Abstract:
A mounting apparatus is used to secure a screen to a vending machine. The mounting apparatus includes a front plate defining an opening. The front plate includes a support piece protruding from an edge of the opening. A number of connecting members is mounted on the front plate. The support piece supports the screen thereon. The connecting members retain the screen on the front plate and align the screen with the opening.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter herein generally relates to a mounting apparatus for securing a screen on a vending machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A screen may be mounted on a vending machine. A mounting apparatus is used to secure the screen to the vending machine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an embodiment of a mounting apparatus for securing a screen on a vending machine. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a support piece of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a partially assembled isometric view of the mounting apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an assembled isometric view of the mounting apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
         [0009]    Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
         [0010]    The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure is described in relation to a mounting apparatus for securing a screen on a vending machine. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a mounting apparatus in a vending machine is configured to secure a screen  30  to the vending machine and comprises a front plate  10  and a cover  20 . 
         [0013]    The front plate  10  comprises a plurality of posts  11 . The posts  11  are substantially parallel to each other. An opening  12  is defined in the front plate  10  between the couple of the posts  11 . A length of the screen  30  is greater than a length of the opening  12 . A width of the screen  30  is greater than a width of the opening  12 . Each post  11  defines a plurality of first securing holes  111 . A support piece  13  protrudes from an edge of the opening  12  of the front plate  10 . The support piece  13  can be formed by stamping. 
         [0014]    An extending piece  21  protrudes from each of four corner portions of the cover  20 . Each extending piece  21  defines a plurality of first locking holes  211 . 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate a plurality of connecting members  50  is secured to the posts  11 . Each connecting member  50  comprises a first securing piece  51  and a second securing piece  53  substantially parallel to the first securing piece  51 . Each first securing piece  51  and each second securing piece  53  are substantially parallel to the screen  30 . Each first securing piece  51  defines a plurality of second securing holes  511  corresponding to the first securing holes  111  of a corresponding post  11 . Each second securing piece  53  defines a second locking hole  531  corresponding to a corresponding first locking hole  211  of the cover  20 . The mounting apparatus further includes a plurality of buffer members  60 . Each buffer member  60  is made of a resiliently deformable and flexible material, such as sponge. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate that in assembly, the screen  30  is aligned with the opening  12  of the front plate  10 . A bottom edge of the screen  30  is placed on the support piece  13  of the front plate  10 . 
         [0017]    The second securing holes  511  of each connecting member  50  are aligned with the first securing holes  111  of the corresponding first post  11 . A buffer member  60  is compressed between the second securing piece  53  of the corresponding connecting member  50  and the screen  30 . A plurality of screws  90  extends through the corresponding first securing holes  111  and the corresponding second securing holes  511 , thus fixing the connecting members  50  to the first posts  11 . The second securing pieces  53  of the connecting members  50  press the screen  30  against the front plate  10  through the buffer member  60 . The buffer members  60  buffer the screen  30  from external impact. 
         [0018]    A back side of the screen  30  is covered by the cover  20 . The first locking holes  211  of the cover  20  are aligned with the corresponding second locking holes  531  of the connecting member  50 . A plurality of fasteners  61  extends through the first locking holes  211  and the second locking holes  531 , so that the cover  20  is secured to the front plate  10 . The cover  20  protects the screen  30 . 
         [0019]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.