Vending machine electrical operating control circuit

Claim 2

An electrical control circuit for a coin operated vending machine incorporating a plurality of dispensing columns each adapted to receive articles to be selectively dispensed, comprising: a coin responsive vend switch; a vend relay responsive to actuation of said vend switch; a plurality of selector switches, each said selector switch being associated with an individual one of said columns; a plurality of dispensing actuators each being associated with an individual one of said columns and being responsive to actuation of one of said selector switches from a first to a second position and energization of said vend relay; and a plurality of control switching means each being associated with an individual one of said columns and being responsive to an individual one of said dispensing actuators, said switching means having a first position for mutually exclusively completing a first enabling circuit including each said selector switches for maintaining said vend relay energized when selector switches are all maintained in their first position and a second position for completing an energizing circuit to each one of said plurality of dispensing actuators for selectively dispensing a single article upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position.

Claim 3

The circuit as defined in claim 1 further including means for maintaining said vend relay energized a predetermined time upon actuation of one of said selector switches to its second position thereby interrupting said first enabling circuit.

Claim 4

The circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining said vend relay energized comprises a timing capacitor for providing auxiliary energizing potential to said vend relay.

Claim 5

The circuit as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of first article sensing switches each associated with an individual one of said columns and responsive to the contents therein; each said first article sensing switches being electrically interposed in circuit between one of said selector switches and the associated solenoid for completing an electrical circuit therebetween when the associated column contains at least one article.

Claim 6

An electrical control circuit as set forth in claim 1 further including an auxiliary energizing source for said vend relay, said source including a capacitIve element connected to be charged upon actuation of said coin switch and discharged through said vend relay upon energization of an actuator.

Claim 7

The circuit defined in claim 5 including a diode rectifier interposed between said coin responsive switch and said vend relay, said source including a storage capacitor connected in shunt with said vend relay and in series with said diode for providing a source of auxiliary voltage to maintain said vend relay energized a predetermined time after said coin responsive momentary switch returns to its initial position and after said energizing circuit to said energized actuator is interrupted.

Claim 8

An electrical control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of dispensing columns each adapted to receive articles to be selectively dispensed, one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch; a vend relay responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch; a plurality of selector switches adapted to be momentarily actuated from a first to a second position, each said selector switch being associated with one of said columns; a plurality of dispensing solenoids each being associated with one of said columns and adapted to be energized in response to actuation of one of said selector switches and said relay; and a plurality of solenoid actuated switching means each responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said solenoid switching means being arranged for mutually exclusively completing a first series circuit including said selector switches for maintaining said vend relay energized when said selector switches are in the first position and a second circuit including one of said plurality of dispensing solenoids for energization thereof and dispensing of a single article upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position.

Claim 9

An electrical control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of dispensing columns each adapted to receive articles to be selectively dispensed, one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch; a vend relay responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch; a plurality of selector switches adapted to be momentarily actuated from a first to a second position, each said selector switch being associated with one of said columns; a plurality of dispensing solenoids each being associated with one of said columns and adapted to be energized in response to actuation of one of said selector switches and said relay; and a plurality of solenoid actuated switching means each responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said solenoid switching means being arranged for mutually exclusively completing a first series circuit including said selector switches for maintaining said vend relay energized when said selector switches are in the first position and a second circuit including one of said plurality of dispensing solenoids for energization thereof and dispensing of a single article upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position.

Claim 10

The circuit defined in claim 7 further including timing means for maintaining said vend relay energized a predetermined time upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and interruption of said first series circuit, said means including a capacitor connected to be charged upon actuation of said coin responsive switch and maintained charged through said first series circuit to thereby provide auxiliary relay energizing potential for said vend relay.

Claim 11

The circuit defined in claim 8 including a diode rectifier interposed between said coin responsive switch and said vend relay, said capacitor being connected in shunt with said vend relay and in series with said diode for providing a source of auxiliary voltage to maintain said vend relay coil energized a predetermined time after said first series circuit is interrupted.

Claim 12

The circuit defined in claim 8 including a plurality of first article sensing switches, each being associated with an individual one of said columns and responsive to the contents therein; said first article sensing switches each being electrically interposed between an associated selector switch and an associated solenoid for completing an electrical circuit therebetween when said associated column contains at least one article.

Claim 13

The circuit defined in claim 10 including a plurality of second article sensing switches each being associated with an individual one of said columns ganged to the first article sensing switch associated with that stack and responsive to the contents therein; said plurality of second article sensing switches being electrically interposed in said second circuit for rendering the operating circuit for a particular column open when the articles in that column are depleted; and a plurality of indicator lamps each associated with an individual one of said second article sensing switches and responsive thereto to provide a sold out indication.

Claim 14

An electrical operating control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of individual dispensing columns each containing articles adapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time, comprisIng: a coin responsive momentary operable switch; a vend relay including an energizing coil and first and second switch means; said vend relay being responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch to cause said first and second switch means to be actuated from a first to a second position, a plurality of selector switches, each selector switch being associated with an individual one of said columns; means for completing a first series circuit including said first switch means when said selector switches are all in a first position and means for completing a second circuit upon activation of a selector switch to a second position; a plurality of dispensing solenoids, means for connecting each solenoid for energization through said vend relay second switch means and an individual one of said selector switches in its second position, a plurality of control switches each being reponsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids and having a first and a second position, said control switches in the first position being connected in said first series circuit when said associated dispensing solenoids are unenergized and in said second position in said second circuit when said associated dispensing solenoid is energized; a vend relay holding circuit for maintaining said relay in an energized condition, said vend relay holding circuit including said first series circuit such that said holding circuit is broken upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated solenoid.

Claim 15

An electrical operating control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of individual dispensing columns each containing articles adapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time, comprisIng: a coin responsive momentary operable switch; a vend relay including an energizing coil and first and second switch means; said vend relay being responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch to cause said first and second switch means to be actuated from a first to a second position, a plurality of selector switches, each selector switch being associated with an individual one of said columns; means for completing a first series circuit including said first switch means when said selector switches are all in a first position and means for completing a second circuit upon activation of a selector switch to a second position; a plurality of dispensing solenoids, means for connecting each solenoid for energization through said vend relay second switch means and an individual one of said selector switches in its second position, a plurality of control switches each being reponsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids and having a first and a second position, said control switches in the first position being connected in said first series circuit when said associated dispensing solenoids are unenergized and in said second position in said second circuit when said associated dispensing solenoid is energized; a vend relay holding circuit for maintaining said relay in an energized condition, said vend relay holding circuit including said first series circuit such that said holding circuit is broken upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated solenoid.

Claim 16

The circuit as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second circuit comprises a holding circuit for each dispensing solenoid, each said holding circuit being established upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated solenoid.

Claim 17

The circuit defined in claim 12 including: a diode rectifier interposed between said coin responsive switch and said vend relay energizing coil; and a storage capacitor connected in shunt with said relay coil and in series with said diode for providing a source of auxiliary voltage to maintain said relay coil energized a predetermined time after said responsive momentary on switch opens and after said relay holding circuit is broken.

Claim 18

The circuit defined in claim 13, including: a plurality of first article sensing switches each associated with an individual one of said columns and responsive to the contents therein, each said first article sensing switches being interposed between an associated selector switch and an associated dispensing solenoid for completing an electrical circuit therebetween so long as said associated column contains at least one article.

Claim 19

The circuit defined in claim 15 including: a plurality of second article sensing switches each associated with an individual one of said stacks and responsive to the contents therein; said plurality of second article sensing switches being electrically interposed in series in said vend relay holding circuit and in said dispensing solenoid holding circuits for preventing energization of said circuits when all of said columns are empty.

Claim 20

An electrical control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of dispensing columns each adapted to receive articles to be selectively dispensed, one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch; a relay adapted to be energized in response to actuation of said coin responsive switch; a plurality of selector switches adapted to be actuated between a first to a second position, each said selector switch being associated with one of said columns; a plurality of dispensing solenoids each adapted to be energized in response to actuation of one of said selector switches and energization of said relay; and a plurality of solenoid actuated switching means each responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said solenoid switching means being arranged in a first position for mutually exclusively completiNg a first enabling circuit including each of said switching means in the first position and said selector switches in the first position for maintaining said vend relay energized and in a second position for completing an energizing circuit to one of said plurality of dispensing solenoids for energization thereof and thereby effect dispensing of a single article upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position.

Claim 21

An electrical control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of dispensing columns each adapted to receive articles to be selectively dispensed, one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch; a relay adapted to be energized in response to actuation of said coin responsive switch; a plurality of selector switches adapted to be actuated between a first to a second position, each said selector switch being associated with one of said columns; a plurality of dispensing solenoids each adapted to be energized in response to actuation of one of said selector switches and energization of said relay; and a plurality of solenoid actuated switching means each responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said solenoid switching means being arranged in a first position for mutually exclusively completiNg a first enabling circuit including each of said switching means in the first position and said selector switches in the first position for maintaining said vend relay energized and in a second position for completing an energizing circuit to one of said plurality of dispensing solenoids for energization thereof and thereby effect dispensing of a single article upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position.

Claim 22

The circuit defined in claim 17 further including timing means for maintaining said vend relay energized a predetermined time upon momentary actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated dispensing solenoid thereby interrupting said enabling circuit.

Claim 23

The circuit as defined in claim 18 wherein said timing means includes a capacitor connected to be charged upon actuation of said coin responsive switch through said enabling circuit for providing relay energizing potential to said vend relay when said enabling circuit is interrupted.

Claim 24

The circuit defined in claim 18 including a plurality of first article sensing switches, each being associated with an individual one of said columns and responsive to the contents therein; said first article sensing switches each being electrically interposed in the second energizing circuit between an associated selector switch and an associated solenoid for completing the electrical circuit therebetween when said associated column contains at least one article and said associated selector switch is actuated to its second position.

Claim 25

The circuit defined in claim 20 including a plurality of article sensing switches each being associated with an individual one of said columns ganged to the first article sensing switch associated with that column and responsive to the contents therein; said plurality of second article sensing switches being electrically interposed in said enabling circuit and a plurality of indicator lamps each associated with an individual one of said second article sensing switches and responsive thereto to provide a sold out indication for a corresponding column.

Claim 26

An electrical operating control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of individual dispensing columns each containing articles adapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch momentarily operable between a first and a second position; a vend relay adapted to be energized upon actuation of said coin responsive switch from its first to its second positions, said vend relay including an energizing coil and first and second switch means; said vend relay being responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch to cause said first and second switch means to be actuated from a first to a second position, a plurality of selector switches, each selector switch being associated with an individual one of said columns; means for completing a series holding circuit for said energizing coil including said first switch means when said selector switches are all in a first position and means for completing an auxiliary energizing circuit to said coil upon activation of a selector switch to a second position; a plurality of dispensing solenoids, means for connecting each solenoid for energization through said vend relay second switch means and an individual one of said selector switches in its second position, a plurality of control switches each being responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said control switches having a first position and being connected in said first position in said first series circuit when said associated dispensing solenoids are unenergized and a second position and being connected in said second position for completing a separate holding circuit to each associated dispensing solenoid for maintaining said solenoid energized, said auxiliary energizing circuit serving to maintain said coil energized for a fixed period when said vend relay series holding circuit is intErrupted upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated solenoid.

Claim 27

An electrical operating control circuit for a coin controlled vending machine incorporating a plurality of individual dispensing columns each containing articles adapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time, comprising: a coin responsive switch momentarily operable between a first and a second position; a vend relay adapted to be energized upon actuation of said coin responsive switch from its first to its second positions, said vend relay including an energizing coil and first and second switch means; said vend relay being responsive to actuation of said coin responsive switch to cause said first and second switch means to be actuated from a first to a second position, a plurality of selector switches, each selector switch being associated with an individual one of said columns; means for completing a series holding circuit for said energizing coil including said first switch means when said selector switches are all in a first position and means for completing an auxiliary energizing circuit to said coil upon activation of a selector switch to a second position; a plurality of dispensing solenoids, means for connecting each solenoid for energization through said vend relay second switch means and an individual one of said selector switches in its second position, a plurality of control switches each being responsive to energization of an individual one of said dispensing solenoids, said control switches having a first position and being connected in said first position in said first series circuit when said associated dispensing solenoids are unenergized and a second position and being connected in said second position for completing a separate holding circuit to each associated dispensing solenoid for maintaining said solenoid energized, said auxiliary energizing circuit serving to maintain said coil energized for a fixed period when said vend relay series holding circuit is intErrupted upon actuation of a selector switch to its second position and energization of the associated solenoid.

Claim 28

The circuit as set forth in claim 23 wherein said energizing circuit includes a capacitive element adapted to be charged upon actuation of said coin switch.

Claim 29

The circuit defined in claim 23 including: a diode rectifier interposed between said coin responsive switch and said vend relay energizing coil; said capacitive element being connected in shunt with said relay coil and in series with said diode for providing a source of auxiliary voltage to maintain said relay coil energized a predetermined time after said coin responsive momentary on switch opens and after said relay holding circuit is broken.