Improvements in." Delivering Machines" for Selling Cigarettes and other Articles of Merchandise.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 31st Aug., 1888
Improvements in." Delivering Machines" for Selling Cigarettes
and other Articles of Merchandise.
We, THOMAS BURNS, and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading in copartnership as
Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix lock and metal works, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers and metal workers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main object of this invention is the construction and employment of a
delivering machine" for selling cigarettes and other articles of merchandise which
shall be very simple and certain in its action and occupy but a small space from front
to back so that it may be conveniently applied to cabs and other public vehicles, and
placed in other confined spaces as in passages and such like; and special features of
the invention are (1) a direct connection between a vertical knob, by the downward
pressure upon which the barrel is operated which carries round a cigarette or other
article from the store compartment to the delivery opening, and such barrel, (2) the
arrangement of the store compartment at the front of the machine in combination
with means of opening and closing the same, and also means by which the same s
fastened and unfastened, (3) the means by which the main or operative part of the
machine is securely connected with a part fixed permanently in position so as to be
readily removable therefrom on unlocking a lock which is fixed to such movable part,
and so as when locked to such fixed part to securely prevent, without further locking,
access to the store compartment, money box, or mechanism, and (4) the mechanism
which operates in combination with the weight of the coin of proper denomination
which is placed into the machine by a purchaser and with the push apparatus by
which the barrel operated.
A machine constructed according to this invention is provided immediately at the
front or face with a store compartment for the cigarettes or other articles to be sold,
and the front of such compartment is formed either of glass, or a strip of glass is le

page_text: in down the centre, in order that it can be readily ascertained what number of
cigarettes or other articles are at any time within the compartment. The front of the
compartment is hinged preferably along its lower edge, and when closed in is held by
a self-acting spring catch which can be released only from the back of the case; the
spring catch is formed as a lever passing from front to back of the case and formed
of a bevelled catch head at the front which is engaged by means of a bevelled link or
staple on the hinged front of the store compartment as the same is closed in. The
catch is pressed up by means of its spring which together with the bevelled catch head
and link constitutes the catch automatic or self-latching. The catch is released, so
that the door may be opened, by slightly raising the back end of the lever. The door
is pressed to, in latching, against the pressure of a spring, by which it is thrown
partially open immediately the catch is released so that it can readily be opened wide
by hand. The mechanism which is operated by the weight of the coin inserted through
a slit in the apparatus by the purchaser, and which operates also in conjunction with
the push mechanism for actuating the barrel, is contained in a compartment, herein-
after termed the "action compartment," immediately at the back and extending also
over the top of the store compartment, and a barrel of the ordinary type employed
with this class of machine is carried in a suitable part of the case immediately below
the store compartment and extending partially also within the money box or compart
ment for receiving the coin, which latter is in position below the action compartment.
The action compartment extends the whole width of the apparatus, but the store
compartment does not extend to quite such width but only so far as will allow of a
narrow vertical compartment to receive a vertical rod or bolt terminating at its upper
end in a knob and mechanism by which such bolt is caused to operate the barrel,
aforesaid, on being forced down by the knob. This vertical compartment is open at
its back to the action compartment. A curved ledge, of the ordinary character in
such machines, is formed out below the barrel to receive the cigarettes or other articles
as they pass out through a slot in the barrel case. The money compartment is closed
in by means of a door at the back which is preferably hinged along its lower edge,
and the lower part of the case, forming the lower side of the money box and the lower
side of the ledge, is preferably formed to a rounded shape. The action compartment
is closed by a hinged door. This door, being required to be opened only for the
purpose of inspecting, repairing or oiling the mechanism, may be screwed to the
case.
For the purpose of receiving and retaining the apparatus above-described in any
position in which it may be desired to fix it, a plate is fixed against the inside of a
cab or other public vehicle, or in other position as desired, by means of screws, and
such plate is formed with forwardly projecting sides extending from the bottom for
some distance up and with a part curved out at the bottom to the same radius of curve
as the bottom of the case, and such part extends the width of the bottom of the plate
and joins together the two projecting sides. A pair of studs project downwards from
the bottom of the case, and corresponding holes are formed in the bottom curved
projecting part of the plate, and a stud, formed as a catch, projects from the face of
the plate near to the top, and a latch is carried in the top of the case and an opening
is formed through the back of the case for the entrance of the stud thereinto in order
to engage with the latch. The case is fixed to the plate by first guiding the lower part
thereof down between the sides of the plate until the studs enter within the holes
therein and then pushing back the case against the plate until the forwardly projecting
stud on the plate has entered the hole therefor in the back of the case and becomes
engaged with the latch in the case. The case is thus securely fixed in place, and none
of the doors can be tampered with, as the catch which holds the door of the store
compartment can only be released from the back of the case which is now against the
plate, and the doors of the money box, and of the action compartment, can be opened
only from the back of the case. Moreover the screws by which the plate has been
fixed in place are covered by the case. The case can, however, be readily removed by
unlatching it from the stud by means of a suitable key, after which the various doors
can be readily opened.

page_text: The guide frame through which the money passes down to the money box
communicates at its top with a slit through the face of the case immediately above th
store compartment. The door of the store compartment is preferably carried up to
the top of the case and has a slit formed therethrough for the passage of the coin,
and the latch mechanism for the door is arranged within the upper part of the action
compartment, that is above the top of the guide frame. A vertical rod is carried in
suitable guides down the narrow vertical compartment before-described, and passing
out through the top of such compartment terminates as a button. The lower end of
this rod is connected direct, by means of a link, with a lever on the spindle of the
barrel so that as the rod is pressed down, by the pressure of the finger on the button
on its top, the barrel is moved round and carries a cigarette or other article and
delivers the same through the slot at the bottom of the barrel case on to the ledge
aforesaid. In the normal position of the parts, however, an obstruction is placed in
the way of such action, and an arrangement for this purpose consists in extending the
lever on the barrel spindle upwards beyond the point to which the link aforesaid is
pivotted thereto and pivotting within the action compartment an arm (hereinafter
termed the stop arm) the lower end of which is immediately in front of such lever so
that it cannot be moved to turn the barrel. Formed or connected with the stop arm
is a secondary arm passing in a sideway direction into the guide frame, and as a coin
passes down the frame it carries down the end of the secondary arm and moves the
stop arm clear of the lever aforesaid, and brings a supplementary stop, formed with
the stop arm, against the side of the lever and thus prevents the secondary arm from
being further depressed, and the coin consequently retained by the secondary arm
within the guide frame. The vertical rod can now be depressed and the lever conse-
quently moved forward to turn the barrel and deliver a cigarette or other article on
to the ledge, and as the lever is moved forwards it passes clear of the supplementary
stop and allows the coin to further depress the secondary arm sufficiently for the coin
to fall clear into the money box, immediately upon which the weight of the stop arm
causes it to fall into its original position and to raise the secondary arm into its former
position again and against a suitable stop. A spiral spring is carried around the
vertical rod, and immediately the pressure is withdrawn from the button the arm is
forced up again by the spring and brings the lever and barrel into their normal position
again. The stop-arm is suitably bevelled on its inner face and the lever on its outer
face so that as the lever returns to its normal position it moves the stop arm
sufficiently to allow of its passing by it after which the stop arm falls back to its
normal position and the action is again locked until a fresh coin is inserted.
Another arrangement for locking and unlocking the vertical rod may consist (1) of
a vertical disc, pivotted within the action frame, upon a shoulder formed in the edge
of which a stud upon the vertical bolt engages so as to turn the disc as the bolt is
depressed, (2) of an arm, pivotted to turn in a horizontal direction, having one end
engaging with a hole in the face of the disc and thus locking it, such arm being
normally maintained in such engagement by means of a light spring pressing sideways
against the arm, and the other end of the arm passing into the guide frame so that as
a coin passes down the frame it moves the end of the arm out of the hole in the disc,
and (3) of a horizontal rod engaging at one end with a shoulder formed in the edge
of the disc and having a spiral spring therearound tending to press such rod against
the shoulder in a direction to turn the disc in the opposite way to which it is turned
by the downward pressure of the vertical rod, the horizontal rod entering at its other
end within the guide frame and having a part projecting sideways upon which the
coin rests when it first falls within the guide frame so as to maintain it in position
holding the arm out of gear with the disc. When the coin has been
placed in the guide frame, and has moved the arın out of gear with
the disc, the disc can be turned, by the downward
of the
vertical rod, so as to allow of the operation of the barrel, and as this is being
effected the horizontal rod is moved endways by its corresponding shoulder on
the disc and the coin falls into the money box and allows the inner end of the arm
to be moved back, by means of its spring, so as to bear against the face of the disc.
pressure

page_text: As the pressure is removed from the vertical rod, and it is consequently raised by its
spring, the spring around the horizontal rod draws such rod back to its normal position
and also turns back the disc into its normal position, upon which the inner end of the
horizontal arm engages again with the hole in the disc, and the parts are locked as before
until a fresh coin is passed through the slit in the face of the case. In lieu of operating
the barrel by means of a lever on the spindle thereof connected by a link with the
vertical rod, aforesaid, a toothed segment may be fixed on such spindle and be
operated by a rack formed with or fixed to the vertical rod.
Dated this 21st day of September 1887.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Delivering Machines" for Selling Cigarettes and
other Articles of Merchandise.
We, THOMAS BURNS, and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading in copartnership as
Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix lock and metal works, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers and metal workers, do hereby
the same is to be
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of
reference marked thereon (that is to say):-
The main object of this invention is the construction and employment of a "delivering
machine for selling cigarettes, cigars, or other articles of merchandise, which shall
be very simple and certain in its action and occupy but a small space from front to
back so that it may be conveniently applied to cabs and other public vehicles, and
placed in other confined spaces as in passages and such like; and special features of
this invention are (1) a direct connection between a vertical knob, by the downward
pressure upon which the barrel is operated which carries round a cigarette, cigar, or
other article from the store compartment to the delivery opening, and such barrel,
(2) the arrangement of the store compartment at the front of the machine in combina-
tion with means of opening and closing the same, and also means by which the same
is fastened and unfastened, (3) means by which the main or operative part of the
machine is securely connected with a part fixed permanently in position so as to be
readily removable therefrom on unlocking a lock which is fixed to such movable part,
and by which when such operative part is locked to such fixed part access is securely
prevented to the store compartment, money compartment, or mechanism, and (4) the
imechanism which operates in combination with the weight of the coin of proper
denomination, which is placed into the machine by a purchaser, and with the push
apparatus by which the barrel is operated.
In order that the invention may be readily understood we will at once proceed to
describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which figure 1 is a front.
elevation of the fixed part to which the main or operative part of the machine is
connected when in use; figure 2 is a plan of figure 1; figure 3 is a front elevation of
the main or operative part (or movable part) of the machine shewn in position within
the fixed part; figure 4 is a back elevation of the main or operative part of the machine,
with the door shewn open so as to expose to view the interior mechanism; figure 5 is a
vertical section on line of figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrow a, and
shews also the main or operative part to be in position within the fixed part figure 6
is an elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow a figure 4, but with the side of the
case removed so as to expose to view the interior mechanism; figure 7 is a sectional
plan taken on line y y of figure 4; figure 8 is a plan of figure 4, with the top of the

page_text: case removed so as to shew the catch mechanism, hereinafter described, for the store
compartment door; the remaining figures will be hereinafter described.
A store compartment A for the cigarettes, cigars, or other articles to be sold is pro-
vided immediately at the front or face of the machine. The front of this compart-
ment is formed as a door B hinged preferably along its lower edge so that it may be
opened back in the manner shewn by broken lines figure 5, and this door is fitted with
a square of glass in order that it may be readily ascertained what number of
cigarettes, cigars, or other articles are at any time within the compartment, or a strip
of glass may be let in down the centre of the door for the same purpose. The door B
is provided with a bevelled catch-piece or loop b¹ which interlatches with a catch lever c
pivotted within the case of the machine as shewn. The forward end of this catch lever
is pressed downwards by a spring e' against which it is raised by the bevelled catch b',
as the door is closed in, until the parts are in position for the lever to be again
depressed and thus interlock with the catch ¹. The catches are unlatched from the
back by depressing the back end of the lever, and it is preferred that the door B be
thrown out by springs d d immediately the catches are released so that the opening of
the door may be thus facilitated. One of these springs is shewn in its outward position
by broken lines figure 5, and both the springs are shewn in such position by figure 8.
A barrel D of the ordinary type employed with this class of machine is carried
immediately below the store compartment. A vertical rod F is carried in suitable
guides down a narrow vertical compartment f¹ formed on one side of the store com-
partment, and such vertical compartment may be open at the back, as shewn, to the
action compartment, hereinafter described. The vertical rod F passes out at its upper
end into a niche formed in the top corner of the case, and is fitted with a button f
at its top by which it may be pressed down against the pressure of a spiral
spring by which it is returned again to its upward position upon the removal
of the pressure upon the button. A link G forins a direct pivotted connection
between the lower end of the rod F and a stud on the end of the barrel D and
excentric therewith, and thus when the mechanism is not locked, the rod F may be
pressed down by the finger sufficiently to turn the barrel and carry a cigarette, cigar,
or other article from the store compartment and deliver the same on to a curved
ledge of the ordinary character employed in such machines, from which it may
be removed by the purchaser; and on the removal of the pressure from the button f
the parts will be returned to their normal position, shewn by figure 6, by the
reaction of the spring f
The mechanism which is operated by the weight of a coin inserted through a slit
in the apparatus by the purchaser, and which operates also in conjunction with the
push mechanism for actuating the barrel, is contained in a compartment CC, herein-
after termed the "action compartment," immediately at the back of the store compart-
ment and vertical compartment F. The guide frame e e, through which the money
passes down to a money hox or receptacle E at the bottom of the machine, communi-
cates with a slit e' through the top of the case of the apparatus.
The case of the movable part of the machine is closed in by a hinged door J, fitted
with a lock fixed on the inner face of the door so that the outer face of the door may
be perfectly plain in order to fit or bear against the fixed part of the apparatus herein-
after described. Access can be readily obtained to the interior mechanism, and the
money compartment E, upon opening the door J.
Referring more especially to figures 1 and 2, K is a plain flat plate formed
with forwardly projecting sides kk and with a forwardly projecting ledge k¹
at the bottom. This plate is fixed against the inside of a cab or other public
vehicle, or in other position desired, by means of countersunk-headed screws il etc.
Dowel holes are formed through the ledge ¹. A bevelled-headed catch-
piece m projects from the plate K near the upper end thereof. The movable
part of the apparatus is fixed in place by placing it against the plate K and
between the projecting sides kk, with its bottom resting upon the ledge k¹. The
lower end of such movable part is retained in place by the aid of dowels nn, see
figures 3 to 6 inclusive, which are passed into the holes, and the upper end is

page_text: retained in place by the catch-piece m, which engages with a latch within a lock L on
the case. The latch is, preferably, self-latching as the upper end of the main part of the
apparatus is closed against the plate K, a hole m² (figure 4) being formed in the back
face of the lock case for the entrance of the catch-piece m. The mechanism of the
lock is not illustrated, as there is nothing special in its construction, and any suitable
latching mechanism capable of being unlocked by a key may be employed. When
the movable part of the apparatus has been thus fixed in place it cannot be removed
except by first unlocking the latch, and neither of the doors B and J can be tampered
with as the catch which holds the door B of the store compartment can only be
released after opening the door J of the action and money compartments, and such
door J can be opened only from the back of the case. Morcover, the screws 11 etc. by
which the plate K is fixed in place are covered by the case. The employment of a
movable and fixed part in the manner described is of great convenience as enabling
the operative part of the machine to be readily removed for recharging and to be
readily refixed thereafter. It is not, of course, essential that the door J be locked, but
such is preferred, as in many cases it may be a convenience to have the cases of
different machines removed and collected and replaced by one individual and be opened,
for removal of the coin and for recharging the store compartments, by another
individual and in any case the locking of the door J forms an additional security
against the contents of the apparatus being tampered with.
In the normal position of the parts the link G is locked or stopped so that the
button cannot be pressed down, and the mechanism by which this is effected, and by
which the link is released upon the insertion of a coin, is shewn by figures 4 to 7
inclusive, which have been already described, and by figures 9 and 10, of which
figure 9 is a view of the lower half, or thereabouts, of figure 4, and figure 10 a view
of the link G looking in the opposite direction to the arrow a figure 4. In figures 4
to 7 inclusive the mechanism, or so much of it as appears in any of such views, is
shewn in its locked or normal position, that is in the position in which the link G is
prevented from being pressed down by the rod F; and in figure 9 the mechanism
is shewn in its unlocked position due to a coin n, shewn by broken circle, having been
inserted within the slit, that is in the position in which the rod F may be pressed down
and the barrel D turned for the discharge of a cigarette, cigar, or other article from
the store compartment A. In figure 9 the link G is shewn in section as taken on
line of figure 10. Within the action compartment is pivotted at n¹ a stop arm M,
which in the normal position of the mechanism is held by a spring n² with its outer
end in position below a shoulder o formed in the link G and thus prevents the link G
from being pressed down, the arm M itself being securely prevented from yielding
downwards, under any pressure exerted thereon by the link, by means of a tail-piece p
bearing against a fixed stud p². A secondary arm o¹, formed with or fixed to
the arm M, projects sideways from the fulcrum n', as shewn, and is provided with a
stud o projecting backwards from the outer end thereof so as to pass, when the arm is
in the position shewn by figure 4, under a slanting part 7 of the guide frame e e.
Upon a coin being inserted within the slite¹ it passes down into the position shewn by
figure 9, and in doing so the stud o² is caught by the edge of the coin and is thereby
carried down, together with the arm o' to which it is fixed, until the arm M is drawn
clear of the link &; and the downward movement of the coin is arrested by the front
of the tail-piece p pressing against the side of the link G, as shewn by figure 9. The
mechanism is now unlocked, and by pressing the finger upon the button f the rod F
and link G may be depressed and the barrel D consequently turned to throw out a
cigarette, cigar, or other article on to the shelf H. An arm P is pivotted at at the
outer face of the guide frame e e, and this arm is provided with a forwardly or
inwardly projecting stud and with a backwardly or outwardly projecting stud .
This latter stud is engaged with a slots in a rigid arm P which projects sideways
from the link G. As the link G is being depressed, by means of the rod F, the outer
end of the arm P is carried down, and the study thereon presses upon the edge of the
coin and thus forces down the coin and also the stud o' and arm o', until the coin

page_text: passes clear of the stud o² and falls into the money compartment E; and in order to
admit of this downward movement of the stud o², an opening s¹, notched or formed in
from the forward or inner edge of the link G, comes into position, as the stud bears
upon the coin, to allow the tail-piece p to enter therein. On the return of the link G,
occasioned by the upward pressure of the spring f, a shoulder t on the link G operates
against a cam-shaped (or it may be bevilled) part t' of the tail-piece p and moves such
tail-piece out of the openings in case the spring 2 does not act with sufficient
rapidity for the purpose. When the link G has returned to its upward position the
arin M is moved back by the spring n² into its normal position, shewn by figure 4, at
which point also the arin P has of course been brought back into its normal position
by means of the rigid arm P, and the mechanism thus becomes locked again ready
for the insertion of another coin. In order that the arm M may be drawn clear from
under the shoulder o by the pressure of the coin n upon the stud o², clearance is
allowed between the point of the arm M and such shoulder, and as this admits of the
link G being jarred down, by a succession of rapid pressures, upon the point of the
arm M, with some liability of thereby jarring the arm M from under the shoulder o
and permitting of the link G being pressed down its full stroke and a cigarette, cigar,
or other article thrown out from the store compartment without the previous insertion
of a coin, a guard shoulder is formed out on the side of the link G and, by coming
in contact with the stop arm M, securely prevents the link from being pressed down
sufficiently to cause the throwing out of a cigarette, cigar, or other article in case the
point of the arm M is momentarily jarred from under the shoulder o.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. In a delivering machine, the employment of a vertical rod which is pressed down
from the top of the case to operate (through the medium of a suitable connection) the
barrel for throwing out a cigarette, cigar, or other article, substantially as described.
2. In a delivering machine, the means by which the barrel throwing out a cigarette,
cigar, or other article is operated from a vertical knob exterior to the case of the
apparatus, substantially as described.
3. In a delivering machine the combination of the vertical rod F, link G, and barrel D,
with means by which the rod is returned to its upward position on the release of
pressure from the top, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In a delivering machine, a store compartment at the front provided with a
hinged door fitted preferably with a glass, substantially as described.
5. In a delivering machine, a store compartment A at the front provided with a
door B hinged at the bottom and fitted preferably with a glass, substantially as described
for the purpose set forth.
6. In a delivering machine, having a store compartment at the front fitted with a
hinged door, means whereby such door is fastened so that it can be unfastened only by
obtaining access to the case of the apparatus from the back, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
7. In a delivering machine, arranging a vertical push mechanism for operating the
barrel at one side of a store compartment formed at the front of the machine, sub-
stantially as described.
8. In a delivering machine, the combination of a part for permanent fixture, with a
movable part containing the store compartment and mechanism, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
9. In a delivering machine having a movable part containing the store compartment
and mechanism and a part for permanent fixture, the means by which the movable
part is fixed to the fixed part, substantially as described.
10. A delivering machine provided with a store compartment A at the front, an
action compartment CC behind the store compartment, and a door J at the back of
the case for access to the action compartment, with means by which the case may be

page_text: placed in position and locked against and unlocked and removed from a surface
permanently in position, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. In a delivering machine, the mechanism by which the push mechanism is locked
and by which it is released on the insertion of a coin, substantially as described for the
purpose set forth.
12. A delivering machine constructed and operating substantially as described and
shewn by the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.