US2512183A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,512,183

' VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIELI- INVENTOR JAMES ESTEWART ATTORNEY J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 20, 1950 Jams ESTEWFIRT- o 1 VIII l INVENTQR Filed Sept. 11, 1945 a 84.4 ATTORNEY June 20, 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,512,183

VENDING momma Filed Sept. 11, 1945 13 Shee t 3 INVENTOR J m's: 5. 57's wn r ATTORNEY FIELG- J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 20, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed Sept. 11, 1945 v UE J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 20, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 11, 1945 ORNEY m m. M

JAMES 5 51's WAR 7' BY 6 Q ATT J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 20, 1950 June 20, 1950 E. STEWART 2,512,183

VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1945 1s Sheets-Sheet 7 FIE--11.

INVENTOR JqMesE STEWART y'- QM AT TO R EY June 20, 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,512,183

vmmmc mcnms Filed Sept. 11, 1945 I 13 Sheets-Sheet a FIE IZ INVENTOR -25; JAMss E. .Srswmr ATTORNEY June 20, 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,512,183

vmnmc momma:

Fl ELM- FlELlS- 24 f'f l 15.94

4 2 4 I INVENTOR JHMEEEETEWHRT I JAM ATTORNEY J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE une- 20, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 11, 1945 INVEN TOR JAMES E. ST WART BY d ATTORNEY June 20, 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,512,183

VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 x T INVENTOR m James ESTEWHRT .m BY ATTORNEY J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE June 20, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Sept. 11, 1945 INVEYNTOR 'JHME5E.STEWFIRT BY & ATTORNEY.

Patented June 20, 1950 VENDING MACHINE James E. Stewart, Rye, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignm cuts, to Cleveland-Detroit Corporation,

a corporation of Delaware Application September 11, 1945, Serial No. 615,543

17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines and is directed more particularly to the provision of vending machines in which a plurality of circular shelves or supports are rotatably carried on a central vertical shaft and the articles to be vended are positioned on these shelves. The spacing apart of the shelves may depend on the height of the articles. is provided above each shelf for guiding the articles along several circular paths with connecting or cross-over paths extending from each inner circular path to the next outer path. Associated with each shelf is a vertically extending article delivery rotor which may be provided with an article receiving cavity and, if desired, an article display cavity. I

Each article delivery rotor is provided with ratchet means making it impossible for the operator to turn it back after it has been moved forward several degrees, and the ratchet also prevents the rotor from turning back if its handle is released by the operator. Now when the article is removed from the article cavity in the rotor, the ratchet is released by the article itself and the rotor returns to its normal position under the urge of spring means.

The shelves are free on the vertical shaft which support them, and means is provided between each delivery rotor and its shelf for advancing the shelf as the rotor is returning to its normal position after the operator removes an article from the delivery rotor.

One object of the invention is the provision in a vending machine of a freely rotatable article supporting shelf carried on frictionless bearings on a central vertical shaft, said shelf being adapted to be advanced by article delivery means as a result of the action of a purchaser in obtaining the article purchased.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a vending machine carrying a plurality of circular shelves rotatably therein, of guiding means for' the articles adapted to guide them along several concentric paths, each joined to the next outer one by a cross-over path, thereby permitting the shelf to be moved with a minimum of frictional retardation by the articles.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a vending machine employing a plurality of circular shelves, of article delivery means at the level of each shelf for vending articles therefrom, and means connected to each article delivery means and adapted to engage and advance the shelf associated therewith a predetermined distance during at least a portion of the movement of the article delivery means while a vending operation is effected.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision in a vending machine employing a plurality of circular shelves freely rotative on a central vertical shaft therein, of a vertical cylin- Means being keyed to a second vertical shaft and spring v 2 drical article delivery cavity formed therein,- said article delivery means means in the base of said machine and connected to said second shaft for causing said article delivery means to return to its normal position after having been moved to an article delivery position and the article removed therefrom, said spring means being also adapted, via said article delivery means, to power the advancing of the circular shelf as said delivery means is returning to its normal position.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a vending machine, of a circular shelf freely supported on a central vertical shaft by frictionless radial and thrust bearings, said shelf having a series of perforations circumferentially disposed adjacent to its outer perimeter, a pivoted arm carried on said shaft subjacent to said shelf and having a portion extending upwardly to clear the outer perimeter of the shelf and overlying said perforations, ratchet means carried on the portion overlying the perforations, and means for moving said arm back and forth through a predetermined arc, said ratchet means being adapted to engage said perforations and advance said shelf when said arm is moved in only one of said directions.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a vending machine, of an article delivery rotor having an article cavity therein, a. member engaged by an article in said cavity, an indicator flag operatively connected to said member and visible outside said machine when said rotor is in its normal position and not engaged by an article, thereby indicating that the supply of articles is exhausted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

By way of example, the invention will be described in connection with a machine for vending bottles containing milk, fruit juices, ades, or carbonated beverages, but it will be understood that the inventive features may be applied to machines for vending many other types and kinds of articles.

Referring now to the drawings which, as pointed out above, are merely given by way of example I to illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a vending machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation showing certain details of the machine shown in Figure 1,

means having an article '3 nels thereto, and the relation between the shelf and its article delivery rotor;

Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a rotary shelf, the guiding channels, articles on said shelf, and disposed in theguiding chan-. nels, and a member for advancing said articles along the guiding channels toward the article delivery rotor;

Figure 5 is an elevation of the her shown in Figure 4;

Figure'fi is a fragmentary plan view of the article advancing member shown in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view, partly in section, taken along the line 1-! of Figure l:

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view! of a portion of Figure 7, showing details of the article delivery rotor and the means for advancing the rotary shelf;

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8, showing details of the ratchet means for advancing the rotary shelf;

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the ratchet means as seen along the line Ill-ll of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 8. showing the delivery rotor in the article delivery position and the \ratchet advanced on the rotary shelf ready to advance it in a counterclockwise direction as the delivery rotor is returned to its normal position;

Figure 12 is an elevation, partially in section, of the lowermost article delivery rotor, the bottom of the refrigerated portion ofthe cabinet, and a portion of the lower compartment of the cabinet with the telescoped shafts of the delivery rotors extending into said lower compartment and further showing one method of mountin the common delivery rotor springs therein;

Figure 13 is a view of the bottom ends of the telescoped shafts and the springs associated therewith;

Figure 14 is an elevation, similar to Figure 12, except that the rotor is partially broken away to show mechanism in the interior thereof;

Figure 15 is an elevation taken along the line lS-IS of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a front elevation of an article delivery rotor;

Figure 17 is a plan view of the rotor shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view of the bottom of the rotor as seen along the line ll-ii of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a sectional elevation taken along the lines i9-l9 of Figure 17;

Figure 20 is a view of the delivery rotor in its normal position and showing a bottle entering the article cavity;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20, except that the rotor has been rotated to a position where the purchaser may remove the bottle from the article cavity;

Figure 22 is a view, similar to Figure 20, except advancing memthat it shows details, of the mechanism on the bottom of the delivery rotor and elements cooperating therewith;

Figure 23 is a sectional elevation taken on the lines 2323 of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary view showing a rotor locking member in elevation;

Figure 25 is a sectional elevation showing the pawl member employed in the article delivery rotor;

Figure 26 is an exploded view of the several elements employed in forming sections of the rotor shaft.

device shown in Figure 29.

Referring first to Figure 1, the cabinet, generally designated by the numeral ill, includes a main portion ii, a top portion 32, and a bottom portion 33, and these three portions comprise a unitary insulated and refrigerated structure, supported on an uninsulated base 34.

The cabinet has a door 35 through which the cabinet may be resupplied with articles, and the door 35 may be provided with a suitable lock 3. Spaced vertical panels 31 and 38 are provided on the cabinet. The panel 31 has a coin slot 39 near its upper end and intermediate the ends is a coin return cup ll, and a lock 4i. Behind the panel 31 is the usual coin tester and a coin mechanism, not shown. The panel 38 is substantially identical and it has a coin slot 41, a coin return cup 43 and a lock 44. Behind this panel is the usual coin tester and a coin mechanism, not shown. The two coin mechanisms have equal control over all the merchandise delivery means in accordance with my co-pending application, Serial No. 537,989, filed May 30, 1944; so that, in the event either coin mechanism gets out of order, merchandise may be purchased via the other one. The manner in which either coin mechanism may release an article delivery rotor will hereinafter be described.

The cabinet top portion 32 may be curved, as shown in Figure 2, and domed in the center, the dome being 45 and the curved portion designated as 4, and consisting of an inner plate and an outer plate with insulation therebetween, said plates being secured to the annular wooden ring or breaker strip ll. Within the center of the top, below the dome 45, is formed a cavity 48. A motor 49 mounted in the cavity carries a circulating fan 5| and a switch casing 50a therefor, so that the fan may circulate the air within the cabinet. The main portion 3| may consist of inner and outer tubular walls with insulation therebetween; the tubular walls are joined together by an annular ring 5| at the top end and by an annular ring 52 at the bottom. These rings may be formed of hardwood or any other suitable material. Where the opening for the door 35 is formed in the walls of the cabinet, suitable closure trims 53 are provided to bound or frame the opening. The door 35 has outer and inner walls with insulation therebetween and the edges of the door are trimmed or finished oif with a closure trim frame 54, the beveled surfaces are parallel to the adjacent edges of the trim 53 (when the door is closed) and sealing is effected by means of the gasket strip 55. i

The bottom portion 33 of the insulated compartment has a flat bottom plate 56 having an annular portion 51 deformed as shown in Figure 2, to accommodate a wooden ring 58 and the annular stepped upper edge of the base wall 34. Spaced apart from the bottom plate 58 is an annular plate 5! which has a central ilat portion 596. Between the extremity of the plate 59 and the annular portion 51 is an annular wooden ring I. Between the annular ring 60 and the annular ring 52 at the bottom of the main portion ii, is an annular gasket 6|. Bolts, such as the bolt 82, extend through the rings 59, ill, and 52 and engage nut'members such as 88 secured to the ring 82, for securing the bottom portion 33 to the bottom of the main portion 3|.

An annular gasket ring 88 is provided between the rings 41 (in the top portion 82) and 8| (in the upper end of the main portion 3|) and bolts, such as the bolt 88, extend through the rings 41 and 8| to engage nut members, such as the member 88, secured to the ring 8|.

An angle support 81 is secured to the interior wall of-the main portion near the bottom thereof and supports the lower end of an arcuate evaporator or low side grid 88. Pipes 88 and 18 respectively are connected to a refrigerating high sid unit (not shown) in the base 84. The pipe 88 may be the liquid line and the pipe 18 may be the return or suction line. The method of supporting the upper end of the grid 88 will presently be described.

A vertical shaft H is supported in the cabinet and extends from the flat portion 58a of the bottom 33 to a socket formed in the fan housing 58a. This shaft is fixed and forms the support for the several round shelves to be presently described. The fan housing 58a is secured to the top portion by a plurality of screws such as those shown at 12, and the shaft 1I may have a hollow interior 13.

A shouldered sleeve member '14 is provided with an annular flange 15, and the interior bore of the sleeve member may clear the shaft H. An annular, cupped bracket 18 is secured to the plate portion 59a, and its cup supports a radialthrust ball bearing 11, the interior of which accommodates the lower end of the sleeve 14; The lower shoulder of the sleeve abuts the upper face of the inner race of the ball hearing. The upper shoulder of the sleeve 14 engages the inner race of a second radial-thrust ball bearing 18. The outer race of this bearing fits in the bore 18 of a stepped member 88. The member 88 has a portion fitting the shaft H and secured thereto by means of a, set screw 8 I. From the above it will be seen that the sleeve 14 is freely supported on spaced ball bearings 11 and 18.

Secured to the flange 15 by means of rivets 83 is an annular shelf 82, which is substantially stiffened by webs or ribs 84. Leaving Figure 2 and referring to Figure '7, a plan view of the shelf 82 shows four such ribs or webs 84 and they are preferably radial. The shelf also has a series of perforations 88 adjacent to the periphery thereof which are employed for advancing the shelf in a mannerto be presently described, and the shelf carries a, radial slot 85 which cooperates with a merchandise pusher which will also be described hereinafter. Referring back to Figure 2 it will be noted that the sleeve 1| and the ball bearings 11 and 18 support the bottom shelf. The arrangement of the spaced ball bearings supporting the other shelves is slightly different.

Referring to Figure 3, the bearing supports for all of the other article shelves 82 except the bottom 82a, described above, are identical, therefore the description of only one of them need be given. The annular shelf 82 has a central hole therein which fits over a boss 81 formed on a hub 88, and this shelf is secured to a flange 88, formed on said hub, by means of rivets 8|. The hub has steps formed thereon to accommodate the inner races of spaced ball bearings 82 and 93.

A casting 85 has a cup portion 88 which is stepped to accommodate the outer races of the ball bearings 82 and 83. The upper end of the cup portion has a-radial flange 84 formed integral therewith, the purpose of which will be presently described. Formed integral with the cup portion 88 is a hub portion 81 with oppositely disposed lugs 88, 88. This hub has a bore therein which is concentric with the stepped interior bore of the cup portion and which forms a working fit on the shaft 1|. The lugs 88 and the lower end of the, boss 81 are slit. Clearance holes to clear the bolts 88 are formed in the lugs to one side of the slits, and tapped holes are formed in the lugs on the other side of the slit, so that the screws may be tightened to clamp the casting on the shaft H in a position where the shelf 82 is exactly the right distance from its upper and/or lower neighbors.

Obviously since the casting is clamped on to the stationary shaft 1I it is also stationary. The flange 84 on this casting has secured thereto by means of rivets IN, a supporting plate I88 for concentric guides for the articles. Turning now to Figure 4 for a sectional elevation of these guides and to Figure 7 for a plan view in which the plate I88 per se is omitted so that the guides may be clearly seen, the inner guide I82 is concentric with the axis of the shaft II and is circular throughoutabout 308 and a straight portion I82a extends outwardly to join the beginning of a second circular guide I83 at the point I84. The circular guide I88 is concentric with the circular guide I82 and has a straight portion [83a which is parallel to the portion I82a and which joins a third circular guide I85 at the point I88. The guide I85 is also concentric with the shaft H and the other guides, and it has a straight portion I85a, parallel to the portion I83a and which joins a fourth circular guide I88 at th point I88.

The circular guide I88 is concentric with the others and adjacent to the delivery rotor (to be presently described). it is curved outwardly, the curve being designated as II8.

An angular extension is mounted on the guide I85 and is so positioned thereon that its apex H2 is adjacent to the delivery rotor for a purpose to be more clearly pointed out. Lugs I81 formed on these guides extend into corresponding holes in the plate I88 for facilitating the assembly thereto of the plate-guide unit by bending them down flat and brazing them down.

The guides may all have beads II3 formed therein near the lower ends thereof, and similar beads Ill spaced apart therefrom, so that their apexes contact the articles and allow them to be moved with a minimum of friction.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted that the top plate-guide unit in th machine is secured to an annular flange I I5 by means of rivets II8. Integral with the flange II 8 is a hub II1 having oppositely disposed lugs II8 carrying clamping bolts H8. The lugs may be split and formed similar to those on the castings 85 described hereinbefore so that the hub II1 may be firmly clamped on the shaft 1|. The upper end of the cooling grid 88 may carry straps I28 which may be supported on the top plate I88.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the hub I22 of a. shelf advancing arm I2I has a tubular flange I23 formed integral therewith and this flange embraces and forms a working fit on the perimeter of the flange 98 (which carries the circular shelf 82). The shelf advancing arm extends rearwardly at an angle, therefore its length and shape can best be seen in Fig. 4. It extends horizontally adiacent to the plate I88 toward the periphery.

It has a vertical portion I24 and a horizontal portion I25 adjacent to the shelf 82 extending beyond the periphery thereof. The portion I25 has a clearance hole I25 formed therein, through which pawls, to be presently described, may project.

Mounted on the end of the portion I25 is an arcuate spacer I21 (Figures 4, 8, 9, and which parallels the edge of the shelf 82 with a clearance space I28 therebetween. Bolted to th portion I and the spacer I21 is the horizontal leg I29 of an L shaped bracket I30. The vertical leg I3I of the bracket overhangs the edge of the shelf 82. Secured to th leg I3I, by means of rivets I32, is a body I33 having slides I34 and I35 formed therein for plungers I35 and I31 respectively. A thin plate I38 therebetween separates the plungers. The plunger I35 has a hole therein for a spring I40 and the plunger I31 likewise has a hole therein for a spring I39. A top plate I is secured to a web I42 projecting from the body I33 by means of bolts extending through the holes I43 formed in said web. The springs I39 and I40 bear against the top plate I4l and urge the plungers downwardly. The plunger I35 has a triangular tip I44 and the plunger I31 has a triangular tip I45, and since the plungers are rectangular, the tips always face the same direction, and as the shelf advancing arm I2I is moved (in a manner to be presently described) to the right as viewed in Figure 8, the plunger tips ratchet over the perforations 85 formed in the shelf 82. As the arm I2I is moved to the left, the tips on' the plungers engage the perforations 35 and move the shelf 82 in the direction of the EITOW.

A bushing I45 extends through the portion I25, the spacer I21 and the leg I29 and forms a bearing for the shank of a headed pin I41, Figures 8 and 10. A connecting rod I48 has one end connected to the pin I41 by means of a bearing hole therein which is journaled on the pin I41. The other end of the connecting rod I48 is connected to a member in the article delivery rotor as will presently be described.

Referring again to Figure 7, it will be noted that the articles to be vended are shown, by way of example, as bottles I49. Obviously the machine can be used to vend man other kinds of articles, and these articles may be refrigerated, or non-refrigerated. An article pusher generally designated by th numeral I50 may move radially in a slot 85. It follows up the last bottle or article in the series in a manner to be presently described.

The article pusher I50 is shown in a sectional elevation in Figure 4, in full elevation in Figure 5, and in plan in Figure 6, Figures 5 and 6 being enlarged. Forming a working flit in the slot 85 is a spacer sleeve I5I, the lower end of which abuts a spring base plate I52 below the shelf 82,

and the upper end of which abuts a similar base plate I53; a spacer sleeve I54 has its lower end in contact with the base plate I53, and its upper end abuts a disc I55 which may be substantially the same diameter as the largest diameter of the articles. A second disc I55 may abut the disc I55 and may be of the same diameter. A spacer sleeve I51 has its lower end abutting the disc I55 and its upper end in contact with a disc I58 which may be the same diameter as that of the discs I55 and I55. A threaded rod I59 extends through holes in the array of spacer sleeves, discs, and base plates, and nuts I50 and I52 with washers I'5I and I53 respectively associated therewith I 53. A threaded rod I55 extends through aligned holes in the sleeve and the two plates and the array is clamped together by means of nuts I55 and I51, and lock washers. Both the spacer sleeves I5I and I54 lie within the slot 85 and form a working fit therein. The base plate I52 may carry rollers I58 which engage the lowersurface of the shelf 82, and likewise the plate I53 may carry rollers I59 which engage the upper surface of the shelf 52.

Referring to Figure '1, the operation pusher I 50 is as follows:

The perforations "in the shelf 82 have been described, and the plungers I30 and I31 have been described as carrying tips I44 and I45 respectively which, when moved to the right, ratchet over the perforations 85, and when moved to the left, engage perforatlom 85 and move the shelf 82 in th same direction. The arm I48 has been described as connected to the extension I25 which supports the plunger holder. The other end of the arm I48 is pivotally connected to an arm I10 which is associated with and moves with the article delivery rotor I12 toward the right (as seen in Figure '7) when said rotor is turned to the delivery position, and toward the left when the rotor is returning to its normal position. The details of the numerous novel features of the article delivery rotor will presently be described in detail. For an understanding of the operation of the article pusher, it is sufilcient to understand that the article delivery rotor has a cavity III for receiving the outermost or end article I49 of the series positioned on the shelf 82 and extending into and guided by the stationary circular guides I02, I 03, I05, I08, and the intermediate cross-over guides.

As shown in Figure 7, the bottle I 49a is in the cavity "I. When the rotor I12 is turned clockwise to bring the cavity I1I outside the cabinet so that it may be lifted out, the plungers I35 and I31 ratchet over the perforations 05, as said plungers are moved counter-clockwise (due to the linkages I10, I48). After the article I49a is lifted out, the rotor returns to its normal position (moving in a counter-clockwise direction) and at least one of the plungers I 35 and I31 engages a perforation 85 and the shelf 82 is advanced in a clockwise direction, causing the article in the position H911 to enter the cavity. Since the articles I490 around to-I49e lie between the concentric stationary guides I05 and I05, the articles I49g to I49m lie between concentric stationary guides I03 and I05 and the articles I491) to I491] lie between concentric stationary guides I02 and I03, they do not impose any frictional load, as would be the case if the stationary guide were spiral as shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 490,995, filed June 16, 1943, which matured as Patent No. 2,426,265, July 11,

of the 1947. The only extra frictional load is imposed where the articles move from one circle to the next adjacent outer one. For example, articles in the positions I491: move laterally from the circular path between guides I02 and I03 to the circular path between guides I03 and I05; and articles in the positions I49 j and I499 are moved laterally to pass from the circular path between the guides I03 and I05 to the circular path between the guides I05 and I08. Also the article moving from the position l49c to the position I49b .is moved laterally by the deflector III. Since a minimum number of articles is moved laterally, the force necessary to move the shelf 82 is kept at a minimum.

As the article in the position I 490 enters the cavity "I, all of the other articles move up one position. Now since the article pusher I50 is "backing up the last article in the series (I491 and since it is positioned in the slot 85 in the shelf, the movement of the shelf keeps advancing the pusher I50 each time the shelf 82 is advanced, and the pusher always follows the last article. .As the last article passes through the passage between guides I02a and I03a to pass from the inner circular path to the next outer one, the pusher I50 follows it up as it can also move radially in its slot 85. This is also the case when the last article is passing through the passage between guides I03a and I05a to enter the outer circularpath, the pusher follows it up and enters the outer circular path also. When reloading the shelf, the service man places articles on the shelf advancing the pusher I50 backwards or retrograde so that the articles and the pusher assume the positions shown in Figure 7.

Although any tpe of coin mechanism may be used in the machine herein shown and described, I prefer to employ dual coin mechanism in accordance with my co-pending application, Serial No. 537,989, filed May 30, 1944. One coin mechanism (not shown), may be positioned in a cavity I13, Figure 7, in the door 31 and another in a cavity I14, in the door 38. .The coin mechanism in the cavity I13 may control a bar 208 and the other may control a bar 201. The manner in which these bars function, and elements associated therewith, will be presently described in detail.

It will be understood that the shelves and their cooperative stationary guides are identical and that as many of them may be employed as desired.

Referring now to Figure 16, the article delivery rotor I12 is shown in elevation, and all of them are generally alike except that the heights may vary in accordance with the spacing of the shelves with which they cooperate. These rotors will presently be described in detail. It will,

' however, be noted that secured to the bottom plate I11 of the delivery rotor is a pad or support I18. Mounted on the support I18, as may best be seen in Figures 22 and 23, is a bearing stud I19 having a head I80. Journaled on the stud I19 is a bushing I8l carrying a lug I82, from which a, pin I83 projects. The bushing I III also carries a shaped lug I84 and a tail piece I85.

The support I18 also carries a stud I88 against which an arm I81 of a rotor return dog I88 may bear. The rotor return dog has a tongue or key I89 which extends through a clearance slot I90 formed in an outer tubular shaft I 9| and engages a slot 231 formed in a shaft I93 which is telescoped in the shaft I9I. Within the base of the machine is carried spring means associated with the shaft I93 for urging the rotor I12 toward its normal position. This spring means will presently be described. Spaced apart from the bottom of the rotor, by the thickness of a flange I94, carried on a bushing I95, is a stationary plate I96.

Formed in the plate I96 is an arcuate slot I91 which widens out near one end, the widened portion being designated by the numeral I99. A flat angular surface I98 joins the surfaces of the first and the second described portions and against which the pin I83 cams in a manner to be presently described.

The dog I 88, opposite the arm I81, is cut away to form flat surfaces 200 and 20I, at right angles to one another. A roller 202 normally bears against these surfaces and locks the dog against movement. In other words, the dog is prevented from moving in one direction by the stud I88 against which the arm I81 bears, and is prevented from moving in the opposite direction by the roller 202 contacting the surface 200. The roller 202, which forms a part of the coin controlled lock 235, is journaled on a shouldered stud 203 rigidly secured to a bar 204. This bar has spaced holes into which are fitted the larger diameters of shouldered rollers 205 and 208. The larger diameter of the roller 205 also fits into the reduced end of a rod 201 which may be moved by a coin control mechanism (not shown). Likewise the larger diameter of the roller 208 fits into the reduced end of a rod 208 which may be moved by a second coin control mechanism (not shown); I contemplate using dual coin control mechanisms so that if one of them gets out of order, articles may still be freely purchased via the other coin control mechanism, as disclosed in my co-pending' application Serial No. 537,989, filed May 30, 1944.

The coin controlled lock 235 which may be unlocked by either coin control includes a bracket 209, offset as shown in Figure 23, a flat bar 2I0 and a spacer bar 2 which are all permanently secured to a stationary lower plate 2I2, for example by means of rivets 2I3. The bracket 209 and the bar 2I0 have aligned arcuate slots 2" formed therein for the reduced ends of the roller 205, and aligned arcuate slots 2I5 for the reduced ends of the roller 208. Normally the rods 201 and 200 are held against movement by their associated coin control mechanisms and the roller 202 locks the dog I88 against movement.

If the rod 201 is released, by the insertion of the proper coins in its coin control mechanism, the rotor I12 may be rotated to the left, thereby causing the stud I88 (mounted in the plate I18 carried on the bottom plate I11 of the rotor) to move to the left, as seen in Figure 22. The stud I86 bears against the arm I81 and causes the said arm to move therewith, thereby effecting the movement of the dog I88 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure '22, The movement of the surface 200 against the roller 202 causes the bar 204 to move in a counter-clockwise direction about the roller 208 as a fulcrum (since the rod 208 is held stationary by its associated coin control mechanism) and the roller 205 moves sufllciently in its arcuate slots 2 for the roller 202 to swing out. The dog I88 has a tongue portion I89 which acts as a key and engages a slot 231 for the purpose in the inner shaft I93, so that, as the dog I is rotated by the rotor as above described, the inner shaft I93 rotates and tensions a spring (to be presently described) in the base of the machine. The purpose of the said saring is to urge the rotor back to its normal posi ion.

As the stud I88 starts moving the dog I88 as above described, the stud I19 is also moved in the same direction, and the pin I83 carried by the lug I82 first cams against the surface I98 of the slot in the stationary plate I98, causing the shaped lug I84 to swing into engagement with the curved dent 2 I8 formed in the arm I81 of the dog. Engagement is effected just as the pin I03 reaches the arcuate surface I91, and this surface maintains the engagement of the lug I84 with the dent 2I8. As the dog I88 and consequently the rotor returns to normal, the pin I88 leaves the surface I31, the tail piece I88 strikes a pin 2" carried on the stationary plate and effects the disengagement of the lug I88 from the dent 2Il.

Mounted on the shaft IQI, and having its lower surface in contact with the upper surface of the dog I88, is a washer 2". Between the washer 2H and the lower end of the bushing I35. is a disc 2I8, having a flat portion 2I8, and a key 228 which engages one edge of the clearance slot I88 formed in the shaft I8I, (see also Fig. 28). Above the disc 2, and journaled on the outer surface of the bushing I85, is a ratchet dog 22I which may be secured to the disc M8 by, means of rivets 222.

The ratchet dog 22I is preferably formed integral with the arm "8, previously described as linked to the ratchet means for advancing the shelf 82. This ratchet dog may carry a plurality of ratchet teeth 223, 224, and it also has a flat portion 225 which is also engaged by the stud I88, so that as the rotor is moved as described in connection with the description of the movement of the dog I88, the ratchet dog is also moved in a clockwise direction. The ratchet teeth 223 and 224 are adapted to be engaged by a pawl tooth 228 carried by a ratchet arm 221.

