US2493956A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

C. G. EWERTZ VENDING MACHINE Jan. 10, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1947 fizz/6222302: Clemezzi 6 Ewgriz g 9 Jan. 10, 1950 c. G. EWERTZ 2,493,956

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 10, 1950 c. a. EWERTZ 2,493,956

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I fizz/22,501": Clemerzi 6 Ezwdz C. G. EWERTZ VENDING MACHINE Jan. 10, 1950 Filed on. 24, 194? 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 [221/672 50/".- Ch rms/2% [wzriz C. G. EWERTZ VENDING MACHINE Jan. 10, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 24, 1947 HZ 's fin/72250)": Cleme/zi 6. Ewerlz PatentedJan. 10, 1950 VENDING MACHINE Clement G. Ewertz, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Col-Snac Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,901

. 21 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines and particularly that type employed for vending ice cream bars or other articles intended to be cooled, although the machine is also intended for vending other articles which need not be cooled.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a vending machine which is of simple construction and possesses a great capacity for articles to be vended.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vending machine in which the operator or customer in withdrawin an article needs to actuate the vending mechanism only a slight degree for obtaining the desired article.

The vending mechanism includes a plurality of belts trained over pulleys, each belt being provided with a plurality of shelves or cells for supporting the articles to be vended. The belts, and the shelves supported thereby, are in staggered relation with respect to each other. The arrangement is such that the plurality of belts need bemoved only to an extent which is less than the distance between successive shelves on any one belt.

A further object is the provision of such belts and shelves of flexible. and lightweight material to reduce to a minimum the mass of material which is necessary to move in the dispensing operation.

Still another object is the provision of a novel and specially constructed ejector means for ejecting the articles into the dispensing station. Ejector means are provided for each of the belts and the corresponding shelves and all move in unison.

The minimum extent of movement of the dispensing mechanism in the vendin operation as referred to above is the result of a specially timed relationship between the movements of the shelves carrying the articles, and the ejector means. In the vending operation, the ejector means is actuated at the same time and by the same operation as the respective shelves from which the articles are to be ejected. This fea ture contrasts with previous types of vending machines in which the two respective movements occur at different times with consequent increase in the operations necessary for vending the articles.

Still another object of the invention is the provision'of specially constructed shelves which are open ended, but are employed in a space in the cabinet of the machine in such a manner that the interior wall of the space cooperates with the shelves to form effectively closed cells.

2 The articles thus are retained from falling out of the cells.

Another object is the provision of a vending machine having a cabinet in which the major part of the vending mechanism may be inserted and removed as a unit.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a special manual operating member for advancing the vending mechanism for pmitioning successive shelves in position for ejecting the articles therefrom into the dispensing station; this operating member is controlled by a conventional type of coin control mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for rendering the coin control mechanism ineffective so that a serviceman can utilize the operating member for rotating the shelves and placing them in position for loading them.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a signal means to indicate when the machine is empty of articles to be vended. The signal means is actuated by a trip member detachably secured to one of the shelves for supporting the articles. The detachable trip 'member can be attached to any of the shelves so that when the device is loaded with articles to be vended the trip device can be so positioned on any of the shelves so that the signal means will be caused to give the proper signal at any desired point in the cycle of movement of the'shelves.

A still further object is the provision of novel cooling means for the vending machine. The machine includes a cover having a cavity for insertion of ice or other cooling material. The cover includes a valve member between said cavity and the interior of the cabinet, and the valve member is utilized for controlling the flow of air therebetween, the valve being controlled by a thermo-responsive element which is responsive to temperature changes in the interior of the cabinet.

With these and other objects in view, my invention 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, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of the vending machine of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine;

Figure 3 is a front view of the upperpa'rt of the machine with the cover thereof in open position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top view of the main portion of the cabinet with the cover removed, and taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 comprises a portion of the illustration of Figure 4, but with the ejector means in a different position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the ejector means in a still different position;

Figure 8 is a view on a slightly enlarged scale 5 taken on line 8-8 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a view on a slightly reduced scale taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view of the rachet mechanism included in Figure 9, but isolated and in a different position;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of that portion enclosed in dot-dash lines and indicated by the reference numeral I I near the upper righthand corner of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a sectional view, taken on line |2.I2 of Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a view on an enlarged scale taken on line l3|3 of Figure 4; v

Figure 14 is a view taken on line I4l4 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an enlarged view taken on line l5l5 of Figure 9;

Figure .16 is a detail view of the mounting means for the lower shaft for supporting the belts in the vending mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the vending machine of my invention comprises a cabinet indicated as a whole at [2, including a cabinet proper or main portion l4, and a cover IS. The main portion l4 contains substantially all of the vending mechanism and control 'mechanism therefor, and the cover l6 contains ice or other material for coolin the interior of the cabinet.

The cabinet proper l4 comprises a front wall l8, and a rear wall 28, and side walls 22 and 24. The walls i8, 20, 22, and 24 are made up of a mass of insulating material 28 which may be of any conventional form, either in blocks or loose form, covered by an outer sheet metal covering 28 and an inner sheet metal lining 30. The bottom is also covered by a sheet metal element. The

interior of the cabinet includes a space referred to generally at 32, rectangular in horizontal crosssection, which has a round bottom 34 in the form of a semi-cylinder connecting the vertical walls, the curved portion being curved about anaxis extending transversely across the machine or between, the walls 22 and 24.

A dispensing station is formed in the main portion I4 of the cabinet and comprises an opening 36 in the lining 38 and insulation of the front wall l8, adjacent the top thereof. A door is hinged as at 38 for normally closing the opening 36, and is free for swinging movement about a horizontal axis; The door is preferably of insulating material to prevent heat from entering into the interior of the cabinet. The opening 38 opens into a chute 40 formed in the wall l8 and at the inner end thereof extends substantially the full length transversely of the interior space 32 (Figure 5) and inclines downwardly and outwardly terminating at 42. The lower end of the chute 40 is closed by a slide door 44 having a handle 48 and slidable in a vertical slot 48 in the wall l8 of the cabinet. The door 44 also is made of insulating material to prevent as much as possible heat from entering the interior of the cabinet. The slide door 44 slides freely in the slot 48 so that a consumer can easily lift the door and so that the door will always normally remain closed.

The mechanism for supporting the articles to be vended includes a shell-like insert indicated generally at 58 and includes walls 52 and 54 spaced transversely of the cabinet or between the walls 22 and 24 of the cabinet. The insert also includes walls 55 and 58 forming a rectangle, 55 being the front wall and 58 the rear wall. The insert 50 is curved as indicated at 59 similarly to the bottom of the interior space 32 of the cabinet and, when the insert placed therein, the front and rear walls 55 and 55 thereof fit snugly against the front and rear walls of the interior space 32 and the bottom rounded portion also fits and conforms to the bottom rounded portion of the lining 30. Thus, the insert forms with the walls of the lining 30 in effect a single unitary wall. The front wall 55 of the insert is provided with an opening in register with the opening 38. In the other direction, or transversely of the cabinet, the- walls 52 and 54 of the insert are spaced from the respective walls of the lining 30.

A pair of vertically spaced shafts 51 and 58 are positioned in the space 32 of the cabinet and extend transversely thereacross and through the walls 52 and 54 of the insert. The upper shaft 51 is joumalled at its left end (Figure8) in a reinforcing plate and bearing 68 secured to the wall 52, and the opposite end extends through an opening in the wall 54 beyond which the shaft is squared as indicated at 62. An enlarged stub shaft 64, provided with a squared hole for receiving the squared end 62 of the shaft, is trunnioned in the wall 22 and is provided with a reduced extension 86 formed on the opposite end thereof which extends into a cavity 88 formed in the wall 22 and opening upwardlly out of the wall. The lower shaft 58 may be supported in the walls 52 and 54 by means of reinforcing plates and trunnion bearings I0, one secured to each of the walls of the insert (Figure 16).

Fixedly secured on each of the shafts 51 and 58 are a plurality of roller means i2 and 14 respectively, the rollers 12 having sprocket teeth 16. If preferred, only certain ones of the rollers l2 may have sprocket teeth.

Trained over the pulley means 12 and 74 are two belt means 18 and 88. These belt means are each made up of a plurality of individual strands 82 and 84, respectively, the strands in each belt being spaced apart axially-along the shafts, leaving spaces 88 and 88 between strands of the respective belts. The strands forming the belts I8 and are preferably formed of flexible steel tape, the ends of which may be spot welded together and which thereby form continuous or endless belts over the pulley means 12 and 14.

Secured to each of the belt means '18 and 80 are a plurality of shelves or article supporting members 90 and'92 respectively. Each of the shelves 80 and 92 is in the shape of a U in section on a plane perpendicular to the shafts supporting the belts and includes a pair of legs or flanges 94 and a web portion 96.,

The direction of rotation of the shafts and belt means is clockwise as viewed in Figures 4, 6, and

' 7, as indicated by the arrows, a feature which will be pertinent for further description of the mechanism and the operation thereof.

75 The shelves 98 and 82 are secured to the respective strands of the belt means by spot welding the webs 98 thereof onto the strands. The shelves are positioned on the belts so that on a straight run of the belts the shelves are'disposed closely adjacent one another, without spaces therebetween, and with the flanges thereof substantially in contact with one another. welding preferably are provided between each shelf and each of the strands forming the respective belt. The positions of these points of welding are disposed adjacent the leg or flange 94 which is in trailing position with respect to the direction of rotation of the belts, or as viewed more readily in Figure 7, at a point to the left of center of the web 98, as indicated by the weld marks 98. Certain of these points of weld may be seen also in Figure 8. As a consequence of the positioning of such points of weld, as the shelves travel over the pulley means and particularly the pulley means I2, they do not assume a true radial position with respect to the pulleys but are slightly tangential; in other words, the shelves change position from the horizontal to an angular position at a time later than would otherwise occur, and assume the horizontal position on the opposite side at a time later than would otherwise occur.

Each of the shelves 90 and 92 is provided with axially spaced slots I00 which are in register with the spaces 88 and 88 between the strands of the respective belt means. The slots I00 are cut transversely across the U-shaped shelves and extend from near the terminal edge of one flange, through that flange across the web, and out to a point near the edge of the other flange.

The shelves 90 and 92 are of such length that they extend nearly into contact with the walls 55 and 58 of the insert 50. Figures 4, 6, and 7 illustrate ice cream bars I02 inserted in the U- Shaped shelves 90 and 92. The shelves in the present instance are shaped to accommodate an ice cream bar, although when other items are to be vended the shape of the shelves would, of course, conform to the shape of the particular articles. The ice cream bars are retained in the U-shaped shelves 90 and 92 by reason of the fact that the outer ends of the shelves are closely adjacent the walls 55, 56 and 59 of the insert 50 so that when the shelves are in horizontal position or in vertical depending position, the walls 55 and 58 and the bottom curved interconnecting portion 59 serve as a means for closing the outer ends of the shelves and forming cells.

A novel ejector means is positioned in the space surrounded by the runs of the endless belt. A transverse rod or bar I04 extends across the machine below the shaft 51 and parallel therewith, and below the pulley means thereon. A pair of diagonally disposed slots I08 are formed in the walls 52 and 54, one end thereof being disposed adjacent the pulley means 12 and sloping downwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The bar-I04 is disposed in and supported by the slots I06 and is thereby adapted to slide toward and from the opening 38 in the dispensing station. The ends of the bar I04 may have flattened ends to prevent its rotation in the slots I08.

Secured to and spaced along the bar I04 are a plurality of ejector bars I08, one being provided for each of the spaces 86 and 88 between the strands of the belts, there being four ejector bars in the present instance. The ejector bars I08 are of a characteristic shape having a reduced bottom portion fixed to the rod I04 as by welding,

These points .of

or by other suitable means. The upper portion of each ejector bar is enlarged, tapering toward its front end or the end directed toward the opening 38. The ejector bars I08 are adapted to extend into the openings 88 and 88 between the strands of the belts and also through the spaces or cut-outs I00 in the shelves. The detail operation of this feature will bereferred to later. Disposed below the bar I04 is a rock shaft IIO supported in openings in the walls 52 and 54. Secured on the outer ends of the rock shaft IIO outwardly of the respective walls 52 and 54 are lever means II2 extending upwardly, the upper ends of which are formed with fork elements I I4. The fork elements I I4 are adapted to flt over the extended ends of the bar I04 for actuating the latter. The end of the rock shaft IIO extending through the wall 54 is squared as indicated at II8 which is adapted to fit in a squared opening in an enlarged stub shaft II8 which is removably mounted for rocking movement in the wall 22 of the cabinet. The far end of the stub shaft II8 extends into the cavity 88 Where it also is provided with a squared hole.

It will now be apparent that the insert 50 including the shelves for supporting the articles to be vended, and the ejector means, can be removed as a unit from the cabinet after first sliding the unit to the left (Figure 8) to withdraw the shaft 58 and rock shaft I I0 from the respective enlarged shafts in the wall 22.

The mechanism for ejecting the ice cream bars from the device and for rotating the belt means for disposing successive shelves adjacent the dispensing station, is operated by a coin controlled manually operated member. Such manual operating member comprises a pull rod I20 having a handle I22. The pull rod is inserted through an opening formed in the front wall I8 and extends horizontally into the cavity 88 in the wall 22 adjacent the top thereof. The inner end of the pull rod I20 is provided with a tension spring I24, the opposite end of which is connected to the rear wall of the cavity. The spring I24 biases the pull rod I20 inwardly and normally holds it there for later operation.

A coin controlled mechanism indicated in its entirety at I28 is secured adjacent the top of the cavity 88 and adjacent the pull rod I20. The coin controlled mechanism referred to at I28 is a coin activator and is operable to prevent unauthorized actuation of the member or pull rod I20. The pull rod I20 is provided with an extension extending into the coin activator I28 in a conventional manner; The coin activator does not form a part of the present invention and any conventional type may be used, the requirement being that a coin is inserted by which the pull rod I20 is freed for actuation.

A latch dog I28, is pivoted on the inner end of the pull rod I20 and is biased downwardly by a leaf spring I30 into engagement with an indexing ratchet wheel I32. The ratchet wheel I32 is secured to the reduced extension 88 formed on the stub shaft 84 which actuates the upper shaft 51. The ratchet wheel I32 is provided with plurality of teeth I34 having surfaces engageable, by .the spring pressed dog I28 for rotating the ratchet wheel clockwise, as viewed in Figure 9. The shape of the teeth I34 is such that, when the ratchet wheel has been rotated a predetermined and desired amount, one surface of the tooth following the tooth which is being actuated, engages the latch dog and disengages it from the latch 7 wheel. Referring particularly to Figures 9 and 10, each latch wheel tooth I34 consists of four surfaces, namely, I36, I38, I40, and I42. As illustrated in Figure 9, the outer end of the latch dog I28 engages the surface I42 of any particular ratchet tooth. The bottom'surface of the latch dog is also in engagement with the surface I36 of the following or'trailing tooth. After-the ratchet wheel has been rotated from the position illustrated in-Figure 9 to the position illustrated in Figure 10, the surface I38 oi. the trailing tooth engages the undersurface of the latch dog and raises the swinging end of the latch dog out of engagement-with the surface I42 of the ratchet tooth being acted upon. This position is illustrated in Figure 10 where it can be seen that the swinging end of the latch dog is in engagement with the surface I40 of the tooth being acted upon, whereby the latch dog will ride upwardly along the surface I40 without any rotating effect on the ratchet wheel.

The ratchet wheel I32 is prevented from rearward rotation by means of a detent I44, pivoted as indicated at I46 on a plate I48. The plate I48 is for the purpose of inserting certain working parts which are attached thereto to the cavity 68 for proper positioning of those parts. A flexible member I50 is secured to the extremities of the legs of the detent I44 and surrounds the hub I52 of the ratchet wheel, a tension spring I54 being interposed in the flexible member. The lower end of the detent I 44 being longer. it is biased inwardly into engagement with the ratchet wheel, thereby preventing rotation of the ratchet wheel in the opposite direction. Rotation of the ratchet wheel I32 rotates the shaft 51 which in turn causes the belt means 18 and 80 to rotate and carry the shelves 90 and 92 for the ice cream bars past the outlet 36 and dispensing station.

The ejector means I08 is operated by the pull rod I20 which is the operating member for rotating the article supporting shelves. The ejector means is also actuated simultaneously with the actuation of the article supporting shelves 90 and 92. A lever I56, Figures 8 and 9, having a squared lateral extension I58 is provided in the cavity 68.

The squared extension I58 is inserted in the squared opening inthe end of the stub shaft II8 which extends into the cavity. Pivoted to the lower end of the lever I56 is connecting link I60, the other end of the link I60 being pivoted to a vertically disposed lever I62 which is pivoted intermediate at its ends at I64 on the plate I48 which is fitted in the cavity 68. The lever I62 is disposed toward the rear of the cavity 68 or in the direction away from the front wall I8. Pivoted to the upper end ofthe lever I62 which extends to the top of the cavity 68, is another link I66 which extends generally horizontally in the cavity 68 and toward the front wall I8. The

swinging end of the link I 66 is provided in its under surface with a notch I68 which is adapted to engage a pin I10 on the pull rod I20. A leaf spring I12 is fixedly secured to a bracket I14 which in turn is secured to the coin activator I26. The free end of the leaf spring I12 bears downwardly on the link I66 in a channel I15 (Figure 15) formed by plates I16 secured to the link I66. The plates I 16 are provided with upstanding ears or lugs I11 (Figures 9 and 15) between which is secured a latch device I18. The latch device I18 includes a housing I19 in which is a plunger having a reduced stem I80 extending out of the housing I18 toward the observer of Figure. 9 (see also Figure 15) and an enlarged portion I82 adapted to extend out" of the housing andinto an opening I84 formed in the wall I86 of the activator device 7 I26. A compression spring I88 surrounds the reduced stem' I80 and biases the enlarged portion I82 of the plunger toward the wall of the coin activator. Normally, the leaf spring I12 biases the link I66 downwardly so that the notch I68 in the latter engages the pin I on the pull 'rod '0 I20. When the pull rod is actuated, the spring I12 rides in the channel I in the link I66 in the sliding movements of the latter. The latch device I18 is disposed above the spring I12. The pull ro'd I actuates the ratchet wheel I32 and the 1:, article supporting shelves as above described and,

at the same time, the link I66 pulls the lever I 62 and rotates the latter clockwise (Figure 9); the lower end of the lever I62 is swung to the left which, acting through the link I60 and the lever I56, rocks the rock shaft I I 0 which in turn swings the arm II2 clockwise. The forked extensions I being in engagement with the bar I04 slides the bar in the'slots I06 forcing the ejector means I08 toward the opening 36.

The link I66 is provided with an extension cooperating with the coin activator I26 whereby when the link I66 is in the normal position illustrated in Figure 9 the coin actuator is fully effective for controlling the operation of the pull rod I20. However, when'the link I66 is raised and held in raised position, it de-activates the coin activator mechanism enabling the pull rod I20 to be operated without the necessity of the insertion of a coin.

The cover I6 is formed in the same manner as the main portion I4 of the cabinet, having four walls in register with the four walls of the cab-- inet, the front wall of the cover being designated as I92 which, of course, is in register with 40 the front wall I8, and one side wall I94 which is in register with the side wall 22 of the lower part of the cabinet. The walls and top of the cover are filled with insulation material 26 and covered with an outer sheeting 28. The cover is provided with an interior cavity I95 which substantially registers with the cavity 32. The cavity I95 is lined with a sheeting 30 similarly to the space 32 in the lower part of the cabinet. The cover I6 of the cabinet when opened exposes the interior space 32 of the cabinet to the outside upwardly of the cabinet.

Signal means iscarried by the cover I6 for in-'- dicating whether or not the cabinet is empty of articles to be dispensed. A sight window is illustrated at I96 in the front wall I92 of the cover. Formed in the cover immediately behind the sight window I96 is a cavity I98 extending from above the sight window I96 and surrounding it and terminating at a point adjacent the bottom of the cover. A bracket 200 is fixed to the inner surface of the, sheet metal 28 of the cover, above the sight window I96, and is arranged for vertical sliding therein. A vertically disposed rod 202is also disposed in said cavity and has its upper end secured in the bracket 200. Fixed to the rod 202 are two vertically spaced signal flags 203 and 204, adapted to be moved into register with the sight window I96, the upper flag 203 indicating In use and the lower flag 204 indicating Empty. The lower end of the rod 202 is provided with a stop washer and compression spring 205 and an enlargement 206 on the rod therebelow (Figures 4, 12, 13 and 14).

A second cavity 208 communicates with the lower end of the cavity I88 and extends rearwardly through the cover into communication with a larger cavity 2I0 which in turn is in alignment with the lower cavity 68 formed in the wall 22 of the cabinet. A rod or elongated plate-like member 2I2 is horizontally disposed in the cavity 208 and arranged for limited sliding movement horizontally. The rod 2I2 is biased toward the right (Figures 4 and 14) by a tension spring 2I8. One 1 end of the rod or plate 2I2 is provided with a hole 2 (Figures 13 and 14) through which the lower enlarged end 206 of the vertical rod 202 is inserted. The opposite end of the rod or platelike member 2I2 extends into the cavity 2I0, and this end is provided with a depending lug 2I6 (Figures 4 and 8). The lug 2I6 is adapted for engagement by an upwardly extending lever 2I8 which is secured on a shaft 220. The shaft 220 is rockably supported in the wall 22. The lever 2I8 is positioned in the cavity 68 and extends up into the cavity H0, and the opposite end of the shaft 220 extends through the wall 54 of the insert 50 where it has a downturned portion 224. The lower end of the downturned portion 224 is disposed adjacent the edge of the path of the shelves 80 near the top thereof. A detachable trip member 226 is secured to one of the shelves 80 and adapted to trip the extension 224 of the shaft 220. Reference may be had to Figure 11 for a detailed view of thetrip means 226. This trip means may consist of a metal block, one end of which is slotted, forming a pair of legs 228. The legs 228 possess springing action and normally are biased toward each other. The trip lug 226 may be detachably secured to any of the shelves 80 merely by inserting the legs 228 thereof over the lateral edge of one of the shelves.

A coin insert slot is indicated at 260 and disposed in the front wall I82 of the cover. A coin inserted in the slot 260 rolls down a coin chute 228 formed in the wall of the cover and then falls through slot 262 into a coin ejector mechanism indicated at 264. The coin ejector 264 is disposedand secured in the cavity 2I0 formed in the wall I84, the cavity 2I0 being in register with the cavity 68. The coin ejector mechanism 264 may be any of various conventional mechanisms on the market and is for the purpose of ejecting spurious coins and slugs. Those items, when then ejected, are discharged into a chute 282 formed in the wall I8 of the main part of the cabinet, which leads down and discharges into a coin receptacle 288. If the coin inserted is a genuine coin, it passes through the coin ejector mechanism 264 and into the coin actuator mechanism I26 whereby operation of the machine can be accomplished. When a. genuine coin is employed and the customer is enabled to actuate the pull rod and dispensing mechanism, the genuine coin falls into a receptacle]. 284 which is inserted in the cavity 68 in a position below the coin activator I26, the receptacle 284 being held in such position by a handle 286 having a turned over portion which rests on the upper surface of the wall 22. The receptacle 284 can be removed for removing the coins deposited therein.

If desired, the main portion I4 of the cabinet may be made higher and extend above the vending mechanism, and the cavity 68 extend high enough that the ejector 264 can be positioned within the cavity, together with the coin activator and the other mechanisms.

I have provided novel means for cooling the interior of the vending machine. The cover I6 10 may be secured to the lower part of the cabinet as by hinges as illustrated in Figure 3. The cavity I86 is closed by means of a plate 231 which is hinged as indicated at 288 so as to fully cover the bottom or exposed portion of the cavity I86. Channel means 288 is secured to the lining 80 of the cavity I86 (Figure 4), extending from adjacent the upper part of the cavity downwardly and through cut-out portions 288 (Figure 3) in the plate 281 and terminates a short distance thereb elow. The channel means 288 are open on both endsand provide a means for circulation of air between the space 82 in the lower part of the cabinet and the upper part of the cavity I86 in the cover. Secured on the upper surface of the plate 281 is a second plate 240 (Figures 4 and 8) spaced upwardly slightly from the plate 281. The plate 240 is supported in its position by side vertical pieces 242, and the opposite sides are open as indicated at 244 in Figure 8. A block of ice is shown at 246 supported on the upper plate 240 and disposed in the cavity I85. Natural ice or Dry Ice, may be employed, the latter being preferred.

The lower plate 281 is provided with an opening 248. Secured to the lower edge of the plate 281 adjacent each end of the opening 248 is a bearing means 250 adapted to support a valve means or closure member 262 by means of shafts 254 extending into openings in the bearing members 250. The valve means 252 may be a block of wood. or other relatively nonheat conducting material, and is adapted to be rotated into and out of position for closing the opening 248. As illustrated in Figure 4, the block or valve member 262 is disposed so that when it is horizontal, the upper edge of the block is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the plate 281 so that, when the valve is actuated, it operates with a finer control for opening and closing the opening 248. A coiled, bimetallic thermo-responsive element 256 is fixedly secured to an anchoring member 258 which is secured to the lower surface of the plate 281. The opposite end of the bimetallic member 256 is secured to the adjacent shaft 254 of the closure member. Temperature changes in the space 82 of the lower part of the cabinet affect the bimetallic element which opens and closes the valve closure member 252.

Use and Operation When a customer desires an ice cream bar or other article, he inserts a coin in the coin slot 260 in the customary manner and pulls outwardly on the manual pull rod I20. This operation rotates the ratchet wheel I82 which in turn rotates the shaft 51 and the belt means 18 and carrying the shelves 88 and 82 past the opening 86. The same operation actuates the ejector bars I08 in a manner described above, whereby the ejector bars are moved in a direction parallel with the slots I06 toward the opening or outlet 86. The ejector bars then extend through the spaces 86 and 88 between the strands forming the belts and through the cut-out portions I00 in*the shelves. Figure 4 illustrates one of the shelves 82 substantially in register with the opening 86, or in a position disposed generally in the same direction as the ejector bars I08, and at a position just before reaching a horizontal position at the right after completing a curved path over the top. Shelves 80 are illustrated leading and trailing the shelf 82 which is disposed adjacent the opening 86. The shelf 90 in register with the opening is supporting an ice cream I tension spring 2I3. 202, the upper signal flag 203 indicates that the 6 illustrates the ejector bars fully extended and the ice cream bar ejected. Upon release of the pull rod I20, it is retracted by the spring I24.

It will be noted that the ejector bars I00.

extend not only through the openings in the shelf from which the ice cream bar is being ejected, but also as viewed in Figures 6 and 7,

through the openings in'the shelves therebelow.

The shelves below have already been emptied and all interference is eliminated between the ejector bars and any ice cream bars except the particular one being ejected. After one operation is completed as above described, the next operation rotates the belts and shelves an extent equal to half the distance between successive shelves on one belt. The shelves on the two belts I8 and 80 are in staggered relation with respect to each other and are offset one-half the distance between successive shelves on one belt.

For purposes of convenience, the direction around the belt will be referred to as a linear direction whether such direction is on either of the straight runs or around the curved runs over the pulleys.

When the serviceman wishes to fill the machine after it has been emptied, he opens the top of the cabinet and raises the link I66. When this link is raised, the plunger It! snaps into the hole I04 this also releases the lever I62 from control of the pull rod. The service man can then operate the pull rod and rotate the belts and shelves without the ejector bars being operated, and it is also not necessary to place a coin in the machine to operate the pull rod. The serviceman then merely repeatedly actuates the pull rod rotating the belts and shelves and inserts ice cream bars in the various shelves as they pass across the top.

The operation of my improved signal means is very eilectivefor indicating whether or not the machine is empty. As illustrated in Figure 4, the rod 202 is retained in lowered position by the enlargement 206 in the lower end thereof engaging the under surface of the end of the plate 2I2 (Figures 14 and 15).

The plate 2I2 is retained toward the front of the cabinet by the In this position of the rod machine is in use or that there are yet articles to be vended. Upon the plate 2I2 being actuated or drawn to the left (Figure 4), the hole 2 enables the enlarged portion 206 to pass through the hole 2 by means of the compression spring 205 biasing the rod 202 upwardly. When the rod is then biased upwardly, the lower signal flag 201 is brought in to registerwith the sight opening I96, this flag having an indication thereof that the machine is empty.

The plate or rod 2I2 is drawn to the left by means of the arm 2 I8 which is fixed to the shaft 220. The trip means 226 engages the lower extension 224 of the shaft 220 rotating the shaft counj terclockwise (Figure 4) and drawing the rod- 2I2 to the left.

The service man removes the trip lug 226 at the beginning of the filling operation and, when the .35 in the wall of the coin activator mechanism I26. The link when so raised releases the pull rod I20 1 from control of the coin activator mechanism;

machine is filled, he places the trip lug on that shelf which will be last to be emptied upon a complete cycle, whereupon the signal means will then be actuated to position the lower flag 204 at the sight window I96.

It will be noted that the signal means prope Warm air from the space in the cabinet passesupwardly through the channel means 238 into the upper part of the cavity I in the cover. If the temperature is above the desired point in the cabinet, the valve member 252 is opened by means of the thermo-responsive element 256, permitting cooled air to pass down into the space in the cabinet, and when the temperature has been lowered to the desired point, the valve member is closed. Excessive melting of the cooling material 246 is thereby prevented and there are a minimum of operating parts for controlling the cooling of the space in the cabinet.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the claims appended hereto to cover any such modifications or substitutions of mechanical equivalents as fall within the true spirit and score of my invention without sacrificing any of its advantages. 7

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a cabinet, shafts rotatably mounted in the cabinet, an endless belt trained on and movable with said shafts, a plurality of shelves on said endless belt, said shelves adapted for supporting articles to be vended, said cabinet having an outlet therein forming a dispensing station, an ejector bar disposed in the space surrounded by said endless belt, said shelves having openings therein, and a coin controlled operating member extending to the exterior of the cabinet for actuating said ejector bar, said ejector bar on actuation thereof extending through one of said openings and ejecting an article from the respective shelf into said dispensing station.

2. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a cabinet, shafts rotatably mounted in the cabinet, an endless belt trained on and movable with said shafts, a plurality of shelves secured to and extending outwardly from said endless belt, the sides and bottom of the interior of said cabinet being U-shape and forming a wall cooperating with said shelves to form cells, said shelves adapted for supporting articles to be vended, said cabinet having an outlet therein forming a dispensing station, an ejector bar disposed in the space surrounded by said endless belt, said shelves having openings therein, and a coin controlled operating member extending to the exterior of the cabinet for actuating said ejector bar, said ejector bar on actuation thereof extending through one of said openings and ejecting an article from the respective shelf into said dispensing station.

3. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a cabinet with an interior compartment having side walls and a rounded bottom, shafts rotatably mounted in the upper and lower parts of said compartment, the lower shaft being positioned substantially at the axis of said rounded 13 bottom, pulleys mounted on said shafts, an endless belt trained on said pulleys, a plurality of shelves secured to and extending outwardly from said endless belt, the extended ends of said shelves being in proximity to said side walls and bottom to form cells for supporting articles to be vended,

said cabinet having an outlet therein forming a dispensing station, said shelves having openings therein, an ejector bar in the space surrounded by said endless belt and adapted to extend through said openings when adjacent said dispensing station, and common actuating means for actuating said ejector bar and rotating said shafts.

4. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet therein forming a dispensing station, a plurality of belts in said cabinet, a plurality of shelves secured to each of said belts, said shelves being adapted to support articles to be vended, means for supporting and moving said belts whereby said shelves move past said dispensing station, the shelves on respective belts being in staggered relation with respect to their movement past said dispensing station, ejector means operable in unison for entering the shelves on all of said belts and ejecting articles therefrom into said dispensing station, and manual means for moving said belts and operating said ejector means.

5. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet therein forming a dispensing station, a plurality of belts in said cabinet, a plurality of shelves secured to each of said belts, said shelves being adapted to support articles to be vended, means for supporting and moving said belts whereby said shelves move past said dispensing station, each of said shelves havin an opening therein, ejector means operable for extending through said openings and ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, the ejector means for all of said belts being operable in unison, th shelves on respective belts being in staggered relation with respect to their movement past said dispensing station and being so arranged that when a shelf is in position for discharge of the article therefrom into said dispensin station, the shelves on the remaining belts which hav next previously passed said dispensing station are empty, and means for moving said belts and operating said ejector means.

6. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, an endless belt, a plurality of shelves secured to said belt for supporting articles to be vended, said belt being movably mounted in the cabinet for carrying said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, a bar extending through the space surrounded by said belt and across the interior of the cabinet, the walls of the cabinet having slots for receiving said bar and supporting the latter for sliding movement toward and away from said dispensing station, ejector means mounted on said bar, said ejector means being operable for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station when said bar is moved toward the dispensing station, and common operating means for moving said belt and moving said bar.

'7. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, an endless belt composed of a plurality of strands of said belt in axially spaced relation, a plurality of shelves supported by said belt, each of said shelves being secured to all of said strands, said shelves having openings in l 14 register with the spaces between said strands, said belt being supported for movement and carrying said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means operable for extending through said spaces and said openings for ejecting the articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, and means for operating said ejector means.

8. In a vending machine, th combination comprising, a cabinet, a pair of vertically spaced shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleys secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, said belt being adapted to travel in a path having straight runs and a curved run across the top, said cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station positioned adjacent said curved run, a plurality of U-shaped members secured to said belt with the free ends of the flanges of the members extending outwardly from the belt, said U-shaped members being secured to said belt at points adjacent the trailing flanges with respect to the direction of travel of said belt, said members and belt having openings therein, ejector means mounted in the space surrounded by said belt, said ejector means bein adapted to extend through said openings into said U-shaped members to eject articles therefrom into said dispensing station, said ejector means being adapted to extend into said members at a point in the travel of said belt adjacent the end of its travel around said curved portion and being operable to eject articles from said members in a radial direction with respect to said curved portion, and means for operating said ejector means and for causing travel of said belt.

9. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet, a pair of vertically spaced shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleys secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, said belt being adapted to travel in a path having straight runs and a curved run across the top, said cabinet having an outlet formin a dispensing station positioned adjacent said curved run, a plurality of U-shaped members secured to said belt with the free ends of the flanges of the members extending outwardly from the belt, said U-shaped members being secured to said belt at points adjacent the trailing flanges with respect to the direction of travel of said belt, said members and belt having openings therein, ejector means mounted in the space surrounded by said belt, said ejector means being adapted to extend through said openings into said U-shaped members to eject articles therefrom into said dispensing station, said ejector means being adapted to extend into said members at a point in the travel of said belt adjacent the end of its travel around Said curved portion and being operable to eject articles from said members in a radial direction with respect to said curved portion, the actuation of said ejector means being simultaneous with the travel of said shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleysv secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, said belt being adapted to travel in a path having vertical straight runs and a curved run across the top, said cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station positioned adjacent said curved run, a plurality of shelves secured to said belt, said shelves and belt having openings therein, ejector means mounted 15 in the space surrounded by said belt, said ejector means being adapted to extend through said openings into said shelves to eject articles therefrom into said dispensing station, said ejector means being adapted to extend into thespaces formed, by said shelves at a point in the travel of said belt adjacent the end of its travel around said curved portion and being operable to eject articles from said shelves in a radial direction with respect to said curved portion, and means for operating said ejector means and for causing travel of said belt.

11. In a vending machine the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, a plurality of shelves mounted in said cabinet for traveling in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means in said cabinet 'operable'for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, manual operating means, adapted to cause movement of said shelves in said path and to actuate said ejector means, a lever secured to said ejector means, alink pivotally secured to said lever and having a detachable connection with said operating means, means biasing said link into connection with said operating means, means for retaining said link out of connection with said operating means,

and coin controlled means for controlling said operating means.

12. In a vending machine the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, a plurality of shelves mounted in said cabinet for traveling in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means in said cabinet operable for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, manual operating means adapted to cause movement of said shelves in said path, detachable connecting means interconnecting said operating means and said ejector means, and coin controlled means for controlling said operating means, said detachable connecting means being adapted to render said coin control mechanism inoperative for controlling operating means.

13. In a vending machine the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, a plurality of shelves mounted in said cabinet for traveling in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means in said cabinet operable for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, a manual operating means adapted to cause movement of said shelves in said path, detachable connecting means adapted to positively interconnect said operating means and said ejector means, and spring means biasing said connecting means into connecting position, and coin controlled means for controlling said operating means, said detachable connecting means being adapted to render said coin control means inoperative for controlling said operating means.

'14. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having a dispensing station and a removable cover, the main portion of said cabinet having an interior space, a plurality of article supporting means mounted in said space in the cabinet and adapted for travel in a path past said dispensing station, means for causing said members to travel in said path, means for j ejecting articles from said members into said said 1 adapted when the cover is closed to be positioned adjacent the path of said members, detachable trip means adapted to be secured to any of said members, said trip means being adapted to actuate said extension of said'signal means at a predetermined point in the path of travel of said members.

15. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, an endless belt, a plurality of shelves secured to said belt for supporting articles to be vended, said belt being movably mounted in the cabinet for carrying said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, a bar extending through the space surrounded by said belt and across the interior of the cabinet, means for mounting said bar for reciprocatory movement toward and away from said dispensing station, ejector means mounted on said bar, said ejector means being operable for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station when said bar is moved toward the dispensing station, and common operating means for moving said endless belt and moving said bar.

16. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet, a pair of vertically spaced wardly from the belt, said belt and U-shaped members having registering openings therein, ejector means mounted in the space surrounded by said belt and in a position normally below said dispensing station, means for mounting said ejector means for reciprocatory movement upward and toward and downward and away from said dispensing station, said ejector means being adapted, on movement toward said dispensing station, to extend through said openings into said U-shaped members to eject articles therefrom into said dispensing.station,. said ejector means being adapted to extend into said members at a point in the travel of said belt adjacent the end of its travel around said curved portion and being operable to eject articles from said members in a radial direction with respect to said curved portion, and means for operating said ejector means and for causing travel of said belt.

17. In a vending machine, the combination, comprising, a cabinet having an opening forming a dispensing station, a pair of vertically spaced shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleys secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, a plurality of shelves having openings therein secured to said belt, said shelves being adapted to support articles to be vended, said belt being adapted to carry said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means dissaid ejector means being mounted for movement toward said dispensing station and through the dispensing station, said cover of the cabinet hav-' 1 ing a sight window, signal means mounted in and carried by said cover, said signal means being movable into and out of position in register with said opening, said signal having an extension openings in said shelves for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, a shaft rockably mounted in the cabinet, means interconnecting said rock shaft and said ejector means for moving said ejector means inresponse to rocking said shaft, and common operating means for rotating said rotatable shafts and rocking said rock shaft.

18. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having an opening forming a dispensing station, a pair of vertically spaced shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleys secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, a plurality of shelves having openings therein secured to said belt, said shelves being adapted to support articles to be vended, said belt being adapted to carry said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means disposed in the area surrounded by said endless belt, said ejector means being mounted for movement toward said dispensing station and through the openings in said shelves for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, a shaft rockably mounted in the cabinet, means interconnecting said rock shaft and said ejector means for moving said ejector means in response to rock ing said shaft, a ratchet wheel secured to one of said rotatable shafts, a horizontal pull rod slidably mounted in said cabinet, latch means connected with said pull rod engageable with said ratchet wheel, said rotatable shafts being rotated in response to sliding of said pull rod, and detachable meansinterconnecting said pull rod and said rock shaft, said rock shaft being rocked in response to sliding of said pull rod.

19. In a vending machine, the combination, comprising, a cabinet having an opening forming a dispensing station, a pair of vertically spaced shafts rotatably mounted in said cabinet, pulleys secured to said shafts, an endless belt trained over said pulleys, a plurality ofshelves having openings therein secured to said belt, said shelves being adapted to support articles to be vended, said belt being adapted to carry said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means disposed in the area surrounded by said endless belt, said ejector means being mounted for movement toward said dispensing station and through the openings in said shelves for ejecting articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, a shaft rockably mounted in the cabinet, means interconnecting said rock shaft and said ejector means for moving said ejector means in response to rocking said shaft, a lever arm secured to said rock shaft, a ratchet wheel secured to one of said rotatable shafts, a horizontal pull rod slidably mounted in said cabinet, latch means connected with said pull rod engageable with said ratchet wheel, said rotatable shafts being rotated in response to sliding of said pull rod, and detachable means interconnecting said lever arm and said pull rod, said lever arm being actuated and thereby said rock shaft being rocked in response to,

sliding of said pull rod.

20. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, an endless belt having a plurality of shelves secured thereto for containing articles to be vended, said belt being movable to move said shelves in a path past said dispensing station, an ejector bar in the space surrounded by said endless belt, said ejector bar being reciprocable toward and away from said dispensing station and operable to eject articles from said shelves into said dispensing station, common operating means for moving said belt a predetermined amount and moving said ejector bar toward said dispensing station, said ejector bar being moved toward said dispensing station during movement of said belt, said belt and ejector bar terminating movement simultaneously, and means for retracting said ejector bar away from said dispensing station.

21. In a vending machine, the combination comprising, a cabinet having an outlet forming a dispensing station, a pair of shaft and pulley means rotatably mounted in the cabinet, an endless belt trained on said pulleys, a plurality of U-shaped members secured to said belt with the free ends of the flanges of the members extending outwardly from the belt, said members being disposed, with respect to straight. linear direction of said belt, without spaces therebetween, said members being adapted for supporting articles to be vended, said belt being movable to carry said members in a path past said dispensing station, ejector means in the space surrounded by said endless belt, said members having openings therein, said ejector'means being movable through said openings for ejecting articles from said members into said dispensing station, and common operating means for moving said belt and moving said ejector means.

CLEMENT G. EWER'IZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,697,306 Cutler Jan. .1, 1929 1,946,078 Kelley Feb. 6, 1934 1,963,674 Pearsons June 19, 1934 1,974,800 Link et al Sept. 25, 1934 2,222,862 Tratsch Nov. 26, 1940 2,285,068 Titus June 2, 1942 2,285,435 Holcomb 'June 9, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,169 Great Britain 1895 474,411 France 1914 179,342 Switzerland 1935 89, 77 Great Britain 193s

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