US2180326A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1939. l. A. TRAVERSY VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVE NTOR m w W N A R R m T Nov. 14, 1939. l. A. TRAVERSY 3 VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENHOR. l. A. TRAVERSY ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1939. l. A. TRAVERSY 2,180,326

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I A IN VENTOR: I A- TRAV RSY Y ATTORNEY P i i Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August '1, 1936, Serial mouse In Canada August 9, ms

7 Claim.

This invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to coin controlled vending machines.

Vending machines of this type heretofore proposed have usually been of expensive and complicated construction and moreover have been subject to frequent mishaps in operation, particularly in the delivery of the vended articles.

The present invention has for an object to provide a machine in which such disadvantages have been substantially eliminated -and which may be readily constructed in various forms to vend different types of articles. also includes a novel coin changing mechanism.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two embodiments thereof and in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a machinesuitable for vending newspapers, periodicals and the like,

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view,

Figure 3 is a front view,

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial section on line 44 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial section on line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure '6 is an enlarged plan view of the controlling mechanism,

Figure 7 is a front view of a machine suitable for vending packaged goods such as chewing gum, chocolate bars, sanitary pads and tampons and the like,

Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a section on line III-III of Figur 9, and

Figure 11 is a section on line IIII of Figure 9.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, I is a box or casing provided with a water-tight cover 2, a false bottom or horizontal partition I' suitably secured to the walls of the box adjacent the bottom thereof and a delivery opening I extending across the front of the box. The casing I contains articles to be vended which rest on a tray 66 supported adjacent one end by a stand 61 mounted on the partition I', the other end being curved downwardly as shown in Figure land extending into opening I where it is supported. An

article ejecting mechanism is mounted on partition I and includes an operating rod 5| which extends through a hole in the front of the box and is provided with a handle 5|. A locking bar 22 for the rod Si is also mounted on the parti- The invention tion I adjacent the front of the box and is adapted to be coin-actuated through extensions 2| and 34 of the bar which have engagement with coin receivers 9 and 9, respectively, in a manner to be later described. A guiding member or plate 69 rests on the stack of articles 98 and has sliding engagement with the side walls of the box by means of grooves I9 formed in the side walls of box I and which are engaged by the ends of a rod II mounted adjacent the front edge of member 69. As shown, the member 69 is curved downwardly towards the opening I.

The cover 2 is eflectively secured to the box by means of lugs 3 adapted to slidingly engage grooves 4 formed on the sides of the box by means of strips 5. Suitable locking means 9 for the cover may be provided.

The delivery opening I, as shown, is formed by making a horizontal cut and two short vertical cuts in the wall of box I and bending the depending strip upwardly whereby a protective drip trough is formed over the opening.

Coin receivers 8 and 9 are supported on partition I and the forward portions thereof extendlthrough openings in the front wall of the box Coin receiver 9 is formed with a base plate III and an upper plate I I separated by narrow strips I2 extending along the sides thereof to form a coin passage I3, the plate III, strips I2 and plate II being secured together in assembled relation by any suitable means such as bolts, not shown, and a finishing moulding or strip I4 may be placed along the exposed edges as shown. The exposed portion of upper plate II is provided with a coin receiving opening I1 and a slot I5, through which projects a handle III of a coin positioning member I9 slidably mounted in passage I3. A spring 20 normally holds the member in the position shown in Figure 2. The end of extension 2I extends, as shown, into coin passage I3 adjacent the inner' end thereof. The extension 2| rests on a support 23 which may be a portion of plate III.

Coin receiver 9 is similar in construction to coin receiver 8 and includes a base plate 24, upper plate 25, strips 26, coin passage 21, moulding 29, coin receiving opening 3I, a coin positioning member 32 in passage 21 with a handle 33 which extends through a slot 29 in the exposed portion of upper plate 25. A spring (not shown) may also be provided to normally hold the member 32 in the position shown in Figure 2. The end of the extension 34 extends into passage 21 and is provided with a pin 34'. The pin '34, as

shown, extends upwardly in a lateral slot 35 formed in upper plate 25 whereby the pin 34' with extension 34 may be moved laterally.

A coin changing mechanism is associated with coin receiver 9 and includes a coin chamber 45, open at the bottom, mounted on a housing 44 adapted to slidingly receive a coin selector plate 48 and a coin delivery plate 46. Delivery plate 46, it will be noted, rests on partition I and slides into the housing 44 below selector plate 49. Springs 43 and 41, respectively, normally hold selector plate 46 and delivery plate 46 in the positions shown in Figure 2. Selector plate 48 and delivery plate 46 are provided with coin openings 49 and 56, respectively, which are adapted to register with the coin chamber opening but are normally held out of registry therewith as shown in Figure 2. A coin opening 48 is formed in partition I and is in registry with opening 58 when delivery plate 46 is in its normal position. A coin returning chute 48' is connected to opening 48. Coin selector plate 48 is adapted to be moved into registry with the coin chamber opening by an actuating bar 36 through a lever 39 mounted on a pivot 39 secured to partition I. As shown, one end of lever 39 is pivoted to bar 36 and the other end rests on selector plate 48 and has engagement therewith by means of a pin 4| on plate 48 and a notch 42 in link 39. Actuating bar 36 extends into coin passage 21 and is provided at its end with a pin 36', which extends upwardly in a lateral slot 31 opposite slot 35, being adapted for lateral movement therein. The other end of bar 36 is connected to a spring 38 which normally holds the bar in the position shown in Figures 2 and 5.

Base plate 24 is suitably cut away to receive extension 34 and actuating bar 36.

The article ejecting mechanism includes a transverse bar 56 connected to the inner end of operating rod 5| and provided with flanges 51 at either end in which are mounted upright rods 58 carrying in sliding engagement therewith a cross bar 62 provided with article-engaging Pick devices 63 which are pivotally mounted in flanges 64 secured to bar 62 and extend through slots I2 in the guide member 69.

Coin removing fingers 59 are keyed or otherwise fixed to a shaft 59' mounted for rotation in bar 56 and are adapted, when in coin removing position, to project into coin passages l3 and 21, respectively, through slots l6 and 30 formed in upper plates H and 25 of coin receivers 8 and 9, respectively. As shown, the bar 56 is cut away to suitably receive the fingers 59. Means are provided for preventing engagement of the coingripping ends of fingers 59 with. coin passages l3 and 21 and comprise a pin 66 carried at the end of one finger 59 and adapted for cooperation with a strip 6| secured to plate II. The inner end of strip 6| is inclined whereby pin 69- may engage the inclined surface and ride along the top surface of the strip. The inner edge of strip 6| is also offset with respect to plate whereby the pin 60, after dropping over the outer end of the strip, may travel in the return direction between the strip BI and plate I with the coin-gripping ends of fingers 59 in engagement with coin passages l3 and 21 through slots l6 and 38, as shown in Figure 4.

Springs 65 connected to bar 56 and the back wall of box I tend to hold the article ejecting mechanism in retracted position as shown in Figure 2.

Holes 13 are formed in partition I adjacent the inner ends of coin receivers 8 and 9 and communicate with a coin receiving'drawer I4 positioned in the space between partition I and the bottom of the box. A locking device for drawer 14 consists of a bar 15 slidingly mounted in a bracket 16, and having its lower end adapted to engage the inside surface of' the back wall of drawer 14 as shown in Figure 1.

Locking bar 22 is provided with a notch I1 adapted to engage corresponding notches I9 in rod 5|. A spring I9, which is connected to a post 86 and engages one end of locking bar 22, normally urges the bar to the left as shown in Figure 6 whereby notch 11 will engage one of the notches I8, the normal locked position of bar 22 and rod 5| being when rod 5| is in fully retracted position and notch engages the outermost notch 18 in rod 5|. A positioning device for bar 22 includes a pin 8| mounted on the under side of bar 22 and extending through a slot 82 in partition A cross piece 83 is formed on the end of pin 8| and is adapted to slide in a housing 84.

Operating rod 5| is provided with a ratchet mechanism to prevent unauthorized shaking of the bar when in withdrawn position. As shown, ratchet teeth 86 in a strip 86 mounted on bar 5| are adapted for engagement with a tooth 89 pivotally carried at one end of a ratchet lever 81 which is pivotally mounted on a post 88 and connected to bar 22 at its other end. As shown, tooth 89 is pivoted whereby it may swing in a forward direction only and is urged into normal position by spring 96.

Operating rod 5| may also be provided with a positioning device comprising a pin 52 mounted on the under side of rod 5| and extending through a slot 53 in partition I and formed with a cross piece 54 adapted to slide in a housing 55 secured to the under surface of partition I.

A bell 9| may be mounted on partition I and is adapted to be actuated by bar 56 to indicate its fully withdrawn position. I

Means for indicating when the machine is empty are provided and may consist of a plate 92 adapted to rest on the bottom of article tray 66. Plate 92 is provided with a hinged flap 93 bearing the indication Empty and pins 94 slidingly mounted in slots 95. The last article in the tray engages pins 94 and when ejected carries with it to opening 1 the plate 92 whereby flap 93 emerges to display the "Empty sign.

. In operation, the articles 68 and guide member 69 are arranged in the box as shown in Figure I, with the various parts in the positions shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. The present embodiment is particularly well adapted for the sale of newspapers. It may be assumed, for instance, that coin receiver 8 is adapted to receive three onecent pieces 8, in return for which a newspaper may be delivered, and that coin receiver 9 is adapted to receive a five-cent piece, in return for which a newspaper and two cents change are delivered. The one-cent pieces are inserted in opening l1 and each is pushed along passage I3 by means of member l8. As the third cent is pushed along the passage the first cent engages the end of extension 2|, as shown in Figure 6, and forces locking bar 22 laterally thus disengaging notches 11 and 18. Operating rod 5| may then be withdrawn until the bell 89 rings and carries with it I the opening I. When the operating rod has reached its outermost withdrawn position, the newspaper will have been ejected through opening I and fingers 59 will have been carried over slots I8 and (pins 60 having engaged strip 6| as shown in Figure 4) and the ends thereof will have dropped into the slots asshown in Figure 6 and in dotted lines in Figure 4. The rod 5| may then be returned to its retracted position and finger 59 in its return movement will engage the coins in slot I6 as shown .and cause them to drop through hole I9 into drawer I4. Removal of the coinspermits locking bar 22 to return to normal position.

It will be noted that when bar 22 is moved out of locking engagement with rod 5|, ratchet lever 81 will swing into engagement with the ratchet teeth 85 thus allowing movement of bar 5| in outward direction only, whereby unauthorized shaking of the bar is prevented. As shown in Figure 6, a short portion of the inner end of strip 86 is not provided with teeth whereby bar 5| may be moved in a reverse direction a distance sufficient to enable the coins to be removed by finger 59, when locking bar 22 is again allowed to engage rod 5| whereby notches I1 and I8 engage to allow movement of the rod 5| in an inward direction only. Thus at practically all times the rod 5| is movable in one direction only.

When a five-cent piece is placed in opening 3| of coin receiver 9 and pushed into position by the member 32, it forces pins 34 and 36 of extension 34 and bar 36 apart, as shown in Figure 6, thus causing locking bar 22 to be moved out of locking position with rod 5| whereby a newspaper may be ejected by the mechanism. Actuating bar 36 is moved into the position shown in Figure 6 and actuates lever 39 to move coin selector plate whereby opening 49 therein registers with the opening in coin chamber 45. Coin chamber is charged with a suitable supply of one-cent pieces and coin selector plate is of a thickness of, say, two coins, whereby two coins may drop from chamber 45 into opening 49. The coin changing mechanism remains in this position until bar 56 has arrived approximately at its outermost position, at which time it strikes the flange 46' of coin delivery plate 46, which is of the same thickness as coin selector plate 40,

and carries plate 46 forward a short distance.

whereby opening in plate 46 registers with opening 49 and whereby the two coins selected by plate 40 may drop into opening 50. When operating rod 5| is returned to retracted position, spring 41 returns plate 46 to its normal position whereby openings 50 and 48 register and the two coins are permitted to drop into chute 48' and be removed by the newspaper purchaser, thus completing the transaction. The five-cent piece in slot 30 is of course engagedby finger 59 and dropped into drawer I4.

Obviously, coin receiver 8 may be adapted for receiving any suitable number of coins in return for which a newspaper may be delivered and the coin changing mechanism in association with coin receiver 9 may be adapted to carry out various coin changing operations.

Moreover this embodiment of the machine may be easily adapted for vending various types of periodicals as well as numerous other articles.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures '7 to 11, inclusive, I0| is a box or casing provided with a cover member I02, a horizontal partition IOI' and a delivery opening I03 at the front of the box. A locking lug I04 adapted to extend through a slot in the cover I02 may be provided on the box. The box IOI contains articles I00 to be vended which rest on a platform I08 supported on the back wall of the box. A delivery chute I01 leads from platform I06 to opening I03 as shown.

An article ejecting mechanism is mounted on partition IOI' and includes an operating rod. I08

which extends through a hole in the front of the box and'is provided with a handle I08. A locking bar I09 for the rod I08 is slidingly mounted by means of brackets I09 on the partition IOI adjacent the front of the box.

Coin receiving chutes IIO, III and H2 are supported on the inside front wall of the box and communicate with corresponding openings in the wall.

Coin chute H0 is arranged to deposit coins as indicated at IIO upon a plate II3 provided with side strips I I4 to form a coin passage thereon. The plate II3, which is positioned immediately above the operating rod I08 and the inner end of which abuts the locking bar I09, is supported by means of the side strips II4 from the chute II 0 as 'shown. member II5 extends through an opening in the wall of box ml and its inner end I I6 slidingly engages the surface of plate II3 whereby actuation of the member will force a coin along the passage thereon. A spring II'I returns the member I I5 to normal position defined by a stop 8 on the member.

Coin chutes III and H2 are arranged to deposit coins as indicated at III' ad II2 upon the upper surface of partition IOI' in coin passages defined thereon by means of pairs of strips 9 and H9 respectively. Coin positioning members I 20 and I20 extend through openings in the wall of box |0| below partition IN and are provided with forked inner ends adapted to engage the lower ends of pins I2| and I2I' respectively extending through and carried by strips I22 and I22 slidingly mounted in brackets I23 and I23 on the under surface of partition IN. The upper ends of pins I2I and I 2| extend through slots I24 and I24 formed in partition IOI' and into the coin passages on the upper surface thereof. Thus actuation of the members I20 and I20 will force coins in the passages along the same. Springs I25 and I25 return the strips I22 and I22 to normal position abutting the wall of box IOI. Springs I26 and I26 return the members I20 and I20 to normal position defined by stops I21 and I2I' formed thereon:

Locking bar I09 is provided with a notch I 28 adapted to engage corresponding notches I29 in rod I08. A spring I30, which is connected to partition I 0| and engages one end of locking bar I 09, normally urges the bar to the left as shown in'the Figure 9 whereby notch I28 will engage one of notches I29, the normal locked position of bar I09 and rod I08 being when rod I08 is in fully retracted position and notch I 28 engages the outermost notch I29 in rod I08 as shown in Figure 9. Springs I 30' are provided to return rod I08 to retracted position. Coin receiving slots I3I, I32 and I33, corresponding to but not in exact alignment with the coin passages of chutes IIO, III, and H2, respectively, are formed in the locking bar I 09. The right hand side walls of slots I3I, I32 and I33, as shown in Figure 9, are curved to facilitate the positioning of coins therein and it will be noted that forcing of a coin into one of said slots by means of one of members 5, I20 or I20 will A coin positioning move the bar I08 to the right out of locking engagement with operating rod I08 whereby may be pulled outwardly.

Article ejecting mechanism includes a transverse member I 34 adapted to slide on platform I06 and carried by a supporting structure I35 mounted on the inner end of operating rod I08.

The articles I05 are housed in an open-ended magazine I36 secured to the back wall of box I M and are deposited onto platform I06 from the lower end'thereof, which is spaced from the platform a distance approximately the thickness of one article whereby the lowermost article may be engaged by the transverse member and moved forwardly of the platform I06. In operation a second article I05 is placed adjacent the lowermost article as shown in Figure 8 whereby movement of the lowermost article will cause the article I05 to fall into the delivery chute I01. A pair of article guiding members I31 may be provided on the platform Ii06.

Coin changing mechanisms are associated with coin chutes III and H2 and include open-ended coin chambers I38, I38 mounted on pairs of strips I39, I33 secured to partition IOI' arranged to slidingly receive therebetween coin selecting and delivery plates I 40, I40. The plates I40, I40 are provided with holes I4I, I4I corresponding with and normallyin registry with the lower open ends of coin chambers I38, I38. Openings I42, I42 are formed in partition IOI beneath plates I40, I40 and somewhat to the right of coin chambers I38, I38 as shown in Figure 9. The plates I40,"I40 are maintained in their normal position by means of levers I43, I43 pivoted at one end to the plates I40, I40 and pivotally mounted at I44, I44 on partition IOI'. The other ends of levers I43, I43 extend into coin receiving slots I32 and I33, respectively and are curved to fit against the right curved walls of said slots. The levers I43, I43 are maintained in normal position by means of springs I45, I45 and stops I46, I46'..

It will be noted that inserting a coin in either of slots I32 or I33 will cause the respective levers I43, I43 to move one of plates I40, I40 to the left whereby coins selected by the hole in the plate will be moved over opening I42 or I42 and allowed to drop through the same, coin returning chutes I41, I41 being provided in communication therewith.

Coins are removed from the slot I3I by means of a coin removing finger I48 pivotally carried by a support I48 secured to operating rod I08. The finger I48 is held against a stop I50 by means of a spring I5I whereby it may ride over a coin in slot I3I on outward movement of rod I08 but on inward movement of rod it will engage the coin and carry it backward to drop into an opening I52 formed in partition IOI'.

Coins are removed from slots I32 and I33 by means of the pins I2I, I2I' means being provided to move the same backwardly along the slots I24, I24 a distance sufiicient to remove the coins from the slots I32, I33 and deposit the same into openings I53, I53 formed in partition IOI. This means comprises a pair of levers I54, I54 pivotally mounted at I55, I55 on the lower surface of partition I 0| and having hooked outer ends engaging the lower end of pins I2'I, I2I' respectively. The inner ends of levers I54, I54 are also hooked and engage a pin I56 carried on the lower surface of operating rod I 08 and extending through a slot I51 in the partition IOI'. It will be noted that forward movement of rod I08 will cause the levers I54, I54 to move the pins I2I, I2I' backwardly.

A coin receiving drawer I58 adapted to receive coins deposited in openings I52, I53 and I53 is positioned in the lower portion of box IM and is provided with a locking device I58.

Any suitable means may be provided for indicating when the machine is empty.

Operation of the machine will be apparent from the foregoing description. Coin chute H0 is adapted to receive a coin of the exact value of the article to be vended, for instance, a fivecent piece. Coin chute III is adapted to receive, for instance, a ten-cent piece, which when positioned to unlock bar I08, will also actuate lever I43 to return, through the returning chute I41, a five-cent piece. Coin chute II! is adapted to receive, for instance, a twenty-five cent piece, which, when positioned to unlock. bar I08, as indicated in dotted hnes, will also actuate lever I43 to return, through the returning chute I41, two ten-cent pieces.

As in the other embodiment, the machine may be readily adapted for various coin changing operations as well as for vending various types of articles.

Any suitable type of slug detectors may be readily incorporated in the machines described.

erating rod therefor, coin-controlled means for locking the operating rod against movement comprising a slidable locking bar having a coin-engaging portion extending into the passage, means for forcing a coin deposited in the passage into contact with said portion to actuate the locking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, a coin receptable having an opening adjacent the end of the passage, means adapted to engage a coin in the passage and move the same to the end of the passage and into said opening, and means carried by said operating rod and adapted on movement of the rod to actuate said last-mentioned means.

2. In a vending machine having a plurality of coin passages, a slidable locking bar having coinengaging portions extending into each of the passages, means associated with each passage for forcing a coin deposited therein into contact with the coin-engaging portion of the bar in the passage to actuate the locking bar, and coin changing mechanism associated with at least one of the passages including an actuating lever having a coin-engageable arm extending into the passage in adjacent relation to the coinengaging portion of said bar whereby said coin may engage said arm simultaneously with engagement with said portion and actuate the lever.

3. In a vending machine having a plurality of coin passages, an article ejecting mechanism and an operating rod therefor, coin-controlled means for locking the operating rod against movement comprising a slidable locking bar extending transversely through said passages and having coin slots communicating with said passages but normally out of registry therewith, one side of each slot having a coin-engaging surface, means associated with each passage for forcing a coin deposited therein into contact with the coinengaging surface of the communicating slot to actuate the locking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, and coin changing mechanism associated with at least one of the passages including an actuating lever having a coin-engageable arm extending into the passage in adjacent relation to the coin-engaging surface of the communicating slot whereby said coin may engage said arm simultaneously with engagement with the locking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, means adapted to engage the coin and move the same out of contact with said portion, and means carried by said operating rod and adapted on movement of the rod to actuate said last-mentioned means.

5. In a vendingmachine having a coin passage, an article ejecting mechanism and an operating rod therefor, coin-controlled means for locking the operating rod against movement comprising a slidable locking bar, a coin-engageable arm connected to said bar for actuating the same, said arm extending into the passage, means for forcing acoin deposited in the passage into contact with said arm to actuate the locking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, means adapted to engage the coin and move the same out of contact with said am, and means carried by said operating rod and adapted on movement of the rod to actuate said last-mentioned means.

6. In a vending machine having a coin passage, an article ejecting mechanism and an operating rod therefor, coin-controlled means for locking the operating rod against movement comprising a slidable locking bar extending transversely through said passage and having -acoin slot communicating with said passage but normally out of registry therewith, one side of the slot having a coin-engageable, surface, means associated with the passage for forcing a coin deposited therein into contact with the coinengageable surface of the slot to actuate the looking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, means for moving .the coin out of. said slot, and means responsive to movement of the operatingrod for actuating said last-mentioned means.

'1. In a vending machine having a plurality of coin passages, an article-ejecting mechanism and. an operating rod therefor, coin-controlled means for locking the operating rod against movement comprising a slidable locking bar, a plurality of coin-engageable arms connected to said bar, each'arm extending into a corresponding coin passage and being adapted to actuate the locking bar; means for forcing a coin deposited in the passage into contact with the arm therein to actuate the locking bar to unlock the operating rod for movement, and coin changing mechanism associated with at least one of the passages including a lever extending into the passage in adjacent relation to the arm therein whereby said coin may engage said lever simul-

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