US2103391A - Vending apparatus or the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1937. G J; C H LD 2 2,103,391

VENDING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE FiledDec. 8, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR I ATTORNEYS G. J. SCOFIELD VENDING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. s, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS 1937- Q G. J. SCOFIELD VENDING mmmmvus on THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1955 9 INVENTOR fiiger [Scqfeid ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1937. 5. J. SCOFIELD VENDING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 8, 1953 (Lt, $5M

ATTORNEYS m w 0/ w. mS T W4 7 6 w y Patented Dec. 28,: 1937 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE Gilbert J. Scofield, Loudonville, N. Y.

Application December 8, 1933, Serial No. 701,411

10 Claims.

. This invention. relates to vending apparatus or the like. Y

One of the objects of this invention is to provide vending apparatus which will be strong, durable and attractive in appearance. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above characterwhichwill beinexpensive to manufacture with a minimum amount of labor. Another object isto provide apparatus of the. above character which will be reliable and eflicient in operation. Another objectis to provide apparatus of the above character whose operation will be simple and foolproof. Another object is toprovide apparatus of the above character wherein the articles to be sold may be. effectively and attractively displayed without interfering with the reliable operation of the apparatus. 1 Another object is toprovide apparatus of the above character which may be refilled easily and'which will hold a suflicient number of saleable articles to avoid refilling frequently. Another object. is to provide apparatus of the above character which may be easily operated and yet amply safeguard against various fraudulent processes for removingthe articles without depositing the proper sum of money. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which will detact and be unresponsiveto the application of counterfeit coins or the like. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. r

, {I he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified r in the structure to be hereinafter described, and

the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention, I

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my apparatus ready for use; a

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the Figure 5 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional View, on an enlargedscala' taken along the line 5- 5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on-Iine 6-6 of Fig. '7, and showing on an enlarged scale certain of the parts shown in the lower right-hand portion of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of my apparatus, certain of the 1 Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line I l-H of Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. r

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 a casing generally indicated at Ill which maybe formed from sheet metal or the like and the greater portion of whose periphery is substantially octagonal in shape as better shown in Figure 2. Fitting over the top of casing I0 is a cover ll preferably flanged over the sides of the casing and suitably secured thereto in any convenient manner. As better shown in Figure 2, the portion Illa of easing Ill extends outwardly from the general octagonal shape of the casing to allow sufiicient space for apparatus to be described in detail hereinafter.

The upper front portion of casing has an opening formed therein covered by a door generally indicated at I2 (Figure 1), this door preferably comprising a frame 13 carrying-any suitable transparent material M, as, for example, glass. Thus the left-hand side of this opening (Figure 2) is bordered by an outwardly projecting flange portion lb of casing Ill to which is door may be locked in its closed position. Cas 7 ing I0 is also provided with an opening l8 preferably located below door 12 and connected with a passageway generally indicated at H! to be more fully described hereinafter.

A cylindrical shell 20 is disposed within the upper portion of casing l0 and suitably secured thereto. ,Fitted within shell 20 and secured thereto are a series of regularly spaced horizontal shelves 2|, 22 and 23 (Figure 3) preferably having peripheral right angle flanges 24, 25 and 26 formed thereon. Integrally formed with shelves 2|, 22 and 23 are collar portions thereof 2|a, 22a and 2301., these collar portions being in substantial alinement and preferably having their centers located at the center of cylindrical shell 20. As best shown in Figure 3, casing I is provided with a bottom plate 21 secured thereto and having integrally formed therewith a socket portion 28 in alinement with collar portion 2|a. A bar 29 is fitted within socket portion 28 and extends through collar portions 2|a, 22a, and 23a being fixedly secured in this position preferably by pins 30 extending into the collar'portions'and socket 28.

Rotatably mounted upon bar 29 and resting upon the top bearing surfaces of collar portions 2|a, 22a and 2311. are three hub portions 3|, 32 and 33 (Figure 3). Each hub portion is provided witha plurality of radially projecting circumferentially spaced partitions generally indicated at 34 and 34a. Partitions 34 and 340. are preferably of a length equal to the radius of cylindrical shell 20 so that upon rotation of the hub portions, they revolve about the shelves. Furthermore the width of partitions 34 and 34a is preferably equal to the space between each of shelves 2|, 22 and 23 so that in effect they provide a series of individual compartments between each of the shelves.

Housed within hub portions 3|, 32 and 33 are coil springs 35, 36 and 31 each having one end secured to bar 29 and the other end thereof secured to the hub portion. Accordingly these springs tend to force the hub portions and consequently partitions 34 and 34a to rotate in a clockwise direction about bar 29. Suitably disposed between each of partitions 34 and 3401. are a series of substantially circular walls generally indicated at 38 as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. As more clearly shown in Figure 2, shelves 2|, 22 and 23 have registering openings generally indicated at 39 formed therein, openings 39 being substantially the size of one of the compartments formed by walls 38 and partitions 34 and located as indicated in Figure 2. Openings 39 are also disposed immediately above passageway |9. Accordingly when articles are placed on shelves 2|, 22 and 23 in the above-mentioned compartments, it will be seen that rotation of partitions 34 moves the articles along the shelves past window I 4* in door |2 (Figure 1) and finally to openings 39 where the articles drop through to passageway |9 thus becoming accessible to the operator of my apparatus by way of opening l8. By controlling the individual rotation of each of hubs 3|, 32 and 33, I am thus able to control the dispensing of articles located on each individual shelf and also to display these articles as they pass by window I4.

Partitions 34 and 34a may be of any suitable number according to the articles to be sold by my apparatus. As here shown, partitions 34 are four in number while partitions 340. are eight'in number. Thus partitions 34 provide three compartments on shelves 2| and 22, while partitions 34a provide six compartments on shelf 23. Larger articles may be placed upon the lower shelf and it is preferable to locate the hubs carrying the greater number of partitions (in this particular instance hub 33) above the hubs carrying the smaller number of partitions so that the articles from the upper shelf or shelves will fall naturally through the openings provided in each shelf and thence into passageway I9. Various combinations of numbers for the partitions 34 and 34a may be worked out. For example, the lower groups of partitions may be six in number and the upper twelve, providing five compartments below and ten above.

Still referring to Figure 3, there is suitably secured to bottom plate 2'! a bracket-like socket part 40 into which one end of a rod 4| is fitted and secured by a pin 42. The upper end of rod 4| is secured to a recessed portion 43 of a brace 44 by a pin 45. Brace 44 is in turn secured to the upper end of bar 29 preferably by way of a pin 46.

Thus rod 4| is rigidly secured in position preferably in the vicinity of portion Ina. of casing l0. Three frame parts generally indicated at 41, 48 and 49 are fixedly secured to rod 4| preferably by pins 59 in spaced relationship and substantially opposite shelves 2|, 22 and 23. Rotatably mounted on rod 4| between frame parts 41, 48 and 49 respectively and on top of frame part 49 are three escapement levers generally indicated at 52 and 53.

Referring now to Figure 4, a stop 54 for limiting the counter-clockwise movement of escapement lever 52 is provided and is preferably an integral portion of frame part 48 extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom as viewed in Figure 3. Similarly, a stop 55 is provided for limiting the clockwise movement of escapement lever 52 also preferably an integral portion of frame part 48. A right angle bracket portion 56 of frame part 48 extends upwardly therefom, as viewed in Figure 3, and a tension spring 51 is secured thereto and to escapement lever 52. Thus spring 51 holds escapement lever 52 against stop 55 and any movement of the lever in a counterclockwise direction must be accomplished against the action of this spring. As better shown in Figure 3, frame parts 41 and 49 are also provided with stops 58 and 59 substantially similar in construction to stop 54 (Figure 4) as well as stops 60 and 6| substantially similar in shape and construction to stop 55. Also formed upon frame parts 41 and 49 are right angle projecting portions 62 and 63 and springs 64 and 65 are secured to these portions as well as escapement levers 5| and 53 respectively.

As the details of construction and relative positions of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 are substantially similar, that of escapement lever 52 only will be described in detail. Turning now to Figure 4, formed on the end of escapement lever 52 is a projection 66 which is so shaped and positioned thereon that it lies in the path of one group of partitions 34 (Figure 2) when the lever abuts against stop 55. Furthermore, projection 66 is so located that when one of partitions 34 abuts thereagainst, the partitions assume the position shown in Figure 2, wherein one of the compartments formed thereby and by walls 38 is in front of window 4 (Figure 1) and another of the compartments is located immediately above openings 39 (Figure 2). Projection 66 is also shaped to permit the passage of these partitions 34 thereby when escapement lever 52 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction and abuts against stop 54. Another projection 61 is so formed on escapement lever 52 as to be out of the path of these partitions 34 when the lever abuts against stop 55 and in the path thereof to abut thereagainst when lever 52 is in substantial engagement with stop 54.

