on the pin 145 is yieldingly urged ring 166 which connects the bearing 144 .w1th the forward end of the bracket 53. Y

. The bearing 144 is retained in contact relation with the tapered edge 143 of the rail 142 by the spring 166 so that sideward shifting of the article delivery unit changes the spaced relation between the gear 151 and the tooth 167 on the rack 100 carried by the selector plate.

Assuming that the article delivery unit is aligned with the central article containing magazine and that the purchase price of the article is fifteen cents, operation of the chan e mechanism is as follows:

en the delivery unit is aligned with the magazine containing the fifteen cent articles, the gear 151 of the coin change mechanism is positioned in spaced relation to the rack 100, so that an advance of three teeth by the selector plat-e will cause the tooth 167 to arrive in engagement with the gear 151, but will not cause rotation of the gear.

Assuming that the purchaser applies two dimes (twenty cents) in the coin bar 50 for purchasing the fifteen cent article, then the selector plate will be advanced two teeth for each dime or a total advance of four teeth. The extra advance of one tooth will cause the tooth 167 'on the rack 100 to engage and rotate the gear 151 one quarter turn or 90.

The one quarter turn of the gear 151 is imparted to the intermediate coin ejector late 147 through the ratchet gear 155 and ratchet pawl 156.

The openings 162 in the plate 147 receive coins from the coin magazines 149 when in registering position with the openings 165 of the plate 148, and the quarter turn or 90 rotation of the plate 147 aligns one of the openings 162 with the outlet opening 158 in the plate 146, aligned opening of the rotated plate drops through the conduit 159, and receiving month 160 into the delivery chute 31.

The ejected coin slides through the chute 31 to the forward end of the machine for removal from the chute together with the purchased article.

In the event that a quarter is applied for purchasing the fifteen cent article, the overtravel of the selector plate is two teeth and consequently the plate 147 will be rotated one half turn or 180, thereby causing two of the coin carrying openings 162 in the plate 147 to pass over'the outlet opening 158 in the plate 146, and two coins to be ejected into the delivery chute 31.

When the article delivery unit is shifted toward the left side of the machine for alignment with the magazines containing the higher priced articles, the coin change mechanism is automatically shifted rearwardly to increase the spaced relation between the rack 100 and the gear 151.

For example; should the magazine at the extreme left of the machine contain a twenty-five cent. article, the spacing between the gear 151 and rack tooth 167 will be equal to five teeth on the selector plate 58 when the delivery unit is aligned with the magazine.

A quarter or combination of dimes and nickles may be used for making a purchase from the magazine and if a combination such as three dimes is used, the advanceof the selector plate will be six teeth or an overtravel of one tooth.

Since the spacing between the rack tooth 167 and gear 151 is five teeth, the one tooth overtravel will cause the e'ector plate 147 to be rotated 90 and one nic e1 to be returned through the delivery chute.

The spacing between the rack tooth 167 and gear 151 is determined by the position of the delivery unit with relation to the rail member 142, the tapered edge of which is adapted for automatically locating the gear 151 in proper spaced relation with the rack 100 as the unit is shifted into alignment with pensable articles.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. In a vending machine, a housing,

so that the coin carried in the one .of the magazines 39 containing the dishorizontally spaced article containers within the housing, ejector mechanism 0 erable exteriorly of the housing and inclu inga coin controlled ejector bar normally spaced vertically from the containers-and selectively alignable with the containers for ejecting the articles therefrom, and a chute cooperating with the containers for receiving and delivering the ejected articles.

2. In a vending machine, a housing, a series of containers within the housing, ejector mechanismin the housing movable for alignment with the containers and including a pivoted article ejector bar, means for controlling the ejector bar including a coinactuated selector plate for pivoting the bar into alignment with a selected container, and

'means communicating with the containers for delivering the articles from the containers to the exterior of the housing.

3. In a vending machine, a housing having a bottom, a series of containers within the housing having article-supporting portions spaced vertically differentially from the bottom of the housing, ejector mechanism movable for selective alignment with the containers and including an ejector bar, and means operable exteriorly of the housing controlling alignment of the ejector bar with the containers.

4. In a vending machine, a housing, a series of horizontally spaced article containers within the housing, ejector mechanism inthe housing including an ejector bar horizontally and vertically alignable with the containers for ejecting the articles therefrom, means for vertically aligning the ejector bar with the containers including a coin-actuated selector plate, and means communicating with the containers for conveying the ejected articles to the exterior of the housing.

5. In a vending machine, a housing, a

series of horizontally spaced article containers within the housing, ejector mecha nism movable for selective horizontal alignment with the containers and including a vertically alignable ejector bar for ejecting the articles from the containers, means for aligning the ejector bar with the containers including a selector plate for carrying the e'ector bar, coin-actuated mechanism opera le exteriorly of the housing for actuating said plate, and means communicating with the containers for delivering the ejected articles.

6. In a vending. machine, a housing, a.

series of horizontally spaced article con-, tainers within the housing, ejector mecha nism horizontally alignable with the containers and including an ejector bar verti-. cally alignable with the containers and operable exteriorly of the housing for ejecting the articles from the containers, means for vertically aligning the ejector bar with the containers including a selector plate, coining from the containers to the ext i of the housing for delivering the:

articles.

7. In a vending machine, a housing, a plurality of article containers within the housing, ejector mechanism cooperating selectively with the containers for delivering the articles therefrom, coin-actuated means controlling the ejector mechanism and including a coin bar having a coin channel provided with a bottom aperture, an adjust able coin detector gage normally closing said aperture and pivotal to open the same for detecting and ejecting counterfeit coins, ard a conduit communicating with the containers for delivering the articles from the containers to the exterior of the housing.

8. In a vending machine, a cabinet, a series of vertical magazines within the cabinet for carrying tiers of articles, an ejector mechanism operable exteriorly of the housing and cooperating selectively with the series of magazines, a series of independently operable coin-receiving mechanisms controlling the ejector mechanism for delivering a selected article from a corresponding magazine, and money changing mechanism including common operating means operable by the several coin receiving mechanisms for returning in coins the amount paid in excess of the value of the delivered article.

9. In a vending machine, a cabinet, vertical magazines within the cabinet for supporting tiers of articles, an ejector mechthe magazine with the selector plate for returning in coins the'amopnt paid in excess of the purchase price of the delivered article.

10.- In a vending machine, a cabinet, article supporting magazines within the cabinet, a discharge chute communicating with the magazines and with the exterior of the cabinet, coin receiving conduits in the cabinet for receiving coins of varying values, a

selector plate operable by coins passed through the conduits and in proportion to the value of the coins, an ejector bar operable by the selector plate for vertical alignment with the magazines and reciprocable by means exterior of the cabinet for ejecting the articles from the magazines into the discom conduits in the housing charge chute, and coin change mechanism cooperating with the selector plate for re-.

feit coins into the discharge chute, a selector plate operable in proportion to the value of coins passed through the conduits, an ejector bar pivoted for alignment with the magazines and reciprocable by means exterior of the cabinet for ejecting the articles from the magazines into the discharge chute, and coin change mechanism operable by means on the selector plate and adapted for returningin coins the amount paid in excess of the value of the purchased article.

12. In a vending machine, a housing, horizontally spaced containers in the housing having shelf portions for supporting articles of merchandise and paired inclined ears protruding from said shelf portions, a discharge chute communicating with the magazines and with the exterior of the housing, an ejector bar pivoted for vertical alignment with said ears and longitudinally reciprocablc for sliding engagement on the shelf portions for ejecting the articles from the magazines into the discharge chute, having inlet openings exterior of the housing for receiving coins of varying sizes, means exterior of the housing for urging the coins through the conduits, a detector and ejector on the conduits for ejecting counterfeit coins into the discharge chute, a selector plate operable by coins passed through the con-.

duits and in proportion to the value of vthe coins forvertically aligning the ejector bar with the magazines, a rack bar on the selector plate, a coin change magazine operable bv the rack bar and communicating with the discharge chute for returning in coins the amount paid in excess of the value of the purchased article. I

13. Ina vending machine, a housing, horizontally spaced containers in the housing having shelf portions for supporting articles'of merchandise and paired inclined ears protruding from said shelf portions, 9. discharge chute communicating with the magazines, an ejector bar pivoted for vertical alignment with said ears and longitudinally reciprocable for sliding engagement on the shelf portions for ejecting the articles from the magazines into the discharge chute, coin conduits in the housing having inlet 0 enings for receiving coins of varying va ues, means exteriorly of the housing for urging the coins through the conduits, a detector and ejector on the conduits 'for ejecting counterfeit coins into the discharge chute a selector plate operable by coins passe through the conduits and in proportionto the value of the coins, an arcuate guide on said conduits having a slot fOIlCCQlVlDg the I ejector bar, a chain pivoted'on the selector.

plate and slidable in the guide for pivotally supporting the ejector bar, a rack bar on the selector plate, a gear spaced from the plate and cngageable by said rack, and a magazine operable by said gear and communicating with the discharge chute for returning in coins the amount paid in excess of the purchase price of the delivered article.

14. In apparatus of the character described, coin actuated mechanism including a bar having a coin channel and provided with an aperture, and a coin detector member movably supported adjacent the aperture, and a linger on said member engageable bya coin moving through the channel to eifect movement of the member for closing said aperture.

15. In apparatus of the character described, mechanism controlled by an appropriate coin inserted therein, including a bar having a coin channel and rovided with an aperture in the bottom 0 the channel, a coin detector gage plate pivotally supported to swing across the aperture, and an adjustable finger on said plate engageable by the coin to pivot the plate for closing said aperture to retain the coin, and means for ad'usting the finger for different characters 0 appropriate coins.

In testimony whereof I ture.

MARTIN J. MADISON.

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