Abstract:
A vending machine and a hose controller system for vending machines wherein the dispenser hose is axially and torsionally controlled to facilitate slight twisting, thereby minimizing applicator tool resistance, and making it easier for users to operate the remote vending tool on the hose distal end. The elongated reinforced applicator hose terminates at the controller, which bridges the hose between the outdoors and the cabinet interior. The controller has an angulated bracket mounted within the vending machine cabinet. A collar assembly secured on the bracket top above a hose feed-through orifice has a terminator, a bushing, and a cooperating yoke that are coaxially secured. The terminator anchors the hose end and is seated within the yoke. A rigid lug projects radially from the yoke. A rigid restrictor surmounts the collar assembly and limits rotation by contact with the lug.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to vending machines that operate through external product applicator hoses. More particularly, the present invention relates to so-called coin-operated vending machines of the type commonly employed at self-service car washes that vend selected products to customer vehicles through elongated hoses. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Self service, coin-operated car washes customarily include numerous service bays that customers enter to spray-wash their vehicles. Elongated hoses or “wands” terminating in various applicator heads or spray nozzles typically direct a power stream of fluid towards the vehicle being serviced. (The term “coin-operated” refers to self service vending machines that accept coins, credit cards, currency, tokens, or combinations thereof.) As the self-service car wash industry has evolved, products or services other than washing or waxing have become available, and consumer-demand for ancillary car-wash products continues to grow. Thus, modern car washes offer numerous options for detailing cars. As part of a thorough cleaning, the vehicle carpet should be vacuumed. Some vacuum cleaning systems include optional carpet cleaners or spot removers that are applied prior to vacuuming to dislodge stubborn stains. Shampoo applicators are quite common. Spray-applied fragrances are also popular, and various coin-operated, fragrance dispensing machines exist for treating vehicle interiors. Thus most modern car wash installations include one or more coin-operated vacuuming machines, carpet cleaning machines, fragrance applicators and the like. While typical spray-wash and spray-wax services are offered within one of numerous service bays provided by the installation, vending machines for ancillary car wash products are usually mounted outdoors on a special, illuminated service island, proximate a convenient parking space for the customer. 
   Elongated, reinforced applicator hoses are common in the car wash industry. As mentioned, hand-held spray wands or gun-applicators are typically used in the washing bays. Elongated applicator hoses leading to suitable hand-held suction heads are used by vacuuming machines. Fragrance dispensers typically employ elongated tubular applicator hoses as well. Because vending machines are often subject to theft and vandalism, applicator hoses must be rugged and durable. Typical reinforced hoses include a rugged, metallic tubular core surrounded by an outer, impact resistant plastic cover. Washing hoses are designed for high pressure, high volume use. With vacuuming machines, internal conduits running through the applicator hose interconnect the suction head with the power vacuum motors disposed within the machine cabinet. Spot remover pumps route fluid through separate conduits protected within the applicator hose. Fragrance machines may route one or more low-diameter fragrance lines interiorly through the reinforced applicator hose along with separate electrical control lines running to applicator control switches. 
   For example, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,713 issued Jul. 9, 1985 discloses a coin-operated, cabinet-mounted fragrance dispenser for spraying desired fragrances interiorly of vehicles proximate a car wash. An elongated, reinforced applicator hose houses other smaller diameter conduits that route fragrance solutions. 
   My prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,438 entitled “Full Service Car Wash Fragrance Dispensing Machine” discloses a vending machine using a hand-operated applicator gun interconnected with an elongated applicator hose. The machine outputs a dose of fragrance mist during each application. The elongated hose interconnecting the applicator gun and the vending machine coaxially surrounds separate conductive tubes that individually transmit air and fragrance concentrates to an atomizer manifold disposed within the applicator gun. 
   My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,166 entitled “Carpet Cleaning Machine With Foaming Control Block With Heater And Brush” discloses a coin operated carpet and upholstery vending machine that vigorously cleans automotive interiors. An elongated hose extending from the unit enclosure terminates in hand-held brush which outputs foam. In use the hand-held is forcibly rubbed against the carpet during cleaning. 
   Finally, my prior design patent, U.S. Pat. No. 381,477, discloses a vacuum cleaner that offers both fragrances and shampoo. Again, an elongated applicator hose is included 
   In almost all cases the “business end” of the applicator hose includes a suitable, hand-held tool. With sprayers, this may be an ergonomically designed gun that is easy to hold and manipulate. With simpler spray designs, a mere wand is employed. With the carpet cleaning machine mentioned above, a manually operated, foaming carpet brush is employed. In any case, as the user of the applicator tool moves it about during normal use, the applicator hose will inevitably be twisted a predetermined amount. In other words, user wrist and arm movements will tend to twist the applicator tool, and such twisting movements are mechanically transmitted directly to the applicator hose. Since modern vandal-resistant, applicator hoses are extremely rugged and durable, the twisting moments applied at their terminal end will be transmitted to the opposite end that is routed into the vending machine. It is imperative that the vending machine connection be secure; the connection must resist axial and torsional forces. Since numerous wires and conduits or smaller hoses may be routed through the applicator hose, and since they are interconnected interiorly of the vending machine to critical parts, they must not be rotated too much. 
   Thus, the hose connection point must limit axial and torsional stress. However, if torsional deflections are prevented completely by an overly rigid connection, movements of the applicator tool at the opposite hose end will be resisted. Where hose rotation is not allowed, the remote applicator tools will be difficult to maneuver. Resistive forces from the cabinet-hose junction that are transmitted back to the hand tool will interfere with customer freedom of movement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The hose controller system described herein enables the dispenser hose on typical coin-operated vending machines to twist slightly. In other words, slight torsional deflections of the vending hose are permitted with the mounting arrangement I have perfected. When customers manipulate an applicator appliance at the hose output end, which occurs, for example, when cleaning an automotive carpet with a foaming brush, or when a wand or applicator gun is twisted or turned, torsional hose motion is mechanically transmitted back to the vending machine. Although the hose must be axially secured, slight torsional rotations are possible with my arrangement, so ease of use is maximized. In other words, the hose will not resist slight rotational moments, and customer discomfort is avoided, because the applicator tool will offer less resistance. Consequently, ease of use is maintained. 
   A typical vending machine with the system has a rigid, upright, cabinet standing upon an elevated, outdoor pedestal or service island. Various types of products known to the art are vended through an elongated, steel-braided hose, that is quite stiff. The hose terminates remotely in an applicator tool, such as a spray head, a wand, an applicator gun or the like. The opposite end of the hose terminates at my new controller, which admits the hose into the cabinet so that conduits within the hose can be connected to various parts, such as blowers, vacuum motors, pumps, fragrance valves, fluid reservoirs, electrical terminals and the like. The controller forms a bridge for the hose between the outdoors and the cabinet interior. 
   The controller is preferably mounted within the cabinet interior of the vending machine proximate a hose entry orifice. A rigid shroud mounted outside the cabinet provides a covering shield. An angulated mounting bracket secures a rotatable collar assembly beneath a rigid restrictor plate. The collar assembly restrains axial hose movement, but permits rotation. 
   The collar assembly is secured on the bracket top above a hose feed-through orifice. The collar assembly comprises a terminator, a bushing, and a cooperating yoke that are coaxially secured together. The terminator preferably comprises a hex nut whose threaded interior receives and anchors the hose end. One or more of the peripheral terminator facets are tapped for suitable retainer screws that are tightened in assembly to secure the hose. The terminator penetrates the bushing and is seated within an orifice in the yoke. A rigid lug projects outwardly from the yoke periphery. A rigid restrictor that surmounts the collar assembly and limits rotation by interacting with the lug. Downwardly projecting restrictor sides include spaced apart notches. Collar assembly rotation is limited when the yoke lug rotates into the restrictor notches and physically abuts the restrictor sides. 
   Thus, a basic object of the invention is to provide a reliable applicator hose mounting system for vending machines, that both axially and rotationally limits hose motion. 
   More specifically, it is an object to safely and dependably mount a vending machine hose in such a manner that it may be twisted slightly by customers, without destroying or severing the wires, conduits, or other filamentary elements passing through it. 
   Another object is to provide a feed-through system that safely and non-destructively mounts a vending machine applicator hose. 
   A related object is to provide an improved vending machine characterized by a secure applicator hose mounting system of the character described. 
   It is also an object to provide a hose mounting system for vending machines that can be used for a variety of automotive car-wash products, including spray wash, wax applicators, vacuum, fragrances, cleaning solutions, spot cleaners, and the like. 
   Another basic object is to provide a vending machine hose arrangement that twists a predetermined amount without breakage or unnecessary wear. 
   Another object is to provide a vending machine hose system that is reinforced and durable. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, left isometric view of a vending machine equipped with my new hose controller; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, right side isometric view of the vending machine of 
       FIG. 1 , with parts omitted for clarity; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partially-exploded, fragmentary isometric view of the hose controller; 
       FIG. 4  is a further enlarged, fragmentary left isometric view of the hose controller; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary right isometric view of the hose controller; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged isometric view of the rotatable controller collar; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the rotatable controller collar; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the collar rotated 180 degrees from the position illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; and, 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric assembly view of the hose controller. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With initial reference directed to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the appended drawings, a vending machine generally designated by the reference numeral  10  includes a hose controller  12 . It will be appreciated that vending machine  10  may include a variety of different internal parts, shelves, dispenser arrangements, coin-acceptors, dollar-bill acceptors or other typical accessories and features that are known to those skilled in the vending arts. Importantly, vending machine  10  is designed to vend fluids, such as fragrance, vacuum, etc. via an elongated, flexible, hose  14  that externally extends from the vending machine and terminates in a suitable applicator tool  15 . An example of a car-wash vending machine applicator tool for dispensing fragrances is provided by my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,713. My prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,438 discloses a typical hand-operated fragrance applicator gun interconnected with a vending machine by an elongated applicator hose such as hose  14 . My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,166 shows an applicator tool comprising a foaming brush connected to the external hose which is rubbed against the carpet during cleaning. The foregoing patents are hereby incorporated by reference for purposes of disclosure. 
   Vending machine  10  comprises a rigid, upright, cabinet  11  preferably made of stainless steel. Cabinet is normally disposed upon a suitable supporting surface  19  ( FIG. 1 ), preferably provided by an elevated, outdoor pedestal or mounting island of conventional design. Plumbing and electrical connections necessary for vending machines of this genre will be available proximate the mounting island, and often they are wired through the island into the interior volume  16  of the vending machine, as recognized by those skilled in the art. Cabinet  11  may be sized and shaped as desired. The illustrated cabinet  11  comprises a separate, frontal section shaped generally like a parallelepiped that has sides  17 . In the illustrated design, there is a cylindrical rear cabinet section  13  that is optional. Alternatively, cabinet  11  may be in the form of a parallelepiped. A large, generally rectangular front door  18  is mounted to the front section and can be opened to expose cabinet interior  16 . When door  18  is closed, the cabinet interior  16  will be sealed and protected from the outside environment. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, a variety of conventional vending machine equipment and components (i.e., such as power supplies, vacuum motors, filters, pumps, timers, circuit boards, fuses, wiring etc.) will be protectively housed within interior volume  16 . Various quantities of products to be vended, such as liquid fragrance concentrate, will be stored within interior volume  16  as well. 
   The structure of the door  18  and the cabinet  11  are not vital to an understanding of the invention, and it will be appreciated that numerous cabinet arrangements are possible. However, the invention is employed in conjunction with vending machine designs that deliver product via an external hose  14  that intercommunicates with a cabinet interior  16 . The reinforced, steel-braided hose  14  is flexible to a certain extent, but it is rigid enough such that mechanical motions imparted to the applicator tool  15  will be transmitted back to the cabinet. If the hose  14  is rigidly terminated at the cabinet so it cannot rotate, it will make it harder to use the tool  15 , and customers are inconvenienced. Controller  12  facilitates limited hose rotation so limited wrist actions of customers on the applicator tool  15  are allowed, and the applicator tool  15  is easier to use. 
   With additional reference now directed to  FIGS. 3-9 , hose  14  is elongated and hollow. Hose controller  12  securely mechanically mounts hose  14  to the cabinet, and forms a juncture or bridge for the hose between the cabinet interior and the exterior. Preferably, controller  12  is mounted within cabinet interior  16  on a side  17  adjacent a hose entry orifice  21  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 3  shows the controller  12  as it appears looking through orifice  21 . Normally a rigid shroud  22  ( FIG. 3 ), which is mounted externally on the cabinet side  17 , protectively covers the controller and the end of the hose  14 . Preferably the hose  14  approaches the controller  12  at an angle, and is mechanically secured thereto. Controller  12  has parts to be described hereinafter that securely grasp the hose  14  and mechanically terminate it. Various smaller diameter conduits  25 - 27  run through hose  14 . These conduits comprise a variety of hoses, lines, and electrical wires that run from various parts inside the cabinet interior  16  to the remote applicator tool  15 . In the case of a fragrance machine, there will be at least two electrical control wires and at least one fragrance line. Vacuuming machines may route vacuum through hose  14 , along with ancillary wiring. Cleaning solutions, spot remover, and other needed fluids may be routed through hose  14  as needed depending upon the vending machine design. Inside cabinet  11  the various conduits  25 - 27  will be connected to various constituent parts. It will be apparent that if hose  14  were allowed to twist uncontrollably, these critical conduits  25 - 27  could be severely damaged. 
   With primarily reference now directed to  FIGS. 5-9 , controller  12  comprises a rigid, preferably stainless steel mounting bracket  28  that mounts a collar assembly  30  beneath a restrictor  32 . The collar assembly  30  receives the end of hose  14  and restrains axial movements, while allowing limited hose rotation. The limits of possible torsional hose displacements or rotation are established by the design of restrictor  32 . 
   The rigid, angulated bracket  28  is mounted within cabinet interior  16  adjacent entry orifice  21  (i.e.,  FIG. 5 ). A generally rectangular bracket top  34  angularly deflects away from the larger, main body portion  36 . A pair of integral, spaced apart feet  38 ,  39  that are integral with top  34  and body portion  36  are angled to flushly mount against the interior of cabinet side  17 . Preferably the bracket is secured to the cabinet by welding the feet  38 ,  39 . A hose feed-through orifice  40  is defined in bracket top  34 . 
   The collar assembly  30  is rotatably secured atop bracket top  34 , being centered above a hose feed-through orifice  40 . The collar assembly comprises a terminator  42 , a bushing  43 , and a yoke  44  that are coaxially welded together. Terminator  42  preferably comprises a hex nut having a threaded interior  46  and a plurality of peripheral facets  48 . During assembly, the end of hose  14  is forcibly inserted within the terminator interior  46  and twisted until it fits properly. Some of the terminator facets  48  ( FIG. 9 ) include threaded holes  49  for receiving retainer screws  50  that are tightened against the hose  14  to restrain it. In assembly, hex terminator  42  is seated within a hex orifice  51  ( FIG. 9 ) in yoke  44 , passing through a similar hex orifice  52  in bushing  43 . The collar assembly can rotate relative to bracket  28 , but rotation is limited by a lug  53  projecting from yoke  44  that mechanically contacts restrictor  32  to limit rotation. 
   Restrictor  32  covers and centers the collar assembly  30  atop mounting bracket  28 . The square restrictor top  56  is integral with a pair of spaced apart, downwardly depending sides  57 ,  58  that are spot welded to bracket top  34 . As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , restrictor side  57  has a notch  60 . A similar notch  62  ( FIG. 7 ) is defined in opposite restrictor wall  58 . The collar assembly  30  is generally coaxial with respect to the circular orifice  59  defined in restrictor top  56 . Terminator  42  projects upwardly through restrictor orifice  59 . Bushing  43  contacts the underside of restrictor top  56 . 
   As noted, the collar assembly  30  axially restrains and terminates hose  14 , but limited collar rotation is enabled by the design. The hose enters the assembly at an angle approximating the angle of the bracket main body portion relative to the side of the cabinet. As the collar assembly rotates, lug  53  on yoke  44  rotates as well, describing a semi-circular arc beneath restrictor  32 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the collar assembly is maximally deflected counter clockwise (i.e., as viewed looking down on the restrictor  32 ), and in this position the lug  53  enters notch  60  and collides with the restrictor wall  57 . Viewing  FIG. 8 , it is apparent that lug  53  radially moves into notch  60  and eventually collides with the inner notch end  63 . During clockwise motion lug  53  misses outer notch end  64 , because end  64  is further away from the center of rotation. Clockwise rotation is possible until lug  53  enters notch  62  in wall  58  ( FIG. 7 ) where it eventually collides with the inner notch end  65 . Thus collisions between the collar assembly lug  53  on yoke  44  and the notched walls of the restrictor limit rotation. Hose  14 , which is axially captivated by the collar assembly terminator  42 , is thus allowed to rotate between limits established by the restrictor notches  60 ,  62 . The limits of rotation are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. 
   It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
   As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.