Patent GB-1220295-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to vending machines
IPC: G07F5/18
Filed: 1968-04-02
Abstract: 1,220.295. Coin-freed vending machines. VENDO CO. 2 April, 1968 [11 Dec., 1967], No. 15816/68. Heading C4V. A vending machine includes an interlock mechanism preventing the sequential operation of the vending assemblies of the machine, the interlock mechanism comprising a coin-freed elongated bar common to the vending assemblies and a reciprocable wedge-shaped member associated with each vending assembly and passing through an aligned aperture in the bar on operation of the vending assembly to move the bar longitudinally and block operation of the remaining vending assemblies. General arrangement; sold-out device.-Cans or bottles are stored on inclined shelves terminating in platforms 34. Each compartment is closed by a pivoted flap 38, access to the flaps being through a door on the front of the vending machine.. On opening the door and depositing the appropriate money, one flap may be opened to move a side plate 44 forwardly. An adjustable back plate 48 carried by the side plate 44, pushes the leading bottle or can forwardly to project from the compartment. In addition, a divider 52 coupled to the side plate is lowered between the leading and succeeding bottles or cans to prevent more than one being removed at a time. A spring-loaded feeler in the platform 34, rises in the absence of a bottle or can to block a flange on the lower edge of side plate 44 and prevent opening of the flap 38. Interlock mechanism.-A. vertical bar 86 extending the height of the compartments is mounted on pins 92 on the reverse side of side wall 90 from side plates 44 and prevented from moving more than a limited amount by a coincontrolled latch 100. Each side plate carries a wedge-shaped member 122 through slots 110 in the side wall. The bar 86 has a flange 88 with spaced apertures 124 co-operating with the members 122. In operation the bar 86 is lifted by a wedge-shaped member when a flap is opened to block subsequent movement of other flaps. In addition, the wedge shaped member separates adjacent plates 126 to prevent several flaps being opened simultaneously. The wedge-shaped member levels out in the region 140 to reduce the throw of plates 126. Full-stroke device:-Pawls 170, 178 pivoted on shaft 198 co-operate with a rack along one edge of bar 86 in operation to ensure a full-stroke of the bar on each vending operation. Pawl 170 is moved clear of the rack in the inoperative condition by an arm 184 on the latch 100 and pawl 178 is moved clear by a rod 174 having a lug 180 engaging a flange 182 fast with pawl 178. Rod 174 moves leftwards (Fig. 3) when the door of the vending machine is opened. Coin-controlled mechanism.-The vending machine is adapted to vend articles at 10, 15 and 25 cents. Each side plate lowers a cross-bar 62, when the associated flap is opened, having a cam 234 transversely adjustable in three positions according to the price of the articles in the corresponding compartment. In the first two positions, the cam depresses a channel-shaped member 212 or 214 operating switches 148 or 150, while in the third position the cam is ineffective. The value of the inserted coins is accumulated and a switch 160 operated to pulse solenoid 154 stepping wiper arm 158, Fig. 14. The wiper arm moves from home contact 196 to contacts 208 (10 cents), 244 (15 cents) and 188 (25 cents). Operation of the appropriate switch 148 or 150 when a compartment is opened or switch 146 by the limited upward movement of bar 86 when any compartment is opened, completes the circuit of solenoid 142 moving the latch 100 clear of bar 86. The bar pivots a lever 190 to operate switch 144 energizing solenoid 156 returning the wiper arm to its home position.