US1981931A - Coin controlled vending machine - Google Patents

Description

I Nov. 27, 1934- F. H. VOGEL ET AL COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Nov. 27, 1934. I F. H. VOGEL ET AL V 1,981,931

COIN CONTROLLEDYENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 8, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 d9 .mmvrons Fran k b Vbgel PaZp/z A Vogel Patented Nov. 27, 1934 pNrreo STATES;

. I 1,981,931 COINCONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Frank H. Vogel and Ralph A. Vogel, Columbus,

Ohio, assignors to The Columbus Vending Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 8, 1930, Serial No. 494,212

' 7 'Claims.

This invention relates to a coin controlled vending machine. It has to do, more particularly,

with a novel form of detent device for controlling the rotative movement of the vender disk with the actuating device. Furthermore, this inven. tion relates to a novel form of closure member for the commodity and'coin receiving compart-. ments respectively and to a novel means for agitating the articles contained in the hopper. 10 In the past, the vender disk of a coin cone trolled vending machine has been maintained in alignment with the vender lever by means of a spring actuated pawl adapted to engage with successive notches in the vender disk. In some instances, the application of undue force on the operating handle has resulted in driving the vender disk, by impetus, past the point where its notch registers. with the coin slot of the vender lever, and also moving the vender disk to such position as to preclude cooperation of the pawl with one of the notches therein. As a result, subsequent operation of the vending machine is pre-' vented in view of the fact that the disaligning slots in the vender disk and the vender lever will not permit proper positioning of a coin until the machine has been re-adjusted which necessitates disassembling thereof.

One object of this invention is to provide a means for ensuring the proper alignment between the selector plate and the vender lever to allow the slot of the vender lever to register with one of the notches in the selector plate after each operation to thereby ensure positive and reliable op-' eration of the machine. 7

Another object of this invention lies in the pro-. vision of a novel form of cap for the commodity compartment that will closely embrace the upper end of the cylindrical hopper to preclude the entry of dirt, dust, and moisture thereinto from this source, and aclosure for the coin receivingcompartment that will successfully preclude the insertion of wire or similar articles into the coin compartment in an attempt to remove coins or checks therefrom. s i

Another object of this invention liesin the provision of a cap member for the hopper and a closure plate for the coin receiving compartment that are each respectively equipped with an interiorly located locking means operable from the exterior of the machine, thus providing a locking means that is inaccessible to persons who might be inclined to tamper therewith if such lock were to be located exteriorly of the device as in several of the prior art models.

Still another objector this invention is to providea closure for thecommodity and coin receivmg compartments respectively that may be readily removed from the machine to fully uncover each respective compartment or, may be mounted thereon and rotated to suchposition as to cause the cooperation of a plurality of means for precluding the removal thereof by a direct pull perpendicular to the plane of the base, and then operating a locking means to preclude turning of such closures to a point where such interlocking means is ineffective.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vending machine wherein the operating mechanism is protected against persons who might be inclined to insert wire, pins or even the fingers of the hand into the commodity chute in an attempt tofraudulently obtain the articles in the hopper.

A still further object of this invention lies in the provision of an agitating means that will positively agitate and rearrange the articles'inthe hopper with each operation of the machine and Will serve'to correctly feed the articlesfrom the containing hopper to the delivery mechanism as the articles are withdrawn therefrom by the operation of the-machine. 1 v e This invention contemplates the provisionof a pawl member having a heel thereon that is positively contacted by the vender lever at the end of every stroke to drive one end of the pawl into engagement with a notch in the vender disk to preclude movement of thevender disk by impetus past the point where the coin slot therein registers with the coin slot of the vender lever. This will ensure the proper alignment, at all times, of the vender disk with the vender lever and will allow the positive and reliable operation of the machine.

