US3804223A - Coin operated latch control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A vending machine and a coin operated latch control mechanism therefor which is readily manually adjustable for operation at various coin combinations totalling different prices. The coin mechanism includes a number of pawls mounted on a channel support member with free-floating pivotal motion to substantially eliminate any binding of the pawls during use of the mechanism.

Description

United States Patent Voegeli Apr. 16, 1974 [5 COIN OPERATED LATCH CONTROL 2,925,898 2/1960 Terry 194 54 MECHANISM 3,112,033 11/1963 Weissert 312/71 3,464,530 9/1969 Knickerbocker 194 71 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Coin Operated Latch Control Mechanism Disclosure furnished by applicant on Oct. 16, 1972.

Primary Examiner-Stanley I-l. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz [5 7] ABSTRACT A vending machine and a coin operated latch control mechanism therefor which is readily manually adjustable for operation at various coin combinations totalling different prices. The coin mechanism includes a number of pawls mounted on a channel support member with free-floating pivotal motion to substantially eliminate any binding of the pawls during use of the mechanism.

6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPR 16 1974 SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR HENRY CARL VOEGELI m I ATTO NEYS ATENTED 3,804,223

SHEET 2 [1F 4 INVENTOR HENRY CARL VOEGELI WWW/MM? ATTORN S MENTEIHPR 15 m4 3.804.223

SHEET 3 or 4 v INVENTOR' HENRY CARL VOEGELI ATTORNE COIN OPERATED LATCH CONTROL MECHANISM This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 42,750 filed June 2, 1970 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch or the like for a door or other closure element of a vending machine which is opened or operated only when a proper number and/or combination of coins totalling a predetermined price has been deposited in the mechanism.

Coin operated mechanisms of this type are known and normally used, for example, in newspaper vending machines. Such mechanisms generally include at least one coin chute in which a proper coin or combination of coins is deposited and prevented from moving upwardly or retracting into the chute by a pivotable pawl member properly positioned in the chute. The coin then acts as an abutment which actu'ates the latch to a door-opening positioning and thus permits the door to be. opened and an article to be dispensed from the vending machine. 1

These type of vending machines, particularly newspaper vending machines, are often exposed to harsh environmental weather and atmosphere conditions and after long periodsof use, the coin mechanism has a tendency to become unreliable in operation due to the accumulation of dirt, grease, rust, etc. In particular, the

pivotally mounted'pawl members frequently become v chine is adversely effected.

Another problem which pertains especially to newspaper vending machines is the conversion of the coin mechanism from daily to Sunday paper prices, which frequently differ and require different coin combinations to operate the door latch. Known mechanisms are not readily adjustable for operations'either at daily or Sunday prices.

i I SUMMARY O THE INVENTION Accordingly; a primaryobject of this invention resides in the provision of a vending machine including I a novel coin operated mechanism which may be readily adjusted for operation by different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices, thereby adapting the vending machine for use with articles vended at different prices.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel coin operated mechanism which includes a hand-operated lever which is actuatable to set the mechanism for operation'by one of a selected number of coin combinations and prices.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel coin operated mechanism as described in the preceding objects, the mechanism including at least one coin receiving chute and a suitable number of pawl members pivotally mounted in a novel manner adjacent said chutes and having a coin-stop finger which may be positioned in the chute to prevent the proper coin or combination of coins from retracting within the chute.

Still another object resides in the provision of a novel coin operated mechanism of the above type in which each of the pawl mounting supports includes a transverse shaft or pin freely floating in openings through the sides of a stationary channel member mounted adjacent the coin chute, with each pawl being free floating on its support pin. To reduce the amount of friction between the pawl and support channel, the sides of the channel have raised portions surrounding the shaft openings, which portions provide low-friction, substantially spherical or ball-point contact with the pawl.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of a newspaper I vending machine incorporating the novel coin operated mechanism of the invention, with the door of the vending machine closed;

FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with the door open to expose a unique newspaper supporting elevator-type shelf used in the vending machine;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 4 and illustrating the coin operated mechanism as it is operatively mounted within the coin box to control a latch shown in its closed portion;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation view-0f the coin operated mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the coin operated mechanism taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation view taken generally along line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4 illustrating the price adjusting plate or strip and lever and the manner in which they are mounted;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken along-line 8-8 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the pivotable support mounting of each pawl; FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating the position of the various pawls relative to the coin chutes when the mechanism is set for a daily 10 cent priced newspaper; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic similar to FIG. 10, but illustrating the position of the pawls when the mechanism is set for a 35 cent Sunday paper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a newspaper vending machine includes a cabinet 20 having a lower portion closed by a front Plexiglass panel 22 and an upper portion closed by a pivotally mounted door 24 normally biased to the closed position of FIG. 1 by springs 26. Door 24 has an upper central plate 28 on the inside of which a pivotable latch 30 is mounted. The latch includes a cam section 31 and a locking section 31a which has a slot 32 that receives a stop member 32a (FIG. 3) when the latch is in a closed position. A handle 33 is connected to the outside of plate 28.-

A closed coin box 34 is mounted on the top of cabinet 20 and includes a slot 36 which receives latch 30. A pair of coin deposit slots 38 and 39 are provided in coin box 34, with slot 38 accepting only dimes and slot 39 accepting nickles and quarters. A coin operated mechanism 40 is housed within coin box 34 and functions to retain latch 30 in its normal spring biased latching position to hold door 24 closed until the proper coin or combination of coins is deposited in slots 38 and/or 39. Coin box 34 also includes a coin return chute 42 and an opening for a manual coin return push lever 44. Operation of the coin mechanism to release latch 30 will be described hereinafter.

The newspapers are supported within cabinet on a spring-loaded, elevator type shelf 46 which very effectively'maintains the papers at door height. The shelf has a pair of upwardly extending tubular members 38 which are loosely mounted around a pair of vertical guide rods 50 that extend between the top and bottom of cabinet 20. The upper ends of tubular members 48 are curved inwardly to closely surround rods 50. An elongated coil spring 52 surrounds each rod 50 and has its lower end engaging the bottom of the cabinet and its upper end telescopically received within a respective tubular member 48 and abutting against the inwardly curved end of member 48.

As the top paper or papers are removed from a stack on shelf 46, the shelf will be raised by the upward force created by the compressed springs 52 to thereby maintain papers at door height at all times. The tubular members 48 are particularly beneficial in permitting shelf 46 to be fully loaded and lowered completely to the bottom of the cabinet. In such a position, the compressed springs SZwill be wholly received within tubes 48 and there will be no lost space between the shelf and the bottom of the cabinet. This permits an operator initially to place a greater number of newspapers in the machine.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the coin actuated mechanism 40 includes a front base plate 54 weich is removably connected and mounted via pins 56 and pivotable clip lever 58 on a vertical support bracket 60 mounted flush against the front wall of coin box 34.

A coin guide channel piece 62 is connected to bracket 60 and includes a pair of coin slots 64 which align with slots 38 and 39 in coin box 34. Slots 64 re ceive the deposited coins and direct them downwardly into a pair of-aligned vertical coin chutes 66 and 68 of mechanism 40, with chute 66 being large enough to accept nickles and quarters and chute 68 only accepting dimes.

Coin mechanism 40 further includes a frame formed by a pair of bracket members 70 and 72 having forward flanges 74 and 76 connected via pins 78 and 79 to base plate 54. Flange 74 is slotted where it receives pins 78 so that brackets 70 and 72 may be pivoted clockwise about pin 79 as viewed in FIG. 4 to permit a coin return operation of the mechanism. Bracket members 70 and 72 also include back-to-back central, connected web pieces 80 and 82, respectively, and rear flanges 84 and 86, respectively. Coin chutes 66 and 68 are formed between webs 80 and 82 and channel members 88 and 90, respectively, which are fixed to U-shaped links 92 and 94. Each of the links is pivoted at their upper and lower ends 96 and 98 to rear bracket flanges 84 and 86, respectively. Springs 100 are connected at 102 to the lower end of flanges 84 and 86 and normally bias channels 88 and 90 into engagement with webs 80 and 82, respectively, to keep chutes 66 and 68 closed.

Channel pieces 88 and have elongated slots 104 and 106, respectively, through which appropriate pawl fingers from the pawl assemblies 108 and 1 10 may extend into chutes 66 and 68 to prevent the proper coin or combination of coins, once deposited in the chutes, from again retracting upwardly within the chutes.

A proper coin or combination of coins resting on latch 30 beneath chutes 66 and 68 and stopped by appropriate pawls against upward movement in the chutes, will act against the raised latch cam surface 31 and cause the latch to pivot clockwise from its normal spring-biased latch position shown in FIG. 3 when door 24 is pulled outwardly by handle 33. Consequently, as the latch 30 is cammed downwardly, the latch'slot 32 will no longer be in a position to receive the stop abutment 32a which is fixed to bracket 60, locking section 31a will clear the abutment 32a to permit the door to be opened. When this occurs, the coins in chute 66 and 68 will drop to the bottom of coin box 34.

Pawl assembly 108 includes a U-shaped channel support 112 mounted adjacent coin channel piece 88 by way of posts 114 and 116, the threaded ends of which extend through an elongated slot 118 in rear flange 84 of bracket 70. A suitable nut and washer assembly 120 threads on the end of posts 114 and 116 and fastens channel 112 to flange 84 for vertical adjustment therealong. At a plurality of spaced vertical positions along channel 112, the sides of the channel have aligned openings 122 extending through outwardly raised side portions 124 of generally spherical or ball-point shape (see FIG. 8).

A desired number of pawls, such a pawls 126, 128, and 130, are suitably pivotally supported at selected positions along channel 112.'Each pawl has a stop finger 126a, 128a, and 130a, respectively, positionable within coin chute 66. Each of the pawls and its mounting structure is identical to that of pawl 126 shown in FIG. 8. Pawl 126 has a U-shaped base portion 132 from which stop finger 126a extends into the chute. Base portion 132 is larger in size than channel 112, with the sides of the base portion having aligned openings 134. A pin or shaft 136 loosely extends through pawl openings 134 and channel openings 122 and pivotally supports and retains the pawl on channel 112. The pivot connection is such that pin 136 is free to rotate within and'move axially along channel openings 122 and pawl base portion 132 is free to rotate and move axially on pin 136. This connection ensures that if, for example, pin 136 became stuck within openings 122, pawl 126 can still pivot on pin 136 or if base portion 132 became stuck on pin 136, the pin may still rotate within openings 122.

The raised portions 124 of channel I I2 limit the area of contact between the sides of channel 112 and base portion 132 by providing a substantially spherical or ball-point bearing contact with the side walls of base portion 132 surrounding openings 134. In this way, the above described loose fitting connection between each pawl and channel 112 is accomplished while the amount of frictional contact therebetween is minimized to ensure free floating movement of the pawl at all. times and prevent binding of the pawls on channel 1 12.

The construction of each pawl-is such that the weight of its base portion 132 will normally cause its finger to assume an operative position within chute 66 in abutment against central web 80. However, as described hereinafter, selected pawls, e.g., pawls 128 and 130, have projections 138 connected to their. base portions 132 within openings 140. At times, projections 138 are engaged to pivot pawls 128 and 130 upwardly and thereby move pawl fingers 128a and 130a out of operative position from chute 66.

Pawl assembly 110 includes components essentially identical to those of pawl assembly 108. As shown best in FIGS. 4 and 6, a support channel member 142 is adjustably supported from flange 86 by posts 144 which extend through a slot 146 in the flange. The pin openings and raised pawl bearing contact constructions of channel 142 are identical to those of channel 112, except that they may be differently spaced or positioned along channel 144 to enable mounting of a number of pawls 148 and 1 50 at selected positions along coin chute 68, with pawls 148 and 150 having fingers 148a and 150a positionable in chute 58. The mounting of pawls 148 and 150 on channel 142 is, therefore, essentially identical to the pawl assembly shown in FIG. 8.

This mounting is evident from FIG. 9, which illustrates pawl 150 supported on a pin 151 passing through channel 142 so that its finger 150a may pass through slot 106'into chute 68. FIG. 9 also shows another pawl 154 mounted for free floating pivotable movement on pin 151 within channel 144. Pawl 154 has a pawl finger 154a projecting from one of its ends into coin chute 68, with the end of finger 154a engaging web 82 at a position slightly below that at which the web is engaged by finger 150a. (see FIG. 6). Pawl 154 also has a projecting end 158 which extends laterally outwardly from the bottom of channel 142 underneath the base portion of pawl 150. An actuating pin 160 is connected to end 158 and extends rearwardly of the coin mechanism 40 for a purpose to be described.

