US3240386A - Vending apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 15, 1966 G. s. McCLOY 3,240,386

VENDING APPARATUS Filed May 14, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 15, 1966 v G. s. MOCLOY 3,240,386

VENDING APPARATUS Filed May 14, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 15, 1966 G. s. MCCLOY 3,240,386

VENDING APPARATUS Filed May 14, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 15, 1966 G. s. MCCLOY VENDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1964 IIO I05 I09 Fig. l3.

United States Patent "ice 3,240,386 VENDING APPARATUS Graham S. McCloy, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 14, 1964, Ser. No. 367,480 2 Claims. (Cl. 221116) This invention relates to an electrical control for a vending machine, more particularly a control that provides successive operation of a group of dispensing mechanisms in a sequence which is continually repeated so as to empty the storage chambers of the several dispensing mechanisms at about the same time. Such a control is useful, for example, in a machine for vending bottles of beverages of different flavors, where it may be desired to provide bottles of a particular flavor in a plurality of columns or storage chambers.

The object of the invention is to provide a control which is simple and relatively inexpensive.

Another object is to provide a control which can be readily applied to an existing design of vending machine and even to an existing machine.

Another object is to provide a control whereby the number of dispensing mechanisms under control of one selector switch may be readily varied.

The sequencing control for the group of dispensing mechanisms to be operated in sequence comprises first a common conductor for the group and individual conductors associated with the dispensing mechanisms in the group. It further comprises one or more transfer switches for transferring connection with the common conductor from one individual conductor to another. In each operation, that dispensing mechanism is operated whose individual conductor was connected to the common conductor by the previous operation. Each transfer switch is associated with two dispensing mechanisms and is a two-position switch which is actuated in one direction to one position by one of the two dispensing mechanisms and in the other direction to the other position by the other of said dispensing mechanisms. The transfer switch remains in the position to which it has been actuated until it is actuated to its other position by the other dispensing mechanism upon subsequent operation thereof.

The transfer switches are connected in a circuit arrangement such that whenever any dispensing mechanism is operated and actuates the transfer switch associated therewith, the common conductor is connected to the individual conductor of another dispensing mechanism to effect operation of the latter in the next operation in this group. The transfer switch may also open the connection between the common conductor and the conductor of the dispensing mechanism that is being operated. When said other dispensing mechanism is operated, a transfer switch associated therewith connects the common conductor to another individual conductor; in the case of a group of two, the same transfer switch again connects the common conductor to the first individual conductor, but in a group of more than two, another transfer switch connects the common conductor to a third individual conductor. The circuit arrangement is such that each individual conductor in the group is connected once to the common conductor in each sequence, which sequence is continually repeated. FIGURE 1 is a schematic Wiring diagram of an electrical control in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial wiring diagrams showing two successive positions of the switching arrangement for a group of three dispensing mechanisms;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are wiring diagrams showing three successive positions of the switching arrangement for a group of four dispensing mechanisms;

3,240,386 Patented Mar. 15, 1966 FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a group of six dispensing mechanisms with which the invention may be used;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIII-VI'II of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are partial wiring diagrams showing two further modifications of switching arrangement;

FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram of another embodiment of the invention, in which the control is of the post-select yp FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 8, of the'same embodiment as FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a detail elevational view of one form of transfer switch that may be used for the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a wiring diagram of a control which is suitable, for example, for a bottle vending machine adapted to contain ten columns of bottles and provided with ten dispensing mechanisms for said ten columns. The control includes individual conductors 1 to 10 for the ten dispensing mechanisms respectively.

The dispensing mechanisms may be of any suitable construction, one of which is hereinafter described in detail. These mechanisms comprise vertically slidable plates 1a to 10a, respectively. Each of these plates is provided with a flange or tab 11, whereby it may be raised and lowered in a dispensing operation.

The vending machine further includes a selector bar 12 which is provided with tabs 13 spaced in such manner that as the bar is moved to the right, the cooperating tabs 11 and 13 are successively brought into registry with the plates 1a to 10a. A movable or slidable contact 14, shown schematically in FIG. 1 as attached to the selector bar, is movable to the right along with the selector bar as hereinafter described. As the bar moves through the respective positions bringing the tabs into registry for the plates 1a to 10a respectively, the contact 14 moves in sliding engagement with contacts 1 to 10, respectively, which are part of conductors 1 to 10 and, therefore, designated by the same reference numerals. The contact 14 is in the circuit of a solenoid 15 adapted, when energized, to pull a blade 16 down into the adjacent one of the slots 17 in a plate 18, schematically shown in FIG. 1 as integral with the selector bar 12, but which is movable to the right along with the selector bar 12 as hereinafter described.

The control of FIG. 1 is suitable for vending bottles of four different flavors, flavor A in the first column, flavor B in the second and third columns, flavor C in the fourth, fifth and sixth columns and flavor D in the seventh to tenth columns, inclusive.

The control includes suitable selector switch mechanism for selecting the desired flavor, such as a selector switch 19 having a rotatable contact arm connected to a line conductor L1 and movable into engagement with any of four stationary contacts which are connected to and form parts of conductors 1, 21, 22 and 23 respectively, for selecting one of flavors A, B, C and D. Each of the conductors 21, 22 and 23 is common to the individual conductors for the corresponding flavor and is, therefore, referred to as a common conductor.

A transfer switch 24 is associated with the plates 2a and 3a of flavor B for alternately connecting the common conductor 21 of flavor B to the individual conductors 2 and 3. The switch 24 is a single pole, two-position switch, preferably provided with an over-center spring, and is movable from a position in contact with the conductor 2 as shown in FIG. 1 to a position in contact with the conductor 3. It is provided with operating arms 25 and 26 disposed to be operated by the plates 2a and 3a, respectively, upon movement thereof. The transfer switch is sometimes referred to as flip-flop switch.

Assuming that a customer wishes to purchase a bottle of flavor B, he moves the selector switch arm into engagement with contact 21 and deposits the required coin to initiate operation of the mechanism. In the initial portion of the operation, the selector bar 12 is moved to the right and, as the contact 14 engages the live contact 2, a circuit is closed to the solenoid 15, which brings the blade 16 down into its adjacent slot 17 to stop movement of the selector bar 12 in the position in which the second tab 13 is in registry with the tab 11 of the plate 2a. In the further operation of the machine, the plate 2a is raised to dispense a bottle .of flavor B. At the same time the plate 2a contacts the arm 25 of the switch 24 to move it clockwise, bringing its movable contact into engagement with the conductor 3.

Upon the next purchase of a bottle of flavor B, the conductor 3 will be connected to line conductor L1 and will, therefore, be alive or marked. Accordingly, as the movable contact engages conductor 3, movement of the selector bar 12 is stopped in the position for eflecting operation of the plate 3a. Upon upward movement, the plate 30 engages the arm'26 to move switch 24 counterclockwise back to the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the conductor 21, common to this flavor, is in engagement with conductor 2. It will thus be seen that bottles are dispensed alternately from the second and third columns upon successive purchases of bottles of flavor B.

For the three columns of flavor C, there are provided two two-position transfer switches similar to the switch 24, switch 27 adapted to be operated by the plates 4a and 5a, and switch 28 adapted to be operated by the plates 5a and 6a. The switch 27 is positioned so that its movable contact engages conductor 4 upon upward movement of the plate 5a and the conductor 5 upon upward movement of the plate 4a. The switch 28 has its movable contact connected to the conductor 22 and is adapted to engage the contact of an intermediate conductor 29, connected to the movable contact of switch 27, inits leftward position to which it is moved by the upward movement of the plate 6a and the individual conductor 6 in its rightward position upon upward movement of the plate 5a.

Assume now that the switches 27 and 28 for flavor C are in the position shown in FIG. 1 and that a customer adjusts the selector switch 18 to engage the conductor 22 of flavor C. This connects the individual conductor 4 to line conductor'Ll through common conductor 22 and intermediate conductor 29. Upon depositing the required coin, operation of the vendor begins and the bar 12 moves to the right until contact 14 engages live contact 4, whereupon the mechanism operates to raise the plate 4a to dispense a bottle of flavor C from the fourth column of the vendor. The upward movement of plate 4a tilts the switch 27 clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 2 in which the movable contact of switch 27 now engages the conductor 5 to connect it to the line conductor L1. With the switohes 27 and 28 in the position shown in FIG. 2, the next purchase of a bottle of flavor C will result in marking of conductor 5 and upward movement of the plate 5a to dispense a bottle from the fifth column. The upward movement of the plate 5a tilts the switch 27 in counterclockwise direction and the switch 28 in clockwise direction, bringing them to the positions shown in FIG. 3, so that the conductor 6 is now connected to the common conductor 22 of flavor C. Upon the next purchase of a bottle of flavor C, the selector bar 12 moves to the right until sliding contact 14 engages live contact 6, thereby operating, as before, to lock the selector bar in position, this time in registry with the tab 11 of plate 6a. The upward movement of plate 6a results in dispensing of a bottle of flavor C from the sixth column of the vendor and the tilting of the switch 28 in counterclockwise direction, thereby bringing the switches of flavor C back to the position shown in FIG. 1, for the next operation of plate 4a, to begin another sequence identical with that just described. In other words, the switches 27 and 28 bring about repeated cycles or sequences, dispensing bottles from the fourth, fifth and sixth columns.

For the four columns of flavor D, there are provided two two-position transfer switches, a single pole switch 31 and a two-pole switch 32. The common conductor 23 for flavor D- is connected to the movable contact of switch 31. At the leftward position of the switch 31, the movable contact engages the contact of a conductor 33, and in the rightward position it engages the stationary contact of a conductor 34. The conductors 33 and 34 extend to and include movable contacts carried by the switch arm of switch 32. In the leftward position of switch 32, conductor 33 engages conductor 7 and in the rightward position of the switch 42, the conductors 33 and 34 engage conductors 10 and 8 respectively. The conductor 34 is also permanently connected to conductor 9.

Considering now the operation for flavor D, upon moving the selector switch 19 to the position for flavor D, a circuit from line conductor L1 is extended through the conductor 23 to the movable contact of switch 31, then through conductor 33 and, at switch 32, to conductor 7. This selects plate 7a for operation and as it moves upwardly to dispense a bottle from the seventh column, it tilts switch 31 clockwise to -connect the conductor 23 to the conductorv 9 through conductor 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The next operation, therefore, will result in upward movement of the plate 9a which will tilt the switch 32 clockwise or to the right, bringing the switches for flavor D to the positions shown in FIG. 5 in which the circuit from line conductor L1 extends through conductor 23 and conductor 34 to conductors 8 and 9. Upon the next operation, both contacts 8 and 9 will be alive, but since sliding contact 14 engages contact 8 first, the latter will control and cause the selector bar 12 to be locked in the position for raising plate 8a, which tilts the switch 31 leftward to the position shown in FIG. 6. As will be seen from FIG. 6, the switch 31 now extends the circuit from conductor 23 to conductor 33 and the switch 32 extends it to the conductor 10, so that plate 10a will next be operated. Upon operation of plate 10a, the switch 32 is tilted to the left, returning the switch arrangement for flavor D to the position shown in FIG. 1, for repeating the sequence or cycle of operation just described.

It will be noted that the switching arrangement for each flavor is advanced to the next position only upon operation of the vending machine for that flavor, and is not changed by intervening operations for other flavors. Thus, the several columns for each flavor are emptied at the same rate regardless of such intervening operations.

The control so far described comprises the novel portions of the present invention. It may be used with known and conventional features of control and with any desired type of bottle releasing or dispensing mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, which is of the pre-select type, in which flavor selection is made before depositing the required coin, the remainder of the control comprises a coin switch 35 whose switch-arm is connected to line conductor L1, and which, upon insertion of the required coin or coins, is momentarily movable into engagement with a contact 36 and then returns into engagement with a contact 37. The engagement with the contact 36 completes a circuit from line conductor L1 through the coil of a vend relay 38 to line conductor L2, thereby closing holding contacts 39 and motor contacts 40 and opening contacts 41 of a conventional coin reject solenoid 42. Upon engagement of the switch arm with the contact 37, a circuit to the motor M is completed through the contacts 37 and 40. The control further includes a switch 43 connected between line/conductor L1 and selector switch 19 and adapted to be opened by a cam surface 44. It further includes a switch 45 having a contact arm connected to the line conductor L1 and movable between a stationary contact in series with the contacts 39 for the holding circuit of the vend relay coil and a stationary contact connected to the motor M.

The switch 45 is actuated by a cam surface 46. The cam surfaces 44 and 46 are connected together, in olfset relation to each other, and are driven by the motor M through suitable reduction gearing, one revolution during each dispensing operation.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a bottle vending machine with which the mentioned control may be used. This machine, generally similar to that shown in Patent 3,118,567 of M. W. Newberry, includes a magazine structure 47 divided by partitions 48 into compartments, each adapted to contain a vertical column of bottles of one-bottle width. While the vendor shown in FIG. 7 has six compartments, it will be apparent that this is a matter of choice that any desired number of compartments may be provided.

There is provided at the lower end of each compartment a bottle releasing or dispensing mechanism, which comprises two bottle supporting and releasing rods 49 extending from front to rear and carried at the upper ends of levers 50 pivoted about pivot pins 51. The releasing mechanism further comprises links 52 connecting the lower ends of the levers 50 to one of the vertically slidable rod operating plates 1a to a. The rod operating plates are vertically slidable through openings formed in the upper and lower flanges of a channel member 53 mounted along the front of the compartments, and the vertical member of which may form a part of the front wall for the compartments.

To release the lowermost bottle from a column, the rod operating plate is raised. During the first short portion of such upward movement, the links move the lower ends of the levers 50 slightly further apart and the rods 49 move slightly toward each other. However, as the plate moves upwardly beyond the position in which the links 52 are horizontal, the links draw the lower ends of the levers 50 toward each other and the rods 49 away from each other sufficiently to permit the lowermost bottle to drop between the rods. Upon downward movement of the rod operating plate, the rods 49 are moved toward each other to support the next lowermost bottle.

The selector bar 1 2, shown schematically in FIG. 1, is supported by, and is horizontally slidable in, two plates 54 which extend and are movable vertically through other slots in the horizontal flanges of the channel member 53. The plates 54 are moved up and down through links 55, which are connected at their lower ends to levers 56 fixed on a rocker shaft 57. An operating lever 58 is fixed to the shaft 57 for operating the same and is connected by a composite rod 59 to a crank pin 60 mounted on a crank 61 of a gear reduction unit 62 driven by the motor M. The gear reduction unit 62 rotates both the crank 61 with its pin 60 and the cams 44 and 46, one revolution for each dispensing operation.

A locking plate 63 is mounted for horizontal movement by means of bolts 64 carried by the channel member 53 and extending through horizontal slots 65 in the locking plate. The locking plate 63 is locked to move horizontally with the locking bar 12, while at the same time permitting the locking bar 12 to move upwardly, by means of a vertical strip 66 fastened to the locking plate 63 and extending vertically through a notch in the upper flange 67 of the selector bar. The locking plate 63 is formed with vertical slots 68 disposed to permit the selected tab 11 to be raised, while the locking plate prevents upward movement of the remaining tabs 11.

The plate 18, provided with the slots 19, is mounted on the locking plate 63 by means of a bracket 69 as shown in FIG. 8. The sliding contact 14 is mounted on the plate 18 by means of a bracket 70. Thus, the sliding contact 14 and the slots 17 move, right and left as seen in FIG. 7, along with the locking bar 12, but they do not move vertically.

To effect horizontal movement of the locking bar 12, there is provided a mechanism (see lower portion of FIG. 7) which includes, first, a link plate 71 pivoted on a stationary structure at 72 and formed with a slot 73 through which the crank pin 60 extends. A vertical link 74 is pivoted at its lower end to the plate 71 and extends upwardly, its upper end being pivoted to a bell crank lever 75, whose other arm is connected to a horizontal link 76. The link 76 is formed with a slot 77 through which extends a forwardly bent flange 78 of the plate 18.

The link 76 is normally biased upwardly by a tension spring 79 through a pin 80 which extends through a slot 81 in the link. The link 76 is adapted to be moved downwardly by the solenoid 15 through a vertical link 82 to which the pin 80 is attached. The link includes a portion bent at right angles to form the blade 16.

Operation Considering now the operation of the vending machine as a whole, assume that it is desired to purchase a bottle of flavor A. The selector switch 19 is positioned in contact with the conductor 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and the required coin is deposited. The arm of the coin switch 35 engages contact 36 to energize the coil 38, which closes contacts 39 and 40. As the switch arm returns to the contact 37, the circuit to the motor M is completed to begin operation of the vending machine. After a very short interval, the cam 46 moves the switch to the opposite position to complete a circuit to the motor M and to maintain it closed for the remainder of one revolution of the cam 44; in other words, one dispensing operation. At the same time, the holding circuit for the relay coil 38 is opened by contacts 39.

The motor drives the crank pin 60 in counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 7. During the initial portion of this movement, the crank pin 60 moves the plate 71 upwardly and through it the link 74, which turns the bell crank lever 75 clockwise to move the link 76 to the left. The right-hand edge of the slot 77 engages the tab 78 to drive the plate 18, and through it the contact 14, the locking plate 63 and the selector bar 12 all to the left, as seen in FIG. 7. While this direction is opposite to that shown in FIG. 1, it will be apparent that either direction may be used; the scheme of operation is exactly the same. As the movable contact 14 engages a live one of the contacts 1 to 6, in this case contact 1, the solenoid 15 is energized, as previously explained, to bring the blade 16 down into that slot 17 which is in registry with the blade 16 at the time, in this case, the first slot, to lock the plate 18 and the associated mentioned parts against further horizontal movement to the left. At the same time, the solenoid 15 also moves the link 76 downwardly through the connecting parts to break the driving connection between the edge of slot 77 and the flange 78, permitting continued movement of the link 76 under the flange 78 as the crank pin continues its rotation.

As will be noted from FIGS. 7 and 8, there is suflicient lost motion between the tabs 11 and 13 to permit the aforesaid horizontal movement of the selector bar 12 before the tabs 13 come up to the level of the tabs 11.

The rotation of the crank pin 60 also moves the link 59 upwardly to raise the selector bar 12 through the connecting parts including the lever 58, the rocker shaft 57, the links 55 and the plates 54. After the abovementioned lost motion is taken up, one of the tabs 13 moves into engagement with the tab 11 of the selected dispensing mechanism, in this case, the first one having the plate 1a. The plate In moves the rods 63 apart to release a bottle in the manner already described above to release one bottle. Some provision is preferably made for receiving the lowermost bottle, to prevent release of the entire column, as is shown, for example, in the mentioned Newberry Patent 3,118,567, but which mechanism forms no part of the present invention and hence need not be here described. After the crank pin 60 passes dead center at the top, it moves the link 59 downwardly,

thereby moving the selector bar downwardly, the flange 67 being adapted-to engage the tab 11 to assure that the rod operating plate 1a is returned to its lowermost position. As the crank pin 60 continues its downward movement sufliciently to engage the lower edge of the slot 73, it'moves the plate 71 and the link 74 downwardly, thereby moving the link 76 in return direction, to the right as shown in FIG. 1, to return the plate 18, the selector bar 12 and associated parts to the right to their rest positions, ready for the next dispensing operation. Prior to such movement, the cam 44 opens the switch 43 to de-energize the solenoid to permit the link 76 to move upwardly and re-engage the flange 78 for such return movement.

Upon'completion of one revolution of the cam 46, the switch 45 opens the circuit to the motor M, thereby completing the dispensing operation, and placing the control in condition for another vending operation.

The modified switching arrangement shown in FIG. 9 comprises three single-pole transfer switches 83, 84 and 85 associated with the vertically slidable plates 1a to 4a of four dispensing mechanisms, and further includes individual conductors 1b to 4b for the four dispensing mechanisms. In this case, each switch opens or closes the circuit to the individual conductors to the left, but does not open the circuit to the individual conductors to the right since, with the sliding contact type of selection, when the sliding contact 14 in moving to the right engages a stationary live contact, it is immaterial whether the remaining contacts are alive or are disconnected from the circuit.

With the switches disposed in the positions shown in FIG. 9, the first live contact engaged by the movable contact is the conductor 1b, so that plate In is raised to tilt switch 83 clockwise, opening the circuit to conductor 1b. In the next operation, the first live contact engaged by the movable contact is the contact 2b, resulting in upward movement of plate 2a, tilting switch 83 counterclockwise and switch 84- clockwise. The latter opens the circuit to both conductors 1b and 2b.

In the next operation, the first live contact is 3b, resulting in upward movement of plate 3a to tilt switch 84 counterclockwise and switch 85 clockwise, the latter switch opening a circuit to contacts 1b, 2b and 3b. In the next operation, the first live contact is 4b, which is permanently connected to the common connector 86. Plate 4a moves switch 85 in counterclockwise direction, so that all the switches are again in the position shown in FIG. 9, to repeat the sequence just mentioned.

In FIG. 10 there is shown another modification of switching arrangement for the sliding contact type of control for determining the individual dispensing mechanism to be operated. This arrangement includes a single-pole switch 87 actuated in counterclockwise direction by the plate 6a to connect the common conductor 88 to a conductor 89 and in clockwise direction by the plate 5a to connect it to a conductor 90. A two-pole transfer switch 91 is moved in counterclockwise direction by the plate 4a to connect conductor 89 to conductor 30 and in clockwise direction by plate 3a to connect conductor 90 to conductor 40. A two-pole transfer switch 92 is actuated in counterclockwise direction by a plate 2a to connect conductor 89 to conductor and it is moved clockwise by plate 1a to connect conductor 90 to conductor 20. Individual conductors 5c and 6c are permanently connected to conductors 89 and 90 respectively.

Assuming the switches to be in the positions shown in FIG. 10, the circuit from common conductor 88 extends through conductor 89 to conductors 10, 3c and 5c. As the sliding contact moves to the right, engagement with live contact 1c results in upward movement of the plate 1a, which tilts the switch 92 clockwise to disconnect conductors 89 and 1c and to connect conductors 90 and 2c. The next operation will be controlled by conductor 30, the circuit to which extends through conductors 88 and 89. The upward movement of the plate 3a tilts the switch 91 clockwise to open the circuit to conductor 3c and to connect conductor to conductor 4c. In the next operation controlled by conductor 5c, plate 511 is raised to tilt switch 87 clockwise to disconnect conductor 88 from conductor 89 and to connect it to conductor 90, which is already connectedto conductors 2c and 4c.

In the next operation, conductor 20 causes upward movement of plate 2a to tilt the switch 92 in counterclockwise direction. The next time, conductor 40 causes upward movement of plate 4a to tilt switch 91 counterclockwise. Then, conductor 60 causes plate 6a to tilt switch 87 in counterclockwise direction, to disconnect the common conductor 88 from the conductor 90 and to connect it to the conductor 89, which has been connected to conductors 1c and 30. Thus, the switches are returned to the positions shown in FIG. 10, to, begin another sequence of operation as just described.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that the number of columns for each particular flavor can be very easily changed. All that is necessary is to move one or more of the transferswitches, whichare detachably secured to the stationary structure, and to reconnect the wiring in accordance with the scheme explained above.

The individual conductors may, as previously mentioned, control their associated dispensing mechanisms in any suitable manner. For example, each conductor may have a solenoid connected in series therewith and be adapted to couple the associated dispensing mechanism to a common operating mechanism.

An embodiment of this character is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in which the transfer switch arrangement is applied, as suggested by Francis A. Gasparini, to the control disclosed and claimed in application Serial No. 342,404 of John E. Kalista. This control is of the postselect type; that is, flavor selection is made after depositing the required coin or coins.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control comprises individual conductors 1d to 6d for controlling the six individual dispensing mechanisms of a vending machine. Each of these individual conductors is connected to the upper terminal of an associated solenoid 101, the other terminal of the solenoid being connected to line conductor 62. This control is also provided with three individual selector switches 102, 103 and 104 for selecting flavors A, B and C respectively. Only a single dispensing mechanism is provided for flavor A so the conductor 1d is controlled directly by the selector switch 102. The selector switch 103 controls a common conductor 22d for the two dispensing mechanisms of flavor B, individually controlled by the conductors 2d and 3d. The common conductor 22d is adapted to be alternately connected to the conductors 2d and 3d by a transfer switch 24 which may be identical with the switch 24 of the first embodiment. With the switch 24 in the position engaging conductor 2d as shown in FIG. 11, upon closing the selector switch 103, the second solenoid is energized to effect operation of the second dispensing mechanism, in the course of which the switch 24 is tilted clockwise to disconnect conductor 2d from the common conductor 22d and to connect the latter to the conductor 3d. The next time that the selector switch 103 is actuated, the solenoid connected to conductor 3d is energized to eflect operation of the third dispensing mechanism. Such operation results intilting the switch 24 counterclockwise to disconnect conductor 3d and to connect conductor 2d to the common conductor 22d.

The selector switch 104 controls common conductor 23d for the fourth, fifth and sixth dispensing mechanisms provided for dispensing bottles of flavor C. The common conductor 23d is adapted to be connected in sequence to the conductors 4d, 5d and 6d by selector switches 27 and 28, which are connected in a circuit arrangement whichis identical with the circuit arrangement between switches 27 and 28, common conductor 23 and individual conductors 4, and 6 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. With the switches 27 and 28 in the positions shown in FIG. 11, closing of. the selector switch 104 completes a circuit through the common conductor 23d, the conductor 29 and the conductor 4d to the solenoid 101 to effect operation of the fourth dispensing mechanism. The latter tilts the switch 27 clockwise, so that the next operation for flavor C results in energization of the circuit through individual conductor 5d and effects operation of the fifth dispensing-mechanism. The latter tilts the switch 27 counterclockwise and the switch 28 clockwise to connect the common conductor 23d to the individual conductor 6d. Upon closing the selector switch 104 to complete a circuit through conductor 6d and its solenoid, the sixth dispensing mechanism is operated to dispense a bottle, at the same time tilting the transfer switch 28 in counterclockwise direction to restore the switchesto the position shown in FIG. 11.

The individual dispensing or bottle releasing mechanisms of this embodiment may be identical with the dispensing mechanisms of the first embodiment, each comprising a vertically slidable rod operating plate, such as the plate 2a shown in FIG. 12. .The several plates are adapted to be actuated by a common operating mechanism, including'a horizontally extending channel member 12d, which is vertically movable by a motor driven operating mechanism which may be identical with that shown in the first embodiment, except that it does not slide the channel member 12d horizontally.

There is provided on the channel member 12d for each dispensing mechanism a coupling element for coupling the dispensing mechanism to the common operating mechanism. This coupling element may comprise a lifter 105 pivoted on a hinge shaft 106 and having a finger 107 which is movable into a slot 108 in the rod operating plate into vertical alignment or registry with the upper end of the slot 108 so that when the channel member 12d is raised, the finger 107 moves into abutment with the upper edge of the slot and moves the plate upwardly. The lifter 105 is rotated into its operative position shown in FIG. 12, in which the finger 107 projects into the slot 108, by energization of its associated solenoid 101. This is eifected by means of a pin 109 carried by the lifter and extending through a recess in an angle piece 110 which is attached to and actuated by the armature of the solenoid 101. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 101, the lifter 105 is tilted by a spring 111 in counterclockwise direction to withdraw the finger 107 from the slot 108.

The control of FIG. 11 also includes a coin switch 35 which is movable, upon insertion of the proper coin, into engagement with a contact 37 to energize the coil of a relay 38, which thereupon closes contacts 112 to complete a holding circuit which extends from line conductor L1, through the carrier switch 45, an empty switch or switches 113 (mentioned later) and the contacts 112 to the coil of the relay 38, the other terminal of which is connected to the line conductor L2. The relay coil 38 also closes contacts 40d and when the coin switch 35 re-engages contact 36, a circuit is extended from line conductor L1 to the group of selector switches, and when one of these is actuated, the circuit is extended, as already described, through one of the individual conductors and its solenoid to line conductor L2.

Each of the solenoids 101 is also provided with a holdin switch 114 which is adapted, when the solenoid is energized, first to extend a circuit from the individual conductor, in series through the switches 114 to the right, and then through a conductor 115 to the coil of a relay 116, the other terminal of which is connected to the line conductor L2. Upon energization, the relay 116 actuates a switch 117 to disconnect the selector switches from the circuit extending from line conductor L1 through contacts 36 and 40d, and to connect conductor 115 to such circuit, to provide a hold-in circuit for the relay 116 and the energized solenoid 101. The relay 116 also closes a switch 118 to complete a circuit to the motor M.

The dispensing mechanism now operates in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment, the solenoid 101 remaining energized long enough to maintain the finger 107 in engagement with the selected rod operating plate during the upward movement. At the end of the upward movement, the cam plate 46d, which is rotated once during each dispensing operation similarly to the cam 46 of the first embodiment, operates the switch 45 to open the hold-in circuit for the relay 38, which opens the contacts 40d to open the hold-in circuit for the solenoid 101 and the coil of the relay 116. At the same time, the switch 45 completes a circuit to the motor M for the remainder of the dispensing operation.

The control includes an empty switch 113 and an empty switch 119 for each compartment, both of which switches are open when the associated compartment is empty. The switches 119 are connected in series with the selector switches, the several switches for each flavor being connected in series with each other so that when any one column of a flavor is empty, the circuit through the common conductor for that flavor is open. The empty switches 113 are connected in the hold-in circuit for the coil of the relay 38, the several switches for each flavor being again connected in series with each other.

' Thus, all the switches 113 for any one flavor must be closed to permit the control to start operation of the vending machine.

In FIG. 13, there is shown a form of transfer switch in which the arms 25 and 26 are elevated above the pivot point about which the arms tilt. Thus, as an arm is moved upwardly, it also moves horizontally away from the rod operating plate or element that moves it upwardly, thereby permitting continuing upward movement of such plate or element after actuating the transfer switch. It will be noted that this switch is attached to an angle piece bracket 120 having openings 121 whereby it may be quickly and detachably mounted.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim. as my invention:

1. An article dispensing machine, comprising first and second article dispensing mechanisms,

each dispensing mechanism including a movable element,

and means for elfecting operation of said first and second dispensing mechanisms in alternating order, comprising a common electrical conductor,

first and second electrical conductors associated with said first and second dispensing mechanisms respectively,

a two-position switch effective in its first position to connect said common conductor to said first conductor and in its second position to connect said common conductor to said second conductor,

said switch having a first arm disposed, in the first position of the switch, in the path of movement of the movable element of the first dispensing mechanism and operable thereby to move the switch in one direction from its first position to its second position and having a second arm disposed, in the second position of the switch, in the path of movement of the movable element of the second dispensing mechanism and operable thereby to move the switch in the reverse direction from its second position to its first position, and

means responsive to completion of a circuit through said common conductor and said first conductor for effecting operation of the first dispensing mechanism and responsive to completion of a circuit through the common conductor and the second conductor for effecting operation of the second dispensing mechanism.

2. An article dispensing machine, comprising first, second and third article dispensing mechanisms,

each dispensing mechanism including a movable element,

and means for effecting operation of said dispensing mechanisms in predeterminedsequence, comprising a common and an intermediate electrical conductor,

first, second and thirdelectrical conductors associated with said first, second and third dispensingmech- 'anisms, respectively,

a two-positionqswitch efiective inits first position to connect said intermediate conductor to said ,first conductor and in its second position to connect said intermediate conductor to said second conductor,

said switch having a first arm disposed, in the first position of the-switch, in the path of movement of the movable element of the first dispensing mechanism" and operable thereby to move the switch in one directiontrom its first position to its second position and having a second arm disposed, in the secondposition of the switch, in the path of move vment of the movable element of thesecond dispensing mechanism and operable thereby to move the switch inthe reverse direction from its second position-to its first position,

another two-position,switcheifective inits first position to connect said common conductor'to said intermediate ;conductor and in its second position 'toconnect said common conductor to said third conductor,

said other two-position switch having a first arm. dis posed, in the first position of the switch, in the path of movement of the movable element of, the second dispensing mechanism and operable thereby to move the switch in one direction from its first position to its second position and having a second, arm disposed, in the second position of the switch, in the.

tively.

References t'lited by the Examiner .UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,928 6/1962 Levine 2211l6 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

Dedication 3,240,386.-Gmhmn S. McOloy, Columbus, Ohio. VENDING APPARATUS.

Patent dated Mar. 15, 1966. Dedication filed Oct. 7, 1974, by the assignee, The Vanda Company. Hereby dedicates to the Public th entire remaining term of said patent.

[Oflicz'al Gazette May 6, 1975.]

Claims (1)

1. AN ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE, COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICLE DISPENSING MECHANISMS, EACH DISPENSING MECHANISM INCLUDING A MOVABLE ELEMENT, AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING OPERATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND DISPENSING MECHANISMS IN ALTERNATING ORDER, COMPRISING A COMMON ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR, FIRST AND SECOND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND DISPENSING MECHANISMS RESPECTIVELY, A TWO-POSITION SWITCH EFFECTIVE IN ITS FIRST POSITION TO CONNECT SAID COMMON CONDUCTOR TO SAID FIRST CONDUCTOR AND IN ITS SECOND POSITION TO CONNECT SAID COMMON CONDUCTOR TO SAID SECOND CONDUCTOR, SAID SWITCH HAVING A FIRST ARM DISPOSED, IN THE FIRST POSITION OF THE SWITCH, IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE MOVABLE ELEMENT OF THE FIRST DISPENSING MECHANISM AND OPERABLE THEREBY TO MOVE THE SWITCH IN ONE DIRECTION FROM ITS FIRST POSITION TO ITS SECOND POSITION AND HAVING A SECOND ARM DISPOSED, IN THE SECOND POSITION OF THE SWITCH, IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE MOVABLE ELEMENT OF THE SECOND DISPENSING MECHANISM AND OPERABLE THEREBY TO MOVE THE

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