US2282269A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1942. F. F. TONE 2,282,269

VENDING MACHINE l Original Filed Sept. 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet l l `lzvvxszv'rok l BY Wedel?" A7522@ @QL 17 ATTORNEYS,

F. F. TONE VEN'DING MACHINE original Filed sept. 25, 1959 May 5, 1942.

e shetsr-sheet 2 INVENTOR. -BY F7-@MM YL 7 ATTORNEYS.

May 5, 1942. F, F, TONE 2,282,269

VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Sept.' 25, 1.939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

May 5,1942- F. F. TONE 2,282,269

VENDING MACHINE origina1`Fi1ed sept. 25, 1959 e sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR. f

ATTORNEYS.

May 5, 1942.

F. F. TONE VENDING MACHINE original Filed sepijzs, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR. U5/*e dendo/ f4-L75 we?,

y? ATTORNEYS.

May 5, 1942. F. F. TONE VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 25. 1939 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

M V ATTORNEYS.

Patented May -5, 1942 PATENT oFFlcE VENDING MACHINE Frederick F. Tone, Montclair, N. '.I., allignor to Kain' nden, Ino.,C

Ve tion oi Illinois hinge. IIL. a corporaonnnn eppueeaen september 25 me sex-lei No. 296,459. Divided ena um epueaun July 15. 1940, serial No. 345.560

i 15 claim.

My invention relates to vending machines and particularly devices which can be devoted to the purpose of vending packaged articles.

Among the objects of my invention is the provision of a new and improved vending machine which is provided with a rapidly moving ejector by means of which the articles to be vended can be quickly removed from within the machine to a point outside where they are vdelivered to the purchaser.

Another object of my `invention is the provil sion of a new and improved electric operated vending machine which is adapted to dispense articles in a vertical position,y and included further is the provision ofa new and improved vending machine having a door normally closed and held by a mechanism which is adapted to be actuated by one of the articles vended in order to release the door for operation. Y

A further object is the provision of an electric coin operated vending machine wherein operation of a conveyor for articles to be vended is initiated by the deposit of a coin but wherein said operation is halted before the ilnal delivery of the article by means of switches operating in connection with a delivery platform provided for the purpose of shutting oil' the conveyer power means and successively operating a coin collecting mechanism for depositing the coin in a. purse, the several operative means being so arranged that they become immediately reset as the delivery platform is returned to an initial position.

A further object still includes the provision of time operated cut-out switches which will render the vending device completely inoperative. returning the coin to the purchaser whenever improper conditions exist such as an empty condition of the machine or a jammed condition wherein some mechanical part or other might become so inoperative as to prevent proper operation of the machine.

With these and other objects in View, my in- 1 vention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an outside perspective view of the vending machine casing.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section of the dispensing portion of the machine taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is'a vertical developed 'section through (Cl. 19d- 10) Figur'e 6 is a top view of the dispensing mechanism partly in section taken on the line 6,-8 of Figure 3 showing the delivery platform in another position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of the dispensing platform with the platform shown in dispensing or electing position. i Figure 8 is a side view of the switch plate taken on the line B-l of Figure 6. A ,y

' Figure 9 is a horizontal cross section of part of the dispensing portion of the device taken on the line 9-9 oi Figure 3.

Figure -`10 is a phantom view of the delivery platform showing an adjustment for a spring power means'for driving it.

Figure 11 is a vertical enlarged rear view of a coin mechanism for operating the machine.

Figure l2 is a vertical side view of the coin mechanism -shown in Figure 1l, on a large scale.

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram of the device. This case is a division of my copending case, Serial No.'296,459, illedSeptember 25, 1939.

The vending machine here chosen to illustrate the invention consists in general of a refrigerated casing as shown in Figure 1 provided with a coin mechanism at one end and a delivery platform at the other. The device as shown is designed' for vending bottle goods or similar containers in a vertical position.

In operation, after a coin is dropped into the coin mechanism a circuit is closed, causing operation of a motor which drives a conveyer bring- 40 ing-up a single bottle which is deiiected to a position upon a delivery platform.

The movement of a bottle to the platform shifts a switch mechanism causing operation of the conveyer to discontinue and at the sametime initiates operation of an auxiliary mechanism which rotates the delivery platform rapidly from a bottle receiving position to a bottle dispensing position approximately 180 degrees from the receiving position. In the dispensing position 60 mechanism comprising part of the delivery platform pushes the bottle from the platform to a delivery balcony on the outside of the casing and limmediately after this operation the delivery platform returns to its initial or normal position.

During rotation of the delivery platform from bottle receivingV to bottle dispensing positions a switch is actuated by movement of the platform which causes collection of the coin previously deposited. If for any reason the conveyer is empty a time switch is operated which cuts out operation ofthe device after a predetermined time has clasped causing the coin deposited to be returned to the would-be purchaser in a specially provided coin return box.

Under other circumstances if the machine should jam in open position. for example, the purchaser would be enabled to collect his purchase but could not reach into the machine and extract any bottles other than the single bottle purchased. Under these conditions a second time n conveyer of particular design, the construction and operation of which is more completely described in a co-pending application, Serial No. 199,098, flled March 31, 1938. For this reason only a small portion of the conveying device is shown here and that particularly in Figure 2.

The vending machine is designed to be mounted within a casing 5, which for some purposes .may be considered a portion of the framework, provided with suitable compartments, not shown, for a-refrigerating machine and a reservoir of containers such as bottles or cans to be dispensed. On the left side of the casing as viewed in Figure 1 is mounted a housing 6 for a coin mechanism and on the right side is shown the outer portion of a casing I housing a delivery mechanism. The casing 5 is provided with a top 8 which canbe lifted to give access to the upper portion of the interior and a door 9 at the side giving access to koperating parts of the device within, and a supplemental storage compartment.

'I'he conveyer comprising an endless chain is indicated by the numeral i0. This is operative to conduct articles to be vended to a delivery platform I2 operated by appropriate mechanism for shifting articles such as the cylindrical containers I4 from a receiving position as shown by the dotted line I4' in Figure 2 to a delivery balcony I6 likewise shown in Figures 1 and 2.

For initiating operation of the device there is provided a coin mechanism included in the housing 6 shown at the left of Figure 1 including conventional parts su-ch as a coin selecting device I8 which selects good coins for deposit into a coin mechanism 20. The time operated switch devices of conventional design are enclosed in a box 22 and all of the operative parts are connected in an electric circuit, the diagram of which appears in Figure 13.

In order to understand the operation of the vending mechanism selected to illustrate the in-v vention a portion of the conveyer mechanism will f supporting the major portions of the delivery part lof the mechanism. The supporting shaft is directly and positively rotated by the motor. Keyedto the supporting shaft is a sleeve 33 including a sprocket wheel 34. n

A shaft 35 is mounted at one side of the supporting shaft 30 in parallel relation thereto and is provided at the bottom end with alpl'ocket wheel 36 joined in operation to the sprocket wheel 34 by a drive chain 31 shown in Figure 3. 'Ihe shaft 35 is suitably mounted within a bracket 38 and extends upward a substantial distance.

A drive sprocket 39 having a sleeve portion 40 is'rotatably mounted upon the shaft and has a downward extending sleeve portion 39 keyed to the sprocket 38 by a pin 36. The pin is carried by the shaft 35 and is held upward in place by means of a coiled spring 4| positioned within the sleeve 40 and retained in place by a felt packing 42 and packing nut 43. The drive sprocket 39 is vpermitted to shift axially upon the shaft 35, In

Thev upper sprocket arm 45 has mountedv thereon an idler sprocket 46 shown in Figure 2 which is designed to bear against the endless conveyer chain l0 and hold it in position against the drive sprocket and in proper position with re1a' tion to the delivery platform. The sprocket is secured to the sprocket arm by means of a suitable shaft 4'I and other structural essentials not important to this invention.

Likewise on an upward extending portion of the bracket 44 there is mounted another idler sprocket 48 which also contacts the endless conveyer chain III pressing it into position against the drive sprocket 39 and positioning the conveyer chain otherwise with respect to the device.

s .Other portions of the conveying part of the mechanism include opposite side walls 49 which are curved at alternate ends 50 for guiding the bottles or cans around corners. A deiiector vane 5| is stationarily mounted upon the frame in the path of bottles carried along the conveyer adja- Kcent the delivery platform.

In operation when the motor is started by dropping a. coin into the device the conveyer is driven by means of the sprocket just described and the endless chain I0 of the conveyer moves around in a generally counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 until, aided by the deiiector vane 5I, the endmost can or bottle i4 is pushed by the can or bottle next behind it into a position f upon the delivery platform i2, after which appropriate mechanism which will be later described opens a switch shutting off the motor,I

thereby causing the conveyer to cease further operation.

After cans or bottles-are delivered upon a delivery platform the mechanism set in operation -releases the platform from an initial or bottle re-1 'ceiving position whereupon it is rotated about its vertical axis kan angular distance substantially degrees at which point the lcan or bottle is ejected onto the delivery balcony I6. Mean- The delivery platform The rotating delivery platform consists generally in a lower hollow disc 5l rotatable about the supporting shaft l and an upper hollow disc l in which is secured a shaft Il mounted in a portion 58 'of the frame for permitting the upper disc to rotate about a vertical axis. The upper and lower hollow discs are connected together by arigid arcuate door 50 lof some insulating material which extends approximately 180 degrees about the perimeter of the hollow discs forming together with the discs a rotating platform and door. It is significant that the rearward side I2 of the door is nearer the center of the platform than the forward side i2".` This is so 'that if the end bottle remaining chances to be urged forward against the door during rotation the outside wall of the door will recede from contact with the article and permit unrestricted rotation. The frame in turn is secured to a vertical base 54 attached to the casing in which is an opening coincident with a rectangular opening 60 in the casing somewhat larger than the can or bottle to be vended. The opening 60 is immediately adjacent the delivery balcony i6. This opening 6I is designed to'be normally closed by the arcuate door 59 which is slightly wider and higher than the opening. In order. to seal the edges of the opening there are provided flexible strips 6i and 62 which rub against the arcuate door as it turns permitting rotary movement but closing the space between the edges of the opening and door so as to seal the opening between the inside refrigerated space within the casing and the atmosphere.

Power for driving the delivery platform is supplied by an auxiliary power means, such as the coiled spring 53 shown in Figure 3 and also in Figure 9, stationarily secured at the outer end to the lower hollow .disc 55 by means of an anchor 64.

An upper clutch plate G5 is mounted rotatably positively driven by the supporting shaft. A

friction disc 69 of some material such as cork mounted on one of the clutch plates provides a friction contact with the other. These details lare best shown in Figure 3.

Shown above the upper clutch plate is a coiled spring 10 pressed against it by the central portion of the lower hollow disc thereby urging the friction surfaces of the respecti"e clutches together.

In normal position the delivery platform is releasably held in the position shown in Figures `2 ywound a stop is provided for the upper clutch plate which consists of an abutment 'H at the 75 outer edge of the upper clutch plate and a pin I2 anchored in and extending downwardly from the underside of the lower hollow disc.

After the upper clutch plate has beenrotated an angular distance slightly less than 360 degrees i'romv the normal position shown in Figure 9, in a clockwise direction as viewed in that figure, the

abutment 'Il will be driven against the opposite side of the pin 12 forcing the upper clutch plate to cease rotation. In view of the fact that the lower clutch plate 'continues to be positively driven by the supporting shaft 3| and the motor, the lower clutch plate will merely slide around the friction surface between itselfand the upper clutch plate, thereby continuing to rotate while the upper clutch plate is stopped at a maximum tension position for the spring. When this operation has been completed the spring vis set all readylto rotate the delivery platform whenever the platform is released for a delivery operation.

In initial or normal position the delivery platform is held by a suitable latch means so that it cannot be rotated from a loading position to a vending position. When the proper mechanism has been set into operation for vending an article the article.. such as the bottle or can previously referred to, is pushed upon the platform and in being' so pushedY moves Aa lever arm extending across the platform which when rotatedreleases a latch mechanism permitting the auxiliary power spring previously described to rapidly rotate the platform in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, in order to open the door and dispense the article.

The latch mechanism is shown in4 released position in Figure `6 with the bottle or can loaded on the platform. and in a partially ejected position in Figure 7.

The specific structure comprising the latch mechanism includes a vertically mounted rod 15 rotatable at the lower end 16 in the lower hollow disc 55 and at the upper end 'I1 in the upper hollow disc 56. The rod is provided at a point approximately midway between the ends with a lever arm 'IB somewhat curved in design as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7 projecting over the platform.

As indicated by the full and dotted lines, respectively, the lever arm is adapted to swing or pivot between vthe full line position shown in Figure 2,l and the dotted line position there shown.

At the top 'l1 of the rod above the point where it is journalled in the upper hollow disc a cam device 19 having a curved face 'I9' is non-rotatably iixed so that it rotates when the rod is rotated. In initial or normal position shown in Figure 5 the latch means is operative to prevent the platform from rotating. This latch means consists of a notch o`r recess in the periphery of the upper hollow disc 56 and a hook-like arm 8i which carries upon it a roller 82 mounted upon a spindle 83 which is positioned for engagement with a shoulder 1l forming a side of the recess 80, thereby preventing clockwise movement of the platform. The hook-like arm 8| in turn is pivotally mounted upon a bracket 84 by means of a pin 85 in such a manner that it can swing about the pin 85 in a horizontal plane'.

In loperation the latch means by engagement lnormally of the roller 82 with the shoulder 'i4 holds the platform against the clockwise rotating force exerted by the auxiliary power spring 63. In this position there is no bottle or can upon the platform.

The arm 8i is resiliently held in latch position by a coiled spring. which is attached at a point l1 to a stationary portion of the frame.

' As soo'n as a bottle or canis forced upon the 'platform\ by operation of the conveyer the lever arm 1l is swung from the full-line position shown in Figure 3," which is the saine` as the dotted-line position shown in Figure 5, to the dotted position shown in Figure 2, which is the same as the dotted-line position in Figure 6. In this last position the cam face 19' pushes the roller 82 out of engagementwith the shoulder 14 and since there is thennothing to hold the platform from rotating the spring acts' -to rotate the platiormv substantially 360'degrees and during the rotation it passes through the position shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 shows the ejecting or vending position ofthe platform and in this position .a mechasans cam device 1l clockwise. the cani device is removed from its position blocking the recess 80 and when the recess continues its rotation to-a position again opposite the roller l2 that roller 5 will be-pulled into the recess by the coiled spring 88 and the platform will then be ready for a second vending operation.

When the automatic rotating platform device 'is used to vend articles from refrigerated casings wherein the casing is kept at a very low temperanism operates to reverse the direction of pivoting of the lever arm 18 so that instead of being actuated byV a bottle or can it moves the bottle or can to actually push it from the platform. The movement is accomplished by a cam $8 posiframe provided with a curved cam face Il.

Working with thecam is a rollerv Si which is rotatably mounted on one side of the cam device 19. Figure '.5 shows the lever arm 18 and cam 1l indicated by dotted lines in normal position. In

this position also the arm Il engages the shoulder 1I and prevents the platform from being rotated. As evidenced by Figures 6 and 7. when a container I l is forced on the platform-by the container behind it the lever 1l is rotated and moves the cam device 19 toward the position shown in Figure 6 by rotation of the rod 15. An instant later 35 when la bottle or can is positioned on the platform all the way the cam face 19 shifts the arm 8l out of contact with -the shoulder 14 and the roller I2 rides on a cam face |09, being held thereby out of contact with the cam 19. Since there is no force tending to return the cam to its normal position operative at this stage of rotation the cam and the lever 18 remain in the rotated position and the container or bottle remains in place on the platform during the first part of its rotation.l However, when the platform by rotationI reaches the position shown in Figure 7, the

cam device 19 and accompanying roller will be at ture it is highly desirable that it work very rapidly in order that the opening Il may remain open for as short a space of time as possible. It therefore becomes advisable to provide some means for determining the wind-up tension of the auxiliary power spring $3 so that it may rotate the platform with the desired rapidity. Accordingly, the 'series of projections' 86 previously described is provided, any one of which may be engaged with 20 the end i1 of the coiled spring. For making the tioned upon the underside of the portion 5I of thev adjustment the pin 12 is made removable by placing it upon the end of a threaded screw 95 which has a screw driver slot 96 in the top and which can be inserted threadably through a hole in the lower hollow disc $5 from its top. When an adjustment is to be made upon the spring for either tightening it or loosening it the pin 12 is removed. This of course withdraws the pin out of contact with the abutment 1l.

It will of course be obvious that with Athe provision of six projections 68, tension on the spring may be adjusted to gradations of l of the increase in tension made possible by a complete revolution in a tightening direction. f When the' spring is not quite tight enough the screw 95 is withdrawn which withdraws the pin 12 from contact with the abutment 1|. Then the delivery platform is rotated in a clockwise direction as 4 viewed in Figures 9 and 10 until, for example, the

o hook end 61 of the spring slides over and engages the projection 6I next along in a clockwise direction from the -projection 66 with which it is shown in engagement in Figure 9.

Since the clutch disc 65 of which the projections are a part is held relatively stationary the opposite side. Here the roller 9| will engage a point ll of the cam I8 and begin to roll up the curved face I9. .By rolling along the face 89 the cam device 19 is-itselfpivoted clockwise about the axis of the rod which supports it. a

directionopposlte to that moved when the container was forced against the lever arm 18, and the lever arm is then forceably moved in a clockwise-directionthereby forcing the bottle or can fromjthef platform in a direction. from the center outwards as viewed in Figure 7. In this ejecting or delivery position of course the arcuate door -is in a position away from the openingv 6l leavimmediately vfollowing the ejection of the bottle or can the platform continues rotation back to an initial or normal position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 5, and the full lines in Figure 2.

With the bottle or can moved by.the pivoting of due to the inertia of the conveyer and attendant' mechanism the tendency will be for the increase in tension of the spring to rotate the lower hollow disc l5 comprising the delivery platform in a clockwise direction. Accordingly, with the pin 12 withdrawn, the lower hollow disc can be Aforce ably rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 9 until the pin 12 again Aoccupies a position behind the abutment 1l after which it can be screwed into place. By this adjustment there willbe `an added tension upon thespring equivalent to an increasein winding of l/ of a revolution.

i It will thereupon become obvious that even further increases in tension can be secured by rst rotating the disc 55 in a clockwise direction until the end 61` of the spring engages a second,l

' thirdor fourth projection I6 in advance. for

example, after which the lower disc can be forced 65 rotatably in a counterclockwise direction before replacing the pin 12 behind the abutment.

Obviously, for an increase in tension equal to the rotation of the platform a full 360 degrees it would not be necessary to first turn. the disc clockwise at al1 since instead of advancing the end 61 to a sixth projection which is again the same projection at which it is originally engaged, it is only necessary to withdraw the pin 12, rotate the platform 'a full 360 degrees and then a little bit farther in order to give access to the screw bearing the pin from the outside of the casing, screw the pin into place and then let it be drawn into engagement with the abutment 1| under the increased tension.

Switch mechanism l l In order that the device may be operated by .the electric circuit provided for it there is provided a mechanism forl tilting a pair of mercury switches and while the description of this portion of the operation has reference to the electrical set-up a description of the mechanical principles involved in tilting the switch table follows here in order that the operation ofthe electric set-up may be better understood.

A tiltably mounted switch table is provided upon which is mounted a pair of mercury switches normally tilted in one direction wherein oneswitch is closed and the other is open, but 'which can be tilted about a horizontal axis to another position wherein the open and closed positions of the. switches are reversed. The tilting is accomplished by and in timed sequence with the rotation of the delivery platform.

'Ihe tilting mechanism comprises specifically a tiltable switch table |00, various views of which are shown in Figures 3 through 1. The table has one horizontal pivot pin in a downwardly projecting ange |02 on the bracket 84 and another horizontal pivot pin |02 in a downwardly projecting flange |04 of the bracket 84 so arranged that an axis through the pivot pin lies in a horizontal direction permitting the switch table to be tilted thereabout. The force of tilting is applied through a lateral pin |00 extending in a horizontal direction outwardly from a casting |06 which has the hook-like arm 0| attached to it. Below the switch table there is provided a fork-like projection '|01 in which is a recess |08 adapted to loosely receive the lateral pin |05. As the hook-like arm 8| is rotated in a horizontal plane back and forth the lateral pin is similarly rotated and when rotated serves to tilt the table -in one direct/ion or another about its horizontal axis, thereby changing the relative positions of any switches mounted upon the switch table. 4

In initial or normal position the switch table is tilted in the direction shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, in which position the roller 82 is in-the recess 80 provided for it. As the roller 82 is moved outward by the cam face 19' urged by a bottle or can placed upon the delivery platform the hook-like arm 8| is rotated in a counter-i clockwise direction as is also the lateral pin |05 and movement in that direction, which is from left to right as viewed in Figure 4, serves to tilt the switch table more nearly to a horizontal position.

To further tiltv the switch table there is provided a cam face |00 on the periphery of the upper hollow disc 56 and this cam surface is so fastened that the distance from the surface to the center of rotation is gradually increased mating that of Figure 4 to a position more `nearly approximating that shown in Figure 8,

Upon the completion of a 360 degree rotation of the delivery platform the roller 82 again drops cludes the coin selection means already referred,

in a clockwise direction, -which thereby serves to-return the tilting switch tableta the position Ashown in Figure 4, which is the initial position for it.

- 1 Coin mechanism In the embodiment or the mvenaonbere presented the delivery. platform is designed for 4operation by a coin controlled mechanism which is connected electrically to other various parts of the device. The-coinv mechanism itself into, not included as a part of this invention. in

which is provided a lcoin slot Ill which conducts In the upper end of the coin holding member is apcoin recess which in initial position is directly in line with the coin slot IIB. Directly beneath the coin recess in the path of a coin deposited therein from the slot there is an electric switch arm |2| which lies directly below the recess as well as the coin slot Ill and which is pivoted about a horizontal axis |22. The switch is provided with a projection |23 extendingbelow it adjacent the pivot which is adapted to bear upon one terminal |24 of a switch herein termed a coin switch I4 and which when rotated moves the terminal |24 in the direction of anotherl terminal |25 of the switch in order to close the contact points |20. 'Ihis results by reason of the weight of a coin deposited upon the switch arm.

Subject to certain operation of the device which will be later explained in detail, a cash solenoid |21 is energized which drives a core |28 of the solenoid .upward so that shoulder |28 on the core is brought into contact with a lower horizontal leg |30 of the coin holding member on both sides of a slot |3| cut therein. A second projection |32 is provided at the end of thecore |28 to prevent the core from dropping downwardly out of contact with the coin holding member upon deenergization of the current through the solenoid.

When the solenoid is energized. the core is forced upwardly as shown in Figure 12, the motion of which tends to tilt the coin holding member ||1 in a clockwise direction about its axis. As the coin holding member is tilted it carries the coin held within the recess |20 to a point at the side of the mechanism whereupon the coin drops by gravity through a passage |88 into a coin purse |34 wherein coins are collected.

In order that, under ordinary operation, a coin there is provided a second or hold solenoid |80 in which is a core having a portion |38 at the top and a portion |81 at the lower side, designed to rest in retracted position upon a shelf |38.

If for any reason the machine should not function properly there is provided a coin return slot |39 which forms a passage from a point adjacent the hold solenoid to a return box |40 at the side of the coin collecting mechanism, as

into the recess moving the hook-like arm 8| 75 -shown in Figure 11, but accessible to a prospective purchase as shown in Figure l. 'I'he hold solenoid is so positioned in the electric circuit that as soon as the circuit is closed the core is raised extending the portion |38 upwardly into the coin return slot |39. thereby blocking the slot and holding the coin on the coin switch until 6 t aesa'aao it is collected by the mechanism described. If for any reason it should be desirable to return the coin to the would-be purchaser a current through the hold solenoid |35 is deenergized permitting the core to drop downwardly out of the -return slot |39 whereupon a coin will roll from thc coin switch through the return slot into the return box |40.

For circumstances wherein more than one vcoin is dropped at a time into the coin slot it is of course necessary that only one coin operate the machine at a time. To render this operation certain there is provided at the side of the coin recess in the coin holding member a sloping shelf 4| which when the coin holding member ||1 is f tilted clockwise as shown in Figure 12 is interposed in the path of the coin slot and remains inthat position until the coinl holding member is returned to initial or normalposition. Therefore, while the coin holding member is being tilted in order to deposit the coin yin a suitable purse the shelf 4| holds back the next successive coin until the now empty recess is again positioned in alignment with the coin slot after which the next operation takes place.

, Electrical operation As has been indicated, all the mechanical parts ofthe device are designed to be operated by electricity by means of an electrical circuit of a. particular sort. This circuit is shown diagrammatically in Figure. 13 and includes likewise. diagrammatically represented, the various mechanical parts of the device already described in detail.

Line wires |50 supply a suitable current of electricity to the apparatus through fuses |52 and |53 of vthe customary sort. Wires |54 are connected between the line wires and a compressor motor represented diagrammatically at |55, the latter being provided to supply the proper refrigeration for the unit. Likewise connected to one of the line wires is a line |56 which passes through a switch arm |51 and contact points |58 to a second switch arm |59.

From the switch arm |59 the current passesnormally through a second set of contact points |60 and thence through a line 6| around to a point |62 from which the line branches in one direction to a relay |63 and in another direction to a wire |64 from which it is conducted through a pig tail lead |65 of the customary sort and contact points |66 to a line |61 connected with the conveyer motor 25'.

'I'he conveyer motor v25 is the conveyer motorA previously referred to which operates the gear reducer 26 and hence the operating parts of the machine. The other connection to the conveyer motor is supplied by a wire |69 -in which are contact points |10, a pig tail lead |1| from which a wire |12 connects through to a line |13 connected with the other line wire through the through the line |13 to the fuses |52 and the e corresponding line wire. The switch points |58 which includes the core |28.

and |80 are under ordinary circumstances conf tinuously closed and therefore when the coin switch |18 is closed by a coin, slug or similar Y piece deposited as described in connectionwith the coin collecting mechanism, a circuit is completed through the motor switch and motor relay which properly throws the motor contacts'connecting it into the circuit and the motor is thereupon started. v A

i Tilting switch table E To provide for the operation described, the motor switch |15 and cash. switch |84 are madeV in the form of conventional mercury switcheswhich include casings supported on the-'switch table respectively by spring clips |19 and |81. u

The motor switch in,its initial position is tilted so that the wires |14 and |16 enter the bottom and thereby form a closed circuit, while the cash switch is positioned so that the wires. |13 and |83 enter the top side of the tilted switch, thereby rendering the circuit through them normally.

Open.

To vary the sensitivity of the cash switch, fory example, the spring clip |81 is mounted upon a spring arm |80, the position of which is controlled by an adjusting screw |88 by means of,

which the tilt of the motor switch can be varied. The motor switch |15 is provided likewise with an adjusting mechanism to vary its tilt operated .by an adjusting screw |89.

Likewise, in the circuit there is provided the solenoid |21 designated as the cash solenoid One end of the solenoid is connected by means of a wire |82 to the wire |6| and hence to the appropriate side of the line Wire. The other end of the solenoid is connected through a wire |83 to the mercury switch |84 which has been termed the cash switch, the other side of which is connected to the wire |13 previously referred to.

In normal position the cash switch is open so that the cash solenoid |21 is normally inoperative. Also, in the circuit is the solenoid |35 which is herein described 'and referred to as the hold solenoid. One end of the hold solenoid is connected through a wire |85 to the wire |6| and hence to the appropriate side of the line wire. The other end of the hold solenoid is connected through the wire |86 to one side of the coin switch ||4 and hence when the coin switch y is closed forms a continuous circuit with the wire fuses |52. Thus a circuit is completed from the line wires through the conveyer motor whenever operating conditions permit. The motor, however,` is operated by means of the relay |63 and hence control of the motor is exercised through the circuit passing through the relay. One side of the relay circuit connects to the line wires by means of the line |6| previously described and the other side through a line |14 passing through a circuit is closed through the hold solenoid |35 a motor mercury switch |15.and thence through a line |16 to a point |11 adjacent the coin switch H4. When the coin switch is closed connection is made therethrough from the point |11 |13 and thereby with the other line wire, thus establishing a circuit through the hold solenoid.

and with this solenoid energized the core including the portion |36 is shifted upwardly against gravity so that said portion |36 lies within the path of the return slotA |39, thereby immediately blocking the return slot and forcing the coin to remain upon the electric switch arm |2|.

7, assenso As soon as the motor starts. the conveyor chain il begins to move and advances the foremost can or bottle to a position against the deilector which deflects. the can Ior bottle to a position on the rotating platform where it is pushed against the lever arm 1I. As the lever arm 18 is pivoted due to the ypushing of the can or bottle, the rod is rotated in a counterclockwise direction moving the cam device I9 in a, similar direction as previously described, thereby moving the rollei 22 vout of its position against the shoulder 'Il in the recess Il and with this unlatching movement the delivery platform is released from its initial position.`

When the conveyor motor 25 starts, the friction clutch discs il and 6I are rotated immediately, winding upk the auxiliary power spring i3 to its maximum position. Therefore, that position having been reached `previous to the unlatching of the delivery platform, the delivery platform will, as soon as the unlatching takes place, be immediately. rotated through a delivery or ejecting position and thence onward back to an initial position. I

At thesame time as, or preferably a small fraction of a second before the cam device 19 pushes the roller and hook-like arm 8| out of contact with the shoulder 1I, the lateral pin |05 in the embodiment shown is shifted in a direction from left to right, as viewed in Figures 4 and 8, or counterclockwise as shown in Figure 5, thereby tilting the switch table |00. With the tilting of the switch table in the direction indicated, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 4 and 5, the slug of mercury at the low or contact end of the motor switch is shifted to the opposite end breaking the motor contact and operation of the motor immediatelyl ceases. There is suilicient inertia of movement of the conveyer to carry the can or bottle just a little bit farther into its position upon the delivery platform -sufllcient to completely release the platform for rotation although the conveyer motor stops a small fraction of a second earlier.

Up to the presently described stage the mercury switch |84 although tilted to some extent has not been tilted quite sufficiently to run the mercury init from the neutral end to the contact end. This additional tilting, however, is accomplished during rotation of the delivery platform and is provided for by the cam surface |09.

The roller 8-2 is 'deposited at the end vI I0 of the cam surface at what maybe termed an initial rolling position immediately after release from the shoulder 1I. As the delivery platform continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the cam surface |09` is extended progressively farther away from the center of rotation, thereby gradually rotating the hook-like arms 8| still farther in a counterclockwise direction. 'I'he effect of In tilting the coin holding member moves\the coin recess |26 from left to right as viewed in Figure 12 so that the coin previously held thereon drops from the bottom of the recess and tumbles down the passage |22 into the purse this further rotation is transformed into a fuither movement of the lateral pin |05 in a direction from left to right, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5;

The result of this further movement is a '.'ur-

l ther tilting of the switch platform and cash switch |84- to a point where the mercury in the switch moves to close the switch and accordingly In the meantime, thenext successive coin the slot is held thereby the sloping shelf I i,

designed for that purpose. The energizing of* tionready for the next operation. when the coin holding member is pivoted to a coin collecting position the coin is removed from its position on the electric switch arm which is immediately urged to its initial position by the leaf |24 which is inherently resilient, thereby open ing the coin switch lil by spreading the contact points |28 apart. A break in the circuit through the entire device immediately results and deenergizes the hold solenoid also so that all of the parts resume their initial positions.

If there chances to be another coin immediately behind the rst, the cessation of operation of the entire device would be very short for as soon as the coin recess in the coin holding mem-.

ber resumed its position under the coin slot the next coin inline would immediately drop into it, depress the electric switch arm, close the coin switch. and immediately start operation of the machine again to vend the next can or bottle `located upon the conveyer.

safety features 1' AlthoughA the mechanism just described is sufilcient to completely operate the machine for specific purposes there are provided in' the device certain safety features which render it a device better adapted to all sorts of conditions of operation. y

Safety features include time operated cut-outs which under certain circumstances will break the circuit through the device.rendering it inoperative until the circumstances causing the break can be remedied. For example. if the machine is empty of bottles or cans -the deposit of a coin into the coin mechanism would nevertheless start operation of theconveyer motor and hence operation of the device. If therefore there were no can or bottle on the conveyer there would be nothing to rotate the lever arm 18 so as to shut oil the conveyer motor and it would continue to run interminably. No can or bottle would be vended and the coin deposited would not be returned to the would-be purchaser. .To remedy this there is' provided a time operated cut-out designated by the character A on the wiring diagram and which is included within the box 22. The special mechanism comprising the cut-out A does not form a, portion of this invention except that as an operative structure the presence of a relay operating after the lapse of a predetermined time forms an operative part under certain circumstances.

' In operationI when the conveyer is empty current will flow through the conveyer motor through `a circuit which includes a wire |90, which carries-a portion of the current.v The wire |90 is connected at one end to the motor and at the other 'end to thev cut-out VA and thence througha short section |9| through the pointe |58 and wire |58 toone of the line wires.

The cut-out A is :so constructed by means, for example, of a heating element that it will operate only after having been heated for a predetermined length of time, and that length of time is made longer than the time ordinarily required for completion of a vending operation if the conveyer is loaded.

' chine will be broken causing the conveyer to stop running', causing all electrically operated devices to be returned to their initial or normal position. Movement of these devices to normal position includes return of the hold solenoid |35 to its azaaseo the contact points |60, thereby breaking the circuit through the device and'especially AVthrough l the hold solenoid. Once vthis solenoid were denormaly position. as shown in Figure ll, by

gravity, thereby releasing the coin held on the Y lelectric switch arm so that it rolls down the coin Vreturn slot |39 Ainto the coin return box |40 from which it can be extract-ed'byvthe .wouldlbe purchaser.

once the cut-'out A has been actuated. the

` device cannot be started again until thecut-out energized the portion of the core would drop back by gravity out of the return slot |39 and the coin on the electric switch arm would immediately roll through the returnslot |39 into the return box |40 as would also any other successive colns which might have been deposited after the rst. i Y Y As thus described it will be evident that'the time operated cut-out B will serve to render the entire device'inoperative, even though both the motor switch and the coin switch were open, so long'as the cash switch might be closed, causing current to be supplied to the device, since the circuit through the cut-out B does not depend upon either the closing or opening of the coin or motor switches. Y Y

The cut-out B is likewise provided with a button |99 by means of which it can be manually reset after Vthe jammed or breakdown condition ofthe machine just described has taken place and is made so for the purpose of requiring the service man to open the machine and thereby become acquainted with the troublesome conditions before he can reset the cut-out'B.

As a further precaution where, for example, the neck of a bottle might stick between the edge of a door and the edge of the opening 60, the apparatus is such that the door could be rotated backward by hand a suiiicient amount to permit the bottle to be extracted whereupon the delivery platform would-'continue its rotation.'

If under somewhat similar circumstances the delivery platform were jammed inV an open position without its continuing its rotation back to an points |944 and |95 are closed, thereby closing a circuit through a wire |96 which operates an empty light |91 visible on the outside of the machine, giving notice that the machine is empty and needs reservicing.

Other conditions may arise putting the machine out of order, which are not due to the con veyer being empty, and to guard againstdamage as a result a. second cut-out designated by lwere thus' jammed the coin would remain on the electric switch arm instead of being collected or returned and hold the coin switch closed. If then an additional number of coins were deposited there would be no action and all of the coins would be retained in the machine. l

Under such circumstances current would be A continuously dowing through the points |60, the

cut-out B and thence through a wire |98 through both cash and hold solenoids, the'wire |86 and thence through the coin switch ||4 back to the other side of the line. A

The cut-out B under the iniiuence of a" thermal Cil unit is adjusted to actuate after a predetermined period of time under circumstances such as just described and when actuated serves toV separate initial position, thereby passing the point where the cash @solenoid would be energized, the time operated cut-out B would again become operative to disconnect the circuit through the machine and thereby prevent any accidental damage to the electric parts of the device meanwhile rendering the hold solenoid inoperative so that all subsequent coins which might be deposited would be immediately returned to the would-be purchaser. With the door in open position under any circumstances the interior of the casing is closed oil from the would-be purchaser bythe position of the door in front of the bottles or cans still on the conveyer so that it is impossible for anyone to reach through the opening 60 into the interior to extract bottles or cans for which coins have not been previously deposited. l

With the safety devices just described, the mavis loaded Without any further coins being deposited.

By the precautionary measures thus provided any would be purchaser is assured of either the delivery of a can or bottle for the coin or else the return of coin to the coinl return box so that' no purchaser is ever deprived of the value of his purchase.

'I'here has thus been provided an electric actu e ated coin controlled vending machine operable inv a sealed container to cause the ,rapid ejection of articles to be vended when operation is initiated by the article itself, the electric operation of which so designed that regardless of the condition of the machine -a purchaser when depositing ai coin-of the required denomination will alwaysget one of the articles vended or else the -return of his coin.

coin collecting position, a coin operated switch, a

. circuit through said motor adapted to be closed and opened by said switch for operating the conveyer, latch means for initially holding said platform at loading position having a lever projecting therefrom adapted to be moved to unlatch- V ing position by an article to be vended, a movable of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.-

I claim as my invention:

l. In a coin actuated vending machine, a casing, an article electing mechanism therein, electrically controlled power means i'or initiatinglactuation of said mechanism, a coin control mechanism including a frame, a coin actuated switch connected to said electric control means, a shiftable coin receiving and retaining member on the frame .and means for initially holding a coin therein for a temporary period and in operating position on said switch for initiating operation of said ejecting mechanism, a cash collecting means operable by said ejecting mechanism after switch plate having a motor switch adapted to be shifted by said lever to open the motor circuit and stop said motor upon positioning an article on the platform, and means on the platform for returning the switch plate and switchesto initial position.

5. In a coin operated vending machine including a casing having a dispensing opening, a conveyer for conducting articles thereto, a motor ejection of said article for shifting the coin rev taining member to coin collecting position.

2. In an electric coin actuated vending machine, a casing, an article ejecting mechanism therein, electrically controlled power means for initiating operation of said mechanism, a coin control mechanism including a frame, a coin actuated switch connected with said power means, a shiftable coin receiving and retaining member on the frame and means for initially holding a coin on the switch for a temporary period for operating said switch during initiation of operation of said ejecting mechanism, said last means being adapted to be released to return said coin on failure of operation of said ejecting member, a coin colecting element connected to the coin retaining member and a cash collecting switch connected to said collecting element operable by said ejecting mechanism after successful ejection of said article for shifting the coin retaining member to coin collecting position.

3. In a coin operated vending machine, a d 'elivery platform, a conveyer for conducting articles thereto and a motor for actuating the conveyer, the combination of power means for moving the platform between loading and delivery positions having a potentially active position and means connected between said power means and said motor for setting the power means in said potentially active position, a coin operated switch, a circuit through said motor adapted to be closed and opened by said switch for operating the conveyer, latch means for initially holding saidplatform at one position having a lever connected therewith adapted to be moved to unlatching position by an article4 to be `vended, a

movable switch plate having a motor switch adapted to be shifted by said'lever to open the motor circuit and stop said motorupon positioning an article on the platform, and cooperativemeans on the platform and frame for returning the switch plate to initial position.

4. In a coin operated vending machine, a delivery platform, a conveyer for conducting articles thereto and a motor for actuating the conveyer, the combination of auxiliary power means for moving the platform from loading to delivery position shiftable to active position by said motor, a coin holding element,`electric operated power mechanism for shifting said element to a for actuating the conveyer and a delivery platform including a door rotatably mounted in the opening forl opening and closing said opening, the combination of auxiliary power means for rotating the platform shiftable into active position by said motor, a coin holding element, a coin switch actuated by said coin, an electric `circuit through said motor adapted to be closed and opened by said switch for starting and stop'- ping the conveyer, latch means for initially holding said platform in closed position including a lever projecting over the platform in latched position adapted to be moved to unlatching position by an article to be vended, a tiltable switch plate having a liquid motor switch adapted to be tilted by said lever having an open tilted position wherein said motor is stopped upon posi: tioning an article on the platform, 'and means on said plate and said platform for restoring said plate to its initial position.

6. In a coin operated vending machine including a casing having a dispensing opening, a conveyer for conducting articles thereto, -a motor' for actuating the conveyer and a delivery platform including a door rotatably mounted in the opening for opening and closing said opening, the combination of normally inactive auxiliary power means'for rotating the platform connected with said motor and transformable to a potentially active condition by said motor, a coin holding element having coin holding and coin releasing positions, a coin switch actuated by said coin, an electric circuit through said motor adapted to be closed and opened by said switch for respec- .tively starting and .stopping the conveyer, latch means for initially holding said platform in closed position including a lever normally projecting over the platform in latched positionv and having an unlatching position removed from said latched position, said lever being subject to movement by an article to be vended, a tiltable switch plate on the frame operably engaged with said latch means having a liquid motor switch in tiltable engagement with said lever to open the ond switch adapted to be closed upon said subsequent rotation to move the coin holding element to a coin releasing'position for collection when an article is vended, and means to return said parts to their initial positions.

7. In an electric coin operated vending machine including a conveyerfor conducting articles thereto and a motor for actuating the conveyen the combination of a coin holdingmember having coin holding and coin releasing positions, an electric coin switch connected to the coin-holding member, a cash solenoid for moving said coin holding member to a coin releasing position, a circuit through said motor including said coin switch having alternate closed and open conditions for operating the motor and conveyer, a, motor switch in said circuit, normally closed, a cash switch in circuit with said cash solenoid 1 normally open and means actuated by said platform for operating said motor switch and said cash switch, a hold solenoid in the circuit having an initial position holding said coin in coin switch closing position at the starting of said machine.

8. In an electric coin operated vending machine including a delivery platform, a-conveyer for conducting articles thereto and an electric motor for actuating the conveyer, the combination of a coin holding member having alternative coin holding and coin releasing positions, an electriccoinswitchactuableby a coin deposited in said` machine, a cash solenoid for shifting said coin holding member to a coin releasing position, an electric circuit through said motor and said coin switch, said coin switch having alternative closed and open conditions for operating the motor and conveyer, a motor switch in said circuit normally closed, a cash switch in circuit with said cash i solenoid normally open and means actuated by said platform for operating said motor switch and said cash switch, a hold solenoid in the line circuit having an energized initial position holding said coin in coin switch closing position at the starting of said machine and a de-energized position released from the coin, a permanent cut-out switch having a time period of operation in the line circuit in series with said motor circuit adapted to operate after the motor has operated for said time period to break the line circuit thereby deenergizing the hold solenoid per- 1 mitting return release of the coin from the switch and the stopping of all operating parts of the vending machine.

9. In an electric coin operated vending ma-` i chine including a delivery platform,l a conveyor for conducting articles thereto and a motorfor actuating thev conveyer, the combination of .a coin holding member having coin holding and coin releasing positions, an electric coin switch connected thereto actuable by weight of a coin deposited in the machine, a cash solenoid for cuit normally closed, a normally open cash switch in circuit and means actuated by said platform for operating said motor switch and said cash switch, a hold solenoid in thecircuit having an initial positionv holding said coin in j coin switch closing`position at lthe starting .of said machine, a time operated thermal cut-out switch having a time period of operation in the line circuit in series with said cash switch circuit adapted to operate when said cash switch remains closed and said motor switch remains `open for said time period of operation to permanently break the line circuit thereby render-- 1 ing the machine inoperative.

10. In an electric coinoperated vending machine including a delivery platform, a. conveyer mally deenergized having an element thereof opfor conducting articles thereto and a motor for actuating the conveyer, the combination of a coin holding member having coin holding and coin releasing positions, an electric coin switch actuable by weight of a coindeposited in the machine, a cash solenoid for shifting said holding member between 4coin holding and coin releasing positions, a'fcirc'uit through-said switch, solenoid and motor having alternative closed and opened conditions for operating the motor and conveyer, a motor switch in said circuit normally closed, a cash switch 'in circuit with said cash solenoid normally open and movable means for mounting said motor switch and cash switch positioned for actuation by said platform to shift the relative positions of said switches, a hold solenoid in the circuit having an initial position.

holding said coin in coin switch closing position during the start of operation of said machine, a cut-out switch having a time period of operation in the line circuit in series with said motor circuit adapted to operate after the motor has operated for said time period to break the line circuit thereby deenergizing the hold solenoid, said solenoid having a coin,v released position when deenergized, and a second cut-out switch having a time period of operation inthe line circuit in series with the cash switch circuit adapted to operate when said cash switch remains closed and said motor switch remains open a length of. time corresponding to said last *time period to break the line circuit thereby rendering the machine inoperative and an empty light in a normally open circuit in series with said cut-out switches operable to be lighted by closure of said circuit upon the opening of either of said cut-out switches.

11. In an electric coin-actuated vending ma- I having a portion thereof in said path adapted to n be operated by a coin, and means on said coin 'receiving member for4 holding said coin temporarily on said coin switch member, an electric circuit including the coin switch member, an electric actuated coin collecting member noreratively connected with the tiltable coin receiving memberand connected in circuit with the coin switch, a normally open cash switch in said circuit having a closed position energizing said electric actuated collecting member, thereby to tilt said coin receiving member into collecting position.

A12. In an electric coin actuated vending,ma chine, a coin control mechanism comprising a frame, a housing therefor, a coin receivingmember shiftably mounted on the frame, said frame having an inlet slot forming a path for coins within the casing leading to said member and a coin recess in the member in line with said path, a. coin switch having a portion thereof in said path, `an electric circuit including the switch,

said frame having a coin return slot in line with the coin recess and a coin return box at the end of said return slot, an electrically actuated member in circuit with the coin switch having an en.. ergized position projecting into the return slot to retain the coin in the recess arid/ay deenergized permit ing to said member adapted to hold a plurality of coins and a coin retaining member on the frame in line with said slot, a coin receiving purse l adjacent said retaining member, a coin switch member having a portion thereof in the coin path adapted to be operated by a coin, a circuit including the coin switch, said trame having a coin return slot in line with the coin retaining member and a solenoid in circuit with the coin switch including 'a core having an energized position wherein a portion of the core is projected into the return slot adjacent the retaining member to retain the coin inthe retaining member, a cash solenoid including a core and an element operated thereby operatively connected with the tiltable coin receiving member and connected in circuit with the coin switch, a cash switch in said circuit having a closed position wherein said cash solenoid is energized thereby tilting said coin receiving member to a position directed toward the purse, said member including a portion at the side oi' the coin retaining member having -a tilted position blocking the inlet slot and holding the next successive coin therein until the iirst coin has been removed from the retaining member.

14. In an electric coin actuated vending machine, a coin control mechanism comprising a frame and a housing having a path therein i'or coins, a coin switch having an operating arm in the path in closed position when a coin from the passage is positioned thereon, a circuit including the switch, said frame having a coin return pasgized having an energized position wherein the coin collecting member is in a collecting position and a coin holding member including an electric actuated device in circuit with said coin switch having a portion normally projected linto the return passage when the device is energized by action or a coin deposited on the switch to hold the coin in place, said last device having a retracted position when the circuit is deenergized by removal of said coin from said coin switch through actuation oi' said first electric device.

15. In a coin-operated vending machine, a frame, a conveyer having a delivery stationia delivery platform rotatably mounted on the frame adjacent the delivery station in position to receive articles from the conveyer, electric power means operatively connected to the conveyer, a

coin switch` and an electric coin collecting mechanism having a shiftable mounting on the frame, an electric circuit interconnecting said electric v power means, said coin switch and said coin-1 collecting mechanism, 'a switch plate tiltably mounted on the frame including a tilting lever extending over the platform, said plate having aninitial normal position and a second tilted position, a portion oi' said platform having tilting sage, a movable coin collecting member including a releasable coin retaining member normally positioned in the coin path, an electric device in circuit with said coin switch normally deenercontact with the plate upon rotation of the plati'orm, and a pair oi liquid switches on the plate one being in a portion of the circuit including the motor and normally closed and having an open position when said plate is in tilted position and the other being in a portion o1' the circuit including the coin collecting mechanism and normally open having a closed position when said plate is in tilted position, said plate being tilted by contact with a portion of said platform during lrotational movement thereof wherein the motor switch is in open position stopping the motor, the coin-collecting switch is in closed position and said coin-collecting mechanism is in coilecting position eiecting collection of the coin,l said plate having a subsequent normal position wherein said switches are returned to normal, i

positions during the delivery cycle.

FREDERICK F. TONE.

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