US3814282A - Ball wedge vending machine modules - Google Patents

Ball wedge vending machine modules Download PDF

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Publication number
US3814282A
US3814282A US00273978A US27397872A US3814282A US 3814282 A US3814282 A US 3814282A US 00273978 A US00273978 A US 00273978A US 27397872 A US27397872 A US 27397872A US 3814282 A US3814282 A US 3814282A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
wedge
combination recited
link
merchandise
module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00273978A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Stoltz
J Bruckner
T Yingst
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Polyvend Inc
Original Assignee
Polyvend Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Polyvend Inc filed Critical Polyvend Inc
Priority to US00273978A priority Critical patent/US3814282A/en
Priority to GB2495474A priority patent/GB1406192A/en
Priority to GB3436173A priority patent/GB1406191A/en
Priority to GB2524974A priority patent/GB1406193A/en
Priority to IT51628/73A priority patent/IT989995B/it
Priority to NL7310298A priority patent/NL7310298A/xx
Priority to CA177,413A priority patent/CA984792A/en
Priority to FR7327335A priority patent/FR2194626B1/fr
Priority to JP8368973A priority patent/JPS5319439B2/ja
Priority to DE19732338342 priority patent/DE2338342A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3814282A publication Critical patent/US3814282A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/46—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports
    • G07F11/58—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to merchandise dispensing modules for vending machines and more particularly to a replaceable vending module which the service man may easily and quickly reload with merchandise packages which are suspended by their tabs regardless of whether the tab is imperforate or perforated, which will allow a relatively unobstructed display of the product, and which will prevent the theft of merchandise therefrom by improper tilting and shaking of the vending machine to dislodge the packages into the discharge bin.
  • the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved replaceable vending machine merchandise dispensing module that is quickly and easily loaded to thus require a minimum of service time, and does not require a hole punched in the tab of the merchandise container or other special tailoring of the merchandise package.
  • Another main object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable vending machine dispensing module having improved endless-chaimhounted, merchandise supporting means which prevents improper dislodging of merchandise and ensures proper discharge therefrom.
  • An important object-of the present invention is to provide an improved replaceable vending machine merchandise dispensing module which is readily and mechanically insertable in or removable therefrom without disconnecting the electrical components or drive motor from its support.
  • Another important object of the present invention is to provide improved endless-chain-mounted, merchandise supporting means in which the individual merchandise supporting means comprise the various links of the chain.
  • a further important object of the present invention is to provide novel chain links which include wedge type merchandise supporting means.
  • a still further important object of the present invention is to provide novel wedge type merchandise supporting means wherein the shaking of a vending machine to improperly dislodge the merchandise packages from the module wedges results in their being more securely held by the wedge members.
  • a still further important object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing module that will allow unobstructed display of the imperforate merchandise packages.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vending machine showing the manner in which a plurality of merchandise dispensing modules are mounted therein;
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view to an enlarged scale of a module employing the preferred form of the invention with the dotted lines indicating a vending module position of partial insertion in or removal from its support in the vending machine;
  • FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof showing how the shaft of the drive pulley is withdrawn from its mechanical connection with the drive shaft of the drive motor without disturbing the electrical components or removing the motor;
  • FIG. 4- is a top plan view thereof with parts being shown in phantom in the positions of and functioning as in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a plurality of connected chain links forming and including the merchandise supporting wedges of the invention, parts being shown in phantom;
  • FIG. 6 is a similar view illustrating the cam action of a following chain link on a preceding chain link as it starts upward about the chain idler sprocket, to lift the wedges therein and release the merchandise package;
  • FIG. 7 is a vertical, central longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the chain link
  • FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an exploded view thereof. 1
  • FIGS. 10-13 inclusive are schematic views illustrating the initial grip of a merchandise package by the ball wedges and how shaking the vending machine, only results in the packages being held more firmly;
  • FIGS. 14-17 are side elevational views of other embodiments of the invention. Y
  • numeral 20 designates a coin operated vending machine as a whole which comprises a metal or fiberglass cabinet 21 suitably supported on legs and/or rollers (not shown).
  • the cabinet 21 is provided with a front access door having a glass merchandise viewing panel and a rear door hinged as at 26 to provide access to the rear face of a vertical module support panel 34.
  • the front face of the cabinet 21 includes a coin receiving slot and a coin return slot (not shown), a plurality of merchandise selector buttons 31 (one for each vending module), and a merchandise dispensing bin 32 to which access is had by a pivoted door 33.
  • a plurality of horizontally and vertically spaced, inverted-U-shaped dispensing module housings 36 are fixed to the front of vertical brackets 38 which have drive motors 40 fixed to their rear faces and these units are supported on the panel 34 and extend through openings therein and forwardly toward the front of the cabinet 21 (FIG. 1).
  • the drive shaft of each of the motors 40 terminates in a rectangular coupling member 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which is in axial alignment with a similarly shaped notch in the female coupling member 44 forming the end of the shaft 45 of the drive sprocket 46 of each dispensing module.
  • Each dispensing module 50 (FIGS. 1-4) is elongated and also has an inverted U-shape in lateral crosssection with its bottom edges having coextensive intumed flanges 52 to support a merchandise supporting chain 54 by the transversely extending hinge pins 56 of each link, to prevent chain sagging.
  • the chain 54 is supported on the module 50 by a front idler sprocket mounted on a shaft 58 suitably journalled in the module 50, and on a drive sprocket 46 axially aligned with and driven by the motor 40 when the dispensing module 50 is in operational position in its housing 36.
  • the dispensing module 50 is provided with a longituinner movement being prevented by a stop 68 on the housing 36.
  • the stop 66 is engaged by a shoulder 70 on a spring arm 72 which is depressed to free the dispensing module 50 for intentional withdrawal from its housing 36.
  • the merchandise packages P are easily loaded onto each of the dispensing modules by inserting their upper tabs into each of the links 74 where they are retained by a novel and very important wedge action against all improper efforts to dislodge them by shaking or rocking the vending machine 20.
  • the chain 54 is composed of a plurality of identical links 74 preferably formed of plastic although they may be formed of metal or other suitable material.
  • the link 74 includes a rigid front wall 75 having a bulge 76 with inclined surfaces on its rear face and a rigid rear wall 77 which with the bulge, support a plurality of cylindrical wedge members 80 between them (two being shown).
  • the walls 75 and 77 are connected by rigid side walls 78 which extend upwardly to include a laterally projecting hinge pin 56 (FIGS. 3-8).
  • a flexible spacer 79 Extending forwardly of the hinge pin is a flexible spacer 79 terminating in a horseshoe-shaped hinge-pin-engaging pintle member 81 which is adapted to engage the central position (due to the sprocket holes 82 of the spacer) of the hinge pin 56 of the next forwardly positioned link 74.
  • the legs of the pintle member 81 perform as cams as will be seen.
  • the spacing of the hinge pin 56 from the pintle member 81 was chosen to exactly equal the forward movement ofa link during one dispensing.
  • a part of the bottom of the links 78 is closed by an L-shaped wedge lifter 84 having a pivot pin 86 whose ends are received in notches 88 formed in the link sides 78 as pivot points.
  • the top of the link is closed by a Z- shaped slide 90 having lower lateral side flanges 91 to track in the inner faces of the walls 78.
  • the depending edge 92 of the slide 90 is tapered to engage the inner face ofthe tapered end 85 ofthe upper leg ofthe wedge lifter 84.
  • the upturned edge 94 of the slide 90 terminates directly under the hinge pin 56 and between the legs of any adjacent pintle member 81.
  • FIG. 10 shows the approximate position of a package as inserted by the stocker.
  • the left hand wedge holds tight while the right side of the package moves upwardly.
  • FIG. 12 shows the cabinet is reversely tilted and the right wedge holds tight while the left side of the package moves upwardlya
  • the package works its way upwardly to the limit of the link 74.
  • FIG. 14 where one or a plurality of spring pressed balls 96 are employed; in FIG. 15 where one or a plurality of spring pressed pivoted levers 97 are shown; in FIG. 16 where one or more spring pressed pivoted wedge shaped members 98 are used; and in FIG. 17 wherein one or more pivoted offset cams 99 are employed.
  • An endless chain disposed over a pair of spaced sprockets for dispensing packages comprising a plurality of identical links connected together to form the chain; each of said links having an integral hinge pin and a connected pintle member spaced therefrom for pivotally engaging the hinge pin' of an adjacent link and a plurality of automatically operable wedge means mounted on said links for supporting and transporting packages from one position to another; said pintle member being mounted on one link and engageable with an adjacent link upon motion of said adjacent link about a sprocket to cam open said wedge means and to effect discharge of a package therefrom 2.
  • a vending machine comprising-in combination, a cabinet; a vertical panel support mounted therein; at least one rigid, elongated inverted U-shaped housing directly mounted on said support and extending forwardly thereof; a drive motor connected to said housing adjacent said support; a smaller U-shaped merchandise dispensing module slidably and detachably mounted inand supported by said housing and substantially encompassed thereby; an endless merchandise supporting chain conveyor arranged on spaced driving and driven sprockets mounted in said module with said driving sprocket axially aligned with the drive shaft of said motor for direct drive thereby; and slip coupling means directly connecting said motor shaft and said drive sprocket to enable sliding removal of said module and said conveyor from said housing without disconnection of said motor from its support.
  • each link of said chain includes a plurality of wedge means for engaging and supporting the merchandise.
  • each link of said chain includes an automatically operable wedge for engaging and supporting the merchandise.
  • a merchandise holding and releasing link for an endless chain formed of identical links and trained about driving and driven sprockets comprising a sprocket engaging web having a hinge pin at its rear end and a horseshoe shaped pintle member at its forward end for engagement with the hinge pin of the adjacent link; a pair of spaced side walls depending from the rear of said web; a rear wall and a front wall spaced therefrom and having a shoulder adjacent the bottom thereof; a plurality of merchandise package engaging wedge members mounted on said shoulder within said walls; an L-shaped wedge lifter pivoted to the rear'of said side walls with its horizontal leg positioned under said wedge members; a top link closing slide having a down turned portion bearing against the inner face of the vertical leg of said wedge lifter and an upturned portion positioned under said hinge pin and adapted to be straddled by said horseshoe pintle member of a following link whereby upon an angular relationship between said link and the following'link, said slide is cammed rearwardly by the pintle member of the following link

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
US00273978A 1972-07-27 1972-07-27 Ball wedge vending machine modules Expired - Lifetime US3814282A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00273978A US3814282A (en) 1972-07-27 1972-07-27 Ball wedge vending machine modules
GB3436173A GB1406191A (en) 1972-07-27 1973-07-19 Endless chain for use in a vending machine merchandise dispensing module
GB2524974A GB1406193A (en) 1972-07-27 1973-07-19 Merchandise holding and releasing link for use in a vending machine merchanidse dispensing module
GB2495474A GB1406192A (en) 1972-07-27 1973-07-19 Vending machine having a merchandise dispensing module
IT51628/73A IT989995B (it) 1972-07-27 1973-07-24 Perfezinamento nelle macchine venditrici
NL7310298A NL7310298A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1972-07-27 1973-07-24
CA177,413A CA984792A (en) 1972-07-27 1973-07-26 Vending machine apparatus
FR7327335A FR2194626B1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1972-07-27 1973-07-26
JP8368973A JPS5319439B2 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1972-07-27 1973-07-26
DE19732338342 DE2338342A1 (de) 1972-07-27 1973-07-27 Endlostragkette fuer packungen, insbesondere in warenverkaufsautomaten

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00273978A US3814282A (en) 1972-07-27 1972-07-27 Ball wedge vending machine modules

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3814282A true US3814282A (en) 1974-06-04

Family

ID=23046258

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00273978A Expired - Lifetime US3814282A (en) 1972-07-27 1972-07-27 Ball wedge vending machine modules

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3814282A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
JP (1) JPS5319439B2 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
CA (1) CA984792A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
DE (1) DE2338342A1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
FR (1) FR2194626B1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
GB (3) GB1406193A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
IT (1) IT989995B (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)
NL (1) NL7310298A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0000588A1 (en) * 1977-08-01 1979-02-07 Jack B. Low A method of stocking a dispensing device and a dispensing apparatus
EP0991038A2 (en) * 1998-09-30 2000-04-05 Sanden Corporation Commodity discharge apparatus for vending machine, in which a commodity can be successfully released from a suspension member
EP1081663A2 (en) * 1999-09-02 2001-03-07 Sanden Corporation Vending machine having a commodity discharge apparatus excellent in theft proofness
US20090212064A1 (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-08-27 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Transport system for blister packages or the like
US20190029444A1 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-31 DaVinci Industries Product display belt and assembly
US10750881B1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-08-25 Fernando Ruiz Product display and merchandizing device, system, and method

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5253512Y2 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) * 1973-01-09 1977-12-05
JPS5517266Y2 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) * 1974-05-15 1980-04-22
GB2164628B (en) * 1984-09-17 1987-12-02 Gerber Garment Technology Inc Conveyor hanger assembly
US4603777A (en) * 1984-09-17 1986-08-05 Gerber Garment Technology, Inc. Conveyor hanger with spring clip gripper
US4760912A (en) * 1987-05-29 1988-08-02 Gerber Garment Technology, Inc. Conveyor hanger with circular wedge gripper
SE8802080L (sv) * 1988-06-02 1989-12-03 Eton Construction Ab Anordning vid transportanlaeggningar
US4848538A (en) * 1988-07-07 1989-07-18 Gerber Garment Technology, Inc. Carrier and variable position carrier body
DE4042375C2 (de) * 1990-05-09 1995-10-19 Kannegiesser H Gmbh Co Klemmhalter zum Fixieren eines zu einer Mangel oder dergleichen zu transportierenden Wäschestücks

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US217102A (en) * 1879-07-01 Improvement in clothes-drying machines
US1823093A (en) * 1927-12-07 1931-09-15 Cons Automatic Merchandising C Vending machine
US2665184A (en) * 1951-07-19 1954-01-05 Paul E Hord Vending machine
US2789726A (en) * 1953-06-16 1957-04-23 El Ge Vending Company Dispensing machine
US3601281A (en) * 1969-02-18 1971-08-24 Stanley O Schlaf Vending machine with screw conveyor-type cellular magazine

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4426884Y1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) * 1966-10-18 1969-11-11

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US217102A (en) * 1879-07-01 Improvement in clothes-drying machines
US1823093A (en) * 1927-12-07 1931-09-15 Cons Automatic Merchandising C Vending machine
US2665184A (en) * 1951-07-19 1954-01-05 Paul E Hord Vending machine
US2789726A (en) * 1953-06-16 1957-04-23 El Ge Vending Company Dispensing machine
US3601281A (en) * 1969-02-18 1971-08-24 Stanley O Schlaf Vending machine with screw conveyor-type cellular magazine

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0000588A1 (en) * 1977-08-01 1979-02-07 Jack B. Low A method of stocking a dispensing device and a dispensing apparatus
US4146150A (en) * 1977-08-01 1979-03-27 United National Bank Method and apparatus for stocking a vending machine or other dispensing device
EP0991038A2 (en) * 1998-09-30 2000-04-05 Sanden Corporation Commodity discharge apparatus for vending machine, in which a commodity can be successfully released from a suspension member
EP0991038A3 (en) * 1998-09-30 2000-09-27 Sanden Corporation Commodity discharge apparatus for vending machine, in which a commodity can be successfully released from a suspension member
EP1081663A2 (en) * 1999-09-02 2001-03-07 Sanden Corporation Vending machine having a commodity discharge apparatus excellent in theft proofness
EP1081663A3 (en) * 1999-09-02 2002-01-16 Sanden Corporation Vending machine having a commodity discharge apparatus excellent in theft proofness
US6439423B1 (en) 1999-09-02 2002-08-27 Sanden Corp. Vending machine having a commodity discharge apparatus excellent in theftproofness
US20090212064A1 (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-08-27 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Transport system for blister packages or the like
US20190029444A1 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-31 DaVinci Industries Product display belt and assembly
US10426278B2 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-10-01 DaVinci Industries Product display belt and assembly
US20190374048A1 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-12-12 DaVinci Industries Product display belt and assembly
US10736442B2 (en) * 2017-07-26 2020-08-11 DaVinci Industries Product display belt and assembly
US10750881B1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-08-25 Fernando Ruiz Product display and merchandizing device, system, and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2194626A1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1974-03-01
JPS4965297A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1974-06-25
GB1406192A (en) 1975-09-17
CA984792A (en) 1976-03-02
GB1406193A (en) 1975-09-17
DE2338342A1 (de) 1974-02-14
GB1406191A (en) 1975-09-17
FR2194626B1 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1978-08-11
IT989995B (it) 1975-06-10
NL7310298A (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1974-01-29
JPS5319439B2 (US20110009641A1-20110113-C00185.png) 1978-06-21

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