US3708087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Newspaper dispenser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-01
•
Granted: 1973-01-02
•
Expires: 1990-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A machine for dispensing publications one at a time. The machine is coin operated and is capable of dispensing newspapers from a stack which can be loaded in bulk. The newspapers are biased away from the dispensing outlet by holddown members, an inclined support and side grippers. The publication contacting assembly is driven by forces directed along parallel lines inclined upwardly from the horizontal. The pusher plate follows the newspaper contour. It is preferably entirely mechanical but could include an electrical drive system.
Inventors
- 👤 D Schonthal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; and dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher assembly head mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means, the head including pusher means mounted for reciprocating dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position outwardly from the remainder of the head, said Pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in the stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is extended it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; and dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher assembly head mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means, the head including pusher means mounted for reciprocating dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position outwardly from the remainder of the head, said Pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in the stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is extended it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A publication dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means is inclined away from said dispensing station wherein publications stacked on said support means are biased away from said distribution center by the angle of inclination of said support means and by the downward pressure of the holddown means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said holddown means comprise finger-like members extending from one edge of the support means toward the other edge of the support means to apply a downward pressure on publications on said support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further including follower means mounted for vertical movement along opposite side edges of said stack of publications adjacent the edge of the publications engaged by said pusher means, said follower means engaging the second publication from the top of the stack and maintaining said second publication on said stack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said follower means comprise a plurality of rotatably mounted members which are mounted on pivotal arms biased inwardly above the support means so that the rotatably mounted members contact the side edges of publications on the support means, the rotatably mounted members being mounted to rotate as said follower means move vertically with respect to said support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pusher means includes means for enabling said edge to follow the contour of the publications in the stack below the uppermost publication as the pusher means moves from the home to the extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said head comprises two members adjustably connected for relative vertical movement; one of said members mounting the holddown means and the other of said members mounting the pusher means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as defined in claim 7 further including a publication thickness adjustment means thereon for varying the relative vertical position of said two adjustably connected members so that the relative vertical position of said holddown means and said pusher means determine the thickness of publication that will be dispensed, said adjustment means including an indicator for setting the thickness of the publication to be dispensed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as defined in claim 7 including means mounted on said other member extending inwardly above said support means and into contact with the side edges of the second publication from the top of the stack and maintaining the second publication on the stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 7 further including latch means mounted on said frame and associated with said pusher assembly head for maintaining said head in an out of the way position during loading of said device with a stack of publications.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further including side alignment members connected to said frame and disposed on opposite sides of said support means for aligning the side edges of stacked publications on said support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further including actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said pusher means is adapted to move vertically and said actuator means includes a means which moves equidistant to said pusher means so that said pusher means motion from its home position to its extended position is always driven by a force acting in the same direction but vertically displaced in accordance with the vertical displacement of the pusher means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device includes a display compartment for retaining a publication to show the publications to be dispensed by said device and further incluDing means for dispensing said publication from said display compartment when all publications have been removed from said stack and a proper coin is received by said machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A device as defined in claim 6 including: actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position; and a display compartment mounted on said frame including a pivotable floor, a first latch holding the floor in a publication supporting position, a stack height feeler associated with said first latch for opening said first latch when no publications remain in the stack, a second latch holding said floor in supporting position and a latch opening means for contacting said second latch and releasing said pivotal floor when all publications have been removed from said stack and the actuator means is driven.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
238 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means including a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station; and a pusher slide track above the support means on which said pusher means is mounted for movement between the home position and the extended position, and the entire slide track converges toward said stack supporting means so that the pusher means converge slightly towards the stack supporting means as it moves from the home position into its extended position.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
238 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means including a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station; and a pusher slide track above the support means on which said pusher means is mounted for movement between the home position and the extended position, and the entire slide track converges toward said stack supporting means so that the pusher means converge slightly towards the stack supporting means as it moves from the home position into its extended position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein the angle of convergence between said slide track and said support means is less than about 4*.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
119 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein said pusher means comprises a pair of plates one of said plates being hingedly connected to a slide member on said slide track for sliding movement along said slide track and limited pivotal movement with respect to said slide track and the other of said plates being hingedly connected to said one plate so that the lower edge of said other plate is adapted to ride on and follow the contour of the second publication in a stack while pushing the top publication in a stack as the pusher means moves from its home to its extended position and to pivot over the publication stack when returning to the home position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as defined in claim 18 further including means for biasing the pusher means to its home position and means for biasing said other plate to its non-pivoted position forming a substantially right angle with said one plate.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station; and actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position including a shaft and pulley arrangement wherein the pulley is connected to the shaft for rotation therewith and longitudinal movement independent thereof for transferring force from said actuator means to said pusher member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from said stack toward said dispensing station; and actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position including a shaft and pulley arrangement wherein the pulley is connected to the shaft for rotation therewith and longitudinal movement independent thereof for transferring force from said actuator means to said pusher member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 20 further including means for maintaining said actuator means in a non-actuating condition until a proper coin is inserted into said device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as defined in claim 21 further including a cable connected for movement on said frame and forming a closed loop between said pulley on said shaft and said pusher means, and tensioning means on said cable for maintaining equidistant movement between said pusher means and said pulley on said shaft.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
353 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from stack toward said dispensing station; actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position including a drive actuator handle extending from within said device to the exterior of said device; a drive actuator arm pivotally mounted within the device on the frame thereof and connected to said handle; a cable and pulley system connected to said actuator arm and to a pulley which is fixedly mounted on a shaft, said cable extending about the shaft pulley and over the pulley on said drive actuator arm so as to rotate said shaft when said actuator arm is pivoted; a second pulley mounted on said shaft for rotation with said shaft and for longitudinal movement along said shaft, said second pulley having a pusher actuating cable extending therefrom and attached to said pusher means, said second pulley winding said second cable thereon when said drive actuator arm is pivoted thereby drawing said pusher means toward said second pulley; and means on said pusher means for returning said pusher means to its home position after said actuator arm has been fully pivoted.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
353 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station, said dispensing means comprises a pusher means mounted for vertical movement adjacent said support means and for dispensing movement from a home position to an extended position, said pusher means having a lower edge adapted to be in contact with an edge of the uppermost publication in a stack on said support means so that when said pusher means is activated it moves the uppermost publication from stack toward said dispensing station; actuator means for moving said pusher means into its extended position including a drive actuator handle extending from within said device to the exterior of said device; a drive actuator arm pivotally mounted within the device on the frame thereof and connected to said handle; a cable and pulley system connected to said actuator arm and to a pulley which is fixedly mounted on a shaft, said cable extending about the shaft pulley and over the pulley on said drive actuator arm so as to rotate said shaft when said actuator arm is pivoted; a second pulley mounted on said shaft for rotation with said shaft and for longitudinal movement along said shaft, said second pulley having a pusher actuating cable extending therefrom and attached to said pusher means, said second pulley winding said second cable thereon when said drive actuator arm is pivoted thereby drawing said pusher means toward said second pulley; and means on said pusher means for returning said pusher means to its home position after said actuator arm has been fully pivoted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 23 further including means on said actuator arm for disengaging said actuator arm from driving condition after said actuator arm has been fully pivoted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 23 further including means connected to said actuator arm for locking said actuator arm unless a proper shape coin is received by said device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
119 words
A device as defined in claim 25 wherein said actuator arm comprises a two longitudinally extending piece arm member pivotally mounted about an eccentrically positioned mounting pin; said two pieCe actuator member comprising a first longitudinally extending arm having one end thereof mounted to the pivot pin and the same end thereof being hingedly attached to a second longitudinally extending arm said second arm being longer than said first arm and said second arm having a latch member mounted thereon for attaching said second arm to said first arm; and a coin opened latch mechanism mounted on said second arm for maintaining said second arm in an inoperable condition until a coin is received to open said latch mechanism.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as defined in claim 26 wherein said coin activated latch mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted latch member having a camming surface thereon said camming surface being adaptable to cam said latch mechanism into an unlatched position if a coin is moved into contact therewith and said device includes a coin chute disposed adjacent said camming surface.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; and dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station; said holddown means comprise a plurality of fixed finger-like members extending from the rearward edge of said publication stack toward the forwardmost edge thereof and a plurality of downwardly biased shorter finger members extending in substantially the same manner as said fixed finger members but being spring biased downwardly from the fixed finger members into contact with the surfaces of the uppermost publication in said stack.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for dispensing multipage publications one at a time comprising: a frame; means on said frame for supporting a stack of publications; a dispensing station mounted to said frame and spaced from said support means; holddown means movably mounted on said frame and adapted to rest on the top publication in a stack of publications on the support means for applying downward pressure to the stack of publications; and dispensing means movably connected to said frame for overcoming the force of said holddown means for moving the uppermost publication from said stack of publications out from under the holddown means and to the dispensing station; said holddown means comprise a plurality of fixed finger-like members extending from the rearward edge of said publication stack toward the forwardmost edge thereof and a plurality of downwardly biased shorter finger members extending in substantially the same manner as said fixed finger members but being spring biased downwardly from the fixed finger members into contact with the surfaces of the uppermost publication in said stack.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
144 words
A dispenser head for a newspaper dispensing machine comprising: a horizontal bar mounted for vertical reciprocation; a substantially horizontally displaceable newspaper pusher member mounted for movement on said bar from a home position to an extended newspaper dispensing position, said pusher member having a lower edge for contacting the surface of the second newspaper in a stack and following the contour thereof; a vertical plate mounted to said bar for vertical adjusting movement with respect thereto, said plate being in front of the bar and having an opening through which said pusher member extends; and holddown means positioned adjacent to the side of said opening connected to said plate and extending in the direction of said pusher member above the lower edge so that the vertical spacing between said holddown means and said lower edge defines the thickness of a newspaper to be dispensed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
144 words
A dispenser head for a newspaper dispensing machine comprising: a horizontal bar mounted for vertical reciprocation; a substantially horizontally displaceable newspaper pusher member mounted for movement on said bar from a home position to an extended newspaper dispensing position, said pusher member having a lower edge for contacting the surface of the second newspaper in a stack and following the contour thereof; a vertical plate mounted to said bar for vertical adjusting movement with respect thereto, said plate being in front of the bar and having an opening through which said pusher member extends; and holddown means positioned adjacent to the side of said opening connected to said plate and extending in the direction of said pusher member above the lower edge so that the vertical spacing between said holddown means and said lower edge defines the thickness of a newspaper to be dispensed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
243 words
A machine for dispensing articles from a stack of articles comprising: a frame; a dispensing head mounted for vertical movement on the frame and comprising: means for sensing the upper surface of a stack of articles; means for moving the top article from said stack and for following the contour of the next article in the stack; means adjustably connecting said sensing means and said moving and following means for varying the vertical spacing between these means and thereby setting the dispenser head for dispensing articles of various thicknesses; and means for directing an inward pressure on the side edges of the articles in the stack below the top article, said pressure means being connected to said means for moving and following so that the pressure means is adjusted with the moving and following means; coin responsive means for driving said dispensing head to dispense articles from the stack; and a display compartment for exhibiting an article being dispensed said display compartment comprising: a fRont wall having a transparent portion; a rear wall having locator members mounted thereto for positioning articles in the compartment; a trap door forming a bottom for supporting articles in the compartment; said trap door being pivotally mounted; latch means for maintaining the trap door closed; means responsive to the absence of stacked articles and said driving means for moving said latch means and opening said trap door; and manually operable latch opening means for opening said trap door.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
243 words
A machine for dispensing articles from a stack of articles comprising: a frame; a dispensing head mounted for vertical movement on the frame and comprising: means for sensing the upper surface of a stack of articles; means for moving the top article from said stack and for following the contour of the next article in the stack; means adjustably connecting said sensing means and said moving and following means for varying the vertical spacing between these means and thereby setting the dispenser head for dispensing articles of various thicknesses; and means for directing an inward pressure on the side edges of the articles in the stack below the top article, said pressure means being connected to said means for moving and following so that the pressure means is adjusted with the moving and following means; coin responsive means for driving said dispensing head to dispense articles from the stack; and a display compartment for exhibiting an article being dispensed said display compartment comprising: a fRont wall having a transparent portion; a rear wall having locator members mounted thereto for positioning articles in the compartment; a trap door forming a bottom for supporting articles in the compartment; said trap door being pivotally mounted; latch means for maintaining the trap door closed; means responsive to the absence of stacked articles and said driving means for moving said latch means and opening said trap door; and manually operable latch opening means for opening said trap door.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
188 words
A machine for dispensing articles from a stack of articles comprising: a frame; a dispensing head mounted for vertical movement on the frame and comprising: means for sensing the upper surface of a stack of articles; means for moving the top article from said stack and for following the contour of the next article in the stack; and means adjustably connecting said sensing means and said moving and following means for varying the vertical spacing between these means and thereby setting the dispenser head for dispensing articles of various thickness; and coin responsive means for driving said dispensing head to dispense articles from the stack comprising: a pivotally mounted actuator arm having two longitudinally extending sections latched together; a drive train connected to the upper section of said actuator arm and to said moving and following means so that said drive train actuates said moving and following means upon pivoting of said actuator arm; and means defining a limit position for pivotal movement of said actuator arm and for unlatching said upper section from said lower section and permitting said drive train to return to a non-actuating position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
188 words
A machine for dispensing articles from a stack of articles comprising: a frame; a dispensing head mounted for vertical movement on the frame and comprising: means for sensing the upper surface of a stack of articles; means for moving the top article from said stack and for following the contour of the next article in the stack; and means adjustably connecting said sensing means and said moving and following means for varying the vertical spacing between these means and thereby setting the dispenser head for dispensing articles of various thickness; and coin responsive means for driving said dispensing head to dispense articles from the stack comprising: a pivotally mounted actuator arm having two longitudinally extending sections latched together; a drive train connected to the upper section of said actuator arm and to said moving and following means so that said drive train actuates said moving and following means upon pivoting of said actuator arm; and means defining a limit position for pivotal movement of said actuator arm and for unlatching said upper section from said lower section and permitting said drive train to return to a non-actuating position.
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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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |