US2822074A - Coin rejection system - Google Patents

Description

1958 s. L. CHILDERS ETAL 2,822,074

COIN REJECTION SYSTEM Filed April 23, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 ,3 6/ I WILL/AM a. WAR/PEN INVENTORY HUEBNER BEEHLER,

WOR/PEL 8 HERZ/G ,4 T TORWF VS BWM' Feb. 4, 1958 s. cHlLbERs ETAL com REJECTION 'SKfSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1951 SPENCER L. CHILDERS WILL/AM B WARREN INVENTORS Raw M ERN m m E fi: W )& me mm w r B 1958 s. CHILDERS ET AL 2,822,074

COIN REJECTION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 23, 1951 SPENCER L. CH/LDERS WILL/AM B. WARREN INVEN TORS HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

WOR/PEL 8 HERZ/G United States Patent COIN REJECTION SYSTEM Spencer L. Childers, Fresno, and William B. Warren, Madera, Calif., assignors, by mesue assignments, to The Vendo Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application April 23, 1951, Serial No. 222,501

16 Claims. (Cl. 194-2) The present invention relates to coin operated vending machines and more particularly to a coin rejection system therefor operable to return normally acceptable coins when for any of several reasons the vending machine with which the system is associated is rendered inoperable.

For purposes of descriptive convenience the subject invention is illustrated in connection with the coin changer comprising the subject matter of our copending United States patent application Serial No. 216,236, filed March 17, 1951 and now abandoned, with Thomas K. Algor as coinventor, and the coin handling mechanism for coin changers and the like employed in the coin changer comprising the subject matter of our copending United States patent application Serial No. 222,502, filed April 23, 1951, now abandoned.

In the operation of vending machines, improper or irregular performance constitutes a primary source of customer dissatisfaction. Such malfunction is characterized by failure to deliver vendable merchandise upon receipt of a coin of appropriate triggering denomination, failure to signal depletion of available merchandise for vending purposes, failure to render appropriate change for accepted coins, failure to signal depletion of a supply of change making coins, jamming incident to delivery of merchandise to a delivery chute while the chute is still occupied by previously vended merchandise, jamming of coin changers employed therein because of faulty coin detection in a change coin accumulating reservoir, and like difficulties. Although these and other difficulties have received considerable attention, previous methods to provide solutions thereto have not been entirely successful. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin rejecting system that is entireely mechanical in its operation which is fully efiective in obviating the aforesaid difiiculties.

It is the general practice in coin operated vending machines to employ coin changers in following relation to coin selectors designed to reject all spurious objects, coins of other than predetermined acceptable denominations, and damaged coins which might subject the coin changer to jamming. Such selectors commonly subject the coins to thickness measurements, diameter measurements, weight measurements, and tests of composition based upon resilience, electrical conductivity, response to magnetic fields and the like. There are many suitable selectors commercially available and the instant application ice they are employed, against operation; to release the mechanism for operation upon receipt of a coin of a predetermined denomination; and similarly to release the mechanism upon receipt of a coin in excess of the predetermined denomination and render an appropriate amount of change therefor.

Although not limited to such specific operational environment, the system of the present invention is most fully effectively employed in conjunction with a coin selector and coin changer of the character described mounted in a vending machine having a merchandise containing magazine and a delivery chute into which the merchandise is discharged incident to the completion of the vending cycle involving successive use of the selector, changer and magazine.

Another object is to provide a lock-out system of the character described for excluding all coins when the magazine of an associated vending machine is depleted of its supply of vendable merchandise.

Another object is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraph that concurrently signals the absence of vendable merchandise.

Another object is to provide a lock-out system operable to reject all coins when a delivery chute, compartment or the like of a vending machine with which it is associated is still occupied by previously vended merchandise.

Another object is to provide a lock out system operable in connection with a coin changer adapted to detect availability of change making coins, to reject all coins for which there is an inadequate supply of change making coins, and to signal the denomination or denoms inations of coins for which adequate change can be made.

Other objects are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a device of the character and for the purposes set forth that are entirely mechanical in operation, economical to produce, durable in structure and fully effective in accomplishing the intended functions.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a vending machine for refrigerated bottled beverages having a portion thereof broken away to reveal relevant internal structure.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the vending machine taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of a coin changer and associated structure employed in the vending machine illustrating details of the lockout system of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through a portion of the coin changer showing a coin tube employed therein and a coin detecting finger associated therewith.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the coin detecting finger.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section of the vending machine taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, which has been foreshortened for illustrative convenience.

Fig. 7 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 6 demonstrating the detection of a vended bottle located in a vending chute and the reaction of the lockout system thereto.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8 but showing structure thereof in an alternate operable position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentaryelevation of the inside of a door mounted on the vending machine showing a portion of the rejection system of the present invention mounted thereon.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section takcmouline ,13 13 of Fig. 1.

Referring in. greaterdetail'to the drawings:

-In Figs 1 and 2, a .vending machine for refrigerated bottled beverages is indicatedlgenerally at20having an insulated cabinet 21 closed by an'insulated door The door has a compartment .23 formed. therein for purposes ofhousing a coinselector'2'4 and a change-making mechanism 25." The selector maybe ofany'appropriate form and is not described in. detail herein'inasmuch as several suitable forms are commercially available. Suflieeit to observe that the selector ,is adapted to receive coins of various denominations in random order, to ;1 ej ect all spurious objects and coins of other than predetermined size and shape, and to segregate acceptable coins into respective denominations. ,For purposes of illustrative conveniencethe change making mechanism '25 employing the coinrejectingsystem of'the present invention is illustrated in connection with a selector adapted to accept nickels, dimes and quartersgand-to segregate the-same for delivery to the change-making mechanism along, paths of travel-'26, 27, and '28, respectively, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Thecornpartment-23 is closed '-by a "hingeably mounted door SO-having a coin-receiving slot '31 and a signaling window 32 formed therethrough. A bottle delivery chute 33 extends fromwithin the cabinet 21 through the door 22 and compartment 23. The chute is conveniently closed by pivotally-mounted flap 34. An externally accessible change cup 35 is also provided ;in the door '30. For purposes 'of assembling convenience, an oblong opening 36is-also formed-in the door 30.

In Fig. 2, a magazine :40 for bottled beverages 41 is mounted for rotation about a substantially erect axis by means not shown. The magazine may be of any suitable form, that illustrated being of the type shown and described in -Uni-ted States Patent No. 2,290,275 issued to Harry S. Childers on July 21, 1942. It will of course be understood that the magazine may take various other forms such as that shown in United States Patent 2,482,245 issued September 20, 1949 to Harry S. Childers relating to Dispensing Apparatus, and United States patent application Serial No. 794,045, filed December 26, 1947 byHarry-S-Ghilders, entitled" Co-inControlled Vending Machine, now Patent No. 2,610,100 issued September 9, 1952, and others.

