Coin operated mechanism with anti-theft latch

Claim 1

A coin operated vending mechanism for opening an access door to a cabinet for purposes of retrieving an object being stored therein, comprising: a first plate having at least one slot therein to receive a coin inserted therethrough; at least one coin chute in communication with said slot; at least one pawl adopted to engage an edge of said coin when in place in said coin chute; a latch plate spring biased into co-operating position with a latch hook, and having a camming portion thereof operable by co-action between proper coinage in said at least one coin chute and said at least one pawl when it is arranged in the proper position to engage said proper coinage, so as to release said latch plate from said latch hook; said latch plate being mounted to said door so as to thereby permit opening thereof; whereby said at least one coin falls past the position normally occupied by said latch plate into a coin collecting receptacle; a coin return button co-operating with said at least one coin chute to move said chute into a coin return position over a coin return chute; and an anti-theft mechanism to prevent return of said at least one coin in said coin chute at the same time as said door is opened, or vice versa, comprising a first anti-theft plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said latch plate so as to be in a first position, such that when said latch plate is moved out of engagement with said anti-theft plate said anti-theft plate swings by gravity to a second position; and a counter-balance plate adapted for rotation about a mounting point therefor, and engaging said anti-theft plate so as to be in a first position when said anti-theft plate is in its respective first position, such that when said anti-theft plate assumes its respective second position said counter-balance plate is permitted to swing by gravity to its second position; said second position of said counter-balance plate being such that it physically precludes movement of said at least one coin chute over said coin return chute.