Maine tool dispensing device and system

A system for dispensing tools for industrial, manufacturing, construction, maintenance or like operations, said system comprising:

• one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having ah housing;
• means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in each said housing;
• and
• means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, wherein at least a portion of said means for controlling is disposed in at least one said housing, said means for controlling including:
• at least one user means for entering data;
• and
• processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering, wherein said processor means is adapted to receive and respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data, and said processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data;
• and
• wherein one or more of said automatic tool dispensers includes means for returning tools thereto, said means for returning tools comprising:
• a return aperture defined in said housing;
• a return door for substantially opening and closing access to said return aperture;
• a return bin disposed in said housing positioned to receive tools entering said housing through said return aperture;
• and
• wherein:
• said means for controlling includes means for locking said return door;
• said user means for entering data is adapted to receive indicia to unlock said return door;
• and
• said processor means is adapted to receive data regarding returned tools from said user means for entering data;
• whereby a user may return one or more tools to said return bin.

A method for dispensing tools for use in industrial, manufacturing, construction or maintenance operations, said method comprising:

• providing a system including one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said one or more automatic tool dispensers having:
• a housing;
• means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in at least one of said housings;
• and means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, at least a portion of said means for controlling disposed in said housing;
• and wherein said means for controlling further includes:
• processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering;
• and user means for entering data;
• initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and descriptions related to tools disposed in one or more of said housings, and initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and description related to one or more kits comprised of a plurality of tools;
• and
• initially entering and storing said indicia in said processor means;
• selectively operating said system by entering indicia related to at least one said kit at said user means for entering data to automatically operate a plurality of said means for delivering to deliver a plurality of tools in said kit;
• and
• substantially simultaneously dispensing a plurality of tools to the user.

A method for dispensing and returning tools for use in industrial, manufacturing, construction or maintenance operations, said method comprising:

• providing a system including:
• one or more automatic tool dispensers, each of said ones or more automatic toll dispensers having a housing;
• means for delivering one or more of a plurality of tools, said means for delivering disposed in at least one of said housing;
• means for controlling operation of said means for delivering, at least a portion of said means for controlling disposed in one said housing, said means for controlling including:
• at least one user means for entering data;
• processor means for automatically operating said means for delivering wherein said processor means is adapted to receive and respond to data from one or more of said user means for entering data, and said processor means automatically limits the operation of said means for delivering to authorized users identified by said user means for entering data;
• and
• wherein one or more of said automatic tool dispensers includes means for returning tools thereto, said means for returning including a return aperture defined in said housing, a return door for substantially opening and closing access to said return aperture, and a receiving means positioned to receive tools entering said housing through said return aperture;
• and
• wherein said means for controlling includes means for locking said return door, and said user means for entering data is adapted to receive indicia to unlock said return door, and said processor means is adapted to receive data regarding returned tools from said user means for entering data;
• initially defining with indicia separate item numbers and descriptions related to one or more tools disposed in one or more of said housings;
• initially entering and storing said indicia in said processor means;
• selectively operating said system by entering indicia related to at least one of said tools at said user means for entering data to automatically operate one or more of said means for delivering and deliver one or more tools;
• dispensing one or more tools to the user;
• and
• returning one or more tools to at least one of said automatic tool dispensers after use of said one or more tools, said step of returning including the steps of:
• entering indicia at said user means for entering data to unlock said return door;
• and
• entering indicia related to said one or more tools being returned into said processor means using said user means for entering data;
• and
• returning said one or more tools through said return door and return aperture to said receiving means.