Patent GB-885263-A (GB)
Title: Improved vending machine
IPC: G07F5/26
Filed: 1960-04-14
Abstract: 885,263. Coin-freed vending apparatus. AMERICAN SUMATRA TOBACCO CORPORATION. April 14, 1960 [April 15, 1959], No. 13417/60. Class 27. A coin-freed machine for vending packages of stamps &c. comprises a frame 12, Fig. 3, supporting three or more magazines 13 each receiving articles of one of three different predetermined values, a dispensing device 30 and associated push bar 5 provided for each magazine, two selecting shafts 46, 47, either or both of which may be selectively operated by the push bars 5, spring-operated means for independently biasing each shaft to a rest position, a coin-controlled locking device 104, 107, 108, Fig. 7, independently connected with the shafts to lock them against movement until the appropriate coin or coins have been inserted, and a selecting member 83 which is secured to each push bar and adjustable to engage a selected one of the shafts 46, 47 or both these shafts according to whether the value of the article to be dispensed corresponds to either of two coins or both such coins. By these means the operation of the corresponding push bar dispenses an article of any of three values dependent upon the adjustment of the corresponding selecting members. The articles are stored in piles in a vertical channel member 21 and rest on the ejector plate 30, which is secured to a plate 31 by screws 32 slidable in a slot in a fixed plate 24. Each push bar 5 is mounted for reciprocation in the frame 12 and carries an operating bar 38 having an upwardly-projecting end 37 passing through a slot 36 in the ejector plate 30 to permit operation of the latter by the push bar. Teeth 50 in the lower edge of each bar 38 are adapted to engage a toggle lever 51 to prevent improper partial reciprocation of the bar 38 by the push bar 5. A slot 48 in each bar 38 is enlarged at one end to form a fork engaging between the coned ends of bushes 58 on a shaft 59. The sum of the clearances between the bushes is equal to the width of a single bar 38 so as to allow only one of these bars 38 to be depressed at any one time. To eject an article, the plate 30 is retracted, by depressing the relevant push button 5, to allow the pile to drop and rest upon the fixed plate 24, forward movement of the plate 30 then ejecting the article through the aperture 8. A weight 39 rests upon the pile of packages in each channel and, when the last article has been ejected, a pin 40 slidable in the weight drops into aligned apertures 57 in the plates 30, 24, 31 so as to lock them together and render the device inoperable. The price of the articles in any one channel is arranged to correspond with the value of either of two different coins or the sum of the two coins as determined by the operation of the selecting shafts 46, 47. The selecting shafts 46, 47 slide in slots 63, 65 in the frame 12 and carry gears 67, 69 at each end which mesh with racks 70, 72 to prevent axial misalignment of the shafts. Coin bars 79, 82 attached respectively to the shafts 46, 47 are supported for reciprocation in the coin-controlled locking device by screws 80. Either or both shafts 46, 47 can be operated by the corresponding push bar 5 by adjusting the member 83 so that it engages only the upper shaft, only the lower shaft or. both shafts, corresponding respectively to the price of the article being that of one coin, a second coin or the two coins together. The coincontrolled locking device consists of a lever 104 pivoted on a stud 105 and normally urged into the position shown by a spring 106 where an offset abutment 107 on the lever extends into the path of an oblique abutment 114 on the coin bar 82. A release lever 108 pivoted on a stud 109 has one end adapted to engage and move a lever 104 and the other end carrying an adjustable coin-sizing bracket 111 having a lug 112 extending into the path of a coin resting on a plate 92. Coins inserted through one slot in the frame 12 are passed through a coin sorter and diverted according to the denomination into receiving passageways 89, 90 where they rest upon the plate 92. Depression of a push bar 5 causes either or both of the coin bars 79, 82 to be depressed according to the price of the corresponding article. The leading edge 113, Fig. 17, of the effective coin bar or bars pushes the coin along the passageway to engage the lug 112, and also rotates the lever 108 which in turn rotates the lever 104 to withdraw the abutment 107 from the path of the abutment 114 on the coin bar and thus allow complete depression of the push bar 5 if the correct coins have been inserted, and the gravity discharge of the coin or coins. Depression of the push bar 5, as described, causes through one or both of the shafts 46, 47 the displacement of a plate 73, Fig. 5, against a spring 76, so that after complete depression of the push bar 5 the shafts 46, 47 are urged forward by the plate 73 to drive the push bar 5, selecting bar 38 and ejector plate 30 forward to eject the bottom article of the pile. If the desired articles are sold out, the money inserted can be retrieved by depressing a push bar 9 to rotate the plate 92 from beneath the coin and so allow it to drop to a discharge aperture. The plate is returned to its normal position by a spring 95 on the pivot 93 of the plate.