Patent US3861561A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3861561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vending machine raised helix discharge unit
Assignee: Fawn Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1973-04-30
•
Granted: 1975-01-21
•
Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A vending machine having a plurality of discharge trays having a front edge and each including a helical element rotatably mounted therein in a raised position over the base of each tray and adapted to hold a plurality of items, each item held between a pair of adjacent convolutions of said helical element, whereby rotation of said element for a predetermined amount discharges an item over said front edge, and with means movably attached to each of said trays for adjusting the extent of said front edge relative to the front end of said helical element whereby adapting a tray to a plurality of articles of differing thicknesses merely by adjusting said movable means.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis A Wittern
- 👤 Arthur N Wirstlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:10
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/36; G07F11/46; G07F11/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
In a vending machine having an accessible cabinet and within one portion of which is an item discharge chute for dispensing items to be withdrawn from the machine, a plurality of item discharge units mounted in a side-by-side horizontally disposed arrangement, each item discharge unit comprising: tray means having laterally spaced side walls, a rear wall, and a base, said tray means open to the discharge chute at the front end thereof; helical means having a plurality of convolutions disposed between said side walls and extended the length of said tray means; means for rotating the helical means; and means secured to said tray means and supporting said helical means above and out of engagement with said tray means base, said secured means extending under and engaging a plurality of said convolutions on the bottom side of the top portion of said convolutions said secured means including a vertically disposed member extending longitudinally of said helical means and intermediate said side walls so as to divide said tray means and said helical means such that items to be vended are placeable on either side of said vertical member between adjacent convolutions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a vending machine having an accessible cabinet and within one portion of which is an item discharge chute for dispensing items to be withdrawn from the machine, a plurality of item discharge units mounted in a side-by-side horizontally disposed arrangement, each item discharge unit comprising: tray means having laterally spaced side walls, a rear wall, and a base, said tray means open to the discharge chute at the front end thereof; helical means having a plurality of convolutions disposed between said side walls and extended the length of said tray means; means for rotating the helical means; and means secured to said tray means and supporting said helical means above and out of engagement with said tray means base, said secured means extending under and engaging a plurality of said convolutions on the bottom side of the top portion of said convolutions said secured means including a vertically disposed member extending longitudinally of said helical means and intermediate said side walls so as to divide said tray means and said helical means such that items to be vended are placeable on either side of said vertical member between adjacent convolutions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a vending machine as defined in claim 1, said helical means including a rod extended axially therethrough from the inner end thereof to the outer end whereat said rod curves integrally with and forms said convolutions extended rearwardly, said rod mounted near its outer end on said vertical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a vending machine as defined in claim 1, said helical means extending further outwardly of the front edge of said base at the open end of said tray means, and article support means movably mounted on said base and adjustably extendable beyond said front edge and beneath said helical means, said helical means including, in one position thereof as viewed from a plan view, a convolution portion on one side of said secured means extending further outwardly of said front end than the remainder of said convolutions, said article support means including, in plan view, a lip portion below said side of said helical means having said convolution portion in said one position of said helical means, said lip portion extending further outwardly than the remaining portion to the side thereof of said article support means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |