US3705665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-copy vending machines for newspapers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-08
•
Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1990-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A single-copy vending machine for flat articles, such as newspapers, in which the items to be sold are stacked horizontally on a tray and so positioned, by means of a spring motor and a fixed stop, that the parting line between the topmost item in the stack and one immediately below always lies in a predetermined horizontal plane. A separating blade is arranged to move relative to the stack of items in the parting plane and is used to separate the topmost item from the remainder of the stack and make it available for removal from the stack by a purchaser. The blade, simultaneously with the separation of the topmost item, also locks the item second from the top of the stack in an inaccessible position for the purchaser.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Gunzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:44
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A machine for the vending of articles, such as newspapers, one at a time, comprising: a frame; tray means, for receiving a stack composed of a plurality of said articles to be vended in a substantially horizontal alignment; guide means for said tray means, attached to said frame, restraining said tray means to reciprocating motion in a substantially vertical direction; stop means, for arresting motion of said stack with its upper surface in a pre-determined horizontal plane; drive means for said tray means, whereby said stack is entrained in a vertically upward direction until arrested by said stop means; a single blade, for separating topmost article in said stack from remainder of stack; rail means, permitting motion of said blade in a horizontal plane substantially coinciding with the plane of separation between topmost article in said stack and remainder of said stack; adjusting means for said stop means so as to establish the coincidence between the plane of motion of said blade and said plane of separation; and actuating means adapted to impart reciprocating motion to said blade in said plane of separation; so that said blade lifts front edge of said topmost article and blocks access to article lying below it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A machine for the vending of articles, such as newspapers, one at a time, comprising: a frame; tray means, for receiving a stack composed of a plurality of said articles to be vended in a substantially horizontal alignment; guide means for said tray means, attached to said frame, restraining said tray means to reciprocating motion in a substantially vertical direction; stop means, for arresting motion of said stack with its upper surface in a pre-determined horizontal plane; drive means for said tray means, whereby said stack is entrained in a vertically upward direction until arrested by said stop means; a single blade, for separating topmost article in said stack from remainder of stack; rail means, permitting motion of said blade in a horizontal plane substantially coinciding with the plane of separation between topmost article in said stack and remainder of said stack; adjusting means for said stop means so as to establish the coincidence between the plane of motion of said blade and said plane of separation; and actuating means adapted to impart reciprocating motion to said blade in said plane of separation; so that said blade lifts front edge of said topmost article and blocks access to article lying below it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine defined in claim 1 in which said drive means comprise at least one compression spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
In combination, the machine defined in claim 1 and a coin-operated lock acting on said rail means for preventing said reciprocating motion of said blade until pre-determined price of one of said vendable articles has been deposited in said coin-operated lock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine defined in claim 1 in which said drive means comprise a plurality of identical helically Wound mechanical springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine defined in claim 1 in which said stop means comprise a plurality of cylindrical elements rotatably mounted in said frame with their lower surfaces tangent to a horizontal plane coincident with said pre-determined horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A machine for the vending of flat articles, comprising: a frame; tray means for receiving a stack composed of a plurality of the articles to be vended in a substantially horizontal alignment; guide means for said tray means, attached to said frame, restraining said tray means to arcuate movement about a pivot located below surface of said tray means; stop means, for arresting the motion of said stack with its upper surface in a pre-determined, substantially horizontal plane; drive means for said tray means, whereby said stack is entrained in a vertically upward direction until arrested by said stop means; blade means, rigidly affixed to said frame, for separating topmost article in said stack from remainder of stack during its motion in said arcuate path; and actuating means for imparting reciprocating arcuate motion to said tray means, entraining said stack, around said pivot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A machine for the vending of flat articles, comprising: a frame; tray means for receiving a stack composed of a plurality of the articles to be vended in a substantially horizontal alignment; guide means for said tray means, attached to said frame, restraining said tray means to arcuate movement about a pivot located below surface of said tray means; stop means, for arresting the motion of said stack with its upper surface in a pre-determined, substantially horizontal plane; drive means for said tray means, whereby said stack is entrained in a vertically upward direction until arrested by said stop means; blade means, rigidly affixed to said frame, for separating topmost article in said stack from remainder of stack during its motion in said arcuate path; and actuating means for imparting reciprocating arcuate motion to said tray means, entraining said stack, around said pivot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In combination, the machine defined in claim 6 and a coin-operated lock acting on said actuating means for preventing said arcuate motion of said tray means until pre-determined price of one of said vendable articles has been deposited in said coin-operated lock.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine defined in claim 6 in which said drive means comprise a helically wound mechanical spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine defined in claim 6 in which said drive means comprise a plurality of identical helically wound mechanical springs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The machine defined in claim 6 in which said stop means comprise a plurality of cylindrical elements rotatably mounted in said frame with their lower surfaces tangent to said pre-determined, substantially horizontal plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2274238A
Cited
US3537615A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |