US3122269A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1964 c. E. REBURN 3,122,269

VENDING MACHINE C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 2,5, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheer??I 2 Filed June 9, 1960 ATTO/@V575 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June 9, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Blf/16M,

Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June 9, 1960 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE llll X 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INII/ENTOR.

ANDRA/75 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 9, 1960 INVENTOR.

Af/,Q55 5, ifaen/ C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June 9, 1960 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 9, 1960 Si y J, k@ Q mw Illi l m nu L f. ...n .v i H M m@ Q* S m Nw QQ\ N%\ %N\ FJ W n? ,/,l QQ mm. uw N%\J vm. N .ff w QQ QN [Nw NS, Nw L. 6, 2. QQ q u y/n v Q )Sv QW Uf 3 a yoke 19@ provided with a transvsrse pin 1132. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 the yoke 1% at the end oi link 92 is adapted to straddle cam bar 82 and pin 162 normally lies at the apex formed by slots S8 and In the relative positions of the parts as shown in FIG. 3, solenoid S41, pulling up cam bar 82 through the medium of link 1114, causes slots 88 to engage pins 162 which would prevent any movement of any of the connectors 92. All cam plates 66 would be locked thereby in their inoperative positions.

To initiate motion of any cam plate 6d, manual means is provided which consists of the rods 68 which are slidable in front and rear plates 3S and 46, respectively', and are adapted to be pushed longitudinally by push buttons 1116 at their ends where they protrude through plate 3?. To this end a collar 12S is provided on each rod 6.2 abutting the collar 111i of a locking member 112 pivotally mounted on rod 63 adjacent the bearing edge 7 3 of plate 66. As shown in FIG. 7 depressing button 1% pushes rod 62'5 and its collar 19% to move cam plate ed against the force of compression springs 113 and 114 about rods 68 and 70 respectively for a limited distance at which pin 78 is advanced the length of the straight portion 76 of the slot in cam plate 66.

This endwise motion of cam plate 66 pushes pin 1%2 over into the inclined slot 911 of cam bar 82 so that upward motion of cam bar 82 pulls cam plate 6&5 longitudinally on rods d8 and 7i?, thus causing the gate to open as above described. Upon reversed motion or" cam bar S2 compression of spring 113 and spring 114- about rods 68 and 71B respectively pushes cam plate 66 back until the bottom of straight portion 76 of the slot engages pin 72. Removal of rod 63 is prevented by a collar 116 adjacent push button 1136.

To prevent two push buttons 1616 from being depressed simultaneously which would cause two gates to open at once, an interlock is provided operable by the gates. To this end each link 92 is provided with a cam-shaped flange 120 each adapted to operate the interlock mechanism for the purpose of blocking movement of each other link 92. The interlock is indicated at 122.

Interlock 122 consists of a channel 1212 and cover 126 between which are disposed a plurality of flat wedgeshaped cam members 12S, one corresponding to each link 92, and having mating bars 130 interposed between them to transfer longitudinal motion and incidentally to extend the length of the assembly with respect to channel 124 so that the top bar 132 will cause operation of a suitable electric switch 134.

In the normal inoperative position all members 128, 13d and member 132 lie within channel 124 so that all are free to move longitudinally thereof. At intervals in the side wall of channel 124 are provided slots 136 adjacent each cam 120 whereby the wedge cams 12S are adapted to be engaged. Each wedge cam 128 is in the form of a triangle over a rectangle, the rectangular part of the member 128 being normally opposite a slot 128 in the wall of channel 124 opposite slots 136. Thus in the normal positions of wedge cams 128 any such member can be moved laterally against the force of suitable leaf spring 14? to protrude through its slot 138 but having so moved it is locked in that position against lengthwise motion. All members below are likewise unable to move longitudinally, which will include member 12S as well as the mating bars 131i. Those mating bars 1341 above such an actuated wedge cam 123, however, are movable longitudinally since they have cani faces 142 to correspond with cams 123 and on moving longitudinally the remaining wedge cams 123 above, are unable to move laterally since their rectangular tongues are out of registry with the corresponding slots 138. The top mating bar 132 is caused to move longitudinally to actuate switch 134.

