Apparatus and method for sporting equipment stick vending

A hockey stick vending machine system for dispensing a plurality of sporting equipment sticks, comprising:

• a modified legacy vending machine, comprising:
• a controller;
• a user interface that is configured to receive a selection of a sporting equipment stick from a user;
• and
• a payment accepting system configured to receive payment for the selected sporting equipment stick;
• and
• a sporting equipment stick vending machine, comprising:
• a plurality of securing latches controllably coupled to the controller of the modified legacy vending machine,
• wherein each one of the plurality of securing latches secures one of the sporting equipment sticks within the sporting equipment stick vending machine, and
• wherein each one of the plurality of securing latches are configured to open to release its respective selected sporting equipment stick in response to a release signal received from the controller of the modified legacy vending machine;
• and
• a stick guide system,
• wherein the stick guide system defines a plurality of restraining apertures that are configured to receive a portion of a handle of the sporting equipment stick, and
• wherein a size of each restraining aperture is sized to receive a proximal end of the sporting equipment stick,
• wherein the securing latch and the corresponding restraining aperture of the stick guide system cooperatively secure the selected sporting equipment stick within the sporting equipment stick vending machine when the securing latch is closed,
• wherein the controller of the modified legacy vending machine transmits the release signal after the user has completed purchase of the selected sporting equipment stick using the payment accepting system of the modified legacy vending machine, and
• wherein the user is able to remove the selected sporting equipment stick from the sporting equipment stick vending machine after the securing latch releases the selected sporting equipment stick.