US3722744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Split vend gate mechanism
Assignee: CAVALIER ACQUISITION Corp A TENNESSEE CORP
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Filing: 1972-03-08
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1992-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A vend mechanism for back-to-back staggered stacks of cans or for a single staggered stack of bottles has opposed vend gates for each stack. Each pair of opposed vend gates is actuated by a rotary cam and these cams are rotated by a single shaft which extends beneath the stacks of cans or bottles and acts to support the lowest can or bottle in the stack against the adjacent gate. An electric motor rotates that shaft in 90* increments for backto-back staggered stacks of cans and rotates the shaft through 180* increments for a single staggered stack of bottles. A limit switch in the motor circuit is actuated by adjustable tabs rotated by the shaft to obtain the desired increments of rotation. One of the pairs of end gates is provided with a releasable portion when bottles are to be vended to prevent the bottle cap from sticking against the adjacent vend gate and blocking the vend mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 H Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/06; B65G59/061; B65G59/062; G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A vend mechanism for back-to-back staggered stacks of cans or a single staggered stack of bottles comprising vertically disposed means for holding said stacks, a lower opening defined by said means beneath the stacks, a pair of opposed vend gates carried by said means partially closing said opening beneath each stack, a shaft extending medially between said pairs of vend gates and medially of said opening, the lowermost can or bottle of the stacks resting on said shaft and against the adjacent one of said vend gates, a cam for each pair of said vend gates mounted for rotation on and by said shaft, and electric motor means for driving said shaft in predetermined increments of rotation, said cams opening and closing said vend gates in predetermined sequence whereby one can or bottle is released for vending for each increment of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A vend mechanism for back-to-back staggered stacks of cans or a single staggered stack of bottles comprising vertically disposed means for holding said stacks, a lower opening defined by said means beneath the stacks, a pair of opposed vend gates carried by said means partially closing said opening beneath each stack, a shaft extending medially between said pairs of vend gates and medially of said opening, the lowermost can or bottle of the stacks resting on said shaft and against the adjacent one of said vend gates, a cam for each pair of said vend gates mounted for rotation on and by said shaft, and electric motor means for driving said shaft in predetermined increments of rotation, said cams opening and closing said vend gates in predetermined sequence whereby one can or bottle is released for vending for each increment of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 1, said cams being oblate and hollow and a cam follower for each of said gates mounted in the adjacent one of said cams, said cams being offset by an angle of 90* in the direction of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 1, one of said pairs of vend gates including for each of said gates a separate gate portion, a finger on the adjacent one of said gates engaging said gate portion and spring means urging said gate portion toward said finger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 1 including electric switch means for said electric motor and means rotated by said shaft opening said switch means at predetermined increments of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 4, said means for opening said switch means including a first base secured for rotation on said shaft, cam shoulders extending from said base and diametrically opposed on each side of said shaft, a second base freely mouNted on said shaft and fitting in said first base at right angles thereto for rotation therewith, second cam shoulders extending from said second base and diametrically opposed on each side of said shaft and spring means holding said second base in said first base, said second base being rotatable to bring said second cam shoulders within said first cam shoulders whereby said switch means may be opened at 90* increments of rotation of said shaft or at 180* increments of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vend mechanism for back-to-back staggered stacks of cylindrical containers or a single staggered stack of longer generally cylindrical containers comprising vertically disposed spaced side plates for holding said stacks, a lower opening defined by said side plates beneath said stacks, a pair of opposed vend gates mounted on the bottom of the adjacent one of said side plates partially closing said opening beneath each of said stacks, a shaft extending medially between said pairs of vend gates and medially of said opening, the lowermost cylindrical container in said stacks resting on said shaft and against the adjacent one of said vend gates, a cam for each pair of said vend gates mounted for rotation by said shaft and an electric motor for rotating said shaft in predetermined increments of rotation, said cams opening and closing said vend gates in predetermined sequence whereby one lowermost cylindrical container in said stacks is released for vending for each increment of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vend mechanism for back-to-back staggered stacks of cylindrical containers or a single staggered stack of longer generally cylindrical containers comprising vertically disposed spaced side plates for holding said stacks, a lower opening defined by said side plates beneath said stacks, a pair of opposed vend gates mounted on the bottom of the adjacent one of said side plates partially closing said opening beneath each of said stacks, a shaft extending medially between said pairs of vend gates and medially of said opening, the lowermost cylindrical container in said stacks resting on said shaft and against the adjacent one of said vend gates, a cam for each pair of said vend gates mounted for rotation by said shaft and an electric motor for rotating said shaft in predetermined increments of rotation, said cams opening and closing said vend gates in predetermined sequence whereby one lowermost cylindrical container in said stacks is released for vending for each increment of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 6, said cams being hollow and eccentrically mounted on said shaft and a cam follower for each of said gates mounted in the adjacent one of said cams, said cams being offset by an angle of 90* in the direction of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 6, each gate of one of said pairs of gates including two gate components, a finger on one of said components and resilient means urging the other of said components toward said finger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 6 including an electric switch for said motor and means actuated by said shaft opening said switch at predetermined increments of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
A vend mechanism as described in claim 9, said means for opening said switch including an arm mounted for rotation with said shaft, a shoulder at each end of said arm for opening said switch, a second arm, resilient means holding said second arm for rotation with said first arm, a shoulder at each end of said second arm for opening said switch, said arms normally being at right angles and said second arm being rotatable into line with said first arm whereby said switch may be opened at 90* increments of rotation of said shaft or at 180* increments of rotation of said shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |