US 5,273,183 A · Article vending machine

Abstract

An improved article handling system includes an article storage structure for containing articles to be handled, transport structure for transporting articles to a position where they can be delivered to or removed from machine, control devices to identify, remove and deliver article to said storage bins, a record keeping device for recording each transaction of the system including dispensing, retrieval and identification of the article and user. The construction and arrangement of the transport means for transporting articles to the dispense and/or return position is unique in its construction, its two axes of motion is performed using one motor allows this article vending machine to be constructed very efficiently and at a very reliable cost. Further, The article vending machine is capable of identifying articles for return prior to their insertion into the machine.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An article dispensing machine comprising:

a housing;
a carousel located within said housing and supporting a plurality of shelves, said carousel adapted for vertical and horizontal displacement, and wherein said carousel further comprises;
a center plate supported by said vertical elevation means;
a plurality of radially extending supports connected to said center plate;
a circular hub supported by said plurality of radially extending supports;
and
a plurality of shelf supports attached to said circular hub, each of said shelf supports supporting a plurality of shelves;
a pair of alignment rails for each said shelf support, each one of said alignment rails connecting one outer side of each said plurality of shelves;
vertical elevation means, supporting said carousel, for controlling the vertical and angular displacement of said carousel;
and
means for providing selective access to said shelves.

8 more elements

An article dispensing machine comprising:

a housing;
a carousel located within said housing and supporting a plurality of shelves, said carousel adapted for vertical and horizontal displacement;
vertical elevation means, supporting said carousel, for controlling the vertical and angular displacement of said carousel and further comprising:
a bottom stationary mount supported by said housing;
a top stationary mount supported by said housing;
a stationary splined ball screw having two ends, and supported at one end by said bottom stationary mount and supported at the other end by said top stationary mount;
a motor assembly surrounding said stationary splined ball screw, and supporting said carousel;
and
control means, electrically connected to said motor assembly, for controlling said motor assembly and further comprising:
a controller;
communications means, connected to said controller, for receiving communications from a customer-operator of said article dispensing machine and communicating with a location other than a location of said article dispensing machine;
display means, connected to said controller, for sending communications to said customer-operator of said article vending machine;
status sensing means, connected to said controller, for sensing the status of said article vending machine;
and
access control mans, connected to said controller, for controlling the access which said customer-operator has with respect to said article dispensing machine, said access control means further comprising:
an access door, displaceable between an open and a closed position;
a door lock solenoid engagable with said access door when said access door is in the closed position;
and
a rotary solenoid supported by said housing and pivotally supporting a rotary solenoid shaft, the rotary solenoid shaft attached to said access door, said access door pivotally displaceable with said rotary solenoid shaft;
and
means for providing selective access to said shelves and wherein said article dispensing machine has a plurality of display means and access control means, for serving a plurality of customer-operators.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Article vending machine

Life of this patent

Article vending machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14