Patent ID: 7086558

Claim:
A tool vending machine comprising: a housing having a sidewall which encloses an internal chamber, a door mounted in said sidewall, said door being located within a door opening formed in said sidewall, said door being pivotally movable relative to said housing; at least one first compartment located in said internal chamber; at least one second compartment located in said internal chamber, said second compartment being larger in size than said first compartment; a drive mechanism for moving said first compartment and said second compartment, said drive mechanism being located within said internal chamber, said drive mechanism to move said first compartment and said second compartment to be located directly adjacent said door to permit manual access into said compartment by opening of said door, only a single said compartment to be aligned with said door at a time; a user interface tool selection means mounted on said sidewall, said user interface tool selection means to permit manual selection of either said first compartment or said second compartment to be moved in alignment with said door; and baffle means mounted on said housing and located within said internal chamber, said baffle means to be movable to change size of said door opening so said door opening corresponds in size with the size of said compartment that is aligned with said door, said baffle means being movable by a rack and pinion gear assembly, whereby when a said compartment is aligned with said door and said door is opened a person is permitted to exact a tool contained within said compartment and only that compartment.