Furthermore, this invention contemplates the provision of a cap for the commodity compartment that is adapted to be held thereon by the cooperation of spaced lugs coacting with a. pey ripheral annular groove formed in that part of the cap member thatembraces the upper end of the cylindrical hopper. The peripheral groove is provided with a plurality of spaced grooves perpendicular thereto toallow the cap to be positioned on the upper end'of the cylinder and to permit downward movement of the cap until the lugs engage with the peripheral annular groove. Rotation of the cap in any direction will remove the lugs from registry with the perpendicular openingsand will preclude removal of the top by a direct pull perpendicular to the plane of the base. A locking means is provided to prevent turning of the cap from this position to a point where no the lugs may register with the perpendicular grooves. A detailed description of this locking device will be hereinafter set out in the specification. The principal idea of such an arrangement is to provide means for preventing removal of the cap, unless the cap is turned to a point for allowing such removal and when the cap is in the first named position, to prevent rotation thereof by a locking means.

Much the same principle is followed in providing a closure member for the coin compartment. In place of an annular peripheral groove and a plurality of lugs, the closure member for the base is provided with a plurality of bayonet slots formed in that portion of the closure member that interfits with the cylindrical housing. These bayonet slots are adapted to cooperate on rotation, with a plurality of arms mounted in the coin compartment and when such cooperation is approximated further movement of the closure member is prevented by closing the bolt of a locking means. This base closure is designed to operate as a receptacle for coins and is of sufficient depth to allow the removal thereof withoutspilling the coins therefrom.

The selector plate of this vending device is provided with a centrally disposed upstanding-agitator having a plurality of diverging vertical flutes or wings adapted to effectively agitate the articles within the hopper to ensure the continuous proper feeding thereof to the selecting and vending mechanism. Furthermore, means are provided for insuring that the commodity hopper will not be emptied by holding the operating mechanism at a position of discharge.

This vending machine is also provided with a novel means for closing the commodity chute when the drop gate is lifted. Jhis means is formed as an extension of the drop gate and normally lies in the commodity chute although not in such position as to interfere with the passage of articles therethrough. However, when the gate is lifted, the extension drops into such position as to obstruct the passage and prevent to the internal mechanism of the machine.

Other objects and advantageous feeti res of this invention will be apparent in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein similar figures of reference designate like characters and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our novel form of vending machine with certain parts thereof broken away to more clearly illustrate the various features thereof.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the operating mechanism showing the vender c isk and the preferred form of our pawl in the position which they occupy immediately preceding actuation of the vender lever.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the vender lever after it has been moved to such position as to bring one end thereof into contact with one end of the pawl member to positively drive the opposing endthereof into a notch in the vender disk.

Figure 4 is a detail in vertical section through the coin receiving compartment and the operating mechanism of our vending machine.

Figure 5 is a view showing a modified arrangement of the locking means for the base closure plate, wherein the lock is mounted on the wall of the base section rather than on the closure member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the under side of the bowl casting removed from the machine.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the vender lever plate removed from the machine.

The individual parts of our novel vending machine will now be discussed with reference to their construction and respective functions, the closure member for the base being considered first.

With reference to the drawings, we have shown in Figure 1 a vending machine that is substantially cylindrical throughout its length. The base section of this machine preferably comprises a cylindrical wall 1 preferably made up of a light metal which serves as a wall for the coin receiving compartment 2 adapted to receive and contain the coins or other devices after they have passed through the operating mechanism. This cylindrical wall 1 also serves as a support for the operating mechanism and the hopper mounted thereabove.

The lower end of this cylindrical wall is equipped with an outwardly flaring apron 3, that is adapted to encircle the base and to be rigidly mounted thereon. The lowermost end of such apron extends below the lowermost limits of the annular wall and is turned under as at 4 to embrace and hold in position an annular member 5.

This annular member 5 comprises a rib-like portion 6 that is disposed intermediate the innor side of the flange 3 and the lower end of the base portion 1. Formed integrally with the horizontal portion of the rib-like member is an upstanding flange '7 adapted to normally lie within the coin receiving compartment and in intimate contact with the inner side of the cylindrical wall 1. The horizontal flange of the rib-like member may be equipped with a plurality of cushioned supports 8 to prevent the machine from scratching or otherwise marring any surface upon which it rests.

The upstanding wall 7 is provided with a plurality of radial arms 9, Figures 1 and i, having one end thereof formed integrally therewith. The inner ends of the arms 9 are joined to an annular center portion 10, Figures 1 and 4, that is drilled centrally as at 11, Figure 4, for the reception of the threaded lower end 12 of the center post 13. Each arm 9 is provided with a reenforcing rib throughout its length and is reenforced by one of the legs 15 of a reenforoing spider 15' that is bored centrally to allow the central post 13 to extend therethrough. Each leg 15 which is preferably made up of a strip of metal is fixedly secured to one of the horizontal arms 9 and extends substantially the length thereof, but terminating short of the points of juncture of such arms 9 with the wall 7. The reenforcing plate is also adapted to support a sleeve 12 mounted in concentric relation to the post 13 and supporting one end of a spout 50, as shown in Figure 6, hereinafter referred to, on its upper end. The central post 13 is secured to the under side of the annular center portion 10 by a nut 10'.

The base closure plate 16 preferably comprises a horizontal base section having an upstanding annular flange member 17 formed integrally with the peripheral edge thereof. This upstanding annular flange is provided with a plurality of spaced perpendicular cut away portions 18 each of which communicates with a slot 19 extending at right angles to the base thereof. These communicating grooves form a bayonet slot. When the closure plate is mounted on the base, the cut away portions 18 are brought into registry with the horizontal arms 9 and the base plate is moved upwardly until the arms contact with the botin Figure 1, it is desirable that some means be provided for precluding the turning of such plate. In order to accomplish this, we utilize a lock 23 that may be mounted either on the interior of the closure plate adjacent the periphery thereof, Figures 1 and 4, or may be positioned on the inner side of the wall 1, Figure 5. When the lock is positioned on the closure member, an

opening 24, Figure 4, is provided in the wall of the flange 17 to allow the bolt 25 to pass therethrough and into engagement with the walls of an opening 26 formed at some point in the upstanding wall "I. This lock is adapted to 'be operated by a key inserted in the key slot 27 that extends below the base of the closure'plate Figure 4 in such position as to be readily accessible, by merely tipping the machine to one side.

However, where the user desires to secure the machine to a pedestal or counter, the other mounting of the lock is to be preferred, since the key slot is now accessible from the wml 1. This permits the owner of the device to firmly secure the base closure plate to a table or counter by driving screws through such plate in a manner that will be clearly apparent. To obtain separation of the machine from the closure plate, the machine may be grasped and rotated until the endsof the arms 9 register with the vertical notches 18 and then lifted. By reversing the procedure, the machine and base may again be joined. The bolt of the "lock may then be operated to engage with any one of the vertical fins 146 that are formed integral with the flange l7 and are located adjacent the notches 19. These fins prevent rotation of the closure plate with respect to the base and the two cannot be separated until the bolt has'been withdrawn and the machine rotated as hereinbefore set out.

It can readily be seen that the closure plate is supported at a plurality of points and the flange member 17 thereof will tightly coact withthe flange member '7 of the rib-like member 5 to prevent persons from inserting small objects between the closure plate and the base of the machine to remove coins or other devices from the coin containing compartment. Furthermore, provision of a closure plate having an upstanding peripheral flange converts this plate into a receptacle of sufficient depth to allow the removal of such plate without spilling the coins or checks therefrom.

Mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical casing 1 is an annular bowl casing member 30 adapted to enclose and support the operating mechanism of this vending machine. Cast integral with this bowl casing is a member 141, by

means of which the device may be attached to a wall or similar supporting surface. This bowl casing member is also cast with a radially projecting hood 31, Figures 1, 4 and 6, designed to enclose a depending portion 142 of a top plate 36 in which the major portion of the coin channel 32 is contained. The entrance to this coin channel is guarded by a plate 33 having a suitableslot 34 therein that overlies and cooperates with such coin channel; I

The plate 33, is mounted on an extension 35 formedas a part of a top plate 36, mounted on the upper edge of the casting 30. This member 36 is equipped with an annular groove 37 in the upper portion thereof adapted to receive the lower end of a cylindrical hopper 38 of transparent material. A gasket 39 of some suitable material is preferably disposed in the groove prior to mounting of the cylindrical hopper therein. This top plate is further provided with an annular beveled flange 40, Figure 1, adjoining the'groove 37 that is adapted to lie Within. the commodity compartment, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described in connection with the agitating means.

Located below and to one side of the coin channel is a spout extending through a suitable opening'in the wall 1 that is normally closed by a hinged drop-gate 51. This drop-gate is novel in that itis provided with an integral extension 143 that extends rearwardly from the pivots 144 and normally lies in a horizontal plane adjacent the upper limits of the spout when the drop-gate is in closed position. However, on raising of the dropgate, the extension descends and blocks the entry to the spout in such a manner that sucharticles as wire, pins or even the fingers cannot be inserted beyond it. The drop-gate and extension are so constructed that persons cannot change the angular relation therebetween by holding the gate open and pushing against the extension. This is accomplished by either stamping the drop-gate and extension out of a heavy metal and crimping the marginal edge, or casting them from a strong metal that cannot be bent with ordinary pressure.

The inner end of this spout is located at the center of the machine and in a position to receive the vended material fromthe vender lever plate through a suitable aperture hereinafter referred to, in the base of the bowl casing, such inner end being apertured and mounted on the post 13 and held in position by the upper end of the sleeve 12 which maintains it against the under side of the bowl casting 30. As will be noted the spout has its base inclined downwardly and outwardly to allow the commodity to move toward the dropgate.

Mounted within the bowl casting 30 is a vender lever plate 41'best shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7. This plate preferably'comprises a horizontal main body portion 42having an opening 52, Figures'4 and '7 therein. This opening is adapted to register with one of a plurality of openings 81 in the selector plate to receive the commodity to be vended from the hopper and to subsequently, on properactuation, to deliver such material to the inner end of the spout 50 through an opening 50' in the base of the bowl casting.

This vender lever plate 41 also comprises a handle 53 which projects through and operates in an opening 54, Figure 6, in the bowl casing 30. The under side'of this vender lever plate, Figure 6, is equipped with a depending tongue 55 disposed in a slot or opening 56 formed in the bowl casing30. A retractile spring 5'7 is connected, at one end, to this tongue 55 and is connected at its other end to a second tongue 59 depending from the under side of the bowl casting 30. It can readily be seen, that the retractile spring tends to always return the vender lever plate to its initial position and to return it to such position after it has been operated to eifect discharge of the vended material.

The vender lever plate 41 is further, provided i formed in the bowl casting 30.

with a substantially radial slot 60 which extends through the segmental flange 61 and into the horizontal portion of such plate. When the vender lever plate is in initial position, Figure 2, this slot 60 is in alignment with the inner end of the coin channel 32 formed in the depending lobe 142 cast as a part of the top plate and located in radially projecting hood 31.

The alignment of the inner end of the channel 32 with the slot 60 is positively insured after each and every operation of the vender lever plate by reason of the fact that the lever is provided with a stop 145 that is adapted to contact with the lobe 142 containing the coin channel 32, the lobe extending into the path thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The contacting surfaces of both the stop member and the lobe may be milled to in sure that the vender lever plate on returning to initial position will stop at the exact point where the channel 32 and slot 60 align.

The coin is adapted to be delivered, when it is received in the channel 32, into the slot 69 where it is held upright by the walls of such slot and by an arcuate semi-circular channel 140 This channel extends from a point adjacent the entry to an opening 1 1 in the bowl casting through which the coins drop into the coin receptacle.

The vender lever plate ll is provided with a 1' central hub 64 that is drilled centrally as at 65 for proper mounting on the annular upstanding portion 66, Figure i, formed integrally with and centrally disposed with relation to the bowl casing 30. A bushing may be inserted in the hub 64 to reduce the wear resulting from rotation of the plate 41. The annular portion 66 is drilled centrally as at 67 to allow the vertical post 13 to extend therethrough. To prevent rotation of such post, it is provided with a pin '70 that extends beyond the periphery thereof and is normally adapted to engage the lugs 71 formed as a part of the upper portion of the portion 66, being disposed in a cut away portion '72 in the upper portion thereof and lying in concentric relation to the center post 13.

Mounted on the center post 13 directly above the vender lever plate is selector plate 80, Figures 2 and 3. that is supported out of engagement therewith by its integral depending hub adapted to rest on the upper end of the annular portion 66 formed as a part of the bowl casting 30. This selector plate preferably comprises a horizontal body portion provided with a plurality of circular openings 81 arranged in a circle about the post 13 and spaced equally distant therefrom and from each other. These circular openings are adapted to receive the articles to be vended and carry them to proper position for vending. The periphery of the selector plate is provided with a plurality of spaced substantially U -shaped notches 82 that, as will be hereinafter noted, are each adapted to successively align with the coin slot 60 in the vender lever plate. In addition, the periphery of this selector plate is equipped with a plurality of ratchet teeth 83. These ratchet teeth lie intermediate two of the notches 82 over which a pawl member 85 is adapted to ride, the cooperation of such pawl with the teeth serving to prevent reverse move-- ment of the selector plate.

The pawl member 85 is pivoted on an upstand ing pin 86 mounted on the base plate of the bowl casting to the left of the coin slot and adjacent the periphery thereof. The forward end of this pawl, as at 87, is turned inwardly so as to engage with the teeth and notches of the selector plate, and is adapted to be influenced toward contact with the periphery of the selector plate and these teeth and notches by a resilient member 88 mounted on the pin 86.

This pawl structure serves to prevent any reverse movement of the selector plate and is also adapted to successively align the notches 82 with the slot 60 in the vender lever plate and with the coin channel 32. In some instances, an operator will throw the handle 53 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3 with undue force. If the selector plate is given undue impetus it might rotate to a point where the forward end 87 of the pawl will engage with one of the teeth 83 instead of correctly positioning itself in one of the notches 82. In order to prevent this from happening, one end of the pawl member has been. provided with an extension 90 having a heel 91 formed on the rearmost end thereof that is adapted to be contacted with the forward end 92 of the segmental upstanding portion 61 formed as a part of the vendor lever plate, see Figures 1 and 3. The cooperation of portion 61 with the heel 91 of the pawl member, Figure is adapted to positively drive the forward end 87 of the pawl thereof into co operation with one of the notches 82.

Perhaps the operation of this pawl member will be best understood'in connection with a brief description of the operation of the mechanism. When a suitable coin is inserted in the slot 34 it will roll down the channel 32 and into the slot 60, being supported from below by the arcuate wall of the channel in which position it will also be disposed in one of the notches 82 in the selector plate as best shown in Figure 2. This suitable coin will thereby lock the selector plate and vendor lever plate together so that when the vender lever plate is moved by the handle 53 the selector plate will also be moved a corresponding distance until such time as the coin traverses the channel and drops through a suit able opening in the bowl casting 3O and-into the coin receiving compartment.

During movement of the selector plate the forward end 87 of the pawl 85 drags over the notched periphery of such plate to prevent any reversal in the movement thereof. When the plate reaches the position shown in Figure 3, the forward end 92, Figure 1, of the vender lever plate 41 will contact with the heel 91 of the pawl member to drive the forward end thereof into positive engagement with one of the notches 82 thus ensuring that one of the other of such 1 structure will positively preclude rotation of the selector plate in either direction after such engagement. When the lever 53 is released, the vendor lever plate will rotate in a reverse direction under the influence of the resilient member 57 until the stop 145 strikes the wall 142 extending into the path thereof, Figure 2. However, rotation of the selector plate in areverse direction is prevented by the pawl 85 and the coin slot 60 in the vendor lever plate will again align with another of the notches 82.

It is obvious, that movement of the selector plate will serve to convey one of the spherical articles seated in one of the openings 81 of the selector plate beneath the lobe 62 where it will be discharged through the opening 50 in the i bowl casting 30 and from there. into the spout 50 down which it rolls to the drop-gate 51 from which it can readily be removed. The lobe 62 is so located that it overlies the discharge. opening in the lever plate and will prevent other of thearticles located in the hopper from entering the opening 50'. This ensures that only one article at a time willbe vended.

Formed integrally with the selector plate and extending upwardly from the center thereofis an agitator 100 that is bored centrally to allow the center post 13 to extend therethrough. This novel form of agitator is'provided with a plurality of vertical fins 101 arranged concentrically around the center post 13. The agitator is frustro-conical in form. Therefore, the fins 101 are deeper at their bases than at their tops. It will be apparent that any movement of the selector plate will also serve to rotate this agitator. With reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the spherical commodities are grouped around and rest against the fins of this agitating member and also rest on the beveled portion 40 of the top plate. With each operation of the machine, the agitator is revolved, thus serving to rearrange the articles grouped therearound to' prevent any failure in the operation of the machine due to the articles compacting, arching, adhering, or assuming a stable arrangement in the hopper. The beveled portion 40 of the top plate will tend to direct the spherical articles against thediverging fins 101 that are so angled as to direct the articles into any one of the openings 81, with the exception of the opening lying directly below the lobe 50.

As hereinbefore mentioned the top plate is adapted to support a cylindrical hopper 38 preferably made up of a transparent material such as glass. This portion of the machine is adapted to receive and hold the articles. to be vended; The central post 13 extends upwardly therethrough and has its threaded upper end inserted in an opening 105 formed in the centermost portion of a retaining spider ring 106. This retaining ring comprises an annular depending flange I 107 adapted to embrace the upper side of the cylinder 38 and is provided with an. annular in-' tegrally formed flange 108 extending inwardly therefrom so as. to overlie the upper edge of the cylindrical hopper. This portion '108 is substantially horizontal and is provided with a plurality of radial arms 109 that extend inwardlytoward each other and have their innermost ends'joined. Center post 13 is bolted to this retaining ring 107 by means of the-cap nut 110, a lock washer being inserted between the spiderand such'nut;

The horizontal portion 108 of the retaining ring is provided with three upstanding stops 111, 112 and 113. The stop 112 is located between the stops 111 and 113 and is of somewhat greater height than the other two stops. Each stop preferably comprises a vertical wall formed integrally with the retaining ring and a horizontal portion 115 formed integrally with the vertical portion and extending inwardly toward the center post. The purpose of these stops will be hereinafter described in detail.

The vertical flange 107 of the retaining ring is provided with a plurality of spaced lugs 120. The purpose of these lugs will be hereinafter described.

The cap member for the commodity compartment is best shown in Figure 1 and designated by numeral 121; This cap preferably comprises a horizontal portion 122 that is equipped with an annular depending flange 123 adapted to embrace the retaining ring 10'! mounted on the upper end of the hopper and tobe retained thereon by means of the cooperation of anannular groove of the vertical portion 123. The opposing ends of each respective groove 125 are open. These grooves are arranged the same distance apart from one another as the lugs 120 formed on the retaining ring 106.

To mount the cap in .proper position, the grooves 125 are brought into registry with the lugs 1 20 and the cap is moved downwardly until such time as the lugs engage the annular groove 124. The cap may now be turned in either, direction to remove the lugs 120 from registry with the vertical grooves 125. Thus, it would be impossible to lift the cap from the hopper 38 o-wing 'to the fact the lugs 120 now engage with the annular groove 124."

In order to preclude removal of the cap, we :iavemounted a lock 130 on the inner side of the depending'flange 123 in the position shown in Figure 1, wherein the key slot 131 for operating thebolt 132 extends through to the opposing side of the flange 123 to allow operation of the bolt The lock is so located that when the bolt is withdrawn it will not contact with either one of the stop members 111 and 113. With the cap in the position shown in Fig'urel, wherein one side or" the lock is abutting againstthecentral stop member112, the. bolt 132 maybe extended by means of .a key inserted in the key sloti131. .This will prevent subsequent rotation of the cap owing to the fact'that the bolt 132 will now contact with the inturned" flange of the shorter stop member 111, or 113 as the-case would be if theposition of the cap were to be reversed. i

From the foregoing description, it will be clearly understood that we have provided a novel form of vending machine in which are embodied many entirely new features.

One advantageous feature of this novel form of vending machine resides in the fact that a means is provided for positively ensuring the alignment of the coin slot in thevendor lever plate with any one of. the notches 82 in the selector plate; This feature alone prevents jamming of the op'- erating mechanism when the lever for operating such mechanism is thrown from one end of its stroke to the other with such force as to cause subsequent disalignment of the hereinabove mentioned parts. The provision of such a means will also allow the vendor lever to be roughly manipulated without any detrimental results arising from such handling.

Another advantageous feature of our invention resides in the fact that the cap closure and plate are sanitary and will serve to prevent dust and moisture from entering the respective compartments that they cover. Furthermore. the construction of the closure plate is such as to allow it to become filled with coins, yet since it is itself a receptacle, it may be removed from the device without the coins falling therefrom,

Still another advantageous feature of this invention lies in the provision of a cap for the commodity compartment that may be turned in any direction until it stops. It may then be locked in this position which will preclude removal thereof. The provision of such a p means that it maybe unlocked, but yet cannot be'removed from the hopper until rotated to a predetermined position.

A still further advantageous feature of this invention resides in the agitating means that is adapted to ensure a uniform feeding of the articles to be vended to the delivery mechanism in addition to agitating such articles in the hopper to preclude the adhering, arching or compacting thereof.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is: v 1. A vending machine comprising a vender lever plate, a coin slot in said plate, a feeding plate having a plurality of notches therein, a detent member for cooperation with said notches, means on said vender lever for positively driving said detent member into any of said notches, said detent member being also maintained in engagement with said notches by a resilient means.

2. A vending machine comprising a hopper, a feeding plate having a plurality of article receiving openings, a plurality of notches on said feeding plate, a rotatable vender lever plate mounted below said feeding plate, a coin slot in said vender lever plate adapted to support a coin in engagement with one of the notches in said feeding plate, and a detent member for engagement with the notches of the feeding plate to allow rotation thereof in one direction only, said detent member being driven into positive engagement with one of said notches by the vender lever plate.

3. A vending machine comprising a feeding plate, a vender lever plate, said vender lever plate adapted to be rotated by means of a handle, said feeding plate adapted to be rotated by said vender lever plate in one direction, and means for precluding rotation of said feeding plate in an opposing direction, said means operable by said vender lever plate and by a resilient means.

4. A vending mechanism comprising a vender lever plate pivotally mounted for rotation, a coin slot in said vender lever plate, an operating handle, a feeding plate rotatably mounted above said vender lever plate and adapted to be rotated thereby, a plurality ofnotches of varied design on said feeding plate, a, pawl member pivotally mounted to one side of said feeding plate and adapted to have one end thereof in engagement with any one of the notches in said feeding plate, said pawl member being maintained in engagement with said notches by a resilient means, a heel on said pawl adapted to be engaged by said vender lever plate when said vender lever plate has reached the limit of its rotation in one direction, the cooperation of said vender lever plate with the heel of said pawl member operating to drive the opposing end of said pawl member into positive engagement with one of said notches in said feeding plate.

5. In a vending machine, a vender lever plate of annular form, a feeding plate of annular form, said vender lever plate and said feeding plate being disposed in superimposed relation to each other, said feeding plate having a plurality of notches formed on the periphery thereof, a d tent member for precluding rotation of said feeding plate, said detent member comprising a pawl member pivotally mounted adjacent the periphcry of said feeding plate and in substantially tangential relation thereto, said pawl member having a head thereon adapted to engage with the notches formed on said feeding plate and having a heel formed thereon, and means on said vender lever plate adapted to contact with the heel of said pawl to drive the head of said pawl into engagement with any of said notches.

6. In a vending machine, a vender lever plate of annular form, a feeding plate of annular form, said vender lever plate and said feeding plate being disposed in superimposed relation to each other, said feeding plate having a plurality of notches formed on the periphery thereof, a pawl member for precluding rotation of said feeding plate, said pawl member being pivotally mounted adjacent the periphery of said feeding plate and in substantially tangential relation thereto and being adapted to engage with the notches formed on said feeding plate, said pawl member being adapted to be positively engaged with said notches by said vender lever plate.

'7. In a vendingmachine, a vender lever plate of annular form, a feeding plate of annular form, said vender lever plate and said feeding plate being disposed in juxtaposition and said plates being rotatable relative to each other, one of said plates having a plurality'of notches formed on theperiphery thereof, a pawl member for precluding relative rotation of said plates, said pawl member being pivotally mounted adjacent the periphery of the plate having the notches there- 1 on and being disposed in substantially tangential relation thereto and being adapted to engage with said notches, and means on the other of said plates adapted to contact with said pawl member and to cause it to be positively engaged with any of said notches.

FRANK H. VOGEL.

RALPH A. VOGEL.

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