US2254737A - Vending apparatus - Google Patents

Description

' Sept. 2, 1941. B. w. FRY

VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan 3, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 B. w. FRY

VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1939 Sept. 2, 1941.

? Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT rric 7 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines, and with regard to certain more specific features, to coin-actuated vending machines.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a vending machine of the class described which is particularly adapted for the dispensing of units of relatively large size and individually of relatively substantial rigidity, such as boxes of soap chips or flakes, boxes of cereals, and the like; the provision of a vending machine of the class described embodying improved escapement means for bringing successive units into position to be dispensed, and to dispense said units quickly and positively, one at a time, without any possibility of delivering more than one unit for one coin deposit; the provision of a vending machine of the class described embodying individual unit-supporting trays which, after the units thereon are dispensed, collect unobtrusively at a position and in a manner so as not to occupy more than a minimum of space, and so as not to interfere with or impede the dispensing of further units; the provision, in

a vending machine of the class described, of

means preventing the receipt by the machine of a coin in the event that all of the units in the machine have been dispensed; and the provision of a vending machine of the class described which is simple and economical in construction and operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the machine of Fig. 1, with a front panel removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken substantially along line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to a part of Fig. 4, illustrating certain alternative operating positions; and,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross section taken substantially along line 1- of Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the vending machine embodying the present invention is mounted within a relatively tall rectangular sheet metal 4.0 Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a vending machine general box-like structure.

casing indicated generally by numeral I. The casing I includes a removable front panel 3, which is secured or locked to the casing as a whole by suitable locking mechanism 5 near its top edge. At its bottom, the front panel 3 has a rectangular opening I, through which moves a pivoted delivery device 9, hereinafter to be more specifically described. Along its right-hand edge, the frontpanel- 3 carries a coin-receiving escutcheon plate I I a bad coin or slug delivery chute I3, and a suitable slot through which passes the manipulative end of a handle or operating lever I5.

Numeral I'I indicates an inner container of The container I'I comprises rectangular sheet metal side walls I9, which are outwardly flanged, as indicated at numerals 2|, at their front edges, and inwardly flanged, as indicated at numeral 23, at their rear edges. To properly space apart the side walls I9, a sheet metal strip is aflixed across the upper front edge of the box-like structure IT, to the two front flanges 2|; another sheet metal strip 21 likewise extends across the front at about the level of the slug chute I3, and is likewise secured to the-two front flanges 2 I. A portion of the strip 21, indicated by numeral 29, is bent inwardly into the box I! so that it slopes downwardly, as indicated in Figure 3, for purposes hereinafter to be described. Numeral 3| indicates a rectangular plate which is provided with an in-turned upper reinforcing edge 33, and perpendicular extensions or cars at its nds, the ears 35 respectively being aifixed to the upper rear corners of the side plates I9, thereby further to aid in spacing said plates apart. The plate 3| is parallel to the back flanges 23, but is spaced a sufilcient distance therefrom that, as the box-like structure I! is inserted into the outer casing I, it is suitably positioned with the front face of the box-like structure I! flush with the front face of the casing I. A fourth spacing member forthe side walls I9 comprises a channel piece 3'! that is secured, inside the box-like structure I l, to the back flanges 23, at the bottoms of said back flanges.

The box-like structure I l is correctly positioned laterally in the outer casing I by means of angle pieces 39 and AI, which are aflixed to the respective side walls of the casing I near the top thereof, and by angular spacing pieces 43 and 45 which are secured to the side walls I9 at the bottoms thereof. The left-hand space 41 thus provided, considered from the viewpoint represented by Fig. 2, is considerably narrower than the corresponding right-hand space 49. Into the latter space 49 fits a major portion of the operatcertain tray pieces indicated by numerals 53. Each tray 53 (see also Fig. 7) comprises a flat rectangular metal plate provided, along its lateral edges near the rear corners thereof, with notches 55 adapted to receive and slide upon the track and with a centrally located rectangular hole 51 parallel to and near the rear edge of said plate 53, and preferably substantially in line- The length from front to with the notches 55. back of each of the plates or trays 53 is sufficient that, with a tray in horizontal position and its notches 55 on the tracks 5|, the front edge of said tray rests lightly upon the sloping portion 29 of cross piece 21 (see Fig. 4).

Numeral 59 indicates a sheet metal hook or like member mounted on the rear wall of exterior casing I, so that its front or hooking end 6| projects substantially in the plane of flanges 23. At the level of the end 6| of the hook 59, the two flanges 23 are sharply reduced in width, as indicated at numerals 63, so that the separation between their respective edges increases (see Fig. 2). These edges, below these points 63, are spaced apart a sufiicient distance so that the notches 55 of trays 53 no longer will engage said edges, but, on the contrary, the end 6| of hook 59 will enter the openings 51 in the trays so that they pivot and hook upon and stack with other trays so discharged in vertical positions on the hook 593, all as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tracks heretofore indicated by numeral 5| may be considered to terminate, downwardly, at the points 63 where this increased separation between the edges of flanges 23 is brought about.

Somewhat below the level of the points 63, the facing inner surfaces of the side walls I9 are provided with angle-pieces 65, the projecting surfaces of which slope downwardly toward the front of the machine. Preferably the projecting surfaces are extended rearwardly in a horizontal plane for a short distance, to abut the rear flanges 23, as indicated by numeral 61 in Fig. 3. The angle pieces 65 and their said extensions 61 constitute guiding means for delivering packages to be dispensed into the pivoted dispensing device 9. Further to assist in such guiding, and to assure the proper lateral positioning of said packages, two tabs or ears B9 are struck inwardly from the side walls I9, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3.

The pivoted delivery device 9 comprises a boxlike sheet metal member with an open top II. It is pivoted to the side walls I9 by screws or like members l3 mounted near its lower front corners. The back wall of the box has an extension, indicated by numeral 15, which is bent sharply downwardly and rearwardly, and has a further bent end I1 which, when the box 9 is tilted forwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, abuts the under side of the projecting surface of angle pieces 65, to limit the forward rotating movement of said box 9. Preferably the front wall of the box 9 is provided with a thumb notch I9, to facilitate manipulation of the box 9.

Numeral 8| indicates a rectangular plate somewhat similar to the plate 3| which is likewise provided with an in-turned upper reinforcing edge 83 and perpendicular extensions or ears 85 at its ends, the ears 85 respectively being affixed to the outer surfaces of the back edge of the side walls I9 at a location just above the points 63. The plate 8| is parallel to, but spaced from, the rear flanges 23. It serves a reinforcing and spacing function similar to that of the plate l 3|, but in addition constitutes mounting means for an escapement device now to be described.

Numeral 81 (see also Fig. 4) indicates a channel-shapecl piece, the upper flang 89 of which is at an obtuse angle to the rear web thereof, and the lower flange 9i whereof is at right angles to said rear web. The channel piece 81 is just sufficiently long to fit between the ears 85. At its ends, the channel piece 81 carries perpendicular ears or extensions 93, which are pivoted, as by screws 95, near the lower edges of the ears 85. At its right-hand end, an angle bracket 91 is secured to the under face of the lower flange 9| of the channel piece 87, and to the depending face of this bracket 91 is pivoted, as by a screw 99, a connecting bar It.

Numeral I93 indicates a relatively rigid sheet metal strip that extends across between the ears 85. At its ends, angle brackets I05 are mounted on the strip I93, and the angle brackets I05 are pivoted, as by screws I01, to the ears 85, so that the strip E03 as a whole may pivot on the screws Hi1. A suitable coil spring is provided on one or each of the screws I91 to urge the strip I03 to rotate in a clockwise manner, when considered from the viewpoint represented by Fig. 4. The lower or front edge of the strip I03 is therefore normally resiliently engaged against the back surfaces of back flanges 23.

Numeral I99 (Fig. 4) indicates a generally rectangular plate that is mounted on the outside surface of the right-hand side wall I9, in the space 49, as by bolts and nuts I. The plate I99, however, is spaced from the side wall I9, as by suitable spacer strips indicated by numeral I I 3. Extending upwardly from the outer surface of plate IE9 is a generally rectangular projecting area N5, the height of which above the surface of the plate I99 is preferably just slightly greater than the thickness of a coin, such as a dime, for which the machine is designed to operate. The upper edge I I1 of the projecting area H5 constitutes a coin guiding means in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Pivoted in the region of its point on the projecting area II5 by means of a screw H9 is a quadrant-shaped operating lever or plate I2I, from the forward edge of which extends the manipulating handle I5 hereinbefore referred to. Extending radially outwardly from the rearward edge of the quadrant plate I 2| is an extension I23, the peripheral edge of which is provided with ratchet teeth I 25. Numeral I2! indicates a pawl, pivoted on a screw I29, and resiliently maintained in position by a tension spring I3I. The dog I21 engages the teeth I on projection I23 in both directions of rotation of the quadrant plate I2I, to prevent any reversal of rotative direction of movement thereof during the period during which said pawl I2! is in engagement with the ratchet I23.

The curved upper edge of the quadrant plate I2I comprises a series of angular sections I33, I and I3! of progressively greater radius. A shoulder I39 is provided between sections I33 and :35, and a shoulder MI between sections I35 and Numeral I43 indicates a circular slot in the quadrant plate I2I, the ends of which cooperate with a screw I mounted in the projecting area H5, to limit the rotative movement of the quadrant lever I2I in both directions. The free end of connecting bar IflI is pivotally connected to the quadrant plate I2I by a screw I46.

Numeral I41 indicates a lever that is pivoted as on a screw I49, between the side wall l9 and the rectangular plate I59. At its forward, lower edge the lever Ml has a projection II, which extends through an opening I53 in the plate I639 and rides upon the circular edge of quadrant plate Ili. A tension spring I55 urges the lever I 3? at all times to rotate downwardly, thereby pressing the projection I5I firmly against the edge of quadrant plate IZI.

Near its upper edge, the plate N39 is provided with a coin-guiding chute I51, which has a hopper-like upper end, and a lower delivery end positioned just above the rearward edge of projecting area II5 on plate 19.

Numeral I59 indicates a pin, such as a screw, which is mounted on the quadrant plate IZI near the upper edge thereof, at about the central portion of angular section I51. The head of pin I59 extends substantially entirely across the space between the surface of plate I09 and the quadrant 9 plate IZI, for reasons hereinafter to be made clear.

A tension spring Hi5 is hooked to the rear edge of the quadrant plate I2I in such manner as to urge it to rotate in clockwise direction, when considered from the viewpoint of Fig. 4, at all times. This means that the quadrant plate I'2I will normally maintain the position illustrated in Fig. 4, unless manually actuated to do otherwise.

Numeral E63 indicates generally a coin selecting device, the details of which need not be gone into herein. It sufiices to say that the selecting device I53 takes coins delivered to the opening I I and sorts good coins from bad coins, delivering the good coins to thehopper-end of chute I51 and the bad coins, or slugs, to the reject chute I3. Coin selecting devices of various sorts may be used in connection with the vending apparatus of the present invention.

Numeral I55 indicates a shelf or bracket that extends outwardly from the right-hand side wall I9, and receives and supports a coin cup I8! open at its upper end. The coin cup I57 constitutes the repository into which good coins are delivered after they have satisfactorily actuated the vending machine, in the manner hereinafter described.

Suitable means are preferably provided in the machine for preventing the machine from accepting coins when the supply of packages to be vended is exhausted. Various means of this type may be provided, but one type of means that has been found satisfactory comprises a pin or lever H69 (see Figures 2 and 3) pivoted intermediate its length on the right-hand side wall 85 and operating through a slot I'll) therein. The pin I69 is spring pressed so that its lower end projects into the inside of the box-like container Il, while its other or upper end projects into the coin selecting device I53. When at least one package is present in the machine, the pin IE9 is pressed against the side wall I9 by the package, thus removing the upper end of the pin I58 from its operative position in the coin selector I53. When no package is present in the vending machine, the spring presses the pin I69 so that. its lower end extends into the boxlike structure I], and its upper end extends across a passage in the coin selecting device I53 in such manner as to cause even good coins to be rejected thereby, and returned to the operator in the rejected coin chute I3. In this manner, when the operator presents a coin to an empty vending machine, the coin is not accepted, but is returned to him in the same manner as a slug.

Numeral I'II indicates a lever operated by camming engagement with the handle I5, and which in turn operates a wire I13 controlling a scavenging mechanism in the coin selector I53. Inasmuch as a particular construction of a coin selector I63, including said scavenger mechanism, forms no part of the present invention, further details of the construction and operation of the lever Ill and connecting wire II3 are not necessary herein.

The apparatus is loaded in the following manner, assuming that it is initially empty:

A supply of trays 53, equal in number to the capacity of the machine for packages to be dispensed, is provided. If the machine has been previously operated, this supply of trays will be found hanging in vertical position on the hook 59. If so, they are removed therefrom.

A first tray 53A is now placed in position with its notches 55 on the tracks 5|, its rearward edge resting on the top flange 89 of the channel piece 81, and its front edge resting on the sloping flange 29 of the cross piece 27. Said tray is thus placed in horizontal position.

A first package PI is now laid on the upper surface of the first tray 53A. The precise positioning of the package PI on the tray 53A is immaterial, this being one of the features of advantage of the present invention.

A second tray 53B is now placed in position with its notches 55 engaging the track 5I, said second tray 533 being supported entirely by resting on the top surface of the package PI. A second package P2 is now positioned atop the second tray 53B.

Successive additional trays 53 and packages P are similarly alternatingly stacked in the boxlike structure I1 until said structure is substantially filled. It will clearly be seen that the packages P all support their own weight and the weight of the trays 53.

The box-like structure I! as thus loaded is now positioned in the casing I, and the front panel 3 locked in position thereon. The machine is now in condition for vending the packages P.

The dispensing action is brought about in the following manner: A purchaser, approaching the machine, places a coin C in the coin receiving slot II. If the coin is a good one, it traverses the coin selector I63 and is deposited in the guide chute I51. If the coin is not a good one (i. e, it is a slug), or if the vending machine has been exhausted of packages, the slug or coin is returned to the operator" through the reject chute However, a good coin C is delivered by the chute I51 and thereby falls into position between the quadrant plate I2I and the plate I09, resting. on the upper edge of projecting area I I5, and being prevented from rolling off said edge rearwardly by the pin I59 and forwardly by the projection 15L The operator now presses the handle I5 downwardly. The pin I59 pushes the coin C forwardly along the upper edge Ill of projecting area I I5, and the sloping front face of the coin C constitutes a cam which engages the projection I5I and causes it to ride upwardly along the edge of the coin, thereby lifting the lever I41 against the spring I55 (see Fig. 5')

As the handle I5 is pushed downwardly, and counterclockwise rotation of the quadrant plate IZI ensues, the channel piece 81 is likewise caused to rotate by the connecting piece IOI.

The channel piece 81, however, rotates in a clockwise, rather than a counterclockwise manner. When rotation of this channel piece 81 has progressed to the point that upper flange 89 thereof is removed from under the rearward edge of the lowermost tray 53A, the rearward edge of said tray 53A, now being freed of support, commences to move downwardly, as guided by the track 5I and notches 55, pivoting on its front edge on the sloping flange 29 of cross piece 21. This action is indicated in Fig. 5. All of the other trays, and all of the packages, being freely supported on this first tray 53A, undergo similar movement.

However, while the upper flange 89 of channel piece 81 is brought to such a distance that it frees the rearward edge of tray 53A, the lower flange 9| is simultaneously brought into position such that it intercepts said rearward edge of the tray 53A in its movement (see Fig. 6). This happens about as the handle I5 reaches the downward limit of its movement. At the same time, the coin now has passed from under the projection I5I and lever I41, and over the front corner of upper edge II? of the projecting area I I5; the coin C consequently is free to fall downwardly, and does so fall, between the quadrant plate I2I and the plate I09, and ultimately into the coin cup I61.

As shown in Fig. 6, the lowermost tray 53A rests with its front edge still on the sloping flange 29 of cross piece 21, but with its rearward edge resting on the lower flange 9| of channel piece 81. The other trays, and all of the packages, are similarly positioned. It will be seen that the trays and packages are all at a relatively steep angle to the horizontal.

The operator now releases the handle I5, and, under the influence of tension spring ISI, said handle I5 springs upwardly, and the quadrant plate I2I rotates clockwise to the other limit of its movement. In so doing, the following things happen:

First, as the channel piece 31 rotates, the lower flange 9| thereof is brought out from under the rear edge of tray 53A. This leaves the rear edge of said tray free to fall downwardly, which it proceeds to do. As the rear edge falls downwardly, it pulls the front edge of the tray off the sloping flange 29, thus releasing the front edge as well as the rear edge of the tray. For an instant, then, the tray is substantially freefalling, except for the guiding eifect of tracks 5I. However, as soon as the rear edge of the tray 53A comes to the ends of the tracks 5|, as determined by points 63, the end 6| of hook 59 enters the hole 51 in said tray 53A, substantially to arrest movement of the rear edge of said tray. The tray 53A thereafter pivots on said hook 59, and the front edge of the tray 53A drops faster than the rear edge. Ultimately, the tray falls back against the back wall of the casing I, hanging in vertical position as illustrated.

The package PI follows the movement of the tray 53A until the package comes against the projecting parts of angle pieces 65 (see Fig. 3). These angle pieces 65 arrest and guide the movement of the package, and, together with the ears or projections 69, cause said package PI to fall, under the influence of gravity, into the interior of dispensing box 9. The operator then pivots said dispensing box 9 forwardly, to its Fig. 3 dotted line position, and removes the purchased package at will.

As the first tray 53A and package PI fall away from the bottom of the stack, in the manner described, the second tray 53B moves downwardly under the weight of the packages and trays superimposed thereon. The first thing that happens is that the rearward edge of the second tray 53B comes into contact with the spring-pressed strip I03, which acts as a brake to its movement. However, the strip I03 does not permanently impede the movement of said second tray 53B, because it springs aside under the weight of said tray and its superimposed load, to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6, to permit the rear edge of said tray 53B to pass.

By the time the tray 5533 gets past the strip I03, however, the channel piece 81 has returned in its rotation to the Fig. 4 position, and it accordingly intercepts the rear edge of said tray 53B, which comes to rest thereon. Meanwhile, the front edge of the tray 533 will have moved downwardly until it comes to rest against the sloping flange 29 of cross piece 21. The stack of trays thus resumes its original position, the only difference being that the lowermost tray and package have been removed therefrom by the escapement mechanism.

Subsequent dispensing operations take place in precisely the same manner as that described, until the last package in the machine has been dispensed.

It is impossible to cause the escapement mechanism to operate without presenting a good coin through the device, because without a coin in the position shown in Fig. 4, if an operator attempts to move the handle downwardly, he can do so only for an ineifective, limited movement, since the projection I5I of lever I 47 will come up against shoulder I4I on the quadrant plate I 2| and prevent further. counterclockwise rotative movement of said quadrant plate. The proper coin present in the device constitutes a cam arrangement that permits said projection I5I to ride up and pass over the shoulder I II onto the angular section I37 of the quadrantlever I2I.

The pawl I2'I cooperating with the ratchet I25 on the quadrant plate I2I likewise provides that repeated dispensing cannot take place by oscillating the lever I5 up and down without discharging a single good coin placed therein. This is because, once the pawl I21 comes into engagement with the ratchet I25 on forward movement of said ratchet, it is impossible to move said ratchet rearwardly until its entire length has been traversed, and the pawl I21 freed from engagement with said ratchet. Once the entire length of the ratchet has been traversed, the pawl will reverse its position to permit return movement of the quadrant plate I2I, but by this time a single package has been dispensed and the coin presented to said package has been discharged into the coin cup I61.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means supporting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, and means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon.

2. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means sup-porting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, and means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon, the rear edge of the said tray, in falling from said bottom flange of the channelshaped member, causing the tray to slip rearwardly and disengage its front edge from the said rest therefor.

3. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means supporting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon, the rear edge of the said tray, in falling from said bottom flange of the channel-shaped member, causing the tray to slip rearwardly and disengage its front edge from the said rest therefor, said track means terminating just beneath said channel-shaped member, and means beneath said track means receiving and collecting the trays successively discharged from the said channel-shaped member.

4. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays I engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means supporting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from; the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon, and means in the box-like structure for receiving and guiding to a dispensing outlet the articles released from the trays as said trays successively fall from said channel-shaped memher.

5. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means supporting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon, and brake means for resiliently breaking the fall of a next-higher tray into lowermost position, as a former lowermost tray is delivered from said channel-shaped member.

6. In a dispensing machine, a box-like structure for containing articles to be dispensed, vertical track means on one face of said structure, article-supporting trays engaging said track means to be guided in movement thereby, means supporting the lowermost tray, the other trays being supported by the articles to be dispensed V in alternating tray and article disposition in a stack resting on said lowermost tray, said lowermost tray supporting means comprising a relatively stationary rest for the front edge of the tray and a pivoted channel-shaped member for the rear edge of the tray, means for oscillatably pivoting said channel-shaped member whereby said rear edge first rests on the top flange thereof, then falls from the top flange to the bottom flange thereof, and finally is released to fall from the bottom flange to deliver the article carried thereon, and brake means for resiliently breaking the fall of a next-higher tray into lowermost position, as a former lowermost tray is delivered from said channel-shaped member comprising a spring-pressed strip normally extending in the path of the rear edge of said next-higher tray but yieldably capable of being pushed aside to be passed by such rear edge.

BENJAMIN W. FRY.

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