As more clearly shown in Figure 2, it will now be seen that lever 52 acts to prevent rotation of these partitions 34 and consequently any rotation of hub portion 32 by spring 36 (Figure 3) when in'its normal position against stop 55 (Figure 4). However, when escapementlever 52 is moved to substantially engage stop 54, these partitions 34 connected to hub portion 32 are free to rotate about shelf 22 (Figure 3) in response to the action of spring 36'unti1 the next succeeding partition abuts against projection 61;, The partitions remain in this position until the escapement lever 52 is released and snapped back against stop 55 by spring 5'! to, allow the next partition 34 to move on and abut against projection 55.. Escapernent levers 58, 52 and 53 are preferably provided with enlarged faces 68, 69 and 10. Accordingly, it will now become clear that when articles are placed in each of the compartments on the shelves 2!, 22 and 23 andhub portions 3!, 32 and 33 are positioned to allow springs 55, 35 and 31 to exert rotatable tension thereon, the movement of the partitions 34 and Mo on each of the shelves for a distance substantially equal to the circumferential length of one of the compartments formed by the partitions and the wall 38 (Figure 2) can be effectively controlled by the actuation of levers 5!, 52 and 53.

A frame part generally indicated at H (Figures 3 and 11) is secured to rod 4| above escapement lever 53 and is provided with cup-like portions 12, and 12a (Figure 11'). Cylindrical portions l3, M and 15 of frame parts ,41, 48 and 49 are in substantial registry with cup-like portions '72 (Figure 11) to form a continuous passageway closed at its upper end by cup-like portions 12 and in the path of the pivotal movement of escapement levers 51, 52 and 53 (Figure 4) Cylindrical portions Ma and 15a of frame parts 48 and 59 are in substantial registry with cup-like portionslZa, and frame part 4! has formed thereon a cup-like portion 53a, all to form a continuous passageway closed at-its upper and lower ends.

Thus, as best shown inFigure 4, this lastmentioned continuous passageway formed by cup-like portions 72a and 13a and cylindrical portions 'Mwand 15a is also in the path ofpivotal movement of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53. A housing part 15 is secured to 'rod 4! preferably by way of a pin H and has mounted therein a plunger generally indicated at 18 in substantial registry with the bottom of the opening in cylindrical portion 13 (Figure 6). Resting upon plunger 78 and substantially filling the passageway formed by cylindrical portions l3, l4 and 15 as well as cup-like portions l2 are a plurality of balls generally-indicated at 19.

shown in Figure 11.

Disposed within the passageway formed by cuplike portions 12a, and 13a and cylindrical portions 14a and 150, are a plurality of balls generally indicated at 119a resting one upon the other and filling a large portion .of this passageway as The upp rmost of balls 19a, as viewed in Figure 11,'is substantially spaced from the top of cup-like portion 12a, this distance being substantially equal to the vertical thickness of escapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 as viewed in Figure 11. Accordingly as best shown in Figure 11 the pivotal movement of the escapement levers to allow the movement of partitions 34 and 34a, as described above, is limited by balls "l9 and 19a (Figure 4) so that this action cannot transpire until the balls are' displaced in both passageways.

like portion 12a and by the downward movement of plunger 18 to bedescribed more fullyplunger 18 as viewed in Figure 5. Escapement levers 5| and 53 are also provided with cam surfaces BI and 9 respectively, similar to cam surface 80. Accordingly when balls 19 are prevented from downward movement, as viewed in Figure 5, by plunger 18 (Figure 6), escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 are prevented from pivoting about rod 4| sufficiently to allow movement of the projections 66 (Figure 4) out of the path of partitions 34 and 34a. Only when such movement is possible can the levers be operated to allow movement of partitions 34 and 34a as above described.

