Patent GB-1227031-A (GB)
IPC: G07F5/24
Filed: 1968-06-06
Abstract: 1,227,031. Coin-freed vending machines. ROWE INTERNATIONAL Inc. 6 June, 1968 [6 June, 1967], No. 27035/68. Heading G4V. A coin-freed vending machine comprises a coin totalizer, a coin storage means for temporarily storing coins in escrow, a change coin holder for coins of a predetermined denomination, a guide assembly between the totalizer and storage means for directing coins of said predetermined denomination towards a guide path leading to the change holder, means for retaining the first of said coins on the guide path whereby subsequent coins are deflected to the storage means (coins other than said predetermined denomination passing directly to said storage means) and means operable on actuation of the vending means for simultaneously releasing the first coin retaining means and actuating the storage means whereby said first coin passes to the change holder and the remaining coins pass to a coin box. A dashpot retards operation of the totalizer to ensure that the coins reach their destination before the vending machine is freed for operation. The vending machine is adapted to receive 5-cent, 10 cent and 25 cent pieces which actuate feelers to lower a totalizer bar a corresponding amount. The coins pass through separate channels in a guide assembly, Fig. 9, the 10 and 25 cent pieces passing directly to the storage means 34 and the 5 cent pieces being deflected by curved guides 44, 46 to a guide path 48, Fig. 7, leading to a change holder 32. The first 5 cent piece is retained on the guide path by a projection 52 on a pivoted member 54 and subsequent 5 cent pieces deflected by the first coin to the storage means 34. A feeler 70 is deflected when the change holder is full to direct all the 5 cent pieces to the storage means. The storage means comprises fixed side members 112, 114 and a pivoted base 120 movable by a crank-arm 128. Actuation of the vending machine tilts the base in a first direction to discharge the coins to a cash box and pivots the member 54 to release a coin on the guide path 48 to the change holder. Actuation of a return button pivots the member 54 in the opposite direction to feed a coin on the guide path to the storage means and tilts the base 120 in a second direction to release the coins to a return shoot. The dashpot comprises a cylinder 412 having an air outlet 426 through a one-way valve 424 and an air inlet through a reduced opening 430. A piston 404 has a reduced portion 408 communicating with the interior of the cylinder through an aperture 410. An aperture 432 is provided in the cylinder. The piston is attached to the totalizer bar and initially is in its upper position. When the bar is released, it falls slowly for the first five cents credit until the reduced portion 408 registers with aperture 432 and again falls slowly for the third five cents credit until the upper end of the piston falls below the aperture 432. Change coins are discharged by a plurality of superposed slides coupled together to deliver the appropriate number of coins by a pivoted feeler passing through apertures in the slides. The movement of the feeler is limited by a stepped member positioned according to the price of the article dispensed. The vending machine is operated by a pullknob (142) moving a pin (192) in a stepped slot (170) to prevent rapid movement of the pull-rod by a customer, Fig. 5 (not shown). The totalizer bar has an abutment blocking movement of a bar reciprocated by the pull-knob until the necessary coins have been inserted. A pawl-andratchet full-stroke mechanism co-operates with the pull-knob.