US3601281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vending machine with screw conveyor-type cellular magazine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-18
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A vending machine having dispensing modules provided with upper and lower shelves. Each upper shelf is encircled by the convolutions of a helical dispensing spindle. Items rest on both shelves intermediate the convolutions of the spindle, and, as the spindle revolves, items are discharged alternately from the ends of the upper and lower shelves with each 180* of rotation for the spindle. The spindle is connected with a drive unit through a drive rod which extends beneath the upper shelf and merges into the last convolution at the discharge end of the spindle. With slight modifications the dispensing module can be adapted to fit existing vending machines.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley O Schlaf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/16; G07F11/24; G07F11/46; G07F11/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A vending machine comprising a support member; a connecting element projecting outwardly from the support member; item supporting means including a rear wall, a first shelf projecting outwardly from the rear wall for supporting a row of items, and a second shelf also projecting outwardly from the rear wall beneath the first shelf for supporting another row of items; a shiftable locking member carried by the rear wall, the locking meMber being shiftable from a position wherein it will engage the connecting element and secure the rear wall to the support member to another position wherein it will be disengaged from the connecting element and will allow the rear wall to be detached and withdrawn from the support member; a helical spindle including convolutions which encircle the first shelf and pass adjacent to the second shelf; drive means mounted behind the rear wall; and a drive rod extending through the rear wall for connecting the convolutions to the drive means, the drive rod being connected with the drive means beyond the rear wall when the locking means is engaged with the connecting element and being disconnected from the drive means when the rear wall is detached from the support member, the items in each row of items being positioned on the shelves and between the convolutions of the spindle so that as the spindle rotates the items will be dispensed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A vending machine comprising a support member; a connecting element projecting outwardly from the support member; item supporting means including a rear wall, a first shelf projecting outwardly from the rear wall for supporting a row of items, and a second shelf also projecting outwardly from the rear wall beneath the first shelf for supporting another row of items; a shiftable locking member carried by the rear wall, the locking meMber being shiftable from a position wherein it will engage the connecting element and secure the rear wall to the support member to another position wherein it will be disengaged from the connecting element and will allow the rear wall to be detached and withdrawn from the support member; a helical spindle including convolutions which encircle the first shelf and pass adjacent to the second shelf; drive means mounted behind the rear wall; and a drive rod extending through the rear wall for connecting the convolutions to the drive means, the drive rod being connected with the drive means beyond the rear wall when the locking means is engaged with the connecting element and being disconnected from the drive means when the rear wall is detached from the support member, the items in each row of items being positioned on the shelves and between the convolutions of the spindle so that as the spindle rotates the items will be dispensed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vending machine according to claim 1, and further characterized by release means for shifting the locking member and operable from the dispensing end of the item supporting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A vending machine according to claim 2, wherein one of the shelves at its dispensing end is provided with a thumb slot, and wherein a release rod is journaled adjacent to and extends along that shelf, the rod extending across the thumb slot at its one end and shifting the locking member at its opposite end, whereby the locking member is operable from the dispensing end of the shelves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A vending mechanism comprising upper and lower shelves mounted in fixed and determined relation with respect to each other for supporting a plurality of items arranged in rows thereon, each shelf having a discharge end across which the items leave the shelf, and a helical spindle having convolutions which encircle the upper shelf and extend toward the lower shelf, the convolutions passing between and separating items on each shelf so that as the spindle rotates the items will be advanced along the shelves toward the discharge ends thereof and will eventually leave the shelves at the discharge ends, the spindle further including a drive rod which extends along the upper shelf and connects with the convolution located closest to the discharge ends of the shelves but is detached from the remaining convolutions whereby the convolutions will rotate with the drive rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A vending mechanism comprising upper and lower shelves mounted in fixed and determined relation with respect to each other for supporting a plurality of items arranged in rows thereon, each shelf having a discharge end across which the items leave the shelf, and a helical spindle having convolutions which encircle the upper shelf and extend toward the lower shelf, the convolutions passing between and separating items on each shelf so that as the spindle rotates the items will be advanced along the shelves toward the discharge ends thereof and will eventually leave the shelves at the discharge ends, the spindle further including a drive rod which extends along the upper shelf and connects with the convolution located closest to the discharge ends of the shelves but is detached from the remaining convolutions whereby the convolutions will rotate with the drive rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the drive rod near its connection to the endmost convolution is journaled in the upper shelf.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the drive rod extends along the underside of the upper shelf.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vending machine according to claim 5, and further characterized by guide means along at least one side of each shelf to prevent the convolutions from pushing the items laterally off of the shelf as the spindle revolves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vending machine according to claim 7, and further characterized by a rear member to which the upper and lower shelves are attached at their ends located remote from their discharge ends, the shelves being supported by and projecting outwardly from the rear member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the drive rod extends through the rear member and is journaled in the upper shelf remote from the rear member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vending machine according to claim 9, and further characterized by a support member to which the rear member is affixed, whereby the rear member is supported by the support member, and drive means mounted on the support member and engaged with the drive rod for rotating the spindle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the drive means includes a drive shaft provided with a socket and the drive rod is connectable with the drive shaft through a drive head which fits nonrotatively into the socket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vending machine according to claim 11, wherein the drive rod is connected to the drive head through meshing gears of predetermined ratio.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A vending machine accOrding to claim 10, and further characterized by sensing means for sensing the presence of items on at least one of the shelves, the sensing means being connected with the drive means for preventing the drive means from being energized in the absence of items on the shelf over which the sensing means maintains surveillance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vending machine according to claim 13, wherein the sensing means includes a sensing arm extending along the upper surface of the upper shelf within the convolutions of the spindle, the sensing arm being spring biased upwardly but being normally held against the upper surface of the shelf by items on the upper shelf.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vending machine according to claim 13, wherein the sensing means includes a sensing arm extending above the lower shelf within the convolutions of the dispensing spindle, and wherein the sensing arm is normally maintained in a raised position by items on the lower shelf.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the rear member is detachable from the support member; and wherein the drive rod is disengaged from the drive means when the rear member is detached from the support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
184 words
A vending mechanism comprising upper and lower shelves for supporting a plurality of items arranged in rows thereon, means mounting the shelves in fixed and determined relation relative to each other, dispensing spindle means having a series of convolutions which pass between and separate the items on both the upper and lower shelves, the upper shelf being disposed within and completely encircled by the convolutions and the lower shelf being substantially located below and outside of the convolutions, the lower shelf further being accessible from at least one of its sides so that the items may be inserted laterally onto it to supported positions between the convolutions of the spindle, both shelves having discharge ends located at one end of the convoluted portion of the spindle so that the items can pass along the shelves and be discharged from the ends thereof, and means for rotating the spindle in the direction which causes the items to be advanced toward the discharge ends of the shelves, whereby the items will leave the discharge ends of the upper and lower shelves alternately as the spindle rotates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
184 words
A vending mechanism comprising upper and lower shelves for supporting a plurality of items arranged in rows thereon, means mounting the shelves in fixed and determined relation relative to each other, dispensing spindle means having a series of convolutions which pass between and separate the items on both the upper and lower shelves, the upper shelf being disposed within and completely encircled by the convolutions and the lower shelf being substantially located below and outside of the convolutions, the lower shelf further being accessible from at least one of its sides so that the items may be inserted laterally onto it to supported positions between the convolutions of the spindle, both shelves having discharge ends located at one end of the convoluted portion of the spindle so that the items can pass along the shelves and be discharged from the ends thereof, and means for rotating the spindle in the direction which causes the items to be advanced toward the discharge ends of the shelves, whereby the items will leave the discharge ends of the upper and lower shelves alternately as the spindle rotates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vending mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the lower shelf is wider than the upper shelf, and has a lip extending along one of its sides.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |