US3664476A

US3664476A - Vending machine

Info

Publication number: US3664476A
Application number: US23782A
Authority: US
Inventors: Guy Mauro
Original assignee: Transvac Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Transvac Electronics Corp
Priority date: 1970-03-30
Filing date: 1970-03-30
Publication date: 1972-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-23

Abstract

A mechanical vending machine including: a coinage totalizer, comprising a rotatable counting wheel having a notch therein, which notch moves opposite a latch release post upon required coinage being deposited in the vending machine. A coin lockout slide, which is released by movement of the latch release post into the counting wheel notch, has a cam follower connected to it. The cam follower rides along a cam comprised of a slot which is oblique and transverse to both the slide and a vending machine lockout release means post. The cam is secured to the lockout release means post. That post has pivotally secured to it guide means having slots therein for receiving and directing the movement of merchandise release lever guide bars. Upon operation of a merchandise release lever, a guide bar therefor slides through the guide means slot and pivots the guide means to a release position. This axially shifts the lockout release means post, which correspondingly moves the cam, which, in turn, moves the cam follower and slides the slide. If the slide is not unlatched, the guide means cannot pivot and release of merchandise is precluded. Each merchandise release lever has a wedge element connected to it, which moves with the lever. A row of tabs is aligned next to the row of merchandise release levers. Upon operation of one of these levers, its wedge moves between neighboring tabs, causes the tabs in the row to separate and enables the tabs to block operation of other merchandise release levers in the row. There are also vertical tabs between neighboring horizontal rows of merchandise release levers. Upon the tabs in one horizontal row shifting sideways, one moves between two neighboring vertical tabs and shifts all the vertical tabs vertically away from their initial positions. The now shifted vertical tabs contact each horizontal row of vertical tabs, shift the horizontal tabs of each of those rows and prevent any other merchandise release lever in every other row from being operated. A recycling cam device is associated with the totalizer and with the coin lockout device for recycling both back to the start position after each vend transaction. Collected coins travel to an escrow container which retains the coins until the completion of a vend transaction. The escrow container includes two pivoting doors, one leading to a coin return chute and the other leading to a coin collection receptacle upon vending of an item. The two pivoting doors meet at their free ends and are held together by a spring which joins them.

Description

United States atent Mauro 54] VENDING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Guy Mauro, Elmont, L.l., NY.

[73] Assignee:

Long Island, NY.

[22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 23,782

2,681,842 6/1954 Rabkin et al..... 194/55 2,993,581 7/1961 Holstein et al... 194/57 3,010,556 11/1961 Wanrzoneh ..194/2 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 330,276 5/1930 Great Britain ..194/48 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant ExaminerLarry H. Martin Attorney--Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen 57 ABSTRACT A mechanical vending machine including: a coinage totalizer, comprising a rotatable counting wheel having a notch therein, which notch moves opposite a latch release post upon required coinage being deposited in the vending machine. A coin lockout slide, which is released by movement of the latch release post into the counting wheel notch, has a cam follower Transvac Electronics Corp., Plainview [451 May 23,1972

connected to it. The cam follower rides along a cam comprised of a slot which is oblique and transverse to both the slide and a vending machine lockout release means post. The cam is secured to the lockout release means post. That post has pivotally secured to it guide means having slots therein for receiving and directing the movement of merchandise release lever guide bars. Upon operation of a merchandise release lever, a guide bar therefor slides through the guide means slot and pivots the guide means to a release position. This axially shifts the lockout release means post, which correspondingly moves the cam, which, in turn, moves the cam follower and slides the slide. If the slide is not unlatched, the guide means cannot pivot and release of merchandise is precluded. Each merchandise release lever has a wedge element connected to it, which moves with the lever. A row of tabs is aligned next to the row of merchandise release levers. Upon operation of one of these levers, its wedge moves between neighboring tabs, causes the tabs in the row to separate and enables the tabs to block operation of other merchandise release levers in the row. There are also vertical tabs between neighboring horizontal rows of merchandise release levers. Upon the tabs in one horizontal row shifting sideways, one moves between two neighboring vertical tabs and shifts all the vertical tabs vertically away from their initial positions. The now shifted vertical tabs contact each horizontal row of vertical tabs, shift the horizontal tabs of each of those rows and prevent any other merchandise release lever in every other row from being operated. A recycling cam device is associated with the totalizer and with the coin lockout device for recycling both back to the start position after each vend transaction. Collected coins travel to an escrow container which retains the coins until the completion of a vend transaction. The escrow container includes two pivoting doors, one leading to a coin return chute and the other leading to a coin collection receptacle upon vending of an item. The two pivoting doors meet at their free ends and are held together by a spring which joins them.

24 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMMZB m2 3, 664,476

SHEET 2 UF 5 p 7 242] kzae FIG. 4

INVENTOR. GUY MAURO ATTORNEYS PATEN-TEDMAY 23 1972 sum 5 BF 5 NJQTk INVENTOR. GUY MAURO #010714 #42, 6a! fof/en ATTORNEYS VENDING MACHINE The present invention relates to improvements in a mechanically operated vending machine and, more particularly, to devices aiding in the proper dispensing of only a single item after the deposit of proper coinage for purchasing that item.

Vending machines are frequently designed to dispense one of a number of items selected by a purchaser. Each item to be dispensed is held in one of a number of magazines in the vending machine. After depositing the required coins, the purchaser releases an item from its respective magazine by operating a corresponding merchandise release lever associated with the particular magazine.

A vending machine includes a coin receiving and sorting device. After being sorted, coins activate a coin totalizer which registers the monetary value of the coins deposited. The totalled coins are then temporarily stored in an escrow container. After the required coins for a particular item are totalled by the totalizer, the totalizer operates away from a position which blocks operation of the merchandise release levers to a position which permits operation of those levers.

When the required amount of valid coins is totalled for dispensing of a particular item, upon operation of a merchandise release lever, the escrow container is caused to release the stored coins into a coin collection receptacle. If an insufficient quantitv of coins is totalled, or if invalid coins (slugs or worn-down coins, for example) are deposited, or if the purchaser does not wish to complete his purchase, the purchaser operates a coin return lever which causes the escrow container to return the deposited coins.

A recycling means is associated with the totalizer for recycling the totalizer to the zero or start position after a purchase transaction or a coin return transaction, hereinafter jointly referred to as a vend transaction, is completed. This readies the vending machine for the next vend transaction.

The coin totalizer is usually associated with a coin lockout device which prevents operation of all of the merchandise release levers until the totalizer moves to its release position. Then the coin lockout device is released and the merchandise release levers may be operated. There are also individual lockout devices associated with each of the merchandise release levers for blocking, during a single purchase transaction, the operation of more than one of the merchandise release levers.

Frequently, magazines holding merchandise to be dispensed are arranged in a row. in many vending machines, the magazines are arranged in two rows. Prior to this invention, it is believed that no mechanical vending machines could be designed with more than two horizontal rows of magazines. This is because the lookout devices for the individual merchandise release levers could not lock out operation of merchandise release levers in more than two vertically spaced horizontal rows.

The present invention provides improvements in all of the foregoing aspects of mechanical vending machines.

The totalizer used in conjunction with the present invention includes a rotatable counting wheel having a notch extending in from its periphery. After the required coins for dispensing an item are totalled on the counting wheel, the notch moves opposite a coin lockout release post, which moves into the notch. This frees a slide for sliding movement.

The slide has a cam follower thereto connected which rides in a slot that serves as a cam, which slot is oriented obliquely to the slide. Thus, upon upward and downward movement of the slot cam, the slide moves in and out. It is only when the slide is released that the cam may move up and down and move the slide in and out.

An axially shiftable post is connected with the slot cam to cause same to shift up and down. Also connected to this post are guide members for merchandise release levers. The merchandise release levers are each connectable with a guide bar, which rides in a slot in the release lever guide member.

Before the slide is released and while the shiftable post is in the lockout position, the slotted guide means prevent movement of the merchandise release lever guide bars. After proper coins are inserted, the slide is released, thus permitting shifting of the axially shiftable post. Then, when a merchandise release lever is operated, its guide bar moves through the slot in its pivotable guide member, thus pivoting the guide member and axiallv shifting the axially shiftable post and sliding the slide.

There is a wedge structure attached to each merchandise release lever. For each horizontal row of merchandise release levers, there is a corresponding horizontal row of horizontally shiftable tabs, with each tab being as long as the space between neighboring merchandise release levers and wedge structures. Each wedge moves into the gap between adjacent tabs and forces the adjacent tabs apart when its respective merchandise release lever is operated. Upon neighboring tabs being separated, all other tabs in that row are correspondingly shifted, thereby blocking all other wedge structures in that row and preventing operation of any other merchandise release lever in that row.

In addition, there is an interrow lockout comprised of vertical tabs, of a length equal to the distance between and extending between neighboring horizontal rows of horizontal tabs. A shifting interrow lockout activator associated with each horizontal row of tabs shifts into the gap between neighboring vertical tabs when the tabs in a horizontal row of tabs shifts, thereby separating the neighboring vertical tabs. All of the other vertical tabs correspondingly vertically shift and contact the row lockout activator on all of the other horizontal rows of tabs. This causes the latter horizontal rows of tabs to shift in a manner which blocks operation of any merchandise release lever in any of those rows. With this apparatus, for the first time, there is no theoretical limit on the number of horizontal rows of magazines of merchandise that may be provided in a single vending machine.

Totalized coins are temporarily stored in an escrow container having two exits, one leading to a coin collection receptacle when a purchase transaction is completed and the other leading to a coin return chute if the coins are to be returned. The exits are closed by two doors which are held closed by a tension spring joining them together. The doors pivot open to allow exit of the temporarily stored coins.

A recycling device is associated with the totalizer to recycle same to the zero or start position upon completion of a vend transaction. The recycling means, which may include a cam device provided for this purpose, returns the coin lockout device to its initial, latched, start position in preparation for the next vend transaction and recycles the totalizer to its zero position. The recycling structure of the present invention is much simpler than that presently available in the prior art, requires fewer parts and, therefore, is an improvement over that known in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanical vending machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved coin lockout mechanism for locking out operation of a vending machine until adequate valid coinage is deposited.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lockout for a vending machine which prevents operation of more than one merchandise release lever at a time during any individual vend transaction.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine merchandise release lever lockout which permits a vending machine to have any number of horizontal rows of magazines of merchandise to be dispensed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified recycling means for recycling the vending machine to its start position at the completion of each vend transaction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved escrow storage and coin collection and return means for use in conjunction with a vending machine.

The foregoing general description and the foregoing objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the coin handling and lockout mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a view of the coin mechanism of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrows 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of this coin mechanism in the direction of arrows 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of this coin mechanism along the line and in the direction of arrows 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a fragment of the coin lockout device of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the vending machine coin lockout mechanism and is a side elevation of the merchandise holding cabinet of FIG. 6, viewed in the direction of arrows 5 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the merchandise holding cabinet;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a single merchandise release lever along the line and in the direction of arrows 7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a typical row of merchandise holding magazines along the line and in the direction of arrows 8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in the direction of arrows 9 of FIG. 6, showing the merchandise holding cabinet and the interrow lockout of the invention.

Turning to the drawings, the improvements in the vending machine provided by the present invention will now be described.

Turning to FIGS. 14, a conventional coin receiving and sorting mechanism 12, not shown in detail because it is well known in the prior art, receives and sorts coins deposited by a purchaser. For an example of such a mechanism, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,940. From coin receiving and sorting mechanism 12, coins move to totalizer 14, which includes a conventional counting wheel 16 (shown in greater detail in the aforementioned patent). Wheel 16 is rotated by conventional ratchet and paw] rotation means (not shown, but well known in the art and shown in the aforementioned patent) as coins are deposited by a purchaser. Wheel 16 includes a notch 18, the position of which is set so that the notch will be opposite the end of coin lockout release post 20 when the required coins have registered on counting wheel 16. Lockout release post 20 normally latches slide 22 against movement in the direction of arrow 24, because one-way abutment 26 on slide 22 cannot move past post 20 in that direction. See FIG. 4A. On recvcling of the vending machine, which is described further below, one-way abutment 26 on slide 22 returns past release post 20, but this time in the direction opposite arrow 24. Abutment 26 can freely snap past post 20 in the return direction.. It is only when coin lockout release post 20 drops, under the influence either of gravity, or of a spring (not shown), into notch 18 that slide 22 is freed to shift in the direction of arrow 24, which permits operation of the vending machine, as described below.

Turning to FIG. 5, the coin lockout mechanism, described further below, includes a post 32 which shifts substantially axially upward to lock the vending machine, and downward to unlock the vending machine and permit operation of the individual merchandise release levers, e.g. 88. Fixedly attached to post 32 is a cam element 34 which is provided with a slot cam 36 that is oriented obliquely and transversely to post 32. Slot cam 36 provides one of the connections between the coin mechanism of FIGS. 1-4 and the vending machine coin lockout of FIG. 5.

The coin mechanism of FIGS. 1-4 is positioned next to the coin lockout of FIG. 5 and they are so oriented that slot cam 36 extends in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of slide 22, but extends in a direction oblique to the path of movement of the slide. Returning to FIG. 1, riding in slot cam 36 is a cam follower 38 comprising a short post affixed to the latched slide 22. When post 32 is shifted axiallv downward under the influence of a purchaser operating one of the merchandise release levers, e.g. 89, as described below, slot cam 36 affixed to post 32 also shifts down. Cam follower 38 within slot cam 36 must also shift, or else cam element 34 will be prevented from shifting, thereby preventing post 32 from shifting. Thus, latched slide 22 must first be unlatched to freely slide in the direction of arrow 24 before cam follower 38 can freely travel within slot cam 36 and before post 32 can shift axially down.

Returning to FIGS. l-4, a recycling device is provided for returning the vending machine, and especially its coin mechanism, to its start, locked position after each vend transaction. In FIG. 4, first reset cam means 39 is pivotally mounted at 40 to the vending machine. Notch 41 in cam 39 receives reset pin 42 which is affixed to arm 43 of the reset slide means 44. Reset slide means 44 includes a pivoting link 45 which is fixedly connected to arm 43 and which is pivotally mounted at 46 to the vending machine. Upon pivoting of link 45 counterclockwise, in the direction of arrow 47, pin 42 pivots cam 39 clockwise, in the direction of arrow 48, and this resets the vending machine as described below. Return spring 49 extends between link 45 and fixed shelf 49a and returns link 45 to its unpivoted position after recvcling is completed.

Turning to FIG. 3 when the manually operable coin return button (not shown) is operated, it presses upon toggle 50 and forces knee 51 of the toggle in the direction of arrow 52. The widening toggle pivots reset operator 53 clockwise, in the direction of arrow 54, around its fixed pivot 55. Shelf 56 on operator 53 presses against operating button 57 connected to link 45, and the depression of button 57 due to pivoting of operator 53 causes pivoting in the direction of arrow 47 bv link 45, which leads to vending machine recycling, as described below.

Turning to FIG. 1, second reset cam means 58 is pivotally mounted at 59 to the vending machine. Slot 60 in cam means 58 receives post 61 which is secured to slide 22. When an item is being vended, post 32 in FIG. 5 is axially shifted downward against its return spring 33. Slot cam 36 also moves down and cam follower 38 on slide 22 and, therefore, slide 22 itself and post 61 move in the direction of arrow 24. This pivots cam means 58 counterclockwise in the direction of arrow 62 to reset the vending machine, as described below.

What is significant in both the first and the second reset cam means is that it is the manually applied force of the operator, in one case in operating the reset button and in the other case in operating the merchandise release lever, that also causes reset, whereby strong reset springs or other reset force applying means are not required.

While

cams

39 and 58 are, respectively, pivoting in the directions of arrows 48 and 62, both of reset cam means 39, 58 include a means, such as respective shelves 66, 67, for engaging and lifting coin lockout release post 20 after the post has dropped into notch 18 of the counting wheel. Lockout release post 20 is raised by its lifting post 68, which returns post 20 to the position where it will latch lockout slide 22.

At the same time, return spring 33 connected with axially shiftable post 32 is normally drawing the post back to its initial lockout position. This shifts slot cam 36, which is attached to shiftable post 32, upward, and also returns cam follower 38 to the direction opposite that of arrow 24. This, in turn, returns slide 22, which is attached to cam follower 38, to its initial latched position.

Both

recycling cams

39, 58 have respective identical

totalizer recycling arms

70, 71. As each of these cams pivots, respectively, in the directions of arrows 48, 62 to recycle the vending machine, their

respective arms

70, 71 engage shelf 72 of pivotable recycling lever 73. Lever 73 is held normally at the position illustrated in FIG. 1 by spring 74 and is pivoted toward wheel 16 by pressure from

arms

70, 71. Release arm 75, rigidly connected with lever 73, is also pivoted and releases the pawl holding totalizer wheel 16 at any position away from its start position. This permits the recycling spring (not shown) connected with wheel 16 to recycle the wheel and thus totalizer 14 to its start position after every vend transaction.

Turning to FIG. 6, in a vending machine designed in accordance with the present invention, there are a number of

horizontal rows

76, 78, 80 of

magazines

76a, 76b, 78a, 78b, 80a, 80b, etc., holding items 84 to be vended. The number of horizontal rows of magazines is a matter of choice. However, the best applications of the invention use at least two or more rows.

As mentioned above, each item 84 to be vended, is released from its magazine by operation of an associated merchandise release lever, of which lever 88 in FIG. 7 is an example. Conventionallv, merchandise release levers are either pulled out or pushed into the face of a vending machine. Each release lever should be supported so that it only moves along the desired pathway and cannot be twisted sidewavs or unnecessarilv jiggled. Merchandise release lever 88 includes a plunger 90 which has pivotally secured to it at pivot 92 a hooked catch 94. Catch 94 includes a lobe 96 which abuts a fixed shelf 98 in the vending machine. When abutting shelf 98, catch 94 is pivoted to hooks over a guide bar 100. Upon plunger 90 being drawn out, to the left in FIG. 7, depending arm 99 on below described guide flange 105 engages guide bar 100. Upon return movement of plunger 90, catch 94 holds bar 100. Guide bar 100, therefore, thereafter travels together with the merchandise release lever plunger 90 to guide the path of movement of the plunger throughout its operating stroke.

FIG. 8, illustrates a typical row of magazines, like row 80 and shows, on the right side, guide bar 100 in its start position before anv merchandise release lever in row 80 is operated and, on the left side, guide bar 100 in its operated position after a merchandise release lever 89 is operated to dispense merchandise. Guide bar 100 has a pinion gear 104 mounted on each end. Each gear 104 rides along a complementary gear rack 106. The rack and pinion arrangement holds guide bar 100 at the proper orientation during the entire stroke of the merchandise release lever plunger 90. Slots 103 in the side of the vending machine frame permit the guide bars to extend into engagement with

guide pieces

112, 116, 118, described below, but do not affect the movement of the guide bars (FIG. 5).

For further guidance of the movement of plunger 90, guide flange 105 extends through slot 107 in the framework surrounding the merchandise release lever 88 and thereby guides the movement of the merchandise release lever. Attached to the upper edge of flange 105 is ejection shoe 109, which initiall is positioned behind the stacked items 84 to be vended and which engages and pushes out of the vending machine exit opening 109a each item to be vended as a merchandise release lever 88 is operated.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, only a single guide bar, 100 or 101 or 102 is provided for all the merchandise levers for a single horizontal row of magazines, 80 or 78 or 76 respectively. it is only as each merchandise release lever 88, for example, is operated that its catch 94 hooks onto the guide bar for that row. All the other release levers in that row are then unaffected by movement of the guide bar.

Coin lockout reciprocating post 32 of FIG. 5 is pivotally connected at 110 to a guide piece 112 which is, in turn, pivotally connected at 114 to the framework of the vending machine. There is a separate, identical

pivotable guide piece

116, 1 18, etc., for each of the horizontal rows of merchandise. Guide piece 112 is exemplary and will be described. It includes an elongated slot 120 through which passes the respective guide bar 100 for that particular row 80. While guide piece 1 12 is moving into its first position, which is the position for guide piece 112 illustrated in FIG. 5, the position of its slot 120 gradually shifts so that that section of slot 120 through which guide bar 100 is then passing is aligned with guide bar 100, so that the guide bar can freely travel the length of slot 120 upon the operation of any merchandise release lever in that row. When a guide piece, however, is pivoted to its second position, that position which is illustrated for guide pieces 116 and l 18, so that the slot, viz. slot 122 of piece 116, is no longer aligned with that portion of the path that would then be being traversed by the guide bar, viz. 101, it is obvious that guide piece 116 now blocks movement of guide bar 101 along its intended path. Therefore, it will be impossible to operate any merchandise release lever in

rows

76 and 78, as they are illustrated. Post 32, and all guide pieces, of course, shifts as a unit. Post 32 is shown broken and the guide pieces are shown in their two positions for explanatory purposes.

All of the guide pieces, 112, 116, 118, etc., are connected with post 32, so as to all pivot together from their second positions blocking the movement of their respective guide bars to their first positions permitting this movement, and in the reverse direction. Post 32 is held bv above described latched slide 22 in a position where the

guide pieces

112, 116, 118, etc., are in their second positions and block any movement of their respective bars. When latched slide 22 is released, as described above, post 32 may freely shift axiallv downward. Now, when merchandise release lever 89 is operated, its associated guide bar 100 correspondingly moves, and the respective guide piece 112 shifts in response to the movement of the guide bar to permit the movement thereof. With the shifting of guide piece 112, post 32 shifts to its first position against the bias of spring 33.

As a subsidiary feature, each slot, e.g., 120 and 122, in each guide piece is hooked, respectively at 126, 128, at the end where the respective guide bar 100 and 101 for a row of merchandise release levers rests in its inoperative position. Each guide bar normally sits at the place where the slot curves into its hooked portion, as illustrated by guide bar 101. When each guide piece pivots downward to its first, unblocking position, all of the guide bars, that have not been moved from their start positions by the operation of a merchandise release lever in their respective rows, are caused to move into the hooks of the slots in their guide pieces. Each hook thereafter prevents shifting of its now trapped guide bar and therebv serves as an auxiliary lockout, supplementary to the lockouts for the individual merchandise release levers described below, for preventing operation of any merchandise release levers in a row other than the row in which the initiallv operated merchandise release lever is located.

For preventing more than one merchandise release lever in an individual horizontal row 80 from being operated during any vend transaction, a row lockout mechanism is used. Each merchandise release lever plunger 90 is provided, on its flange 105, with a wedge structure 132 for driving between and separating two adjacent tabs when that particular release lever is operated.

A row of

separate tabs

134, 136, 138, 139, 140, 142 is arranged in a track 144 in front of the wedge structures on each of the merchandise release levers in a row. Each tab, e.g. 140 is sufficiently long to extend between two neighboring wedges e.g. 133, 150. Neighboring tabs normally meet such that the gap between them, e.g. gap 158 between

tabs

136 and 138, is aligned with a wedge.

Thus, when a release lever, such as 89, is operated, wedge 150 thereof is driven into the gap between adjacent tabs 140,

. 142. The edges of

tabs

140, 142 facing toward wedge 150 are beveled at 162 so as to facilitate receiving wedge 150. The wedges are appropriately beveled so as to cooperate with the beveled edges of the tabs.

As soon as one wedge 150 enters the gap between neighboring

tabs

140, 142, it drives these neighboring tabs apart. The driven tabs, which abut their neighboring tabs, in turn, drive outward the tabs which are next in line. In this manner, all tabs in a row are driven outward away from the wedge that has entered a gap between adjacent tabs. Now, if another merchandise release lever 178 in that row is operated, its wedge structure 133 cannot enter gap 168 between

adjacent tabs

139, 140, but instead strikes the fiat surface of shifted tab 140. Wedge structure 133 and, therefore, its associated merchandise release lever 178 are blocked from further movement, whereby only one merchandise release lever in row may be operated.

Spring biasing means 182 and 184 are operatively connected with the opposite ends of each row of horizontal tabs to return them to their initial positions at which the gaps are aligned with the wedges, after a vend transaction is completed and all wedge structures are removed from between neighboring tabs.

In accordance with the present invention, interrow lockout means are provided for blocking merchandise release levers, not only in a single row 80 of magazines, but in all the rows of magazines.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 9, running vertically along the outside of the horizontal rows of tabs is a tab means comprising a column 190 of vertical tabs having a similar design to the horizontal row of tabs. Each

vertical tab

192, 194 of column 190 is of a length to extend vertically between two neighboring horizontal rows of tabs. Neighboring

vertical tabs

192 and 194 meet at gap 202 between them at each horizontal row of tabs.

When the row lockout tabs in one of the rows, e.g. 80, are shifted sideways as a result of a merchandise release lever, like 89, being operated, the endmost horizontal tab 198 in the row, which includes a wedge-shaped abutment 204, or any other shifting interrow lockout activator adapted for that purpose, enters waiting gap 206 between lower end tab 192 and its initial positioning abutment device 208. For row 76, the corresponding horizontal row abutment 218 would enter the gap between upper end tab 194 and initial positioning abutment device 210. For row 78, the corresponding horizontal row abutment 216 would enter gap 202 between upper end tab 194 and initial positioning abutment device 210. Neighboring vertical tabs are now driven apart, or the end vertical tab is now driven vertically. The vertical tabs above the horizontal row of tabs that has shifted move up and the vertical tabs below the horizontal row of tabs has shifted move down. In FIGS. 6 and 9, both

oftabs

192 and 194 move up.

As the interrow lockout tab means 190 operates, it operates upon the row lockout activator of all rows not previously affected. When

vertical tabs

192, 194 shift vertically, their beveled edge portions 212 slide over the cooperating row lockout activators, viz. wedge shaped

abutments

204, 216, 218, on the heretofore unshifted

horizontal rows

78, 76, until the flat surfaces of the

vertical tabs

192, 194 slide across these cooperating row lockout activators 216, 218, respectively. This shifts the cooperating row lockout activators 216 and 218 and thereby shifts all the tabs in their respective

horizontal rows

78, 76 sideways, bringing about the same result as would have occurred had a wedge on a merchandise release lever in either of

rows

78 or 76 moved into the gap between two neighboring horizontal tabs in that row. (In the illustrated embodiment,

abutments

204, 216, 218 are dual purpose, serving as both the interrow lockout activators and the row lockout activators. However, these functions may be separated and performed by different elements.)

With the shifting of

vertical tabs

192, 194, all horizontal tabs in all other horizontal rows are shifted and all merchandise release levers in all rows, except the row in which a release lever was operated, are locked against operation. Spring biasing abutment means 208, 210 are positioned at the ends of the column of vertical tabs 190 to return these tabs to their initial positions with their gaps aligned with the cooperating abutments on the horizontal rows at the completion of a vend transaction.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is no theoretical limit to the number of horizontal rows that a vending machine designed in accordance with the invention might have, since it is only necessary to add more vertical tabs to tab means 190.

The coin mechanism illustrated in FIGS. l-3 includes a selective coin collection or return mechanism. Once the coins have been sorted and have operated the totalizer 14, they pass into an enclosed escrow container 224 which is provided at its bottom with two individually

operable doors

226 and 228. Door 226 opens into coin collecting receptacle 230 for pavment for items vended by the vending machine. The other door 228 opens to coin return chute 232. In FIG. 3, operation of the coin return means (not shown) at any time prior to the completion of a vend transaction operates operator 53 shelf 56 into engagement with axially shifting post 233. Post 233 abuts coin return door opening cam 234 which pivots clockwise around its fixed pivot 235 in the direction of arrow 236 when post 33 presses against the cam. When cam 236 so pivots, it abuts and moves pin 237, which is secured to coin return door 228. This door is pivoted open in the direction of arrow 229 around its pivot 230. This permits the coins in escrow container 224 to return to the purchaser.

Operation of any merchandise release lever, like 88, causes axially shifting post 32 of FIG. 5 to shift downward. Secured to post 32 is abutment 242 which is so positioned as to be just above shelf 244 of coin collection door operation cam 246 (FIG. I). When post 32 shifts down after the required coins have been deposited thus releasing the coin lockout, abutment 242 on post 32 presses cam 246 to pivot clockwise around fixed pivot 247 in the direction of arrow 248. Arm 250 of cam 246 acts upon coin collection door operating pin 252 and forces door 226 to pivot open counterclockwise in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow 254 around its pivot 255. This permits the coins in escrow container 224 to pass to the collection receptacle 230.

When closed, the lower ends of

doors

226, 228 meet to close the escrow container. Tension springs 264, 266 join the two doors together and bias them into their closed position.

There has just been described a number of improvements for a vending machine, including an improved coin lockout device, an improved interrow lockout for merchandise release levers in a vending machine having a number of horizontal ros of magazines, and an improved recycling means for recycling a vending machine.

I claim:

1. A coin lockout device for a multi-row vending machine,

said vending machine including: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, a plurality of magazines, each for holding items to be vended, said magazines being arranged in at least two rows of magazines, with each row containing a plurality of said magazines; and a merchandise release lever associated with each said magazine, and each said lever, when operated, being adapted to release an item to be vended from its respective said magazine;

a coin lockout device comprising: a separate movable guide piece for each said row of magazines, each said release lever being in engagement with the respective said guide piece for its respective said magazine row; each said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of the said release levers in its respective said row through a predetermined pathway to a second position; each said guide piece including means to block movement of its respective said release levers in its respective said row when that said guide piece is in its said first position and to release the blocking of the respective said levers while the respective said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby each said guide piece permits movement of its respective said levers so that an item in a said magazine in the respective said row thereof may be vended;

means joining all said guide pieces so that all move in the same manner simultaneously;

at least one said guide piece being connected with said totalizerand being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing that said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting that said guide piece to shift to its second position.

2. In combination with the coin lockout device of claim 1, a

lockout for a multi-row vending machine,

each row of magazines including a row lockout mechanism for blocking the operation of every other said release lever in that row when one said release lever in that row is operated; said row lockout mechanism including a shifting interrow lockout activator, which shifts to activate an interrow lockout whenever a said release lever in that row is activated;

an interrow lockout comprising a tab means which extends past all said interrow lockout activators; each said interrow lockout activator being shiftable to engage said interrow lockout and to shift said tab means thereof;

each row also including a row lockout activator which is engaged by said tab means and is responsive to shifting of said tab means; each said row lockout activator, when acl tivated, operates its respective said row lockout mechanism to block operation of all said release levers in that row;

whereby upon operation of one said release levers in one said row, all other said release levers in that row are blocked and said interrow lockout activator of that row shifts said tab means to cause each said row lockout activator of every other said row to lockout the entirety of the other said rows.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said tab means comprises a plurality of tabs with each tab being of a length to extend between and being positioned between said interrow lockout activators of neighboring rows; each tab being positioned with respect to its neighboring tabs so as to cause them to correspondingly shift when that tab is caused to shift;

upon shifting, each said interrow lockout activator engages and presses upon the ends of the said tabs with which it comes into engagement thereby shifting all said tabs lengthwise away from that interrow lockout activator and into engagement with said row lockout activator of all other said rows.

4. The multi-row lockout of claim 3, wherein each said row of magazines includes more than one magazine; each magazine has its respective said merchandise release lever and each said release lever has its own row tab activator;

said row lockout mechanism comprises a plurality of row tabs, with .each row tab being of a length to extend between and being positioned between the said row tab activators on neighboring merchandise release levers;

upon operation of a merchandise release lever, its respective said row tab activator engages and presses upon the ends of the said row tabs with which it comes into engagement, thereby shifting all said row tabs in that row lengthwise away from that row tab activator of the operated merchandise release lever.

5. The multi-row lockout of claim 4, further including spring biasing means at each end of a row of said row tabs for returning all of said row tabs in each row to their initial unshifted positions after a row tab activator is removed from contact with said row tabs.

6. The multi-row lockout of claim 4, wherein both said interrow lockout activator and said row lockout activator are connected with said row tabs to, respectively, be activated by and to activate said row tabs.

7. The coin lockout device of claim 1, wherein at least one said guide piece is connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of that said guide piece; that said guide piece being immovable when said cam is immovable;

a cam follower connected with the cam so as to be moved by movement of said cam; said cam follower being connected to a slidably mounted slide which is normally latched by latching means against sliding, whereby said cam follower is normally immovable;

said cam being so connected with said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; that said guide piece being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to be in its said first blocking position when being held immovable;

said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and that said guide piece are movable with the latter being movable to its said second position.

8. The coin lockout device of claim 7, further including a biasing means connected with that said guide piece for normally biasing same to its said first blocking latched position, whereby operation of a said release lever is what causes movement of that said guide piece and the other said guide pieces to their said second positions.

9. The coin lockout device of claim 1, wherein said guide pieces are held together to move together by a common post;

said common post being connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of said common post; said common post being immovable when said cam is immovable;

a cam follower connected with said cam so as to be moved by movement of said cam; said cam follower being connected to a slidably mounted slide which is normally latched by latching means against sliding, whereby said cam follower is normally immovable;

said cam being so connected with said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; said common post being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to hold said guide pieces in their respective first blocking positions when said common post is being held immovable;

said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and said common post are movable, with the latter and its associated guide pieces being movable to their respective said second positions.

10. The coin lockout device of claim 9, wherein each said guide piece is pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot through its said pathway between its said first and second positions;

said slide being slidable along a predetermined path; said cambeing a slotted member including a slot arranged in a plane parallel to said path of said slide and extending in a direction obliquely transverse to that path and to the path along which said cam moves; said cam follower being a post riding in said slot, whereby movement of said common post as a result of movement of said guide pieces from their said first to their said second positions moves said cam which moves said cam follower which shifts said slide.

11. A vending machine, comprising:

coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, a plurality of rows of magazines for holding items to be vended, with each row of magazines comprising at lease one magazine and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine,

a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended;

said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position;

a merchandise release lever associated with each said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from its respective said magazine;

a multi-row lockout, comprising: each row of magazines including a row lockout mechanism for blocking the operation of every other said release lever in that row when one said release lever in that row is operated; said row lockout mechanism including a shifting interrow lockout activator, which shifts to activate an interrow lockout whenever a said release lever in that row is activated;

each row also including a row lockout activator which is engaged by said tab means and is responsive to shifting of said tab means; each said row lockout activator, when activated, operates its respective said row lockout mechanism to block operation of all said release levers in that row;

whereby upon operation of one said release levers in one said row, all other said release levers in that row are blocked and said interrow lockout activator of that row shifts said tab means to cause each said row lockoug activator of everv other said row to lockout the entirety of the other said rows;

a reset and recycling means, comprising: means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning the deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase;

a movable coin lockout release post; 7

said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the coin lockout device release posi-tion;

means connecting said coin lockout device with said lockout release post, whereby said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device is held in its said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved through its said pathway to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel;

reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins;

as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position.

12. The combination of claim 11, further including a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide;

means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding and for permitting that said movable guide piece to move toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide. 13. A vending machine, comprising: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, at least one magazine for holding items to be vended, and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine,

said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held therebv in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position;

a reset and recycling means comprising:

means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning the deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase;

a movable coin lockout release post;

said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the coin lockout device release position;

reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction b both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins;

as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position, and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position 14, The combination of claim 13, further including a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide;

means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding and for permitting that said movable guide piece to move through its said pathway toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide.

15. A vending machine, comprising:

coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, at least one magazine for holding items to be vended, and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine,

a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended; Y

said guide piece being connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of said guide piece; said guide piece being immovable when said cam is immovable;

said cam being so connected with said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; said guide piece being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to be in its said first blocking position when being held immovable; I

said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and said guide piece are movable with the latter being movable to its said second position;

said guide piece being pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot through its said pathwav between its said first and second position;

said slide being slidable along a predetermined path; said cam being a slotted member including a slot arranged in a plane parallel to said path of said slide and extending in a direction obliquely transverse to that path and to the path along which said cam moves; said cam follower being a post riding in said slot, whereby movement of said guide piece from its said first to its said second position moves said cam which moves said cam follower which shifts said slide.

16. In combination with the coin lockout device of claim 9,

a biasing means connected with said guide piece for normally biasing same to its said first blocking latched position, whereby operation of a said release lever is what causes movement of said guide piece to its said second position.

17. in combination with the vending machine of claim 15, a

reset and recycling means for a vending machine;

a movable coin lockout release post;

said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post the the coin lockout device release position;

reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins; as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position, and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position.

18. A vending machine, comprising:

said release lever being operated to travel along a predetermined path, and said guide piece being in a blocking position in said release lever predetermined path when in its said first position and said guide piece being movable out of its said blocking position when said guide piece is moving in its said pathway;

said guide piece being pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot between its said first and said second positions.

19. The coin lockout device of claim 18, wherein said vending machine includes a guide bar with which said release lever is in contact during its operating stroke for guiding the path of movement of said release lever; said guide bar travels only along its own predetermined path; said guide bar being so positioned that it blocks the movement of said release lever when movement of said guide bar is blocked;

said release lever being in engagement with said guide piece by means of said guide bar, which bar is in engagement with said guide piece, and movement of said guide piece between its said first and said second positions affects the movability of said guide bar;

said guide piece comprising a member provided with an elongated slot; said guide bar riding in said slot; said slot being pivotable with said guide piece through said pathway where that portion of said slot through which said guide bar is moving is aligned with said guide bar.

20. The coin lockout device of claim 18, wherein said guide piece includes an elongated slot; means connected with said release lever and movable therewith riding in said slot;

said slot being pivotable with said guide piece through said pathway, where that portion of said slot through which the said means connected with said release lever is moving is aligned with the said means connected with said release lever.

21. The coin lockout device of claim 20, wherein said vending machine includes at least two rows of magazines, with each row containing at least one magazine;

said coin lockout device comprising a said movable guide piece for each said row, with all said guide pieces having the same characteristics and all moving in the same manner simultaneously;

each said guide piece slot having a first end at which said means connected with said release lever begins its stroke when said release lever begins to release an item to be vended and a second end at which that said means connected with said release lever has completed its stroke;

said slot including at its said first end a hooked portion, and when each said guide piece is pivoted toward its said second release position, if the said means connected with said release lever has not moved away from said first end of said slot, as occurs when no release lever in that respective row has been operated, said hooked portion is moved over the said means connected with said release lever of that said row and blocks movement thereof away from said slot first end, whereby movement of said release lever in that respective said row is precluded.

22. A reset and recycling means for a vending machine, said vending machine including, means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase;

a movable coin lockout release post;

coin receiving and handling means; a coin totalizer, comprising a counting wheel which is rotated away from a start position by a predetermined amount for each quantity of money received by the machine; a means for biasing said counting wheel to return to its said start position; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a lockout release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the lockout release position;

a coin lockout device which is movable between a first position which blocks operation of the vending machine and a second position which permits such operation;

means connecting said coin lockout device with said coin lockout release post, whereby said coin lockout device is held in said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel;

reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins;

as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post to lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said coin lockout device to be again held in said first position; and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its said start position.

23. The reset and recycling means of claim 22, further including,

a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide;

means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding same in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding, and for permitting same to move toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide.

24. The reset and recycling means of claim 22, further including a selective coin collection and coin return device for disposing of totalled deposited coins; said return-collection device comprising, a container having a first normally closed exit door leading to a coin collection receptacle and a second independently operable, normally closed exit door leading to a coin return chute;

first means connecting each said merchandise release lever with said first exit door for opening said first door upon operation of any of said levers; and second means connecting said coin return device with said second exit door for opening said second door.

I I i III

Claims

1. A coin lockout device for a multi-row vending machine, said vending machine including: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, a plurality of magazines, each for holding items to be vended, said magazines being arranged in at least two rows of magazines, with each row containing a plurality of said magazines; and a merchandise release lever associated with each said magazine, and each said lever, when operated, being adapted to release an item to be vended from its respective said magazine; a coin lockout device comprising: a separate movable guide piece for each said row of magazines, each said release lever being in engagement with the respective said guide piece for its respective said magazine row; each said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of the said release levers in its respective said row through a predetermined pathway to a second position; each said guide piece including means to block movement of its respective said release levers in its respective said row when that said guide piece is in its said first position and to release the blocking of the respective said levers while the respective said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby each said guide piece permits movement of its respective said levers so that an item in a said magazine in the respective said row thereof may be vended; means joining all said guide pieces so that all move in the same manner simultaneously; at least one said guide piece being connected with said tOtalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing that said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting that said guide piece to shift to its second position.

2. In combination with the coin lockout device of claim 1, a lockout for a multi-row vending machine, each row of magazines including a row lockout mechanism for blocking the operation of every other said release lever in that row when one said release lever in that row is operated; said row lockout mechanism including a shifting interrow lockout activator, which shifts to activate an interrow lockout whenever a said release lever in that row is activated; an interrow lockout comprising a tab means which extends past all said interrow lockout activators; each said interrow lockout activator being shiftable to engage said interrow lockout and to shift said tab means thereof; each row also including a row lockout activator which is engaged by said tab means and is responsive to shifting of said tab means; each said row lockout activator, when activated, operates its respective said row lockout mechanism to block operation of all said release levers in that row; whereby upon operation of one said release levers in one said row, all other said release levers in that row are blocked and said interrow lockout activator of that row shifts said tab means to cause each said row lockout activator of every other said row to lockout the entirety of the other said rows.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said tab means comprises a plurality of tabs with each tab being of a length to extend between and being positioned between said interrow lockout activators of neighboring rows; each tab being positioned with respect to its neighboring tabs so as to cause them to correspondingly shift when that tab is caused to shift; upon shifting, each said interrow lockout activator engages and presses upon the ends of the said tabs with which it comes into engagement thereby shifting all said tabs lengthwise away from that interrow lockout activator and into engagement with said row lockout activator of all other said rows.

4. The multi-row lockout of claim 3, wherein each said row of magazines includes more than one magazine; each magazine has its respective said merchandise release lever and each said release lever has its own row tab activator; said row lockout mechanism comprises a plurality of row tabs, with each row tab being of a length to extend between and being positioned between the said row tab activators on neighboring merchandise release levers; upon operation of a merchandise release lever, its respective said row tab activator engages and presses upon the ends of the said row tabs with which it comes into engagement, thereby shifting all said row tabs in that row lengthwise away from that row tab activator of the operated merchandise release lever.

7. The coin lockout device of claim 1, wherein at least one said guide piece is connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of that said guide piece; that said guide piece being immovable when said cam is immovable; a cam follower connected with the cam so as to be moved by movement of said cam; said cam follower being connected to a slidably mounted slide which is normally latched by latching means against sliding, whereby said cam follower is normally immovable; said cam being so connected with Said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; that said guide piece being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to be in its said first blocking position when being held immovable; said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and that said guide piece are movable with the latter being movable to its said second position.

9. The coin lockout device of claim 1, wherein said guide pieces are held together to move together by a common post; said common post being connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of said common post; said common post being immovable when said cam is immovable; a cam follower connected with said cam so as to be moved by movement of said cam; said cam follower being connected to a slidably mounted slide which is normally latched by latching means against sliding, whereby said cam follower is normally immovable; said cam being so connected with said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; said common post being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to hold said guide pieces in their respective first blocking positions when said common post is being held immovable; said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and said common post are movable, with the latter and its associated guide pieces being movable to their respective said second positions.

10. The coin lockout device of claim 9, wherein each said guide piece is pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot through its said pathway between its said first and second positions; said slide being slidable along a predetermined path; said cam being a slotted member including a slot arranged in a plane parallel to said path of said slide and extending in a direction obliquely transverse to that path and to the path along which said cam moves; said cam follower being a post riding in said slot, whereby movement of said common post as a result of movement of said guide pieces from their said first to their said second positions moves said cam which moves said cam follower which shifts said slide.

11. A vending machine, comprising: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, a plurality of rows of magazines for holding items to be vended, with each row of magazines comprising at lease one magazine and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine, a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended; said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position; a merchandise release lever associated with each said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from its respective said magazine; a multi-row lockout, comprising: each row of magazines including a row lockout mechanism for blocking the operation of every other said release lever in that row when one said release lever in that row is operated; said row lockout mechanism including a shifting interrow lockout activator, which shifts to activate an interrow lockout whenever a said release lever in that row is activated; an interrow lockout comprising a tab means which extends past all said interrow lockout activators; each said interrow lockout activator being shiftable to engage said interrow lockout and to shift said tab means thereof; each row also including a row lockout activator which is engaged by said tab means and is responsive to shifting of said tab means; each said row lockout activator, when activated, operates its respective said row lockout mechanism to block operation of all said release levers in that row; whereby upon operation of one said release levers in one said row, all other said release levers in that row are blocked and said interrow lockout activator of that row shifts said tab means to cause each said row lockoug activator of every other said row to lockout the entirety of the other said rows; a reset and recycling means, comprising: means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning the deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase; a movable coin lockout release post; said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the coin lockout device release posi-tion; means connecting said coin lockout device with said lockout release post, whereby said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device is held in its said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved through its said pathway to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel; reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins; as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position.

12. The combination of claim 11, further including a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide; means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding and for permitting that said movable guide piece to move toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide.

13. A vending machine, cOmprising: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, at least one magazine for holding items to be vended, and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine, a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended; said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position; a reset and recycling means comprising: means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning the deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase; a movable coin lockout release post; said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the coin lockout device release position; means connecting said coin lockout device with said lockout release post, whereby said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device is held in its said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved through its said pathway to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel; reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins; as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position, and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position.

14. The combination of claim 13, further including a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide; means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding and for permitting that said movable guide piece to move through its said pathway toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide.

15. A vending machine, comprising: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, at least one magazine for holding items to be vended, and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine, a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with Which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended; said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position; said guide piece being connected to a cam, which cam is shifted by movement of said guide piece; said guide piece being immovable when said cam is immovable; a cam follower connected with the cam so as to be moved by movement of said cam; said cam follower being connected to a slidably mounted slide which is normally latched by latching means against sliding, whereby said cam follower is normally immovable; said cam being so connected with said cam follower as to be immovable when said cam follower is immovable; said guide piece being thereby held immovable and being so positioned as to be in its said first blocking position when being held immovable; said latching means being so connected with said totalizer and said totalizer being so designed as to unlatch said slide when adequate coinage is totalled by said totalizer, whereby thereafter said cam follower, said cam and said guide piece are movable with the latter being movable to its said second position; said guide piece being pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot through its said pathway between its said first and second position; said slide being slidable along a predetermined path; said cam being a slotted member including a slot arranged in a plane parallel to said path of said slide and extending in a direction obliquely transverse to that path and to the path along which said cam moves; said cam follower being a post riding in said slot, whereby movement of said guide piece from its said first to its said second position moves said cam which moves said cam follower which shifts said slide.

16. In combination with the coin lockout device of claim 9, a biasing means connected with said guide piece for normally biasing same to its said first blocking latched position, whereby operation of a said release lever is what causes movement of said guide piece to its said second position.

17. In combination with the vending machine of claim 15, a reset and recycling means for a vending machine; means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning the deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase; a movable coin lockout release post; said coin totalizer comprising a counting wheel which is rotated through a predetermined distance for each quantity of coins received by the machine; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a coin lockout device release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post the the coin lockout device release position; means connecting said coin lockout device with said lockout release post, whereby said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device is held in its said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved through its said pathway to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel; reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; saiD reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins; as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post and lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said movable guide piece of said coin lockout device to be again held in its said first position, and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its start position.

18. A vending machine, comprising: coin receiving and handling means, a coin totalizer, at least one magazine for holding items to be vended, and a merchandise release lever associated with said magazine, which lever, when operated, releases an item to be vended from said magazine, a coin lockout device, comprising: a movable guide piece with which said release lever is in engagement; said guide piece being movable from a first position where it blocks movement of said release lever through a predetermined pathway to a second position; said guide piece including means to block movement of said release lever when said guide piece is in said first position and to release the blocking of said lever while said guide piece is moving through its said pathway, whereby said guide piece permits movement of said lever so that an item may be vended; said guide piece being connected with said totalizer and being held thereby in its said first position until adequate coinage for vending an item is received; said totalizer including means for releasing said guide piece when adequate coinage is received, thereby permitting said guide piece to shift to its second position; said release lever being operated to travel along a predetermined path, and said guide piece being in a blocking position in said release lever predetermined path when in its said first position and said guide piece being movable out of its said blocking position when said guide piece is moving in its said pathway; said guide piece being pivotally secured to the vending machine so as to pivot between its said first and said second positions.

19. The coin lockout device of claim 18, wherein said vending machine includes a guide bar with which said release lever is in contact during its operating stroke for guiding the path of movement of said release lever; said guide bar travels only along its own predetermined path; said guide bar being so positioned that it blocks the movement of said release lever when movement of said guide bar is blocked; said release lever being in engagement with said guide piece by means of said guide bar, which bar is in engagement with said guide piece, and movement of said guide piece between its said first and said second positions affects the movability of said guide bar; said guide piece comprising a member provided with an elongated slot; said guide bar riding in said slot; said slot being pivotable with said guide piece through said pathway where that portion of said slot through which said guide bar is moving is aligned with said guide bar.

20. The coin lockout device of claim 18, wherein said guide piece includes an elongated slot; means connected with said release lever and movable therewith riding in said slot; said slot being pivotable with said guide piece through said pathway, where that portion of said slot through which the said means connected with said release lever is moving is aligned with the said means connected with said release lever.

21. The coin lockout device of claim 20, wherein said vending machine includes at least two rows of magazines, with each row containing at least one magazine; said coin lockout device comprising a said movable guide piece for each said row, with all said guide pieces having the same characteristics and all moving in the same manner simultaneously; each said guide piece slot having a first end at which said means connected witH said release lever begins its stroke when said release lever begins to release an item to be vended and a second end at which that said means connected with said release lever has completed its stroke; said slot including at its said first end a hooked portion, and when each said guide piece is pivoted toward its said second release position, if the said means connected with said release lever has not moved away from said first end of said slot, as occurs when no release lever in that respective row has been operated, said hooked portion is moved over the said means connected with said release lever of that said row and blocks movement thereof away from said slot first end, whereby movement of said release lever in that respective said row is precluded.

22. A reset and recycling means for a vending machine, said vending machine including, means for dispensing items to be vended; means for returning deposited coins to a purchaser in the event that a purchaser does not wish to complete a purchase; a movable coin lockout release post; coin receiving and handling means; a coin totalizer, comprising a counting wheel which is rotated away from a start position by a predetermined amount for each quantity of money received by the machine; a means for biasing said counting wheel to return to its said start position; said counting wheel including a notch for receiving said lockout release post and for thereby permitting movement of said release post to a lockout release position; and the remainder of said counting wheel serving to block movement of said lockout release post to the lockout release position; a coin lockout device which is movable between a first position which blocks operation of the vending machine and a second position which permits such operation; means connecting said coin lockout device with said coin lockout release post, whereby said coin lockout device is held in said first position when said lockout release post is held out of said notch of said counting wheel, and is permitted to be moved to its said second position when said lockout release post moves into said notch of said counting wheel; reset cam means mounted to pivot about a pivot on said vending machine; said reset cam means being connected with so as to be pivoted in a first direction by both said means for dispensing items and said means for returning deposited coins; as it is pivoted in said first direction, said reset cam means being adapted to engage said lockout release post to lift same out of said notch in said counting wheel, thereby to cause said coin lockout device to be again held in said first position; and adapted to engage a recycling means for said counting wheel for returning said wheel to its said start position.

23. The reset and recycling means of claim 22, further including, a slide which joins said lockout release post with said coin lockout device; said slide including means for preventing its being slid when said lockout release post is out of said counting wheel notch and said lockout release post engages that said prevention means on said slide; means on said slide for engaging said coin lockout device, for thereby holding same in said first position when said lockout release post is holding said slide against sliding, and for permitting same to move toward said second position when said lockout release post has released said slide to slide.

24. The reset and recycling means of claim 22, further including a selective coin collection and coin return device for disposing of totalled deposited coins; said return-collection device comprising, a container having a first normally closed exit door leading to a coin collection receptacle and a second independently operable, normally closed exit door leading to a coin return chute; first means connecting each said merchandise release lever with said first exit door for opening said first door upon operation of any of said levers; and second means connecting said coin return dEvice with said second exit door for opening said second door.