US1946078A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 192,4. H LEY 1,946,078

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' VENDING MACHINE Filed July 11. 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 wawh V: H K 5115 2 7 Patent ed Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENDING MACHINE Victor H. Kelley, Madison, Wis.

lpplication, July 11, 1931. Serial No. 550,103

7 Claims. (01. s12---9'z) This invention relates to machines for vending articles of merchandise, such as candy bars, cigarettes, etc., and has for one of its primaryobjects the provision of a novel coin-controlled machine in which a number of different kinds of articles can be displayed for sale, and in which the desired article to be purchased can be readily brought into dispensing position by an operator of the machine.

Another primary object of my invention is the provision of a coin-controlled vending,machine in which thevarticles to be dispensed are carried on an endless conveyor having a plurality of article receiving pockets, with novel means under full control of the operator for bringing the pocket containing the desired article into dispensing position.

A further salient object of my invention is the provision of novel means for automatically and positively ejecting the desired article from a pocket previously brought into the proper position upon the deposit of the required coin.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for locking the conveyor against movement upon the start of the operation of the article ejecting mechanism, whereby the conveyor will be held against further movement by the operator and thereby insure the proper delivery of the article.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for preventing retrograde movement of the article ejector after the start of operation thereof, said means being rendered automatically inoperative upon full actuation of the ejecting mechanism to permit the return of the same to its normal position after ejecting the desired article, so that the same will again be in position for ejecting another article upon the reoperation of the device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for completely housing the articles to be sold, so that not only will the same be protected from unauthorized persons, but will also be fully protected against mice and other rodents, and the like.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for actuating a pair of delivery doors by the ejecting mechanism, the doors being so arranged that when one of the same is opened, the other will be closed, so as to assure the closing of the casing at all times.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel follower plates arranged in each of the pockets of the conveyor, the follower plates being actuated by the ejecting mechanism for insuring the correct ejecting of the article from a pocket without binding.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for arranging the operating handles for the conveyor and ejector relative to one another, whereby the same can be readily manipulated by the operator of a machine without undue trouble or diificulty.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved coin-controlled vending machine of the above character, which will be durable and efficient and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary. vertical transverse section through my improved machine, one side wall of the housing for the endless conveyor being shown broken away to disclose an ejecting mechanism arranged in the rear thereof;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to Figure 1, and on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,- looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3; of Figure 1, looking in the direction 'of 86 the arrows, but illustrating the article ejecting mechanism in its operative position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the pawl and rachet mechanism for preventing retrograde movement of the endless conveyor;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view, illustrating the novel double-acting dog carried by the article ejecting mechanism.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed view illus-. trating a part of the article ejecting mechanism and'illustrating the position thereof prior to the insertion of a coin;

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating the position thereof after the insertion of a coin and at the start of the operation of said ejecting mechamsm;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the ejectm5 ing mechanism after full operation thereof;

Figure 9 is a detailed vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the control doors.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating another and preferred form of my invention;

Figure 11 is a similar section taken in front of the plane on which Figure 10 is taken;

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed section illustrating my preferred form of locking the endless article conveyor against movement during the ejecting of an article from a selected pocket;

Figure 14 is an enlarged detailed vertical section showing a part of the article ejector;

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates my improved vending machine which comprises an outer housing or casing 10, formed in any preferred way and out of any desired material. This casing or housing 10 can be ornamented, if preferred, in any suitable manner so as to enhance the exterior appearance thereof, and as shown, the same includes a bottom wall or base 11, the front and rear walls 12 and 13 and side walls 14. The top of the casing is closed in any desired way, and means is provided for permitting the convenient loading of the machine with the articles to be dispensed.

Arranged within the housing or casing 10, and secured to the bottom wall 11, is a pair of upright supporting bars 15 which form a part of the supporting framework for the operating parts of the machine.

Journalled within the side walls 14 and the supporting bars 15 is a rotatable operating shaft 16. This shaft is arranged in close proximity to the base 11 and has one end thereof protruding beyond one side wall 14 and provided with a,

desired type of operating handle, such as a hand wheel 17.- Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 16 is a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 18, around which are trained a pair of endless sprocket chains 19 forming a part of an endless conveyor which will now be described. These sprocket chains 19 are trained over an upper pair of sprocket wheels carried by an upper rotatable shaft (not shown). In other words, the shaft 16 and the sprocket wheels 18 are duplicated at the top of the machine for supporting the sprocket chains. The sprocket chains 19. include a plurality of links 20, pivotally connected together by pairs of cross bars 21. These pairs of cross bars 21 extend across the endless conveyor and connect the opposite sprocket chains together. Secured to the links 20 are outwardly projecting pockets or article carriers 22, and as shown, these pockets or carriers extend transversely across the endless conveyor and include top and bottom walls 23, the pockets or carriers being opened at their outer ends.

Arranged within each pocket or carrier 22 is a follower plate 24 for urging the article to be dispensed out of the pocket upon actuation of the ejecting mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The follower plate 24 is connected to the inner wall 25 of each pocket or carrier by means of swinging arms 26. The arms 26 are pivotally connected to the rear wall 25 of the pocket by means of suitable pivot pins 27. One arm is connected to its follower plate by pivot 28, while the outer end of the companion arm 26 is curved arcuately as at 29 for sliding engagement with the follower plate. Normally, the follower plates lie in close contact with the inner 25 of the pockets and engage the inner faces of the articles to be dispensed.

The front wall 12 of the housing or casing 10 adjacent to the lower end thereof is provided with a delivery compartment having. a delivery opening 31 in the side wall thereof which communicates with the lateral projecting delivery cup 32. The opening 31 can be closed at desired times by means of a sliding door or gate 33 which will also be hereinafter more fully described.

If preferred, the compartment 30 can be provided 'with a lower inclined guide wall 35, inclining toward the delivery cup 32, so that when anarticle is delivered to the delivery compartment 30, the same will be guided through the opening 31 and into the cup 32 where the same can be conveniently grasped'by the operator of a machine. The front wall 12 is provided with a delivery opening 36 which communicates with the upper end of the delivery compartment above the inclined wall 35 thereof.

This delivery opening 36 is normally closed by a swinging door 37. This door 37 and the front of the delivery compartment can be provided with transparent panels 38 and 39, respectively, so that the operator of a machine can bring the article that he desires to purchase in alignment with said swinging door 37. If preferred, the front wall of the casing or housing 10 can also be provided with a transparent panel 40, so that persons can readily see the different kinds of articles carried by the pockets and thereby readily make his selection therefrom.

It is obvious from the description so far, that it is merely necessary for the operator of the machine to turn the hand wheel 17 in order to operate the endless conveyor and thereby bring the article that he desires to purchase in alignment with the swinging door 37. In order to prevent the turning of the conveyor in both directions, a ratchet wheel 41 is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 16 and a pivoted pawl 42 is normally urged toward the ratchet wheel by means of a spring 43. If desirable, the teeth of the ratchet wheel can be so spaced that upon movement of each tooth past the pawl, a pocket 22 will be brought into alignment with the door 27, so that the dog 43 will give an audible click to let the purchaser know that a pocket is in the correct position.

My improved ejecting mechanism, which forms one of the salient objects of my invention, comprises a swinging yoke 45 embodying spaced parallel sidebars 46 connected together at their lower ends by a cross bar 47. The cross bar 47 carries the forwardly projecting ejecting fingers or pins 48.

The upper ends of the bars 46 are rockably mounted on a cross shaft 49, anchored to the supporting frame bars 15. The swinging bars 46 of the yoke can be held against lateral shifting movement on the supporting shaft 49 by the use of suitable collars 50 connecting with the said cross shaft.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 is a tubular operating shaft or sleeve 51 which projects through the adjacent side wall 14 of the housing or casing 10 and this tubularshaft is journalled in the said side wall. Secured to or formed on the hollow shaft is the forwardly projecting operating crank or handle 52 and it is to be noted that'the said handle 52 is located in close relation to the hand wheel 17 and that the said hand Hit wheel and operating handle are both located above and adjacent to the dispensing cup 32.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the inner end of the tubular shaft 51 is a collar 53 having formed thereon or secured thereto the radially projecting operating cranks 54 and 55. The operating crank 55 extends upwardly from the sleeve 51 and is connected to the yoke 45 by means of a pivoted link 56. The operating crank 54 extends forwardly from the tubular shaft 51 toward the front of the housing or casing, and. extends through a vertical slot 57 formed in said front wall into the delivery compartment30. This crank 54 has its forward end offset as at 58 for engagement with a guide roller 59 carried by the sliding gate or door 33 heretofore referred to.

