US1577301A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

March 16 1926. I

E. SCHULTZ.

vsnnme MACHINE Filed Nov. '2', 1925' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 16 1926.

E. SCHULTZ VENDINGQMACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 16 1926.

1,577,301 E. SCHULTZ VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1925 4'Sheets-Shee-t 5 March 16 192s.

E. SCHULTZ VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Pheated Mar. '16, 1925.;

UNITED STATE nnwm mm, or cincaeqnJnrom, ASSIGNOR 'ro WILLIAM N. am, or

*omcaeo, rumors.

- vm mme moms.

Application feud, November 1,1923. Serial 10.107377.

To all. whom it may concem."

Be it known that I, Eowann ScHoL'rz,-a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, 1n the county of Cook and tate of I-llmois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Machines, of

which the followin is a specification.

This invention re ates to a coin-controlled vending machine designed for dispens' stacked commodities. In its construction have combined numerous improvements having todo with simplicity of the parts, fa-

cilrty in their assembly, durability in their operation, and protection against tampering.

It includes also a number of container units, one for each stack of articles, each independent of the others, and alladapted for enclosure within a common housing."

-My invention .is further, concerned with novel means for ejecting a false {coin from the receiving chute whereb to prevent delivery of an article in sue 'with a delivery mechanism whose assembled parts co-operate to oppose dischargefof an article except when operated-in response to a proper coin with an improved tension device of simple character by which'the delivery mechanism. is returned to its initial position-;- with adraw-bar which passes 9 through to the exterior' of. the housing without interfering with movement of the cover -platefthrough. which it extends; and with numerous other features of construction which, are also embodied in the present invention of which a preferredconstruction is set forth in the accompanying drawings in v the manner following:

Figure 1 is a .fragmentary front elevation showing one end of a machine which is equipped with a plurality of dispensing units;-. v Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough,

taken on line 2 -2 ofFig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a sideelevatmnof the container unit with av ortion of the-near wall broken away to exhibit certain of the parts intericircumstances;

. abl. in place; The

1,527,301 V'PATE'NTIOFFICE.

7 and 8 are transversesections taken on lines 7-7and 88 of Fig. 5;

v F1gs. 9, 10, and 11, which are perspective views, show in separated relation the three major parts comprising the delivery mechamsm; and Y Fi 12 is a pers ective view of the latch mem r b which t e dispensing operations are contro ed. v The machine of the present. invention may comprise. one or more units each of which constitutes an independent container from which articles may be dispensed. These units are mounted without a suitable housingv B having a proper length for the accommodation of a desired number of container .units. In each of the units is arranged a stack'of articles or commodities designated'individually' as c. As ,each of the several units is a duplicate of the other, a description ofbut one is necessary.

In theform shown, each' container unit at t wall 17 Between the side walls in their lower region is a bottom plate X '(see Fig. 11), the edges of which are downturned to comlprises apair of side walls 15 connected I e back by a'wall 16 and at the top by a provide flanges 18 having, holes 19 for receivingbolts 20 which pass throu h the container side walls to su port the p ate removont edges of the side wa ls maybe outturned to provide flanges 21 the edges of which lie close to the corresponding flanges of theadjacent units when the same are assembled within a common housing. 1

A shelf Y is also arranged between the side walls of the container unit, slightly above the bottom plate X. As shown best 'in Fig. 10 this shelf is downturned alon its sides to provide flanges 22 in each of w ich are holes 23 for the reception of bolts 24 which pass through'the container side walls to thereby support the shelf in place. Associated with the shelf are. certain rollers 25 (see Fig. 3) extending-through openings therein so as to project to the upper si e thereof, these rollers bein mounted upon suitable studs or, if re erred,upon the bolts 24, as shown. A o I have struck inwardly' from the'side walls of the container unit certain ears 26 (see Fig. 8) spaced slightly above the rollers so as to co-operate therewith in roviding a guideway for a drawer Z, which, by preference, is in the slot 30 that 18 formed through the form or a plate (see Fig. 9). The side edges of this late are preferably offset as at 27 so as to on itudinally reinforce the drawer, these edges ing disposed between the rollers and cars 26 so as to confine the drawer to movements in a straight line.

