US3019941A - Electric console cigarette merchandising machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1954 5% H Y RS C F. 2% .W 2 m m V85 7 N P IKWVRS n WE m W T 5 RN 0H4 Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 3,019,941

ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR-S CHRIST/HM GflBR/ELSEN HPHND VOEPER/HN HA/DREW UKOV/CH 14 TTOENfY ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS CHE/57m GHBRIELSEN Hem/0 VORPEE/HA/ fluoxesw E. SUKOV/CH BY LgQWL H TTOPNE Y ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS (HP/$714M GflBR/ELSEA/ Mae/v0 VOPRER/HN 14A/ 2514 f.

KOV/CH RTTDPNEY Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRlELSEN ET AL 3,019,941

ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 28, 1954 INVENTORS CHE/5774M Ga e/ass Men/v0 VORPE-E/QN quoesw E UKOl/ICH BY L HTTOPMEY Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 'll I M mwmm E 0 E l N T/EV P NEEO O EBPK T Vafw T m w a H m N a ERDSQ Filed Jan. 28, 1954 nite rates Our invention relates to merchandising machines and more particularly to an electric console cigarette merchandising machine which has a large capacity, which is adapted to dispense a large variety of brands of cigarettes and which efficiently utilizes the cabinet space available in the machine.

Cigarette merchandising machines of the prior art have a limited capacity and are adapted to dispense only a small number of different brands of cigarettes. With the increasing popularity of a greater number of brands of cigarettes and with the increasing sale of king size cigarettes, it has become necessary to provide a cigarette merchandising machine which is adapted to dispense a greater variety of brands than the machines of the prior art. We have invented an improved cigarette merchandising machine which has a large capacity and which is adapted to dispense a great variety of brands of cigarettes. Merchandising machines of the prior art are, moreover, generally tall so that they cannot be installed in many desirable locations. The machines of the prior art do not etficiently utilize their cabinet space since the drive and selecting means take up considerable space in the machine cabinet. These machines provide side shift columns which successively shift columns of packages of cigarettes to a position where they may be acted upon by the dispensing mechanism of the machine. These side shift columns necessitate the use of a complicated and expensive actuating mechanism. Our improved machine employs a simple operating mechanism which eliminates the side shift columns of the prior art and which enables us to utilize efficiently the cabinet space of the machine. Our machines, in addition, are relatively short as compared with the machines of the prior art so that.

they may be installed in locations in which it was impossible heretofore to install a cigarette merchandising machine. We have provided tiers of containers, or columns, arranged one behind the other as well as rows of. containers in side by side arrangement. Our machine is provided with means for preventing the jamming of packs in adjacent columns of a tier. We have provided a machine which is easier to load. Our machine has an improved match dispensing assembly in which a plurality of columns of matches is provided, and the arrangement is such that the cigarettes and matches are dispensed to the same location in the delivery tray of the machine. The arrangement of our invention is such that the pack of cigarettes next to be dispensed from any column is displayed where it may be viewed by the customer.

One object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandising machine which has a large capacity and which is adapted to dispense a large number of brands of cigarettes.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandising machine Which efiiciently utilizes the cabinet space provided in the machine.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandising machine in which the pack next to be dispensed from a column is displayed so that it may be viewed by the customer.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide an atent O ml improved merchandising machine having an improved match dispensing assembly.

A still further object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandising machine which is easy to load.

Another object of our invention is to provide an ima proved merchandising machine which may be housed in a cabinet which is lower than cigarette merchandising machines of the prior art without a decrease in capacity, so that it may be installed in locations heretofore inaccessible to cigarette merchandising machines.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In general, our invention contemplates the provision of an improved electric console cigarette merchandising machine including a cabinet in which we arrange a number of tiers or series of columns containing the various brands of cigarettes to be dispensed. The respective columns of each series or tier are arranged one behind the other from the front to the back of the machine. Below each' series of columns we provide a pair of guide rails carrying a reciprocating dispensing slide. The forward end of each dispensing slide normally supports the pack of cigarettes next to be dispensed over the dispensing chute and in a position where it may be viewed by the customer through a window provided in the cabinet door. A number of pushers corresponding to the number of columns in the associated series of columns are carried by each of the respective slides. Before a dispensing cycle is initiated all the pushers except the last pusher are disposed in front of the column of cigarettes upon which they are to act. The rear pusher is disposed below the level of the lowest pack of cigarettes in any column. When a dispensing operation is initiated, the slide is moved rearwardly of the machine and the forward end is slid from under the pack to be dispensed so that the pack falls into the dispensing chute. As the slide moves rearwardly, all pushers save the rear pusher slide under the lowermost packs in their respective columns so as to be disposed behind the lowermost packs of the columns of a tier at the completion of the rearward stroke. of the slide. At a point near the end of the rearward stroke of the slide, the rear pusher is moved upwardly and latched in a position behind the lowest pack in the rear column. On the forward or return stroke of the slide, each of the pushers engages and carries forward a package from its respective-column. The rear column of cigarettes move down one pack and, at the end of the forward stroke, the rear pusher is unlatched so that it falls below the level of the lowest pack in any column. It will be appreciated that at this time, the forward end of the slide supports another pack over the dispensing chute and the machine is ready for the next operation. To prevent fouling or jamming of the packs, we provide batiies between adjacent columns of the series of columns.

in order to reciprocate the dispensing slides, We provide a common drive means for all slides and individually actuatablc coupling means associated with each slide. The arrangement is such that When a particular brand is to be selected, a selecting button is pushed to engage the coupling means associated with the selected series of columns with the drive means. We provide our machine with means to ensure that only a single coupling means may be engaged with the drive means on each operation of the machine.

We provide an improved match dispensing assembly including a number of columns of matches, each column of which is associated with a series of columns of cigarettes. This match dispensing assembly is operated from the actuating means associated with the respective series of columns to dispense a packet of matches each time a package of cigarettes is dispensed. The arrangement is 3 such that the package of cigarettes and the packet of matches are dispensed at the same location along the dispensing tray of the machine. Our improved cigarette merchandising machine is provided with means facilitating the loading operation.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

' FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of our improved electric console cigarette machine.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine taken along the line 22 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine taken along the line 33 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removed taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removed taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removed taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale of our improved electric console merchandising machine showing the dispensing slide assembly.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale of a portion of our improved electric console merchandising machine showing the drive motor starting means.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale showing the improved match dispensing assembly of our improved electric console merchandising machine.

FIGURE 10 is a front view of a portion of our improved electric console merchandising machine showing the match dispensing assembly.

More particularly referring now to the drawings, our improved electric console merchandising machine includes a cabinet, indicated generally by the reference character 10, mounted on a pair of base members 12 and 14 and including a front panel 16 mounted by hinges 17 on cabinet 10. The front panel 16 is provided at one side thereof with a coin slot 18, a coin return button 20, and a coin return slot 22 all of which are well known in the art. A number of selecting buttons 24 are arranged across the front of panel 16 and are associated respectively each with a particular brand of cigarettes in a manner which will be described hereinafter. Door 16 has a window 26 fixed therein through which the packages of cigarettes next to be dispensed from the respective columns may be viewed by the customer. A delivery tray 28 provides a means by which the customer gains access to the mechandise.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 2, 3, and 7, we provide a bracket 30 mounted on the rear panel 32 of housing 10 by any suitable means such as rivets 34. A plurality of pairs of channeled guide rails 36 and 38 are fixed at one end to bracket 30 by means such as welding and are supported on a U-shaped bracket 40 fixed between the sides of housing 10. A plurality of partitions 42 are supported between adjacent pairs of rails 36 and 38 and extend upwardly therefrom. These partitions 42 and flanges 44 between adjacent partitions 42 form columns in which we dispose packages of cigarettes. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, the partitions 42 and flanges 44 form the two rear columns 46 and 48 of a series of columns. The front column 50 of each series of columns is formed by pivotally mounted partitions 52 having vertical flanges 54 and 56 extending from the sides thereof at the edges of the partition. A member 58 fixed to a bracket 60 attached to the frame of the machine by welding or the like provides a pivotal support for arespective panel 52. An ear 62 formed at the base of each panel 52 is pivotally secured by means of a pin 64 to the member 58. It will be appreciated that when the front door 16is opened, the panels 52 may be pivoted forwardly so that access may be had to the rear columns 46 and 48 and the machine may be readily loaded. An angle iron 66 is secured by means such as welding to the flanges 54 and 56 at the front of each of the partitions 52 so that the partitions move as a unit. In order to hold panels 52. and the columns formed thereby in an upright position, we provide a pair of latches arranged on the outboard sides of the series of columns adjacent either side of the machine. A latch 61 is pivoted by a pin 63 on the panel 42 forming the outboard side of the column adjacent one side of the machine. Latch 61 engages a pin fixed to the panel 52 of the column 58 adjacent the side of the machine. A spring 67 is fixed at one end of the latch 61 and at the other end to the panel 42 to resiliently urge latch 61 into engagement with pin 65. A similar arrangement is provided at the other side of the machine.

We provide pivoted bafiles 79 and 81 mounted, respectively, on pins 83 and 85 extending between partitions 42 adjacent the lower ends of flanges 44. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, baflie 79 is disposed between columns 48 and 50 and baffle 81 between columns 46 and 48. These baffies prevent interference between packages of cigarettes of adjacent columns during the forward movement of slide 68 in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Below each series of columns 46, 48 and 50 we arrange a reciprocating dispensing slide 68 carried between a pair of guides 36 and 38 in the channels thereof. Each slide 68 is formed with a pair of depending longitudinal flanges 70 and 72 at the respective sides thereof. A first pusher 74 is pivotally mounted by its ears 84 on the underside of slide 68 on a shaft 76 extending between flanges 70 and 72. The pusher 74 is formed with an upwardly extending portion 78 adapted to extend through a slot 88 formed in the slide 68. A coil spring 82 surrounds shaft 76 and bears between an car 84 formed on the pusher 74 and flange 70 on the slide 68 to urge the pusher in a direction such that the portion 78 extends through the slot in the slide. A second pusher 86 formed with an upwardly extending portion 88 is pivotally mounted on the underside of slide 68 by means of its ears S t on a shaft 92 extending between flanges 70 and 72. Pusher 86 is resiliently urged by a coil spring 94 to a position where the portion 88 extends through an opening 96 in slide 68.

The rear pusher 98 is pivoted by its ears 100 on a shaft 102 extending between flanges 70 and 72 The underside of pusher 98 is formed with a lug 104. A spring 106, fixed at one end to lug 104 and at the other end to a lug 108 on slide 68, normally urges pusher 98 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3. The arrangement is such that when slide 68 is moved rearwardly of the machine, an upwardly extending portion 110 formed on pusher 98 engages bracket 30 at a point near the end of the rearward stroke, so that the pusher is cammed upwardly against the action of spring 106. This is the position of pusher 98 illustrated in broken lines in FIGURE 3. In this position the upwardly extending portion 110 of pusher 98 is behind the lowermost package of the rear column of packages 46 and lies above the level of slide 68. When the slide 68 is returned to its initial position by the drive means, to be acro at described hereinafter, each of the pushers will engage and carry forward a package of cigarettes from one of the respective columns 46, and In order to ensure that the rear pusher 98 remains in its active position during the forward stroke of the slide, we provide a latch member 112 having a pair of depending legs 114 and 116. Leg 116 is formed with a hook 118 which cooperates with a lug 129 extending laterally from pusher 98. Latch 112 is pivotally mounted adjacent flange by the shaft 92 mounting the pusher 86. A spring 124, fixed at one end to leg 114 and at the other end to a pin 126 on flange 7t), normally urges latch 112 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 7. When slide 63 is moved rearwardly so that pusher 98 is cammed upwardly by bracket 39, lug snaps into engagement with the hook 118 formed on leg 116. When the slide 68 is moved forwardly on its return stroke, latch 112 holds pusher 98 in its active position so that it carries the lowermost pack of cigarettes in column 46 forward. In order to unlatch the latch 112 at the end of the forward stroke so that slide 68 may be moved rearwardly during the next operation, we provide a stop 128 fixed to bracket 4t) by any appropriate means such as a bolt 13%). When slide 68 reaches a point near the end of its return stroke, leg 114 engages stop 128 so that latch 112 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to release lug 129 and permit pusher 98 to drop to its inactive position.

it will be appreciated that on the forward or return stroke of the slide 68 each of the pushers 74, 86, and 93 will engage and carry forward a package of cigarettes from a respective column 50, 48 or 46., When the return stroke has been completed, the pushers will be in the positions shown in full lines in FIGURE 3. In this posi-' tion the forward end of the slide 68 supports a package of cigarettes 132 under the window 26 in the front panel 16 of the machine where it can be viewed by a customer. The slide is marked with an appropriate legend such as Sold Out to inform the customer that the supply of cigarettes in a particular series of columns is exhausted. This legend is in view only when not covered by a package of merchandise.

Package 132 is the next package to be dispensed. On the succeeding dispensing operation slide 68 will again be moved rearwardly. Package 132 is prevented from being carried along with the slide 68 by engagement with the ends of the guide rails 36 and 38. Thus, the forward end of slide 68 will be withdrawn from under package 132 so that it drops into the dispensing chute 134, formed by a baifie 136 welded to bracket 60 and a guide 138 fixedby any suitable means between the sides of housing 10.

We mount a panel 216 in the interior of cabinet 10 adjacent each side thereof to provide a mounting means for the operating mechanisms of the machine, as will be explained in detail hereinafter. Actuating levers 140, mounted on a common pivot rod 142 fixed between the panels 216, are associated with the respective series of columns. The upper end of each of the actuating levers 149 is bifurcated and engages a rod 144 carried by a pair of cars 1 46 fixed on the rear end of the associated slide 68 by means such as rivets 145. It will be appreciated that as the lever associated with a particular series of columns is oscillated, the slide 68 will be reciprocated by virtue of the connection provided between the bifurcated end of the lever 140 and the rod 144. We provide a common drive means for all the actuating levers 140 of the machine. This drive means includes a motor 148 mounted by any convenient means on the right hand panel 216 as viewed in FIGURE 4. Motor 148 is adapted to be energized by a means to be described in detail hereinafter. When energized, motor 148 drives a shaft 151 on which we mount for rotation therewith a cam member 152 having a heart-shaped cam track 154 formed therein. A follower 156, carried by one arm 158 of a bell crank 166, rides in the track 154, Bell 6 crank 160 is pivotally mounted on a pivot rod 162 fixed at its ends in the panels 216. The other arm 164 of bell crank 160 is pivotally secured to a link 166 by means of a pin 168. The end of link 166 remote from pin 168 is pivotally secured to the operating bar 179 of the machine. As is well known in the art, operating bar 176 is mounted for reciprocation in slots 171 formed in the respective panels 216, as can be seen by reference to FIGURE 2.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, we provide a pair of operating bar drive links 172 pivotally mounted adjacent the respective ends of operating bar 170. Each of these operating bar drive links is connected by a pin 176 to an operating lever 174 pivotally mounted on rod 142. An operating lever coupling bracket 178 is welded at either end to a flange 13% provided on the operating levers at the respective sides of the machine.

In order to provide a means for engaging the actuating lever 149 associated with the selected tier of merchandisc with operating lever coupling bracket 178jwe provide each of the actuating levers with a coupling hook 182. Each of the coupling hooks 162 is pivotally mounted on the associated actuating lever by a pin 184. A bracket 186 is formed on one end of each of the hooks 132 and carries a bolt 188 on which we mount a tail piece 19%. A spring 192 surrounding bolt 188 urges the tail piece 19% into engagement with bracket 186.

As will be explained in detail hereinafter, before a dispensing operation is initiated, the bracket 1.78 holds the levers 141 in their forward positions and tail piece 19%) engage the flange 193 of bracket 40 to .hold the coupling hooks out of engagement with bracket 178. r

In order to engage a selected one of the coupling hooks 182 with the operating lever coupling bracket 1'78, we provide a number of coupling hook actuating links 194, each corresponding to one series or tier of columns of merchandise. Each of the links 194 is supported in slots 196 and 198 formed in the flanges of bracket 40. A spring 206, fixed between a pin 292 on the rear end of link 194 and a pin 294 on bracket 40, normally urges link 194 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 3. In order to actuate the respective links 194, we provide a number of selecting buttons 24 slidably mounted in guides 296 formed on panel 16. Each of the selecting buttons has an actuating member 2G8 fixed thereto. Members 208 are provided with lugs 21% adapted to engage the respective coupling hook actuating links 194. When a selecting button 24 is pushed, its member 298 pushes the associated link 194 to the rear against the action of spring 200 so that the rear end of link 194 engages its associated hook 182. This movement rotates the coupling hook182 to a position where it engage the bracket 17 8.

It will be appreciated that selecting button 24, member 2113 and link 194 comprise selecting means whereby the slide actuating means including lever 140 and hook 182 may be coupled with the drive means provided by bar 17th, links 172, operating levers 174 and bracket 178.

Buttons 24 and members 208 also provide means for starting the drive motor 148. Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 8, when a button 24 is pushed, its member 2413 engages an operating flap 212 welded to a shaft 214 rotatably mounted in the panels 216. A lever 21% is fixed at one end on shaft 214 and is pivotally connected at its other end to a motor start link 220 by a pin 222. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 2, the motor start link 2241 is carried by a pair of pins 224 and 226 on a panel 216. The link 220 is formed with a pair of slots 228 and 23% by means of which it rides on the pins 224 and 226. A motor start lever 231 is pivotally mounted on a pin 232 fixed in panel 216 and is joined to link 220 by a pivot pin 234. When a selecting button 24 is pressed to rotate shaft 214 and drive link 220, lever 231 is rotated in a direction to actuate the start button 236 of the motor stop-start switch 238, mounted on panel 216. As is well known in the art, switch 233 cannot start motor 148 un- I less the coin register (not shown) of the machine is energized.

In order to stop motor 148 when a dispensing operation has been completed, We provide a motor stop link 240 slidably mounted in a bracket 242 carried by panel 216. A projection 244 at an appropriate point on the periphery of member 152 engages and actuates link 24%) when the dispensing operation is complete. When actuated, link 240 engages the stop button 246 of the motor stop-start switch 238 to stop the motor.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, in order to prevent the actuation of more than a single coupling hook actuating link at a particular time, we provide our machine with locking slides 248. These slides 248, well known to the art, are carried by a casing fixed to the flange 193 of bracket by any appropriate means. Referring now to FIGURE 7, each of the coupling hook actuating links 194 is provided with a re-entrant portion 252 along its length. Before a selecting button has been pressed, this re-entrant portion 252 is in a position adiacent the locking slides 248. When a link 194 has been actuated, however, the re-entrant portion 252 is moved relative to the locking slides so that one side thereof earns the slides sidewise to take up the slack in the locking slide assembly. The remaining slides of the assembly are moved to a position where they butt against the bottoms of the re-entrant portions 252 in the remaining links 194 to prevent actuation of the links.

In order to prevent the momentum imparted by the fall. from carrying the dispensed article off tray 28 and permitting it to fall to the floor on which the machine is resting, we provide a pivoted baffle 254 extending between panels 216. As can be seen by reference to FIGURES 3 and 8, baffle 254 is Welded to a pivot shaft 256 mounted in panel 216 at one end and at the other end in a similar panel. A lever 258 is fixed on shaft 214 for rotation therewith at a point adjacent lever 218. Lever 258 has a pin 260 fixed in one end which is adapted to engage an arm 262 of a bell crank pivotally mounted on a pin 264 on the panel 216. The other arm 266 of the bell crank has a pr0jection 268 thereon which is adapted to engage a lever 270 fixed on shaft 256. It will be apparent that when a selecting button 24 is pushed to rotate shaft 214, lever 258 rotates the bell crank including arms 262 and 266 to actuate lever 270 to rotate shaft 256 to move baffle 254 to a position where it closes the dispensing chute 134. A lever 272 mounted for rotation with respect to shaft 214 is formed with a lug 274 adapted to engage link 218. A coil spring 276 fixed at one end in panel 21.6 bears with its other end on lever 272 to urge lug 274 resiliently into engagement with lever 218. .This spring 275 provides a means for resetting the operating flap 212. and selecting button 24, as well as a means for opening baflie 25d to permit a package of cigarettes to drop into the dispensing tray 28 of the machine.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 7, each of the actuating levers 140 extends through a slot 278 in its associated coupling hook actuating link 194. When a particular coupling hook 182 engages the operating lever coupling bracket 178, it is carried toward the rear of the machine by the operating levers 174. The engaged hook 182 carries its associated lever 140 rearwardly and also the corresponding link 124 by virtue of the engagement of the lever 140 in the slot 278. This slot construction prevents the immediate return of the coupling hook actuating link 194 when button 24 is released and enables spring 29! to assist in returning lever 14% to its initial position.

We have provided our machine with an improved mate dispensing assembly as can be seen by reference to FIG- URES 2, 3, 9 and 10. This match dispensing assembly includes a magazine, indicated generally by the reference character 280; which contains a number of columns of matches to be dispensed. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 10, compartments containing the columns are formed by flanged partitions 282 spaced across the magazine. Within each compartment we provide a pusher 284 for urging the columns of matches upwardly to a position where the packets can be dispensed. A spring 2845 is fixed at one end to a pin 288. on the pusher 234. Spring 286 extends upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 9 around a wheel 2% pivotally mounted on a pin 292 fixed in the back 298 of the magazine and downwardly to a rivet 296 adjacent the bottom of the magazine. This arrangement permits us to employ a large spring. it will be appreciated that spring 236 urges pusher 284 upwardly against the column of matches so that as the packets are dispensed from the column the remaining packets will be pushed upwardly in a position to be dispensed. During this movement of pusher 234 upwardly, pin 238 rides in a slot 224 formed in the back 2% adjacent each column.

Associated with each of the columns of matches is an actuating lever 300 pivotally mounted on a rod 362 carried by a pair of ears 394- formed adjacent each side of the magazine 230. Each of the levers 300 carries an ejector 3% at its upper end. Each of the electors 3% is adapted to extend into the magazine through a slot 308 to engage the uppermost packet of matches in a column. The upper end 310 of each lever 3% extends through an opening 312 formed in the ejector 306. End 316 and opening 312 provide a driving connection between lever 30% and its associated ejector 3%. When the lever is driven forward, it pushes its associated ejector 396- into its magazine to eject a packet of matches from the top of the column. In order to drive the respective levers 30%, we provide a plurality of drive links 314 slidably mounted in slots 316 formed in a bracket 313 fixed between the panels 216. Each link 31 3 is provided with a longitudinal slot 328 and is carried thereby on a pin 322 formed on the lower end of the associated lever A spring 324 fixed at one end to pin 322 and at the other end in an opening 325 in the end of link 314 provides a resilient driving connection between :a lever 140 and a drive link 314. A spring 331, fixed at one end to a respective lever 300', and at its other end to pivot rod 302, provides a means for resetting the respective lever 300.

The magazine 280 is provided at each side with a pivot pin 325 by means of which it is carried in the bifurcated arms of a U-shaped bracket 326 fixed to the back panel of the machine, by any appropriate means such as bolts 328. It will be appreciated that the magazine may readily be removed from the cabinet 10 merely by sliding the pins 325 out of the bifurcated arms of the bracket 326.

For loading, the magazine may merely be pivoted to the broken line position shown in FIGURE 2. In order to hold the magazine in position when in use, we provide latches 336 each pivoted on apin 332 on an arm of bracket 326. The ends of latches 330 remote from pins 332 are adapted to engage a pair of pins 334 carried by each side of the magazine 280. Springs 338 are each fixed at one end in a hole 340 in a respective latch 330 and at the other end in a hole 341 in one of the respective arms of bracket 326. Latches 330 normally hold the magazine 280 in an upright position. In order to ensure that the magazine is so held ,we provide an additional latch 342 pivoted on a pin 344 on a panel 216 and normally urged by a spring 348 to a position where it engages a flange 346 on the bottom of the magazine. Spring 348 is fixed at one end to latch 342 and at the other end to panel 216.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, the dispensing tray 28 is provided with guides 350, each corresponding to a compartment of magazine 280. These guides 35% direct a packet of matches from the column of the magazine 280 corresponding to the selected column into the dispensing tray 28 at the same location as that where the package of cigarettes is dispensed.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the motor drive shaft has a crank 350 fixed on its end. Crank 350 is connected to a link 352 by a pin 354. Link 352 is connected by a pin 356 to one arm of a bell crank 358 pivotally mounted on a shaft 162. The other arm of the bell crank is connected by a pin 36% to a link 3562 having a pin 364 thereon. Link 362 is slidably mounted in a bracket 366 fixed on panel 216 by any suitable means. As shaft 150 rotates, link 3652 is vertically reciprocated through the linkage described so that pin 364 tilts the coin tray of the machine coin register (not shown) to accept the coins deposited in the register.

In operation, the customer first deposits coins in a sum equal to the purchase price of the article to be purchased in the coin register (not shown) of the machine. As is well known in the art, the coin register enables the completion of the drive motor circuit when a selecting button is pressed. The customer then actuates one of the selecting buttons 24 and the corresponding selecting member 268 rotates operating flap 212 as can be seen by reference to FIGURE 8. This operation rotates shaft 21d and actuates the motor start link 220 to start the drive motor 143. The rotation of shaft 214 also actuates the bell crank including arms 262 and 266 to drive shaft 256 to close the baffie 254.

Actuation of one of the selecting buttons 24 also moves the coupling hook actuating link 194 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3 to rotate hook 182 to a position where it engages the operating lever coupling bracket 173. The movement of link 1%. causes the re-entrant portion 252 to engage and actuate the locking slides 248 in a manner well known in the art so that no other link 194 can be actuated. It will be appreciated that the connection between the actuating lever 140 and link 194 provided by slot 278 prevents link 1% from being returned by spring 209 until the dispensing operation is complete. Thereby a dishonest customer cannot actuate one link 194, stop the machine, and actuate another link 1% before lever 140 starts its rearward movement.

Before the dispensing operation is initiated, slide 63 is in a position where its forward end supports a pack of cigarettes over the dispensing chute 134 and the pushers 74, 86, and 98 are in the positions shown in full lines in FIGURE 3. When a coupling hook 182 has been engaged with the operating lever coupling bracket 178 in the manner described and drive motor 148 has been energized, operating bar 170 is driven rearwardly by cam member 152 acting through bell crank 160 and link 166. As the operating bar moves rearwardly, it pushes operating levers 174 and bracket 17% attached thereto to the rear. By virtue of the coupling between bracket 178 and hook 182, the actuating lever 14% corresponding to the series of columns whose hook 182 has been engaged is driven rearwardly. The actuating lever 140 carries its associated slide 68 to the rear through the medium of the connection between the bifurcated end of the lever 140 and rod 144 fixed to the carriage. As the slide moves to the rear, its forward end is withdrawn from under the pack 132 next to be dispensed to permit it to fall into chute 134 onto baffle 254. The package will be allowed to fall onto dispensing tray 28 when button 24 is released and spring 272 resets the flap 254. This prevents the momentum imparted by the fall from carrying the dispensed article off tray 28 and permitting it to fall to the floor on which the machine is resting. Pushers 74 and 86 slide back under the packs in columns 50 and 48. The pushers 74 and 86 may be cammed slightly downwardly against the action of their associated springs 82 and 94 during this movement by the weight of the columns of packs. When the slide 68 reaches a point near the end of its rearward stroke, back pusher 98 engages bracket 34 and is cammed upwardly thereby so that its lug .124 snaps into engagement with the hook 118 formed on latch 112. This latching arrangement keeps the portion 110 of pusher )8 in its upright or active position during the forward or return stroke of the slide.

When the rear stroke is completed, the portions 78, 88, and 110 of the respective pushers 74, 86, and 98 are in positions to engage the lowest pack of cigarettes in each column. During the return or forward stroke of the slide 68, the pushers carry a pack from each column forward through a distance equal to one column. In the course of this forward movement, the battles 79 and 31 are moved to the broken line positions shown in FIGURE 3. It is to be noted that during this return stroke the front of bracket .178 engages the selected actuating lever to provide a positive return for the lever. This positive return is desirable since on the dispensing stroke the slide need only overcome its frictional engagement with the columns of cigarettes while on the forward or return stroke, suflicient energy must be supplied to push three packs of cigarettes forward from out of the respective columns. Spring 200 also aids in this return movement by virtue of the connection provided between link 194 and lever 140 by slot 278.

-At a point near the end of the return stroke, leg 114 of latch 112 engages bracket 128 to release lug 124 and permit the rear pusher 98 to fall into a position where its portion 110 is below the level of the lowest pack in any column. At the end of the return stroke the tail piece engages flange 1% to lift the coupling hook 182 out of engagement with the operating bar coupling bracket 178. The pack of cigarettes 132 which has been dumped onto baffle 254- has been released to fall into the dispensing tray 28 when baflie 254 is opened. This baffie opens when spring 276 resets the operating flap 212 by rotating shaft 214 upon the release of button 24.

When the selected actuating link is carried rearwardly by bracket 178 during the dispensing stroke, link 314 is driven forwardly through the resilient connection provided by spring 324 so that its forward end engages lever 300 to push the ejector 306 into the column of matches corresponding to the selected series of columns of cigarettes. As ejector 306 moves into the magazine, it pushes a packet of matches into the dispensing tray. On the return stroke, link 3114 is reset by the engagement of pin 322 with slot 329 and the lever 300 is reset by its associated spring 301.

At an appropriate point in the cycle of operation the coin tray of the coin register (not shown) is actuated by pin 364 to accept the coins. When the dispensing operation is complete, projection 244 on cam member 152 engages motor stop link 240 to drive it rearwardly to actuate a stop button 246 of switch 238 and stop the drive motor. The machine is now ready for the next succeeding dispensing cycle.

' When it is desired to load the machine,,' the cabinet door 16 is swung open on its hinges 17. Latch 61 is lifted out of engagement with pin 65 and the forward column of each series swung outwardly around the pivot 64 to the broken line position shown in FIGURE 2. Access may then readily be had to columns 46 and 48 for loading. Columns 50 are then loaded and partitions 52 swung back into'place and latch 61 locked. In order to load the match assembly, latches 330 are moved out of engagement with pins 334, latch 342 is unlocked and the entire assembly swung to the position shown in broken lines in FIGURE 2. The magazine 28%) may then readily be loaded. The assembly is then swung back to the full line position and latches 330 and 342 locked. During the loading of the match magazine, pushers 234 may readily be removed from their respective columns and re-inserted after loading. When the columns of a particular series are empty, the customer may be apprised of this fact by an appropriate marking such as Sold Out on the forward end of slide 68. The customer may readily view this legend through the window 26.

It will be seen that We have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided an improved electric console cigarette merchandisingmachine which has a large capacity and which may dispense a great number of different brands of cigarettes. Our improved merchandising machine eiliciently utilizes the available cabinet space and, as a result, is shorter than machines of the prior art. it may be installed in locations heretofore inaccessible to merchandising machines. Our machine is provided with means facilitating its loadin Means are also provided to prevent jamming of packs of cigarettes in adjacent columns. We have provided an improved match dispensing assembly which dispenses matches and packages of cigarettes at the same location along the dispensing tray. Moreover, our machine displays the package of cigarettes ext to be dispensed to the purchaser and informs the purchaser of the fact that the supply of a particular brand of cigarettes is exhausted.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may 'be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. it will therefore be understood that our'invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandise including in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality of tiers of columnar containers each containing a supply of packages of merchandise to be dispensed, means mounting said tiers of containers within said cabinet with the containers of each tier disposed one behind the other, a plurality of dispensing slides associated with the respective tiers of containers, respective extensions on said slides, guide means mounting \said slides for reciprocating movement below said tiers, means normally positioning said slides with said extensions below said window, a delivery chute, means mounting said chute in said cabinet below said slide extensions in their normal positions, each of said slides being arranged to support a package of merchandise from its associated tier of containers over said chute in a position to be viewed through said window, a plurality of pushers carried by each of said slides, each of said pushers being associated with a respective container, respective actuating means for said slides, means for driving said actuating means to reciprocate said slides first with a dispensing stroke and then with a return stroke on each operation of the machine and means for selectively coupling one of said actuating means, with said driving means to cause the slide extension corresponding to, the one actuating means to move out from under the package supported thereby on'the dispensing stroke and to cause the pushers associated with the one actuating means to engage and carry forward packages of cigarettes from their corresponding containers to cause the slide to move a fresh package to a position to be viewed through said window.

2. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandise including in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality of columnar containers housing sup plies of merchandise to be dispensed, means mounting said containers one behind the other in said cabinet, a dispensing slide, an extension on said slide, guide means mounting said slide for reciprocating movement below said containers, means normally positioning said slide in said cabinet with said extension below said window, a delivery chute, means mounting said delivery chute below said slide extension in its normal position, said slide extension being arranged to support a package of merchandise over said chute in a position to be viewed through said window, a plurality of pushers carried by said slide, each of said pushers corresponding to a column containing a supply of merchandise, actuating means for said slide, means for driving said actuating means to reciprocate said slide first with a dispensing stroke and then with a return stroke on each operation of the machine and means for coupling said actuating means to said drive means to cause said slide extension to move out from under the package of merchandise supported over the chute during the dispensing stroke and to cause said pushers to engage and carry forward packages from their associated containers during the return stroke whereby said slide extension positions a package in view through said window, said actuating means'including an actuating lever, said coupling means comprising a member pivotally carried by said actuating lever and adapted to be engaged with said drive means, means for moving said coupling means out of engagement with the drive means when the slide is in its forward position at the end of a return stroke and resilient means providing engagement between the coupling means and the means for moving the coupling means.

3. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandise including in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality of columnar containers housing supplies of. merchandise to be dispensed, means mounting said containers one behind the other in said cabinet, a dispensing slide, an extension on said slide, guide means mounting said slide for reciprocating movement below said containers, means normally positioning said slide in said cabinet with said extension below said window, a delivery chut'e, rneansmounting said delivery chute below said slide extension in its normal position, said slide extension being arranged to support a package of mercham disc over said chute in a position to be viewed through said window, a plurality of pushers, carried by said slide, each of said pushers corresponding to, a column containing a supply of merchandise, actuating means for said slide, means for driving said actuating means to reciprocate said slide first with a dispensing stroke and then with a return stroke on each operation of the machine and means for coupling said actuating means to said drive means to cause said slide extension to move out from under the package of merchandise supported over the chute during the dispensing stroke and to cause said pushers to engage and carry forward packages from their associated containers during the return stroke whereby said slide extension positions a package in view through said window, one or" said pushers being provided with an upstanding portion, means pivotally mounting said one pusher on said slide, means normally urging said one pusher to a position at which its upstanding portion is below the surface of said slide, means for moving said one pusher at a point near the end of said dispensing stroke against the action of said resilient means to a raised position at which its upstanding portion extends above said slide upper surface, means for latching said one pusher in its raised position and means for releasing said latching means at the end of said return stroke.

4. A merchandising machine for dispensing packaged merchandise including in combination a plurality of columns containing packages of merchandise to be dispensed, said columns being arranged one behind the other, guide means disposed below said columns, a dispensing slide carried by said guide means and having an opening formed therein, a plurality of pushers each pivotally mounted on said slide, each of said pushers being associated with a respective column, each of said pushers being formed with an upstanding portion, resilient means urging one of said pushers to a position at which its upstanding portion extends through said opening, resilient means urging another oneof said pushers to a position at which its upstanding portion lies below the upper surface of said slide, a dispensing chute, said slide arranged to support a package of merchandise over said chute, actuating means connected to said slide, drive means for said actuating means, means for coupling said actuating means to said drive means to reciprocate said slide rearwardly. and forwardly of the machine, means for moving said other pusher to a position at which its upstanding portion is above the upper surface of said slide at a point near the end of the rearward stroke of the slide, latch means for holding said other pusher in its raised position and means for releasing said latch means at a point near the end of the forward stroke of the slide, the arrangement being such that on the rearward stroke of the slide the package of merchandise supported thereby falls into the dispensing chute and that on the forward stroke of the slide each of said pushers engages and carries forward a package of merchandise from its associated column.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 435,370 Stevens Aug. 26, 1890 874,236 Pond Dec. 17, 1907 1,420,834 Giles June 27, 1922 1,564,540 Dinwiddie Dec. 8, 1925 1,763,352 Giles June 10, 1930 1,766,297 Macke June 24, 1930 1,801,165 Macke Apr. 14, 1931 1,807,404 Goss May 26, 1931 14 Giles July 14, 1931 Larsen Feb. 21, 1933 Leve et a1 Dec. 12, 1933 Fry Mar. 12, 1935 Fry June 2, 1936 Hoban Dec. 28, 1937 Du Grenier Apr. 16, 1940 Gabrielsen Sept. 2, 1941 Brodie Apr. 14, 1942 Pease; Jan. 19, 1943 Gabrielsen Jan. 18, 1944 Wilder July 10, 1945 Steiner Sept. 12, 1950 Drmsler Apr. 3, 1951 Haase Dec. 11,1951 Fry Apr. 22, 1952 Wilder Apr. 7, 1953 Gabrielsen May 12, 1953 Gross Nov. 2, 1954 Grielsen et "a1. Oct. 8, 1957

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