Patent GB-914555-A (GB)
Title: Article dispensing apparatus
IPC: G07F11/16
Filed: 1959-04-17
Abstract: 914,555. Coin-freed vending apparatus. NATIONAL VENDORS Inc. April 17, 1959 [May 12, 1958], No. 13245/59. Class 27. A vending machine has a number of different article magazines C1-C5 and ejectors E1-E5 for the magazines are individually selectable by push-buttons B1-B5 and operated by a single pull-out rod RG ; the machine is fitted as part of another vending machine having a coin-released draw-bar 13 with which the pull-out rod RG is associated in such a manner that the stroke Y, Fig. 5, of the pull-out rod is greater than that X of the draw-bar.  To obtain an article from column C5, for example, the purchaser pushes in button B5, deposits the required coin and pulls out rod RG. The button moves a lowermost slide 267 so that a hook 269 engages a latch plate 277 and a lug 273 moves under a lower interlock tumbler 285 and locks the other buttons B1-B4 out of operation. The movement of slide 267 also moves a bar T5 down and a finger 299 on this bar swings down a pivoted bar 69 associated with the ejector E5 so that the ejector can spring up into a postion where it can engage behind the lowermost article in the column C5. The bar 69 swings a bar 189 and link 195 down so that a latch 131 is withdrawn from a stud 130 on a draw-bar pusher 101 and releases the pusher. The pull-out rod RG is slidable within the pusher 101 and is joined by a link 165 to a lever 161 pivoted on a ratio arm 145 rotatable on a rock-shaft 135. The pusher is joined by a link 171 to the ratio arm at 175. When the rod RG is pulled out, the link 165, through a lug 163 on the lever 161, acts on the rearward edge of the ratio arm to swing this arm counterclockwise. The link 171 then acts on the pusher 101 to move it and the draw-bar forward, a latch 117, Fig. 7, engaging the rear edge of a plate 7, being moved into a hole 127 in the draw-bar. As the distance of pivot 175 from the axis 135 is less than the distance from this axis of the finger 163, the movement X of the draw-bar is less than the movement Y of the pull-out rod. A flange 109 on the pusher engages interlock tumblers to prevent operation of the pull-out rods of the other vending machine of which this machine is part. The rear edge of a notch 157 in the ratio arm engages a cross-bar 139 extending between arms 137 fixed to the ends of the cross-shaft 135 and the arms move rearward an ejector shaft 63 and all the ejectors E1-E5 on this shaft. Only ejector E5 is raised and it pushes the lowermost package out of column C5, past a spring 55 and on to a gate 329 which has been swung upwards by one of the arms 137. The other arm 137 drives a slide 219 forward to release the latch 277 from the hook 269 and the button B5 and the rod T5 return to their initial positions. As the pusher 101 moved forward, it allowed a plate 196 to swing and insert a flange 201 above the foot 315 of the bar T5 but under the feet 315 of bars T1-T4 to prevent them moving down. Upon return of the rod RG to retracted position all the parts return to initial position and the gate 329 swings down to deliver the package to a delivery shoot 339. In any of the columns C1-C5 should become empty, a lever 229 for that column moves up and a stud 233 enters a notch 235 in the respective bar 69 to prevent successful operation of the corresponding push-button. Provision is made for displaying an appropriate package beside each push-button B. Specifications 749,666 and 914,556 are referred to.