Patent GB-278825-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in coin freed vending machines
IPC: G07F11/54
Filed: 1926-07-26
Abstract: 278,825. Petersen, N. P. July 26, 1926. Delivery of articles stored in piles. - A machine for vending a number of kinds of articles at different prices comprises a magazine having several separate compartments, each of which contains articles of one kind. The magazine is rotatable, and in use is set. so as to bring the compartment containing a desired article into position over a delivery mechanism. This is controlled bv two locking mechanisms each of which is associated with a coin-shoot, these being adapted to receive coins of different values. According to the setting of the magazine, which carries devices to render either or both locking-devices inoperative in certain circumstances, the delivery mechanism may be released for operation either by insertion of say a 5-cent coin in one shoot only, or a 10-cent coin in the other shoot only, or both coins together one in each shoot. Casings.-The rotatable magazine in the machine shown comprises a main shell 48 and radial chambers 49, all made of glass, preferably in one piece. The shell 48 rests upon a bottom piece 4, which has rectangular pockets 23 registering with the chambers 49, and the bottom 4, together with an upper frame 55 to which the part 4 is bolted, is mounted on ball bearings around a spindle 6 fixed in a pedestal 2. Apertures 57 in the frame 55 are aligned with the chambers 49 to allow them to be filled, a removable cover 58 being provided, and secured by a padlock 13 on the end of the spindle 6. A guard 61, held by stud and keyhole-slot fastenings, completes the top of the machine. A ball catch 19 in the base of the machine holds the magazine in any position in which one of the chambers is over the delivery mechanism, the latter being located in that part of the base of the casing which is extended at 21. The pockets 23 are of a size suitable to receive the lowest package in a chamber, and each has a discharge opening. 70, covered by a freely hanging door 75<1>. A central slit extends through the bottom 73 of each pocket. Delivery mechanism.-Parallel walls 77, 78 are mounted in the part 21 of the casing, and a main operating shaft 81 is mounted through them, Figs. 4 and 11. This shaft carries wheels 82, 83, each of which is recessed into the inner face of one of the walls 77, 78. A spring-controlled lever 91, pivoted on the wall 77, carries a segmental gear 89 which is operatively connected with the shaft 81 through wheels 88, 85, 84, the lever carrying a push-button 93 outside the casing. On depressing the push-button, racks 97, 78, recessed into the inner faces of the walls 77, 78 are moved forward by the wheels 82, 83 gearing therewith, but normally only a small forward movement can take place, on account of the engagement of pivoted detents 116, 117 with lugs 118, 119 on the racks. When the detents are lifted, as described below, the racks move fully forward, carrying with them a pawl 107 which is hung on a member 105 carried by a bar 102 joining the racks. The pawl extends through the slit in the bottom 73 of the pocket that has been brought to the delivery position, and pushes out a packet, which falls down a delivery shoot 110. Pawls 101 engaging teeth on the upper edges of the racks prevent the racks from returning until a full stroke has been made. Coin action, mechanical-connection and multiple-coin.-To provide for release of the mechanism by coins of different values, or by two coins acting together, according to the value of the goods selected, means are provided for automatically raising when necessary one or other of the detents 116, 117 by the action of moving the magazine to the delivery position. For this purpose a series of holes 36, Fig. 3, is formed in the central part of the base 4 of the magazine, there being two holes adjacent each pocket 23. Bolts 134 are suitably arranged to protrude through certain of these holes, so that when the magazine is positioned, one of the detents 116, 117 may be engaged by a bolt and lifted out of locking position. If one detent is so lifted (e.g. 116 in Fig. 11) it is necessary to insert a coin through only one of the two slots provided. In the instance shown, a 5-cent coin inserted through the slot 125 falls down a passage formed as a recess in the inner face of the wall 77 and lodges between the end of the rack 97 and a pin on the end of the detent lever 117. On depressing the knob 93, the rack 97 causes the coin 124 to lift the detent and the rack is thus freed. The other rack 98 being in this case automatically freed by the action of the bolt 134, the delivery mechanism operates. In the case where no bolts 134 are provided in association with the selected storage chamber (i.e. for the articles of highest value)., both detents 116, 117 remain in locking position until freed by the action of two coins of different values, inserted one in each slot. On delivery of the goods, the coin or coins move forward through horizontal recesses in the walls 77, 78 and then roll backwardly down an inclined passage to coin boxes.