The shelf Y and bottom plate X are rigidl connected together, as well as to the we is of the container unit. For this urose, the shelf is provided with a depen ing ntwall 28 which carries a pair of lugs 29 each adapted for insertion through a bottom plate adjacent the front edge thereof. In ike manner I provide the rear edge of the shelf with a depending wall 31 having a pair of lugs 32 receivable through slots 33 which are formed through the bottom plate at the rear edge thereof. When the shelf and bottom plate are finally assembled, the lugs 29 and 32 are laterall bent so as to clinch upon the under side of the bottom plate.

The drawer is provided along its front edge with an upwardly extending wall 34. At the rear end of the drawer is an elevated U-shaped plate 35 supported by front and rear walls 36 and 37 respectively. As by means of longitudinal ribs 38 this supported late is reinforced from front to back.

pon a pair of bracket plates 39, of which one is provided adjacent each side of the supported late, I have mounted rollers 40 each of which protrudes slightly thereabove for a purpose which will presently appear.

The movements of the drawer plate are controlled by a coin mechanism which is disposed mostly between the shelf and bottom plate. This consists in part of a flattened draw bar 41 extending through a slot 42 in the front wall 28 of the shelf, a nonprotruding finger gras here represented as an eye 43, bein form at the operating end of the bar; a lock 44 connected to the bar at one side thereof near its rear end and provided with a laterally extending base 45; a pin or stud 46 extending laterally from the 0p site bar side; and a pair of gibs 47 whlc overhang the block base and stud to provide a guideway which confines movements of the draw bar to lengthwise of the bottom plate. A springactuated pawl 48 is carried on the draw bar in such manner that its acting end may co- 0 rate with any one of a plurality of -a igned holes .44 which are formed in the bottom plate, a slot50 being provided at each end of the row of holes to permit the pawl to reverse its position. By this means I have provided a full stroke mechanism which assures a complete movement of the draw bar each time it is actuated. V

A novel means of returning the draw bar to its initial position is rovided in a coiled pull s ring 51 one end of which may be hooke beneath an car 52 struck upwardly a straight line 7 from the bottom plate. The spring is led around a grooved roller 53 loosely mounted upon a stud 54 which upstands from the bottom plate, thus rmitt-ing the proximate sprin end to hoo over a stud 55 which is exten ed laterally from the draw bar. The advantage of this construction is that a relatively short spring may be kc t under constant tension in any position t roughout the working stroke of the draw bar, without excess of strain, or exhausion of spring tension.

Upon the draw bar is carried a lug 56 which upstands through an elongated slot 57 extending longitudinally of the shelf plate, and also through a second slot 58 formed in the drawer plate. The length of the latter slot is such that the lug may have only a slight longitudinal hen the draw bar is pulled against the tension of the spring 51, the lug 56 serves as a connecting medium by which the drawer is also pulled outwardly, its movement limits being determined by the two ends of the elongated slot 57 in the shelf. The drawer movements are controlled by a latch member play therein. 1

59 pivoted between a. pair of cars 60 which upstand from the shelf plate adjacent a slot therein through which the latch member depends in part. As shown, the latch memr comprises an offset head 61 provided with a depending hook 62 which normally is disposed within a slot 63 formed in the drawer, with which slot registers a second slot 64 in the" shelf; the hook may thereby engage with the drawer to prevent its out ward movement at all times except when the latch member is moved to disengaging position. Depending from the latch is a tail 65 the extremity of which is movable through a groove 66 formed longitudinally in the to face of the block 44. As shown best in ig. 11, I have also provided in this block a transverse pocket 67 wherein may be received a coin 68 of proper size when conducted thereto by chute means presently to be-described. Forwardly of the tail piece 65 a lug 69 may depend from the latch member to extend through slots (not shown) in the drawer and shelf proximate to the cars 60 to which the latch memher is pivoted.

With a mechanism of the general kind described, I associate a coin'chute 70 which is mounted upon the container unit with its receiving end 71 extending through one of the front flanges 21 thereof (see Figs. 3 and 6). This chute which is downwardly inclined along one side wall of the container is descendingly curved at 7 2 to a point rearwardly thereof, so that its lower end may connect with a vertically disposed chute 73 whose lower end is aflixed to the shelf plate in surrounding relation to a slot 74. This vertical chute portion which extends upthrown out laterally by centrifugal action as it travels downwardly around the curve 72 at the rear side of the container unit. By thissimple means I have provided for ejecting improper .coins at the commencement of their travel within the machine.

The side walls of each container unit which extend downwardly, as at 76, below I the bottom plate, remain connected by the rear wall 16. At the bottom edge of .each side wall, adjacent the rear connecting wall, I have provided 'a notch 77 (see 'Figs. 3 and 5) which interlocks with a flange 78 extending upwardly from the housing bot tom 79. By this means, the lower end of each container unit is correctly positioned within the housing. From the housing top 80 depends a second flange 81 against which the back wall of each container unit may be rested. As by means of a single screw 82 passing through a hole 83 in the container rear wall for threaded connection with this flange 81,-each container unit may be fixedly secured within the housing.

As shown best in Figs. 1 and 2, the hous ing bottom is upturned as at 84 along the forward edge and is then inturned at 85 to provide a square bead with which inten locks the lower oflset edge 86 of a door 87 which forms a closure for the housing front. The door is provided with slots 88 through which extend the operating ends of the several draw bars. Also openings 89 in the door are provided for the several drawers to slide through, these openings being normally closed by the front walls 34, as shown. In addition other slots 90 are provided in the door, one in register with the receiving end of each coin chute, whereby to permit insertion-of coins therein. The upper edge of the cover may be inwardly flanged as at 91 to overlie the housing top. A key-controlled lock 92, includin a bolt 93 for engaging with the inner ace of a flange 94 depending from the housing top, completes the connection forthedoor. When a proper key is employed to retract this bolt, the door may be swung out preliminary to disengaging its lower edge from the housing, after which it may be removed. To attach the door in place, a=reversal of this procedure is followed.

It is contemplated that a vending machine of the kind described shall dispense articles which are pre-stacked -Within .each

container unit, as suggested in Figs. 1 and 2. Delivery of these several articles, one at a time, is effected when the drawer is pulled outwardly. The lowermost article in this stack normally rests upon the-drawer plate so as to be moved out from underneath the stack with movement of the drawer. 'The remaining articles remain stationary within the container due to confinement by the front door 87. The height of the elevated drawer plate 35 relative to the lower drawer thickness of one of the articles which is to be dispensed (see Fig. 3). From this it results that the forward wall 36 will act as an ejector to dis lace laterally the lowermost article from t e stack when the drawer is outwardly pulled, the remaining articles. in,

the stack being sustained by the drawer. plate 35 throughout this operation. Itis only when'the drawer has .completed a full movement cycle that the stack may drop down to rest upon the lower drawer plate, as shown in Fig. 5.

With the drawer outwardly pulled to its limit, .the parts will be related about as plate may be slightly less than the vertical shown in Fig. 3. Here the article displaced from thebottom of the stack is arranged con veniently for grasping sothat. its removal.

may be easily efi'ected. It is desirable that means be provided for preventing tampering with-the remaining articles both during and after the delivery operation, and for this purpose the door 87 carries a shield 95 just above each drawer which is extended msv outwardly to a point which prevents efl'ective tampering with the remaining articles. By this means it is impossible to reach in to displace any of the articles which remain stored in the several container units. When the drawersare retracted under the action of the spring 51, the upstanding front walls- 34 close the entrances to the articles within the housing, thereby opposing any tamper-.

in the drawings. This includes a pendulum bar 96 whose upper end is pivotallysupported by a pin 97 near the top of a con- 15 described, although not 1 appearing gen ally tainer side wall 15' closely behind one of the front flanges 21; this bar is offset as at 98 to pass through a slot in the container wall,

its lower extremity 99 being disposed upon the inner side thereofaand extended laterallyfrom the bar is'a stud 100 adapted to pass through a hole in the chute 70--close to its receiving end. The mounting and disposition of this bar is such that it tends by gravity to swing in to the dotted line position shown in Fi 6, this movement, however, being normafi prevented b the lowermost article C which is engage therewith. Should the contents of any container unit become sold out, however, then this bar will take 11 the inner position which is represented hy dotted lines, the result being that the stud 100 is also moved into the ath of coins entering the chute whereby tiey are refused admittance.

From the preceding description, the oper ation of the present machine should be plain. A coin of proper denomination when introduced in the chute will travel into the block pocket 67 By ulling upon the draw bar, this block will e advanced, together with the coin, to tri the latch member whereb the drawer 1s permitted to slide out wit the draw bar. This movement takes place in response to engagement of the lug 56 with the drawer plate, the result being that the lowermost article is displaced from the stack to a osition available for manual removal from t e container thereafter, when the draw bar is released, the spring 51 will return the parts to their normal position, and the commodity stack will drop down a distance equal to the height of the article which was withdrawn. The arts are now ready to repeat the dispensing operation when another coin of proper denomination is inserted. I would have it noted that the drawer cannot execute a return stroke until the displaced article is removed therefrom, due to engagement of the upper rear edge of the article with the lower front edge of the next hi her article, which engagement takes place t e moment the drawer completes its outward stroke. Also, because the top face of the displaced article is slightly above 1 the lower face of the ad acent article. it is impossible to pry under the latter when the drawer is fully opened, as shown in Fig. 3. Because of these peculiarities of construction, it is difiicult, if not impossible, to tamper successfully with the present ma chine.

A machine of the kind described may be mounted conveniently, either upon a vertical or horizontal support. Whenever it is desired to refill any of the container units, the

door is removed freely without interference from any of the draw bars projecting therethrough. The coins used in the operation of the machine may drop out of the pocket 67 through a slot 101 in the bottom shelf, into a coin tray 102 which extends longitudinally of the housing, as shown. By

removing this one tray all of the coins may be collected in one operation so that the work of looking after the machlneis reduced to a minimum.

The assembly of the operating parts presents special advantages. The container bottom and shelf, which are connected together,

proximate wall of the housing.

sprin pawl 48. The several holes 49 may readi y be punched through the bottom plate so as to act as teeth for the awl to engage with, thereby assuring a ful movement to the drawer with each dispensing operation. As these drawer movements are attended with considerable friction, owing to the weight of the article stack, I have provided roller means to reduce to a minimum the operating force required. Also other roller means are carried by the drawer which engage with the lowermost stationary article in the stack.

With a machine of this general character other minor features may be combined, such as glass panels 104 in the door, one for each dispensing unit, the same affording a view of the articles within the housing. It is only with the novel combination, arrangement, and organization of parts, as are hereinafter claimed, that my invention is concerned, although manifestly it may be variously embodied to meet any particular desires or requirements.

I claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising a housing having a removable door, a flange secur within said housing and extendin from side to side thereof parallel to sai oor, a removable dispensing unit, insertable through the doorway, and having a notched support engaging with said flange to position said unit parallel with said door, and detachable means for securing said unit to said housing.

2. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a housing havin an open front, there being an upturned an inwardly bent wall extending along the housing bottom adjacent the front, a door removably fitted to the housing front having its lower ed 6 inwardly and downwardly bent to lie to t e inside of the wall adjacent the housing bottom, means adjacent the upper door edge for connecting with the housing, a dispenser unit movable through the door mto the housing, and means for detachably securing the dispensing unit within the housing, substantially as described.

3. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a housing, a front door having interlocking connection with said housing and having walls defining openings therein, a disensing unit removabl 'secured within the housing relative to, said door, said unit hav- 'ing. an article dispensing ema li man, to delivery position through an opening in aerator said door, and operatin meansfor said drawer extendin forwar ly' from said unit and projecting t rough another opening in said door.

- 4. a dis ensing apparatus, the combination of'a ousing, a front door havin interlockin connection with said casin an having wa defining openings therein, a dispensing vunit removabl secured within thehousing relative to said door, said unit having an article dispensin drawer reciprocable to delivery osition t rough an openmg in said door, an operating means for said drawer comprising a flattened draw-bar re- .ciprocably mounted in saidunit and extend-;

' ing forwardly thereof to project through anot e r opening in said door, said drawer ahd draw-bar be' constructed to normally close the openings in said door and permit the removal of the door without, interference.

5, In a dispensing apparatus, the combi-- nation of a housing within which is a de-- pending flange, a second flange upstanding from the housing bottom, a container unit within the housing having a notch for interlooking with the lower flange, and screw where means extendinlg tlfirough thehcontaineifi unit teen e wit ,t e up er ous' ange h y the unit is fixedly secured gn place, substantially as described. a

6. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a housing ,havin an open front, a door removably fitted-to t e housing front, a su port extending longitudinally adjacent the ousing-bottom, a second support parallel to said first mentioned support and located in an elevated position within the hous ing, a removable dispensing unit .insertable through the housin front and constructed at its lower end to mterlockwith said first .per end of mentioned support and engage said last mentioned support adjacent its upper end, and detachable means for fixedly securing the upsaid unit to' said last mentioned v support.

-forsaid drawer extending forwar y from said unit through another openin in said door, a chutecarried b said unit avin its receiving end adapte to register wit a slot openin in sald door, and detachable -means fixe y connecting the upper end ofthe container unit to the housing in a article dispensing definite position which registers the drawer, operatlng means and chute relative to the associated door openings.

8. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a housing having a' movable door in which is formed walls defining three opemngs one above the other, a dispensing unit removably positioned within the Home ing having manualoperating means extendin forwardly therefrom to project throug the lower door opening, an article delivery drawer operably' connected with said operating meansv and reciprocable to delivery position through the intermediate door opening, a chute carried by theunit provided with a receiving end to. register with the upper door'opening, and means for fixedly securing said unit in predetermined position within said housing relative tosaid dooropenin 9. In. a

said door having walls de ope therem arranged in groups, a p urallty ofdispensing units each in.

interchangeab e sortable through the .doorway to a position within said housing, means within said housing receiving said units and fixedly securing each unit relative to said door, each of said units being provided with a receivin chute and reciprocable dispensing means. adapted to register with the grouped openings in said door when the units are assembled within said housing.-

10. In a dispensing apparatus, the com-.

'bination of a housing havmg an open front,

1s nsing apparatus, the com-- b1nat1'on of a ousing havingan open front, a door removably fitted to the housing front,

a door removably' fitted to the housing front, said door having walls defining'openings therein arranged in groups, a su port. extending longitudinally adjacent the ousing bottom, a second su port parallel to the 7 first support and loca in an elevated position within the housing, a plurali of dispensing units each adapted to inter ock with the lower housing sufpxport, screw means connecting each unit' edly with the upper housing support, a chute associated with each unit. having their receiving ends adjacent one line of o enings in the door, an wer' carried by each unit and reciprocable to delivery position through a second line of 0 door and operatin means extendin forwar y from each unit thro a third'fine of openings-in the door, said chute, drawer and operating meansbeing so constructed as to normally close the associated openin in said door without interfering with t e removal of the door from or -its attachmentto the housing.

in the or the drawer 11. A dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a 'unit withm said housing ha an artlcle drawer reciprocable to delivery position through an opening in said housugh ing, a shelf on which the drawer is slidably mounted, a plate below the shelf in spaced relation thereto, operating means for the drawer reciprocably mounted on said plate, and means connecting said shelf and plate providing a guide for said operating means.

12. A dispensing apparatus comprislng a housing having an article drawer reciprocable to a delivery position throu h an opening therein, a shelf on which said drawer is slidably mounted, a plate below said shelf, a draw-bar slidably mounted on said plate, means connecting said draw-bar and drawer through a slot in said shelf, and meansconnecting said shelf and plate providing a guide for said draw-bar.

13. A dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having an article drawer reciprocable to a delivery position through an opening therein, a shelf on which sald drawer is slidably mounted, said shelf comprisin a slotted sheet metal plate having its en s turned down at substantially right an Ice to said shelf, a support below sald hefif, said support comprising a sheet metal plate connected at its ends to the downturned ends of said shelf, a draw-bar shdably mounted on said sup ing in part through the s ot in said shelf to engage said drawer.

14. In a dispensing apparatus having a base and a movable article dehvery means, a reciprocable operating device mounted on said base and projectmg from said apparatus, a coiled spring connected at one end with the enclosed ortion of said device and at its other end with the forward portion of said base, and a ulley mounted on the rear portion of said use and disposed intermeiately of the spring ends arpund which the spring is r uired to travel, whereby its effective lengt is increased and uniform tension may be exerted on said operating device durin operation.

15. a dispensin apparatusathe combination of a casing aving an article dispensing means reciprocable to delivery position through an openin therein, a plate below said means, a drawar 0 rably connected to said means and slida l y mounted on said plate, a pulley secured within said casing adjacent the rear thereof, a coiled spring connected at one end adjacent the forward end of said casing and at the other end with said draw-bar, said spring extending rearwardly from said en connections around said pulley, whereby the effective length of said spring is increased to rovide substantial uni orm tension on sai drawbar in operation.

16. In a diape apparatus comprising a casing having an article delivery apparatus includinga reciprocable operating device, a late on which said 0 rating device is sllda ly Pa mounted, said plate having a row porting plate for the device,

rt and extend f of openings extending therethrough,"a pawl carried by'said operating device ada ted to successively engage the walls of sai openings during reciprocation thereof, the end openings of said row being elongated to provide a clearance for said pawl, whereby the pawl may reverse its operating position, and a spring for normally holding said operating device in retracted position.

17. An article delivery apparatus including a casing in which is mounted a reciprocable operating device, a full stroke mechanism com ried by t e device, and a sheet metal supsaid plate havlng a row of openings extending therethrough with which the pawl may successively engage, the end openings affording a clearance wherein the pawl may reverse its position, substantially as descr'bed.

18. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a reciprocable article deliver drawer of sheet metal having an offset ad {scent its side edges whereby to provide a ongitudinal reinforcement, an article container having upwardly extending side walls orming an enclosure for the drawer, ears inwardly struck from the container walls to overlie the offset edges of the drawer, and means providing a roller support whereon the drawer may he slid in and out, substantially as described.

19. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a' reciprocable article delivery drawer of sheet metal having a downward ofi'set adjacent its side edges whereby to provide a longitudinal reinforcement, an article container having upwardly extending side walls forming an; enclosure for the drawer, ears inwardly struck from the container walls to overlie the offset ed of the rising a spring actuated pawl carand elongated slots adjacent drawer, the ears being'fiush wit the remainder of the drawer, roller sup rt whereon the drawer may be slld in an out, and operating means whereby the drawer may be reciprocated, substantlally as described.

20. In a dispensing a paratus, the combination of a reciproca 1e article delivery drawer of sheet metal offset adjacent its side edges whereby to provide a longitudinal reinforcement, an article container having upwardly extending side walls formin an enclosure for the drawer, ears inwardly struck from the container walls to overlie drawer, the ears being flush with the remainder of the drawer, and 0 rating means whereby the drawer may reciprocated, substantiall as described.

21. In a ispensing apparatus, the combination of a reci roca e article delivery drawer, an artic e container having upwardly extending side walls forming an enmeans providing a the offset edges of the Y having a downward closure for the drawer, ears inwardly struckfrom the container walls to overlie the drawer ed es, and means providing a roller support w ereon thedrawer'may be slid in and out, substantially as described.

- 22. Ina dispensing apparatus, the combination of a. housing, a frontdoor having interlocking connection with said housing and having walls defining openings therein, a dis ensing unit removabl secured within sai 'housmg relative to 'sald door, said unit e having an article dispensing drawer recip rocable to delivery position t rough an openingin said door, a support ad'acent the inner end of said drawer and e evated thereabove a distance slightly less than the height of a single article adaptedto be dispensed thereby, the support serving to sustain the remainder of an article stack during movement of said drawer to delive position, and operating means for said awer extending forwardly from said unit and projecting through another opening in said door.

EDWARD SCHULTZ.

Images