US4940160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Newspaper vending machine and promotional display apparatus therefor
Assignee: Tribune Publishing Co LLC
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Filing: 1988-12-27
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A promotional display apparatus for a newspaper vending machine, and a newspaper vending machine incorporating a promotional display apparatus, are disclosed. The display apparatus comprises a fixture securable to the newspaper vending machine door. The fixture includes a display section for displaying promotional information. The display section in operation projects internally away from the inside of the vending machine door and into the vending machine internal cavity elevationally above a stack of newspapers therein when the vending machine door is closed. The display section in operation effectively displays promotional information to the vending machine user when the vending machine door is swung away from the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:05
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
For a newspaper vending machine defined by at least, (a) a housing having an internal cavity which retains newspaper in a stack, (b) a spring loaded and locked door which is pivotally mounted to the housing and swings away from the housing when unlocked and pulled upon by a user to enable access to newspapers within the housing cavity, the door having an inside door portion which faces internally into the housing cavity, the door having an outside door portion which faces externally away from the housing, the outside door portion having a handle for a user to grasp, the door being spring biased to a normally closed and locked state, and (c) a money receiving and locking mechanism to receive a user's money and unlock the door so it can be swung away from the housing to make a newspaper within the housing cavity accessible to the user, a promotional display apparatus comprising: a fixture securable to the inside door portion of the newspaper vending machine door; attachment means for securing the fixture to the inside door portion of the newspaper vending machine door; and the fixture including a display section for displaying promotional information, the display section in operation projecting internally away from the inside door portion, the display section in operation projecting into the housing cavity elevationally overlying a stack of newspapers therein when the newspaper vending machine door is closed, the display section in operation effectively displaying the promotional information to the user when the newspaper vending machine door is swung away from the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
For a newspaper vending machine defined by at least, (a) a housing having an internal cavity which retains newspaper in a stack, (b) a spring loaded and locked door which is pivotally mounted to the housing and swings away from the housing when unlocked and pulled upon by a user to enable access to newspapers within the housing cavity, the door having an inside door portion which faces internally into the housing cavity, the door having an outside door portion which faces externally away from the housing, the outside door portion having a handle for a user to grasp, the door being spring biased to a normally closed and locked state, and (c) a money receiving and locking mechanism to receive a user's money and unlock the door so it can be swung away from the housing to make a newspaper within the housing cavity accessible to the user, a promotional display apparatus comprising: a fixture securable to the inside door portion of the newspaper vending machine door; attachment means for securing the fixture to the inside door portion of the newspaper vending machine door; and the fixture including a display section for displaying promotional information, the display section in operation projecting internally away from the inside door portion, the display section in operation projecting into the housing cavity elevationally overlying a stack of newspapers therein when the newspaper vending machine door is closed, the display section in operation effectively displaying the promotional information to the user when the newspaper vending machine door is swung away from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 2 wherein the open receptacle includes a front facing panel and a biasing member, the biasing member in operation biasing the stack of removable forms against the front facing panel of the open receptacle to facilitate easy removal of individual forms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 3 wherein the front facing panel of the open receptacle is transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display section includes a windowed receptacle for retaining and displaying a sheet of promotional display material, the windowed receptacle including a transparent receptacle window which is removably secured relative to the display section to enable interchange of one sheet of promotional display material with another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 5 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms, the open receptacle being positioned adjacent the windowed receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 6 wherein the open receptacle includes a front facing panel and a biasing member, the biasing member in operation biasing the stack of removable forms against the front facing panel of the open receptacle to facilitate easy removal of individual forms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a fixture mounting section which is angled from the display section, the attachment means further including means for securing the mounting section relative to the inside door portion of the newspaper vending machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vending machine door has a door window and a newspaper display rack, the newspaper display rack being mounted relative to the inside door portion over the door window to display a newspaper received thereby through the door window to a user; the attachment means of the promotional display apparatus including means for securing the mounting section to the newspaper display rack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for securing the mounting section to the newspaper display rack comprises: the mounting section including a plurality of holes extending therethrough; and a plurality of clamping devices which in operation extend through pairs of the holes and around portions of the newspaper display rack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 9 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 11 wherein the open receptacle includes a front facing panel and a biasing member, the biasing member in operation biasing the stack of removable forms against the front facing panel of the open receptacle to facilitate easy removal of individual forms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 9 wherein the display section includes a windowed receptacle for retaining and displaying a sheet of promotional display material, the windowed receptacle including a transparent receptacle window which is removably secured relative to the display section to enable interchange of one sheet of promotional display material with another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 13 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms, the open receptacle being positioned adjacent the windowed receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The promotional display apparatus of claim 14 wherein the open receptacle includes a front facing panel and a biasing member, the biasing member in operation biasing the stack of removable forms against the front facing panel of the open receptacle to facilitate easy removal of individual forms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
225 words
A newspaper vending machine comprising: a housing having an internal cavity which retains newspapers in a stack; a spring loaded and locked door which is pivotally mounted to the housing and swings away from the housing when unlocked and pulled upon by a user to enable access to newspapers within the housing cavity, the door having an inside door portion which faces internally into the housing cavity, the door having an outside door portion which faces externally away from the housing, the outside door portion having a handle for a user to grasp, the door being spring biased to a normally closed and locked state; a money receiving and locking mechanism to receive a users money and unlock the door so it can be swung away from the housing to make a newspaper within the housing cavity accessible to the user; a promotional display apparatus extending from the newspaper vending machine door, the promotional display apparatus including a display section for displaying promotional information, the display section projecting internally away from the inside door portion, the display section projecting into the housing cavity elevationally above and over a stack of newspapers therein when the newspaper vending machine door is closed, the display section in operation effectively displaying the promotional information to the user when the newspaper vending machine door is swung away from the housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
225 words
A newspaper vending machine comprising: a housing having an internal cavity which retains newspapers in a stack; a spring loaded and locked door which is pivotally mounted to the housing and swings away from the housing when unlocked and pulled upon by a user to enable access to newspapers within the housing cavity, the door having an inside door portion which faces internally into the housing cavity, the door having an outside door portion which faces externally away from the housing, the outside door portion having a handle for a user to grasp, the door being spring biased to a normally closed and locked state; a money receiving and locking mechanism to receive a users money and unlock the door so it can be swung away from the housing to make a newspaper within the housing cavity accessible to the user; a promotional display apparatus extending from the newspaper vending machine door, the promotional display apparatus including a display section for displaying promotional information, the display section projecting internally away from the inside door portion, the display section projecting into the housing cavity elevationally above and over a stack of newspapers therein when the newspaper vending machine door is closed, the display section in operation effectively displaying the promotional information to the user when the newspaper vending machine door is swung away from the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The newspaper vending machine of claim 16 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The newspaper vending machine of claim 16 wherein the display section includes a windowed receptacle for retaining and displaying a sheet of promotional display material, the windowed receptacle including a transparent receptacle window which is removably secured relative to the display section to enable interchange of one sheet of promotional display material with another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The newspaper vending machine of claim 18 wherein the display section includes an open receptacle for retaining a stack of removable forms, the open receptacle being positioned adjacent the windowed receptacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The newspaper vending machine of claim 16 wherein, the vending machine door has a door window and a newspaper display rack, the newspaper display rack being mounted to the inside door portion over the door window to display a newspaper received thereby through the door window to a user; and the promotional display apparatus being secured to the newspaper display rack.
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |