US3151773A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Vending machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3151773A
US3151773A US221034A US22103462A US3151773A US 3151773 A US3151773 A US 3151773A US 221034 A US221034 A US 221034A US 22103462 A US22103462 A US 22103462A US 3151773 A US3151773 A US 3151773A
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article
cam
frame
elevator
releasing
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US221034A
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Lenox K Pickering
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Ideal Dispenser Co
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Ideal Dispenser Co
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Priority to US221034A priority Critical patent/US3151773A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other

Definitions

  • the machine of the present invention includes an upright frame means that supports a plurality of vertically extending stacks for containing a plurality of sttacked articles to be vended.
  • the machine further includes a vertically moveable elevator means mounted below the plurality of stacks and moveable between an upper position and a lower position.
  • Each of the vertically extending stacks is provided with a pair of laterally moveable article supporting members mounted to the frame means and positioned beneath the lowermost article in the stack.
  • the previously mentioned elevator means carries a plurality of tiltable trays each of which is positioned immediately below a respective pair of article releasing members when the elevator means is at the upper posi tion whereby each pair of article releasing members can release a lowermost article from its respective stack and deliver it to one of the tray means. After a tray means has been loaded with an article the elevator means moves to the lower position at which the tray means pivots and dumps the article on the article receiving platform from which it is presented to the customer.
  • the machine is provided with a novel driving means for the above mentioned elevator means which incorporates a cam whereby the velocity of elevator movement is sinusoidal.
  • the elevator gradually increase its velocity to a maximum and then gradually slows down whereby a bottle of carbonated beverage is handled without shock and excessive agitation.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic View of an electrical circuit comprising a portion of the apparatus of the machine of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an article releasing mechanism comprising a portion of the machine of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3, the section being taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cam comprising a portion of the apparatus of the preceding figures
  • FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 8 is a partial rear elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3 which view illustrates a cam lifting mechanism for the cam of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the rear side of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 are end elevational views, partially in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 9 which views illustrate a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion thereof;
  • FIG. 12 is a second partial elevational view of the rear side of the article releasing apparatus of FIG. 3;
  • FIGS. 13-15 are partial front elevational views of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3 which views show the article releasing members and tray means at various positions during the vending cycle;
  • FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of the vending apparatus of the preceding figures.
  • FIG. 17 is a side elevational view partially in section of a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 is a second side elevational view partially in section of a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a partial side sectional view of a modified version of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the rear wall mechanism is modified to incorporate a unique slide type cam lifting mechanism and also an associated lock-out device;
  • FIG. 20 is a broken rear view showing the modified mechanism of FIG. 19, the view being taken along the line 2020 of FIG. 19;
  • FIG. 21 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 19, partially in section, of the apparatus of FIGS. 19 and 20, the section being taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 19;
  • FIG. 22 is an enlarged sectional view of an article type selecting mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 19-21, the section being taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 23;
  • FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the article selecting mechanism of FIG. 22, the section being taken along the line 23-23 of FIG. 22;
  • FIG. 24 is a broken bottom elevational view of a lockout mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 19-23, the view being taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention that includes a cabinet indicated generally at 20 provided with a front door 22.
  • the cabinet and front door are partially broken away to illustrate an article releasing mechanism indicated generally at 24 which mechanism is mounted below a plurality of vertically extending stacks 2632.
  • each of the stacks 2632 is provided with a respective article supporting and releasing mechanism indicated generally at 33.
  • Each of these mechanisms 33 includes two pivotally mounted arms 36 and 38 pivotally mounted to the front wall of the sheet metal frame of the article releasing mechanism said sheet metal frame being indicated generally at 42 in FIG. 3.
  • Each of the article supporting and releasing mechanisms 33 also includes a rear pair of pivotally mounted arms 36-38, one of said arms being illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the front arms 36 and 38 are mounted to the front wall 40 of the frame at pivot pins 44 and the rear arms 36 and 38 are pivotally mounted to a rear wall 46 of the frame at pivot pins 48.
  • front and rear arms 36 and horizontal member 50 are integrally formed from sheet metal stock. The same is true of front and rear arms 38 and member 52.
  • the lowermost article in each of the stacks is released to a respective tray means indicated generally at 54 by pivoting arms 36 and 38 to laterally shift horizontal members 50 and 52.
  • the pivoting of the tray means is accomplished by vertically moving a cam means indicated generally at 38 said cam means being best seen in isolated relationship in FIG. 6.
  • FIGS. 13-15 The operation of the cam means to laterally shift members 5t) and 52 is best illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 where it will be seen that at the beginning of the vending cycle, FIG. 13, a pair of followers 56 are positioned above the downwardly and inwardly inclined cam surfaces 58.
  • cam surfaces 58 force followers 56 towards one another and pivot arms 36 and 38 whereby members 50 and 52 spread laterally and release the lowermost article 60 downwardly onto tray means 54.
  • tray means 54 As soon as tray means 54 is lowered, in a manner later to be described, to a position wherein lowermost article 60 is below members 50 and 52 these members are snapped closed to catch the next article 62 by rapid downward movement of cam 34.
  • FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 12 which most clearly illustrate the mechanism on the rear of article releasing mechanism 24 which serves to lift and drop the previously described cam means 34.
  • This mechanism comprises a vertically shiftable plate means 64 which carries a plurality of hook members 66 each of which is pivotally mounted to plate means 64 at a pivot pin 67.
  • each hook member 66 is pivoted about pin 67 by upward movement of a plunger 68 of a solenoid 74).
  • An upstanding tab 72 is engaged by a pin 74 on the lower end of plunger 68 of the solenoid so that when the solenoid is energized hook member 66 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, about pin 67, in opposition to the tension exerted by a hook return spring 76.
  • hook member 66 is pivoted to this energized position shown in dotted delineation the end 78 of the hook moves under a cam lift pin 89, said lift pin being clearly seen in the perspective view of FIG. 6 as well as the view of FIG. 8.
  • cam lift pin 80 and a cam guide pin 82 are provided with neck portions 84 and 86 which extend through a guide slot 88 in rear wall 46 of the frame.
  • the mechanism for lifting plate means 64 is best seen in the rear views of the article releasing apparatus shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 12.
  • the frame of the machine is provided with spaced rearwardly extending sheet metal flanges 9i) and 92 which pivotally support a pair of plate lifting arms 94 and 96 at the pivot pin 98.
  • the forward ends of arms 94 and 96 are slotted at 100 to receive the rearwardly extending flanges 102 formed on the upper edges of plate means 64.
  • the plate lifting arms 94 and 96 are driven from the lowermost position of FIG. 9 to the uppermost position of FIG. 12 by rotation of a earn 104 keyed to a drive shaft 1%, said cam being engaged by a follower 108 mounted on the lower side of a cross member 110 that joins plate lifting arms 94 and 96.
  • cam 184 is rotated to a position just beyond the configuration illustrated follower 198 passes a fall 112 in earn 164 whereby plate means 64, and the cam which was lifted therewith, will suddenly drop whereby the previously described article supporting members St) and 52 are rapidly moved together to catch and support the article above the one that has just been released.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an electric motor 116 and reduction gear box 118 for driving shaft 186. It will be noted that a portion 12% of shaft 106 extends through the gear box in driving engagement with a gear train not illustrated.
  • FIG. 5 shows that gear box 118 is mounted to the rear Wall 46 of the frame by a mounting bracket 122 which includes a forwardly extending integrally formed flange 124.
  • Such mechanism comprises an elevator frame indicated generally at 125 that includes a rear wall 128, a right side wall 139, a front Wall 132, and a left side wall 134.
  • the front and rear walls of the elevator frame are provided with slots 136 that pivotally support front and rear tray mounting pins 138 as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • Pivoting of tray means 54, to dump an article onto a ramp means 140 is accomplished by the camming action of slots 142 formed in rear wall as of the frame means. This camming action is accomplished by positioning front and rear follower portions 144 in tracks 142 so that when the tray means move downwardly follower portions 144 enter track offset 146 and thereby shifted laterally to dump the article 61 onto ramp 149.
  • FIGS. 9 and 12 The lowering of elevator frame 126 is best understood by considering FIGS. 9 and 12.
  • the elevator frame In FIG. 9 the elevator frame is in the topmost position corresponding to the tray location of FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 12 the elevator frame has started to move downwardly to position the tray means in the article receiving position of FIG. 14. This is accomplished by driving a lever arm 143 about a pivot pin 150 by means of a crank pin 152 mounted on drive shaft 106, said crank pin being extended through a slot 154.
  • the front end of lever 148 is connected to right elevator side wall 130 by a shoulder pin that extends through a slot 158.
  • elevator frame 126 is guided for vertical movement by rollers 161) and 162 disposed in verticaly extended slots 164 and 166 in both side wall 168 of the frame means. This structure also appears in FIG. 3.
  • FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 illustrate a lock-out mechanism for mechanically restraining movement of the hook means 66 which correspond with the unselected article stack when the single hook means at the selected article stack is actuated.
  • Such lock-out action is accomplished by a lock-out bar indicated generally at 170 that is pivotally mounted at each end to plate means 64 at the pivot pins 172 said pivot pins being carried by flanges 174 formed on plate means 64 as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12.
  • Lock-out bar 179 includes a hook stop portion 175 which is constantly biased towards the non-lock-out position of FIG. 10 by a tension spring 173 connected to motor mount flange 124.
  • the lock-out bar 1743 is moved to a hook obstruction position, FIG. 11, wherein hook stop portion 176 overlies lock-out flange 1819, the latter being best seen in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11.
  • Movement of lock-out bar 170 from the position of FIG. 10 to the position of FIG. 11 is accomplished by moving cam contact point 182 arcuately across an inner cam surface of lock-out bar 170. Since the cam contact point 182 is close to the axis of the pivot pin 172 of the lock-out bar and since hook stop portion 176 is relatively remote from pivot pin 172 it will be understood that only a slight lateral shifting of cam contact point 18?; serves to move hook stop portion 176 a relatively great distance wherein the hook stop portion overlies hook lock-out flange 180.
  • the lock-out bar mechanism further includes means for latching lock-out bar 179 in the hook obstruction position of FIG. 11 as plate means 64 progresses upwardly relative to the frame means so that hook 66 will not remain locked in the cam engaging position shown in dotted delineation at 78 in FIG. 8.
  • This latching means is necessary so that a hook 66 can drop its respective cam 34 as an article is released to tray means 64 so that supporting members 56 and 52 is can close to support the stack of bottles.
  • Such latching of lock-out bar is accomplished by a latch spring best seen in FIGS. 9, l7, and 19.
  • Latch spring 213 is mounted on plate means 64, along with lock-out bar 1713, and including a shank that extends through a hole in lock-out bar 179, a latch portion 229, and an end portion 224' that forms an unlatching trigger.
  • latch portion 226 on latch spring 218 latches with the edge of hole 222. This retains lock-out bar 170 in the position of FIGS. 11 and 17.
  • latch spring 218 opposes the tension of spring 173 enough to release the pressure exerted by cam edge 182 on hook 66 when it is in the cam engaging configuration shown in dotted delineation at 78 in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 1 through 18 The mechanical operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 18 will now be described in detail, with the details of the electric circuitry, illustrated in FIG. 2, to be described later herein, this circuitry being common to both the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 18 and the modified embodiment of FIGS. 19 through 24.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 Rotation of drive shaft 1116 and cam 194, FIGS. 9 and 12, raises plate mean 64 whereby the particular hook 66 actuated by its respective solenoid 70 lifts a respective cam 34 from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 14 which spreads article supporting members 36 and 33 in the manner previously described.
  • This phase of operation is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 where it will be noted that the lowermost article 60 has been lowered onto tray means 54. It should be pointed out that the tray means has already started to move downwardly with the elevator means 126 as seen in FIG. 14.
  • drive shaft 166 continues to rotate until lever 148 has dropped elevator 126 to the lowermost position wherein tray means 54 is tilted by the cam action of slot offset 146. This dumps article 60 onto ramp 140 where it can be picked up by the customer.
  • Shaft 1&6 continues to rotate through approximately degrees whereby elevator 126, and tray means 54 carried thereon are raised from the lowermost position of FIG. 15 to the upper position of FIG. 13.
  • the article release apparatus is thereby returned to the starting configuration of FIG. 9 and the apparatus is ready for the next vending cycle.
  • FIGS. 19-24 illustrate a modified article selecting mechanism indicated generally at 250, FIG. 19, which mechanism incorporates a cam lift frame 252 including a bottom wall 254 and rear wall 256 which is vertically slideably mounted to the rear wall 46 of the article releasing mechanism indicated generally at 24.
  • the mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 19-24 differs from the mechanism previously described in that the cam lift pins 89, FIGS. 19, 21 and 23 are selectively lifted by cam lift slides mounted on the cam lift frame and indicated generally at 266 in FIGS. 19, 21, 22 and 23.
  • the article selecting mechanism 256 including cam lift frame 252, is vertically slideably moveably mounted on the rear wall 46 of main frame 24.
  • the detail of the slide mounts is shown in FIG. 21 where it will be seen that rear wall 46 of the main frame is lanced out at 276 to provide a flange portion 272 that extends through a slot 274 in rear bracket wall 256 and a flange portion 276 that adjoins flange 272 and overlies the inner surface wall 256.
  • One of these vertical guide constructions is shown in FIG. 21, it being understood that another vertical guide 270, 272 and 276 is located on the other side of the machine and not illustrated.
  • cams 34 and a mechanism associated therewith which are mounted on the main frame 24, are the same as those incorporated in the modification previously described.
  • the cam lift pins 86 are selectively lifted, one at a time, by the cam lift slide 262, FIGS. 19, 22 and 23, when the cam lift frame 252 is lifted along the guides formed by the slots 274 and lanced out flanges 272 and 276, FIG. 21.
  • the article selecting apparatus 250 is raised by rotation of cams 280 that are keyed to a shaft 282, the latter being driven by a motor 116.
  • cam 280 rotates in a counter clock-wise direction, as indicated by the arrow, a roller or follower 286 mounted on a cam pin 288 moves along a cam surface 296 on a lever indicated generally at 292 the latter being pivoted to a lower frame bracket 296 at a fulcrum pin 298.
  • a lower lever arm 2% moves upwardly raising push rods 362 which include bent over lower ends 394 extended through holes 306 in lower lever arm 309 and bent over upper ends 316 which extend through holes 312 in the side walls of cam lift frame 252.
  • cam lift frame 252 is moved for the complete extent of its upward travel when cam 76 move through approximately 70 degrees from the bottom pin location illustrated in FIG. 19.
  • cam lift frame 252 moves downwardly under the action of gravity with the downward movement being aided by a tension spring 314 connected to the side wall of lower bracket 296 at a hole 316 and to the bottom wall of cam lift frame 252.
  • Roller 286 on cam 281) is provided with an anti-backup device in the form of a spring loaded latch pin 326 slideably mounted in U-shaped bracket 328 and provided with a compression spring 336, the latter serving to bias pin 326 constantly towards the upper position illustrated.
  • an anti-backup device in the form of a spring loaded latch pin 326 slideably mounted in U-shaped bracket 328 and provided with a compression spring 336, the latter serving to bias pin 326 constantly towards the upper position illustrated.
  • the roller engages the upper surface 332 of the pin, cams it downwardly, and moves past the roller pin and against the cam surface 296 of lever 292.
  • anti-backup pin 332 which is moved upwardly by spring 330, arrests backward movement of roller 286 and earn 280 thereby assuring that the mechanism always returns to the same configuration after each cycle.
  • Cam lift slides 26% includes bottom walls 240, upstanding side wall flanges 342 and 344, pin engaging tongues 346, and upstanding lock-out flanges 350.
  • the bottom walls 340 of cam lift slides 260 include flanges 350 and 352 which extend downwardly through a slot 254 in bottom wall 254 of cam lift frame 252.
  • a slide return bar indicated generally at 356, and best seen in FIG. 22, extends laterally across the bottom surface of bottom wall 254 of cam lift frame 252 and includes slots 366 through which are extended guide collars 362, the latter being mounted to bottom wall 254 of the cam lift frame by a plurality of screws 364.
  • slide return bar 356 is normally retained and returned to the forward position illustrated by a tension spring 402 which has one end connected to slide return bar 356 and the other end connected to cam lift frame 252 at spring 314.
  • any one of the slides 260 can be individually moved forwardly by energizing a respective one of the solenoids with the armature 372 of each solenoid being pinned to a respective lock-out flange 350 at a pin 374.
  • This action causes the selected cam lift slide to move under its respective pin with the actuated position being shown at the lower slide 260 of FIG. 21, and also in FIG. 19.
  • This permits raising of a respective cam 34 and spreading of a respective pair of bottle supporting arms 36 and 38 at the particular flavor selected.
  • energization of the solenoid 70 shifts lockout flange 350 rearwardly into one of the slots 396 of a lock-out bar indicated generally at 392, and illustrated in detail in FIG. 24.
  • the undersurface 394 of the bar slideably carries a plurality of slide elements 396 which are laterally shiftably mounted to the lock-out bar by a plurality of headed pins 398 that extend loosely through slots 400 in slides 396.
  • each lock-out slide 350 in cludes a shoulder 406 which, when moved forwardly, engages a flange 498 of a motor start switch actuating bar 410, common to all the solenoids, which action depresses a switch actuating arm 412 of a motor starting switch 414.
  • This starts the actuation of motor 116 at the beginning of the vending cycle and the motor is subsequently maintained in operation by a motor run switch 416, FIGS. 19 and 20, throughout the vending cycle due *9 to depression of a switch actuating arm 418, FIG. 19, by the outer surface 420 of the previously described cam 280.
  • any of the actuated cam lift slides 260 is returned rearwardly and out of engagement with its respective cam lift pin 80, by rearward shifting of the previously described slide return bar 356 best seen in FIG. 22.
  • This is accomplished by pivoted arms 420 that are pivotally mounted to the side walls of cam lift frame 252 at pivot pins 422.
  • cam lift frame 252 After cam lift frame 252 has been moved upwardly to its topmost position, and through the dwell period previously described, it starts downwardly and a lower cam face 450 on the bottom of arm 420, FIGS. 19 and 21, engages a pin 452 on arm 148 whereby the pin cams arm 420 rearwardly or to the right as seen in FIG. 19. This shifts slide return bar 356, FIG.
  • lever 421 is constantly biased rearwardly by a tension spring 495 connected between lever 420 and slide 356.
  • the inclined upper surface 460 on the lower arm 420 merely serves to let the lower end of arm 420 ride past pin 452 on the upstroke of frame bracket 252, the only function of the arm occurring on the downstroke of frame bracket 252 when the lower face 250 on the bottom of the arm engages cam 452 and shifts the arm and slide return 356 rearwardly.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the previously described electrical components that include the motor 116 that drives shaft 106A, FIG. 20, the solenoids 70 that lift the cam lift slides 260 and actuate the motor start switch 414 seen in FIG. 22, and the motor run switch 416 that is actuated by the cam 280, as seen in FIGS. 19 and 20.
  • solenoid coil 506 also closes normally open switch 503 which connects normally open motor start switch 414 with one side of source connector 500. The customer has therefore established a credit with the vendor.
  • the customer next depresses one of the article selector switches 186-192 which bridges one of the respective contacts 520-526, a potential circuit having been established by the closing of relay switch 503. This energizes one of the selector solenoids 70 which moves one of the cam lift slides 260, FIGS. 21-23, to a position beneath one of the cam lift pins 81).
  • Operation of the cam lift slide 260, FIG. 22, also serves to energize motor start switch 414 when a shoulder 406 on lock-out flange 350 engages spring 410 and causes the spring to depress motor start switch actuator 412.
  • rotation of the lockout bar 17 0 functions to close the motor start switch 414.
  • motor start switch 414 is closed by energization of a selector solenoid '70 a circuit is established through motor 116 whereby rotation of shaft 160A, FIGS. 19 and 20, begins which actuates elevator frame 126, in the manner previously described, and rotates cam 280, FIGS. 19 and 20 whereby cam lift frame 252 of the article selector apparatus 250 is caused to ride along the guides 272- 276 since the rods 302 are pushed upwardly by action of cam roller 286 on surface 290 of lever 292 all of which is previously described in detail herein.
  • FIGS. 1-18 a similar motor run switch is actuated by a cam mounted near one end of the motor shaft 106. With motor run switch 416 being closed a circuit is established through motor 116 via line 502, motor run switch 416, line 532, motor 116, and line 534.
  • cam actuation of motor run switch 416 breaks the holding circuit to relay 501 by the disengagement of contact 542 and engagement of contact 543 thereby permitting the relay contacts to open and break the circuit to the article selection switches 186-192 as well as the circuit to motor start switch 414.
  • cam 280 causes descent of elevator frame 126 together with tray means 54.
  • the frame bracket 252 of article selecting mechanism 250 also begins to descend whereby lever 420, FIGS. 19 and 20, is cammed rearwardly in the manner previously described, thereby shifting slide return bar 356 to the rear of the machine, and to the left as viewed in FIG. 22, whereby the actuated cam lift slide 261 is moved from beneath its respective cam lift pin 80.
  • lock-out flange 350 is withdrawn from its respective slot 3% in lock-out bar 392.
  • tray means 54 is tilted by the oflset 146 in frame slot 142, FIG. 7, whereby the bottle is dumped into the delivery shute to a position where it can be picked up by a customer.
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article 9 receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said article releasing means; means for selectively operating
  • said means for. unloading said tray means includes a follower on said tray means and a cam means on said frame means for engagement with said follower.
  • said means for selectively operatingany one of said plurality of driving means includes a plurality of pivotally mounted hooked-shaped members each of which is engageable with a respective one of said plurality of driving means.
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means, each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationsbip' with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating
  • the apparatus defined in claim 4 that includes a movably mounted lock-out member that is shifted responsive to actuation of one of said driving means into a position wherein said lock-out member prevents movement of the other of said plurality of driving means.
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article'releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means 7 each of which engages a respective one of said'followers and includes a first shoulder; a plurality of cam latching members each of which includes a second shoulder engageable with a respective one of said first shoulders; a plurality of solenoids each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam latching members; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an'article receiving platform mounted on said frame
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising,,in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically moved mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means such of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; shaft means rotatably mounted to said frame
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means pivotally mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said article releasing means; means for selectively
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of cam means each of which shifts a respective one of said article releasing means; a plate member vertically mov
  • said driving means for said plate member includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame; a cam on said shaft; and a lever pivotally mounted to said frame, a follower engaging said cam and an end connection with said plate member.
  • a vending machine comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of pairs of laterally shiftable article releasing members mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of said stacks, each of said pairs of members being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said pairs of article releasing members; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to
  • a vending machine comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of pairs of arms pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said pairs of arms including lower ends normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said arms; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of'driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder "-to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions
  • said means for moving said elevator includes an electric motor and a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means; a switch actuating cam on said shaft; and a motor holding switch means including a switch actuator engaging said switch actuating cam.
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks of said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder and a lock-out flange, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions to said
  • each of said switch means including a switch actuator engaged by a respective one of said cam driving members upon movement of said members from said first to said second positions.
  • the apparatus defined in claim 19 that includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame and operated by said motor; a switch actuating cam on said shaft; and a motor holding switch means including a switch actuator engaging said switch actuating cam.
  • An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder and a lock-out flange, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selective

Description

L. K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 W M 0 Y J Z l m s wk N WK R w 41% 1P I n k. w m 8 A21 2 M m m 1. M 5 6% Y B mm" 2 film 2 8. MM. w m F MM M 4 3 a .2 3 a T 4 ii 6 2 8 L. K. PICKERING VENDING HAGHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 INVENTOR.
7(0) K. PICKER/V L. K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE Oct. 6, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 INV EN TOR.
Laura)! K. PICKERM' BY AT ORN EYS FIG. 6
L. K. PlCKERlNG VENDING MACHINE Oct. 6, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 INVENTOR.
LEA/0X k. PICKEEIAG BY AT ORNEYS L. K. PlCKERlNG 3,151,773
VENDING MACHINE Oct. 6, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 H6. ll
INVENTOR.
LEKGX K. PM'KE'PI'VG BY AT ORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 L. K. PICKERING 3,151,773
VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1962 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.
LEI/0X K- P/CKERING Y ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 L. K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE 12 Sheets- Sheet 9 FIG. 20
INVENTOR.
Flax A. Picket/# lma- ,49,?
ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 L. K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 FIG. 2|
INVENTOR.
Lil/0X K. PICKE'RIMG ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 L. KJPICKERING I 3,151,773
VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1962 v 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG. 22 lNvENToR LENOX K. PICKEEIF LL. .41? w ATTORNEYS L. K. PICKERING VENDING MACHINE Oct. 6, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 INVENTOR.
LEIYOX K. PIC KEEIUG ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 3,151,773 VENDING MACHINE Lenox K. Pickering, Little Neck, N.Y., assignor to ideal lpenser (30., Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Filed Sept. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 221,034 22 Claims. ((15. 221-425) This invention relates to article dispensing machines and particularly to an improved machine for selectively dispensing a plurality of article types.
In general, the machine of the present invention includes an upright frame means that supports a plurality of vertically extending stacks for containing a plurality of sttacked articles to be vended.
The machine further includes a vertically moveable elevator means mounted below the plurality of stacks and moveable between an upper position and a lower position.
Each of the vertically extending stacks is provided with a pair of laterally moveable article supporting members mounted to the frame means and positioned beneath the lowermost article in the stack.
The previously mentioned elevator means carries a plurality of tiltable trays each of which is positioned immediately below a respective pair of article releasing members when the elevator means is at the upper posi tion whereby each pair of article releasing members can release a lowermost article from its respective stack and deliver it to one of the tray means. After a tray means has been loaded with an article the elevator means moves to the lower position at which the tray means pivots and dumps the article on the article receiving platform from which it is presented to the customer.
As another aspect of the present invention, the machine is provided with a novel driving means for the above mentioned elevator means which incorporates a cam whereby the velocity of elevator movement is sinusoidal. With this arrangement the elevator gradually increase its velocity to a maximum and then gradually slows down whereby a bottle of carbonated beverage is handled without shock and excessive agitation.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a machine of the type described that vends bottles from a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, one of each flavor, which stacks are one bottle wide per flavor. This combines a high degree of selectivity for any given vendor width.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vending machine of the type described that utilizes a single driving motor and single holding relay to control a plurality of separate flavor article releasing means whereby fewer electrical components are required for any given amount of article type selectivity.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved vending machine that includes a vertically moveable elevator means for selevtively delivering an article from the outlets of one of a plurality of stacks to an article receiving platform.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved vending machine of the type described that includes a plurality of pairs of laterally movable article supporting and releasing members and associated mechanism for selectively actuating only one of the pairs of members depending on the type of article selected by the customer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved vending machine of the type described that includes a vertically movable elevator means provided with a plurality of pivotally mounted tray means for delivering articles from a plurality of stacks to an article receiving platform where the tray means automatically 3,151,773 Patented Get. 6, I964 "ice dump the article on the article receiving platform for delivery to the customer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine of the type described that incorporates the combination of laterally movable article supporting and releasing members and vertically movable pivotally mounted tray means for releasing articles from the outlets of a plurality of stacks and for delivering the articles to an article receiving platform.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine of the type described that includes a plurality of laterally moveable article supporting and releasing members, a vertically moveable elevator means, and a novel drive mechanism for operating the article supporting and releasing members and the elevator means.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine of the type described that incorporates a vertically moveable elevator provided with driving means that inparts sinusoidal motion to the elevator whereby articles are delivered from the storage compartment to an article receiving station with a minimum of shock and agitation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine of unique design that incorporates a compact array of individual article releasing means which provides a high degree of article type selectivity for any given vendor Width.
it is still another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine of the type described that is arranged to fully automatically selectively control dis pensing from a plurality of article releasing means by the use of a single drive motor and holding relay whereby the electrical components required for full automation vending are reduced to a minimum.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic View of an electrical circuit comprising a portion of the apparatus of the machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an article releasing mechanism comprising a portion of the machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3, the section being taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cam comprising a portion of the apparatus of the preceding figures;
FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a partial rear elevational view of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3 which view illustrates a cam lifting mechanism for the cam of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the rear side of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are end elevational views, partially in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 9 which views illustrate a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion thereof;
FIG. 12 is a second partial elevational view of the rear side of the article releasing apparatus of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 13-15 are partial front elevational views of the article releasing mechanism of FIG. 3 which views show the article releasing members and tray means at various positions during the vending cycle;
FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of the vending apparatus of the preceding figures;
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view partially in section of a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a second side elevational view partially in section of a lock-out mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a partial side sectional view of a modified version of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the rear wall mechanism is modified to incorporate a unique slide type cam lifting mechanism and also an associated lock-out device;
FIG. 20 is a broken rear view showing the modified mechanism of FIG. 19, the view being taken along the line 2020 of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 19, partially in section, of the apparatus of FIGS. 19 and 20, the section being taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is an enlarged sectional view of an article type selecting mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 19-21, the section being taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 23;
FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the article selecting mechanism of FIG. 22, the section being taken along the line 23-23 of FIG. 22; and
FIG. 24 is a broken bottom elevational view of a lockout mechanism comprising a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 19-23, the view being taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 22.
Referring in detail to the drawings FIG. 1 illustrates a vending machine constructed in accordance with the present invention that includes a cabinet indicated generally at 20 provided with a front door 22. The cabinet and front door are partially broken away to illustrate an article releasing mechanism indicated generally at 24 which mechanism is mounted below a plurality of vertically extending stacks 2632.
With reference to FIG. 3, the lower ends of each of the stacks 2632 is provided with a respective article supporting and releasing mechanism indicated generally at 33. Each of these mechanisms 33 includes two pivotally mounted arms 36 and 38 pivotally mounted to the front wall of the sheet metal frame of the article releasing mechanism said sheet metal frame being indicated generally at 42 in FIG. 3.
Each of the article supporting and releasing mechanisms 33 also includes a rear pair of pivotally mounted arms 36-38, one of said arms being illustrated in FIG. 4.
The front arms 36 and 38 are mounted to the front wall 40 of the frame at pivot pins 44 and the rear arms 36 and 38 are pivotally mounted to a rear wall 46 of the frame at pivot pins 48.
The vertically superimposed articles in each of the four stacks 26-32 are actually supported by horizontally extending laterally shiftable members 58 and 52.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, front and rear arms 36 and horizontal member 50 are integrally formed from sheet metal stock. The same is true of front and rear arms 38 and member 52.
The lowermost article in each of the stacks is released to a respective tray means indicated generally at 54 by pivoting arms 36 and 38 to laterally shift horizontal members 50 and 52. The pivoting of the tray means is accomplished by vertically moving a cam means indicated generally at 38 said cam means being best seen in isolated relationship in FIG. 6.
The operation of the cam means to laterally shift members 5t) and 52 is best illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 where it will be seen that at the beginning of the vending cycle, FIG. 13, a pair of followers 56 are positioned above the downwardly and inwardly inclined cam surfaces 58. When cam 34 is shifted upwardly from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 14, cam surfaces 58 force followers 56 towards one another and pivot arms 36 and 38 whereby members 50 and 52 spread laterally and release the lowermost article 60 downwardly onto tray means 54.
As soon as tray means 54 is lowered, in a manner later to be described, to a position wherein lowermost article 60 is below members 50 and 52 these members are snapped closed to catch the next article 62 by rapid downward movement of cam 34.
Reference is next made to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 12 which most clearly illustrate the mechanism on the rear of article releasing mechanism 24 which serves to lift and drop the previously described cam means 34. This mechanism comprises a vertically shiftable plate means 64 which carries a plurality of hook members 66 each of which is pivotally mounted to plate means 64 at a pivot pin 67.
As is best seen in FIG. 8 each hook member 66 is pivoted about pin 67 by upward movement of a plunger 68 of a solenoid 74). An upstanding tab 72 is engaged by a pin 74 on the lower end of plunger 68 of the solenoid so that when the solenoid is energized hook member 66 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, about pin 67, in opposition to the tension exerted by a hook return spring 76. When hook member 66 is pivoted to this energized position shown in dotted delineation the end 78 of the hook moves under a cam lift pin 89, said lift pin being clearly seen in the perspective view of FIG. 6 as well as the view of FIG. 8.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 8, and 10, cam lift pin 80 and a cam guide pin 82 are provided with neck portions 84 and 86 which extend through a guide slot 88 in rear wall 46 of the frame.
It will now be understood that when plate means 64 is lifted vertically all of the hook members 66, which are mounted on the plate means, will move upwardly. Only one of the cam means 34 will, however, move upwardly since only one of the hook members 66 is pivoted to a position under its respective cam lift pin 80 by energization of only one of the solenoids.
The mechanism for lifting plate means 64 is best seen in the rear views of the article releasing apparatus shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 12. The frame of the machine is provided with spaced rearwardly extending sheet metal flanges 9i) and 92 which pivotally support a pair of plate lifting arms 94 and 96 at the pivot pin 98. The forward ends of arms 94 and 96 are slotted at 100 to receive the rearwardly extending flanges 102 formed on the upper edges of plate means 64. It will now be understood that when arms 94 and 96 are pivoted upwardly plate means 64 and all of the hooks 66 are lifted upwardly relative to the rear wall 46 of the frame. Since the previously mentioned cams 34 are mounted on 'the rear wall the only cam that will move upwardly will be the one engaged by a rotated hook member 66 at the selected energized solenoid 70.
With continued reference to FIGS. 7, 9, and 12 the plate lifting arms 94 and 96 are driven from the lowermost position of FIG. 9 to the uppermost position of FIG. 12 by rotation of a earn 104 keyed to a drive shaft 1%, said cam being engaged by a follower 108 mounted on the lower side of a cross member 110 that joins plate lifting arms 94 and 96.
With reference to FIG. 12 when cam 184 is rotated to a position just beyond the configuration illustrated follower 198 passes a fall 112 in earn 164 whereby plate means 64, and the cam which was lifted therewith, will suddenly drop whereby the previously described article supporting members St) and 52 are rapidly moved together to catch and support the article above the one that has just been released.
FIG. 7 illustrates an electric motor 116 and reduction gear box 118 for driving shaft 186. It will be noted that a portion 12% of shaft 106 extends through the gear box in driving engagement with a gear train not illustrated.
FIG. 5 shows that gear box 118 is mounted to the rear Wall 46 of the frame by a mounting bracket 122 which includes a forwardly extending integrally formed flange 124.
Reference is next made to the mechanism for raising and lowering the previously described tray means 54 from the upper position of FIG. 13 to the lower position of FIG. 15. Such mechanism comprises an elevator frame indicated generally at 125 that includes a rear wall 128, a right side wall 139, a front Wall 132, and a left side wall 134.
The front and rear walls of the elevator frame are provided with slots 136 that pivotally support front and rear tray mounting pins 138 as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 4.
Pivoting of tray means 54, to dump an article onto a ramp means 140, is accomplished by the camming action of slots 142 formed in rear wall as of the frame means. This camming action is accomplished by positioning front and rear follower portions 144 in tracks 142 so that when the tray means move downwardly follower portions 144 enter track offset 146 and thereby shifted laterally to dump the article 61 onto ramp 149.
The lowering of elevator frame 126 is best understood by considering FIGS. 9 and 12. In FIG. 9 the elevator frame is in the topmost position corresponding to the tray location of FIG. 13. In FIG. 12 the elevator frame has started to move downwardly to position the tray means in the article receiving position of FIG. 14. This is accomplished by driving a lever arm 143 about a pivot pin 150 by means of a crank pin 152 mounted on drive shaft 106, said crank pin being extended through a slot 154. The front end of lever 148 is connected to right elevator side wall 130 by a shoulder pin that extends through a slot 158.
With reference to FIG. 5 elevator frame 126 is guided for vertical movement by rollers 161) and 162 disposed in verticaly extended slots 164 and 166 in both side wall 168 of the frame means. This structure also appears in FIG. 3.
FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 illustrate a lock-out mechanism for mechanically restraining movement of the hook means 66 which correspond with the unselected article stack when the single hook means at the selected article stack is actuated. Such lock-out action is accomplished by a lock-out bar indicated generally at 170 that is pivotally mounted at each end to plate means 64 at the pivot pins 172 said pivot pins being carried by flanges 174 formed on plate means 64 as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12.
Lock-out bar 179 includes a hook stop portion 175 which is constantly biased towards the non-lock-out position of FIG. 10 by a tension spring 173 connected to motor mount flange 124. The lock-out bar 1743 is moved to a hook obstruction position, FIG. 11, wherein hook stop portion 176 overlies lock-out flange 1819, the latter being best seen in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11.
Movement of lock-out bar 170 from the position of FIG. 10 to the position of FIG. 11 is accomplished by moving cam contact point 182 arcuately across an inner cam surface of lock-out bar 170. Since the cam contact point 182 is close to the axis of the pivot pin 172 of the lock-out bar and since hook stop portion 176 is relatively remote from pivot pin 172 it will be understood that only a slight lateral shifting of cam contact point 18?; serves to move hook stop portion 176 a relatively great distance wherein the hook stop portion overlies hook lock-out flange 180.
With reference to FIGS. 17, 9, and 18, the lock-out bar mechanism further includes means for latching lock-out bar 179 in the hook obstruction position of FIG. 11 as plate means 64 progresses upwardly relative to the frame means so that hook 66 will not remain locked in the cam engaging position shown in dotted delineation at 78 in FIG. 8. This latching means is necessary so that a hook 66 can drop its respective cam 34 as an article is released to tray means 64 so that supporting members 56 and 52 is can close to support the stack of bottles. Such latching of lock-out bar is accomplished by a latch spring best seen in FIGS. 9, l7, and 19.
Latch spring 213 is mounted on plate means 64, along with lock-out bar 1713, and including a shank that extends through a hole in lock-out bar 179, a latch portion 229, and an end portion 224' that forms an unlatching trigger.
With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, when plate means 64 starts to move upwardly and lock-out bar 17% moves to the hook obstruction position of FIG. 11, latch portion 226 on latch spring 218 latches with the edge of hole 222. This retains lock-out bar 170 in the position of FIGS. 11 and 17. In this configuration latch spring 218 opposes the tension of spring 173 enough to release the pressure exerted by cam edge 182 on hook 66 when it is in the cam engaging configuration shown in dotted delineation at 78 in FIG. 8.
When plate 64 progresses upwardly from the position of FIG. 17 to the position of FIG. 18, the trigger 224 on the end of latch spring 218 strikes bottom edge 226 of support 91 as seen in FIG. 18 whereby latch portion 224) releases lockout bar 170 and a spring 178, FIG. 10, returns lockout bar 170 to its original position, the lookout bar is then ready for the next cycle.
The mechanical operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 18 will now be described in detail, with the details of the electric circuitry, illustrated in FIG. 2, to be described later herein, this circuitry being common to both the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 18 and the modified embodiment of FIGS. 19 through 24.
In general, when a customer inserts a coin and depresses one of the article selector buttons 185 through 1% motor 116 is energized, via the circuitry of FIG. 2. This starts rotation of drive shaft 1% and cam 1G4, FIGS. 7 and 9.
At the same time, only one of the solenoids 7b is energized by the circuitry of FIG. 2, later to be described herein, whereby only one of the hooks 66, FIGS. 7 and 8, moves under cam lift pin 80. The shifted position of the hook is shown in dotted delineation in FIG. 8.
Rotation of drive shaft 1116 and cam 194, FIGS. 9 and 12, raises plate mean 64 whereby the particular hook 66 actuated by its respective solenoid 70 lifts a respective cam 34 from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 14 which spreads article supporting members 36 and 33 in the manner previously described. This phase of operation is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 where it will be noted that the lowermost article 60 has been lowered onto tray means 54. It should be pointed out that the tray means has already started to move downwardly with the elevator means 126 as seen in FIG. 14.
As the rotation of drive shaft 1196 continues beyond the cam position of FIG. 12, the follower 108 passes cam fall 112 whereby plate means 64 drops suddenly causing cam 34 to drop from the position of FIG. 14 to the position of FIG. 15. This moves article support members 51? and 52 toward one another and into underlying relationship with the stack of articles.
Continuing with the vending cycle, drive shaft 166 continues to rotate until lever 148 has dropped elevator 126 to the lowermost position wherein tray means 54 is tilted by the cam action of slot offset 146. This dumps article 60 onto ramp 140 where it can be picked up by the customer.
Shaft 1&6 continues to rotate through approximately degrees whereby elevator 126, and tray means 54 carried thereon are raised from the lowermost position of FIG. 15 to the upper position of FIG. 13. The article release apparatus is thereby returned to the starting configuration of FIG. 9 and the apparatus is ready for the next vending cycle.
Reference is next made to FIGS. 19-24 which illustrate a modified article selecting mechanism indicated generally at 250, FIG. 19, which mechanism incorporates a cam lift frame 252 including a bottom wall 254 and rear wall 256 which is vertically slideably mounted to the rear wall 46 of the article releasing mechanism indicated generally at 24.
The mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 19-24 differs from the mechanism previously described in that the cam lift pins 89, FIGS. 19, 21 and 23 are selectively lifted by cam lift slides mounted on the cam lift frame and indicated generally at 266 in FIGS. 19, 21, 22 and 23.
The article selecting mechanism 256, including cam lift frame 252, is vertically slideably moveably mounted on the rear wall 46 of main frame 24. The detail of the slide mounts is shown in FIG. 21 where it will be seen that rear wall 46 of the main frame is lanced out at 276 to provide a flange portion 272 that extends through a slot 274 in rear bracket wall 256 and a flange portion 276 that adjoins flange 272 and overlies the inner surface wall 256. One of these vertical guide constructions is shown in FIG. 21, it being understood that another vertical guide 270, 272 and 276 is located on the other side of the machine and not illustrated.
It should next be pointed out that the previously described arms 36 and 38, cams 34 and a mechanism associated therewith, which are mounted on the main frame 24, are the same as those incorporated in the modification previously described. The cam lift pins 86, however, are selectively lifted, one at a time, by the cam lift slide 262, FIGS. 19, 22 and 23, when the cam lift frame 252 is lifted along the guides formed by the slots 274 and lanced out flanges 272 and 276, FIG. 21.
With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the article selecting apparatus 250 is raised by rotation of cams 280 that are keyed to a shaft 282, the latter being driven by a motor 116.
With continued reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, when cam 280 rotates in a counter clock-wise direction, as indicated by the arrow, a roller or follower 286 mounted on a cam pin 288 moves along a cam surface 296 on a lever indicated generally at 292 the latter being pivoted to a lower frame bracket 296 at a fulcrum pin 298.
With reference to FIG. 19, as cam surface 299 on lever 292 moves to the right, a lower lever arm 2% moves upwardly raising push rods 362 which include bent over lower ends 394 extended through holes 306 in lower lever arm 309 and bent over upper ends 316 which extend through holes 312 in the side walls of cam lift frame 252.
It should be pointed out that cam lift frame 252 is moved for the complete extent of its upward travel when cam 76 move through approximately 70 degrees from the bottom pin location illustrated in FIG. 19.
At this point the bottle supporting arms 36-38 fully open. There is then a dwell period of approximately 40 degrees of rotation during which time frame bracket 252 remains at its topmost position. As cam 280 continues to rotate an upper hook portion 312 functions to make certain that roller 286 carries beyond the top dead center position and starts in its downward travel.
After the top dead center position of the cam, cam lift frame 252 moves downwardly under the action of gravity with the downward movement being aided by a tension spring 314 connected to the side wall of lower bracket 296 at a hole 316 and to the bottom wall of cam lift frame 252.
It should be pointed out that downward and upward movement of elevator 26 is accomplished in the manner peviously described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-18. The drive lever 148, however, is linked to cam pin 288 by a link 320, the latter being connected to the end of lever 148 at a pivot pin 322.
Roller 286 on cam 281) is provided with an anti-backup device in the form of a spring loaded latch pin 326 slideably mounted in U-shaped bracket 328 and provided with a compression spring 336, the latter serving to bias pin 326 constantly towards the upper position illustrated. As the article selecting apparatus 250 descends, and roller 286 moves around towards anti-backup pin 326, the roller engages the upper surface 332 of the pin, cams it downwardly, and moves past the roller pin and against the cam surface 296 of lever 292. When the roller, pin and cam tend to rebound slightly, in a clock-wise direction, anti-backup pin 332, which is moved upwardly by spring 330, arrests backward movement of roller 286 and earn 280 thereby assuring that the mechanism always returns to the same configuration after each cycle.
Reference is next made to FIGS. 21 and 22 which illustrate the previously described latch lift slides 260 and the associated actuating mechanism therefor. Cam lift slides 26% includes bottom walls 240, upstanding side wall flanges 342 and 344, pin engaging tongues 346, and upstanding lock-out flanges 350.
The bottom walls 340 of cam lift slides 260 include flanges 350 and 352 which extend downwardly through a slot 254 in bottom wall 254 of cam lift frame 252.
A slide return bar indicated generally at 356, and best seen in FIG. 22, extends laterally across the bottom surface of bottom wall 254 of cam lift frame 252 and includes slots 366 through which are extended guide collars 362, the latter being mounted to bottom wall 254 of the cam lift frame by a plurality of screws 364.
It will now be understood from FIG. 22 that when cam lift slide 260 is shifted towards the front of the machine, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 22, the slide is free to so move since slide return bar 256 is in the forward position illustrated with a flange 368 on the slide 260 being spaced from the rear edge of the slide return bar 356.
As seen in FIGS. 19 and 22, slide return bar 356 is normally retained and returned to the forward position illustrated by a tension spring 402 which has one end connected to slide return bar 356 and the other end connected to cam lift frame 252 at spring 314.
With reference to FIGS. 2l24, the lock out apparatus 260 will next be described. Any one of the slides 260, one being provided for each cam 34 and pairs of bottle releasing arms 36 and 38, can be individually moved forwardly by energizing a respective one of the solenoids with the armature 372 of each solenoid being pinned to a respective lock-out flange 350 at a pin 374. This action causes the selected cam lift slide to move under its respective pin with the actuated position being shown at the lower slide 260 of FIG. 21, and also in FIG. 19. This permits raising of a respective cam 34 and spreading of a respective pair of bottle supporting arms 36 and 38 at the particular flavor selected. In addition, energization of the solenoid 70 shifts lockout flange 350 rearwardly into one of the slots 396 of a lock-out bar indicated generally at 392, and illustrated in detail in FIG. 24.
Referring particularly to lock-out bar 392, the undersurface 394 of the bar slideably carries a plurality of slide elements 396 which are laterally shiftably mounted to the lock-out bar by a plurality of headed pins 398 that extend loosely through slots 400 in slides 396.
In general, when one of the lock-out flanges 350, at the particular actuated cam lift slide 260, is shifted forwardly by its respective solenoid 70, the flange 350 enters its slot 390 and forces slides 396 laterally, said slides serving to close all of the other slots 390 whereby forward movement of any of the other lock-out flanges and cam lift slides 260 is prevented.
As is best seen in FIG. 22, each lock-out slide 350 in cludes a shoulder 406 which, when moved forwardly, engages a flange 498 of a motor start switch actuating bar 410, common to all the solenoids, which action depresses a switch actuating arm 412 of a motor starting switch 414. This starts the actuation of motor 116 at the beginning of the vending cycle and the motor is subsequently maintained in operation by a motor run switch 416, FIGS. 19 and 20, throughout the vending cycle due *9 to depression of a switch actuating arm 418, FIG. 19, by the outer surface 420 of the previously described cam 280.
'It will be understood, considering FIGS. 19 and 20, that actuation of solenoid 70 starts the motor via motor start switch 414 which institutes rotation of cam 280. Switch actuating arm 424 on cam 280 maintains operation of motor 116 until the cam 289 has rotated for substantially 360 degrees at which time switch actuating member 418 of the motor run switch falls into depression 424 in the cam thereby cutting off motor 116.
With reference to FIG. 19, any of the actuated cam lift slides 260 is returned rearwardly and out of engagement with its respective cam lift pin 80, by rearward shifting of the previously described slide return bar 356 best seen in FIG. 22. This is accomplished by pivoted arms 420 that are pivotally mounted to the side walls of cam lift frame 252 at pivot pins 422. After cam lift frame 252 has been moved upwardly to its topmost position, and through the dwell period previously described, it starts downwardly and a lower cam face 450 on the bottom of arm 420, FIGS. 19 and 21, engages a pin 452 on arm 148 whereby the pin cams arm 420 rearwardly or to the right as seen in FIG. 19. This shifts slide return bar 356, FIG. 22, to the rear against the action of the previously mentioned tension spring 402. As the slide bar 356 returns the actuated cam lift slide 269 is shifted back to its original position and the lower face 450 on the arms 421) slides past pin 452. It should be pointed out that lever 421 is constantly biased rearwardly by a tension spring 495 connected between lever 420 and slide 356.
It should be pointed out that the inclined upper surface 460 on the lower arm 420 merely serves to let the lower end of arm 420 ride past pin 452 on the upstroke of frame bracket 252, the only function of the arm occurring on the downstroke of frame bracket 252 when the lower face 250 on the bottom of the arm engages cam 452 and shifts the arm and slide return 356 rearwardly.
In operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 19 through 24, reference is made to the diagrammatic circuit of FIG. 2 which illustrates the previously described electrical components that include the motor 116 that drives shaft 106A, FIG. 20, the solenoids 70 that lift the cam lift slides 260 and actuate the motor start switch 414 seen in FIG. 22, and the motor run switch 416 that is actuated by the cam 280, as seen in FIGS. 19 and 20.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, when a coin is inserted in slot 10, coin actuated switch 194, FIG. 2, closes bridging contacts 544 and 545. This energizes a coil 506 of holding relay 501 via wires 502 and 534. The armature 507 of relay 501 is thereby drawn downwardly which closes solenoid holding switch 565 and thereby maintains the solenoid energized via wires 502 and 534.
So long as solenoid coil 506 is energized a switch 503, also actuated by armature 507, is closed thereby connecting article type selector switches 186192 with one side of the source connection 500.
It should be pointed out that energization of solenoid coil 506 also closes normally open switch 503 which connects normally open motor start switch 414 with one side of source connector 500. The customer has therefore established a credit with the vendor.
With continued reference to FIG. 2 the customer next depresses one of the article selector switches 186-192 which bridges one of the respective contacts 520-526, a potential circuit having been established by the closing of relay switch 503. This energizes one of the selector solenoids 70 which moves one of the cam lift slides 260, FIGS. 21-23, to a position beneath one of the cam lift pins 81).
In the embodiment of FIGS. 19-24 movement of the slide plate moves one of the look-out flanges 350 on the cam lift slides 260 into one of the slots 390 and lock-out bar 392 on FIG. 24 thereby blocking action of any of the other solenoids 70. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1- 18 lock-out bar 170 is rotated about pins 172 to effect lock-out action of the other solenoids preventing more in than one of the hooks 66 from engaging its respective cam lift pin 80.
Operation of the cam lift slide 260, FIG. 22, also serves to energize motor start switch 414 when a shoulder 406 on lock-out flange 350 engages spring 410 and causes the spring to depress motor start switch actuator 412.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-18 rotation of the lockout bar 17 0 functions to close the motor start switch 414. After motor start switch 414 is closed by energization of a selector solenoid '70 a circuit is established through motor 116 whereby rotation of shaft 160A, FIGS. 19 and 20, begins which actuates elevator frame 126, in the manner previously described, and rotates cam 280, FIGS. 19 and 20 whereby cam lift frame 252 of the article selector apparatus 250 is caused to ride along the guides 272- 276 since the rods 302 are pushed upwardly by action of cam roller 286 on surface 290 of lever 292 all of which is previously described in detail herein.
At the institution of the vending cycle motor shaft 166A rotates only slightly when the motor run switch 416 is closed, FIGS. 2 and 19, when switch actuator 418 leaves depression 424 in the periphery of cam 280.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-18 a similar motor run switch is actuated by a cam mounted near one end of the motor shaft 106. With motor run switch 416 being closed a circuit is established through motor 116 via line 502, motor run switch 416, line 532, motor 116, and line 534.
It should be pointed out that the cam actuation of motor run switch 416 breaks the holding circuit to relay 501 by the disengagement of contact 542 and engagement of contact 543 thereby permitting the relay contacts to open and break the circuit to the article selection switches 186-192 as well as the circuit to motor start switch 414.
Shaft 166A, FIGS. 18 and 20, continues rotation of travel past the initial movement that closes motor run switch 416, and continues lifting both elevator frame 126 and article selecting mechanism 250. The latter is moved upwardly more rapidly than the former due to the geometry of the linkage.
As a result the cam 34, which was lifted by a shifted cam lift slide 260, will spread its respective article supporting arms 36-38 at approximately the summit of the vertical travel of the article selecting mechanism 250.
Spreading of the lower ends of arms 36 and 38 permits the tray means 54, FIGS. 13 through 15, to receive the Weight of the stack of bottles.
The continued rotation of cam 280, beyond approximately degrees of rotation, causes descent of elevator frame 126 together with tray means 54.
The frame bracket 252 of article selecting mechanism 250 also begins to descend whereby lever 420, FIGS. 19 and 20, is cammed rearwardly in the manner previously described, thereby shifting slide return bar 356 to the rear of the machine, and to the left as viewed in FIG. 22, whereby the actuated cam lift slide 261 is moved from beneath its respective cam lift pin 80. At the same time lock-out flange 350 is withdrawn from its respective slot 3% in lock-out bar 392.
As the elevator frame 126 moves downwardly the lowermost bottle, in the particular stack where article supporting arms 36 and 38 are spread, passes between the arms, and the raised actuated cam 34, being freed by retraction of slide 269, moves downwardly and closes the arms 36 and 38 beneath the next to the lowermost bottle on the stack whereby the stack is supported in readiness for the next vending cycle.
As elevator frame 126 progresses downwardly, tray means 54 is tilted by the oflset 146 in frame slot 142, FIG. 7, whereby the bottle is dumped into the delivery shute to a position where it can be picked up by a customer.
Upon continued rotation of cam 280 arms 148 and 320 raise the elevator from its lowermost position and it continues to rise until motor run switch 406 disconnects contact 543, FIG. 2, which is effected by movement of switch actuator 418 back into cam recess 424. At this point elevatorframe 126 comes to rest withthe' tray means 54 just below the lowermost bottle in the stack. This is the standby position for the mechanism. With the motor run switch shifted back to the position of FIG. 2, contact 542 is closed whereby the electric circuitry is also returned to the standby position.
While the forms of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.
I claim:
1. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article 9 receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said article releasing means; means for selectively operating any one' of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved tov said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for. unloading said tray means includes a follower on said tray means and a cam means on said frame means for engagement with said follower.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively operatingany one of said plurality of driving means includes a plurality of pivotally mounted hooked-shaped members each of which is engageable with a respective one of said plurality of driving means.
4. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means, each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationsbip' with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevators means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 that includes a movably mounted lock-out member that is shifted responsive to actuation of one of said driving means into a position wherein said lock-out member prevents movement of the other of said plurality of driving means.
6. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article'releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means 7 each of which engages a respective one of said'followers and includes a first shoulder; a plurality of cam latching members each of which includes a second shoulder engageable with a respective one of said first shoulders; a plurality of solenoids each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam latching members; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an'article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movable mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; shaft means rotatably mounted to said frame; driving means for said shaft means; a driving linkage connecting said plurality of cam means with said shaft means for cyclically shifting said cam means upon rotation of said shaft means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said receiving platform.
8. An article dispensing apparatus comprising,,in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically moved mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means such of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; shaft means rotatably mounted to said frame; driving means for said shaft means; a driving linkage connecting said plurality of cam means with shaft means for cyclically shifting said cam means upon rotation of said shaft means; a second driving linkage connecting said elevator means with said shaft means for cyclically lowering and raising said elevator means upon rotation of said shaft means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
9. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means pivotally mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said article releasing means; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; and means for pivoting said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
10. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of a respective one of said stacks, each of said releasing means being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; means for moving said article releasing means back to said first position in underlying supporting relationship with said stack; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of cam means each of which shifts a respective one of said article releasing means; a plate member vertically movably mounted to said frame means; a plurality of cam driving members each of which is movably mounted on said plate member and movable into lifting engagement with a respective one of said cam means; and plate member driving means for vertically shifting said plate member.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 10 that includes a lock-out member movably mounted on said plate member and engageable by any one of said cam shifting members.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein said driving means for said plate member includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame; a cam on said shaft; and a lever pivotally mounted to said frame, a follower engaging said cam and an end connection with said plate member.
13. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein said I means for moving said elevator means and said plate member driving means are actuated by a common shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means.
14. A vending machine comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of pairs of laterally shiftable article releasing members mounted on said frame means at the bottoms of said stacks, each of said pairs of members being movable from a first position in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack to a second position wherein said lowermost article is released; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; a plurality of driving means each of which is connected with a respective one of said pairs of article releasing members; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
15. A vending machine comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of pairs of arms pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said pairs of arms including lower ends normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said arms; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers; a plurality of'driving means each of which is connectable with a respective one of said cam means; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for selectively operating any one of said plurality of driving means when said elevator means is in said upper position for releasing an article from one of said stacks to its respective tray means; and means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform.
16. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder "-to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions to said second positions; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform; and meansfor locking out movement of all but one of said cam driving members upon movement of said one cam driving member.
17. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said means for moving said elevator includes an electric motor and a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means; a switch actuating cam on said shaft; and a motor holding switch means including a switch actuator engaging said switch actuating cam.
18. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks of said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder and a lock-out flange, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions to said second positions; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray means mounted to said elevator means; means for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform; and a plurality of axially aligned lock-out bars mounted on said frame means and disposed in end to end relationship, said lock-out bars being laterally shiftable apart at confronting end locations disposed in the path of said lock-out flanges of said cam driving members, the total end to end clearance availableto said con fronting end locations being greater than the width of one of said lock-out flanges but less than the width of two of said lock-out flanges, said lock-out bars serving to prevent movement of more than one of said cam driving members at a time.
19. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions to said second positions; an article receiving platform mounted on said frame means; a plurality of tray. means mounted to said elevator means; a motor for moving said elevator means from an upper position wherein said tray means underlie said article releasing members to a lower position wherein said tray means overlie said article receiving platform; means for unloading said tray means when said elevator means is moved to said lower position for transferring an article from a tray means to said article receiving platform; means for locking-out movement of all but one of said cam driving members upon movement of said one cam driving member; and a plurality of starter switch means for said motor, each of said switch means including a switch actuator engaged by a respective one of said cam driving members upon movement of said members from said first to said second positions.
20. The apparatus defined in claim 19 that includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame and operated by said motor; a switch actuating cam on said shaft; and a motor holding switch means including a switch actuator engaging said switch actuating cam.
21. An article dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, frame means; a plurality of vertically extending stacks on said frame means for containing a plurality of stacked articles to be vended; elevator means vertically movably mounted on said frame means; a plurality of laterally shiftable article releasing means each of which is pivotally mounted to said frame means below said stacks, each of said releasing means including a lower portion normally disposed in underlying supporting relationship with the lowermost article in a respective stack; a plurality of followers on said releasing means; a plurality of cam means movably mounted on said frame means each of which engages a respective one of said followers and a first shoulder; a plurality of cam driving members each of which includes a second shoulder and a lock-out flange, said cam driving members being shiftable from a first position wherein said second shoulder is clear of said first shoulder to a second position wherein said second shoulder underlies said first shoulder; a plurality of power means each of which is connected to a respective one of said cam driving members for selectively shifting said members from said first positions to said second Positions; an article receiving platform mounted on Said frame means; a pl rality of tray means mounted to Said akvator means; a motor for moving said elevator

Claims (1)

  1. 22. AN ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, FRAME MEANS; A PLURALITY OF ARTICLE STORING STACKS ON SAID FRAME MEANS; ELEVATOR MEANS VERTICALLY MOVEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS; A PLURALITY OF ARTICLE RELEASING MEANS, EACH OF WHICH IS MOUNTED AT THE BOTTOM OF A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID STACKS; MEANS FORMING AN ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION MOUNTED BELOW SAID ELEVATOR MEANS; A PLURALITY OF ARTICLE RECEIVING TRAYS CARRIED BY SAID ELEVATOR MEANS, EACH OF SAID TRAYS BEING ASSOCIATED WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID ARTICLE RELEASING MEANS; POWER MEANS FOR VERTICALLY ACTUATING SAID ELEVATOR MEANS BETWEEN AN UPPER POSITION WHEREIN SAID TRAY MEANS UNDERLIE THEIR RESPECTIVE ARTICLE RELEASING MEANS AND A LOWER POSITION WHEREIN SAID TRAY MEANS OVERLIE SAID ARTICLE RE-
US221034A 1962-09-04 1962-09-04 Vending machine Expired - Lifetime US3151773A (en)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3613945A (en) * 1969-08-21 1971-10-19 Rock Ola Mfg Corp Can-vending and feed mechanism
FR2435760A1 (en) * 1978-09-08 1980-04-04 Ahlstroem A MISCELLANEOUS DISPENSING MACHINE
US5651476A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-07-29 Dixie-Narco, Inc. Modular vending machine

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1686978A (en) * 1923-07-25 1928-10-09 Hans K Lorentzen Coin-controlled vending machine
US2338714A (en) * 1941-05-17 1944-01-11 Kennon Mott Vending machine
US2419990A (en) * 1945-02-22 1947-05-06 Leonard J Kaufman Hare and tortoise toy
US2638396A (en) * 1950-08-02 1953-05-12 Rowe Mfg Co Inc Sandwich vending machine
US2693299A (en) * 1948-12-30 1954-11-02 Arthur R Gross Dispensing machine
US2847146A (en) * 1955-02-09 1958-08-12 Amos R Obourn Vending machines for packaged merchandise or the like
US2982592A (en) * 1956-03-20 1961-05-02 Fred Hebel Corp Machine for dispensing refrigerated articles

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1686978A (en) * 1923-07-25 1928-10-09 Hans K Lorentzen Coin-controlled vending machine
US2338714A (en) * 1941-05-17 1944-01-11 Kennon Mott Vending machine
US2419990A (en) * 1945-02-22 1947-05-06 Leonard J Kaufman Hare and tortoise toy
US2693299A (en) * 1948-12-30 1954-11-02 Arthur R Gross Dispensing machine
US2638396A (en) * 1950-08-02 1953-05-12 Rowe Mfg Co Inc Sandwich vending machine
US2847146A (en) * 1955-02-09 1958-08-12 Amos R Obourn Vending machines for packaged merchandise or the like
US2982592A (en) * 1956-03-20 1961-05-02 Fred Hebel Corp Machine for dispensing refrigerated articles

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3613945A (en) * 1969-08-21 1971-10-19 Rock Ola Mfg Corp Can-vending and feed mechanism
FR2435760A1 (en) * 1978-09-08 1980-04-04 Ahlstroem A MISCELLANEOUS DISPENSING MACHINE
US5651476A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-07-29 Dixie-Narco, Inc. Modular vending machine

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