US3158247A - Dispensing machine for beverages in bottles or cans - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1964 R. GALE DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28. 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

IQO/VALO GALE ATTOE/WFVS Nov. 24, 1964 R. GALE 3, 5

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EON/J40 ,445

R. GALE Nov. 24, 1964 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 28, 1961 INVENTOR.

PO/VA L O GALE NOV. 24, 1964 GALE 3,158,247

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTOE VE VS R. GALE 3,158,247

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES 0R CANS Nov. 24, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 28, 1961 IN VEN TOR.

EON/ 1 L 0 m. mm. a

R. GALE 3,158,247

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Nov. 24, 1964 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES m BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28. 1961 Mllll.

IN VEN TOR. BOA/4L D GA L 5 BY flmm w% ,4 rralewsvs United States Patent Office hliihi? Patented Nov. 24:, 19%4 DISPENSING MACHINE FUR EEVERAGES IN IEQT'ILES 9R CANS Ronald Gale, Hagerstown, Md, assignor to Victor Fred- This invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to a device of the coin-operated type adapted for vending or dispensing beverages contained in bottles, cans or similar packages and wherein the beverage containers may be stored in a refrigerated condition.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic coin-controlled beverage vending machine which is relatively simple in construction, which requires a minimum amount of human supervision and which is readily adjustable to accommodate various types and sizes of beverage containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatically operated, coin-controlled beverage container dispensing device which is durable in construction, which is reliable in operation, and which is not readily subject to jamming of the beverage containers dispensed thereby.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved bending and dispensing device for storing and dispensing beverage containers in response to the reception of a suitable coin, the device being relatively compact in size, being easy to assemble, being arranged so that it is simultaneously usable to dispense cans, bottles, and other types of beverage containers, which is rendered inoperative automatically when a container is received on the dispensing tray thereof and is automatically restored to operation when the container is removed from said tray, and which is provided with means to prevent improper delivery of beverage containers when the relaycontrolled switches thereof become stuck or jammed in closed positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved coin-controlled automatic beverage vending machine which is adapted to receive a plurality of beverage containers in a vertically stacked arrangement and which is arranged to sequentially dispense the containers in a reliable manner without damage thereto, the mechanism involving relatively simple parts, being easy to adjust, and being easy to install or remove, when required.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the mechanism of an improved automatic beverage container dispensing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the machine being shown with the front Wall of its housing removed andwith the lower bracket portions associated with said front wall shown in vertical cross section.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 7'7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the elements of the operating mechanism of the dispensing assembly of FIGURE 5, the elements being shown in separated positions FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the beverage container vertical guide rails are adjustably secured in the frame of the dispensing machine of FIGURE 1 so that the machine may be adjusted to accommodate difierent sizes and types of beverage containers.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical circuit connections of the beverage container dispensing machine of FIGURES 1 to 10.

Referring to the drawings, 12 generally designates an improved vending machine according to the present invention, the machine comprising a cabinet 13 made of suitable material, such as sheet metal, or the like, the cabinet including the side walls 14 and 15, the top wall 16, the

bottom wall 17, the rear wall 18, and a suitable front Wall assembly, not shown in the drawings. Said front Wall assembly is indicated in dotted view at 19 in FIGURE 2.

The cabinet includes a lower compartment 21 adapted to contain refrigeration equipment associated with the device. Overlying the space 21 are a pair of side-by-side apertured downwardly and forwardly inclined Wall members 23 and 24 formed at their forward ends with converging delivery chute portions 25 and 26 leading to respective receiving troughs 27 and 28 provided at the lower front portion of the cabinet, the trough 27 and 28 being downwardly and forwardly inclined, as shown in FIGURE 2, and leading to a common delivery chamber 29 secured to the front portion of the cabinet and provided with an access opening 30 of suflicient size to allow a bottle or beverage can to be easily passed therethrough. As shown in FIGURE 4 each convergent chute 25 and 26 is further provided interiorly thereof with a generally V-shaped upstanding guide member 32 having dowuward ly and outwardly inclined sloping walls cooperating with the respective side walls of the delivery chutes 25 and 26 to define a pair of delivery channels in each delivery chute, the delivery channels converging toward the throat portion of the associated main delivery chute. Thus, in the specific assembly illustrated in the drawings, there are four storage spaces for beverage containers defined, shown respectively at 33, 34, 35 and 36 in FIGURE 4, the storage spaces 33 and 34- being associated with the inclined wall element 25 and the storage spaces 35 and 36 being associated with the inclined Wall elements 24.

Respective vertical channel brackets 37 and 38 are secured to the inside surfaces of the side walls 14 and 15 in the front portion of the cabinet, and secured to said channel brackets is a vertical plate member '39 which eX- tends across the full width of the cabinet. Spaced horizontal rearwardly extending channel-shaped bar members 46 are secured at their forward portions to a forwardly extending horizontal bottom flange 41 provided on the plate member 39 and are secured at their rear end portions to the bottom flange 42 of a generally channelshaped vertical bar member 43 which is secured in the rear portion of the cabinet between the side walls 14 and I5 and in a position spaced from and parallel to the rear wall 18. As shown in FIGURE 2, the delivery chute wall members 23 and 24 are supported on and secured to the bottom flange 42 of bar member 43 at the rear ends of said delivery chute wall members.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the bar members 4% are spaced so as to underlie the side margins of the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36, and each bar member 40 is formed with respective marginal rows of transversely extending slots M at the opposite side margins thereof and with a further row of inclined slots 45 at the rear portion thereof. A channel-shaped top plate 46 is secured to the top wall 16 and extending between the side walls 14 and 15, said top plate 46 being in overlying relationship to the bar members 40, the top plate 46 being formed with slots 47 arranged in rows and vertically registering with the slots 44 and with further slots 48 arranged in rows and registering with the inclined slots 45, as shown in FIGURE 9.

Each of the storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 is provided at its side margins with a pair of upstanding beverage container guide bars 49 and St}, the guide bars being generally U-shaped in horizontal cross section and presenting guiding edges 51 and 52, respectively, at their apex portions. The beverage container guide bars 49 and 50 are formed at their top and bottom ends with respective pairs of rectangular lugs 53, 53 and 54, 54 adapted to be engaged in selected pairs of respective slots 47, 47 and 44, 44 at the forward portions of the spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36, and with respective selected pairs of slots 48 and 45 at the rear portions of said storage spaces, the bar members 49 and 50 being positioned with their apex portions directed inwardly toward the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35, and 36, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 3. Sufiicient clearance is provided at the top and bottom ends of the guide bars 49 and 50 adjacent the retaining lugs 53, 53 and 54, 54 to allow the guide bars to be readily elevated to disengage the bottom lugs 54 from the slots 44 and 45 to allow the guide bars to be removed and repositioned in the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 in accordance with the sizes and shapes of the beverage containers to be stored in said spaces. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, the forward guide bars 49 may be suitably positioned to engage the neck portions of bottles 55 stacked in the storage space 33, whereas the rear guide bars may be positioned so that the spacing therebetween is somewhat greater than the spacing between the side bars 49, and so that the guide bars 56 may engage the cylindrical portions of the bottles. Similarly, if beverage cans are to be dispensed, for example cans 56, as shown in FIGURE 3, the forward guide bars 49 in the storage space 34 containing the cans may be positioned so as to project inwardly adjacent the forward rims of the cans, whereas the rearward guide bars 50 in the storage space 34 may be arranged outwardly adjacent the cylindrical surfaces of the can so as to glide same for vertical movement.

As previously mentioned, the top lugs 53 are of sulficient length so that the guide bars will be retained in their adjusted positions and so that sufficient clearance may be provided at the bottom ends of the guide bars to allow the bottom lugs 54 to be disengaged from their retaining slots when the bars are to be readjusted.

Secured in the cabinet above and in vertical registry with the plate member 43 is a plate member 57 which constitutes the main rear wall of the storage compartments 33, 34, and 36. Said main wall 57 is formed with respective vertical slots 58 having rearwardly extending peripheral flanges 59, the slots 58 being positioned in communication with the lower portions of the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 and being provided therein with micro switches designated respectively at E81, E82, and ES3 in FIGURE 11, the micro switches being engaged by respective pivoted leaf members 60 to hold the micro switches open unless said leaf members are released. The leaf members 69 are in turn engaged by the stacked beverage containers until the stacks of containers are so depleted as to drop below a predetermined level, whereupon the associated pivoted leaf member 66 is released, allowing its associated micro switch to operate. As will be presently explained, this energizes an associated indicator lamp and indicates an empty condition for the corresponding beverage container storage space.

The respective stacks of beverage containers in the storage compartments 33, 34, 35, and 36 are supported on and selectively released by respective pivoted vending members or frame assemblies 61, 62, 63 and 64 provided in the bottom portions of the container storage compartments, the frame assemblies being similar in construction and each comprising front and rear transverse bars 65 and 66 connected by longitudinally extending side rods 67 and 68 having idler sleeves 69 and 70 rotatably engaged thereon. The rear bars 66 are pivoted at 71 to the vertical plate member 43 and the front bars 65 are pivoted at 72 to the front vertical plate member 39. The pivot elements 71 and 72 comprise short stub shafts which are keyed to members 65 and 66 in longitudinal alignment, the pivotal connections of the bars 66 and 65 to said stub shafts 71 and 72 being spaced off center with respect to said bars 66 and 65, the pivotal axis being located closer to the rod 67 than to the rod 68.

Since the sleeves 63 and 7d are freely rotatable with respect to the rods 67 and 68, no frictional restraint is imposed on the rotation of the frames 61, 62, 63 and 64 by the weight of the containers stacked thereupon.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the containers 55 or 56 are vertically stacked in the compartments 33, 34, 35 and 36 in double rows which are staggered in the manner illustrated, the bottom container being supportingly engaged by one of the rods 67 or 68 through its associated bearing sleeve elements 69 or 70, the remainder of the stack of containers being thus supported by the lowermost container. For example, in FIGURE 1, the lowermost bottle 55 is supportingly engaged by the sleeve 69 on the rod 67 of frame assembly 61 with said frame assembly positioned so that it is inclined upwardly and to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1 to thus engage the lowermost bottle 55 which is positioned at the left of the double stack? In order to release the lowermost bottle 55 it is necessary for the frame 61 to be oscillated first in a clockwise direction to a sufiicient angle to allow the lowermost bottle to drop downwardly sufficiently to engage the bearing sleeve 70 on the associated frame rod 68, after which the frame 61 must be returned to its original position so that the bottle may be allowed to descend further, namely, may be released by the bearing sleeve 70 of the rod 68. Thus, the frame 61 must be rotated through a predetermined angle in a clockwise direction to allow the lowermost bottle 55 to drop downwardly into engagement with the sleeve 76, after which the frame 61 must be returned to its original position to allow the bottle to be freed and to drop downwardly so that it may gravitate through the discharge chute 25 and the delivery chute 27 into the delivery chamber 29. FIGURE 5 further illustrates the required oscillation of the frame member 61 to release the lowermost container 55. From FIGURE 5 it will be seen that each rotation of the frame member 61 from one of its dotted view positions shown in FIGURE 5 to the other results in the release of a container 55, namely, either the lowermost container in the left stack of the double sack of containers or the lowermost container in the right stack of said double stack. With each rotation of the frame member 61 a container is automatically placed in position to be released responsive to the next rotation of the frame member.

Oscillation of the frame member 61 is produced by an electric motor, for example, the motor V M1, which is associated with the storage space 33, through a crank mechanism, designated generally at 73. The shaft of motor VM1, shown at 74, has secured thereto a driving disc 75, and rotatably secured on the shaft 74 adjacent the disc 75 is a crank member comprising a pair of guide discs 76, 77 with an intervening smaller concentric disc 78. The members 76, 77 and 7% are pivotally connected to the shaft 74 eccentrically with respect to the driving disc 75, although the members 76, 77 and 78 are concentric with each other. The driving disc 75 is formed with an arcuate slot 79 concentric with the shaft 74 and a clamping screw 80 is provided, said clamping screw extending through the members '76, 7'7 and 78 and through the slot 79, being provided with a fastening nut 81 for securing the members 76, 77 and 78 in adjusted positions with respect to the driving disc 75 around the shaft 74. A crank arm 82 is rotatably engaged on the crank disc element 78, being retained between the larger crank disc members 76 and 77, as shown in FIG- URE 7. The end of the crank arm 82 is rotatably and drivingly connected to an extension 84 of the frame rod 67, so that the frame M is oscillated around the axis of the shaft element 72 responsive to the operation of the crank mechanism 73 which occurs when the motor VMl is energized. The amplitude of such oscillation is adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the crank elements 76, 77 and '78 relative to the driv ng disc 75. As will be apparent from FIGURE 5, the crank arm 32 is extended to the left during one half of a revolution of the driving disc 75 and is retracted to the right during the next half revolution of said disc 75. The extension of the crank arm 82 to the left releases the lowermost container 55 in the left hand stack of the double stack of containers, whereas the retraction of the crank arm 32 to the right releases the lowermost container in the right hand stack of containers in the double stack, while allowing the lowermost container in the left hand stack to descend to a position wherein it will be released responsive to the next extension to the left of the crank arm 82. Thus, each revolution of the driving disc 75 provides release of two containers 55, one being released for each half revolution of the disc 75.

As will be presently explained, the motor VMl is controlled by a limit switch, designated at V51 included in the control circuit of the device, the limit switch being normally closed and having an operating element 85 engageable by respective lugs 86 and 85' at diametrically opposite locations on the periphery of the driving disc 75, said lugs cooperating with the operating element 35 to terminate operation of the associated vending motor VMll after it has rotated the frame 61 through the necessary angle to release a beverage container 55.

The motor VMl is detachably secured to a vertical supporting plate 37 which is rigidly mounted in the cabinet 13 forwardly of and parallel to the vertical plate member 39. The top marginal portion of the supporting plate 87 is formed with a generally V-shaped notch 88 which receives the bearing collar portion 89 of the motor at its apex, the motor being secured to the portions of the plate 87 adjacent the notch 88 by suitable fastening screws 9b. The crank mechanism 73 is mounted on the motor shaft 74 which projects through the collar 89, as shown in FIGURE 7, the assembly 73 being engaged with the end of the rod projection 84 in the manner above described and illustrated in FIGURE 7, the end of the extension 84 extending through an aperture provided in the end of the crank arm 82 and being retained by the provision of a cotter pin 91 engaged through the forward end portion of the extension 84. A hearing bushing 92 is provided, said bushing 92 being suitably flanged and extending through the aperture in the end of the crank arm 82. As will be readily apparent, if it should be necessary to remove the motor and the crank assembly 73 for any reason, such as for repair or replacement, such removal can be readily accomplished by merely removing the cotter pin 91 and unfastening the motor securing screws 99. With the screws 99 and the cotter pin 91 unfastened, it is merely necessary to move the motor and crank assembly forwardly sufiiciently to disengage the crank arm 82 from the forward end portion of the extension 84, after which the motor and crank assembly be lifted vertically upwardly through the notch 88. The parts may be readily replaced by following a reverse procedure.

The beverage compartment 34 has associated therewith a similar dispensing mechanism comprising a motor VM2 and a crank mechanism identical to the crank mechanism 73. Thus the dispensing frame 62 associated with the beverage container storage compartment 34 is operated in the same way as the dispensing frame 61 associated with the beverage container storage compartment 33.

The beverage container compartments 35 and 36 are provided with a suitable dispensing mechanism generally similar to the mechanism 73 but arranged so that it dispenses containers in alternate sequence from the compartments 35 and 36, the parts being so arranged that release of a container either from the compartment 35 or from the compartment 36 occurs with each quarter revolution of the driving disc 75' of the crank mechanism 73' of the beverage container dispensing assembly associated with the compartments 35 and 36. A driving motor VM3 is con nected to the driving disc 75 substantially in the same manner as previously described in connection with the driving disc 75, and operating lugs 96 are provided on the periphery of the driving disc 75', spaced apart, and engageable with the operating element 85' of a limit switch V83 mounted adjacent the periphery of the driving disc 75, said limit switch being normally closed and opening when engaged by a lug 96, to deenergize the associated driving motor VM3, as will be presently described, at the end of each release stroke of the crank mechanism 73'. The mechanism 73' is provided with two opposing crank arms 97 and 98, each crank arm being connected to a corresponding extension of a frame rod member 99 and lititl of the vending frames 63 and 64, as shown in FIG- URE 6, whereby to rotate the vending frames through corresponding angles responsive to the rotation of the driving disc 75'. As will be apparent from FIGURE 6, each quarter rotation of the driving disc 75' will cause the frames 63 and 64 to be rotated through a corresponding release stroke. For example, with the elements arranged as shown in FIGURE 6, when the motor V M3 is energized it will rotate the driving disc 75 in a clockwise direction through a quarter of a revolution. The crank arm 97 Will cause the frame 63 to be rotated in a clockwise direction due to the retraction of the crank arm 97. This will allow the container, shown at 101, to slip downwardly into engagement with the frame element 102 of the frame 63. At the same time, the opposite dispensing frame 64 is rotated in a clockwise direction so that its bottom frame element 193 moves sufficiently to allow a container 104 to be released. The next stroke of the mechanism causes the crank arm 97 to move to the left, and to rotate the frame 63 in a counterclockwise direction through an angle sutlicient to allow the previously mentioned container 161 to disengage from the frame element 102 and to thereby be discharged. Concurrently with this action the lowermost container in the compartment 36 moves into position to be released by the next quarter revolution of the disc 75. Said last-mentioned container is discharged upon the subsequent quarter revolution of the disc 75', whereupon the lowermost container in the compartment 35 moves into position to be discharged upon the final quarter revolution of disc 75. Thus, while a container is discharged from one of the storage compartments 35 or 36, a contain er in the other storage compartment slips into a position engaging the bottom frame element of the associated vending frame 63 or 64, preparatory to discharge.

It will therefore be seen that the beverage containers are alternately discharged from the compartments 3S and 36 responsive to the successive quarter revolutions of the driving disc 75' of the crank mechanism 73, allowing two double stacks of beverage containers to be provided in this section of the device, the beverage containers in this section being dispensed by the operation of the dispensing motor VM3 and the associated crank mechanism 73'.

The oppositely extending crank arms 97 and 98 are operatively mounted on a crank disc assembly similar to that previously described in connection with the crank mechanism73 and illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. The motor VM3 and the associated crank mechanism 73" are mounted on the vertical supporting plate 87 in the same manner as previously described in connection with motor VMll and the associated crank mechanism 73.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the discharge chutes 27 and 28 are provided with pivoted flaps 105 which are biased by suitable spring means to substantially vertical depending positions with their edges in abutment with closure flanges 106 so as to close ofi the discharge chutes with respect to their associated supply troughs and 26. However, when a container slides down a trough 25 or 26, the weight of the container is sufficient to push the corresponding flap 105 forwardly to an open position an to allow the container to slide through the chute 27 or 28 into the discharge chamber 29, as illustrated in dotted view in FIGURE 2.

The vertical supporting plate member 257 on which the motors VMl, VM2 and VM3 are mounted extends for the full width of the frame of the apparatus, as shown in FIGURE 3. The vertical plate member 39 on which the container feeding frame assemblies 61, 62, 63 and 64 are supported at their forward pivot shafts is suitably apertured to allow clearance for the required movement of the frame rod extensions 84, 99 and 1199. Thus, the vertical plate member 39 is formed with horizontal slots 1117 through which the frame rod extensions 84 extend and said plate member 39 is formed with respective horizontal slots 108 and 109 through which the frame rod extensions 92 and 1% extend, as shown in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, 111 and 112 respectively designate a pair of power supply wires leading to a suitable source of supply current, for example, to a conventional domestic alternating current power receptacle. The vending machine 12 is provided with conventional refrigeration means which includes a conventional compressor having the driving motor 113, the motor 113 being connected across the supply conductors 111 and 112 through a conventional circuit breaker 114 and a thermostatic switch 115, as shown. The refrigeration assembly is also provided with a condenser with which is associated a fan driven by a motor 116 which is connected to the power supply wires 111 and 112 through the thermostatic switch 115, as shown. The above mentioned elements of the refrigeration system are conventional in themselves and form no part of the present invention. These elements are contained in the space 21 in the lower portion of cabinet 13.

Designated at 117 is an auxiliary wire which is connected to the supply wire 112 through a suitable fuse 118. Connected between the wires 117 and 111 is a suitable decorative illuminated sign 119 which may be mounted on the top of the cabinet 13, or in any other desirable location.

The machine is provided with conventional coin-responsive means including a normally open coin tube switch 120 which is mounted in the coin conduit of a conventional coin-receiving apparatus, the coin tube switch 120 closing momentarily responsive to the passage of a coin through the coin tube of the machine. The switch 120 is connected in series with an indicating lamp 121 between the wires 111 and 117.

Mounted on a side wall of the cabinet 13, or on any other suitable portion of the apparatus is a coin box 122 which is provided with respective coin receiving slots 123, a separate slot being provided for each different type of beverage to be dispensed by the machine, namely, for the beverages contained in the stacked containers respectively provided in the compartment 33, the compartment 34 and in the dual compartments and 36. Each of the slots 123 leads to a coin tube, and provided therein in positions to be operated by coins dropped through the slots are respective normally open switches FSS-i, FSS2 and FSS3. Mounted in any suitable location in the cabinet 13, or in a separate housing which may be attached to the cabinet are respective relays SR1, SR2 and SR3, associated with the above mentioned coin-operated flavor or beverage-selecting switches FSS-1, FSS-2 and FSS3. Also mounted in the relay housing are two additional relays, designated in FIGURE 11 as VR and A]. Thus, the relays SR1, SR2 and SR3 are flavor or beverage-v selecting relays, the relay VR is the vending relay and the relay Al is the anti-jackpot relay whose function is to provide protection against the delivery of too many beverage containers as a result of sticking of one of the switches in the device, as will be presently explained.

Shown generally at 124 is a conventional coin changer which is adapted to receive coins and make change, as required, and to allow proper coins to pass therethrough into the coin collecting box of the machine. As shown in FIGURE 11, the device 124 has one electrical terminal thereof connected to the wire 125 which is in turn connected to a pole 126 of the relay SR1, the pole 126 being engageable with a contact 127. The contact 127 is connected by a wire 128 to a contact 121 of the relay VR, said contact being normally engaged by a pole 130 of said relay. The pole 130 is connected by a wire 131 to the power supply wire 111. The coin-operated switch FSS-1 is connected between the wire 128 and one terminal of the winding of the relay SR1, by means of a connecting wire 132, as shown. The remaining terminal of the winding of the relay SR1 is connected through a wire 133, the normally closed contacts 138 and 139 of the associated empty switch BS1, a wire 134, a wire 135, and a lockout switch LOS to the wire 117. The lockout switch LOS is normally closed, as shown. Said lockout switch is mounted beneath a pivoted platform member 136 provided in the discharge chamber 29 and biased upwardly by suitable spring means but being depressed responsive to the reception thereon of a beverage container. The depression of the platform member 136 acts on the operating element of the lockout switch LOS, which is mounted subjacent the platform member, as shown in FIGURE 2, causing the switch LOS to open and to remain open until the platform member 136 is relieved of the weight of the beverage container.

The compartment 33 is provided with a warning lamp 137 which is energized responsive to the empty condition of the chamber 33, as will be presently described. The empty switch BS1 mounted in the compartment 33 is provided with a first set of normally closed contacts 138 and 139, which open responsive to the empty condition of the chamber 33, and with a set of normally open contacts 140 and 141 which close responsive to said empty condition of the chamber 33. The contacts 141i and 141 are connected in series with the warning lamp 137 between the wires 111 and 135.

Similar warning lamps 142 and 143 are provided for the space 34 and the dual spaces 35 and 36, operated in the same manner as the warning lamp 137.

The relay VR has one terminal of its winding connected by a wire 144 to the wire 117. The other terminal of the winding of relay VR is connected by a wire 145 to a pole 146 of the relay A], said pole normally engaging a contact 147 but disengaging therefrom responsive to the energization of relay A].

Provided in the coin tube of the machine is a double pole switch VSCC comprising the poles 148 and 149, the pole 149 normally engaging a contact 150 but being disengaged therefrom responsive to the passage of a coin through the chute, and the pole 148 being normally disengaged from an associated contact 151 but engaging said associated contact responsive to the passage of the coin. Contact 147 of the relay A] is connected by a wire 152 to the contact 151. The pole 148 is connected'by a wire 153 to a Wire 1554 which is in turn connected to a pole 155 of the relay VR. Associated with said pole is a contact 156 which is connected by a wire 157 to the remaining pole 153 of the relays Al. The pole 158 is engageable with a contact 15% responsive to the energization of the relay A], the contact 159 being connected by a wire let) to a pole 161 of the relay SR1. Associated with the pole 161 is a contact 162 which is engaged with the pole responsive to the energization of the relay SR1, said contact being connected by a wire 163 to one terminal of the vending motor VMI. The remaining terminal of the motor VM1 is connected by a wire 164 to the wire 135, and is thus connected to the power supply wire 117 through the lockout switch LOS.

The relay SR1 is provided with a holding circuit comprising a contact 165 connected to the wire 133 and engageable by a pole 166 connected by a wire 167 to a pole 168 of the relay VR. Associated with the pole 168 is a contact 169 connected by a Wire 1711 to the wire 144.

The relay VR is provided with a holding circuit comprising a contact 171 connected to the wire 145 and a pole 172 connected by a wire 173 to a wire 174 which is in turn connected through normally closed limit switch contacts 175, 176 and 177 of the limit switches V83, V822. and VS1 to the wire 154 through wires 178, 179 and 1813, as shown. Wire 153 is connected to the wire 111 through a wire 181.

One terminal of the anti-jackpot relay A} is con nected to the line wire 111 through a wire 132, the pole 149 and the contact 155 of the coin operated switch VSCC which is mounted in the coin tube. The remaining terminal of the winding of the relay AI is connected by a wire 183 through a contact 184 of the relay VR, the contact being engageable by a pole 135 responsive to the energizat'ion of the relay VR. Pole 185 is connected to the wire 167. Another holding circuit branch is provided for the relay SR1, to maintain the relay energized after opening of the coin-operated switch FSS1, comprising a wire 156 connecting the wire 132 to a contact 187 of the relay SR-Z, which is normally engaged by a pole 183 or" said relay. The pole 188 is connected by a Wire 1189 to a contact 191 of the relay SR3, normally engaged by a pole 191 of said last-named relay. The pole 191 is connected by a wire 192 to a contact 193 of the relay SR1. A pole 194 of relay SR1 is engageable with the contact 193 responsive to the energization of the relay. Pole 194 is connected to the wire 174. It will thus be seen that this holding circuit branch can only remain intact, for purposes of maintaining relay SR1 energized, if the relays SR2 and SR3 are deenergized.

Corresponding holding circuit branches are provided for each of the relays SR2 and SR3, similar to the one thus described for the relay SR1 to insure that a selected one of these relays can become energized only if the other two relays are deenergized. As previously mentioned, one terminal of the dispensing motor VM1 is connected to the wire 164 and the other terminal of said motor is connected to the wire 163. Said other terminal is also connected to the wire 154 through a normally open set of contacts 195 included in the limit switch V51 and being operated by a lug 36 of the associated driving disc 75 to close the contacts 195 at the same time that the contacts 177 are opened. The contacts 195 remain closed as long as the aforesaid lug 36 remains in engagement with the operating element of the limit switch VS1, causing the motor VM1 to remain energized until the lug 86 slips past the aforesaid operating element of the switch switch. As shown in FIGURE 11, the terminal of the motor VM1 which is connected to the wire 163 is connected through the contacts 195 to the wire 154 by a wire 196.

The motors VMZ and VM3 are provided with similar switch contacts 197 and 198 operating in the same manner as the switch contacts 195 to maintain these motors energized until their associated disc-carrying switch-actuating lugs slip past the operating elements of their associated limit switches. The sets of contacts 197 and 198 function in the same manner as the set of contacts 195 to maintain the motors energized to assure suflicient travel of the driving discs associated with the motors to release the operating elements of the associated limit switches. However, it will be noted that the branch circuit including the wire 199 from a terminal of the motor VM2 and leading to the wire 169 also includes the contacts 177 associated with the vending motor VM1, and the corresponding branch circuit associated with the motor 1M3 comprises a wire 200 connected through the contacts 193 and the respective sets of contacts 176 and 177. The normally open contacts 197 are closed by the limit switch V82 when the contacts 176 open and the normally open con- 111 tacts 193 are closed by the limit switch VS3 when the contacts 175 open.

It will thus be seen that the wire 196 is connected to the line wire 111 through the switch contacts 195, the wire 153 and the wire 181 at the same time that the limit switch contacts 177 are opened, so that one terminal of the motor VMl remains connected to the line, the other terminal of the motor being connected to the opposite line wire 112 through the Wire 164, the lockout switch LOS and the wire117, to maintain the motor VM1 energized until the operating element of the limit switch V81 is released. The motor VM2 and VM3 are subject to the same type of control, since the Wire 199 is connected to the line-wire 111 through the limit switch contacts 197, the wire 179, the limit switch contacts 177, the wire 1%, the wire 154, the wire 153, and wire 181. Similarly, the wire 2% associated with the motor VM3 is connected to the line wire 111 through the limit switch contacts 198, the wire 178, the limit switch contacts 176, the wire 179, the limit switch contacts 177, the Wire 1819, the wire 154, the wire 153, and the Wire 131.

In operation, the vending cycle is started by the insertion of a coin in a selected slot 123, for example, in the slot associated with the vending compartment 33. This will trip the corresponding flavor selection switch, namely, the switch FSS1 located in the associated coin tube. The coin signal switch will close, energizing the lamp 121.

The closure of the switch FSS-l energizes the corresponding selection relay, namely, the relay SR1 through a circuit comprising line wire 111, Wire 1181, wire 131, contacts and 129 of relay VR, wire 128, the switch FSS-ll, the wire 132, the winding of relay SR1, the wire 133, the empty switch contacts 138 and 139, the wire 134, the wire 135, the lockout switch LOS, the wire 117, the fuse 118 and the remaining line wire 112. The energization of the relay SR1 operates the coin acceptance device 124 through a circuit comprising line wire 112, fuse 118, wire 117, the device 124, the wire 125, pole 126, contact 127, wire 128, contact 129, pole 1311, wire 131, wire 131 and the remaining line Wire 1111. Energization of the device 124 allows the coin to be accepted. As the coin passes through the coin changer and acceptance device 124 it trips the vend switch VSCC, closing contacts 148 and 151 and opening contacts 149 and 151). This energizes the vend relay VR through a circuit comprising the line wire 111, the wire 181, the wire 153, the pole 148, the contact 151, the wire 152, the contact 147, the pole 146, the wire 145, the winding of the vend relay VR, the wire 144, the wire 117, the fuse 113, and the remaining line wire 112. The circuit connecting the wire to the line wire 111 is then shunted by a holding circuit comprising wire 145, contact 171, pole 172, wire 173, wire 174, limit switch contacts 175, wire 178, limit switch contacts 176, wire 179, limit switch contacts 177, Wire 180, wire 154, wire 181 and line wire 111. Vend relay VR is thus held independently of the coin switch operated contacts 148 and 151 until one set of the limit switch contacts 175, 176 or 177 opens.

As the coin-operated switch pole 149 returns into engagement with its associated contact 150, it energizes the anti-jackpot relay AI through a circuit comprising line wire 111, contact 150, pole 149, wire 182, the winding of the relay Al the Wire 183, the contact 184, the pole 185, the wire 167, the pole 166, the contact 165, the wire 133, the pole 138, the contact 139, the wire 134, the wire 135, the lockout switch LOS, the wire 117, the fuse 113, and the remaining line wire 112.

It is noted that at this time the selection relay SR1 is held energized independently of the coin-operated switch FSS-1 by a circuit comprising line wire 112, fuse 118, Wire 117, the switch LOS, wire 135, wire 134, contacts 139 and 138, wire 133, the winding of the relay SR1, wire 132, wire 186, contacts 187 and 188, wire 189,

1 1 contacts 1% and 191, wire 192, wire 150, wire 154, wire 153, wire 181 and the remaining line wire 111.

With the energization of the relay A], the vending motor VM1 becomes energized by a circuit comprising the line wire 112, the fuse 118, the wire 117, the lockout switch LOS, the wire 164, the winding of the motor VML the wire 196, the wire 163, contact162, pole 161, wire 16%, contact 159, pole wire 157, contact 156, pole 155, wire 154-, wire 153, wire 181 and the remaining line wire 111.

The frame member 61 is then rotated through the necessary angle to release a beverage container 55 and to allow the container to travel downwardly into the discharge chamber 29. The release of the beverage container is accomplished by the operation of the motor VM1 sufiiciently to cause a lug 85 to open the limit switch contacts 177 (and simultaneously close limit switch contacts 195). With the opening of the contacts 177, relays VR and SR1 become deenergized, since the opening of contacts 177 interrupts the holding circuits of these relays. The anti-jackpot relay A] is likewise deenergized by the opening of the contacts 184 and 185 and by the opening of the contacts 165 and 166. However, the motor VM1 remains energized sufficiently to allow the limit switch contacts 195 to open, so that the driving disc 75 will be placed in starting position for the next cycle of its operation.

When the bottle moves into the discharge chamber 29 the weight thereof opens the lockout switch LOS, preventing any further energization of any of the selection relays SR1, SR2, SR3 until the bottle is removed. The removal of the bottle allows the switch LOS to close, allowing the machine to be again operated, if so desired.

It will be noted that in order to dispense a beverage container, it is necessary to first energize the antijackpot" relay AI. If the vend switch contacts 143, 151 should stick in their closed positions, false operation of the machine will not occur, because the anti-jackpot relay AI remains deenergized because of the opening of the contacts 165 and 166 of the relay SR1 even though the vending relay VR may be energized at this time.

Thus, if the switch contacts 149 and 159 should stick in their closed positions, it will be impossible to operate the vend motors VMl, VMZ or VM3-, and no further vending of the beverage containers will be possible until the faulty condition is corrected.

The operations of the vend motors VM2 and VM3 are respectively controlled by the selection relays SR2 and SR3, the operation of these motors being accomplished in the same manner as previously described in connection with the vending motor VMll.

If so desired, a suitable counter Zlil may be connected in parallel with the vending relay VR, so as to count the number of vending energizations of this relay, which will also correspond to the number of beverage containers dispensed.

An important feature of this machine is'that each of the delivery chutes 25 and 26 with the associated guide member 32 causes the bottled beverage to be discharged onto the common delivery chamber 29 in side-by-side relation with respect to the access opening 30, enabling a purchaser to grasp the dispensed bottle by the body in place of the neck or end as in prior dispensing machines.

Another important feature of this machine is that by having the motors VMl, VMZ, and VM3, all detachably secured to the supporting plate 87, any one of these motors may be replaced, should this be necessary, by simply removing the cotter pin 91 from the rod extension 34 of the pivot frame assembly 61, FIGURE 5 and 7, permitting the extension 34 to drop down and rest upon the base wall of the horizontal slot 107 in the vertical plate member 39, then removing the fastening means or screws 90 from the case of the motor VM1, and withdrawing the motor and the associated crank mechanism.

1.2 This has the advantage of being able to replace a motor without unloading the machine.

While a specific embodiment of an improved automatic beverage container vending machine has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a pluraliy of vertically stacked objects to be vented, a pivoted vending member mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and being constructed and arranged to effect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle responsive to energization thereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets of contacts operated by said vending relay and auxliliary relay, an energizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets of contacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to the simultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through said passage.

2. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts, said support including a chamber adapted to contain a plurailty of vertical stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vending member mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and being constructed and arranged to etiect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle responsive to energization thereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets of contacts opera-ted by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, an energizing circuit connected to said motor means through said set of contacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to the simultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through said passage, a receiving chamber subjacent said vending chamber including a normally closed weight-responsive switch, said weightresponsive switch opening under the weight of a released object from said vending chamber, and means connecting said weight-responsive switch in said first-named energizing circuit.

3. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vending member mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and being constructed and arranged to effect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle responsive to energization thereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets of contacts operated by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, an energizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets of contacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to the simultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, means opening said energizing circuit responsive to the rotation of said vending member through said predetermined angle, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through said passage.

4. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vending member mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and being constructed and arranged to efi'ect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle responsive to energization thereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets of contacts operated by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, an energizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets of contacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to the simultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, means opening said energizing circuit responsive to the rotation of said vending member through said predetermined angle, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through said passage, a receiving chamber subjacent said vending chamber, said receiving chamber including a normally closed weight-responsive switch opening under the weight of a released object from said vending chamber, and means connecting said weightresponsive switch in said first-named energizing circuit.

5. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, respective pivoted vending members mounted on said support below the vending chambers and adapted to support the stacked objects, each of said vending members being operable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective selecting relays associated wi-th the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, means to effect pivotal movement of a selected vending member through the required predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneous energization of a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective selecting switches on said support associated with the vending chambers, means to energize the selecting relays responsive to the closure of the associated selecting switches, operating switch means on the support including a normally closed first set of con tacts and a normally open second set of contacts operating simultaneously, a normally open further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

6. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, respective pivoted vending members mounted on said support below the vending chambers and adapted to support the stacked objects, each of said vending members being operable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective selecting relays associated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, means to effect pivoted movement of a selected vending member through the required predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneous energization of a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective coin-operated switches on said support associated with the vending members, means to energize a selecting relay responsive to the closure of the associated coin-operated switch, further coin-operated switch means on the support including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts operating simultaneously, a normally open further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

7. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects, respective pivoted vending members mounted on the support below said chambers and adapted to support the stacked objects, each of said vending members being operable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective motors mounted on the support and drivingly coupled to the vending members, respective selecting relays associated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, means to energize a selected motor for a sufiicient time to effect pivotal movement of its associated vending member through the required predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneous energization of a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective selecting switches on said support associated with the vending chambers, means to energize the selecting relays responsive to the closure of the associated selecting switches, operating switch means on the support including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts operating simultaneously, a normally open further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

8. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a plurality of vending chambers each adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects, respective pivoted vending members mounted on the suppont below said chambers and adapted to support the stacked objects, each of said vending members being operable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective motors mounted on the support and drivingly coupled to the vending members, respective selecting relays associated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, means to energize a selected motor for a suificient time to eii'ect pivotal movement of its associated vending member through the required predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneous energization ot a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective coin-operated switches on said support associated with the vending chambers, means to energize a selecting relay responsive to the closure of the associated coin-operated switch, further coin-operated switch means on the support including a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts operated simultaneously, a normally open further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

9. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said support adjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said piate member being formed with a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate member with its shaft extending through said notch, a pivoted vending member embodying a pair of rods each carrying an idler sleeve and arranged in superimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent ends by a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support below said chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, means drivingly coupling the motor shaft to said vending member, and means to energize said motor for a sufiicient time to efiect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle.

10. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said support adjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said plate member being formed With a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate member with its shafit extending through said notch, a pivoted vending member embodying a pair of rodseach carrying an idler sleeve and arranged in superimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent ends by a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support below said chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, a crank disc mounted on the motor shaft at the inner side of said notch, an eccentric disc secured to said crank disc, a crank arm rotatably mounted on the periphery of said eccentric disc, means drivingly connecting said crank arm to said vending member, and means to energize said motor for a sufficient time to efiect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle.

11. In a vending machine of the character described, a support including a vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said support adjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said plate member being formed with a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate member with its shaft extending through said notch, a pivoted vending member embodying a pair of rods each carrying an idler sleeve and arranged in superimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent ends by a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support below said chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle, a crank disc mounted on the motor shaft at the inner side of said notch, an eccentric disc rotatably mounted on said motor shaft adjacent said crank disc, means to clamp said eccentric disc to said crank disc at an adjusted angle of rotation relative thereto, a crank arm rotatably mounted on the periphery of said eccentric disc, means drivingly connecting said crank arm to said vending member, and means to energize said motor for a sufi'icient time to eifect pivotal movement of said vending member through said predetermined angle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,511 Mansfield Aug. 13, 1895 641,582 Dean Ian. 16, 1900 1,686,091 Manning Oct. 2, 1928 1,773,885 Staley Aug. 26, 1930 2,266,744 Dunkelberger Dec. 23, 1941 2,438,503 Holt Mar. 30,1948 2,549,561 Baker Apr. 17, 1951 2,810,536 Cunningham Oct. 22, 1957 2,814,317 Gale Nov. 26, 1957 2,825,488 Nelson Mar. 4, 1958 2,836,326 Childers May 27, 1958 2,850,133 Greenly Sept. 2, 1958 2,852,161 Foerstner Sept. 16, 1958 2,884,110 Krasney Apr. 28, 1959 2,904,152 Helsing Sept. 15, 1959 2,925,194 Mihalek Feb. 16, 1960 2,956,661 Radcliffe Oct. 18, 1961 2,980,288 Hunter Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 853,048 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1960

Claims (1)

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A SUPPORT INCLUDING A COIN PASSAGE CONTAINING COIN-OPERATED SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING A NORMALLY CLOSED FIRST SET OF CONTACTS AND A NORMALLY OPEN SECOND SET OF CONTACTS, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A VENDING CHAMBER ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A PLURALIY OF VERTICALLY STACKED OBJECTS TO BE VENTED, A PIVOTED VENDING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT BELOW SAID CHAMBER AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE STACKED OBJECTS, SAID VENDING MEMBER BEING OPERABLE TO RELEASE THE LOWERMOST OBJECT RESPONSIVE TO ITS PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH A PREDETERMINED ANGLE, MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CHAMBER AND BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO EFFECT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID VENDING MEMBER THROUGH SAID PREDETERMINED ANGLE RESPONSIVE TO ENERGIZATION THEREOF, A VENDING RELAY, AN AUXILIARY RELAY, RESPECTIVE SETS OF CONTACTS OPERATED BY SAID VENDING RELAY AND AUXILIARY RELAY, AN ENERGIZING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR MEANS THROUGH SAID SETS OF CONTACTS, WHEREBY SAID MOTOR MEANS BECOMES ENERGIZED RESPONSIVE TO THE SIMULTANEOUS ENERGIZATION OF BOTH SAID VENDING RELAY AND SAID AUXILIARY RELAY, A FURTHER SET OF CONTACTS OPERATED BY SAID VENDING RELAY, AN ENERGIZING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID AUXILIARY RELAY THROUGH SAID NORMALLY CLOSED FIRST SET OF CONTACTS AND SAID FURTHER SET OF CONTACTS, AND MEANS TO ENERGIZE SAID VENDING RELAY RESPONSIVE TO CLOSURE OF SAID SECOND SET OF CONTACTS, WHEREBY SAID MOTOR MEANS CANNOT BECOME ENERGIZED UNLESS SAID FIRST SET OF CONTACTS RECLOSES SUBSEQUENT TO MOVEMENT OF A COIN THROUGH SAID PASSAGE.

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