US3270916A - Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism - Google Patents

Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US3270916A
US3270916A US451576A US45157665A US3270916A US 3270916 A US3270916 A US 3270916A US 451576 A US451576 A US 451576A US 45157665 A US45157665 A US 45157665A US 3270916 A US3270916 A US 3270916A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
article
column
empty
common signal
levers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US451576A
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English (en)
Inventor
Wallace R Lyman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority to US451576A priority Critical patent/US3270916A/en
Priority to DE19661474946 priority patent/DE1474946A1/de
Priority to GB15265/66A priority patent/GB1140347A/en
Priority to CH545866A priority patent/CH457940A/de
Priority to ES0326048A priority patent/ES326048A1/es
Priority to NL6605636A priority patent/NL6605636A/xx
Priority to BE680260D priority patent/BE680260A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3270916A publication Critical patent/US3270916A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus

Definitions

  • This invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to empty signal mechanisms for vending machines.
  • Multi-column vending machines which are adapted to contain different stacks of articles to be vended in respective different column structures of the machine are well known. It is of course desirable to provide individual column empty signal mechanisms and also an all column empty signal mechanism to indicate a sold out condition of such machine. It is also desirable that such signal mechanism be as simple, reliable in operation and inexpensive as possible.
  • a vending machine magazine frame arranged to have a plurality of side by side positioned article storage column structures is provided with a plurality of movable article sensing levers for each column structure adapted to contact an article in the respective column to assume a first position and movable to a second or operated position when the column is empty and no articles are present and sensed.
  • a common signal member is movably mounted on said frame to be interconnected with each of said article sensing levers to assume a first position when at least one of said individual column levers is in its first position and to be moved to assume a second or operated position when all of said levers are in their second positions.
  • Individual column empty signal means is arranged to be responsive to the operated position of respective ones of said article sensing levers and in addition an all empty or sold out signal means is arranged to be responsive to the operated position of said common signal member.
  • each of said article sensing levers is pivotally mounted on the frame to assume a raised position when an article to be vended is present in the respective column of the machine and to be moved by gravity to a lowered position when the respective column is empty.
  • the common signal member is pivotally mounted on the frame in a position to bridge all of the individual column article sensing levers to be thereby supported in a raised position so long as any one of the article sensing levers is in the raised position and to be movable to drop by gravity to a lowered position when all of said article sensing levers are in their lowered positions.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevation of a vending machine magazine structure having a plurality of side by side positioned article storage columns together with the empty signal mechanisms of the invention mounted on the lower portions of the vending machine magazine;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the extreme left-hand column of the lower end of the magazine to show details of the article sensing lever;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail View partly in section to show the position of an individual column article sensing lever when the associated column is empty.
  • the vending machine magazine structure generally shown at 10 is arranged to have a plurality of side by side article storing column structures such as the six columns shown at 11 through 16. It should be understood that the article sensing and empty signal mechanisms of the invention are not limited to any particular number of side by side column structures as will be apparent from the following description.
  • Each of the article storage columns 11-16 is provided with article vending release mechanisms generally shown at 17 through 22 and since these release mechanisms are not a part of the present invention and a detailed description of them is not required for an understanding of the present invention, no further description of the vending release mechanisms will be made. If a further description of the vending mechanism release is desired, reference may be made to the copending patent application of Francis A. Gasperini, Serial No. 451,579, filed April 28, 1965, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application for patent.
  • Each of the side by side positioned article storage columns 11-16 is provided with a respective movable article sensing lever 31-36 which is adapted to have a first position such as the raised position shown by the article sensing lever 31 when an article to be vended is present in the storage column such as any of the articles 37-39 in column 11.
  • the movable article sensing lever is pivotally mounted on the frame of the vending machine magazine 10 in a position adjacent the lower end of the respective column structure 11-16 and is movable to a second or operated position such as the lowered position shown by any one of the article sensing levers 32-36 when their respective column structures 12-16 are empty of articles to be vended.
  • the sensing lever 31 is essentially a bell crank pivoted at 40 and having a heel portion 41 adapted to contact the butt end of the article to be vended such as the can or bottle 37 and a cam surface end 43 adapted to contact the roller 44 of a suitable individual column empty signal such as the indicator, switch or light 45.
  • the heel portion 41a, for example, of the empty signal lever 32 will not be contacting or sensing an article to be vended and the article sensing lever 32 will pivot about the pivot 40a to move the cam surface 43a into engagement with the cam roller 44a and activate the individual column empty switch or light 45a.
  • the respective empty sensing lever can be caused to pivot about its pivot such as the pivot 40 or 40a in response to the force of gravity when no article is sensed in the respective article storage column.
  • a tension spring 46 may be connected as shown.
  • the common empty signal means is shown to comprise the ar 50 pivotally mounted at each of its ends, one of which shown at 51 to the frame structure of the vending maliine magazine 10.
  • the common gnal bar 59 is positioned to bridge all of the individual zipty signal levers 31-36 and to be supported in a raised osition so long as any one of the individual empty sensrg levers 31-36 is in the raised position. Therefore, the ommon signal means or bar is movable from a first osition, i.e., the raised position by the interconnection if any one of the individual column empty sensing levers 136.
  • a vending machine comprising, a frame having a lurality of side by side column structures adapted to ontain articles to be vended, each of said column strucures having respective article sensing levers adapted to ontact an article in the column and to be movable to vssume a first position in response thereto and to assume second position when no article is present in the respecive column, a movable common signal member, means nterconnecting each of said article sensing levers and aid common signal member to move said common signal nember to a first position when at least one of said aricle sensing levers is in its first position and to move aid common signal member to a second position when 111 of said article sensing levers are in their second posiions, a respective individual column empty signal means 'esponsive to a respective one of said article sensing levers o be operated when the respective lever is in a selected )ne of its said positions, and an all column empty signal neans responsive to said common signal
  • a vending machine comprising, a frame having a ilurality of side by side column structures adapted to :ontain articles to be vended, each of said column strucures having respective article sensing levers adapted to :ontact an article in the column and to be movable to tssume a first position in response thereto and to assume 1 second position when no article is present in the respecive column, a movable common signal member, means nterconnecting each of said article sensing levers and ;aid common signal member to move said common signal nember to a first position when at least one of said article :ensing levers is in its first position and to move said :ommon signal member to a second position when all of ;aid article sensing levers are in their second positions,
  • a respective individual column empty signal adapted to be connected to a respective one of said article sensing levers to be operated when the respective lever is in the second position
  • an all column empty signal adapted to be connected to said common signal member to be operated when said common signal member is in the second position.
  • a vending machine comprising, a frame having a plurality of side by side column structures adapted to contain articles to be vended, each of said column structures having respective article sensing levers pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to contact an article in the column and to be movable to assume a first position in response thereto and to assume a second position when.
  • a movable common signal member pivotally mounted on said frame, means interconnecting each of said article sensing levers and said common signal member to move said common signal member to a first position when at least one of said article sensing levers is in its first position and to move said common signal member to a second position when all of said article sensing levers are in their second positions, a respective individual column empty signal adapted to be connected to a respective one of said article sensing levers to be operated when the respective lever is in the second position, and an all column empty signal adapted to be connected to said common signal member to be operated when said common signal member is in the second position.
  • a vending machine comprising, a frame having a plurality of side by side column structures adapted to contain articles to be vended, each of said column structures having respective article sensing levers pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to contact an article in the column and to be movable to a raised position in response thereto and to a lowered position when no article is present in the respective column, a movable common signal member pivotally mounted on said frame in bridging relation to said article sensing levers, means interconnecting each of said article sensing levers and said common signal member to support said common signal member in a raised position when at least one of said article sensing levers is in a raised position and to allow said common signal member to drop to a lowered position when all of said article sensing levers are in their lowered position, a respective individual column empty signal adapted to be connected to a respective one of said article sensing levers to be operated when the respective lever is in the lowered position, and an all column empty signal adapted to be connected to said common signal member to be operated when said

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
US451576A 1965-04-28 1965-04-28 Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3270916A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US451576A US3270916A (en) 1965-04-28 1965-04-28 Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism
DE19661474946 DE1474946A1 (de) 1965-04-28 1966-04-04 Betriebsueberwachungseinrichtung fuer einen Selbstverkaeufer
GB15265/66A GB1140347A (en) 1965-04-28 1966-04-06 Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism
CH545866A CH457940A (de) 1965-04-28 1966-04-15 Betriebsüberwachungseinrichtung für einen Selbstverkäufer
ES0326048A ES326048A1 (es) 1965-04-28 1966-04-27 Una maquina vendedora.
NL6605636A NL6605636A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-04-28 1966-04-27
BE680260D BE680260A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-04-28 1966-04-28

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US451576A US3270916A (en) 1965-04-28 1965-04-28 Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3270916A true US3270916A (en) 1966-09-06

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ID=23792782

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US451576A Expired - Lifetime US3270916A (en) 1965-04-28 1965-04-28 Vending machine empty signal indicating mechanism

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3270916A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE680260A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH457940A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1474946A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES326048A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1140347A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6605636A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3838663A (en) * 1973-04-21 1974-10-01 H Focke Light shutter system for detecting blockages in a cigarette feeder
US3976108A (en) * 1974-03-12 1976-08-24 Panduit Corporation Automatic cable tie installation tool
US4301909A (en) * 1979-07-25 1981-11-24 Snavely John D Vending apparatus
EP0054090A1 (en) * 1980-12-12 1982-06-23 Bydale Engineering Limited Improvements in and relating to the storage of handpropelled vehicles
US4744489A (en) * 1985-11-22 1988-05-17 Tone Brothers, Inc. Store display fixture
US4872592A (en) * 1986-02-05 1989-10-10 Sanden Corporation Article storage and dispensing device with sold out indicating mechanism
US5547105A (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-08-20 Royal Vendors, Inc. Can vending mechanism
US5575613A (en) * 1992-11-16 1996-11-19 Mcneall Engineering Pty. Ltd. Pallet dispenser
US20100096401A1 (en) * 2008-06-12 2010-04-22 Sainato Anthony V Modular article storage and dispensing assembly
US20100193538A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2010-08-05 Stephen William Clarke Dispensing device
US20140175119A1 (en) * 2012-12-22 2014-06-26 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Automatic vending machine with switch module

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8448815B2 (en) * 2009-11-23 2013-05-28 Meadwestvaco Corporation Product dispenser with low product indicator

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1496939A (en) * 1923-05-22 1924-06-10 Charles L Martin Change-dispensing device
US2348927A (en) * 1940-12-27 1944-05-16 Martin S Runsvold Dispensing and vending machine
US2531238A (en) * 1947-04-17 1950-11-21 Vendomatic Machine Corp Merchandise vending machine
US2784871A (en) * 1952-06-07 1957-03-12 Rowe Mfg Co Inc Empty signal for columnar merchandising machines
US3134473A (en) * 1960-10-03 1964-05-26 Tremolada Goffredo Vending machine with hydraulic actuating mechanism

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1496939A (en) * 1923-05-22 1924-06-10 Charles L Martin Change-dispensing device
US2348927A (en) * 1940-12-27 1944-05-16 Martin S Runsvold Dispensing and vending machine
US2531238A (en) * 1947-04-17 1950-11-21 Vendomatic Machine Corp Merchandise vending machine
US2784871A (en) * 1952-06-07 1957-03-12 Rowe Mfg Co Inc Empty signal for columnar merchandising machines
US3134473A (en) * 1960-10-03 1964-05-26 Tremolada Goffredo Vending machine with hydraulic actuating mechanism

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3838663A (en) * 1973-04-21 1974-10-01 H Focke Light shutter system for detecting blockages in a cigarette feeder
US3976108A (en) * 1974-03-12 1976-08-24 Panduit Corporation Automatic cable tie installation tool
US4301909A (en) * 1979-07-25 1981-11-24 Snavely John D Vending apparatus
EP0054090A1 (en) * 1980-12-12 1982-06-23 Bydale Engineering Limited Improvements in and relating to the storage of handpropelled vehicles
US4744489A (en) * 1985-11-22 1988-05-17 Tone Brothers, Inc. Store display fixture
US4872592A (en) * 1986-02-05 1989-10-10 Sanden Corporation Article storage and dispensing device with sold out indicating mechanism
US5575613A (en) * 1992-11-16 1996-11-19 Mcneall Engineering Pty. Ltd. Pallet dispenser
US5547105A (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-08-20 Royal Vendors, Inc. Can vending mechanism
US20100193538A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2010-08-05 Stephen William Clarke Dispensing device
US10555622B2 (en) * 2007-06-18 2020-02-11 Stephen William Clarke Dispensing device
US20100096401A1 (en) * 2008-06-12 2010-04-22 Sainato Anthony V Modular article storage and dispensing assembly
US20140175119A1 (en) * 2012-12-22 2014-06-26 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Automatic vending machine with switch module

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES326048A1 (es) 1967-03-01
NL6605636A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-10-31
CH457940A (de) 1968-06-15
GB1140347A (en) 1969-01-15
BE680260A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-10-03
DE1474946A1 (de) 1969-09-04

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