US2578545A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 11, 1951 G. w. HAAsE x-:TAL '2,578,545

VENDING MACHINE Filed May 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l www" i ENTOR Y )3537/ Dec. 11, 1951 G, w, HAASE ETAL 2,578,545

VENDING MACHINE Filed May 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m "fr Dec. l1, 1951 G. w. HAAsE x-:TAL

VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 7. 1948 ZM/DI/NVENTORS Dec- 11, 1951 G. w. HAAsE ETAL VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 7, 1948 0- VENTORS Patented Dec. Il, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE VENDSCHIN Gordon W. Haase and ,Lloyd D. Merkl, Appleton, Wist; said Merkl assigner to said Haase Application May i, 194s, serial No. 25,588

Claims.- .1.

This' invention relates to improvements in vending machines.

The vending machines which have been heretofore developed have not proven entirely satisa factory. Some of them depend almost entirely upon the force of gravi-ty to cause the delivery of the packages vended, and a slight displacement of one of the packages Vstored vin the machine is likely to render the machine inoperative. Some machines are'not adapted for use in the vend ing' of both refrigerated and nonerefrigerated commodities, and still others, in order to provide for' adequate storage capacity, embody expensive c'onstructional `features involving 'rotary storage racks or ythe like.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a vending `machine construction which is adapted for operation inrefrigerated cabinets as well as in non-refrigerated cabinets'.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which does not rely solely upon the force of gravity to provide the impetus necessary for the dispensing operation, but rather, employes a positively acting, horizontal feed member vfair this purpose.

A further object of the invention is to lprovide a vending machine which has relatively few working parts and for ythis reason is e'cnenical to manufacture and repair.

A further object of the invention lis 'to provide a vending machine which, simultaneously withv the vending operation, opens cne or more de-V livery doors to permit delivery of the vended package.y

A further object'of the invention is to provide av vending machine which earl be leasily and: quick `filledbyreason of thefact that the packages stored therein are superimposed upon one another in a plurality of vertical stacks.

vAY further obj-ect of the-invention is to Y.provide a vending machine construction which may be provided with any desired amount of storage capacity without necessitating substantial changes the working mechanism thereof.

`With the above and other objects-'in view,.the invention consists of the improved Vending ma* chine, and all of its parts and combinations, ras set forth inthe claimaand all equivalen-ts thereof.y

In the drawing accompanying and' forming a part of this application, wherein is illustrated one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, and wherein the same reference numerals 'indicate' thesame parts in all ofthe views:

Fig. 1 isa front .perspective view of the invention with the cabinet Vtherefor not being shown;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectin'al view of the invention, including an outer cabinet, taken approximately along the line 2-32 of Fig. l, parts being removed .to more clearly show the door' operating mechanism;

Figs. 3,4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary semi-dia;- g'rain'm-atic vertical sectional views similar .to Fig. 2, showing the niovement of packages and of the conveyor `night bars duri-ng one dispensing operi ation;

Fig'. 7 is an Ielectrical diagram showing the cir.- cu-it employed in the preferred form of the inven tion;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a modi-ned form of the invention;

l Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side viewofl the modi-.- fied form of theinvention shown in Fig. 8, por# tions being broken away and shown in section;

and

Fig.` 10 is an electrical diagram showing the circuit employed-in Athe modiedform ofthe in vention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the'. numeral I0 .indicates a left hand upright frame and the numeral lI i 4indicates a right hand .upf-'j right frame. The frame IU .comprises apairef spaced uprightangle members I2 and |13 anda bar I4 connected to said angle members and exe' ,tending transversely thereof. IConnected .tohad spaced inwardly of the .angle members I2 Aand I3 and spaced above .the bar I4', is a transverse bar I5. Similarly connected to the angle iirernV` bers I'2 and l3lan'cl nearthe upper ends thereof t3 near the upper ends' thereof, is a transverse bar 2|'.

Supported between the upper portions ofthe frames l0 and II vby beingconnectedi on thehleft side; to the barmembers aand I5, anden the 5; right side of thevbar members 29 and 24, isfan elongatedsubstantially rectangular `iriag -awzir ie The magazine 22 is preferably open at both top and bottom, as well asV at .the Vfrontal-1dre,aras shown. Each side of the magazine 22`y at bothfthe front and rearends, is vertically inwardly ilanged,

3 as at 23 (see Figs. 1 and 2). On each side of the interior of the magazine 22 are connected a plurality of equally spaced vertically extending U- shaped channel dividing members 24, each having the flanges thereof extending inwardly. The dividers 24 and the anges 23 provide each side of the interior of the magazine 22 with five separated vertically extending surfaces 25. Any desired number may, however, be employed. Since the anges 23 and the dividers 24 on each side of the interior of the magazine are oppositely disposed, they cooperate with the surfaces 25 to provide storage means which permit the introduction therebetween of ve separate stacks of packages, i. e., 33, 34, 26, 21 and 29 (see Figs. 3 to 6),

one stack for each pair of oppositely disposed surfaces 25. The stacks 26, 21 and 28 are shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that the lower end of the forward flange of each of the channel dividing members 24, as Well as the lower end of the rear flanges 23 are bent rearwardly as at 24' (see Figs. 2 to 6) for a purpose which will be hereinafter pointed out.

