US1598148A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

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BEST AVAlLABLE COP:

Aug- 31, 1926.

s. s. MILLER VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TM5? www? W Affari/sgr.

Patented ug. 31, 1926.

narran STAT-Es BEST AVAILABLE COPNI vsrni'riioi'm s. MILLER, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

v-ENDING MACHINE.

. Application 'filed February My invention relates to a 'vendi-ng vmachine and particuiarly to 'a vending machine adapted for vending small packages such as gum and candy bars.

It is an object of this invention to provide a vending machine which is of marked simplicity in' its'en'ti're structure, yet dependable inoperation.'

'It is another object of this invention -to provide a vending machine having a plurality of Iejecting mechanisms which 'are all operated by the same crank and which may be operated either singly or together.

It 'is a still Ifurther object of-this 'invention to provide a vending machine-having a rigid lcoin receiving member vand 'a loose coin receiving member which are adjacently positioned .onl a shaft and which are adapted to be locke-d together by alcoin.

It is also an object of 'this' invention to provide a vending machine of the character mentioned in which all Iof the rigid 'coin receiving members 'are tied together.

` It is another object 'of this-invention to provide a vending machine 'in which the loose coin receiving members are returned -to normal position -by a member which ties the rigid lcoin receiving members together.

It is another object of this invention Vto provide a vending machine in which the normal positionsfof the rigid and loose -corn receiving members are determined by'en'gagement thereof with coin chutes.

Other objects and advantages Vof this invention will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to lthe drawings in which ll i1- lustrate my invention:

Fig. l is a verticalsection through avending machine embodying the features of'this invention. j A

Fig. 2 is a section taken on'the line of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows thereof.

Fifi. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

.Fig 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the operating mechanism of -my invention'. Y

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of-a rigid coin receiving member of my invention.

Fig. (S is a perspective'view of a -loose coin receiving member of my invention.

Theform of the invention shown in the drawings consists of a housing 11. The housing 11 consists of Ja base plate 12 to 2,1926. Serial No. v85,480.

which a vertically extending shell 13 is secured, 'this shell 18 consisting of side walls -14 and a back wall 15. A top 16 is secured to the upper end of the 'shell 13. Extending between ythe side Walls 14 is a rear supporting* member 1,-8 and a forward supporting member 19. The 'support- ing members 18 and 19, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4, support a series of bottom plates 20 which have channels 21 therebetween. j It should be noted :that the forward supporting bar 19 is disposed 'in fan inclined position and that the forward ends of the 'bottom plates 2O are bent to conform with the inclination of the bar 19. VAEiitefn'din-g upwardly from the bottom plates 520 between the front and the back lof fthe -s'i'de walls 14 isa wall 24, the upperfend 25 of which extends forwardly to the front of the side walls 14. Extending between the -npper 'portion 25 and the plates 20 Iis a series of bars 27 which divides the space between the side walls 14 and in front. of the wall 24 into a series of retaining 'chambers designated at 28. The fronts of the retaining chambers 28 are closed by a front cover k29 having a glass 31 giving` a view to the chambers 28. The lower part of the 'front 'cover 29 fis provided in the vform of'a forwardly extending hood 33. Extending downwardly from -a point from which the hood 33 extends forwardly from the lower partof the cover-29 is a wall 84 which terminates just above the bottom plates 20, thus providing a space 85 through which articles, as indicated at 86, may be ejected from the retainingchambers 28.

A're'ceptacl'e 37 consists of vertical side walls 4l and a vertical front wall 45 to which is secured an inclined bottom 46, the upper end of which rests above the forwardly inclined portions ofthe bottom plates 20, and above the -inclined forward cross bar 19. Thereceptacle 37 provides a pocket 48.

Extending across the housing 11 between the side walls 14 and below the retaining chambers 28 is -an operating shaft 55, the ends of which extend through openings 56 formed in the side walls 14 by means of which the operating shaft is rotatably supported. One end of the operating shaft 55 has a crank 57 secured thereto on the exterior of the housing 11 and by means of vwhich the shaft may be rotated. Carried by the operating shaft 55 inside the housing 11 is a plurality of rigid coin receiving members 59 and a plurality of loose coin receiving members 60, Referringto F ig.- 5, each of the rigid coin receiving meinbers 59 consists of a stamped member 61 which is provided with a fiat vertical webV 62 to which a hub 68 is secured. The vertical web 62 is provided with anopening 64: which aligns with an opening in the hub 63 and through wliichthejoperating shaft 55 extends. Each member 61 is provided with an offset portion 66 from which there extend walls forming a .coin channel 67. The lower of the walls forming this coin channel 67 projects beyond the other of the walls forming this coin channel so as to provide an extending tongue68.

Each of the loose coin receiving members G0 consists of a member70 having'a vertical web 71 to whicha hub 72 is secured, this vertical web 71 havingNan-openingv formed therein which aligns with an opening in the liubf. 72 and through wliichfthe operating shaft55 extends. An arm .7.4 extends upwardly from the vertical Web'71. An odset portion 75 connectsy .to the vertical web 71 atthel forward. .edge -thereof, and extending from the offset portion are walls forming a coin chjannel77. v The low,- er of the walls forming thev coin .channel 77 extends forwardly beyond the-,other-Walls in a manner to provide a tongue 79 which extends outwardly from4 the coin channel 77. The rigid and loose coin receivingmembers 59 and '60 are arranged in pairs on the operating shaft 55, as shown lbest in Fig. d. The members` 59 and 60 are so paired that the coin channels 67 and 77 are arranged adjacent to each .other so as to forni arcoin cavity81. The tongues extend outwardly fromtlie coin channels in adjacent positions. 'A

The rigid coin receiving members 59 may all be rigidly secured to the operating shaft 55 by pins 82 or only certain of these. rigid coin receiving members maybe rigidly secured to the shaft. The rigid coin receiv ing members 59 are all secured together by a tying member 88. As shown very clearly in `Fig. the tying member 83 extends under the tongues 68 and 79 and isrigidly secured to the tongues 68 of the rigid coin receiving members 59, this being easily done by spot-welding, as shown. Therefore, it will be seen that even though certain ofthe rigid coin receiving members 59 are not pinned to the shaft they are rigidly associated with the shaft 55 by means of a tie member 83. The loose coin receiving meinbers 60 are .in no way connected to the shaft 55 and therefore the shaft 55 and the rigid coin receiving members 59 may move relatively thereto. There is a pair of rigid and loose coin receiving members 59 and 60 for each retaining chamber 28. Extending from the hub .of one of the rigid coin receiving members 59 is a rod 85 lto which a spring 86 is attached for resiliently holding the sha-ft 55zin what is termed a normal position, which position is shown by full lines in Fig. 1. The spring 86' is connected to'the rear wall 15 of the housing 11.

Each retaining chamber 28 is provided `with any-ejector 88. The ejector 88 is of the shape shown best'in Fig. l, and is adapted to rest on upper faces of bottom plates 20. Guide pins 89 extend downwardly from each of the ejectors 88, these pins 89 extending through a slot 21, thus guiding and retaining each ejector in proper position in the retaining chambers 28. The wall 24 terminates a short distance vabove the bottom plates' 20 and provides aspace through which the ejectors, 88 may pass in moving from,y retracted position, as shown in full lines iin" Fig. 1, vbehind the wall 25 into extended or ejected position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. .1. `Extending from one yofjxftheu pins 89 o f-each ejector 88 is a 'connector-,rod 90 the yforward end of which is connected tdanextending end Yof. an arm 74 .of A one .off'thei loose coin receiving membersO. l .r i. u i

Bigidly .securedto the lower face of the inclined"bottom"46 of the receptacle 37 is a plurality of coinl chutes 95, these coin chutes being conveniently secured in place by spot-welding. vEach coin chute is iii direct alignment with one of the coin cavities 81 of one of the pairs'of rigid and loose coin vreceiving members 59 and 60. Eacn coin chute consists of a bottom wall 97 naving an opening .98. formedl therein and side `Walls 99. vThe rear ends of each of the chutes 95 are connected together by a bar 100 which isfor the purpose of reinforcing the chutes. r`he inclined bottom i6 of the receptacle 87 is provided with a plurality of coin slots 102, each of which align with one of the chutes 95. As shown best in Fig. 3, the rear ends ofthe coin chutes 95 extend over the tongues 68 and 79 of the rigid and loose coin receiving members 59 and 60 and therefore 'prevent' them from moving upwardly beyond a certain point; therefore, it may be said -that the coin chutes 95 determine the upper, or what we call the normal position, of the rigid and loose coin receiv- ing members 59 and 60. By this arrangement it is not necessary to provide any additional means for determining this normal position of these members.

ln considering the operation of the invention we will assume that the retaining chambers 28 are filled with packages to be vended such as indicated at 86 in F ig. 1. These packages 36 are sho-wn to be the san-.e size and shape as a package of gum. A coin is inserted through one of the coin slots 102 and passes down one of the chutes 95. If

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this` coin iszof vvtoo large a size f it cannot be inserted through the? coin slot'1102 andI 'ifl it l is'oftoo small aisizewitwvill drop lfromtlie chute 95'through the'opening' 98* thereof-.-

size? Tlie'chute95 through which"the'coin`V passes' guides it "intione-fof 'the coinE 'i receiv` show-n in Figi 1,'i`or'fromfdotted line' positron 106 fin Fig; 4'thro1igli-the= position indicated by f full" linesgin'.' Fig: 4 intovwposition'findiicated' by dotted line's 1075 of '1T-ig.A `1.` Atrthis are moved into 'the' position -shownfby dottedj linesin'Fig. lend "the tying-'member 83 isi' which fdeter'niines ythefaetuzite'd position of -the I device:

The coin resting fin the position indicated fitr fl05 inl Fig; 4' locks i'on'e et the" ldose' coin reeeivingi'me-'mbers f60^to'=on'e"of the rigid coin receiving 'J members' 59 'andf therefore' ceivinglmemb'er! 59y into lactua-tedl position. Wlien'l in'. actuated( fl position 'f the I ri'gid and loose I coin'E receiving: Lmembers fare disposed" sofi th'at'fthefcoinfcavity'81 'thereof is'in ra position. VtendsI below the'tongues'7 9 of the loose' coin verticalplzrne; therefore',' the fcoinmzvy -drop into '-a coin i chamber 110 provided-in 'the' bot# tomi 'of 'the'lhousing '11.f Access tothefcoin v chamber-ill() may \be"h'ad1"by Aremoving 'the front-cover 29 and` swinging fthe' -rec'epticle on"therh'inge38 "into the positio'nfindi'- cated'` bywdottedf lines'flll of Figgld The' i connecting link 9@ 1 associated withy this actuated loose coin lre'e'e'ivingf member bers 28 'and sf-forced forwardly"from thisKv retaining Jchamber' 28V 'into Va position indi;

timeizthe lowermost pa'ckge'E lhas AY"been moved entirely out' of' the retainingfchamber 28? 'and is reeto'slide down-'the incl/ined bottom 46 4of the' receptacleu into' the'- pocket 48 thereof".

lVhen the crank 57 vis released thel'springf resiliently 'returns the-Cranlr'-57, the oper' utingrshaft 55,' lthe' rigid coin freceiving members59 and vthe-tie' member F83 tol normal The tie member "83, since 'it eX-l receivingmember 60g engages the loose-coin' receiving rmember= thathz'is" been: 'actuit'ed'r and returns 1t==to normal-position'"withthe otherpa'rts ofthe device; t is veryevident thf'i-t the eJe'CtOrs-SS' are-never opera-ted nii-- BEST AVAlLABLE COPN 3i' lessi-a coin rests in oneof the "coinfcai'iitiesP' 81 end one of the loose' coinre'ceiving'mem-v bers G0 is locked to e rigid coin receiving member 59' 'by the coin. y

Simplicity of construction is oneo-ithe-) importan-tfeatures cfa-fthe invention.-l The fhousingand the parts that form thefretziiningfeavifties'Sl. The-coin rests in 'the czivity' Slyas indibatedV at 21O5-in Fig.4'-. Y The Toren I i' l5? is then-I moved1 froml lfull`I line"positidn, f :is 1

ing chamber'QS are offth'e simplest Ifor-m and` the e]ector"mechan1sin is also of ei:-` tre'i'nely simple form.

course,the hubs thereof are provided'sepa'# tothe-stamped portions-of these parts. 3*)

Stops-for determining the normal posi@ i -1 tion'othe par-ts are' all eliminated-by the'- moved intof p'o'sitiontd engege"`tlie"stop 109 constructionof the chutes' 95 which extendI 'so' as to engagethe tongues G8 and 79.l Separatemeans for returning any of tl'iewustii-v-Q5 ated loose coin lreceiving members 60' and* th'efassociatedf mechnnism'to normall positionY are all fdone away 'with' by providing the tying-member 83: The 'other function of the tying member` 83'is :tor-reinforcing '90 i the` 1strncture=-and also foreliminatingl thel necessity for'separately pinning ezieh ofV the rigidicoin receiving members 59 to the -oper'- ating-shaft 55.- This reduces lthe amount of f work necessary in'ziss'emblingftheimechine'. 5

I-{eln'im as my invention:

1.l Ina vending machine, -the combinationo: an 'operating shaft;I means *for rotating said shaft; a pluralityofrigid coin receiving^mem`bers5- Certain-of which are rigidly secured' tovsaid operating'shafit,A each of sai-id" rigid coin receiving members having a coin channel and a-'tngue'exte'nding outwardly fromlsaid'coin channel; 'tying means for' tying said' rigid coin receiving' members lo" together; a plurality ofloose coin'rcceivingv members-pivotally carried fby seid' operating Shaft, veach of saidlloose coin receiving' members being 'positioned :adjacent to one 'of' sid'rigid eoin'receiving'members and hsv- H0 ing'a coin channel cooperating with the coin channel of theadjcent' rigidA coin receiving member to form a coin cavity, and having' a 1tongue"extendingl outwardly4 from vsaid coin channel of each loose coin receiving 11" member; 'a plurality of coin chutes, each oi sa'idfcoin chutes being'positioned for-'guidinga-coininto one-of'said coin slots thus locking 'one of :said loose coin receiving members to' o'neoi: said ri'gid coin receiving members'and loeking'semeto seid operating' vshnitso that it willvbe operated'therewith;4

walls Aforming a plurality of ietzii'ning-chamL bers in which articles to be Ven'ded may 'be' placed; a plurality of ejeetors, there being l one ejector Lfor eachof 'said retaining chaml bers; and means connecting each of said -jectors Avv'ithone'of seid loose: coin receiving members so as to move each'ejector in a manner toA ej'ect an article from one of 130i The looseand rigid 'T5 'coin receiving member GO and 59 may' be v very readily-stamped rom'sheet meterla` Gf saidzretaining chambers when one of said from said coin channel; tying means ifor.-=

tying said rigid coin receiving members together; :a plurality ofl loose. coin .receiving members pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of'said loose coin receiving mem-z bers beingpositioned adj acentjto one of said rigid coin receiving'members and having a coin channel cooperating with the-coin chan= nel lof the adjacent rigid coin receiving member to form a coml cavity, l andhaving a tongue extendinggoutwardly from said coin channel ofv each .loose coin receiving member; a plurality vofrcoilntchutes, each. of

said coin chutes being positionedy for guiding' a coin into oneof said coin slots -thns locking one of said loose coin receiving membersto one of said rigid Coin receiving inembersand locking same to said operating' shaft sothat it will be operatedtherewith; walls forming a plurality of retaining chambers in whicharticles to be vended may be placed; a -plurality of ejectors, there being one ejector for each of sai'd retainingchambers; means connecting each of said ejectors with one of said loose coin receiving members so as to move each ejector in al manner to eject an article from one of said retaining chambers when one of said loose coin retaining members is locked to said shaft; and returning means for returning said rigid coin receiving members to normal position, said loose coin receiving members being engaged and returned to normal position by said tying means.

il. In a vending machine, the combination of; an operating shaft; means for rotating said shaft; a plurality of rigid coin receiving members, certain of which are rigidly secured to said operating shaft, each of said rigid coin receiving members, having a coin` channel and a tongue extending outwardly from said `coin channel; tying means for tying said rigid coin receiving members together; a plurality of loose coin receiving members pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of said loose coin receiving members being positioned adjacent to one of said rigid coin receiving members and having a coin channel cooperating with the coin channel of the adjacent rigid coin receiving member BEST AVAILABLE COPY extending outwardlyfrom said co'in chanplurality of coin chutes, each of said coin chutes beingivpositioned for-.guiding a` coin into one Iof-said coin slots thus locking one of said loose. coinreceiving members to one of lsaid `rigid coin receiving members land:y

locking Vsame to lsaid operating shaft so that it will be voperated therewith, eaclrof said coin chutes being adapted to engage said extending tongues of, 1saidrigid and' loose to form a coiny cavity, and havinga tongueA j coin receiving members fo'rdetermining the.;

Anormal positions 'lofsaidrigid liand loose coin receiving members; walls forming a phirality ofretaining chambers in whichrarticles to be vended may be placed; a plurality;

Lofejectors,-.there being one-'ejector for each 4of saidgretai-ning chambers; andmeans con# ,necting each of said ejectorswith one of said loose coinreceiving'` members so asto move. each ejectorin a manner to eject an article frioinfone-of said retaining chamf bersywhen ojnefofsaidfloose coin retaining vmembers ,is locked 5to lsaid shaft.

5. jIn a vending machine, the combination `of: an Operating shaft; means `for rotating said shaft;aplura'lity.of `rigid coin receiving finembers,certainof which are rigidly. v secured lto said. operating shaft, each ofsaid rigid coin receiving `members having a coin channel and a tongue extending outwardly from said coin ychannel; :tying means fori v tying said rigid lcoin receiving'members -together;,aplurality of loose coin receiving lmembers pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of said loose coin receiving memvbers being positioned adjacent to one of said rigid coin receiving members and having a coin channel cooperating with the coin' channel ofthe adjacent rigid coin receiving member to form a coin cavity, and having a tongue'extending outwardly from said coin channel of each" loose coin-receiving member; a plurality .of coin chutes, each of said coin chutes being positioned for guiding a coin' into one of said coin slots thus locking one of said loose coin 'receiving members to one ofl saidrigid coin receiving members and locking same to said operating shaft so` that it will be operated therewith, each of saidl coin chutes being adapted to engage said'extendingtongues` of said rigid and loose coin receiving membersfor determining the normal positions of said rigid and loose coin receiving members; walls forming a plurality of retaining chambers in which articles to be vended may be placed; a plurality of ejectors, there being one ejector for each of said 'retaining chambers; vmeans connecting each of said ejectors with one of said loose coin receiving members s0 as to move each ejector in a manner to eject an article from one of said retaining chambers when one of said ,floose coinv retaining Iimeniibers '.slilocked: i to .said shaft ;r pand ineturning means forwretur/Iiing said rigidficoin :receiving membersptp normal position, .saidznloose' '.coin rrecei-vrmg members being engaged and iretu'rnedrto normal position by"saidityingimeans.l= i

.6.lIn..a endinYgm-alhinlithe combination of: an operating shaft; means for rotating said shaft; a plurality of rigid coin receiving members, certain of Which are rigidly secured to said operating shaft, each of` said rigid coin receiving members having a coin channel and a tongue extending outwardly from said coin channel; tying means secured to said tongues of each of said rigid coin receiving members for tying said rigid coin receiving members together; a plurality of loose coin receiving members pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of said loose coin receiving members being positioned adjacent to one of said rigid coin receivng members and having a coin channel cooperating With the coin channel of the adjacent rigid coin receiving member to form a coin cavity, and having a tongue extending outwardly from said coin channel of each loose coin receiving member; a plurality of coin chutes, each of said coin chutes being positioned for guiding a coin into one of said coin slots thus locking one of said loose coin receiving members to one of said rigid coin receiving members and locking same to said operating shaft so that it will be operated therewith; Walls forming a plurality of retaining chambers in which articles to be vended may be placed; a plurality of ejectors, there being one ejector for each of said retaining chambers; means connecting each of said ejectors With one of said loose coin receiving members so as to move each ejector in a manner to eject an article from one of said retaining chambers when one of said loose coin retaining members is locked to said shaft; and returning means for returning said rigid coin receiving members to normal position, said loose coin receiving members being engaged and returned to normal position by said tying means.

7. In a vending machine, the combination of: an operating shaft; means for rotating said shaft; a plurality of rigid coin receiving members` certain of which are rigidly secured to said operating shaft. each of said rigid coin receiving members having a coin channel and a tongue extending outwardly from said coin channel; tying means secured to said tongues of each of said rigid coin receiving members for tying said rigid coin receiving members together; a plurality of loose coin receiving members pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of said loose coin receiving members being positioned adjacent to one of said rigid coin receiving members and having a. coin chaneEsT AvAiLAeLE com 5 melf v.cooperating .wvith :':the lcom f channel of ithef adjacent: rigid :coin ureceivxing'. anember Lto: -formra fcoinrcavity, i and having.' a' tongue eentnoling outwardly from. saidk coin: 'channel ioteac'h loosecoin receiving membergiazpl-u-A of Iicoin-:z chutesf ea'ch of said (com chutesl beingepositioned forf fguid-ing a `coin into one of said coin slots thus locking one of said loose coin receiving members to one of said rigid coin receiving members and locking same to said operating shaft so that it- Will be operated therewith, each of said coin chutes being adapted to engage said extending tongues of said rigid and loose coin receiving members for determining the normal positions of said rigid and loose coin receiving members; walls forming a plurality of retaining chambers in which articles to be vended may be placed; a plurality of ejectors, there being one ejector for each of said retaining chambers; and means connecting each of said ejectors with one of said loose coin receiving members so as to move each ejector in a manner to eject an article from one of said retaining chambers when one of said loose coin retaining members is locked to said shaft.

8. In' a vending machine. the combination of: an operating shaft; means for rotating said shaft; a` plurality of rigid coin receivi ing members. certain of which are rigidly secured to said operating shaft, each of said rigid com receiving members having a coin channel and a tongue extending outward-` ly from said coin channel; tying means secured to said tongues of each of said rigid coin receiving members for tying said rigid coin receiving members together; a. plurality of loose coin receiving members pivotally carried by said operating shaft, each of said loose coin receiving members being positioned adjacent to one of said rigid coin receiving members and having a coin channel cooperating with the coin channel of the adjacent rigid coin receiving member to form a coin cavity, and having a tongue extending outwardly from said coin channel of each loose coin receiving member; aplurality of coin chutes` each of said coin chutes being positioned for guiding a coin into one of said coin slots thus lock ing one of said loose coin receivingimembers to one of said rigid coin receiving members and locking same to said operating shaft so that it will be operated therewith` each of said coin chutes being adapted to engage said extending tongues of said rigid and loose coin receiving members for determining the normal positions of said rigid and loose vcoin receiving members: Walls forming a plurality of retaining chambers in which articles to be vended may be placed; a plurality of eject-ors, there being one ejector for each of said retaining chambers; means connecting each of said ejectors with one of safidloose coin receiving members so as to move each ejector in a. manner to eject an article-from-fone of said retaining chambers -vvhe'n oney of 'saidz loose coin retaining members is llocked to said shaft; and returning means for returning .said lrigid coin receivingl members to norf -positionby said. tying means."Y ff;l v

In; testimonyr whereof, I have hereunto -setimy hand at.Los-'Angeles, California, this BEST AVAILABLE COP@ mall position, said Eloosev coinv receiving mem- Abers being engaged. and returned tonormal 18th dayofJanuary., 192g. .STANHOPE S.*MILLER`.

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