As indicated initially, the coin actuated mechanism 40 may be quickly converted from operation by one coin or coin combination corresponding to a daily newspaper price to another coin combination corresponding to a Sunday price. The manner in which this is accomplished will now be described with particular reference to a mechanism in which coin chute 66 accepts nickles and quarters and coin-chute 68 will accept only dimes. In addition, the pawls 126, 128, 130, 148 and 150 are'positioned along their respective channels 112 and 142 to permit selective operation of the mechanism at either a cent daily price or a 35 cent Sunday price.

As shown best in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the price adjustment means includes a plate 162 fixed to flange 86 by posts 144. The plate has a section 164 bent outwardly and spaced fromfl'anges 84 and 86, with plate section 164 having an elongated vertical slot 166.

A narrow adjusting plate or strip 168 has a pair of elongated vertical slots 170 and 172 and the strip is slidably mounted on plate section 164 by rivets 174 and 175, the shanks of which extend loosely through slots 170 and 172, respectively. Rivets 174 and 175 have their inner endsfixed to plate section 164. A rotatable hand lever 176 having end flanges 178 is rotatably connected to strip 168 by a rivet 180, the inner peened end 182 of which rides in slot 166 of plate section 164. A spring 184 extends upwardly between the upper end of strip 168 and the top of flange 86 to bias strip 168 to a raised position shown in full in FIGS. 3 and 4 with both flanges 178 of lever 176 disengaged from the head of rivet 174. This position defines a Sunday price setting of the coin mechanism. The other daily price setting of the mechanism is obtained by rotating lever 176 so that one of the flanges 178 engages the abutment head of rivet 174 to slide strip 168 downwardly relative to plate section 164. This position is shown fragmentarily in phantom in FIG. 4.

A pawl actuator rod 186 is fixed to the bottom of strip 168 and includes one actuator end 188 which engages projection 138 of pawl 130 to pivot finger 130a out of chute 66 when the mechanism is in the Sunday price position shown in full in FIG. 4. The other end of rod 186 is bent into a loop 190 (FIG. 6), the terminal edge 192 of which engages the base portion of pawl 150 to pivot finger 150a out of chute 68 when the mechanism is in the Sunday price position.

However, when lever 176 and strip 168 are moved to the daily price position shown in phantom in FIG. 4, rod 186 releases pawls 128 and 150 to pivot fingers 128a and 150a into operative position within chutes 66 and 68, respectively.

Another actuating rod 194 employed for the Sunday pricing of the mechanism is pivotally connected at 196 to the bottom of plate section 164. Rod 194 has one end arm 198 normally weighted down by a suitable weight 200 mounted thereon so that arm 198 normally rests on pin 160 which moves with pawl 154. Rod 194 also has another end arm 202 which normally engages projection 138 of pawl 130 to pivot pawl finger 130a out of chute 66.

Operation of the machanism 40 will be better understood by referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 which schematically illustrate the position of the pawls when the mechanism is adjusted for a daily 10 cent price and Sunday 35 cent price, respectively.

The daily pawl arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10 will result when lever 176 is positioned with a flange 178 engaging rivet head 174 as shown in phantom in FIG. 4-. In this position, strip 168 is lowered and rod 186 will release pawls 128 and 150 and pawl fingers 128a and 150a will be operatively located within coin'chutes 66 and 68, respectively. For a price of 10 cents, the vertical spacing between the upper coin support surface of latch 30 and the terminal abutment edge of finger 150a is essentially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of a dime. Similarly, the vertical distance between latch 30 and the terminal abutment edge of finger 128a is essentially equal to or slightly greater than twice the diameter of a niekle.

Thus, when a dime is deposited in chute 68, it will drop down the chute, moving fingers 148a and a outwardly as it goes by, and will come to rest on latch 30. Pawl 150 and finger 150a will then return by gravity to its stop position shown in FIG. 10. When a purchaser pulls on handle 33, the upper edge of the dime will abut against finger 150a and will not be able to move upwardly in chute 68. The terminal edge of the dime then acts as an abutment against cam curface 31 of latch 30, causing the latch to pivot downwardly and release from the door stop 32a. The door is-then opened and the dime drops down into the bottom of coin box 34.

