Lock assembly for vending machines and method for locking and unlocking same

A vending machine door locking system comprising:

• a housing having a movable door;
• cooperating latching and locking structures carried by respective ones of the housing and the door, the latching structure capturing the locking structure when the door is moved from an open position toward an intermediate position supporting means for mounting the latching structure for movement relative to the vending machine from an extended position, in which the latching mechanism extends at least partially beyond the side of the vending machine, toward a retracted position, in which the latching mechanism is withdrawn within the vending machine to draw the door into a closed locking position adjacent to the housing;
• and
• electronic circuitry for selectively activating movement of the latching structure between the extended and retracted positions and for selectively disengaging the locking structure from the latching structure during unlocking of the door;
• and
• a remote control unit for transmitting signals to the electronic circuitry during unlocking of the door.

A method of locking and unlocking a movable door of a vending machine having an internal compartment and a side wall comprising the acts of:

• attaching a keeper assembly to a movable door of a vending machine;
• mounting a latching mechanism within an internal compartment of the vending machine in substantial alignment with the keeper assembly, said latching mechanism having an extended position and a retracted position;
• moving the door inwardly from an open position, wherein the keeper assembly is spaced apart from the latching mechanism, toward an intermediate position, wherein the keeper assembly is received and captured by the latching mechanism;
• and
• locking the door of the vending machine by moving the latching mechanism to a vending machine side wall from the extended position, in which the latching mechanism extends at least partially beyond the side wall of the vending machine, toward the retracted position, in which the latching mechanism is withdrawn within the vending machine to draw the door into a closed position adjacent to a side wall of the vending machine.