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Patent US3628643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3628643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selector mechanism for coin-controlled article dispensers
Assignee: Rock Ola Manufacturing Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-07
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Selector mechanism for automatic coin-operated vending machines incorporating item display means and an actuator for operating electrical switch means for activating the selector mechanism; the latter including an item display platform and being operationally conditioned by electromechanical interlock means responsive to the availability of items for vending and which activates a mechanical signal system for positively informing the customer of item availability for selection.
Inventors
- 👤 Floyd V Bookout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G07F9/02; G07F9/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
For use in automatic, coin-operated vending machines having electrically operated delivery mechanism for releasing items selected by the customer in response to customer deposit of predetermined coin values, improved selector mechanism for initiating a vend cycle comprising: electrical selector switch means operatively enabled by the deposit of a predeTermined coin value and, upon actuation, serving to enable the delivery mechanism for operation; actuator means operably movable to and between switch actuating and nonactuating positions and normally biased to said switch actuating position, lever means engaged with said actuator means and normally positioned to retain the latter in said nonactuating position, manually operable selector panel means, accessible to the customer, and selectively operable to move said lever means appropriately to permit movement of said actuator means to said switch-actuating position; electrical solenoid means operatively responsive to the presence and absence of items in delivery position, and mechanical interlock means controlled by said solenoid means and operable to precondition actuation of said switch means on the presence of items in delivery position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
For use in automatic, coin-operated vending machines having electrically operated delivery mechanism for releasing items selected by the customer in response to customer deposit of predetermined coin values, improved selector mechanism for initiating a vend cycle comprising: electrical selector switch means operatively enabled by the deposit of a predeTermined coin value and, upon actuation, serving to enable the delivery mechanism for operation; actuator means operably movable to and between switch actuating and nonactuating positions and normally biased to said switch actuating position, lever means engaged with said actuator means and normally positioned to retain the latter in said nonactuating position, manually operable selector panel means, accessible to the customer, and selectively operable to move said lever means appropriately to permit movement of said actuator means to said switch-actuating position; electrical solenoid means operatively responsive to the presence and absence of items in delivery position, and mechanical interlock means controlled by said solenoid means and operable to precondition actuation of said switch means on the presence of items in delivery position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 1, including unitary housing means for said selector mechanism, means supporting said housing means beneath a display platform portion, and means for holding a sample item in display position on top of said platform portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said selector panel means comprises a transparent barrier mounted protectively between said display platform portion and a customer, whereby an item displayed on said platform portion is inaccessibly visable to the customer through said panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 3 and mounting panel means mounted adjacent said selector mechanism having an opening receptive of said selector panel means, and means supporting said selector panel means on said mounting panel means for pivotal movement about one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said selector mechanism, except for said selector panel means, comprises a unitary module, and means detachably mounting a plurality of such modules in side-by-side array within the interior of the vending machine, each opposite a said selector panel means, with each being independently operable and removable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 including signal means having plural signal display surfaces thereon, and means operatively interconnecting said signal means and solenoid means to present different signal display surfaces in position for observation by a customer in accordance with the energized and nonenergized conditions of said solenoid means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said interlock and signal means are conjointly operable and independently of said lever means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said interlock means is operably independent of the operation of said lever means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 and spring means normally biasing said interlock means and said lever means to maintain said switch means in nonactuated condition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |