US3589556A

US3589556A - Article dispensing module

Info

Publication number: US3589556A
Application number: US829076A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis A Wittern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-29
Filing date: 1969-05-29
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29

Abstract

This invention relates to an article dispensing module having a plurality of pivotally mounted shelves, one above the other, and means for latching the shelves in an article storing position. A nugger bar having trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon is positioned to release said shelves, one at a time, to an article dispensing position in ascending order in response to an operating means.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Francis A. Wittern 1616 Cassidy, Des Molnes, Iowa Appl. No. 829,076 Filed May 29, 1969 Patented June 29, 1971 ARTICLE DISPENSING MODULE 12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

U.S. 221/90, 221/89, 221/93 Int. Cl. G071 11/06, 0071 1 H48 Field oiSeerch 221/90, 92, 89, 93, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,161,319 12/1964 Holstein et a1. 22l/90X 3.409.171 11/1968 Offutt 221/90 3,446,396 5/1969 Gasiel et a1. 221/90 Primary ExaminerDavid M. Bockenek Attorney-Henderson and Strom ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an article dispensing module having a plurality of pivotally mounted shelves, one above the other, and means for latching the shelves in an article storing position. A nugger bar having trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon is positioned to release said shelves, one at a time, to an article dispensing position in ascending order in response to an operating means.

PATENTED JUH29 IBYI SHEET 1 UF 3 PATENTEuJunzeesn 3589.556

- sum 2 0F 3 ARTICLE DISPENSING MODULE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an article dispensing module in which articles are stored on vertically aligned shelves and dispensed in ascending order and one at a time.

In recent years, vending machines of all types have enjoyed considerable commercial success. A number of candy vending machines, or portions thereof, have recently been patented. These patents include Schuller, US. Pat. No. 3,384,226; DeShon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,616; Katz, US. Pat. No. 3,126,124; Stayton, US. Pat. No. 2,956,707; and Holstein, U.S. Pat. No. 2,896,817.

Manufacturers of vending machines have attempted to increase capacity of vending machines without increasing the height of a vending module or stack. They have also attempted to simplify the construction of these vending machines while, at the same time, rendering these machines more reliable and less subject to breakdown. Although improvements in vending machine construction have been made, the basic problems outlined above are still important and pressing problems for vending machine manufacturers.

The article dispensing module of this invention represents important improvements which, at least partially, alleviate the above described problems. The article dispensing module of this invention is simple in construction, durable and dependable, and maximizes capacity while minimizing height of the dispensing module.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to an article dispensing module comprising a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other; a frame means having a backwall with at least one aperture for each shelf formed therethrough; and mounting means for pivotally mounting the shelves to said frame means. Latching lugs, one for each shelf, are formed on the backwall and extend into the apertures and mate with a latching arm affixed to each shelf, thereby holding the shelves in article storing positions. Retaining means are also affixed to each shelf and extend through the apertures in the backwall. A nugger bar, having a series of trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon, is attached to the backwall for reciprocal movement in parallel relation to the backwall and is raised and lowered by an operating means. The retaining means of the shelves, when in article storing positions, maintain the trip fingers, next thereabove, in aligned relation with the nugger bar while spring means urge the trip fingers to a latch release position. When the nugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latch release position, that trip finger releases the shelf next thereabove to an article dispensing position thereby releasing the trip finger above the released shelf to attain a latch release position.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved article dispensing module for use in coin operated vending machines which comprises a series of vertically spaced apart, article storing shelves pivotally attached at one end thereof to a frame means, means for latching the shelves in article storing positions, and means for releasing the shelves to an article dispensing position in ascending order with an operating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified, yet reliable, apparatus for releasing the shelves in ascending order.

Yet another object is to provide an article dispensing module having maximum storage in a minimum of space.

A further object is to provide an article dispensing module of the type described wherein the shelves can readily be returned to their article retaining position and latched into position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an article dispensing module ofsimplified construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa candy machine employing a plurality of the article dispensing modules of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the article dispensing module. FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the module shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the module of FIG. 3 taken along the line44ofFlG.3.

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the method of returning the shelves to their article storing positions.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the article dispensing module taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an abbreviated and enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an abbreviated and enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an expanded view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shelf as indicated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a single trip finger.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line l3-l3 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the operating means in release position with the end of the handle cut away.

FIG. 15 is an abbreviated view of the article dispensing means wherein the first shelfis in a release position.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the operating means with the end of the handle cut away taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the article dispensing module is generally indicated at 11 in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. The module 11 is comprised ofa plurality of shelves 12 (FIGS. 6, 8 and 10) pivotally mounted by mounting means 13 FIGS. 7 and 8) to a frame means 14 (FIGS. 4 and 7) having apertures 16 formed therein. Latching lugs 17 extending into the apertures 16 are provided on frame means 14 to mate with latching arms 18 affixed to shelves l2. Retaining means 19 (FIGS. 6 and 8) are affixed to each shelf 12 and extend through an aperture 16 in the frame means 14. A nugger bar 21 (Fig. 9) is reciprocally attached to the frame means 14 and operable with operating means 22 (FIGS. 14- 16). A plurality of trip fingers 23 (FIGS. 8 and 9) are rotatably mounted on the nugger bar 21 and are urged toward a latch release position by spring means 24.

More specifically, the frame means 14 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) is comprised of a backwall 26, two

sidewalls

27 and 28 connected to the backwall 26 and extending forwardly and perpendicularly of said backwall 26, and a top 29 adjoined to said backwall 26 and said

sidewalls

27 and 28. A plurality of apertures 16, at least one aperture 16 for each shelf 12, are formed through the backwall 26.

A side panel 31 (FIGS. 4-7) is riveted, or otherwise attached, to one sidewall 28. The side panel 31 extends forwardly of the frame means 14 and the shelves 12 and along one side of the shelves 12. A front panel 32 is rotatably attached to the side panel 31 at the front edge 33 of the side panel 31. The front panel 32 can be opened outwardly to fill the module 11 and can, thereafter, be closed and locked in place. The side panel 31 and the front panel 32 prevent articles from being jolted off the shelves 12 in response to jolting or otherwise abusing a machine 34 containing the modules 11 (FIG. 1).

Attached to the side panel 31 is resetting means 36 for resetting the lowermost shelf 37 in article storing position and locking means 38 (FIGS. 2 and 16) for locking the operating means 22 when the uppermost shelf 39 is in article dispensing position. Resetting means 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is comprised ofa rod 41 having a hooked end 42 and a handle 43 attached to the side panel 31 as shown in FIG. 5. The rod 41 is disposed obliquely ofthe backwall 26 and the hooked end 42 is engageable with the lowermost shelf 37 when that shelf 37 is in an M ticle dispensing position. The rod 41 can then be pulled outwardly by the handle 43 to move the lowermost shelf 37 to an article storing position. The remainder of the shelves 12 can be moved to article storing position manually as shown in FIG. 5. The resetting means 36 is utilized to minimize the total height ofthe machine 34 yet facilitate returning the shelves 12 to an article storing position.

The locking means 38 (FIGS. 2 and 16) is also attached to the side panel 32 and comprises an arm 44 having a bifurcated lower end 46 aligned with the operating means 22 and connected to the uppermost shelf 39. When the uppermost shelf 39 is in its article retaining position, the arm 44 is held above the operating means 22. However, when the uppermost shelf 39 is released, arm 44 is also released. The bifurcated end 46 of the arm 44 drops over the operating means 22 and secures it in position and renders the module 11 inoperative until the shelves 12 are reset in article storing position.

The

sidewalls

27 and 28 ofthe frame means 14 are normally vertically disposed and have a series of mounting holes 47 punched therein. Because of the punching process, the inside surfaces of the

sidewalls

27 and 28 are pushed inwardly as shown best in FIG. 7. Opposite mounting holes 47 are horizontally aligned to provide a mounting for horizontal mounting bar 48.

The backwall 26 has a plurality of apertures 16 formed therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 15, two apertures are generally formed through the backwall 26 for each shelf 14. One aperture 16a (FIG. 7) is formed along one edge 49 of the backwall 26 and allows the retaining means 19 to project therethrough while the other aperture 161) is provided for the latching arm 18 to project therethrough.

Latching lugs 17 are formed in each of the apertures 16b. The latching lugs 17, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, are formed as a part of the backwall 26 and extend upwardly into the aperture 16b. The bottom portion of the latching lug 17 is generally and preferably attached to the backwall 26 at the lowermost portion of the aperture 16h. The height of the latching lug 17 is not critical; however, a very short lug 17 may result in accidental release of the shelves 12 and a very long lug l7 renders the shelves 12 difficult to release.

Several slots 51 (FIG. 7) are also formed through the backwall 26 to provide means for reciprocally mounting the nugger bar 21. The slots 51 are preferably disposed between the apertures 16a and 16b to facilitate mounting ofthe nugger bar 21 vertically between the retaining means 19 and the latching arms 18. The top 29 (FIG. 3) is rigidly affixed to the backwall 26 and the

sidewalls

27 and 28. A mounting bracket 52 is formed as a part ofthe top 29 and is utilized to secure the module 11 in the machine 34. Two wire retaining openings (not shown) are formed through the top 29 and secure the wires 53 and 54 (FIGS. 3 and 7) in position. The

wires

53 and 54 extend in parallel relation to the backwall 26 and prevent the articles carried by the shelves 12 from sliding backwardly on the shelf 12 and jamming the dispensing mechanism. The

wires

53 and 54 are secured to the frame means 14 below the lowermost shelf 37 in the same manner as they are secured to the top 29.

A spring retaining hook 56 (FIG. is affixed to the lowermost portion ofthe backwall 26 on the side ofthe backwall 26 opposite the shelves 12. A second spring means 57 is attached between the nugger bar 21 and the book 56 and urges the nugger bar 21 downwardly after the nugger bar 21 is raised by operating means 22.

A plurality of shelves 12 are disposed one above the other and are pivotally mounted on the

sidewalls

27 and 28 of the frame means 14. Each shelf 12 comprises a flat surface 58 (FIGS. 6 and 10) or plane with two ribs 59 and 61 formed longitudinally thereon to add strength to the shelf 12. Downwardly extending

flanges

62 and 63 are formed at one end 64 of the shelf 12 for mounting the shelf 12 to the frame means 14. Mounting holes 66 are formed in the

flanges

62 and 63 and are alignable with mounting holes 47.

Mounting bar 48 which is the mounting means 13 is then passed through the holes 47 in the

sidewalls

28 and 29 and the holes 66 in the

flanges

62 and 63 to pivotally mount the shelves 12. The shelves 12 can then pivot between an article retaining position which, as shown in FIG. 4, is substantially horizontal and an article dispensing position which is substantially vertical. The mounting bar 48 has a head 67 (FIG. 7) on one end thereof. The bar 48 is inserted first through sidewall 27. The bars 48 are retained in position by attaching the side panel 31 by sheet metal screws 68 or rivets to the sidewall 28.

The latching arms 18 (FIGS. 6 and 10) are formed as an integral part of the shelves 12 and are formed from a resilient material, generally metal. The latching arms 18 are generally an extension ofthe shelves l2 and are centrally located on the mounting ends 64 of the shelves 12. The latching arms 18 are preferably inclined downwardly of the plane 58 of the shelves 12 and have a notch 71 formed in each arm 18 which mates with the latching lugs 17. As shown in FIG. 10, the latching arm 18 has a first bend 72 and a second bend 73 to attain the downward inclination.

The retaining means 19 (FIGS. 8 and 10) is also formed as an integral part of the shelf 12 and is of arcuate configuration to prevent inadvertentjamming of the module 11. The rib 59 formed on the shelf 12 continues onto retaining means 19 to add strength thereto. The retaining means 19 is disposed above and concavely ofthe shelf 12 as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 illustrates how the retaining means 19 maintains the trip fingers 23 in aligned relation with the nugger bar 21 until the shelf 12 directly below the trip finger 23 is released.

Slots 74 and 76 (FIGS. 6 and 10) are formed on opposite sides ofthe latching arms 18 and allow

wires

53 and 54 to ex tend in parallel relation to the backwall 26. When the shelf 12 is in an article storing position, the

slots

74 and 76 extend from the mounting end 64 of the shelf 12 forwardly of the

wires

53 and 54. The

slots

74 and 76 render the latching arms 18 more flexible and more readily latchable and releasable.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a nugger bar 21 is attached to the backwall 26 for reciprocal movement in parallel relation to the backwall 26. The nugger bar 21 is ofelongate, rectangular configuration and is attached to the backwall 26 by screws 77 threaded into tapped holes 78 in the nugger bar 21. The screws 77 are positioned through slots 51 and the slots 51, therefore, regulate the maximum distance that the nugger bar 21 can be moved upwardly.

The nugger bar 21 is preferably attached to the side 79 of the backwall 26 opposite the shelves 12 and is vertically disposed between the latching arms 18 and the retaining means 19 as is best shown in FIGS. 9.

A first finger 81 (FIG. 15) is attached to the lower end of the nugger bar 21 by screws 82. The first finger 81 has a spring affixing member 83 formed on one side 84 and an inverted L- shaped member 86 formed on one side 87. The second spring means 57 is preferably affixed to the spring affixing member 83 rather than directly to the nugger bar 21 as shown in FIG. 15.

The first finger 81 is rigidly attached to the nugger bar 21 and is so positioned that when the nugger bar is raised, the first finger 81 will release the latching arm 18 of the lowermost shelf 37. A rotatable trip finger 23 could be utilized as the first finger 81, however, other provisions would then be necessary to replace

members

83 and 84.

A plurality oftrip fingers 23 (FIGS. 9, 11-13) are rotatably mounted on the nugger bar 21 and are so positioned as to release the shelf 12 next thereabove when in a latch release position out of alignment with the nugger bar 21. Each trip finger 23 is comprised of a central body 88 rotatably mounted on the nugger 21, a first member 89 affixed to the central body 88 and extending downwardly, and a second member 91 affixed to the central body 88 and extending upwardly. Spring affixing books 92 of arcuate configuration are attached to the central body 88 and project outwardly of the nugger bar 21.

When the trip fingers 23 are in the normal, aligned position with the shelves 12 in article storing position, the outer edge 93 ofthe first member 89 is superposed with one vertical edge 94 of the nugger bar 21 and retained in this position by retaining means 19. The first member 89 should be long enough to extend downwardly beyond the retaining means 19 of the shelf 12 next therebelow to minimize accidental release of the trip finger 23.

The second member 91, when in the normal aligned position, has its outer edges positioned between the vertical edges 94!- and 95 of the nugger bar 21. The trip finger 23 is so positioned that the second member 91, when the nugger bar 21 is raised with the trip finger 23 in latch release position, is vertically aligned with the latching arm 18 of the shelf 12 next thereabove and will raise the latching arm 18 above the latching lug 17 thereby releasing the shelf 12 to an article dispensing position.

. The latch release position is demonstrated in FIG. 9 and is attained by a trip finger 23 when the shelf 12 next therebelow is released. Spring means 24, represented by coiled springs 96, are attached between trip fingers 23 and urge the trip fingers 23 toward the latch release position and out of alignment with the nugger bar 21.

The first member 89 and the second member 91 are both bent outwardly of the nugger bar 21 as shown in FIG. 12. This slight outward curvature reduces frictional drag between the trip fingers 23 and the nugger bar 21 and, thereby minimizes malfunction of the module 11.

The nugger bar 21 is raised by operating means 22 (FIGS. 14ll6). The operating means 22 comprises a cam 97 abutting the inverted L-shaped member 86 of the first finger 81 and a handle 98. The cam 97 is rotatably mounted on a projecting ear 99 of the frame means 14 by pin 100. The lower end 101 'of the cam 97 is provided with a handle affixing knob 102. As the lower end 101 of the cam 97 is pulled toward the front of the module 11 by the handle 98, the upper portion 103 of the cam 97 raises the nugger bar 21.

The handle 98 extends from the handle affixing knob 102 of the cam 97 to the front of the machine 34 and can be pulled outwardly to release an article from shelf 12. One end 104 of the handle 98 (FIGS. 14 and I6) is notched to receive handle affixing knob 102. A second notch 106 is formed forwardly thereof to receive the bifurcated end 46 of arm 44 when the module 11 is empty. The other end 107 of the handle 98 extends outwardly of the machine 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and can be grasped and pulled to release articles from the machine 34. The handle 98 is usually locked until coins activate a coin mechanism (not shown).

OPERATION This module 11 is built primarily for use in candy machines 34 although it can be used in any type of article dispensing machine. To fill the machine, the front panel 32 is opened, and the shelves 12 reset in article storing position by using the resetting means 36 as aforedescribed. One article 108 (FIG. 4) is placed on each shelf 12 and the front panel 32 is closed and locked.

The handle 98 is generally locked until activated by a coin mechanism (not shown). When activated, the handle 98 can be manually pulled outwardly thus raising the nugger bar 21 and releasing the lowermost shelf 37 to an article dispensing position. The article 108 contained on that shelf 37 is dispensed from the machine 34 through opening 109 (FIG. 1). This method of dispensing continues until the module 11 is empty at which time the handle 98 is locked by locking means 38.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described, it is to be remembered that various modifications may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. An article dispensing module adapted to store and dispense articles comprising:

a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other;

frame means having a backwall, said backwall having a plurality of apertures, at least one aperture for each shelf, formed therethrough;

latching lugs, one for each shelf, formed on said backwall and extending into said apertures; =1

mounting means pivotally mounting said shelves proximate one end thereof to said frame means and allowing said shelves to pivot between an article storing position and an article dispensing position;

a latching arm formed from resilient material affixed to each shelf and extending through one of said apertures in said backwall, said latching arms mating with said latching lugs and, thereby. maintaining said shelves in an article storing position;

retaining means affixed to each shelf, except the top shelf, and extending through one of said apertures in said backwall;

a nugger bar attached to the backwall for reciprocal, and generally vertical, movement in parallel relation to the backwall;

operating means for raising and lowering said nugger bar;

a first finger attached to said nugger bar and positioned to release said latching arm of the lowermost shelf from said latching lug when said nugger bar is raised;

a plurality of trip fingers rotatably mounted on said nugger bar and normally maintained in alignment with said nugger bar by said retaining means of the shelf next therebelow, said trip fingers, when in latch release position, positioned to release said latching arm of the shelf next thereabove from said latching lug when said nugger bar is raised;

spring means biasing said trip fingers toward a latch release position out of alignment with said nugger bar;

whereby, when said nugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latch release position, said trip finger releases said shelf next thereabove to an article dispensing position and, on return of the nugger bar to its original position, allows the next ascending trip finger to attain said latch release positron.

2. The article dispensing module of claim 1 wherein said latching lugs are formed on said backwall and extend upwardly in said apertures; and

said latching arms are formed as an integral portion of said shelves, said latching arms having notches formed therein which mate over said latching lugs.

3. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein said latching arms are inclined downwardly of the plane of the shelves.

4. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein the trip fingers are comprised of:

a central body rotatably mounted on said nugger bar;

a first member affixed to said central body, said first member extending downwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edge normally superposed with one vertical edge of said nugger bar;

a second member affixed to said central body, said second member extending upwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edges normally positioned between the vertical edges of said nugger bar; and

spring affixing means mounted on said central body portion.

5. The article dispensing module of claim 4 wherein said retaining means are formed as integral portions of each shelf and are of arcuate configuration; said retaining means being disposed above and concavely of the plane of each shelf.

6. The article dispensing module of claim 5 wherein said nugger bar is of elongate, rectangular configuration and is attached to said backwall on the side opposite said shelves and is disposed between said latching arms and said retaining means.

7. The article dispensing module of claim 6 wherein said latching arms are positioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are disposed centrally of the shelf; and

said retaining means are positioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are spaced apart'from said latching arms.

8. The article dispensing module of claim 7 wherein said operating means comprises:

a cam rotatably affixed to said frame means, said cam member contacting said nugget bar;

a handle connected to said cam member and capable of reciprocating movement;

whereby when said handle is pulled outwardly, said cam pushes said nugger bar upwardly.

9. The article dispensing module of claim 8 wherein a second spring means is attached to said nugger bar and to said frame means and urges said nugger bar downwardly.

10. The article dispensing module of claim 9 wherein said frame means comprises;

said backwall;

two sidewalls connected to said backwall and extending forwardly ofsaid backwall;

means for resetting said lowermost shelf in article storing position; and

means for locking said operating means when the uppermost shelf is released to an article dispensing position.

11. The article dispensing module of claim 10 wherein at least one wire is vertically disposed forwardly of said mounting means and in parallel relation to said backwall, said wire being positioned between said sidewalls and attached to said frame means;

said shelves having slots formed therein, said slots extending from forwardly of said wires to the mounting end of said shelves.

12. The article dispensing module of claim 11 wherein said spring means are coiled springs, said springs being attached at the ends thereof to said spring affixing means mounted on ad- -jacent trip fingers.

Claims

1. An article dispensing module adapted to store and dispense articles comprising: a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other; frame means having a backwall, said backwall having a plurality of apertures, at least one aperture for each shelf, formed therethrough; latching lugs, one for each shelf, formed on said backwall and extending into said apertures; mounting means pivotally mounting said shelves proximate one end thereof to said frame means and allowing said shelves to pivot between an article storing position and an article dispensing position; a latching arm formed from resilient material affixed to each shelf and extending through one of said apertures in said backwall, said latching arms mating with said latching lugs and, thereby maintaining said shelves in an article storing position; retaining means affixed to each shelf, except the top shelf, and extending through one of said apertures in said backwall; a nugger bar attached to the backwall for reciprocal, and generally vertical, movement in parallel relation to the backwall; operating means for raising and lowering said nugger bar; a first finger attached to said nugger bar and positioned to release said latching arm of the lowermost shelf from said latching lug when said nugger bar is raised; a plurality of trip fingers rotatably mounted on said nugger bar and normally maintained in alignment with said nugger bar by said retaining means of the shelf next therebelow, said trip fingers, when in latch release position, positioned to release said latching arm of the shelf next thereabove from said latching lug when said nugger bar is raised; spring means biasing said trip fingers toward a latch release position out of alignment with said nugger bar; whereby, when said nugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latch release position, said trip finger releases said shelf next thereabove to an article dispensing position and, on return of the nugger bar to its original position, allows the next ascending trip finger to attain said latch release position.

2. The article dispensing module of claim 1 wherein said latching lugs are formed on said backwall and extend upwardly in said apertures; and said latching arms are formed as an integral portion of said shelves, said latching arms having notches formed therein which mate over said latching lugs.

4. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein the trip fingers are comprised of: a central body rotatably mounted on said nugger bar; a first member affixed to said central body, said first member extending downwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edge normally superposed with one vertical edge of said nugger bar; a second member affixed to said central body, said second member extending upwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edges normally positioned between the vertical edges of said nugger bar; and spring affixing means mounted on said central body portion.

7. The article dispensing module of claim 6 wherein said latching arms are positioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are disposed centrally of the shelf; and said retaining means are positioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are spaced apart from said latching arms.

8. The article dispensing module of claim 7 wherein said operating means comprises: a cam rotatably affixed to said frame means, said cam member contacting said nugger bar; a handle connected to said cam member and capable of reciprocating movement; whereby when said handle is pulled outwardly, said cam pushes said nugger bar upwardly.

10. The article dispensing module of claim 9 wherein said frame means comprises; said backwall; two sidewalls connected to said backwall and extending forwardly of said backwall; means for resetting said lowermost shelf in article storing position; and means for locking said operating means when the uppermost shelf is released to an article dispensing position.

11. The article dispensing module of claim 10 wherein at least one wire is vertically disposed forwardly of said mounting means and in parallel relation to said backwall, said wire being positioned between said sidewalls and attached to said frame means; said shelves having slots formed therein, said slots extending from forwardly of said wires to the mounting end of said shelves. The article dispensing module of claim 11 wherein said spring means are coiled springs, said springs being attached at the ends thereof to said spring affixing means mounted on adjacent trip fingers.