Patent GB-647827-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to article-dispensing devices
IPC: G07F11/42
Filed: 1947-06-12
Abstract: 647,827. Coin-freed article-delivery apparatus. VENDOMATIC MACHINE CORPORATION. June 12, 1947, No. 15542. Convention date. June 12. 1946. [Class 27] In an article dispensing apparatus, similar to that described in Specification 628,957, wherein articles are stored in rows 11 on shelves 17 and the front article of a selected row is discharged by forward movement of the row by an electricallydriven pusher 18, the pushers are connected by cables 24 to reels 48 on a common shaft 49 and means are provided for connecting a motor selectively to any one of the reels according to the row from which an article is required. In the apparatus shown, the foremost article on each shelf 17 is retained by an upper flange 20a and spring fingers (not shown) engaging the lateral edges of the article. Each reel 48 is fast with a ratchet wheel 47 adapted to be rotated step-wise by a pawl 45, the several pawls being mounted on eccentrics 46 secured to a shaft 43 driven by a motor 38. Engagement of each pawl with its ratchet is, however, controlled by a relay 51 so that the pawl corresponding to the article row selected only is engaged. The armature of the relay is slotted at 54 to guide the pawl and is loaded by a spring 55 to hold the pawl normally clear of the ratchet. In operation, the motor is energized and all the pawls are reciprocated but only the pawl corresponding to the row selected is engaged to advance its pusher member 18, so moving the complete row of articles forward until the foremost falls clear and, in so doing, operates contacts 29 to stop the drive. Further stop contacts mav be associated with a deflecter plate 56 at the lower end of the passage leading to a delivery outlet 14. 'The circuit arrangement for three typical delivery reels 48A, 48B; 48C and respective push-button selector switches 59a, 59b, 59c is. shown in Fig. 15. An inserted coin closes momentarily contacts 81 to energize a start relay 82 which holds at contacts 88a, 88c and completes at contacts 88d, 88e the circuit to the motor 38 and line 103. Depression of the selected push-button closes the circuit from line 103 to the corresponding relay 51A, B or C which holds at contacts as 106c, 106d and lowers its pawl 45A, B or C into engagement with the ratchet wheel to effect delivery. At the same time, the circuit of the push-buttons is broken at further contacts 106a, 106b of the relay so as to prevent delivery of a second article. Upon release of the article, the actuated contacts 29 break the circuit of a relay 99 which deenergizes the start relay 82 to stop the motor and restore the mechanism to normal. The relay 99 is normally energized and not only serves to stop the apparatus when delivery is completed, but also deenergizes a coin return magnet 89 to cause coins inserted to be deflected to a return chute when the machine is already working or if the shelves are empty. For this latter purpose, parallel connected "empty" contacts 31A, B or C at the forward ends of the shelves are opened by the pusher 18 when the last article has been delivered. This de-energizes relay 99 and magnet 89 is de-energized to return any coins inserted. The push-button switches 59a, b, c are interconnected with their respective " empty " contacts to prevent any action if the shell selected is empty. A modified arrangement employing a two-position coin switch is also described. The switch must return to normal, after being tripped by a passing inserted coin, before the motor 38 is energized. Operation of the apparatus is thus prevented if the coin switch jams when tripped.