Cam surfaces 9a, a and 8! a are also formed on levers 5|, 52 and 53 respectively. Balls 19a are in the path of these cam surfaces upon pivotal movement of escapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 as described above. Furthermore, cam surfaces 9a, 80a and Ma slope in an opposite direc-' tion from cam surfaces 9, 8i) and Bi; thus move ment of any of escapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 forces the balls thereabove in an upward direction toward the top of cup-like portion 120,. Furthermore, balls 19a are so positioned with respect to balls 79 and the axes of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 that the escapement levers must pass substantially through'balls 19a before cam surfaces 9, 8B or 8| can engage balls 13. Accordingly if balls 19a are locked in position against vertical movement it will be seen that none of the escapement levers may be operated to allow rotation of any of partitions 34 or 34a. Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and 6, a fitting generally indicated at 82 is secured to rod 4| preferably by way of a collar 83 andsocket 40. Secured to fitting 82 in any convenient manner is a casing generally indicated at 84, thus being positioned immediately below housing part 16. Thus a bar secured to plunger 18 extends through housing part 15 and down into casing 84. The lower portion of bar 35 has formed therein an aperture 85 (Figure '7).

Disposed within. housing part 15 beneath plunger 18 is an expansion spring 9| forcing plunger 18 against balls 19 and consequently tending to pull bar. 85 upwardly. Housing part 16 is of sufficient depth (Figure 6) to allow plunger 18 to be depressed against the action of spring 9| a sufiicient distance to allow any of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 to move against stops 58, 54 and 59. 'Thus when bar 85 is prevented from any substantial downward movement from the position thereof shown in Figure 6, escapement levers 5H, 52 and 53 are held against effective actuation.

As more clearly shown in Figure 7, a lever part generally indicated at 81 is rigidly secured to a pin member 88. Pin member 88 is rotatably mounted within casing 84 and preferably fitting 82 and has a right angle extension 88a to be described more fully hereinafter. has an enlarged portion 89 formed on one end thereof immediately adjacent that portion of bar 85 in which aperture 86 is located. Furthermore lever part 81 is so located with respect to aperture 86 that when it is in its depressed position (the dotted line position shown'in Figure 7), por- Lever part 81' tion 89 substantially covers aperture 86, but when it is in its upper position (the full line position shown in Figure '1) a considerable portion of the aperture is left exposed by portion 89. A suitable stop 93 secured to casing 84 is provided for preventing further pivotal movement of lever part 81 when it has reached its upper position.

A recess 99 (Figure 6) is provided in casing 84 substantially opposite aperture 86 when bar 85 is in its upper position (Figure 6). Resting upon portion 89 of lever part 81, as best shown in Figure 6, is a ball 92 which extends through aperture 86 (Figure '7) and lies opposite recess 98 when lever part 81 is in its upper position as shown in Figure 6. Accordingly any substantial downward movement of bar 85 is prevented by the bar coming into engagement with the ball although a slight amount of play is preferably left therebetween for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. However, when lever part 81 is depressed to its lower position (Figure '7), portion 89 thereof forces ball 92 through aperture 86 and into recess 98 a sufiicient distance to allow bar 85 to move downwardly. As described above, the downward movement of bar 85 unlocks escapement levers 5i, 52 and 53. Accordingly, it will now become clear that when lever part 81 (Figure 6) is in its upper position as best shown in Figure 6, bar 85 is prevented from downward movement and consequently the escapement levers cannot be effectively operated. On the other hand, when lever part 81 is in its depressed position as best shown in Figure '7, bar 85 may move downwardly and consequently any of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 may be actuated.

As pointed out above, when lever part 81 is in its depressed position to force ball 92 into recess 98, bar 85 is free to move vertically and thus any one of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 may be pivoted against stops 58, 54 and 59 (Figure 3) to make for the delivery of an article by allowing for the rotation of partitions 34 or 34a. When, for example, escapement lever 52 is moved throughout its pivotal path until it engages stop 54 (Figure 4) its cam surface 88a forces the ball 19a thereabove up toward the top of cup-like portion 12a. Only after accomplishing this, is it moved a sufficient distance to unlock partitions 34.

When in this position against stop 54, there is room for practically no further vertical movement of the balls 19a and consequently escapement 1evers 53 and EI cannot be operated. Further still, when escapement lever 52 is released to be drawn back against stop 55 by spring 51, there may be a moment before ball 92 (Figure 6) returns to the position shown in Figure 6 to lock bar against vertical movement as described above. During this time it might be possible to actuate either escapement lever 5i or escapement lever 53. However, after escapement lever 52 has been drawn out of the path of balls 19 (Figures 11 and 4) so that ball 92 (Figure 6) is free to roll back into its locking position, escapement levers 5| and 53 are still prevented from actuation by balls 19a because escapement lever 52 has not moved out of the path of these balls, thus still holding them against any substantial vertical movement. Accordingly I have provided an auxiliary locking means which effectively prevents any fraudulent manipulation of the escapement levers. Of course'by the time escapement lever'52 has moved out of the path of ball 19a, ball 92 has time to roll back into its locking position.

The right-hand portion of lever part 81, as viewed in Figure 7, is provided with a shallow substantially vertical groove 94 immediately adjacent a recess 95 formed in casing 84. A ball 96 rests against lever part 81 in groove 94 opposite recess 95. Thus, as best shown in Figure 10, pivotal movement of lever part 81 in an upward or downward direction, as viewed in Figure 7, causes ball 96 to ride up into recess 95 until the lever part reaches either its upper or depressed position. Accordingly ball 98 acts to resist any accidental tendency of lever part 81 to pivot in an upward or downward direction without the assistance of an outside impetus such as the dropping of a coin thereon as will be described more fully hereinafter.

A rod IDI (Figure 3) is rotatably mounted within a series of collars 91, 98, 99 and I88 preferably secured to an integral with frame pieces 41, 48, 49 and H. Rod IIlI is seated within a socket I82 preferably connected to socket part 48. Rigidly secured to rod IilI are a series of arms I83, I94, and I05. As more clearly shown in Figure 4, these arms extend inwardly into the path of partitions 34 and 34a so that the passage of the partitions on any of shelves 2|, 22, and 23 by the arms kicks them to impart partial rotation to rod IOI.

Turning now to Figure 9, the lower portion of rod I9I has a cam surface I96 formed thereon in engagement with a pin I81 fixed to socket I82. A pin i118 is secured to rod NH and extends through a suitable slot formed in socket I02 to engage extension 88a of pin member 88 (Figures 3 and 6). Thus partial rotation of rod I9! induced by the movement of one of partitions 34 and 34a by arm I94 for example causes the rod to ride up on pin I81 to kick extension 88a in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7. Accordingly when lever part 81 is in its lower position so that extension 8811 is in substantial engagement with pin H18 and the escapement levers'5I, 52 and 53 are unlocked, as described above, the rotation of one of hubs 31, 32, and 33 (Figure 3) moves pin I98 to force lever part 81 to assume its upper position thereby locking the escapement levers against further actuation.

As best shown in Figures 6 and '1, casing 84 is provided with a trough shaped opening I09 so positioned that when coins are dropped therein they are directed onto lever part 81 to depress it as will be described more fully hereinafter. Casing 46 is provided with a suitable slot I if] for the reception or the coins to be used in actuating the apparatus and also an opening I I I of any suitable construction for the return of undesirable coins or the like. Leading from return opening III to a position to the rear of trough shaped opening I89, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7, is a return passageway E E2. A sloping runway generally indicated at I I9 connects slot I II1 with return passageway I I2 and a portion thereof to be described more fully hereinafter passes over trough shaped opening I99.

Secured to casing 84 are a pair of spaced lugs IE4 and I I5 (Figure 7) rotatably mounted within which is a shaft H5. A pair of depending arms II1 and I I8 are preferably secured to shaft I I6 and support in turn a table portion I I9 (Figure 6) forming a part of runway H3. A spiral spring I29 encircles shaft llfi having one end in engagement with casing 84 and the other end hooked QTI about arm HB. Thus springJZO- tends to force arms H8 and II! in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figured A projecting arm portion I2I, as best shown in Figure 6, is connected to table H9 and extends through an opening in casing 84 to engage a cam surface stud I22 on bar 85. Thus reciprocation of bar 85 in turn reciprocates table H9 about shaft H6 as an axis by way of arm I2I. Table. H9 is provided with a flanged section IISa depending toward return passageway H2 and the table slopes in the direction thereof (Figure 6) to direct'coins or the like to the return passageway in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. 1

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7,, a portion84a of casing 84 is cut away and extends outwardly therefrom as viewed in Figure 6. The distance between'the top edge of the casing immediately above portion 84a and the top of table I I9 is less than the diameter of the coin tobe used to oper ate my apparatus. Accordingly, if this coin is a nickel, upon being directed to table II9 it rests against the right-hand portion of casingv 96 (Figure 6) and'is thus free to roll down table I I9 unimpeded. On the other hand, if the. diameter of the coin inserted in slot H9 isv smaller than that of a nickel, the coin upon landing on table H9 falls back on portion 84a of the casing and is usually prevented from leaving table II9 when it engages the edge of the casing adjacent the lower section of portion 84a, as viewed in Figure '7. g I 9 Referring now to Figures 7 .and 8, a depending portion I23 of casing 84 immediately above trough shaped. opening I09 has secured thereto a pair of spaced lugs I24 and I25 supporting a shaft I26. Pivotally supported by shaft I26 are a pair of'lugs I21 and I28 connected to a table I29, a portion I29a of which (Figure 8) forms -'a part of runway II3. Thus table I29 pivots about shaft I26 as an axis and a projecting'portion I29b thereof forms a counterweight against its pivotal movement in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8. Table I29 is so counterweighted with respect to itsdownward slope toward return passageway I I2 (Figure '7) that when a coin of proper weight is passing thereover on its course from slot H0, the table pivots sufficiently to drop the coin in trough shaped opening I09, I

It will now becomeclear that if anyone attempts to operate my apparatus by inserting a coin which is. too light in slot III), the coinwill do either one of three things. It may travel down 'runway I I3 but in passing over table I29 it will not be heavy enough to pivot the table about its axis and will thus pass into'return passageway I I2. On the other hand, it may be so light (wherealong the end of arm I2I (Figure 6); As pointed out above, this reciprocatestable H9 about its axis and this reciprocation together with the slope of the table. (Figure 6) dumps'the light coin or the like over the edge thereof. where it is directed by way of flange I I9a (Figure '7) down onto return passageway H2,

If anyone attempts to insert a coin ill-slot, III! which is too heavyrit; rushes down runway II3 and onto table I29. Dueto the extra weight in the coin or the like, table I29 pivots about its axis quickly and dumps the coin off onto the return passageway beforeit has time to travel to a position over trough I99. Accordingly the only'coins or the like which are directed to lever part9! by way of trough I99 are those of proper weight which pivot table I29 about its axis. Thus I have provided an extremely simple andeffective appa ratus for-detecting, coins of improper or counterfeit charactenwhile-making ample provision that gocdcgins reachthe lever part 81 to unlock the escapement levers asvdescribed above. Preferably lever part 81 is provided with a flanged plate I39 (Figures'? and 8) ,to catch the coins dropped through trough shaped opening 199.. a

In operation, the machine is firstloaded by opening door I2 and placing articles in each of thecompartments while winding up the, hubs against the actionof springs 35, 36 and 31 (Figure 3) so thatshelves 2|.and'22 contain three articles and shelf 23 contains six articles; one article on .eachfshelf is exposed for View through Window, I4 (Figure 1).. The door is then locked and the partitions 34. and 34a on each shelf are reliably held against rotation by escapement levers 5 I, 52 and 53. A prospective purchaser may view the articles on each shelf and after making a selectiom'he deposits a coin in slot Hi]. This coin,;if of proper character, will actuate lever part 81. to unlock .all' of the escapementllevers, and, if of improper character, will return through.

return passageway IIZ all as described above.

The purchaser then presses the escapement lever oppositethe shelf. uponl whichrests the article.

which he desires. Thus the partitions 34 and. 34av on this shelf are allowed torotate a distance equal to one of the cornpart'inents formed thereby andby; wall 39 (Figure 3) to carry the'article-which was exposed infront of window I4 (Figure 1) to openings 39 where it drops into passageway l9 and becomes accessible to the purchaser by way of openingIB. r

7 Accordingly it will be seen that I have provided vending apparatus by which the purchaser obtains the precise article which he has seen through window l4. Furthermore, ample provi-- sion is made for guarding against fraudulent use of the machine as the escapement levers can only be unlocked when a coin of proper character has been inserted'in slot I Ill. The entire construction is simple in character, easy to manufacture and assemble, and'free from complicated manipulations inthe operation thereof. The operation of the escapement levers is so obvious that a prospective purchaser is not required to read detailed instructions beforefmaking his purchase, and, in fact, an individual of ordinary intelligence usually guesses how to operate it without reading any' instructions.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a thoroughly practical and efiicient apparatus in which the several objects hereinabove mentioned as well, as many others are successfully accomplished. As many possible embodiments may be made of ,theabove invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,

. it is tobe undertood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as ill trative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves in said enclosure, said shelves having registering openings formed therein, means for conveying articles which have passed through said openings to an opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitions disposed between each adjacent pair of said shelves and adapted to rotate about an axis, said partitions dividing the space between each of said shelves into a series of substantially individual compartments, resilient means adapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, and hand operable escapement means for permitting partial rotation of said partitions between pairs of said shelves independently of each other and stopping said partitions so that one of said compartments formed thereby is always in registry with said openings.

2. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves in said enclosure, said shelves having registering openings formed therein, means for conveying articles which have passed through said openings to an opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitions disposed between each of said shelves and adapted to rotate about an axis, said partitions dividing the space between each adjacent pair of said shelves into a series of substantially individual compartments, resilient means adapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, and escapement means for permitting partial rotation of said partitions between pairs of said shelves independently of each other and stopping said partitions so that one of said compartments formed thereby is always in registry with said openings.

3. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a

shaft in said enclosure, a plurality of spaced article supporting shelves secured to said shaft and having registering openings formed therein, rotatable compartment forming partitions associated with each of said shelves, and means for moving said partitions over said shelves to sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

4. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a shaft in said enclosure, a plurality of spaced article supporting shelves secured to said shaft and having registering openings formed therein, rotatable compartment forming partitions associated with each of said shelves, means for moving said partitions over said shelves to' sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings, and escapement means associated with said partitions and operable to permit rotation thereof.

5. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a shaft in said enclosure, a plurality of spaced article supporting shelves secured to said shaft and having registering openings formed therein, rotatable compartment forming partitions associated with each of said shelves, and spring means associated with said shaft for moving said partitions over said shelves to sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

6. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a shaft fixedly disposed in said enclosure, a pair of shelves secured to said shaft, a hub disposed between said shelves and about said shaft, a spring having one of its ends secured to said shaft and its other end secured to said hub, a plurality of partition members secured to said hub and lying between said shelves, said partition members and said hub forming a rotatable unit comprising a plurality of compartments with said shelf, said spring adapted to impart rotation to the unit to cause said partitions to sweep over one of said shelves, and means for controlling rotation of said unit in its spring imparted direction of rotation.

7. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a fixed shaft disposed in said enclosure, a plurality of shelves secured to said shaft, a plurality of units each being disposed between adjacent pairs of shelves and rotatably associated with said shaft, each unit comprising a plurality of partition members forming compartments between adjacent shelves, means associated with said shaft and said units for effecting rotation of said units in one direction, said units being rotatable in another direction to store energy in said means, and means for controlling rotation of said units in said first mentioned direction of rotation.

8. An'apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a fixed shaft disposed in said enclosure, a plurality of shelves secured to said shaft, a plurality of units each being disposed between adjacent pairs of shelves and rotatably associated with said shaft, each unit comprising a plurality of partition members forming compartments between adjacent shelves, means associated with said shaft and said units for effecting rotation ofsaid units in one direction, and a manually operable escapement lever operatively associated with the partitions of each of said units.

9. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves in said enclosure, said shelves' having registering openings formed therein, means for conveying articles which have passed through said openings to an opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitions disposed between each adjacent pair of said shelves and adapted to rotate about an axis, said partitions dividing the space between each of said shelves into a series of substantially indi vidual compartments, resilient means adapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, and manually operable escapement means including a plurality of actuating levers individually operable for permitting partial rotation of said partitions between pairs of said shelves independently of each other and stopping said partitions so that one of said compartments formed thereby is always in registry with said openings.

10. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, an enclosure,

a plurality of shelves horizontally disposed in said enclosure and fixedly secured thereto, a plurality of partition members disposed between each adjacent pair of shelves, each adjacent pair of partition members forming a compartment, said shelves having registering openings formed therein, and means for moving said partitions over said shelves to sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

GILBERT J. SCOFIELD.

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