As. evident in Fig.--5', a-rnounting box 45 of sheet metal or the like is provided in the compartment 23 having a back .46 releasably mounted-in the door 22, substantially erect side ,walls. 47 and 48', and. a 'bottom' -wall or fioor 49. l he mounting ,box'show-n is open at the top and to the front. A hearing plate 50 is mounted across the front of the box and secured to-the sidewalls 4'7 and 48. The positionof the beaming plate is best observed in dash lines in Fig. 3 and in fulll' lines in lFig. 1 0.

A drive shaft 55 is rotatably mounted between the back wall .46 of the: mounting :box and the bearing plate 50 into the compartment 23 substantially centrally of the change-making mechanism 25, a s-=most clearly shown in Fig. 10. The shaft 55. extends. fiorwardly .of the: door 30 with a handle 61 secured thereto and. extending radial ly the fif rom externally of athez door. The drive shaft has driving connection with the magazine .dtluby. any suitable" means, several suitable-forms :being shown in thelpatents and patent applications to-whichrefereneel has .been made, including a toothed wheel 62 rotatably mounted on' the shaftSS. whereby rotation of the drive shaft a predetermined amount adyancesla. bottle .A'Jl; a. Mending position for release and descentinto the delivery chute '33.

Coin drum I A- suhsta tial y ylindrica eel-admin as is. secured concentrically on. the drive shaft 55 within the mounting box '45, as shown in Figs. 3 and T0. 'The coin drum may take several forms but preferably is of the structure comprising the subject matter of a United States patent application entitled Coin Handling Mechanism for Coin Changers and the Like concurrently filed herewith.

The drum provides a plurality of peripherally disposed coin compartments. :mostcl'early'evident in Fig. 10, the drum provides a compartment 76 for nickels, a dime compartment '77, and a uarter .compartment .78.

The compartments ;may be :of .suflicient..depth .to 'receive at least one coin of each compartment-1srespective denomination. The compartments are peripherally disposed for gravitational receipt of the coins and gravitational discharge thereofduring rotation of the drum. For descriptive convenience, the nickels are indicated generally at 80. The compartments 76, 77, and 78 are of such size and .shape that .only thelast .of.any number of coins which .the compartments .are adapted to receive extends radially 'from the drum so that the ,peripheral portions of the extended .coin are available :for coin changer triggering, operation.

Funnel member Shaft .lacking As previouslyindicated,the'toothed wheel '62 is rotatabl y mounted on-thedriveshaftSS. .Inwardly of the back '46-of the mounting box 4'5, a ratchet wheeli is rigidly secured-to the toothed wheel 62. The toothed wheel '62 and ratchet wheel 90are of unitary construction or rigid-- -ly interconnected for unitary'rotational movement. A pawl 91 -'is pivotally mounted onithe back 4.6'for releasable engagement -with the ratchet wheel and urged into such engagement by means of'a compression spring '92 located between the pawl and "a bracket 93 extended from the back, as shown in Fig. 3. An arcuatedwcll 94 is formed-in the-coin drum 75 adjacent to the ratchet wheel 91% preferably traversing "approximately 15 of the ;pcriphery of the drum. A*boss' 95'-integral'withthe ratchet wheel 5 0 and toothed wheel 62, and eccentric *thereto, is extended intothe dwell '94. Shoulders on opposite ends of the-dwell 94 'limit trave'l of the drurn -'7'5 relative to the boss, ratohebwheel, and toothedwheel-62 to approximately =1:5. Greater relative movement provides driving interconnection of the drum with the ratchet wheel and thus :the drive shaft-55 by engagement of the boss and suchashoulder. "Bhe del'ayed'dr iven interconnection permits coin detection, :soon to be described, preliminary thereto. A il'ockin-gpawl 96 is .pivotally mounted concentn'ically .of :the ratchet 'pawlfii, as'on acommon journal 97 and extended for reciprocal movement to and from the pathof rhrazvelnf the :boss. A spring 98 urges the lookingizpawl intonthe-path of ltravel :of the' boss.

.Coin detection .and shaft release A plurality tof detectinglevers 1 60 1 are pivotally mountedconcentnicalzly-toftthe .p-awls 91:and='9'6 on the .journal 97 for movement towa-rdxand lfrom the :drum. A detecting lever is provided inrzalignmentwitlreach of the compartmentsa'i i'fll and"57.'8. and hasza contact end extended into theme-Eh rszfi ttnaivel .of its respective compartments coin upon dhum' Iotationsinra clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig...-3;.. 'Zlio: urgefli'e .detecting levers into positions with their-contain endsudisposed rin the::paths.=of travel lot the contact end of any of the detecting levers away from the drum through bracket engagement moves the locking pawl 96 out of the path of travel of the boss 95. It will be apparent that with no coins in the compartments of the coin drum 75, rotation of the operating handle 61, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, will bring the boss 95 into engagement with the locking pawl 96 and preclude rotational movement beyond the approximate 15 permitted by the dwell 94. When the handle is released its weight causes it to gravitate into the horizontal position shown in Fig. l with the compartments 76, 77, and 78 upwardly disposed to receive appropriate coins from the funnel member 86. It will be recalled that the handle 61 may be rocked through approximately 15 of rotation without motivating the toothed wheel 62 because of the dwell 94. When the handle 61 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 with a coin edgewardly extended from the periphery of the drum 75, the edge of the coin passes under the adjacent end of that coins respective detecting lever 100 and raises the same. Upward movement of the coin detecting lever in engagement with the bracket 101 lifts the locking pawl 96 from boss engagement against the urging of the compression spring 98. This releases the ratchet wheel 90 and thus the drive shaft 55 for continued rotation and permits motivation of the magazine 40 through its drive linkage to bring a bottle 41 or other unit of vendable merchandise to a vending position for release and descent into the chute 33.

Change supply As shown in Figs. 3 and 10, a coin tube or reservoir 105 is mounted in a substantially erect attitude in vertical alignment with the coin drum 75. The tube is of such diameter to receive in stacked relation coins of the smallest denomination accepted by the drum for change making purposes. In the arrangement described, the tube is adapted to receive nickels from the coin drum through an open upper end thereof. A dime change slide 106 and a quarter change slide 107 are mounted for independent reciprocal movement in a channel member 108 mounted on the floor 49 of the mounting box. The change slides provide juxtapositionable pockets vertically aligned with the coin tube. Obviously any desired number of slides having pockets adapted to receive any predetermined number of coins may be employed. In the illustrative constrnction, the dime slide provides a pocket adapted to receive a single nickel, as shown in Fig. 4. The quarter slide provides a pocket adapted to receive three nickels so that if both the dime slide and the quarter slide are concurrently moved a total of four nickels will be withdrawn from the bottom of the coin tube for change making purposes. The floor 49 of the mounting box 45 also constitutes a floor under the pockets in the coin slides and is apertured, as at 109. When the slide is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, it carries with it the coin or coins in its pocket and deposits the same through the aperture 109 for descent through a coin chute 110 mounted in registration therewith, shown in Fig. 6 into the change cup 35.

In order to direct dimes, quarters, and nickels when the coin tube 105 is full to a coin accumulating bank, not shown, a coin directing member 115 is mounted on the back 46 of the mounting box 45 below the coin drum 75. As shown in Fig. 10, the coin directing member provides a quarter channel 116, a dime channel 117 and a nickel channel 118 defined by walls 119 upwardly extended from the member. As evident in Fig. 3, the bottoms of the channels have arcuate portions concentric to the coin drum extending from a position laterally adjacent to the drum in the direction of drum rotation from the top thereof to a position below the drum and thence downwardly and to the left as viewed. The bottoms of the channels are spaced from the drum sufficiently lightly to engage the peripheries of their respective coins carried by the eotnparttnents 76, 77 and 78 upon drum rotation while such coins are nested within their respective compartments. This spacing has been found to impart a rolling action to the coins and to assure their dependable conveyance out the lower end of the directing member. The nickel channel is slotted directly above the coin tube for gravitational descent of nickels therethrough into the tube. The spacing of the coin directing member above the floor 49 is such that when the coin tube 105 has a predetermined reserve of change making nickels therein subsequent nickels rolled along the nickel channel 118 roll over the top of the stacked nickels in the tube and out the lower end of the directing member. For purposes of convenient manual loading of the coin tube preliminary to operation of the described apparatus, a slot 120 is provided in the coin tube near the upper end thereof.

It is preferable to provide a box or other convenient container not shown, below the floor 49 and to provide an opening 121 through the floor in registration with the box or container, not shown, which serves as a coin accumulating bank. A slide member 122 extends downwardly from the lower end of the coin directing member to the opening 121.

Change slide manipulation The change slides 106 and 107 are moved either together or the dime slide 106 alone to deposit a nickel or nickels for change by means herein shown but not specifically described. Suflice it to state that a stud axially extended from the drum 75 coacts with either of a pair of fingers 136 or 139 to actuate the slides.

Lockout system Not only is it desirable to return coins inserted during rotation of the coin drum 75 and coins inserted after such a coins respective compartment in the coin drum is full, as previously described, but it is also important to preclude rotation of the drive shaft 55 and to reject all coins when there is a bottle in the delivery chute 33 not yet removed by the customer. The vending of an additional bottle when the chute is already occupied is conducive to bottle breakage and jamming of the vending machine. In addition, it is also desirable to preclude rotation of the drive shaft 55 and to reject all coins when the magazine 40 does not contain a bottle in position to be vended in response to a succeeding step of rotation of the magazine. Still further, it is desirable to reject all dimes and quarters when there is an insufiicient quantity of change making coins available in the coin tube 105. To these ends a lockout sys- .tem is provided in combination with the coin changer which is described at this point.

As shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, a pair of hinge brackets are mounted on the back 46 rearwardly of the selector 24. A nickel lockout lever 166 is pendently mounted in one of the brackets 165 by a horizontal pintle 167 and is movable to and from the selector. The lockout lever 166 is provided with a rearwardly curved cam 168, a laterally extended arm 169, and a horizontal lockout finger 170 extendible into the coin path 26 for nickels upon forward pivotal movement and retracted from the coin path when suspended freely on the pintle 167.

A dime and quarter lockout lever is pendently mounted in the other bracket 165 on a pintle 176. The pintle 176 is preferably spaced from the back 46 a distance slightly greater than the spacing of the pintle 167 therefrom for pendent support of the dime and quarter finger outwardly adjacent to the arm 169 of the nickel lever 166. The dime and quarter lever provides an arcuate rearwardly directed cam 177, a horizontal dime lockout finger 178 extendible into the path of travel 27 of dimes passing through the selector 25, and a horizontal quarter lockout finger 179 extendible into the path of travel 28 of quarters descending through the selector. Forward pivotal movement of the dime and A quarter lockout: 'lever "l l5 movesthe horizontal dingers M8 and 179 into the dime and quarter paths while 'free suspension of the finger -on the pintle 176 causes the horizontal portions to assume'positions -removed-from the selector.

To divert all coins when a bottle is 'in the chute 33 and thus to continue locking association of the 'boss 95 and locking pawl '96, the flap 34- -is provided with an extension- 1 82, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A bar 183-having elongated longitudinal- -openings 184 formed therein is slidabl'y mounted inan erect position against the back 4 6, as by "headed bolts- 185 passed through the openings and secured-to the back. The-lower end of the bar 1683 provides a shoe 186, shown in Figs. '6 and 7 adapted-to 'rest on the extension- 182 whereby assumption of -a closed -position f bythe flap -54 elevates the bar and pivotal movement of the fia-p outwardly, as caused by a bottle descending in *the chute -33, permits gravitational descent of the bar. For1more dependable guiding of the shoe, a guide sleeve 187 -is mounted in the door '22 in circumscribed relation to the bar. The upper end of the bar is forwardly directed'as at 188 in a position engageable with the cam 168 of the nickel lockout lever 166 when -the bar is in its lowermost .positionnandv tdiseng-aged thenefrom :when the .bar .is elevated bythedlap 314 imovting to-closed :position.

lt .willtbe seen that @downwardimovement of :the bar 183 causes the inwardly directed :portion. 188 .thereof toride; againstthetcamlfitl.andztozforceithenickel lockout lever 166 and .-finger 314710 tforiwardly, -blockingwthe coin path 26. Such forward movement brings the arm 169 into engagement with the dime and quarter lockout lever 17.5 and concurrently blocks .the :paths 27 and 2 n such -.condition, all coins normally directed .to the funnel member .86 are deflected from their .normal .pathsand hymeans Oftfllljl'lCiillfid plate. i189 are directed intoachute 1-9 0.leadingito the rejection1tubem32. The plate 189 is normally a portion of ithe selector and is shown in -dotted line zinviEig.

.As shown :Eigs. Zafind 3137, an arm 195 ..is..pivotally .mounted one floor 19,6 o.f:.the cabinet.21 inatposition .below the vmagazine 40 and-inmadial relation :thereto. A blade 197 is mounted ion the arm .in apposition en- ..gageahle with a bottle :41 immediately i'lIl :advance of the vending position, -indicated;generally at 19.8, aligned with the=chute.33. A spring l99 urges the-arm anduthus the .blade upwardly for bottletengagement. A second ,arm .205 is mounted for pivotal grnouement .in.,-a sub tantially {horizontal attitude, as at '206,.=infacing relation .to .the door 22 and appreciably tbelow :the ;blade .19 7. A rod 207 pivotally interconneetsithearm .195landithe arm..2,05 :for corresponding pivotali movement, the (former in .vertical travel and .the ;latter in horizontal :travel.

,As shown ;in Figs. 11, ,2, :1:2 and v13,v 1a rod 209 is rotatably mounted in an.emet-nositioncmthe inside of the ,door' 22 so -as.-to-';have: a lowenendportion adjacent ;to the arm 205 when vtheidooriisrclosed. 1A finger 219 is horizontally extended from the; rod {299 :for; engagement with .the arm .205 whenthe door ;is :elosed. .A signal shaft 211 is rotatably mounted tin 2a substantially hori- .zontal position-,in the mounting b021 5 adjacen i h levers 166 and 175 rearwardly of the selector :24. An arm .212, is radially extended fromzthesh a'ft21'1' inwardly of the door -22. A corresponding ,arm .213 ,is. :radially extended from the rod .219. -A rigidmemher-Zlxtpivotally interconnects .the arms (21-2 and 3213 .so ithat the shaft 211 is .rotatably p ositioned in .response to .the i ele- -.vational movement-of the 1913(16'1197 zin zitstdetection of bottles immediately in advance oft-he vending position 198.

In .Fig. 3 a pair.;of arms: 2,1-8qand 219 arecshownex- I the shaft is :rotated in a counterclockwise direction, .as

viewed in Fig. 3-, incident to upward movement of the blade. "1 97 indicative of an empty magazine 40, the camshaped portion 220-forces the arm 169, the nickel lock- .out finger 170, and-the dime and quarterlockoutfingers 178 and 179 into blocking relation ;to the coin paths 26, 2'7 and 28. The function of-the arm 2l9-will subsequently be described.

=In :Figs. 3 and 4, a bifurcatedbracket 225 is shown mounted on the channel member 108 adjacent to the coin tube 'ltls whidh i's verticall-y slotted adjacent :thcreto. A detection plate or finger 226 is pivotally mounted in the :bracket 225 for reciprocal movement between a rest position extended into the cointube and a position retracted therefrom. A detection rod-227 is mounted, as at 228, .onthe back 46 of the'mounting box 45 and provides a lower end 229 outwardly extended through an elongated slot 230- formed in the detection plate. The detection-rod is limited to elevational movement only by its mounting on the back '46. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the detection plate 226 is 'formed with alower arcuate edge 281 eccentricof 'the'pivot. The eccentricity is such that the portion of the arcuate edge nearest the coin tube when the plate is retracted from the tube, is radially extendedfromthe-pivot-pointof the detection plate fur- :ther than any other portion of the edge. prevents -jammi-ng of the detection finger against ,a partial stack -of-coins in the ;cointube during movement into the tube. No jamming can-occur during retractive movement because no coins can be added to the tube while the plate is extended therein.

,A .cam 235 disposed betweenth? iatQhet. wheel '90 and the coin drum. and 'hayinga that 236 disposed inalignmenttwith the compartmentsflfljl'l and-:78 axiall'yiofthe shatt,5,5 is formed on the. ratchet wheel ',90, as. evident .in Fig. 11. The detection jQd 22,7 QIZOMidcs ,a.;horizontal po on 25 -res ed oncth datfififianda horizonta QPOFliOIl .238engageahle withrthecamllw ,on'ztheifinger 1:75 The detection rod isupwardly extended from gthe horizontal portion 238 and provides glougitudinally adjustable. portions interconnected. by coupling .239 :having tleft and right hand screwthrea ded engagement. with adjacent portions of the rod whereby Jihe :length :thereof may .conveniently be adjusted for purposes soon to become .apparent.

It will be clear that uponrotationof the drum .75 .the detection rod 227 -i;s.-elevated pivotallyretracting the detection plate 226 from the coin :tube .for :the convenient reception of nickels therein. Uponcompletion of rotation of ;the;dr,um, the ,-rod .is permitted todescend by the fiat 236, permitting gthe,detection plate :226 to reenter the coin tube ;unless blocked .by nickels therein. The detectiomplate i LPOSltlODGd at suchanelevation relative I to. the coin tube that inward ,pivotal movement thereof is blocked by nickels ,Whenever there .is a supply adequate for 'filling the pockets in the slides .106 and 107. lf uponcompletionqof drum;rotation, theplate pivots in- .wardly of the coin tube, 'the detection rod 227 gravitationally descends be ause of the flat 1236, and through engagement of the horizontal portion 238 with the cam 177 moves the dime :and "quarter :lockout :fingers into ng-z'relation .Wlfl'bthe dime and quarterpaths 27 and 1A5 a customer courtesy, signs are movably mounted behind the signalingawindoww32, as indicated'in -Figs. 3, 8 and'9. Atransverselyarcuate coin sign 245 bearingthe indicia 5-only;and 50), |10 or 25 longitudinally 'thercofis'pivotally'mounted by-a plate 246 on the back ddconcentrically ofithe sign 'formovement between positions selectivelydisplaying the legends. The length of the detection rod-227 is adjusted-by means of the coupling -2[.9-;so thatthe,iupper end of :the-rod abuts the plate 246 andso that when ithe-detection plate 226 is pivoted inwardly of the ,coin tube 105, indicating an inadequate supply of change-making nickels, the sign 245 gravitates downwardly so-that-thelcgend Sgt only"'i's visible through the window 32. When the detection rod 227 is held in its uppermost position by nickels in the coin tube blocking the detection plate 226, the sign is held upwardly, in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8 so that the legend 10 or 25 is visible through the Window.

A transversely arcuate merchandise sign 248 displaying empty thereon, is pivotally mounted by bracket arms 249 outwardly concentric to the coin sign 245. A pair of vertically aligned elongated openings 250 are formed through the side wall 48 adjacent and below the pivotal mounting of the merchandise sign 248. An elongated slide member 251 is mounted for reciprocal elevational movement on the side wall 48 by pins 252 mounted thereon, extended through the openings 250 and provided with heads 253 outwardly of the wall. The upper end of the slide member is pivotally connected to one of the bracket arms 249 by a pivot pin 254. The lower end of the slide member is outwardly turned, as at 255, for rested support on the arm 219 mounted on the signal shaft 211. When the shaft and arms 218 and 219 are in normal operating position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the dime and quarter lockout fingers 178 and 179 are retracted from the coin paths 27 and 28 and the merchandise sign 248 gravitationally positioned below the window 32 where it .is not visible from externally of the vending machine. When the shaft 211 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, indicative of an inadequate supply of bottled beverages 41 in the magazine 40, not only are the dime and quarter paths 27 and 28 blocked by the lockout fingers 1'78 and 179 but the arm 219 elevates the slide member 251 and moves the merchandise sign 248 upwardly into a position in covering relation to the coin sign 245 externally visible through the window 32 and displaying the word empty.

Operation The operation of the coin changer of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. When a nickel, dime, or quarter is received in an edgewardly disposed position in the coin drum 75 and the handle 61 rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, such a coin passes under the extended end of its respective detecting lever 100 pivoting the lever so that through engagement with the bracket member 101 the locking pawl 96 is removed from the path of travel of the boss 95. Pivotal movement of either of the detecting levers 100 aligned with thedime and quarter compartments pivots its respective change-making finger 136 or 139 so as to dispose the upper end thereof in the path of travel of the stud 135.

Continued rotation of the coin drum causes the stud 135 to snag the upwardly extended end of any changernaking finger 136 or 139 in the path of travel thereof and the stud pivots the finger in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, so that such fingers respective slide 106 or both 106 and 107, are moved to deposit the coins contained in the pockets thereof through the aperture. 109.

The dime slide 106 is moved in response to rotation of the drum with a dime in the dime compartment 77 and a single nickel is dropped through the aperture 109 and descends into the change cup 35. When a quarter is inserted into the drum rotation thereof causes pivotal movement of both the change making fingers 136 and 139 and both the dime slide 106 and quarter slide 107 are moved over the aperture 109 and a total of four nickels dropped therethrough into the change cup 35.

The coin rejecting or lockout system of the present invention is entirely mechanical in its operation and believed to be appreciably more dependable than known systems of the same general purpose. Being mechanical, sources of maladjustment tending to render the system inoperable are minimized, and obvious economies in production eftected. All coins for which change is required are re- 10 jected by the system whenever an inadequate supply of change-making coins is contained by the tube and concurrently therewith a signal is provided for the customers convenience indicating that the coin changer with which the system is employed can only accept coins for which no change is required. When a unit of vendible merchandise is permitted to remain in delivered position,

the system precludes vending of additional articles. This effectively minimizes jamming, breakage, and the like. The system accurately detects the presence of vendible merchandise in a position to be dispensed upon a successive vending operation and renders the associated vending machine inoperable when the supply of vendible merchandise is depleted. Not only does the system reject all coins when there is no merchandise available for vending purposes but concurrently therewith signals customers that the associated vending machine is empty.

The system is simple in structure, of far greater durability than the mechanisms with which it is normally associated, requires an absolute minimum of servicing, and completelyobviates all of the difiiculties incident to the employment of electrical detection of vendible merchandise encountered in conventional systems.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and systems.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine having a merchandise magazine and a coin operating mechanism having a plurality of coin pathways therethrough, the combination of a coin tube adapted to receive coins from one of the pathways, a first lockout member mounted adjacent to the to the pathway from which the coin tube is adapted to receive coins, a second lockout member mounted adjacent to the other pathway for movement to and from the same, the first lockout member having a portion thereof disposed for engagement with the second lockout member at the side thereof opposite to its respective pathway, a blade mounted adjacent to the merchandise magazine for movement to and from the magazine, resilient means operatively associated with the blade urging the blade into the magazine, a detector finger, means mounting the detector finger adjacent to the coin tube for movement between a rest position in the tube and a position retracted from the tube and so that the finger is urged into the rest position, a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent to the portion of the first lockout member engageable with the second lockout member, a control arm extended from the shaft having a cam engagable with said portion of the first lockout member upon shaft rotation to urge the first lockout member into its respective pathway and by engagement of said portion of the first lockout member with the second lockout member to urge said second lockout member int-o its pathway, a mechanical linkage interconnecting the blade and the shaft rotating the shaft to move the control arm into engagement with said portion of the first lockout member in response to movement of the blade into the magazine, and a detection rod connected to the detector finger of the coin tube for moving said second lockout member into its pathway in response to movement of the finger into the coin tube.

2. In a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of coin pathways therein, a coin tube for change-making coins mounted below one of the pathways and adapted to receive coins therefrom, a merchandise delivery compartment, and a magazine for vendible merchandise; the combination of a lockout member pendently mounted adjacent to the pathway from which the coin tube receives coins for pivotal movement to and from the pathway; a second lockout member pendently mounted adjacent t9 to'and from all of the pathways except that-'from -which the coin tube receives coins, the first lockout member having :a portion-extended across the second lockout member on the side thereof opposite firom the pathways whereby pivotal movement of the first lockout member into its pathway carries the second lockout member into its respective pathways; a finger mounted for pivotal movement to and from the coin tube eccentrica'll-y of its center of balance whereby the finger is urged into the coin tube; a detection rod connected to the finger and engagable with the second lockout member for pivoting said second lockout member into its respective pathways in response to pivotal movement of the finger into the coin tube; a blade pivotally mounted adjacent to the magazine for movement to and from the magazine; a spring engaged with the blade urging the blade into the magazine; means interconnecting the blade and the first lockout member and urging said member into its pathway in response to movement of the blade into the magazine, the first lockout finger carrying the second lockout member into its pathways by engagement therewith; a door pivotally mounted in the delivery compartment for engagement by merchandise therein; and a bar gravitationally rested on the door and lowered by the door in response to merchandise engagement, said bar having an end adjacent to the first lockout member and the first lockout memher having a cam shaped portion engaged with the ,adjacent end of the bar whereby elevational movement of the bar pivots the first lockout member and the second lockout member therewith into their respective coin pathways.

3. In a coin operated vending machine having a coin changer including a rotatable drum having a plurality of coin pockets therein, a coin tube mounted below the coin drum, means for directing coins from one of the pockets of the drum into the tube upon drum rotation, and coin pathways above the drum individually aligned with the pockets therein; a lockout system comprising a lockout member pivotally mounted in pendent relation adjacent to the pathways having fingers extended for corresponding reciprocal movement to and from all of the pathways other than that aligned with the pocket from which coins are directed into the coin tube, said lockout member having a cam portion downwardly extended therefrom and oppositely from the pathways; a coin detection finger pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis adjacent to the coin tube for reciprocal movement to and from the tube; and a detection rod pivotally connected ,to the detection finger at a position opposite to the pivotal axis of the finger from the tube and upwardly extended therefrom, said detection rod having a substantially horizontal portion transversely extended above the drum and a second horizontal portion transversely extended in elevationa-lly adjacent relation to the cam portion of the lockout merriber at the side of the cam portion oppositeto the pathways, the coin drum having a substantially cylindrical periphery and being provided with a fiat thereon engageable with the first horizontal portion of the detection rod whereby the detection rod is elevated upon drum rotation to retract the detection finger from the tube and lowered for pivotal movement of the finger into the tube in response to engagement of said first horizontal portion of the detection rod with the flat on the drum, said second horizontal portion of the detection rod engaging the cam portion of the lockout member when the detection finger moves into the tube.

4. In a coin operated vending machine having a magazine for vendible merchandise, a vending chute into which vended merchandise is discharged from the magazine, a plurality of coin paths defined in the machine for coins of denominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins therefrom; a lockout system comprising a lockout finger mounted for reciprocal movement to and from each of the coin paths, said fingers being gravitationally urged from their respective paths, the lookout fingers for all coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination being interconnected for unitary reciprocal movement, and the lockout finger .ot the lowest denomination having a control portion extended across the other fingers at the side thereof opposite to their respective coin paths and having a chute cam portion extended downwardly and away from the paths, the lockout fingers for the coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination having a cam portion integral therewith extended downwardly and away from the paths; a door pivotally mounted in the vending chute; a bar mounted for reciprocal elevational movement having a lower end gravitationally supported on the door and an upper end disposed for engagement with the chute cam portion of the lockout finger for .the path of the lowest denomination; a detection member pivotally mounted adjacent to the magazine for reciprocal movement to and from a position in the magazine; resilient means engaged with the detection member urging the member into the magazine; a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent to the control portion of the lockout finger for the path of coins of-tlie lowest denomination; a cam arm mounted on the shaft engageable with the control portion of said lockout finger; a mechanical linkage interconnecting the detection member and the shaft for translating pivotal movement of the detection member into the magazine into rotational movement of the shaft to bring the cam arm into engagement with said control portion of the lockout finger of said path for coins of the lowest denomination to urge said finger into its path; a coin detection member pivotally mounted adjacent to the coin tube for reciprocal movement to and from a position in the tube; and a detection rod mounted for reciprocal elevational movement in the machine having a lower ,end pivotally connected eccentrically to the coin detection member and a portion thereabove engageable with the cam portion of the lock.- out fingers of the coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination.

5. In a coin operated vending machine having a cabil l, '3 magazine for vendible articles, a delivery chute below the magazine, a door pivotally mounted in closing relation to the cabinet, a coin changer mounted in the door including a, rotatable drum having a plurality of coin pockets therein, a coin tube mounted below the coin dr oi p thways .d no n the door above the drum individually aligned with the pockets therein, and me ns fo ,d e i gi oins fr m o e of the p e o the d um n o the .tuhe upon drum. r tat n; a k t system comprising a lockout finger pivotally mounted in pendent rela on adjace each of t pa hw y and g i t onolly urg d o t r sn o v p h y, the l ko t fingers o al ooi p th ther= ha tha aligned i h th Pocke a apt d ol iu p y c in to th o n t b b ing in e onn cted fo uni ar P ot mo ment thein c .counocto ocko t fiogoxoha i g' a ,coin tub cam nt g a th rewit a the lo kou fi ger t r the h a n with the pocket adapted to supply coins to the coin tube having a chute cam and an arm extended therefrom transer ely o the othe fin rs o mo m o the other fingers into their respeetive pathways in response to movem o he Vfiuson a s t elo uto ear i t its p y; a coin dotootionfin o p votal y mounte on a hori nta axis adjacent to the ooin tube for reciprocal movement t and f om th tube; ,a detection r d p v y Connected to the detection finger at a, position opposite .to the pivotal axis of the finger from the tube and upwardly extended he efrom, sai d tection rod hav ng a ubs a y h zon po tion transve se y exte de abo e th drum a a secon horizonta po on t an ve se y ex en ed n c e rat ona y adj cent relat o to the coin tub cm a he s d o sai can opposi e to he pa ys, th coin drum h n a u t nt a ly n rical po in ry and b in provided with a fiat thereon engageable with the first horizontal portion of the detection rod whereby the de tection rod is elevated upon drum rotation to retract the detection finger from the tube and lowered for pivotal movement of the finger into the tube in response to engagement of said first horizontal portion of the detection rod with the flat on the drum; a substantially horizontal shaft mounted above the chute; a door pivotally mounted on the shaft having a lower portion pendently supported in the chute and an upwardly extended portion; an elongated bar having a lower end portion rested on the upper end portion of the door and an upper end adjacent to the lockout fingers angularly extended toward the fingers upwardly adjacent to the chute cam; means mounting the bar for reciprocal elevation movement; a detection member pivotally mounted in the cabinet on a substantially horizontal axis adjacent to the magazine and to the cabinet door for reciprocal movement to and from a position in the magazine; a compression spring mounted below the detection member and in engagement therewith urging the detection member pivotally into the magazine; an arm pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis adjacent to the cabinet door and below the detection member; a rod swivelly interconnecting the arm and the detection member for corresponding pivotal movement; a second rod rotatably mounted on the cabinet door in a substantially erect position; a finger transversely extended from the second rod in engagement with the arm whereby pivotal movement of the arm correspondingly rotates the second rod; a shaft rotatably mounted in the cabinet door in a substantially horizontal position adjacent to the arm of the lockout finger of the pathway aligned with the pocket adapted to supply coins to the coin tube; a cam arm transversely extended from the shaft adjacent to the lockout finger of the pathway aligned with the pocket adapted to supply coins to the coin tube and at the opposite side of said finger from its respective pathway engageable with the arm of said finger upon shaft rotation; a control arm transversely extended from the shaft; a second control arm transversely extended from the second rod; and a push-pull member pivotally interconnecting the extended ends of the control arms.

6. In a coin operated machine having a magazine for vendible merchandise, a vending chute into which vended merchandise is discharged from the magazine, a plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of denominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins from said path; a lockout system comprising a lockout finger pendently mounted adjacent to each of the coin paths, the lockout finger of the coin path of the lowest denomination having means thereon engageable with the other fingers whereby movement of said lockout finger into its respective path carries the lockout fingers of the paths of the other denominations into their respective paths; a flap pivotally mounted in the vending chute; a bar member interconnecting the flap and the lockout finger of the path of the lowest denomination for corresponding pivotal movement; detection means mounted for pivotal movement to and from the coin tube at a position blocked by coins in the tube; a linkage interconnecting the detection means and the lockout fingers for the coin paths other than that for the lowest denomination and moving said fingers into their respective coin paths in response to movement of the detection means into the coin tube; a detection blade mounted for reciprocal movement to and from the magazine at a position occupied by vendible merchandise when the magazine is loaded; and a linkage interconnecting the detection blade and the lockout finger of the path of the lowest denomination and moving said lockout finger into its respective coin path in response to movement of the detection blade into the magazine.

