Control means including disabled selection lock-out for vending machine

Claim 2

In a vending machine normally adapted for selectively dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products: separate, electrically actuatable means for dispensing each of said types of products, each of said dispensing means normally being functional to operate through a normal dispensing cycle thereof having a predetermined period of time duration for dispensing a single product of the corresponding type whenever said dispensing means is electrically energized for at least said period of time, said dispensing means being subject to the possible occurrence of a fault condition in which a dispensing means becomes jammed in manner preventing completion of a normal dispensing cycle despite continued electrical energization thereof; electrical means for selectively energizing said dispensing means individually, including first switching means for each dispensing means responsive to operation of the latter for normally interrupting energization of the corresponding dispensing means upon completion of a normal dispensing cycle thereof, said first switching means being subject to the possible occurrence of a fault condition in which a first switching means malfunctions and fails to interrupt energization of the corresponding dispensing means upon completion of a normal dispensing cycle of the latter; electrically responsive, time delayed means, including timing means coupled with said electrical means for initiation of operation of said timing means upon the energization of any of said dispensing means, said timing means being operable to actuate said second switching means in manner such that said interval is related to the length of said period of a normal dispensing cycle to limit jackpotting involving uncontrolled repetitive dispensing of products by any dispensing means that has suffered said switching malfunction type of fault condition; second switching means for each dispensing means coupled with said electrical means and operably coupled with Said timing means for actuation by the latter a predetermined interval of time after initiation of operation of said timing means for interrupting energization of any dispensing means that has suffered said jamming type fault condition prior to completion of an attempted normal dispensing cycle thereof, whereby possible damage from continued energization of a jammed dispensing means is prevented; separate means for sensing the depletion of each product type; means operably coupling each sensing means with a corresponding second switching means for actuating the latter upon sensing of a product depletion condition; means for releasably latching each of said second switching means in its actuated condition upon any actuation thereof, whereby the dispensing means for any product type that has suffered a fault condition is deactivated against further attempted operation thereof until said latching means has been released by personnel responsible for first remedying said fault condition; means for receiving, sensing and registering the establishment of credit appropriate for the dispensing of a product operably coupled with said electrical means for rendering the latter inoperative until said credit has been established; electrically responsive means for preventing said credit means from receiving credit; third switching means for each product type which are operated to an actuated condition thereof whenever the corresponding second switching means is in its actuated condition; and means coupling said third switch means with said preventing means to operate the latter to refuse receipt of credit only when all of said third switching means are in their actuated conditions.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, wherein is provided separate means for each dispensing means for giving a warning indication whenever the corresponding second switching means is in its actuated condition.

Claim 4

In a machine normally adapted for selectively dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products from separate supplies thereof stored in the machine and provided with separate releasing means for each product type for dispensing a single product of the corresponding type from the supply thereof whenever a releasing means is operated through a normal dispensing cycle thereof having a predetermined period of time duration, improved operating and control means including: separate, electrically actuatable, drive means for each of said releasing means and operably coupled with the latter for normally driving the corresponding releasing means through one of said dispensing cycles thereof whenever the corresponding drive means is operated for at least said predetermined period of time; separate, manually actuatable, product selection switching means for each of said drive means; separate carrier switching means for each of said drive means and operably coupled with the latter for actuation thereby, each carrier switching means being arranged for actuation by the corresponding drive means responsive to initiation of operation of the latter and for return to its unactuated condition by the corresponding drive means responsive to the latter completing the operation thereof required for one of said dispensing cycles of the corresponding releasing means; lockout switching means for each of said drive means; electrically responsive actuating means for each lockout switching means and operably coupled with the latter for actuating each lockout switching means upon operation of the corresponding actuating means; time delayed switching means, including an electrically responsive timing and operating assembly and a time delayed switch that is actuated by said assembly following initiation of operation of said assembly by an interval of time greater than said predetermined period of time; electrical selection and drive initiating circuit means for each of said drive means electrically coupled with the latter and having the corresponding selection switching means electrically coupled therein for electrically energizing the drive means for a selected product type to initiate operation thereof; electrical timer starting circuit means for electrically coupling said timing and operating assembly of said time delayed switching means with each of said selection and drive initiating circuit means for initiating operation of said timing and operating assembly substantially concurrently with initiation of operation of any of said drive means; electrical holding circuit means for each of said drive means electrically coupled with the latter and having a corresponding carrier switching means and a corresponding lockout switching means electrically coupled therein for continuing operation of a selected drive means after actuation of the corresponding carrier switching means and while the corresponding lockout switching means remains unactuated; and electrical lockout circuit means electrically coupling said time delayed switch with said actuating means for each lockout switching means for actuating the electrically responsive means for a selected drive means to actuate the corresponding lockout switching means and de-energize the corresponding drive means in the event that said drive means becomes jammed and is unable to complete a normal dispensing cycle within said interval of time.

Claim 5

In a machine normally adapted for selectively dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products from separate supplies thereof stored in the machine and provided with separate releasing means for each product type for dispensing a single product of the corresponding type from the supply thereof whenever a releasing means is operated through a normal dispensing cycle thereof having a predetermined period of time duration, improved operating and control means including: separate, electrically actuatable, drive means for each of said releasing means and operably coupled with the latter for normally driving the corresponding releasing means through one of said dispensing cycles thereof whenever the corresponding drive means is operated for at least said predetermined period of time; separate, manually actuatable, product selection switching means for each of said drive means; separate carrier switching means for each of said drive means and operably coupled with the latter for actuation thereby, each carrier switching means being arranged for actuation by the corresponding drive means responsive to initiation of operation of the latter and for return to its unactuated condition by the corresponding drive means responsive to the latter completing the operation thereof required for one of said dispensing cycles of the corresponding releasing means; lockout switching means for each of said drive means; electrically responsive actuating means for each lockout switching means and operably coupled with the latter for actuating each lockout switching means upon operation of the corresponding actuating means; time delayed switching means, including an electrically responsive timing and operating assembly and a time delayed switch that is actuated by said assembly following initiation of operation of said assembly by an interval of time greater than said predetermined period of time; electrical selection and drive initiating circuit means for each of said drive means electrically coupled with the latter and having the corresponding selection switching means electrically coupled therein for electrically energizing the drive means for a selected product type to initiate operation thereof; electrical timer starting circuit means for electrically coupling said timing and operating assembly of said time delayed switching means with each of said selection and drive initiating circuit means for initiating operation of said timing and operating assembly substantially concurrently with initiation of operation of any of said drive means; electrical holding circuit means for each of said drive means electrically coupled with the latter and having a corresponding carrier switching means and a corresponding lockout switching means electrically coupled therein for continuing operation of a selected drive means after actuation of the corresponding carrier switching means and while the corresponding lockout switching means remains unactuated; and electrical lockout circuit means electrically coupling said time delayed switch with said actuating means for each lockout switching means for actuating the electrically responsive means for a selected drive means to actuate the corresponding lockout switching means and de-energize the corresponding drive means in the event that said drive means becomes jammed and is unable to complete a normal dispensing cycle within said interval of time.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 3, wherein each of said drive means comprises an electrical motor mechanically coupled with the corresponding releasing means.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 3, wherein each of said lockout switching means is releasably latched in its actuated condition upon any actuation thereof.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 3, wherein each of said actuating means comprises an electromagnetic component operable to actuate the associated lockout switching means upon passage of an electrical current of at least a predetermined magnitude therethrough.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 3, wherein is provided means, including credit receiving means and credit switching means, responsive to the establishment of credit appropriate for the dispensing of a product and coupled with said selection and drive initiating circuit means for rendering the latter inoperable until said credit has been established.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 7, wherein is provided electrically responsive preventing means operably coupled with said credit receiving means for preventing the latter from receiving credit when said preventing means is in one condition thereof, and means electrically coupling said presenting means with said lockout switching means for actuating said preventing means to said one condition thereof only when all of said lockout switching means are actuated.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8, wherein is provided on indicating means for each lockout switching means coupled with the latter for operation of each indicating means whenever the corresponding lockout switching means is in said one condition thereof.

Claim 12

In a vending machine of the selective product dispensing class, which is normally adapted for dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products in response to the establishment of appropriate credit and the selection of a particular desired product type by a customer and is provided with means for sensing and registering the establishment of said credit, means for storing a separate supply of products of each of said types, customer actuatable means for evidencing selection of a particular product type, separate means for releasing products of each of said types each effective when actuated through a normal operating cycle of predetermined time duration for dispensing a single product of the corresponding type, separate electrically operable drive means for each of said product releasing means and operably coupled therewith for actuating the latter through said cycle thereof, electrical circuit means having a separate path for each of said product types for energizing any of said drive means when said credit Has been established and the corresponding of said selection means has been actuated, and means for interrupting the electrical continuity of said path of said circuit means for the selected product type upon normal completion of said operating cycle of said releasing means for the selected product type, the improvement of which comprises: separate, normally closed lockout switching means interposed in series with each of said paths of said circuit means; and electrically responsive, time delayed means, including a time delayed relay timing and operating assembly and a separate lockout switch operating solenoid for each of said drive means, said solenoids each being electrically coupled in parallel with the corresponding drive means, electrically coupled in series with said assembly, and operably coupled with the corresponding lockout switching means for opening the latter a predetermined period of time after energization of the corresponding drive means, said period of delay of said time delayed means being longer than the duration of said normal operating cycle of said releasing means, whereby jackpotting is controlled and electrical power is removed from a drive means whose corresponding releasing means is jammed.

Claim 13

In a vending machine of the selective product dispensing class, which is normally adapted for dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products in response to the establishment of appropriate credit and the selection of a particular desired product type by a customer and is provided with means for sensing and registering the establishment of said credit, means for storing a separate supply of products of each of said types, customer actuatable means for evidencing selection of a particular product type, separate means for releasing products of each of said types each effective when actuated through a normal operating cycle of predetermined time duration for dispensing a single product of the corresponding type, separate electrically operable drive means for each of said product releasing means and operably coupled therewith for actuating the latter through said cycle thereof, electrical circuit means having a separate path for each of said product types for energizing any of said drive means when said credit Has been established and the corresponding of said selection means has been actuated, and means for interrupting the electrical continuity of said path of said circuit means for the selected product type upon normal completion of said operating cycle of said releasing means for the selected product type, the improvement of which comprises: separate, normally closed lockout switching means interposed in series with each of said paths of said circuit means; and electrically responsive, time delayed means, including a time delayed relay timing and operating assembly and a separate lockout switch operating solenoid for each of said drive means, said solenoids each being electrically coupled in parallel with the corresponding drive means, electrically coupled in series with said assembly, and operably coupled with the corresponding lockout switching means for opening the latter a predetermined period of time after energization of the corresponding drive means, said period of delay of said time delayed means being longer than the duration of said normal operating cycle of said releasing means, whereby jackpotting is controlled and electrical power is removed from a drive means whose corresponding releasing means is jammed.

