US3796294A

US3796294A - Vending machine door lock and vended item carrier motion control

Info

Publication number: US3796294A
Application number: US00271230A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Hoffer; W Danziger
Original assignee: Transvac Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Transvac Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1972-07-13
Filing date: 1972-07-13
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12

Abstract

A vending machine having a number of levels of carriers for items to be vended. The carriers on each level are all moved along a predetermined pathway, thereby delivering the carriers in sequence to an access door at each level. Each door is blocked closed by a solenoid controlled door blocking abutment. Each solenoid is in circuit with a proper deposited coinage activated switch and with a separate manually operable selector switch associated with each level. A door is released when a vendee deposits his money and selects an item to be vended at a particular level. After an item on a level has been vended, the machine includes means for moving the carriers at that level to move the next carrier into position adjacent to the door. The moving means is switched on when the access door is reclosed after an item has been vended, and the door blocking abutment moves back to the door blocking position. The means that operates the carrier moving means includes a switch which senses the position of the carriers and activates the moving means until the next carrier moves adjacent to the access door.

Description

.Hoffer et al.

[ Mar. 12, 1974 VENDING MACHINE DOOR LOCK AND VENDED ITEM CARRIER MOTION CONTROL Inventors: Arthur I-Ioffer, Dix Hills; William Danziger, Lynbrook, both of N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Transvac Electronics Inc.,

Plainview, NY.

Filed: July 13, 1972 Appl. No.: 271,230

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1959 Hoban 1'94/10 X 2/1964 Johnson... 221/120 X 12/1958 Smith 194/10 X 10/1957 Barker 194/10 X Primary.Examiner--Robert B. Reeves Assistant fi cgmigg Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Ostrolenkfl ab er, Goth 8L Soffen 71 ABSTRACT A vending machine having a number of levels of carriers for items to be vended. The carriers on each level are all moved along a predetermined pathway, thereby delivering the carriers in sequence to an access door at each level. Each door is blocked closed by a solenoid controlled door blocking abutment. Each solenoid is in circuit with a proper deposited coinage activated switch and with a separate manually operable selector switch associated with each level. A door is released when a vendee deposits his money and selects an item to be vended at a particular level. After an item on a level has been vended, the machine includes means for moving the carriers at that level to move the next carrier into position adjacent to the door. The moving means is switched on when the access door is reclosed after an item has been vended, and the door blocking abutment moves back to the door blocking position. The means that operates the carrier moving means includes a switch which senses the position of the carriers and activates the moving means until the next carrier moves adjacent to the access door.

27 Figures MI W 111 IIIIYI'r Pmmmamzmu 3796294 sum 3 or 4 VENDING MACHINE DOOR LOCK AND VENDED ITEM CARRIER MOTION CONTROL The present invention relates to a vending machine, and particularly to a means for unlocking an access door for permitting access to an item to be vended and to a means for moving the next item to be vended into a vend position at the completion of a prior vend transaction.

The present invention is principally used in connection with a vending machine having a number of levels. Each level has a plurality of vendible item carriers on it. Each carrier is moved into position adjacent to an access door through which items are removed. In accordance with the present invention, each of the access doors at each of the levels of the vending machine is normally blocked against opening by a respective abutment which is normally urged to its blocking position. In the preferred embodiment, the door is a sliding door that slides in its own plane.

When a solenoid device that is associated with the abutment is activated, the abutment is moved from its blocking position and the door may be opened. The solenoid device is an electric circuit with a power supply and with switch means which must be activated before the solenoid is activated. For each access door, there is a manually operable selector switch which comprises part of the switch means. The vendee operates one such switch to select which access door may be opened. There is also a common money activated switch which comprises part of the switch means and is in circuit with all of the selector switches. The money activated switch is activated when proper money or coinage is deposited by the vendee.

The solenoid device operates only so long as the manually operable selector switch is activated. However, the vendee is likely to operate the selector switch for only a short period of time. Accordingly, to prevent the abutment from settling back and blocking opening of the door before the operator has had an opportunity to manually open the door, the abutment is latched against rcclosing. A release means associated with the latch means is activated by movement of the door to release the abutment when the door opens. The abutment-is urged into its blocking position when the door is completely reclosed.

All of the solenoid devices are connected with a common money mechanism recycling switch means such that when any selector switch is operated to move its abutment out of the door blocking position, the recycling switch means recycles the money mechanism to its start condition to ready it for the next vend transaction.

After an access door is reclosed, the carriers on that level should shift so that the next carrier is moved adjacent to the access door. The carriers on each prohibits are carried on an elongated support, like an endless belt or chain. A motor means moves the support and the carriers. The motor means is in a circuit which includes a power supply and includes switch means which is activated in order to move the carriers and which is deactivated when the succeeding. carrier is adjacent to the access door.

One of the switches of the carrier operating switch means is associated with the access door and is closed and activated only after the access door is reclosed. This prohibits access to a succeeding vendible item without it being paid for. This switch may be connected to the door itself or to the door blocking abutment, such that when the abutment shifts to block the now closed door, it also activates this switch.

Another switch of the carrier operating switch means senses the positions of the carriers. Prior to a vend transaction, this switch is in contact with one of the carriers and is normally open. The switch includes a sensor which is positioned to be engaged by the access door as it is being opened. When it is engaged by the access door this sensor disengages the switch from the carrier, which serves to close the switch. Because the previously described door position sensing switch is now opened because the door is open, the carriers do not move. However, when the door is reclosed, both of the abutment activated and carrier activated switches are closed and the carriers begin to move. The carrier position activated switch remains closed until the next carrier in sequence contacts this switch and reopens it.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a vending machine which moves objects to be vended adjacent to access doors and which permits a vendee to gain acceess to a vendible item he selects and which prevents more than a single item to be vended through a single access door during a single vend transaction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means for preventing opening of the access door until predetermined conditions occur.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide means for moving the carriers for the items to be vended such that when an item is vended, the succeeding carrier is moved adjacent to the access door for the next vend transaction.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the interior of a vending machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one level in the vending machine of FIG. I along the line and in the direction of arrows 2 in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation detail view of the mecha nism that controlsoperation of an access door into one of the levels of the ending machine, viewed along the line and in the direction of arrows 3 in FIG. 1',

FIG. 4 is a front elevtion view of the mechanism 0 FIG. 3, along the line and in the direction of arrows 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electric circuit involved in opening a particular access door at one of the levels of the vending machine;

FIGS. 6-9 shows various positions for the means which latches the access door;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a fragment of one level of the vending machine, showing the switching mechanism that controls movement of the carriers that deliver an item to be vended adjacent to the access door into the vending machine;

FIG. 11 is a view of the mechanism of FIG. 10 in a second operative position;

FIG. 12 is a view of the mechanism of FIG. 10 in a third operative position; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit involved in moving the vendible item carriers so that the next carrier in sequence will be moved adjacent to the access door of the vending machine.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, vending machine includes a fixed housing 12 within which its components are located, which housing also includes an immovable frame to which various components are affixed.

Within the vending machine are a number of virtually identical vendible

item carrier levels

14, 16, 17, 18. Although four levels are illustrated, there may be any number of levels in accordance with the present inven- I Table 22 is supported by means (not shown) in the' housing 12. Table 22 includes bearings supporting and positioning shaft 24 for guide roller 26 and shaft 28 for guide roller 30. Endless carrier support 32, which may be a chain or a belt, passes around

guide rollers

26, 30. Endless support 32 bends at 34, and is guided by roller to bend.

Carrier support moving means, comprising conventional motor 36, is connected by conventional means 38 with shaft 24 for rotating the shaft and moving endless support 32. Operation of motor 36 is controlled by the below described electric circuit shown in FIG. 13. Note that there are separate motors 36 at each level at the vending machine. In the event that one of the motors breaks down or one of: the levels of the bending machine becomes inoperative, each of the levels of the vending machine remains independently operable. I

Support 32 includes appropriate conventional fastening means 42 which fasten the support centrally of the rear surfaces of the vended item carriers .43, 44, 46, etc. These carriers are illustrated as being boxes with out a front wall, therebypermitting access into the box. An item to be vended is placed in each box and. it is removed by the vendee. The design of the carriers is not significant, except insofar as the'body of each carrier serves to activate motor 36, as described below. The items to be vended form no part of the present invention, although in a particular application of the invention, a six-pack of beverage cans is placed in each carrier.

Vending machine housing 12 is completely closed prventing access to the items to be vended and to the carriers. At each

level

14, 16, etc. is an access door 50 which is opened by a vendee. Each door 50 is positioned so that when it is opened, there is a carrier adjacent to the access door and the vendee can reach through the open wall of the carrier and remove the item in it. Access door 50 may be transparent to permit a vendee to see the item that will be vended through that door. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate sliding access door 50 for level 14 and the means which control door operation. Door 50 is carried and guided by brackets 52, 54 which guide door 50 to slide. Movement to the right in the direction of arrow 56 in FIG. 4 opens door 50, and

movement to the left in the direction of arrow 58 recloses the door.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, when door 50 is closed, i.e. in the dashed line position in FIG. 4, door blocking abutment 60 extends below upper edge 61 of the door and blocks opening of the door. By means to be described, abutment 60 is carried on frame 12 of the vending machine and is movable with respect to frame 12 and door 50. Until abutment 60 is moved out of the way of door 50, the door cannot be opened. Abutment 60 is carried by latch plate 62, which in turn joined to and carried by support arm 64. Arm 64 is slotted at 66 to receive guide posts 68 that extend out of frame 12 and guide the direction of shifting of abutment 60. Arm 64 is joined to solenoid device 70 by means of cross arm 72, which is, in turn, joined to solenoid plunger 74. Cross arm 72 also serves as an operator for switch 190, as described below.

To raise abutment 60 out of its blocking position with respect to door 50, solenoid 70 must be energized. The electric circuit in which solenoid 70 is located and which causes its operation is described in connection with FIGS..1 and 5.

Conventional'money or coin mechanism 76 receives and totals the money or coinage deposited by a vendee. Such totalizers are well known in the art. When adequate money is deposited, a signal is sent to conventional money activated mechanism 78, which may, for example, be a solenoid, and which simultaneously closes the money activated switches 80 for all of the levels of the vending machine. While there is a separate money activated switch 80 for each level, all are simultaneously operated. Hence, there is a common money operated mechanism for all levels.

The vendee next selects the desired item 'to be vended by pressing the

appropriate selector button

81, 82, 83 that is adjacent to the access door for the level on which the selected item is located. Operation of a particular selector button completes the circuit from power supply 84 to the solenoid device for the respective level of the vending machine. Operation of selector switch 81 for level 14 operates solenoid 70. In a similar manner, operation of selector switches 82, 83 energizes

solenoids

85, 86, respectively for

levels

16, 18, repectively.

Of course, an operator should not. be able to activate more than one selector switch at a time and an appropriate relay may be provided sothat when one selector switch is operated, none of the others may be operated until money mechanism 76 is recycled to the start position illustrated 'in FIG.,5 with all of money activated switches 80 being open.

In addition, the vendees act of making a selection by operating a single selector switch 81 recyclesthe money mechanism back to the start condition and also serves to preclude energization of more than one solenoid device at a time. There is a common recycling switch operator bar 88 which includes a number of solenoid plunger engaging downwardly facing surfaces 90. The positions and spacing of surfaces 90 are selected so that when all of the solenoids 70, etc. are deene rgized, each surface 90 sits on the upper side of an above described cross arm 72 which is connected with solenoid plunger 74. When any solenoid plunger moves upward in FIG. 3 or 4, bar 88 moves upward. Movement of bar 88 is guided by elongated slots 92 in the bar which receive guide posts 94 that are carried on frame Bar 88'carries pivot mount 96 for pivotable switch arm 98. Switch arm 98 carries contact 102 which is held separated from contact 104 by abutment 106 which is part of frame 12. When bar 88 moves upward, switch arm 98 pivots contact 102 clockwise toward contact 104 until bar 88 moves up sufficiently to close the contacts. This energizes money mechanism recycling means 108 which is a conventional means for reopening all of the money activated switches 80 in money mechanism 76. Hence, as soon as a vendee makes an item selection, the money mechanism is recycled and is ready for the next vend transaction. When the selector switch is released, the solenoid is deactivated, bar 88 returns to its start position and means 108 is deactivated. But, recycling has been completed.

Turning to FIG. 3, when solenoid 70 is energized by operation of selector switch 81, abutment 60 moves out of the way of and, therefore, unlocks sliding door 50. A vendee will not normally hold switch 81 activated and will usually release it before opening door 50. Abutment 60 would settle back to its blocking position of FIG. 6 and again block door 50 before the vendee could remove the item for which he had paid.

To prevent premature relocking of door 50, a latching mechanism is provided. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, latch plate 62 comprises a support crossbar 112, which is relatively short in height and above and below which there is no obstructing material. Cooperating with crossbar 112 is latching hook 116. Hook 116 is carried by latch bar 118 which is urged by biasing means 120 to the left in FIG. 4 in. the direction of arrow 58. Bar 118 is guided in its below described movement to both left and right by means of

slots

122, 124 in bar 118, which slots receive

guide post

126, 128, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, when hook I 16 is in its normal position, biasing means 120 urges the hook sufficiently to the left in FIG. 4 that it is past crossbar 112. Flattened upper surface 134 off hook 116 prevents crossbar 112 from descending past hook 116. Lower surface 132 of hook 116 is rounded so that when crossbar 112 rises in FIG.-4, it moves hook 116 and bar 118 to the right, in the direction of arrow 56, until crossbar 112 passes hook 116, whereupon biasing means 120 moves hook 116 back to the left into its blocking position.

Operation of the latching mechanism is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-9. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, when solenoid 70 is deneergized, crossbar 72 is in the lowermost broken line position shown in FIG. 3 and abutment 60 is in the low position, shown in FIG. 6, blocking door 50. Crossbar 112 is substantially below hook 116.

FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrate the situation when solenoid 70 is energized. The solid line positions of crossbar 72 and connection plate 64 and the positions of abutment 60 and crossbar 122 are shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 7, abutment 60 has been raised substantially above and out of the way of door 50. Crossbar 112 has slid pas hook 116 and the book has snapped back to position beneath the crossbar. The crossbar is now above and spaced away from hook 116.

Turning to FIG. 8, when the vendee releases selector switch 81 and this switch reopens, solenoid 70 is deactivated. Solenoid plunger 74, latch plate 62, crossbar 112 and abutment 60 are urged back to their position of FIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, solenoid 70.

has raised abutment 60 vertically upward, whereby the above noted elements are urged back by gravity. However, if a different orientation of these elements were adopted, appropriate biasing means would be used for urging these elements back to their positions of FIG. 6. Abutment 60 and crossbar ll2settle back until crossbar 112 is resting on upper surface 134 of hook 116. Hook 116 prevents further descent of abutment 60. Abutment 60 has not moved back sufiiciently to interfere with movement of door 50 and the vendee may still open that door, although he has released selector switch 81. Door 50 does not become relocked before the vend transaction is completed. To remove hook 116 from the position at which is holds abutment 60 out of the way of door 50, the latch release mechanism, shown in FIG. 4, is provided. Above mentioned pin 128, which is affixed to the housing frame, also pivotally supports latch release plate 133. Pin 134 extends out of plate 133 and into a notch 136 out into latch bar 118. Depending abutment roller 138 is rotatably carried at 140 on plate 133. Plate 133 is so shaped and positioned and roller 138 is so positioned with respect to plate 133 that when door 50 is closed at its dashed line position of FIG. 4, roller 138 hangs down so that it will be in the pathway of door 50 as the door opens. The engagement between door 50 and roller 138 occurs when the door is at its solid line position of FIG. 4. When roller 138 is contacted, it moves to the right in the direction of arrow 56 in FIG. 4. Plate 133 pivots counterclockwise in FIG. 4 and post 134 on plate 133 engages in notch 136 and moves bar 118 to the right, thereby moving hook 116 out from beheath crossbar 112.

Turning to FIG. 9, now that hook 116 no longer blocks crossbar 112, that crossbar and abutment 60 drop down. As shown in FIG. 4, door 50 is now opened.

1 Hence, abutment 60 cannot drop down to its door blocking position of FIG. 6. Instead, it drops until its lower surface 142 rests on upper surface 61 of door 50. In this position, abutment 60 is not blocking any movement of door 50. The vendee can continue opening door to its full extent, can remove the item being vended and can reclosc door 50. When door 50 is G- nally reclosed by being moved in the direction of arrow 58 to its closed, dashed line position in FIG. 4, the door moves free of abutment and the abutment then drops back to its position of FIG. 6. The descent of abutment 60 and crossbar 72 operates the carrier moving means switch 190, described below.

The means which releases hook 116 from its supporting position of FIG. 8, namely roller 138 and plate 133, is spaced a distance away from abutment 60, as shown in FIG. 4. The hook release means might be located right at abutment 60, so that as soon as door 50 begins to open, the abutment drops to its position of FIG. 9 and relocks door 50 when it is reclosed. However, it has been found that vendees often do not open access door 50 in a single smooth stroke. Instead, they hesitate or more the door slightly back and forth before opening it. Roller 138 is so positioned that by the time the leading edge of door 50 contacts it, it is clear that the vendee intends to fully open the door to gain access to the vendible item. On the other hand, roller 138 should not be placed so far from abutment 60 that a vendee could reach his hand through the small door opening that occurs. before door 50 contacts roller 138.

After a vendee has removed an item from the carrier 44 that is adjacent to access door 50, the next carrier 43 in sequence should be moved adjacent to access door 50. Means are needed for activating motor 36 for bringing carrier 43 adjacent to access door 50 and for then stopping motor 36. Also, motor 36 should not be activated until the vendee in the prior vend transaction has removed the item from carrier 44. Further still, the carriers should not shift until access door.50 has been reclosed and locked, lest the vendee of the item in carrier 44 be able to additionally obtain the item in carrier 43 without paying for it.

