Patent GB-191116526-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Coin Freed Vending Machines.
Inventor: HARRIS HENRY KINGSFORD
IPC: G07F11/46
Filed: 1911-07-18
Granted: 1912-07-18
Abstract: 16,526. Harris, H. K. July 18. Sale apparatus.-Relates to vending-machines for newspapers and the like having endlesscarrier chains running on sprocket-wheels as described in Specification 17,952/10, and consists in modified devices for holding the newspapers, and also in an alternative arrangement in which the carrier chain or band is arranged in zigzag fashion and is taken up by a roller as the delivery is effected. Storage.-The newspapers are stored between plates c, Figs. 1 and 2, carried by endless chains a passing over sprocket-wheels b, the plates having bevelled projectionsd arranged so that only those on alternate plates correspond in position. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, each carrier comprises two plates 26, 27 pivoted together and normally kept closed by springs. In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the papers are arranged between the folds of a band or chain, which comprises alternate long and short portions 74, 75 and is stored in a vertical frame 72 on a carrier 73 suspended by cords 76 passing over pulleys 77 and connected to weights 79. From the carrier, the band passes over a drum 81 to a take-up roller 82. A chain 79 serves to co - operate for the gradually decreasing weight of the carrier. Delivery mechanism.-After prepayment, the operator depresses a handle 11, Fig. 1, thereby rotating the sprocket-wheel shaft 2 through a link 8, lever 6, pawl and ratchet-wheel 5, and clutch 4,12, the uppermost loaded plate escaping past spring members n, permitting the paper to slide over these members and pass by a shoot p to the purchaser. Simultaneously, a spring-controlled pawl q allows the uppermost empty plate to pass. The plates 26, 27, Fig. 3, are separated to permit the delivery of the enclosed newspaper as the tail 29 of the plate 27 rides up a fixed incline 32. In the modification, Fig. 5, the articles are delivered alternately into the side shoots 83, from which they pass to a common delivery aperture. The joints between the portions 74, 75 of the band are preferably provided with projecting pins, which co-operate with an escapement device located at the top of the frame 72. Alternatively, the apparatus may be driven by a motor freed by the insertion of a coin. Filling storage receptacles.-To load the machine, the attendant opens a hinged door r, Fig. 1, and rotates the chain to bring the empty carriers in turn into position behind the opening by depressing a pivoted flap 33 which is connected by a link 35 to the lever 6. Or, if rapid rotation of the chain be required, the clutch member 12 is withdrawn from engagement with the clutch member 4 and ratchetwheel 5 by pressing back a spring-controlled lever 17 connected by a link 16 and lever 13 to the member 12 by means of a special key applied to a spindle 23, the consequent rotation of the key effecting the rotation of the endless chain. The plates n and pawl q must first be lifted into inoperative position by removing a securing-pin m, raising the arm h of a lever g, and passing the pin through a hole h<1> in that arm.