Claim 14

In a vending machine normally adapted for selectively dispensing any of a variety of different types of products in response to establishment of appropriate credit and selection of a desired product type by a customer, improved operating and control means for maintaining the machine operative to permit vending of a product of any type which the machine remains capable of dispensing even during the existence of a condition preventing dispensing of one or more other individual types of products and for otherwise affording protection against undesirable consequences of an occurrence of such a condition, said operating and control means comprising: means for providing a pair of connection points to a source of electrical power; means for sensing the establishment by a customer of appropriate credit for the vending of a product, said sensing means including credit sensing switching means having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed momentarily whenever said credit is established; means for registering each establishment of said credit, said registering means including first and second credit registering, switching means each having a normal standby condition and an operated condition, and an electrically responsive operating element operably coupled with said first and second credit registering switching means for altering the condition thereof from said standby to said operated condition thereof whenever said operating element is energized; separate product selection means for each of said types respectively, each selection means including selection switching means having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed whenever said selection switching means is actuated by a customer; separate product dispensing means for each of said product types respectively, each dispensing means being operable to dispense a product of corresponding type during normal operation thereof through an operating cycle of predetermined time duration, each dispensing means including an electrically energizable drive motor therefor; separate motor start switching means for each of said product types respectively, each start switching means being operably coupled with a corresponding motor and having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed whenever the corresponding motor is energized; separate motor carrier switching means for each of said product types respectively, each carrier switching means being operably coupled with a corresponding motor and having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed responsive to commencement of operation of the corresponding motor and continued until the corresponding dispensing means has complEted the ensuing operating cycle thereof; separate protective means for each of said product types respectively, each protective means including first and second lockout switching means each having a normal standby condition and an operated condition, and means for altering the condition of said first and second lockout switching means from said standby to said operated condition thereof in response to occurrence of a condition of the corresponding dispensing means preventing the latter from dispensing any further products of the correspondence type, said first and second lockout switching means including means for maintaining the same in their operated condition once that condition has been assumed until released therefrom by service personnel; first electrical circuit means, including said credit sensing switching means, for coupling said operating element of said registering means with said connection points whenever said sensing switching means is in said operated condition thereof; second electrical circuit means, including said first and second lockout switching means and said first credit registering switching means, for coupling said operating element of said registering means with said connection points whenever said first and second lockout switching means are in said standby condition thereof and said first registering switching means is in said operated condition thereof; third electrical circuit means, including said first credit registering switching means, each of said motor start switching means, at least, one of said product selection switching means corresponding to a selected product type, and one of said first lockout switching means corresponding to said selected product type, for coupling said motor with said connection points whenever said second credit registering switching means is in its operated condition, said motor start switches are all in their standby condition, said product selection switching means for the selected product is in its operated condition and said first lockout switching means is in its standby condition; fourth electrical circuit means, including said second credit registering switching means, the motor start switching means for a selected product, and the first lockout switching means for the selected product, for coupling said motor for the selected product with said connection points when said second registering switching means is in its operated condition, said motor start switch for the selected product is in its operated condition, and said first lockout switching means for the selected product is in its standby condition; fifth electrical circuit means, including said motor carrier switching means for a selected product and said first lockout switching means for the selected product, for coupling said motor for the selected product with said connection points when said motor carrier switching means for the selected product is in its operated condition and said first lockout switching means for the selected product is in it standby condition, said electrical circuit means being normally interrupted at the completion of an operating cycle of the corresponding sensing means by return of the corresponding motor carrier switching means to its standby condition, but otherwise being also interruptable for protective purposes whenever said first lockout switching means is in its operated condition; and sixth electrical circuit means, including the motor carrier switching means and the first lockout switching means for any disabled product type and the remaining motor carrier switching means for each functional product type, for coupling the motor for any functional product type with said connection points whenever the lockout switching means for said functional product type is in its standby condition and either said motor start switching means or said motor carrier switching means for said functional product is in its operated condition, despite said first lockout switching means for one or moRe of said disabled product types being in its operated condition.

Claim 15

In a vending machine normally adapted for selectively dispensing any of a variety of different types of products in response to establishment of appropriate credit and selection of a desired product type by a customer, improved operating and control means for maintaining the machine operative to permit vending of a product of any type which the machine remains capable of dispensing even during the existence of a condition preventing dispensing of one or more other individual types of products and for otherwise affording protection against undesirable consequences of an occurrence of such a condition, said operating and control means comprising: means for providing a pair of connection points to a source of electrical power; means for sensing the establishment by a customer of appropriate credit for the vending of a product, said sensing means including credit sensing switching means having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed momentarily whenever said credit is established; means for registering each establishment of said credit, said registering means including first and second credit registering, switching means each having a normal standby condition and an operated condition, and an electrically responsive operating element operably coupled with said first and second credit registering switching means for altering the condition thereof from said standby to said operated condition thereof whenever said operating element is energized; separate product selection means for each of said types respectively, each selection means including selection switching means having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed whenever said selection switching means is actuated by a customer; separate product dispensing means for each of said product types respectively, each dispensing means being operable to dispense a product of corresponding type during normal operation thereof through an operating cycle of predetermined time duration, each dispensing means including an electrically energizable drive motor therefor; separate motor start switching means for each of said product types respectively, each start switching means being operably coupled with a corresponding motor and having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed whenever the corresponding motor is energized; separate motor carrier switching means for each of said product types respectively, each carrier switching means being operably coupled with a corresponding motor and having a normal standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed responsive to commencement of operation of the corresponding motor and continued until the corresponding dispensing means has complEted the ensuing operating cycle thereof; separate protective means for each of said product types respectively, each protective means including first and second lockout switching means each having a normal standby condition and an operated condition, and means for altering the condition of said first and second lockout switching means from said standby to said operated condition thereof in response to occurrence of a condition of the corresponding dispensing means preventing the latter from dispensing any further products of the correspondence type, said first and second lockout switching means including means for maintaining the same in their operated condition once that condition has been assumed until released therefrom by service personnel; first electrical circuit means, including said credit sensing switching means, for coupling said operating element of said registering means with said connection points whenever said sensing switching means is in said operated condition thereof; second electrical circuit means, including said first and second lockout switching means and said first credit registering switching means, for coupling said operating element of said registering means with said connection points whenever said first and second lockout switching means are in said standby condition thereof and said first registering switching means is in said operated condition thereof; third electrical circuit means, including said first credit registering switching means, each of said motor start switching means, at least, one of said product selection switching means corresponding to a selected product type, and one of said first lockout switching means corresponding to said selected product type, for coupling said motor with said connection points whenever said second credit registering switching means is in its operated condition, said motor start switches are all in their standby condition, said product selection switching means for the selected product is in its operated condition and said first lockout switching means is in its standby condition; fourth electrical circuit means, including said second credit registering switching means, the motor start switching means for a selected product, and the first lockout switching means for the selected product, for coupling said motor for the selected product with said connection points when said second registering switching means is in its operated condition, said motor start switch for the selected product is in its operated condition, and said first lockout switching means for the selected product is in its standby condition; fifth electrical circuit means, including said motor carrier switching means for a selected product and said first lockout switching means for the selected product, for coupling said motor for the selected product with said connection points when said motor carrier switching means for the selected product is in its operated condition and said first lockout switching means for the selected product is in it standby condition, said electrical circuit means being normally interrupted at the completion of an operating cycle of the corresponding sensing means by return of the corresponding motor carrier switching means to its standby condition, but otherwise being also interruptable for protective purposes whenever said first lockout switching means is in its operated condition; and sixth electrical circuit means, including the motor carrier switching means and the first lockout switching means for any disabled product type and the remaining motor carrier switching means for each functional product type, for coupling the motor for any functional product type with said connection points whenever the lockout switching means for said functional product type is in its standby condition and either said motor start switching means or said motor carrier switching means for said functional product is in its operated condition, despite said first lockout switching means for one or moRe of said disabled product types being in its operated condition.

Claim 16

In a vending machine of the selective product dispensing class, which is normally adapted for dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products in response to the establishment of appropriate credit and the selection of a particular desired product type by a customer and is provided with means for storing a separate supply of each of said types of products, separate means for sensing depletion of the supply of each of said types of products, and separate means for releasing products of each of said types from the supply thereof for normally permitting dispensing of a single product of any of said types upon operation of the corresponding releasing means through a normal operating cycle thereof, the improvement of which comprises operating and control means for maintaining the machine operative to continue normal dispensing of products of any type which the machine remains capable of dispensing even after the occurrence of a condition preventing the machine from dispensing one or more other of said types of products, said improved operating and control means including: means for providing a pair of connection points to source of electrical power; means for sensing the establishment by a customer of appropriate credit for the dispensing of a product, said credit sensing means including credit sensing switching means having a standby condition and an operating condition that is temporarily assumed thereby upon and in response to each establishment of said credit; means for registering each establishment of said credit, said credit registering means including an electrically responsive operating element actuated by and during energization thereof and credit registering switching means having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever said operating element of said credit registering means is being actuated; separate customer actuatable product selection means for each of said types of products, each of said product selection means including product selection switching means having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever the corresponding product selection means is being actuated by a customer; separate drive means for each of said types of products, each of said drive means including electric motor means operably coupled with said releasing means for the corresponding product type for normally operating the latter through said normal cycle of operation thereof whenever said motor means is energized for a period of time sufficient to complete said cycle; separate motor start switching means for each of said motor means, each of said motor start switching means being operably coupled with the corresponding motor means and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever said corresponding motor means is energized; separate motor carrier switching means for each of said motor means, each of said motor carrier switching means being operably coupled with the corresponding motor means and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby responsive to operation of said corresponding motor means during a period commencing after initial starting of said motor means and continuing until said normal cycle of operation of the corresponding product releasing means has been completed; separate fault condition handling means for each of said types of products, each of said fault condition handling means including lockout switching means operably coupled with said product depletion sensing means for the corresponding product type and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby upon and responsive to sensing of depletion of the supply of products of the corresponding type and maintained during the existence of said condition; first electrical circuit means for eleCtrically coupling said operating element of said credit registering means and said credit sensing switching means in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for initiating actuation of said operating element of said credit registering means whenever the condition of said credit sensing switching means is altered to said operated condition thereof by the establishment of said credit; second electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said product selection switching means in a series circuit with each other whwn they are all in said standby condition thereof; third electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor start switching means in a series circuit with each other when they are all in said standby condition thereof; fourth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor carrier switching means in a series circuit with each other when they are all in said standby condition thereof; fifth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said operating element of said credit registering means, said credit registering switching means when in said operated condition thereof, and said fourth circuit means in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for holding said operating element actuated after said initial actuation thereof by said first circuit means and until the condition of any one of said motor carrier switching means is altered to its operated condition; sixth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for any of said product types, the corresponding product selection switching means when in its said operated condition, said third circuit means, said credit registering switching means when in its said operated condition, and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for initially energizing said motor means for a selected product type when said credit has been established, a customer has actuated said selection switching means for a particular product type and that product type is capable of being dispensed; seventh electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for a selected product type, the corresponding motor start swtiching means when in its said operated condition, said credit registering switching means when in its operated condition and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for continuing energization of said motor means for the selected product type after a customer has ceased to actuate the corresponding selection switching means and until said credit registering switching means returns to its standby condition upon the interruption of said fourth circuit means upon the corresponding motor carrier switching means assuming its operated condition; eighth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for the selected product type, the corresponding motor carrier switching means when in its said operated condition and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for continuing energization of said motor means for the selected product type until said normal cycle of operation of the corresponding product releasing means has been completed and said corresponding motor carrier switching means returned to its said standby condition; and ninth electrical circuit means for bypassing portions of said fourth circuit means corresponding to product types whose lockout switching means are in said operated condition thereof by coupling said lockout switching means that are in said operated condition and the corresponding carrier switching means when in said operated condition thereof in series across said interruptions of said fourth circuit means, whereby the machine will continue to operate normally for the dispensing of product typeS whose lockout switching means remain in said standby condition thereof.

Claim 17

In a vending machine of the selective product dispensing class, which is normally adapted for dispensing any of a plurality of different types of products in response to the establishment of appropriate credit and the selection of a particular desired product type by a customer and is provided with means for storing a separate supply of each of said types of products, separate means for sensing depletion of the supply of each of said types of products, and separate means for releasing products of each of said types from the supply thereof for normally permitting dispensing of a single product of any of said types upon operation of the corresponding releasing means through a normal operating cycle thereof, the improvement of which comprises operating and control means for maintaining the machine operative to continue normal dispensing of products of any type which the machine remains capable of dispensing even after the occurrence of a condition preventing the machine from dispensing one or more other of said types of products, said improved operating and control means including: means for providing a pair of connection points to source of electrical power; means for sensing the establishment by a customer of appropriate credit for the dispensing of a product, said credit sensing means including credit sensing switching means having a standby condition and an operating condition that is temporarily assumed thereby upon and in response to each establishment of said credit; means for registering each establishment of said credit, said credit registering means including an electrically responsive operating element actuated by and during energization thereof and credit registering switching means having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever said operating element of said credit registering means is being actuated; separate customer actuatable product selection means for each of said types of products, each of said product selection means including product selection switching means having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever the corresponding product selection means is being actuated by a customer; separate drive means for each of said types of products, each of said drive means including electric motor means operably coupled with said releasing means for the corresponding product type for normally operating the latter through said normal cycle of operation thereof whenever said motor means is energized for a period of time sufficient to complete said cycle; separate motor start switching means for each of said motor means, each of said motor start switching means being operably coupled with the corresponding motor means and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby whenever said corresponding motor means is energized; separate motor carrier switching means for each of said motor means, each of said motor carrier switching means being operably coupled with the corresponding motor means and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby responsive to operation of said corresponding motor means during a period commencing after initial starting of said motor means and continuing until said normal cycle of operation of the corresponding product releasing means has been completed; separate fault condition handling means for each of said types of products, each of said fault condition handling means including lockout switching means operably coupled with said product depletion sensing means for the corresponding product type and having a standby condition and an operated condition that is assumed thereby upon and responsive to sensing of depletion of the supply of products of the corresponding type and maintained during the existence of said condition; first electrical circuit means for eleCtrically coupling said operating element of said credit registering means and said credit sensing switching means in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for initiating actuation of said operating element of said credit registering means whenever the condition of said credit sensing switching means is altered to said operated condition thereof by the establishment of said credit; second electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said product selection switching means in a series circuit with each other whwn they are all in said standby condition thereof; third electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor start switching means in a series circuit with each other when they are all in said standby condition thereof; fourth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor carrier switching means in a series circuit with each other when they are all in said standby condition thereof; fifth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said operating element of said credit registering means, said credit registering switching means when in said operated condition thereof, and said fourth circuit means in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for holding said operating element actuated after said initial actuation thereof by said first circuit means and until the condition of any one of said motor carrier switching means is altered to its operated condition; sixth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for any of said product types, the corresponding product selection switching means when in its said operated condition, said third circuit means, said credit registering switching means when in its said operated condition, and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for initially energizing said motor means for a selected product type when said credit has been established, a customer has actuated said selection switching means for a particular product type and that product type is capable of being dispensed; seventh electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for a selected product type, the corresponding motor start swtiching means when in its said operated condition, said credit registering switching means when in its operated condition and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for continuing energization of said motor means for the selected product type after a customer has ceased to actuate the corresponding selection switching means and until said credit registering switching means returns to its standby condition upon the interruption of said fourth circuit means upon the corresponding motor carrier switching means assuming its operated condition; eighth electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said motor means for the selected product type, the corresponding motor carrier switching means when in its said operated condition and the corresponding lockout switching means when in its standby condition in a series circuit coupled between said connection points for continuing energization of said motor means for the selected product type until said normal cycle of operation of the corresponding product releasing means has been completed and said corresponding motor carrier switching means returned to its said standby condition; and ninth electrical circuit means for bypassing portions of said fourth circuit means corresponding to product types whose lockout switching means are in said operated condition thereof by coupling said lockout switching means that are in said operated condition and the corresponding carrier switching means when in said operated condition thereof in series across said interruptions of said fourth circuit means, whereby the machine will continue to operate normally for the dispensing of product typeS whose lockout switching means remain in said standby condition thereof.