Attached to the bottom of each side of the magazine 22 is an elongated U-shaped channel member 29. rllhe members 29 have their open sides facing inwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The members 29 are positioned with their closed sides or webs spaced outwardly from an attaching ange 30 which projects upwardly from the inner edge of the upper ange thereof. The lower flange of the member 29 is of substantially the same length as the upper flange thereof.

Supported from the web of and spaced below each of the channels 29, as by the brackets 3I, isa horizontally extending elongated undulous plate member 32. The plates 32 are preferably of such width that they project inwardly of the vertical dividers 24 of the magazine 22. It will be noted that when packages, such as those in the stacks indicated by the numerals 26, 21 and 28 of Fig. 1, are introduced into the magazine 22 through the top thereof, they will drop down toward and be supported at both ends on the plates 32. Fig. 3 shows the relationship between stacks of packages 33, 34, 26, 21 and 28 in the magazine 22, and shows the plates 32 thereunder supporting said stacks.

The lower transverse bars I4 and I9 of the frames I and II respectively are formed with alined apertures adjacent the ends thereof. Rotatably mounted in said apertures are a front shaft 35 and a rear shaft 36 which extend in a horizontal plane and at substantially right angles to the members I4 and I9. Immediately inwardly of the members I4 and I9 the shafts 35 and 3S each have xed thereon a pair of spaced wheels 31. Mounted on the left hand sprockets of the shaftsV S55 and 35, and having the upper horizontal extent thereof extending along the upper surface of the lower flange of the left hand channel member 29, is an endless chain 38. Similarly mounted on the right hand sprockets of the shafts 36 and 31 and with the upper horizontal extent thereof extending along the upper surface of the lower flange of the right hand channel member 29 is an endless chain 39. Connected to and carried by the chains 38 and 39 are a plurality of transversely extending flight bars 4U which are spaced apart equally a distance slightly greater than the width of the surfaces 25, as shown in Fig. 2. The shaft 35 extends outwardly of the left hand bar I4, and is preferably removably connected to any suitable vsource of rotative power, such as an electric motor 4I provided with a suitable built-in gear reduction unit. Fig. 1 shows -the motor removably connected to the shaft 35 relatively close to the bar I4. Where the unit is used in a refrigerated cabinet, the shaft 35 may be extended through the insulated wall of the cabinet and connected to the motor 4I in a nonrefrigerated part of the cabinet. In this way the motor 4I and the gear reduction unit incorporated therein need not be subjected to refrigerating temperatures.

Referring to Fig. 2, a preferably tubular genera-ily rl-shaped supporting member 42 is xedly connected at the ends of its arms to the horizontal bar member I4 and I9 adjacent the vertical frame members I2 and I1 resptctively. The arms of the member 42 extend upwardly, outwardly, and rearwardly from the points of connection, as shown in Fig. 2, and extend around the chains 38 and 39 to connect with a horizontal transverse extent 43 (shown only in cross-section in Fig. 2), which is disposed above the rear sprockets 31. Pivotally mounted on the transverse extent 43 of the member 42 for movement in a vertical plane is a short section of angle iron 44, on which is mounted, as shown, a tilable three-wire mercury switch 45.

rihe mercury switch 45 has an electrode which is common to both ends thereof (see Fig. 1), as well as a separate electrode at each end. The angle 44 is normally in the downwardly inclined position of the full line showing thereof in Fig. 2, but since it is in the path of the ight bars 40 when they move forwardly from the rear sprockets 35, the angle 44 and the switch 45 are tilted upwardly to the dot and dash line showing of Fig. 2 during a dispensing operation, by the advance of a bar 4I) from the position to the rear of the angle 44 to its next position of rest. The angle 44 and switch 45 swing downwardly to the full line position of Fig. 2 upon disengagement fromfthe bar 49 which has passed thereunder. The effect of this swinging movement of the mercury switch 45 will be described hereinafter.

Fixedly connected to the front ends of the horizontal bars I5 and is a generally U-shaped, preferably tubular support member 46, which extends downwardly and forwardly as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane about an intermediate portion of the support 4B, is preferably a short section of angle iron 41 to which is attached, as shown in Fig. 1, a mercury switch 4S. rrhe angle 41 is normally in the generally horiztontal position shown in Fig. 1 and the mercury switch 48 is corerspondingly normally in the tilted position shown in Fig. 1 and in the full line position of Fig. 1. The angle 41 is held in this horizontal position as long as there are any packages in the machine, but when the machine becomes empty, gravity causes the angle 41 and the switch 48 to swing downwardly, thereby causing the switch 48 to resume the position shown by the dot and dash lines of Fig. 7. The effect of this tilting movement of the switch 48 will also be described hereinafter.

Fixedly connected to the right hand arm of the member 46, as at 43, is a deflecting plate 50 which extends downwardly therefrom and which extends from a point immediately inwardly of the chain 39 (and slightly thereabove) forwardly and inwardly, as shown in Fig. l. Pivotally mounted at 49 for movement in a vertical plane is a spring loaded bell crank lever 5I. The lever 5I is positioned outwardly of the member 46, and

asi-epee thedeectingfplate 50, and th'eflowera'rin' thereof' is-:provided1with:a contact'member. 52. whichV nor!- mallyextends in the path offthe lightibars 40;' shown in the solid lines ofFig. 2.A the flightl bar 40. which is rearwardly. of' the.: contactfmem berf52advances during.` avending cycle, lit forces the member 52v and the lower` arm4 of? the? lever! .l to swing forwardly and. upwardlyv to the dot. and dash line showing*v of Fig; 2. AS1 the flight'. bar moves forwardlyoutbof eng-agementf.with.tlie

contact memberV 52, the member 52 and lever 51|.A are returned to normalposition.' byfthespringl 53". which is connected between the' lower end ofthe. lever. 5.| and the magazine. 22, asV shownlin Eig; 2'.

The4 invention includesa pair: of spaced swings.r able doors 54 which: are mountedA in a deliverychute 55 and which have angularlyfoiiset upperf: portions which are connected by azlinke5. The. upper arm of the lever 5;!I is: connected1by arodl 51. to the doors 54. in the. manner shownnf Fig.

2. The doors 54 are normally in the c1osed.verti. cal position shown bysolid lines in Fig.` 2:. Itlwill` be. seen from Fig. 2, that asy the: lever. 5|: pivots to the dot and dash line position therein, it will. simultaneously swing. the doors 54 tothe dotandz dash line open position. Conversely, as theflever 5| swings back to its norma1.position,.the rdoors.' will also swing backto. their', normal. closed position. It is, of course, obvious. that. asingle: in.,

sulated door maybe Usedito seal,- oi the.delivery', chutein place of thedouble doors 54'.

During one vending operation, the. chains 38 and 39, as well as the rflightbars: 40, movefor; wardly a distance substantially. equal to. thezdistance between adjacent pairs of ightbars: 4B: The mechanism controlling this;measured'.'move ment will be explained hereinafter. Fig. 32. dis-1 closes the invention withY stacks of packages'3'3, 34, 26, 2,1 and 28, stored. in the magazin-e 2:2., and with a package 58 on the forwardendfofffther plates 32m position to be Vended; It willbe noted;V that the lower packages 59,. 60, 6I, {i2-.and 63,r ofr the stacks 33, 34, 25, 2l` andv 28* respectively.;4 are positioned on the. plates'` 32 andisupport-thei remainder of the stacks thereabove. Onlypone package other than the package 59, i. e., the package 64, is shown in stack-.33,.inorderrthatthe.:y operation of the, invention. will be. more-easily. understood.

The. undulous,platesz 32e are preferably formed with. aarelatively-fshort fhoriz'ontal extent E5 atl the: rear-end. and with a relativelylonghor-i-; zontaliexten't- S5 at; the.- forwardi end.` Thezvertiealispacingf. betweensaidihorizontal i extents i and thehlower ends, ofetheguides 24 andiflanges `23 is.p1'eferablyy slightly greater than the thickness.. of onefof the r packagesl to be .vendedby -l the. ma-l chine; Between the horizontal extents. 5511 and 66; the `plates 32. arelformed:y with afwavy extent which isy made up of a seriessof.- downwardly inclined.A portions;` each.- off whose forward ends? Sla! 63; iliand. 'dil'lis slightly/overlapped by. the rearsof thestack ahead The numberffofsaid inclined portions: is-preferably one less.than'the. number. of: stacks of packages.: storedl ini' the Y. magazine..22; wardly inclined-portion isa relatively short; surfacevsloping rather` sharply upwardlyand forwardlyaway from the-apex.vv The-apexes-.E'L 68; sgiandf...IdJarev position-ed3 slightly, forwardly"- of" theaplane of the` major1- portion f of the" forward side of! each of: the divider channels 24 asaisy clearly' shown in Figs. 2 lto .6.

The.. movement of the vpackages 55.1.g to- 64 durone:vendingeoperatiomwill V.now be described.4

At the forward-.end of'leach down.

einI

thereto. is avoided. Fig.l 5 also shows that the box B3 6'. Ashas.l been previously during each vending operation, move a distance approximately equal to:` the distance at whichr v are spaced apart. Figs. Sito 6 show vari:-us` .1 positions during one such operation, and sinc'e Figs.'l 3 and 6 represent the beginning-` andthe they end of a vending operation, it will be noted that the positions occupied by the flightbars 40, in both Fig. 3 and Fig'. 6, are the same'.

At -thebeginning of a vending operation (see'l Fig. 3)., the bottom package in each *of` the stacks, i; ej, 59, eil; Si, 52 and 53, as well as the package 58,A is rearwardly' engaged by a flight bar il? andis being urged forwardly thereb'y'z'v This urgesthe packages 59, 53, (il and 52idown the` downwardly inclined portions of the plates; 32- toward the apexesv 5l, as urging thev box 58 forwardly along the horizontal extents 'of the plates 32- as shown in Figi 4'; By their movement to the positions shown in Fig, 4, the forward ends of the packages 59, 6113,` 5|; and 52 have been brought underneath the rear ends of the stacks i, 25, 2 and 2B respe'c' tively, so thatthey are overlapped thereby. Further forward movement of the night bars 40 will push the box 5301i of the forward endsL ofthe plates 32 and onto the delivery chute1 55.

In' addition, thisfurther forward movement-will 52'd to move `Aup' theV relatively steep, short surface portions of the plates 32 which extend forwardly f-'ron'rv the apexes el, 68, 69 and l, and to' worktheir* cause the packages 59, 60, 5| andv way'forwardly under the stacks 341i 26, 27- and 28 respectively, as shown inl Fig. 5. It will be noted that in'Fig. 5 the box 58 does-not appear,` because it has already been delivered` tothe, chute 55. In addition, Fig: 5 shows that as the box 59 moves forwardly out from under thebox 64'to the'position shown in Fig. 5, the rear end of the box 54 drops down into contact with the plates 32, leaving the forward edge of the box; supported on the upper rear edge of the boxL 55: The portions 24 of the flanges 23 and the dividers 24 are bentv rearwardly in a manner to provide suiiicient clearance space at the'bot' tomof each space 25 so that the lowerrnost box" in the stack will swing down, as did the-f box* 64, without any danger of the box becoming g flanges adjacent wedged lbetween the guidin In this way any possibility-of jamming has been moved horizontally forward along the; extent of the plates 32. Further forward* movement of the flight bars 4U will move the"V packages 59, 60, 6| and 62 directly under the,

stacks-34, 23, 2'! and 28 respectively, a'nd'will-V move the package 63 to the; position occupiedAk in-Fig. 3V by the package 58. This forward'moveement will, as a result of moving the package 59 entirely out from under the package 64, cause the package 64 to drop down onto the plates.-` 32 into the position occupied by the package".v`

59 inA Fig. 3.

It will be seen, therefore, that as the vending,"

rear' stack 33 will be dispensed rst. When thej supply of packages in this stack becomes exhausted, then the next stack forward'v of the` l stack 33, i. e., the stack 34, will be drawn from", and then the stacks 25, 2 and 28, in order, until the supply of packages has been exhausted.

In order to control the movement of the flight`-` bars 49, satisfactory results have been obtained- Afron an electrical relay ll, associated in the f-electricabcircuit of Fig-f 7 with-the mercuryf' stated, die nights: 6ft

, via the lines 8| and 14.

switches 45 and 48, with the coil slot contacts 13 and with the motor 4|. Also, in the circuit of Fig. 7, is shown a warning light 12 which, along with a coin slot containing the contacts i3, may be mounted in any convenient place on the exterior of the cabinet 99 (see Fig. 2) in which the improved vending machine is preferably housed. While the relay 1| is shown in Fig. l as being mounted on the unit itself, when used in a refrigerated cabinet it is preferably mounted in a non-refrigerated portion of the cabinet.

Since the invention works equally well under a wide range of temperature conditions, the interior of the cabinet 99 surrounding the invention may be provided with any suitable refrigerating means, such as refrigerating coils of conventional mechanical refrigerating units, when it is desired to vend such refrigerated products as ice cream bars, packaged ice cream, or the like. However, the invention is also well adapted to the vending of unrefrigerated products, and in such a case no refrigerating means need be provided.

Referring to Fig. '1, the preferred electrical control circuit will now be explained. In Fig. 7, the solid line showing of the mercury switch 45 corresponds to the solid line position of the switch 45 in Fig. 2. The solid line showing of the mercury switch 48 in Fig. 7 corresponds to the position of the switch #i3 shown in Fig. 1, These solid line positions are the normal positions of the switches in question.

In Fig. '1, the lines 14 and 'i5 connect a source of electricity 15 with the terminals of a suitable distribution block 11, which may be part of the construction of the relay 1|, though it is not shown to be such. Electricity passing through the lines 15 and 18 goes to one of the coin slot contacts 13. When a coin is inserted in the coin slot. it passes between the contacts 13, thereby momentarily closing the circuit between the two contacts and permitting the electricity to pass to and through the solenoid coil 19 of the relay 1 I, via the line 8S, and back to the source,

This momentary current flow energizes the solenoid coil 19 sufliciently to draw the contacts 82 and 83 of the relay 1| (which are normally urged by a spring into engagement with the contacts 84 and 85) into engagement with the contacts S5 and 81. With the relay contacts in this position, current flows from the source, through the lines and 88, through the mercury switch 453, and through the line 89 and the mercury switch 45 to the point 99. From the point 9S, current flows into both the lines 9| and 92. From the line 9|, the ourrent iiows through the contacts 83 and Si, through the line 93, through the solenoid coil 19, and back to the source line 14 via the line 8|. This keeps the solenoid coil 19 energized and the contacts 92 and 83 pulled into engagement with the contacts and 31 after the coin has passed through the contacts 13. Current passing from the point and through the line 92 goes through the contacts d and S2, through the line 94, to and through the motor 4l, and back to the source line 14 via the line At this point the motor 4| is running and is moving the flight bars 4@ forwardly along the upper extents of the chains 35and 39 to perform the vending operation. As one of the flight bars (see Fig. 2) engages the pivotally mounted angle support 44 of the mercury switch 45 and swings it upwardly to the dot and dash line position of Figs. 2 and 7, the circuit and dash line position of Figs. 2 and '1, the line coil 19 becomes deenergized, thereby permitting the contacts 82 and 83 of the relay 1| to return to their normal positions in engagement with the contacts 84 and 85 respectively.

When the mercury switch has reached the dot 89, leading from the source 16, is connected to the line 95. Current, therefore, travels from the source, through the line 89 as before described, through the mercury switch 45, through the line 96, through the contacts 84 and 82, through the line 94 to the motor 4|, and back to the source line 14 via the line 95. This causes the motor 4| to again start running, after the momentary stoppage thereof which occurred while the mercury switch 45 was in the process of tilting to the dot and dash position.

As the flight bar 49', which caused the tilting of the mercury switch 45, moves forwardly out jof contact with the angle support 44, said support and the mercury switch 45 again swing down to the normal solid line position of Figs. 2 and '1. This breaks the connection between the lines 89 and 95, and shuts off the current to the motor 4|, thereby causing it to stop. Thus,

one vending operation is completed. During this operation the ight bars 49 have mov-ed ahead a distance approximately equal to the spacing therebetween. The result of this forward movement is clearly shown by Figs. 3 to 6, and will be readily understood from the description hereinbefore given with respect to said figures. Concurrent with this vending operation, the lever 5| (see Fig. 2) acts, in the manner previously described, to open the doors 54 in the delivery chute 55, thereby permitting the passage therethrough of the package being vended. After this has occurred and prior to the end of the vending operation the lever 5| acts as previously described, to close the doors 54, thereby preventing theft, as well as preventing (in the case of a refrigerated cabinet 99), entry of warm air into the interior of the cabinet.

When the machine becomes empty, the mercury switch 48, which is normally in the full line position of Figs. 1 and '1, swings downwardly to the dot and dash line position of Fig. 7. This breaks the connection between the lines A89 and B8 leading to the source line 15, thereby preventing any current from reaching the motor 4|. This condition, of course, precludes any operation oi the motor 4|. The dot and dash position of the mercury switch 48 results in a connection between the lines 88 and 91. As a. result, current flows through said lines, through the warning bulb 12, and through the line 98, back to the source line 14. This causes the warning bulb 12, which is preferably mounted on the exterior of the cabinet 99, to light up and to indicate to the public that the machine is empty.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 to lo inclusive. In this modification a normally closed single pole, single throw switch |08 is used in a modied electrical circuit in conjunction with a double pole, single throw relay switch 1| in place of the mercury switch 45 and the double pole double throw relay switch 1| used in the circuit of Fig. '1. The modified form of the invention also provides an alternative Idoor Aopening mechanism which may vbe used with Aa cabinethavin'gracurved chute which discharges `the bars .toward one side of the-machine .rather thanrsubstantially axially of the machine as shown in Fig. 2. The modification also dis- ;closes a single door 54 .made of insulatingmateria'l, rather than the double doors 54 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the numeral |00 'indicates an insulating side wall of a cabinet such as the Vcabinet .99 of Fig. 2. The wall |00 is rformed with a discharge opening 55 which is covered with a hinged door 54' made of any `suitable insulating material. A shaft 35', which corresponds lto shaft 35 of Figs. -1 and 2, extends from the interior of the cabinet (which may or may -not beV refrigerated) -through the wall I 00, to the outer non-refrigerated side thereof. .Mountedion the shaft 35' exteriorly of the wall and xecl to the shaft 35 isa pair of cam -members and |02. The shape of the cams IOI and |92 may vary as the design of the unit -is fmodied to suit various conditions, but the shapes shown 1in Figs. 8 and 9 have given satisfactory results.

`In the preferred .form of the invention one 1 complete revolution of the shaft 35 is made for every :three complete vending operations. The

Acams IM vand |02 vare designed with as many like peripheral portions as there -are vending operations for each revolution of the shaft 35'. In thecase of the preferred form of the kinvention, `this vnumber is three.

The .cam IOI is preferably substantially disc- ,shaped .and .has three equally spaced peripheral recesses 03. Mounted onthe wall |00 for pivotal movementabout a pin l|00 is a `lever |05. One end of the -lever |05 carries a roller |09 which `engages the peripheral `edge of the cam |0I. The other end of .the lever |05 is pivotally connected toa .rod LLB which in turn `is pivotally connected to an arm |08 .projecting from `the door 54. Normal clockwise rotation of the shaft 35 and the cam I0| will .cause the roller |05 to ymove .up and down a5 it .follows the peripheral edge of the cam IM, thereby causing the lever |05 to swing the door '59' ,open .and closed as said lever pivots on the pin |04. There are .preferably springs embodied in the hinges .for the door 53 which normally urge the door to closed position. The weight Yof thedoor 54 plus the action of the spring hinges is suiiicien-t to maintain .proper Contact between the roller |06 and the peripheral edge surface of .the cam IOI. A suitable guide bracket |01 guides the Aouter end of `the lever |05 .during pivotal lmovement of Said lever.

The cam |02 is substantially `triangular in shape. Mounted on the wall |00 adjacent the cam |02 .is Y.preferably .a normally closed, single pole, single .throw .switch |08. The switch |08 essentially .comprises an arm |09 -pivoted near one end .as at I0 with a .spring `embodied in .said pivot to Vnormally urge .the arm toward the '.cazn. The end of .the .arm |09 near the pivot .`|'|0 is ,provided withascontact ||2 which .is normally in engagement with a fixed contact ||3. The .opposite end of the arm |99 extends .away from the spring pivot H0 into the path of the apexes .H4 of ,the rotating cam |02. The eX- tending end of the arm .|09 is so .positioned that as an apex"| I4 approachesit in aclockwise direc- Ation, the .apex .|.I4 will lift the arm |09 and pass thereunder. As the Aarm I 09 is lifted -by the apex, lthe electrical connection between the contacts .|12 and I.|.3 is broken. As the apex I II passes l0 out "from under 'the extended portion of the arm |09, the force of gravity plus the spring action lat the pivot H0 will cause the extended portion of the arm |09 to drop down to its normal position shown in Fig. 8, thereby again causing engagementofthe contact l2 with the contact II3.

A motor 4I having a suitable built-in gear reduction unit similar to that of the motor S4I is mountedon .the wall Q0 and is connected with the shaft 35 by suitable worm and wormwheel gearing IIE, fas shown in Figs. 8 vand 9.

Referring to IFig. 10, the electrical control `circuit of the modiiied form of the invention "conltains several rconfiponents of 'the preferred lforrn. The `mercury switch 98 is the same as the 'mercury 'switch 48, and the 'motor 4I" is the same as the motor l||. The coin-slot'contacts "13 are the Ysameas the coin slot contacts and the empty light 13' is the same kas the empty light '12. The double pole single .throw relay switch "II is substituted for the double pole double throw :relay switch V'I.I -of the preferred form, 'and the single pole single throw Vswitch V|08 replaces the mercury switch 45 of the preferred form. The block 1.1 corresponds l with the block l'! of the lpreferred form.

The relay switch 1| comprises la solenoid coil 19', a pair of fixed contacts 04 vand 85', and a .pair fof 'movable contacts `92 Iand .83. The contacts 82' .and 83 are movable 'into engagement with the contacts-'91|' and`85' in response toenierg'ization ofthe solenoid coil 'I9'.

The :lines L'Ill and 175 connect a source vof elec- Itricity 16 with the terminals of the distribution block 17'. Electricity 'passing 4through the lines 'I5' and '18' goes to one of the coin slot contacts 13'. When -ia coin 'is inserted inthe coin slot, it passes `between the contacts 73 thereby moementarily closing the circuit between them and permitting the electricity to pass to and through 'the solenoid coil 'i9' of 'theirelay TH via 'the line -`and `back .to the source, yvia the lines 8| and ='I4. This momentary current vflow energizes 'the solenoid coil 'i9' esufliciently 'to force the contacts 82 and '83 of the relay 1|" upwardly into engagement Awith the contacts 84 and 35. With the relay contacts 'in this position of engagement, vcurrent flows from the source 'through 'the line II8, the line II9, the contacts 85' vand V83', `and the line 93 to and through the solenoid coil '19' and back -to the source via the lines 9| and 14. The solenoid 'I9' thereby remains energized and holds the contacts 02 and 83 in engagement with the contacts :84' and 85 respectively. While the contacts are so held in engagement, current also flows from the source through vthe lines l5 and l88' through the mercury switch 48 and the Vline 89' to vand through the motor 4I and back to the ysource v'ia the line 94", the contacts 82 and 84', and the lines'95 and 14.

At this point, the motor 4I' is running and is rotating the shaft -35 tobegin the vending opera'- vtion. Fig. 8 :shows .the'position of the cams |01 and A|02 relative to the door opening mechanism and the switch |00 respectively, at the beginning of :a vending operation. As the shaft 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the motor 4| the roller 'I 09 is forced downwardly, thereby causing the lever |05 Ito swing the door `50 upwardly and outwardly (as shown by the 'clot and dash Ylines 4of Fig. :95) :to permit delivery of the vended bar from the chute 55C Rotation of the shaft 35,' which is .sui'licient to cause delivery of a bar to the chute i55" will also cause an apex II4 of the cam |02 Ato move into position wherein it `has lifted the extended arm |09 of the switch |08 suniciently to separate the contacts ||2 and H3 thereof. This causes deenergization of the solenoid coil 19', thereby permitting the contacts 82 and 83 to drop out of engagement with the respective contacts 84 and 85'. As the contact 82 drops out of engagement with the contact 84', current ceases to iiow through the motor 4|', and the motor stops. Referring to Fig. 8, the arm of the switch |08 is being held in up position by an apex ||4 at the instant the electric current ceases to ow through the motor; however, the momentum of the rotating mechanism is sufcient to rotate the cam far enough to carry the apex IIA out of contact with the arm |09 to the position shown in Fig. 8. As the apex ||4 moves out of contact with the arm |09, said arm drops down to its normal position, wherein the contacts ||2 and ||3 are again in engagement.

Coinciding with the breaking of the electrical;

connection at the switch |08, a recess |03 of the cam |0| moves into position over the roller |06 as shown in Fig. 8. This permits the roller |05 to move upwardly and causes the opposite end of the arm |05 to move downwardly under the weight of the door 54', thereby permitting the door 54' to swing closed. Thus, one vending operation is completed.

When the machine becomes empty, the mercury swithc 48 will tilt to the dot and dash line position of Fig. l0, thereby breaking the contact between the lines 88 and 89' and making contact between the lines 88' and 91'. Current will, therefore, flow from the source through the lines 88', the switch 48', and the line 91' to and through the empty light 12' and back to the source via the lines 98 and 14'. It is apparent that the motor 4| is precluded from running while the switch 48 is in the dot and dash line position of Fig. 10.

Except as otherwise shown in Figs. 8 to 10 and herein otherwise described, the structure and operation of the modied form of the invention is `the same as that of the preferred form.

Various other changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes and modifications are contemplated as will come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

l. In a vending machine having a delivery opening, an open bottomed magazine having compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages, said stacks being positioned in line one behind the other, an undulous plate spaced below said magazine and extending horizontally forward toward said delivery opening, said plate being positioned to support said stacks and having at least one downwardly inclined surface portion, the major part of which is below one of said stacks and the forward end of which is overlapped by the stack ahead, and an endless discharge conveyor having portions movable along said plate and below said magazine toward said discharge opening.

2. In a vending machine having a delivery opening, an open bottomed magazine having compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages, said stacks being positioned in line one behind the other, an undulous plate spaced below said magazine and extending horizontally forward toward said delivery opening, said plate being adapted to support said stacks and having downwardly inclined surface portions, each of said inclined portions having a major part thereof extending below one stack and having the forward end thereof overlapped by the stack ahead, the number of said inclined surface portions being one less than the total number of stacks in the magazine, and an endless discharge conveyor having portions movable along said plate and below said magazine toward said discharge opening.

3. In a vending machine having a delivery opening, an open bottomed magazine in which packages are adapted to be stacked, a horizontally extending endless conveyor movable below said stack toward said delivery opening for successively moving packages thereto, an electric motor for moving said conveyor, a pair of rotatable cams driven by said motor, at least one normally closed door at said delivery opening, an electrical circuit for said motor, said circuit including a coin-operated switch for starting said motor and including a second switch, said second switch being positioned for engagement by one of said cams during rotation thereof to stop said motor, and means actuated by the other of said cams for opening said door.

4. In a vending machine having a delivery opening near the forward end thereof, an open bottomed magazine in which substantially rectangular boxes are adapted to be stacked, said magazine having substantially vertically extending members for slidably engaging the front, rear and side surfaces of said boxes, the member engaging the rear surface of said boxes terminating at its lower end in a portion which slopes rearwardly away from said stack of boxes, and a horizontally extending endless conveyor movable below said stack toward said delivery opening for successively moving boxes thereto.

5. In a vending machine having a delivery opening: an open-bottomed magazine having compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages. said stacks being positioned one behind the other; a stack supporting plate spaced below said magazine and extending longitudinally toward said delivery opening, said plate having at least two spaced surface portions each positioned to normally support one of two adjacent stacks, the rear end of the plate portion which supports the forwardmost of said stacks being offset upwardly from the forward end of the plate portion therebehind there being an upwardly inclined portion connecting said two plate portions, the upper end of said connecting plate portion being overlapped by said forwardmost stack; and an endless conveyor having portions movable along said plate and below said magazine toward the delivery opening.

6. In a vending machine having a delivery opening, an open bottomed magazine in which packages are adapted to be stacked, a horizontally extending endless conveyor movable below said stack toward said delivery opening for successively moving packages thereto, an electric motor for moving said conveyor, cam mechanism driven by said motor, a door for said delivery opening, an electrical circuit for said motor, said circuit including a coin operated switch for starting said motor and including a second switch, said second switch being positioned for engagement by said cam mechanism for stopping said motor, and means also actuated by said cam mechanism for opening said door.

7. In a vending machine having a delivery opening near the forward end thereof, an open bottomed magazine in which articles to be vended are adapted to be stacked, said articles having rear surface portions, said magazine having substantially vertically extending members for slidably engaging said articles to be vended, one of said members being engageable with said rear surface portion of the article to be vended and said member terminating at its lower end in a portion which slopes rearwardly away from said stack, and a horizontally extending endless conveyor movable below said stack toward said delivery opening for successively moving articles thereto.

8. In a vending machine having a delivery opening: an open bottomed magazine having compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages, said stacks being positioned one behind the other; a stack supporting plate spaced below said magazine and extending longitudinally toward said delivery opening, said plate having at least two spaced surface portions each positioned to normally support one of two adjacent stacks, the rear end of the plate portionwhich supports the forwardmost of said stacks being oiset upwardly from the forward end of the plate portion therebehind, there being an upwardly inclined portion connecting said two plate portions; and an endless conveyor having portions movable along said plate and below said magazine toward the delivery opening.

9. In a vending machine having a delivery opening: an open bottomed magazine having compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages, said stacks being positioned one behind the other; a pair of like laterally spaced stack supporting plates spaced below said magazine and extending longitudinally toward said delivery opening, each plate having at least two spaced surface portions, positioned to cooperate with like surface portions on the other plate to support one of said stacks, the rear end of the portion of each plate which supports the forwardmost of said stacks being offset upwardly from the forward end of the plate portion therebehind, there being an upwardly inclined portion of each plate connecting said two portions, the upper end of the connecting portion of each plate being overlapped by said forwardmost stack; and an endless conveyor having portions movable along said plates and below said magazine toward the delivery opening.

10. In a vending machine: an open bottomed magazine having a pair of oppositely disposed, spaced, parallel, vertical side walls, said side walls being provided on their inner surfaces with a plurality of corresponding oppositely disposed vertically extending equally spaced stack separating members providing compartments for at least two spaced stacks of packages alined one behind the other; a stack supporting plate means extending longitudinally beneath said magazine. said plate means having at least two spaced surface portions each positioned to normally support one of said stacks, the rear end of the plate portion which supports the forwardmost of said stacks being oiset upwardly from the forward end of the plate portion therebehind, there being an upwardly inclined portion connecting said two plate portions; and an endless conveyor extending longitudinally of and below the magazine, said conveyor including an endless chain positioned outwardly of the inner surface of each of said magazine side walls, said chains each having an upper stretch above the stack supporting plate means, there being a plurality of spaced transverse flights connecting said endless chains and extending over said plate means below the magazine, said iiights being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance between separating nembers.

GORDON W. HAASE. LLOYD D. MERKL.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 823,955 Meredith June 19, 1906 1,159,939 Hitchner Nov. 9, 1915 1,509,249 Miles et al Sept. 23, 1924 1,717,926 Horowitz June 18, 1929 1,986,714 Clayton Jan. 1, 1935 2,222,862 Tratsch Nov. 26, 1940 2,233,690 Williamson Mar. 4, 1941 2,285,435 Holcomb June 9, 1942 2.488,798 Bouracier Nov. 22, 1949

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