Improvements in Coinfreed Vending Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coinfreed Vending Machines.
1, CRISDOF FREDERICK NEUBERT, 3601 South Halsted Street, Chicago, in the
County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Pharmacist do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention consists of a slot machine for the automatic vending of medicinal
merchandise, in which horizontal sliding merchandise-tube holders operate in
conjunction with a stationary steel plate; and the objects of my invention are, first,
to provide rapid refilling facility by means of removable merchandise-tubes; second,
to afford means for the proper carrying of the said merchandise-tubes, and, third, the
provision of a channel for directing and supporting the coin, as required, for the
purpose hereinafter described. 1 attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire machine as it appears after the removal
of the machine-case;
Fig. 2, a detailed view in perspective of the machine-case;
Fig. 3, a perspective view of the merchandise-tube holders with coin guides or
channels and the strips for the purpose of connecting the merchandise-tube holders
together;
Fig. 4, a perspective view of the framework with its coin-reservoirs ;
Fig. 5, a detail view of the lower end of a merchandise-tube holder with a
merchandise-tube in it, showing the position when the operating handle is fully
drawn out;
Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of Fig. 5, showing the position of same when
partially drawn, with coin detaining the parcel of merchandise;
Fig. 7 is a front view of Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, of one of the merchandise tube
holders and the coin guard.
In Fig. 2 the body A, the hinges B B, and the cover constitute the machine-case.
DDD are the slots for inserting the coin. The slot E serves two purposes: first, to
admit the operating-handle J, Fig. 1, and, second, it allows the machine-case, when in
position over the machine, to be slid upwardly, so that the cover C may be opened.
FFF are the openings through which the merchandise is extracted.
The framework of the machine, previously referred to in Fig. 4, also shown in
Fig. 1, is preferably made of one piece of metal, and shaped so as to have two
sides G G, a back H, and a bottoni Q. The front is entirely open. At the center of
the right side G is a circular opening J', through which the operating-handle J,
Fig. 1, passes. Secured to the inside of the same side are two clamps K K, by means
of which the spring Y is attached, the latter serving to keep the merchandise-tube
holders in proper position for continuous operation, as more fully explained
hereinafter.
Fastened to the bottom Q and extending upwardly, are five partitions L LLLL
forming the sides of the coin-reservoirs M M, and at the same time the intermediate
spaces N N N, which are the merchandise drops. Covering the said spaces is a steel
plate O, having openings N' and slots P, the openings N¹ being for the passage of the
merchandise to the spaces N NN, to be finally extracted at opening F, Fig. 2. The
slots P allow the coins to drop into the reservoirs M M below,

page_text: ·
The merchandise-tube holders R' R2 R³ are long narrow tubes of a suitable sectional
shape to conform with the merchandise to be sold. Each merchandise-tube holder is
provided with an opening X across the center of the bottom U. Said opening is less
in width than the diameter of the coin to be used, and extends with an arch up one
side of the merchandise-tube holder. By this arrangement the merchandise-tube
holder can slide past the coin, while the latter is supported at the same time by the
bottom U, as more fully explained hereinafter.
Each merchandise-tube holder is also provided with a coin guide or channel W,
which leads the coin from slot D, Fig. 2, to the arched opening X, and at the same
time to slot, P, in plate O. This said channel is not of the same width throughout its
entire length, but its lower portion is made so as to taper toward its lower opening, by
which means the said lower opening made so short that the coin is prevented from
falling through it into slot P, but is only allowed to come through far enough so that
its lower edge enters slot P. By this latter arrangement the coin is held in a vertical
stationary position, for the purpose hereinafter described.
is
At the opposite side of each merchandise-tube holder next to the bottom U is also
an opening by means of which the bottom U can slide away from under that parcel of
merchandise, resting at the time being upon the said bottom U. Fastened directly
above the said opening, and extending a little below the upper edge of the same,
the spring V. Thus arranged, the said spring prevents the bottom U from sliding
away from under the said parcel of merchandise until the proper time has arrived.
The merchandise-tube holders R R R³ are connected to each other by means of
two upper strips S S and two lower strips T T, the latter protruding a trifle below the
bottom of the tube-holders, so as to give clearance between the said bottom U and
the plate O, thereby preventing unnecessary friction. The four strips SS and TT
also protrude sidewise to limit the return stroke of the merchandise-tube holder.
The merchandise-tube R is similar to but smaller than the merchandise-tube-
holders R' R² R³.
The merchandise-tube and tube-holders are similarly formed at their lower, end, as
shown enlarged in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. The opening (more plainly shown in Fig. 5)
at the lower end, on the one side, is for the purposo of allowing the bottom U to
slide away from under the parcel of merchandise resting at the time upon the same,
which is accomplished in the following manner: -
A coin is dropped into slot D, Fig. 2, whence it rolls down channel W, and,
dropping partly through the lower opening of the latter, it plunges, with its lower
edge, into slot P, which keeps it standing in a vertical stationary position, being at
the same time held suspended by the tapering walls of the channel. In this position
the coin is directly in front of the arched opening. Next, on pulling the handle J, the
merchandise-tube holders are slid sidewise. The channel W first leaves the coin. The
arch next passes by it, after which the coin is supported by the edges of the bottom U,
as shown in Fig. 6, the said edges being marked X1 and X².
During this operation the bottom parcel of merchandise is prevented from sliding
along with the merchandise-tube holder, being detained by the stationary coin, while
the bottom U slides away from under the said parcel of merchandise. Gradually, as
the merchandise-tube holder slides away from the said parcel of merchandise, the
spring V is pressed outward and upward by the latter, and is still resting lightly
upon the same when the handle J is fully drawn out. After the merchandise-tube
bolder has entirely slid away from the said parcel of merchandise and coin Z, the
latter, having lost its support, will fall through the then fully-exposed slot P into its
reservoir M below, while the former is resting upon the plate O, as shown by the
dotted lines marked Z in Fig. 5. Next, upon the release of the handle J, the
spring Y returns the tube and tube-holders to their normal position, pushing before
them the parcel of merchandise into the opening N', through which it drops into the
space N below, and is ready to be extracted at the opening F.
From the above it will be seen that the combined merchandise-tube holders are
slid sidewise by means of one pull at the handle J ; further, that the coin does not
move during the entire operation, and therefore does not push the parcel of

page_text: merchandise, but stands stationary at the side of the latter, thus simply detaining it,
while the merchandise-tube with holder, slides away from under the same.
In the drawings I show three merchandise-tube holders; but the number of
merchandise-tube holders may be increased or decreased, as desired, and the spring Y
may be arranged so that the handle J may be either pushed or pulled in sliding the
said merchandise-tube holders.
The different parts of the machine can be almost instantly adjusted. The
merchandise-tube holders, with connections Fig. 3, are placed upon the plate O in the
framework Fig. 4. The merchandise-tubes R are slid down into the merchandise-tube
holders R1, R2, and R³. The machine-case Fig. 2 covers the entire machine and is
preferably slid over it. The handle J is passed through the opening E of the
machine-case, and also through the opening J in the side G. The end of the handle,
being threaded, is then screwed into nut J2 upon the side of the merchandise-tube
holder R³. The strain caused by the nut J2 is distributed by brace-plate St.
In Fig. 8 I have shown automatic mechanism for preventing the passing of a
coin through the slots D unless there is one or more packages of merchandise in tho
machine. This mechanism consists of a swinging plate 1 having at its upper end
laterally projecting arms 2 which embrace the sides of the merchandise tube holders,
and are pivoted to a cross bar 3 secured to the front thereof. One of the sides of
the plate is provided with a flange 4 which is adapted to move across the upper or
entrance end of the coin channel and open and close the same. The lower end of
the plate is provided with two inclined inwardly-projecting arms 5, which project
through slots G in the merchandise tube and tube holder.
As shown in Fig. 8, when a package rests on the bottom U, the plate is inclined to
one side to expose the upper open end of the coin channel, but just as soon as the
last package of merchandise has been withdrawn from its tube, the arms 5 having no
obstruction, will swing inwardly, and the flange 4 will cover the upper or entrance
end of the coin channel so that it will be impossible to pass a coin into the same
through the openings D D D.
When the tube is filled with merchandise and placed in the tube holder, the arm³ 5
will be forced outwardly by the entering tube, and will cause the flange 4 to uncover
and expose the entrance end of the coin channel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of a slot machine having a vertical sliding machine-case A
with a swinging cover C, also a framework baving a plate O, containing openings N'
and P communicating with spaces N and reservoirs M, a coin channel, and an
automatic guard therefor, all substantially as set forth.
2. In a slot machine, the combination of a merchandise-tube holder R' having a
bottom U, with an opening X across its center, said opening terminating with an
arch up one side of the said merchandise-tube holder, also a channel W communicating
with said opening X, and also at the same time partially with- an opening P, in
plate O, and an automatic guard for said channel, all substantially as described.
3. The combination in a slot machine with partitions I, forming coin-reservoirs M,
and spaces, merchandise-drops N, with a plate O, secured to the said partitions, and
also to the sides G, and back H, of the framework of the machine, the said plato
affording support and also sliding surface for the merchandise-tube holders R', with
coin-guides W, corresponding with an opening X, on one side and bottom U, also a
spring V, with an opening on the opposite side of the said merchandise-tube holder,
being also connected to each other by means of four strips S S and T, the latter two
protruding a trifle below the bottom U, thus preventing the said bottom U from
sliding upon the plate O, by this arrangement the strips T T only slide upon the said
plate O, the width of the opening P being less than that of the opening in the bottom
of the merchandise-tube holder R' and the channel W whereby the friction upon the

page_text: said plate is reduced, and an automatic guard for said channel W, all substantially
as set forth.
4. In a slot machine, the combination with a casing and a merchandise-tube, of a
coin channel and means adapted to automatically close the coin channel by the
removal of the last package of merchandise, substantially as set forth.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.