Patent Publication Number: US-2004040976-A1

Title: Devices and methods for dispensing a newspaper from a vending machine

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] Generally, the invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly, the invention relates to a devices and methods that dispense a single newspapers from a vending machine.  
       STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY THIS INVENTION  
       [0002] Interpretation Considerations  
       [0003] This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Statement of a Problem Addressed by This Invention is to be construed as prior art.  
       [0004] Discussion  
       [0005] Vending machines have long been used to conveniently dispense all kinds of printed publications, such as magazines and newspapers. These machines may be found on street corners or public places, such as bus stations, airports, and the like. These vending machines are typically comprised of a secure enclosure wherein a newspaper can be stored and later released to a purchaser through a release hatch. A purchaser may gain access to the newspaper by simply depositing a coin or token into the machine&#39;s coin receptor and then releasing the hatch.  
       [0006] However, existing vending machines that dispense publications offer purchasers access to an entire stack of publications. Accordingly, a purchaser is able to take more than one newspaper with only a single payment. As one may expect, these vending machines expose the enclosed publications to a substantial threat of theft, and studies show that substantial numbers of publications are stolen in this manner each year.  
       [0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a vending machine that efficiently dispenses newspapers and other printed publications one at a time to a purchaser while simultaneously preventing the purchaser from having access to more than the newspaper being dispensed.  
       SELECT OVERVIEW OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0008] The invention provides technical advantages as a vending machine that dispenses newspapers and other printed publication one at a time. Dispensing is accomplished by pushing one newspaper at a time through a specially designed slot. Accordingly, a purchaser is limited to obtaining one newspaper per payment. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a housing having a front wall that includes a dispensing slot and a lever slot. The housing has a cavity in which is disposed a newspaper elevating assembly. The newspaper elevating assembly is comprised of a slideable horizontal tray for receiving a series of horizontally stacked newspapers.  
       [0009] The invention also provides a dispensing assembly that is made of a rotatable dispensing lever with a lever handle at one end protruding through the lever slot. In addition, the dispensing assembly also includes a dispensing blade coupled to dispensing lever via a vertical pivot shaft wherein the dispensing blade pushes a portion of a single newspaper forwardly through the dispensing slot when a force is appropriately applied to the handle of the dispensing lever. Preferably, the invention includes a barricading means that obstructs the dispensing slot before and after each purchase.  
       [0010] In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of dispensing a single newspaper from a series of newspapers horizontally stacked inside the vending machine. The method comprises the act of sliding a newspaper forwardly through a dispensing slot of a housing using a rotatable dispensing lever that is coupled to a dispensing blade after a purchaser deposits a predetermined payment in a payment receptor. The method also includes obstructing the dispensing slot before and after the purchase via a barricading means.  
       [0011] Advantageously, the invention provides these and other inventive embodiments that both conveniently deliver a newspaper to a purchaser and easily limit the purchaser from gaining access to the vending machine&#39;s inner cavity so as to effectively limit the purchaser one newspaper per purchase.  
       [0012] Of course, other features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. After reading the specification, and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiment, these persons will recognize that similar results can be achieved in not dissimilar ways. Accordingly, the detailed description is provided as an example of the best mode of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the detailed description. Accordingly, the invention should be read as being limited only by the claims.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013] Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the newspaper vending machine according to the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 2 shows the sliding tray with newspapers stacked on the top surface thereof;  
     [0016] FIGS.  3 A- 3 D show the newspaper barricade assembly portion of the invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 provides a more detailed view of the coin receptor assembly and the dispensing assembly;  
     [0018]FIG. 5 shows the sliding tray, illustrating the relative position of the stop-flaps with respect to the top newspaper;  
     [0019]FIG. 6 shows a newspaper stack system with an elevating assembly with a sliding tray; and  
     [0020]FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the top panel of the housing comprising an adjustable door hatch having a movable display window.  
    
    
     AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE  
     [0021] Introduction  
     [0022] The invention is a newspaper vending machine enabled to dispense a single newspaper (or other publication) at a time. The newspaper vending machine generally includes a means for receiving payment, a locking system coupled to the means for receiving payment, a means for activating a dispensing means, and a newspaper stack system. Also provided is a barricade means disposed over a dispensing slot that obstructs the dispensing slot except when a payment is received and a newspaper is dispensed. Accordingly, the invention provides a means for reducing the likelihood of publication theft.  
     [0023] Interpretation Considerations  
     [0024] When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.  
     [0025] Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.  
     [0026] Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.  
     [0027] Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”). Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for —functioning—” or “step for —functioning—” in the claims section.  
     [0028] Discussion of the Figures  
     [0029]FIG. 1 illustrates the invention, a newspaper vending machine  100 , having a cut-view to draw emphasis to interior components. The vending machine  100  comprises a housing  102  generally having a front wall  104 , a rear wall  106 , a top panel  108 , a bottom panel  110 , a left wall  112 , and a right wall  114 . The front wall  104  comprises a rotatable front door that is securably coupled to the housing  102  via hinges  116  and  118 . The door opens to allow access inside the interior of the housing  102 . The front wall  104  also includes a dispensing slot  119  through which a newspaper may be dispensed, and which is discussed in much greater detail, below.  
     [0030] In addition, FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing assembly  120  located inside the vending machine  100 . A dispensing assembly  120  is any means capable of transferring mechanical energy from outside the vending machine  100  to a single newspaper inside the vending machine, to dispense one newspaper at a time. Additionally, the dispensing assembly  120  transfers mechanical energy to other systems that are used to hold a newspaper within the vending machine  100 . Accordingly, by applying mechanical energy to the dispensing assembly  120 , a user is able to dispense a newspaper or other publication through a dispensing slot  119 .  
     [0031] More particularly, in one embodiment the dispensing assembly  120  comprises a rotatable dispensing lever  122 . The dispensing lever  122  protrudes through the lever slot  126  and provides a handle  124 . A purchaser of a newspaper may grasp the handle  124  and move the handle  124  to dispense a newspaper. Additionally, the dispensing assembly  120  provides a dispensing blade  128  that is hingedly connected to the dispensing lever  122  via a rotatable vertical shaft  130 . The dispensing blade  128  rests near the dispensing slot  119  in a location and configuration that approximately corresponds with to the centerfold of a newspaper located at the top of a stack of newspapers in the vending machine  100 . When articulated, the dispensing blade  128  extracts a newspaper by pushing it forward, through the dispensing slot  119 , as will be described shortly.  
     [0032]FIG. 2 shows a newspaper stack lift system embodied as a vertically-traveling tray  200  with a newspaper stack thereon. The tray  200  is mounted on two opposing vertical guides  202  and  204 . The vertical guides  202 ,  204  enable the tray  200  to travel vertically as newspapers are loaded or dispensed. The tray  200  includes a support bar  205  that is coupled to springs  210  via fingers  206  and  208 . In a preferred embodiment, the vertical guides  202 ,  204  have track guides (not shown) for guiding the fingers  206 ,  208  through their vertical travel, thus guiding the tray  200  through its vertical travel.  
     [0033] Vertical springs  210  and  212  couple the vertical guides  202  and  204  to the fingers  206 ,  208  to provide an upward force to the tray  200 . Accordingly, the vertical springs  210  and  212  counter-balance the weight of the newspaper stack as it travels between the vertical guides. In addition, a flexible floor spring  214  connects the tray  200  to a floor bracket  216  affixed to bottom panel  110  of the housing  102  to stabilize the upward motion of the sliding tray  200 , and to function as a counter-balance to the vertical springs  210 ,  212 . Of course, many other systems and mechanisms for balancing a stack of newspapers may be used to provide smooth vertical travel for the stack of newspapers, and these are known or are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention incorporates all such modifications of a newspaper stack lift system.  
     [0034]FIG. 3A shows a barricade assembly  301  from the inside of the vending machine  100  looking out through the front wall  104  (not shown). FIGS. 3B and 3C show side views of the barricading assembly illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B illustrates the steady state position where the teethed portion of the barricading members  308 - 315  are shown engaged with the lock bars  316 - 323 . Conversely, FIG. 3C shows a newspaper being ejected/withdrawn between the chute plates  300  and  302 .  
     [0035] Preferably, the barricade assembly  301  is disposed adjacent to the dispensing slot  119 . Generally, the barricade assembly  301  comprises a first chute plate  300 , a second chute plate  302 , a first release bar  304 , a second release bar  306 , and a plurality of ratcheting and rotatable barricading members  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 , and  315 . The chute plates  302 ,  304  are rigidly disposed against the dispensing slot  119  at the front of the vending machine so as to form generally horizontal planes capable of guiding a newspaper through the dispensing slot  119 . The chute plates  300 ,  302  have a plurality of slits, each slit corresponding to and capable of nesting a barricading member  308 - 315 .  
     [0036] The barricading members  308 - 315  have a blocked end and a ratcheting end, and the barricading members  308 - 315  are enabled to swivel (or pivot) vertically about the ratcheting end, which is preferably pivotally attached to a slit of the chute plate. A plurality of spring-loaded lock bars  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 , and  232  provide ratcheting functionality to each of the barricading members  308 - 315 . Additionally, each barricade member  308 - 315  is preferably spring-loaded via torsion-type springs  317  (see FIG. 3B) located about the pivot-point of the ratcheting end.  
     [0037] A first release bar  304  and a second release bar  306  are generally parallel to each other, and are situated horizontally in the vending machine. The release bars  304 ,  306  are configured to de-couple front-mounted lock bars  316 - 322  from the teethed portion of the barricade members  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  when moved out of a static position.  
     [0038] Thus, the lock bars  316 - 323  function as locks for the ratcheting ends of the barricade members; the release bars  304 ,  306  are configured to, in a static state (see FIG. 3B), allow the lock bars  316 - 323  to lock the ratcheting end; and the release bars  304 ,  306  disengage the lock bars  316 - 323  from the ratcheting ends when the release bars  304 ,  306  are moved out of the static position (see FIG. 3C). Accordingly, the coupling of the teethed portion of the barricade members  308 - 315  to the release bars  304 ,  306  prevents the teethed portions from rotating (or ratcheting), thus barricading the front of the slot  119 . Since ratcheting is known in the art, further discussion of ratcheting is omitted.  
     [0039] In addition, each release bar  304 ,  306  has a vertically-attached release arm  326 ,  328  attached to the end of the release bar  304 ,  306  closest to the vending machine&#39;s swivel  310 . The barricade assembly  301  also includes a pair of swivels  330  and  332  that include tumble levers  334  and  336 , respectively, which extend from the swivel  130  so as to engage the release arms  326 ,  328  as shown. Preferably, the swivels  330  and  332  are mounted to the same vertical pivot shaft  130  as the dispensing blade  128 , which is preferably mounted between the two swivels  330 ,  332 . Thus, in a steady state, the barricade assembly effectively obstructs the dispensing slot to prevent access to a newspaper.  
     [0040] Conversely, in an active state (following the dispensing of the correct payment, and the articulation of the dispensing handle outside of the vending machine when the dispensing lever  122  is rotated by a purchaser of a newspaper), the shaft  330  rotates (clockwise in FIG. 3A), which causes the tumble levers  332 ,  334  to rotate the vertical release arms  326 ,  328  about a pivot  327 ,  329  so that the release bars  304 ,  306  engage the lock bars  316 - 323  away from the ratchet teeth of the barricading members, thus allowing the barricading members to pivot approximately 90 degrees from vertical so that a single newspaper may be pushed through the slot  119  by the dispensing blade  128 . Accordingly, the barricading members  308 - 323  can rotate freely into the slits as the newspaper is being pushed through the dispensing slot  119 . At this point, the dispensing blade  128  prevents further newspaper extraction.  
     [0041] As the handle  124  is returned to its steady-state, pre-purchase position, the shaft rotates the tumble levers  332 ,  334  to allow the release bars  304 ,  306  to reengage the ratcheting end of the lock bars  316 - 323 . Next, the torsion springs  317  coupled to the barricading members return the barricading members to vertical positions that block access to the newspaper stack via the dispensing slot  119 , thus limiting a purchaser to one newspaper per purchase. Thus, when in the static-state position, the barricading members  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  315  are locked by the spring-loaded lock bars  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 ,  323  to prevent a newspaper from being drawn through the dispensing slot  119 . Likewise, FIG. 3D shows a top view of the barricade assembly  301 . From this view of the barricade assembly  301  it is seen that swivels  330 ,  332  (swivel  332  is not viewable from this position) are attached to the pivot shaft  330 .  
     [0042]FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the coin receptor assembly  400  and the dispensing assembly  120 . The coin receptor assembly  400  receives a payment for a newspaper, and then enables the dispensing of a newspaper from the vending machine  100 . The coin receptor assembly  400  includes a newspaper width adjustment mechanism (the adjustment mechanism)  401  with an adjustor bar  402  connected thereto. In use, a manual adjustment bar  403  is manually moved to reflect a change in newspaper price, and then the adjustor bar  402  is mechanically lowered or raised by the coin adjuster mechanism  400  in response to a change in the price of the newspaper, such as for a Sunday edition. Thus, since the width of a newspaper typically corresponds to the price of the newspaper, the mechanical adjustment of the price simultaneously adjusts the height of the dispensing blade  128  to properly align with the fold of the newspaper. The available systems for accepting coinage or other payment are prolific and many alternative systems are available. These systems, and the use of these systems are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of vending machines. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to a specific mechanism or assembly for accepting payment, or to a specific system for adjusting payment to accommodate a specific day of the week or newspaper (or other publication) edition.  
     [0043] In the present embodiment, the coin receptor assembly  400  also includes an elevator bar  404  that is coupled to the adjustor bar  402 , such as through a spot-weld. The dispensing blade  128  rests on the horizontal portion of the elevator bar  404 . The coin receptor assembly  400  also includes a tuning screw  406  that adjusts the position of the adjustor bar  402  so as to simultaneously adjust the height of the tip of dispensing blade  128  to correspond with the fold of a newspaper  422  at the top of the newspaper stack  420 . Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, a wing on top of the shaft  130  is locked into place by the coin receptor assembly in a manner well known in the art of vending machines. When a payment is received, the wing is released so that the pivot shaft  130  may rotate freely.  
     [0044]FIG. 5 is a front view of a support system  500 . As illustrated, the support system  500  incorporates two opposing stop-flaps  501  and  502  that provide a top horizontal support of a top newspaper  522  stacked on a tray  200 . The two stop-flaps  500  and  502  are hingedly mounted to stop-flap supports  504 ,  505 . The stop-flap supports  504 ,  505  are in turn coupled to flap-mounts  506  as well as to spring supports  507 ,  508  via hooks  522 ,  524  and springs  510 ,  512 . The spring supports  508 ,  509  are mounted to the back of the vending machine  100  via mount bar  509 , while the flap-mounts are typically mounted directly to the back of the vending machine  100 . In the static-state, the stop-flaps  500 ,  502  securely hold the newspaper  522  at the top of the newspaper stack flat, and in position on the sliding tray  200 .  
     [0045]FIG. 6 shows a newspaper stack system having an elevating assembly  600  which generally includes a sliding tray  200 , springs  210 ,  212 , vertical guide  204 , wheel attachments  640 , wheels  642 , fingers  206 , and support bar  203 . The elevating assembly  600  counter-balances the weight of the newspaper stack  622 , and guides the newspaper stack  622  as it travels vertically within the vending machine  100 . Accordingly, the vertical motion and final placement of the sliding tray  200 , and thus the height of the newspaper stack  622 , is controlled by the elevating assembly  600 .  
     [0046] The elevating assembly  600  includes a slide bar  602  that is coupled between the vertical pivot  130  and the front  104  of the vending machine  100  via spring  616 . The slide bar  602  includes an extension pivot  604  that is coupled to a lift assembly that comprises a first member  608 , and a second member  610 . A pull member  606  is coupled between the second member and a pivoting member  612 . The elevating assembly  600  also includes a grasping member  614  disposed on the sliding tray  200 . The grasping member is engaged by the pull-member  606  when the handle  124  is turned by a purchaser. In FIG. 6 a guide wheel  642  is seen located proximate to the vertical guide  204 . In a preferred embodiment, the guide wheel  642  is grooved to fit about and follow the vertical guide  204 . The guide wheel  642  couples to the sliding tray  200  through a wheel attachment  640 . However, it should be noted that in a preferred embodiment the wheel attachment that cannot be seen in FIG. 6 attaches to two wheels that are, in turn, coupled to the vertical guide  664 .  
     [0047] In operation, the elevating assembly  600  assist with the vertical movement of the sliding tray  200  against the stop flaps  501 ,  502 , as a newspaper is dispensed from the vending machine  100 . In the static-state, the pull-member  606  is disengaged from the grasping member  614 , allowing the sliding tray  200  to be pulled against the stop-flaps  500 ,  502  by the springs  210 ,  212 . The force placed upon the stop-flaps  500 ,  520  by the springs  210 ,  212  holds newspapers stead, but makes it difficult to remove a newspaper when a purchase is made.  
     [0048] Accordingly, when a purchaser rotates the dispensing lever  122  the pull-member  606  shifts to engage the grasping member  614 , thus shifting the sliding tray  200  slightly downward so that the vertical guide springs  210  and  212  no longer generate a substantial upward force upon the stop-flaps  500 ,  502 . The retraction spring  616  attached to the front wall  104  allows the dispensing lever  122  to retract back to its pre-dispensing position immediately after the purchaser releases the lever handle  124 . This action returns the pull-member  606  to the static-state position, thus allowing the springs  210 ,  212  to place their normal force upon the stop-flaps  501 ,  502 .  
     [0049]FIG. 7 shows the top panel  108  with door assembly  700  and related components in isolation. The door assembly  700  generally comprises a door  701  with a pivotable display window  702  mounted thereon. The door  701  preferably includes a generally planar back panel  718 . In one embodiment, the door  701  is hinge-mounted to the top panel  108  via a door hinge and support bar  706 . The door assembly  700  also includes a hatch lever  708  that is rotatably attached to the housing  102  via support  752 . A push bar  710  activates the opening of the display window  702  by impressing upon the hatch lever  708 . Articulation of the push bar  710  by turning the handle  124  is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
     [0050] A pivotable release lever  712  couples to a first release hook  714  and a second release hook  716  (pivoting is enabled by pivot pin  720 ). The release hooks  712 ,  714  couple to the door hatch  701  via door holes  703  and holes in display window holders  726 ,  728 . Thus, when in a steady state, the first release hook  714  and the second release hook  716  hold the display window  702  to the door hatch  701 , thus preventing the opening of the display window  702 .  
     [0051] The release lever  712  is firmly attached to the back panel  718  via the fixed pivot pin  720  (due to the cut-view of FIG. 7, the attachment of the pivot pin to the back panel  718  is not shown). FIG. 7 also shows the display window  702  attached to the door  701  via hinge(s)  722  that allow the display window  702  to be opened or closed such that a newspaper may easily be inserted or removed from the cavity of the door  701 . The display window  702  is preferably transparent so that a newspaper is viewable through the display window  702 . The display window  702  is shown resting on spring fingers  730 ,  732  which forcibly open the display window  702  when the release lever  712  causes the release hooks  714 ,  716  to disengage the widow display holders  726  and  728 .  
     [0052] The display window  702  is preferably adapted to automatically open to provide access to a displayed newspaper when payment is received and when there are no newspapers left on the tray  200 . Thus, when all the newspapers on the sliding tray  200  have been sold, a sensor rod  734  (not shown) mounted underneath the sliding tray  200  protrudes through a hole  660 . The sensor rod  734  engages the push bar  710  to release the display window  702 . This rotates the release lever  712  such that the two release hooks  714  and  716  are forcibly disengaged from the display window holders  726  and  728 , causing the display window  702  to spring open under the force of the spring fingers  730 ,  732 . Accordingly, a purchaser can then remove a displayed newspaper stored inside the door  701 .  
     [0053] Though the invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.