The ratchet arm is journaled on a stud 228 carried on the stationary plate I88. The plate also carries a cupped plunger 228 which is engaged by a spring 238 mounted in a holder 23I secured same time the pawl tooth engages the ratchet tooth 228 or the ratchet tooth 223, depending on how far the rotor is moved. Since the dog 22I has a key 228 which engages an edge of the clearance slot I83 formed in the shaft I8I, the shaft I8I tensions a spring in the base of the machine, and this spring causes the shaft I8l to rotate in the opposite direction after the rotor has reached the point, in its return to normal, where the stud I86 engages the surface 233 on the ratchet arm 221, and disengages the pawl tooth 226 from the ratchet tooth 223 or 224. This allows the spring to rotate the shaft ISI and the dog 22I, keyed thereto, in a counter-clockwise direction. The arm "8 then moves the tips I and I45 to engage perforations 88 and rotate the shelf 82 in a clockwise direction, thereby moving the next succeeding article I48 into the article cavity III of the rotor.

The ratios of the arms I2I and IIl, and the length of the link I88 and the throw of the shelf advancing dog 22I (of which the arm I18 is a part) are such that they tend to over-drive or move the shelf more than the mere diameter of the articles, etc. 7

If the rod 288 is released, by the insertion of the necessary coins in its coin control mechanism It will be understood that I prefer to employ only one coin released lock 23! together with its coin controlled rods 28! and 208. When used in a machine where a plurality of article shelves and a plurality of article delivery rotors are employed, the coin released lock is preferably associated with the rotor return dog (I88) associated with the lowermost article delivery rotor in the series, as shown in Figure 12. The rotor return dogs associated with the other rotors in the series may be identical with the one I88 above described. They are all keyed to the inner shaft I82 and consequently, when any rotor is operated, they all move in unison, but only the one on the rotor is locked to the rotor by the engagement of the shaped lug I84 with the curved notch 2 I8, due to the cooperation of the pin I83 with the surfaces I98 and I81. Since the shaped lugs I84 on the rotors not operated are not locked in. the non-operated rotors do not move.

Now in respect to the ratchet dog HI, and referring to Figure 28, the keys 220 connected to all of the ratchet dogs bear against the edges 236 of the clearance slots I98 in the shaft ISI. Now if any rotor of the series of rotors is operated, the stud I86 of the rotor operated bears against the surface 225 of the ratchet dog 22I associated therewith and as the rotor moves its ratchet dog in a clockwise direction, the shaft I8I is also rotated in a clockwise direction due to the engagement of the key 228 with the edge 238. The non-operated rotors do not move their associated ratchet dogs 22I, so the edges 238 of their clearance slots in the shaft ISI move away from the keys 22a of said associated dogs. when the tooth 228 on the arm 22? engages the teeth of the ratchet dog of the operated rotor, said dog and the shaft I8I are held at rest, but are urged in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) by the spring means in the base of the machine, and when the stud I88 engages the surface 233 of the arm 221, the ratchet dog isreleased and the said spring means in the base of the machine rotates the shaft I8! in a counter-clockwise direction and moves the ratchet dog in the same direction to turn it back to its normal position. As this occurs, the shelf associated with the operated rotor is advanced by the plunger tips I44,

I engaging the perforations 88 in said shelf,

, 238 formed therein. The slot 231 has been de- (instead of the rod 201 as above described) the scribed above as engaged by the key or tongue portion I88 of the rotor return dog I88. The slot 238 of each length is engaged by a downwardly projecting tongue 239 on the lower end of each length immediately above. A plug 240 has half its length forced into the lower end of each length I93, and as these lengths are assembled, the projecting portion of the plug is fitted into the upper end of its neighbor immediately below. The bottom length I93a, Figures 12 to 15, has its lower end plain and a crank arm 2 has a hub 242 fitted thereon and keyed thereto by means of a pin 243. A spring 2 has one end secured to. the arm 2 and the other end is secured to an eye 245 carried by a bracket 246, and has associated therewith a dash pot 241 to smooth out the action of the spring 2".

The shaft I8I, returning to Figure 26, is also 13 formed of a plurality of short tubular lengths. The upper end of each length (except the top one which is plain) has a slot or notch 248 formed therein into which a tongue 249 on the lower end of its neighbor (immediately above) extends. The lower end of each length (except I9Ia) in addition to having a tongue 249, also has the clearance slot I90 previously described and having an edge 236 against which the key 220 of the ratchet dog 22! of an operated delivery motor bears in the manner above described.

The lengths I9! are telescoped over the lengths of shaft I93, and both are built up as the delivery rotors and their cooperative elements are assembled into the'machine, starting with the bottom rotor. The bottom length I 9Ia has its lower end plain and has secured thereto the hub 250 of a crank arm 25!, a taper pin 252 functioning as a washer 256 is a disc 251 keyed to shaft I93'a by means of a pin 258.

The shaft I9Ia carries in contact with the hub 250, a disc 259 which is keyed to the shaft I 9Ia by a pin 260. Between the disc 259 and a frame cross member 26! is a plate 262. A stepped cup 263 has a hole therein in which the washer 256 reposes, and the interior accommodates the other parts described. The cup member 263 has portions to be presently described. The top plate has a central hole 28! extending through a boss 282. This does not show in Figure 17, due to the fact that the plate is broken away to show the location of other elements, but it may be seen in Figure 19. The top plate has an arcuate portion 283 larger in diameter than the rotor, and has secured thereto, by means of rivets 284, a lookout cam 285. A round hole 286 is formed in the top plate 280 with its center in vertical alignment with the center ofthe are 214 formed in the bottom plate I11.,

Between the top and bottom plates of the rotor are distance rods 215, 281, 288, 289, and 290 and screws 29! extending through holes in the top and bottom plates secure the plates and the rods together rigidly. Y

Referring now to Figures 20 and 21,'the rotor includes boundary walls extending between the bottom plate I11 and the top plate 280, and the top plate 280 is removed in these figures so that these walls and the elements they enclose may be seen from above. The article cavity I1! is defined by an arcuate wall 292. This wall at and near the bottom thereof is substantially concentric with the article I49 (when the latter is positioned therein as shown in Figure 21) and a little farther up the wall tapers to the right so that the wall at its top is partially oval in outline. At the top of the rotor the wall includes an arcuate portion 293 and a second arcuate portion 295,

a rectangular flange 264 which abuts and matches the plate 262, and this flange and the plate are secured to the frame member 26! by means of screws 265. The cup 263 is provided with an arcuate slot (not shown), permitting the arm 25! to swing through an arc of 90 degrees, and openings to gain access to the keying members 252, 258, and 280.

The article delivery rotor is hollow and generally cylindrical in form, as may be seen in Figures 16, 17 and 18. The bottom end I11 of the rotor may be seen in Figure 18. It has an open arcuate portion 266 bounded by an arcuate edge 261 and radial ends 268 and 269. This open arcuate portion forms clearance for an arcuate ratchet plate to be presently described. A notch 210 is formed therein providing clearance for a depending pawl 21!. Adjacent to and partly breaking into the notch 210 is a slot 212 through which a rotor locking dog (to be presently described) extends.

The pad or support I18, which may [be seen on the bottom of the rotor has been already described as carrying elements which control the rotor return dog I88, and the shelf advancing ratchet dog 22!.

The bottom plate has an open portion 213 which is circular at 214 and is joined by tangential sides I1! and 218 extending to the periphery of the plate. Extending into the space above the open portion 213 is the end of a plunger 211 which will presently be described. A central hole 218 is formed in the bottom plate and it extends through a boss 219 on the upper surface of the plate and journals on the shaft I9! when the machine is assembled.

The rotor has a top plate 280 which is spaced apart from the bottom plate I11 by arcuate wall joined by a straight portion 294. This provides a clearance surface 296 so that the customer may readily grasp the article, allowing his fingers to lie on the article in the space between it and the surface 296.

The wall 292, near the bottom thereof, has formed integral therewith a boss 291 which is bored out to form a working fit with a plunger 298 having a head 299 formed thereon. The head 299 (when no article is in the cavity I1!) rests against the boss 291 under an urge to be presently described and the length. of the plunger shank is suchthat it projects into the cavity I1! a substantial distance as shown in Figure 20, so as to be engaged by the next article entering the cavity I1! and is forced thereby to the position shown in Figure 21.

Joining the wall portion 293, via a corner boss 30!, is a curved portion 300, the outer surface of which forms the outer periphery of the rotor extending in a clockwise direction to join a boss 302. Radially spaced apart from the boss 320 is a boss 304. Extending inwardly from these bosses are straight portions 308 and 309 respectively which blend with a curved portion 3I0 therebetween. The wall 3! I of these bosses, the straight portions and the curved'portion define a cavity 3I2 which is exposed to view when the rotor is in its normal position, and this cavity may be used for display purposes.

The bosses 302 and 304 are notched at 305 and 306 respectively to accommodate a transparent cover panel 301, which may be secured thereto by means of screws 425 passing through a metallic trimming frame 426, as may be seen in Figure The wall portion 300 (Figure 19) has a hole 421 formed therein through which a bolt 428 extends. The bolt carries a washer 3" bearing against its head 3; within a ball or handle 3I8 and backed up by a member or web 3! 9 therein. The ball bears on a cupped washer or socket 429 outside the rotor. Inside the rotor is a special washer 3I3, and a lock washer 3I5 on the bolt prevents

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