Patent GB-1282229-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to coin-actuated machine
Inventor: MUSSON IAN MACKAY
IPC: G07F5/06
Filed: 1970-02-10
Abstract: 1282229 Coin-freed delivery drawer VARIOVEND Ltd 10 Feb 1970 6444/70 Addition to 1190751 Heading G4V A coin-freed vending machine as described in U.K. Patent Specification 1,190,751 can receive a plurality of coin-receiving units 5 (Fig. 3), each including a locking member 8; the or each locking member 8 normally prevents a vending operation unless the or each member 8 is held in an ineffective position by a coin inserted in the respective unit. Article storage and delivery.-Cylindrical articles are stored in rows on a plurality of sloping, paired rolls (11)-(16) (see Fig. 2, not reproduced), the bottom article resting in a drawer 4 (Fig. 9). When the drawer 4 is opened (to the right in Fig. 9) under the control of a full-stroke pawl-and-ratchet mechanism (71), (73) (see Fig. 10, not reproduced), the stored articles are supported by a shelf 51 (Fig. 9). During its return movement, the drawer 4 is fully closed by the action of an attached roller 76 forced to the left by a spring-controlled lever 77. When the vending machine is empty, a lever 28 is pivoted by a counterweight 30 to the position shown in Fig. 9, so removing an indicator from a window in the drawer 4. Coin-receiving units and action.-The vending machine is adapted to receive six coin-receiving units 5 (Fig. 3) arranged beneath the article delivery drawer 4 (Fig. 9). In the embodiment described requiring three coins for vending, three units 5 are employed in conjunction with three dummy units (5a) (Fig. 1, not reproduced). A coin inserted in a receiving unit 5 (Fig. 3) rolls down a shoot 42 until positioned between a fork 44 (see also Fig. 7, not reproduced) of the associated locking member 8, and an abutment 43. The abutment position can be adjusted for different coin diameters by a screw 49. When the drawer 4 (Fig. 9) is pulled open, an attached transverse bar 33 rides over the upper surface 35 (Fig. 3) of the three locking members 8. In the absence of a coin in any of the coin-receiving units the corresponding locking members 8 then pivot counter-clockwise (in Fig. 3) about bolts 41 under spring action, until the upper surfaces 35 abut a second transverse bar 9 (Fig. 9) carried by the drawer support 31, to prevent further opening of the drawer 4. In units containing a coin, pivoting of their locking members 8 (Fig. 3) is prevented by co-operation between the coin and the abutment 43. When a coin has been inserted in each coin receiving unit, the drawer 4 (Fig. 9) can be pulled fully out. During this movement, a ridge 53 on the bar 9 engages the upper surfaces 35 (Fig. 3) of the three locking members 8, which then pivot in a clockwise direction to release the coins into a cash box (6) (Figs. 12, 13, not reproduced). Coin return.-Downward movement of a lever 68 (Fig. 9) pivots the ends 38 (Fig. 3) of three reject levers upwardly, so moving the three abutments 43 through the action of springs 48, and releasing any coins to a return shoot (62) (Fig. 1). Cash box.-When coins are released during a vending operation, they are deflected into the rear (64) (see Figs. 12, 13, not reproduced) of a cash box (6) by a plate 55 (Fig. 9) attached to the drawer 4. When coins are rejected by lever 68, they are returned to the operator via the front (59) (see Fig. 13, not reproduced) of the cash box (6). A plate 56 (Fig. 9) ensures correct passage.