US1697510A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1;1'929.

L. H. MORIN VENDING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet `1 Filed May 14, 1927 QQML'S @btw Jan. l, 1929.

l 1,697,510 L. H. MoRlN l VENDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1927 4 sheets-'sheet 2 Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,510

L. H. MORIN VENDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 um nu u IV@ Il.

L. H. MORIN VENDING MACHINE Jano 9.

Filed May 14, 1927 4 sma'ets-Sheei; 4

sllul Ill lllllbllall Patenfea 1.1m., 1, `1929` LOUIS H. MORIN', 0F NEW YORK,

VENDING Application led May 14,

This invention relates more particularly to vending machines of a general type such as is disclosed in my `prior copending application for patent, Serial No. 39,1142, filed June 25, 1925, and also such as disclosed in a machine of similar type, but of vsomewhat different'construction, in the patent to Mortensen, No. 1,517,377 of December 2, 1924.

In vending machines of the type referred to, stacks of small packages to be vended, such as of chewing gum, are contained in vertical peripheral channels of a magazine member which is rotatable on a vertical axis and which slides the stacks of packages around upon the smooth surface of a magazine bottom plate. This plate is provided with an aperture into which packages may drop from the channels and from which they may' thence drop into peripheral delivery openings in a delivery plate which is immediately below the bottom plate. and is con-4 nected to the magazine member to be rotatable therewith. In these machines, the package-containirg channels of the maga- ,zine member and the package-delivering openings in the delivery plate are in ver-v tical alignment with each other and when the machine is at rest one of these channels together with the corresponding opening in the delivery 'plate lis in alignment with the aperture in the intervening bottom plate. At this time this stack of packages is sup-l ported bya lower plate immediately 'below the delivery plate and which also supports the packages in, the openings of the vdelivery vplate while they are-moved thereby to a delivery position, the -delivery plate and magazine .member being given successive steps of movement from one position of rest to the next for delivering apurchase, such as a single package, at each operationl of the machine, and being locked at this posiltion ofrest. 'In the machine of my above noted earlier application this lower supporting plateA is stationary and the delivery plate moves a package beyondthe forward edge thereof to permitit to drop for delivery, while in the Mortensen machine the corresponding lower plate is moved forward with the delivery-plate and is then retracted to permit the dropping vof a-package `from-the zine, so that all Eric N. Y., Assrenoa 'ro DOEHLER DIE-caserme co., a. CORPORATION or NEW Yoan MACHINE. p

1927, serial muertas.

delivery plate; However, in both of these` prior machines, when they are in a condition of rest, the next package to be delivered, which is contained in an opening of the delivery late, is subjected to the entire weight o the stack ofl packages above it, and when the machine is operated, the delivery plate is compelled to yinitiate the delivery movement of this lowermost package under this condition of pressure to which the package may have been subjected for somel time, and the consequent frictional resistance between this packageand the next package immediately above -it-in the stack and vwhich at this time is contained in the aperture of the bottom plate with an entire stack of` above it. n From experience gained from extensive commercial use of my prior machine referred to, it has been found that after a machine has been standing idle for some little time this friction between the packages is increased, so that when the lowermost packageis pushedl out under these conditions, such frictional resistance sometimes will mar or` tear its paper wrapper. An object ofA this invention is to assure that the packages shall at vall times be delivered to the customer in a perfect condition. Other more particular objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear. 4

According to this invention the rotatableI magazine member bears such a relation to 'the other parts of the machine which are packages in the magazine directly z ine member is brought to a stop and locked I at a position in which all of the stacks of packages carried thereby are supportedupon the smooth bottom plate ofl the magapackages which are dropped from the open lower ends of the channels in this magazine member into such aperture are then free from the weight of any stack of packages contained in themagazinc during all periods of ,idleness of the machine between its successive operations. The invention also more' particularly includes various features of construction and combinal tions of parts as will hereinafter `be evident from thel description thereof. v

In carrying out the invention, while the features of improvement relate er'se more particularly to the delivery .o the packages, it is to be noted that some of the features of the coincontr'olled mechanism per I vvirtually or in effect necessarily form partsv se cooperate with and enter into direct 'coinbination with thevending features, and thus of the vending mechanism inorder thereby to render the machine operable for carrying out the invention.' In the combination, the coin controlled mechanism constitutes the means for operating and controlling the vending mechanism in the manner required in accordance with the invention. For example, the positively controlled step by step movement of the magazine member is effected by means of manually operable coin' controlled parts. The present invention is shown in the .illustrated embodiment thereof as carried out by utilizing 'the' coin controlled mechanism which 1s disclosed and claimed per se in my above noted prior application for patent, but it is to be understood that various changes in construction,`

both as to the coin controlled mechanism and as to the vending mechanism operated and controlled thereb maybe madewithout departing from t e spirit `and scope of the invent-ion as defined in the appended claims.

One-embodiment of the invention is illustrated lin the accompanying drawings, in which: y 1

Fig. 1 is a horizontalsection of a complete vending machine embodying the invention, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3, showing the parts at rest in the idle condition of the` machine and also further showing, in broken short dash lines, an intermediate piosition of movement of the rotatage carrying magazine member l during the operation of the machine,r

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line -22 of Fig. 3 and shows, among other things, a plan view of the rotatable delivery plate as locked atl its delivery position of rest;

' Fi 3 is a somewhat irregular but subl stantlally central vertical section from front l being taken substantially l to rear of the complete vendin machine, this section 'in the lower part of t e machine on the zig-zag line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the mid e part of the maga- "zine being brokerf yout as indicated .by thei broken parallel lines;

Fig. 4 is a artial horizontal section subi -'vstantially en t e line 4-4 of Fig; 3;

Fig. 5 a partial horizontal section `similar to Fig. 1 but showing the .position in lw'hich the rotatable magazine member is Fig. 10 is a front view of the complete machine with the lower base part thereof in elevation and the` upper or magazine part thereof in substantially central vertical section on the somewhat irregular line 10--10 of Fig. 1, the slight modification of construction shown in the magazine cover havingno relation to the` present inventionxcepting as to featuresl of the operating mechanism involving the present invention and also excepting as to some changes in the casin construction which are unrelated to this yinvention, the vending machine shown in the accompanyin drawlngs and in jwhich this invention is em odied is in other respects of substantially the same general constructionjas that disclosed in my hereinbefore mentioned cation for patent. t may be noted that some of the features of this' diiferent'casing construction shown in the drawings form a part of the subject matter of m copending application for patent, Serial i filed February 15, 1927. i

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a strong lower casing base part, which ma be a suitable casting and which tapers sllghtly upwardly and is .for

line 8-8 of Figs. 2 and 10, and also rior copending applithe most part circular, has an enclosing side wall 1 which is closed at its upper end by a top plate 2 -which also forms a magazine bottom plate and which may be cast in one iece with the sidewall 1, as shown. At` the ront of the machine the side wall 1 is shown -as having a forwardly projecting fiat portion abovewhich there 1s provided -an upwardly removable front slide 3 which is` guided in the main wall part 1 and is rovided at its top with an inner flange w ich -is horizontally aligned with the plate 2. A

removable money pan 4 closes the lower end of the wall 1, fitting at its edge orrim into the lower end of this wall and'fabutting 5 forms a forwardly vlocated vertical partilagainst a shoulder formed thereon. A frame i' tion within the wall; 1 and supports parts 'of the coin controlled mechanism.- This frame is lprovided with a coin chute 6 for directing t e coins into the money pan 4. i

The ma zine casin part has a vertical cylindri'ca side wall which may be of glass, as indicated. The lower edge of this the magazine cover plate 17, this rod being',

to the cylinder by an adhesive.

i cylinder protected `byi'a flanged metal ring- 8 secured thereto by an adhesive and grooved to lit over a'bead which lprojectsjabove the periphery of the magazine bottom'plate 2 and extends along the top of the removable lslide 3 which is thus held in place. The upper end o f lthe cylinder 7 is closed by a flanged metaly cover plate -9 which is secured The upper magazine casino Aart ma be lifted off as a whole for replgnishingythe magazine with packages to be vended. As shown in Fig. 3, this upper casingpart and the 'casing base part may be held and locked together and the money pan 4 may be held -and locked in place by means of acentral tie rod or locking shaft 10 which is anchored and fixed in place in the casing base -part by means of a clamp provided on the end of a bracket arm 11 projecting from the frame 5. The lower end of this rod 10 is detach# ably engaged by a money-pan lock 12 seatedl in an upstanding boss 13 on the bottom of the money pan, and the upper end of4 this rod is similarly engaged by a magazine ldck 14 seated in a depending boss 15 on the cover 9. In Fig. 10 the corresponding` ltie rod and locking shaft 16 isv shown as headed above removable along with the magazine casing part, the money pan lock 12 servingalso as a magazine lock, kand the bracket arm 11 shown in Fig. 3 may be omitted. Except` ing as'to this slight modification shown in the casing construction, the entire vending machine shown in Fig. 10 is to be considered as being of the same construction as is shown in the preceding figures of the drawings. In`Figs.-3,4 and 8 the vending machine is shown as supported from the rear thereof by means of wall brackets, which, so far as Athe present invention is concerned, may be of any suitable construction.

- The cylindrical upper casing part or vmagazine chamber has therein -a package-supplying magazine member which is rotatable on a vertical axis and comprises a. circum.

' outwardly turned flange 23 which is firmly secured, for example, by spotjwelding, to the vback of the radial rear wall 19 of the next adjacent column or channel in the series.

At their upper endsthe channels A areA further secured together and held rigid by means of a peripherally notched andan'ged Ther delivery pme 27' `plate 24.1firmlyf' secured. thereto. The lower 1 ends of these, channels are similarly rigidly secured 'together' andV firmlygheld by' means of a peripherally notched plateP/Q beneath whichthe ends'of the inner walls 20 of the channels-A are Banged and firmly Asecured thereto.. It will now be seen that the rotatable 'magazine' member provided-with the package-'containing channels A `isfrigid strong andlight. The loweropen ends o the. channels A terminate adjacent to but out of contact with the smooth upper surface of the magazine bottomplate 2, which maybe .circularly grooved to provide smooth circu-A f lar ridges or tracks, as' shown in Fig. 3, but omitte from Fig'l, for clarity.

This package-sup lying magazine member is supported an rotatably mounted'by means of a'hub disc 26 which is journaled in a rather large centralaperture in the magazine floor plate-2 and' h'as a peripheral flangel overlying this plate, while its lower face is substantially flush with the lower surface of this plate 2. The locking rod 10 passes -freely through a central aperture in this journal disc. Onits upper side' this'v disc-is provided with a short .boss 26L over which the lower plate 25 of the magazine .member snugly fits, and with a pair of diametrally disposedv lugs 26"` which snugly enter holesin this plate, so thatythe'entire magazine member having the channels A is rotatably coupled to the disc 26. On its 'lower side this disc 26 is centrally provided with a long depending boss 26c and with a pair of diametrally disposed drive lugs 26d,

shown as in vertical alignment with its upper lugs 26h.

A circular delivery plate 27, immediately beneath the magazine floor plate 2, snugly fits over thelong lower boss 26 up against- `the lower surface of the disc 26 and has therein holes which snugly receive the lower lugs 261 of this disc 216.V A spur gear 28 which forms a part ofa driving device for imparting successive ste s of step by step rotative movement to t ie package-supplying magazine member having the channels A and to the delivery plate 27 snugly fits over the lowerl end of the boss 26d up against the lower surface of the delivery plate 27 to which it is rotatabl coupled by a pair of diametrally' dispose lugs 28aon the upper sideof this gear andA which snugly fit in holes in thev delivery plate (Figs. 1, 2 and 3)." The magazine plate 25,y

journal disc 26, delivery plate 27- and oper'- ating gear 28 are all further coupled and firmly held together as a unit by means o'f a pair of diametrally disposedf'bolts 29"V .di (Figs. 1 and 2). `The driving device, which includes ythe spur "gear 28, forms a part Aof thehereinafter furtherdescribed operating means ofthemachine. is provided'with .the inner walls 2O of the channels A.

tionary floor plate is fixed immediately lguidedxthrough an openin 34 in the ,part ofthe base wall 1 an intov a reception the delivery plate 27 they are beneath the delivery plate to support packages in the delivery openings 27a and guide them to an advanced position in which they may drop from a substantially radial de- Alivery edge of this floor plate 30, this edge being substantially in vertical alignment with the rear radial edge wall of one of the delivery openings 27a when the delivery plate has completed a delivery movement and has been brought to rest, as is shown in Fig. 2.

Above the lower floor plate 30 the maga-l Yzine bottom plate 2 has therein an aperture 31 (Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 9) which is of a suitable size and shape and so positioned as to form an exit opening for packages 32 contained in the channels A as the latter are successively moved around. As the packagesldrop into this opening 31 the stacks of packages in the channels A successively move downward. The packages successively received in this openin 31 are retained therein and subsequently rop therefrom into the delivery openings 27a ofthe delivery plate 27, in the step by step movement of this plate together with that of the channels A. When the ,delivery plate 27 slides the packages off the forward or delivery edge of the lower floor plate 30 theydrop from the delivery openings 27 intothe upper end of a deliveryl chute 33 by which they are ower cup 35 shown as cast on the wall 1 at the lower end of this chute. As the packages are moved over the lower fioor plate 30 by Guided at their outer ends by an,arcuate walll portion 36 in the base Wall 1 (Fig. 2). In` thev machinev shown, the delivery plate 27 and the magazine bottom plate 2 are each of substantially the same thickness as one of the ackages 32 to be vended, so that thereby t. e purchase delivered at each operation of the machine will comprise a single package. The outer guide wallsor flanges 18 of the channels A keep the outer ends of the packages in even alignment and out of contact with the glass cylinder 7 against which otherwise they might sometimes scrape.

In carrying out the invention a normallyautomatically effective releasable lockingv ery plate delivers a previously supplied package to the reception cup 35. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this locking device. comprises'a double acting locking pawl 37 pivotedwithin the base wall 1 on a verticalpivot pin 38 and nor- 'mally urged to its engaging position by 'a spring 39, to engage in the outer end of one of the empty delivery notches 27 a of the delivery plate, 27 at the rear of the machine, thereby normally positively locking both the delivery plate and the above described magazine member at their normal positions of rest against rotative movement in either direction, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

his delivery plate 27 thus becomes also a ocking disc for the entire delivery mechanism of the machine. By reason of the large diameter of this plate and its strong connection to the loaded' magazine member, the pawl 37 'will be effective to stop and lock this member without danger of breakage of any part of the mechanism.' This locking pawl, together with the means provided for operating it in such manner as to release it and thereafter to permit its automatic reengagement, forms a part ofthe hereinbefore mentioned and hereinafter further de-y scribed means for operating the machine in effecting the successive delivery of the packages 32.

According to the present invention, the rotatable magazine member is brought to a `stop and locked Iin a normal position of rest in which the package-receiving aperture 31 in the magazine floor plate 2 will be between two of the package-containing channels A, and thus these channels and this` aperture' will be out of vertical ali nment. Accordingly, this magazine mem er will supply a package 32 to the aperture 31 during the rotative movement of the magazine member and while one of its channels A is passing over this aperture, and when the magazine member' is brought to rest the packages in this channel A, as well'as in all of the other channels, will rest upon and be supported upon the smooth surface of the magazine bottom 2..l

' Any package which. has dropped into the 4aperture .31 willgnot be subjected to the channels A of the moving magazine member at the time when one of these. moving channels supplies a package 32 to the apexture 81 is indicated in Fig. l by means of the broken short dash lines there appearing, while the final position or position of Yrest` of these channels is shown in sect-ion in full lines, and the corresponding iinal position or position of rest of the delivery plate 27 is shown in dotted lines, corresponding to ghe plan view of this plate, appearing in `ig. 2. A i

In the construction shown in the drawings for carrying out the invention, the lower plate 25 of the magazine member and the delivery plate 27 are rigidly so connected together as a unit, through the connecting means already described, that the packagecontaining channels A of the magazine member and the delivery openings 27a'of the delivery plate 27 are circumferentially out of vertical alignment. with the channels A shown as disposed substantially midway between the openings 27a, that is, the channels A are clircularly spaced substantially 22-1/2 degrees relatively to the openings 27a. Also it will be noted of the construction shown that when the channels A and the delivery plate v27 come to their. locked position of rest one of the delivery openings 27a of the latter is positioned directly beneath and in vertical alignment with the package-receiving aperture or exit opening 31 in the magazine bottom plate 2, `as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 2 and as is shown in Fig. 9.

This package nowcontained in the de livery opening 27a was deposited in the aperture 3l during the time of the last previous operation of the machine'and was at that time initially received upon the top of the delivery plate 27 between'two of itsl .openings and while the delivery plate was moving in unison with the channel A which was then passing over the aperture 31, the entire stack of packages in this channel then moving downward so that the lowermost of these packages was then left behindin the opening 3l as this channel traveled onward, and as the delivery plate 27 moved. onward this package dropped from the aperture 3l into a delivery opening 27a. At the next succeeding operation of the machine this package contained in the opening 27PL will be delivered bythe delivery plate 27 while another package will be supplied to the delivery plate in the manner above described, and so on;

Thus it will be seen that, according to the "invention, each package 32 which is to be thus delivered has previously been separated and segregated'from the bottom of one of the stacks of packages and is thus left free in an isolated condition to be moved forward underneath the magazine bottom plate 2 and deliveredv to the lcustomer in a neat and presentable condition without having had its paper lwrapper scarred, torn, or otherwise damaged in this delivery opera tion. Also, by reason of all of the stacks of packages in thev magazine being suijipcrted upon the smooth surface of the magazine floor plate 2, the rotatable magazine member may be more easily started in motion when an operation of the machine is initiated.

It is desirable to aid the downward gravitational movement of the packages 32 in the channels A, particularly when the stacks of packages become rather low with a corresponding reduction in their weight, thereby to assure that a package will be positioned in the bottom .aperture 31 at each operation of the machine. For effectively accomplishing this result, according to the invention, an individual follower weight 40 is loosely contained in each of the respective channels A above its stack of packages. This follower weight is guided by the walls of the channel and is retained' therein and held in position, so that it cannot come in contact with and scrape against the glass cylinder 7, by the outer narrow wall or l ing opening 31 in the magazine bottom late- 2. In the construction shown, each o the weights 40 is provided at its outer end with a somewhat inwardly inclined'forwardly extending armfiOa which, on the lower side of its forward end, is provided with a square shouldered lug 40". The magazine bottom plate 2 is shown as provided with a plus ralityv of four equidistantly spaced locking holes 41 to receive the lugs 40, these holes having abrupt forward faces to be engaged by the lugs but the rear faces thereof are inclined at the top to assure the entrance of the lugs. These locking holes 41 are so located that thelocking of the magazine member and deliveryplate will not take place until after a package has been delivered by the delivery plate 27 and also another'package supplied to the .package-receiving openplate 2, as

their final normal position of rest, but after the delivery opening 27a which is delivering` a package has advanced far enough beyond into the delivery chute 33, as is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The reason for locking these At-hedelivery 'edge of the lower oor plate 30 tol permit the package to drop theretroml ward movement chine, as will hereinafterappear.

Obviously any one ofthe locking holes 41,Y if only one such hole were provided, would be effective for accomplishing the above described locking operation, but by providing a plurality of these holes, additional assurance that the locking will take place is vla der 7 of the magazine locking will take pawl 37 from the combined loc provided. As shown 1n the drawings, such' place at the first of these holes reached after al channel A becomes empty, and such locked condition is shown in Figs. 54and 6. By providing the individual b follower Weights 40, together with the outer guide walls 18 of the channels A, the tops of the stacks of ackages 32 do not necessarily all need to e at the same level. The narrow outer walls 18 permit a clear view of the packages 3-2 through the glass cylinchamber. Also the follower weights 40 are readily accessible to be lifted, through the open space provided between the channel walls 18 and 21.

The means for operating .the locking pawl 37, which is included with such means in the operating mechanism of the machine, comprises, in the construction shown, a pawlreleasing vpush rod 42 which extends ,from front to rear almost centrally across the upper part of the base wall 1.A This pawloperating rod has a reduced rear end portion 42 which'loosely enters a hole in the lower part o f the locking pawl 37, this reduced end portion forming a shoulder 42b which upon rearwardmovement of the push rod 42 will cause it to disenga e the locking `ing disc and delivery plate 27 (Figs. 2 and 3). This i voperating rod 42 is rectangular in cross secfor sliding movement forward end of tlon'and .adjacent its forward end is guided in the frame 5. The this rod normally projects beyond the partition wall formed by this frameand is there provided, at the left side en ua y thereof as viewed in Fig. 7, with an inclined cam face 42 by means of which this ,rod may moved rearwardly forthereby disaging the locking pawl 37. The man- -operable devicefor effecting such release and the subsequent reengagement of the locking pawl 37 will be presently de'- scribed.

The hereinbefore mentioned drivin deviceforimparting successive steps o step by step-'movement tothe unlocked Amagazlne member including'the channels A an to 'the unlocked delivery plate 27 further comprises a second spur (gear 43 for driving tha-central gear 28v an which .is located forwardly thereof and meshes therewith, in the construction shown these two gears be- `diameter and having the `and by means of la rocking coin carrier ing this purpose this gear is provided with a-r circumferential series of eight equidistantly spaced abutment-forming teeth or studs 45 which project downwardly therefrom which this gear may be given successive steps of movement to the extent o a 1/8 rotation thereof. Such movements are imparted to the drive'member or Gear 43 by Ymeans of the able device now to be described.

As a means for carrying out the invention in an operative construction, there is provided a normally ineffective manually operable device, to be made effective by means of a coin` for causing such device first to release the above described locking device and thereafter to operate the above described driving device ffor thereby imparting a step of movement to the unlocked magazine member and delivery plate from one of `their lockedv positions to their next locked position in which the package-containing channels A of the magazine member are out manually operof alignment with the package-receiving' aperture 31 in the magazine .bottom plate 2.

Such manually operable device comprises 46 located in the space provided for it Within the front of the casing base between the partition wall formed'by the frame 5 and the casing base front wall formed by the flat portion ofthe wall 1 and by the slide 3. At its rear the coincarrer 1s journaled on a stud 47 fixed in the frame 5 and at its front vis provided with a stud 48 in axial alignment with the rear stud 47 and journaled in the casing wall l. The rocking movement of the coin. carrier 46 is limited by upper and lower stop lugs 49 and 50 provided on they frame 5 to be engaged by a lug 51 which projects rom the coin carrier at the left (Fig. 7). The coin carrier is returned to and normally held at its retracted position shown in the drawings by a coiled retractile spring .52 connected to the lower end thereof and anchored to the :tramel 5. At its upper end` or top vthe coin carrier 46 is provided with a transverse coin-holding slot 53. Above and at the backv or 'carrier is provided with a coin-moving finger 54, the rounded end of which will en d ,gage substantially the center of a coin 55,

the lower. edge of which. Ais engaged in the coin-holding slot-53 (Figs. 3 and 7 The coin 55 is thus held by rier in a slightly inclined position which is substantially radial to the pivotal axis of the coin carrier to be moved thereby in an the coin car left of this slot the coin.

arcuate path from left to right, as viewed in Fig. 7. In the retracted position of the coin carrier a proper 'coin may be inserted to this position through a slightly inclined coin slot -6 provided in the front slide 3 of the casing base wall. With the coin 55 thus positioned in the coin carrier its rear edge will be just back of lor at the left of the inclined cam face 42c of the pawl-operating rod 42 and the upper edge portion of the coin will be just vat the front or right handl face of the upper stop lug 49 and in spaced relation to one of the abutment studs 45 of the drive member or gear 43,' with this stud in the path of the coin as the latter is moved from" left to right (Fig. 7 by the coin carrier, some one of these studs eing always normally thus positioned.

The remaining parts of the manually operable device which are directly concerned in the carrying out of the present invention Wardly from the framef. vbetween two washers 6 5. kept under tension and the tension may be.

will now be described. The coin carrier 46 at its left hand margin and lower'part is provided with an internally toothed arcuate or segmental rack 57. This rack is engaged by a pinion 58 having a rear reduced end 58a journaled in the frame 5 and provided at its forward end with a head 59 which is journaled in a tubular b oss 60 for-med on the front of the casingy base wall l. A handle shaft 61 passes loosely through the pinion 58 and has fixed upon its outer end a handle knob 62, the hub 62a of which is' journaled Iin the boss 60. The hub 62n of the handle knob has coupled thereto to rotate therewith, the cone element 63 of a friction clutch. This cone clutch element has hfrictional driving engagement with a cup clutch element formed by the head 59 of the pinion 58. These clutch elements are y maintained in frictional driving engagement by means of a coiled thrust spring 64 on a projecting portion of the handle shaft 61 in- This spring acts The spring 64xis of a nut 66 on the inner adjusted byl meant;

One of the end of the handle shaft 6l.

. washers abuts against the inner reduced end 58a of the pinion 58, for enabling the spring 64 to keep the clutch elements in driving engagement, and this washer loosely overlaps the adjacent inner face of the frame 5, for maintaining all of the parts just described in place in the-machine.

The remaining parts of the coin controlled mechanism do not appear to be directly concerned in the present invention and do not form elements in' the claimed combination, although such parts form features of substantial utility in, the complete practically operable vending machine shownin which this invention'is embodied, and it might be noted that similar parts are disclosed as erable device,

the handle knob 62 and its normal position by its spring 52. lVhile.

move the double acting loc-king forming features in the subject matter of my above noted first filed application Serial No.

39,442. l Theentire above described manually ophandle knob 6 2, together-.with tlie intermediary parts, is normally ineffective to operate drive member 43 and is the pawl rod 42 br the made effective for doing .so by means of a proper coin insertedthrough the coin slot 56. TWhen the coin carrier carries no coin it may be rocked forwardly to its limit of movement, or to any intermediate will be returned to theabove described friction 'clutclp connection or coupling for the handle exerts .sufficient gripping action to'op'r'ate the machine, it permits ,the handle knob to be rotated to any extent in either direction, and thereby safeguards all parts of the mechanism against breakage under all conditions.

Then a coin is `inserted through the coin slot 56, this coin then becomes virtually or in effect an operating part of the coin carrier 46'. Should the customer now inadvertently rotate the handle knob 62` in a left hand or counterclockwise direction, there .will be no result other than the rotation of this handle knob and no harm can result. .When the from the coin carrier 46 to the-l point,.\ by meansv of'.

handle knob 62 is rotated in a clockwise div rection, the pinionv 58 will impart rocking movement to the com carrier 46 1n the same direction at a reduced rate of movement, but l with multiplied power, by reason of which the machine will be effectively operated.V

Immediately at the beginning of this for- Ward movement of the coin carrier46, the rear edge of the coin 55 will engage the cam face 42c of the pawl rod 42 and will slide the latter rearwardly, which will operate to pawl 37 out of the rearmost locking notch or delivery openin 27a in the locking discor delivery plate 2 Immediately after this unlocking operation, the right-.hand face of the upper edge portion of the coin 55 is brought into driving engagement with the adjacent tooth or stud 45 of the drive member or gear. 43 and initiatesrotative movement of the latterwhile the package-supplying channels A and the delivery plate 27 are still in the unlocked condition. Soon after rotative movement of the unlocked'channels 27has begun, the coin 55 is carried beyond the end ofthe pawl rod 42, whereuponthel immediately returned toits normal forward A. and delivery platel i position, independently of the pxawl 37 by 4means of a leaf spring 67, whic isv secured l 'the magazine channels A to a stop at their l channels A while it 1s moving thereover, this Y rier 46 will be s. tion, perhaps the. remaining parts osit-ion of rest. During age 32 will be delivered, as above described, by the delivery plate 27 and another package will be supplied to the package-receiving opening 31 by one of' the next normal locked this operation a pac channel, together with the rest of the channels, subsequently being brought to rest and lockedout of alignment with this opening 31 by the automatic engagement of the locking pawl 37 with the delivery plate 27. In this operation it will be noted that the delivery plate 27 and the magazine channels A are thus brought to a stop at their proper normal osition while they are still being driven carrier..46,- in the particular machine shown in the drawings the coin itself forming the driving connection. Thus the coin carbrought to a stop before it has'quite completed its forwardajlimit of movement as determined by theupper stop lug 49 and the coin carrier lug 51. Thereby, a full forward movement of the delivery plate -27 and the magazine channels A .if assured,while at the same time the automatically acting locking pawl 37 prevents the accumulated momentum of the loaded magazine channels A from'carrying them, together with the delivery plate 27, beyond their normal proper vposition of rest.

For the sake of completeness of descripof the complete coin controlled mechanism shown in the drawings should be briefly noted.

When the spring 52 retracts the coin carrier 46, the disengagement of the coin 55 therefrom is assured by means of a spring-pressed coin-disengaging pawl 69l (Figs. 2 and 7).

It will be notedthat the coin carrier spring 52 Vis connected theretol through the intermediary of a feeler lever 70. which is pivoted at 71 to the lower end of the coin carrier. The left end of this lever (Fig. 7) pivotally carries -a double actingl reversible springpressed pawl 72 to wlpeV in either direction over and escape lfromeath end of a segmental ratchet 73 on lthe frame .5. The upper end. of the lever 70 forms a feeler` finger at the back or left of the coin-holding slot 53 in the-coin carrier 46. Whenl this coin-holding slot is empty, the pawl 72 may reverse orward by the then effective coin magazine bottom plate on the-ratchet 7 3 to permit the coin carrier spring 52 to retract the coin carrier 46 from any position, but a coin in this slot will lock the movement of the vfeeler lever 7 O so that the pawl 72 cannot reverse on the ratchet 7 3 and accordingly the coin carrier 46 must be given a full forward movement when it carries a coin. It may be noted that when the rotatable magazine member is locked by one of the follower weights 4() in the channels A, as hereinbefore described, accordingly the coin carrier 46 will then be locked at a forward position by the pawl 72.

A curved horseshoe magnet 74 is mounted slot 53 in the coin carrier 46 and is urgedy towards the coin carrier and normally pressed against the upper stop lug 49 by means of a spring 75. The magnet 74 carries a pair of small rollers 76, and a cam lug 77 on the coin carrier lug 51 successively engages these. rollers to rock the magnet against the tension of its spring, which then causes the magnet arms to strike against the stop lug 49. This operation will lift a magnetizable slug out of the coin carrier slot 53 and discardA it.y Also the spring-pressed magnet arms receive between them the upper edgeof the coinA 55 (Fig. 7) and aid in positioning it and in maintainin tion in the coin carrier slot 53, an the coin slot 56.

By way of summing up, it may be noted that the gist of the present invention resides in the combined cooperating features of construction by reason of which as soon as a package 32 has been deposited in the package-receiving opening 31 in the magazine bottom plate 2, there will then be no stack of packages resting upon it during the idle condition of the machine, nor to subject it to free from it in posithe machine when this package is livered, hence such package may then be delivered without damage thereto, or to any other package, as a result of such delivery. For accomplishing this desired result, manifestly, at all times, both during the operation of the machine and in its idle condition, there must be a proper cooperating relationship between the magazine channels A,the 2 in regard to the location of its aperture 31, the delivery plate 27, the lower floor plate 30 from which the packages are delivered, the above described locking device, the above described driving device and the above described manually operable device.

It will now be evident that,in carrying out the invention, parts of the coin controlled mechanism per se have a cooperating relation in direct combination with parts of the-delivery or vending 4mechanism per se t0 be de- `m3973510 y and Ithat particularly is this' true of the mandisposed circularly` out of vertical .alignment ually operable device and specifically in retherewith. y

gard to the coin carrier thereof, in order thereby to produce an .operative embodiment of the invention.

it will be noted of the particular vending machine shown in the drawings for carrying out the invention, that .the coin 55 itself, when moved bythe coin carrier46 of which it then forms an operating element, directly.v

operates the locking device and the driving device in proper timed sequence. However,v so far as the present invention is concerned, it is substantially immaterial in what particular way the coin 552 when moved by the manually operable device, may operate for rendering the manually operable device effective to operate the locking device and the driving device in their proper sequence of operation, as the coin 55 might otherwise render the normally ineective manually operable device effective for operating the lookin device-and the driving device. For examp e, according to the invention,l the coin 55 itself need not necessarily constitute the driving instrumentality, and the coin controlled driving connection under the control cal axis and of the coin 55 could be different. than that shown.

It may be furtherv noted that while this invention has been commercially embodied in a coin controlled vending machine it may as well be embodied in a purely dispensin device or machine without coin contro should occasion arise and Without departure from the claimed invention.

In conclusion it may be Stated that it is obvious that various modifications may be ma'de in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described, within the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

' I claim:

- 1. In a vending machine, the combination of a magazine member rotatable on avertiprovided with circularly equidistantlyspaced channels to contain packages to be vended, a stationary bottom plate provided with an aperture to receive packages supplied from the lower ends of the channels, a delivery device for the packages received in said aperture, a locking device -:for locking the magazine memberwith its channels out of alignment with said aperture, a driving device for rotating the magazine member and operating the delivery device, and a manually operable 'device to operate the locking device and the driving device. Y.

2. The invention defined in claim-1, in which said delivery device includes a delivery plate connected to the magazine member to rotate therewith and provided with circnlarly equidistantly spaced delivery openw ings equal in number to said channels and 3. The invention defined in claim 1, in

' which each of the channels of the magazine member is provided at the periphery of the latter with an outer peripheral wall for guiding the packagesv m the'channel and .maintaining them in vertical alignment therein. l

4. The invention delined in claim 1, in which each of the member is provided at the periphery of the latter with an outer peripheral wall for guidng the packages in the channel and maintaining them` in' vertical therein, and an. individual Afollower weight above the packages in each of said channelsand retained in place and guided therein by said outer wall. y

5. The invention defined in claim l, in

alignment 7s" .channels of the magazine which each of the channelsof the magazine' member is provided at theperiphery of the latter with a laterally inturned' flange for guiding the packages inthe channel and maintaining them in vertical alignment therein', while leaving a eripherally open space for inspection and or convenience in filling the magazine.` 6. The invention which each of the channels of the magazine member is provided at the vperiphery ,of the latter with an outer guiding the packages 1n the channel and maintaining them in vertical alignment therein, and an individual followery weight above vthe and retained in said outer wall and each' suchV weight being individually effective to lock the magazine member against rotative movement after the last ackagev has dropped from the channel tcm plate.

f7. In a vending machine, the combination o a leaned 'in Claim' i', in'

peripheral wall for I loo i packages in each of `said channels place and guided therein by and efore suchempty'channel can a ain' pass over said aperture inthe magazlne otmagazine member rotatably mounted on a vertical axis and provided with a cir,`

eumferential series of vertical equdistantly spaced Package-containing channels Open at their lower ends, a stationary horizontal plate formin a magazine bottom mmedlately below t e lower ends of said channels.'

and upon which the packages therein rest I and may slide around, said magazine bottcm plate being of a thicknesscommensurate' livered and having therein an aperture to receive and retain a purchase supplied thereto from one of said channels passingthereover during the rotative movement of the magazine member, a delivery device immepass over'said aperture and to deliver a' 12o 'i with Athe thickness of a purchase to be. de-

" purchase 'received therefrom, and means-for operating said delive device and for imparting successive `unidirectional steps of package-supplying movement to themagazine member and at the termination of each such step bringin the` latter to rest at a position with sai aperture out of align- 4ment with and between two of its packagecontainin channels and so that the magazine mem er supplies packages `to said .apertures during its rotative movements as t `e V channels pass -theieover, said means includsaid step of its movement and releasable by the manually operable device preparatory to 'delivery nl .zine member such step ofl movement of the magazine member. 'l

8. A vending machine having, in combination, a casin base having a top late, an upper magazine "casing part for W ich said top plate forms a maglazine bottom plate, a magazine member AWit in the magazine casing art mounted to provide forl successive unidirectional rotative movementson a vertical axis and provided with a circumferential lseries of vertical e uidistantly vspaced channels terminating at t eir lower ends adjacent to the magazine bottom plate for containin stacks of packages to move downward t erein, said magazine bottom late being of substantially the same thic ess as the packages which constitute a single purchase to be delivered and said plate having therein a aperture shaped and positioned to receive from one of said channels and t0 contain lsuch purchase as the magazine member is moved rotatably thereover, a delivery plateimmediately beneath the magazine bottom plate and connected to the magazine memberA for rotatable movement therewith and provided with a circumferential series of equidistantlyA spaced package-receiving openings equal in number to said channels for successively' receivino' packages `from said aperture when the delivery plate 'and magazine member have rotative 4movement imparted thereto, a lower floor plate imme-z diately beneath edgein advance thereof so as to'retain packnievement, and o erating means for successive uni irectional` stepsl of vement to the delivery plate' and lying movement to themagad. at the terminationy of each imparting of package Y n, said delivery plate in line 'with saidaperture and having a deliveryV lsuoli step bringingthe latterl to rest at a position in Ywhich said aperture is between two of its packa e-containing channels with the latter out o alignment with said aperture and 'so that the magazine member supplies'packages to said aperture during its rotative movements as the channels pass thereover,-wher.eby when the machine isl idle the lweight of ,gthe packages stacked in said -channels will be borne entirely by the bottom plate of the magazine while a package which has been deposited in said aperture will be lfree from such weight of packages in the magazine, said operating means including a manually operable device to impart a step of rotative movement to the magazine member and the delivery plate, and a normally effective vreleasable locking device to stop and lock the delivery plate and magazine member at each said step of their movement and to be released by said manually operable device preparatory to such step of rotative movement.-

9. The invention defined in claim 8, in

which said magazine member and said delivery plate are connected together with the package-containing channels of the formel'. disposed circumferentially between and out .of vertical alignment with the package-deliverying openings in the latter and have a normal position of-rest in which one of said openings in the delivery plate is in alignment with said aperture in., the magazine bottom late.

10. The invention defined in claim 8, in which said lower iloor plate has a stationary fixed position with its delivery edge permanently positioned to permit al purchase to ,y i

drop from an'opening of its delivery, movement, and-a chute,A ositioned lower E ages to an accessible point.l 11. The invention defined in claim 8, in which said magazineiziember and said delivery plate are connectedv together with Vthe y package-containing channels of 'zhe` former disposed circumferentially' between and out 115 off' vertical alignment with the package-dein the Adelivery plate substantially at the conclusion of 'each step f delivery at the delivery 'edge of the, oor plate for guiding delivered packv iio liverin'g-openmgs in the latter land having a' normal position of rest lin which one n y" said opening alignment with said aperture in the maga- 1 129 `zine bottom plate,- andiin which;.saidlower *floor plate has al stationary .xed ositio'n.

with itsy delivery A edge permanent y s, in the delivery plate isfin Y tioned to permit a purchase to drop rom an openin l l y tially at t e conclusion of each step delivery movement,

of its in fthe delivery plate substan?AAV and in which said oper- Y .ating means also includes a driving; device l connectedv to the magazine member and de- :forl imparting successive steps.

livery plate` of rotative Vmovement hereto and such driv- 41,690,510" y .n 'il-1 ling device .including 'al rotatable'drive mem-. locked deliverjVT4 plate and. 'theifmagazine 10 i ber provided with a :circumferential series member .from onejof their locked positions of e uidistantly spaced abutments by means to the next' locked ositionV inni which the f of W ich it may be given successive steps of package-containing c annels of."the maga- 5 movement b said manually operable device, zine member areout of alignment with said and in whic -s'ail manuallg operable device aperture in the magazine bottom plate'. 16

' evi I.

il'irstv releases the lookin ce and there- Inwitness whereof, 'I hereuntosubs'oribe vafter imparts .a step o v'movement to the, my signature. n. A 'drive member for' thereb rotating. the un-4 1 f -Loms H. MORIN. 'V

Images