US3929212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control means for adjusting the vend price of a coin handling mechanism
Assignee: NORDON IND Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-29
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-07-29
Abstract
Abstract The control unit for a coin handling mechanism of a vending machine includes a rotatable cam having sections which can be displaced relative to each other about the axis of rotation for the cam. The one section carries a rotatable adjusting element which is offset radially from the cam axis, and this adjusting element has a spur gear which engages a gear segment on the other cam section. Thus, when the adjusting element is rotated, one cam section is angularly displaced relative to the other. The two sections have lobes at their peripheries and these lobes operate switches. The angular interval between the operation of the switches varies according to the relative positions of the cam sections, and this enables the control unit to adjust for different sale prices. A solenoid actuator rotates the cam in incremental advances.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman J Burzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a coin handling mechanism, including switches, a cam rotatable about an axis and having lobes for actuating the switches, the cam having first and second sections which are adjustable relative to each other so that the angular relationship between the lobes varies to alter the position at which the switches are actuated along the cam, actuating means for rotating the cam to bring the lobes thereon past the switches, the improvement comprising adjusting means carried by the cam and being rotatable relative to the cam sections about an axis fixed with respect to the first section for producing relative rotation between the cam sections when so moved, the adjusting means including a spur gear, and said second section having a gear segment which is engaged by the spur gear, whereby when the gear is turned, relative movement between the sections will occur.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a coin handling mechanism, including switches, a cam rotatable about an axis and having lobes for actuating the switches, the cam having first and second sections which are adjustable relative to each other so that the angular relationship between the lobes varies to alter the position at which the switches are actuated along the cam, actuating means for rotating the cam to bring the lobes thereon past the switches, the improvement comprising adjusting means carried by the cam and being rotatable relative to the cam sections about an axis fixed with respect to the first section for producing relative rotation between the cam sections when so moved, the adjusting means including a spur gear, and said second section having a gear segment which is engaged by the spur gear, whereby when the gear is turned, relative movement between the sections will occur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein the adjusting means is offset from the axis of rotation for the cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a coin handling unit, a cAm rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, a gear segment secured to the second section, and a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and including a spur gear engaged with the gear segment on the second section such that the spur gear travels along the gear segment and the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a coin handling unit, a cAm rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, a gear segment secured to the second section, and a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and including a spur gear engaged with the gear segment on the second section such that the spur gear travels along the gear segment and the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure according to claim 3 and further comprising a ratchet wheel secured to the first section and engaged by actuating means for rotating the cam in incremental movements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure according to claim 3 wherein the rotatable adjusting element has one end which is exposed and provided with a slot so that a narrow implement may be inserted into the slot to turn the adjusting element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A control unit for a coin handling machine, said control unit comprising: a base; a spindle projected from the base; a cam carried by and rotatable about the spindle; the cam including a first section, a second section rotatable relative to the first section, and a rotatable adjusting element mounted on the first section radially outwardly from the spindle, the adjusting element being engaged with the second section such that the second section will rotate relative to the first section when the adjusting element is turned, at least one of the sections having lobes thereon; at least one switch mounted on the base and positioned about the periphery of the cam in the path of the lobe so as to be operated by the lobe; and actuating means for rotating the cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A control unit for a coin handling machine, said control unit comprising: a base; a spindle projected from the base; a cam carried by and rotatable about the spindle; the cam including a first section, a second section rotatable relative to the first section, and a rotatable adjusting element mounted on the first section radially outwardly from the spindle, the adjusting element being engaged with the second section such that the second section will rotate relative to the first section when the adjusting element is turned, at least one of the sections having lobes thereon; at least one switch mounted on the base and positioned about the periphery of the cam in the path of the lobe so as to be operated by the lobe; and actuating means for rotating the cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A control unit according to claim 6 wherein the first section of the cam has a ratchet wheel connected firmly thereto and the actuating means comprises a solenoid actuator and a pawl engaged with the ratchet wheel and moved by the solenoid actuator to incrementally advance the cam in one direction of rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A control unit according to claim 7 wherein the actuator further comprises a plate rotatable back and forth about the axis of the spindle through a limited arc, the pawl being on the plate, and the solenoid actuator being engaged with the plate to move it.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A control unit according to claim 8 wherein the actuating means further includes a toggle which rocks back and forth and an interrupter switch which is connected to the solenoid actuator and opens and closes as the toggle rocks back and forth; and wherein the plate has an actuating arm which engages the toggle and rocks the toggle when the plate rotates back and forth, whereby the circuit to the solenoid actuator is repeatedly interrupted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a coin handling unit, a cam rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, the first section including front and back rings and the second section being an intermediate ring interposed between the front and back rings, a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and engaged with the second section such that the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a coin handling unit, a cam rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, the first section including front and back rings and the second section being an intermediate ring interposed between the front and back rings, a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and engaged with the second section such that the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure according to claim 10 wherein the adjusting element extends between the front and back rings with its axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation for the cam and is confined in the radial direction by the front and back rings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure according to claim 11 wherein the adjusting element includes a spur gear and the intermediate ring carries a gear segment which is engaged by the spur gear, the gear segment being concentric to the axis of rotation for the cam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a coin handling unit, a cam rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and engaged with the second section such that the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis, detent pins fixed relative to one of the sections, and detent notches on the other section, the pins engaging notches to indicate prescribed positions of the second section relative to the first section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a coin handling unit, a cam rotatable about an axis for actuating switches as it rotates, said cam comprising first and second sections which are rotatable relative to each other and have lobes thereon which pass by and operate the switches as the cam revolves, a rotatable adjusting element rotatable about an axis fixed in position relative to the first section and engaged with the second section such that the second section rotates relative to the first section when the element rotates about its axis, detent pins fixed relative to one of the sections, and detent notches on the other section, the pins engaging notches to indicate prescribed positions of the second section relative to the first section.
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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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |