Ball wedge vending machine modules

Claim 2

An endless chain disposed over a pair of spaced sprockets for dispensing packages comprising a plurality of identical links connected together to form the chain; each of said links having an integral hinge pin and a connected pintle member spaced therefrom for pivotally engaging the hinge pin of an adjacent link, and a plurality of automatically operable wedge means mounted on said links for supporting and transporting packages from one position to another; said pintle member being mounted on one link and engageable with an adjacent link upon motion of said adjacent link about a sprocket to cam open said wedge means and to effect discharge of a package therefrom

Claim 3

A vending machine comprising in combination, a cabinet; a vertical panel support mounted therein; at least one rigid, elongated inverted U-shaped housing directly mounted on said support and extending forwardly thereof; a drive motor connected to said housing adjacent said support; a smaller U-shaped merchandise dispensing module slidably and detachably mounted in and supported by said housing and substantially encompassed thereby; an endless merchandise supporting chain conveyor arranged on spaced driving and driven sprockets mounted in said module with said driving sprocket axially aligned with the drive shaft of said motor for direct drive thereby; and slip coupling means directly connecting said motor shaft and said drive sprocket to enable sliding removal of said module and said conveyor from said housing without disconnection of said motor from its support.

Claim 4

A vending machine comprising in combination, a cabinet; a vertical panel support mounted therein; at least one rigid, elongated inverted U-shaped housing directly mounted on said support and extending forwardly thereof; a drive motor connected to said housing adjacent said support; a smaller U-shaped merchandise dispensing module slidably and detachably mounted in and supported by said housing and substantially encompassed thereby; an endless merchandise supporting chain conveyor arranged on spaced driving and driven sprockets mounted in said module with said driving sprocket axially aligned with the drive shaft of said motor for direct drive thereby; and slip coupling means directly connecting said motor shaft and said drive sprocket to enable sliding removal of said module and said conveyor from said housing without disconnection of said motor from its support.

Claim 5

The combination recited in claim 2; and latch means mounted on said housing and said module for retaining said module in operative position in said housing.

Claim 6

The combination recited in claim 2 wherein each link of said chain includes a plurality of wedge means for engaging and supporting the merchandise.

Claim 7

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said wedge means are cylinders.

Claim 8

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said wedge means are spherical.

Claim 9

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said means are wedge shaped.

Claim 10

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said wedge means are spring urged pivoted levers.

Claim 11

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said wedge means are offset pivoted cams.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 4 wherein said wedge means are automatically released to release the merchandise upon movement of a link about said driven sprocket.

Claim 13

The combination recited in claim 2 wherein each link of said chain includes an automatically operable wedge for engaging and supporting the merchandise.

Claim 14

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein wedge is a cylinder.

Claim 15

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said wedge is a ball.

Claim 16

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said wedge is of tapered wedge shape.

Claim 17

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said wedge is a spring urged, pivoted lever.

Claim 18

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said wedge is an offset pivoted cam.

Claim 19

The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said wedge is automatically released to release the merchandise upon movement of a link about said driven sprocket.

Claim 20

A merchandise holding and releasing link for an endless chain formed of identical links and trained about driving and driven sprockets comprising a sprocket engaging web having a hinge pin at its rear end and a horseshoe shaped pintle member at its forward end for engagement with the hinge pin of the adjacent link; a pair of spaced side walls depending from the rear of said web; a rear wall and a front wall spaced therefrom and having a shoulder adjacent the bottom thereof; a plurality of merchandise package engaging wedge members mounted on said shoulder within said walls; an L-shaped wedge lifter pivoted to the rear of said side walls with its horizontal leg positioned under said wedge members; a Top link closing slide having a down turned portion bearing against the inner face of the vertical leg of said wedge lifter and an upturned portion positioned under said hinge pin and adapted to be straddled by said horseshoe pintle member of a following link whereby upon an angular relationship between said link and the following link, said slide is cammed rearwardly by the pintle member of the following link to pivot said wedge lifter and release merchandise packages from their position between said wedge members and said shoulders.

Claim 21

A merchandise holding and releasing link for an endless chain formed of identical links and trained about driving and driven sprockets comprising a sprocket engaging web having a hinge pin at its rear end and a horseshoe shaped pintle member at its forward end for engagement with the hinge pin of the adjacent link; a pair of spaced side walls depending from the rear of said web; a rear wall and a front wall spaced therefrom and having a shoulder adjacent the bottom thereof; a plurality of merchandise package engaging wedge members mounted on said shoulder within said walls; an L-shaped wedge lifter pivoted to the rear of said side walls with its horizontal leg positioned under said wedge members; a Top link closing slide having a down turned portion bearing against the inner face of the vertical leg of said wedge lifter and an upturned portion positioned under said hinge pin and adapted to be straddled by said horseshoe pintle member of a following link whereby upon an angular relationship between said link and the following link, said slide is cammed rearwardly by the pintle member of the following link to pivot said wedge lifter and release merchandise packages from their position between said wedge members and said shoulders.

Claim 22

The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said wedge members are cylindrical.

Claim 23

The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said wedge members are spherical.

Claim 24

The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said wedge members are wedge shaped.

Claim 25

The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said wedge members are spring urged pivotal levers.

Claim 26

The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said wedge members are offset pivoted cams.

Claim 27

The combination recited in claim 18; and spring means acting against said slide and against said wedge members to urge them against said shoulders.