Turning to FIG. 13, motor 36 is in circuit with power supply 148, with vendible item carrier position sensing switch 150, which senses the-positions of the carriers and is closed after completion of the vend transaction for carrier 44 and is opened when carrier 43 has moveed into the access position adjacent to access door 50, and an access door position sensing switch 190 which is closed when access door 50 has been relocked.

Switch 150 is inside housing 151 which is immovably secured to frame 12 of the vending machine, e.g., by being secured to plate 22.

In FIGS. -12, the means for activating and deactivating switch 150 are shown. Switch 150 includes an operator button 152 and a resilient operator arm 154 for depressing button 152. When resilient arm 154 is pressed counterclockwise against the direction in which it is normally resiliently urged and against button 152 to thereby depress the button, switch 150 is opened or deactivated. When arm 154 is permitted to resiliently deflect away from button 152 and the button is not depressed, switch 150 is closed or activated. The means for moving resilient arm 154 between the button depressed position of FIG. 10, on the one hand, and the button undepressed position of FIGS. 11 and 12, on the other hand, is carrier position sensor 160, and in particular its upstanding shelf 156 which is adapted to engage and press upon abutting roller 158, which is part of resilient arm 154.

Extending up from fixed table surface 22 are carrier position sensor support posts 162,164. For receiving post 162, sensor 160 includes a cut out slot 166 of a length and width to permit and guide movement of sensor I60. Sensor 160 also pivots around post 162. Slot 168 and pin 164 received therein also serve to guide sensor 160. Sensor 160 has motion left, right, clockwise and counterclockwise in FIG. 10 and the sizes and shapes of

slots

166, 168 are chosen to permit this movement. Biasing spring means 170-joins plate 22 and sensor 160 and normally urges sensor 160 to move in a manner which pivots it clockwise and moves it to the right in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, the carriers move to the right in the direction of arrow 56. At the trailing end of sensor 160 With respect to the movement of the carrier and to the left of the sensor pivot post 162, sensor 160 is provided with a carrier contacting abutment roller 172 which engages and seats against lip 174 that depends beneath carrier 46. As illustrated in FIG. 10, carrier 46 is beginning its turn about roller 30 and its trailing end swings around and sweeps into roller 172, moving the roller downward, as viewed in FIG. 10, which pivots sensor 160 counterclockwise, and moves resilient arm I54 and switch operator button 152 so that switch 150 is deactivated.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 10, access door 50 is closed and locked by abutment 60. After a vendee activates solenoid and abutment 60 is no longer blocking door 50, as shown in FIG. 11, door 50 is being opened to the right, in the direction of arrow 56. Eventually, the leading edge of door 50 contacts and then rolls past roller 176 on door position sensor 180. Sensor 180 is pivotably mounted at 182 to housing 151. As can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 10 and 1 1, when door 50 moves past roller 176, sensor 180 is pivoted counterclockwise. Door position sensor 180 carries a fixed pin 184 which engages in elongated slot 186 in carrier position sensor 160. When sensor 180 pivots counterclockwise, pin 184 travels through slot 186 and the pin also urges sensor to the left, as seen in a comparison -of FIGS. 10 and 11. Abutment 172 I is moved to the left of and past depending front lip 174 of carrier 46. Now, lip 174 no longer blocks sensor 160 from being pivoted clockwise under the influence of biasing means and the sensor so pivots until carrier 46 engages shelf 156 on sensor 160. Through this pivoting of sensor 160, resilient arm 154 is permitted to deflect clockwise, switch button 152 is no longer depressed and switch 150 is activated. Motor 36 does not operate, however, because switch 190 has not yet been closed or activated.

Turning to FIG. 12, after the vendee has removed the item from carrier 44, he recloses door 50 in the direction of arrow 58. Once door 50 has moved past roller 176, the door is no longer biasing sensor counterclockwise, and biasing means 170 now operates to move carrier position sensor 160 to the right in FIG. 12 in the direction of arrow 56.

Note the resulting position of abutment roller 172. In FIG. 10, it was held below pending carrier lip 174. Because the abutment 172 was above lip 174 in FIG. 11, when sensor 160 is moved to the right into the position of FIG. 12, abutment roller 172 moves along the other side and above depending lip 174. In FIG. 12 roller 172 is hidden beneath carrier 46. In FIG. 10, when roller 172 was on the one side of lip 174, sensor 160 was in the position which deactivated switch 152. However, in FIG. 12, when roller 172 is on the other side of lip 174, it cannot pivot counterclockwise sufficiently to move resilient arm 154 to depress switch operator button 152, whereby switch 150 remains closed and activated and, therefore, enables motor 36 to operate. As will be described below, when door 50 is fully closed, switch will also be closed and motor 36 will then operate to move the carriers.

When carrier 46 moves free of abutment roller 172, the urging of biasing means 170 pivots abutment roller 172 clockwise about post 162 and, therefore, holds shelf 156 and resilient arm 154 off switch operator button 52. Sensor 160 shifts so that the upper end in FIG. 12 of slot 186 moves against pin 184, but this does not depress button 152. The carriers continue to move.

Abutment roller 172 is now down far enough, from its position in FIG. 12, so that it is not engaged by the front lip 174 of succeeding carrier 44 as that carrier moves straight past abutment roller172. Eventually, the portion of elongated support 32 to which carrier 44 is attached begins to move around bend 34 defined by roller 30, and carrier 44 swings around, in the manner of carrier 46, until lip 174 near the trailing end of carrier 44 engages abutment roller 172 and pivots sensor 160 counterclockwise until it again assumes the position shown in FIG. 10. At this position, switch operator button 152 is again depressed and switch 150 is opened or deactivated, halting motor 36. Carrier 44 is now in the position of carrier 46 in FIG. 10. The subsequent carrier 43, which is spaced equidistantly from carrier 44 on support 32 has thereby been moved to the access location adjacent to access door 50 so that an item may be removed from carrier 43 during a succeeding vend transaction.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 13, switch 190, which must be closed and activated before the carriers will move, is activated only when previously open access door 50 has been reclosed and relocked. This is accomplished by associating switch 190 with abutment 6.0 such that it will be closed only when abutment 60 resumes its door locking position of FIG. 6. Switch 190 is affixed to frame 12 of the vending machine. It includes an operator button 192 and a resilient operator arm 194 which is resiliently deflectable away from button 192 and switch depresses button 192 and closes switch 190 when arm 194 is depressed to its broken line position in FIG. 4.

Arm 194 carries an abutment roller I96. Roller 196 is engaged by the undersurface 198 of above described cross arm 72, which arm is part of both solenoid plunger 74 and abutment 60. When abutment 60 is in the position of FIG. 6, cross arm 72 is in its lowermost broken line position of FIG. 3, and switch 190 is closed. When abutment 60 is in any of the positions of FIGS. 7, 8 or 9, the abutment is not blocking movement of door 50 and cross arm 72 is sufficiently elevated above abutment roller 196 so as not to close switch 190 and the switch is, therefore, open. Abutment 60 does not move to its position of FIG. 6 and, therefore, switch 190 is not closed unless door 50 is closed and locked, whereby motor 36 will not operate until door 50 has been reclosed and locked.

It is noted that switch 190 is closed a good portion of the time because door 50 is locked a good portion of the time. However, above described switch l50, which is also in circuit with motor 36, is always open when door 50 is closed before a vend transaction. Thus, both of switchesl50 and 190 are closed only after completion of a vend transaction when door 50 is relocked by abutment 60.

There has just been described a novel vending machine apparatus including means for releasing a locked access door to the items to be vended, a means for preventing dispensing of more than one item in a single vend transaction and means for moving a loaded vended item carrier into position near the access door after completion of a prior vend transaction.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, may variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific dis- 0 cess door position sensing switch IS connected with and being delivered, in turn, by said delivery system to an access location;

switch means connected with said delivery system motor means; said delivery system motor means switch means being adapted when closed to activate said delivery system motor means and being adapted when opened to deactivate said delivery system motor means;

a first carrier position sensor which is connected with said delivery system motor means switch means for activating and deactivating the same; said first sensor being shaped, positioned, and adapted to be engaged by each said carrier as that said carrier passes by said first sensor; said first sensor being so positioned and being movable such that when a said carrier engages said first sensor, said first sensor means in a manner which causes said delivery system motor means switch means to be opened;

a second sensor connected with said first sensor in a manner such that when activated, the former moves the latter out of engagement with the said carrier with which it is in engagement, moves the latter to a position such that said first sensor closes said delivery system motor means switch means and moves the latter to a position such tha the latter will be engaged by the next said carrier in sequence when that said carrier passes by said first sensor.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising an openable access door near said access location; said access door is openable along a predetermined pathway to provide access to a said carrierthat is near said acces door;

said second sensor being positioned so as to be activated by said access door when said door is opened.

3. The vending machine of claim 2, wherein said delivery system motor means switch means additionally comprises an access door position sensing switch which is closed when said door is closed and which is opened by said door when said door is opened.

4. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein said plurality of carriers are grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine;

one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each saidaccess door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced suchthat when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time;

a said delivery system and a said moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a i

said delivery system motor means switch means, access door position sensing switch, first carrier position sensor and second sensor for each level.

5. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein said acoperated by a switch operating abutment which is held in a first position by said door when said door is opened and which said abutment is urged to a second'position when said door is closed.

6. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein said door position sensing switch operating abutment is also an abutment that prevents opening of said door when said V 1 1 abutment is in said second position and permits opening of said door when said abutment is in said first position. I i

7. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising:

a pivot for said first sensor; said first sensor comprising an abutment that contacts each said carrier and an arm, to which said carrier abutment is attached, that is pivotable about its said pivot between the said positions opening and closing said motor means delivery system switch means, which said sensor arm therefore pivots said carrier abutment away from and toward a said carrier, respectively; biasing means for normally biasing said first sensor to pivot said carrier abutment toward said carrier;

said second sensor being connected with said first sensor so as to move said first sensor transversely to its pivoting pathway in the direction opposite the pathway travelled by said carriers when they are moved by said delivery system motor means,

whereby when said door is opened said first sensor is moved along and then'past and then out of contact with the said carrier with which it was in contact which permits said first sensor to move from the position that opens said motor means delivery system switch means to the position that closes that said switch means;

means for normally urging said first sensor in the direction opposite that in which said second sensor moves said first sensor, which urging means also shifts said first sensor to a position where it is engageable by the next said carrier in sequence. I

8. The vending machine of claim 7, wherein said delivery system comprises an elongated support to which said carriers are attached in spaced, sequential relationship; means for' guiding said elongated support about a bend, which thereby causes each said carrier to swee in l ivot as it moves ast said bend; said first P g y P P sensor carrier abutment being positioned near and just before said bend so that each said carrier sweeps and swing into said first sensor carrier abutment to shift same away from said carrier and to the said position which opens said drive system motor means switch means.

9. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein said elongated support comprises an endless support; a plurality of guide rolls; said elongated support passing about said guide rolls; and said bend being defined by one of said guide rolls.

10. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein said access door position sensing switch is connected with and operated by a switch operating abutment which is held in a first position by said door when said door is opened and which said abutment is urged to a second position when said door is closed; I

said door position sensing switch operating abutment is also an abutment that prevents opening of said door when it is in said second position and permits opening of said door when it is in said first position.

11. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein said plurality of carriers are grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine;

one of said access doors being provided for each said.

level; each said access door beingg of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time;

a said delivery system and a said moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a said delivery system motor means switch means, access door position sensing switch, first carrier position sensor and second sensor; access door position, sensing switch abutment, pivot and abutment for each said first sensor and means for normally urging said first sensor elongated endless support of said delivery system and guide rollsdefining a bend all for each level.

12. A-vending machine, comprising:

switch means; a solenoid device; a power source and an electric circuit including the foregoing elements, such that closing of said switch means activates said solenoid device;

a carrier in said vending machine for holding an item to be vended; an access door carried by said vend-- ing machine, which door is normally closed and which door is movable to provide access into said vending machine to the item in said carrier;

a blocking abutment carried'by said solenoid device and positioned to be contacted by and to block opening movement of said door when said solenoid device is deactivated and to be moved out of position to block said door when said'solenoid device is activated;

said switch means comprising a money activated switch which is activated to a closed position by deposit of a predetermined amount of money in the vending machine; i

said switch means additionally comprising a separate selector switch which is manually activatable to-a closed position by an operator;

latch means for engaging and holding said abutment out of contact with said door; said latch means being positioned to engage said abutment only after said solenoid device has been activated and said abutment has been moved thereby; said latch means holding said abutment out of position fo blocking said door;

latch release means connected with said latch means to release the same, and including means operated in response to opening of said door to operate said release means when said door is opened; said abutment being normally urged to return to a position blocking said door.

13. The vending machine of claim 12, wherein said latch means comprises acrossbar that is carried by said abutment and a crossbar support hook that is carried by said vending machine; said hook having two opposite sides; movement of said abutment upon activation of said solenoid device simultaneously moves said crossbar from a position on one said side of said support hook, past said support hook and to a position on the other said side of said support hook and said crossbar is urged to rest upon said other side of said support hook when said solenoid device is deactivated; said crossbar being normally urged to return past said hook to its position on the one said side of said hook; said support hook being shaped and positioned so as to prevent said crossbar from returning from said other side of said hook past said hook;

said release means being connected with so as to operate upon said support hook and to move said hook away from the position where said crossbar rests thereon. V

14. The vending machine of claim 13, comprising a plurality of said carriers; said plurality of carriers being grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine;

a plurality of said access doors; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time; moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level;

a single said money activated switch;

a plurality of said electric circuits, each including said single money activated switch, a-respective said selector switch for each said circuit and a respective said solenoid device for each said circuit; each said solenoid device carrying a respective said abutment; each of said plurality of said access doors contacting a respective one of said abutments;

a respective said latch means and a respective said latch release means for every said abutment.

15. The vending machine of claim 13, wherein said hook is attached to an arm that is carried by said vending machine; means connected with said arm to urge said hook toward a position where it would be engaged by said crossbar when said crossbar passes thereby in either direction and where said hook other side supports said crossbar;

said release means including an abutment surface on said hook arm which is so positioned as to be engaged by said door only after said door has been partially opened; said hook arm abutment surface being so arranged that when it is engaged by said door as the door opens, said hook arm is caused to move said support hook away from said crossbar, thereby permitting return of said crossbar to said one hook side.

16. The vending machine of claim 15, wherein said door is a sliding door that moves by sliding generally in its own plane; means for guiding sliding movement of said door;

said hook arm and its said abutment surface being oriented such that contact by said door with said abutment surface does not occur until after said door has slid open a distance;

said door blocking abutment being normally urged to a position to block any sliding opening of said door and being positioned such that after said latch means is released, said abutment moves into engagement with and rides along an edge of said door without preventing movement of said door until said door is reclosed and then said abutment being urged to again block opening of said door.

17. The vending machine of claim 12, comprising a plurality of said carriers arranged on one level in said vending machine; I

a delivery system, including motor means for moving said carriers; said carriers on said level being mounted in spaced apart relationship and in sequence to said delivery system; by means of said delivery system, each said carrier is delivered, in turn, to an access location adjacent to sad access door;

switch means connected with said delivery system motor means; said delivery system motor means switch means being adapted when closed to activate said delivery system motor means and being adapted when opened to deactivate said delivery system motor means.

18. The vending machine of claim 17, wherein said delivery system motor means switch means comprises an access door position sensing switch which is so connected with said door as to be closedwhen said door is closed and as to be opened when said door is opened.

19. The vending machine of claim 17, further comprising: V

a first carrier position sensing sensor which is connected with said delivery system motor means switch means for activating and deactivating the same; said first sensor being shaped, positioned and adapted to be engaged by each said carrier on said level as that said carrier passes by said first sensor; said first sensor being so positioned and being movable such that when a said carrier engages said first sensor, said first sensor moves in a manner which causes said delivery system motor means switch means to be opened;

a second sensor connected with said first sensor in a manner such that when activated, the former moves the latter out of engagement with the said carrier with which it is in engagement, moves the latter to a psition such that said first sensor closes said delivery system motor means switch means and moves the latter to a position such that the latter will be engaged by the next said carrier in sequence when that said carrier passes by said first sensor.

20. The vending machine of claim 19, wherein said access door is openable along a predetermined pathway to provide access to a said carrier that is near said access door;

said'second sensor being positioned so as to be activated by said access door when said door is opened.

21. The vending machine of claim 20, further comprising:

a pivot for said first sensor; said first sensor comprising an abutment that contacts each said carrier and an arm, to which said carrier abutment is attached, that is pivotable about its said pivot between the said positions opening and closing said motor means delivery system switch means, which said sensor arm therefore pivots said carrier abutment away from and toward a said carrier, respectively; biasing means for normally biasing said first sensor to pivot saidcarrier abutment toward said carrier;

whereby when said door is opened, said first sensor is moved along and then past and then out of contact with the said carrier with which it was in I .contact which permits said first sensor to move from the position that opens said motor means delivery system switch meansto the position that closes that said switch means;

means for normally urging said first sensor inthe direction opposite that in which said second sensor moves said first sensor, which urging means also shifts said first sensor to a position where it is engageable by the next said carrier in sequence.

22. The vending machine of claim 21, wherein said delivery system comprises an elongated support to which said carriers are attached in spaced, sequential relationship; means for guiding said elongated support about a bend, which thereby causes each said carrier to sweepingly pivot as it moves past said bend; said first sensor carrier abutment being positioned near and just before said bend so that each said carrier sweeps and swings into said first sensor carrier abutment to shift same away from said carrier and to the said position which opens said drive system motor means switch means.

23. The vending machine of claim 22, wherein said elongated support comprises an endless support; a plurality of guide rolls; said elongated support passing about said guide-rolls; and said bend being defined by one of said guide rolls.

24. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein said delivery system motor means switch means additionally comprises an access door position sensing switch which is so connected with said door as to be closed when said door is closed and as to be opened when said door is opened. I

25. The vending machine of claim 24, comprising a plurality of said carriers; said plurality of carriers'being grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine;

a plurality of said access doors; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door isopened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time;

moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door'for that level; i

a single said money activated switch;

a plurality of said electric circuits, each including said single money activated switch, a respective said selector switch for each said circuit and a respective said solenoid device for each said circuit; each said solenoid device carrying a respective said abutment; each of said plurality of said access doors contacting the respective one of said abutments;

a respective said latch means and latch release means for every said abutment, and a delivery system with switch means for its motor means, first carrier position sensor, second sensor and access door position sensing switch, all for every said level of said vending machine.

26. The vending machine of claim 24, wherein said access door position sensing switch being connected with and operated by a switch operating abutment which is held in a first position by said door when said door is opened and which said abutment is urged to a second position when said door is closed.

27. Thevending machine of claim 26, wherein said door position sensing switch operating abutment is the said abutment that prevents opening of said door.

Claims

1. A vending machine, comprising: a plurality of carriers in said vending machine, each said carrier being adapted to hold an item to be vended; a delivery system to which said carriers are mounted in spaced apart relationship and in sequence; said delivery system including motor means which moves said carriers; each carrier being delivered, in turn, by said delivery system to an access location; switch means connected with said delivery system motor means; said delivery system motor means switch means being adapted when closed to activate said delivery system motor means and being adapted when opened to deactivate said delivery system motor means; a first carrier position sensor which is connected with said delivery system motor means switch means for activating and deactivating the same; said first sensor being shaped, positioned, and adapted to be engaged by each said carrier as that said carrier passes by said first sensor; said first sensor being so positioned and being movable such that when a said carrier engages said first sensor, said first sensor means in a manner which causes said delivery system motor means switch means to be opened; a second sensor connected with said first sensor in a manner such that when activated, the former moves the latter out of engagement with the said carrier with which it is in engagement, moves the latter to a position such that said first sensor closes said delivery system motor means switch means and moves the latter to a position such tha the latter will be engaged by the next said carrier in sequence when that said carrier passes by said first sensor.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising an openable access door near said access location; said access door is openable along a predetermined pathway to provide access to a said carrier that is near said acces door; said second sensor being positioned so as to be activated by said access door when said door is opened.

4. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein said plurality of carriers are grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time; a said delivery system and a said moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a said delivery system motor means switch means, access door position sensing switch, first carrier position sensor and second sensor for each level.

5. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein said access door position sensing switch is connected with and operated by a switch operating abutment which is held in a first position by said door when said door is opened and which said abutment is urged to a second position when said door is closed.

6. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein said door position sensing switch operating abutment is also an abutment that prevents opening of said door when said abutment is in said second position and permits opening of said door when said abutment is in said first position.

7. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising: a pivot for said first sensor; said first sensor comprising an abutment that contacts each said carrier and an arm, to which said carrier abutment is attached, that is pivotable about its said pivot between the said positions opening and closing said motor means delivery system switch means, which said sensor arm therefore pivots said carrier abutment away from and toward a said carrier, respectively; biasing means for normally biasing said first sensor to pivot said carrier abutment toward said carrier; said second sensor being connected with said first sensor so as to move said first sensor transversely to its pivoting pathway in the direction opposite the pathway travelled by said carriers when they are moved by said delivery system motor means, whereby when said door is opened said first sensor is moved along and then past and then out of contact with the said carrier with which it was in contact which permits said first sensor to move from the position that opens said motor means delivery system switch means to the position that closes that said switch means; means for normally urging said first sensor in the direction opposite that in which said second sensor moves said first sensor, which urging means also shifts said first sensor to a position where it is engageable by the next said carrier in sequence.

8. The vending machine of claim 7, wherein said delivery system comprises an elongated support to which said carriers are attached in spaced, sequential relationship; means for guiding said elongated support about a bend, which thereby causes each said carrier to sweepingly pivot as it moves past said bend; said first sensor carrier abutment being positioned near and just before said bend so that each said carrier sweeps and swing into said first sensor carrier abutment to shift same away from said carrier and to the said position which opens said drive system motor means switch means.

10. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein said access door position sensing switch is connected with and operated by a switch operating abutment which is held in a first position by said door when said door is opened and which said abutment is urged to a second position when said door is closed; said door position sensing switch operating abutment is also an abutment that prevents opening of said door when it is in said second position and permits opening of said door when it is in said first position.

11. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein said plurality of carriers are grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door beingg of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time; a said delivery system and a said moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a said delivery system motor means switch means, access door position sensing switch, first carrier position sensor and second sensor; access door position, sensing switch abutment, pivot and abutment for each said first sensor and means for normally urging said first sensor elongated endless support of said delivery system and guide rolls defining a bend all for each level.

12. A vending machine, comprising: switch means; a solenoid device; a power source and an electric circuit including the foregoing elements, such that closing of said switch means activates said solenoid device; a carrier in said vending machine for holding an item to be vended; an access door carried by said vending machine, which door is normally closed and which door is movable to provide access into said vending machine to the item in said carrier; a blocking abutment carried by said solenoid device and positioned to be contacted by and to block opening movement of said door when said solenoid device is deactivated and To be moved out of position to block said door when said solenoid device is activated; said switch means comprising a money activated switch which is activated to a closed position by deposit of a predetermined amount of money in the vending machine; said switch means additionally comprising a separate selector switch which is manually activatable to a closed position by an operator; latch means for engaging and holding said abutment out of contact with said door; said latch means being positioned to engage said abutment only after said solenoid device has been activated and said abutment has been moved thereby; said latch means holding said abutment out of position for blocking said door; latch release means connected with said latch means to release the same, and including means operated in response to opening of said door to operate said release means when said door is opened; said abutment being normally urged to return to a position blocking said door.

13. The vending machine of claim 12, wherein said latch means comprises a crossbar that is carried by said abutment and a crossbar support hook that is carried by said vending machine; said hook having two opposite sides; movement of said abutment upon activation of said solenoid device simultaneously moves said crossbar from a position on one said side of said support hook, past said support hook and to a position on the other said side of said support hook and said crossbar is urged to rest upon said other side of said support hook when said solenoid device is deactivated; said crossbar being normally urged to return past said hook to its position on the one said side of said hook; said support hook being shaped and positioned so as to prevent said crossbar from returning from said other side of said hook past said hook; said release means being connected with so as to operate upon said support hook and to move said hook away from the position where said crossbar rests thereon.

14. The vending machine of claim 13, comprising a plurality of said carriers; said plurality of carriers being grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine; a plurality of said access doors; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time; moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a single said money activated switch; a plurality of said electric circuits, each including said single money activated switch, a respective said selector switch for each said circuit and a respective said solenoid device for each said circuit; each said solenoid device carrying a respective said abutment; each of said plurality of said access doors contacting a respective one of said abutments; a respective said latch means and a respective said latch release means for every said abutment.

15. The vending machine of claim 13, wherein said hook is attached to an arm that is carried by said vending machine; means connected with said arm to urge said hook toward a position where it would be engaged by said crossbar when said crossbar passes thereby in either direction and where said hook other side supports said crossbar; said release means including an abutment surface on said hook arm which is so positioned as to be engaged by said door only after said door has been partially opened; said hook arm abutment surface being so arranged that when it is engaged by said door as the door opens, said hook arm is caused to move said support hook away from said crossbar, thereby permitting return of said crossbar to said one hook side.

16. The vending machine of claim 15, wherein said door is a sliding door thaT moves by sliding generally in its own plane; means for guiding sliding movement of said door; said hook arm and its said abutment surface being oriented such that contact by said door with said abutment surface does not occur until after said door has slid open a distance; said door blocking abutment being normally urged to a position to block any sliding opening of said door and being positioned such that after said latch means is released, said abutment moves into engagement with and rides along an edge of said door without preventing movement of said door until said door is reclosed and then said abutment being urged to again block opening of said door.

17. The vending machine of claim 12, comprising a plurality of said carriers arranged on one level in said vending machine; a delivery system, including motor means for moving said carriers; said carriers on said level being mounted in spaced apart relationship and in sequence to said delivery system; by means of said delivery system, each said carrier is delivered, in turn, to an access location adjacent to sad access door; switch means connected with said delivery system motor means; said delivery system motor means switch means being adapted when closed to activate said delivery system motor means and being adapted when opened to deactivate said delivery system motor means.

18. The vending machine of claim 17, wherein said delivery system motor means switch means comprises an access door position sensing switch which is so connected with said door as to be closed when said door is closed and as to be opened when said door is opened.

19. The vending machine of claim 17, further comprising: a first carrier position sensing sensor which is connected with said delivery system motor means switch means for activating and deactivating the same; said first sensor being shaped, positioned and adapted to be engaged by each said carrier on said level as that said carrier passes by said first sensor; said first sensor being so positioned and being movable such that when a said carrier engages said first sensor, said first sensor moves in a manner which causes said delivery system motor means switch means to be opened; a second sensor connected with said first sensor in a manner such that when activated, the former moves the latter out of engagement with the said carrier with which it is in engagement, moves the latter to a psition such that said first sensor closes said delivery system motor means switch means and moves the latter to a position such that the latter will be engaged by the next said carrier in sequence when that said carrier passes by said first sensor.

20. The vending machine of claim 19, wherein said access door is openable along a predetermined pathway to provide access to a said carrier that is near said access door; said second sensor being positioned so as to be activated by said access door when said door is opened.

21. The vending machine of claim 20, further comprising: a pivot for said first sensor; said first sensor comprising an abutment that contacts each said carrier and an arm, to which said carrier abutment is attached, that is pivotable about its said pivot between the said positions opening and closing said motor means delivery system switch means, which said sensor arm therefore pivots said carrier abutment away from and toward a said carrier, respectively; biasing means for normally biasing said first sensor to pivot said carrier abutment toward said carrier; said second sensor being connected with said first sensor so as to move said first sensor transversely to its pivoting pathway in the direction opposite the pathway travelled by said carriers when they are moved by said delivery system motor means, whereby when said door is opened, said first sensor is moved along and then past and then out of contact with the said carrier with which it was in contact which permits said first sensor to move from the position that opens said motor meaNs delivery system switch means to the position that closes that said switch means; means for normally urging said first sensor in the direction opposite that in which said second sensor moves said first sensor, which urging means also shifts said first sensor to a position where it is engageable by the next said carrier in sequence.

23. The vending machine of claim 22, wherein said elongated support comprises an endless support; a plurality of guide rolls; said elongated support passing about said guide rolls; and said bend being defined by one of said guide rolls.

24. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein said delivery system motor means switch means additionally comprises an access door position sensing switch which is so connected with said door as to be closed when said door is closed and as to be opened when said door is opened.

25. The vending machine of claim 24, comprising a plurality of said carriers; said plurality of carriers being grouped on a plurality of levels in said vending machine; a plurality of said access doors; one of said access doors being provided for each said level; each said access door being of a size and being so positioned and the said carriers on a said level being spaced such that when a said access door is opened, access through that said access door is permitted to only one said carrier on that said level at a time; moving means for moving said carriers on each level, whereby a different said carrier may be moved to be accessible to the respective said access door for that level; a single said money activated switch; a plurality of said electric circuits, each including said single money activated switch, a respective said selector switch for each said circuit and a respective said solenoid device for each said circuit; each said solenoid device carrying a respective said abutment; each of said plurality of said access doors contacting the respective one of said abutments; a respective said latch means and latch release means for every said abutment, and a delivery system with switch means for its motor means, first carrier position sensor, second sensor and access door position sensing switch, all for every said level of said vending machine.

27. The vending machine of claim 26, wherein said door position sensing switch operating abutment is the said abutment that prevents opening of said door.