US3437239A - Can vending mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1969 F. v. BOOKOUT CAN VENDING MECHANISM Sheet L of 4 Filed Sept. 15, 1967 .fi/ezzz or qyd fiookozz April 8, 1969 F. v. BOOKOUT 3,437,239

CAN VENDING MECHANISM Sheet 2 014 Filed Sept. 15,

LI.L

April 8, 1969 F. v. BOOKOUT CAN VENDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1967 gfiz/ezzfor 62 flaakozz 1 faw/ fi April 8, 1969 F. v. BOOKOUT 3,437,239

CAN VENDING MECHANISM I Filed Sept. 15, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 United States Patent f 3,437,239 CAN VENDING MECHANISM Floyd V. Bookout, Arlington Heights, 111., assignor to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 668,022 Int. Cl. G07f 11/24 US. Cl. 221-241 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Electro-mechanical apparatus, useful in automatic vending machines, for controlling the selective release and transfer of individual items, from storage, featured by solenoid actuated mechanisms operable to index a delivery wheel through a partial rotational cycle, and an associated interlock system for preventing delivery rotation of the wheel sufficient to release an article except upon the deposit and acceptance of a preselected coin value and preconditioning operation of related vending mechanisms.

The present invention is directed generally to vending machines and more particularly to improvements in mechanisms for releasing and delivering unitary items from a stored supply thereof upon customer selection, while positively preventing the discharge and delivery of more than one item or unit for each selected purchase.

The automatic or mechanized vending of canned and bottled commodities is a familiar part of the American economic scene. Normally such machines vend canned or bottled soft drinks or beverages in which a supply of such items, in one or more flavors, are normally stored in a refrigerated compartment and selectively released therefrom in response to deposit of a predetermined coin value by the customer. One of the major problems confronting the proprietor of such an automatic vending machine is the prevention of pilfering and jackpotting of the vending mechanism whereby articles can be obtained by the customer without deposit of a predetermined coin value. This problem is particularly prevalent in can vending machines in that normally such machines are desirably operated without the benefit of a policing attendant. It therefore is essential to the successful operation of such machines that the delivery or vending mechanism involved therein be essentially fool proof so far as pilfering and jackpotting are concerned and at the same time such must be dependable in operation to insure delivery of selected and paid for items to the customer.

An additional problem confronting both the manufacturer and operator of such a coin operated vending machine is the accommodation of such machines, particularly the delivery mechanism to containers of different dimensions. In a can vendor, for example, the size of the cylindrical cans is not uniformly identical either as to length or diameter, between the various supply manufacturers of the canned products. Thus a vending machine of this order desirably should include within its features the capability of accommodating cans or containers of different sizes. At the same time, positive assurance of operating dependability must be present to preserve customer satisfaction.

In brief, the present invention is directed to improvements in vending mechanisms, particularly of the type adapted to regulate the release and discharge of generally cylindrical articles, such as canned or bottled beverages, whereby such articles may be released for delivery to the customer one at a time from a stored supply there- Patented Apr. 8, 1969 of. The present invention is particularly featured by an electro-mechanical apparatus in which a delivery wheel is periodically indexed through a partial rotational cycle to deliver unitary items from a storage magazine in response to customer selection; the indexing of the delivery wheel being preconditioned in accordance with the machine acceptance of selected coin value deposited by the customer. This insures that an article to be delivered has been paid for prior to release thereof from storage. At the same time the indexing of the delivery wheel is also interlocked and cross-conditioned on the presence of an article in the storage magazine so that there will be no delivery indexing of the wheel and no retention of the deposited coins for articles selected from an empty F magazine. This feature preserves customer satisfaction.

Ideally, the present invention is to be employed in vending machines capable of storing and delivering a variety of different flavored canned or bottled beverages for individual selection by the customer. The improved vending apparatus of this invention is further distinguished by adjustability whereby the same is accommodated to selectively discharge or vend articles of generally cylindrical configuration but of differing size; it being understood that more than one such apparatus may be employed per vending machine, each of which is adjustable to vend a plurality of uniformly sized items from a given storage magazine. Positive acting means are included within the mechanism for preventing jackpotting and pilfering and for insuring that only one article at a time will be delivered per operating cycle thereof.

An important object of this invention is to provide improved vending mechanisms for coin operated vending machines particularly of the can vendor variety.

Another important object of this invention is to provide improved vending mechanisms, as aforesaid, in which articles are positively held in, released and ejected from storage for delivery to the customer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved electro-mechanical apparatus for selectively re leasing and discharging unitary items from a stored supply thereof with the operation of such apparatus being preconditioned upon the deposit and acceptance of a preselected coin value corresponding to the price of a selected item and with the completion of the operating cycle therefor causing a resetting of the selection and coin mechanisms of the vending machine for subsequent vending operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved vending apparatus which is distinguished by simplicity of structure and dependability of operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved vending apparatus for coin operated can vendors and similar automatic vending machines which is productive of improved economies of manufacture and assembly and which is relatively maintenance free in operation.

Having thus described the present invention the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized from the hereinafter appearing description of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out its features so as to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the same, and particularly the preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a can vending machine embodying the vending apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of a vending apparatus according to this invention, illustrating the adjustable frame thereof whereby articles of varying dimension may be accommodated therein;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the vending apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 and taken substantially along vantage lines 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial view in side elevation of the apparatus set out in FIGURE 3, illustrating the vending apparatus according to this invention in operation to release and discharge a unitary item from a stored supply thereof;

FIGURE 5 is another enlarged partial view in side elevation, similar to FIGURE 4 showing the apparatus thereof in a. static condition preparatory to initiation of a vending operation; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially along vantage lines 66 of FIGURE 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

Turning now to the particulars of the preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings, reference is initially made to FIG. 1 wherein a typical can vending machine, indicated generally at 10, includes an exterior upright cabinet 11 having insulated enclosing walls and provided with a hinged front wall or door 12. provided with a vending stage 13 which communicates with an interiorly disposed discharge hopper 14 located beneath a plurality of storage magazines 15, 15; there being four such magazines in the particular machine illustrated. The front panel or door 12 of the machine is shown provided with a can opening station 16 and an operating means 16a of the order described in US. Patent No. 3,263,326. A plurality of selector push buttons or switch operators 17 are provided across the upper frontal regions of the panel door 12, each associated with a particular canned product in display panel 18. A coin receiving slot means 19 is provided in the front door panel 12 in a conventional fashion for the reception of customer deposited coin value in accordance with the price of the product selected.

At the base or bottom ends of each of the several storage magazines 15, is an individual vending mechanism 20 according to the present invention (see FIG. 1); it being understood that each such vending mechanism 20 is adapted to selectively release a unitary item from a plurality thereof stored in a selected magazine 15 for delivery to the vending stage 13 via the hopper 14, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Turning now to the particulars of the improved vending mechanism 20 according to this invention, reference is especially made to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. As illustrated in these two figures, each of the vending mechanisms 20 is associated with a related storage magazine 15 having, as oriented in FIG. 2 in particular, a right hand wall or partition disposed in a generally upright or vertical condition and a corresponding left hand wall or partition 26. A plurality of incline storage chutes are provided between the parallel disposed partitions 25 and 26; such chutes being formed by associated pairs of angle iron rails 27, 27 of generally L-shape cross-section having can supporting flange portions 28 and fixed in opposing registration to the inside faces of the side wall partitions 25 and 26, so as to provide means for supporting and guiding generally cylindrical items such as canned beverages for movement from the front end toward the rear end of the storage magazine 15'. Reference is specifically made to FIG. 2 of the drawings wherein such pairs of guide rails 27, 27 are illustrated with opposing flange portions 28 thereof, undersupporting a can 29.

At the rearward terminal ends of the several pairs of rails 27, 27 is a vertical drop chute or spacing 32, (FIG. 2) immediately adjacent the rearward end of the magazine unit 15; the lower rearward ends of the guide rail pairs 27 being interferingly separated from the vertical drop chute 32 by intervening wire gates 33 having coaxial end portions pivotally supported in appropriate openings formed in the partitions 25 and 26. The use of such gates in a storage magazine of this general nature is well known but in essence, each of the gates 33 holds a plurality of cans in a related inclined storage chute until the drop chute or passageway 32, opposite such gate, is empty, whereupon items such as the cylindrical can 29 illustrated, roll toward chute 32, causing the related gate 33 to swing outwardly across the drop chute and thereby permitting the cans supported on the inclined rails 27 to gravitational ly feed one by one into the upper end of the drop chute 32. In operation this arrangement requires the uppermost storage racks or chutes of the magazine to empty before cans may move out of the next lower disposed rack. As a result, the last to empty storage rack or chute of the magazine is the lowermost one of the magazine.

The vertically aligned drop chute or spacing 32 communicates at its lower end with the rearward end of a forwardly and downwardly inclined delivery chute means 34 (see FIG. 3) made up of a pair of registeringly aligned flanged rails 35, fastened to the side panels 25 and 26, similar to the structure utilized in forming the storage chutes above described. Chute 35 feeds cans to the vend ing mechanism 20 which in turn selectively permits such cans to pass one by one to the lower end of the delivery chute, whereat the same drop downwardly into the upper end of the discharge hopper 14 (see FIG. 4). It will be understood and appreciated that the movement of the cylindrical items or cans out of the storage chutes or racks, into the vertical drop chute 32 and thence along the oppositely inclined delivery chute means 34 for eventual discharge and delivery to the customer at vending stage 13 is effected by gravity accompanied by a rolling action of the cans.

Turning now particularly to the structural make up and adjustability features of the magazine means 15, reference is made especially to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings from which it will be understood that a front mounting plate 36 extends across the front or leading end of the side partitions or panels 25 and 26 and that a rear panel 37 likewise extends across the rearward ends or edge thereof engaging outturned flanged portions 38 and 39 for-med at the forward and rearward ends or edges respectively of the side panels. In the case of the right hand panel 25, the front plate 36 and the rear panel 37 are fixed in place to the respective flanges 38 and 39 thereof as by fastening means such as bolts 40 and 41.

Contrastingly, the left hand panel 26 of the magazine means 15 is adjustably movable with respect to the right hand panel 25. This accommodates cylindrical items or cans of varying lengthwise dimension by accordingly varying the width of the storage and delivery chutes of the magazine. This feature is accomplished by the provision of a plurality of adjustment openings, such as openings 42, 42 arranged or clustered in diagonal rows adjacent the upper and lower left hand corners of mouthing plate 36 in the embodiment illustarted in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Such openings 42 receive fastening bolts 43 which pass through the front flange portion (in the case of front plate 36) provided on the left hand side panel 26. In order to accommodate positioning of the fastening bolts 43 according to vertical spacing between openings 42, it is preferable to provide a series of vertical spaced openings in the flange portion 38 of the side plate 26. Correspondingly related rows of openings (not shown) are provided in the rear panel member 37 and the rear flange 39 of side panel 26. Not shown, but similarly constructed is an upper or top panel which extends across the upper ends of the two magazine side panels 25 and 26 and likewise is fixed to the upper end of the right hand side panel 25, but adjustably related or connectable to the left hand side panel 26. The interconnecting structure provided by the side panels 25 and 26, front panel 36, rear panel 37 and the unillustrated upper panel, serve to rigidify the magazine structure as a generally rectangular box or cage.

Inasmuch as the principle of adjustment involved in connecting the side panels 25 and 26 with the front panel 36 is fully illustrative of the corresponding relation between the rear panel 37 and such side panels as well as the unillustrated upper panel, it is believed that the fore going description of the adjustability feature as it pertains to front panel 36 should suffice for purposes of the present disclosure.

In practice such an arrangement provides an adjustable capability or range of approximately fiften different adjustments in magazine width in increments in the neighborhood of one-sixteenth inch each. In order to maintain desired parallelism between the side panels 25 and 26, it will be readily understood that corresponding adjustment holes or openings in the clustered patterns should be selected.

In addition to the described capability of the magazine to be adjusted in width or lateral dimension as above explained, adjustability to accommodate different diameters of cans or cylindrical items is also provided in accordance with predetermined or selected limits of adjustability. This feature is brought about primarily by the provision of four vertically slotted openings 44, 44 provided in front plate 36 and receptive of fastening wing bolts 45 whereby the vending mechanism or apparatus 20 is attached to the front mounting plate 36 and afforded a limited range of vertical adjustment with respect to the discharge chute rails 35, or that is to say, it is vertically adjustable relative to the generally fixed vertical location of the delivery chute 34. This accommodates variation in can or cylindrical diameter for the items to be indexed past the vending mechanism, particularly a delivery wheel thereof, as will be amplified in greater detail hereinafter.

In any event, it will be appreciated that with the provision of the adjustable attachment of the side panel 26 to the members which cross-connect the same with the right hand side panel 25 of each magazine, such magazine is capable of presenting a variety of widths and lateral dimensions to accommodate a corresponding variety of cylindrical lengths for generally cylindrical items such as canned or bottled vererages. Similarly, the provision of the means for adjustably positioning the vending mechanism 20 with respect to the discharge chute 34 accommodates the variation in cylindrical diameter of the items to be vended by mechanism 20.

Turning now to the features of the vending mechanism 20, particular reference is made to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing. As seen best in FIG. 3, mechanism 20 is mounted on a sub-frame assembly 50 presenting a generally triangular shaped enclosure in side elevation, the forward end of which is fixed to the rear side or face of the adjustable mounting plate 36 by the wing nut fasteners 45, 45 previously mentioned. Additionally, one side of the sub-frame St] is fastened to the right hand side panel 25 by an adjustable wing bolt 51 which is threadingly engaged with the sub-frame 50 near its rearward end; bolt 51 passing through an elongated slotted opening 52 formed in the side panel 25. This arrangement permits selected vertical positioning of the unit 20 with respect to the magazine structure in order to accommodate vertical adjustment of the unit 20 and discharge chute 34 and more particularly permits varying the dimension between mechanism 20 and the fixed discharge rails thereof; the wing nut 51 and its related adjustment slot 52 cooperating with the adjustment slot and wing nuts 44 and 45 respectively associated with the front mounting plate 36.

While the details of the sub-frame are not illustrated especially in the accompanying drawings and will not be described in particular detail herein, suffice to say that the same affords sufiicient support to carry a multiplicity of operating elements for the vending mechanism 20 as will now be described. Briefly, as illustarted particularly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, mechanism 20 includes a start shaped delivery wheel 53 having four extended arm portions 54, 54 eminating radially outwardly of a central hub therefor formed integrally with the arm portions 54. It will be noted from FIG. 4, for example, that the arm portions 54 of the star wheel 53 are oriented 90 intervals and tht the same are interconnected by web portions 55 having a curvilinear exterior configuration conforming to the generally cylindrical exterior of a can. That is to say, portions 55 have a radius accommodating the cylindrical exterior of the can or similarly shaped items to be vended by mechanism 20. Star whel 53 is supported on a generally horizontally extending shaft 56 which in turn is fastened at its outer ends to parallel spaced side frame members 57 of the sub-frame assembly 50. Wheel 53 is located immediately adjacent a bottom frame member 58 of such sub-frame assembly (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and positioned with respect thereto so as to permit the arm portions 54 of the star wheel to extend through an enlarged opening 59 formed through the bottom frame member 58.

The particulars of attaching the star wheel shaft 56 to and between the side frame members 57, 57 of the subframe assembly or means 50 are illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings from which it will be recognized that the star wheel 53 is axially coupled to the shaft 5 6 by means of spacer washers 60 and locking rings 61 disposed at either axial end of the star wheel 53 with the retaining rings snapping resiliently into kerfs or slots 62 cut for that purpose radially inwardly of the exterior circumference of shaft 56. Thus the star wheel 53 is axially locked in position for rotation about its supporting shaft 56. The star wheel shaft 56 in turn is coupled to side frame members 57, 57 of the sub-frame assembly 50 by additional retaining rings 63, 63 engageable in suitable kerfs or slots formed for that purpose in the exterior of the shaft 56 and located immediately adjacent the outer ends of the shaft 56 so as to be located outwardly along the exterior face 64 of the side frame members 57, 57 in assembly.

It is to be particularly noted that the star wheel 53 is rotatable about and relative to the start wheel shaft 56 and while the same is freely movable in one rotational sense with respect to such shaft the same is capable of only partial or limited rotation in the opposite direction. In order to achieve this described relationship, the shaft 56 is formed with two cut away flats extending along the length thereof which are spaced circumferentially apart and are indicated by numerals 65 and 66 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Each of the flats or surfaces extends partially across a cordal distance of the generally cylindrical configuration for shaft 56, but terminates intermediate such cordal dimension in stop shoulder 67.

The star wheel 53 is provided with four diametrically opposed slotted openings 68 of generally tapered or trapezoidal shaped cross-section which communicate openingly with the central bore provided axially of the star wheel for receiving the shaft 56; such openings 68 being spaced at 90 intervals in general alignment with the four arm portions 54, 54 from the hub of the star wheel. Each of the slotted openings 68 receives an elongated clutch key 70 (see FIG. 6) for purposes which will appear presently.

In essence, at predetermined rotational positions of a star wheel about its shaft '56, each of the keys 70 in turn enters the two elongated flats 65 or 66 of the star wheel shaft, engaging such slots under the influence of gravity. Specifically, as viewed in FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that the shaft 56 is oriented so as to place the two flats 65 and 66 thereof uppermost and generally symmetrically of a vertical plane passing through the lengthwise axis of the shaft 56. As the star wheel 53 rotates clockwise about shaft 56 (as viewed in FIG. 4 for instance) each key 70 as it approaches the flat 65 drops to engage such flat immediately adjacent the stop shoulder portion 67 thereof. Continued clockwise rotation of the wheel about shaft 56 causes the key 70 to be gradually raised to the exterior circumference of the shaft 56 until the same reach a generally vertical plane. Continued rotation of the star wheel causes the key 70 previously engaged with the fiat 65 to succeedingly engage flat 66. This condition is illustrated specifically in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

In order to insure proper orientation between shaft 56 and the star wheel 53, it is necessary to hold shaft 56 in a selected fixed position and this is accomplished by means of a pair of flattened surfaces 71, 71 formed adjacent the outer ends of the shaft 56 and aligned in a common plane. The flat surfaces 71 engage a corresponding cordal or straight portion of an opening formed in the side frame plates 57 into which the shaft ends are mounted (see FIG. 6) thereby assuring that the shaft 56 will be properly positioned for the desired cooperating relationship with the star wheel 53 and held against rotation.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that whereas the star wheel 53 is free to rotate in a clockwise sense about shaft 56 as oriented in FIGS. 4 and of the drawings, the same is not free to reverse its rotation about such shaft except to a very limited or partial rotational degree. That is to say, as soon as counterclockwise rotation of wheel 53 occurs with respect to the stationary shaft 56, the keys 7t), opposite each of the flats 65 and 66 of star wheel shaft 56, eventually engage the stop shoulder portions 67 thereof to positively clutch or interlock the star wheel to the shaft preventing further counterclockwise rotation thereof. This feature and the circumferential spacing between the flats 65, 66 in association with the 90 spacing between the key receiving slots 68 of the star wheel, effectively prevents rotation of the star wheel in a counterclockwise or reverse rotational direction sufiicient to permit a can 29 to pass beneath arm portion 54 of the star wheel which subtends into the discharge chute or passageway 34. Thus pilfering by reversing rotation of the star wheel is effectively prevented by the presence of the semi-rotational clutching action afforded by the above described connection between the star wheel and its supporting shaft.

In order to prevent jackpotting of the vending machine equipped with the mechanism according to this invention, it is equally essential that continuous or free rotation of the star wheel 53 about its shaft in a clockwise sense be prevented. Otherwise, cans 29 would be free to pass beneath or past the star wheel along the discharge chute 34 by merely continuing to rotate the star wheel clockwise. In accordance with the objectives set out heretofore, positive acting means are provided for preventing free or unlimited rotational movement of the star wheel in a discharging or clockwise direction.

Mounted adjacent to and forwardly of the star wheel 53 is a compound bell crank member or latch means 76, rotatably supported on a shaft means 77 carried between the side frame members 57, 57 of the subframe assembly 50, shaft 77 paralleling the axis of the star wheel shaft 56. The latch means 76 is held axially on its shaft 77 by appropriate locking ring 78 but otherwise is free to rotate about shaft 77 in a limited sense as will appear presently. It will be noted that latch 76 has three major arm portions 80, 81 and 82 projecting therefrom at approximately 120 intervals.

Arm 80 is bifurcated and extends over a link pin 84 projecting transversely outwardly of opposite sides of a solenoid link member 85 which moves vertically through the arm 80 and is pivotally secured at its upper end to the lower end of a plunger core 86 of an electrically operated solenoid means 87 having operating coil means 88. As the solenoid 87 is energized, retracting the movable core thereof 86 upwardly, the bifurcated portions of the latch arm 80' are under engaged or picked up by the link pin 84 (see FIG. 4) to raise arm 80 and rock the latch means 76 clockwise about its supporting shaft 77. Thus the latch member is actively and positively actuated by reason of selective energization of the solenoid means 87. Returning or reverse rotational movement of the latch 76 in a counterclockwise direction is effected by means of a return latch spring 89 which is connected to and extends between the outer end of latch arm and anchor pin 90 secured to and extending between the side frames 57, 57 of the subframe assembly 50.

Anchor pin 90 also carries a guiding channel or link member 91 which pivots thereabout, the opposite or outer end of the link channel 91 being pivotally connected to the lower end of the latch link by pin means 92 so as to guide the latter link in its generally vertical movement in accordance with the energization and deenergiza tion of the solenoid means 87. Solenoid return spring means indicated at 93 are provided on the pin and such engage with the channel member 91 to normally bias the latter in a clockwise direction thereby to oppose upward movement of link 85 in response to energization of the solenoid means 87. It will be understood that the latch member 76 is adapted to be periodically oscillated, in a clockwise direction in response to energization of the solenoid means 87 and in a counterclockwise direction in accordance with the return activity of the spring means 89.

In order to limit counterclockwise rotation of the latch means 76, arm portion 81 thereof is provided with stop foot portion 94 at its lowermost or outer extreme end. Foot 94 is adapted to engage an upstanding stop ear 95 struck upwardly from the bottom frame member 58 of the subframe assembly 50. This relationshi is illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings; the movement of the arm portion 81 toward such a stop position is shown in the full and dotted line condition illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

Arm portion 81 also includes thereon a projecting stop finger 96 intermediate its ends which extends generally outwardly of arm portion 81 in an opposite direction from the stop foot 94. Finger 96 interferingly overhangs the perimeter of the star wheel 53 and particularly interferes with movement of an arm portion 54 of the star wheel therepast when the stop foot 94 is engaged with the stop ear 95. This condition obtains after an actuated rotation of wheel 53 and is best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

It should be noted in particular that the formation of the stop finger 96 is tapered or generally trapezoidal in side elevation as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 for example. This formation purposely affords two stop surfaces thereon, namely, an under stop surface 97 (adapted to engage upper surface 98 of a star wheel arm 54 brought thereagainst) and an upper stop surface 99 which is adapted to underengage a sloping surface 100 formed at the outer end of each of the star wheels arm portions 54 and extending generally diagonally across such outer end.

Engagement between the surface 99 of the latch arm 81 and the end sloping surface 100 of the star wheel arm portion 54 is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 4 of the drawings and such occurs upon the return or counterclockwise movement of the latch means 76 to its at stop position whereat the stop foot 94 is engaged with the stop car 95. When such engagement occurs, the star wheel is effectively kicked in a clockwise sense to positively complete ejection of a can along the discharge chute 3 preventing can hang up within the interior of such chute.

In order to better understand the active selected release and discharge of a can past the star wheel 53, particular reference is made to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings as showing the sequence of can movement and star wheel operation. As shown in FIG. 4, a can 29 is held positively between adjacent arm portions 54, 54 of the star wheel, as the latter is moving from its normal locked position (FIG. 5) whereat surfaces 97 and 98 of the latch finger and a star Wheel arm, respectively, are engaged. Release of the wheel 53 from its FIG. 5 position and attending movement thereof in a clockwise sense to its FIG. 4 position, is effected upon periodic selected energization of the solenoid means 87 which causes the described clockwise rocking movement of the latch means 76, As the lower latch arm 81 is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 4

of the drawings, positive driving impulse plus gravity commences clockwise discharging rotation of the star wheel; gravity force being applied thereto by virtue of the weight of the can 29 and the sloping incline of the discharge chute 34. This causes the star wheel to partially rotate from its FIG. position toward the dotted line position therefor shown in FIG. 4. The energizing time of the solenoid is such as to permit fairly rapid return of the latch means in a counterclockwise direction to its position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 5 and in dotted lines in FIG. 4. At this time the star wheel arm previously overengaged by portion 96 of the latch, normally is approximately in its dotted line position 54a indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings or therepast. If the wheel 54 is so positioned as shown at 54a, the return movement of the latch in a counterclockwise direction brings surface 99 thereof abruptly against the sloping end surface 100 of the then proximate star wheel arm; positively kicking the star wheel in a clockwise sense to complete discharge rotation of the star wheel. Thereafter the latch arm 81 continues its counterclockwise motion until stopping ear 95 of the subframe is engaged by foot 94. It will be appreciated of course, that the next succeeding star wheel arm portion 54, which approaches the stop portion 96 of the latch arm 81 has the surface 98 thereof effectively overengaged by the undersurface 97 of the stop finger 96, preventing further free clockwise rotation of the star wheel.

With such described arrangement only one can 29 or cylindrical object is permitted to pass the star wheel per energization of the solenoid means 87. Also as explained above, each discharge or delivery rotation of the star wheel is accompanied by an available positive driving engagement of the star wheel by the latch means (i.e. surfaces 99 and 100).

The upper arm portion 82 of the latch member 76 extends in a generally opposite direction from the lower latching arm portion 81 described, extending above and forwardly of the supporting axle rod or shaft 77 on which the latch member 76 is carried. Arm portion 82 is bifurcated and is formed with a generally right angular bend intermediate its ends, with the extreme outer end of arm 82 being distinguished by an upstanding pair of separated toe portions 102. The upstanding toe portions 102 extend along opposite sides of the interveningly located and arcuately movable pawl member 105 pivotally supported at one end on a pivot pin 106 aligned on an axis paralleling the axis of the latch mounting rod 77.

Pawl 105, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, is distinguished by a pair of separated fingers 107 and 108 formed at the outer or free end thereof. Finger 107 is distinguished by a detent notch 109 formed in the lower side Or face thereof which is adapted to overengage the outer end of an adjacent star wheel arm portion 54 in response to gravitational fall of the pawl 105 in the normal at rest condition of mechanism 20 (particularly set out in FIG. 5 of the drawings). The presence of the detent notch 109 in the overhanging relationship with the vertically disposed arm portion of the star wheel, as shown in FIG. 5, normally serves as an additional means to prevent such wheel from rotating in a counterclockwise direction, such functioning rotatably in advance of the previously described clutching action between the star wheel and its supporting shaft. Finger 107 is actively engaged by the outer end of a star wheel arm portion and as the latter moves beneath finger 107, it positively raises the pawl means 105 to its dotted line position as shown in FIG. 4. The secondary finger 108 of the pawl means 105 which is located above the described detent providing finger 107 underlies a pivotally mounted actuator arm 110 for a limit switch 111, the functional purpose of which will be described hereinafter. Switch 111 is carried by bracket means 112 supported on the subframe assembly 50 and is actuated to a circuit opening condition in response to the upward pivotal movement (counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS.

4 and 5) of the pawl means 105 and actuator arm 110. The operating relationship and positioning of the pawl 105 to actuate switch 111 is indicated by the dotted line positions thereof set out in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

It is to be noted that the pawel means 105 resides between the separated toe portions 102 of the latch arm 82, and is not free to fall gravitationally downwardly past the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawing, inasmuch as bracket 112 has an upturned lip 113 which finger 108 comes to rest on. In order to provide clearance for the pawl, its toe portion 102 is bifurcated 'by opening 114. Thus the normal at rest or prevending condition for the pawl means 105 is as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

It is further to be regarded that the two toe portions 102 of the latch arm 82 effectively move alongside the intervening pawl means 105 toward the sloping outer face of the vertically positioned and adjacent arm portion 54 of the star wheel directly beneath the pawl member when solenoid means 87 is energized causing clockwise rotation of the latch means 76. When this occurs, the toe members 82 positively strike the surface 100 of the star wheel arm (54b in FIG. 4) kicking the star wheel in a clockwise sense to positively eject a can 29 along the chute means 34. This positive engagement between the latch means and the star wheel effectively prevents any sticking or jamming of cans in the chute means and, as previously described, such initial positive kicking or starting impulse to the can, is backed up by the subsequent engagement between the surfaces 99 and 100 of the latch means to complete positive ejection of the can past the star wheel.

Turning now more specifically to the functional operation of the switch means 111, it will be appreciated by those familiar with this art that the solenoid means 87 is selectively energized in response to the deposit of a predetermined coin value by the customer in the coin slot 19 and the depression of one of the selector push buttons 17 corresponding to the purchase items selected by the customer. On depression of a selected push button, a circuit is energized to supply energy to the solenoid means 87 usually over a relay circuit; the completion of the relay circuit being preconditioned on the acceptance of the coin value deposited by the customer. The solenoid means 87 is then energized to effect operation of the latchmeans 76 as above described. During the release of the can for its discharge by the star wheel, the star wheel pawl means is raised, as indicated in FIG. 4, to actuate the limit switch means 111 which breaks or deenergizes the circuit to the solenoid means 87 and the relay circuit over which the latter is supplied. This operation resets the vend circuit for subsequent operation. At the same time the limit switch means 111 provides electrical pulses to the coin delivery mechanism so that coins held in escrow are released into the acceptance or cash box and causes delivery of change to the customer, if such is to occur. Thereupon the vending cycle comes to an end, ready for the next vend initiation. Thus it will be appreciated that the limit switch means 111 effectively causes deenergization of the solenoid means 87 and initiates resetting of the vending mechanism for a subsequent vend cycle.

In addition to the switch means 111 which is actuated by the pawl means 105 as above described, the vending mechanism according to this invention also includes an additional switch means (see FIG. 3) which is located rear'wardly of the star wheel and held in mounting bracket means 121 associated with the subframe assembly 50. Switch means 120 is actuated by a plunger means 122 operated in response to appropriate movement of a pivotal or flexible actuator arm 123 according to conventional practice. Mounted pivotally beneath the switch means 120 is a sold out lever 125 supported on horizontal pivot axis 126 for arcuate movement toward and away from the discharge chute means 34. A guiding slot 127 (see FIG. 5) is provided in or near the outer arcuately movable end of the sold out lever 125 and is receptive of a guide pin comprising a tap screw indicated at 128. Screw 128 passes through slot 127 and is threadingly connected to one of the side frame members 57 of the subframe assembly 50.

Normally when a can is present in the chute means 34, the sold out lever 125 is in its raised position, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the associated sold out switch means 120 is deenergized. However, when the chute means 34 is empty of cylindrical items such as to permit the sold out lever 125 to fall downwardly into the interior of the chute means 34, to its switch actuating position as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the switch actuator arm 123 is raised by virtue of its engagement with an outer end portion 129 of the sold out lever. This depresses the switch actuator plunger 122 causing deenergization of a circuit associated with the switch means 120.

While it is not essential to the understanding of the present invention that the circuitry connected with the switch means 120 be described in detail herein, in brief functioning of switch 120 is generally as follows:

Switch 120 is a double pole-double throw type providing dual operation; one section of the switch providing power to the coin mechanism of the vending machine while the other section thereof controls power supply to the vend solenoid means 87. Thus when the sold out lever 125 is lowered into the delivery chute 34 as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the switch plunger 122 is depressed and the vend solenoid means 87 is immediately deenergized and isolated from power. At the same time the coin mechanism of the vending machine is similarly deenergized to prevent its acceptance of coins once all cans have been vended from chute 34. Switch means 120 is also used to initiate a sold out lamp circuit visible to the customer in the front panel of the vending machine.

Having described the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings it is believed that those familiar with this art will readily recognize and appreciate its novel features and advantages as an advancement in this art. While such preferred embodiment has been described in association with certain specified elements, it will be readily understood and appreciated that numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made in the described mechanism without materially departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In an automatic machine for vending substantially cylindrical canned or bottled items, the combination comprising: gravity feed magazine means having a plurality of adjustable racks for storing items to be vended and discharge chute means, a vending mechanism mounted adjacent said chute means comprising a rotatable star wheel provided with extending arm portions positionable within said chute means to block passage of items therepast, latch means engageable with said star wheel for holding the same in a position whereat an arm portion thereof blocks passage of items along said chute means, electrically operated linkage means for periodically actuating said latch means to release said wheel for limited rotation in a direction appropriate to permit passage of items therepast along said chute means and for subsequently r e-engaging said wheel to hold the same in a position blocking said chute means, and means for adjustably positioning said vending mechanism toward and away from said chute means thereby to accommodate the same to variation in diameter of the said items.

2. For use in vending machines of the type adapted to vend substantially cylindrical canned or bottled items, the combination comprising: gravity feed magazine means having adjustable means for storing a plurality of like items to be vended and including discharge chute means for the delivery of items therefrom, a vending mechanism mounted adjacent said chute means and comprising a rotatable star wheel mounted for free rotational movement in one direction and limited rotational movement in a reverse direction about a supporting shaft therefor, said star wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially extending arm portions adapted to subtend into said discharge chute means in selected positions of rotation for said wheel thereby to effectively block passage of items along said chute means, means for periodically indexing said wheel in said one direction of rotation appropriate to permit items to pass therebeneath along said chute means including latch means engageable with an arm portion of said wheel and adapted in its normal position to prevent rotation of said wheel in said appropriate direction, electrically operable means for selectively actuating said latch means out of its said normal position to release said wheel for rotation in said appropriate direction, the said actuation of said latch means causing the latter to strike an arm portion of said wheel to positively initiate movement of the latter in said appropriate direction, and unidirectional clutch means between said wheel and its supporting shaft for limiting rotation of said wheel in a direction reverse to said appropriate direction comprising a series of circumferentially spaced flats formed on said shaft and a plurality of circumferential-ly spaced keys carried by said wheel and gravitationally movable to engage said flats in response to rotation of said wheel, each of said flats having a detent shoulder at one margin which engages a said key riding on said flat upon predetermined movement of said wheel in said reverse direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,848,139 8/1958 Chiantelassa 22226 3,294,286 12/1966 Zibbell 221295 3,360,163 1'2/1967 Fessler 22 ll52 3,361,505 1/1968 Newberry 221-242 X STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examnier.

US. Cl. X.R. 221-295

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