Abstract:
The invention relates to a dispensing machine for printed publications. The vending machine allows to dispense one copy at a time by providing a metering break above a dispensing channel. The vending machine has a hollow housing, within which a detachable module is slidable mounted. An operational portion of the machine includes a drive screw connected to a motor by a gear assembly. The printed publications are supported in an upright position on a bearing plate and are advanced towards the dispensing channel by a push plate connected to the drive screw.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 08/831,737, filed on Apr. 1, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 08/727,946, filed on Oct. 9, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,511 which is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 08/623,998, filed on Mar. 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,568 the full disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to dispensing machines for printed publications, and more particularly to a machine suitable for vending of newspapers, magazines and the like. 
     Newspaper and magazine vending machines are conventionally placed in high traffic areas to maximize exposure of the publication to the public. The preferred locations are bus stops, lobbies of public buildings, busy street comers and the like. As a general rule, the newspapers and magazines are stacked in a hollow housing provided with a coin box for receipt of payment from the public. 
     Once the necessary amount has been deposited, the buyer pulls the front door of the vending machine open and withdraws one copy from the stack of newspapers or magazines positioned in the housing. However, such machines allow access to the entire inventory positioned in the vending machine, without any restrictions as to the number of copies a purchaser retrieves. In some cases, theft of newspapers caused substantial losses to the vending machine owner/operator. 
     To prevent such losses, the industry realized a need for a dispensing machine that would allow to separate one copy of such publication from the supply of publications in the vending machine and dispense only one copy at a time. Some of known solutions is to use a ratchet mechanism that pulls out one copy of vertically positioned papers and carries them to the dispensing channel. Other approaches use a conveyor-type endless belt or belts for carrying one copy to the dispensing channel. 
     While such designs can work satisfactory in some environments, there is still a need for a simple to operate, inexpensive dispensing mechanism capable of carefully metering the number of copies removed from the inventory, so as to dispense only one copy at a time. My co-pending applications describe some of the approaches to the problem by providing a metering brake that is mounted on a bearing plate, on which the publications are held in an upright position. While the dispensing machines described in my co-pending applications tested satisfactory in the majority of cases, it was discovered that the industry still needs a simplified dispensing machine that would still allow to dispense only one copy of the publication. 
     Another consideration that was taken into account when designing the new dispensing machine relates to compliance with the provisions of American with Disabilities Act of 1991. According to this statute, a coin slot on vending machines cannot be higher than 54 inches from the ground and cannot be any lower than 13 inches off the ground Some states implemented their own guidelines for the vending machines and require that all vending machines, without exception, be constructed in such a manner. For example, Florida requires that the dispensing chute be 18 inches from the ground. Such requirements create a design challenge for the technologists, especially in cases where multi-bay vending stations are provided to the public. 
     When vending machines are stacked one atop the other, the tight vertical limitations imposed by the act become of the greatest consideration. Additionally, it was noted that for people in wheelchairs, the preferred elevation of the coin slot is 48 inches off the ground, while the dispensing chute should be about 18 inches off the ground, rather than the distance required under the federal law. In this environment every millimeter of space in the housing becomes important. 
     The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a dispensing machine for printed publications that is compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, while still allowing the vending machine operators to position the units in multi-bay arrangements, if desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing machine for printed publications that can dispense one copy of the publication at a time. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing machine for printed publications that is easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing machine that can be easily adjusted to comply with the governmental requirements for access to the public in wheelchairs. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a dispensing machine that comprises a hollow housing and a detachable module slidably mounted in the housing. The module can be easily disengaged from the housing and sent for maintenance and repairs, while another similar module is positioned in the same housing. 
     The support pedestal is adjustable in height since the two parts of the pedestal telescopically move up and down. The operating mechanism is located in the module. The operating mechanism comprises a bearing plate, on which the printed publications, such as newspapers, are supported. A push plate helps to keep the newspapers in an upright position and advance the papers towards a dispensing channel. 
     A drive screw is operationally connected to a motor and to the push plate. A gear assembly is provided to connect the drive screw to the motor. The drive screw is long enough to extend under substantially entire length of the bearing plate. The bearing drive screw extends at less than 30-degree angle in relation to the bottom of the module, thereby reducing loads on the motor. 
     The push plate carries one or more connecting members for connecting to the drive screw. The hollow connecting member has a cylindrical inner wall, which is partially threaded. When the push plate is slightly lifted, it can be easily disengaged from the drive screw and reset to the start of the vending position or closer to the front of the machine if thin papers or a small number of papers are to be dispensed. 
     To prevent premature dispensing of the forwardmost newspaper, the apparatus provides for the use of a flexible flap that extends in front of the unfolded portion of the newspaper, near the dispensing channel and help to keep the newspaper upright on the bearing plate. A sensor in the dispelling channel detects when the newspaper is dispensed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the vending machine. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the operating mechanism of the dispensing machine in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the inner module positioned in the vending machine of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing a platform made of two parts and a metering brake at the edge of dispensing channel. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing a push plate adapted to advance publications toward a dispensing channel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the vending machine of the present invention. The vending machine  10  comprises a housing  12  mounted on a pedestal  14  which, in turn, is supported on a base  16 . The housing  12  has a pair of side walls  18  and  20 , a back wall  22 , a front wall  24 , a bottom  26  and a top  28 . The front wall  24  has a lower part  30  and an upper part  32  which is positioned at an obtuse angle in relation to the lower part  30 , as better seen in FIG.  2 . The upper part  32  is provided with a transparent window  34  to allow the public to read the front page of the publication located in the cabinet. 
     The lower part  30  is provided with a dispensing chute  36  for receiving of the newspaper or magazine dispensed by the vending machine after the appropriate payment has been made by the customer. The front wall  24  is provided with a coin slot  38  where the customer can deposit the coins. A coin return opening  40  is made below the coin slot  38 , as shown in FIG. 1. A case box  42  collects the deposited payment. A keyed access  44  to the case box  42  is provided in a conventional manner. If desired, the top  28  of the housing  12  can be provided with hinges, such as at  46 , to allow the vendor to open the cabinet and obtain access to the interior of the housing from the front of the unit. 
     The pedestal  14  is comprised of two telescoping portions  48  and  50  to allow adjustment of the elevation of the coin box and the dispensing opening to various applications, all in compliance with the government regulations. The telescopic connection between the pedestal can be adjusted in pre-determined increments, allowing to extend or shorten the height of the pedestal, depending on the particular requirements of the location. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the dispensing mechanism of the present invention is shown in more detail. As can be seen in the drawing, the operational portion is positioned on a base plate  60  that extends through substantially entire depth of an inner module  62  (FIG.  4 ). The base plate  60  supports a pair of ramp plates  64 . Secured to the ramp plate  64  is a first, forward motor supporting bracket  66  and a second, rear motor supporting bracket  68 . 
     A motor  70  is supported on the bracket  66  adjacent to the front of the unit  62 . The motor  70  has a drive shaft  72  operationally connected to a first gear  74 . A second gear  76  is operationally connected to the first gear  74  and to a lead, or drive screw  80 . When the motor  70  is activated, rotation is transmitted through the drive shaft  72  to the gears,  74 ,  76  and to the lead screw  80 . 
     Mounted above the lead screw  80  is a bearing plate  82  which supports a push plate  84  movable along the plate  82  in response to rotation of the lead screw  80 . The support plate  84  is oriented at an approximately right angle to the lead screw  80 . The support the printed publications in a generally upright position, with folded edges of the publications sliding along the bearing plate  82 . The lead screw  80  extends under substantially entire length of the bearing plate  82  in order to maximize the space available within the module  62 , while reducing loads on the motor  70 . 
     The push plate  84  moves the publication  86  to the proximal edge  88  of the bearing plate  82 , where the forwardmost copy  90  of the publications is dispensed after the payment has been received in the vending machine. The copy  90  drops, by gravity, into a dispensing channel  92  defined by the dispensing chute. 
     The dispensing chute has an upper plate  94  integrally connected to the middle portion  96 . The plate  94  is connected at about 20° angle to the middle portion  96  to facilitate dispensing of the publication and allow to increase the size of the dispensing chute. Such arrangement is particularly useful in dispensing especially voluminous Sunday newspapers that can be 300 to 500 sheets thick. 
     The bottom part of the dispensing channel is defined by a turned-up portion  98 , which prevents the dispensed publication from falling out of the dispensing chute before a customer has a chance to retrieve it. 
     To prevent premature falling of the forwadmost publication  90 , a flexible flap  100  is secured to a top  102  of the module  62 . The flap  100  extends downwardly along an unfolded edge of the newspaper. The flexible flap prevents the first copy from leaning forward and causing premature dispensing of the publication  90  into the dispensing channel  92 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, the bearing plate  82  is shown in more detail. The bearing plate  82 , in one of the embodiments, is comprised of a pair of inverted U-shaped members  110  and  112 . The two-part construction simplifies manufacture and gives access to the lead screw  80  from the top of the operating mechanism. The individual portions  110  and  112  are formed from bent metal sheets, each having a top surface  114  and a pair of downwardly extending flanges  116 . 
     The drive screw  80  is positioned in a space between the parallel bearing plates, in its own channel guide  118 , the upwardly turned sides of which are attached to the adjacent side walls  116  of the bearing plate members  110  and  112 . Of course, if desired, the bearing plate  82  can be constructed as a solid plate, substantially covering the lead screw  80 . 
     A metering brake, or means  120  for separating a single forwardmost copy of the publication with an upwardly inclined upwardly inclined upper surface extends upwardly from the top surface  114  of the bearing plate members  110 ,  112 . The metering brake member  120  in this embodiment is a solid block with a front edge  122  being higher than the distant edge  124 . If desired, the top surface of the metering brake  120  can be roughened to increase friction of the publication when it moves along the metering brake  120  into the dispensing channel. Tests demonstrated that such material as nylon was particularly advantageous when used for the body of the metering brake  120  and the gears  74 , 76 . 
     Tests also demonstrated that a preferred angle “a” between the drive screw, and therefore, between the bearing plate and the base plate is less than thirty degrees, for example about 20° which allows to position more inventory in the module  62  without increasing its dimensions. Bringing the angle down to 20° brings the newspapers or magazines closer to the dispensing chute  96  to accommodate the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act by bringing the dispensing chute closer to the customer. An additional advantage is that less angle of the bearing plate imposes less load on the motor  70 , since the push plate  80  does not have to ascend at a greater angle when advancing the publications  86  to the edge of the bearing plate  88 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, the inner module of the dispensing machine of the present invention is illustrated. The module  62  follows the general configuration of the housing  12 . Similarly, the front wall has a rearwardly inclined plate  130  with a wide opening  132  behind which the publications can be displayed. The lower part  132  is slightly recessed to accommodate the dispensing chute  96 . 
     Mounted on the side walls  134  of the module  62  are a pair of slides, or rails  136  adapted for sliding engagement with slide guides (not shown) attached to the interior walls of the housing  12 . When necessary to replace the inner module  62 , an operator simply slides the module  62  out and replaces it with another similar module, bringing the first module for maintenance, repair, or other necessary operations. 
     In order to protect the publications in the module  62  from the environment, a peripheral flange  138  is formed about an exterior open edge of the module  62 . If desired, a matching lip can be formed on the housing exterior edge to form a watertight seal against moisture, which can damage the publication and make it less desirable for the consumer. 
     Turning now to FIG. 6, the push plate  84  is illustrated in more detail. As can be seen in the drawing, the push plate  84  comprises a vertical member  140  integrally formed with a horizontal portion  142 . Securely attached to the bottom of the horizontal member  142  is a pair of attachment plates  144  and  146 . A pair of connecting members, for example nuts  148 ,  150  is fixedly attached between the plates  144  and  146 . 
     The inner cylindrical wall of each nut  148 ,  150  is normally provided with threads for engagement with the lead screw. The present invention contemplates removal of about one half of the inner threads, such as at  152  from the inner surfaces of the nuts  146 ,  150 . After the entire inventory of the publication has been dispensed, the vendor needs to return the push plate  84  to its starting position at the very rear of the bearing plate  82 . When the push plate  84  is slightly lifted, the smooth surface  152  does not resist disengagement of the lead screw from the push plate, allowing the push plate to be reset to the desired position. 
     Similarly, when an operator desires to position only a limited number of publications, the push plate  84  can be moved half way along the bearing plate  82  and the lead screw  80 , thereby supporting the publications  86  at any desired location along the bearing plate  82 . 
     If desired, a stop can be formed on the rail  136  to normally prevent complete disengagement of the inner module from the housing. This safety feature can be used during normal operation and disconnected when the module needs to be replaced or repaired. The keyed change box  42  on the front of the machine can be removed from the module  62  only by an operator who has a key. When the front wall is lowered, it is impossible to retrieve the coin box by unauthorized persons. 
     To simplify manufacture, the lead screw  80  is carried by the same bracket  66  as the motor  70 . The fact that the push plate  84  can be manually repositioned to the start of the vending cycle or anywhere in between, allows to save electricity and avoid drain on the battery. By eliminating the support for the display copy in the machine, the electronics required for dispensing of the very last, display copy, could be eliminated, thus simplifying the construction and operation of the dispensing unit. 
     If desired, a sensor can be positioned in the dispensing channel  92 ; it can be an optical sensor or an electric switch that is activated when the copy of the publication is dispensed into the channel  92 . The sensor can be positioned at a location within the channel  92  which would prevent access to the sensor and tampering therewith by customers. 
     If desired, a solar panel can be incorporated into the front door housing  12  to continue to recharge the battery and thereby extend the lifetime of the motor. The push plate  84  is made relatively short, smaller than the height of the publication in order to minimize the loads on the motor in advancing the push plate along the bearing plate  82 . If desired, the bearing plate  82  and the dispensing chute  96  can be made as one piece, allowing the newspaper  90  to smoothly fall down the dispensing channel  92 . 
     It is also envisioned that in some multi-bay applications an adaptor piece will be required to make the second row units more stable. The adaptor piece will cause the top row of the dispensing units to be tilted slightly forward, so as to allow viewing of the publication through the window. 
     Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. We, therefore, pray that our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.