US2135854A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1938. B. F. SMIGGEN DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmnmm ml l l I l l':

'IIII'IIIIIIII'II'I/ IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a dispensing device and particularly relates to the mounting of a dispensing device in a hollow body such as a table leg or the like in such a manner that it can be concealed within the hollow body and moved outwardly therefrom at will.

While the invention will lend itself to various uses, it is particularly adaped as a means for dispensing salted peanuts and the like in such places as restaurants, taverns, etc. The present invention will permit the mounting of the dispensing receptacle in such a manner that it could be moved downwardly into the hollow leg of a table so that the top of the dispensing container will lie flush with the top of the table and thus afiord no obstruction to the normal use of the table.

Another feature of the invention is a means for retaining the dispenser in concealed position while at the same time permitting its ready release for movement into accessible position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for readily moving the container from concealed to accessible position with a slow, silent movement.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a ref erence to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a table with the invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, sectional view through the table leg showing the invention applied.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the receptacle moved to accessible position.

40, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view illustrating the locking mechanism in looking position.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the locking mechanism moved to releasing position.

I have illustrated the invention used with a 50 table having a top [2, a hollow leg l3 and a base M. Formed in the table top I2 is an opening [5 registering with and concentric with the hollow leg IS. The lower end of the leg I3 is closed by the cap l6 which is cup-shaped and which has a central opening formed therein, surrounded by the inwardly projecting internally threaded sleeve ll into which is threaded the lower end of a guide strip l8 having the elongated diametrically opposite slots 19 formed therein. The lower end of this tube I8 is closed by suitable plug 5 28 and pressed into the upper end of the tube i8 is a bushing 2|. The upper end of the tube is welded or otherwise suitably secured, such as by a press fit in a sleeve 22 which projects centrally outwardly from the plate 23 which is formed cup- 10 shaped and which is attached to the inverted cup-shaped plate 24 having the enlarged central opening 25 formed therein. Projecting at its opposite ends through the slots 19 is a cross-head 26 projecting centrally upwardly from which is a 15 stud 2i, pressed over which is the lower end of a tube 28. Mounted on the cross-head and snugly embracing the lower end of the tube 28 is a bushing 29 which forms a snug fit in the tube l8. Formed in the tube I8 is a plurality of openings 20 30 which, when the device is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3, are covered by the bushing 29.

Securely clamped on the tube l8 above the openings 30 is a band 3| having the lugs 32 and 25 33 projecting radially outwardly therefrom diametrically opposite to the radially projecting lugs 34 and 35. Between the pair of lugs 32 and 33 is rotatably mounted a pulley 36, and a pulley 31 is rotatably mounted between the pair of lugs 30 34 and 35. Passing around the pulley 36 is a cord or other flexible element 38 one end of which is attached to one end of the cross-head 2t and the other end of which is attached to the circular weight 39. A cord or other flexible ele- 35 ment passes around the pulley 31 and one end thereof is attached to the opposite end. of the cross-head 26, while the other end of the cord 40 is attached to the circular weight 39 at a point diametrically opposite to the point of at- 40 tachment of the cord 38 therewith. The construction is such that upon movement of the weight 39 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the tube 28 will be thrust upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the weight 39 normally tends to maintain the tube 28 in its upwardly thrust position as shown in Fig. 3.

The tube 28 projects through a base plate M which has the inwardly punched neck forming portion 42 in which the tube 28 engages in a press fit. This base plate 4! is cup-shaped to provide the peripheral upwardly projecting flange 43 which is internally threaded. This base plate 4| forms the bottom of the receptacle and threaded into the flange 43 is the cylindrical body 44 which is threaded on the periphery at its upper end to receive the cap or closure 45 which is threaded thereon. The tube 28 projects at its upper end through a central opening formed in the plate 46, the tube 28 being projected through the plate 46 in apress fit. This plate 46 is formed cup-shaped to provide the upwardly projecting flange 4'! which is provided with a lip or outwardly turned fiange 48 adapted to overlie the cylindrical member 44 and rest upon a suitable gasket 45 positioned on the upper edge of the cylindrical body 44. cap 45 is threaded into position, it will clamp the flange 48 against the gasket 49 and the gasket 49 against the body 4-4. Formed in the plateAB are openings 50 which would permit the filling of the receptacle. Mounted on the upper surface of the plate 46 is a plate 5| having its peripheral portion upset as at 52 to provide a saucer-like construction. A locking mechanism 53 operated by a key 54 is mounted on the cover or cap 45 and provided with a rotatable pin 55 to which is attached a locking disc 56 which may be rotated to engage beneath the upset portion 52 so that the cap would belocked in position on the receptacle.

Secured to the under surface of. the base 4! is a plate 5'! carrying the annular abutment member 58 which is formed from rubber or other suitable yieldable material, and attached to engage the under surface of the table top I2 when the receptacle is in the positon shown in Fig. 3. Carried by the plate 51 are guide strips 59 through each of which slidably projects a latch member 60. These latch members are connected at their inner ends by the links 61 and 62 to the actuating rod 63 which slideably projects into the tube 28 and through bushings 64 and 65 mounted in the tube 28. The cover 45 is provided at its center with the inner pressed portion 66 to provide a cavity 61 in which engages the head 68 formed on the upper end of the rod 53. A spring 69 lies in the cavity 61, embraces the rod 63, and engages at one of its ends the head 63 and at its opposite end the plate 5| so as to normally retain the rod 63 in the locking position shown in Fig. 3. The ends of the latch bolts fill are beveled so that when the receptacle is forced downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2, the latch bolts riding over the plate 24 will be retracted and enter the opening 25 andthen spring outwardly to engage the under surface of the plate 24 as shown in Fig. 6. In positioning the receptacle downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 into the position shown in Fig. 2, the weight 39 will be raised. When it is desired to release the receptacle for movement upwardly, a downward pressing of the head 68 will force the rod 63 to rock the links 6| and 62 from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7, thus retracting the latch bolts 60 so as to clear the opening 25, whereupon the weight 39 moving downwardly will raise the receptacle into the position shown in Fig. 3. As the bushing 29 enters the non-slotted portion of the tube [8, a compression of the air in the upper end of the tube l8 will be effected but this air will be allowed to bleed gradually through the openings 30 so that while the receptacle moves radially upwardly upon release of. the latch bolts, this rapid movement is checked as it approaches the upper position of movement and the last part of the movement is a slow one so that the receptacle gradually assumes its uppermost position and there is The construction is such that as the.

no sudden jar or shock resulting from sudden contact of the ring 58 with the table top l2.

The cylindrical body 44 is not illustrated as an outlet spout but these dispensing receptacles are of a well-known type and any type of an outlet spout may be provided. The device also may be constructed of the coin operated type if desired.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a simple, compact, durable and economically manufactured dispensing device which may be easily and quickly moved from concealed to accessible position and vice versa.

While I illustrated and described the preferred form of construction, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having an opening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said table top and registering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; a receptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movement into said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said top; a cap for closing the lower end of said leg; a plate mounted in said leg intermediate its ends; a tube connected at one end to said plate and projecting downwardly therefrom and connected at its opposite end to said cap; a tube projecting downwardly from the bottom of said receptacle and slideably projecting into said first-named tube, said firstnamed tube having elongated, axially directed, diametrically opposite slots formed therein; a crosshead slideably engaging in said slots and projecting at its opposite ends beyond the periphery of said first-named tube and connected to the end of said second-named tube; a pair of spaced pulleys rotatably mounted within said leg and positioned upwardly from said cap; a weight; and a pair of cords each connecting at one end to said weight and extending around one of said pulleys and connecting to one end of said crosshead, said weight effecting the outward thrust of said receptacle through said opening upon the downward movement of said weight.

2. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having a central opening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said table top registering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; a receptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movement into said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said tube, said receptacle, upon being inwardly thrust, terminating with its outer end flush with the upper surface of said top; a stationary plate mounted in said leg having an opening formed therein; a tube extending centrally of said receptacle; a rod slideably extended through said tube; latch members carried by said receptacle and adapted for passage through said opening upon the thrust of said receptacle inwardly, said latch members being adapted for engagement beneath said plate for latching said receptacle within saidleg; and means connecting said latch members with said rod for effecting, upon a downward thrust of said rod, the withdrawal of said latch members to inoperative position.

3. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having a central opening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said table top registering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; a receptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movement into said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said table top, said receptacle, upon being inwardly thrust, terminating with its outer end flush with the upper surface of said top; a stationary plate mounted in said leg having an opening formed therein; a tube extending centrally of said receptacle; a rod slideably extended through said tube; latch members carried by said receptacle and adapted for passage through said opening upon the thrust of said receptacle inwardly, said latch members being adapted for engagement beneath said plate for latching said receptacle within said leg; means connecting said latch members with said rod for effecting, upon a downward thrust of said rod, the withdrawal of said latch members to inoperative position; and gravity operated means in said leg, below said plate, for moving said receptacle outwardly through the opening in said table top upon release of said latching means.

BOLESLAUS FRANK SMIGGEN.

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