US2527135A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 19 50 c. H. KAFER 2,527,135

VENDING MACHINE Filed March 17, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 tor C. H. KAFER VENDING MACHINE Oct. 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1949 clarejzflgn Oct. 24, 1950 c. H. KAFER 2,527,135

VENDING MACHINE Filed Mafch 17, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 3 144m T 1W.

4 Zhwentor Clamlzfjfafel,

OctQZZ; 1950 c. H. KAFER 2,527,135

VENDING MACHINE Filed March 17, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Zhwentor L ttor e5 Patented Oct. 24, 1 950 OFFICE 2,527,135 I VENDING MACHINE Clare H. Kafer, Palmyra, Mich., assignor t Revco, Inc., Deer-field, Mich.

Application March 17, 1949, Serial No. 81,853

6 Claims. (01. 3124911) This invention relates to vending machines,

and it has particular reference to the provision.

of a vending machine from which bottled beverages or other articles may be successively dispensed in a chilled condition through the operation of coin controlled mechanism.

According to the present invention, there is provided an insulated cabinet structure in which is'mounted a rotatable magazine adapted to contain a plurality of the articles to be dispensed. The magazine may be progressively rotated by means of an operating handle positioned on a cover or door for the cabinet, whenever a suitable coin is inserted in the machine, and as long as the magazine contains a bottle in a position to'be dispensed. Provision is also made to store the articles in concentric rows, and to transfer the articles from one row to another as they reach a predetermined position in the cabinet, so that the magazine contents may be successively ejected through an access opening in the cover.

The machine also includes a refrigeration plant, so organized that it may be assembled with the cabinet as a complete unitary structure,

thereby simplifying problems of manufacture and servicing. .Other features ofthe invention, conduc'ive to -the production of an inexpensive, simple and durable vending machine, will be pointed out as this description proceeds.

The invention will be fully understood from the following explanation of a typical embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the vending machine;

I Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine with the door removed, showing the bottle magazine; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, with parts removed, showing how the bottles are ejected;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of the casing, with the bottle magazine removed, showing the refrigeration evaporator casing in front elevation;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary'front elevation of the bottle magazine;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view ofa magazine divider;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the inner face of the door; 1

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the inner face of the door with the control mechanism compartment cover removed;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line l0-I 0 of Fig. 2, showing a retainer latch;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a magazine escapem'ent latch;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2| 2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. ,13 is an enlarged fragmentary section through .the longitudinal axis of the door;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the inner face of a coin operated gate;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the coin actuated mechanism as viewed from the inner face of the door; and,

Fig. 16 is a section on the line Iii-I6 of Fig. 13.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1 and 5, the mawalls 23 and 24. The structure is welded or otherwise connected to a supporting base '25, which is provided on its front end with lugs 26 for a hinge pin 21 to receive a pivotally mounted front door or cover 28. This door is also of double wall construction,'and it may be retained in closed position by a hasp 29, pivotally mounted on the outer cylindrical wall 2| and adapted to latch over a catch plate 3i secured to the door rim. A barrel lock 32 is advantageously incorporated in the hasp, to prevent unauthorized entrance into the cabinet. Insulating material 33 is disposed between the. spaced walls to reduce the transfer of heat therethrough.

The outer face of the door 28 is provided with devices by means of which a purchaser may obtaina bottle from the cabinet. These include a plat 34 formed with a coin slot 35, a coin return knob 36, and a signal light window 31 to indicatetothe customer whether the machine is operating. There is also provided a second plate 38 having a coin return pocket 39 and a bottle cap remover 4|. An operating handle 42, pivotally. mounted at the center of the door, may be swung downward as indicated by the arrow. Bottles dispensed by the .machine are ejected through a circular opening 43 at the bottom of the door 28, which is normally closed by a springbiased hinged shutter 44.

From the customers viewpoint,-the operation consists in inserting a suitable coin in the slot 35, and, if it is not rejected, in then swinging the handle. 42 through a limited are. A bottle B will then be thrust forward through the opening 43 to swing the shutter 44 down, and expose the end of the bottle, which comes to rest against a ledge 45 on the inner surface of the shutter.

cylinder 5| and an outer cylinder 52, between 7 which extend a plurality of generally radial ribs or dividers 53. Each divider is formed at its ends with peripheral flanges 54 and 55, by means of which it may be welded or bolted to the oylin ders 5| and 52. The portion 56 of the divider adjacent the inner flange 54 may extend the full depth of the magazine, but the outer portion 51- is cut away to provide a slot 58, and it is also inclined with respect to the portion 56 toward the direction of rotation. The portion 51 merges into the flange 55 through a reverse bend section 59, which also extends'the depth of the magazine, and a terminal radial portion 6 l which is formed with a forwardly projectingfl'nger 62.

"Theinner and outer cylinders 5| and 52 are provided at their rear ends-with annular flanges 63 and 5 5* to provide limit stops for the bottles. Advantageously, filler pieces 65' are also welded between the flange 63'and' the radial portions 56 of 't'he dividers toprevent longitudinal displacement of the bottles. The interconnected cylinder's' 51- and 52 are mounted for rotation on a centrally positioned-forwardly extending axle 61,

which passes through the back wall 23" and is anchored in a column 68 extending upwardly from theouter wall 2 I. The axle 61 providesa bearing foraliollow shaft 69 to which is secured a seriesofradial vanes 1| which extend and arecorinectedto the inner cylinder 5|. As is shownin Fig. 2, the sectorsbetween'the vanes may be} utilized to store bottles for pre-cooling, althoughin the particular embodiment shown, suchbottles' are not subject to automatic dispensing' while in this position. The forward end ofthe hollow shaft 69 is also pierced by a' diametrically positioned driving rod 12, by means of which the-magazine is coupled to the operating handle-423' The magazine is partitioned into two concentric' tiers by an annular spacer ring 14 pro vided with a flange 15 for connection to the back wall23, and which projects into the slots 58. It will' be seen thatthe parts are so dimensioned that thering 'l fiforms pairs of bottlereceiving cells between'the cylinders 5| and 52 and adjacent dividers- 53. A portion of the ring 14 is cut away on the advancing side ofthe magazine, and below but near the horizontal diameter, to provide a" gateway or opening 16 sufliciently long to permit abbttle to roll gently through from the inner to' the outer-cell in the event the outer cell is unoc cupie'dk A-guide plate 17 is secured to the ring 14 ring- Td and againstone or the other of adjacent dividers 53 when the bottles are in'the lower half of-"themagazine', and against the inner cylinder 5;; ring and dividers inthe upper half. The" rotation being clockwise, as seen in Fig. 2, and the discharge opening 43 beingdisposed on the ver- 4 tical diameter, the lowermost bottle in the megazine is therefore the bottle which will be dispensed. The forcible ejection of this bottle is effected by a leaf spring 18, secured to the back wall 23 to enter the lower outer cell, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

As the magazine is advanced, the outer cells become progressivel emptied, and eventually an empty outer cell passes the gateway 16, to cause the bottle in the inner cell of the pair to roll under gravitational force into the outer cell, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 6. If the outer cell is occupied, the lower edge of the gateway acts as a cam to return the bottle to the inner cell and through the slight distance it moved to abut the outer bottle. When the outer cell is empty, the inclination of the portion 51 of the divider serves as track along which the bottle may roll gently to engage the edge of the portion 6|. As the magazine continues to be advanced, the bottle may then rollover the edge' of the portion 6|, to assume positions as shown. v

It is deemed beneficial to make the slots 58 as wide as is practical, both toreduce the weight of the-ma'ga'zine'and to'provide for free circulation of air. Air circulation is also enhanced by pro viding' apertures 19 in'thering 14. Circulation is enforced around themagazine and its contents,

to cool the bottles, by a refrigeration unitmounted on theback of the cabinet.

The refrigeration unit comprises a hermetic compressor 8| discharging compressed refrigerant into'a condenser 82, which in turn supplies the fluid to aim-evaporator coil 83 contained in a housingiM; The discharge end-of the evaporator is conn'ected to the compressor in the usual known manner; and automatic off-and-on operation is obtained by means of a cold control switch 85, as is 'common practice with apparatus of this char-' The evaporator housing 84, and the com act'er. pressor and condenser, are all mounted on a plate 85 equipped with supporting brackets 81 andS8-\vliich'plate isbolted onto the outer back wall24"; The'walls 23 and 24 are provided with aligned openings 89 through which a portion of the-housing'-'84-projects, as-isbest shown in Figs. 4*and5; and-theouter cylindrical wall 2| is extended' to' form a protective casing for the unit.

The housing 84 is formed with an outer shell 9| largertha-nthe openings 89 and with a spaced innershell 92 of substantially the same size as the openings; and insulating material may be placed housing contains a small motor 91 provided with a fan 98. Upon operation of the refrigeration compressor,'the= motor-91 is energized, to draw air inth'e cabinetthrough the housing 84', around the coil 83, for discharge through'the orifice 95. The

refrigerated 1 air circulates around the magazine under high velocity, thereby cooling the bottles rapidly to the desired temperature.

The mechanism for'rotatin'g the bottle maga-' zine is contained, to a large'extent, in a pocket |ll| formed in the door 28. To this end, the inner wall or liner |02of the door-is cut away to provide a rectangular opening which is framed with sheet metal walls WEE-arid a-casing I04; as shown in Figs. 8'and 9. A'reinforcing and supporting plate 1 I05 is positioned on the bottom of the pocket adja-' cent the outer all I06 of the door, and the parts are interconnected-by welding or screws, as may be desired. The plate I05 is drilled toprovide an aperture, adapted to align with the axis of the magazine axle 61, in which is positioned a supporting bushing I61 providing a bearing for a shaft I68, whose outer end extends through the wall I06 for connection to the operating handle 42. As is best shown in Figs. .5 and 16, the inner end of the shaft I08 projects into the hollow magazine shaft 69 when the door is closed, thereby maintaining the shafts in alignment and provid-. ing mutual support." 1

A sleeve I00, shorter in length than the shaft I08, ispositioned over the bushing I01, and it is connected for limited rotation with the shaft by a set screw III extending through a slot II2 formed in the bushing adjacent its inner end. The inner end of the sleeve. I has welded thereto a circular plate H3 from which project three uniformly spaced studs I I4 extending through arcuate slots II5 (Figs. 8 and 9) formed in an annular ratchet or overrunning clutch H6. The studs II4 are surrounded by coil springs II! which provide resilient supports for the ratchet I I 6, and the parts are retained in assembled relation by any suitable means, such as cotter pins I I8 passing through the ends of the studs. The ratchet I I6 is formed with teeth I I9 in its flanged portion, opposed pairs of which engage the driving rod I2 when the door 28 is closed.

The studs are normally retained at one end of their companion slots II5 by means of a pair of light tension springs I2I having one end connected to the ratchet, and-the opposite end to posts I22 also fastened to the plate II3. Upon closing the door, the ratchet is free to move both axially and rotatively sufficiently to effect engagement of the teeth I I9 with the rod 72, and thereby provide a driving connection between the handle 42 and the magazine. Upon movement of the handle, there is initially a limited amount of lost motion, during which interval the studs II 4 move through the slots I I5 until they engage the opposite ends thereof. The reason for providing such lost motion will be made apparent hereinafter. Continued movement of the handle 42 then causes the magazine to rotate through the engagement of the rod 12 with the driving flanks of the teeth H9 and until the set screw III engages the end of the bushing slot I I2. When the handle is released for rotation in the opposite direction, the cam flanks of the teeth IIS ride over the rod I2 for engagement with the next pair.

As heretofore explained, the operation of the handle 42 is made dependent upon inserting a coin in the slot 35 of the plate 34.. The coin passes through a chute I25 (Figs. 5 and 9) into a coin detector or slug rejector I25, where it is automatically tested, and from which it is returned to the receptacle 39 if it is not genuine or is of the wrong denomination. It is deemed unnecessary to describe the detector mechanism in detail, as it is of a known type. In brief, it includes devices for analyzing the coin with respect to size and composition, including a magnetic element I21 which must be energized to enable the detector to function. If current is not supplied, then good as well as spurious coins will be rejected. The return knob 36 may also be manually operated to cause a finger I28 to direct the coin into the return pocket 39.

The electrical characteristic of the detector I25 is herein utilized to decondition the vending machinein the event it is empty, or if there has been through the door liner I02 below the casing I04.

1 The button I33may be depressed to close they circuit by means of a leaf spring I35: mounted on the inner face of the door'28, and so located and bent as to be enga'geable by a" bottle in the mags.- zine cell which will next be brought into dispensingposition. 'If there is no bottle in such cell designated as I 33' in-Fig. 2the spring I35 will move inwardly, thereby releasing the button I33 to open the circuit and thus decondition the machine. When the spring I35 is depressed by contact with a bottle in cell I36, the control switch is closed, thus enabling" the machine to undergo its dispensing operation.

. The coin released mechanism for preventing operative rotation of the handle 42 includes a cam sector I4I mounted on the sleeve I09, and formed on its upper portion with an arcuate slot E42 and an outwardly projecting finger I43. A gate I44, provided with hinge pin lugs I45, is pivotally mounted on a pin I46;by means of lugs I41 struck out from the plate I05, and the gate is normally urged against the sector MI by a hinge pin spring I48. The finger I43 then projects beyond the edge of the gate I44, which accordingly provides a latch to restrain the movement of the handle and associated parts. The gate I44 is also formed with an arcuate ledge I49, which projects into the slot I 42, and with a raised curved guide I5I having a tapered nose I52 at its outer end. The margin of the gate above the ledge M9 is formed with a recessed flange I53 adapted to underlie the coin detector I26.

When a suitable coin C is inserted in the machine, and is accepted by the detector'I26, it will be diverted into a channel for delivery to the recessed portion I53 of the gate I44, and thus come to rest onthe ledge I49, as shown in Fig. 15. In this position, the coin overlaps the vertical edge of the gate, and it will be contacted by the finger I43 upon initial movement ofthe sector I4 I. The movement imparted to the coin causes it to abut the tapered nose I 52, thereby swinging the gate outwardly, and enabling the. coin to slide or roll over the raised guide I5I. This motion permits the finger I43 to pass in back of thegate, and thereby release the handle 42 for continued rotation. When the coin reaches the end of the ledge I49, it falls to the bottom of the pocket IOI.

.Other latching mechanisms are provided to maintain the bottle magazine in correct or indexed position, and to release it for movement by the ratchet I I6. It will be readily understood that the weight of the magazine is apt to be unbalanced, due to the distribution of bottles therein, and accordingly it would, unless restrained, tend to rotate under gravitational influence and come to rest in random position. A holding or service latch, Figs. 2 and 10,-is provided to restrain the magazine when the door 28- is open. This latch comprises a plate I55 mounted on the face of the cabinet by means of screws, and carrying a pin I56 on which is pivotally mounted a detent I51, normally urged inwardly toward the magazine by a hinge spring I58. The inner end of the detent is slotted to engageany one of the fingers 62, and thus hold the magazine in any of the positions in which an outer bottle cell is aligned with the opening 43. When the door 28 is closed, the detent I51 is retracted from the finger, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 10.

A running position magazine latch I6I is carried by the door 28, being mounted on the inner liner I62 adjacent the horizontal diameter. It is adapted to. interlock with a divider 53 as the door is closed, and, just before the detent I51 is disengaged. This latch, as shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12, includes a pair of spaced angle brackets I62, between which extends a rivet I63 serving as a support for a rotatably mounted, generally semi-circular, latch element I64. The element I64 is formed withan offset shoulder I65 adjacent its outer end, and the shoulder is normally biased to engage a finger 62 by means of a, spring I66, anchored between one bracket I62 and a pin I61 carried by the element I64 and projecting through a bracket slot I68.

The unbalanced weight of the magazine, or the movement imparted to it by the handle 42, is sufiicient to force the shoulder I65 downward against-the urge of the spring I66, and thus permit the magazine to rotate and force the element I64 from the full to dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 12. As soon as the previously engaged divider 53 clears the element I64, the spring restores it to its original position. The element I64 is normally held in a locked and immovable position by. linkage interconnected with the coin cam sector I4I.

Reverting to Figs. 13 and 15, it will be seen that the lower portion of the sector MI is formed with an arcuate periphery I68 having a pin I69 located at its center, to engage a notch I1I formed in a draw bar I12. The bar is provided at its outer end with a channel shaped clip I13 which engages around the. arcuate portion I68 to provide a guide and retainer. The bar I12 isalso formed with an ang'ularly inclined struck-out ear I14, which is adapted tobe contacted by an offset portion I15 on the sector periphery, after the sector has been rotated afew degrees. The draw bar is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 15 by a laterally disposed tension spring I16 anchored betweenv pins I11 and I18 respectively disposed on the mounting plate I65 and the bar I12.

The inner endof. the draw bar I12 is provided with a pivot bushing I19 for one end of a bent link ,I8I. which extends laterally through a guide channel I82 to the latch I6I. A guide bushing I83 is mounted on the inner bracket I62 to provide a slide bearing for. the end of the link, which passes through the bushing and bracket toenter a circular aperture I84 formed in the latch element I64. When the end of the link is so positioned, the latch element is locked from rotation about its pivot I63, and accordinglythe magazine cannot be advanced.

Upon initial movement of the sector I4I, the pin I69 carries the draw bar I12 and link I8I to the right, as viewed in Fig. 15, thereby withdrawing the remote end of the link from the aperture I84 to permit rotation of the element I64 under the influence of the magazine. At the same time, the spring I16 holds the notch I'II in engagement with the pin I69, causing the draw bar to rotat: upwardly about the pivot I19.- The: guided linear movement 01' the link I8I imparts substantially linear motion to the pivot I19, thus causing the ear I14 and the offset sector portion I15 toapproach each other rapidly. These actions take place concurrently with the lost rlricgtion of the ratchet plate studs in their slots As the ratchet teeth II9 begin to drive the magazine to depress the element I64, the offset portion I15 of the sector I4I contacts the ear I14 to rotate the draw bar I12 away from the sector and against the urge of the spring I16. The notch I1I is thereupon released from the pin I69, and the spring I16 retracts the draw bar I12 to itsoriginal position. The latch spring I66 has by'this time returned the latch element I64 to its horizontal position, and accordingly the guided end of the link I8I may enter the aperture I84 to stop the magazine by engagement with the next divider finger62.

The'extent of rotation of the handle 42, which is'dete'rmined by the length of the slot I'I2 in'the bushing I91 and the engagement therein of the shaft pin III, is made such as to provide for the movement of the link IBI, plus the rotation of the magazine a sufficient distance to bring the charged cell I36 into alignment with the dispensing opening 43. Thereafter the handle 42 and connected members are restored to their initial position by a tension spring I86 connected between pins I81 and I88 secured to the sector i i-I and mounting plate I65. When the sector is so restored, the pin I69 again drops into the draw bar notch I1I to reestablish its driving connection.

The return motion, which causes the cam flanks of the ratchet teeth II9 to ride over the drive rod 12, may be accompanied by a tendency to'rotate the magazine in the reverse direction. Such tendency may also be present because of the distribution of the bottles. Accordingly, the latch I6I further includes a channel shaped member I9I, mounted over the brackets I62 b means of a pin I92, and normally urged outwardly intobinding engagement with the brackets by'a'hinge spring I63. The member I9I may be r'eadi'ly depressed by the pressure of the dividers passing thereover, but as the divider engages the 1atch shoulder I65, the member I9I is released and it then projects over the divider. Reverse" rotation of the magazine is accordingly forestalled, and the next operation of the handle 42 will bring'the next cell into correct alignment.

Asshow'n in- Fig. 8, the pocket I6I is provided with a pair of cover plates I and I96 which are detachably connected to the casing I64. These may be'faced with insulating material I91. The lower cover I96 also carries a pair of spaced pins I98; on which is slidably mounted a retainer I99, adapted to be moved laterally by reason of inclined" slots 26I positioned over the pins. The portion of the pocket I6I below the plate I96 is occupied by a cash and cap box 262, which may be readily removed by sliding the retainer I99 upwardly, and grasping the box through finger holes 263. Coins falling from the ledge I49 pass into-one side of the box 262. Bottle caps which are-deposited in the door opening 4I are directed through a duct 264 into the other side of the box, fromwhich they may be removed with the coins when the machine is refilled.

It is believed that the operation of the machine has been so fully explained as the description has developed that only a brief summary is indicated. The machine is shown as having a magazine containing twenty-eight cells, arranged in two concentric tiers, although it will be readily understood that a greater or less number maybe employed, depending upon the size of the cabinet. The lowermost cell is empty, as the spring .8 ejects the bottle therefrom as fast as the cell comes into this position. The attendant will therefore normally charge the remaining cells with bottles, utilizing those which have been stored between the vanes II in the outer cells in the lower right quadrant, as viewed in Fig. 2. During the charging operation, the detent I51 holds the magazine in position, but the attendant may readily release it to effect rotation, if so desired.

Upon closing the door 28, the latch IBI engages the right hand horizontal divider while the detent I51 becomes disengaged, and the leaf spring I35 is pressed against the switch button I33 to energize the magnet I2! and condition the detector I25 for operation. As coins are inserted into and accepted by the machine, the handle 42 may be operated to dispense the bottles successively. When the initially empty cell reaches the gateway I5, the bottle in the companion inner cell is transferred, and this action is continued until the last bottle passes from cell position I36 to be dispensed. The release of the spring I35 thereupon deenergizes the detector, placing it in a condition to return all coins. and the current failure also extinguishes the signal lamp I29 to indicate to customers that the machine is empty,

If there should be a power failure which would stop the refrigerating apparatus, and thus permit the cabinet contents to warm up, the detector I26 is also deconditioned, as its circuit is taken through the compressor service cable.

It is to be noted that the present invention in volves numerous improvements in vending machines of the magazine type. Servicing is effected simply by opening the door, which of course is accessibly positioned, and the coin control devices are carried in a concealed and protected pocket in the door.. The indexing of the magazine is also positive, and is effected in running position by latch means which are interlocked with thecoin release mechanism. The coin control itself is quite simple, involving relatively few parts, but

acting positively both to lock and release the operating handle. It is to be noted that, when i a coin has passed to the gate ledge I49, and motion of the handle is instituted, an accidental retrograde motion will not deprive the customer of his purchase. the coin is still retained on the ledge, whi e if it has been enough to clear the latch shoulder I55, the handle cannot be reversed enough to cause the finger I43 of the sector I II to pass beyond the edge of the gate I M. This is because the lower face of the shoulder I55 provides a stop for the divider finger 62 which has just passed it.

While the invention has been described with respect to a single embodiment, it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations may be effected without departure from its principles. It is accordingly intended that the invention should not be limited to the prec se details shown, but that it should be regarded as encompassing all the combinations and parts which are within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet having an open end, a main door closing said end, a cylindrical magazine having its axis hori- If the initial motion is limited,

' lock before the drive shaft rotates in .10 zontally; mounted in the cabinet and extending toward the door, radially spaced dividers infthie magazine to partition it into a plurality of cumferentially disposed article cells, an access opening in the main door adapted to be succesf sively aligned with the cells as the magazine is rotated, latch means mounted on the .door and adapted to engage the magazine'and restrain it from rotation, said latch means engaging.the magazine at successive positions of alignment between the access opening and cells, .afilrive shaft extending through the door, an overrunning clutch connection .between the drive,v shaft and the magazine, coincontrolled, means for release ablyholding the drive shaftfrom rotation, stop means for the drive shaft'to limit its-motionto an' are sufficient to rotate the magazine through an arc subtended by. a magazine cell, and means operative upon release of the holding means-for momentarily disengaging the latch as the drive shaft is rotated to permit rotation of the magazine the arcuate distance of one cell only. 1

2. A dispensing apparatus comprising a,-, ca'b.-f inet, a main door closing one end of the cabinet, a cylindrical magazine rotatably mounted inthe cabinet and divided intoa pluralitygof circum ferentially disposed article cells,.la..dri,ve,shaftfoii the magazine extending. through .thedoorand operable from the exterior' thereo'f to rotate. the magazine, a detachable one way clutchconnection between thedrive shaft and the magazine, an access opening in the main door adapted to be aligned successively withsaid cellsas the magazine is rotated in one directionthrough said shaft and clutch connection, a latch.,adapted., to

engage the magazineand restrain. itffromrota tion in said one direction, stop means. forrlimit, ing the are through which the drive shaftjmay be.rotated,- coin controlled means for releasably. holding the. drive shaft from rotation --in .said one direction, a lock memberior the latch, ,.a. linkagebetween the drive shaft andv the lock...tov

release. the latch upon initial movement of thedrives-shaft in saidione directionw after the drive shaft holdingmeans has beenreleased, said shaft stop means being s'uch asto limitlshaft move ment to anarc bringing said 'cell'slsucces'sively. in line with the access opening, and means ink cluded in said linkage to recondition. the latch. said. one direction to its limit. l

3. A dispensing apparatus comprisinga cab-. inet having an open end, a main door. closing said end a cylindrical magazine rotatably,

mounted in the cabinet and having its aXisof.

rotation disposed horizontally. and normal to said open end, said -magazine including inner and outer cylindrical walls and radial uniformly, spaced dividers extending between the walls, said, dividers delimiting a seriesof circumferentially spaced article cells, an access openingin the main door adapted to align with the cells successively as the magazine is ,rotated, aservice latch mounted on the cabinet adiacent the open end thereof adapted to engage the magazine ,when the door is open to hold a magazine cell in line with the access opening, said service latch having means therein for engagement by the door when the door is closed to release said service latch, a running latch mounted on the door, said running latch engaging the magazine as the door is closed to hold the magazine in aligned cell position when the service latch is released, a drive shaft extending through the door and operable from the exterior thereof, a detachable drive connection between the shaft and the magazine engageable when the door is closed, coin controlled means for releasably holding the drive shaft from rotation, and means connected to the drive shaft and mounted within the door operative upon release of the holding means and initial movement of the drive shaft to disengage the running latch to permit rotative movement of the magazine and to recondition the running latch to stop movement of the magazine after it has advanced one cell into alignment with the access opening.

4;. A dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet having an open end, a main door for closins said end, a cylindrical magazine rotatably mounted in the cabinet and having its longitudinal axis disposed normal to the closed door, a plurality of radially disposed uniformly spaced dividers in the magazine to partition it into a series of circumferentially spaced cells, an access opening in the door adapted to align successively with said cells as the magazine is rotated, a drive haf e tending th ou h he. oor. and. h a detacha le a het dri insxco n ot on the ma az ne c in, ntrolled holding m s r oasahly q k hsthe s af sain t ation in a dir ction to a v n e t ce ls past t a ces ope g, a pa o op ite y dire t d, ch bigiants mo nt n the doora d dap d ag o osite es o a d ider sa d a ments aligning a cell with the access opening, said latch elements being successively disengageable by movement of the divider when the magazine is. rotated in one direction, one of saidlatch elem ats oo i h ag z ne f om o a io intho opposite direction when a divider is positioned between the elements, av holding link for the Q hc atch le nt. a dis se e c ec i n he we ht ol in ink, a h d ive s t.

means operative asan incident toinitial movement ofthe drive shaft when the shaft locking means are releasedto releasethe holding link, rom. s o he at h, e e nt. means o n 5. q entially to. such movement as the. drive shaft oontinues to rotate in the same direction to ,break e dis ngas ablo oh e ionahcl o re o t e link to holding p ositionfor said other latchelement, and means reestablishing saiddisengageable connection between the link and drive shaftwhen said drive shaft is rotated in a reverse direction.

A dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet having an open end and a 'door for closingsuch end, a cylindrical magazine including a plurality of cells rotatablymounted in the magazine, an access opening in the door adapted to alig n,with the cells as the magazine is rotated, andmeans mounted on the door and engaging the magazine when the door is closedforrotating the magazine and, latching the same against rotation, said magazine rotating means including a driveshaft extending through the, door, for manipulation from the exterior thereof, a driving connection between the inner end of the shaft and the magazine including a lost motion linkage and anoverrunning clutch, a plate mounted around the shaft for rotation therewith, said plate being provided with a pin and an offset portion, said latching means including a latch element normally en-. gaging the magazine to restrain the same from rotation and a holding link to prevent disengage,- ment of the latch element, a draw bar connected at one end to the link and detachably engaging the pin on the plate at its opposite end, said pin and draw bar upon initial rotation of the shaft releasing said holding link to permit disengagement of the latch element from the magazine as the shaft absorbs the lost motion in its linkage to the magazine, said offset portion being so positioned as, to disengage the draw bar fromthe pin as the shaft begins to drive the magazine, and means to return the holding link to latch restraining position to, prevent overtravel of the magazine.

6. A dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet, a cylindrical magazine rotatably mounted in the cabinet and having its axis normal to one end thereof, said magazine being formed with inner and outer cylindrical walls and radial dividers partitioning the magazine into a plurality of article cells, an access opening in one end of the, cabinet adapted to align with said cells as the magazine is rotated, and means mounted in the cabinetfor progressively rotating the magazine through arcs successively presenting said cells to said access opening, said last named means in cluding a latch having elements, extending toward the magazine and adapted to grip a divider on opposite sides thereof, each of said latch element-s being spring biased into magazine engaging position, one of ,said latch elements being formed with a positive stop to prevent movement of the magazine in one rotative direction, the other of said elements being provided with a movable stop to prevent movement of the magazine in the opposite rotative direction, a drive shaft extending through the cabinet, and coupled to the magazine to effect rotation of the same, means for limiting the arc through, which the drive shaft may rotate, and means interconnected between the driveshaft and said movable stop to disengage said stop from the last, named latch upon initial rotative movement of the shaft, and to restore said stop to latch engaging position before the drive shaft has reached the limit of its permissible movement.

CLARE H. KAFER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 646,860 Moyes Apr. 3, 1900 942,117 Weber Dec. 7, 1909 969,735 Thornber Sept. 6, 1910 2,474,053 Johnson June 21, 1949

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