7. In a coin operated vending machine having a magazine for vendible merchandise, a vending chute into which vended merchandise is discharged from the magazine, a

plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of de nominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins therefrom; the combination of a lockout finger mounted for reciprocal movement to' and from each of the coin paths, the lockout fingers for all coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination being interconnected for unitary reciprocal movement and the lockout finger for the coin path of the lowest denomination being operatively associated with the other fingers for movement of all of said other fingers into their respective coin paths in response to movement of said finger of the path of lowest denomination into its path; detecting means mounted in the vending chute of the vending machine engageable by merchandise therein; a linkage interconnecting the detecting means of the chute and the lockout finger of the lowest denomination for moving said finger into its respective path in response to the presence of merchandise in the chute; a detecting blade mounted in the magazine of the vending machine for engagement with merchandise next to be vended from the machine; a linkage interconnecting the merchandise detecting blade and the lockout finger of the lowest denomination for moving said lockout finger into its respective coin path when the magazine is empty; a coin detecting member mounted for pivotal movement; to and from the coin tube and having a rest position in, the tube; and a linkage interconnecting the coin detecting member and all of the lockout fingers other than that of the lowest denomination and moving said fingers into their respective coin paths in response to movement of the coin detecting member into the tube.

8. In a vending machine having a magazine for vendible merchandise, a vending chute into which vended merchandise is discharged from the magazine, a plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of denominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins therefrom; the combination of a lockout finger mounted for reciprocal movement to and from each of the coin paths, said fingers being gravitationally urged from their respective paths, the lockout fingers for all coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination being interconnected for unitary pivotal movement and the lockout finger of the coin path for the lowest denomination being operatively associated with the other lockout fingers for movement of said other fingers into their respective coin paths in response to movement of said finger of the lowest denomination into its respective coin path; a fiap pivotally mounted in the vending chute, a linkage interconnecting the flap and the lockout finger of the coin path of the lowest denomination for moving;

said finger into its respective coin path in response to.

engagement of the flap with merchandise in the chute; a detection finger mounted for pivotal movement to and from a position occupied by merchandise in the magazine next to be vended from the machine; means resiliently urging the detection finger into said position; a linkage interconnecting the merchandise detection finger and the lockout finger of the coin path for the lowest denomination for moving said lockout finger into its respective coin path in response to movement of the detection finger into the position occupied by merchandise next to be vended from the machine; a coin detection member mounted for pivotal movement to and from the coin tube and gravitationally urged into the tube at a position blocked by coins contained in the tube; a cam mounted in the machine rotated upon actuation of the machine for vending purposes; and a detection rod pivotally connected to the coin detection member and controllably positioned by the cam for retraction of the detection member from the tube during actuation of the machine and gravitational return to the tube upon completion of said actuation, said detection rod being operatively associated with all of the lockout fingers other than that of thelowest denomination formoving said fingers. into their respective coin paths in response to. movement of. the. detection member into the coin tube.

9. In a vending machine having a magazine for vendible merchandise, a vending chute. into. whichv vended merchandise is discharged from the. magazine, a plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of. predetermined denominations individual thereto, and. a-coin. tube mounted below one of the paths adapted to. receivecoinstherefrom; a, lockout system comprising a. lockout finger mounted in pendent relation adjacent .toeach. ot the coin paths, for pivotal movement to and. from its respective coinv path, thev lockout fingers. for all. coin. paths other than that from which the tube receives coins being interconnected for unitary movement to and from their respective coin paths, a portion of the lockout; finger. of. the path from which the tube receives coins being extended across the other lockout fingers at the sidethereof. opposite. from said other lockout fingers respective. coin. paths whereby movement of said finger into: its respective. path" moves all of the other fingers into. their. respectivezpaths; a fiappivotally mounted in thevending .chute. for engage ment by merchandise discharged. into thechute. by the magazine. for upward pivotal .movement. in response. to such. engagement; a linkage interconnecting. the-.flap andthe lockout finger of the path fromwhich thettnbe. receives coins for urgingthefingerinto .itsmespectivecoin path. in response to upward pivotal movementofthezfiap and. byengagement. of the. extended; portion of saidefinger with. the other lockout fingers urginggsaidother fingers into their respective coin pathsga detectionablade pivotally mounted adjacent to the. magazine for'pivotakmovementto andfrom a positionimthemagazine blocked by vendible. merchandise. when the magazinedsrloaded; resilient means urging thedetection blade into-thezmaga'zine; a linkage. interconnecting the detectiontblade. and the lockout finger of thezpath from which thetube.receivesxcoins for. movement of. said lockout finger into: its. respective path. and. the other lockout fingers into. their. respective paths in response to pivotal movement of thedetection bladeintodhemagazine; a-coin detection member pivotally mounted adjacentto-the coin tube for reciprocaltmovement toand from the tubeat; a: position at. WhlChz'fllC tube is. adapted tocontain coins: and said member. being. gravitationally ungedintmthe tube;v acam-.monntcd5;for rotation. in the machineupon. actuationi of the .machine for vending purposes; ,anda detector rod pivotallyconnectedto. the. coin detection member, and: being. .tog ether. therewith. controlled by. the cam. fon elevation ofi the rod andretraction ofithe coin: detection member. from the: tube. during rotation: ofi the cam and" for gravitational descent oi the. rod and of; the detection; member. into the tube. upoucompletion of a! cycle Ofi cam rotation; the detector rodbeing; operativelyt associated withnlltgofithe lockout fingers: other than that of the path from which. the tube receives-coins for. moving saidfingersrinto their respective coinpaths lDwIfiSQQIlSExtO movementof: the coin detection member into the; coin: tube.

10. The system: asdefinedin claim; 9. including arcoinv sign. bearinga first legend identifiyng: the denomination ofthe. coin-path from; WhlCht'Il'lG'tllb6rII'3C6lVS.COlI1S; and: asecond legend. identifyingall. denominations; ofi' coinsv acceptable bythe. machine; means; mounting: the the machine for movementbetweenwa rest.positionain:the machine displaying the: second legend: andam alternate position displaying the ,firstulegend; an] extension of the. detector rod connected-to. the: sign ,andrmoving; the. sign from. rest position-into. saidalternateposition inrresponse to movement ofithecoimdetection member intor the;coin' tube; a. merchandisesign;bearing a--.legend indioating:absence of vendiblemerchandisein. the:magazine. mounted in, the. machine. fort. movement: between; a. rest position hiddenin'the 1nachine .,and--.a displayinggposition;in:=covering. relationzto the coin. sign;,and controlmeans connected to the merchandise sign responsive to movement of the detection blade into the magazine for moving the of the. detectorrod .connected to the sign. and moving the.

sign from rest. position i'ntov said alternate. position in response. to movementof. thecoin detection member into the coin tube..

