US2680052A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

June l, 1954 G. A. DELF 2,680,052

VENDING MACHINE l l I June 1, 1954 G. A. DELF 2,680,052

VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. GEORGE A. DELF FIG. 3.

June 1, 1954 G. A. DELF 2,680,052

VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GEORGE A. DELF June l, 1954 G. A. DELF YVENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 24, 195C Ecc..-

INVENTOR.

GEORGE A. DELF www ,ff/@m76 E /FI fn H :E mi mw f/J on.. W ,w w

Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines, and more particularly to vending machines of fully automatic type, for effecting delivery of like units, one at a time, in respense to deposit of a designated coin.

This applicant is aware of the many automatic vending devices heretofore available to; the trade, and while some thereof function, each for its intended purpose, for a moderate length of time, such devices are notoriously subject to mechanical diiculties leading tofrequent service attention. Such mechanical diiculties are often manifest in failure to deliver the article following coin deposit, due sometimes to jamming, failure of the mechanism properly to index, and may be due to any of numerous other causes. It is accordingly a principal and major objective of the present improvements to attain a fully automatic unit-delivery mechanism which will function unfailingly for long periods of time, and will eiTect a positive delivery of the article purchased; one which will operate for long periods of time without service attention, and which consistent with these results and a high capacity, will require but a minimum of floor space.

A further important object of the present improvements consists in the provision of a reliable and positively operated means for ejecting the articles into a delivery or dispensing station, for pickup by the customer.

A further object of the improvements is realized in a compact and highly capacious arrangement and construction of conveyor or carrier for the articles to be vended, and which requires only a minimum of floor space in proportion to its capacity, and which to this end, utilizes at least some of the space within the conveyor for the principal operating elements of the ejector mechanism.

Yet another object of importance is realized in a dispensing mechanism which requires but a minimum of conveyor movement during each cycle of actuation thereof, and likewise a minimum movement cf a positive ejection agency for the articles to be vended, all by preference under control of and actuated by a common operating agency, such as an electric motor and power transmission means therefrom, including at least in part, intermittent drive means for the conveyor and ejector, the latter operating sequentially in a timed sequence with respect to the conveyor-actuating elements.

Additional and important objectives and advantages include the provision of an improved electric signalling system to indicate an exhausted SLT.

or empty condition of the conveyor; an improved and compact arrangement of the principal elements of the transmission and intermittent drive, and the location of such elements in a separate easily accessible mechanical compartment of a cabinet; improved adjustment and timing means for the conveyor and the drive or transmission for the conveyor and the ejector, together with means for positively preventing overrunning actuation of the power driven elements.

The foregoing and numerous other objectivesand advantages will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment of the improvements, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a cabinet in which is housed the operative parts of the assembly including a conveyor and drive therefor, and showing in dotted lines certain of the partitions and arrangement of compartments in the cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with a closure panel removed, of the cabinet shown in Fig. 1, but on a relatively enlarged scale so as to show the general arrangement of the major mechanical elements of the power drive for the conveyor and ejector;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevational view, partly broken away and considerably enlarged with respect to Fig. 2, principally showing elements of the conveyor and conveyor drive, Fig. 3 being taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, horizontal sectional view as taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3, showing details of one of the conveyor pulleys and shafts, together with features for adjustment thereof;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through the upper portion of the conveyor, and showing elements of the article ejector mechanism, Fig. 5 being taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 3, but being somewhat enlarged with` respect to the latter figure;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view looking depthwise into one of the holders or pockets on the conveyor, which pockets normally contain the articles to be vended;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, sectional detail as taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevation in perspective showing an "empty signal element as inserted in one of the holders or pockets of the conveyor, and which when brought to a certain position in the path of the conveyor, operates an electric switch or other control to indicate the exhaustion of the supply of vended units;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged assembly View of certain of the power transmission elements and the intermittent drive for the conveyor and the ejector, the drive motor and gearhead being omitted from Fig. 9 in the interest of further clarity;

Fig. l is a partly-sectional, partly-elevational vierir as taken along line iB-l G of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an exploded view, with parts shown in perspective, illustrating a detachable connection between a cam operated lever and a rockable shaft for actuating the ejector, and

Fig. 12 is a mechanical and circuit diagram illustrating a motor limit-switching arrangement, the control of the motor circuit through a coinoperated relay, the circuit relation of the emptysignal device, and the circuit and functional relation of a magnetic brake assembly utilized for prevention of overrunning.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and rst to Fig. 1, the cabinet, the several closure portions of which are collectively and generally7 identified at l0, comprises side walls li and i2, the latter formed in part of a removable panel (not shown) but occupying a rectangular recess in a framing structure I3 at the right hand side of the cabinet. A bottom Hi and a top l5, the latter being hinged or bodily removable, serve to complete the closure of the cabinet.

It may be noted that the present arrangement is particularly but by no means exclusively adapted to the winding of refrigerated articles, such as ice cream bars or other frozen confections, in which case the walls of the cabinet or certain parts thereof will be suitably insulated and mechanical refrigeration apparatus (not shown) located within the cabinet. Since the utilization or not of the refrigeration apparatus is optional, and since such apparatus per se, forms no part of the present improvements, it is omitted for present clarity and brevity.

Interiorly of the cabinet l0 are a pair of vertical partitions extending from front to rear of the cabinet and indicated respectively at i6 and l1. These serve to divide the space within the cabinet into a main compartment 2G, a storage compartment 2l for an extra supply of the articles to be vended, and a mechanical compartment indicated by location at 22 in Fig. 1, and which is revealed as it will appear when open, in Fig. 2.

Along and inwardly of the upper portion of the forward wall of the cabinet I6, is a converging chute shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and indicated at 23. rlhis chute is directed forwardly and downwardly from the discharge region of the conveyor later described, to a deposit recess 23A. whence the vended article may be removed by the purchaser. The upper end of the chute 23 is seen in Fig. to include side walls, one of which is shown at 2i, a top wall 25 and a bottom wall 25. Adjacent the opening into chute 23 mayA be located one or more spring fingers 2'! each so formed and anchored at its upper end, as to act upon the article when ejected from the conveyor, to deflect same into a denite discharge relation as it is moved by gravity down the chute.

The conveyor for the articles or units to be vended, is best shown by Figs. 3 and 5, and comprises in the assembly generally indicated at 3B, a pair of vertically spaced horizontal shafts, these being a bottom shaft 3l and an upper shaft 32, each having attached thereto a pair of pulleys or sprockets 33, over which are trained a pair of hat, preferably metallic belts 34. Each of the belts 311 may be formed of a iiexible band or strip smoothly connected upon itself so as to be of a virtually jcintless and endless character. Each belt is provided with a series of apertures evenly spaced over the length of the belt members, and each pulley has mushroom driving lugs 8b circumferentially spaced therealong at intervals corresponding to the linear spacing of the apertures 35 on the belts. The lugs S6 project suiiciently beyond the recesses or apertures in the beit to extend through recesses in the bottoms of the individual pocket members carried by the belts, and effect a positive driving actuation of the pockets.

The several article-containing pockets carried by and forming parts of the conveyor, are individually generally designated at 3l; each is of a generally rectangular shape with its longer dimension transverse to and bridging the belts 34. The bottom la of each pocket member is secured as by rivets 1li, engaging apertures 42 in the belts, such rivets or other attachment means being located near the leading edge of the base margin of each pocket or holder 3l, the direction of movement of the conveyor being indicated by the large arrow at the top of Fig. 5, which as viewed therein indicates a counterclockwise direction of conveyor travel. The arrangement of the pocket-forming members 3'! on the belts is such that along each straight pass of the vertical endless conveyor, the pocket members are substantially contiguous, yet desirably evenly slightly spaced as by outstruck projections 43 formed in the side walls of the pocket members. Due to the radial relation assumed by the pocket members as they pass over the pulleys 33, they will of course become divergently related in the end portions of the conveyor orbit as shown by Fig. 5.

Further details of the improved manner of attachment of the pocket elements to the belt `,vill appear in Fig. 7, wherein it is seen that the apertured regions 42 which accommodate the rivets 4I, are outstruck so as to permit a flush countersunk arrangement of the rivet head whereby these elements may work smoothly over the pulleys 33. From this it results that such outstruck portions 64% will serve slightly to space the bottom of each pocket slightly outwardly of the belt 33 at each zone of attachment. It may be noted in passing that each of the pulleys or sprockets 33 includes a hub portion provided with a set screw through which pulleys are detachably assembled to the shafts such as 3l and 32.

It is desirable for convenience of assembling the conveyor assembly as a package unit, facilitating service, that the conveyor be supported in and by separate framing elements so that the whole conveyor is removably mounted Within the cabinet. Such frame elements of a vertical location are indicated at attached to cross members 45 top and bottom, and certain depthwise members 4l at the top and bottom of this frame assembly. These framing elements are structurally independent of the outer enclosure except for support and positioning members within the cabinet.

It will have appeared from Figs. 5 and 6 that each of the pocket members 31 on the conveyor, includes besides the bottom 40, side walls 41 and end walls 48, but is open at the top, such top opening being indicated at so as to permit the ejection therefrom into the delivery chute, when a given pocket is brought to discharge position.I By reason of such top opening, provision is made to prevent possible casual discharge by' gravity from the open ends of the various pocket members 31. This provision includes stationary sheet metal closure elements 5| and 52 (Fig. 5) and at the bottom a conforming arcuate member 53, the members 5|, 52, 53 thus serving as xed closures rather closely, yet with adequate clearance, arranged proximate to both vertical passes and the bottom of the conveyor.

Provision is made for adjusting the tension of the belts 34, with obvious advantages. Even though the belt elements are virtually without stretch, this provision obviates other unnecessary niceties of assembly. Such provision consists of means for adjustably lifting or lowering the shaft 3| through its journal elements 55 (Fig. 3) these journals are carried by slidable elements 56 movable for adjustment purposes along the vertical members 45 of the conveyor frame. A jackscrew arrangement including a pair of screws 51 engages each journal 55, and extends through a fixed horizontal flange 58 apertured for the screw, and with each of which coacts a pair of adjusting and lock nuts 56 so as to maintain the adjusted setting of the journals 55 hence of the shaft. Similar journals 5| are provided for the upper conveyor shaft 32, but no adjustment means are necessary for the latter journals.

Referring now to the provision for effecting a positive ejection of the units to be vended, one at a time, from the several pocket members 31 of the conveyor, each member 31 is provided with a series, shown as three, of spaced apertures 65 each of which serves to receive one of a correspending series of ejector ngers 65 (Fig. 5). Such lingers are movable as will appear, from the full line position to the dotted line position, and thus will at times extend entirely through that one of the pockets which is located in the delivery station, being the region of the entrance end of the chute 23. Each of the ejector lingers 66 is carried by an obtusely angulate shank 61, and the series of three such lingers and Shanks being attached as by welding, to a bridge 68 xedly supported by and between a pair of linearly operable links or bars 10. Each of the elements is provided with elongate longitudinal slots 1|, through which extend guide pins or rollers 12, thus constraining each of the links to a straight line movement between full and dotted positions as shown by Fig. 5. Pivotally attached to the lower end of each link 10 is a short iioating link 13, the connection being by a pin 14 to link 15, and the opposite end of the oating link being pivoted as through a pin 15 to an arm 16. This latter is 'iixedly attached to a set collar 11 secured to a rock shaft 80 which is reciprocally operable to move the arm 15 between the full line and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the ejector elements proper, operate within the space embraced by the opposite vertical passes of the conveyor 30, and that the reciprocal or straight line motion of the ngers 65-61 will occur in a direction depthwise of that pocket member which is due for discharge of its unit into the chute. The means for effecting a reciprocal rocking actuation of the shaft 80 will be hereinafter described.

It will now be noted that the internal vertical partition I1 which separates the main compartment within the cabinet from the mechanical compartment 22, is of a thickness such that if desired it may be insulated. Spaced metal wall portions of the structure I1 are bridged by tubular elements 8| and 82 through the rst of which 6, extends, as a prolongation of shaft 32 for the conveyor drive, a shaft extension 83, and through element 82, a similar extension 84. rI'he nearest end portion of each of shafts 32 and 80 is formed out-of-round, preferably in the manner of the shaft end shown by Fig. l1 and hereinafter described, as a male extension. A correspondingly shaped socket 86 in the extension Se, and a similar socket 81 in the extension 83, serve to provide a detachable coupling between these pairs of aligned shaft elements. The extension 84 includes a reduced member 8i extending into the mechanical compartment beyond partition I1, the same being true as to member 38 as an extension of part 83, it being noted that outward axial movement of either of the elements S1 or 88 will serve to disconnect, so as to enable free actuation of the shafts 32 and 80, thus freeing the conveyor for loading purposes, and likewise the ejector assembly if any adjustment thereof be needed.

Proceeding now to describe the automatic power arrangement for effecting a timed actuation of the ejector and of the conveyor, preferably in sequence, it will be noted that there is located in the mechanical compartment 22 a small motor H35 mounted on the frame portion IDI, and having a speed-reducing gearhead indicated generally at |02, serving to rotate at a reduced rate, the horizontal shaft indicated at |05 which is directly connected to the hub portion of a master cani |26. Suitable supports for the motor-gearhead assembly and related parts are shown at |51 and |08 in Fig. 9, from which the motor is omitted for clarity of illustration. The cam |56 is formed either of spaced plates or, with a peripheral groove as best appears in Fig. l0. Bridging the plates or the groove as the case may be, is a crankpin H0 (Fig. 9), while projecting outwardly of the cam |05 is an additional crankpin II I. Pin III engages, through a limited proportion of the circle through which the pin travels, a concave prole |52 of a cam member I I3. This latter is adjustably attached to a rockable lever IIA pivoted as at II5 to a fixe-d base or plate element so as to be susceptible of reciprocal movement between the full line and dotted line positions shown by Fig. 9. The range of this movement is subject to regulation by adjustment of the cam member I I3 on lever I|4, which is possible through the provision of slots HS and holding screws coasting therewith and indicated at II1. The left hand end (Fig. 9) of the lever I I 4 is slotted as at I I8, the slot receiving 'a pin or roller |20 carried by a reciprocally movable link I2I (see Figs. 3, 9 and l1). The manner or adjustment of the link I2 I in operating relation to the extension 81-84 of shaft 85, will best appear in the exploded View of Fig. 1l, it being noted that the outermost or free end of element 31 includes the rectangular male extension |23 which will normally extend through and beyond a journal member |24 for piece 8l and thence into a conforming non-circular aperture |25 of piece |2I. An attachment plate |26 serves to receive a pair of screws |21 extending through apertures |30 and |3I thence engaging tapped recesses |32 in member |24. An additional screw |34 extends freely through the plate |25 and is threaded into a socket |35 located axially in the end of piece 81. It will be seen from this mode of assembly that the elements may be readily assembled and disassembled by manipulation of the screws |21-|34. It will further now appear that movement of the lever |I4 by reason ofengagement of the crankpin III with the cam proper I I3, will serve to actuate the lever I2| with rocking actuation of shaft 80, and hence movement of the ejector ngers within the range and in the directions shown by Fig. 5. It should be further noted that the lever H4 is formed on the side opposite its pivot II5, with an upwardly and reentrantly curved tail portion |40, the left hand portion of the tail |40 (Fig. 9) being formed as a camming surface I4! engaged by crankpin III after same has actuated the lever IId downwardly (Fig. 9), so as again to effect an opposite actuation of the rock shaft 80 upon engagement of pin III with cam surface I4I.

Proceeding now to describe further the utilization of the master cam |05 to effect a step-by-step or indexing actuation of the conveyor, this motion is realized in connection with elements of the drive train between the motor Imi, and the conveyor and ejector, through the use of a Geneva wheel or other form of wide-tooth gear element characterized by suitably spaced interdental recesses indicated at |45, the intervening regions or teeth being indicated at |46. The Geneva wheel indicated generally at Il'| is operatively attached to the shaft B8 which extends through an enlarged fixed journal portion |48 supported by the outer plate oi wall II or by a separate mounting base. The Geneva wheel |41 includes a hub portion |50 working on element HIS.` So as to provide for easy manual disengagement of the conveyor from the motor-driven transmission assembly including the intermittent drive, whereby to facilitate loading of the conveyor, there is provided a manual clutch of suitable form, best shown by Fig. 3 as including a clutch-actuating handle or knob I5I which is axially retractible to the right (Fig. 3), and which contains a series of spaced recesses and intervening lugs |52 engaging complemental elements iormed on the hub portion |50 of the Geneva wheel Ill'l. The drive from the wheel |47 to the shaft extension 88, hence to shaft 32, takes place through the dogs and recesses |52. These are intertted with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3 when the clutch is engaged, but are withdrawn from mutual engagement by moving element I5I to the right (Fig. 3) to break the drive connection between the wheel |47 and the conveyor drive shaft 32.

Preferably in an accessible position on the front of the cabinet IIJ, is a coin slot |55 formed in a face plate |55. This slot is opposite the mechanical compartment 22, and located in the upper portion thereof is a suitable coin guide (not shown) connected with which is a combined coin receiver and slug rejector unit indicated at |51, the details of which, included for completeness, form no part of the present improvements. The deposit of a coin of designated denomination and the feed thereof by gravity into the unit |51, serves to close the circuit (Fig. 12) to a coin operated relay |58. This will in turn effect closure of a switch ISB to energize a second relay ISI, actuating a switch member |62 to a circuitclosing position energizing the motor and initiating the cycle of operation of the motor, transmission and intermittent drive assembly for the conveyor and ejector. It will now have appeared from the description of parts that the motor and gear-head |62 will serve to rotate, through shaft |05, the master cam |06. Assuming now the crankpin II I to be positioned about as shown by Fig. 9, the rst effect of rotation of cam IBB will be to depress the lever |14, which through link I2I will actuate the ejector shaft 80 through connections described, so as to effect fan upward and outward movement of the ejector fingers 66-61 thus forcibly ejecting a unit of confection or the like to be vended, into the entrance of chute 23. In the course of this discharge, the spring iinger or iingers 2l will serve properly to direct the vended unit into the chute, whence it may be removed by the purchaser through the port 24, the chute and port constituting a vending or dispensing station. It will now have appeared that, as the pin III traverses the active portion of the profile I I2 of cam |I3, it will after a short period of movement, move away from this cam, and after a short further range of movement (cam |06 moving in a counterclockwise direction Fig. 9), pin I I I will reach the dotted line position shown, and will engage the cam surface I4I on the curved tail of lever IIII. The effect of this will be to actuate the lever II4 in a reverse or clockwise direction, hence similarly to actuate the ejector rock shaft and thus to retract the ejector fingers entirely free of the openings or the pocket members 31. The pin I is thereupon inactive, until again brought to the full line position of Fig. 9, which may be considered both its starting and iinishing position.

Shortly after the pin I I has cleared the surface IM and the tail of lever I i4, the pin I I0 will now enter one oi the recesses |45 of the Geneva wheel and will propel this wheel through an angular distance determined by the angular spacing between centers of the successive spaces |45. The pin IID will thus work first into, then out of a given such space, and between these positions, even though the cam |05 may continue its movement, there results a dwell in movement of the Geneva wheel. The angular spacing between the adjacent recesses of the wheel |41 is such that, during a given cycle of movement, say one revolution of the master cam |06, there occurs following the ejection of the vended unit and retraction of the fingers 66 a step movement of the conveyor such as to bring the next succeeding loaded pocket member to a position adjacent the discharge region of the vending station. The pin III or if desired, a separate such pin may be utilized at the end of the movement properly to recondition the switch |62 (Figs. 9 and 12) as by opening same prior to a subsequent cycle of motor operation. It may be noted that many of the adjunctive electric elements constitute of themselves no part oi the present improvements apart from the combination, and that certain of such elements may be located in or suitably wired to an electric terminal box TB, included principally for completeness of illustration in Fig. 2.

As a means for the desirable prevention of overrunnng of the parts and thus serving to establish a definite range of movement and time of cyclic operation, there is indicated by location in Fig. 2, a small magnet-operated motor brake |65, acting on an upward or outward extension of the motor shaft. There is mounted on the shaft a small drum |65, shown only diagrammatically by Fig. l2. A brake shoe |51 is normally urged against the band |66 as by a spring |68, acting through a plunger which may constitute a movable core of an electromagnet indicated by legend on Fig. 12. It will be noted that the winding for this magnet is in parallel with the motor supply leads; thus when the motor |05 is energized, the coil being also energized, will act to lift the shoe IGI and free the motor shaft, but immediately motor |00 is deenergized, spring |88 acts to reset the brake shoe IS'I. No claim is herein made for the brake structure per se, but same constitutes a valuable operative adjunct in the combination and for the purposes noted.

It is of course desirable in case of exhaustion of the supply of units to be vended, so to notify the customer and prevent loss of coin and good will. To this end there has been devised a simple empty signal which is identified with a spring attachment to one of the pocket members 3l and which is desirably of a form shown by Fig. 8. This structure, also shown in operative position in the uppermost pocket member of Fig. 5, comprises a pair of spaced spring arms HQ constituting upward extensions of a base VH, and a third upstanding arm |72 normally disposed, with the unit in position, within the pocket and closely parallel to one of the end walls of the removable therefrom merely by bringing together the spring arms |10 and withdrawing the clip from the pocket. Disposed slightly at one side of the path of movement of the pocket members 30 and along the conveyor is a microswitch (Figs. 5 and 12) the circuit relation of which will appear in the latter diagram. It will be seen from Fig. 12 that when switch l i5 is closed, a small incandescent empty-indication light |16 is energized, such light being carried by or at least appearing through the front plate |56 (Fig. 1) so as to be visible adjacent the coin slot |55.

In practice, in loading the conveyor 30, the cover l5 is lifted and the units to be vended are introduced through the open top of the main compartment of the cabinet, into the several pocket members 31 of the conveyor, the conveyor having been freed from operative connection of the motor and transmission by release of the clutch identiiied with the manual actuating member 15|. The empty signal clip is disposed in the last of the pockets to be filled so that, assuming the last pocket to have been emptied by the ejectors 66-61 the next movement of the conveyor, which will take place prior to deposit of the next coin, serves to bring the empty signal clip to the position shown in Fig. 5 just beneath switch |15. Thus the empty signal light will remain energized until such time as its circuit is opened manually at the time of service and recharging the conveyor.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to preferred forms of the elements and arrangements thereof throughout the assembly, this detail of disclosure should be understood solely in an instructive, rather than in any limiting sense, numerous variants being contemplated as within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a vending machine, an endless conveyor for retention of a number of the vended articles until delivery, a housing about the conveyor, the conveyor being characterized by a plurality of holders for the articles to be vended, and arranged peripherally of the conveyor, a clip detachably secured to one of the holders, a striker element on said clip, an empty-signal visible from the exterior of the housing, and means in the path of said striker adapted to control said l0 signal to indicate exhaustion of supply of articles in the conveyor.

2. An empty-signal system for a vending machine embodying a casing and an endless conveyor within the casing together' with a plurality of holders on the conveyor for storage of the units to be vended, signal means visible from a point exteriorly of the casing, a spring clip so formed as detachably and yieldably to engage a selected one of the holders on the conveyor, the clip including a striker arm extending to a point beyond the associated holder, and means conditioned by said striker arm to provide a predetermined indication through said signal means.

3. An element for use in a vending machine of conveyor type, equipped with pockets for indi vidual articles to be vended, the element being yieldably attachable to a selected one of the conveyor pockets, and comprised of a pair of opposed spring arms, depthwise insertable into a conveyor pocket, an arm extended laterally of said arms and a further element carried by said arm and constituting a camming member adapt' ed, upon reaching a predetermined position in the path of conveyor movement, to condition an empty-signal for the purpose of indicating exhaustion of articles to be Vended.

Il. The combination in a vending machine, of a cabin-et, a shaft rotatably mounted in the cabinet, a conveyor movable with said shaft, a plurality of elements forming pockets for the units to be vended, and carried by the conveyor and extended outwardly thereof, the cabinet having an outlet therein constituting a discharge station for the individual articles as vended, an ejector element located within a space interiorly of said conveyor, said pockets being formed to permit entrance thereinto, of the ejector element, a coin-controlled motor, an intermittent drive between said motor and the conveyor shaft, said drive including a cam means driven Iby the motor, a rock shaft actuated by said cam means, and linkage elements connecting the rock shaft to said ejector element, said cam means being arranged, upon energization of the motor, concurrently to actuate said rock shaft and said ejector element, and sequentially to actuate the convey-or.

5. The combination of a vending machine including a housing characterized by a compartment therein, an endless conveyor' in 'said compartment, a plurality of pockets carried by and opening outwardly of the conveyor for containing the articles to be vended, the housing being formed to provide a vending station along the path of the conveyor, said pockets each being formed so as to permit the entrance to the space therein, an ejector finger operatively disposed within the conveyor and arranged to extend into any of the pockets thereof when same is moved to a position adjacent a dispensing station, electric motor m-eans for driving the conveyor and operating said ejector ringer, a drive train between the motor means and the conveyor, said drive train including an element so formed as alternately to actuate said ejector nger and said conveyor, and control means actuated by elements of the drive train, for effecting a predetermined cycle of actuation of said ejector finger and conveyor during a given period of energization of said motor means, and switching means arranged to cause energization of the motor for a limi-ted extent of operation in response to deposit of a predetermined coin.

6, In a vending machine, a cabinet, a vertical partition within said cabinet ydividingA the space therein into a main compartment and a mechanical compartment, a. conveyor of endless belt type in the main compartment, characterized by spaced belt elements and a plurality of elements forming pockets attached to and projected outwardly from the belt elements, said pockets serving to receive the individual units to be vended, means providing a dispensing station for such articles, the cabinet being provided with a discharge opening at said dispensing station, a pair of vertically spaced, horizontal shafts substantially within said main compartment, journals for said shafts carried by the walls of said compartment, including said vertical partition, means enabling adjustment of the position of one of said shafts for the purpose of regulating tension of the belt, one of said shafts constituting a drive lshaft for the conveyor and extending into the mechanical compartment, a Geneva wheel attached to said drive shaft in the mechanical compartment, a cam means having a portion coacting with said Geneva wheel to provide therewith an intermittent drive for the conveyor, an electric motor in the mechanical compartment adjacent said cam means, a reduction gear through which the motor is connected to said cam means, limit switching means `located to be acted upon by said cam means as same is rotated to determine a cycle of operation of the cam means and Geneva wheel when the motor is energized, a second cam portion on said cam means, a rock shaft extended into the space between the passes of said conveyor belt in the main compartment and extended through said partition into the mechanical compartment, a pivoted lever in the last said compartment and affixed to the rock shaft, the last mentioned lever being so located and timed with respect to said cam means, as to actuate said rock shaft in predetermined sequence With respect to the movement of said conveyor, an ejector finger operable in a direction toward and away from said dispensing station and located in the main compartment and substantially between the passes of the conveyor belt, a link connecting said ejector finger with said rock shaft for actuation thereby, each of said pockets being formed to permit the entrance thereinto of said ejector nger, as the individual pockets are brought to position for discharge therefrom of the article being vended, and means including said cam means for limiting the cycle of operation of the motor, and means operable responsive to energization of the motor for preventing overrunning of the said motor driven elements, when the motor is deenergized.

7. In a vending machine for single delivery of similar units to be vended, an endless conveyor, a plurality of carriers on the conveyor constituting receptacles for said units, a housing about said conveyor, means in said housing providing an article-delivery station located along the path of said conveyor, a vertical partition located and serving to divide the housing into a main and a mechanical compartment, the conveyor, delivery mechanical compartment affording access to said motor, cam means and wheel for servicing the same, an ejector -engageable with the units to be vended, one at a time, when the carriers are brought into delivery position, an arm by which said ejector is carried, a rock shaft operably connected to said arm, said rock shaft, arm and ejector being located in the main compartment but with the rock shaft extending from the main compartment into the mechanical compartment, and means in said mechanical compartment operably interconnecting said cam means and rock shaft and actuated by said cam means.

8. In a vending machine, a conveyor movable in a fixed path, a number of individual carriers on the conveyor, and serving as containers for the units to be vended, elements forming a delivery station along the path of the conveyor, a conveyor shaft, a Wheel connected to said shaft, a motor, a cam driven by said motor, the cam having a portion intermittently engageable in driving relation with said wheel, whereby to complete an intermittent drive connection between the motor and the conveyor, an ejector element arranged to eject the unit to be vended from a carrier of the conveyor located in the region of the delivery station, a rock shaft operatively connected to said ejector element, and means interconnecting said cam and said rock shaft and actuated by another portion of said cam, the cam being adapted to effect sequential actuation of said ejector element and said conveyor.

9. In a vending machine, a conveyor movable in a fixed path, a number of individual carriers on the conveyor, and serving as containers for the units to be vended, elements forming a delivery station along the path of the conveyor, a conveyor shaft, a wheel connected to said shaft, a motor, a cam driven by said motor, the cam having a portion intermittently engageable in driving relation to said Wheel, whereby to complete an intermittent drive connection between the motor and the conveyor, an ejector element arranged to eject the unit to be vended from a carrier of the conveyor located in the region of the delivery station, an arm by which said ejector element is carried, a rock shaft operatively connected to said arm, and a pivoted lever operably connected to said rock shaft, and arranged to be actuated by another portion of said cam, the cam being adapted to effect sequential actuation of said ejector element and said conveyor.

l0. The combination in a vending machine, of a cabinet, a shaft rotatably mounted in the cabinet, a conveyor movable with said shaft, a plurality of elements forming pockets for the units to be vended, and carried by the conveyor and extended outwardly thereof, the cabinet having an outlet therein constituting a discharge station for the individual articles as vended, an ejector element located within a space interiorly of said conveyor, said pockets being formed to permit entrance thereinto, of the ejector element, a coin-controlled motor, an intermittent drive between said motor and the conveyor shaft, said drive including a cam means driven by the motor, a rock shaft actuated by said cam means, and linkage elements connecting the rock shaft to said ejector element, said cam means being arranged, upon energization of the motor, concurrently to actuate said rock shaft and said ejector element, and sequentially to actuate the conveyor, and limit switching means located to be acted upon by said cam means as the cam means is driven so as to determine a cycle of operation of said ejector element and said conveyor when the motor is energized.

11. rEhe combination of a vending machine including a housing characterized by a compartment therein, an endless conveyor in said compartment, a plurality of pockets carried by and opening outwardly of the conveyor for containing the articles to be Vended, the housing being formed to provide a vending station along the path of the conveyor, said pockets each being formed so as to permit the entrance to the space therein, an ejector ringer operatively disposed within the conveyor and arranged to extend `into any of the pockets thereof when same is moved to a position adjacent a dispensing station, electric motor means for driving the conveyor and operating said ejector finger, a drive train be tween the motor means and the conveyor, said drive train including a cam so formed as to provide separate cam portions, one of said cam portions being adapted to actuate the ejector finger, the other cam portion being adapted to actuate the conveyor, the said cam portions being located on said cam so as to operate alternately, and control means actuated by one of said cam portions for effecting a predetermined cycle of actuation of said ejector nger and conveyor during a given period of energization of said motor means, and switching means arranged to cause energization of the motor for a limited` extent of operation in response to deposit of a predetermined coin.

l2. In a vending machine, a cabinet, a vertical partition within said cabinet dividing the space therein into a main compartment and a mechanical compartment, a conveyor of endless belt type in the main compartment, characterized by spaced belt elements and a plurality of elements forming pockets attached to and projected outwardly from the belt elements, said pockets serving to receive the individual units to be vended, means providing a dispensing station for such articles, the cabinet being provided with a discharge opening at said dispensing station, a pair of vertically spaced, horizontal shafts substantially within said main compartment, journals for said shafts carried by the walls of said compartment, including said vertical partition, means enabling adjustment of the position of one of said shafts for the purpose of regulating tension of the belt, one of said shafts constituting a drive shaft for the conveyor and extending into the mechanical compartment, a Geneva wheel attached to said drive shaft in the mechanical compartment, a cam means having a portion coacting with said Geneva wheel to provide therewith an intermittent drive for the conveyor, an electric motor in the mechanical compartment adjacent said cam means, a reduction gear through which the motor is connected to said cam means, a second cam portion on said cam means, limit switching means located to be acted upon by said second cam portion as the cam means is rotated to determine a cycle of opera- 14 tidn of the cam means and Geneva wheel when the motor is energized, a rock shaft extended into the space between the passes of said con veyor belt in the main compartment and extended through said partition into the mechanical compartment, a pivoted lever in the last said compartment and afixed to the rock shaft, the pivoted lever being so located and timed with respect to said cam means so that the said second cam portion actuates the rock shaft in predetermined sequence with respect to the movement of said conveyor, an ejector iinger operable in a direction toward and away from said dispensing station and located in the main compartment and substantially between the passes of the conveyor belt, a link connecting said ejector finger with said rock shaft for actuation thereby, each of said pockets being formed to permit the entrance thereinto of said ejector finger, as the individual pockets are brought to position for discharge therefrom of the article being vended, and means including said cam means and actuated by one of said cam portions for limiting the cycle of operation of the motor, and means operable responsive to energization of the motor for preventing overrunning of the saidmotor driven elements, when the motor is deenergized.

13. In a vending machine for single delivery of similar units to be vended, an endless conveyor, a plurality of carriers on the conveyor constituting receptacles for said units, means providing an article-delivery station located along the path of said conveyor, a drive motor, a cam means driven by said motor, and a wheel adjacent said cam means and formed to be intermittently driven by a portion of said cam means, a conveyor shaft connected to said wheel, an ejector engageable with the units to be vended, one at a time, when the carriers are brought into delivery position, an arm by which said ejector is carried, a rock shaft operably connected to said arm, and means operably interconnecting said cam means and said rock shaft and actuated by said cam means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,300,888 Singletary Apr. 15, 1919 1,309,086 Danner July 8, 1919 2,073,870 Johns Mar. 16, 1937 2,154,388 Starnes et al. Apr. 11, 1939 2,252,825 Witherell Aug. 19, 1941 2,285,435 Holcomb June 9, 1942 2,392,511 Thompson Jan. 8, 1946 2,464,737 Wellekens Mar. 15, 194.9` 2,497,219 Haumann Feb. 14, 1950 2,599,173 Hamilton June 3, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 353,428 Great Britain of 1931

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