US696011A - Automatic vending-machine. - Google Patents

Description

'Nm-696,0". Patented Mar. 25, |902. B. M. DAVIS. I AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Application led Feb. 21, 1901.)

(no Model.)

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No. 696,0". Patented Mar. 25, |902. B. M. DAVIS.

AUTUMATIC VENDING MACHINE.V

(Application led Feb. 21, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BETI'IUEL M. DAVIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ADVANCE MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC VENDING=IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,011, dated March 25, 1902.

Application filed February 21, 1901` Serial No.48,258 (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern..- ably constructed. with glass or transparent Be it known that I, BETHUEL INI. DAVIS, a sides 1, This receptacle has a hinged top 2, citizen of the United States, residing at Chiprovided with lock 3 to facilitate filling, and cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illiits bottom is formed with sloping sides to con- 55 5 nois, have invented certain new and useful stitnte a hopper 4, which has a central open- Improvements in Automatic Vending-Maing 5, toward which the material gravitates. chines, of which the following is afull, clear, The bottom ef the receptacle 1 rests upon a and exact specification. frame 6, which if the machine is of square My invention relates more particularly to form would be rectangular and if circular A6o ro automatic vending-machines for vendingmawould be annular and open at top and botterial in bulk, such as nuts and othergranutom, and this open frame 6 rests upon the uplar substance or material composed of lumps; per side of the base-box 7. These three memandit has forits primary object to provideimbers-namely,the receptacle 1,the open frame proved and simple coin-actuated mechanism 6, and the base-box 7-are secured together by 65 15 for vending-machines of this character. Vertical screw-rods S, which pass downwardly With these ends in view my invention conthrough the corners of the receptacle 1 and sistsin certain features of noveltyin the conalso through corner-lugs 9, formed in each struction, combination, and arrangement of corner of the base-box 7, and under said corparts by which the said objects and certain ner-lugs 9 the rods are provided with nuts 10, 7o zo other objects hereinafter appearing are atwhereby the three described members may be tained, all as fully described with reference firmly bound together. to the accompanying drawings and more par- The upper side of the base-box 7 is formed ticularly pointed out in the claims. with a way or support 11 for a measure 12 to In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a front eleslide upon, the measure l2 being of sufficient 75 z5 vation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a depth to extend from the way 11 up to the vertical sectional view thereof, taken on the lower end ofthe hopper 4, Where it is proline 2 2, Fig. 1, showing the measure in its vided with the opening 5, and this measure normal or retracted position ready to receive may be equalin diameter to the size Ofsaid a charge from the hopper above. Fig. SisA a opening. The measure l2 is open ltop and bot- 8o 3o similar section with the top of the machine tom, so that when under the opening 5 the broken away, showing the measure advanced contents of the receptacle 1 will drift into the for delivering the charge. Fig. 4 is a plan measure and will be supported by the sides section taken on the irregular line 4 4, Fig. 2. thereof and the way 1l, upon which the meas- Fig. 5 is a detail view of the inner face Vof the ure slides. The rear end of the measure 12 85 35 coin-slot and connected mechanism. Fig. 6 is provided with a valve or shutter 13, which is a detail plan View ofthe measure and the is of sufiicient size to entirely close the opengate which controls the exit of the coins from ing 5, when the measure is advanced to dethe coin-slot, the measure being shown in its liver the material. The forward end of the retracted or receiving position. Fig. 7 is a way 11 is cut away, as shown at 14, to form 9o 4o similar View showing the measure advanced an aperture for the discharge of the material for delivery. Fig. S is a detail view of a part from the measure 12 when the measure arof the coin-slot and the coin-gate, showing the rives at its advanced position, and located dimanner in which the coins are permitted to rectly under this aperture 14 is a materialdischarge from the slot one at a time. Fig. 9 chute, the bottom of which is composed of an 9 5 45 is a detail view of the coin-seat, showing a inclined plate 15, secured in anysuitable mancoin therein, as hereinafter described; and ner tothe bottom of the way l1 and having Fig. 10 is a detail section taken on the line l0 its outer end situated Within the mouth or 10, Fig. 4. aperture 16, where the material discharges 1 represents abox or receptacle constituting into a suitable receiver 17. The forward side roo 5o the upperpartof the apparatus for containing of the measure 12 is provided with an inthe material to be Vcnded, and it is prcferwardly-projecting lip 1S, which prevents the bottom of the'measure from being exposed over the aperture 14 before the valve or shutter 13 has suiciently closed the opening 5 toprevent any material part of the contents of the receptacle 1 from running directly through the opening 5 into the chute 15.

' The sides of the material-chute, of which 15 is the bottom-plate, are constituted by two wings 19, formed on and supported by two arms 20, which are pivoted at 21 to the basebox 7. The bottom-plate [its between these wings 19, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and whenthe measure 12 is advanced over the aperture 14, as shown in Fig. 3, the wings 19 will have risen sufficiently to fully constitute the sides of the material-chute and prevent the material from escaping into the basebox 7. The lower end of the V-shaped opening left between the front of the boX 7 and the outer edges of the arms 2O when the measure 12is in itsretracted or receiving position, as shown in Fig. 2, may be closed by two lips or anges 22, formed on the edges of the bot- A tom-plate 15, thus avoiding the possibility of any fragments which may linger in the chute fromvescaping through these V-shaped open ings into the box 7. Y

Formed on the side arms 21 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a curved valve or 'shield i23, which is struck on an arc from the center of the pivot 21, so that as the arms 20 oscillate back and forth lthis valve or shield v willfalternately open and close the mouth or discharge-opening 16. y Thus when the measure, 12 isl advanced to its delivery position the contents will be discharged into the chute 15 19 and held therein by the valve 23 until the measure 12 is returned to its receiving position, whereupon the material will run out into the receiver 17.v This valve serves the further useful purpose of closing the discharge-outlet 16 sulcientlytoi prevent a direct passage being established between the measure 12 and such discharge`aperture while the-measure is in communication with the opening 5 in the bottom of the hopper or reT ceptacle 1. The valve 23 may be thus actuated .by means of an exterior handle 24. Projectingupwardly from the upper side of this curved valve 23 is an arm 25, which works between two branches 26, Vconstituting a bifurcation or projection on the forward side of the measure12. ,(See-Figs. 6 and 7.) In the absence of a coin the arm Y25 will be free to work back-and forth between these bran ches 26 without altering the position of the measure 12; but whena coin isldeposited in the coin-slot 27 it gravitates therethrough until it strikesan incline 28, which `is preferably formed on the inner wall of the open frame member 6, kwhich directs the coin againsta pair'of stops 29, formed on the branches 26, respectively, near their outer ends'and adjacent tontwo inwardly-projectinglugs 30, formed on the extremitiesof the branches 26, and which lugs constitute a coin-seat for holding the coin 31, in the manner better shown in Fig. 9.,. Assuming that the arm 25 is at the extremity of its inward movement in the position shown in Fig. 2, therefore it will be seen that when it is again moved forward by pressure upon the handle 24 it will strike against the coin 31, resting in its seat and being held by the lugs 30, and will consequently pull the measure 12 with it into the delivery position illustrated in Fig. 3. The end of the way 11, or the plate which constitutes said way, is slotted outwardly from the forward side of the aperture 14 to permit of the free movement ofthe arm 25, and the edges of this slot 32 are provided with ratchet-teeth 33, which engage with the coin and lock the measure 12 against inward movement in the event it should be attempted to return it for refilling before the coin has been advanced the full limit of the movement of the arm 25 and allowed to escape. The branches 26 on ,their inner sides, at points between the lugs 30 and stops29, are cut out to form notches 34, so as to permit the coin to slip downwardly between the branches 26 when not restrained fromy below. When the coin first drops into its seat between the lugs 30 and stops 29, it is supported from below by the edges of the slot 32, which are closer together than the width of thecoin and which at this particular point are not provided with the teeth 33. After thelower edge'of the coin leaves the plain edges of the slot 32 it is supported Aand prevented from dragging against they ratchet-teeth 33 while moving in a forward direction by means of a notch or shoulder 34, formed onthe forward side of the arm 25; but bythe time the arm 25 reaches the limit of its forward movement, as shown in Fig. 3, the shoulder 34 `:vill have turned downwardly from under the coin to permit the coin to escape into a lateral downwardly-inclined coin-chute 35, whose lower end 36 discharges intothe base-box 7, which also constitutes a coin receptacle or bank. The arm 25, and consequently the measure position by means of a spring 37, secured to one ofthe wings 19 and to a suitable fastening 38 on the basev member 39. `During this forward movement of the measure 12 the coin-stops 29 pass through the incline 28, and to this end such incline is bifurcated, as shown at 281. The bottom rof the' coin-slot 27 is provided with a shortvincline 27a, Vadjoining the incline 28, and the slot 27, together with s uch incline 27a, is formed in a separate casting or member, the lower part 40 of which constitutes the frontof the basebox 7, in which the discharge-aperture 16 is formed, while the upper part 41 forms the outer side of the coin slot or chute 27. and also the outer side and bottom of the lateral coin-chute `35. The back of the coin-chute 27 and lateral chute 35 is constituted by a plate 42, preferably composed of brass or bronze or other non-magnetic metal and having formed thereon a lip 43, turned inwardly over the incline 27 to direct the coin onto IOO IIO

the incline 2S. This plate 42 ata point about midway between the upper and lower ends of the coin slot or chute 27 is provided with a horizontal aperture or slot 44, arranged under an inwardly-projecting lip 45 and over an inclined rib 46, which constitutes the bottom of another` coin-chute when the plate 42 is covered over by an additional plate 47, and secured between the plates 42 47 in any suitable manner is a horseshoe or other suitable permanent magnet 4S, having its end arranged over and opposite the slot-44. This is for the purpose of attracting slugs or bogus coins that may be dropped into the slot 27, and thus defiecting them through the slot 44 into the chute constituted by the inner faces of the plates 42 47 and the rib 46. The lower end of the rib 46 is continued into a downwardly-extending rib 49, which leads downwardly into the coin-receptacle or base-box 7 and constitutes one side of a vertical chute for the bogus coins, while the other sideV of such chute is constituted by the edge 50 of the casting 4l. The magnet 48 is suspended or held in .place by being let into a recess 51, formed in the plate 47. The plate 47 is held in place by screw or other device 52.

Extending in the opposite direction from the lateral coin chute 35 is an additional coin-chute 53, which perchance will receive some of the coins which fall from the notches 34. Both of these coin-chutes 35 53 are provided in their outer faces with transparent coverings 35 53, respectively, in order that the coins therein may be visible. The coinchute 53, however, has no outlet and is simply for the purpose of holding in plain sight one or more coins.

In order that the coins falling into the chute 35 may be retained therein until said chute 35 becomes lled with them and then allowed to escape one at atime, I provide an automatic gate, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This gate consists of a lever 54, pivoted at 55 to the back of the plate 42 and having a linger 56, which passes through a suitable aperture in the back of said plate and intercepts the coin that would roll from the chute 35, said finger 56 being held normally projected across the path of the coin by a spring 57. the measure l2 moves forward, however, a downwardly-projecting arm 58 on the side thereof strikes against a cam or arm 59, proj ecting from the lever 54,and thus compresses the spring 57 and withdraws the linger 56, permitting the coin resting against the finger 56 to escape into the box 7 through the outlet 36; but as it withdraws the finger 56 it introduces another finger 60 at the upper or rear side of the escaping coin, so as to intercept and prevent the escape of the next coin, which will be held by finger 60 until the measure 12 recedes, whereupon the finger 56 will again return to normal position for intercepting the coin as it is released by finger 60.

If desired, the capacity of the measure l2 may be varied at willby the insertion therein When of a block l2:L of the desired thickness, suchA as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. This block may be held in place by screws 12b in the sides of the measure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asnew therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture therein, a measure open at top and bottom arranged under said aperture, a valve or shutter actuated by said measure for closing said aperture,`a runway closing the bottom of said measure and on which said measure slides, said runway having an aperture with which said measure coincides, a chute arranged under and leading from said aperture, exterior means for operating said measure disconnected therefrom, means for causing a coin to connect said measure and eX- terior operating means and means for closing the outer end of said chute as the measure approaches said aperture in the runway, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine for the purpose described the combination ot' a hopper having an aperture, a measure open at top and bottom arranged under said aperture, a valve or shutter actuated by said measure for closing said aperture, a runway closing the bottom of said measure and on which said measure slides, a plate secured under the line of movement of said measure and constituting the bottom of a chute for receiving the material from said measure, exterior means for operating said measure disconnected'therefrom and having side wings embracing said plate and constituting the sides of said chute and means for causing a coin to connect said measure and exterior operating means, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture in the bottom, a measure arranged under said aperture and having a shutter for closing said aperture, an arm for actuating said measure, a runway on which said measure slides having an aperture with which said measure coincides for the discharge of thematerial therefrom, and a slot for the back-andforth movement of said arm, a member on said measure having a bifurcation coincident with said slot also for receiving 4said arm, a

cross-slot or coin-seat in said member for hold-A ing a coin in front of said arm, and means for oscillating said arm against said coin for advancing said measure, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture in the bottom, a measure arranged under said aperture and having a shutter .for closing said aperture, an arm for actuating said measure, a runway on which said measure slides having an aperture for the discharge of the material from said measure and a slot for thc backand-forth movement of said arm, a

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member on said measure havinga bifurcation coincident with said slot also for the reception of said arm, a cross-slot or coin-seat in said member for receiving and holding a coin in front of said arm, means for oscillating said arm against said coin for moving it and the measure in one direction and ratchet-teeth on the edge of said slot for engaging said coin when moved in the reverse direction substantially as vset forth.

5. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture in the bottom, a measure arranged under said aperture, an arm for actuating said measure, means for closing said aperture when the measure moves forward,a runway on which said measure slides, a bifurcated member on said measure for the reception of said arm having a cross-slot or coin-seat for holding a coin infront of said arm, ratchet-teeth arranged adjacent to the line Of movement of the coin as it rests in said seat and means for elevating said coin out of engagement with said ratchet-teeth as the coin advances with the measure, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture in the bottom, a measure arranged under said aperture, an arm for actuating said-measure, means for closing said aperture when the measure vmoves forward, a runway on which said measure slides, a bifurcated member on said measure for the reception of said arm having a cross-slot or coin-seat for holding a coin in front of said arm, ratchet-teeth arranged adjacent to the line of movement of the coin as it rests in said seat, and a shoulder on said arm for engaging under and elevating said coin out of engagement with said ratchet-teeth as the coin advances with said measure, substantially as set forth.

7. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture, a measure arranged to receive material through said aperture, a member connected with said measure and having a cross-slot for the reception of a coin, an arm for engaging the coin in said slot and having a shoulder adapted to supportl the coin against downward movement while resting therein, a coindisplay chute having its upper end arranged under said cross-slot when the measu re reaches the forward extremity of its movement, said `shoulder being adapted to turn from under said coin at said extremity and means for actuating said arm from the exterior, substantially as set forth.

S. In a machine for the purpose described the combination of a measure, a member connected with said measure and having a coinseat/,an actuating-arm for said measure adapted to pass said coin-seat, a coin-stop arranged back of said coin-seat, means for directinga coin against said coin-stop and thereby deflecting it into said seat, means for supplying said measure with material and means for actuating said arm from the exterior, substantially as set forth.

9. Ina machine for the purpose described the combination of the base-box 7 having a discharge-aperture in the side thereof, the plate 1l extending across the top of said baseboX and constituting a runway, the plate 15 secured to said plate 1l and constituting the bottom of a chute leading to said dischargeaperture, a measure sliding upon saidplate 1l, the open frame member 6 supported on said box 7, a receptacle supported on said frame member 6 and having a hopper in the bottom thereof provided with an aperture ar ranged over said measure, means for secur ing said base-box, a member 6 and receptacle together,a coin-seat connected with said measure,l a coin-incline formed on said member 6 and leading downwardly to said coin-seat and means for actuating said measure through the medium of the coin on said seat, substantially as set forth.

10. In a device for the purpose described the combination of a hopper having an aperture therein, a measure movable into and out of register with said aperture, means affixed to and movable with said measure comprising two side supports for engaging the side edges of a coin, said supports being a sufficient distance apart at their lower edges to permit the coin to slip downwardly from between them, means for holding the coin against said downward movement during a part of the movement of the measure, an exterior operating means having a member movable on the are of a circle between said supports and provided with means adapted to engage under and support said coin throughout another part of the movement of the measure, and also means for im'pinging the back of the coin while resting between said supports,whereby said operating means will move said measure through the medium of the coin throughout the stroke of the measure and support the coin against downward movement throughout a part ol the stroke, substantially as set forth.

BETI-IUEL M. DAVIS. Witnesses: l

EDNA B. JOHNSON, F. A. HOPKINS.

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