U.S. patent number 3,575,480 [Application Number 04/759,462] was granted by the patent office on 1971-04-20 for interlocking arrangement.
Invention is credited to Ernest W. Peisker.
United States Patent |
3,575,480 |
Peisker |
April 20, 1971 |
INTERLOCKING ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
In a cabinet containing a plurality of drawers, apparatus for
allowing only one drawer to be opened at a time is provided by a
cam plate located adjacent the drawers and adapted to engage cam
members located on the drawers. Interlocking the drawers and
preventing access to the space therebetween is achieved by
providing slide members that may be selectively moved to lockingly
bridge two adjacent drawers. In addition, automatic release of
members connected to a latching bar for purposes of loading trays
in a drawer can be achieved by releaseably connecting the latching
bar to an interlock arrangement.
Inventors: |
Peisker; Ernest W. (Chicago,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
25055738 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/759,462 |
Filed: |
September 12, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/38 (20130101); G07F 11/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/16 (20060101); G07F 11/02 (20060101); G07F
11/38 (20060101); E05b 065/46 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/218,216,220,219,319 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Williamowsky; David J.
Assistant Examiner: Shedd; Wayne L.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a cabinet containing a first drawer and a second drawer, each
movable between an open position and a closed position, the drawers
having predetermined widths and front edge portions arranged to
leave a space therebetween, apparatus for preventing the relative
movement of the first and second drawers and for sealing the space
therebetween comprising:
locking means movable between a first position in which relative
movement between the first and second drawers is allowed and a
second position in which said locking means is disposed in which
said locking means is disposed in the space between the drawers
across substantially the entire width thereof, whereby relative
movement between the first and second drawers and access to the
space therebetween is prevented; and
actuation means connected to said locking means whereby said
locking means may be moved between its first and second
positions.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means
comprises:
a first bracket attached to the first drawer;
a second bracket attached to the second drawer; and
slide means movable between a first position in which said slide
means engages only one of said brackets in order to allow relative
movement between the first and second drawers and a second position
in which said slide means engages both said first and second
brackets in order to prevent relative movement between the first
and second drawers.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising second
locking means movable between a first position in which relative
movement between the second drawer and the cabinet is allowed and a
second position in which said second locking means is disposed in
the space between the second drawer and the cabinet across
substantially the entire width of the drawer, whereby relative
movement between the second drawer and the cabinet and access to
the space therebetween is prevented, said actuation means being
connected to said second locking means, whereby said second locking
means may be moved between its first and second positions.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:
first cam means connected to the first drawer;
second cam means connected to the second drawer;
plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the
drawers and having first and second openings therein adapted to
engage said first and second cam means, respectively; and
bias means for normally positioning said plate means with said
openings located to interact with the respective cam means, whereby
opening of one of the drawers will cause the associated cam means
to interact with the corresponding opening in said plate means to
drive said plate means against the force of said bias means and
thereby position said plate means to prevent opening of the other
drawer.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second
cam means each comprises:
a cam surface arranged at an angle skewed with respect to the
direction of movement of said plate means; and
a lip projecting from a portion of said cam surface adjacent said
plate means, said lip adapted to engage said plate means and
prevent movement of the associated drawer when said plate means has
been driven against the force of said bias means.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locking means and
said second locking means are interconnected with said plate means
for movement therewith, whereby positioning of said plate means to
prevent opening of one or both drawers will place said locking
means and said second locking means in their said second
positions.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cabinet has a door
and further comprising actuation means for said plate means
comprising an interlock portion that prevent closure of the door
unless said plate means has been positioned to prevent opening of
the drawers.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said interlock portion
is connected to said plate means by a toggle arrangement, said
toggle arrangement being adapted to cause said interlock portion to
prevent closure of the door as a result of the force exerted by
said bias means through said plate means unless the force is
overcome by a superior force exerted on said interlock portion.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising:
movable members mounted on the first and second drawer, each of
said movable members being normally biased against objects to be
dispensed from the drawers and movable against such bias to permit
reloading of the drawers;
latch means mounted adjacent to each of said members for
maintaining said members in a position away from the articles to be
dispensed to permit reloading of the drawers;
a first latch bar adjacent said latch means on the first
drawer;
a second latch bar adjacent said latch means on the second drawer,
said first and second latch bars being connected to said plate
means and adapted to engage the associated latch means to permit
reloading of the drawers when said plate means is positioned to
permit said cam means to engage the openings therein; and
connection means between said plate means and said latching bars
adapted to cause said latching bar to release said latch means when
said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the
drawers.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cabinet has a door
and further comprising actuation means for said plate means
comprising an interlock portion that prevents closure of the door
unless said plate means has been positioned to prevent opening of
the drawers.
11. An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having
a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable
between an open and a closed position, comprising:
cam means located on each of the drawers;
plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the
drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said
cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate
means by one of said cam means upon opening of the associated
drawer causing displacement of said plate means to prevent opening
of the other drawer;
bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said
opening therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means;
an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to
prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plate means
is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers; and
locking means interconnected with said plate means to close the
spaced between the drawers and between each drawer and the cabinet
and to prevent relative motion between the drawers and between a
drawer and the cabinet, unless said plate means is positioned to
prevent opening of the drawers.
12. An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having
a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable
between an open and a closed position, comprising:
cam means located on each of the drawers;
plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the
drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said
cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate
means by one of said cam means upon opening of the drawers,
engagement of the associated drawer causing displacement of said
plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer; and
bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said
openings therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means;
movable members mounted on the first and second drawer, each of
said movable members being normally biased against objects to be
dispensed from the drawers and movable against such bias to permit
reloading of the drawers;
latch means mounted adjacent to each of said members for
maintaining said members in a position away from the articles to be
dispensed to permit reloading of the drawers;
a first latch bar adjacent said latch means on the first
drawer;
a second latch bar adjacent said latch means on the second drawer,
said first and second latch bars being connected to said plate
means and adapted to engage the associated latch means to permit
reloading of the drawers when said plate means is positioned to
permit said cam means to engage the openings therein;
connection means between said plate means and said latching bars
adapted to cause said latching bar to release said latch means when
said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers;
and
an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to
prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plate means
is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers,
whereby said latching bars are forced to release said latch means
before the door of the cabinet can be closed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is primarily directed to drawer controlling and
locking apparatus, and more particularly this invention is directed
to drawer controlling and locking apparatus for use in connection
with a horizontal tray vending machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since vending machines typically hold large numbers of vendable
items and frequently contain expensive and delicate electronics
equipment, instability and undesired movement of the vending
machine cabinet during the servicing of the machine must be
minimized Although cabinet instability is not normally a problem,
it can create difficulties in a machine in which the vendable
articles are stored in multiple drawers, each of which is movable
to the front of the cabinet while the machine is being serviced. In
such a machine, the simultaneous opening of several drawers shifts
the center of gravity toward the front of the machine so that the
rear side of the cabinet is lifted from the surface on which it is
resting. Subsequently, when the drawers are closed, the center of
gravity shifts toward the rear of the machine so that the rear side
of the cabinet falls against the surface, thereby creating a source
of damage for the apparatus held therein. Moreover, if the articles
in the drawers are sufficiently heavy, the simultaneous opening of
several drawers could conceivably cause the entire cabinet to tip
over. The accidental opening and closing of multiple drawers also
creates a hazard for a workman servicing the machine. If the
workman starts to open one drawer while an adjacent drawer is
closing, his hand could conceivably be caught between the drawers.
The foregoing problems associated with multiple drawer cabinets in
general, and with vending machine cabinets in particular, can be
eliminated if only one drawer at a time is allowed to open.
Since the drawers in a vending machine cabinet (as well as other
types of cabinets) frequently hold valuable articles, it is also
desirable to provide apparatus that interlocks the drawers and
seals the spaces adjacent the front edges of adjoining drawers so
that access to the interior of the cabinet is prevented. Although
horizontal frame members could be positioned between the drawers in
order to cover the spaces, they would provide a point of leverage
for prying open the drawers. In addition, they would occupy
valuable space on the front panel of the cabinet, and would tend to
reduce the number of drawers that could be held in a cabinet of
predetermined size.
Vending machines and cabinets of the foregoing type sometimes have
a member mounted in each of the drawers in order to urge articles
therein toward particular locations in the drawer. In order to load
articles in a particular drawer, its member must be relocated in a
loading position so that sufficient space is created for additional
articles. After the articles are loaded, the member is released in
order to urge the articles toward their proper locations. If a
workman servicing the cabinet forgets to release the member after
the loading process is completed, the articles are not moved to
their proper locations, and certain difficulties in operating the
cabinet may result.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a multiple drawer cabinet in which only one drawer may be
opened at a time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking
apparatus arranged to prevent relative movement between the drawers
held in a cabinet.
Still another related object of the present invention is to provide
a locking apparatus that seals the spaces adjacent the front edges
of adjoining drawers of a cabinet, so that access to the interior
of the cabinet is prevented.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means
of latching a drawer member in a loading position so that articles
may be conveniently loaded into the drawer.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
latching means of the foregoing type that automatically releases
the member when the loading process is completed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to provide a multiple drawer cabinet in which only one
drawer may be opened at a time, the present invention, in its
preferred embodiment, basically comprises plate means connected to
the cabinet adjacent the drawers, cam means connected to each
drawer, and receptacle means located in the plate means and adapted
to periodically receive the cam means. When all of the drawers are
in their closed positions, the plate means is held in a first
position wherein each of the receptacle means is located opposite
its associated cam means. In this position, any of the receptacle
means may receive its associated cam means to allow the opening of
any drawer in the cabinet.
If one of the drawers is opened, the cam means connected to the
opened drawer engages its associated receptacle means and thereby
cams the plate means to a second position in which the remaining
receptacle means are not aligned with their associated cam means.
If an additional drawer is sought to be opened, the cam means
connected to the drawer strikes the body portion of the plate means
and thereby prevents the movement of the drawer. When the opened
drawer is returned to its closed position, the plate means returns
to the position in which all cam means are aligned with their
respective receptacle means, and any drawer may thereafter be
opened.
In order to provide apparatus for preventing the relative movement
of the drawers and sealing the spaces between adjacent drawers, the
present invention also provides a locking means, such as slide
members, each movable between adjacent pairs of drawers, and a
connection means that interconnects the plate means with the slide
members. The slide members preferably extend across substantially
the entire width of the drawers and are connected to the plate
means so that they lockingly bridge their associated pair of
drawers when the plate means is moved to its second position. If
the slide members are moved to their positions between pairs of
drawers, relative movement between the drawers is prevented, and
the space existing between the front edges of the drawers is
effectively sealed.
In order to automatically release members latched during the
loading of a drawer, the present invention also comprises a latch
means mounted to each drawer, such as a latch bar on which the
members may be conveniently latched; and connection means for
interconnecting the latch bars with the plate means. As a
particular drawer is opened, the latch bar mounted thereto is
preferably moved to a raised position so that the members in the
drawer may be attached thereto by brackets. After the drawer is
loaded and closed, the latch bar may be moved to a lowered position
below the brackets in order to release the members. Due to the
manner in which the latch bars are connected to the plate means,
they are simultaneously moved to their lowered positions by moving
the plate means to its second position. The plate means, in turn,
may be moved to its second position by an interlock arrangement
that must be operated before a door to the cabinet can be closed.
Thus, the closure of the cabinet door is not allowed until the
plate means is moved to its second position wherein the latched
members are automatically released.
The use of the present invention significantly increases the ease
and safety with which a multiple drawer vending machine cabinet may
be loaded and locked. Since only one drawer at a time may be
opened, the cabinet may be loaded with heavy articles without fear
of instability or tipping. In addition, members latched during the
loading process may be released, and the drawers may be interlocked
and sealed with a degree of reliability and ease heretofore
unattained
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing objects, advantages, and features of the subject
invention will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of
illustration, but not of limitation, exemplary embodiments of the
present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in
which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, fragmentary, perspective view of a
vending machine cabinet employing a preferred form of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the drawers and
cam assembly used in connection with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the
cam assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 showing the arrangement
of the parts when all drawers in the cabinet are in their closed
positions;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the
cam assembly showing the arrangement of the parts when the top
drawer in the cabinet is extended toward its open position;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the latching and
locking assemblies of the present invention shown in connection
with some of the trays included in one of the drawers; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the
latching and locking assemblies of the present invention as they
appear when the locking assembly is in its locked position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, a preferred form of the present
invention especially adapted for use in connection with a vending
machine would comprise a cabinet 10, a drawer assembly 30, a cam
assembly 70, an actuation assembly 112, a latching assembly 150,
and a locking assembly 210.
Cabinet 10 basically comprises a front door frame 11, including an
edge portion 12, that encloses the periphery of the front portion
of the cabinet and is movable about a hinge 13. The cabinet also
comprises a top panel 14, an upper front plate 15, a rear panel and
a left-hand panel (not shown), a right-hand panel 18, and a bottom
section 20, including a lower front plate 22.
Drawer assembly 30 basically comprises drawers 34--37 that are each
movable between open and closed positions. The closed position of
the drawers is illustrated by the placement of drawer 34 in FIG. 1,
and a partially opened position of a drawer is illustrated by the
placement of drawer 36 in FIG. 1. Each of the drawers is
essentially identical, and all may be understood with reference to
the following description of drawer 34.
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, drawer 34 basically comprises a
front piece 40, a left-hand side piece 42, a right-hand side piece
44, a bottom piece 46, and a selector switch 50 that is mounted in
front piece 40. Drawer 34 is adapted to hold a series of trays,
such as trays 52 and 54 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the drawer is
movable between its open and closed positions on rollers, such as
roller 58, that ride on rails, such as rail 60.
The drawers are constructed without any traverse frame members
being positioned across the width of the drawers between adjacent
pairs thereof. As a result, spaces exist between adjacent drawers,
and between the upper and lower drawers and respective adjacent
plates of the cabinet. More specifically, space 62 exists between
upper front plate 15 and drawer 34, space 63 exists between drawers
34 and 35, space 64 exists between drawers 35 and 36, space 65
exists between drawers 36 and 37, and space 66 exists between
drawer 37 and lower front plate 22. When the drawers are in their
closed positions, spaces 62--66 are sealed by the locking assembly
in a manner described hereafter so that an operator of the machine
is denied access to the drawers through the spaces.
Cam assembly 70 comprises cams 74--77 that are connected to drawers
34--37, respectively, by brackets 86--89, respectively. Cams 74--77
comprise cam surfaces 78--81, respectively, and lip elements
82--85, respectively. Each of the cams extends along substantially
the entire length of the drawer connected therewith, as illustrated
by an exemplary cam 110 connected to the right-hand side of drawer
36 (FIG. 1). Additional cams and brackets identical to those
illustrated in FIG. 2 are also connected to the right-hand side of
each of the drawers, and may be understood with reference to the
description of cams 74--77.
Cam assembly 70 also comprises a cam plate 90 that is adapted to
coact with cams 74--77, and an identical cam plate 92 that is
adapted to coact with the cams located at the right-hand side of
each of the drawers. Cam plate 90 basically comprises a body
portion 94 made from a rigid material such as sheet steel.
Receptacle holes 96--99 having lower edges 101--104, respectively,
and upper edges 106--109, respectively, are formed in the body
portion and are adapted to receive cams 74--77, respectively. As
shown in FIG. 1, cam plates 90 and 92 are urged in an upward
direction by bias springs 136 and 138, respectively.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, actuation assembly 112 comprises a
horizontally disposed rod 114 that terminates in an interlock
portion 116 at the right-hand side of the cabinet. The interlock
portion extends beyond the edge of the cabinet so that the front
door frame may not be closed until the rod 114 is moved to the left
of the position shown in FIG. 1. Rod 114 is connected to the
cabinet and to cam plates 90 and 92 through toggle arrangements 118
and 134. Both of the toggle arrangements are identical and may be
understood with reference to the following description of
arrangement 118.
Toggle arrangement 118 comprises a rod 120 that is connected to rod
114 through a shaft 122 and is connected to a bracket 124 through a
shaft 126. Bracket 124 is securely mounted to top panel 14 of the
cabinet. The toggle arrangement also comprises another rod 130 that
is connected to cam plate 90 by a shaft 132 and is connected to rod
114 through a shaft 122.
When the front door frame of the cabinet is opened, bias springs
136, 138 force cam plates 90 and 92 in an upward direction so that
the toggle arrangements assume the relative positions shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. Of course, rod 114 must be moved to the left of the
position shown in FIG. 2 in order to close the front door frame,
and may be manually moved to the left at any time when the door is
open in order to drive the cam plates to their lower positions.
Locking assembly 150 basically comprises a latch bar movably
mounted in each drawer. The latch bars extend across the entire
width of their associated drawers and have their end portions
arranged adjacent cam plates 90 and 92. Each of the latch bars is
constructed in an identical manner and may be understood with
reference to the following discussion of latch bar 154 associated
with drawer 34.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, latch bar 154 has a top edge 155
and a right-hand end piece 156 that extends in front of and to the
right-hand side of cam plate 92. The latch bar is removably
attached to the cam plate through a pin 158 that is connected to
the cam plate at a position above bar 154. Latch bar 154 also has a
left-hand end piece (not shown) that extends in front of and to the
left-hand side of cam plate 90. The left-hand end piece is
removably attached to cam plate 90 through a pin arranged in a
manner similar to pin 158. When drawer 34 is opened, latch bar 154
moves beyond the pins mounted above it on cam plates 90 and 92 so
that subsequent movement of the cam plates does not effect the
position of the latch bar. However, when drawer 34 is closed, the
latch bar 154 and its associated pins are arranged as shown in FIG.
5 so that downward movement of cam plates 90 and 92 to their lower
positions causes downward movement of the bar.
Each latch bar in latching assembly 150 is held in position by a
pair of connecting bars. The connecting bars in each pair are
positioned at opposite sides of a particular drawer so that their
associated latch bar is supported across the entire width of the
drawer. Each of the connecting bars is identical and may be
understood with reference to exemplary connecting bar 160 described
in connection with latch bar 154.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, connecting bar 160 comprises an
upper arm 162 that has a slot 164 in which latch bar 154 is
mounted. The connecting bar also comprises a lower arm 166 that is
perpendicular in relationship to the upper arm and has a slot 168
located in the end thereof. Slot 168 is used to hold a portion of
locking assembly 210 in a manner described hereafter. A spring 170
is connected between the upper arm of bar 160 and a fixed portion
of drawer 34 so that the connecting bar, together with the latch
bar positioned therein, are urged in an upward direction to the
positions shown in FIG. 5.
Latching assembly 150 is particularly useful in connection with
drawers having trays adapted to hold articles that are urged toward
the rear of the trays by pusher elements, such as elements 180 and
182 (FIG. 5). The pusher elements 180, 182 are urged toward the
rear of their associated trays (i.e., in the direction indicated by
arrow A in FIG. 5) by springs 184, 186, respectively, and are
fitted with connection brackets 190, 192, respectively. The
connection brackets are used to removably attach the pusher
elements to latch bar 154 when the bar is arranged in the position
shown in FIG. 5. When the pusher elements are connected in the
manner described, additional articles may be easily loaded into
trays 52 and 54. Additional trays held in drawer 34 are arranged in
a manner similar to trays 52 and 54 so that their associated pusher
elements may be conveniently connected to latch bar 154.
Locking assembly 210 basically comprises a first class of slide
members that may be operated between adjacent drawers and a second
class of slide members that may be operated between a drawer and an
adjacent portion of the cabinet. The first class is illustrated by
slide member 221 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and the second class is
illustrated by slide members 220 and 222 (FIG. 6).
Slide members 220--222 are fabricated from horizontal arms
225--227, respectively, and vertical arms 230--232, respectively,
and each of the slide members extends substantially across the
entire width of its associated drawer.
As shown in FIG. 6, slide member 220 is mounted for movement inside
an upper bracket 240 that is attached to upper front plate 15 and a
lower bracket 242 that is attached to the upper edge of front piece
40 of drawer 34. The upper and lower brackets form a slot 244 in
which the slide member may be moved in a vertical plane. Slide
member 220 is held in a slot 245 of a rod 246 that, in turn, has
its opposite ends connected to cam plates 90 and 92,
respectively.
Slide member 221 is mounted for movement inside an upper bracket
250 that is connected to the lower edge of front piece 40 of drawer
34 and a lower bracket 252 that is connected to the upper edge of
the front piece of drawer 35. The upper and lower brackets form a
slot 254 in which member 221 may be moved in a vertical plane.
Horizontal arm 226 of member 221 is fitted in slot 168 of
connecting bar 160 and is movable therewith.
Slide members similar to member 221 are arranged for movement
between drawers 35, 36 and drawers 36, 37, and those members may be
understood with reference to the foregoing discussion of member
221.
Slide member 222 is mounted for movement inside an upper bracket
258 that is connected to the lower portion of the front piece of
drawer 37 and a lower bracket 260 that is connected to the upper
portion of lower front plate 22. Brackets 258 and 260 establish a
slot 262 in which member 222 may be moved in a vertical plane.
Member 222 is held in a slot 263 of a connecting bar 264 that is
urged in an upward direction by a spring 265 analogous to spring
170. The upper end of bar 264 has a slot 266 in which a latch bar
267 associated with drawer 37 is held. Latch bar 267 is removably
connected to cam plates 90 and 92 by pins, such as pin 158, in the
manner described in connection with latch bar 154.
The operation of the invention will now be described assuming that
cabinet 10 houses a vending machine in which vendable articles are
to be loaded into trays such as trays 52 and 54. When all of the
drawers and the front door frame are closed, the cam plates are in
their lower positions and the latch bars and slide members are held
in the relative positions shown in FIG. 6 by the pins (e.g., pin
158) located on the cam plates. When the front door frame is opened
in order to load articles into the cabinet, interlock portion 116
is free to move to the position shown in FIG. 1, and springs 136
and 138 force the cam plates into their raised positions shown in
FIG. 2. As the cam plates are raised, slide member 220 that is
connected to the cam plates through rod 246 is also raised to a
position in which it allows relative movement between the cabinet
and drawer 34. The raised condition of the cam plates and their
associated pins also allows the springs associated with the
connecting bars (e.g., springs 170 and 265) to raise the latch bars
and slide members associated therewith to the relative positions
illustrated by bar 154 and member 221 in FIG. 5. When the slide
members are raised to the positions described, they are arranged to
allow relative movement between adjacent pairs of drawers and, in
the case of slide member 222, between drawer 37 and the cabinet.
For example, slide member 221 is moved to its raised position
whereat its vertical arm 231 is located solely behind front piece
40 of drawer 34. In this position, slide member 221 does not
prevent relative movement between drawers 34 and 35.
When the cabinet is opened for servicing and the cam plates are
moved to their raised positions, the receptacle holes 96--99 and
cams 74--77 assume the relative positions illustrated in FIG. 3. If
a drawer is subsequently moved to its open position, the cams
attached to the drawer coact with the respective receptacle holes
aligned with the cams in order to move the cam plates in a downward
direction. For example, if drawer 34 is moved toward its open
position, cam surface 78 of cam 74 engages lower edge 101 of
receptacle hole 96. As the drawer continues to be opened, surface
78 cams the plate in a downward direction until the plate is in the
position shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that lip 82 on cam 74
slides past upper edge 106 of hole 96 before the plate has been
lowered sufficiently by the camming action to interfere with the
movement of the lip. As shown in FIG. 4, while drawer 34 is in its
open position, the movement of any other drawer is prevented by the
relative position of the body portion of cam plate 90 and lip
elements 83--85 associated with cams 75--77.
The cams connected to the right-hand side of the drawers are
aligned with cam plate 92 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.
4 and serve as an additional means for preventing the movement of
drawers 35--37 while drawer 34 is in its open position. However, it
will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the same mode of
operation can be achieved by the use of cam plate 90 alone.
If drawer 34 is moved from its open toward its closed position,
bias spring 136 forces cam plate 90 in an upward direction so that
the cam plate is raised as cam 74 is returned to its closed
position. In a similar manner, cam plate 92 is forced in an upward
direction by bias spring 138. After cam 74 is returned to the
position shown in FIG. 3, any of the drawers may be opened in the
manner described in connection with drawer 34. However, the opening
of any of the drawers will drive cam plate 90 to the position shown
in FIG 4, whereat movement of the drawers remaining in their closed
positions is prevented.
As previously mentioned, when the front door frame of the cabinet
is opened so that the cam plates are moved to their raised
positions, the latch bars associated with the drawers are also
moved to their raised positions. For example, latch bar 154 is
raised to the position shown in FIG. 5. As previously explained,
when drawer 34 is moved to its open position for servicing, spring
170 continues to urge latch bar 154 toward its raised position so
that pusher elements 180, 182 may be connected thereto. When bar
154 is in the position described, connection brackets 190 and 192
associated with pusher elements 180, 182, respectively, may be
manually attached over the top edge of the bar. When the pusher
elements are connected to the bar in the manner shown in FIG. 5,
articles may be conveniently loaded into the trays without
interference from the elements. After the trays have been loaded
with articles, the pusher elements may be manually removed from the
latch bar to allow springs 184 and 186 to urge the elements against
the articles in the trays.
If a service man should inadvertently forget to remove an element
from its associated latch bar, the element is automatically
released the following method. The technique for unlatching the
elements operates in the same manner for all trays and accordingly
will be explained only in connection with trays 52 and 54 of drawer
34. After drawer 34 has been serviced and returned to its closed
position, movement of other drawers to their open positions moves
cam plates 90 and 92 in a downward direction as described in
connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. As the cam plates move downward, pin
158 and its counterpart on plate 90 lower latch bar 154 to the
position shown in FIG. 6. As the cam plates are lowered, the top
edge of latch bar 154 is moved below the level of connection
brackets 190 and 192, thereby releasing elements 180 and 182.
If drawer 34 is the last drawer to be serviced, the invention also
provides for an alternative method of releasing elements 180 and
182 due to the operation of actuation assembly 112. As previously
explained, before the front door frame of the cabinet can be
closed, interlock portion 116 must be moved to the left of the
position shown in FIG. 1. When the interlock portion is moved in
the manner indicated, toggle arrangement 118 and 134 move cam
plates 90 and 92 in a downward direction until the top edge of
latch bar 154 is lowered below connection brackets 190, 192,
thereby releasing the latched elements.
An alternative method of disconnecting elements 180 and 182 from
latch bar 154 is provided by slots 270 and 272 located adjacent the
top edge of the bar. The slots are constructed so that alignment of
the slots with connection brackets 190 and 192 releases elements
180 and 182 from the bar. Alignment of the slots and brackets can
be achieved by the use of a cam that moves the bar to the left of
the position shown in FIG. 5. Of course, end piece 156 must be
eliminated or reshaped in order to allow such movement of the
bar.
As the cam plates and latch bars are moved to their lower position
while the cabinet is being closed, the slide members (acting
through connecting bars such as bar 160) are moved to the relative
positions shown in FIG. 6, thereby preventing the opening of any of
the drawers. In addition, as best shown in FIG. 6, each of the
slide members is arranged to seal an opening between adjacent
drawers (or between a drawer and a portion of the cabinet) so that
an operator of the vending machine has no access to the interior
thereof.
In summary the apparatus described herein provides a cam assembly
arranged so that only one drawer at a time may be moved to its open
position. This arrangement prevents overbalancing of the cabinet
and possible injury to the components therein due to undesired
movement of the cabinet during servicing. In addition to the
foregoing feature, the subject invention also provides a latching
assembly that automatically disconnects latched elements as the
cabinet is being closed, and a locking assembly that prevents
movement of the drawers and seals the spaces therebetween to
prevent undesired access to the interior of the cabinet.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments have
been described in connection with a vending machine, the principles
of the invention may be applied to substantially any multiple
drawer cabinet.
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