US3790027A

US3790027A - Apparatus for dispensing flat articles

Info

Publication number: US3790027A
Application number: US00296573A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Barnhart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-11
Filing date: 1972-10-11
Publication date: 1974-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-05

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles characterized by an article drawer that is slidably mounted on a stationary frame so as to be moved rearwardly to emplace a raised portion behind the bottom one of a stack of the articles in a container such that upon forward movement of the drawer the article is pulled forwardly so that its front end protrudes out of a discharge aperture, all responsive to operation of a manually operable handle that is connected with the drawer. A biasing means is provided for biasing the handle and article drawer toward their normal position. A plurality of the delineated elements may be employed for vending a plurality of different articles. When the apparatus having the plurality of respective elements are operated in a coin operated vending embodiment; a locking means, including a lock bar and respective linkages, requires and allows operation of only one lever and prevents operation of other levers, once operation of the one lever is begun. Also disclosed are specific structural features of respective embodiments.

Description

United States Patent [191 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLAT ARTICLES [76] Inventor: Carlton L. Barnhart, 3800 S. Hill Cir., Fort Worth, Tex. 76109 [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 296,573

51 int; Cl. B65g 59/06 58 Field of Search.... 221/255, 256, 257, 274, 125

[56] References Cited I I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,073,481 l/l963 Steiner... 221/274 X 1,678,650 7/1928 Richardson et al 221/274 X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James O. Fails; Wofford, Felsman & Fails 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles characterized by an article drawer that is slidably mounted on a stationary frame so as to be moved rearwardly to emplace a raised portion behind the bottom one of a stack of the articles in a container such that upon forward movement of the drawer the article; is pulled forwardly so that its front end protrudes out of a discharge aperture, all responsive to operation of a manually operable handle that is connected with the drawer. A biasing means is provided for biasing the handle and article drawer toward their normal position. A plurality of the delineated elements may be employed for vending a plurality of different articles. When the apparatus having the plurality of respective elements are operated in a coin operated vending embodiment; a locking means, including a lock bar and respective linkages, requires and allows operation of only one lever and prevents operation of other levers, once operation of the one lever is begun. Also disclosed are specific structural features of respective embodiments.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Feb. 5, 1974' PATENTED FEB 5 74 sum 1 or 3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to dispensing apparatus. In particular embodiments, this invention pertains to dispensing apparatus that is rendered operable in response to deposition of coins and generally referred to as coin operated vending machines. Specifically, this invention pertains to coin operated vending machines in which different kinds of merchandise; in the form of flat, relatively thin articles; are selectively vendable upon manual actuation of normally locked selected ejector that is rendered actuatable upon operation of a common coin-controlled mechanism.

2. Description of thePrior Art The prior art has shown'an almost unbelieveable variety of dispensing machines, including different types of coin operated vendingmachines. These have ranged from the early machines, such as the simple structure delineated in U.S. Pat. No. 388,101, patented Aug. 21, 1888; through widely useful machines such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,921,610 and 1,948,650; up to modern electronically operated machines. The prior art has seen mechanical vending apparatus such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,707,543 and 2,946,483. Suitable gum dispensing machines have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,251,994 and 2,339,681.-

lnsofar as l have been able to determine, however, all of the prior art dispensing machines have been developed for their own relatively specific apparatus and have not been totally satisfactory in dispensing flat, relatively thin articles of substantial lateral dimensions. Typical of such flat articles that need dispensing, includingcoin operated vending, are books, packages of Kleenex, notepaper, flat packs, boxes of candy, magazines and maps. Yet despite this need, the prior art dispensing apparatus has failed to provide a drawer that can pick up the article and bring it to a front vend position, where it may be picked up readily. Moreover, the

prior art vending apparatus usually exployed multiple piece locking means, or interlocks, to prevent cheating and multiple dispensing. The prior art locking means were expensive to assemble and required much careful maintenance to remain dependable in operation. Thus, the prior art has not provided a dispensing apparatus for flat articles that is operable as a vending apparatus, employing a single coin-operated mechanism that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art structure; has a locking means that requires operation of only one lever once operation of the lever is started following deposition of the coins if it is acoin-operated vending machine; yet is simple, econornical, and reliable in operation with very little maintenance. 7

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide dispensing apparatus that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art structure and facilitates dispensing of flat, relatively thin objects of fairly substantial lateral and longitudinal dimensions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a coinoperated vending machine that provides a locking means that allows and requires only onelever to be operated, once operation is'started; and prevents operation of other levers.

It is also a specific object of this invention to provide specific advantageous structural features that may be assembled and incorporatedeconomically into the dispensing apparatus, yet provide a high degree of reliability inoperation with very little maintenance.

These and other objects willbecome apparent from the descriptive matter hereinafter, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a single dispensing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view, partly cut away, of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly incross section, illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 in its normal position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly cut away, of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the apparatus with its slide drawer in its rearmost position; and, in

dashed lines, its vend position.

FIG. 5 is an inside view of the door of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a coin-operated dispensing unit having a plurality of dispensing handles and dispensing units, showing a position in which one lever is being operated.

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view with the cabinetry illustrated in dashed lines, showing the locking means and the respective shafts and linkages incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a simplified side elevational view cut away to illustrate the respective elements of the locking means in its normal position that is different from the position illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial top plan view of the lock bar of the locking means.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the lock bar of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a single dispensing apparatus 11. As illustrated, the dispensing apparatus 11 is a coin-operated vending machine for vending maps. I

The dispensing apparatus I1 comprises the major subassemblies or elements of container means 13, FIGS. 2-4, for containing a stack of articles, such as the maps; a stationary frame 15; an article drawer 17; a manually operable handle, or lever, 19; and biasing means 21, FIG. 2, for biasing the handle and the article drawer toward their normal positions.

The container means 13 is simply a compartment into which the articles are stacked one on top of the other. As illustrated, the compartment has two pair of side rails 23 to facilitate stacking and delivery of the articles by allowing a space between the articles and the wall proper. Moreover, the compartment has a pair of rear rails 25 for preventing the rearward movement of the articles when the article drawer is pushed rearwardly. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, the respective rails' 23 and 25 terminate at a short distance above the bottom of the stationary frame 15 to allow the article delivery, or vend, position with its forward end 28, dashed lines, protruding for pick up by the buyer.

Access to the compartment, or container means 13, may be provided by way of an openable top 31 or an openable door 33, or both. As illustrated, the door 33 is mounted via hinge 35 so as to swing open. It has suitable lock 37, FIG. 5, openable by key 39. As can be seen in FIG. 2, opening the door 33 allows access to the coin box 41, the internal mechanisms and the interior of the container means 13.

The stationary frame may comprise a skeletal frame onto which thin panels are suitably affixed. As illustrated, the stationary frame 15 comprises plastic panels of substantial thickness to afford their own requisite structural strength. The prototype is not necessarily the best model and a structural framework, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, may be employed if desired. A wide variety of stationary frames are well known in the art and need not be belabored herein.

It is sufficient to note that no tie Clown means or other means of affixing the dispensing apparatus 11 is necessary as long as the handle 19 is easily operable so as not to tip the machine. On the other hand, suitable means of affixing a dispensing apparatus 11 to a base, or support, may be provided if desired for any reason; such as, to protect against theft, prevent tipping, or the like.

The article drawer 17 is slidably mounted on the stationary frame 15 for rearward movement to pick up the bottom one of the articles 29 in the stack, FIG. 4. The article drawer l7.is also slidably mounted for subse quent forward movement to deliver the article, as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 4.

The article drawer 17 has a flat receiving area 43 for receiving the bottom article 29. The article drawer 17 has a raised portion 45 adjacent its rear. As illustrated, the article drawer 17 also has raised

sides

47 and 49. The article drawer 17 is disposed in its normal position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the raised portion 45 beneath the bottom article 29 in the stack. The raised portion 45 is movable behind the article, as illustrated in FIG. 4 when the article drawer 17 is moved to its rearmost position. After the raised portion 45 is behind the article, as the drawer 17 moves forwardly in returning to its normal position, the article will be moved for.- wardly until its front end 28 protrudes out of the discharge aperture 27, FIG. 4, in a vend position.

The manually operable handle 19 is connected with the article drawer for manually moving the article drawer rearwardly and then forwardly so as to effect dispensing of the article 29. As illustrated, thehandle 19 comprises a pivotally mounted handle lever with an exterior knob 51. The handle 19 is rigidly connected with a drawer pick up arm 53 by way of shaft 55 so the two pivot in unison. Specifically, the handle lever is rigidly connected with the shaft 55 and the drawer pick up arm 53 is rigidly connected with the shaft 55. The shaft 55 is journalled for pivotal movement in appropriate sidewalls, such as sidewall 57, FIG. 2. Thus, movement of the knob 51 in a downwardly arcuate motion effects an arcuate rearward movement of the lower end of the drawer pick up arm 53. Conversely, upward movement of the knob 51 effects a forward movement of the lower end of the pick up arm 53.

The pick up arm 53 is connected with the article drawer 17 via a radial to lineal motion converter means for converting the radial movement of the lower end of the pick up arm 53 into a lineal movement of the article drawer 17. Specifically, the radial to lineal motion conversion is effected by way of a laterally extending stub shaft 59 that is connected with the pick up arm 53 near its lower end and pivotally and slidably engages a slot 61 in an upwardly extending ear 63. The upwardly extending ear 63 is connected with the drawer so as to effect reciprocal movement thereof responsive to the arcuate urging in the respective general rearward and forward directions by the stub shaft 59. As illustrated, the upwardly extending ear 63 is bonded to the raised side 47 of the drawer 17 so as to slide reciprocally intermediate the two side rails 23 in the container means 13. An arcuate aperture 65 is provided in the sidewall 57 to accommodate the arcuate movement of the stub shaft 59. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, as the pick up arm 53 has its lower end swung rearwardly, the stub shaft 59 moves downwardly in the slot 61 to prevent binding.

The biasing means 21 comprises a spring motor in which one end of the spring is anchored, as by chain 67 and the other end of the motor is connected so as to re turn the handle 19 upwardly to its normal position. Specifically, the biasing means 21 is connected with the coin receiving mechanism 69 that is, in turn, connected with the handle 19 to effect return of the handle to its normal position; once downward movement has been completed, the coin has been dumped from the coin receiving mechanism 69 and deposited in the coin box 41, and the handle 19 has been released or allowed to return.

Any of several conventionally available coin receiving mechanisms may be employed. For example, US. Pat. No. l,838,179 and 2,339,681 show rotary coin receivers that are normally latched by a detent against rotary motion, but when a coin is in the receiver, the coin serves as a means to lift the detent when the receiver is turned and permit a half turn of the receiver. The coin drops out at the end of the half turn and a spring returns the coin receiver to its normal position. To facilitate entry of the coin into the coin receiving mechanism 69, a coin chute 71 is employed. It is noteworthy that in this invention the coin receiving mechanism is provided with a ratchet means, such as pivotally mounted ratchet catch 73, FIGS. 3 and 4, that is pivoted upwardly by ratchet teeth 75 as the handle 19 is pulled downwardly. Once the ratchet teeth 75 have engaged the ratchet catch 73, reverse motion is prevented until the ratchet teeth 75 have been moved clear of the ratchet catch 73, as illustrated in FIG. 4. This ratchet means serves as a portion of a locking means to ensure that an article is vended once it is started and prevents a cheating operation wherein a plurality of articles could be obtained for a deposition of the price of one of the articles into the coin receiving mechanism 69.

In operation, the articles are stacked in the container means 13 and the door locked by way of key 39, which is removed. Thereafter, the purchaser deposits the required amount of coins into the coin chute 71 by way of aperture 77, FIG. 1. The handle 19 is then pulled downwardly, since the coin allows the coin receiving mechanism 69 to free the lever 19 for arcuate movement. As the lever is pulled downwardly, the drawer pick up arm 53 is pivoted so as to move stub shaft 59 in an arcuate movement rearwardly. Simultaneously, the coin is moved forwardly and ultimately dumped into the coin box 41. As the sutb shaft 59 moves rearwardly, the ear 63 and the drawer 17 are moved rearwardly. The raised portion 45 on the drawer 17 is moved to the rearward end of the bottom article 29, allowing the bottom article to fall completely into the drawer 17. The ratchet means will have been released when the drawer is in the rearmost position. Therefore, the handle 19 can be returned upwardly; and, in fact, will be returned upwardly by the biasing means 21 if released by the purchaser. As illustrated in dashed lines, FIG. 4, the bottom article will be moved forwardly so that its front end 28 extends out of the discharge aperture 27 so as to be pulled from the vending apparatus by the purchaser. The guard 79, FIGS. 4 and 5, provides suitable thickness to the door 33 and prevents inadvertent dispensing of more than the bottom article from the stack. Thereafter, the vending apparatus is ready to dispense another article subsequent to deposition of the suitable amount of coins.

As implied hereinbefore, the articles are loaded into the container means 13 by opening the door 33 to refill dispensing apparatus 11.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 6-10 illustrate another embodiment for dispensing a plurality of articles. As illustrated, the dispensing apparatus 81 is also provided a coin receiver 83. The price of the articles are the same such that a single coin receiver 83 is sufficient to allow respective dispensing of the articles. Specifically, the dispensing apparatus 81 includes a plurality of respective container means 13, FIG. 7; a plurality of article drawers 17, and a plurality of manually operable handles 19. The respective plurality of container means, the article drawers and the manually operable handles and their interconnection with the article drawers are, in principle, the same as described hereinbefore with respect to FIGS. 1-5. In FIG. 6, however, a small door 85 with its suitable lock and key provides access to the coin box therebehind. The door 85 is mounted for pivotal movement by hinge 86. The coin box is similar to coin box 41, FIG. 2. Access to the interior of the respective container means 13 is provided by way of anopenable top 31. As illustrated, the top 31 is pivotally mounted at hinge points typified by hinge 87; The top 31 may be locked into position by means 'of a suitable lock, or hasp and lock, on the rear and not shown in FIG. 6. As illustrated, however, the respective handle levers 19 are integrally formed with the respective pick up arms 53, and both are pivotally mounted by way of suitable shaft55, FIG. 7. As before, the shaft 55 is journalled I in suitable sidewall such as sidewall 57, FIG. 7. If desired, a suitable return spring may be employed on each leverto effect its return to its normal position once it has been operated and released. As illustrated, however, the respective handles 19 are returned to their normal position by operation of interconnecting linkages and the single biasing means 21 that is connected with the coin receiving mechanism 69, similarly as described hereinbefore. As before, the coin receiving mechanism 69 prevents operation of any one of the article drawers until a suitable amount of coins has been inserted into the coin receiver 83.

The interconnecting means between the respective drawer pick up arms 53 and the ears 63 of the drawer 17 are not shown in this embodiment, since they are the same as described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 2-4.

The dispensing of a plurality of articles, even when each has the same price, presents a problem that is not had with dispensing a single'article. The problem is that each of the levers must be connected to a coin receiver to prevent operation until the suitable amount of coins have been deposited; yet, use of a plurality of coin receivers is inordinately expensive.

To solve the problem, the dispensing apparatus 81 employs a locking means'to prevent dispensing movement of any of the handles 19 until a suitable amount of coins has been deposited. After deposition of the suitable amount of coins for dispensing a single article, the locking means must allow and require operation of the one of the handles that is first begun to be operated and prevent operation of any of the other handles. As illustrated, the locking means includes a simple lock bar 89, FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, in contrast to the expensively assembled multiple piece interlocks of the prior art. Each pick up arm 53, and consequently, each handle 19, is connected with a lock bar entry member 91 such that the handle 17 is inoperable unless the lock bar entry member can enter into slots in the lock bar 89. Specifically, a bolt 93 connects the pick up arm 53 with the lock bar entry member 91.

The lock bar 89 comprises a movable lock bar 95 that is disposed adjacent a stationary lock bar 97. The movable lock bar 95 is movable longitudinally of the stationary lock bar 97. As illustrated, the movable lock bar 95 is disposed interiorly of a U-shaped stationary lock bar 97, FIGS. 9 and 10. The stationary lock bar 97 has a plurality of first slots 99 disposed opposite the respective lock bar entry members 91 such that the lock bar entry members can enter freely thereinto. The movable lock bar 95 has the same plurality of second slots 101 dimensioned such that the adjacent lock bar entry member can readily enter thereinto when the second slot 101 is aligned with the first slot 99 of the stationary lock bar 97. The second slots 101 are spaced in the movable lock bar 95, however, such that only one of the second slots 101 is in alignment with a respective first slot 99 at a time.

A moving means 103 is provided for moving the movable lock bar 95 with respect to the stationary lock bar 97 responsive to movement of the first one of the handles 19 to be moved. As illustrated, the moving means 103 comprises entry ramps 105 that effect sliding of the movable lock bar 95 longitudinally of the stationary lock bar 97 responsive to rearward pressure from a lock bar entry member 91 encountering the ramp 105 responsive to downward movement of the respective handle 19. The moving means 103 is rendered ineffectual as long as a given lock bar entry member, such as lock bar entry member 91a, FIGS. 7 and 9, is maintained within the aligned first and

second slots

99 and 101 in the lock bar 89. Expressed otherwise, the rearward pressure of the respective lock bar entry members 91 on the respective entry ramps 105 is insufficient to slide the movable lock bar 95 as long as its second slot 101 engages the lock bar entry member 91a. On the other hand, once the lock bar entry member 91a is moved from the aligned first and

second slots

99 and 101, as by returning the first handle 19 to its normal position, subsequent pressure by another lock bar entry member will slide the movable lock bar the desired amount of movement to effect alignment of the associated respective first and

second slots

99 and 101. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the spacing between the respective first and

second slots

99 and 101 differ such that only one of the pairs of first and second slots are aligned at a time, as indicated hereinbefore.

As a part of the locking means, and serving to tie the plurality of different dispensing linkages, handles and lock bar entry members together, there is provided a main shaft 107 that is connected with the coin receiving mechanism 69 by a rigid linkage 109. Specifically, rigid linkage 109 comprises a first arm 111 that is rigidly connected with the main shaft 107 and a second arm 113 that is pivotally connected with the first arm 111 and pivotally connected with the coin receiving mechanism, as by way of respective connection pins 117 and 119. Consequently, the main shaft cannot be rotated until the suitable amount of coins has been deposited to allow pivotal rotation of the coin receiving mechanism 69. The main shaft 107 is journalled for suitable pivotal rotation in the stationary frame 15, as in respective end walls thereof, similarly as described with respect to shaft 55, FIG. 2.

To provide support for the free ends of the lock bar entry members 91, as well as serve as a portion of the respective linkages of the locking means, a plurality of respective universal levers 121 are rigidly connected with the main shaft 107 for pivotal operation each time the main shaft is pivotally rotated. Each respective universal lever 121 engages its lock bar entry member 91 via a clutch means that allows pivotal operation of the main shaftand the universal lever without movement of the lock bar entry member 91, but prevents movement of its respective pivotally inounted handle lever 19 until the main shaft is freed for pivotal rotation by deposition of the necessary amount of coins. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the universal levers 121 are connected with their respective lock bar entry member 91 by way of stub shaft 123. The stub shaft 123 is slidable within a closed slot 125. Thus, as illustrated in F IG. 8, the stub shaft 123 prevents rearward movement of the lock bar entry member 91 and, consequently, immobilizes the handle 19 until the main shaft 107 has been freed for pivotal rotation by deposition of the coins. Expressed otherwise, the linkage 109 connected with the coin receiving mechanism 69 prevents rotation of the main shaft 107; and, consequently, prevents rotation of universal lever 121, so that stub shaft 123 prevents rearward movement of the lock bar entry member 91 and prevents movement of the handle 19 downwardly. Thus, the ear 63 of a drawer 17 cannot be moved rearwardly, so the raised portion 45 cannot-be emplaced behind the bottom article in the stack.

After the coins have been deposited, however, a handle 19, such as the illustrated first handle, FIG. 7, may be moved downwardly, since the main shaft 107 can now be pivotally rotated. Specifically, as the handle 19 is moved downwardly, the lock bar entry member 91a is moved rearwardly, forcing alignment of the slots in the lock bar 89, since they are not otherwise blocked by a lock bar entry member 91. Similarly as described hereinbefore, downward movement of one of the levers engages the ratchet means on the coin receiving mechanism 69 and requires that that lever be moved completely through before it can be returned to its normal position or before any other'handle 19 can be operated.

The combination of the closed slot 125 and the stub shaft 123 allows the pivotal movement of the universal levers 121, even if the respective other lock bar entry members 91 are blocked from entering the second slots 101 of the movable lock bar 95.

In operation, the dispensing apparatus 81 is superficially the same as was dispensing apparatus 11. Specifically, the coins are deposited into the coin receiver 83 and a respective lever is pulled downwardly to move its drawer 17 to its rearmost position. Thereafter, the handle 19 is moved upwardly to vend the article picked up by the drawer 17.

The internal mechanism operates somewhat differently, as implied from the descriptive matter hereinbefore. Specifically, the first lever to be pulled causes a rearward motion of its lock bar entry member, its stub shaft 123 and its respective universal lever 121, pivotally rotating the main shaft 107. Pivotal rotation is allowed by the linkage 109 since the coins have been deposited in the coin receiving mechanism 69. The lock bar entry member 91 enters into the aligned

slots

99 and 101 of the lock bar 89, forcing alignment if it were not the last lever to be operated such that the slots were already aligned. It will be recalled that it forces alignment by the rearward pressure on the respective ramps 105 to slide the movable lock bar 95 longitudinally of the stationary lock bar 97. As the lock bar entry member 91 has its forward end'of closed slot moving the stub shaft 123 rearwardly, the stub shaft 123 of the remaining universal levers 121 move rearwardly in their respective closed slots 125, as can be seen by the two lock bar members to the right in FIG. 7, in contrast to the lock bar entry member 91a to the left forcing its stub shaft 123 rearwardly.

'After the lever and drawer 17 are returned to their vend position to vend the article, the article may be pulled therefrom such that the bottom article again falls onto the raised portion 45 of the drawer 17 and the lever 19 and drawer 17 are now in their normal position andready for a subsequent vending operation.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention provides the objects delineated hereinbefore. Specifically, this dispensing apparatus allows dispensing of single, fiat, relatively thin articles and alleviates the difficulties with the prior art apparatus, whetheror not a coin receiving mechanism'is employed to require payment for vending. In a particular aspect, this invention provides a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a plurality of different articles. In the latter embodiments, a single coin receiving mechanism may be employed for vending articles that are priced at the same price. The improved vending apparatus for vending the plurality of flat, relatively thin articles, employs a locking means that satisfies the objects delineated hereinbefore and alleviates the diff culties of the prior art apparatus. Moreover, this invention'pr'ovides simple, economical and reliable operation,- yet is economical enough to be employed even in dispensing free articles, such as dispensing maps by service stations and the like. The elaborate, expensive mechanisms of the prior art are obviated by the simple, reliable structure employed herein.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangeriient of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles comprising:

a. a plurality of container means for containing respective stacks of said articles, each said container means having a discharge aperture in its front adjacent the front end of the bottom of said stack of articles;

b a stationary frame;

c. a plurality of article drawers, each article drawer being slidably mounted on said frame for rearward movement to pick up the bottom one of said articles and then forward movement to deliver said article; said article drawer having a flat receiving area for receiving said article and a raised portion adjacent its rear, said article drawer being disposed in its normal position with said raised portion beneath the bottom article in said stack and movable behind said article when said article drawer is moved to its rearmost position so as to bring said article forwardly upon subsequent forward motion and effect protrusion of the front end of said article out of said discharge aperture;

d. a plurality of respective manually operable handles connected with said article drawer for manually moving respective said article drawers so as to effect dispensing of said article;

e. biasing means biasing said handles and said article drawers toward their normal positions; coin receiver for preventing operation of said article drawers until a suitable amount of coins have been inserted; and

g. locking means for allowing and requiring operation of only one of said handles once its operation is started and for preventing simultaneous operation of any of the other said handles;

said locking means comprising a lock bar, lock bar entry member, and moving means; each said handle being connected with a respective lock bar entry member such that said handle is inoperable unless said lock bar entry member can enter into said lock bar; said lock bar comprising a movable lock bar disposed adjacent a stationary lock bar; said stationary lock bar having respective first slots disposed opposite respective said lock bar entry members such that said lock bar entry members can enter freely thereinto; said movable lock bar having second slots such that said lock bar entry members can readily enter thereinto when aligned with said first slots in said stationary lock bar; said second slots being spaced such that only one said second slot is in alignment with a respective said first slot at a time; said movable lock bar being reciprocally movable longitudinally ofv said stationary lock bar; and said moving means being adapted for moving said movable lock bar with respect to said stationary lock bar responsive to movement of a first said handle and lock bar entry member to be moved; said moving means being rendered ineffectual as long as said lock bar entry member is maintained within aligned said first and second slots.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a pivotally mounted handle lever that is rigidly connected with a drawer pick up am; said pick up arm is connected with a respective article drawer via a radial to lineal motion converter means for converting the radial motion of said pick up arm to lineal movement of said drawer; said pick up arm also being connected with its respective said lock bar entry member; wherein there is provided a main shaft that is connected with said coin receiver via a linkage having rigid links such that pivotal rotation of said main shaft is prevented until said amount of coins is deposited; said main shaft being journalled on said frame for pivotal rotation; a plurality of respective universal levers are rigidly connected with said main shaft for operation each time said main shaft is pivoted; each said universal lever engaging its said lock bar entry member via a clutch means thatallows pivotal operation of said main shaft and said universal lever without movement of said lock bar entry member and prevents effective dispensing movement of its respective said pivotally mounted handle lever until said main shaft is freed for pivotal rotation by deposition of said amount of coins.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said radial to lineal motion converter means comprises a laterally extending stub shaft pivotally and slidably engaging a vertical slot in an upwardly extending ear that is connected with said article drawer so as to effect reciprocal movement of said article drawer responsive to arcuate urging in the respective general directions by said stub, shaft.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing flat, relatively thin articles comprising: a. a plurality of container means for containing respective stacks of said articles, each said container means having a discharge aperture in its front adjacent the front end of the bottom of said stack of articles; b. a stationary frame; c. a plurality of article drawers, each article drawer being slidably mounted on said frame for rearward movement to pick up the bottom one of said articles and then forward movement to deliver said article; said article drawer having a flat receiving area for receiving said article and a raised portion adjacent its rear, said article drawer being disposed in its normal position with said raised portion beneath the bottom article in said stack and movable behind said article when said article drawer is moved to its rearmost position so as to bring said article forwardly upon subsequent forward motion and effect protrusion of the front end of said article out of said discharge aperture; d. a plurality of respective manually operable handles connected with said article drawer for manually moving respective said article drawers so as to effect dispensing of said article; e. biasing means biasing said handles and said article drawers toward their normal positions; f. coin receiver for preventing operation of said article drawers until a suitable amount of coins have been inserted; and g. locking means for allowing and requiring operation of only one of said handles once its operation is started and for preventing simultaneous operation of any of the other said handles; said locking means comprising a lock bar, lock bar entry member, and moving means; each said handle being connected with a respective lock bar entry member such that said handle is inoperable unless said lock bar entry member can enter into said lock bar; said lock bar comprising a movable lock bar disposed adjacent a stationary lock bar; said stationary lock bar having respective first slots disposed opposite respective said lock bar entry members such that said lock bar entry members can enter freely thereinto; said movable lock bar having second slots such that said lock bar entry members can readily enter thereinto when aligned with said first slots in said stationary lock bar; said second slots being spaced such that only one said second slot is in alignment with a respective said first slot at a time; said movable lock bar being reciprocally movable longitudinally of said stationary lock bar; and said moving means being adapted for moving said movable lock bar with respect to said stationary lock bar responsive to movement of a first said handle and lock bar entry member to be moved; said movIng means being rendered ineffectual as long as said lock bar entry member is maintained within aligned said first and second slots.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a pivotally mounted handle lever that is rigidly connected with a drawer pick up arm; said pick up arm is connected with a respective article drawer via a radial to lineal motion converter means for converting the radial motion of said pick up arm to lineal movement of said drawer; said pick up arm also being connected with its respective said lock bar entry member; wherein there is provided a main shaft that is connected with said coin receiver via a linkage having rigid links such that pivotal rotation of said main shaft is prevented until said amount of coins is deposited; said main shaft being journalled on said frame for pivotal rotation; a plurality of respective universal levers are rigidly connected with said main shaft for operation each time said main shaft is pivoted; each said universal lever engaging its said lock bar entry member via a clutch means that allows pivotal operation of said main shaft and said universal lever without movement of said lock bar entry member and prevents effective dispensing movement of its respective said pivotally mounted handle lever until said main shaft is freed for pivotal rotation by deposition of said amount of coins.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said radial to lineal motion converter means comprises a laterally extending stub shaft pivotally and slidably engaging a vertical slot in an upwardly extending ear that is connected with said article drawer so as to effect reciprocal movement of said article drawer responsive to arcuate urging in the respective general directions by said stub shaft.