Claim 18

In a coin operated selective vending machine of the type utilizing pushbutton-switch actuated individual vend motors to power the dispensing mechanisms of the various selections and having coin directing means in the coin mechanism which must be electrically energized to permit coin acceptance for a purchase credit, the improvement consisting of: a first switch for each vend motor sensitive to the magnetic field generated by a corresponding motor when energized for instantaneously opening the initial motor actuating circuit and simultaneously establishing a first motor holding circuit independently of the selector switches, a second switch for each vend motor and associated therewith such that it is actuated thereby to open the previously established said first motor holding circuit and simultaneously provide a second motor holding circuit independently of said first circuit, said second switch being normally reoperable by the said motor to terminate the dispensing cycle and simultaneously reestablish the normal standby circuit for energizing said coin directing means, time delay means energized simultaneously when any vend motor is energized and operable for a period longer than a normal dispensing cycle unless earlier deenergized by normal cycle termination, and a third switch associated with said time delay means and operable thereby should a dispensing cycle fail to terminate normally as aforesaid, the operation of said third switch establishing a circuit for energizing said coin directing means through said actuated condition of said second switch and simultaneously opening said second motor holding circuit whereby power is removed from a jammed dispensing motor, or one which would otherwise remain energized to cause jackpotting of product in the event of failure of either said first switch or said second switch in its actuated condition, and whereby all continuing functionable selections of the machine will remain operable for the same or a successive customer.

Claim 19

In a coin operated selective vending machine of the type utilizing pushbutton-switch actuated individual vend motors to power the dispensing mechanisms of the various selections and having coin directing means in the coin mechanism which must be electrically energized to permit coin acceptance for a purchase credit, the improvement consisting of: a first switch for each vend motor sensitive to the magnetic field generated by a corresponding motor when energized for instantaneously opening the initial motor actuating circuit and simultaneously establishing a first motor holding circuit independently of the selector switches, a second switch for each vend motor and associated therewith such that it is actuated thereby to open the previously established said first motor holding circuit and simultaneously provide a second motor holding circuit independently of said first circuit, said second switch being normally reoperable by the said motor to terminate the dispensing cycle and simultaneously reestablish the normal standby circuit for energizing said coin directing means, time delay means energized simultaneously when any vend motor is energized and operable for a period longer than a normal dispensing cycle unless earlier deenergized by normal cycle termination, and a third switch associated with said time delay means and operable thereby should a dispensing cycle fail to terminate normally as aforesaid, the operation of said third switch establishing a circuit for energizing said coin directing means through said actuated condition of said second switch and simultaneously opening said second motor holding circuit whereby power is removed from a jammed dispensing motor, or one which would otherwise remain energized to cause jackpotting of product in the event of failure of either said first switch or said second switch in its actuated condition, and whereby all continuing functionable selections of the machine will remain operable for the same or a successive customer.