US2285931A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

-June 9, 1942. J. KRUcKEwlT-r ETAL VENDING MACHINE Filed oct.` 5, 195s e sheets-sheet 1 i L/on Kde/@wirft *./Ln /wamge ATTORNEY 'June 9, 1942 J. KRucKEwlTT E-rAL 2,285,931

VENDING MACHINE Filed oct. 5., 1939y 8 Sheets-Sheet 2A Mwm L00 Y .fT www oww @a m Na Q B Go 1Q SS June 9, 1942. J, KRUCKEwlT-r E1- A| 2,285,931

VENDING MACHIN Filed Oct. 5, 1939 8 Sheets-sheet 3 INVENTQRS TTREY` .'lune 9, 1942.

J. KRucKEwIT-r E-rAL VENDING MACHINE a sheets-sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1939 $21111; 1| -d mm??? l 6 MQQVQAJM.

ATTORNEY'.

June 9, 1942- J. KRUcKEwlTT ET A1. 2,285,931

VENDING MACHINE Filed Gct. 5, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNE June 91 VENDING MACHINE Filed oci; 5, 1939 J. KRucKEwlT-r ETAL 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 l 63 ifi 85 l [ELT ATTORNEY JUN 9, 1942 J. KRucKEwlTT ETA. 2,285,931

VNDING I MACHINE Filed om.` 5, 1959 s sheets-sheet' 7 2/3 z/o pm Ii-40 I June 9, 1942.

J. KRUCKEWITT ETAL VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1939 ATToRNEy,

Patented June 9, 1942 VENDING MACHINE John Kruckewitt and John A. Donahue, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application October 5, 1939, Serial No. 298,050

(Cl. .M2- 45) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to coin controlled electrically or hand operated vending machines intended especially for the sale of goods packed in cylindrical containers, such as cans.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide -a power driven vending machine which is unlocked into operative condition by means of coins inserted in one or more coin receiving devices and which has a manually started operating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vending machine which may be readily adjusted to dispense at one setting one or more containers,

of the same kind in accordance with the amount of money inserted in the coin receiving devices, to refund the necessary change required by each transaction and also reject counterfeit or distorted coins.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vending machine having a storage compartment the size of which may be varied independently of the dispensing mechanism proper of the machine.

Yet another object is to provide a vending machine in which the dispensing mechanism is of permanent construction while the storage compartment may be adjusted quickly to accommodate containers of various diameters or lengths.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vending machine which is normally operated by power, preferably electric power, but which, in case of failure of the supply of power, may be operated temporarily by hand.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a vending machine which has means, preferably electrically operated, to indicate when the machine needs replenishing, before it is entirely empty, thus preventing delays and loss of sales.

Numerous other features and advantages of this invention will appear in the following del parts omitted, showing especially the delivery control mechanism of the vending machine.

Fig 5 is substantially a front elevation of Fig. 4, some parts being omitted or partly broken 01T for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 6 is substantially a top plan View of Fig. 4,

the removable coin receiving devices and other parts being omitted.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one of the so-called slide bars of the vending machine, fully assembled into a unit.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the rack-bar operating lever of the machine.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the shift lever for the operating cam of the delivery control switch.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of Fig. 11, showing the two extreme positions of the said shift lever.

Fig. 13 is a sectional fragmentary detail view showing the mechanism for depressing the rod of the control switch by means of plunger pins actuated by the slide bars and effective on a common switch-rod operating lever.

Fig. 14 is a top view of the plunger pin shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of one of the buckets mounted on the endless chain conveyor of the machine.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of Fig, 15.

Fig. 17 is a View, partly in section, of the delivery control-shaft of the machine.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially on line l8-l8, Fig. 4, showing especially the op- .erating cam for the delivery control switch of the machine.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary front elevation partly in section showing the slide bar unlocking mechanisms actuated by coins inserted in the coin receiving devices of the machine.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 2li-20, Fig. 19 through the coin tube of one of the coin receiving devices.

Fig. 21 is a similar view taken on line 2l, Fig, 19,

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of one of the lockdog operating levers.

Fig. 23 is a side view of one of the lock-dogs for the slide-bars operated by said operating levers.

Fig. 24 is a side View of the lock-dog directly operated by the first coin passing the coin tube.

Fig. 25 is a top plan View showing the mechanism used for retaining and subsequently freeing the coins dropped into a coin-tube.

Fig. 26 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 26-26, Fig. 1 showing exclusively the mechanism used for simultaneously varying the spacing of all the storage tracks of the storage compartment of the machine, to suit the length of the containers, such as cylindrical cans, which are to be loaded in the vending machine.

Figs. 27 and 28 are respectively sectional views taken on lines 21-21 and 28-28 in Fig. 26.

Fig. '29 is a side View showing especially the lever and ratchet mechanism for varying the spacing of the storage tracks and holding same in the selected position.

Fig. 30 is a top plan View of Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary end view of the lever and lock mechanism to simultaneously adjust all the storage tracks of the storage compartment in accordance with the diameter of the containers loaded in the machine.

Fig. 32 is a top plan View of Fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a side elevation of one of the slides mounted in pairs at the rear ends of the storage tracks to adjust the latter to the diameter of the containers.

Fig. 24 is an end elevation of Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a side elevation of one of the adjustable slides also mounted in pairs at the forward ends of the storage tracks.

Fig, 36 is an end View of Fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a side elevation of a special adjustable slide mounted in pairs at delivery ends of the lowermost storage tracks and provided with automatic stopping means to properly locate the containers for engagement by the buckets of the delivery ,conveyor of the vending machine.

Fig. 38 is an end View of Fig. 37, and

Fig. 39 is a top View of the forward end thereof.

Fig. 40 is an isometric view of the fully enclosed vending machine.

Fig. 41 is an isometric view of a yoke to connect together two slide-bars.

Fig. 42 is a similar view of a yoke to connect three slide-bars together.

Reference being had to the drawings, this vending machine includes the following main parts: A common base I upon which are secured the two U-shaped stanchions 2 and 3 by means of which the storage tracks 4 are adjustably supported for variable parallel spacing and upon which the cylindrical containers for merchandise, such as canned goods, are stored for sale. Also secured to this base are the two vertical conveyor posts and 6 upony which is mounted, together with various parts of the delivery control mechanism, an endless chain conveyor 1, Fig. l, carrying the buckets 8 in a manner detailed in Figs. 15 and 16. An electric motor 9 and its speed reducing mechanism I6 are also mounted on this base. The stanchions 2 and 3 are also rigidly connected at the top by means of the angle iron braces 52.

The manner for simultaneously and adjustably spacing the storage tracks 4 is shown especially in Figs. 1 and 26 to 28. As shown therein, six tracks have been assumed, each` comprising two parallel rails II of L-shaped cross section. These tracks' are alternatively inclined in opposite direction a sufficient amount to insure the rolling of the cylindrical containers at the proper speed, by gravity. The tracks which decline towards the front of the vending machine are provided at the rear with upturned bends I2 and. I3 to guide the containers, whereas some of the tracks which are declined toward the rear of the machine have upturned bends I4 and I5 at their raised forward ends. Also, where the lower ends of the tracks reach into the curved ends of the next following tracks, the horizontal flanges of the angle-shaped tracks are cut away a suicient amount to permit the container of largest diameter for which the machine is designed to fall by gravity onto the next following track, las shownl at I6 and I1 in Fig. 1.

In order to reduce the friction between the ends of the cylindrical containers with the vertical sides of the storage tracks, it has been found advisable to weld, or otherwise secure, in the corners of the tracks-rails I I small guide-strips, such as the round wires I3, shown in Figs. 26 to 28.

The manner of mounting the storage tracks for variable parallel spacing is especially shown on a larger scale in the last mentioned gures, wherein it is shown that all tracks-rails II on one side of the storage compartment are secured to a common rectangular inner frame I9 comprising two jambs 20 preferably made of angle iron and a top cross-bar ZI. The vertical sides of the tracks-rails are welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal anges 22 of the jambs of said inner frame, whereas the transverse flanges 23 thereof have horizontal slots 24 slidably engaged by bolts 25 secured in the stanchions 2 and 3, which bolts support the inner frame against vertical movement while allowing transverse movement thereof in accordance with the length of said slots.

Within each inner frame is mounted a shorter outer-frame 26 also having jambs 21 of angle-iron tting freely within the jambs of the inner-frame and having at the top and bottom the cross-ties 28 and 29. Adjacent the ends of each jamb of the outer-frames are cut, in the transverse flange 35, a vertical slot 3I and an inclined slot 32 the former being slidably engaged by a bolt 33 secured in the corresponding transverse iiange 23 of the jamb of the inner-frame, whereas the inclined slot is freely engaged by the bolt 25 which is screwed in a stanchion. Secured to the lower cross-tie 29 of each outer-frame is a bracket 34 the lower end of which has a suitable aperture 35 which is freely engaged by one end of the cross-rod 36 securely mounted in the two parallel levers 31 the forward ends of which are pivoted at 38 to the conveyor posts 5 and 6, and to the rear ends of which are hingedly secured as at 39 the substantially vertical connecting links 4I) the upper ends of which are hinged, as at 4I to the U-shaped track-spreader handle 42 both legs of which are pivoted at 43 to the rear stanchions 3. Concentrically disposed about the pivots 43 and welded or otherwise secured to the stanchions are the ratchet plates 44 the teeth 45 of which may be engaged by the spring actuated pawls 46, Fig. 29, slidably mounted within guides 41 and having rearwardly directed stems 48 secured to a common grip 49 positioned within the handle and guided by the spring surrounded pins 59, freely engaging said handle (Figs. 29, 30).

It will be noted from the drawings that when the spreader-handle 42 is moved upward, for instance, the outer-frame 26 will also move up vertically, being guided by the vertical slots 3I and the bolts 33. However, the bolts 25 which are xedly screwed in the stanchions 2 and 3 will cause the inner `frames I9, because of the inclined slots 32 to move toward each other, thus reducing the spacing between the storage tracks II to suit the length of containers which are to be loaded. A downward move of the spreader-handle 42 will, of course, widen the spacing between the storage-tracks.

The storage-tracks are held in the selected spacing by the pawls 46 engaging the teeth 45 of the ratchets 44, thus preventing a downward movement of the spreader-handle and connected parts.

The lowermost storage tracks are supported by cross-bars 250 secured to the stanchions 2 and 3 and slidably guided on said bars by the slides 25|, in order to maintain the parallel alignment of said tracks and insure the presentation of the cans at right angles to the conveyor buckets.

As already stated, the horizontal flanges of the storage tracks are cut away at their lowermost ends (as at I6 and I1) to permit the passage of the diametrally largest size containers. When small containers are loaded, the large gaps between consecutive tracks may cause the falling containers to twist out of correct position and jam the tracks To prevent this, it has been found advisable to provide a special track adjustinent to suit containers of various diameters, the construction of which adjustment is shown especially in Figs. 1, 31 and 32.

Pivotally mounted on supports secured on the braces 52 connecting the tops of the stanchions 2 and 3 is the so-called U-shaped gaphandle 53 on the bridge of which is rockably mounted the spring actuated horizontal paWl 54 adapted to engage the suitably shaped teeth of the vertical rack 55 secured on the transverse bridge of the rear stanchions, to thereby hold the gap handle in the selected position. Pivotally assembled on the transverse bar 56 connecting both legs of this handle are the two suitably bent hangers 51 to the lower ends of which are secured in any desired manner the two vertical operating rods 58 secured at 59 and 60 (Fig. 1) by bolt and slot connections for vertical sliding movement along the vertical flanges of the storage-tracks, on both sides of the storage compartment. These operating rods actuate simultaneously suitably disposed bell-crank levers 6| and 62 and the straight levers 63 the uppermost levers being pivoted to the cross bars 2| of the inner frames, while the others are all pivoted in any desired manner to the vertical flanges of the tracks-rails The horizontal arms of the bellcrank levers are connected by bolt and slot connections 64 to the operating rods 58, while the vertical arms are similarly connected to their respective slides which control the gaps between successive tracks in accordance with the diameter of the containers.

The slides 65 controlling the gaps at the rear of the tracks are shown in detail in Figs. 33 and 34. As shown therein, each slide has a sole 66 which fits the underside of the horizontal flange of a track and is slidably secured and guided by means of a bolt 61 screwed in the track-flange and freely engaging a longitudinal slot 68 cut in the sole. At the side of each sole and at right angles thereto are the two lugs 69 and 10 adapted to fit against the vertical flanges of the tracks, and having at the top a bead 1| slidingly engaging the top edge of the track. The front lug 59 is connected to the vertical arm of a bell-crank 6| while the rear lug is set back from the rear end ofthe sole BB-thus producing the tongue 12 which regulates the width of the gap.

The two sets of front slides 13 perform identical functions as the vrear slides but are structurally somewhat different. Referring to Figs. 35 and 36, it will be seen that each slide consists of a sole 14 having a tongue 15, protruding somewhat beyond the single lateral lug 16, which slidably engages the vertical flange of a track and has a, bent piece 11 fitting slidably over the top edge of said track. Bolt and slot connections 18 and 19 are provided in the sole as well as in the side lug, and to the latter is slidably connected the vertical arm of its corresponding bell-crank lever 62.

The stop-slides 80 positioned at both sidesof the conveyor and of the lowermost track do not act as gap regulators, but instead serve as astop for the downwardly rolling containers before they are engaged by the buckets 8 of the conveyor 1. As will be understood, the size of said buckets must conform to the largest diameter containers for which the machine is designed. Now, when considerably smaller containers, such as cans, are placed in the machine, the ends of the buckets, in their upward movement will reach far enough between the lowermost track to engage more than only one can. Depending on the diameter of the latter, two cans might drop into the bucket, when only one is wanted, but generally the result is that the second lowermost can will be lifted up by the protruding end of the bucket and usually thrown off the tracks, or placed in such a manner as to jam either the tracks or the conveyor.

As shown in Figs. 37 to 39, each stop slide consists of fiat strip of steel 8| slidably secured on the top of the vertical flange of its track-rail by means of a bolt and slot connection 82 on-the inner frame I9 and the two side-hooks 83 secured to the strip and sliding along the underside of the track-rail The forward end of the strip is somewhat reduced and bent inwardly at right angles and formed into a bracket 84 upon which is eccentrically and freely pivoted a stoplatch 85 the upper end of which normally tends to tilt inwardly of the tracks by gravity. A pin 86 is used to limit the amount of tilting. As shown in Fig. l, each stop-slide is actuated by the straight lever 63 pivoted at the middle to one of the tracks and having its upper end connected by a bolt and slot connection 63a to a front slide for actuation thereby, whereas the lower end is bolt and slot connected to the stopslide, as at 63h. It will be noted that the latter moves oppositely to the front slide so that when the latter is moved forward to accommodate a small can, for instance, the stop-slide will be slid away from the conveyor buckets the required amount so that the stop-latches 85 will arrest the lowermost can in proper position to be taken up singly by a conveyor bucket.

The endless conveyor 1 is of the chain and sprocket type and consists of the endless chain 81 upon which are located in uniform spaced relation the buckets 8, Figs. 15 and 16. This chain runs over the top sprocket 88 and the lower sprocket 89.

The-top sprocket is secured on the upper shaft 90 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 9| supported by the conveyor posts 5 and 6, which are of channel cross-section. This shaft is extended on both sides of its bearings, to receive at the left, the gear pinion 92 and at the right the ratchet wheel 93 acted upon by a spring-pawl 94 fulcrumed at 95 to the post 6 to prevent the loaded conveyor from revolving in reversed direction. The outer end of this shaft is preferably squared, as at 96 to receive a removable crank (not shown) by means of which the vending machine may be temporarily operated by hand, in case of the failure of the power supply.

The lower sprocket 89 is freely mounted for rotation on the lower shaft 91 rotatable in suitable fixed bearings 98 also supported by the ccnveyor-posts. This shaft drives the conveyor and is directly connected at the left to the speed reducing device I0 driven by the electric motor 9. If desired, the right end of this shaft may be Aand 6 are used for the purpose of limiting the slack in the unloaded straight portion of the conveyor, and, therefore, the wobbling thereof when the conveyor is operated.

The construction of a conveyor bucket is detailed in Figs. 15 and 16. Each bucket 8 comprises a curved basket portion |02 reinforced by a heel |63 and secured to the chain by means of a pair of ears |04 suitably shaped and drilled to t over two outer links of the chain. Two sets of vertically and horizontally spaced guide lugs |05 and |96 are also formed on the buckets for the purpose of slidingly engaging both sides of the rearward flanges of the conveyor posts, to be guided thereby and also support the loaded portion of the endless chain against excessive deformation, due to its eccentric loading. In order to enable the engagement and disengagement of the post anges by said guide-lugs, both front and rear flanges at the bottom of the posts and the rear flanges at the top thereof are partly cut away, as shown at |91 and |68 in Fig. 5 in particular.

The containers carried by the conveyor are guided laterally-by means of guide-shields |09, Fig. 1, fastened to the vertical bars H6 secured at the top to the tie-bar 2| of the inner frame I9 and at the bottom to the lowermost track rails; therefore, the spacing between these guideshields follows that of the storage-tracks.

After the buckets reach the top of their endless travel, they are gradually inverted and discharge the containers into a delivery-chute rigidly supported in any desired manner to the front stanchions 2 and the conveyor posts 5 and 6. The bottom ||2 of this chute is suitably shaped and inclined to direct the containers T forwardly in position to be lifted out by the buyer. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that the guide-shields have extensions I3 reaching a certain distance within the chute to properly guide the containers therein. This chute is preferably lined, inwardly, with sound absorbing and resilient material, such as rubber, leather, etc., to protect the falling containers against injury and reduce noise.

In order to notify in advance the attendant of the vending machine that the storage compartment needs replenishing, an electric switching device of any desired and suitable type, such as shown at ||4 in Fig. l, may be installed somewhere along the storage tracks, which device will actuate a sound or light signal suitably located about the machine. When placed adjacent the discharge end of the lowermost track, as in Fig. 1, the signal will be given when the tracks are empty and the remaining cans, for example, are on the loaded side of the conveyor. It is preferable to so design the switch that it will be affected by the weight of two or more successive cans so as to prevent intermittent signalling every time a can is carried away by a conveyor bucket and before the next following can has had time to roll into the formers place. By placing the switching device further up along the storage tracks, the signal will become effective while any selected number of cans are still in the vending machine.

Considering Fig. 1 in particular, it will be seen that the capacity of the storage compartment may be enlarged at will by simply increasing either the number of storage tracks or their length, or both, without requiring alterations to the conveyor system or the delivery control mechanism.

Also by making simple changes that will be readily conceived by persons versed in this art, the storage compartment may be located either at a different floor-level than that of the delivery control mechanism or in a different room, at the rear of the one in which said mechanism is located.

The delivery control mechanism is assembled at the front of the vending machine and is suitably supported by the conveyor-posts 5 and 6.

Referring especially to the larger Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the delivery controlshaft H5 is operated from the upper sprocket shaft 99 by the bevel-gear pinion 32 meshing with the bevel gear H5 secured on a shaft rotatably mounted in bearings ||8 and |I9. At the forward end of this shaft is fixedly mounted a spur gear |23 which meshes with a larger gear 12| freely rotatable on said control-shaft and having at the front end of its hub the straight clutch teeth |22. This gear is held upon its shaft against longitudinal movement by means of a collar |23 fastened to the shaft and placed within the gear-hub (Fig. 17). Mounted for free sliding movement on the squared portion |24 of the control shaft is the switch-operating cam |25 the rear end of its hub |26 being provided with the complementary clutch teeth |22a, while at the front end of the hub there is produced the clutch-collar |21 engaged by the forked camshift-lever |62. A spring |28 wound about the shaft normally tends to put both halves of the clutch in mesh. The forward end of this spring rests against the hub of the rack-gear |29 securely held on the shaft, the forward end of which is rotatably mounted in a bearing |30 bolted to a bracket |31 supported by the conveyor post. At the end of this bracket are secured the angle bar |32 and the downwardly directed apron |33, both suitably notched to receive and support in proper spaced relation coin receiving devices C suggested in dot and dash lines in Fig. 4, of any desired and suitable commercial type such as the coin receiving and slug-rejecting devices which form the subject matter of the U. S. Patents 1,839,874, 1,923,535, 1,956,066, 2,064,425, 2,073,260, 2,073,261 and 2,094,788. These devices may be freely removed or transposed to satisfy various price combinations at which a commodity stored in the vending machine may be sold at any given time.

Upon a horizontal bed plate |34, suitably supported by the conveyor post, are mounted and guided for longitudinal sliding movement, in shallow grooves |35, the operating slide-bars |36, four of which being used in the present embodiment in accordance with the number of coin devices C adapted to receive coins of live, ten, twenty-five and fty cent denominations.

Each operating slide-bar unit, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, consists of a slide-bar proper |36 of rectangular cross-section to which is removably secured at the outer end of the operating handle |31. The rear end of this bar is slightly beveled at the bottom, as at |38 and is provided with the two forwardly inclined steps |39 and |40. On top of this bar is secured by screws |4| the removable rack-lever-cam |42, of the required height to suitably lift the rack-bar; and to this cam is fastened by a screw |23 the lever-stop |44. Also suitably located on the slide-bar is the lock-block |45 provided at the top with the slide-bar locking teeth |46. At the rear of this lock-block is secured a saddle |41, of suitable height, to which may be removably fastened by a screw |48 a horizontal push-bar |49 at the end of which is provided a kerf |50 to be engaged by the vertically adjustable trigger-pin of a change making device of any desired and suitable commercial make. This push-bar is used only when the sales transaction performed with the particular slide-bar requires the refund of some change, as will be explained more fully hereafter. Between the lock-block and the slide-bar is secured the coin-stop |52, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. As shown especially in Figs. 5 and 19, the saddles |41 are of varying heights so that their respective push-bars will clear the others while in overlapping position.

The rack-lever |53 is hingedly mounted at |54 in a bracket |55 supported by the bed-plate |34 and its free end is guided by a bifurcated guidepost |56 also mounted on the bed-plate. This lever is suitably notched at the lower edge, as at |51, to provide a good bearing contact with the lever cam |42 of either one of the slide-bars, and it is slotted at |58 to slidably receive the bolt |59 secured in the rack-bar |60 which is constant ly in mesh with the rack-gear |29 on the control shaft ||5. This rack-bar is guided by the bracket |3| and the bed-plate and its lower end is provided with a stop-washer |6|.

It will be observed that the angular movement of the rack-lever, and consequently the lift of the rack-bar and rotation of the rack-gear will depend on which slide-bar |36 is pushed in, and on the height of its cam and that any excessive upward movement of said lever, due to momentum, will be arrested by the corresponding leverstop |44.

The clutch-shift-lever |62 is rockably mounted on a pin |83 secured in the support |64 mounted transversely of the bed plate and suitably slotted at the base, as at |65 to accommodate the slidebars. This clutch-lever comprises an upper arm |66 having at the top a fork |61 engaging the clutch-collar |21 of the switch operating cam |25, and the two lower arms |68 connected by the horizontal cross-bar |69 which may be engaged by either one of the slide-bars, when pushed in. Normally, when the slide-bars are all pulled out, this cross-bar rests on the bed-plate, due to the action of the cam-spring |28 on the control-shaft 5, but when a slide-bar is pushed in, this crossbar will ride over the steps |39 and |40 and the clutch lever will assume the position shown as solid in Fig. 12, and thus disengage the clutch teeth |22. The purpose of the first and steeper step |39 is to impart to this lever an initial shock which facilitates the disengagement of the clutchteeth.

Right after the clutch-shift-lever |62 has been actuated by a slide-bar, the bevelled edge |38 of the latter will engage the corresponding plunger pin |10 the sloping rectangular head |1| of which is vertically slidable in the bed-plate and is acted upon by a spring |12 surrounding a depending pin |13 guided in any suitable manner for vertical movement and provided with a stop |14 Fig. 13.

Each pin |13 bears upon a common, hinge-like, switch rod lever |15 placed underneath the shelf and rockably mounted on a transverse pin |16 supported in lugs |11.' The outer end of this lever is connected by a fork and pin connection |18 Fig. 4 to the vertically movable switch-rod |19 the upper end of which is guided by the bed-plate |34 and a stirrup |80 depending from a U-shaped bracket |8| secured laterally of the control-shaft bracket |3|. To the top end of this switch-rod is secured the switch-plate |82 Fig. 18 adapted to be engaged by switch-cam |25 and having on the under-side preferably a contact-bead |83 of insulating material and effective on the handle |84 of an electric switch |85 mounted in bracket 8|. This switch-handle is normally forced in up position shown in dot and dash lines by means of an internal spring (not shown), this position corresponding to a closed circuit for the electric motor 9. Intermediate the switch plate |82 and the bottom of the stirrup |80 there is inserted around the switch rod |19 a coil spring |86` which normally tends to force up the former in the position also shown in broken lines.

The lower end of the switch-rod is connected by means of a threaded clevis |81 to the front arm |88 of a straight lever |89 fulcrurned on a pin |90 supported by a bracket |9| mounted on a plate |92 secured to the left side conveyor post 5. The rear arm |93 of this lever is connected by means of a connecting rod |94 to the horizontal arm |95 of a right-angle sprocket lever pvoted in a bracket l'95a, and the end of the vertical arm |96 of which has a fork |91 adapted to engage the spline-guided slidable sprocket-clutch |98 adapted to engage the clutch teeth |99 providedv on the lower sprocket 89 freely mounted for rotation on the conveyor drive-shaft 91. For reasons to be explained hereinafter, it is preferable that the number of clutch teeth be reduced.

The inward travel of each slide-bar is positively limited by the rear end of its rack-lever-cam |42 striking against the base of the clutch shiftlever support |64, Whereas the outward travel is limited by the front end of the lock-block |45 meeting the cross tie 200 mounted at the forward end of the bed-plate 34.

As stated hereinbefore, various commercial types of coin receiving and selecting devices may be used, after certain structural modifications have been effected thereon. Referring in particular to Figs. 19 to 24, there is added to each coin device C used in this embodiment a coin-tube 20| connected to the coin outlet of the device and guided through the bed-plate |34 so as to dis-` charge the inserted coins in a money boX M supported on a shelf 292 depending from the bed-plate Fig. 2. Y

Each coin-tube has a longitudinal rectangular duct 203 dimensioned to suitl the denomination of the coin for which they device is intended. Each coin tube passes close to its corresponding slidebar and on its at side adjacent thereto there are mounted various similar lever mechanisms intended to control the locking means of the slide-bar.

In this case, each coin device C has been designed to selectively require from one to four coins of the same denomination before its respective slide-bar can be operated, in accordance with the pre-established sales transaction. Therefore, there are provided on the flat side of the coin-tube three coin actuated lock-dog operating levers 204 each connected by a wire link 205 to its corresponding slide-bar lock-dog 206, and one lock-dog 201 directly actuated by the first rcoin passing through the coin-tube. As shown in the drawings, the levers 264 are spaced vertically to suit the diameter of the inserted coin and are also spaced horizontally to align with the lock-dogs placed below them on a common fulcrum-pin 228 passing through brackets 209 mounted on the coin-tube.

Each operating lever 224 is straight and comprises an inner arm 2li) protruding through a slot 2I| into the coin duct 223, and an outer arm 2|2 having at its end an aperture 2|3 which receives the upper end of the wire-link 205. Each lever is rockably mounted on a pin 2 4 located in brackets 2 I 5 set on the coin-tube.

The three lever actuated lock-dogs 256 are of asymmetrical T-shape and each comprises the outer horizontal arm 2|6 apertured at its end to receive the lower end of the wire-link, the inner and short horizontal arm 2|1, which does not enter the coin-duct, and the vertical and heavier arm 2|8 adapted to engage one of the lock-teeth |46 provided in the lock-block |45 of the slide-bar.

The coin actuated lock dog 201 is of L-shape; its horizontal arm 2|9 reaches through the slot 220 into the coin duct, and its heavier vertical arm 22| normally engages one of said lock-teeth in the slide-bar.

The top sides of the slots 2| and 220 limit the counterclockwise movements of the levers 204 and dog 201 respectively, and all lock-dogs are bevelled, as at 222, to conform with the bevel of the lock-teeth |45.

Below the lock-dogs and in line with the coinstops |52 there is provided in each coin-tube a slot 20|s which may be engaged by the coin-stop |52 when the slide-bar is pulled back fully in its home-position and thus prevent the inserted coins from dropping into the money-box M.

Each coin actuated slide-bar unlocking device operates substantially as follows: Assuming, for instance, that a certain coin device and its corresponding slide-bar are set to require the insertion of four coins of the same value before the vending machine can be operated: rThese coins are successively inserted in the coin device; the rst coin passes successively all three levers 204, momentarily actuates them, and is finally arrested by the coin-stop |52, thereby holding the lock-dog 201 away from its lock-tooth |46 on the slide-bar. The second coin inserted finally rests on top of the rstcoin, thus actuating the lowermost lockdog operating lever 244 which latter holds its lockdog 26 away from its lock tooth. When the fourth coin is inserted, it will rest on top of the third coin directly opposite the uppermost operating-lever which becomes effective on its lockdog so that all dogs will now release the slide-bar and the latter may be pushed in to set the vending machine in operation. This causes the release, by the coin-stop |52, of all the coins in the coin-tube, so that said coins will drop into the coin-box M. After the release of the coins, the slide-bar is pulled back into starting position, thereby causing the four lock-dogs to re-engage their respective lock-teeth and thus lock the slide-bar again.`

When a sales transaction requires the insertion in the coin device of less than four coins, the superfluous lock-dogs Zilli are raised into ineffective position by means of a pin 223 inserted in the aligned holes 224 drilled in the brackets 20B and adapted to engage the top edge of the shortI arms 2|1 of the lever actuated dogs 206 as shown in Fig. 23. The independent dog 21 need, of course, not be raised out of operative position, since it is always and only actuated by the first coin inserted in the coin device. It will be noted also that the Araising of the unused lock-dogs Will simultaneously put their respective operating levers 204 in position to clear the coin-duct 203 and thus reduce the interference to the passage therethrough of the coin or coins required to perform a certain sale.

If' a sales transaction requires a refund of change, use is made of special change making devices, of any adequate and desired commercial type, suitably mounted above the bed-plate |34.

In the present embodiment of this invention there is a changel making device P for each slidebar |36 and each device may be adjusted to dispense from one to four pennies, a great number of which are stacked in the change columns P. Each change making device may be connected to its actuating slide-bar by a push-bar |49 and the vertically adjustable trigger-pin |5| by means of which the device is actually operated to dispense the required change, every time the slide-bar is p-ushed in. On the return travel of the slide-bar, a spring 225 eiective on the trigger-pin puts the change device back into initial position. The change is discharged by means of individual chutes 226 provided on each change device into the trough 221. Defective or counterfeit coins rejected by the coin receiving devices are also discharged in this trough.

With the present arrangement, the four coin receiving devices and their respective slide-barsunits may be adjusted to perform, at the same set-up four different sales transactions. For instance, the following combination of sales could be arranged: one can at ve cents; two cans at nine cents; six cans at twenty-four cents and twelve cans at forty-seven cents. In this case, the first coin receiving device would be of the vecent denomination and its slide-bar unit would be disconnected from the rst change making device, because no change would be required. This disconnection may be effected either by removing the corresponding push-bar |49, or preferably, by screwing up the trigger pin 15| of the first change making device so as to clear the push-bar. The second coin receiving device would be of the dime denomination and its slide-bar unit would be connected to the second change-device P adjusted to dispense one penny change at each transaction.

For the six-can transaction, a coin receiving device of the twenty-five cent denomination would be installed and connected to the third change device adjusted to refund also one penny each time. Lastly a fifty-cent coin receiving device would be connected with the fourth change making device, so adjusted as to refund three pennies at each sale.

If the sales price of certain items should vary between 16 to 20 cents, for instance, a dime coin receiving device C would be used and adjusted in the manner above explained, to operate upon the insertion of two dimes, and the change making device would be adjusted to dispense from four pennies downward to nothing, as the case might be.

If the basic sum to be inserted should require the combination of two or three coins of standard denomination, two or three slide-bar units can be connected together to act as a unit by means ofV special yokes which also take the place of the superfluous operating handles, only one being installed .for each sales transaction. rI'hus, for instance, if the price of one can were thirtythree cents, the buyer would be requested to insert thirty-five cents in the machine, which amount could be made up either Ywith three dimes and a nickel, or a quarter and a dime. The coin devices for the selected coin denominations would then be installed side by side and their two slide-bars joined together by means of a two-bar yoke, shown in Fig. 41. The operating handles of these bars would be removed and replaced ;by a single one placed midways of the yoke, the refund of two cents could be obtained from both change making devices connected to these slide-bars, each device being adjusted to refund one penny; or, one such device could be disconnected and the other one adjusted to refund two pennies. It would also be necessary to remove the superfluous rack-lift-cam 42, so that only the one that effects the delivery of a single can be used, or else, this slide-bar may be replaced by a so-called blank-bar which has no cam at all.

If the amount to 'be inserted in the vending machine were forty cents, for instance, this sum could be made up either by four dimes or -by a quarter, a dime and a nickel. If the last combination were used, the three corresponding coin receiving devices would be mounted in a row and their slide-bars united by a three-bar yoke, such as shown in Fig. 42; in this case also, only the proper rack-lift-cam 42 would be used.

A two-bar yoke, Fig. 41, comprises the yokebody 223 having two rectangular grooves 229 to straddle the slide-bars, the end holes 230 which receive the bolts or screws by means of which the yoke is fastened to the slide-bars and, preferably, the intermediate hole 23| Vfor a screw by which the operating handle |31 is secured.

The three-bar yoke (Fig. 42) is of similar construction, except that its body 232 has three slide-bar grooves 229 and three holes 230 for the slide bars; the operating handle being secured by the same screw used for fastening the center bar.

The three-bar yoke need but seldom be used, or may =be dispensed with altogether, as a study will show that all price combinations, from ve cents upward and varying at the uniform rate of five cents, may be obtained with two properly combined and adjusted coin receiving units C, while the change making devices P may -be adjusted to refund from one to four pennies, thus covering all price variations from one cent to one dollar and upward.

I'he vending machine, as installed in a store, for instance is enclosed in a housing H, Fig. 40. In this figure are shown various parts so far not described, but which may be listed succinctly as follows: 233 is a removable cover which is taken 01T to adjust the storage tracks and load them; it may be locked in place by means of the lock-key 234. 235 is a hinged cover, also lockable by a key 236 which gives access to the money-box M. 231 is an L-shaped hinged cover, lockable at 238 which may be swung up to give access to the four coin receiving devices and slide-bars. On this cover is a push-knob 239 which must be depressed (with the type of coin receiving device used) to release kany deformed or counterfeit coin which may have been inserted in one of the coin slots 240 which communicate with their respective coin devices. Generally, the coin-slots not needed for a certain set-up are closed by special lockable plugs or lids, not shown. Also on cover 231 is given, as at 24|, informative matter for the purchasing public, while at the right of the operating handles, as at 242, are given the directions for properly operating the vending machine. The electric motor of the vending machine is connected to the supply circuit by means of the light which is controlled by the switch device ||4 mounted on the storage tracks, Fig. 1.

At the front of the machine there is an enclosed space 245 wherein paper bags are stored for use by the buyers, these bags being held up by a spring actuated clamping device 246. When a bag is used, it is opened and set on a platform 241 set below the delivery chute in suitable position to 4be filled with cans, as they are delivered.

Other removable or hinged covers (not shown) are placed in the hidden sides of the housing to give access to various parts of the storage and control mechanisms.

In order to describe the operation of the vending machine, it will be assumed that a certain product is to be sold, for instance, at the rate of two cans for nine cents: first :a specially trained store employee will properly set the vending machine by assembling a coin receiving device C adapted to be operated by a ten-cent piece, or dime, together with the proper slidebar |36, the rack-lever--cam |42 of which is of such height as to effect the delivery of two cans every time the machine is operated. Also, the corresponding change-making device P will be adjusted to refund one penny at each sale, and its lpenny-column P filled with pennies.

After the machine has been properly adjusted for this sale, the following conditions prevail: All the slide-bars |36 are pulled out; the switchcam |25 is holding the switch-plate |82 down (from the last sales transaction), hence, the clutch |98 and the lower sprocket 89 are disengaged and the electric motor is shut olf. Also, the lever |62 resting on the bed-plate |34 is still holding the clutch |22 in mesh, and the rack-lever |53 with the rack-bar |60 are down. Moreover, the coin-tube 20| is closed by the money-stop |52; the slide-bar |36 under consideration is also locked by the lock-dog 201 (the other lock-dogs 206 on said coin-tube having ybeen rendered ineffective by means of the pin 223, by the employee); and the change-triggerpin |5| is in its starting position.

When a customer wishes to make a purchase, he inserts a dime in the proper coin-slot 240 of the coin device C, which coin will raise the lockdog 201 and thus unlock the slide-bar. Now, the customer pushes the slide-bar in with the following results: The tip |38 of the slide-bar electric cable and plug 243, and 244 is an electric first slightly depresses the plunger-pin |10 which latter also depresses the switch-rod |19 and the switch-plate |82, thus freeing the latter from the switch-cam |25. It also holds the switch in the off position and the clutch |98 and sprocket 89 out of mesh.

Further inward movement of the slide-bar now fully swings the lever |62 thereby throwing out the clutch |22; also, cam |42 engages the racklever |53 and raises the rack-bar |60 which in turn rotates the rack-gear |29, shaft ||5 and switch-cam |25 clockwise an amount corresponding to the discharge by the conveyor of two cans. By this time, the coin stop |52 frees the cointube 20| and allows the dime to fall into the money-box M. Moreover, the trigger-pin |5| actuates the change device P which discharges one penny as change in the trough 221, via the chute 226.

The customer now pulls back the slide-bar with the following results:

1. The coin-stop |52 closes the coin-tube 20|;

2. The spring 225 forces the trigger-pin |5| back to starting position;

3. The lock-dog 291 again locks the slide-bar; 4. Ther clutch-shift-lever |62, due to the spring |28 on the delivery control shaft H5, comes to rest again on the bed-plate |34, thus closing the clutch |22.

5. The slide-bar frees the plunger-pin Viii, hence spring |86 forces the switch-rod |`|9 and switch-plate |82 up, this enables the spring actuated switch handle |94 to move up and close the electric circuit of the motor 9, which first runs idly until the teeth of the clutch |98 are forced into mesh with those of the chainsprocket 89 by said spring |89. Because of the small number of teeth in the clutch |93, it will be found that, most usually, said clutch will rotate a fraction of a turn before its teeth engage those of the sprocket 89; this enables the electric motor to come up the full speed before any heavy load is imposed on it, thus reducing the starting torque. This is of importance especially When a battery of vending machines is to be operated by the same motor.

6. The chain conveyor is now actuated and it in turn will drive the delivery control-shaft and the switch-cam |25 counterclockwise until the latter causes the switch handle |84 to be depressed into 01T position, but only after the loaded conveyor has taken up two cans from the lowermost storage tracks and, concurrently, discharged two cans into the chute I i. rThe motor 9 is now shut off, the switch-cam |25 again rests on the switch-handle |94 and the lower chain sprocket 89 is disengaged, thus leaving the vending-machine in readiness for a new transaction.

Other sales, from one cent upward requiring the insertion of more than one coin in the coin devices C or the refund of more than one penny by the change device P, will, of course, necessitate corresponding arrangements and adjustments of said devices and the slide-bars by a trained employee, otherwise the operation of the vending machine will be as above described.

While'we have illustrated and described herein the present embodiment of our invention, and one which we have found by actual use to be very practical and economical in space and labor, it may be found desirable after continued exp-erience to make various changes in the construction and arrangement of the details of this invention, and we intend to include in this applir cation all such changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a vending machine including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their converging ends, unitary means to simultaneously vary said gaps.

2. In a vending machine including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their converging ends, unitary means to uniformly and simultaneously vary said gaps, and means to lock said former means into selected position.

3. In a vending machine for dispensing rollable goods, including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined storage tracks for said goods, each track comprising two parallel rails, unitary means to simultaneously and uniformly shift said rails horizontally to vary the distance therebetween, means to lock said rails in the selected position, and guide means in said rails to reduce the frictional resistance to the rolling of said goods.

4. In a vending machine for dispensing rollable goods, including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined storage tracks for said goods, each Dtrack comprising two parallel rails of substantially L-shaped cross-section, unitary means to simultaneously and uniformly shift said rails horizontally to vary the distance therebetween, means to lock said rails in the selected position, and guide means positioned adjacent the inner corners of said rails to reduce the lateral frictional resistance to the rolling of said goods.

5. In a vending machine for dispensing rollable goods, including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined storage tracks for said goods, each track comprising two parallel rails of substantially L-shaped cross-section, unitary means to simultaneously and uniformly shift said rails horizontally to vary the distance therebetween, means to lock said rails in the selected position, and longitudinal guide-strips positioned in said rails to reduce the lateral frictional resistance to the rolling of said goods.

6. In a vending machine for dispensing rollable goods, including a plurality of superposed and alternately oppositely inclined storage tracks for said goods, each track including two parallel rails of substantially L-shaped cross-section, unitary means to simultaneously and uniformly shift said rails horizontally to vary the distance therebetween, means to lock the rails in the selected position, and longitudinal guide-strips positioned adjacent the inner corners of said rails and of lesser height than the vertical flanges thereof to reduce the lateral frictional resistance to the rolling of said goods.

7. In a vending machine for rollable goods, a plurality of superposed oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their converging ends; means to vary said gaps; stop means slidably mounted on one track to stop the goods thereon, and means to simultaneously operate said gap varying means and stop means.

8. In a vending machine for rollable goods, a plurality of superposed oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their converging ends; means to simultaneously vary said gaps; stop means slidably mounted on one track to stop the goods thereon, and unitary means to simultaneously operate said gap varying means and said stop means.

9. In a vending machine for rollable goods, a plurality of superposed oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their converging ends; means to simultaneously vary said gaps; stop means slidably mounted on one track to stop the goods thereon; unitary means to simultaneously operate-said gap varying means and stop means, and means to lock said unitary means in selected position.

l0. In a vending machine for rollable goods, a plurality of superposed oppositely inclined tracks having open gaps at their front and rear converging ends; stop means slidably mounted at the delivery end of the lowermost track to stop the goods thereon; slide-means at the converging ends to simultaneously vary said gaps, and unitary means to simultaneously operate said slide-means and move said stop-means in reverse direction of that of the front slide-means.

JOHN KRUCKEWITT. JOHN A. DONAHOE.

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