US1882634A - Check-controlled apparatus for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1932. o. D. JENNINGS ET AL 1,882,634

CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed June 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HHHHHJ.

Oct. 11, 1932. o. D. JENNINGS ET AL CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed June 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizz/6W5: Ode/l2 Jenm Oct. 11', 1932:. o. D. JENNINGS ET AL CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed June 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 06w 1] J6 CharZ h I W) Oct. 11, 1932. o. 0. JENNINGS ET AL CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Original Filed June 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ode H Jenrzngfi Uzarlea B. Gilmore,

Patented Oct. 11, 1932 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-16E ODE D. JENNINGS, OF PALATINE, AND GHARLE B. GILMORE, F QHIQZAGO, ILI AINQIS, ASSIGNORS TO 0. D. JENNINGS & COMBANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CQBIQRATION CF ILLINOIS CHECK-CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES firiginal application filed June 16, 1 928,

This invention relates to the art ,of vending machines, and constitutes a division of an application filed by us on the 16th day .of June, 1928, Serial No. 285,982, upon which Letters Patent No. 1,788,523 were granted January 13, 19,31. In the aforesaid patent we have disclosed a combined coin-controlled weighing scale and merchandise vendor of the multiple magazine type and have claimed the novel magazine selectingand article dispensing features of the machine. The present application relates to the check-controlled operating mechanism disclosed in the aforesaid patent by which the normally locked operating mechanism is released or rendered operative on the deposit of a proper coin, the coin is rejected and returned when the device is set to vend from a magazine that has become empty, clogging by the deposit of excess coins is prevented, such excess com or coins being returned, and,in the case of a combined vending and weighing machine, the weighing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism may be operated independently or in conjunction upon the deposit of a proper coin.

Other and more specific objects and advantages .of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which we have illustrated a practical and approved embodiment of the invention, and wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation with the rear wall Serial No. 285,982. Divided and this application filed January 13, 1931. .Seria1 No. 598,188,

lower portion of the coin chute, on line 5,.5 of Fig. 4, showing in full lines the position of the parts prior to actuation by the dispensing mechanism, and in dotted lines the position of the parts subsequent to actua tion.

' Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating one position of a manually set switch that controls the weighing and vending functions of the ma chineso as to effect weighing only or both weighing and vendingby asingle coin.

Fig. 7 is a vertical front to rear section through the casing, showing in elevation portions of the dispensing 'mechanism and the coin-released locking mechanism pertaining thereto. I

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates as an entirety a generally upright rectangu- 1211' case in which the parts of the machine are housed; the same being provided with a hinged front door lleqnippedwit-h a glass panel 12 covering the dial and pointer of the scale, panels 13 and 14 adapted to contain directions for operating the machine, and .a lower glass panel 15 through whichare visible contents-of the magazines and sample packages displayed in front of each magazine 1ndicating the character of each package. In the upperportion of the casing is mounted a weighing mechanism shown in Fig. 2, with the specific details of which the present invention is not concerned. Any suitable or approved weighing mechanism may be employed, that herein shown being substantially identical with the weighing scale disclosed in Letters Patent to-H. Barson No. 1,370,724, dated March '8, 192-1. The pull rod 16-of the weighing mechanism is connected at'its lower end to a platform 17, so that a weight on the latter actuates the scale. The scale mechanism is normally locked against movement, and the locking mechanism is tripped to release positioniby a deposited coin. The locking mechanism comprises astar wheel 18 fast on the shaft of'the scale pointer, and a pivoted lever 19 carrying a stop pin 20 normally engaged with tlie teeth of the. star wheel. One endof the lever 19is connected by a link rod 21 to a lever'2f2 (Fig.4) pivoted at 23 to. a bracket arm'2i on plates 57.

the coin chute, hereinafter described, and the free end of lever 22 is provided with a bent end 25 extending through a slot 26 in the side wall of the chute so as to be struck by a coin falling through the chute to thereby trip the lever 19, disengage the star wheel 18, and allow the scale to be actuated. For a further description of the details of the scale mechanism, reference may be had to the Barson patent above identified.

Extending between the opposite side walls of the casing 10 is a horizontal bar 27 (Fig. 2) to which are secured, as by countersunk screw bolts 28, a plurality (herein shown as five) of vertical rectangular sheet-metal merchandise containers 29, each formed with rear .and side walls and inturned front flanges, adapted to. contain a stack of similarly shaped articles such as Wrapped packages of gum, candy, or the like. Below each magazine 29 is a dispensing mechanism, including apackage ejector, the operating mechanism of which is normally uncoupled and hence inoperative, but is coupled by a magazine selector mechanism, and then operated by an ejector bar 56 (Fig. 7) common to all of the dispensing mechanisms, said ejector bar being normally locked, and released for movement by the deposit of a proper coin. For a full disclosure of this selecting and dispensing mechanism reference may be had to our Patent No. 1,788,523 above referred to.

Extending from side to side of the machine is the ejector bar 56 that underlies the ejector plates of the several magazines and is slidably supported in depending slotted The ends of the ejector bar are pivoted to links 57 (Figs. 2 and 7), and the other ends of the links 57 are pivoted to the lower ends of a pair of arms 58 that at their upper ends are keyed to a rock-shaft 59 extending between opposite side walls of the casing in .rear of the magazines 29. As shown in Fig. 7 the arm 58 on one side constitutes one arm of a bell crank lever, the other arm of which is shown at 60. Referring now to Figs. 3 and lyextending through one of the side walls of the casing and journaled in an inner bearing boss 61 on a plate 62 and an outer escutcheon plate 63 is a short shaft 64 equipped on its outer end with an actuating handle 65. Fast on the inner end of shaft 64 is a short arm 66, on the free end of which is mounted by a pivot pin 67 a U-shaped yoke 68. The armsof the yoke 68-are connected by a pair of pullsprings 69 to a cross-gear 70 and the upper end of a vertically slidable push bar 71, and the upper end of push bar 71 is suspended by a pull spring 72 from an anchor pin 73 in the side wall of the casing. The push bar 71 is provided with a vertical slot "74 (Fig. 3) through which the pivot pin 67 plays. Pivoted in a boss 75 on the plate 62 is an elbow lever, the upper arm 76 of which carries a roller 77 (Fig. 3) that is normally engaged by a horizontal shoulder 78 formed on the push bar 71 near its lower end. The depending arm 79 of the elbow lever is connected by a link 80 (Fig. 7) to the upwardly extending arm 81 of a three-arm lever that is keyed on a short rock-shaft 82 journaled in a side wall of the casing. To a short depending arm 83 of the three-arm lever is pivoted at 84 a link 85, the lower end of which is pivoted at. 86 to the elbow lever arm 60. lVhen theactuating arm 65 is operated, the push bar 71 is forced downwardly, the elbow lever 76, 79 is rocked, and through the connections therefrom to the ejector bar 56 the latter is given a package-ejecting movement. \Vhen the movement is completed, a cam incline 71 (Fig. 3) on the lower end of the bar 71 strikes a pin 87 mounted on a plate 88 attached to a side wall of the casing, and this throws the shoulder'78 off the roller 77, and the ejector bar 56 is retracted by a pull of a spring 89 (Fig. 7) anchored at 90 to a side wall of the casing and at its upper end connected to a pin 91 in the third arm 92 of the three-arm lever. At the same time the pull of the spring 89 restores the elbow lever 76, 79 to the normal position shown in Fig. 3, and the pull of the spring 72 restores the operating lever 65 and the parts between said lever and the bell-crank 7 6, 7 9 to operative position. By reference to Figs. 3 and 7 it will be observed that the plate 88 is pivoted at 88', and the position of the push bar throw-off pin 87 can be adjusted by shifting the plate 88 angularly On its pivot to the extent permitted by a slot 88 therein and a locking screw 87, so that the length of stroke of the ejector bar 56 can be nicely adjusted to the eX- tent necessary to insure the withdrawal of a package from the magazine to correct position over the package discharge chute. By reason of the springs 69 and the slot 7 1, the actuating lever 65 can be operated idly to a limited extent when the ejector actuating mechanism is locked without danger of straining or injuring the actuating mechanism. The lever arm 81 (Fig. 7) has a device for preventing a partial stroke, and necessitating a full stroke, of the ejector actuating mechanism, the same consisting of a rack 93 on the upper edge of the arm 81 and a pivoted double-acting dog 94 controlled by a spring 95 cooperating with the rack 93. This device for insuring a full stroke is old and 1 well known and no claim thereto is made herein. On the plate 62 are stops 81 limiting the throw of lever arm 81.

In association with the package ejector actuating mechanism last described, there is employed an interference mechanism normally locking the ejector actuating mechanism against working movement. Referring to Fig. 7, pivoted on a stud 96 on the plate 62 is an interference member or stop 97 normally lying across the path of swing of the lever arm On the stop 97 is an arm 98 pivoted to the upper end of a depending bar 99, the lower end of which bar is pivoted to a lever 100. One end of the lever 100 is pivoted at 101 to a side wall of the casing and spring 105, but this movement is normally prevented by an arm 106 secured to the bar 99 and underlying a pin 107 on the lever arm 92, which latter is drawn downwardly bythe spring 89, and the pull of the spring 89 is stronger than the pull. of the spring 105. As the lever arm 92 starts to swing upwardly in the operation of the ejector actuating mechanism, its downward thrust on the arm 106 is relieved, and the spring 105 thereupon raises the lever 100. If the selector mechanism has been properly set, the pin 102 will enter one of the notches 10 1, and this is accompanied by an upward movement of the bar 99 suiiicient to swing the stop 97 out of the way of the arm 92. At the same time the engagement of the pin 102 with the disc 103 locks the selector mechanism in the set position during the manipulation oftl e device. If the selector mechanism has not been turn ed. a sufficient distance to couple the ejector slide of one or more of the magazines to the ejector slide bar 56, the stop 97 will not be swung sui'liciently to clear the arm 92, and hence the mechanism is locked against actuation whenever the selector has not been properly set.

The ejector actuating-mechanism is coincontrolled, and is not only locked by the stop 97 against actuationuntil the selector has been properly set, as above described, but it is also locked by the same stop 97 against actuation until a proper coin has been-deposited. lhe stop release mechanism is of that type wherein the deposited coin itself forms an element of the release mechanism, and is best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, wherein 108 designates the lowermost section of the coin chute,

the same being suspended from a pivoted stud 109 mounted in the plate 62. A coin, indicated at C in Figs. 4 and 5 deposited in the chute section 108 is arrested at a point opposite a longitudinal slot 110 in the chute by the inner edge of a fixed shoe 1.11 on the lower end of a rod 112 suspended from the stud 109: the shoe 111 projecting through a notch 113 in the edge of the chute section sufficiently to arrestingly engage the edge of the coin C. Below the chute section 108 is a delivery coin chute section 11d that extends downwardly to a coin receptacle (not shown) in the bottom of the casing. Keyed on the rock-shaft 82 is a coin ejector consisting of an arm 115 formed on one edge thereo'f'with a laterally ofi'set coin-engaging finger 116 registering with the slot 110 and above the latter with a shorter finger 117. A pull spring 115 connects ejector arm 115 with the pivoted. chute section 108 to insure return of the latter on the back swing of the ejector arm.

On one edge of the pivoted chute section 108, at the lower end thereof, is a laterally projecting stop 118 (Fig. 4) which, as best shown in Fig. 7, in the normal position of the chute section108 lies directly over the upper end of an upstanding finger 119 mounted on an arm 120. This arm 120 is pivoted at 121 to the plate 62 and at its free end overlies and rests upon the laterally bent end 106 (Figs. 4 and 7 of the arm 106. When a coin has been deposited and the ejector actuating mechanism is operated,the shaft 82 is rocked as previously described and the coin ejector 115 through its finger 116 strikes the coin and, through the latter, shifts the chute section 108 first to the full line and then to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5. During this shifting movement the stop 118 on the lower end of the chute is carried out of the path of the finger 119, so that the arm 106 is no longer blocked against rising by the stop 118, finger 119 and arm 120, and consequently the spring 105 swings the stop 97 clear of the path of the lever arm 92, permitting a full stroke of the ejector actuating mechanism. If, on the other hand, it be attempted to operate the ejector actuating mechanism without any coin, the

chute secti-on108 will not be shifted and the arm '106 and bar 99 canrise only until the finger 119 strikes the stop 118, which does not sufiice to move the stop 97 clear of the lever arm 92.

The machine as herein shown is also equipped with a simple lock mechanism as sociated with each magazine by which, when the magazine is exhausted, or but a single package remains therein, the selector-actuated means for coupling the ejector plate of that magazine to the ejectorhar 56 is rendered inoperative. For a description of this lock mechanism, reference may be had to our Patent No. 1,788,523.

Referring next to the coin chute structure and the devices associated therewith by which, on the deposit of a coin, the scale only is actuated to show the weight, or the package ejector .alone is unlocked to deliver a package, or both the weight and a package maybe delivered by a single coin, and by which also spurious slugs are rejected, clogging of the chute by the deposit of a second coin before the first has been disposed of is prevented, and a coin deposited when a selected magazine is empty is returned, 142 (Fig. 1) designates the coin slot in the up per 'end of the door 11 that registers with the upper end of a vertical chute section 143 (Fig.2). The lower end of the chute section 143, whenthedoor is closed, registers with the upper end of ashort vertical chute section 144 (Figs. 3 and 4), the lower end portion ofwhich is widened and divided centrally by a short vertical partition to provide two coin passages one of which, in-

dicated by 146, is vertically alined with the upper portion of the chute 144, and the other of which, indicated by 147, is laterally offset. The lower end of the passage 146 registers with a laterally oifset branch or by-pass chute section 148, and the lower end of the passage 147 registers with a chute section,149 directly above the pivot-ed chute section 108. Directly below and registering with the by-pass section 148 is an upstanding by-pass branch 150 of the coin chute section 114.

In a wall of the chute section 144 is located the usual magnet 151 by which a slug is deflected into a branch chute 152 attached to the plate 62 andat its lower end communicating. with a coin return cup 153 (Figs. 1 and 2). The slot 26 through which the scale trip 25 operates is located in aside wall of the passageway 146.

Pivoted at 154 to a side wall of the passageway 146 is a coin switch 155 playing through an oblique slot 156 in the upper junction of the passageways 146 and 147. This switch is connected below its pivot by a link 157 to one arm of a lever 158 (Fi 2) that is pivoted at 159 on a bracket 160 and has a counterweight 158 on its other arm. The parts on the left of the pivot 159, viewing Fig. 2, slightly overbalance the parts on the right of the pivot, so that, when the lever 158 is free, the switch 155 is out of the chute and inoperative. In the normal idle position of the weighing mechanism, however, the switch is held in working position in the chute by a pin 161 on the drum 161 of the weighing mechanism, so that, if a customer desires only a package, and not his weight, and drops ,a coin without standing on the platform 17, the coin is deflected by switch 155 into the passageway 147, and the weight trip 25 is not operated. By reference to the Barson Patent No. 1,370,724 above referred to, which discloses in full the weighing mechanism herein indicated, it will be found that a weight on the scale platform initially rotates the drum 161 clockwise and this tensions a spring which later rotates the arbor of the scale pointer when the star wheel 18 is released. Therefore, if customer wishes to ascertain his weight, he steps on the scale platform, which retracts the pin 161 from the lever 158 and allows the switch 1 5 to swing out of the chute, whereupon the coin drops vertically through the passageway 146 and operates the scale trip 25.

' Pivoted at the junction of the chute sections 148 and 149 is another coin switch 162 (Fig. 3) equipped with an external switchsetting handle 163. This latter switch is designed to be manually set by the manufacturer or owner of the machine so that, when a customer stands on the platform and deposits the proper coin, the machine will give either the weight alone or the weight and a package of goods. 'With the switch 162 set in the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, the coin, after tripping the scale mechanism, will be deflected into the chute section 149. With the switch set in the other position, however, the coin will be deflected into the branch chute section 148 and thence will pass directly to the coin receptacle.

Pivoted at 164 to a side wall of the chute section 149 is a depending coin-deflecting guard switch 165 playing through an oblique slot 166 in said side wall, and normally held out of the chute section 149 by a bent finger 167 extending upwardly from the upper end of the pivoted chute section 108 and abutting against a lateral lug 168 on the switch. As the pivoted chute section 108 is swung to coin discharging position, as shown in Fig. 5, the finger 167 backs away from the switch, and the latter is drawn into the chute by gravity and the pull of a light spring 169 connecting the finger and the switch, so that, if a second coin should be deposited before the first coin has been disposed of and the chute section 108 returned to normal position, such second coin will be returned to the coin return receptacle through a branch chute 170 that registers with the chute section 149 just above the guard switch 165.

The machine also includes another coindefiecting switch and branch chute, by which clogging of the chute section 108 by asecond coin deposited before the first coin is disposed of is prevented, and by which also, if the selector is set to operate an empty magazine, a coin subsequently deposited is returned. This latter switch is shown at 171 pivoted at 17 2 to a side wall of the pivoted chute section 108 and playing through an oblique slot 173 in said side wall. The switch 171 is equipped with a counterweight 174 which normally maintains the switch 171 out of the section 108, as shown in Fig. 3. The switch is formed with a depending tail-piece 175 normally extending through the slot 110, as shown in Fig. 3 and formed with a notch 175 at its lower end. The momentum of the coin dropping through the chute section 108 cams the tailpiece 17 5 outwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, throwing the switch 171 into the chute, and the upper edge of the coin in the arrested position of the latter registers with the notch 17 5. Consequently, if a second coin should be deposited after the first coin and before the machine is operated, it is deflected by the switch 171 into a branch chute 176 that registers'with the chute section108 just above the switch 171 and passes thence to the return coin receptacle.

As above stated, the switch 171 also functions to return a coin deposited when the selector has been set to operate an empty maga zine. Alinkbar 136,guided forverticalmovement on studs 137, is normally urged upwardly by a pull spring 138 anchored at 139 to a side wall of the casing, and said link bar 136 carries on its upper end a lifter arm 177 that normally underlies a laterally bent portion of the switch counterweight 174. Through mechanism disclosed and explained in our Patent No. 1,788,523, the link bar 136 is maintained locked against movement under the pull of spring 138 so long as themaga zines of the machine are not empty; but if the select-or be set to operate anempty magazine, or if the selector should be set at an intermediate position where it willnot set the ejector mechanism of any magazine, the link bar 138 is released, and the switch 171 is swung into working position by the lifter arm 177,. so that a coin deposited under such circumstances isreturned through branch chute 176.

The manner in which the machine operates has, to a considerable extent, been already indicated in connection with the description of its various parts, but the operation as a whole may be briefly summarized as follows.

If the manually set switch ,162is placed inthe positionindicated in the diagrammatic view Fig. 6, the machine functions as a weighing machine. The weight of a customer on the platform 17 rotates the drum 161 clockwise viewing Fig. 2, and this releases the lever 158 and permits the switch 155 to swing out of the chute. The customer then deposits a coin in the month 142 of the coin chute, and the coin, striking the trip 25, releases the lock of the weighing mechanism, the pointer of which latter then swings to the scale position showing the weight on the platform. When the customer steps off the platform, the scale mechanism is restored to its normal idle position by the return spring marked S in Fig. 2, and the pin 161 acts through lever 158 and link 157 to return the switch 155 to its normal position in the chute.

If the manual switch 162 he set to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, then the machine will function to deliver a package of goods alone, or a package of goods and the weight of the customer, depending upon whether or not the customer stands on the weighing platform. Assuming thatthe customer desires both his weight and apackage of goods, he first sets the selector mechanism so as to prime the dispensing mechanism of the particular magazine containing the article desired, as explainedin our Patent No. 1,788,- 523. He then stands on the weighing platform, which retracts the switch 155, and the deposited coin then falls through the passageway 116, tripping the weighing mechanism, and, strikng the switch 162, is deflected into and through the left hand lower chute section, viewing Figs. 2 and 4:. The guard switch 165 is normally out of the way, as

shown in Fig. 3, so that the coin falls into the pivoted chute section 108. The guard switch 171 of the pivoted chute section is at this time out of the way, so that the coin drops to the position shown in Fig. 5 where it is arrested by the stop 111. During the final portion of its fall the coin cams the tailpiece 17 5 of the switch 171 outwardly, thus throwing the guard switch 171 into operative position, as appears in Fig. 5. The'customer then presses down on the handle 65, and this, through the described mechanism turns the rock-shaft 82, causing the ejector finger 11.6, through a thrust movement on the arrested coin O, to swing the chute section 108from the position shown in Fi 3, through the full line position shown in Fig. 5, to the dot ted line position shown in the latter figure.

As the chute section 108 is thusswung, the

stop 118 on. its lower end is carried out of the path of the finger 119 (Fig. 7) which permits the arm120 to rise, and at the same time the lever arm 92 swings upwardly, which frees the arm 106 and the bar 99 from the restraining influence of the spring 89, so that the lighter spring 105, through the bar 99, swings the interference member 97 out of the way of the arm 92 and at the same time locks the selector mechanism in the set position by causing the pin 102 to enter one of the notches of the selector disc 103. During the coin delivery movement of the chute section 108, the finger 167 on the upper end of the pivoted chute section backs away from the arm of the switch 165 and the pull spring 169 draws said switch into and across the lower end of the fixed chute section, as shown in Fig. 5. Also, during this swinging movement of the pivoted chute section 108, the short finger 117 on the upper end of ejector arm 115 strikes and wipes over the rear side of the pivoted chute section pushing the latter and the coin away from the lower finger 116, so that the coin is free to drop into the lower fixed section 114 of the chute which conveys the coin to a coin receiver (not shown) beneath. As the coin is thus being disposed of, the same movement of the rock-shaft 82,.through the lever and link connections shown in Fig. 7, imparts a working stroke to the ejector bar 56, and, the latter having been coupled to the ejector slide by the selector mechanism, the package is delivered, and upon release of the handle 65, the springs 89 and 72 automatically, restore the operating parts to normal position.

If the customer desires only a package of goods, and not his weight, he deposits the coin without standing on the platform 17 and manipulates the machine as above described. In this case, the coin is deflected by the switch 155 down through the passageway 147 of the left hand lower chute section thus by-passing the scale trip 25, and the switch 162 insures the further passage of the coin to a position rendering the dispensing mechanism operative.

If the customer elects a package from a magazine that is exhausted and sets the selector to that magazine, and then depositshis coin, the coin will be returned tohimby reason of the fact that in this condition of the magazine, the spring 138 (Fig. 3) has functioned to lift the arm 177, and, through the arm 17 4 of the coin deflecting valve 171, has swung the lattervalve into the pivoted chute section so that the coin is returned through branch 176.

A machine built as herein shown and described has been found by repeated tests to function satisfactorily in the several ways described; but it is manifest that the details of structure and organization herein set forth might be considerably varied without involving any departure from the operative principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of the machine; and hence, we do not limit the invention to the specific forms illustrated and described, but reserve such variations, modifications and mechanical equivalents as fall within the spirit and purview of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of a coin chute having a pivoted section, coin-arresting means in said pivoted section, coin-discharging mechanism operating through an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section to coin-discharging position, means normally locking said coin-discharging mechanism inoperative, and means normally locked against movement by said pivoted chute section serving to release said coin-discharging mechanism from said looking means when said chute section is swung to coin-discharging position. I

2. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of a coin chute having a pivoted section, coin-arresting means in said pivoted section, coin-discharging mechanism operating through an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section to coin discharging position, a movable interference member normally blocking working movement 'of said coindischarging mechanism, and means normally locked against movement by said pivoted chute section servingto move said interference member out of interfering position when said chute section is swung to coin-discharging position. I

3. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of a coin chute having a pivoted section, coin-arresting means in said pivoted section, coin-discharging mechanism operating through an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section to coin-discharging position, a movable interference member normally blocking working movement of said coin-discharging mechanism, spring-actuated means urging said interference member out of interfering position, and means controlled by said pivoted chute section restraining said spring-actuated means from action when said chute section is in coin-receiving position and permitting it to act when said chute section is swung to coin-discharging position.

1. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of a coin chute, coin-arrest ing means in said chute, manually operated coin-discharging mechanism operating on an arrested coin, a movable interference member normally blocking working movement of said coin-discharging mechanism, spring-actuated means urging said interference member out of interfering position, a spring effecting the return movement of said coin-discharging mechanism, and means actuated by said lastnamed spring operating to restrain said spring-actuated means from action except when said coin-discharging mechanism is o, erating to discharge a 'coin.

5. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of a coin chute, coin-arresting means in said chute, manually operated coin-discharging mechanism operating on an arrested coin, a pivoted interference memoer normally blocking WOrking movement of said coin-discharging mechanism, a springactuated bar tending to swing said interference'member out of interfering position, a spring effecting the return movement of said coin-discharging mechanism, and means actuated by said last-named spring operating to restrain said bar from movement except when said coin-discharging mechanism is operating to discharge a coin.

6. In a coin-controlled vending machine, coin-handling mechanism, comprising a fixed chute section, a swinging chute section pivoted beneath and registering with said fixed section, means for arrestin a coin in said swinging section, a rock-shaft, an arm fast on said rock-shaft, a finger on said arm operating through direct thrust engagement with an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section toward coin-discharging position, and a second finger on said arm operating to push said pivoted section to a position wherein said coin is separated from said first-named finger and allowed todrop.

7. In a coin-controlled vending machine, coin-handling mechanism, comprising a fixed chute section, a swinging chute section pivoted beneath and registering with said fixed section, means for arresting a coin in said swinging section, a coin ejector acting through a thrust on an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section to coimdischarging position and expel the coin therefrom, a coindeflecting switch mounted on said fixed chute section, a spring urging said switch into said fixed chute section, and means on said pivoted chute section holding said switch retracted when said pivoted section is in coin-receiving position and permitting said switchto enter.

said fixed section as said pivoted section is swung to coin-discharging position.

8. In a coin-controlled vending machine, coin-handling mechanism, comprising a fixed chute section, a swinging chute section pivoted beneath and registering with said fixed section, means for arresting a coin in said swinging section, a coin ejector acting through a thrust on an arrested coin to swing said pivoted section to cOin discharging position and expel the coin therefrom, a coindefiecting switch pivoted on said fixed chute section, a spring tending to swing said switch into said fixed chute section, a lateral lug on said switch, and an upwardly extending arm on said pivoted section in thrust engagement with said lug to thereby hold said switch retracted when said pivoted section is in coinreceiving position and permit said switch to enter said fixed section as said pivoted section is swung to coin-discharging position.

9. In a weighing and vending machine, the combination of weighing mechanism, a lock normally maintaining said weighing mechanism inoperative, an article holder, article dispensing mechanism, a lock normally maintaining said dispensing mechanism in operative, a coin chute, means operated by a coin deposited in said chute for releasing the lock of said weighing mechanism, other means rendered operative by a deposited coin for releasing the lock of said dispensing mechanism, and coin-switching means associated with said chute by which either or both of said lock-releasing means may be operated.

10. In a weighing and vending machine, the combination of weighing mechanism including a weighing platform, a lock normally maintaining said weighing machine inoperative, an article holder, article dispensing mechanism, a lock normally maintaining said dispensing mechanism inoperative, a coin chute comprising an upper section and two laterally separated lower sections both forming a junction at their upper ends with the lower end of said upper section, a trip located in one of said lower sections for releasing the lock of said weighing mechanism when struck by a falling coin, other means associated with the other lower section rendered operative by a deposited coin for releasing the lock of said dispensing mechanism, and a movable coindefiecting switch at the junction of said upper and lower sections controlled by said weighing mechanism, said switch being held normally in a position closing the trip-containing chute section, and, under the effect of a weight on said platform, moving to a position opening said last-mentioned chute section.

11. In a weighing and vending machine, the combination of weighing mechanism including a weighing platform, a lock normally holding said weighing mechanism inoperative, an article holder, article dispensing mechanism, a lock normally holding said dispensing mechanism inoperative, a coin chute comprising an upper section and two laterally separated lower sections both forming an upper junction at their upper ends with the lower end of said upper section and a lower junction with each other below said upper junction, a trip located in one of said lower sections between said junctions for releasing the lock of said weighing mechanism when struck by a falling coin, other means associated with the other lower section rendered operative by a deposited coin for releasing the lockof said dispensing mechanism, a movable coin-deflecting switch at said upper junction controlled by said weighing mechanism normally in a position closing the trip-containing chute section, and, under the eflect of a weight on said platform, moving to a position opening said last-named chute section, and a manually shiftable coin-deflecting switch in said chute at said lower junction.

ODE D. JENNINGS. CHARLES B. GILMORE;

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