GB2166897A - Coin freed vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-product coin freed vending machine with electro-mechanical operation particularly applicable to multi-column vending machines capable of releasing ten or more delivery slides or drawers with multiple products. The machine can be powered either by batteries or by mains power so as to provide the power to the solenoid which will in turn operate a mechanical release mechanism. The machine bed 11 (Fig. 2) has a number of delivery apertures 15. Packets are released one at a time by means of a pull bar 17, normally locked in position by blanks 22, associated with a particular column. To each of the pull bars is attached a push block 8 and when the pull bar is free to move it can be pulled back with its push block to allow a packet to drop into the frame and then pull bar is pushed inwardly to push the packet over the delivery aperture 15 from whence it drops into the base of the machine. The pull bars 17 are locked until released by a coin freed electromechanical device which releases appropriate locking blanks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coin freed vending machine This invention relates to coin freed vending machines and particularly to electro/mechanically operated machines.

The term coin includes coins of the realm and metal of other tokens. The term vending machine includes machines for delivering goods and change simultaneously or separately, change machines for delivering coins of smaller denomination for a coin or coins of larger denomination, and change machines for delivering a coin or coins of larger denomination in exchange for coins of smaller denomination.

The invention has particular application to multi-column vending machines and may be applied to vending machines capable of releasing ten or more delivery slides or drawers. It can also be used on machines which have multiple products i.e. different sized and shaped packets and different priced products.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine that can be powered either by batteries or by mains power so as to provide the power to the solenoid which will in turn operate a mechanical release mechanism.

The invention lies not only in the solenoid operated mechanism but also in the details of the mechanical release.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is a coin freed vending machine in which the movement of a coin operates a switch which supplies power to a solenoid, the solenoid in turn moving a mechanical locking or latching mechanism to release a pull bar or lever by which goods are delivered from the machine.

From another aspect the invention comprises a vending machine having a number of columns of goods with a pull bar associated with each column to release the goods, a plurality of blanks being provided running in a slot transversely of the columns and each pull bar having attached to it a further blank so arranged that when a mechanical locking mechanism is released and the pull bar is pulled it will enter between and separate two of the blanks, the remainder of the blanks between the bar which is operated and the locking mechanism being moved a limited amount, the movement also ensuring that none of the other pull bars can be operated.

Preferably the lockin mechanism comprises a stop which normally prevents movement of the blanks but which is released when the locking mechanism operates so as to allow said movement.

Preferably the locking mechanism is controlled by a solenoid, the solenoid being operable by movement of a coin through a switch operating arm.

From yet another aspect the invention comprises an arrangement for releasing packets in a coin freed vending machine, the arrangement involving a pull bar connected to a push block, the packets being arranged to rest on the push block, and the arrangement being such that the pull bar may be pulled one way so as to allow a packet to drop and then pushed in the other direction so that the push block pushes the packet through an aperture into the delivery area of the machine.

From a further aspect the invention comprises a multiple product vending machine comprising at least two solenoid operated mechanical release mechanisms each associated with a different product channel in the machine, the solenoid being arranged to operate in response to coin movement and to release a mechanical release mechanism so as to allow a selected pull bar to be moved to release the selected product.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front and side perspective view of a coin freed vending machine showing two of the ten columns in this machine; Figure 2 is an underplan of a portion of the bed of the machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of the same portion of the bed of the machine; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detailed plan views of a solenoid operated latch mechanism showing three different positions of the mechanism; Figure 7 is a section through the end portion of the solenoid operated latch mechanism shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a scrap plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 2 with the parts in an operative position; Figure 9 is a plan view of an end portion of a bed of an alternative form of machine which is capable of dispensing articles with three different values and using three different sizes of articles;; Figure 10 is a sectional elevation in the direction of arrow A of Figure 9 showing one of the solenoid operated release mechanisms for the larger article dispenser; Figure 11 is an underplan illustrating a solenoid operated release mechanism for the smaller article compartments shown in Figure 9, the mechanism being shown in its operative state; Figure 12 illustrates the detail of a solenoid operated release mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 11; and Figure 13 illustrates further details of the same solenoid operated release mechanism.

The illustrated embodiment of this invention shown in Figure 1 is applied to a coin freed vending machine with electro/mechanical solenoid release mechanism particularly adapted for releasing ten or more delivery slides or drawers.

The machine shown in Figure 1 comprises a base 10 on which is mounted a bed 11.

Above the bed are columns 12 and 13 which are two of the ten columns containing packets 14 which may for instance be cigarette packets or sweet packets.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 the bed 11 has a number of delivery apertures 15 spaced along it. Each delivery-aperture is surrounded by a support frame 16. The packets are released one at a time by means of a pull bar 17 associated with a particular column.

There are thus ten of the pull bars 17 corresponding to the ten columns. The pull bars, as seen in Figures 1 and 2 have slots 18 and pins 19 to retain them in position and allow them to slide. To each of the pull bars is attached a push block 8 and when the pull bar is free to move it can be pulled back with its push block to allow a packet to drop onto the frame and then pull bar is pushed inwardly to push the packet over the delivery aperture 15 from whence it drops into the base of the machine and slides down a ramp 9 to be delivered. The mechanism provides a means of locking the pull bars 17 until the coin freed mechanism, operating through an electro/mechanical arrangement to be-described-allows any one of the pull bars to be pulled so as to deliver any one packet from any of the ten columns.

On each of the pull bars 17 is mounted a blank 20 which has a tapered end 21.

In a milled slot 24 in the bed 11 of the machine are the plurality of metal blanks 22 which have their ends relieved at 23 in positions corresponding to the tapered ends 21 of the blanks 20. All of the blanks 22 can slide in a milled slot 24 except for the two end blanks 25 and 26. End blank 25 is a fixed blank held by screws 27 and end blank 26 is biased by a spring 28 to the left as seen in Figure 2 and has its movement controlled by a pin and slot mechanism 29,29A. The movement of blank 26 to the right as seen in Figure 2 is normally prevented. The blank 26 has an upstanding end portion 30 (see Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7) and this upstanding end portion is prevented from moving to the right by a release bar 31 forming part of a solenoid operated locking mechanism.

This mechanism comprises a solenoid 32, an armature 33 and slidable spring-biased arm 34 fixed to the armature 33 and carrying the release bar 31. The arm 34 is spring biased towards the position shown in Figure 4 in which the release bar 31 blocks movement of the upstanding end portion 30 of blank 26. A locking lever 35 is pivoted at 36 and biased towards the arm 34 by a spring 37.

The solenoid is operated-by means of a microswitch 38 and may be powered by a bank of dry batteries such as U2 cells or by mains electric power.

When coins have been inserted through a conventional electronic coin validator, the last coin to pass through the validator will operate the microswitch 38. This will cause the solenoid coil to operate so as to move the arm 34 to the position shown in Figure 5 thus tensioning the spring which biases arm 34.

The spring 37 will then pull the locking lever 35 about its pivot 36 so that a tooth 39 on the locking lever 35 will engage a corresponding tooth 40 on the arm 34 thus holding the arm 34 in the position shown in Figure 5 in which the release bar 31 no longer obstructs movement of the end portion 30 of blank 26.

In this position of the mechanism the customer can pull any of the pull bars 17 and the selected pull bar, as it moves outwardly, causes the tapered end 21 of the metal blank 20 to engage between the relieved portions 23 of the adjacent pair of metal blanks 22 so as to force them apart against tension of the spring 28 (see Figure 2). The blank 20 now enters the space between the two blanks 22, or between blank 22 and blank 26 according to the one selected, and the pull bar can now move freely backwards and forwards so as to cause a packet to be moved by the push block 8 and eventually to pass the delivery aperture to be delivered to the customer.

Whilst the blank 20 is in the space between blank 22 and blank 26, or between two blanks 22 according to the pull bar selected, none of the other pull bars can be operated because the blank 22 is of a width selected so as to take up substantially the whole of the free movement of the blank 26 as dictated by the length of the slot in blank 26.

The position of the pull bar and blank 20, between blank 22 and blank 26 is illustrated in Figure 8.

As the blank 26 is moved, to the right in Figures 2, 5 and 8 a projection 41 on the end portion 30 engages the locking lever 31 so as to move it anti-clockwise as seen in Figures 5 and 6 so as to disengage the tooth 39 from the tooth 40 allowing the arm 34 to move, downwardly as seen in Figures 5 and 6 from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 6.

When the packet has been delivered and the pull bar 17 is returned to its normal position, thus removing blank 20 from between blanks 22 and 26, the blank 26 moves under pressure of spring 28 to return to the normal position shown in Figure 2 and the mechanism is now fully reset for the next sale.

The width of the blank 20 determines the amount of movement and can be selected so as to provide the right amount of movement for the solenoid release mechanism.

The metal blanks 20 attached to the underside of the pull bar 17 can be removed so that the columns or any column can be converted as a separate operating column using a separate price without alteration to the remaining columns. If this is done a separate solenoid release can be provided for the one column which is at a different price and this solenoid release can either be mounted under the slide/drawer unit or on top or fitted to the rear of the cabinet as a vertical release.

Where there is a single solenoid to release ten columns all at a standard price it is also possible to split the ten columns into various prices, say four columns at one price, four columns at another price and two columns at another price. This is done by incorporating a fixed stop blank and adding further solenoids under the base unit or mounted above. Also it is possible to have all ten columns priced separately by incorporating a seperate operating solenoid for each delivery slide/drawer.

By using a solenoid and a simple mechanical operation of the release mechanism one avoids the problems associated with coils burning out as a result of the machines not being operated as soon as the correct amount of money has been inserted. In other machines electronic devices such as timer units or relays are incorporated to return the money after say 10 seconds. This is not necessary with the present machine since a single rapid operation of a solenoid is all that is required to set the mechanical part of the mechanism so that a drawer or pull bar can be operated at the users leisure. The single solenoid operation only uses milli-amps per pulse per second thus giving a long life to the batteries.

Either batteries or mains electricity may therefore be used.

It will be noted that the blanks 22 are not merely used as a locking device but are arranged to be pushed along in one direction by means of the additional blanks 20 fitted to the underside of the pull bars.

Although this embodiment shows a solenoid release mechanism one could also use the metal blanks to push or pull clear a coin or coins from a vertical slot to release a number of columns at a standard price thus making use of the locking devices as described herein but without the solenoid coil.

Reverting now to the method of delivery of the packets. As described previously, the packets rest on top of the delivery slide and when the pull bar is freed so that it can be pulled, it is pulled forward to its full extent and then returned pushing the packet that has dropped into the aperture of the bed 11 which is above the delivery slide 9 (Figure 1).

Alternaitvely the packet could drop into a drawer which can then be pulled out.

The pull bar may have a ratchet fitted to it so that as the bar is pulled fully forward the ratchet is released to control the return movement of the delivery slide or drawer or whatever is used for delivery of the packet. A simple packet thicknessing block may also be fitted so as to cope with various packet sizes and this block can be replaced as needed.

In Figure 9 is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the bed 42 is modified so as to provide a large aperture 43 for delivery of large elongated packets, a medium sized aperture 44 for delivery of substantially square packets and a number of standard cigarette packet sized apertures 45.

These different sized apertures 43,44,45 are all likely to be for differently priced goods.

Consequently three micro-switches 46,47 and 48 are provided which mechanisms shown diagrammatically in Figure 9 as A, B and C respectively.

It will be seen that solenoid/mechanical release mechanism A is arranged to release only pull bar 49, mechanism 8 will release pull bar 50 and mechanism C will release any one of pull bars 51, 52 etc. depending on the number of the smaller apertures 45 that are incorporated in the machine. There might for example be eight or ten of the smaller apertures in addition to the two larger apertures 43 and 44.

Each of the micro-switches 46, 47 and 48 is operable by the final coin included in the amount required to purchase appropriate goods and in turn operates one of the solenoids A, B or C so as to set the mechanical latching mechanism as described previously.

For example in Figure 10 the solenoid/mechanical release mechanism A is shown in detail. A solenoid 53 has an armature 54 which is attached to one end of a release bar 55 which is pivoted at 56 and is biased clockwise by spring 57.

A pivoted spring loaded locking lever 58 is also provided. Movement of the pull bar 49 is normally prevented by a tooth 59 on the release bar 55 which engages a corresponding tooth 60 on a plate 61 attached to the pull bar 49.

When the solenoid 53 is operated the armature 54 is moved upwardly causing release bar 55 to pivot about 56 against tension of spring 57. This lifts the tooth 59 clear of the tooth 60 so as to enable the pull bar 49 to be operated. At the same time the spring loaded locking lever 58 pivots anti-clockwise about its pivot point 58A and a tooth 62 on the locking lever engages a tooth 63 on the end of the release bar so as to hold the release bar clear of the plate 61.

As the pull bar 49 is moved outwardly (to the left in Figure 10) a cam 64 on the plate 61 engages the rounded end 65 of the locking lever 58 so as to move it in a clockwise direction and thus disengage the teeth 62 and 63 so that the spring 57 will cause the release bar 55 to pivot clockwise so that when the pull bar 49 is eventually returned to its position as shown in Figure 10 the tooth 59 will be in a position to engage tooth 60 and prevent the pull bar being operated again.

In Figure 11 the details of the solenoid operating mechanism and locking system for the apertures 45 and pull bars 51,52 etc. are shown. In this Figure the apertures 43 and 44 are shown in part; parts being broken away so as to compress the Figure.

The columns of goods over the apertures 45 are controlled in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

Pull bars 51,52 etc. are controlled in the same way by a series of blanks 20A 22A and 26A which are equivalent to the blanks 20, 22 and 26 in Figure 2.

In the position shown the solenoid C has been operated so as to allow the blank 26A to move to the right when pull bar 52 is pulled so as to bring blank 20A up to the position shown between blanks 22A.

The solenoid C operates a mechanism which is very similar to that shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. It has a similar arm 34A, a release bar 31A and a locking bar 35A. The mechanism need not be described in detail since this operation is identical to that described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6.

The solenoid operating mechanism shown as B in Figure 9 is illustrated in detail in Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 shows the large aperture 44 and its associated pull bar 50.

The solenoid 66 has an armature to which is attached an operating rod 67. When the solenoid is operated the rod 67 moves downwardly as seen in Figure 12 to strike flange 68 on a pivoted release bar 69. The release bar 69 has a hook 70 which is normally engaged in a slot 71 in a plate 72 attached to the pull bar 50. As the solenoid operates the release bar 69 pivots anti-clockwise so as to allow the hook 70 to disengage from the slot 71. This will free the pull bar 50.

The anti-clockwise movement of the release bar 69 causes a tooth 72 on the release to engage a corresponding tooth 73 on a pivoted spring-biased locking bar 74. Thus the release bar 69 is held in the position shown in Figure 12 so as to allow free movement of the pull bar 50.

When the pull bar 50 is pulled to its full extent so as to pull the appropriate push block 18 (not shown) into a position to allow a packet to drop, a stop 75 will engage the free end 76 of locking lever 74 and thus cause the teeth 72 and 73 to become disengaged allowing the release bar 69 to return with the aid of its spring 77 thus causing the hook 70 to re-engage in the slot 71 in plate 72 thus locking the release bar 50 in position again.

Figure 13 illustrates the mechanism in further detail and also shows the push block 18A which is attached to the pull bar 50 and operates as described previously with reference to Figures 1 etc.

The above mentioned method of delivery is unique and simple in design and is very safe to operate and a choice of either a straight pull, a push in, or a pull and return is available to deliver the vend goods.

It is still further among the objects of this invention to provide a fully adjustable delivery slide/drawer so to cater for a very wide range of packet sizes.

The method of adjusting the delivery slide/drawer is by means of two slotted steel plates, one fitted to the upper delivery slide/drawer, and one fitted to the base plate. By slackening the two screws that hold each plate in position one can now reduce both the base plate aperture and the delivery slide/drawer aperture. It will also be noted that to achieve this important adjustable feature, one must also have a fully adjustable stacking column to accommodate different lengths and widths of the vend packets. This is done by means of four angle channels that are fitted by wing nuts to four slotted supporting brackets. The unit can also be removed from the cabinet for easy adjustment and then replaced.

A further simple and important feature of this invention, is to provide means of double loading capacity of vend packets. This is done by adding two extra angle channels to the stacking column, and fitting a specially shaped weight on top of the goods in the stacking column, on the last packet to leave the first column section, the special weight drops into the delivery slide/drawer aperture and links up to the delivery slide/drawer by means of two dowel type-pins, and when the delivery slide/drawer is once again operated the weight then pushes the vend packet from the rear stacking channel, when this channel becomes exhausted the weight now known as the second weight will lock into the first weight thus completely locking the delivery slide/drawer.

A very important feature for use with a battery powered machine, as this method cuts out many other electronic devices that would have to be used.

Claims (10)

1. A coin freed vending machine in which the movement of a coin operates a switch which supplies power to a solenoid, the solenoid in turn moving a mechanical locking or latching mechanism to release a pull bar or lever by movement of which goods are delivered from the machine.

2. A vending machine having a number of columns of goods with a pull bar associated with each column to release the goods, a plurality of blanks being provided running in a slot transversely of the columns and each pull bar having attached to it a further blank so arranged that when a mechanical locking mechanism is released and the pull bar is pulled it will enter between and separate two of the blanks, the remainder of the blanks between the bar which is operated and the locking mechanism being moved a limited amount, the movement also ensuring that none of the other pull bars can be operated.

3. A coin freed vending machine according to claim 2 and in which the locking mechanism comprises a stop which normally pre vents movement of the blanks but which is released when the locking mechanism operates so as to allow said movement.

4. A coin freed vending machine according to claim 2 or claim 3 and in which the locking mechanism is controlled by a solenoid, the solenoid being operable by movement of a coin through a switch operating arm.

5. An arrangement for releasing packets in a coin freed vending machine, the arrangement involving a pull bar connected to a block, the packets being arranged to rest on the block, and the arrangement being such that the pull bar may be pulled or pushed in one direction so as to allow a packet to drop and then pushed or pulled in the opposite direction so that the block pushes or pulls the packet through an aperture into the delivery area of the machine.

6. A multiple product vending machine comprising at least twu solenoid operated mechanical release mechanisms each associated with a different product channel in the machine, each solenoid being arranged to operate in response to coin movement and to release a mechanical release mechanism so as to allow a selected pull bar to be moved to release the selected product.

7. A coin freed vending machine according to claim 1 and comprising an arrangement for releasing packets in said coin freed vending machine, the arrangement involving said pull bar which is connected to a push block, the packets being arranged to rest on the push block, and the arrangement being such that the pull bar may be pulled one way so as to allow a packet to drop and then pushed in the other direction so that the push block pushes the packet through an aperture into the delivery area of the machine.

8. A vending machine according to claim 2 comprising at least two solenoid operated mechanical release mechanisms each associated with a different column of goods or product channel in the machine, the solenoid being arranged to operate in response to coin movement and to release a mechanical release mechanism so as to allow a selected one of said pull bars to be moved to release the selected product.

9. A coin freed vending machine substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A coin freed vending machine substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.