US3884337A

US3884337A - Coin-operated latch mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3884337A
Application number: US476423A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Carl Voegeli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-06-05
Filing date: 1974-06-05
Publication date: 1975-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-20

Abstract

This invention provides a coin-operated latch mechanism to be used in a coin-operated dispensing device including a cabinet body providing an opening with a closure member cooperatively to close the opening where the latch is urged to locked position by movement of the door member and is released when a selected coin combination is received by a cooperative coin receptacle associated with the dispensing device. The latch mechanism further includes a hook-like member to engage selectively and to lock in closed position where the hook-like member is biased, when unrestrained, to release the door; and a lever mechanism, actuated by movement of the door member to a selected position, to urge the hook-like member to engage and lock the door.

Description

United States Patent Voegeli COIN-OPERATED LATCH MECHANISM Henry Carl Voegeli, 918 Gibbs Road, Venice, Fla. 33595 [22] Filed: June 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 476,423

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harry B. ODonnell, Ill

[ 1 May 20, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT This invention provides a coin-operated latch mechanism to be used in a coin-operated dispensing device including a cabinet body providing an opening with a closure member cooperatively to close the opening where the latch is urged to locked position by movement of the door member and is released when a selected coin combination is received by a cooperative coin receptacle associated with the dispensing device. The latch mechanism further includes a hook-like member to engage selectively and to lock in closed position where the hook-like member is biased, when unrestrained, to release the door; and a lever mechanism, actuated by movement of the door member to a selected position, to urge the hook-like member to engage and lock the door.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 2 0 7 SHEET 2 BF 3 v i t d i I PATENTED W 20 5 SHEET 3 BF 3 COIN-OPERATED LATCI-I MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a latch mechanism that is particularly useful in connection with coinoperated vending machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a latch mechanism for a coin-operated vending machine for dispensing newpapers and other periodicals.

Previous vending machines, which may presently be in use, provide a cabinet with a cooperative opening through which materials may be dispensed or withdrawn, wherein a door is provided to cover the opening. The door is locked in closed position until the preselected coin combination has been received by the dispensing device, as shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,174,608 and 1,788,688.

Such previous vending machines have utilized various latch mechanisms to selectively lock and release the access opening door to the materials which are dispensed by the device.

In some cases, these old vending machines have utilized a coin-operated latch release mechanism that is located externally of the dispensing cabinet, whereby the coin-collecting receptacle is susceptible to tampering which increases the likelihood of theft of coins and periodicals from the vending machine.

The present invention is directed toward the provision of an improved, positive action, latch mechanism for use in connection with coin-operated vending machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a latch arrangement which is particularly adapted for use with a vending machine that includes a cabinet having an access opening therein to permit withdrawal of the newspapers, pe riodicals, or like items contained therein, where a door, which can be fastened to the cabinet by a cooperative hinge is provided to cover the opening. The door is preferably biased toward a position closing the access opening and adapted to return to that closed position, without manual assistance, following the withdrawal of the newspaper, periodical or the like from the cabinet through the access opening.

In one presently preferred form of the present invention, the door is retained by hinge means disposed on one side of the access opening to the cabinet, and the latch mechanism is disposed in'the cabinet at one side of the access opening. The latch mechanism which, in its presently preferred form, includes a hook-carrying member, is yieldably biased to a position releasing the door and allowing the door to open, and further include means to cause the hook member to engage the door when the door is moved to a selected position, for example when the door is closed.

One particular feature in accordance with the present invention includes a coin-operated release mechanism provided to disengage the hook-carrying member of the latch mechanism from the door when a preselected value in coins has been inserted in a coin receptacle of the vending machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one example of a dispensing device cabinet illustrating the position of periodicals therein;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a portion of the cabinet of FIG. 1 incorporating a presently preferred form of the improved mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lin 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 showing one example of a portion of a mechanism in accordance with the present invention with the cabinet door in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the door of the cabinet in a partially open position; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a vending device incorporating one example of a latch mechanism provided in accordance with the present invention. The vending device shown comprises generally rectangular cabinet 1 having an opening 2 for withdrawal of periodicals, for example, newspapers 3, held by the vending device. A door 4 is provided to be received by opening 2 to selectively close opening 2 to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of periodicals 3 from the cabinet 1.

Door 4 can include a transparent window 6 to facilitate display of periodicals held within cabinet 1. Advantageously a tray 7 can be provided immediately behind and generally parallel to transparent Window 6, so

that periodicals to be dispensed can be displayed in full front view through window 6. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, door 4 includes latch means, for example, cooperative latch receptacles 8, having apertures 8a therein, disposed in spaced relation along the upper edge of door 4, as shown. A handle 9 can be provided to facilitate opening door 4 when a selected coin combination has been inserted into the device, as described hereinafter. A coin receiving slot 11 is provided in a front panel 12 of cabinet 1 to receive coins to actuate the release of door 4 as hereinafter described. Advantageously front. panel 12 can be removably secured to cabinet 1 by means of a lock 13, as hereinafter described, for removal of coins from the device. Likewise a coin return slot 14 can be provided in panel 12 operatable by a coin. return button 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows a portion of one example of a latch mechanism provided in accordance with the present invention, door 1 is shown in open position, and is pivotally secured to cabinet 1 by means of a hinge 17 carried by door 4. I-Iinge 17 can be attached to cabinet 1 by means of a flange 18 provided on hinge 17 which can, for example, be spot welded to the base of cabinet ll. Door 4, which is shown in partially open position in FIG. 2, includes latch receptacles 8 provided with apertures 8a located in spaced relation along the side of door 4 opposite hinge 17 to receive hook means as described below. Cooperative apertures 19 are provided in cabinet 1 in spaced relation adjacent to the edge of opening 2 as shown, to receive latch receptacles 8 so latch receptacles 8 extend through apertures 19 when door 4 is closed.

In accordance with one feature of the example of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, a shaft 21 can be pivotably disposed within cabinet 1 and can be journaled in bearings 22 located at opposite sides of opening 2 so shaft 21 is located on the side of opening 2, opposite hinge 17 and in generally parallel relation to hinge 17.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, latch means are provided to selectively hold door 4 in closed position. In the example of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the latch means includes hooks 23 which can be carried in spaced relation on shaft 21 to, advantageously, engage apertures 8a of latch receptacles 8 when door 4 is closed.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, bias means, can be provided to urge hooks 23 out of engagement with receptacles 8. In the example of the present invention shown in the figures a coil spring 25 can be provided, and attached at one end of shaft 21 and at the other end bearing 22, and biased to rotate shaft 21 to disengage hooks 23 from apertures 8a of latch receptacles 8, except when rotation of shaft 21 is restrained as hereinafter described.

A laterally extending arm 21a can be provided at one end of shaft 21 to facilitate rotation of arm 21. Within the scope of the present invention means can be provided for door 4 to be urged toward a closed position with respect to opening 2 of cabinet 1. In the example shown in the drawings, the means urging door 4 toward the closed position includes a spring biased multiple arm arrangement as hereinafter described. More particularly the example shown includes a first arm 26 pivotably connected to cabinet 1 by pin means 27, and a second arm 28 pivotably connected to arm 26 by means of a pivot pin 29. Arm 28 includes a lateral offset segment 31 to crossover arm 26, as shown, so that arm 28 is restrained to one side of arm 26 and so that when offset 31 contacts arm 26,

arms

26 and 28 move together. A connecting link 32 is provided with one end connected to arm 26 by means of a pivot pin 33. Connecting link 32 extends through aperture 35 of cabinet 1 and is connected at the other end to frame 4a of door 4 by means of a pin 34.

An inturned tab 36 is provided at the free end of arm 28 and has an aperture 36a to receive one end of a tension spring 37. The other end of spring 37 can be connected to cabinet 1 by means of a cooperative pin 37a, as shown. A second tension spring 38 can, advantageously, be provided and connected at one end of aperture 26a provided in arm 26 and spring 38 can be connected at the other end to cabinet 1 by means of a pin 38a.

Springs

37 and 38 are, advantageously, adapted and selected to be maintained at selected tension when door 4 is in open position to urge

arms

26 and 28 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, so that door 4 is continually urged toward the closed position. Advantageously, the tension force of

springs

37 and 38 can be sufficient to close door 4 without the intervention of outside assistance.

Advantageously, as also hereinafter described, hooks 23 and apertures 8a are selected to allow some movement of door 4 when in closed position.

As previously described, spring 25 is provided on shaft 21 to rotate shaft 21 when shaft 21 is unrestrained, so hooks 23 are released from apertures 8a of latch receptacles 8. In order to reset the hooks 23 in the apertures 8a and the retain door 4 in closed position, a reset lever mechanism, in accordance with one feature of the present invention, is provided as hereinafter described.

In the example of the present invention shown in the figures, a bowed reset lever 41 is provided to one side of door 4 and provides a cooperative inturned striking surface 42 to contact arm 21a of shaft 21, and selectively rotate shaft 21 as hereinafter described. Arm 41 is carried by and pivots about, a pin 44 which extends through bearings 40 provided on lever 41. Pin 44 is journaled in opposite ends of a U shaped bracket 43. Bracket 43 is fastened, for example by spot welding, to a housing 46, see FIGS. 2-5. Housing 46 is fastened to front panel 12 of cabinet 1 so that the entire lever assembly can be removed with panel 12.

The end of lever 41 opposite striking surface 42 can, advantageously, be provided with bearings (only one is visible in FIG. 2) on opposite sides of the lever, and a laterally extending lever 47 can be provided to be received between bearings 49 of lever 41. Lever 47 can be pivotably connected to lever 41 by means of a pin 48 extending through bearings 51 of lever 47 and journaled in bearings 49 of lever 41. Lever 47 can advantageously be L shaped and in the examples of the present invention shown in the figures, includes a laterally extending base 45 which advantageously abuts one side of lever 41 as lever 47 is pivoted about pin 48. A tension spring 61 is provided to retain base 45 of lever 47 against lever 41, except when base 45 of lever 47 is urged out of engagement with lever 41 as hereinafter described.

Lever 47 is also provided with an upturned detent 52, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 a tension spring 62 is also provided to urge lever 41 in a clockwise direction as hereinafter described. One end of spring 62 is connected to lever 41 as shown and the other end is connected to bracket 43 so lever 41 is, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 urged in a clockwise direction and striking surface 42 of lever 41 is normally urged out of engagement with arm 21a of shaft 21 to free hooks 23 from apertures 8a of latch receptacles 8. A cooperative stop 58a (FIG. 4) is provided to abut lever 47 and prevent movement except as hereinafter described.

Referring again to FIG. 2, one example of a reset mechanism within the scope of the present invention is shown to reset hooks 23 in apertures 8a when door 4 is moved to the closed position with respect to opening 2. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2 and 5, a trigger 5 is provided on door frame 40 and extends through a cooperative aperture 10 provided in cabinet 1 when door 4 is in closed position. A lever 58, pivotably carried by a shaft 56 in bearings 54 is provided and disposed to be contacted by trigger 5. Lever 58 can be attached to shaft 56, for example by set screws (not shown) whereby lever 58 can be adjustably positioned on shaft 56. A lever 56a is provided at the end of shaft 56. Lever 56a is rotated by movement of lever 58, as trigger 5 contacts and rotates lever 58 so that lever 56a contacts and moves lever 41 against the tension provided by spring 62, to reset hooks 23 in apertures 8a as door 4 is closed, as more particularly described hereinafter.

As previously stated, the device in accordance with the present invention is adapted to provide for release of door 4 when a preselected coin combination is received. In this regard a coin-operated mechanism 65 (shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 4-6); for example as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,923 can be provided to receive coins from coin receiving slot 11, previously described. Referring to H08. 4 and 5, advantageously coin-operated mechanism 65 emits a selected coin 66 from the bottom of the mechanism and provides a lock mechanism (not shown) to prevent vertical movement of coin 66, whereby coin 66 is held in contact with detent 52 of lever 47. Advantageously, as previously discussed, stop 58a is provided to abut the free end of lever 47 to restrict movement of

levers

47 and 41, and release of hooks 23. However, a selected small gap 47a is provided between the end of lever 47 and stop 58a, when levers 41 and 47 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

In operation with door 4 in closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, when a coin 66 of selected value is dropped in slot 11 (FIG. 2) and passes through coin-operated mechanism 65, the coin 66 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4 and is held in position against detent 52 by coin mechanism 65. When door 4 is first moved toward the open position trigger 5 is withdrawn to free lever 58 and arm 56a from contact with lever 41, so

lever

41 and 47 are rotated by the force exerted by spring 62.

As lever 47 moves through gap 47a in a clockwise direction, detent 52 engages coin 66 and moves lever 47 downwardly and out of engagement with stop 58a so lever 41 is then free to move and fully release arm 21a from striking surface 42, as best shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly hook member 23 are released from apertures 8a by the force exerted by spring 25 as previously described, permitting door 4 to be fully opened to allow access to cabinet ll.

Coin 66, as shown in FIG. 5, is then released to drop into a coin receptacle.

When door 4 is released, it is drawn to closed position by

levers

26 and 28 and springs 37 and 38, as previously described.

As door 4 is closed, trigger 5 projects through aperture to contact lever 58 and rotate shaft 56 so lever 56a contacts lever 41, and resets lever 41 in the locked position. Striking surface 42 contacts lever 21a, and rotates shaft 21 to reset hooks 23 in apertures 8a, thus locking door 4 in closed position.

After coin 66 is released, and lever 41 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction, lever 47 is returned by spring 61 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

A bent coin can be diverted into the coin-return shoot 59 by manually pushing the coin-return button 16 into contact with the lever 47. However, should one attempt, at the same time to open the door 4, the latch reset trigger 5 will immediately operate reset lever 58 to re-engage lever 47 in its door locking position.

It will be understood that the foregoing is but one example of an arrangement within the scope of the present invention, that various other arrangements within the scope of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore. and that the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A latch mechanism for use in a coin-operated dispensing device including a cabinet having a cooperative opening to provide access to said cabinet, closure means selectively to close said opening, and a coinoperated mechanism actuated upon receipt of at least one coin of selected value, comprising:

a. latch means adapted selectively to engage said closure means when said closure means is in a first selected position relative to said opening of said cabi net;

b. bias means normally to urge said latch means out of engagement with said closure means;

0. first linkage means to be disposed in a first linkage position to set said latch means in engagement with said closure means and to be disposed in a second linkage position, such that said bias means releases said latch means from engagement with said closure means;

d. release means actuated. by said coin-operated mechanism to actuate said] first linkage means from said first linkage position to said second linkage position, when at least one coin of selected value is received by said coin-operated mechanism; and

e. reset linkage means connected to said closure means to be actuated by movement of said closure means, and adapted selectively to engage said first linkage means to move said first linkage means from said second linkage position and into said first linkage position when said closure means is moved to said first selected position relative to said cabinet.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said latch means engages said closure means when said closure means is located in a position closing said opening in said cabinet.

3. The invention of claim 2, further including spring means urging said closure means toward a position closing said opening in said cabinet.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said closure means includes door means pivotably joined to said cabinet means adjacent to a first edge of said opening provided in said cabinet.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said latch means includes:

a. shaft means rotatably disposed adjacent a second edge of said opening; and

b. hook means carried by said shaft means and rotatable with said shaft means from a first hook position, engaging and holding said door means, to a second hook position, wherein said hook means releases said door means.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said bias means includes spring means to urge said shaft means from said first hook position to said second hook position.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein:

a. said shaft means includes shaft arm means extending laterally from said shaft means;

b. said first linkage means inludes at least first lever means to engage said shaft arm means and wherein said first lever means is pivotably mounted to move said shaft arm means from a first arm position, wherein said hook means is located in said first hook position, to a second arm position, wherein said hook means is located in said second hook position;

c. said first lever means includes first lever spring means to actuate said first lever means to move said shaft arm means toward said second arm position; and

d. said first lever means is actuated by said reset linkage means to move said shaft arm means to said first arm position.

8. The invention of claim 7, further including:

a. stop means disposed within said cabinet;

b. second lever means pivotably carried by said first lever means and disposed to be pivoted from a first position, to engage said stop means to restrict pivotal movement of said first lever means, to a second position, out of engagement with said stop means; and

c. wherein said second lever means is disposed to be actuated by said coin-operated mechanism to be pivoted from said first stop means engaging position and into said second stop means disengaging position, releasing said first lever means to be actuated by said first lever spring means to move said shaft arm means from said first arm position to said second arm position.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said reset linkage meansinclude:

a. trigger means carried by said door means;

b. first reset shaft means rotatably disposed within said cabinet;

c. first reset lever means fixed to said reset shaft means and disposed to be engaged and moved by said trigger means and rotate said shaft means as said door means is closed to cover said opening in said cabinet; and

d. second reset lever means fixed to said reset shaft means and disposed to engage said first lever means and move said first lever and said shaft arm means from said first arm position to said second arm position, as said first reset lever is moved by said trigger means.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism for use in a coin-operated dispensing device including a cabinet having a cooperative opening to provide access to said cabinet, closure means selectively to close said opening, and a coin-operated mechanism actuated upon receipt of at least one coin of selected value, comprising: a. latch means adapted selectively to engage said closure means when said closure means is in a first selected position relative to said opening of said cabinet; b. bias means normally to urge said latch means out of engagement with said closure means; c. first linkage means to be disposed in a first linkage position to set said latch means in engagement with said closure means and to be disposed in a second linkage position, such that said bias means releases said latch means from engagement with said closure means; d. release means actuated by said coin-operated mechanism to actuate said first linkage means from said first linkage position to said second linkage position, when at least one coin of selected value is received by said coin-operated mechanism; and e. reset linkage means connected to said closure means to be actuated by movement of said closure means, and adapted selectively to engage said first linkage means to move said first linkage means from said second linkage position and into said first linkage position when said closure means is moved to said first selected position relative to said cabinet.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said latch means includes: a. shaft means rotatably disposed adjacent a second edge of said opening; and b. hook means carried by said shaft means and rotatable with said shaft means from a first hook position, engaging and holding said door means, to a second hook position, wherein said hook means releases said door means.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein: a. said shaft means includes shaft arm means extending laterally from said shaft means; b. said first linkage means inludes at least first lever means to engage said shaft arm means and wherein said first lever means is pivotably mounted to move said shaft arm means from a first arm position, wherein said hook means is located in said first hook position, to a second arm position, wherein said hook means is located in said second hook position; c. said first lever means includes first lever spring means to actuate said first lever means to move said shaft arm means toward said second arm position; and d. said first lever means is actuated by said reset linkage means to move said shaft arm means to said first arm position.

8. The invention of claim 7, further including: a. stop means disposed within said cabinet; b. second lever means pivotably carried by said first lever means and disposed to be pivoted from a first position, to engage said stop means to restrict pivotal movement of said first lever means, to a second position, out of engagement with said stop means; and c. wherein said second lever means is disposed to be actuated by said coin-operated mechanism to be pivoted from said first stop means engaging position and into said second stop means disengaging position, releasing said first lever means to be actuated by said first lever spring means to move said shaft arm means from said first arm position to said second arm position.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said reset linkage means include: a. trigger means carried by said door means; b. first reset shaft means rotatably disposed within said cabinet; c. first reset lever means fixed to said reset shaft means and disposed to be engaged and moved by said trigger means and rotate said shaft means as said door means is closed to cover said opening in said cabinet; and d. second reset lever means fixed to said reset shaft means and disposed to engage said first lever means and move said first lever and said shaft arm means from said first arm position to said second arm position, as said first reset lever is moved by said trigger means.