The cross bar 47 of the swinging yoke 45 has pivotally connected thereto a forwardly projecting link 60 which is pivotally connected in turn, as at 61 to the swinging door 37 adjacent to the lower end thereof. The yoke has its cross bar 47 normally in alignment with the dispensing opening 36 and door 37, so that when a pocket 22 of the endless conveyor is in alignment with said opening 36, the ejecting fingers or pins 48 can be brought into the said pocket upon forward swinging movement of the yoke to eject a package or article by the mentioned pocket.

It is to be noted that the fingers or pins 48 are so spaced as to bear against the inner faces of the pivoted arms 26, whereby the follower plate arranged in the pocket will be uniformly pressed outwardly to eject a package or article without binding.

From the description so far, it can be seen that after the hand wheel 1'7 has been manipulated and the desired pocket containing the article wanted brought into registration with the opening 37, that upon downwardly movement of the handle 52, the tubular shaft 51 will be rotated. Rotation of this shaft will swing the operating cranks 54 and 55 and forward movement of the crank 55 will swing the yoke 45 forwardly and consequently bring the ejecting pins or fingers 48 into the pocket registering with the opening 36 and force the article from the pocket through the opening.

synchronously, with the forward swinging movement of the yoke, the door 37 will be swung open due to the link connections 60 between the loor 37 and yoke. As the door 37 is swung opened, the operating crank 54 will be swung downwardly away from the roller 59 which will allow the closing of the sliding gate 33 by gravity. If desired, however, a light tension spring 61 can be employed for normally urging the said gate 33 down. Upon releaseof the handle 52, the tubular shaft 51 will be returned to its normal position by means of a coil spring 62 and thus the yoke and the cranks will all be returned to their normal position. The return movement of the cranks will close the door 37 and the lifting of the crank 54 against the roller 59 will raise the gate 33, so

. rear of the front run of the conveyor and thus allow the reoperation of the conveyor by the next purchase.

side bar of the swinging yoke.

I have provided novel coin-controlled means for normally preventing the operation of the yoke and this means embodies a pivoted trip lever 63 carried by one of the side bars 46 of the swinging yoke 45. This trip lever 63 is provided with a forwardly projecting nose 64 which extends through a slot 65 formed in the said The inner end of the trip lever 63 terminates directly below the coin chute 66, which coin chute leads through the front wall 12 of the casing 10, as at 67. Thus, upon depositing .of a coin in the chute 66, the same will strike the inner end of the trip lever 63 and rock the lever on its pivot. Normal swinging movement on the trip lever is prevented by means-of a leaf-spring 68, the lower free end of which isprovided with a bite portion 69 which normally receives a cross pin 76 carried by said trip lever. The tension of the leaf-spring 68 can be adjusted by means of a set screw 71, so that the pressure of the spring bearing against the cross pin can be varied.

In other words, the tension of the spring is adjusted so that the lever 63 will be tripped by a coin of proper weight and thus prevent, to a certain extent, the operation of the machine by improper coins or slugs.

Rigidly secured to adjacent supporting bar 15 is an enlarged opening 73 through which the nose 64 on the lever 63 projects.

The lower wall of the opening 73 is provided with a series of pointed ratchet teeth 74 with which cooperates a double-acting dog 75. This dog 75 is rockably mounted intermediate its ends on the pivot pin 76 carried by one side bar 46 of the swinging yoke 45 and this double-acting dog is arranged within the opening 73 and operates therein. The extreme upper end of the dog is provided with a finger 77, on opposite sides of which the nose 64 of the trip lever acts. The lower end of the dog is provided with a tooth for engaging on the opposite sides of the pointed ratchet teeth 74. Formed on the upper wall of the opening 73 is a depending trip lug 78 and this lug is located approximately midway between the ends of the bracket. Secured to the bracket and projecting toward the lug 78 is a guide finger 79 having an inclined upper face, for the purpose which will hereinafter be described.

The double-acting dog 75 is normally held in a vertical centralized position by means of a contractile coil spring 80, the ends of which are secured respectively to the dog 75 below its pivot 76 and to the adjacent bar 46 of the swinging yoke 45.

In the operation of my coin-controlled mechanism, the double-acting dog 75 is normally disposed, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, with the nose 64 of the trip lever 63 on the left side of the finger 77 of the dog (see Fig. 6). This trippgi and the nose end 64 thereof will be raised above the dog and the spring 68 will tend to hold the lever in its tripped position. Upon forward movement of the yoke under influence of the operating handle 52, the dog will be rocked on its pivot to the position shown in Figure 7 of 15p the drawings at which time the trip lever will be returned to its normal position by the engagehandle will not cause detrimental action, and

the yoke can be swung forwardly in a step-by-step movement, if desired. As the yoke moves to its complete forward position, the nose end 64 of the dog 63 rides on the upper inclined surface of the track or arms 79 and is again raised above the dog, allowing the dog upon return movement of the yoke to reverse its position under the raised end of the trip lever. As the yoke returns to its normal position, the trip lever will be returned to its normal position in rear of the dog, due to the engagement of the trip lever with the lug 78.

The device is again ready for operation.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptional simple and novel mechanism for permitting a convenient and expeditious ejecting of a selected article from a plurality of display articles.

In order to keep the articles to be sold in a fresh condition, as is possible, and to also hold the articles in correct position during the manipulation of the endless carrier, I provide side guide plates 82 which are rigidly secured in place in any desired way. The lower ends of the side plates can be connected by an arcuate bottom wall 83. The runs of the conveyor travel between the side plates and past the bottom arcuate wall 83. v

In Figures 10 to 14 inclusive, I have illustrated another and preferred form of my invention and by referring to these figures, it can be seen that in lieu of the article ejector pins 48, Ihave provided a substantially U-shaped bar which is pivotally connected to the swinging yoke 45. The U-shaped bar 90 carries a transversely extending bar 91 which is engaged by forwardly extending spring arms 92 carried by said yoke 45. These spring arms 92 normally hold the U-shaped bar 90 at right angles to the yoke and allows the U-shaped pusher bar 90 to readily engage in-a selected pocket irrespective of the position thereof.

It is to be also noted in this form that I eliminate the spaced cross bars 21, but I provide an additional means for positively holding the conveyor against movement when an article is being ejected from aselected pocket, so as to insure the holding of the selected pocket in proper registration with the delivery opening. This means embodies a relatively large gear wheel 93 keyed or otherwise secured to the bottom shaft 16 utilized for operating the conveyor and this gear wheel 93 is formed at spaced points therein with keeper openings 94, arranged in an annular row. The inner face of the gear wheel 93 is provided with guide portions 95 leading to said openings 94, so as to guide the locking plunger 96 into an opening 94, as will be later described.

The distance between each opening 94 corresponds to the distance between the pockets of the conveyor, and the wheel 93 will turn one space or the distance between a pair of openings 94, each time an article pocket is moved into registration with the delivery opening.

The slide plunger 96 is supported by a bracket 97 rigidly connected in any preferred way to the frame or casing of the dispensing machine andthe inner end of the plunger is provided with an anti-friction wheel 98.

In this form of the invention, I provide a substantially bell crank-shaped operating lever 99 which is provided at its angle with a hub 100 rotatably mour. ed on the bottom shaft 16. The longitudinal arm 101 constitutes the operating handle for the lever, while the shortarm 102 thereof is arranged between the bottom bar of the swinging yoke 45 and a limiting angle bracket 103. The arm 101 is provided with a laterally U-shaped offset portion 104, the lower edge of which is tapered as atl05. The roller end of the plunger 96 is arranged in the path of the U- shaped lateral portion 104 of the operating lever, and, consequently, when the lever or arm 101 is pushed downwardly for actuating the yoke 45, the plunger 96 will be pushed against the tension of its spring 106 toward the wheel 93 and into one of the openings 94. The swinging lever 99 can be returned to its normal position by means of a contractile coil spring 107 which can be secured to the arm 102 of said lever and to the casing or housing of the dispensing machine. I also provide novel means for indicating to the operator when a selected pocket is in direct alignment with the delivery opening.

This means can be in the nature of a signal and as shown embodies a rotary bar 108 having signal blades 109 on its terminals which can be painted a distinctive color. These signal arms or blades 109 are movable past a sight window 110.

formed in the casing, and when a signal arm or blade is in registration with the sight opening, this will indicate to the operator of the machine that a selected pocket is in proper registration with the delivery opening. The arm or bar 108 carrying the ,signal arms is keyed or otherwise secured to a rotatable shaft 111, carried by the casing or housing of the machine, and this shaft has .keyed or otherwise secured thereto a relatively small'gear wheel 112, which meshes with a larger gear wheel 113. This gear wheel 113 is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 114 which can be carried by one of the frame bars or plates 15 and meshes with the large gear wheel 93.

As clearly shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, I eliminate the bracket 72 and form the said bracket as a direct part of the frame plate or supporting side bar 15. p

The other features of invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 14 inclusive are substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive with the exception that I eliminate the second slide door 33 and its operating parts and the ratchet 41 and dog 42 for preventing the rotation of the shaft 16 in one direction.

Thus, other parts of the device shown in said Figures 10 to 14 inclusive will not be described in detail. I

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

llclaim:

1. In a vending machine, a casing having a de- 145 livery opening, a dispensing chamber having a discharge opening housing said delivery opening, a movable carrier having a plurality of article receiving pockets arranged'in said casing, means operating the carrier for bringing a selected rea ers pocket into registration with the delivery opening, means for ejecting an article from a selected pocket through said delivery opening, a swing ing door for the delivery opening, a sliding door for the discharge opening, means for opening the door for the delivery opening and for closing the door for the discharge opening upon actuation of the article ejecting means, said last mentioned means actuating to open the door for the discharge opening and for closing the door for the delivery opening upon return movement of the article ejecting means to normal position.

2. In a vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an endless conveyor movable in the casing having a plurality of article receiving pockets, means including an operating shaft for actuating said endless conveyor for bringing a selected pocket into registration with the delivery opening, and positive means for ejecting an article from a selected pocket including a swinging yoke, an ejecting member carried by the yoke movable through a selected pocket for ejecting an article therefrom, and means for actuating the yoke.

3. In an article vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an endless conveyor movable in the casing, having a plurality of article receiving pockets, means for operating the conveyor for bringing a selected pocket into registration with the delivery opening, each of said pockets having a movable follower plate, links pivotally connected to each pocket and operatively connected to its follower plate, and means for ejecting an article from a selected pocket including a swinging yoke and pins movable through a selected pocket, the links being arranged in the path of said pins.

. 4. In a vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an endless conveyor movable in the casing having a plurality of article receiving pockets, means including an operating shaft for actuating said endless conveyor for bringing a selected pocket into registration with the delivery opening, positive means for ejecting an article from a selected pocket including a swinging yoke, an ejecting member carried by the yoke movable through the selected pocket for ejecting an article therefrom, means for actuating the swinging yoke including a swinging operating lever, and means for locking the endless conveyor against movement during operation of the swinging yoke including a wheel on the operating shaft having a plurality of spaced openings arranged along an annular row, a sliding plunger normally urged away from the wheel for engaging in a selected opening in the wheel, a portion of said plunger being arranged in the path of the operating lever, whereby upon actuation of the operating lever,

.the plunger will be moved toward the wheel and into one of said openings.

5. In a vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an endless conveyor movable in the casing having a plurality of article receiving pockets, means including an operating shaft for actuating said endless conveyor for bringing a selected pocket into registration with the delivery opening, positive means for ejecting an article from a selected pocket including a swinging yoke, an ejecting member carried by the yoke movable through a selected pocket for ejecting an article therefrom, said ejecting member including a U-shaped bar rockably carried by the yoke and a resilient connection between the bar and yoke for normaly holding the bar at right angles to the yoke, and means for actuating the yoke.

6. In a vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening in its front wall, an endless conveyor movably mounted in the casing having front and rear vertical runs, the endless conveyor including a plurality of article receiving pockets, means for advancing the conveyor pockets past the opening, a swinging yoke mounted in the casing, means for operating the yoke, and pusher meanscarried by the yoke movable in a horizontal plane through the pocket moved into registra-v tion with the opening.

7. In a vending machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an endless conveyor movable in the casing including front and rear vertical runs, the conveyor embodying a plurality of article receiving pockets, means including an operating shaft for actuating said endless conveyor for bringing a selected pocket in the front vertical run into registration with the delivery opening,

means on the shaft for rotating the same, a swinging yoke mounted in the casing including a cross bar mounted between the runs of the conveyor, means carried by the cross bar movable in a horizontal plane through the pocket in registration with the opening upon swinging movement of the yoke in one direction, a hollow shaft rotatably mounted on the first shaft, means operatively connecting the hollow shaft with the yoke, and an operating handle for the hollow shaft arranged exteriorly of the casing and adjacent to the means for rotating the first shaft.

VICTOR H. KELLEY.

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