US3831809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-vend dispensing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-18
•
Granted: 1974-08-27
•
Expires: 1993-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A single vend periodical dispensing machine configured for use with a coin operated mechanism for dispensing a single item during each cycle of operation. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet housing and periodical support means comprising an elevator platform, means, elevator lift means and elevator release means operatively disposed therein. The elevator release means engages the elevator lift means to relieve the pressure on the stack of periodicals being dispensed to prevent excessive pressure when in dispensing position to facilitate withdrawal from the machine through a dispensing opening. The dispensing machine also includes a thickness control means to control the size of the dispensing opening as the thickness of the periodical varies. In addition, a loading access door is pivotally attached to the top of the cabinet housing and arranged relative to the elevator platform means to permit leading of the periodicals thereon. A dispensing access door is pivotally attached to the front of the cabinet housing to permit withdrawal of the periodical through the dispensing opening. The loading access door houses a dispensing control means arranged relative to the dispensing opening to limit dispensing of a single item each cycle such that when the proper coins are inserted into the coin operated mechanism the dispensing door is released, unlocking the control means to dispense a periodical.
Inventors
- 👤 K Knickerbocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/045; G07F11/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A single vend periodical dispensing machine primarily designed for use with a coin operated mechanism mounted thereon, said dispensing machine comprising a support frame, a cabinet housing attached thereto, said cabinet housing comprising an enclosure to house periodicals to be dispensed and access means to permit withdrawal of periodicals from said cabinet housing, elevator platform means movably mounted on said support frame in supporting relation to periodicals to be dispensed, dispensing opening means arranged above said support means to limit withdrawal of periodicals through said access means, positioning means disposed to engage said elevator platform means to position periodicals in communicating relation with said dispensing opening means, said positioning means comprising at least one bias means interconnected between said support frame and said elevator platform means, said bias means disposed relative to said support frame and elevator platform means to bias the periodicals between said elevator platform means and said cabinet housing, said one bias means comprising an expansion spring mounted on a roller means rotatably attached to said support frame, dispensing control means disposed in engageable relation to a periodical being dispensed and in communicating relation to said dispensing opening means whereby the withdrawal of periodicals through said dispensing opening is controlled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A single vend periodical dispensing machine primarily designed for use with a coin operated mechanism mounted thereon, said dispensing machine comprising a support frame, a cabinet housing attached thereto, said cabinet housing comprising an enclosure to house periodicals to be dispensed and access means to permit withdrawal of periodicals from said cabinet housing, elevator platform means movably mounted on said support frame in supporting relation to periodicals to be dispensed, dispensing opening means arranged above said support means to limit withdrawal of periodicals through said access means, positioning means disposed to engage said elevator platform means to position periodicals in communicating relation with said dispensing opening means, said positioning means comprising at least one bias means interconnected between said support frame and said elevator platform means, said bias means disposed relative to said support frame and elevator platform means to bias the periodicals between said elevator platform means and said cabinet housing, said one bias means comprising an expansion spring mounted on a roller means rotatably attached to said support frame, dispensing control means disposed in engageable relation to a periodical being dispensed and in communicating relation to said dispensing opening means whereby the withdrawal of periodicals through said dispensing opening is controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 further including adjustment means attached to said dispensing opening means to control the size of said dispensing opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said access means comprises a dispensing access door pivotally attached to said cabinet housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises an elevator platform means disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cabinet housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said roller means is rotatably attached to the lower portion of said support frame, said expansion spring attached at one end to a portion of said support frame and at the opposite end to said elevator platform means, a flexible interconnecting means disposed to interconnect the opposite end to said elevator platform means, said expansion spring disposed to engage said roller means along the mid-portion thereof to form a substantially U-shaped contour in said expansion spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein said positioning means further includes release means in operative engagement with said bias means, said elevator platform means movAbly mounted relative to said cabinet housing by means of said bias means whereby removal of a periodical from said dispensing opening is permitted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 6 wherein said release means comprises a first sprocket means, sprocket actuating means operatively attached to said support frame, said first sprocket means arranged to engage said bias means and said sprocket actuating means interconnected to said access means, said sprocket actuating means disposed in engageable relation with said first sprocket means to move said elevator means whereby dispensing of a periodical from said dispensing machine when said dispensing access means is open relative to said cabinet housing is accomplished.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 7 wherein said sprocket actuating means comprises a ratchet means coupled to said first sprocket means and pawl means pivotally fixed to an actuating member, said ratchet means movably disposed to move into and out of operative engagement with said sprocket means upon movement of said cabinet housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 8 wherein said release means further includes cam means affixed to said frame and bias means connected between said cam means and said actuating member such that said pawl is operatively disengaged from said ratchet when said access door is closed relative to said cabinet housing and in operative engagement with said ratchet rotating said sprocket means relative to said support frame to move said elevator platform means relative to said cabinet housing and said dispensing opening means to permit dispensing a periodical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 9 wherein said support frame comprises an upper and lower support member held in fixed position relative to each other by rigid interconnecting members and wherein said dispensing machine further includes a pair of substantially parallel guide rails attached to opposite sides of said upper and lower support members, said elevator platform means includes a pair of elevator guides attached to opposite sides thereof, each said elevator guides disposed to engage one of said guide rails to guide the vertical movement of said elevator platform means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 10 wherein each of said elevator guides comprises at least two guide rollers held in fixed spaced relation to each other by a cross member, said spaced relation being such that said rollers engage opposite sides of said guide rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 11 wherein said release means includes a second sprocket means attached to said support frame in substantially the same vertical plane relative to said first sprocket means, said second sprocket means arranged relative to said guide rollers to control the vertical movement of said guide rollers to control the vertical movement of said elevator platform means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The periodical dispensing machine of claim 4 wherein said cabinet housing includes an opening in the top thereof and further includes a loading access door pivotally attached to said cabinet housing, to permit access to said cabinet housing through said opening, said loading access door arranged relative to said periodical support means whereby periodicals are loaded onto said periodical support means when said loading access door is open relative to said housing.
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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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |