U.S. patent number 3,837,528 [Application Number 05/303,260] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-24 for article delivery systems for vending machines having sequentially actuated dispensers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kinematics and Controls Corporation. Invention is credited to John J. Rakucewicz.
United States Patent |
3,837,528 |
Rakucewicz |
September 24, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
ARTICLE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR VENDING MACHINES HAVING SEQUENTIALLY
ACTUATED DISPENSERS
Abstract
An article delivery system for vending machines comprising a
vending mechanism and a vend rack. The vending mechanism comprises
a plurality of vending columns, each having a gate which is
disposed out of phase a predetermined amount with at least one
other gate, and which is moveably affixed with respect to a vending
column. When the gate is in a closed position the articles may be
retained in and above the vending mechanism. By periodically
causing the gates to move a predetermined amount, one gate will be
selectively moved to an open position during each vending cycle
such that the articles in and above the vending mechanism may be
sequentially vended. The vend rack may be affixed to the vending
machine, or comprise a plurality of portable vend rack modules.
Inventors: |
Rakucewicz; John J. (Northport,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Kinematics and Controls
Corporation (New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
26730655 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/303,260 |
Filed: |
November 2, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
52477 |
Jul 6, 1970 |
3713715 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/114;
221/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/24 (20130101); G07F 11/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/04 (20060101); G07F 11/24 (20060101); G07F
11/16 (20060101); B65g 003/44 () |
Field of
Search: |
;221/112,114,116,298 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hargest; Robert F.
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 52,477, filed July 6,
1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,715. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,715.
Claims
I claim:
1. An article delivery system comprising:
a vending mechanism having a front portion and a rear portion, and
a plurality of vending columns, two opposing sides of each column
being formed by an upper and a lower rotatable shaft which extends
from and is rotatably affixed to said front portion and said rear
portion,
a retaining gate affixed to each end of each of said shafts and
which extends into each of said columns, each of said gates being
moveably affixed with respect to a side of said column, each of
said gates having a surface facing said side the article contacting
portion of which, with respect to distance across the articles to
be vended between said gate and said side, is less distant from
said side when said gate is in the closed position, and is entirely
more distant from said side when said gate is in the open position,
each gate being disposed out of phase a predetermined amount with
one other of said gates;
means for causing said shafts periodically selectively to rotate
said gates to open and to closed positions, such that when said
mechanism is primed the gates affixed to said lower shafts support
a number of articles equal to half the number of vending columns,
each gates remain out of phase said predetermined amount and said
columns are sequentially emptied such that the first articles
positioned in each column are the first articles vended; and,
a plurality of storage columns being in vending alignment with said
vending columns.
2. The article described in claim 1 wherein said predetermined
amount is 90.degree..
3. The article described in claim 1 wherein said predetermined
determined amount is determined by the equation
.theta. = 360.degree./N
where .theta. represents the angular displacement and N equals the
number of individual vending columns.
4. The article described in claim 1 wherein said storage columns
are removeably affixed with respect to said vending columns.
5. The article described in claim 4 wherein each of said storage
columns has an opening at either end thereof for loading and
vending articles, respectively, and a retaining member extends into
each of said storage columns, each of said members being moveably
affixed with respect to a side of said storage column opposite said
members, each of said members having a surface facing said opposite
side the article contacting portion of which, with respect to
distance across the article to be vended between said member and
said opposing side, is less distant from said opposing side when
said member is in the locked position, and is entirely most distant
from said opposing side when said member is in the vending
position.
6. An article delivery system comprising:
a plurality of vending columns, one side of each of said columns
being formed by a first plurality of retaining gates, an opposing
side of each of said columns being formed by a second plurality of
retaining gates, portions of said gates extending into said
columns, each of said gates being moveably rotatably affixed with
respect to said columns, each of said first gates having a surface
facing said opposing side the article contacting portion of which,
with respect to distance across the article to be vended between
said first and second plurality of gates, is less distant from said
opposing side when said gates are in the closed position, and is
entirely more distant from said opposing side when said gates are
in the open position, said gates of said first side being disposed
out of phase a predetermined number of degrees with adjacent of
said gates of said opposing side;
means for causing said gates periodically selectively to rotate to
open and to closed positions such that said gates remain out of
phase said predetermined number of degrees and said columns are
sequentially emptied such that the first articles positioned in
each column are the first articles vended;
a plurality of storage columns, each of said source columns having
an opening in both ends thereof, said openings at one end
collectively forming an ingress, and said openings at the other end
collectively forming an egress;
a channel member connected to and extending about the periphery of
said ingress and egress, each of said channel members having
elongated apertures therein, each of which extend through said
channel members into one of said columns;
a sliding member moveably affixed with respect to each of said
channel members having retaining members connected thereto each of
which extends through one of said elongated apertures into said
column, each of said members being moveably affixed with respect to
a side of said column opposite said member, each of said members
having a surface facing said opposite side the article contacting
portion of which, with respect to distance across the article to be
vended between said member and said opposing side, is less distant
from said opposing side when said member is in the locked position,
and is entirely more distant from said opposing side when said
member is in the vending position.
7. The article described in claim 6 wherein said predetermined
amount is determined by the equation
.theta. = 360.degree./N
where .theta. represents the angular displacement and N equals the
number of individual vending columns.
8. A vending mchanism for vending articles comprising:
a front portion and a rear portion, and a plurality of vending
columns, two opposing sides of each column being formed by an upper
and a lower rotatable shaft which extends from and is rotatably
affixed to said front portion and said rear portion, a retaining
gate affixed to each end of each of said shafts and which extends
into each of said columns, each of said gates being moveably
affixed with respect to a side of said column, each of said gates
having a surface facing said side the article contacting portion of
which, with respect to distance across the article to be vended
between said gate and said side, is less distant from said side
when said gate is in the closed position, and is entirely more
distant from said side when said gate is in the open position, each
gate being disposed out of phase a predetermined amount with one
other of said gates; and,
means for causing said shafts periodically selectively to rotate
said gates to open and to closed positions such that when said
mechanism is primed the gates affixed to said lower shafts support
a number of articles equal to half the number of vending columns,
said gates remain out of phase said predetermined amount and said
columns are sequentially emptied such that the first articles
positioned in each column are the first articles vended.
9. The article described in claim 8 wherein said predetermined
amount is determined by the equation
.theta. = 360.degree./N
where .theta. represents the angular displacement and N equals the
number of individual vending columns.
10. An article delivery system comprising:
a plurality of vending columns; a retaining gate which extends in
each of said columns, each of said gates being moveably affixed
with respect to a side of said column, each of said gates facing
said side the article contacting portion of which, with respect to
distance across the articles to be vended between said gate and
said side is less distant from said side when said gate is in the
closed position, and is entirely more distant from said side when
said gate is in the open position, each gate being disposed out of
phase a predetermined amount with one other of said gates;
means for causing said gates periodically selectively to move to
open and to closed positions such that said gates remain out of
phase said predetermined amount and said columns are sequentially
emptied such that the first articles positioned in each column, are
the first articles vended; and,
a plurality of storage columns being in vending alignment with said
vending columns, said storage columns being moveably affixed with
respect to said vending columns, each of said storage columns
having an opening at either end thereof for loading and vending
articles, respectively,
and a retaining member extending into each of said storage columns,
each of said members being moveably affixed with respect to a side
of said storage column opposite said members, each of said members
having a surface facing said opposite side the article contacting
portion of which, with respect to distance across the article to be
vended between said member and said opposing side, is less distant
from said opposing side when said member is in the locked position,
and is entirely more distant from said opposing side when said
member is in the vending position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coin controlled vending machines
which automatically eject containerized articles such as, and by
way of example only, beverages and foostuffs packaged in cans or
bottles, when the proper coinage is inserted into the machine, and
it particularly relates to an article delivery system comprising a
vend rack and a vending mechanism wherein articles are periodically
selectively vended from columns in the vend rack and vending
mechanism such that the columns are sequentially emptied in a
manner such that the first articles positioned in each column are
the first articles vended. The vend rack may be affixed to the
vending machine, or comprise a plurality of portable vend rack
modules which may be entirely removed from the vending machine for
loading and subsequently positioned within the machine for
operation.
2. Description of Prior Art
The prior art is generally directed to article delivery systems
comprising vending mechanisms for vending articles under the
influence of gravity such that the first article positioned in a
vending column is the first article vended to the customer. Such a
vending sequence is desirable in order to vend a fresh product to
the customer. Heretofore, however, vending machines incorporating
vending mechanisms whereby such a vending sequence has been
possible, have involved apparatus and vending column designs of
such a nature that a great deal of storage capacity within the
vending machine has been wasted. This problem has been particularly
acute when what is known in the art as serpentine vending machines
are used. Efforts to increase storage capacity in vending machines
has resulted in at least two problems. First, in an attempt to
increase the storage capacity of serpentine vending machines, a
modified serpentine vending machine has been designed, as, for
example, the vending machine depicted in Vaughan et al, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,467,275. Although vending machines as disclosed in the
Vaughan et al, patent serve to increase storage capacity, such
increase has been obtained at the expense of eliminating a vending
sequence by which the first article loaded in the vending column is
the first article vended; that is, the modified serpentine machines
contain article delivery systems which comprise vending mechanisms
for vending articles under the influence of gravity from successive
storage shelves as each shelf is emptied of its supply of
containerized articles. Because of the limitation that each
respective shelf be emptied prior to vending from a further shelf,
in those cases where reloading of the vending machine takes place
prior to when the machine is completely empty, the new
containerized articles are positioned in the empty shelves of the
machine. Accordingly, when the machine is placed in operation the
articles most recently positioned in the machine are the first to
be vended. Such a vending sequence is undesirable in that those
articles not vended lose their freshness.
A second problem attendant to the problem of increasing storage
capacity is that because of the design of some vending machines,
the loading of the machine has become a lengthy procedure. For
example, in some vending machines comprising what is known in the
art as upright columns the articles to be vended are stacked within
the storage columns of the vend racks "two deep;" that is, two
adjacent vertical stacks of articles are disposed in a single
storage column such that a first stack is positioned forward of the
machine and a second stack is positioned rearward of the machine.
Such vend racks are time consuming to load in that not only is
access to the rearward stack obstructed by the framework of the
forward column of the vend rack but also delivery personnel must
carefully position each article in each stack one at a time. In
addition, since vend racks heretofore used have been connected to
and formed an integral part of the vending machine, and in some
cases have incorporated within, or permanently attached to their
chassis, the vending mechanism, such a construction has required
that the vending machine be stocked in the field. Those portable
dispensing units heretofore in existence have been limited to the
storage of small articles such as, for example, coin, candy and
cigarettes. Because of the weight and relative bulkiness of
containerized articles such as, for example, beverages and
foodstuffs packaged in bottles and cans, the portable dispensing
units heretofore used have not been adapted for such use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a
vending mechanism which will permit the sequential vending of
containerized articles such that the first articles positioned in
each vending column of the vending mechanism are the first articles
to be vended.
Another object is to provide a vending mechanism which is
facilitated by gravity and which will permit the sequential vending
of containerized articles such that the first articles positioned
in each vending column of the vending mechanism are the first
articles to be vended.
A further object is to provide a vending mechanism wherein more
than two vending columns may be alternatively emptied such that the
first articles positioned in each vending column are the first
articles vended.
Yet a further object is to provide a vending mechanism wherein more
than two vending columns may be alternatively emptied by means of a
single drive means such that the first articles positioned in each
vending column are the first articles vended.
Still another object is to provide a gravity feeding vending
mechanism of relatively simple construction.
Yet another object is to provide an article delivery system having
increased storage capacity comprising a vending mechanism and vend
rack which will permit the sequential vending of containerized
articles such that the first articles positioned in each storage
column of the vend rack are the first articles to be vended.
A further object is to provide an article delivery system having
increased storage capacity comprising a vending mechanism, and vend
rack comprising a plurality of portable vend rack modules for
containerized articles such as, for example, beverages and
foodstuffs packaged in bottles and cans, which can be machine
loaded with articles at the factory, transported to the cite of the
vending machine, and positioned within the vending machine for
operation.
Yet a further object is to provide a vend rack which comprises a
plurality of portable vend rack modules having storage columns
which secure registry with corresponding vending columns of a
vending mechanism.
Still another object is to provide a portable vend rack module
having storage columns which secure registry with corresponding
storage columns of an adjacent portable vend rack module.
Yet another object is to provide a portable vend rack module which
is light weight in construction, durable and reuseable.
In accomplishing these and other objects, it has been found
advantageous to provide a vending mechanism which comprises a
plurality of vending columns, and a gate extending into each of the
columns for retaining the articles therein, and for periodically;
that is, during each vending cycle, causing an article to be
selectively vended from one of the vending columns such that the
vending columns are sequentially emptied so that the first articles
positioned in each vending column are the first articles vended. To
accomplish these objects each gate is moveably affixed with respect
to a side of the column into which it extends, as, for example, an
opposing side, and has an article contacting surface facing said
side which, with respect to distance across the article to be
periodically vended between the gate and side, is less distant from
the side when the gate is in a "closed" position, and is entirely
more distant from the side when the gate is in an "open" position.
By a "closed" position, it is meant that the gate is positioned so
that the article contacting portion thereof and the side of the
vending column form an enclosure in the path of motion of an
article to prevent the article from being vended. By an "open"
position, it is meant that the gate has been moved away from the
path of motion of the article thereby allowing the article to be
vended. As will be apparent hereinafter in greater detail, the word
"gate" is used in its broadest sense and includes, for example, any
moveable barrier for regulating the vending of containerized
articles through vending columns as set forth hereinafter. For
example, star-wheel gates, or lobes in the shape of a sector of a
circle, as, for example, a quadrant of a circle, are particularly
suited for the present invention. Another moveable barrier might
include, for example, a retaining type conveyor belt having
apertures therein through which articles may be vended when the
belt is positioned such that an aperture is aligned with a vending
column such that the article can pass through the aperture. When
such is the case the retaining means or gate is in an open
position. When the belt is positioned such that the apertures
therein are not properly aligned with the vending columns, then the
article will rest upon the land portion of the belt. When such is
the case the gate is in a closed position.
Means are provided for causing the gates to selectively move to
open and closed positions such that only one of the gates is in an
open position at any one time. To accomplish this object each gate
is disposed out of phase a predetermined amount with at least one
other gate, the moving means being adjusted such that the gates
remain out of phase said predetermined amount when the gates are
caused to move during each vending cycle. Although not necessary,
in some cases by proper disposition of the gates relative to one
another, the movement thereof may be facilitated by the influence
of gravity acting upon the article to be vended. As set forth
herein in greater detail, by properly selecting the amount or
distance the gates are disposed out of phase, and the amount or
distance the gates are moved during the vending cycle, a vend rack
which forms a part of the vending machine, or a vend rack
comprising a plurality of portable vend rack modules, may be used
wherein maximum storage capacity is utilized and yet articles are
periodically selectively vended from the columns in the vend rack
such that the columns are alternatively or sequentially emptied so
that the first articles positioned into each column are the first
articles vended.
One type vend rack useful in the present invention comprises a
plurality of portable vend rack modules each of which comprises a
plurality of storage columns which, when the vend rack modules are
positioned in the vending machine, will be in alignment with the
vending columns in the vending mechanism described above. A
moveable retaining member is provided in at least one end of each
storage column whereby the articles contained therein are prevented
from coming out of the rack prior to when it has been positioned in
the vending machine. In the embodiments described herein, each
vending mechanism-vend rack combination forms what is known in the
art as a flavor column.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects will become apparent from the detailed
discussion which follows and from the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding
parts throughout the several views:
FIGS. 1 through 5 depict a sequential schematic representation of
the side view of a portable vend rack and vending mechanism during
two vending cycles.
FIG. 6 is a perspective elevational view of one embodiment of a
vending mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front section view taken along line VII--VII of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is a side fragmentary view taken along line VIII--VIII of
FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a flavor column comprising
a vending mechanism and plurality of portable vend rack
modules.
FIG. 10 is a frontal fragmentary sectional view taken along line
IX--IX of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is schematically depicted the
side view of a vending mechanism 2 and portable vend rack module 38
embodying the present invention. The use of portable vend rack
modules is by way of example only, it being understood that the
present invention is also useful in vending machines wherein a vend
rack for retaining or storing containerized articles is connected
to and forms an integral part of the vending machine. The vending
mechanism 2 comprises vending columns 4, 6, 8 and 10, the sides of
each column being formed by a pair of rotatable shafts 12, 14 which
are positioned at both sides of each column and extend from one
side 16 of the vending mechanism 2 to the opposing side of the
vending mechanism (not shown). Each of the shafts 12, 14 have
affixed at either end thereof (only the side 16 can be seen in
FIGS. 1-5), and keyed thereto, a retaining lobe or gate. Each of
the gates affixed to shafts 12 is disposed out of phase a
predetermined amount with adjacent gates affixed to adjacent shafts
12. In this example, the predetermined amount is measured in
degrees. However, in other embodiments of the present invention the
predetermined amount may be measured in other units, as, for
example, inches. Although not limited to such a construction, and
viewing FIGS. 1 through 5 from left to right, gate 18 is disposed
90.degree. in a counterclockwise direction relative to gate 22
which is disposed 90.degree. in a counterclockwise direction
relative to gate 26 which is disposed 90.degree. in a
counterclockwise direction relative to gate 30 which is disposed
90.degree. in a counterclockwise direction relative to gate 34.
Similarly, each of the gates affixed to shafts 14 is disposed out
of phase a predetermined number or degrees with adjacent gates
affixed to adjacent shafts 14. For example, and again viewing FIGS.
1 through 5 from left to right, adjacent of gates 20, 24, 28, 32
and 36 are disposed at 90.degree. in a clockwise direction relative
to each other. Finally, gates 18, 22, 26, 30 and 34 are disposed a
predetermined number of degrees with adjacent of gates 20, 24, 28,
32 and 36. For example, and viewing FIGS. 1 through 5 from left to
right, gates 18, 26 and 34 are disposed 90.degree. in a
counterclockwise direction relative to gates 20, 28 and 36,
respectively, and gates 22 and 30 are disposed 90.degree. in a
clockwise direction relative to gates 24 and 32, respectively. It
should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such a
construction. For example, the magnitude of the angular disposition
of said gates, and the direction in which adjacent of said gates
are disposed out of phase a predetermined amount relative to each
other, is not limited as described above, any angular disposition
and relative direction which will accomplish the objectives set
forth herein being within the teachings of the present
invention.
During each vending cycle, all of shafts 12, 14, and all of the
gates affixed thereto, are caused to move, as, for example, rotate,
a predetermined number of degrees as described hereinafter, in such
a manner that at the end of the vending cycle the disposition of
all of the gates relative to each other remains the same as at the
beginning of the vending cycle. By properly choosing the angular
disposition of the gates relative to each other, and the number of
degrees through which all of the gates rotate during the vending
cycle, only one article is vended at a time, an article being
vended sequentially from, for example, column 4, 6, 8, 10, 4, 6, 8,
10, etc. Although not limited to such rotation, in the preferred
embodiment, as depicted by arrows in FIGS. 1 through 5, shafts 12
are caused to rotate in a direction opposite to that of shafts 14,
it being understood that in some embodiments of the present
invention the shafts 12, 14 may be caused to rotate in the same
direction. In addition, the present invention is not limited to
movement of the gates by rotation. For example, the gates may be
moved to open and closed positioned by lateral movement
thereof.
In the preferred embodiment, the actual angular displacement of the
gates is dependent upon the number of individual vending columns
within the vending mechanism, and may be determined by the
equation:
.theta. = 360.degree./N
wherein .theta. represents the angular displacement and N equals
the number of individual vending columns. Similarly, the number of
degrees through which all of the gates rotate during the vending
cycle may be determined by the same equation.
Although not necessary, as can be seen from the drawings, the
quadrant shaped lobes or gates are angularly disposed relative to
each other such that the influence of gravity upon the articles to
be vended assists in the rotation of shafts 12, 14 and the gates
affixed thereto, the rotating means described hereinafter therefore
not being required to do the job alone. It should be noted that the
present invention is not limited to the use of lobes or gates
having the configuration of the quadrant of a circle as depicted in
the drawings. Nor is the present invention limited to a vending
mechanism comprising two rows of gates 12, 14. For example, the
objects of the present invention can be accomplished by a vending
mechanism comprising a plurality of vending columns, each column
having a star-wheel gate rotatably affixed with respect to a wall
of the column opposite the star-wheel gate for retaining articles
between the opposing wall and a prong of the star-wheel gate, the
prongs of each star-wheel gate being disposed out of phase a
predetermined number of degrees with the prongs of at least one
other star-wheel gate.
In the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, before the portable vend rack module 38 is inserted into
the vending machine, the vending mechanism 2 is primed in order to
get proper vending action. Whenever the lower row of lobes or gates
in the vending mechanism 2 supports a number of articles equal to
half the number of vending columns, the vending mechanism is said
to be primed. Therefore, since FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a four
column mechanism, two articles are positioned such that they rest
on the lobes affixed to the lower row of shafts 14. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, articles C1 and C2 are depicted as resting upon
lobes 20, 24 and 24, 28, respectively. After the vending mechanism
is primed, a portable vend rack module may be positioned within the
vending machine in such a manner that the storage columns of the
module are in vending alignment with the vending columns of the
vending mechanism. FIG. 2 depicts portable vend rack module 38
removably interconnected to vending mechanism 2 such that the
vending columns 4, 6, 8 and 10 of the vending mechanism 2 are in
vending alignment with the storage columns 40, 42, 44, 46 of vend
rack module 38. By vending alignment it is meant that the storage
columns of, for example, the portable vend rack modules which
comprise the vend rack, when positioned in the vending machine,
will be disposed such that when the proper coinage is inserted into
the machine an article contained in a vend rack will be free, upon
being selected, to pass from the vend rack, through for example, a
vending column of the vending mechanism, to the customer. Each
column of articles is maintained inside the portable vend rack
module by means of moveable retaining members 48, 50, 52 and 54
which extend through slots 56, 58, 60 and 62 into columns 40, 42,
44 and 46, respectively. As will be explained in greater detail
hereinafter, and referring to FIG. 3, by sliding the retaining
members from right-to-left each column of articles is freed from
vend rack module 38 such that articles C5 and C6 bear upon articles
C1 and C2, and articles C3 and C4 rest upon lobes 26, 30 and 30,
34.
As the vending mechanism depicted in FIG. 3 is cycled through
90.degree., lobes 20, 24 will rotate 90.degree. into a position
which will allow article C1 to drop or be vended from vending
column 4 as depicted in FIG. 4. As article C1 is vended, the upper
lobes 18, 22 of column 4 also rotate 90.degree. and therefore into
position to prevent article C5 and the entire contents of column 4
from being "jackpotted" or emptied during the single vending cycle.
Simultaneously, the upper lobes 26, 30 of column 8 rotate
90.degree. to allow article C3 to move down to rest on the lower
set of lobes 28, 32. Although articles C2 and C4 still rest upon
the lower set of lobes 24, 28, and upper set of lobes 30, 34,
respectively, they have actually advanced during the vending cycle
due to the 90.degree. rotation of lobes 24, 28 and 30, 34. As
depicted in FIG. 5, the next vending cycle will cause article C2 to
be vended and the remaining articles to advance one stage during
the vending cycle as a result of an additional 90.degree. rotation
of all the lobes or gates.
FIGS. 6 through 10 depict the actual physical construction of the
embodiment of the portable vend rack module 38 and vending
mechanism 2 of the present invention schematically illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 5. Although the present invention is not limited to
such a construction, FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a vending mechanism 2
which comprises a pair of channel members 62, 64, connected
together by means of tie rods 66. Shafts 12, 14 extend through
apertures in channel members 62, 64, and are thereby rotatably
supported by channel members 62, 64. As can be seen in FIG. 7,
retaining lobes are affixed to both ends of each shaft 12, 14.
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 depict means for causing shafts 12, 14 to
periodically rotate a predetermined number of degrees. The present
invention is not limited, however, to such rotating means as is
depicted in the drawings, and any of many means well known in the
art for selective control of, for example, rotatable gates may be
used. As noted above, since vending mechanism 2 comprises four
vending columns, shafts 12, 14 will be caused to rotate 90.degree.
during each vending cycle. FIG. 6 depicts a motor 68 which is
connected to drive shaft 70. Each shaft 12, 14 has a worm gear 72
affixed thereto which meshes with a drive worm 74 affixed to drive
shaft 70. When motor 68 is energized it causes drive shaft 70, and
therefore drive worm 74, to rotate. Rotation of drive worm 74
causes worm gear 72 to rotate and therefore shafts 12, 14 and the
lobes affixed thereto to rotate. By connecting a star-wheel gear 76
to, for example, one of shafts 12, and causing the star-wheel gear
76 to engage a star-wheel switch 78 which is electrically connected
to motor 68, the number of degrees through which shafts 12, 14
rotate can be selectively controlled since the rotation of the
star-wheel gear 76 caused by the energization of motor 68 when the
proper coinage is inserted into the vending machine will cause the
star-wheel gear 76 to act as a cam which periodically actuates
star-wheel switch 78 to turn off motor 68.
FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a portable vend rack module 38
which comprises two opposing walls 80, 82 connected together by end
walls 84, 86 to form a box-like structure open at either access end
88, 90 thereof. The interior of the portable vend rack module is
divided into a plurality of storage columns 40, 42, 44, and 46 by
dividing members 92, 94, and 96 each of which are connected to
opposing walls 80, 82. The size of each storage column is such as
to permit passage of articles into one end thereof, as, for
example, end 88, through a column, and out the outer end thereof,
as, for example, end 90. Both open ends 88, 90 have a channel
member 98, 100 connected thereto or forming a part thereof which
extends about the periphery of each opening respectively. Each
channel member 98, 100 has slots 56, 58, 60, and 62 in opposing
sides 81, 83. A pair of U-shaped sliding members 102-104 and
106-108 engage the peripheral groove of channel members 98, 100,
respectively. Each pair of sliding members are joined to form a
single sliding element 103, 107, respectively, by means of, for
example, a rivet 110. Each U-shaped member has retaining members
48, 50, 52 and 54 which extend towards the open portion of each
respective U-shaped member and through the slots 56, 58, 60 and 62
into columns 40, 42, 44 and 46. The distance between the ends of
those retaining members which face each other, as, for example, 48
and 48', 50 and 50', 52 and 52', and 54 and 54', is such that when
the retaining members are positioned in a "locked" position as
described hereinafter, articles within the vend rack module are
retained therein. The size of each U-shaped member relative to the
size of the peripheral groove of channel members 98, 100 is such
that each single sliding element 103, 107 is free to slide along
the peripheral groove of channel members 98, 100 from end wall 84
towards end wall 86, and back again. In this manner, retaining
members 48, 50, 52 and 54 may be caused to slide toward and away
from end walls 84, 86 and dividing members 92, 94 and 96, and are
thereby moved to vending and locked positions; that is, the
distance between that portion of the surface of retaining members
such as, for example, retaining members 54, 54' which will contact
an article in column 46, and the opposing side 84, with respect to
distance across an article positioned in column 46 between said
surface and said opposing side, is less distant when the members
54, 54' are in the locked position, and is entirely more distant
from said side when the members are in the vending position. FIG. 6
depicts the retaining members in a locked position. By sliding, for
example, sliding element 107 to the rear, the retaining members are
moved to vending position such that they will no longer retain any
articles in any of the columns 40, 42, 44 and 46. In this manner,
sliding element 107 may be positioned in the locked position during
the loading of the portable vend rack. After loading is completed,
sliding element 103 may be positioned in the locked position to
maintain the articles therein during transport. After the vend rack
has been positioned within the vending machine, sliding elements
103, 107 may be positioned in the vending position at which time
the articles will be free to move through the storage columns of
the vend rack and vending columns of the vending mechanism as
described herein.
Although FIG. 6 depicts a sliding element at either end of the vend
rack module 38, one sliding element may be eliminated. When such is
the case, the vend rack module 38 would have to be maintained in an
upright position in order to prevent articles contained therein
from falling out of the open end.
In order to prevent the retaining members 48, 50, 52 and 54 from
freely sliding from a locked to a vending position during loading
and transport of a vend rack module 38, a latch may be provided to
hold each sliding element, and therefore the retaining members
affixed thereto, in place. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6 a
cantilevered latch 114 affixed to or forming a part of one surface
of each of channel members 98, 100 extends through a slot 116 in
the sliding elements 103 and 107 and abuts against each respective
sliding element to maintain each sliding element in place. By
depressing latch 114 and sliding each sliding element to the rear,
the retaining members may be moved to a vending position as latch
114 is removed from slot 116 to slot 118. By further depressing the
latch and sliding each pair of sliding members to the front, the
retaining members may be returned to a locked position as latch 114
is removed from slot 118 to slot 116.
Although not necessary, it is advantageous to provide the loading
and vending ends of each vend rack module with aligning means such
as a lip to facilitate the stacking of a plurality of vend rack
modules within a vend machine. For example, open end 88 of vend
rack 38 is provided with a lip 112 extending around the periphery
thereof, and open end 90 of vend rack 38 is provided with a lip 115
extending around the periphery thereof. The outer peripheral
distance around lip 115 is less than the inner peripheral distance
around lip 112. In this manner, portable vend rack module 38 may be
stacked upon a second portable vend rack module 39 such that lip
115 of said first module will mesh with lip 112 of said second
module, the storage columns of each module being vertically aligned
with each other. In order to compensate for any misalignment of
storage columns of adjacent vend rack modules, each dividing member
of each module may be tapered relative to an adjacent dividing
member or end wall, and opposing sides 80, 82 may be tapered
relative to each other, such that the open end from which articles
are removed from the vend rack is smaller than the open end into
which the articles are first fed. For example, dividing members 94
and 96 are thinner nearest open end 88 and wider nearest open end
90. Accordingly, storage column 44 is wider nearest open end 88 and
thinner nearest open end 90.
Although not necessary, the walls 80, 82, 84 and 86, and the
dividing members 92, 94 and 96, of vend rack module 38 are provided
with large apertures therein to facilitate the movement of hot or
cold air throughout the interior of the vending machine in those
cases where the articles housed in the vending machine must be
heated or cooled respectively. As an alternative, each dividing
member may be u-shaped.
Although FIG. 6 depicts a vend rack module comprising four storage
columns, each column having two retaining members extending therein
at either end thereof, the present invention is not limited to such
a construction. For example, the vend rack module may comprise more
or less than four storage columns, and each column may have a
different number of retaining members than four.
The embodiment which has been described herein is but one of
several which utilize this invention and is set forth here by way
of illustration but not of limitation. It is apparent that many
other embodiments which will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art may be made without departing materially from the spirit
and scope of this invention.
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