It is thus seen that when one Wedge cam 12S has been actuated laterally by its corresponding cam 121i, all the 4 remaining wedge cams are unable to act as cams until the rst actuated cam has been restored to its normal position.

Thus interlock 122 operates to lock out all but one first actuated gate as well as to operate the electric switch 134 to energize solenoid 84 which as above described opens the gate corresponding to the actuated wedge cam 123 and its associated link bar 92, cam plate 66 and bar member 6l). Link bar 92 is guided in its longitudinal movement by slots 151i cut in the rear plate dit.

Member 112 which is journaled as at 1111 on rod 63 is a latch for stopping longitudinal movement of rod 63 when there is no bottle 44 within the gate to be engaged by the arcuate member or bar 61D. For this purpose member 112 is provided with a hook-like projection 152 adapted to enter a notch 1541; in the forward edge oi member 61B, as shown dotted in FIG. 9. The latch is disengaged by a bottle 44 in position within member 61). With no bottle in place the latch effectively prevents sliding of the bearing portion 111B due to engagement ot the ilange 1118. Thus, the button 1% cannot be depressed to actuate cam plate 66.

In order to prevent anyone from rotating the gate member dit by hand, slot of bar 32 is provided with a notch 161i providing a flat face to engage pin 1132 thereby preventing actuation of cam plate 66 in a longitudinal direction.

It is intended that this apparatus shall not be operable until a suitable coin has been inserted in a slot as shown in 162 in the front of housing 20. The deposit of a coin in a slot is intended to condition a suitable circuit for the operation of solenoid 84, which may be called the vend solenoid, upon operation of switch 134 which will be referred to as the select switch.

Coin operated mechanisms are a well developed art and any suitable form of such mechanism may be ernployed to operate a vend switch 170 (FIG. l2). As Will be understood vend switch 170 is operated by the coin operated mechanism (not shown) and thereafter when a suitable button 1116 is pushed by the operator select switch 134 is closed in manner above described. A suitable source of current is provided as indicated at L1 and L2 in FIG. 12. Closing vend switch 170 closes the circuit from L1 through vend relay 172, by way of conductor 174 and 176 both leading to the armature contact 17S. Operation of vend relay 172 closes contacts 180 and also closes the contacts associated with armature 178 as shown at 132. Vend relay 172 will remain closed since a circuit is established between L1, armature and its normally closed contact of delay relay 184 and by way of contacts 182 of the vend relay and the winding of relay 172 to L2. Additionally, vend relay by closing of the contacts at establishes a circuit including select switch 134 and vend solenoid 84 by way of contacts 189 and the normally closed armature and its contact of the delay relay 134, and thence to the other side of the line L1. Thus upon closing of select switch 134, solenoid 84 energizes the gate actuator 80 in the manner above described.

As long as a button 166 remains pushed the vend solenoid S4 tends to stay actuated but this is avoided after a suitable delay by the use of the delay relay 14 shunted across vend solenoid S4. After a suitable delay within the control of the delay relay design that relay operates to open contact of its armature and its contact thus opening all of the circuits including that of vend relay 172 and vend solenoid 84. The apparatus is restored to its normal condition awaiting the insertion of another coin.

As has been said above, this apparatus is intended t0 handle bottles of various sizes. For bottles of smaller diameter, the inclined shelves or chutes are adjustable vertically for this purpose, as indicated in FIG. 4, by suitable adjusting knobs 190. In this connection, gauge pins 192 are utilized in conjunction with the adjusting knobs 19t) and project to the rear from the front plate 38.

When the base of a bottle is placed under a pin 192, the proper shelf height is obtained when the adjusting knob 19t) is turned until the pin 192 touches the highest point of the bottle diameter. A split pin 194 is initially pulled from the adjusting knob 190 to enable the knob to be rotated to raise or lower the shelf, as the case may be, until the gauge pin 192 makes the desired contact with the highest point. Each of the shelves 42 may include downwardly depending tongues 198 and 199 along peripheral side edges. These tongues 198 and 199 are formed, respectively, with slots 200 and 261 which embrace the shaft or rod 195 and permit the relative displacement of the associated shelf 42. Under such circumstances, the adjusting knob 190 is mounted on shaft 195, which also serves to support a pair of eccentrics 196 and 197 which, in turn, support the associated shelf end. The split pin 194 is then inserted through the holes in the adjusting knob 19t) and front plate 3S to maintain the desired adjustment.

It will be obvious that any number of such chutes 42 may be provided within reason. It is also to be understood that this apparatus can be used to vend canned material such as beer or with obvious modifications packaged material of other descriptions and form.

Thus, by the above construction are accomplished, among others, the objects hereinbefore referred to.

I claim:

l. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of normally-empty receivers for vended containers accessible through open dispensing apertures in said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for each chute to normally retain said containers in said chutes and away from said receivers and to release them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all of said gates for operating selected gates individually; a series of actuating members, one for each gate, to control said actuator; and an interlock operable by each of said members to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said actuator.

2. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of normally-empty receivers for vended containers accessible through open dispensing apertures in said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a swingable gate for each chute to normally retain said containers in said chutes and away from said receivers and to release them singly to said receivers and having a cam associated therewith for effecting such gate swinging; an actuator for the cams common to all of said gates for operating selected gates individually; a series of actuating members, one for each gate, to control said actuator; and an interlock operable by each of said members to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said actuator.

3. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveyinU said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a swingable gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release them singly to said receivers and having a pivoted container engaging portion and a cam cooperative therewith to effect such swinging; a connector link affixed to each cam; a gate actuator common to all of said gates engageable with the connector links to operate and lock individual connector links and gates selectively; a cam actuating member for each gate to initiate operation of said cam to move the connector links into position to be operated by said actuator; and an interlock operable by each of the connector links to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said gate actuator.

4. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a

housing; a plurality of .recei ers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a swingable gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release them singly to Said receivers and having a pivoted container engaging portion; a series of cams, each one of which is cooperative with a gate to edect such swinging; a connector link aixed to each cam; a gate actuator common to all of said gates for operating selected gates individually including a power moved member having cam slots and locking slots for engaging the connector links selectively; a cam actuating member for each gate to initiate operation of said cam to move each connector link into position to be engaged by one of said cam slots; and an interlock operable by each oi the connector links to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said power moved member such that a selected connector link corresponding to a selected cam actuating member is engaged by one of said locking slots thereby to activate the corresponding cam to eliect the swinging movement o f the gate associated therewith.

5. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said reecivers; a gate for each chute having an arcuate portion to embrace a container and centrally pivoted to swing to a position for releasing a given container and for blocking the advance of succeeding containers; a cam for each gate for effecting such swinging; a connector link aiixed to each cam; a gate actuator common to all of said gates engageable with the connector links to operate and lock individual connector links and gates selectively; a cam actuating member for each gate to initiate operation of its corresponding cam to move the associated connector link into position to be operated by said actuator; and an interlock operable by each of the connector links to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said gate actuator.

6. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving a vended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feed containers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chute pivotally mounted to disengage such container and to bar the succeeding container, a cam transversely slidable with respect to said chute and mounted adjacent said member, a cam follower on said container engaging member and cooperative with said cam to be moved thereby in order to pivot the said container engaging member, means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby7 a cam actuating member to transmit limited motion to said cam to initiate operation of said means, whereby the said cam is actuated for additional motion, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements and having an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto for container removal.

7. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving a vended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feed containers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chute pivotally mounted to disengage such container and bar the succeeding container, a pair of rods extending across said chute adjacent said member, a cam transversely slidable on said rods and spring biased to its normal inoperative position, a cam follower on said member cooperative with said cam to effect rotational movement or" said member, means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby, one of said rods being manually movable and engageable with said cam to transmit limited motion thereto to initiate operatori of said means, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements and having an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto for container removal.

8. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving a vended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feed containers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chute pivotally mounted to disengage such container and to bar the succeeding container, a cam transversely slidable with respect to said chute and mounted adjacent said member, a cam follower on said container engaging member and cooperative with said cam to be moved thereby, in order to pivot the said container engaging member, a locking element mounted on said cam and engageable with said member to prevent relative movement therebetween, said locking element being adapted to be disengaged from said member by Contact with a container engaged by said member, means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby, a cam actuating member to transmit limited motion to said cam to initiate the operation of said means, whereby the said cam is actuated for additional motion, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements and having an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto for container removal.

9, Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving a vended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feed containers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chute pivotally mounted to disengage such container and bar the succeeding container, a pair of rods extending across said chute adjacent said member, a cam transversely slidable on said rods and spring biased to a normal inoperative position, a cam follower on said member cooperative with said cam to eect rotational movement of said member, a locking element mounted on said rod and engageable With said member to prevent relative movement therebetween, said locking element being adapted to be disengaged from said member by contact with a container engaged by said member, means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby, one of said rods being manually movable and engageable with said cam to transmit limited motion thereto to initiate operation of said means, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements and having an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto for container removal.

10. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all of said gates for operating selected gates individually; a manually operable member for each gate to control said actuator; an interlock 3 operable by each of said gates to stop simultaneous operation of said members; an actuating link for each gate movable by said manually operable member to engaging position by said actuator; said interlock having corresponding members interposed to block every other said link and its corresponding manual member against actuation; an electric switch closable by said interposed actuated member; and electric means controlled by said switch to set said actuator in motion.

11. Vending mechanism comprising: a housing; a plurality of receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all of said gates; a manually operable member for each gate to control said actuator; an interlock operable by each of said gates to stop simultaneous operation of said members; electric motive means for said actuator; a switch for said motive means controlled by said manual member; and an electric circuit including said motive means, said switch, and a source of current, and a time delay device in series with said current source to interrupt said circuit.

12. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a plurality of receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all of said gates; a manually operable member for each gate to control said actuator; an interlock operable by each of said gates to stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said actuator; and means operatively connected to each of the chutes for adjustment of the chutes to correspond to the size of the containers so that the containers are substantially embraced While on the chutes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,302,166 Anthony Nov. 17, 1942 2,316,897 Smith Apr. 20, 1943 2,727,654 Childers et al. Dec. 20, 1955 2,875,922 Hsu et al Mar. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 366,607 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1932

Claims (1)

1. VENDING MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS COMPRISING: A HOUSING; A PLURALITY OF NORMALLY-EMPTY RECEIVERS FOR VENDED CONTAINERS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH OPEN DISPENSING APERTURES IN SAID HOUSING TO PERMIT FREE REMOVAL THEREFROM; A CHUTE CORRESPONDING TO EACH RECEIVER FOR CONVEYING SAID CONTAINERS TO POSITION ADJACENT SAID RECEIVERS; A GATE FOR EACH CHUTE TO NORMALLY RETAIN SAID CONTAINERS IN SAID CHUTES AND AWAY FROM SAID RECEIVERS AND TO RELEASE THEM SINGLY TO SAID RECEIVERS; A GATE ACTUATOR COMMON TO ALL OF SAID GATES FOR OPERATING SELECTED GATES INDIVIDUALLY; A SERIES OF ACTUATING MEMBERS, ONE FOR EACH GATE, TO CONTROL SAID ACTUATOR; AND AN INTERLOCK OPERABLE BY EACH OF SAID MEMBERS TO STOP SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION OF SAID MEMBERS AND TO ACTUATE THE SAID ACTUATOR.

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