Improvements in Automatic Distributing or Vending Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 31st Mar. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Distributing or Vending Machines.
A communication by LA SOCIÉTÉ DE L'UNION DU COMMERCE, of 31, Rue de
l'Hotel de Ville, Lyons, in the Republic of France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:
The apparatus which forms the object of this invention is based on the same
principle as the generality of the automatic distributing or vending machines
hitherto employed, that is to say, of delivering some article by means of a releasing
device operated by the weight of a coin. But, if the principle of it is the same,
it differs from those hitherto known in that it allows, if desired, of the automatic
and invariable restitution of the coin inserted in the apparatus in case it is not one
which the apparatus was intended to receive.
This apparatus is composed essentially of-
1st. A distributing drum having on its circumference a certain number of cases,
of variable quantity, in each of which is placed an article which it is intended to
distribute or sell.
In this case, the drum contains 30 cases, and of these 29 only are utilised
» and serving
for receiving an article, the other having an inscription "Empty
to show the public that the apparatus has, at the moment, no more articles to
distribute.
Speaking generally, however many cases there may be in the drum, one must be
always reserved and closed corresponding to the inscription "Empty."
This drum has either directly on its rear face, which is suitably cut, or attached
thereto, a ratchet which has a number of teeth equal to that of the cases, and, on
its front face: Firstly, a dial plate on which each case of the drum is correspondingly
numbered; Secondly, a recess in which the actuating device is placed, which, in
this case, is composed of a spiral spring, one end of which is attached to the drum
at a suitable point, and the other to a fixed spindle on which the above mentioned
drum is mounted and revolves. A plate, attached to the spindle of the drum by
means of a screw, covers the recess above mentioned: Thirdly, a projecting piece
or catch, having for its object to effect the closing of the coin insertion slot
immediately the apparatus has delivered the last article.
2nd. A pawl engaging with the ratchet formed in either of the two methods
above mentioned. This pawl has, at one of its ends, a bar provided with an inclined
plate or catch, which strikes against the coin tube, and, at its other end, a spring,
which tends to keep it engaged with the ratchet.
3rd. A movable curved protector surrounding, for a certain distance, the drum,
and preventing the articles placed in the cases on the left hand side from falling
out by their own weight. This protecting piece, which can advance to the width
of one case, moves in two slides formed of two curved pieces of sheet metal, fixed
by holders at the bottom of the box containing the apparatus. A book maintains
this protecting device in its raised position, and a stop limits its recoil when it is
moved from one position to another.
4th. A coin returning passage, which serves a double purpose: firstly, to
| immediately return to the public a piece of money inserted, if the same be not

page_text: exactly of the diameter for which the apparatus has been constructed; and,
secondly, to surround, for a certain length, the drum on the right hand side, and
thus support the articles placed in the cases on this side in order to prevent their
falling out by gravitation before the proper time.
In case it is not desired that the apparatus should return the coin, this tube may
be dispensed with, and replaced by a simple curved sheet of metal which prevents
articles placed in the right hand cases from falling out.
5th. A passage for delivering the article desired. When the apparatus has the
passage herein before mentioned for returning a coin, it opens into this latter
passage. This passage for delivering the article is of the width of one case of the
drum, and forms an inclined plane on which the article, which is to be delivered,
falls from the case of the drum which, at the moment, stands immediately above it.
6th. A coin receiving tube. This is constructed differently according as it is
intended to work in combination, or otherwise, with the passage for returning an
incorrect coin. In the former case, by its very ingenious construction, it conveys
the coin either into the cash box, if it is of the proper dimensions, or it allows it
to drop, almost immediately after its insertion, into the coin returning passage,
when the dimensions are unsuitable, whence it passes successively into the delivery
channel, and consequently is returned to the person who inserted it. In order to
obtain this return of the coin, the insertion channel is formed of a plate bent up
at its sides and having a straight part which rests against and is held by means of
supports, against the bottom of the box of the apparatus, and of another curved
piece which projects above the coin returning passage in order to connect with the
insertion slot in the door of the box. Finally, the curved part which forms the
upper edge of the coin tube is cut away progressively from the front to the rear,
so as to have, at a short distance from the point of insertion of the coin, only
sufficient width to serve as a support for a coin of the fixed dimensions, and to allow
of its performing the necessary disengaging before falling into the cash box.
7th. A lever mounted on a fixed axis above the drum and having for its object
to effect the closing of the coin insertion slot when (in consequence of the
cases of the drum being empty) the catch herein before mentioned encounters its
lower arm.
All the parts bereinbefore described are enclosed in a box, the front door of
which has three openings, one being an oblique or horizontal slot for the insertion
of the coin, another forming a window for reading off successively the inscriptions
marked on the dial plate, and the third, at the lower part of the apparatus, serving
for the passage of the article to be supplied.
The filling of this distributing apparatus is effected as follows:-
The hook on the end of the protecting strip on the left hand side of the apparatus
is first lifted, and the protecting strip is lowered in such a way as to close the upper
opening of the delivering passage. The cases on the drum are then successively
filled, the latter being turned by hand from right to left as far as the catch, in such
a way that the closed case, of which mention has been made, corresponds exactly
with the delivery passage. The protecting strip is then drawn up, and the hook
fixed on its peg. The distributor is then ready to operate. In order to simplify
the description of the working, it may be assumed that 27 articles have already
been distributed or sold, and that, consequently, there only remain 2 in the drum.
If a suitable coin of the correct value be theu inserted in the slot, it will descend
the coin-tube, and, ly falling on the trigger, or catch, will cause the latter to lower
slightly, and will finally pass into the cash box arranged for the purpose under
the coin-tube in order to collect the takings. Owing to the trigger or catch having
been slightly lowered, it causes the pawl of the ratchet to share in its movement,
and the drum is released for an instant, and revolves from left to right under the
action of the spring. But as, on the other hand, the time during which the catch
oscillates is exceedingly short, the result is that the spring immediately causes the
catch to re-engage with the ratchet, and only a single tooth escapes, and, couse-
quently, the drum only moves on to the extent of one case. During this partial

page_text: rotation of the drum, the article placed in the lowest case, and corresponding,
following a diameter, to the number shown in the preceding distribution, being no
longer supported by the curved part of the coin-returning passage, falls of itself
on the inclined plane and slides to the bottom where it reaches the person who has
inserted the coin.
If another coin be inserted in the slot, it will cause the parts hereinbefore
described to repeat the identical movements. Further, as this is the last article
which is then delivered, not only will the notice "Empty" appear at the window,
but also the stop on the outside of the drum will encounter in this last rotation, in
its course, the lower branch of the lever, and will push it forward. Owing to this
contact, the lever oscillates and its arm is inserted between the coin-insertion slot
and the coin-tube, thus preventing a fresh coin from entering the latter.
The apparatus may then be filled afresh in the manner hereinbefore described.
If it happens, however, that, by some error on the part of the customer, a coin
not of the fixed value is inserted in the slot, this coin will be immediately returned
to him if the distributing or vending machine be fitted with the coin-returning
passage, hereinbefore described, in fact, this coin, being, after a short course, no
longer supported at its sides, will fall of its own weight into the returning passage
and from thence pass into the delivering opening.
This distributing or vending apparatus is devised to distribute all kinds of
articles, but more particularly sheets, maps, etcetera, of the indicator of La Société
de l'Union du Commerce.
Dated this fish dave of Al 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Distributing or Vending Machines.
A communication by LA SOCIÉTÉ DE L'UNION DU COMMERCE, of 31, Rue de
l'Hotel de Ville, Lyons, in the Republic of France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
The apparatus which forms the object of this invention is based on the same
principle as the generality of the automatic distributing or vending machines
hitherto employed, that is to say, of delivering some article by means of a
releasing device operated by the weight of a coin. But, if the principle of it is
the same, it differs from those hitherto known in that it allows, if desired, of the
automatic and invariable restitution of the coin inserted in the apparatus in case
it is not one which the apparatus was intended to receive.
This distributing apparatus is shown on the accompanying drawing, in which,
Figure is a front view, the door of the frame which encloses the apparatus
being supposed to be removed;
Figure 2 is a side elevation in section on the line 1-2 of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a modification of this distributing apparatus.
This apparatus is composed essentially of-
1st. A distributing drum A having on its circumference any required number of
cases, 1, 2, 3, 4, et cetera, in each of which is placed an article which it is intended
to distribute or sell.
In the apparatus shown on the accompanying drawing, the drum contains

page_text: 30 cases, and of these 29 only are utilised for receiving an article, the case
diametrically opposite to the one having an inscription "Empty" being alone
empty. The case marked empty serves to show the public that the apparatus
has, at the moment when it comes round to the window, no more articles to
distribute.
Speaking generally, however many cases there may be in the drum, one must
always be reserved and closed corresponding to the inscription "Empty."
""
This drum has either directly on its rear face, which is suitably cut, or attached
thereto, as shown in the drawing, a ratchet R which has a number of teeth equal
to that of the cases; and, on its front face; Firstly, a dial plate C on which each
case of the drum is correspondingly numbered; Secondly, a recess V in which
the actuating device is placed, which, in this case, is composed of a spiral spring O,
one end of which is attached to the drum A at a suitable point such as a and
the other to the fixed spindle Z on which the above mentioned drum is mounted
and revolves. A plate P, attached to the spindle Z of the drum by means of a
screw, covers the recess above mentioned; Thirdly, a projecting piece or catch B
having for its object to effect the closing of the coin insertion slot immediately
the apparatus has delivered the last article.
2nd. A pawl D engaging with the ratchet R formed in either of the two
methods above mentioned. This pawl has, at one of its ends, a bar T provided
with an inclined plate or catch S which strikes against the coin tube E, and, at
its other end, a spring U which tends to keep it engaged with the ratchet R.
3rd. A movable curved protector F surrounding, for a certain distance, the
drum A and preventing the articles placed in the cases on the left hand side from
falling out by their own weight. This protecting piece F, which can advance to
the width of one case, moves in two slides f formed of two curved pieces of sheet
metal, fixed by holders f¹ at the bottom of the box containing the apparatus. A
hook e maintains this protecting device in its raised position, and a catch c¹ limits
its recoil when it is moved from one position to another.
4th. A coin returning passage G which serves a. double purpose; firstly, to
immediately return to the public a piece of money inserted, if the same be not
exactly of the diameter for which the apparatus has been constructed; and,
secondly, to surround, for a certain length, the drum A on the right hand side,
and thus support the articles placed in the cases on this side in order to prevent
their falling out by gravitation before the proper time.
In case it is not desired that the apparatus should return the coin, this tube may
be dispensed with, and replaced by a simple curved sheet of metal, as shown in
Figure 3, which prevents articles placed in the right hand cases rom falling out.
5th. A passage H for delivering the article desired. When the apparatus has
the passage G herein before mentioned for returning a coin, it opens into this
passage H. This passage H for delivering the article is of the width of one case
of the drum, and forms an inclined plane K on which the article, which is to be
delivered, falls from the case of the drum which, at the moment, stands immediately
above it.
6th. A coin receiving tube E. This is constructed differently according as it
is intended to work in combination, or otherwise, with the passage G for returning
an incorrect coin. In the former case, by its very ingenious construction, it
conveys the coin either into the cash box N, if it is of the proper dimensions, or
it allows it to drop, almost immediately after its insertion, into the coin returning
passage G when the dimensions are unsuitable, whence it passes successively into
the delivery channel H and consequently is returned to the person who inserted it.
In order to obtain this return of the coin, the insertion channel is formed of a plate
bent up at its sides and having a straight part E which rests against and is held
by means of supports against the bottom of the box of the apparatus, and of another
curved piece E which projects above the coin returning passage G in order to
connect with the insertion slot in the door of the box. Finally, the curved part e
which forms the upper edge of the coin tube E is cut away progressively from the

page_text: front to the rear, so as to have, at a short distance from the point of insertion of
the coin, only sufficient width to serve as a support for a coin of the fixed
dimensions, and to allow of its performing the necessary disengaging before falling
into the cash box.
7th. A lever L mounted on a fixed axis above the drum and having for its
object to effect the closing of the coin insertion slot at the curved piece E' when
(in consequence of the cases of the drum being empty) the catch B hereinbefore.
mentioned encounters its lower arm 12.
All the parts herein before described are enclosed in a box, the front door of
which has three openings, one being an oblique slot as in Figures 1 and 2 or a
horizontal one e as shown in Figure 3, for the insertion of the coin, another /'
forming a window for reading off successively the inscriptions marked on the dial
plate, and the third h², at the lower part of the apparatus, serving for the passage
of the article to be supplied.
The filling of this distributing apparatus is effected as follows-
The hook c on the end of the protecting strip on the left hand side of the
apparatus is first lifted, and the protecting strip F is lowered in such a way as
to close the upper opening of the delivering passage H.
The cases on the
drum A are then successively filled, the latter being turned by hand from right
to left as far as the catch in such a way that the closed case containing no
article, of which mention has been made, corresponds exactly with the delivery
passage H. The protecting strip F is then drawn up, and the hook fixed on its.
catch or peg c¹. The distributor is then ready to operate. In order to simplify
the description of the working, it may be assumed that 27 articles have already
been distributed or sold, and that, consequently, there only remain 2 in the drum.
If a suitable coin of the correct value be then inserted in the slot h, it will descend
the coin-tube E, and, by falling on the trigger, or catch S, will cause the latter to
lower slightly, and will finally pass into the cash box N arranged for the purpose
under the coin-tube E in order to collect the takings. Owing to the trigger or
catch having been slightly lowered, it causes the pawl D of the ratchet R to
share in its movement, and the drum is released for an instant, and revolves
from left to right in the direction shown by the arrow under the action of the
spring O. But as, on the other hand, the time during which the catch oscillates
is exceedingly short, the result is that the spring immediately causes the catch
to re-engage with the ratchet, and only a single tooth_escapes, and, consequently,
the drum only moves on to the extent of one case. During this partial rotation
of the drum, the article placed in the lowest case, and corresponding, following
a diameter, to the number shown in the preceding distribution, being no longer
supported by the curved part of the coin-returning passage G, falls of itself on
the inclined plane K and slides to the bottom where it reaches the person who has
inserted the coin.
If another coin be inserted in the slot f, it will cause the parts hereinbefore
described to repeat the identical movements. Further, as this is the last article
which is then delivered, not only will the notice " Empty" appear at the window,
but also the stop B on the outside of the drum will encounter in this last rotation,
in its course, the lower branch of the lever L and will push it forward. Owing
to this contact, the lever L oscillates and its arm is inserted between the
coin-insertion slot and the coin-tube E, thus preventing a fresh coin from entering
the latter.
The apparatus may then be filled afresh in the manner herein before described.
If it happens, however, that, by some error on the part of the customer, a coin
not of the fixed value is inserted in the slot h, this coin will be immediately
returned to him if the distributing or vending machine be fitted with the coin-
returning passage G herein before described shown in Figures 1 and 2, in fact, this
coin, being, after a short course, no longer supported at its sides, will fall of its
own weight into the returning passage G and from thence pass into the delivering
opening H.

page_text: This distributing or vending apparatus is devised to distribute all kinds of
articles, but more particularly sheets, maps, et cetera, of the indicator of La Société
de l'Union du Commerce.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is-
1. In an automatic distributing or vending machine which is operated by the
weight of an inserted coin; a rotary drum having on its circumference a series of
cases of suitable forms and dimensions, in each of which cases any suitable article
may be placed which is to be delivered in exchange for a coin, substantially as
hereinbefore described and shown on the accompanying drawing.
2. In an automatic distributing or vending machine which is operated by the
weight of an inserted coin; a rotary drum having an indicating dial plate and a
releasing mechanism adapted to deliver successively the desired article in com-
bination with two parts (one of which is movable) which serve to encase the drum
substantially as and for the purposes described and shown.
3. In an automatic distributing or vending machine which is operated by the
weight of an inserted coin; a coin receiving passage or tube of suitable form for
the introduction of a coin in combination with a coin returning passage substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown.
4. In an automatic distributing or vending machine which is operated by the
weight of an inserted coin; the combination, with a rotary drum having a stop or
projection, of a mechanism operated by the drum and serving to block the coin
insertion tube substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 6th day of January 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicaut.