WO1984001649A1 - Slot machine for sheet objects, for example newspapers - Google Patents

Abstract

A slot machine for sheet objects (6), for example newspapers, comprising means, for example a coin automatic device (16), for giving impulse to means (13, 20, 21) for delivering individual objects (6), where a storage device for the advancing of preferably edgeways standing objects all the way to a feed and delivery position is provided, and where in connection with the delivery an object is intended to be gripped in said position by a movable gripping device (20, 21). The slot machine is especially characterized in that said gripping device (20, 21) is capable to be moved to and from a delivery opening (2) or the like by an eccentric device comprising a driven roller (13) located in connection to the delivery opening (2) and preferably provided on its circumference with friction material, and an arm (14) or the like hingedly attached to the roller (13) and gripping device, so that the gripping device during the rotation of the roller (13) through one revolution is moved from a non-operative position to said delivery opening (2) and back to said non-operative position, and so that an object (6) gripped by the gripping device is inserted between said roller (13) and a backing roller (15) or the like and during the return movement of the gripping device to said non-operative position partially is delivered through said delivery opening.

Description

Slot machine for sheet objects, for example newspapers

This invention relates to a slot machine for sheet objects, for example newspapers, comprising means, for example a coin automatic device for sending pulses to means for the delivery of individual objects, where a storage device for the objects is provided for advancing the objects to a feed and delivery position, and where in connection with the delivery an object is intended to be gripped by a movable gripping device. Slot machines of the aforesaid kind are known previously. Conventional structural designs, however, are characterized by a high degree of complexity and in certain cases by low operational reliability. The present invention has the object to provide a slot machine of the kind referred to above, the structural design of which is especially simple and reliable in operation.

The invention, thus, relates to a slot machine for sheet objects, for example newspapers, comprising means, for example a coin automatic device, for sending pulses to means for the delivery of individual objects, where a storage device for the advancing of, preferably edgeways standing, objects all the way to a feed and delivery position is provided, and where in connection with the delivery an object is intended to be gripped in said position by a movable gripping device.

The slot machine according to the invention is especially characterized in that said gripping device is movable to and from a delivery opening or the like by means of an eccentric device comprising a driven roller, which is located in connection to the delivery opening and on its circumference preferably is provided with friction material, and an arm or corresponding member hingedly attached to the roller and gripping device, so that the gripping device during the rotation of the roller through one revolution is moved from a non-operative position to said delivery opening and back to said non-operative position, so that an object gripped by the gripping device is inserted between the roller and a backing roller or the like and during the return movement of the gripping device to said non-operative position partially is discharged through said delivery opening. The invention is described in greater detail in the following by way of two embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a first embodiment of a slot machine according to the invention, from which one end wall is removed, and at which certain details are omitted for better clarity,which machine is shown in a non- operative position, Fig. 2 schematically shows the machine according to Fig. 1 in a position, in which an object is being discharged. Fig. 3 is a section A-A according to Fig. 1 where, however, the objects and the storage device for the same are not shown, Fig. 4 shows schematically a second embodiment of a slot machine according to the invention seen from the right in Fig. 5 where the wall located to the right in Fig. 5 is removed, and Fig. 5 is a section B-B according to Fig. 1. The numeral 1 designates a substantially parallelepipedic casing of the machine with a longitudinal delivery opening 2 extending in the upper surface. The numeral 3 designates a path inclined to a feed and delivery position, on which path a supporting plane 5 provided with wheels 4 for objects 6 runs, for example on rails 7. Said supporting plane is substantially perpendicular to the direction, in which objects 6 are intended to be delivered. The numeral 8 designates a supporting plate or the like connected to the supporting plane 5 and extending perpendicularly thereto. By means of the storage equipment thus described for edgeways standing objects 6, the objects 6 are intended to be advanced to said feed and delivery position. The front wall 1' and a portion of the upper surface 1" of the casing preferably are removable and transparent, so that the slot machine simply can be filled and exposes the objects 6. The supporting plate 8 also is transparent. The numeral 9 designates a suction box or the like located in said feed and delivery position and provided with a fan 10 for gripping an object 6 in connection with the delivery. According to the invention, the suction box 9 is movable to and from the delivery opening in a path defined by guide strips 11 or the like by means of an eccentric device comprising a roller 13, which is located in connection to the delivery opening 2 and driven by a motor 12, and the circumference of which preferably is provided with friction material, and an arm 14 or the like hingedly attached to the roller 13 and suction box 9, so that the suction box 9 at rotation of the roller 13 through one revolution is moved from a non-operative position, Figs. 1 and 3, to said delivery opening, Fig. 2, and back to the non-operative position, and so that an object 6 gripped by the suction box is inserted between said roller 13 and a backing roller 15 opposed to said roller 13 and during the return movement of the suction box to said non-operative position partially is discharged through the delivery opening 2.

According to one embodiment, a coin automatic device 16 of known type is provided for sending impulses in known manner for the feed and delivery of an object. Said backing roller 15, further, can be moved, preferably against spring action, from the roller 13 when an object 6 is being inserted between the rollers 13,15, and hereby sends an impulse for stopping the motor of the fan 10 via a microswitch (not shown) or the like.

The storage device 4 , 5 is capable in an end position, which it assumes when there are no objects 6 on the supporting plane 5, via a microswitch 17 or the like to indicate, for example by a lamp 18, that there are no objects 6 on the supporting plane, i.e. that the slot machine is empty of objects 6. At the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 , instead of the suction box 9 a supporting plane 20 or the like for an object 6 in delivery position is provided, which plane 20 in a way corresponding to the suction box 9 can be moved to and from the delivery opening 2. At this embodiment, at least one resilient pin 21 or the like is provided at the supporting plane 20, which pin extends substantially in the delivery direction, the direction of movement of the plane 20, and comprises an end 23 which is located closest to the delivery opening and provided with a tip 22 or edge 22, which end is slightly angular in relation to the supporting plane 20 joining the plane of the object 6. According to a preferred embodiment, the pin 21 is located at the lower portion 24 of the supporting plane 20 and flexible against a spring action.

The mode of operation of the slot machine according to the invention substantially should have become apparent from the aforesaid. Upon impulse from the coin automatic device 16, a push-button or the like, the fan 10 starts, whereby the object abutting the suction box 9 and lying on the supporting plane 5 is gripped. The roller 13 is caused by the motor 12 to rotate through substantially one revolution whereby the suction box 9 is lifted to the opening 2 and thereafter returns to the non-operative position. During this movement, the object 6 is inserted between the rollers 13, 15, whereby for example owing to the movement of the roller 15 from the roller 13 the fan is shut off and the object 6 is released. During the return movement of the suction box to the non-operative position, the object 6 is discharged between the rollers 13,15. Due to the inclination of the path 3, the supporting plane is advanced to cause a new object to abut the suction box.

At said second embodiment, the mode of operation of the gripping device is as follows. In non-operative position of the supporting plane, the pin 21 with the tip 22 abuts with a certain spring action the object being in delivery position. When the supporting plane 20 and pin 21 are moved to the opening, the tip 22 due to the spring load and angularity penetrates into the object, which hereby is gripped and taken along. When the plane 20 has passed its upper position, indicated by dashed line in Fig. 5, and the object 6 has been gripped between the rollers, the tip 22 is drawn out of the object before the contact between pin and object ceases. As the pin 21 is flexible against spring force, the pin is bent and the end of the pin is angled additionally in relation to the plane of the object when the tip has penetrated into the object and got stuck therein. The remaining function obviously is substantially the same as at the first embodiment.

As should have become apparent from the aforesaid, the invention is a slot machine, for example for newspapers, which is very simple, inexpensive and reliable in operation. For safe operation, the newspapers are arranged so as to rest with their back to the supporting plane prior to the delivery, whereby creasing of the side abutting the suction box is prevented. Essential advantages, further, are that the objects 6 in a way similar to placards are exposed through the transparent portions of the machine, and that only one object at a time is delivered. It is further possible, owing to the simple energy-saving design, to apply battery operation, thereby rendering possible a fully mobile slot machine. At the second embodiment, which can be manufactured at very low cost, no suction box and fan are required, and also the control system is simpler.

The invention has been described above with reference to two embodiments. It is, of course, possible to imagine more embodiments and minor alterations without therefore abandoning the invention idea. Thus, the storage device 4 , 5 , 8 for the objects 6 can be designed in a different way and, for example, be spring-loaded in order to advance the storage device to the delivery position when the number of objects decreases. Further, the sending of impulses, for example for stopping the fan motor, can take place in a different way, for example by causing the arm 14 to actuate a switch. Embodiments also can be imagined, at which hooks 19 marked in Fig. 3 are provided downwardly on the suction box 9, which hooks are located so that they can pass past the supporting plane 5 and assist in the delivery of an object 6. The control system for the slot machine also can be designed slightly differently from the one described above. Thus, the position of the suction box can be sensed, for example by magnets located on the suction box and relays located free from the suction box, so that impulse for stopping the fan is given when the suction box assumes its upper position closest to the opening 2. It also can be imagined that the backing roller 15 is caused, for example electromagnetically, to move in the direction from the roller 13 when the suction box/supporting plane 20 after one movement cycle to and from the opening assumes said non-operative position, whereby removal of the delivered object is facilitated. When a new cycle is commenced, the roller 15 is caused to resume its position adjacent the roller 13, so that deliv ery between the rollers 13,15 can be effected. The movement of the backing roller 15 preferably is controlled by sensing the movement of the suction box/supporting plane 20 in the way described above and known per se.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs, 4 and 5, the supporting plane 20 runs on wheels 25 on-plane plates or the like. Further, the roller 13 is bevelled at the circumference portion facing to the roller 15 when the roller 13 assumes a position corresponding to the non-operative position of the supporting plane 20, whereby removal of a delivered object is facilitated.

Embodiments of the pin 21 can be imagined, at which the pin is substantially rigid and angular in the way described at its end .provided with a tip and in a suitable way enough spring- loaded. The pin 21 can be located so as to project from the side of the supporting plane 20 facing to the objects 6, or partially be located in a recess,not shown, in the plane 20 in an obvious manner. As mentioned, several pins 21 can be arranged distributed along the plane 20. The supporting plane 20 need not be a plate, but may be a frame or the like, at which the pin(s) 21 are located.

As regards the coin automatic device or the like it can be designed as a central unit for several slot machines, and the desired slot machine is activated in known manner by selector buttons or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, the coin automatic device, separately 16 or central, can be programmed in a manner known per se and thereby be re-adjustable to desired object prices, for example weekday price and Sunday and holiday prices.

The invention, thus, must not be regarded restricted to the embodiments set forth above, but can be varied within its scope defined in the attached claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A slot machine for sheet objects, for example newspapers, comprising means, for example a coin automatic device, for sending impulses to means for the delivery of individual objects, where a storage device for the advancing of preferably edgeways standing objects all the way to a feed and delivery position is provided, and where in connection with the delivery an object is intended to be gripped in said position by a movable gripping device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said gripping device (9,20,21) can be moved to and from a delivery opening (2) or the like by an eccentric device comprising a driven roller (13) located in connection to the delivery opening (2) and preferably provided on its circumference with friction material, and an arm ( 14 ) or the like hingedly attached to the roller (13) and gripping device, so that the gripping device during the rotation of the roller (13) through one revolution is moved from a non-operative position to said delivery opening (2) and back to said non-operative position, and so ttfat an object (6) gripped by the gripping device is inserted between said roller (13) and a backing roller (15) or the like and during the return movement of the gripping device to said non-operative position partially is delivered through said delivery opening.

2. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c te r i z e d i n that the gripping device comprises a supporting plane (20) or the like running substantially in the direction of movement for an object (6) in delivery position, at which supporting plane (20) at least one resilient pin (21) or the like is located substantially in the delivery direction with an end (23) provided closest to the delivery opening (2) with a tip (22) or an edge (22), which end (23) is slightly angular in relation to the plane of the object (6) joining the supporting plane, whereby the tip (22) slightly penetrates into the object (6) when the gripping device (20,21) is being moved from the non-operative position, so that the object is taken along, and whereby the tip (22) is drawn out of the object and slides along the object when the gripping device returns to the non-operative position.

3. A slot machine as defined in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said pin(s) (21) are flexible against spring action, whereby the pin(s)(21) are bent and each end (23) additionally is angled in relation to the plane of the object when the tip has penetrated into and got stuck in the object.

4. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c te r i z e d i n that the gripping device is a suction box (9) or the like co-operating with a fan (10), and necessary means such as microswitches and relays of known type are provided for actuating primarily said fan (10), so that an object (6) is gripped in connection with the return movement of the suction box (9) to said non-operative position.

5. A slot machine as defined in claim 4, c h a r a c te r i z e d i n that the movement of the suction box is sensed for controlling at least that the fan (10) is stopped in connection with the delivery of an object (6).

6. A slot machine as defined in claim 1,2,3,4 or 5, c h a ra c t e r i z e d i n that said backing roller (15) is moved from said roller (13), preferably against spring action, when an object (6) is being inserted between the rollers (13,15) and thereby via a microswitch or the like gives impulse for stopping the motor of the fan (10).

7. A slot machine as defined in claim 1,2,3,4,5 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said storage device is a supporting plane (5) on wheels extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction, in which objects (6) are intended to be delivered, and running, for example on rails (7) on a path (3) inclined to said feed and delivery position.

8. A slot machine as defined in claim 7, c h a r a c te r i z e d i n that the storage device in an end position assumed when no objects are on the supporting plane (5) is capable via a microswitch (17) or the like, for example by a lamp (18), to indicate that there are no objects (6) on the supporting plane (5).

9. A slot machine as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h a ra c t e r i z e d i n that the objects (6) are newspapers resting with their back against the supporting plane (5) prior to their delivery.

10. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c te ri z e d i n that said backing roller (15) is capable, for example in an electromagnetic way, to be moved from the roller (13) in connection with the gripping device assuming its non-operative position after a movement cycle to and from the opening (2), whereby removal of a delivered object (6) is facilitated, andthat the backing roller (15) in a corresponding manner is capable to return to its position adjacent the roller (13) during the subsequent cycle of the gripping device so that the rollers (13,15) are located adjacent one another when the delivery of the object (6) between the rollers (13,15) is to take place.

11. A slot machine as defined in claim 4,5,6,7,8,9or 10, c h ar a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction box (9) or the like comprises hooks (19) or the like at its portion farthest away from the opening (2), which hooks are intended to assist in the gripping and and delivery of an object (6).

12. A slot machine as defined in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d, i n that the casing (1) of the machine and, where applicable, the storage device comprise transparent portions (1',1",8) whereby objects (6) in the machine are exposed.

13. A slot machine as defined in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the machine is one of at least two machines in connection with a central coin automatic device or the like, where delivery of an object (6) from a desired machine is initiated by selector button or the like.

14. A slot machine as defined in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the coin automatic device can be programmed for adjustment to desired object price, such as weekday price and sunday and holiday price.