12. The system. asdefinedin claim 9 including a merchandise. signv bearing a legend indicating absence of vendible. merchandise in. the-magazine. mounted in. the machine. for movementbetween a. rest positionhidden in the machine anda displaying position; and. control means connected-tothe merchandise. sign responsive to movement of. the-detection bladeinto the magazine. formoving the merchandise. sign. into. display position.

13. In amending machine. having a merchandise magazine and. acoin.operating.mechanismhaving coin pathways therethnough, the. combination of a coin tube adapted. to receive coins. from one of. the. pathways, a first lockouhmember, mounted adjacent. to. the. pathway from which thecoinvtube is adapted-.10v receive coins, a

second. lockout. member mounted adjacent .to. the other pathway the lockout members having; rest. positions retractedzfromtheir. respective. pathways and coin. blocking positions disposed within. their respective. pathways; the first. lockoutv member. having a portion thereof. dis.-

posed for. engagement with the. second zlockout member. at the sidetliereof oppositeito:itsrespective .pathway. .Whereby I movement. of the. first; lockout. member to..coinblocking.

positionmovesthe. secondlockoutmember .to;coin.blocking position, a.blade.mountedadjacent to the.rnerchandis.--

ing magazine. for. movement. .to. and; from the. magazine, said blade having a rest position retracted from:the.magazine and a detecting positionextendedinto themagazine, a detector finger. mounted. adjacent to;.the.cointube for movement to andfromthetube; said fingerhavinga rest position:within thetube'and a-position. retracted therefrom, a; first. control linkage. interconnecting; the. bladeand the. first lockout member. for moving thefirstnlocks out member and.thus the. secondlockoutmember. tQ-their coin. blocking positions in, response to. movementofi theblade into the magazine,, and. a second? control linkagev interconnecting :the. detector-finger. andthe-second lockout member for moving saidsecond lockouh memberinto itscoin blocking. positioninresponse to movement of. the:

detector finger: into the. coin.tube.

14. In a coin. operating. vending; machine. having, a.

prising a lookout.- member-.m otunted adjacent to .the.pathf ways. having fingerscorrespondingly movable to. and

from all of the. pathwaysnotherthanthat aligned with the; pocket. from which coins are directed into the coin tube;.a coindetectiom finger pivotally mounted adjacent to the cointubetorreciprocatmovementto and from the. tube, the detectionfingerhaving, a; rest position: with-.

in the; tube: and a retractedposition removed from the tube; and a detection rod pivotally. connected to;thet detection finger eccentricallyof the; pivotal axis of the: finger and upwardly extendedtherefrom; said detection:

rod having; a horizontal portion transverselyv extended above. the: drum and an upper. (iHCl',lI1r controlling. connection to the, lookout member, the coin:drum.having a substantially cylindrical periphery and being provided with a flat thereon engageable with the horizontal portion of the detection rod whereby the detection rod is elevated upon drum rotation to retract the detection finger from the tube and lowered for pivotal movement of the finger into the tube in response to engagement of the horizontal portion of the detection rod with the fiat on the drum.

15. In a coin operated vending machine having a vending chute into which vended merchandise is dispensed upon actuation of the machine, a plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of denominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins from said path; a lockout system comprising a lockout finger mounted adjacent to each of the coin paths for reciprocal movement to and from their respective paths, the lockout finger of the coin path of the lowest denomination having a portion extended across the other fingers at the side thereof opposite to their respective coin paths; a flap pivotally mounted in the vending chute; a bar member interconnecting the flap and the lockout finger of the path of the lowest denomination for corresponding pivotal movement; detection means mounted for pivotal movement to and from the coin tube at a position in predetermined space relation to the bottom of the tube; and a linkage interconnecting the detection means and the lockout fingers for the coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination and moving said fingers into their respective coin paths in response to movement of the detection means into the coin tube.

16. In a coin operated vending machine having a vending chute into which vended merchandise is dispensed upon actuation of the machine, a plurality of coin paths in the machine for coins of denominations individual thereto, and a coin tube mounted below the path for coins of the lowest denomination adapted to receive coins from said path; a lockout system comprising lockout members individually mounted adjacent to each of the coin paths for reciprocal movement to and from their respective paths, the lockout member of the coin path of the lowest denomination being operably associated with the other lockout members whereby movement of said lockout member of the coin path of the lowest denomination into its coin path moves the other lockout members into their respective coin paths and whereby said other lockout members can move into their respective coin paths independently of the lockout member of the coin path of the lowest denomination; means mounted in the vending chute for reciprocal movement between a rest position in the chute engageable with merchandise disposed therein and a retracted position to which said means is displaced by merchandise dispensed into the chute; a linkage interconnecting the means mounted in the chute and the lockout member of the path of the lowest denomination moving said lockout member into its respective coin path in response to movement of the means mounted in the chute to retracted position; detection means mounted for pivotal movement to and from the coin tube at a position in predetermined spaced relation to the bottom of the tube; and a linkage interconnecting the detection means and the lockout members for the coin paths other than that of the lowest denomination and moving said members into their respective coin paths in response to movement of the detection means into the coin tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,517 Stambaugh Nov. 22, 1910 997,546 Dupont et al. July 11, 1911 1,084,242 Werden et al. Jan. 13, 1914 1,164,911 Bachman Dec. 21, 1915 1,185,045 Barili May 30, 1916 1,251,447 Tibbitts Dec. 25, 1917 1,256,181 Smith Feb. 12, 1918 1,539,612 Vaughn May 26, 1925 1,659,878 Jennings Feb. 21, 1928 2,044,110 Walker June 16, 1936 2,290,275 Childers July 21, 1942 2,351,432 Jennings et al. June 13, 1944 2,371,316 Rice et al. Mar. 13, 1945 2,531,347 Voigtritter Nov. 21, 1950 2,555,486 Harris June 5, 1951 2,567,900 Winkler Sept. 11, 1951 2,571,596 Meredith et al. Oct. 16, 1951 2,587,306 Forsthoefel et al Feb. 26, 1952 2,666,514 Stewart Jan. 19, 1954 2,673,135 Horsch et al. Mar. 23, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 322,213 Great Britain Nov. 29, 1929 577,285 France June 3, 1924

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