U.S. patent number 3,747,733 [Application Number 05/003,623] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-24 for newspaper dispensing machine with means to compensate for decreasing supply.
Invention is credited to Karl Knickerbocker.
United States Patent |
3,747,733 |
Knickerbocker |
July 24, 1973 |
NEWSPAPER DISPENSING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO COMPENSATE FOR
DECREASING SUPPLY
Abstract
This invention relates to a newspaper or periodical dispensing
mechanism, wherein the dispensing operation is under the control of
a coin operated mechanism of any approved type which may be
purchased on the open market and specifically comprehends mechanism
for regulating the size of the dispensing opening in accordance
with the thickness of the newspaper or other periodical to be
dispensed, which mechanism is manually adjustable by the person
supplying the dispenser with a charge of periodicals, and also
includes mechanism for regulating or controlling pressure on the
stack of periodicals being dispensed to prevent excessive pressure
against the paper in dispensing position so as to allow its easy
and not mutilated withdrawal from the mechanism, and includes a
display panel wherein one of the periodicals is locked in a display
panel in clear unimpeded view for a prospective purchaser, together
with means locking said display periodical in display position
until the last periodical in the mechanism has been dispensed, at
which time the mechanism locking the display periodical in position
is in such position as to be unlocked when the proper coinage is
inserted in the coin controlling mechanism to release the display
periodical for dispensing.
Inventors: |
Knickerbocker; Karl (Venice,
FL) |
Family
ID: |
21706753 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/003,623 |
Filed: |
January 19, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
194/346; 221/103;
221/230; 221/244; D20/6; 221/155; 221/241; 221/281 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/04 (20060101); G07f 011/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;194/10,54,71
;221/92,100,103,110,209,227,230,241,244,281,155,4,304 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a newspaper or periodical dispensing machine, a cabinet
having a periodical dispensing opening in the cabinet, an access
and dispensing door carried by the cabinet, said cabinet having a
storage compartment for periodicals to be dispensed formed therein,
means within said storage compartment for supporting a plurality of
periodicals in flat horizontal position, tensioned means for moving
the stack of periodicals to place the uppermost periodical in the
stack in position for dispensing through said dispensing opening,
and means associated with the tensioned motivating means for the
periodical stack moving means to regulate the pressure on the
periodicals to permit free and easy dispensing of the uppermost
periodical through the dispensing opening, wherein said pressure
release means comprises means actuated upon operation of said
dispensing door for relieving the stack of periodicals in the
compartment of moving force of said tensioned means, and means for
restoring the motivating pressure of said stack of periodicals upon
closing of the access door.
2. A periodical dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, including
adjustable means for regulating the size of the dispensing opening
in accordance with the thickness of the periodical to be
dispensed.
3. In a newspaper or periodical dispensing machine, a cabinet
including a storage compartment for newspapers or periodicals to be
dispensed, said cabinet having a dispensing opening, means for
moving the periodicals into dispensing position relative to said
dispensing opening, adjustable means for regulating the size of
said dispensing opening in accordance with the thickness of each
periodical being dispensed, including means for displaying one of
the periodicals to be dispensed, means for locking said displayed
periodical in said display means and means for releasing said
locking means upon the dispensing of all other periodicals in the
storage compartment to permit dispensing of the displayed
periodical, said cabinet having a coin receiving slot therein and
embodying an access door to permit placing of a quantity of
periodicals in the cabinet and dispensing of the periodicals, latch
means under control of a coin operated mechanism for locking the
access door closed and permitting opening of the door upon
depositing of proper coinage in the coin slot, triggering mechanism
operable upon movement of the access door while dispensing the last
periodical in the storage compartment to unlock the locking
mechanism of the display means and permit dispensing of the
displayed periodical upon the next operation of the access
door.
4. A newspaper or periodical dispensing meachine, including a
cabinet having an access door and a coin receiving slot and a
storage compartment for periodicals to be dispensed in the cabinet,
an elevator platform in said storage compartment upon which
periodicals to be dispensed are placed, a partition in said cabinet
sealing said storage compartment from said access door and having a
periodical dispensing opening therein located so that the uppermost
periodical on said supporting platform will be placed in dispensing
position relative to the opening, tensioned means for moving said
elevator platform and periodicals thereon upward to locate the
uppermost periodical in dispensing position relative to said
opening, counter tensioned means connected to said cabinet, means
for regulating the action of said counter tensioned means in
accordance with the weight of periodicals on said elevator platform
and means operable during the dispensing of a periodical to relieve
the periodical being dispensed of pressure of said elevator moving
tensioned means during dispensing of a periodical, wherein said
tension release means comprises means actuated upon operation of
said dispensing door for relieving periodicals on the elevator
platform of the moving force of said tensioned means, and means for
restoring the motivating pressure on the periodicals on the
elevator platform upon closing of the access door.
5. A newspaper or periodical dispensing machine, as claimed in
claim 4, including means for displaying one of the periodicals to
be dispensed, means for locking said displayed periodical in said
display means, latch means under control of a coin operated
mechanism for locking the access door closed and permitting opening
of the door upon depositing of proper coinage in the coin slot,
triggering mechanism operable upon movement of the access door
while dispensing the last periodical in the storage compartment to
unlock the locking mechanism of the display means and permit
dispensing of the displayed periodical upon the next operation of
the access door.
6. A newspaper or periodical dispensing machine, as claimed in
claim 5, including a movable element for regulating the size of
said dispensing opening, swingable means for moving said element to
regulate the size of said dispensing opening, and means for locking
said swingable element in adjusted position.
Description
The present invention relates to a coin operated newspaper
dispensing machine for dispensing newspapers, magazines, or the
like, in such a manner that a single newspaper or periodical is
released for dispensing or removal from the machine when a coin or
the proper amount of coins are inserted in the machine's coin
receiver openings.
The present invention comprises a weather proof cabinet of suitable
proportions to provide storage of a quantity of newspapers or
periodicals to be dispensed.
An important feature of the present invention is that one of the
current newspapers or periodicals being offered for sale is
displayed through a suitable window located within the structure of
the newspaper dispensing and loading door. The front page of the
displayed newspaper is seen by a potential customer through the
window in the same manner one would see it on a news stand. A very
important feature of the newspaper display case is that the
displayed paper cannot be removed from the display case until after
the last newspaper has been withdrawn from the storage compartment.
When the last newspaper is dispensed or withdrawn from the storage
compartment, the mechanisms that control the unlatching of the
display case access door are triggered to unlatch the door the next
time the newspaper withdrawal and loading access door is opened.
Thus the customer will remove his purchased newspaper from the
display case. When the display newspaper is removed from the
display case, a Sold Out sign mounted on the rear wall of the
display case will be visible to potential purchasers through the
display window.
In the present machine the newspapers or periodicals to be
dispensed are stacked in a horizontal position in the storage
compartment of the dispensing cabinet and are moved by suitable
means to continuously maintain a newspaper or other periodical in
dispensing position relative to a suitable dispensing slot or
opening in the machine. However, it is well known that the
thickness of newspapers and periodicals to be dispensed vary in
thickness from issue to issue and it is therefore an object of the
present invention to provide manually operated means operable by
the person placing a supply of newspapers or other periodicals in
the storage compartment of the cabinet of the mechanism to regulate
the size of the dispenser slot or opening in accordance with the
thickness of the specific issue to be dispensed, thus not only
permitting easy and unmutilated dispensing of each newspaper or
periodical but also preventing the dispensing of more than one
periodical upon each operation of the mechanism.
The present invention includes tensioned means acting upon the
stack of newspapers or periodicals in the storage compartment to
force the periodical in the stack into dispensing position and an
important object of the present invention comprehends and includes
means for controlling the tension pressure on the stack of
periodicals to prevent excessive pressure on the periodical in
dispensing position which would prevent its free and easy
withdrawal from the mechanism while at the same time exerting
sufficient pressure to always maintain the uppermost periodical in
dispensing position.
A coin mechanism is mounted on the inner side of a swing-out door,
located in the upper right corner of the cabinet proper. This
feature provides for quick, easy servicing of the coin mechanism.
The door when closed forms the front wall of the coin mechanism and
coin storage compartment. The coin control mechanism is shown in
phantom in the drawings, however it will not be described herein,
inasmuch as it is not a feature of this invention, a suitable type
of coin mechanism can be purchased on the market. The coin control
mechanism controls the opening of the paper withdrawal and loading
access door. In general the dispensing machine of the present
invention is composed of a newspaper or periodical storage cabinet,
having an access door through which the storage compartment is
charged with a supply of newspapers or periodicals to be dispensed.
This access door, when closed, looks in the closed position to seal
the newspapers in the cabinet's storage compartment. When the paper
access door is swung open, the top newspaper or periodical in the
storage compartment of the cabinet is released for dispensing or
removal. When the top newspaper or the like is removed from the
cabinet, all remaining mewspapers are locked in the storage
compartment. Therefore it will require a new cycle, starting with
the insertion of coins to release the paper dispenser door for the
dispensing or withdrawal of additional newspapers.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a newspaper
or periodical dispensing mechanism,including a suitable cabinet and
dispensing mechanism which are designed and constructed to provide
a dispensing mechanism which may be manufactured and consequently
sold at a cost considerably less than comparative mechanisms now on
the market and one which through its design and construction may
contain a sufficient number of newspapers or periodicals to supply
customer demand for the current issue with only one servicing.
Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from consideration of the following
specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the dispenser cabinet.
FIG. 2 is a view of the right side of the dispenser cabinet.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispenser cabinet with the entire
front wall of the cabinet eliminated to expose the dispenser's
inner working components.
FIG. 4 is a right side cross section of the dispenser cabinet taken
on line DD of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a top plan of the dispenser cabinet.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the dispenser cabinet taken on line AA of
FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a cross section plan view of the dispenser cabinet taken
on line BB of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is an inside view of the dispenser cabinet paper loading and
withdrawal access door 2.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are views of the mechanism for relieving and
controlling the pressure on the newspapers or periodicals to be
dispensed.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the paper withdrawl control panel
housing.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inner working components of
the paper withdrawal control panel.
FIG. 13 is a view showing the manner of dispensing a newspaper or
periodical.
Referring more particularly to the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the dispenser cabinet. The following
listed dispenser components are shown: 1 cabinet, 2 cabinet loading
and dispensing access door, 3 coin mechanism compartment access
door, 4 coin return actuator, 5 paper access door pull, 6 coin
mechanism compartment door lock, 7 paper thickness gauge lock, 27
coin mechanism compartment door hinge, 106 cabinet loading and
dispensing access door release lock, 230 shown in phantom is a
service access opening cut through front wall of the dispenser
cabinet, 190 insuction plate, 9 paper access door closing springs,
10a cabinet access door hinge, 10 access door hinge shaft, 8 is the
display card holder, 11 coin return receiver.
FIG. 2 is a view of the right side of the dispenser cabinet.
Sections of the cabinet walls are shown cut away to reveal the
following listed dispenser working components therein. 1 dispenser
cabinet, 2 newspaper dispensing and loading door, 3 coin mechanism
compartment door, 3a coin mechanism location shown in phantom, 4
coin return actuator, 13 elevator platform guides, 14 elevator
platform vertical guide rods, 26 elevator platform assembly, 27
elevator platform stiffener channel, 27a elevator platform pressure
relief cable 25a attaching ring, 26a elevator platform is shown in
phantom partially raised, 25a elevator pressure relief cable, 24
elevator pressure relief cable pulley, 24a pulley mounting bracket,
107 elevator pressure relief pulley shaft, 20,22,23,83,
84,85,86,191 are components of the elevator pressure relief winch,
17,18, 70b, 56 are components of the newspaper thickness gauge, 60
is a partition that separates the newspaper dispensing area from
the storage area, 99 is an extension rigidly secured to the paper
dispensing and loading access door, providing means for actuating
elevator pressure relief winch, 211 is a connecting pin for
components 99 and 86, 220 shows stored newspapers, 30a is the
newspaper dispensing or withdrawal control panel in raised position
for loading newspapers into the dispenser's storage compartment,
206 is a plate swingably mounted to the right side of newspaper
dispenser control panel by shoulder stud 207, the lower end of
plate 206 is entered through a cam slot in angle bracket 208 that
is rigidly secured to a partition of the cabinet(not shown). When
the newspaper dispensing control panel 30 is swung upward as shown
in 30a and plate 206 is swung rearward, a notch cut in the lower
end of the plate 206 moves over the unslotted portion of bracket
208 to secure the control panel in loading position. 15 is an
expansion spring, the top end of the spring is secured to the lower
side of the dispenser cabinet top. The lower end of expansion
spring 15 is secured to the upper side of the elevator stiffener
channel 27. There is one spring 15 mounted as outlined in FIG. 3 on
each side of the elevator platform. These springs bias the elevator
and the newspapers loaded thereon to be forced upward and against
the lower side of the dispenser control panel 30. 145 is a shaped
plate swingably mounted to the right side of paper dispenser door 2
by shoulder stud 147 and bracket 146 that is rigidly secured to
door 2. The inner end of plate 145 is guided by bracket 151 which
is rigidly secured to an inner partition of the cabinet (not
shown). The outer end of plate 145 is shaped to form hook 149a and
it will be obvious that hook 149a has entered an opening in the
outer end of walking beam 128. Ramp shaped portion 148 of plate 145
cams plate 145 upward as the paper dispenser and loading access
door is swung outward on shaft 10 causing hooked portion of plate
145 to disengage from walking beam 128. Notch 149 of plate 145
provides means for holding the paper dispensing access door in an
open position for serviceing when the outer end of plate 145 is
manually swung upward and notch 149 engages bracket 151. A
rectangular opening 150 is shown cut in the right side of dispenser
control panel 30 providing space for the arcuate motion of walking
beam 128. Ramp shape portion 149 of plate 145 cams the outer end of
plate 145 upward when paper access door is swung from open to
closed position, thus allowing hook portion of plate 145 to drop
into opening 128a, (not shown) located in the outer end of walking
beam 128. 42 control panel,30 hinge, 26a spring, 56 paper thickness
gauge base.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispenser cabinet with the entire
front wall of the cabinet eliminated, in order that the dispenser's
inner working components can be revealed. 15 is the elevator
lifting expansion springs. 31 is a U-shaped crank formed from round
stock. The lower ends of 31a are formed inward to provide means for
the swingable mounting of the crank to the dispenser control panel
30, by journal plates 35. Angle plate 32 is rigidly secured to the
top inside wall of the dispenser cabinet to provide means for
stopping crank 31 and mounting lock 33. 34 is the lock cam plate
shown in phantom. The purpose of crank 31 and its associated
components is to lock the paper dispenser or the withdrawal panel
down in normal operating position, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by
swinging the U-shaped crank 31 upward counter clockwise to attain a
vertical position. When the top horizontal section of crank 31
rests against angle stop 32, crank 31 is secured in this position
by actuating lock 33 to cause the top of lock cam plate 34 to pass
back of crank 31 and prevent any clockwise motion.
56 is the rectangular channel base of the vertically adjustable
paper thickness gauge assembly. In addition to providing means for
mounting the various components of the base, it also forms the
front vertical wall of the dispenser storage compartment, best seen
in FIG. 2. The paper thickness gauge assembly is made of the
following listed components: 56 base, 57 is a U-shaped stiffener
and base guide rod formed from round stock, rigidly secured to the
left side of base 56. 57a is a duplicate of rod 57. Plates 62 are
rigidly secured to rod 57a. Plates 62 are provided with rectangular
openings on each outer end to allow for the required vertical
adjustment of the rod, when mounted to base 56 on weld studs 63 and
securing nuts 63a. Angle plate 66 is rigidly secured to the top of
rod 57a to provide more area and a square corner. The reason for
the adjustable feature of rod 57a is to overcome inaccuracies
encountered in manufacturing and allow for obtaining an equally
space opening 251 between the top end of the paper thickness gauge
assembly 56 and the lower side of the paper withdrawal control
panel 30. The purchaser of a paper manually withdraws the paper
from the dispenser storage compartment through this opening. It is
therefore important that the opening be adjusted to a width that
will permit the withdrawal of only one newspaper at a time. The
lower ends of the U-shaped rods 57-57a extend through guide holes
provided in channel section 70 of the paper thickness gauge
actuating assembly best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lower outer
vertical ends of the U-shaped rods 57 and 57a extend through guide
holes provided in apron partition 60. The top horizontal sections
of rods 57 and 57a form the paper withdrawal support rails. The
paper thickness gauge assembly is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 110a
and 126 shown in FIG. 3 are components of the paper withdrawal
control panel and will be explained in detail later on in the
application.
The paper thickness gauge actuating base assembly is made up of
horizontal base channel 70, vertical angle section 70a and vertical
angle section 70b. This base assembly is rigidly mounted to the
bottom of the dispenser cabinet as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The
paper thickness gauge actuating components are also shown. 72 is
the paper thickness gauge assembly walking beam. The left end of
walking beam 72 is swingably mounted to vertical angle section 70a
by shoulder stud 71. Walking beam 72 is pivotally connected to base
plate 56 of the paper thickness gauge assembly by shoulder stud 73,
the right end of the walking beam 72 is movably held against
vertical angle section 70b of the actuating base 70 by guide strap
203. The upper and lower ends of strap 203 is secured to angle
section 70b by machine screws 204. Space bushings (not shown)
located between angle section 70b and retainer strap 203, provide
space for the arcuate travel of walking beam 72 that is shown with
the right end in the locked-down position. The walking beam is
shown in phantom with the right end in the up-unlocked position
(see 72a). Index plate 75 is swingably mounted at the lower end to
angle section 70b by shoulder stud 74, the top end of index plate
75 is guided to maintain a swingable position by retainer strap 221
that is secured to vertical angle section 70b by machine screws
222. Spacer bushings (not shown) located between angle section 70b
and retainer strap 221 provide space for the swinging movement of
the top end of index plate 75. Expansion spring 205 having one end
secured to tab 206 that is formed outward on index plate 75 and the
opposite end secured to vertical angle section 70b to swing
clockwise away from the right end of walking beam 72.
It will be noted that the left side of index plate 75 is notched to
form gear shaped teeth 225, these teeth provide means for locking
the right end of walking beam 72 by means of entering the tang 226
of walking beam 72 between teeth 225 of index plate 75, and locking
the plate in a desired position. The locking of plate 75 in fixed
position is accomplished by crank 76, that is swingably mounted at
the base to vertical angle section 70b mounting (not shown). Crank
76 is actuated by lock 80 to cause index plate 75 to assume a
locked or unlocked position, 79 shows the plate locked in normal
position, 79a shows the lock cam plate in unlocked position, 78 is
an actuating link that connects the crank 76 to lock cam plate 79.
It will be obvious that when lock 80 is unlocked cam plate 79 will
swing upward as shown in 79a, therefore connecting link will swing
crank 76 upward to a position shown in phantom 76a, portion of
crank 76 that is 77 shown in phantom will move away from index
plate 75 and allow the top end of index plate 75 to swing
clockwise, therefore tang 226 of walking beam 72 will be disengaged
from the teeth 225. To set or adjust the newspaper thickness gauge
so that only one newspaper can be dispensed or withdrawn from the
dispenser's storage compartment at a time, the following sequence
is employed: 1) Dispenser operator unlocks lock 80 with key to free
index plate 75, paper thickness gauge assembly will automatically
drop downward. 2) Operator manually pulls the top newspaper from
the dispenser storage compartment forward approximately three
inches. 3) Operator manually raises paper thickness gauge assembly
upward until the top end presses against the bottom side of the
partially pulled out newspaper, turns lock 80 with key to locked
position. Thus the paper thickness gauge assembly will be locked in
position and the paper withdrawal opening will be just wide enough
to allow for the withdrawal of only one newspaper at a time. The
paper thickness gauge actuating assembly is best shown in FIGS. 2
and 3.
FIG. 4 is a right side cross section view of the dispenser cabinet
taken through line DD of FIG. 3. The paper withdrawal and loading
access door 2 is shown partially open. The paper display
compartment 95a that is fabricated on the inner side of the access
door is shown with the display paper 95 therein. Paper display
compartment access door 28 is shown partially open. Components that
control the unlatching of the display compartment door 28 after the
last paper has been withdrawn from the dispenser storage
compartment and their functions are hereinafter described. Normally
the angle section 201a of the paper detector plate 201 that is
swingably mounted to the inner side of the top wall of the paper
withdrawal control panel 30 by mounting base 41 and shaft 36, comes
to rest against the top side of the top paper located on the
elevator platform 26. In this instance there is no paper to support
detection plate 201, therefore, angle section 201a of the plate
swings downward through an opening cut in the top wall of the
elevator platform 26, contacts plate 37 and rocks the outer right
end of that plate downward to a position where the lower right end
angle section 38 of plate 37 passes back of crank 43 that is
swingably mounted to the inside of the left vertical wall of the
dispenser cabinet by shoulder stud 44. Paper detector plate 201 is
biased by tortional spring (not shown) to swing downward. Plate 37
is biased by an expansion spring to swing upward. When there is a
paper or papers present between the lower side of the paper
withdrawal control panel and the top of the elevator platform,
angle 38 of plate 37 maintains a swungup position to clear the top
end of crank plate 43. The lower end of crank plate 43 is connected
to paper access door by link 46, cushion spring 45, shoulder stud
203, and junction crank plate 47, that is swingably mounted to the
lower side of the door by shoulder stud 48. The lower end of link
49 is connected to crank plate 47, the upper end of 49 is connected
to linkage junction plate 51 that is swingably mounted to paper
access door 2 by shoulder stud 50. The right end of link 52 is
connected to junction plate 51, the left end is connected to latch
plate 53 that is swingably mounted to paper access door 2 by
shoulder stud 197. Display paper access door 28 latch and latch
actuating components are shown in their normal latched position in
FIG. 8. Unlatched position is also shown in phantom.
It is obvious that the display compartment access door latch 53
will be rocked clockwise by linkage 49, 51, 52. When crank plate 47
is swung clockwise by link 46, cushion spring 45 and link pin 203
to unlatch the door, when the top end of crank plate 43 is
prevented from swinging clockwise by the presence of the swung-down
angle section 38 of plate 37 blocking the passage.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the dispenser cabinet, 181 are the
elevator lift spring mounting plates shown in phantom on the inside
top wall of the dispenser cabinet. 1a coin mechanism compartment
partition. 5 door pulls.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the dispenser cabinet taken through line
AA of FIG. 3. The newspaper dispenser or withdrawal control panel
30 is shown. Paper lock in door 126, a component of the control
panel is shown partly in phantom. Display newspaper 95 is shown in
the display compartment 95a that comprises the rear inner section
of the dispenser cabinet paper access and loading door 2, best
shown in FIG. 2. Newspaper display compartment door 28 is shown in
the normal closed position. 98 is the display compartment door
closing tortional spring, 97 is the spring mounting base, 100 is
the spring mounting shaft, 27 is the elevator platform stiffener
channel, 15 is the elevator lift springs, 101 shown in phantom are
mounting brackets for elevator platform vertical guide rods 14, 1
is the dispenser cabinet outer wall. 230 is the coin mechanism
compartment, 99 is a bracket extension secured to the paper access
door 2.
FIG. 7 is a cross section plan view of the dispenser cabinet taken
through line BB of FIG. 3. 56, 57, 57a, and 66 are components of
the paper thickness gauge assembly, 26 is the elevator platform, 27
is the elevator platform stiffener channel, 13 are elevator
platform guides, 102 are elevator platform guide mounting brackets
shown in phantom. 60 is an apron or partition, "purpose" seal paper
storage compartment from dispensing section, 116 is an opening in
apron 60 to receive linkage shield 61 shown in FIG. 4. Display
paper 95 is shown in display compartment 95a.
FIG. 8 is an inside view of the dispenser cabinet paper loading and
withdrawal access door 2. 28 is the display compartment access door
that is mounted on paper access door 2, by hinge 196 best shown in
FIG. 4. 97, 98, 100, 98a are components of the display door 28
tortional door closing spring. 53 is the display door 28 latch
plate shown in normal latched position, swingably mounted on
shoulder stud 197, that is secured to access door 2. Latch plate 53
is also shown in 54 in unlatched position in phantom, 51 is a
junction linkage connecting plate swingably mounted to paper access
door 2 by shoulder bushing 50. 47 is a function linkage connecting
plate swingably secured to outer wall of dispenser's paper access
door 2 by shoulder bushing 48. 55 is an expansion spring having one
end secured to latch plate 52 and the opposite end secured to the
paper access door 2. The purpose of spring 55 is to bias latch
plate 53 counterclockwise to maintain a latched position. Linkage
46, 49 and 52 shown in phantom are connected to plates 47, 41, 53
to provide means for the unlatching of the display paper
compartment door 28. Z sections 202 are cover plates that seal in
the display compartment door 28 latch and actuating linkage in a
manner that same cannot be actuated by a customer or competitor
when the paper access door is opened. Cover channel section 61 is
secured to the bottom side of the dispenser paper access door 2 to
prevent manual activating of the latch linkage 46.
FIGS. 9 and 10. The elevator pressure relief winch is shown in FIG.
3 mounted to horizontal channel 70 of the paper thickness actuating
assembly. The winch is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The purpose of
the winch is to provide means for relieving the upward pressures
exerted to the elevator and the newspapers stored thereon, against
the bottom side of the paper withdrawal control panel by springs
15.
Considering the weights of the variable supply of newspapers stored
on the elevator platform between serviceings, it is obvious that it
would be impractical to depend entirely on the lift springs 15 to
provide the exact required lifting pressures to the elevator to
assure that the newspapers loaded thereon would not be forced
against the bottom of the newspaper withdrawal control panel so
hard that the topmost newspaper could not be withdrawn. The
pressure relief winch prevents this situation in the following
manner.
The elevator pressure relief winch is made up of a cylindrical drum
192, end plate 193 is rigidly mounted to the left end of the drum
192, ratchet gear plate 20 is removably mounted to the right end of
the drum 192. Suitable holes in the centers of plates 193 and 20
provide means for the rotatable mounting of the assembled drum 192
on shaft 83. Drum shaft 83 is supported by base 23 and base
removable base end section 81. It will be noted that the left end
of drum shaft 83, number 89, is made flat on two sides to prevent
rotation of the shaft in the mounting assembly. Shaft support left
end section 81 is provided with an elongated slot to receive the
flat left end 89 of drum shaft 83. Tortional spring 25 is mounted
on drum shaft 83, the left end of the spring is rigidly secured to
the shaft 83 by threading the end of the spring wire through a hole
in the shaft as shown in FIG. 9. The right end of spring 25 is
anchored to ratchet gear plate 20 by threading the end of the
spring wire through a hole in the plate. 82 are mounting screws
used to secure winch assembly to paper thickness actuating assembly
channel 70. Winch actuating crank plate 22 is rotatably mounted on
winch drum shaft 83 between the right end of the drum and left side
of drum mounting base, angle 23. Suitable holes are provided in the
U-shaped end of crank 22 to facilitate mounting. A portion of 22a
and 87 winch actuating crank 22 provide means for stopping the
counter-clock rotation of the crank, that is biased by expansion
spring 90 having the upper end secured to the crank by tab 91, and
the lower end of the spring secured to drum mounting base angle 23
by tab 92, it will be noted that 87 is an angle shaped section
formed outward from 22a to contact the lower left corner of
stationary winch drum mounting base angle 23 which is the normal
operating position of the crank. Ratchet plate 84 is swingably
mounted to the outer end of winch drum crank 22 by shoulder stud
85. The upper right portion of the ratchet plate 84a is shaped to
enter the ratchet teeth 20a of plate 20. When the outer left end of
ratchet plate 84 is rocked clockwise on shoulder stud 85, portion
84a of the ratchet plate will enter ratchet teeth 20a of ratchet
gear 20. It is understandable that when the clockwise rotation of
ratchet plate 84 and 84a is stopped by contact with ratchet gear
plate 20, added clockwise rotation of ratchet plates 84 will cause
the winch drum to rotAte clockwise. Cable 25a rotate one end
secured to winch drum 192, the cable is then wound counter
clockwise around the outer side of the drum, the free end of the
cable is then threaded through elongated slot 70a of channel 70
best seen in FIG. 3. From this point the cable 25a is threaded
under cable pulley 24 that is mounted to the floor of the dispenser
cabinet 1 by mounting base 24a and pulley shaft 107. From that
point cable 25a runs upward and is rigidly secured to attaching
ring 27a of the elevator platform.
The elevator pressure relief winch operates in the following
manner: Drum cable 25a,before being secured to 27a, is wound around
winch drum 192 counter clockwise with a predetermined number of
turns to wind tortional spring 25. The loose end of the cable 25a
is then pulled away from the drum, thus causing tortional spring 25
to be wound. Loose end of the cable 25a is then threaded through
the prepared openings and pulleys, the loose end is secured to ring
27a that is rigidly secured to channel section 27 of the elevator
platform. The elevator platform is in the upmost position when
cable 25a is attached to ring 27a. Therefore it is obvious that
cable 25a will be held taut as the elevator platform is moved
downward by the rewinding of cable 25a on the winch drum 192
powered by tortional spring 25. The outer end of ratchet plate 84
is connected to outer end of bracket 99 that is mounted to the
lower side of the dispenser cabinet newspaper loading and
dispensing access door 2 by connecting link 86, best seen in FIG.
2. When the access door is swung outward the outer end of bracket
99 rotates counter clockwise. Connecting link 86 shoulder stud 86a
and 211 that connects 86 and ratchet plate 84 causes ratchet plate
84 to swing clockwise on shoulder stud 85 until portion 8a of the
plate engages the winch drum ratchet gear 20 and rotates the winch
drum clockwise, rewinds winch cable 25a on the drum thus pulling
elevator platform downward and relieve the upward pressure of the
elevator. When paper access door 2 is closed, ratchet plate 84 is
disengaged from ratchet gear 20, winch drum is free to rotate and
provide a required amount of cable 25a to allow the elevator to
reassume normal operating position. The elevator pressure relief
winch is best illustrated in the cross section of drawing of FIG.
9, taken on line CC of FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 is a view of the paper withdrawal control panel housing 30
taken in perspective to show the bottom side and right end of the
assembly. 30 is the panel housing, 126 is the paper lock-in door,
127 is a saddle that provides means for movably connecting door 126
to actuating walking beam 128. 110 are cam plates swingably mounted
on each lower bottom corner of the door 126 (mounting not shown).
Cam plates 110 are shown in retracted or cammed-in position. 115
are paper lock-in cam plates swingably mounted to an inner bracket
of the control panel housing 30, (mounting now shown) they are
shown in cammed-out, paper lock-in position. 115a and 110a are
openings out through paper control panel enclosure plate 30b. 130
is a lock-down bar for door 126. 160 is an actuating crank mounted
to housing 30 by shoulder stud 171a. 171 is the camming stud of 126
that actuates crank 160. 128a is an opening cut through walking
beam 128. 215 is a spacer support channel shown in phantom secured
to the inner top side of housing 30 to support and secure cover
plate 30a. The function of the above listed paper withdrawal
control panel components will be described in detail later on in
the specification.
FIG. 12 illustrates in perspective the inner working components of
the paper withdrawal control panel 30. Enclosure plate 30a has been
eliminated in order that the components therein can be seen in
their normal respective mounted working positions when the paper
lock-in door 126 is in the locked-down position as shown. This view
was arranged to show the control panel from the bottom right side.
Considering the horizontal mounting of the panel in the dispenser
cabinet. With the exception of the walking beam 128 and its
associated components 180, 130, 160, 162, 164, 163, 171, 165, 170,
129, 127, and 126. The inner working components of the paper
withdrawal control panel shown on the left side of door 126 are the
same as those shown on the right side of the door with the
exception that they are formed right and left. However, their
purposes and functions are the same. Considering this fact, only
components located on the left side of paper lock-in door 126, as
shown in FIG. 13, will be considered and explained.
FIG. 13: When a paper is manually withdrawn from the dispenser
storage compartment through opening 251 (best shown in FIG. 3) that
is formed between the lower side of the front end of paper
withdrawal control panel 30 and the top end of the vertically
mounted paper thickness gauge assembly 56 (best shown in FIG. 2).
Paper lock-in door 126 is pulled down by the paper's contact with
angle sections 110a of cam plates 110 that are swingably mounted on
shafts 112, the inner ends of shafts 112 are secured to the lower
corners of door 126. Angle portions 110a of cam plate 110 normally
extend outward from the control panel 30 in front of the topmost
papers in the dispenser storage compartment. As door 126 is pulled
downward by the withdrawal of the paper, cam plate 110 is cammed
inward and out of the path of the paper by shaft 111 secured to the
cam plate 110 and extending outward from the cam plate through cam
slot 114 of camming channel section 113, that is mounted to the
inner side of the top wall of panel 30. Paper lock-in cam plate 115
is swingably mounted to camming channel 113 by shoulder stud 116.
Expansion spring 117, having the upper end secured to a shear from
118 in the housing wall 30, the lower end of the spring is secured
to lock in cam plate 115 above stud 116 to provide means for
swinging the plate clockwise. However, shaft 111 and lock plate 122
prevents the cam plate 115 from swinging. When paper lock-in door
126 is pulled down by the withdrawal of the paper, shaft 111 moves
away from ramp 115a of cam plate 115, and actuates lock plate 122.
Cam plate 115 swings clockwise, the top end of the cam plate comes
to rest on the paper that is being withdrawn. When the paper is
completely withdrawn, the top end of cam plate 115 swings
clockwise, passes across paper withdrawal opening 251. Lock plate
119 swingably mounted to camming channel 113 by shoulder stud 120
is biased to swing clockwise by tortional spring 121 that is
mounted on stud 120, the outer end of the plate 119 will pass
behind the upper end of paper lock-in cam plate 115 to prevent the
cam plate from being manually forced counter clockwise from its
normal paper lock-in position, thus preventing the unauthorized
removal of additional papers. The lower end of paper lock-in cam
plate 115 is prevented from prematurally swinging from unlocked to
paper lock-in position by lock plate 122 that is swingably mounted
on shoulder stud 123 secured to side of camming channel 113, lock
plate 122 is biased to swing counter clockwise by tortional spring
124 also mounted on stud 123. When the paper lock-in door 126 is
pulled down, the outer end of shaft 111 of cam plate 110 contacts
leg 122a of cam plate 122, rocks the plate clockwise and releases
the lower end of cam plate 115 from locked-in position(as shown in
FIG. 13)to locked-out position (as shown in FIG. 12). When paper
lock-in door 126 is pulled upward by walking beam 128, the outer
end of shaft 111 of cam plate 116 will come in contact with ramp
115a of cam plate 115, rock the plate counter clockwise, the top
end of the cam plate 115 will swing counter clockwise from its
paper lock-in positIon across the paper removal opening 251. When
the proper coin or combination of coins are inserted in the coin
mechanism shown in phantom at 3a of FIG. 2, the dispenser cabinet
paper withdraw and loading access door 2 will be unlatched,
allowing the top of the door to be swung counter clockwise to paper
access or open position. When the door 2 is swung out counter
clockwise plate 145 that is swingably mounted to the right side of
access door 2 by bracket 146 and shoulder stud 147, and the outer
end hook portion end of the plate 149a hooked through opening 128a
that is located in the left end of walking beam 128. It is obvious
that walking beam 128 will be rocked counter clockwise on its pivot
mounting 129 by the right end of walking beam 128 that is connected
to paper lock-in door 126 by saddle strap 127 to force the door
upward in the door guides 126a. To come to rest in unlocked
position and allow for the authorized removal of a paper from the
dispenser cabinet. Hook portion 149a of plate 145 will be cammed
out of opening 171 of walking beam 128, when the ramp cam 148 of
plate 145 comes in contact with guide plate 151 by the continued
forward motion of plate 145. Considering the fact that the paper
lock-in door 126 was locked in the normal locked-down position by
lock bar 130 at the start of the above described cycle, it would
therefore be necessary to unlock the door before same could be
moved upward. The unlocking of the door is accomplished in the
following manner: Crank plate 160, swingably mounted to the right
end of paper withdrawal control panel housing 30 by bracket (not
shown) and shoulder stud 163 is rocked counter clockwise when stud
165 of walking beam 128 contacts and swings past the ramp camming
section 170 of crank plate 160. At that time angle section 162 of
crank 160 comes in contact with vertical extension 164 of lock bar
130, moves lock bar 130 to the left, the right end of bar 130 will
move out of the upward path of door 126. 141 are support channels
mounted to the inner wall of housing 30 whose purpose is to support
the lower end of housing 30 cover plate 30a.
SUMMARY
The following summation covers one cycle of the dispenser operation
from the loading of a current issue of a newspaper into the
dispenser storage compartment by the service attendant through the
normal functions of the dispensers assemblies and components when a
paper is purchased.
1. Service attendant unlocks dispenser paper access loading and
withdrawal door 2 by inserting the proper amount of coins in the
dispenser coin slots or by actuating door release lock 106, shown
in FIG. 1.
2. swing access door 2 outward, manually swings plate 145 upward
until notch 149 of plate 145 straddles plate 151 to hold access
door in open position.
3. Unlocks paper withdrawal control panel 30, hold down crank 31 by
actuating lock 33, swings crank 31 rearward, crank will come to
rest horizontally against the top wall of the control panel 30.
4. The front end of control panel 30 is then swung upward, plate
206 swingably mounted to the right side of the panel. The lower end
of plate 206 will be biased by spring 206a to swing rearward, notch
in lower end of plate will pass over guide plate 208 and hold the
panel in up or servicing position.
5. Release paper thickness gauge from locked position by activating
lock 7, the assembly will drop downward.
6. Remove unsold papers, if any, from the storage compartment and
reload the compartment with the current issue. Papers loaded in the
dispenser storage compartment are supported by elevator platform
26. The elevator platform and the papers loaded thereon, if forced
downward as the papers are loaded will maintain the desired
down-position and facilitate the unobstructed loading of additional
papers.
7. After loading, paper withdrawal control panel 30 is freed to
swing downward by manually swinging hold-up plate 206 forward to
disengage guide plate 208. When the control panel 30 comes to rest
horizontally on support brackets 101 U-shaped panel lock-down crank
31 is swung upward on its pivots, the top horizontal section of the
crank will come to rest against angle stop plate 32. When lock 33
is actuated lock cam plate 34 will swing back of the hold-down
crank to lock it in the normal operating position.
8. Manually pull top paper from storage compartment forward
approximately three inches. Grasp the paper thickness gauge
assembly at top horizontal section of rod 57a, pull the assembly
upward until the top of the assembly comes in contact with the
bottom of the pulled out paper, actuate lock 80 to lock the
assembly in this position.
9. Place current issue of paper in display compartment and close
compartment door. Close paper withdrawal and loading door 2. The
dispenser is now ready for normal operation.
It will be apparent that in the practice of the invention numerous
changes, modifications, variations of the design of the total
machine, as well as the individual operating parts is contemplated,
therefore numerous changes, modifications and the full use of
equivalents may be resorted to without the departure from the
spirit or scope of this invention as outlined in the appended
claims.
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