US2919831A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

J n- 1960 B. w. FRY 2,919,831

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet i Jan. 5, 1960 B. w. FRY 2,919,831

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 B. W. FRY

VENDING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17. 1954 United States Patent VENDING MACHINE Benjamin W. Fry, Ladue, Mo., assignor, by mesne assigninfigits, to National Vendors, Inc., a corporation of sonri Application June 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,426 3 Claims. (Cl. 221-225) This invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to a machine for vending packs of cigarettes.

The invention is an improvement upon the cigarette vending machine shown in my prior U.S. Patent 2,594,147, patented April 22, 1952, its primary object being the provision of means whereby, as to each brand of cigarettes in the machine, two packs are displayed at the window of the cabinet of the machine for inspection of revenue stamps on the packs or the like, a first of these two packs being delivered to the purchaser on operation of the machine, the second pack then taking the place of the first pack, and another pack being delivered from the supply in the machine to take the place of the second pack. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a view corresponding generally to the upper end of Fig. 6 of my U.S. Patent 2,594,147, showing certain elements of the improvement of this invention, also showing parts of a cabinet of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view taken generally on line 22 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 14 of my U.S. Patent 2,594,147, and showing certain elements of the improvement of this invention; and,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 18 of U.S. Patent 2,594,147.

.Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is 'shown as applied to the cigarette vending machine disclosed in my prior U.S. Patent 2,594,147. Only so much of the machine as is required for an understanding of the present invention is shown. Reference may be made to my said prior patent for complete details. As to those parts of the machine shown herein which are the same as those shown in said patent, the same reference characters are used.

In general, the vending machine is shown to comprise a console cabinet 1 having a front door 3. At 19 is shown a window which extends across the upper portion of the door. This portion of the door inclines away from a row of push button selector members 21 mounted for vertical movement in a stepped portion 23 of the door. Each push button is in line with a pivoted trap or display tray 25a adapted to carry a pack P-l to be dispensed in a first display position as shown in Fig. 1. The tray is designated 25a to distinguish it from the tray 25 shown in my prior patent since it differs somewhat therefrom. The construction of the tray 25a will be later specified. The packs carried by the trays 25a are visible through the window 19. Upon the proper deposit of coins, and the actuation of a push button, the machine operates through a dispensing cycle wherein the tray 25a corresponding to that particular push button is tilted to discharge the pack P-1 carried thereby into a delivery chute 27, through which it falls and drops into a receiver 29. The receiver 29 is carried interiorly by the door 3, and the door has an access opening 31 for removing the pack.

At 35 is indicated a primary magazine for holding packs of cigarettes P in an upright stack, and at 55 is shown a guide at the rear of the primary magazine. By reference to my prior patent, it will be understood that a pack discharged from the lower end of the magazine 35 is impelled upward in the guide passage defined by the sides 37 of the magazine, the guide 55, and a rear panel 73. The upper end of the rear panel 73 above the upper end of the magazine curves forward and then downward as indicated at 75. Any pack impelled upward in the rear of the magazine is guided by the curved up per end of the panel 73 to travel around the upper end of the magazine and then downward toward the front of the magazine between the curved upper end 75 of the panel 73 and a curved guide plate 76. The pack is im pelled upward by a kicker foot 69 in the guide passage. This kicker foot extends radially from a kicker shaft 71. The lowermost pack of the stack is adapted to be discharged rearward on tracks 51 on to the kicker foot by a pusher 155. This is pivoted on a package discharge rod 151 which is slidable forward and rearward. When button 21 is pushed down, the rear end of pusher 155 tilts up for pushing the lowermost pack rearward.

Each tray 25a has an upwardly extending rear flange 25b, apertured side ears 250 in back of the flange, and a step as indicated at 25d. The trays are individually freely pivoted on a transverse shaft 77, as in my prior patent, received in the ears 250, for swinging movement on a horizontal axis in the rear of and adjacent the upper edge of the flange 2512. Any one tray may pivot on shaft 77 independently of all the other trays. The trays are adapted to be retained in the raised display position shown in Fig. l by pins 79, one for each tray, extending radially from the shaft 77, and by fingers 81, one for each tray, which extend upward from the upper ends of slides 83, the same as in my prior patent. The pins 79 are engage able with the back of the respective flanges 25b. Each tray, in its raised position, slopes forward and downward.

By reference to my prior patent, it will be understood that when a push button 21 is pushed down, this drives down the finger 81 for the respective tray. It also initiates operation of the dispensing mechanism of the vending machine to effect counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 77 as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby swinging all the pins 79 away from the back flanges 25b of the trays. This permits the respective tray to tilt downward, and discharge the pack thereon into the chute 27 for delivery to the purchaser. The dispensing mechanism includes a rocker plate 179 at the left side of the machine. This normally occupies the initial position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. It is adapted to be rocked clockwise from this initial position to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 3 and then back to the initial position by a drive including a motor 167, a speed reducer 169, gears 171 and 173, and a link 177. Gear 173 is fixed on a shaft 175. At the right side of the machine is a rocker plate 185 similar to rocker plate 179. This is rocked by means of a crank arm 183 on shaft 175 and a link 184. Links 189 and 191 connect the rocker plates 179 and to the ends of rod 151. Shaft 175 carries cams such as indicated at 205.- These act on cam follower rollers 209 on levers 207 on kicker shaft 71. Biasing springs 211 maintain rollers 209 in engagement with the cams. Full details may be ascertained from Patent 2,594,147.

In accordance with this'invention, a rock shaft 501 is provided extending transversely of the machine above the forward end portion of the curved upper end 75 of the panel 73. This shaft is journalled at its ends in brackets 503 and &5 (see Fig. 2). It carries a series of spring fingers 507, one for each tray. Each finger 507 extends forward from the shaft 581 and is adapted to bear upon the upper face of a second pack of cigarettes P-Z located in a second display position rearward of the first pack P1 as shown in Fig. l. The second pack P2 in the stated second display position rests toward the rear on the forward end portion of the guide plate 76 and toward the front on the upper edge of flange 25b, with the lower portion of its forward end engaging the upper portion of the rearward end of pack P-1. The forward end portion of the pack P2 projects forward from between guides 75 and 76, the pack being inclined downward toward the tray. In the position of shaft 5111 shown in Fig. 1, the spring fingers occupy a relatively raised position wherein their free ends bear lightly on the packs P-Z. Upon counterclockwise rotation of shaft 501 as viewed in Fig. 1, the free ends of the fingers are brought to bear on the packs P-2 with considerable force.

At its left end (see Figs. 2 and 3) the shaft 501 has a radial arm 509. A bar 511 is pivotally attached at its lower end to the rocker plate 179 as indicated at 513, and extends upward through a guide 515. At its upper end, the bar 511 has a finger 517 extending over the arm. A spring 519 biases the shaft 501 to rock counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. l (clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3), rotation of the shaft being limited by engagement of the arm 509 with the finger 517. In the initial position of the rocker plate 179 shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the bar 511 occupies a lowered position such that finger 517 holds down the radial arm 509 and thereby holds the rock shaft 501 in such a position against the bias of the spring 519 that the spring fingers 507 are held in their raised position. In this raised position, the free ends of the spring fingers may still hear on the upper faces of packs P-2, but with only relatively light force. As the rocker plate 179 rocks clockwise from its initial position to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, the bar 511 is moved upward. This raises finger 517 from arm 509 and frees the rock shaft 501 for rotation by the spring 519 to bring the spring fingers 5117 downward to bear with considerable force upon the packs P-Z. When the rocker plate 179, completing a cycle of oscillation, returns to its initial position, the bar 511 is returned to its initial lowered position and finger 517 pulls down the arm 509 to rock the rock shaft 501 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 and counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 thereby to return the spring fingers to their raised position.

By reference to my prior patent, it will be understood that after a pack has been discharged from a particular tray, and as the rocker plate 179, in completing a cycle of oscillation, approaches its initial position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the kicker foot 69 operates to impel a pack derived from the supply in the respective magazine 35 upward in the rear of the magazine, the pack being guided by elements 75 and 76 around the upper end of the magazine and to the front.

Operation is as follows:

As to any brand of cigarettes in the machine, with the rocker plate 179 in its initial position as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 there will be a pack P1 in the first display disposition as shown in Fig. 1 on the respective tray 25a, and a second pack P2 in the second display position rearward of the first pack as shown in Fig. l resting on the forward end portion of guide plate 76 and the upper edge of flange 25b of the tray. One end of each of packs P-1 and P-Z, which will be its bottom end as the packs are placed in machine, is visible through the window 19. The entire front surface of pack P1 and part of the front of P-2 is visible. The bar 511 is in its lowered position, and hence the respective spring finger 507 is in its raised position. When a purchaser, having deposited 4 the requisite amount in coins, pushes the button 21, this drives down the finger 31 and initiates operation of the dispensing mechanism to effect counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 77 as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby swinging the respective pin 79 rearward away from the flange 25b of the tray. it will be understood that when the button is pushed down, the motor 1627 is energized (provided the proper amount in coin has been deposited) in the same manner as described in my prior patent. This permits the tray to tilt downward and discharge the first pack P- into the chute 27 for delivery to the purchaser. However, before the tray has tilted downward far enough to discharge the pack P-l, the action of the bar 511, which is moving upward as the rocker plate 179 rocks clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 through the initial half of its oscillatory cycle, effects release of the rock shaft 509 for rotation by the spring 51% to cause the respective spring finger 97 to bear down on the pack P-Z with considerable force. This prevents the pack P-Z from sliding off the forward end portion of the guide plate 76 and the upper edge of flange 2517, so that pack P-Z does not drop into the chute 27.

As the rocker plate 179 rocks back through the final half of its oscillatory cycle to its initial position, the rotation of shaft 77 is reversed, and the respective pin is thereby swung clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 to raise the tray back to its display position. As this occurs, bar 511 is lowered to raise the respective spring finger 507. At this time a pack is impelled upward in the rear of the respective magazine by the kicker foot 69 and is guided around the upper end of the magazine by 75 and 76. This pack pushes the original pack PZ out from under the spring finger onto the tray (which is now raised). While the spring finger may bear lightly on the pack P-2, its force is insufficient to prevent pack P2 from being pushed otf onto the tray. The original pack P-Z thus takes the place of the original pack P1 in the stated first display position, and the pack delivered from the magazine takes the place of the original pack P-Z in the stated second display position. This completes the cycle of operation, and the machine is then in readiness for the next vending operation.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A vending machine for packs of cigarettes comprising a cabinet having a window, a magazine in the cabi-. net for holding a supply of packs in an upright stack, a pivoted display tray in the cabinet adjacent and in front of the upper end of the magazine, said magazine having a passage at the rear thereof, upper and lower guides in the cabinet defining a continuation of the passage around the upper end of the magazine to the tray, the lowermost pack of the stack being deliverable upward in the rear of and around the upper end of the magazine through said passage, said tray being adapted to hold a first pack in a first display position with the front end of the first pack visible through the window, said tray having an upwardly extending rear flange and being pivoted for swinging on a horizontal axis adjacent the upper edge of the flange, said tray being tiltable downward from a raised position to discharge said first pack, a second pack being adapted to occupy a second display position rearward of the firs; pack resting on the forward end portion of the lower guide and inclined downward toward the tray with the lower portion of its forward end engaging the upper portion of the rearward end of the first pack, whereby the front end of the second pack is visible through the window and said second pack is adapted to slide onto the tray to take the place of the first pack, means in the cabinet for releasably holding the'second pack in said second display position, means for delivering a pack from the magazine to the second display position, means for tilting the tray downward to discharge said first pack and for then returning the tray to its raised display position, means for actuating said holding means to hold said second pack in said second display position while the tray is tilting downward to discharge the first pack and to release said second pack for sliding onto the tray when the tray has returned to display position, and means for actuating the delivering means to deliver a pack from the magazine to the second display position after the tray has returned to display position.

2. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for retaining said second pack comprises a finger pivoted for swinging movement on a transverse axis above the forward end portion of the upper guide and adapted for movement of its free end toward and away from the upper face of the second pack.

3. A vending machine for packs of cigarettes comprising a cabinet having a window, a magazine in the cabinet for holding a supply of packs in an upright stack, a pivoted display tray in the cabinet adjacent and in front of the upper end of the magazine, said magazine having a passage at the rear thereof, upper and lower guides in the cabinet defining a continuation of the passage around the upper end of the magazine to the tray, the lowermost pack of the stack being deliverable upward in the rear of and around the upper end of the magazine through said passage, said tray being adapted to hold a first pack in a first display position with the front end of the first pack visible through the window, said tray having an upwardly extending rear flange and being pivoted for swinging on a horizontal axis adjacent the upper edge of the flange, means for tilting said tray downward from a raised position to discharge said first pack and for then returning the tray to its raised position, a second pack being adapted to occupy a second display position rearward of the first pack resting on the forward end portion of the lower guide and inclined downward toward the tray with the lower portion of its forward end engaging the upper portion of the rearward end of the first pack, whereby the front end of the second pack is visible through the window and said second pack is adapted to slide onto the tray to take the place of the first pack, a rock shaft in the cabinet extending transversely above the forward end portion of the upper guide, a spring finger extending forward from the rock shaft, and means in the cabinet for operating the rock shaft in timed relation to the tray to lower the free end of the finger to bear on the upper face of the second pack to hold the second pack in said second display position while the tray is tilting downward to discharge the first pack and to raise the free end of the spring finger to release the second pack to slide onto the tray when the tray is returned to display position after having discharged the first pack, means for delivering a pack from the magazine to the second display position, and means for actuating the delivering means to deliver a pack from the magazine to the second display position after the tray has returned to display position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 510,982 Mattson Dec. 19, 1893 559,534 Lohsand May 5, 1896 906,666 Towers Dec. 15, 1908 1,113,476 Osmer Oct. 13, 1914 1,400,814 Grover Dec. 20, 1921 1,827,900 Morrison Oct. 20, 1931 1,830,805 Myer Nov. 10, 1931 1,855,441 Crouse Apr. 26, 1932 2,594,147 Fry Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,392 Great Britain A. D. 1912

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