US2649948A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1953 Filed sept. 7, 1949 LW /fze lL c. w. TAwNl-:Y ETL lVENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

CHESTER rAwMe'r.

SALVATORE J DEMARCO JR.

ATMWEY Aug. 25, 1953 c. w. TAwNEY ETAL 2,649,948

VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SALVA-rane J @manco JR. PAT H. HERmc/r WMU@ W7.

ATTORNEY Allg 25, 1953/ 1c. w. TAwNEY ErAL 2,649,948

VENDING MACHINE Filedsept. 7, 1949 s sheets-Sheet s yIAWENTR. @HES TER w. TA w/vEy SALVATORE z DEMARGO .//i

PAT H. HERR/0K BYMM.

TTORNEY Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STAT ES PATENT I OFFICE Chester' W. TvljiyNsallzllaAtilEemarco, Jr.,

and Pat H. Herrick, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Products Manufacturing Co., Inc.,l a. corporation of Maryland Applicationseptember 7, T949, Serial No. 114,415

((Jl.Y 194985.)

y Claims. l

This1 invention relates to vending machines and more'- particularly' to the coin receiving mechanism of such a device, especially inA that it providesfor the automaticejection or return of coinsplaced in the machine during the times that the' latter for any reason cannot supply the merchandized' product to the customer.

It has among its objects to provide a new and improved coin return and ejectingmechanism in a vending machineI that will automatically eject orreturn all coins when the machine is empty.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved coin return and ejecting mechanism fora vending machine that will be simple in construction; effective in operation and economical to' install.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

In the` type of vending machine described in U; S'. Patent No; 234233,87'3, issued on January 6, 1948', to the` present applicant, the insertion of a coin for-theV product in theV particular form illustrated, did not provide for its return` if the product was not forthcoming` or the coin was not of the proper type or size. The. disadvantageV of not being able to return the'v coin in such instances is apparent and will not be` enlarged upon herein. This' invention anticipates this objection and overcomes it primarily byproviding a mechanism with` a deflector that diverts theV unwanted coin to" a return chute where the customer entitled toitsreturn` can retrieve it. To dothis, the product acts onthe diverter that manipulates the mechanism by its size and produces the desired eilect, and theV resultingejection or return of' the com.

For a fuller explanation of the' invention, its objects*7 operation, and the-principlesunderwhich it functions, reference is made to the appended drawings. These drawings in conjunction with the following explanation outline a particular form of the inventionbyway of example; while the claims indicate its scope.

Referring tothe drawings Figurer is a front elevationv of a coin operated vending machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2` is a plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 isa side* elevation of Figure 1;

Figure 4 isa view'looking up at the underside of Figure 1-;

Figure' 5 isi a sectional View taken through the machine alongY line 5%-5A of' Figure 3; and showing the coin' return and-ej ection mechanism;

Figurel 6 is asectionalv Viewv taken through the machine along lined- 6 of Figure 1;`

Figure' '7v is a sectional view taken along line Figure 8 is a sectional View taken along line 8 8 of Figure" 5;

Figure 9 is' a sectional viewv taken' along line 9 9? of Figurel 5;

Figurev 10v is a sectionalv view taken along line HIP-HJ-V of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line il- H of Figure 5;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line |-"2"-l2v ofk Figure 5 ;A

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line 1'3'- I3' of Figure 5;

Figure- 14 is a sectional view taken along line til-Ui of Figure 5, and

Figure 15- is a sectionalV View taken along line -S- t52 of` Figure 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughoutl the drawings.

The particular structure of a tablet vender shown in the drawings and described herein consists' of' a housing preferably of rounded form adapted' to beY hung against a wall or vertical surface'. It is preferably made up in three sections termed the cap 20, the body 21| and the moneyk box 22, supported on a back bracket 23. The back bracket 2'3 is provided with holes 24 preferably ccuntersunk'toreceive flat head screws for attaching the bracket to the wall or other support. The bracket is provided at its upper end withl an elongated slot 25- to receive a fasteningscrew 2lil attachedto thecap 2i) to hold the vender to` the wall or other' support. The lower portion of the back bracket 23- isprovided with a transverse l'ock slot 2'! and a shelf section 28 for supporting' a partition 29 attached thereto by bolts and nuts The-partition 29 is a support for the operating mechanisms of the vender. A circular ho1e3lA is located centrally in the partit-ion 29- and leads to thechamber 32 ofthe money box 2'2 Also another smaller circular hole 33 in the same partition is oiiset from the center and serves as an orifice for the passage of the tablets 3:41 to fallthrough; individually, when aligned therewith. A raised ridge 3'5 of arcuate form is concentrically formed on thec face of the partition 29:A to guide the tablets in their travel to the ori'ce 33. An' S-like lintel 36 hinged at 31' to the upper face of the partition 29 slides over thesurfacetowards the center of the-partition in one direction when held open byV tablets 314 pressing' against the ridge 35- and lintel 36, the orice is open and towards the ridge 35r in the opposite direction sufficiently to allow the curved hooked portion 39 of the lintel 36 to close over the orifice' 33 when all the tablets have been dispensed, throughthe action of spring 38- pressing outwardly; A projecting noder 40A on the inner 3 edge of the lintel 36 is employed to control a coin diverter 4l to direct the operating coin into the money box 22 when a tablet has been dispensed, and to return the coin to the operator when the device is empty of tablets. A shelf 42 of segmental form is supported on vertical posts 43 above the face of the partition 29 and held thereto by screws 45 adjacent the position of the ridge 35 and hole 33 to allow a single row of packages or tablets 34 to move along the face of the partition 29 toward the discharge opening 33, and to prevent more than one tablet or package 34 from dropping through the discharge opening 33, Figure shows the diverter 4| in position to return coins through the slot 41. The money box 22 has a dispensing chute or cup 45 formed interiorly for the dispensing of the tablets 34 when dropped into it through hole 33 and for returning the coin to the owner through slot 41 and cup 4B when the vender is empty, through the action of the diverter 4I. The diverter 4i is actuated by the lintel node 49 when the vender is empty, so as to divert coins from the coin chute back to the customer when there are no tablets to deliver. The diverter I is hinged at 48 and ordinarily is positioned so the coins used to operate the Vender will pass directly into the money box 22 when the tablet product is normally dispensed from the machine. A spring 50 preferably of flat form is held in the recess 49 of a coin tube 5l that contains the rectangular passage 52 for the coins to travel in and actuates the diverter 4l to return the coin when the machine is empty. The opening 56 is closed by a tilting door 51 tensioned by spring 58. The cap and body 2l are provided with bosses 53 and 54 and held together by screws 55. The cap is formed with a coin slot 59 that is not large enough of itself to permit the insertion of coins to operate the vender. However, a relatively small knob or head 69 revolves on top of the cap 20 in a recess 6| depressed in the latter to take it. The knob or head 59 has a stem 6E extended down from it into the housing through a bushing 53 that serves to keep it straight and prevent sidewise movement while at the same time serving as a bearing in which to rotate it. The knob or head has a rectangular slot G4 in its stem 62 and through its longitudinal axial area leading into the cap 20. At the entrance of the slot 64 the size is reduced, so it has to align with the slot 59 to provide sufficient length for the coin selected to pass into it, and thence through the axial area down into the coin tube of the vender. The slots 59 and 54 are normally located so the customer is not required to turn the knob to align them so he can insert the coin of the proper size. This alignment is accomplished through a spring 65 attached to a pin 69 positioned in the recess 6i of the cap 29 and the other end of the spring attached to a pin 6l positioned in the knob 69 and keeps the slots 59 and 64 in alignment. When the coin is inserted in the knob it falls down through the slot 54 and between one set of the radial nns B9 formed in the rotatable collar iii which is attached to the magazine 1l. However, when the coin reaches the magazineit is stopped by a slot 84 in the partition 'l2 at the top of coin tube 5i that is of smaller diameter than the coin used, and engages between one set of radial fins projecting vertically above the coin tube 5i and within the magazine and acts as a key to lock the knob stem and magazine together so the magazine can be rotated enough to dispense one tablet or container and drop the coin into the money box. The rotation of the knob and magazine revolves the coin in its vertical position to and over the enlarged notches 'I3 in the partition 'i2 which is of the same diameter as radial fins and slightly larger than coin used, and aligned with the enlarged passage and rectangular passage 52 in the coin tube 5! and the largest passage, is large enough for the coin used. The magazine l l is positioned and rotates on the coin tube 5E which is substantially parallel to the columns of the magazine, which are hollowed out to hold the tablets 34 in one position so they will slide down onto the partition 29 in proper sequence and in rotative movement as explained in previous patent referred to and also described herein. The tube 5l is arranged with a rectangular passage52 for the coin to pass through on its way to the disposal chamber 32. A groove '15 in the wall of the magazine 1l allows the shelf 28 to slide therethrough as it is rotated and keep the tablets 34 from falling down indiscriminatingly into the cup 46 but not obstructing the dispensing of the tablets or units one at a time in the proper sequence. The money box 22 is attached to the partition 29 and held there by adjustable screws 18 which i'lt into slots "i9 in breechlock fashion, and allow various adjustments to be made to tightly t the money box 22 to the partition and other parts of the vender. The vender is then secured to the back bracket 23 by a lock 80 mounted in the bottom wall 8i of the money box 22 when operated by a key 83 in the usual manner causes the tongue 82 to engage in slot 2l in the back bracket 23 so the money box section or the vender cannot be removed from the wall except by unlatching the lock with a key and raising the vender so the screw 25 will be released from the slot 25 in the back bracket which has been attached to a wall or other support.

In the operation of the machine, the user if necessary turns the knob 60 until its vertical slot 54 is aligned with the angular slot 59 in the cap 29, so a coin or slug 58 of the proper size can be inserted. The slots contemplate the use through them of any item of predetermined form that may be employed for operating the vender, whether it be of conventional coin or slug form or not. The term coin is intended to include any item of this nature, without requiring further detailing thereof. The coin inserted passes through the passage 54 in the stem 62 vertically or on edge, until it wedges between the walls of this passage 54 and between the particular fins 59 immediately aligned therewith. Further turning of the knob will move the stem 62, the coin 6B and the nhs 69. The fins 52 being integrally formed on the rotatable magazine 'H and locked for the moment with the stem 62 by the coin 6B, are rotated when the knob E-tis turned. The coin 5B cannot pass through the tube passage in the magazine because it is obstructed by the face of the coin tube 5i which is stationary. However when the magazine, together with its tablets in the columns are revolved enough to bring the coin 6B in line with the passage 52 in the coin tube 5l and free of the obstructing surface of the face of the coin tube 5I, it falls down unobstructed through the passage 59 and passes the diverter 4I, into the money chamber 32. Since one of the columns with tablets therein is aligned with the cup 45 and its lowest tablet has been segregated by and under the shelf 42, so it is over the open hole 33 in partition 29 during lthe lrotation of 'the magazine by the :knob 60, .it

falls down `through the cup Vvi6 and Vlands against the door 57. The customer Vraises the ldoor and removes the tablet.

Should no tablet be aligned with the .hole 33 in this step of the dispensing, .thenthe lintel mechanism comes into action under the tension of the spring 33 to move over the opening 63 and close it, while the node 40 of the lintel 36 movesaway from the diverter 4| and Aallows .the latter, under pressure of spring `'56, vto move and to change the course of the coin rfrom the money box to the cup, where it can be taken out by the customer.

After the coin 68 is inserted in the slots 59 and 64 and lins 69 and rotates the magazine one space and coin is released to the coin tube, the knob revolves backwards to vits starting point under the action of the spring and the device is ready for operation by the next customer, in the same manner as above described. The magazine is prevented from revolving backwards by a ratchet 'i6 mounted on the magazine or carrier and a spring or pawl 'Vi aixed Vto the stationary coin tube 5i respectively.

The money box 22 is removed periodically to take out the money and then be returned and locked in place. The tablets are `stored in the magazine singly or in specified quantities-as may be desirable or necessary and are termed units. The term unit being employed to include either single or plural tablets dispensable at a time for each single coin. The knob `66 is returnable to a denite location on the housing so its slot will automatically align with the slot of the housing. It assumes this position under the tension of a spring 65 fastened to thevknob and housing cap as previously explained.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings vand described in vthe specifications, it is not .desired to limit this application for patent to this .particular form, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use .the same principles and come within'the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A dispensing machine operable by coin manipulation, comprising in combination, a housing, a tablet magazine-rotatable in said housing, said magazine being arranged to store a plurality of tablets disposed in individual units one above the other and in columns arcuately positioned within the magazine and deliverable in single units at the bottom, a shelf extending into the magazine on which the tablets can slidably rotate and arranged to allow each column of tablets to align consecutively therewith and release a unit therefrom individually at a time for its removal from the magazine, a coin tube within the magazine for guiding said coin therethrough, a knob rotatable on the housing and having a lateral slot for the insertion of the coin therein and an axial passage through the knob communicating with said slot for guiding the .coin to the tube and to the magazine and bridging and keying the knob and magazine together whereby the further rotation of the knob will produce corresponding rotation in the magazine -and bring each column selectively to said position of release, saidmagazine being arranged to align itself with said tube in said position-andvdrop the coin from its `bridging positioninto the tube, a coin box inthe housing adapted to receive the coin from said tube, a :delivery cup in the housing algnablevalso with the column in its releasing position for receiving the unit dispensed therefrom simultaneously with the dropping of the coin, and means for returning the knob to its normal position on the housing ready for the next coin to be inserted, without moving said magazine during said return, and a plate in the housing on which the magazine rests including an opening therein for the unit to drop through, means operating in the housing adjacent said shelf for leaving the opening through which the unit may fall to the Vcup open as long as there are tablet units in the `magazine to press it open.

2. A dispensing machine operable by coin manipulation, comprising in combination, a housing, a table magazine rotatable in said housing, said Vmagazine being arranged to store la plurality of tablets disposed in individual units one above the other and in columns arcuately positioned within the magazine and deliverable in single units at the bottom, a shelf extending into the magazine on which the tablets can slidably rotate and arranged to allow each column of tablets to align consecutively therewith and release a unit therefrom individually at a time for its removal from the magazine a coin tube within the magazine for guiding said coin therethrough, a knob rotatable on the housing including a slot for the insertion of the coin therein and guiding it to 'the magazine and bridging and keying the knob and magazine'together whereby the further rotation of the knob will produce corresponding rotation in the magazine .and bring each column selectively to said position of release, said magazine being arranged to align itself with said tube :in said position and drop thercoin from its bridging position into the tube, a lcoin box in the housing adapted to receive the coin from said tube, a delivery cup in the housing alignable also with the column in its releasing position for receiving the unit dispensed therefrom simultaneously with the dropping of the coin, and means for returning the knob to its normal position on the housing ready for the next coin to be inserted, without moving said magazine during said return, a plate in the housing on which the magazine rests including an'opening therein for the unit to drop through, means operating in the housing adjacent .said shelf Afor leaving the opening through which the unit may fall to the cup open as long `as there are tablet units in the magazine to press it open, and a diverter mounted in the housing hinged in said coin tube and including means actuated by said last mentioned means when `all the tablet units have been emptied from the magazine to guide the coin inserted in the housing to said cup.

3. A dispensing machine operable by coin manipulation, comprising in combination, a housing, a tablet magazine rotatable Vin said housing, said magazine being-arranged to store a plurality of tablets disposed `in individual units one above the other and i-n columns arcuately positioned within the magazine and deliverable in single units at the bottom, a shelf extending into the magazine on which the tablets can slidably rotate and arranged to `allow each column of tablets to align consecutively therewith and release a unit therefrom individually at a time for its removal from the magazine, a coin tube within the magazine for guiding said-coin therethrough, a knob rotatableon the housing including a slot for the insertion of the Vcoin therein and Vguiding it to the magazine and bridging and keying the knob and magazine together whereby the further rotation of the knob Will produce corresponding rotation in the magazine and bring each column selectively to said position of release, said magiazine being arranged to align itself with said tube in said position and drop the coin from its bridging position into the tube, a coin box in the housing adapted to receive the coin from said tube, a delivery cup in the housing alignable also with the column in its releasing position for receiving the unit dispensed therefrom simultaneously with the dropping of the coin, and means for returning the knob to its normal position on the housing ready for the next coin to be inserted, without moving said magazine during said return, a plate in the housing on which the magazine rests including an opening therein for the unit to drop through, means operating in the housing adjacent said shelf for leaving the opening through which the unit may fall to the cup open as long as there are tablet units in the magazine to press it open, a diverter mounted in the housing hinged in said coin tube and including means actuated by said last mentioned means when all the tablet units have been emptied from the magazine to guide the coin inserted in the housing to said cup, and a ratchet mechanism connected between the stationary coin tube and the magazine for preventing the latter from being reversed in direction.

4. A dispensing machine operable by coin manipulation, comprising in combination, a housing, a tablet magazine rotatable in said housing, said magazine being arranged to store a plurality of tablets disposed in individual units one above the other and in columns arcuately positioned within the magazine and deliverable in single units at the bottom, a shelf extending into the magazine on which the tablets can slidably rotate and arranged to allow each column of tablets to align consecutively therewith and release a unit therefrom individually at a time for its removal from the magazine, a coin tube within the magazine for guiding said coin therethrough, a knob rotatable on the housing including a slot for the insertion of the coin therein and guiding it to the magazine and bridging and keying the knob and magazine together whereby the further rotation of the knob will produce corresponding rotation in the magazine and bring each column selectively to said position of release, said magazine being arranged to align itself with said tube in said position and drop the coin from its bridging position into the tube, a coin box in the housing adapted to receive the coin from said tube, a delivery cup in the housing alignable also with the column in its releasing position for receiving the unit dispensed therefrom simultaneously with the dropping of the coin, and means for returning the knob to its normal position on the housing ready for the next coin to be inserted, without moving said magazine during said return, a plate in the housing on which the magazine rests including an opening therein for the unit to drop through, means operating in the housing adjacent said shelf for leaving the opening through which the unit may fall to the cup open as long as there are tablet units in the magazine to press it open, a diverter mounted in the housing hinged in said coin tube and including means actuated by said last mentioned means when all the tablet units have been emptied from the magazine to guide the coin inserted in the housing to said cup, a ratchet mechanism connected between the stationary coin tube and the magazine for preventing the latter from being reversed in direction, and a section of the housing adapted for closing in the money box, and means for locking the box in said section.

5. A dispensing machine operable by coin manipulation, comprising in combination, a housing, a tablet magazine rotatable in said housing, said magazine being arranged to store a plurality of tablets disposed in individual units one above the other and in columns arcuately positioned within the magazine and deliverable in single units at the bottom, a shelf extending into the magazine on which the tablets can slidably rotate and arranged to allow each column of tablets to align consecutively therewith and release a unit therefrom individually at a time for its removal from the magazine, a coin tube within the magazine for guiding said coin therethrough, a knob rotatable on the housing including a slot for the insertion of the coin therein and guiding it to the magazine and bridging and keying the knob and magazine together whereby the further rotation of the knob will produce corresponding rotation in the magazine and bring each column selectively to said position of release, said magazine being arranged to align itself with said tube in said position and drop the coin from its bridging position into the tube, a coin box in the housing adapted to receive the coin from said tube, a delivery cup in the housing alignable also with the column in its releasing position for receiving the unit dispensed therefrom simultaneously with the dropping of the coin, and means for returning the knob to its normal position on the housing ready for the next coin to be inserted, without moving said magazine during said return, a plate in the housing on which the magazine rests including an opening therein for the unit to drop through, means operating in the housing adjacent said shelf for leaving the opening through which the unit may fall to the cup open as long as there are tablet units in the magazine to press it open, a diverter mounted in the housing hinged in said coin tube and including means actuated by said last mentioned means when all the tablet units have been emptied from the magazine to guide the coin inserted in the housing to said cup, a ratchet mechanism connected between the stationary coin tube and the magazine for preventing the latter from being reversed in direction, a section of the housing adapted for closing in the money box, and means for locking the box in said section, said housing being in plural sections for enabling its upper, bottom and middle sections to be detached from each other and attaining access to the magazine and mechanisms within it for inspection, repair and replacement purposes.

CHESTER, W. TAWNEY. SALVATORE J. DEMARCO, JR. PAT H. HERRICK.

References Cited in the i'lle 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 591,515 Webber Oct. 12, 1897 1,196,574 Millard Aug. 29, 1916 1,274,261 Grover VJuly 30, 1918 1,975,540 Folger Oct. 2, 1934 2,343,578 Rabens Mar. 7, 1944 2,433,873 Tawney Jan. 6, 1943

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