Similarly, when two nickles are deposited into coin chute 66, they will drop down the chute, moving fingers 126a and 1280 outwardly as they go by, and will come to rest on latch 30, one stacked upon the other. Pawl 128 and finger 1280 will then return to their stop position shown in FIG. 10. When the purchaser pulls on handle 33, the upper nickle will abut against the terminal edge of finger 128a to prevent the nickles from moving upwardly in chute 66. The lower nickle then acts as an abutment against cam surface 31, causing the latch to pivot downwardly and release from door stop 32a. Door 24 is then opened and the nickles drop down into the coin box 34.

In the daily pricing arrangement, pawls 126, 130, 148, and 154 do not affect operation of mechanism 40.

To convert mechanism 40 from the daily 10 cent price to a Sunday 35 cent price, lever 176 is merely rotated to the position shown in full in FIG. 4 with flanges 178 disengaged from rivet head 174. Strip 168 will be raised by spring 184 and rod 186 will engage pawls 128 and 150 to render these pawls ineffective. The respective pawls will then be initially positioned as shown in FIG. 11.

Mechanism 40, when set for a 35 cent price, may be operated by various combinations of coins, e. g., a dime and a quarter, a quarter and two nickles, or four dimes with no change.

Using the first combination of coins, when a quarter is deposited in chute 66 it passes downwardly until it comes to rest on latch 30. Pawl 130 is positioned on channel 112 so that the terminal abutment edge of finger 130a will be vertically spaced above latch 30 within chute 66 a distance essentially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of a quarter. However, since pawl 130 and finger 130a are normally urged to an inoperative position shown in FIG. 11 by arm 202 of actuator 194, any attempt to open door 24 with only a quarter having been deposited will only result in a quarter riding up on cam surface 31 and retracting within chute 66. It is necessary, therefore, that a dime also be deposited in chute 68. When this occurs, the dime will come to rest on latch 30 and, because the terminal edge of finger 154a isspaced above latch 30 a distance less than the diameter of a dime, finger 154a and pawl 154 will be pivoted outwardly. This causes arm 158 and pin 160 to be pivoted upwardly about shaft 151 which will thereby move arm 198 of actuator 194 and, as a result, .lower actuator arm 202 to release pawl 130 and finger 130a. The pawl then pivots by gravity so that finger 130a enters chute 66 for abutment with the upper edge of the quarter. Now, if handle 33 is pulled, the quarter which is blocked within chute 66 acts against cam surface 31 to pivot latch 30 downwardly and release the latch from door stop 32a. The quarter and dime then drop down into coin box 34 and the pawls return to their initial position shown in FIG.

Similarly, if a purchaser deposits a quarter and two nickles into chute 66, the three coins will be resting on the support surface of latch 30 in stacked condition. Pawl 126 is located along channel 112 so that the terminal abutment edge of finger 126a is positioned in chute 66 a distance above latch 30 essentially equal to or slightly greater than the combined diameters of the three coins. Thus, as the purchaser pulls on handle 33, finger 126a will stop the coins from retracting within chute 66, the bottom coin will act against cam surface 31, the latch will be released and door opened, and the coins will drop into coin box 34.

Likewise, if a purchaser deposits four dimes in chute 68, the dimes will fall past fingers 148a and 154a and will stack up upon latch 30. The terminal edge of finger being pulled, latch 30 will be opened and the dimes deposited in coin box 34.

Provision is also made in mechanism 40 for returning coins from chutes 66 and 68 to the coin return chute 42 accessable to the purchaser, instead of down into coin box 34. As indicated initially, flanges 74 and 76 are connected to base plate 54 in such a way that the flanges and coin chutes 66 and 68 are pivotable clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4 about pin 79. To permit this, flange 74 has a pair of slots which loosely receive the shanks of pins 178 and, as a result, is slidable on bracket 54. The coin return push lever 44 engages web 72, and when depressed causes the entire mechanism to pivot clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4, provided door 24 and latch 30 are still closed. When this occurs, the bottom of coin chutes 66 and 68 are positioned over coin return chute 42, schematically shown in FIG. 4, and the chutes are opened so that any coins in the chutes will drop down into return chute 42. A spring 203 connected between base plate 54 and flange 76 returns the mechanism to its normal position when push lever 44 is released.

To open coin chutes 66 and 68 when performing the coin return function, a generally U-shaped coin return actuating bar 204 has one flange 206 pivotally connected to the upper end 96 of link 92 and its other flange 208 having an elongated slot 210 receiving the connecting pin at the upper end 96 of link 94. The inner terminal edge 212 of flange 208 is bent downwardly and bevelled laterally to co-operate with a mating bevelled lug 214 fixed on base plate 54. A pair of vertical lugs 216 and 218 are connected to bar 204 for engagement with the inner edges of links 92 and 94, respectively. As push lever 44 is depressed and the mechanism is pivoted about pin 79, bevelled edge 212 moves inwardly along lug 214 to pivot bar 204 about the upper end 96 of link 92 and lugs 216 and 218 cause links 92 and 94 to also pivot about their ends 96 and 98, causingchannels 88 and 90 to move away from webs and 82, respectively. Chutes 66 and 68 are then open and any coins therein may readily drop down into coin return chute 42.

To prevent a purchaser who has deposited a proper coin or coin combination from cheating coin mechanism 40 by attempting to operate the coin return components while at the same opening door 24, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a U-shaped stop bar 220 is pivotally connected at 222 and 224 to the lower end of bracket 60. Bar 220 includes a side stop flange 225 and a depending flange 226, the latter of which is engaged by the terminal edge of locking section 31a when the latch is closed as in FIG. 3 so that bar 220 is maintained in a raised position and stop 225 is rearwardly spaced from the lower edge of the rear flange 84. Come quently, with the latch closed, the coin mechanism may pivot laterally about pin 79 to perform the coin return function. However, once a purchaser pulls on handle 33 and latch 30 begins to move outwardly of slot 36, bar 220 follows the latch and pivots downwardly to place stop 225 in lateral opposition to the lower edge of flange 84. Any attempt to simultaneously operate the coin return mechanism will be stopped, since flange 84 will merely abut against stop 225 and lateral pivoting movement of the mechanism about pin 79 is prevented.

From the above description, it is apparent that the objects and advantages initially set forth are provided by the coin operated mechanism of the invention which is highly dependable in operation and which is very quickly and easily adjusted for operation at various coin combinations and prices. The novel pawl assemblies and pivot mounting structure ensure reliable operation of the mechanism even though dirt and grease may accumulate thereon.

It is understood, of course, that the mechanism may be set up for operation at various prices merely by selectively positioning the pawls at various levels along the pawl support channels.

What is claimed and desired is:

l. A coin controlled vending machine for newspapers or the like articles comprising a cabinet having a door pivotally connected to the front thereof, said door having latch means movably engageable with stop means on said cabinet for holding said door closed, elevator support means mounted within said cabinet for supporting articles at door height and thereby making them readily available to a purchaser when said door is opened, a coin box mounted on said cabinet and having a coin operated mechanism for disengaging said latch means from said stop means when a predetermined coin or combination of coins is deposited therein to permit said door to be opened, said mechanism comprising a frame connected to said coin box, means on said frame defining at least one generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positioned adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, adjustable means mounted on said frame and movable between selected set positions for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative, said selected set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, said adjustable means comprising a plate vertically slidably mounted on said frame between upper and lower set positions, means biasing said plate to said upper set position, an abutment connected to said frame, a manually adjustable lever pivotally connected to said plate and including flange means engageable with said abutment to move said plate to said lower set position, and actuator means connected to said plate for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative when said plate is shifted to one of said upper and lower set positions upon adjustment of said lever, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated to disengage said latch means from said stop means by different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices, thereby enabling differently priced articles to be vended from said vending machine.

2. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, said pawl support means comprising a generally U-shaped channel member having a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised wall sections adjacent said openings, each of said pawl members being pivotally mounted at a selected vertical position along said channel member on a shaft which pivotally extends through a pair of aligned openings, whereby each pawl member and its mounting shaft are free-floating on said channel member and said raised wall sections of said channel member provide limited bearing contact between said pawl member and said channel member.

3. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, said elevator support means comprising a pair of laterally spaced support rods extending between the top and bottom of said cabinet, a generally horizontal shelf having a pair of upright tubular sections slidably mounted on said rods, a pair of springs surrounding said rods and having their lower ends acting against the bottom of said cabinet and their upper ends telescopically received within said tubular sections and acting against the upper ends of said sections, whereby said shelf may be fully loaded initially positioned adjacent the bottom of said cabinet and, upon successive removal of the uppermost articles from said cabinet, said shelf will be raised by said springs to maintain a supply of articles at door height of the cabinet.

4. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a first generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, a second generally vertical coin chute, said first coin chute accepting coins larger in size than those accepted by said second chute and having at least one pawl member mounted thereon, adjustable means mounted on said frame including actuator means vertically movable between selective set positions for simultaneously rendering selected ones of said pawl members in each of said coin chutes operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresonding to different price settings for said mechanism, pivotally adjustable lever means directly pivotally connected to said actuator means and pivotal between predetermined positions, and means in said mechanism located for operative association with said lever means whereby movement of said lever means to at least one of said predetermined positions is effective to cause movement of said actuator means to one of said selective set positions, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated in the presence of different coins or coin combinations totalling difierent prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

5. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a first generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, said pawl support means comprising a generally U-shaped channel member having a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised wall sections adjacent said openings, a plurality of pawl members each of which'is pivotally mounted at a selected vertical position along said channel member on a shaft which pivotally extends through a pair of aligned openings, whereby each pawl member and its mounting shaft are free-floating on said channel member and said raised wall sections of said channel member provide limited bearing contact between said pawl member and said channel member, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, a second generally vertical coin chute, said first coin chute accepting coins larger in size than those accepted by said second coin chute, another pawl assembly associated with said second chute and having at least one pawl member mounted thereon, adjustable means mounted on said frame including actuator means vertically movable between selective set positions for simultaneously rendering selected ones of said pawl members in each of said coin chutes operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, pivotally adjustable lever means directly pivotally connected to said actuator means and pivotal between predetermined positions, and means in said mechanism located for operative association with said lever means whereby movement of said lever means to at least one of said predetermined positions is effective to cause movement of said actuator means to one of said selective set positions, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated in the presence of different coins of coin combinations totalling different prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

6. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining at least one generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, adjustable means mounted on said frame and movable between selective set positions for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, said adjustable means comprising a plate vertically slidably mounted on said frame between upper and lower set positions, means biasing said plate to said upper set position, an abutment connected to said frame, a manually adjustable lever pivotally connected to said plate and including flange means engageable with said abutment to move said plate to said lower set position, and actuator means connected to said plate for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative when said plate is shifted to one of said upper and lower set positions upon adjustment of said lever, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated by different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3.804.223 a :.i 1 1a. is14 Inventofls) ry Carl voegeli It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 14, change "38'' to --4s--.

Column 3, line 38, change "weich" to --which-.

Column 7, line 33, change 'fa" to the- -u Column 9, line 19, after "or" delete --the Column 11, lines 2 & 3, ,after "raised" delete --spac'ed pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

*(SEAL') Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN- Commissioner' of Patents FORM PC2-1050 (10-69) v uscomwoc MWMPGQ r us oovuumnn' manna orrlct: I909 o-:sss:u

Claims (6)

1. A coin controlled vending machine for newspapers or the like articles comprising a cabinet having a door pivotally connected to the front thereof, said door having latch means movably engageable with stop means on said cabinet for holding said door closed, elevator support means mounted within said cabinet for supporting articles at door height and thereby making them readily available to a purchaser when said door is opened, a coin box mounted on said cabinet and having a coin operated mechanism for disengaging said latch means from said stop means when a predetermined coin or combination of coins is deposited therein to permit said door to be opened, said mechanism comprising a frame connected to said coin box, means on said frame defining at least one generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positioned adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, adjustable means mounted on said frame and movable between selected set positions for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative, said selected set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, said adjustable means comprising a plate vertically slidably mounted on said frame between upper and lower set positions, means biasing said plate to said upper set position, an abutment connected to said frame, a manually adjustable lever pivotally connected to said plate and including flange means engageable with said abutment to move said plate to said lower set position, and actuator means connected to said plate for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative when said plate is shifted to one of said upper and lower set positions upon adjustment of said lever, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated to disengage said latch means from said stop means by different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices, thereby enabling differently priced articles to be vended from said vending machine.

2. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, said pawl support means comprising a generally U-shaped channel member having a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised wall sections adjacent said openings, each of said pawl members being pivotally mounted at a selected vertical position along said channel member on a shaft which pivotally extends through a pair of aligned openings, whereby each pawl member and its mounting shaft are free-floating on said chanNel member and said raised wall sections of said channel member provide limited bearing contact between said pawl member and said channel member.

3. A vending machine as defined in claim 1, said elevator support means comprising a pair of laterally spaced support rods extending between the top and bottom of said cabinet, a generally horizontal shelf having a pair of upright tubular sections slidably mounted on said rods, a pair of springs surrounding said rods and having their lower ends acting against the bottom of said cabinet and their upper ends telescopically received within said tubular sections and acting against the upper ends of said sections, whereby said shelf may be fully loaded initially positioned adjacent the bottom of said cabinet and, upon successive removal of the uppermost articles from said cabinet, said shelf will be raised by said springs to maintain a supply of articles at door height of the cabinet.

4. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a first generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, a second generally vertical coin chute, said first coin chute accepting coins larger in size than those accepted by said second chute and having at least one pawl member mounted thereon, adjustable means mounted on said frame including actuator means vertically movable between selective set positions for simultaneously rendering selected ones of said pawl members in each of said coin chutes operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresonding to different price settings for said mechanism, pivotally adjustable lever means directly pivotally connected to said actuator means and pivotal between predetermined positions, and means in said mechanism located for operative association with said lever means whereby movement of said lever means to at least one of said predetermined positions is effective to cause movement of said actuator means to one of said selective set positions, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated in the presence of different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

5. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a first generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, said pawl support means comprising a generally U-shaped channel member having a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised spaced pairs of aligned openings in its side walls and raised wall sections adjacent said openings, a plurality of pawl members each of which is pivotally mounted at a selected vertical position along said channel member on a shaft which pivotally extends through a pair of aligned openings, whereby each pawl member and its mounting shaft are free-floating on said channel member and said raised wall sections of said channel member provide limited bearing contact between said pawl member and said channel member, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, a second generally vertical coin chute, said firSt coin chute accepting coins larger in size than those accepted by said second coin chute, another pawl assembly associated with said second chute and having at least one pawl member mounted thereon, adjustable means mounted on said frame including actuator means vertically movable between selective set positions for simultaneously rendering selected ones of said pawl members in each of said coin chutes operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, pivotally adjustable lever means directly pivotally connected to said actuator means and pivotal between predetermined positions, and means in said mechanism located for operative association with said lever means whereby movement of said lever means to at least one of said predetermined positions is effective to cause movement of said actuator means to one of said selective set positions, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated in the presence of different coins of coin combinations totalling different prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

6. A coin operated mechanism for controlling the latch means of an article vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame defining at least one generally vertical coin chute the lower end of which is positionable adjacent said latch means, a pawl assembly mounted on said frame adjacent said chute and including generally vertically extending pawl support means connected to said frame, a plurality of pawl members pivotally mounted on said support means at predetermined vertical positions therealong, each of said pawl members having a portion thereof extensible into an operative position in said chute for blocking upward movement of a coin or coins deposited in said chute, adjustable means mounted on said frame and movable between selective set positions for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative, said selective set positions corresponding to different price settings for said mechanism, said adjustable means comprising a plate vertically slidably mounted on said frame between upper and lower set positions, means biasing said plate to said upper set position, an abutment connected to said frame, a manually adjustable lever pivotally connected to said plate and including flange means engageable with said abutment to move said plate to said lower set position, and actuator means connected to said plate for rendering selected ones of said pawl members operative or inoperative when said plate is shifted to one of said upper and lower set positions upon adjustment of said lever, whereby said mechanism may be selectively operated by different coins or coin combinations totalling different prices to control the dispensing of differently priced articles from said vending machine.

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