Patent GB-1047187-A (GB)
IPC: G07F11/24
Abstract: 1,047,187. Vending machines. VENDO CO. March 19, 1964 [April 1, 1963], No. 11652/64. Heading G4V. A vending machine has articles disposed in two upright columns so that there is a single lowermost article, with a retainer at the lower end of each column, one or other of the retainers engaging the lowermost article, and a latch movable from a position holding one retainer in article engaging position, to a position holding the other retainer in its article engaging position, thus releasing the retainers alternately for dispensing successive lowermost articles. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are front, side and cut-away rear views of a machine having three compartments 52, 54, 56, each containing two columns of bottles 216, 218 ... 228, in staggered formation. The retainers are shelves 66 mounted at each end on arms 68 pivoted at 62 and spring- biased upwardly. The latch is a wheel 76 having projections 84, Fig. 4, so spaced that each time the wheel is advanced by a predetermined amount, one projection engages beneath a pin 80 on one shelf 66, and another projection disengages from beneath a pin 80 on the other shelf, viz. the one supporting the lowermost bottle, to release the latter and allow the weight of the bottle to displace the shelf downwardly so that the bottle falls into a delivery shoot 208. A swinging flap in the shoot slows the bottle and reduces refrigeration losses. The next lowermost bottle now rests on the supported shelf. The wheel is normally locked by a projection 100, Fig. 2, on lever 86 engaging between pins 102 on the wheel. On insertion of correct total coinage and indication of choice of magazine by a customer, the appropriate one of solenoids 114, 116, 118 is actuated to rotate the corresponding lever 86, and free its wheel. At the same time, a projection 204 on lever 188 pivoted to bar 166, is moved by pin and slot coupling 200, 202, into engagement with peripheral teeth 110 on wheel 76 so that when bar 166 is moved upwardly, the wheel which is engaged by its lever 188 is rotated by the predetermined amount to deliver a bottle. A return spring 126 relocks the wheel. Bar 166, Fig. 3, is mounted on arms 162 pivoted at 164, and is reciprocated once during each sale by eccentric mechanism on shaft 156. A further bar 182 is mounted on arms 180, also pivoted at 164, and is reciprocated during a sale by cam 154 on shaft 152 and cam follower 186, shafts 152 and 156 being driven by an electric motor. Bar 182 is raised to support shelves 66 while wheel 76 is being advanced. Each magazine has an " empty " detector comprising an inwardly biased pivoted flap 240a operating a microswitch when the topmost bottle is below it. In a modified form, two columns of cans of beverage are separate, and are disposed one behind the other, so that as seen looking along the length of the cans, they overlap in staggered formation. A rod with offset portions is movable between two positions, in one of which it clears the lowermost can in one column, and supports the next lowermost which is in the other column. In the other position, it releases the next lowermost can to become the lowermost, and supports the lowest can in the one column, which becomes the next lowermost. An electric circuit is described connecting the coin-operated switch, selection switches, and " empty " microswitches, with the solenoids 114 ... 118 and drive motor, and with " sold out " lamps, coin return solenoids, change giving solenoids, and a " no change available " indicator. The coin switch is actuated by a 10 or 25-cent coin, or is set by a first 5-cent coin to be actuated by a second 5-cent coin.