Vending machine apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus of the type including a shiftable member movably attached to a reciprocatory element and engageable with either one of a pair of spaced elements on a rotatable member for shifting the field of movement of the reciprocatory element, the improvement comprising: a. spring biasing means for urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said pair of spaced elements, to provide movement of said reciprocatory element in a first field; b. an electrically energizable solenoid operatively connected to said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one of said pair of spaced elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of the reciprocatory element in a second field; and, c. shift actuating means for selectively energizing the solenoid, comprising: i. electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid; and, ii. latch means operatively connected with said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in a nonconducting mode to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shift actuating means further includes electrical relay means operatively connected to said latch means for releasing said latch means from said switch means to allow electrical closing of said switch means upon activation of said relay means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, further including a drive arm attached to the reciprocatory element and engageable with said latch means to releaseably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of the reciprocatory element in said second field of movement.

Claim 5

Dispensing machine apparatus for controlling the movement of a merchandise selection carriage, comprising: a. a rotatable member having a pair of elements projecting outwardly therefrom and positioned on opposite sides of an axis of rotation of said member; b. connecting rod means operatively coupled to said rotatable member and including a drive arm attachable to said selection carriage, for moving in opposite first and second directions relative to said rotatable member; c. shiftable member movably attached to said connecting rod means and including a pair of recesses for each engaging a different one of said pair of projecting elements on said rotatable member to shift the field of movement of said connecting rod means between said first and second directions; d. means for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a selected one of said pair of projecting elements, including: i. spring biasing means normally urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said projecting elements for providing movement of said connecting rod means in said first direction; and, ii. an electrically energizable solenoid mounted on said connecting rod means and operatively connected with said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one of said pair of projecting elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of said connecting rod means in said seconD direction; and e. shift actuating means mounted adjacent said drive arm, including electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid, and latch means operatively connected to said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in an open position to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means, wherein said drive arm is engageable with latch means to releasably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of said connecting rod means in said second direction.

Claim 6

Dispensing machine apparatus for controlling the movement of a merchandise selection carriage, comprising: a. a rotatable member having a pair of elements projecting outwardly therefrom and positioned on opposite sides of an axis of rotation of said member; b. connecting rod means operatively coupled to said rotatable member and including a drive arm attachable to said selection carriage, for moving in opposite first and second directions relative to said rotatable member; c. shiftable member movably attached to said connecting rod means and including a pair of recesses for each engaging a different one of said pair of projecting elements on said rotatable member to shift the field of movement of said connecting rod means between said first and second directions; d. means for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a selected one of said pair of projecting elements, including: i. spring biasing means normally urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said projecting elements for providing movement of said connecting rod means in said first direction; and, ii. an electrically energizable solenoid mounted on said connecting rod means and operatively connected with said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one of said pair of projecting elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of said connecting rod means in said seconD direction; and e. shift actuating means mounted adjacent said drive arm, including electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid, and latch means operatively connected to said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in an open position to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means, wherein said drive arm is engageable with latch means to releasably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of said connecting rod means in said second direction.

Claim 7

The vending machine apparatus of claim 4, wherein said shift actuating means further includes electrical relay means operatively connected to said latch means for releasing said latch means upon actuation of said relay means.