WO1988000378A1

WO1988000378A1 - Newspaper vending machine

Info

Publication number: WO1988000378A1
Application number: PCT/AU1987/000186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Mathieson Devenish
Original assignee: Donald Mathieson Devenish
Priority date: 1986-06-27
Filing date: 1987-06-29
Publication date: 1988-01-14
Also published as: AU7584487A; AU603815B2; JPS63503579A

Abstract

A newspaper vending machine (10, 100) to vend a first newspaper (40) from a stack of newspapers (31), the newspaper vending machine (10, 100) comprising a guide means (24) for receiving the stack of newspapers (31), a propagation means (32, 26) for urging the stack of newspapers (31) along the guide means (24), a first stop (34) located at a first end (38) of the guide means (24), the first stop (34) being arranged to resist the travel of the first newspaper (40), and a friction device (50) for frictional engagement with the first newspaper (40) to vend said first newspaper (40) from the stack of newspapers (31).

Description

TITLE Newspaper Vending Machine DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a newspaper vending machine. The invention is also envisaged for use in vending other printed matter, such as, for example, stapled or bound journals and magazines and the like. Here in newspaper is to be considered as meaning all of the above mentioned printed matter.

Further, in the context of the present invention an edge of a newspaper opposite a spine of the newspaper is conveniently referred to as an opening edge of the newspaper. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, newspaper vending machines contain a vertical stack of newspapers, a coin mechanism, a door and a lock for the door, the lock being actuated by the coin machines. Accordingly, to vend a newspaper, the correct coinage must be inserted into the coin mechanism and the door unlocked. The door may then be lifted and a newspaper removed from the stack. The disadvantage of such newspaper vending machines is that whilst the door is open more than the number of newspapers paid for may be removed from the stack.

In an attempt to overcome such problem prior art machines have provided mechanisms to push or pull either a top or bottom one of the newspapers from a vertical stack of newspapers and to vend the newspaper through a slot or the like.

In respect of horizontal stacks (or inclined stacks) of newspapers prior art machines have provided conveyor belts, gravity feed devices and newspaper interleaving devices .to vend a newspaper through a slot.

The prior art machines generally have difficulty in adapting to newspapers of varying thicknesses. Some machines require adjustment for each thickness of newspaper.

The prior art machines also experience difficulty in vending only one newspaper at a time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a newspaper vending machine having means to vend one newspaper from a stack of newspapers, the newspapers being of varying thicknesses. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a newspaper vending machine to vend a first newspaper from a stack of newspapers, the newspaper vending machine characterised in that it comprises a guide means for receiving the stack of newspapers, a propogation means for urging the stack of newspapers along the guide means, a first stop located at a first end of the guide means, the first stop being arranged to resist the travel of the first newspaper, and a friction device for frictional engagement with the first newspaper to vend said first newspaper from the stack of newspapers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION *The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a newspaper vending machine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a guide means, a first and a second stop, and a friction device of the newspaper vending machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an upper perspective view from a rear side of the friction device of Figure 2 and control means of the newspaper vending machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the friction device and control means of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a coin mechanism of the newspaper vending machine of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 2 shown with a stack of newspapers; Figures 7 to 10 show operation of the friction device of Figures 2 and 3 in vending a newspaper from the stack of newspapers;

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the newspaper vending machine of the present invention; and Figures 12 and 13 are schematic side view of the newspaper vending machine of Figure 11, shown in use vending a newspaper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1 there is shown a newspaper vending machine 10 comprising a cabinet 12 having a lid 14, a transparent inspection panel 16 and a vending chute 18 located beneath the panel 16. The cabinet 12 is intended to rest upon the ground and to receive and vend a stack of newspapers. The newspapers may be viewed through the panel 16 and are vended out of the vending chute 18.

The cabinet 12 houses a mechanism shown in Figures 2 to 4. The mechanism comprises a guide means 20 having a frame 22, a substantially flat surface 24 and a thrust plate 26 substantially as shown in Figure 2. The frame 22 comprises tracks 28 to receive rollers 30 connected to the thrust plate 26 to keep the thrust plate 26 normal to the surface 24 as the thrust plate 26 slides along the frame 22.

The thrust plate is intended to have a stack of newspapers 31 placed in front of it in a horizontal row with each newspaper in the stack standing on its spine 31a with an opening edge 31b of each of the newspapers being uppermost. Preferably, the flat surface 24 has a relatively low co-efficient of friction with respect to paper, such as, for example, polished stainless steel or the like. The mechanism also comprises a propogation means conveniently in the form of one or more tension springs 32 connected between the cabinet 12 and the thrust plate 26 to urge same along the frame 22 in a direction parallel to he flat surface 24.

The mechanism also comprises a first stop 34 and a second stop 36 located at a first end 38 of the guide means 20. The first stop 34 is adjacent the flat surface 24 and is preferably in fixed relation thereto. The second stop 36 is spaced from the first stop 34 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The first stop 34 is formed from a lip fixed to the flat surface 24. Conveniently, the height of the lip may be^" adjusted to suit newspapers of extreme differing thicknesses. The first stop 34 is disposed to have an area adjacent the spine 31a of a first newspaper 40 in the stack of newspapers 31 rest against it.

It has been found that the height of the first stop 34 may be between 10 to 30mm. It has been found that for a height of about 18mm the machine 10 reliably vends newspapers having between 20 to 200 pages. To reliably vend thinner newspapers the height of the first stop 34 may be reduced and vice versa for thicker newspapers. A relatively low setting for the first stop 34 is preferred so as to accommodate a relatively wide range of newspaper widths. As shown in Figures 9 and 10 the first stop 34 may be angled and tapered to provide a relatively thin top edge directed a few degrees towards the first newspaper 40. The second stop 36 comprises a plate 42 having a first portion 42a and a second portion 42b substantially at right angles to the first portion 42a. The second stop 34 also comprises a pivoted lever 44 fixed to the second portion 42b to pivot the second stop 36 about an axis 46. The first portion 42a is intended to bear against a front of the first newspaper 40 and hence against the urge of the spring 32. Accordingly, a spring may be provided to urge the second stop 36 toward the flat surface 24. The second portion 42b is intended to bear against the opening ends 31b of the stack of newspapers 31 to confine at least the first two, such as between 3 to 5, newspapers of the stack of newspapers 31 to movement substantially- parallel to the flat surface 24.

The frame 24 comprises means to limit the movement of the second stop 36 toward the flat surface 24. The means is so placed that the second portion 42b is in close proximity to the opening end 31b of the first newspaper 40, but not so as to buckle said first newspaper 40.

The first portion 42a bears against between 10% to 70%, such as, for example, about 50% of the height of the stack of newspapers 31, which height is herein referred as H. It is preferred that the first portion 42a bear against between 40% to 70% of the first newspaper 40 for reasons expounded hereinafter. The mechanism also comprises a friction device 50, particularly as shown in Figure 3. The friction device 50 comprises a pivot rod 52 to which is fixed a web 54 carrying an edge^'56. Preferably, the edge 56 is formed of a material which exhibits a relatively high level of friction with paper, such as, for example, rubber or some plastics materials or the like. Also a grit surface similar to sandpaper or emery paper or the like could be used.

The rod 52 has an arm 58 disposed substantially at right angles to it. Angular displacement of the arm 58 produces a corresponding angular displacement of the edge 56. Angular displacement of the edge 56 leads to frictional engagement of the edge 56 with a first page of the first newspaper 40, as shown schematically in Figures 6 to 10. The edge 56 engages with the first newspaper 40 at an angle of between 10 degrees to 45 degrees such as for example.25 with respect to the first newspaper 40. Continued angular displacement forces the first newspaper 40 and hence all of the remaining newspapers in the stack of newspapers 31 backwardly against the spring 32. Accordingly, the friction between the edge 56 and the first newspaper 40 is increased.

It is intended that the first newspaper 40 be forced backwardly against the spring 32 a distance of between 5 to 35mm, more particularly between 10 to 25mm such as for example about 20mm.

The displacement of the first newspaper 40 by the edge 56 is preferred to generate sufficient frictional engagement there between to enable the edge 56 to pull the first few pages of the first newspaper 40 toward the second stop 36. The front of the first newspaper 40 is subsequently shortened and leads to a buckling occuring between the edge 56 and the first portion 42a. Such pulling also results in curvature in the newspaper 40 between the spine 31a and the edge 56. The curvature pulls the spine 31a of the first newspaper 40 away from the remainder of the stack of newspapers 31. The curvature increases as the edge 56 is rotated toward the second stop 36. The spine 31a of the first newspaper 40 then rises over the first stop 34 and is hel_d from falling by the friction device 50. The spring (not shown) urges the second stop 36 toward the first stop 34 and is intended to restrain movement of the opening edge 31a of the first newspaper 40. Consequently, the angular displacement of the edge 56 results in a buckling of the first newspaper as shown in Figures 7 and 9. The buckling leads to a shortening of the first newspaper 40 sufficient to lift the spine 31a thereof above the first stop 34. Preferably, the edge 56 scribes an angular displacement of between 100 degrees and 150 degrees, such as, for example, about 135 degrees and 150 degrees, such as, for example, about 135 degrees, in order to sufficiently raise the first newspaper 40. It has been found that with a tip of the edge 56 about 40mm from the rod 52 the machine 10 reliably vends newspapers of between 20 and 200 pages thick.

It is to be noted that the force delivered by the springs 32 to the stack of newspapers 31 via the thrust plate 26 increases with the number of newspapers. Such is a necessary requirement in order to achieve a substantially constant force between the first newspaper 40 and the stops 34 and 36. A substantially constant force may be achieved since the frictional force between the stack of newspapers 31 and the flat surface 24 increases with the number of newspapers. When the said force is not substantially constant but varies dramatically, vending of the newspapers may not be as reliable.

Further, it is to be noted that the first portion 42a of the second stop 36 preferably bears against 40% to 70% of the height of the first newspaper 40. Such is preferred to lower the buckle point of the first newspaper 40 toward the edge 56. It has been found that where the buckle is relatively close to the opening edge 31b, as shown in Figure 7, there is a tendance for the friction device to lift more than one newspaper over the first stop 32. Such occurs since the buckle is relatively large and causes particular difficulties in vending relatively thin newspapers since more than one newspaper may be raised. Where the first portion 41 has a width of between 40% to 70% of the height of the first newspaper 40 the buckle is confined and is relatively small, as shown in Figure 9. The mechanism also comprises control means 60 located adjacent the arm 58. The control means 60 comprises a lever 62 fixed to a shaft 64. The shaft 64 is journalled to the frame 22 and the cabinet 12. A handle 66 is disposed from an end of the shaft 64 such that rotation of the handle 66 produces rotation in the shaft 64 and a corresponding rotation of the lever 62. The lever 62 is disposed to meet a lever 68 depending from the pivot 46 as shown in Figure 4. The meeting of the lever 62 with the lever 68 results in raising of the second stop 36 against the spring (not shown) . A lock member 70 is pivotally fixed to a side of the lever 62. The lock member 70 comprises a first lug 72 and a second lug 74 depending from opposite ends thereof and projecting substantially at right angles to each other. The first lug 72 is disposed to engage with the arm 58 of the friction device 50, as shown in Figure 3, upon rotation of the handle 66.

The second lug 74 is disposed to meet with a notch 76 in the lever 62 and a slot 78 in a coin race 80. The race 80 is fixed to an edge of the lever 62 and is dimensioned to receive one or more coins in a direction parallel to the lever 62.

The coin race 80 has a first opening and a second opening for reception and expulsion, respectively of coins from a coin slot 82 (see Figure 1) . The cabinet 12 comprises a ledge 84, as shown in Figure 5, disposed to project to obstruct the second opening. The coin race 80 is intended to receive for example, four coins, one of which is intended to obstruct the slot 78 in order to enable a newspaper to be vended. Rotation of the handle 66 causes the lever 62 to rotate and the first lug 72 to meet the arm 58. Preferably, a spring (not shown) is provided to resist rotation of the friction device 50 under the force of the first lug 72. The resistive force of the spring forces the second lug 74 toward the notch 76 and the slot 78. Such force is intended to be resisted by a coin 86 as described. The coin 86 causes the lock member 70 to lock between the lever 62 and the arm 58, excepting that the first lug 72 slidably engages with the arm 58. The first lug 72 slides along the arm 58 as the arm 66 is rotated and results in a rotation of the friction device 50 to contact the first newspaper 40 as described. Continued rotation of the handle 66 causes the lever 62 to engage with the lever 68 to raise the second stop 36. Further rotation of the handle 66 results in the first lug 72 sliding off a far end of the arm 58 and the friction device rotating to disengage with the first newspaper 40 as shown in Figure 8. The second stop 36 is raised prior to disengagement of the first newspaper 40 so as to provide substantially no resistance to the fall of the newspaper 40 from the stack of newspapers 31.

It is envisaged that a further slot 88 could be provided in the coin race 80 to receive a stop 90 to vary the number of coins required to set the coin 86 to obstruct the slot 78. It is also envisaged that the second lug 74 could be variably fixable to the lock member 70 to achieve a similar result. ^' It is further envisaged that the control means 60 could be replaced by an electro-mechanical means configured to control the friction means 50 and the second stop 36. It is still further envisaged that other forms of coin actuated mechanisms could be used in place of that described.

It is still further envisaged that a conventional coin selector (not shown) could be attached behind the coin slot 82 to reject unsound coins, pass good coins, and/or deliver change and/or refunds. It is intended that the frame 22 be rotatable such that the thrust plate 26 is substantially horizontally disposed to aid in filling the machine 10 with a stack of newspapers 31.

Preferably, the pivot 92 is so disposed that the spring 32 is substantially unextended when the frame 22 is rotated. Such is preferred to aid in loading the stack of newspapers

31.

In use, the newspaper vending machine 10 of the present invention is supplied with a stack of newspapers by lifting the lid 14 of the cabinet 12 and rotating the frame 22 until the thrust plate 26 is substantially horizontal. . In such condition, the thrust plate 26 is travelled to reveal a large extent of the flat surface 24. The newspapers are then, placed upon the thrust plate 26 with their spines 31a adjacent the flat surface 24 and their opening ends 31b directed away from the flat surface 24.

The frame 22 is then rotated substantially horizontally. The spring 32 then urges the stack of newspapers 31 subject to frictional forces between the newspapers and the flat surface 24, against the first stop 34 and the second stop. The lid 14 may then be closed and the machine 10 is ready to vend newspapers, one at a time, from the stack of newspapers 31. A person wishing to purchase a newspaper from the machine 10 may insert a set number of coins, as described hereinabove, into the coil slot 82 on the cabinet 12. The coins are directed into the coin race 80, (Figure 5) , one at a time, with a first one of the coins resting upon the ledge 84 and subsequent coins resting upon the preceding coins until the slot 78 is obstructed.

Tiien rotation of the handle 66 causes rotation of the lever 62 which causes the first lug 72 to slidably engage with the arm 58 and the second lug 78 to force against the coins 86. The force causes the coin 86 to be jammed in the coin race 80 during vending and thus the lock member 20 to lock the lever 62 into slidable connection with the arm 58. Upon further rotation of the handle 66 the coin race 80 moves away from the ledge 84 and all of the coins except the coin 86 falls out of the coin race 80 through the second end and into a coin box (not shown) . As the handle 66 is rotated further, the arm 58 and hence the friction device are rotated. Upon continued rotation, the edge 56, the friction device 50 frictionally engages with the front page of the first newspaper 40. As rotation continues, the edge 56 is forced against the first newspaper 40 and forces the _tstack of newspaper 31 against the spring 32.

The edge 56 then begins to lift the front pages of the newspaper 40 toward the second stop 36, which stop 36 resist the movement of the newspaper 40. Consequently, the first few pages of the newspaper 40 are caused to buckle and the newspaper caused to curve as shown in Figure 9. Such buckling and curving results in the spine 31a of the newspaper rising above the first stop 34.

Further rotation of the handle causes the lever 62 to meet the lever 68 to raise the second stop 36 and thus release the opening edge 31b of the first newspaper 40 (Figures 8 and 10) . Further rotation of the handle 66 causes the first lug 72 to slide of the free end of the arm 58 and for the friction device 50 to disengage from the first newspaper 40 under the returning force of the spring (not shown) . The second lug 74 then ceases to force the coin 86 into the coin race 80 and so the coin 86 falls into the coin box. The newspaper then falls to the vending chute 18 for collection by the person purchasing the newspaper 40. The handle 66 may then be released ready to vend another newspaper.

Where no coin obstructs the slot 78 the second lug 78 is forced to rotate through the notch 76 and the slot 78 when the first lug 72 engages with the arm 58. Accordingly, the first lug 72 pivots and the lock member 70 does not lock the lever 62 to rotate the friction device 50 and so no newspaper is vended.

In Figures 11 to 13 there is shown a further embodiment of the newspaper vending machine in accordance with the present invention, and denoted reference numbered 100. The machine 100 is similar to the machine 10 and like numerals denote like parts.

In the further embodiment the stack of newspapers 31 are positioned so that its opening edges 31b rest against the flat surface 24. The friction device 50 translates with respect to the stack of newspapers 31 in the direction of arrow 102 in Figure 11. The friction device 50 causes buckling of the newspaper 40 resulting in curvature and raising of the spine 31a. Preferably, the flat surface 24 is inclined so that the stack of newspapers 31 remain neatly stacked there against.

In the further embodiment of the first stop 34 is fixed to the flat surface 24 and disposed to-bear against the first newspaper 40 adjacent the opening edge 31b. The machine 100 also comprises a slide 104 having a curved face 106. The slide 104 is movable parallel to the first newspaper 40 and is intended to part the first newspaper 40 from the stack of newspapers 31 once the friction device 50 has raised the spine 31a of the first newspaper 40. The machine 100 also comprises a cover 108 attached to the slide 104 and configured to move with the slide 104. A- slot 110 is created between the slide 104 and the cover 108 and is intended to vend the first newspaper 40 there through, as shown in Figure 13. It is envisaged that the cover 108 may be made at least partly of transparent material.

A control means (not shown) is provided to move the friction device 50, the slide 104 and the cover 108. In use, the machine 100 is loaded with a stack of newspapers 31 such as by unlocking and lifting the cover 108 and placing the newspapers upon the thrust plate 26. The control means is then actuated, such as by a handle to cause the friction device 50, the slide 104 and the cover 108 to move in unison in the direction of the arrow 102. During the movement the friction device 50 is caused to move down into firm contact with the first newspaper 40, so lifting the spine 31a as described hereinabove. The simultaneous movemerit of the slide 104 causes the curved face 106 to meet with and support the raised spine 31a of the first newspaper 40. Further movement of the slide 104, causes the friction device 50 to move away from the first newspaper 40 and the curved face 106, forces the spine 31a of the newspaper 40 to protrude from the slot 110. The control means is then released and the friction device 50, the slide 104 and the cover 108 return to the position shown in Figure 11.

By virtue of the present invention there is provided a newspaper vending machine 10,100 comprising a friction device to vend newspapers one at a time since friction force is relied upon in the vending, the vending machine 10,100, the vending procedure and reliability thereof is substantially independent of newspaper thickness. That is the machine 10,100 may vend newspapers of largely differing widths without the necessity for adjustment.

Also, the machine 10,100 is provided with springs to provide bias rather than purely gravity, so as to achieve a degree of substantial constancy in operating fcrces even with differing numbers of newspapers. Further, the machine 10,100 may be operated without electrical power.

Further, by virtue of the construction of the control means 60 the friction device 50 and the locking member 70 are substantially immune to vandalism. Thus, only the cabinet 12, the handle 66 and the lever 62 are required to be of sturdy construction. It is envisaged that a pull type handle could be provided a slot in the cabinet 12 so as not to have a handle protruding from the cabinet 12.

Claims

CLAIMS -

1. A newspaper vending machine to vend a first newspaper from a stack of newspapers, the newspaper vending machine characterised in that it comprises a guide means for receiving the stack of newspapers, a propogation means for urging the stack of newspapers along the guide means, a- first stop located at a first end of the guide means, the first stop being arranged to resist the travel of the first newspaper, and a friction device for frictional engagement with the first newspaper to vend said first newspaper from the stack of newspapers.

2. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a second stop having a plate disposed to substantially restrain the first newspaper, the second stop being located remotely from the first stop and substantially at right angles from the guide means with respect to the first stop.

3. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the second stop comprises a first portion disposed to bear against a portion of the first newspaper adjacent an opening end thereof and a second portion substantially at right angles to the first portion, the second portion being disposed to bear against the opening end of at least the first newspaper.

4. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the second portion is disposed to bear against at least two of the opening ends of the newspapers.

5. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the second stop comprises an axis about which it is rotatable to move away from the first newspaper.

6. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the friction device comprises a bar fixed to rotate about a rod, via a web,.the rod being disposed forwardly of the first end of the guide means, the bar being spaced from the rod a distance greater than the displacement between the rod and the first end such that rotation of the rod results in frictional engagement between the bar and the first newspaper to buckle a few pages thereof and to curve and raise the spine over the first stop.

7. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the rod is so displacedfrom the first end as to present a contact angle between the bar and the first newspaper of between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

8. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 7, characterised in that the contact angle is about 25 degrees.

9. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the first stop is wedge shaped with a thin end thereof directed away from the guide means , the first stop being disposed at a slight angle between the normal to the guide means such that the thin end of the first stop meets the first newspaper.

10. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the guide means is formed of a material having a relatively low co-efficient of friction with respect to paper.

11. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the propogation means comprises a thrust plate disposed substantially at right angles to the guide means and spring disposed to urge thrust plate toward the first stop and the second stop..

12. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 6 to 11, characterised in that it comprises a control means having a handle connected via a shaft to a lever, said lever being rotatable to raise the second stop about its axis, a locking member rotatably fixed to the lever, the locking member comprising a first lug disposed for rotation to meet with arm fixed to the rod of the friction device and a second lug disposed to meet with a coin race to lack the friction device into rotation with the lever, the axis of rotation of the shaft and the rod being displaced such that the first lug slides along the arm during rotation of the handle.

13. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 11, characterised in that the spring is constructed to present a substantially constant force between the first newspaper and the first and the second stops, for a stack of newspapers having one or more newspapers therein.

14. A newspaper vending machine according to any one of the claims 2 to 13characterised in that the guide means is configured to receive a substantially horizontally disposed stack of newspapers.

15. A newspaper vending machine according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises a slide moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the first newspaper, the friction device being movable to buckle a few pages the first newspaper to curve and raise a spine thereof off the stack of newspapers, comprising a curved face disposed to meet the curved and raised spine and to part the first newspaper from the stack of newpapers, and a slot disposed to have the first newspaper project therethrough.