Patent GB-1090475-A (GB)
Title: A vending machine
Inventor: MAXWELL STEWART ALFRED
IPC: G07F11/08
Filed: 1965-03-27
Abstract: 1,090,475. Coin-freed vending apparatus; counting-apparatus. FISHOLOW PRODUCTS Ltd. June 16, 1966 [March 27, 1965], No. 13090/65. Headings G4D and G4V. Cans 38-38 or the like stored in two staggered stacks in a single compartment, are released one at a time by the alternate movement of support rods 31, 32 upon each half revolution of a pair of disc cams 19, 20 arranged to be rotated together, each support rod having a cam follower 23, 24 rigidly secured thereto which co-operates with one of the disc cams. Each cam includes a semi-circular portion 19 or 20 and a recessed portion 21 or 22. The cams are opposed to each other whereby in one half revolution, one support bar moves outwardly to release the lowermost can and back again, the second support bar remaining stationary to receive and support the next can in the stack. The cam followers are formed on one end of bell-crank levers 26, 27 carrying the support rods 31, 32 at their lower ends. Abutments adjacent the bell-crank levers prevent unauthorized movement of the support rods. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus has four compartments and may receive a penny, threepenny piece or sixpence. Insertion of one of these coins actuates a corresponding switch 1D, 3D or 6D, Figs. 9 and 10, to energize a relay L, M or N, closing holding contacts L/1, M/1 or N/1 and changing over contacts L/2, M/2 or N/2. This energizes hunting relays J, K to pulse mechanisms 100, 101 which step counters 102, 103. When counter 102 reaches one, three or six, depending on the value of the coin inserted, the relay U is energized, so that contact U2 breaks the holding circuit of relay L, M or N and contact U1 energizes a resetting mechanism 104 for counter 102. The counter 103 keeps a running total for each transaction. Each compartment is associated with a switch S1-S4 which may be pre-set to correspond with the price of the article to be dispensed therefrom. As sufficient money is inserted, one or more of the relays A-D is operated via its switch S1-S4 and counter 103. This closes holding contacts A/1, B/1, C/1 or D/1, changes over contacts A/2, B/2, C/2 or D/2, and closes contacts A/3, B/3, C/3 or D/3. One or more lamps P1-P4 are lit to indicate which articles are available for the money inserted. An article is selected by closing a switch PS1, PS2, PS3 or PS4. This starts a motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 and energizes a relay E, F, G or H, changing over contacts E/1, F/1, G/1 or H1 and opening contacts E/2, F/2, G/2 or H/2. Thus the remaining three motors are isolated from the circuit, only one motor being operatable for each vending operation. The motor drives its cams 19, 20 through half a revolution before opening a switch VS1, VS2, VS3 or VS4. This breaks the holding circuit of relay A, B, C or D and energizes mechanism 109 resetting the counter 103. When the articles in a compartment fall below a predetermined level, a switch SO1A SO2A SO3A or SO4A is operated to complete the circuit of a sold-out lamp SOL1, SOL2, SOL3 or SOL4 and prevent operation of the corresponding lamp P1-P4. In addition, the corresponding switch SO1B, SO2B, SO3B or SO4B is opened to prevent operation of the motor M1, M2, M3 or M4. When all the compartments are empty a relay BKR is operated to move an armature into the coin path. The circuit also includes a switch 114 closed by the door of the machine, a straw dispensing mechanism 117 and an electrically heated punch HP for piercing the cans.