U.S. patent number 3,800,932 [Application Number 05/303,539] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-02 for coin operated card vending machine.
Invention is credited to Eugene Dana.
United States Patent |
3,800,932 |
Dana |
April 2, 1974 |
COIN OPERATED CARD VENDING MACHINE
Abstract
A vending machine for postcards and the like having a case
within which are mounted a plurality of cradles in a
ferris-wheellike array and with each cradle having a number of
storage magazines. The assembly of cradles are rotatable, and the
cradles carry display panels bearing samples of the merchandise in
the magazines and viewable through a window in the case. A coin
operated vending mechanism withdraws the merchandise from the
magazines, and the vending mechanism is positioned with respect to
the merchandise by reference to the display panels.
Inventors: |
Dana; Eugene (Santa Monica,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23172574 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/303,539 |
Filed: |
November 3, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
194/240 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/52 (20130101); G07F 11/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/16 (20060101); G07F 11/46 (20060101); G07F
11/52 (20060101); G07f 011/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;221/155,76,77,78,79,81,211 ;194/10,12 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenfield; George L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vending machine comprising
a case, and a plurality of magazines pivotally suspended in the
case and being open at the bottom for holding different articles to
be vended by the machine,
a vending mechanism disposed beneath the magazines and movably
mounted in the case so that it may be selectively operatively
associated with each of the magazines,
a piston carrying a suction-type gripper forming part of the
mechanism and movable into the magazines through their open bottoms
to withdraw one article at a time from the particular magazine with
which it is operatively associated,
means for generating a vacuum behind said gripper for causing the
piston to withdraw the lowermost item in said magazine,
means responsive to the piston being lowered so that the gripper is
removed from the magazine causing the article to be discharged from
the mechanism,
and means including a coin controlled switch for controlling the
operation of the vending mechanism.
2. A vending machine as described in claim 1 further characterized
by
said magazines being carried in a plurality of cradles rotatable
about a horizontal axis,
and means operatively connected to the cradles for rotating them in
sequence into operative relationship with the vending
mechanism.
3. A vending machine as described in claim 2 further characterized
by
a viewing window in the case for sequentially viewing each cradle,
each cradle being positioned for best viewing through the window
when another cradle is operatively positioned with respect to the
vending mechanism,
and articles carried on the magazine of each cradle which are
samples of the articles in another of the cradles, whereby sample
articles viewed through the window correspond to the articles in
the cradle operatively positioned with respect to said vending
mechanism.
4. A vending machine comprising
a case and an opening in the case to view the case interior,
a plurality of horizontally extending display panels mounted for
rotation about a horizontal axis in the case,
a plurality of holders on each panel, each holder adapted to carry
card-like merchandise with the opening in the case substantially as
wide as each panel so that all the merchandise on a panel may be
viewed at one time,
means for rotating the display panels to move them one at a time
into view through the opening so that the merchandise on the panels
may be successively visually examined,
a plurality of pivotally mounted magazines connected behind and
rotatably about the horizontal axis with the panels in the case and
equal in number to the number of holders, one magazine
corresponding to each holder for carrying a plurality of copies of
the merchandise corresponding to that in the holder, said magazines
maintaining a constant vertical orientation because of their
pivotal mounting as they rotate about the horizontal axis so that
the merchandise in the magazines is not spilled from them,
and a vending mechanism and discharge means disposed in the case
and movable horizontally in the case parallel to the axis and into
operative relation with each of the magazines for withdrawing
merchandise from the magazine and feeding it to the discharge
means.
5. A vending machine as described in claim 4 further characterized
by
selector means connected to the mechanism and operatively
associated with the display panels for enabling a purchaser to
position the mechanism with respect to the magazine containing the
desired merchandise.
6. A vending machine as described in claim 4 further characterized
by
the magazines being connected to display panels adjacent the
display panels carrying corresponding merchandise.
7. A vending machine as described in claim 5 further characterized
by
the magazines being connected to display panels adjacent the
display panels carrying corresponding merchandise.
8. A vending machine as described in claim 6 further characterized
by
a coin operated circuit mounted in the case for controlling
operation of the vending mechanism.
9. A vending machine as described in claim 7 further characterized
by
said selector means including a pointer for alignment with the
selected merchandise on any of the display panels and thereby
aligning the mechanism with the corresponding magazine,
a coin operated circuit mounted in the case for controlling
operation of the vending mechanism,
and disabling means in the circuit and responsive to the pointer
being out of alignment with all merchandise on the display panels
for preventing operation of the vending mechanism.
10. A vending machine as described in claim 9 further characterized
by
means connected to the menas for rotating the display panels for
preventing operation of that means when the vending mechanism is in
operation.
11. A vending machine as described in claim 10 further
characterized by
said means for rotating the display panels including a motor and a
control switch on the case for initiating rotation of the
motor.
12. A vending machine comprising
a case with a horizontal shaft and frame mounted in the case,
a plurality of cradles pivotally suspended from the frame and
rotatable about the shaft, means in the cradles dividing each
cradle into a horizontal row of magazines with each magazine
suitable for holding a quantity of identical items to be vended by
the machine,
sample merchandise holders mounted on and rotatable with each of
the cradles with one holder in front of each magazine, each of said
holders carrying a sample of the merchandise held in quantity in a
magazine in a different cradle,
a horizontally extending window in the case through which all of
the merchandise on the holders on each cradle may be viewed
simultaneously as each cradle is passed behind the window by
rotation of the shaft,
openings in each magazine through which the merchandise held in
quantity may be withdrawn one at a time,
a vending mechanism and discharge means disposed in the case and
movable into operative relation with each of the magazines for
withdrawing merchandise from the magazines and feeding it to the
discharge means,
and selector means connected to the mechanism and operatively
associated with the sample merchandise holders for enabling a
purchaser to position the mechanism with respect to the magazine
containing a quantity of the desired merchandise.
Description
This invention relates to vending machines and more particularly
comprises a new and improved vending machine for marketing such
merchandise as postcards, greeting cards, maps, forms, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At the present time postcards and other merchandise such as
greeting cards, maps, etc. sold in drug stores, souvenir shops and
the like are sold over the counter, and each purchase requires the
attention of a store clerk. The low unit sales price of such
merchandise coupled with the increasing selling costs has made the
sale of much of that type of merchandise commercially unattractive.
And because much of this type of merchandise must be displayed
openly so that prospective customers can examine the merchandise
before purchase, and further, because such merchandise is
relatively small and easily concealed, pilferage is a very
substantial problem in the retailing of such goods.
Many of the problems incident to the merchandising of such things
as postcards, greeting cards, etc. may be eliminated by automatic
vending machines capable of merchandising such goods. Accordingly,
it is one object of this invention to provide a vending machine
which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easily serviced,
substantially pilfer proof, and is capable of dependably vending
such items as postcards, greeting cards, maps, printed forms,
etc.
Another important object of this invention is to provide a vending
machine for postcards and the like, which is capable of offering a
variety of different items to customers and which at the same time
does not occupy a great deal of space.
To accomplish these and other objects, the vending machine of this
invention includes a ferris-wheel-like array of cradles that are
rotatable in sequence by a viewing window in the vending machine
case. The cradles carry display panels that bear sample merchandise
for viewing by prospective customers, and the cradles also include
magazines for storing merchandise to be sold and which corresponds
to the sample merchandise in the display panels. A vending
mechanism is provided in the machine whose position may be guided
by means of a pointer operatively associated with the display
panels, for conveying desired items to the customer.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine constructed in
accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine taken along the
section line 2--2 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the vending machine taken along
the section line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of the vending mechanism in the
machine;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of one cradle of the merchandise
carrier in the vending machine;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line 6--6
of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit of the vending
machine.
The postcard vending machine shown in the drawings is housed in a
case 10 having a front wall 12, bottom wall 14, top wall 16, rear
wall 18, and end walls 20. Front wall 12 has a viewing opening 22
covered by a transparent panel 24 which is removable to provide
access to the interior of the case to enable the machine to be
serviced. A conventional lock mechanism 26 is provided to hold
panel 24 in place and prevent unauthorized access to the interior
of the machine.
A second opening 28 is provided in the front wall 12, through which
the purchased postcards are conveyed to the purchaser. A chute 30
in the interior of the case terminates at its bottom immediately
adjacent opening 28 to carry the purchased cards to a location
accessible to the purchaser through opening 28. A guard 32 limits
access through opening 28 merely to the bottom of the chute.
A third opening 34 in the form of a horizontal slot is also
provided in front wall 12. A selector handle or pointer 36 extends
through slot 34 from the interior of the case and is movable
horizontally in the slot to select the postcard to be purchased,
all as explained in greater detail below.
A rotatable shaft 40 extends across case 10 between the end walls
20 and carries a rectangular plate 42 adjacent each end, which in
turn support four cradles 44 that carry the postcards vended by the
machine. Each rectangular plate 42 carries pins 46 adjacent each
corner, which pins in turn fit into vertical slots 48 in the end
panels 50 of each of the cradles so that the cradles remain upright
as the shaft rotates in the case. Thus, the cradles 44 form a
ferris-wheel-like arrangement on shaft 40 for the postcards sold by
the machine.
One cradle 44 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. As the cradles
are identical, only one need be described. Cradle 44 includes front
and rear walls 52 and 54 respectively which extend parallel to one
another in vertical planes and parallel to the front wall 12 of the
case. The end walls 50 of each cradle are composed of a pair of
inwardly extending flanges 56 and 58 at the ends of the front and
rear walls 52 and 54, which in turn are joined by connecting panel
59 that actually contains the vertical slot 48. Thus, the main
frame of each cradle includes a pair of elongated front and rear
walls joined together by the end walls. The cradle is subdivided
into a number of separate compartments or magazines by intermediate
flanges 60 that extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of the
front and rear walls as is evident in FIG. 5. The flanges 60 are
spaced apart on each wall a distance just exceeding the width of
the postcards to be vended so that the cards may be stacked in the
individual compartments 62 in the manner suggested in the drawing.
A pair of spaced wires 64 extend across the bottom of each
compartment 62 closely adjacent the dividing flanges 60 so that a
postcard may be drawn out of the compartment from the bottom of the
stack between the wires by the vending mechanism described below.
In the embodiment shown in the drawing, each cradle is designed to
carry four stacks of postcards, and as four cradles are provided 16
different postcard views are carried in the machine.
Front wall 52 of cradle 44 is provided with a number of forwardly
extending ears 66 which are designed to hold individual postcards
for viewing through transparent plate or window 24. The ears are
bent from the plane of front wall 52 and as is evident in FIG. 2
they are spaced so as to hold postcards P in front of each
compartment 62, that is, immediately outside each compartment
holding a stack of cards. As is explained in detail below, the card
on the face of a particular compartment does not in fact correspond
to the cards in that compartment, but rather, it corresponds to the
cards in the aligned compartment in an adjacent cradle.
The vending mechanism which actually transfers cards from the
individual compartments 62 in the cradle to the discharge chute 30
is shown in detail in FIGS. 2-4. The mechanism, generally
identified by numeral 70, is mounted on a vertical panel 72 which
is movable manually across the case 10 by means of selector handle
36. Panel 72 is supported in part by a roller 74 mounted
intermediate the ends of the bottom edge 76 of the panel on stub
shaft 78, which rides on a rail 80 that also extends transversely
across the case 10. Four notches 82 are provided in rail 80, which
correspond to the four compartments in each cradle 44. A pair of
arms 86 extend forwardly from the front face 88 of panel 72
adjacent its side edges, which in turn are joined at their forward
extremities by a narrow plate 90. Panel 72, arms 86, and plate 90
form a horizontal rectangular opening through which postcards drop
when drawn from any one of the compartments 62 on the way to
discharge chute 30.
Bearing blocks 92 are mounted on the ends of plate 90, which in
turn ride on the horizontally extending rail 94 positioned in case
10 behind front wall 12 and just above slot 34. As shown in FIG. 2
rail 94 sits in brackets 96 on the inner surface of end walls 20.
Selector handle 36 is generally L-shaped, having an upstanding rear
leg 100 secured to plate 90 between blocks 92, and it extends
forwardly from plate 90 out slot 34 in the front wall of the case.
Thus, selector handle 36 provides means for moving the vending
mechanism 70 from side to side across case 10 so that it may be
positioned below any one of the compartments 62 in the cradle 44
disposed immediately above panel 72.
As shown in FIGS. 2-4, panel 72 carries a vertically positioned
cylinder 102 on its front face 88. Cylinder 102 contains piston 104
carried on rod 106. Rod 106 has an axial bore 108 extending
downwardly from its upper end 110, and port 112 in rod 106
communicates with bore 100 and the interior of cylinder 102. A vent
opening 114 is formed in the cylinder 102 to communicate with the
cylinder interior. A suction cup 116 having a central opening 118
communicates with the bore 108 in the rod so as to form a
continuaton thereof.
When the piston 104 is disposed above vent port 114, the interior
of cylinder 102 above piston 104 may be vented through the port
112, bore 108, and port 118 to the atmosphere so long as the
suction cup has not engaged a postcard. When the piston 104 is
disposed below the vent 114, the interior of the cylinder is open
to the atmosphere through the vent. This feature enables the
suction cup 116 to engage and draw down from any of the individual
compartments of the cradles 44 the bottom-most postcard, and the
suction cup retains the postcard on it until the piston 104 moves
below the vent 114. This is described in greater detail in
connection with the operation of the mechanism.
The piston rod 106 is actuated by crank assembly 120 that comprises
links 122 and 124. The crank assembly is driven by a motor 126 on
the back of panel 72 and actuates the rod 106 by virtue of the
connection between link 124 and the horizontal arm 128 rigidly
secured to the bottom of rod 106. As the motor shaft 130 rotates
clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4, the rod 106 is moved up and down as
suggested by arrow 132. As linkage assembly 120 moves, rod 106
moves upwardly to the maximum elevated position when the link 122
is in the vertical position suggested at 122'. Subsequently, with
continued rotation of shaft 130, link 122 assumes the position
suggested in broken lines by numeral 122" in which position the rod
106 is in its lowermost position. When rod 106 reaches its maximum
upward position, the suction cup 116 engages the lowermost card in
the cradle compartment disposed immediately above it (see FIGS. 3
& 4), and the card itself serves to close opening 118 in the
suction cup. Therefore, as the rod 106 thereafter moves downwardly
with rotation of motor shaft 130, a vacuum is created in the
cylinder 102 above piston 104 which serves to retain the card on
the suction cup. Consequently the card is withdrawn from the
compartment between the wires 64 and is carried by the suction cup
(the card bows so as to pass between the wires) until the piston
104 passes vent port 114, at which time the vacuum in cylinder 102
is relieved and the postcard is allowed to fall between arms 86 and
plate 90 to the discharge chute 30. A stripping finger 134 mounted
on the front 88 of panel 72 helps to jar the postcard from the
suction cup 116 when the vacuum is broken.
A pair of microswitches 136 and 138 are mounted on the front and
back, respectively, of panel 72 adjacent its lower edge 76, and
each respectively has an actuating finger 140 and 142 which are in
a control circuit of the vending machine described below.
The microswitch 136 is actuated by contact of its finger 140 with
the end 150 of arm 128. When rod 106 reaches the bottom of its
stroke as suggested by the position of arm 128 shown as 128" in
FIG. 4, the end 150 engages the finger 140 to open switch 136. As
switch 136 lies in the circuit of motor 126 carried on the back of
the panel 72, continued rotation of the motor ceases upon opening
of switch 136.
The finger 142 of microswitch 138 is actuated by the upper surface
152 of rail 154. As wheel 74 rides along the lower rubber rail 82,
the finger roller 142 of microswitch 138 rides along the upper
surface 152 of the higher rail 154. When roller 74 engages one of
the notches 82 in the rubber rail 82 signifying that the plate is
properly located with respect to one of the compartments or
magazines 62 in cradle 44, simultaneously the roller 142 falls into
the notch 155 formed on the upper edge 152 of rail 154 so as to
open microswitch 138. Microswitch 138 also is in the vend motor
circuit, and it must be actuated by registration of its finger with
the notch in rail 154 in order for the motor to rotate.
As shown in FIG. 2, shaft 40 which supports the plates 42 and
cradles 44 carries a sprocket 160 adjacent one end wall of case 10,
which in turn supports chain 162 in turn driven by drive sprocket
164 of gear box 166 actuated by the cradle motor 168. Gear box 166
and motor 168 are mounted on rear wall 18 of the case 10 somewhat
below and out of the path of the cradles as the shaft 40 rotates. A
mounting bracket 170 adjustably supports the gear box and motor on
wall 18. Motor 168 carries a brake (not shown) which prevents
override of the motor when the motor circuit is open.
In operation, the card vending machine operates as follows: As the
shaft 40 rotates, the cradles 44 sequentially come into view
through the window 24 on the front wall 12 of the case, and the
cards supported by the ears 66 on the front wall of the cradles are
clearly visible. To initiate rotation of shaft 40 to bring the
cradles 44 into view through window 24, the customer presses the
view button 180 on front wall 12 of the case located beside the
window. Actuation of button 180 completes the circuit of motor 168
as shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 7 and throws the cam
operated microswitch 182 carried on shaft 40 behind sprocket 160 so
that shaft 40 completes one quarter revolution. The brake of motor
168 automatically opens as the motor 160 is energized to allow the
motor to turn freely. Cam microswitch 182 carried on shaft 40
behind sprocket 160 is thrown from the position shown in FIG. 7 to
the alternative position so as to complete an alternative path for
motor 168 to allow it to continue to run even after the push button
180 is released. However, cam microswitch 182 automatically opens
after the shaft 40 has turned through one quarter revolution which
then de-energizes motor 168 and reactivates the motor brake so that
no override of the motor 168 is permitted. The motor brake and cam
microswitch 182 are so oriented that the shaft 40 stops when the
cradles are in the position shown in FIG. 3 with the lower cradle
positioned immediately above vending mechanism 70. Thus, as viewed
in FIG. 3, cradle 44' is properly positioned with respect to the
suction cup 116 carried on the end piston rod 106. In selecting the
desired card, the customer may actuate the button 180 four times,
or alternatively may keep the button 180 depressed manually so that
the shaft 40 makes a complete revolution and all of the postcards
carried on the front walls of the cradles are viewable through the
window 24. The customer rotates the cradles until the particular
card desired is on the cradle centered in the window 24; that is,
the card desired is carried on the wall 52 of the cradle in the
position of cradle 44". Next, the customer moves the handle pointer
36 so that it is aligned with the indicating line 190 in turn
vertically aligned with the desired postcard. As the handle 36 is
moved from side to side to the proper position, vending assembly 70
moves with it, and roller 74 will register with one of the
depressions in the rubber rail 82 as the handle 36 is aligned with
each of the various indicator markings 190. Simultaneously finger
142 of microswitch 138 will set in the notch provided in the upper
edge 152 of the higher rail 154.
As suggested above, and referring to FIG. 3, the card carried on
outer wall 52 of the particular compartment in cradle 44" is the
same as all the cards in the compartment aligned vertically with it
in the cradle 44'. Therefore, when a selected card is positioned in
the line of cradle 44" and the handle pointer 36 is aligned with
that particular card, suction cup 116 and cylinder 102 are aligned
with the compartment carrying the identical cards in the cradle
position 44'. The customer then inserts the proper coin in coin box
192 and depresses the coin plunger. Coin box switch 194 as shown in
the schematic drawing of FIG. 7 is thereby closed which latches the
latching relay 196 that may be carried on the back of panel 72.
With the latching relay 196 in its latched condition, the circuit
to motor 126 is completed to start the mechanism 120 through its
cycle to actuate cylinder 120. Simultaneously, latching of the
latching relay breaks the circuit to motor 168 so as to prevent
continued rotation of motor 168 under any conditions. Actuation of
motor 126 causes piston rod 106 to rise until suction cup 116
engages the lowermost card in the magazine 62 of cradle 44'
disposed immediately above the piston rod. The piston rod is long
enough to provide some override of suction cup 116 against the
lowermost card in the stack to insure proper engagement of the card
with the rubber cup and close passage 118 in it. As motor 126
continues to rotate and turn actuating mechanism 120, the rod 106
drops and the vacuum in cylinder 102 is increased so as to insure
proper engagement of the cup 116 with the card. Thus the card is
bowed between the wires 64 and drawn out of the magazine and
continues its downward travel with the cup 116 until the piston 104
passes vent port 114 in the cylinder. When this occurs, the vacuum
in cylinder 102 is relieved, and the stripping finger 134
simultaneously jars the card from the cup and permits it to drop to
the chute 30. When rod 106 reaches the bottom of its stroke, the
end 150 of arm 128 engages the setback microswitch 136 and more
particularly its finger 140 and that opens the circuit to motor 126
by releasing the latching relay. When the latching relay is
released, the circuit to motor 168 is no longer impaired and it may
thus be turned by closing push button switch 180.
Interlock microswitch 138 is located in the motor circuit, and must
be actuated by registration of its finger with the notch in the
upper rail 154 in order for motor 126 to operate. Consequently, if
handle pointer 36 is not properly aligned with the indicating line
190 on front wall 12 (that is, with the selected postcard) motor
126 may not operate even though the coin switch has been closed. If
however, the pointer is accidentally misaligned, and the operator
has placed the coin in the coin box and depressed the plunger, the
circuit to the motor may be completed by thereafter aligning the
handle 36. Therefore the coin is not lost and the card may be
purchased by the customer thereafter properly positioning the
pointer handle.
The machine may readily be serviced by an attendant merely by
opening lock 26 on the top of front wall 12 and raising the window
24 to expose opening 22. With the window out of the way, the
attendant may fill each of the compartments in the several cradles
with the proper cards. The coin box is also readily accessible
through opening 22 so that the attendant may collect the money in
the machine.
It is apparent from the foregoing description that while the
embodiment illustrated and described is designed to vend as many as
16 different postcards, the machine may be modified by adding
additional cradles and/or lengthening the machine so as to provide
additional compartments in each cradle to increase the number.
Obviously the number may be decreased in a similar fashion.
Further, postcards of different sizes may be accommodated by
modifying the flanges 60 in the several cradles. For example, with
smaller postcards, the flanges may form L-shaped spacers between
adjacent compartments. It will also be apparent that by modifying
the control circuitry the machine may be used to permit the
purchase of a plurality of cards following a single actuation of
the coin switch.
Because numerous modifications may be made of this invention
without departing from its spirit, it is not intended to limit the
breadth of this invention to the single embodiment which is
illustrated and described. And it is to be understood that the
machine may be used to vend other goods, such as greeting cards,
maps, forms etc. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this
invention be determined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *