HK1178137B - Novelty dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Novelty dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dispenser for novelty articles.

Background

There are various forms of devices in the prior art that can be operated to dispense both edible and inedible products. Examples of such articles include snacks, chewing gums, mints, vitamins, capsules, beads, toys, and the like. For purposes of this description, such articles will be referred to as novelty articles.

Desirable features of novelty dispensers include compactness, efficient and robust operation, and interesting shapes and decorations.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a dispenser that includes a mechanism for meeting desirable design features including compactness, efficient and robust operation, and interesting shapes and decorations.

Specifically, the present invention provides a novelty dispensing apparatus comprising:

an outer cover comprising a chamber in which a novelty article can be received;

a container component slidably mounted within the enclosure and movable from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

a door mounted for movement adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening;

a coupling member mounted for movement within the housing and attached at one end to the door and at the other end to the receptacle member, the coupling member having a handle member connected to the coupling member for manipulation, wherein manipulation of the handle member moves the coupling member and attached door and receptacle members; and

a lost motion mechanism coupled to the coupling member and the receptacle member for delaying extension movement of the receptacle member until the door is partially moved out of the closed position.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a switch connected to the container member for forcing the container member into either of the extended position or the retracted position in the absence of manipulation of the handle member when the container member is moved towards the respective extended position or retracted position.

Preferably, at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and deformable for providing the force of the switch.

Preferably, at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and guided for movement in the housing in the deformed configuration, thereby providing a resilient force of the switch.

Preferably, the coupling member is configured such that the receptacle member remains in the extended position until the handle is manipulated to retract the receptacle member, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the apparatus.

Preferably, the lost motion mechanism comprises a floating hinge between the coupling member and the receptacle member.

Preferably, the coupling member is flexible, the apparatus further comprising a guide member within the housing for guiding bending movement of the coupling member within the housing.

Preferably, the guide member is located adjacent an inner surface of the housing, thereby defining a gap through which the flexible coupling member moves, the gap being sized to constrain the coupling member against twisting during movement.

Preferably, the handle includes a post and includes a fastener that engages the post and is configured to slide along an exterior of the housing when the post is manipulated.

Preferably, the fastener is rotatable into a locking position for engaging the stanchion, and the fastener includes a detent for resisting rotational movement of the fastener out of the locking position.

Preferably, the handle is attached to a rotatable shaft which is pivotally connected to the coupling part and the receptacle part by a bracket which includes a keyway in which a pivot pin can slide as part of the lost motion mechanism.

Preferably, the coupling member defines a window through which a portion of the receptacle member projecting from the housing extends.

In addition, the present invention also provides a novelty dispensing apparatus comprising:

an outer cover comprising a chamber in which a novelty article can be received;

a container component slidably mounted within the enclosure and movable from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

a door mounted for movement adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening;

a coupling member mounted for movement within the housing and attached at one end to the door and at the other end to the receptacle member, the coupling member having a handle member connected to the coupling member for manipulation, wherein manipulation of the handle member moves the coupling member and attached door and receptacle members; and

a switch connected to the receptacle component for forcing the receptacle component into an extended position when the receptacle component is moved toward the extended position without manipulation of the handle component.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a lost motion mechanism connected to the coupling member and the receptacle member for delaying extension of the receptacle member until the door is partially moved out of the closed position.

Preferably, at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and deformable for providing the force of the switch.

Preferably, at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and guided for movement in the housing in the deformed configuration, thereby providing a resilient force of the switch.

Preferably, the coupling member is configured such that the receptacle member remains in the extended position until the handle is manipulated to retract the receptacle member, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the apparatus.

Further, the present invention also provides a method for dispensing novelty articles, comprising the steps of:

receiving the novelty article in a chamber of an enclosure;

moving a slidably mounted container component from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

moving a door mounted adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position, the open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening; and

delaying movement of the container member until the door is partially moved out of the closed position.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: switching the container part into the extended position when the container part is moved towards the extended position.

Preferably, the switching step includes: connecting an elastic and deformable coupling member to the container for providing an elastic force for the switching.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a view of the exterior of one embodiment of an assembled novelty dispenser in a position in which a container for dispensing novelty is retracted within the dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a view of the exterior of the assembled novelty dispenser in a position in which a container for dispensing novelty projects from the interior chamber of the dispenser;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional side views showing the interior of the dispenser housing and components contained therein;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of two halves of a dispenser housing with many internal components removed;

FIGS. 6 and 7A are top perspective and top plan views, respectively, of a support plate member of the dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an end view of the support plate member of the dispenser;

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of a coupling component member of the dispenser of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are rear perspective and side views, respectively, of a container component member of the dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a front perspective view of a container component member of the dispenser;

FIG. 10 is a perspective detail view of a fastener member of the dispenser;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of one preferred embodiment of a garnish attached to a fastener for manipulation by a user of the novelty dispenser;

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a novelty dispenser made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the partially assembled novelty dispenser of FIG. 12, as viewed from below;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail view of the components contained within the housing of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the main internal components of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

fig. 16-19 are a series of side views of the inner member of the embodiment of fig. 12 as those members are operated to move from a closed position (fig. 16) to a dispensing position (fig. 19) when secured within the housing.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the novelty dispenser 20 of the present invention includes a cover 22, which cover 22 is a thin-walled plastic spherical member in this embodiment.

The housing is supported by a base 24, which base 24 is configured in this embodiment as two cartoon-shaped legs. A base 24, which can be formed with the cover 22 or coupled to the cover 22, is formed with a flat underside so that the dispenser 20 can stably stand on a horizontal surface.

On top of the housing 22 there is a handle 26 for operating the dispenser. In this embodiment, the handle is configured as a baseball cap. As described further below, the handle 26 is secured to the inner member of the housing and is movable from a closed position (fig. 1) to a dispensing position (fig. 2). When the handle 26 is moved into the dispensing position, the dispenser operates for raising the door 28 (fig. 1) to reveal an opening 30 (fig. 2) in the housing wall through which opening 30 a bowl 32 of the container part 34 carrying one or more novelty articles, such as candy pieces (not shown), projects for access by a user.

It is worth noting here that the dispenser 20 can be configured to hang from a key ring or the like in addition to or instead of the base 24, and that, for this purpose, a ring 36 is preferably formed in the handle 26 in the dispenser.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the outer cover 22 may be formed in a variety of ways, including by injection molding two halves that are subsequently joined together with an internal component (described below) contained inside. In one embodiment, one casing half-section 40 (fig. 4) is substantially a mirror image of the other half-section 42 (fig. 5), except that one section 40 is formed with two or more protruding coupling pegs 44, which coupling pegs 44 fit into the hollow interior of a cylindrical coupling sleeve 46 formed in the other section 42. Other means for attaching the two cover segments together may be used.

Inside each of the cover segments 40, 42, a pair of spaced brackets 48 are formed. Each bracket of the pair defines a recess 50 into which a thin, horizontal support plate 52 (fig. 6) fits, the support plate 52 being contained within the housing as further described below. In one embodiment, a rounded protrusion 54 is located in the space between each pair of brackets 48. The projections 54 fit into correspondingly shaped cutouts 56 cut in each side of the support plate 52. The tabs 54 and cut-outs engage to secure the support plate 52 against movement when the support plate is in place inside the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing is internally formed with a guide member that includes two guide surfaces 62 between which a thin, flexible coupling member 80 slides, as described more fully below. The guide member surfaces 62 are arranged to define a gap 66 therebetween, the gap 66 being generally centered in the assembled housing, and the coupling member 80 sliding through the gap 66 (see fig. 3A and 3B). A gap 66 is located between one of the cylindrical sleeves 46 and the curved interior surface 64 of the outer housing. The gap is sized to allow the thin, generally planar coupling member 80 to easily slide through the gap without twisting.

With continued reference to fig. 4 and 5, both of the cover segments 40, 42 are formed with elongated rectangular recesses 70 in the edges of the cover segments and extending continuously from a location near the top of the cover 22 along portions of the back side 72 (the hidden side in fig. 1 and 2) of the cover. When the cover segments are assembled together, the combined recesses 72 form an elongated slot 74 in the cover through which a post 76 (fig. 3A and 3B) protrudes, the post 76 being coupled to a coupling member 80 and connected to the handle 26 (fig. 2) for operating the dispenser 20, as described below.

In one embodiment, the fill hole 78 is formed through one of the cover segments 40 (fig. 4), and the fill hole 78 is preferably positioned to be generally covered by the baseball hat handle 26. As described below, manipulation of the handle 26 will expose the aperture 78 so that the interior chamber of the housing can be filled with novelty items as desired.

Referring particularly to fig. 3A, 3B, 6, 7A and 7B, the support plate 52 is shown in fig. 3A and 3B within the housing 22, held in place by the bracket 48 and boss 54. The support plate 52 is a thin, substantially flat component, and is preferably a plastic component. The upper surface 53 of the support plate defines generally the bottom of the chamber 55 within the housing interior, in which novelty articles (not shown) are stored, which are introduced into the compartments via the fill apertures 78.

The support plate 52 comprises an aperture 57 through which each novelty product is passed to be dispensed from the apparatus (fig. 6, 7A) (the aperture 57 and the above-mentioned container part 34 are preferably sized in relation to the novelty product contained to dispense one product at a time, although of course the size for dispensing more than one product is contemplated). The orifice 57 is gated between open and closed states. When the gated orifice 57 is opened, the novelty article is free to pass through the orifice 57 and into the bowl portion 32 of the container member 34.

To facilitate movement of the articles through the aperture 57, the upper surface 53 of the support plate 52 includes an upwardly projecting, generally crescent-shaped ridge 59 on the portion of the support plate surface between the aperture 57 and the front edge 61 of the support plate (the front edge 61 of the support plate being the edge adjacent to the opening 30 in the enclosure wall). The side of the ridge 59 facing the aperture 57 is generally concave and inclined so that product in contact with it is directed into the aperture 57 in a funnel-like action. It will be appreciated that the upper surface 53 of the support plate 52 can have other contours or be configured to efficiently use gravity to direct novelty articles toward the gated aperture 57.

The top of the ridge 59 is rounded. Further, the front edge 61 of the support plate comprises a shallow recess 65 (fig. 6, 7A) facing the hole 30 in the housing. The recess provides clearance for the door 28 to slide between the support plate 52 and the enclosure wall when the door 28 is moved into the closed position. The rounded top of the adjacent ridge 59 (and the clearance provided by the recess 65) ensures that the door will not catch on the support plate 52.

At the back of the support plate 52 is formed a clearance gap 67, which clearance gap 67 is configured somewhat like the gap 66 described above to allow the thin, generally flat coupling member 80 to easily slide through the gap between the support plate 52 and the enclosure wall without twisting. The structure and function of the coupling part 80 when operating the device is described herein.

The container member 34 described above is mounted to the support plate 52 and is slidably movable along the support plate from a retracted position within the housing (fig. 3A) to an extended position (fig. 3B) in which the bowl-shaped portion 32 of the container member protrudes from the housing. Movement of the container member 34 is driven by a coupling member 80, as discussed below.

In a preferred embodiment, the container member 34 (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 9A-9C) includes a bowl 32, the bowl 32 being secured to or part of a front end 37 (to the right in FIG. 3B) of a generally flat slide plate 35. The container component can be releasably coupled to the slide so that any of a variety of container component sizes can be used depending on the size of novelty to be dispensed. The slide plate 35 includes side flanges 93 that extend outwardly from each side of the slide plate 35 from the rear end 39 of the slide plate 35 to the front end 37 of the bowl-shaped portion 32 adjacent the container component 34. Referring to fig. 9A, 3B, 7A and 7B, the flange 93 fits between two downwardly facing channels 95, the two downwardly facing channels 95 being formed on the underside 47 of the support plate 52. Thus, the sliding movement of the slide 35 as the container part 34 moves from the extended position to the retracted position is controlled and guided by the flange 93/channel 95 arrangement. It will be appreciated that with this configuration of the support plate 52 and the underlying slide plate 35, there is a desired spacing between the novelty contained in the chamber 55 in the housing and the moving parts that operate to dispense the product, thus reducing the likelihood of jamming the device.

The upwardly facing surface of the slide plate 35 portion of the container member 34 is flat and parallel to the bottom side 47 of the support plate 52 and serves as a gate that moves across the aperture 57 in the support plate 52 to close the aperture once the novelty carrying bowl 32 of the container member is moved to the extended position.

In moving back to the retracted position, the flat surface of the slide plate 35 moves away from the aperture 57, effectively opening the door to allow another novelty item to fall into the bowl 32 as the bowl slides into the retracted position directly below the aperture.

As shown in FIG. 8, in a preferred embodiment, the coupling member 80 is a thin, flexible member that generally assumes an arcuate shape that, in this embodiment, generally conforms to the curvature of the inner surface of the spherical shell 22. The coupling member 80 is, in whole or in part, a resilient member that generates a resilient force when deformed to return the coupling member to its normal, arcuate configuration.

The gate 28 is integrally formed with the coupling member 80, or the gate 28 is attached to one end of the coupling member 80. The door is constructed as a thin member that is curved to conform to the curvature of the inner surface 64 of the spherical shell 22. The door 28 is sized to completely close the opening 30 in the housing when the door is closed. In addition, the edges of the gate 28 are beveled to promote smooth movement of the gate between the closed position (fig. 1) and the open position (fig. 2), particularly when the gate is moved to close with the stored novelty article in contact therewith.

At the end of the coupling part 80 opposite to the end carrying the door 28, the coupling part is formed as a hinge cylinder 81 or has a hinge cylinder 81 coupled thereto, said hinge cylinder 81 comprising two spaced hinge knuckles 83. This end of the coupling member 80 will be referred to hereinafter as the hinged end thereof.

Another hinge barrel 85 is formed in a bracket 86, the bracket 86 extending from the bottom side of the container part slide plate 35. The barrel 85 faces away from the rear end 39 of the slide. A hinge member 87 is pinned between the joints 83 of the coupling member hinge cylinder 81. The hinge member 87 (fig. 9A) includes a flat blade 89 (fig. 3A and 3B) having a knuckle on each of two opposite ends of the blade 89. The hinge member 87 is pinned to the cylinder 81 on the coupling member by one joint and pinned to the hinge cylinder 85 of the slide plate 35 by the other joint (see fig. 3A and 3B).

The resulting hinge configuration provides a floating hinge between the slide plate 35 and the coupling member 80 that, while functioning similar to a conventional hinge, enables two parallel axes of rotation such that one axis can move relative to the position of the other axis. This configuration provides, among other things, a useful lost motion mechanism for the dispenser, as described below.

For purposes of discussion, and with particular reference to fig. 3A and 3B, the pivot axis defined by the pivotal connection of the hinge barrel 81 and the hinge member 87 will be referred to hereinafter as the drive pivot axis 90. The pivot axis defined by the pivotal connection of the hinge barrel 85 and the hinge member 87 will be referred to hereinafter as the follower pivot axis 92. As noted, those axes are separate and parallel. Furthermore, for purposes of discussion, the lines between and perpendicular to these pivot axes will be considered lines of action, shown via arrows "F" in fig. 3A and 3B, the meaning of which is described below.

Fig. 3A, 3B and 8 illustrate a post 76 protruding from the slot 74 in the upper portion of the housing. As described above, the struts are exposed to the outside of the housing and, in this embodiment, are coupled to the handle 26. The handle is manipulated by a user to move the coupling member, and thus the coupled container member, between the retracted and extended positions. The post 76 includes a pair of outwardly projecting posts 77, with the posts 77 being employed to couple the post (and thus the coupling member) to the handle 26, as will be described later.

To extend the container member 34 from the retracted position (fig. 3A) to the extended position (fig. 3B), the user simply pushes on the handle to which the post is secured. As a result, the coupling member 80 slides generally about the inner surface 64 along a path within the outer cover 22 in a counterclockwise manner with respect to fig. 3A and 3B. Once the coupling member 80 begins to move out of the closed position (fig. 3A), the direct connection between the coupling member and the door 28 coupled thereto causes the door to immediately move toward the open position.

On the other hand, the sliding movement of the receptacle part 34 towards the door 28 is advantageously slightly delayed when the coupling part is initially moved. This delay is due to the operation of the floating hinge between the hinged end of the coupling member 80 and the slide plate 35. Specifically, this connection introduces lost motion that causes the drive axis 90 of the hinge barrel 81 to swing counterclockwise (fig. 3A) about the follower axis 92 of the hinge barrel 85 on the sled 35 and generally below the follower axis 92 without causing the sled 35 to move. Thus, with the movement of the single coupling member, the door 28 will begin to open immediately before the bowl 32 of the receptacle member 34 begins to advance toward the door. It will be appreciated that this lost motion action allows the container component 34 to be stored in a compact space in close proximity to the door (i.e. in the retracted position), while controlling the movement of both the door and container components at different times but with the same, simple mechanical actuator (post 74).

In a preferred embodiment, the sled 35 includes a stop 88 projecting from the bracket 86 on the underside of the sled 35. The stop 88 is positioned to contact and thereby limit the distance of travel (toward the extended position) of the container member 34. To this end, a bumper 91 is located inside the housing to contact the stop 88 at the end of travel of the container member to the extended position (fig. 3B).

The stopper 88 also limits the travel distance of the hinge barrel 81, which hinge barrel 81 swings about the hinge barrel 85 when the link member 80 is initially moved from the closed position. This abutting contact of the hinge cylinder 85 and the stopper 88 is that a force applied to the coupling member 80 is transmitted to the slide plate 35 to project the container member.

As noted earlier, the coupling member 80 is a resilient member such that when deformed it generates a resilient force for returning the coupling member to its normal, arcuate configuration. Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the path of the hinged end of the coupling member is directed by the coupling member from a position (fig. 3A) where the entire coupling member assumes its normal, relaxed (i.e., not significantly deformed) configuration to a position (fig. 3B) where the hinged end of the coupling member is deformed inwardly toward the center of the housing 22. In other words, the coupling member is deformed from an arcuate shape to a helical configuration. The elastic force generated by the deformation of the hinged end passes through the above-mentioned line of action "F". This resilient force is used to enhance the operation of the dispenser, as discussed next.

As shown in fig. 3B, when the receptacle part 34 is in the extended position, the hinged end of the coupling part is deformed, thus generating a resilient force acting through the line of action "F". In the extended position, the line of action "F" is such that the spring force provided to the slide plate 35 (as transmitted through the hinge leaf 89) tends to pull the slide plate 35 substantially downward or downwardly and slightly toward the extended position. Furthermore, at the other end of the coupling member, the gate 28 and other parts of the coupling member are resiliently urged against the interior of the housing, which creates a frictional force that opposes the return of the coupling member in the extended position to the retracted position. Thus, this resilient force of the coupling member 80 tends to secure the receptacle member 34 in the extended position after the coupling member is slid into the extended position by the user. Thus, the user is able to reach out of the container part (and the article carried in the bowl 32) and remove the article with one hand. The dispenser does not automatically shut off abruptly.

When the user then closes the dispenser by returning the strut 74 (via the coupled handle 26) towards the fully retracted position of the container member shown in figure 3A, the path of the coupling member causes the hinged end of the coupling member to remain slightly deformed, thus maintaining the resilient force through the line of action "F". The coupling member 80 and path are configured such that as the container member approaches the fully retracted position, the angle between line of action "F" and the direction of the sliding, retracted slide 35 steadily decreases until the component of the spring force acting in the retraction direction (to the left in fig. 3A) increases by an amount sufficient to force the container member into the fully retracted position in the absence of user manipulation. Thus providing a useful "toggle" or snap-close feature to facilitate complete retraction of the container member 34 and consistent, secure closing of the door 28.

It will be appreciated that the path of the hinged end of the coupling member 80 can be configured such that: the magnitude of the spring force and its line of action "F" cause the container member to tend to conveniently and quickly reach the fully open or extended position as the container member approaches the extended position.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a fastener 100 for fastening the exposed, protruding post 74 to the handle 26. The fastener 100 has an underside that in this embodiment is shaped as a concave curve to conform to the curvature of the outer surface of the outer cover 22, thus allowing the fastener to slide smoothly over the outer cover. The elongated channel 102 through the fastener 100 is shaped to allow the post 76 and protruding post 77 to pass therethrough. Once penetrated, the fastener is rotated (clockwise in fig. 10) until the protruding posts snap over the detent bumps 103 to be received in the spaces between those bumps 103 and the relatively larger stops 105. The fastener thickness is such that the protruding post will snap fit into place relative to the length of the protruding post 74 to lock the post and require intentional manual twisting to restore alignment with the opening to release the post.

A cylindrical pin 107 projects upwardly from the fastener to snap fit into a correspondingly shaped hole 109 (fig. 11) in the underside of the handle 26, thus securing the handle 26 to the post 74 via the fastener 100.

The dispenser operation enhances the way in which the device is decorated. For example, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the outer surface of the gate 28 can be decorated with teeth or the like, while the bowl 32, which is visible only when extended, can be colored or shaped like a tongue. Furthermore, the size of the door 28 can be considerably enlarged and the door 28 can be moved behind a further opening or window in the housing to alternately hide and reveal different figures (closed eyes, logos, etc.) when the door is moved into and out of the closed position by the coupling means.

In addition to removing the handle, there are several ways to access the fill hole formed through the outer shroud wall. One particular example is to provide the handle (baseball cap) with a flap that can be opened to reveal the underlying fill hole. The filling hole can also be formed directly through the housing with the flap cover. Notably, the fill aperture allows for the manufacture and filling of the dispenser to occur at two separate locations.

Furthermore, to enlarge the available space for storing articles in the enclosure, the support plate 52 can be bowl-shaped and located near the curved bottom of the enclosure interior, such that the container component is bonded or otherwise made flexible to fit into the curved space between the bottom side of the curved support plate and the bottom of the enclosure interior.

Fig. 12-19 depict an alternative embodiment of a novelty dispenser formed in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in fig. 12-13, an alternative embodiment of the novelty dispenser 120 includes a housing 122, which housing 122, like the previous embodiment, is a thin-walled, plastic, generally spherical component formed by assembling two segments 140, 142. The housing is supported by a base 124, the base 124 being configured in this embodiment as two cartoon-shaped legs.

Handles 126 for operating the dispenser project from opposite sides of the housing 122. In this embodiment, the handle is configured as a cartoon-shaped arm. As described further below, the handle 126 is secured to the inner member of the housing and is movable from a closed position (see fig. 16) to a dispensing position (fig. 19). When the handle 126 is moved to the dispensing position, the dispenser is operated to raise the door 128 (see fig. 14-15) to reveal an opening 130 (fig. 12) in the housing wall, through which opening 130 a bowl 132 of the container member 134 carrying one or more novelty articles projects for access by a user.

A fill hole 178 with a removable cap is formed through one of the cover segments 142 (fig. 12). The fill hole 178 allows the interior chamber of the housing to be filled again with novelty items as needed.

Referring to fig. 12, the inside of each shroud segment 140, 142 includes a pair of spaced brackets 148. Each of the pair of brackets defines a recess 150 into which a thin, horizontal support plate 152 contained within the housing fits.

As shown in fig. 12, the housing interior includes a guide member 163, and the guide member 163 is mounted to an edge of the support plate 152. The guide member 163 is slightly spaced from the curved inner surface 164 of the housing to define a gap therebetween into which the door 128 slides when it is raised into the dispensing position (fig. 19).

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, both cover segments 140, 142 are formed with a generally semicircular recess 170 at the edge of the cover segment. When the cover segments are assembled together, the combined recesses 170 form apertures 171 on opposite sides of the cover. The handle 126 protrudes through each aperture 171.

As best shown in fig. 14 and 15, each handle 126 is coupled to an end of a splined shaft 190 for operating the dispenser 120, as described below. A bushing 191 is formed at the connection of the handle 126 and each end of the spline shaft 190. Each bushing 191 fits just inside a corresponding aperture 171 in the housing. Splined shaft 190 is thus mounted inside the housing for rotation about its long axis, but is constrained against axial or translational movement within the housing. The splined shaft 190 is an internal member of the dispenser that is manipulated by the handle 126, as explained further below.

The support plate 152 includes an aperture 157 through which each novelty article passes to be dispensed from the device. The orifice 157 (fig. 12, 14) is gated between open and closed states. When the aperture 157 is gated open, the novelty article is free to pass through the aperture and into the bowl 132 of the container component 134.

As described with respect to the previous embodiments, the front edge of the support plate 152 includes a shallow recess facing the opening 130 in the housing. The recess provides clearance for the door 128 to slide between the support plate 52 and the enclosure wall when it is moved into the closed position. The guide member 163 ensures that the door 128 will not get stuck on the support plate 152 or on novelty items that may be stored in the dispenser.

The container component 134 is mounted to the support plate 152 and is slidably movable along the support plate from a retracted position (fig. 16) within the housing to an extended position (fig. 19) in which the bowl 132 of the container component projects from the housing (shown partially at 140 in dashed lines in fig. 19). The bowl 132 of the container extends from the flat slide 135. The slide plate 135 has straight side edges that fit between two downward facing channels 195 formed on the bottom side of the support plate 152. Thus, as the container member 134 moves from the extended position to the retracted position, the sliding movement of the slide 135 is controlled and guided by the flange and channel arrangement.

As with the previous embodiment, the slide plate 135 acts as a gate that moves across the aperture 157 in the support plate 152 to close the aperture once the novelty carrying bowl 132 of the container member is moved to the extended position. In moving the retracted position, the flat surface of the slide plate 135 moves away from the aperture 157, effectively opening the door to allow one or more additional novelty items to fall into the bowl 132.

As best shown in fig. 15, the gate 128 is integrally formed with or attached to one end of a pair of spaced apart arms 179 of the coupling member 180. Door 128 is configured as a thin member that is curved to conform to the curvature of the inner surface of housing 122. The door 128 is sized to completely close the opening 130 in the housing when the door is closed.

At the end of the coupling member 180 opposite the end carrying the door 128, the coupling member arm 179 is connected and forms a hinge joint 183. As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the coupling member 180 thus defines a generally rectangular window 181 through which the bowl 132 of the container member 134 protrudes when the door 128 is moved upwardly, thereby providing clearance for the bowl 132 to extend out of the housing opening 130 for dispensing novelty items.

As shown in fig. 15, in a preferred embodiment, coupling member 180 is a thin, flexible member that generally assumes an arcuate shape that, in this embodiment, generally conforms to the curvature of the inner surface of spherical shell 122. The coupling member 180 may be rigid. Alternatively, the coupling member 180 is, in whole or in part, a resilient member that, when deformed, generates a resilient force for restoring the coupling member to its normal arcuate configuration.

As shown in fig. 14, the hinge knuckle 183 is pinned between the lower ends (at 192) of a pair of substantially flat leaves 186 of a coupling bracket 188. The upper end of the blade has a hole that is keyed to match the spline configuration of the spline shaft 190. Each of the blades 186 slides over the end of the shaft to abut the central portion 193 of the shaft 190 (fig. 15) that is not keyed or splined. With this configuration, the coupling bracket 188 is secured to the shaft 190 and rotates with the shaft 190 as the shaft is rotated about its long axis by a user raising or lowering the handle 126 between the closed position (fig. 16) and the dispensing position (fig. 19).

The hinge cylinder 185 is formed on the underside of the bowl 132 of the container part at a position slightly spaced from the junction of the slide plate 135 and the bowl 32. The barrel 185 is pinned to a hinge member 187. Hinge member 187 (fig. 15) includes a flat leaf 189 having two hinge knuckles 194 on one end and a single knuckle 193 on the other end of the leaf. The hinge member 187 is pinned to the hinge cylinder 185 on the underside of the bowl 132 by the pair of knuckles 194.

At the other end of hinge member 187, a single hinge joint 193 is pinned between a central enlarged diameter portion or protrusion 196 formed on each blade of coupling bracket 188. In this embodiment, the opposite end of the pivot pin 198 extends from the hinge barrel 193 and is received within a keyway 200 formed through each projection 196. The opposite end of the pivot pin 198 is able to move slightly within the keyway 200 to allow a useful lost motion mechanism for dispenser operation, as described below.

To operate the dispenser, a user manipulates one or both of the handles 126 to rotate the splined shaft 190 and the fixed coupling bracket 188 to thereby move the coupling member 180 and the coupled door 128 from the closed position (fig. 16) to the fully open position (fig. 19). The container member 134 is moved in a synchronized manner between retracted and extended positions to some extent.

Specifically, to extend the container member 134 from the retracted position (fig. 16) to the extended position (fig. 19), the user simply pushes upward on the handle 126 to which the shaft 190 is secured. As a result, coupling member 180 slides along a path within the housing generally about inner surface 164 (fig. 12) in a clockwise direction with respect to fig. 16-19. Once the coupling member 180 begins to move out of the closed position (fig. 16), the direct connection between the coupling member and its associated door 128 causes the door to immediately move toward the open position.

On the other hand, the sliding movement of the receptacle part 134 towards the opening 130 in the housing is advantageously slightly delayed when the coupling part 180 is initially moved. This delay is due to the limited floating operation of the pivot pin 198 within the keyway 200 of the tab 196 of the coupling bracket 188. Specifically, this connection introduces lost motion such that the pivot pin 198 is free to slide generally counterclockwise along one edge of the keyway 200 when the handle is manipulated to begin rotating the spline shaft 190 and coupled coupling bracket 188 out of the retracted position (fig. 16). As the shaft continues to rotate, the pivot pin 198 slides in the keyway to a drive position (fig. 18) in which the pin 198 encounters an inwardly projecting stop 202 in the keyway 200, which stop 202 prevents further sliding. From this point on, the rotational movement of the coupling bracket 188 is directly transmitted to the container part 134 via the hinge part 187. Thus, with the movement of the handle 126, the door 128 will begin to open immediately before the bowl 132 of the container component 134 begins to advance toward the opening 130 revealed by the moving door 128.

As noted earlier, the coupling member 180, and in particular the arm 179, may be a resilient member such that when deformed it generates a resilient force for returning the coupling member to its normal, arcuate configuration. Referring to fig. 16-19, the gate 128 (which gate 128 is an extension of the coupling member 180) continuously engages and slides against the curved surface of the inner guide member 163. The curvature of the guide member 163 is such that the radius of curvature of the guide member surface is slightly longer than the radius of curvature of the arcuate coupling member. As a result, the coupling member is slightly deformed away from its true arcuate configuration, and the elastic force generated by the deformation of the coupling member to cope with the deformation is directed radially inward along the line of action from the hinge pin 192 toward the center of curvature of the coupling member 180.

Thus, when container member 134 is in the retracted position (fig. 16), the action of the resilient coupling member through deformation of coupling bracket 188 urges counterclockwise rotation of coupling member 180, thus tending to secure the door in the closed position in the absence of user manipulation of the handle. Similarly, when receptacle member 134 is in the extended position (fig. 19), the action of resilient coupling member elastic force by coupling bracket 188 urges clockwise rotation of coupling member 180, thus tending to secure door 128 in the open position in the absence of user manipulation of the handle. Thus, the mechanism provides a useful toggle feature for assisting in the complete retraction and extension of container member 134.

While the foregoing description has been given of preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the invention claimed.

Claims (19)

1. A novelty dispensing apparatus comprising:

an outer cover comprising a chamber in which a novelty article can be received;

a container component slidably mounted within the enclosure and movable from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

a door mounted for movement adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening;

a coupling member mounted for movement within the housing and attached at one end to the door and at the other end to the receptacle member, the coupling member having a handle member connected to the coupling member for manipulation, wherein manipulation of the handle member moves the coupling member and attached door and receptacle members; and

a lost motion mechanism coupled to the coupling member and the receptacle member for delaying extension movement of the receptacle member until the door is partially moved out of the closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch connected to the container member for forcing the container member into either of the extended position or the retracted position in the absence of manipulation of the handle member when the container member is moved toward the respective extended position or retracted position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and deformable for providing the force of the switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and guided for movement in the housing in a deformed configuration, thereby providing a resilient force of the switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is configured to retain the receptacle member in the extended position until the handle member is manipulated to retract the receptacle member, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lost motion mechanism comprises a floating hinge between the coupling member and the receptacle member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is flexible, the apparatus further comprising a guide member within the housing for guiding a bending movement of the coupling member within the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the guide member is located adjacent an inner surface of the housing, thereby defining a gap through which a flexible coupling member moves, the gap being sized to constrain the coupling member against twisting during movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle member includes a post and includes a fastener that engages the post and is configured to slide along an exterior of the housing when the post is manipulated.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fastener is rotatable into a locked position for engaging the stanchion, and the fastener includes a detent for resisting rotational movement of the fastener out of the locked position.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle member is attached to a rotatable shaft that is pivotally connected to the coupling member and the receptacle member by a bracket that includes a keyway in which a pivot pin is slidable as part of the lost motion mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coupling member defines a window through which a portion of the receptacle member projecting from the housing extends.

13. A novelty dispensing apparatus comprising:

an outer cover comprising a chamber in which a novelty article can be received;

a container component slidably mounted within the enclosure and movable from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

a door mounted for movement adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening;

a coupling member mounted for movement within the housing and attached at one end to the door and at the other end to the receptacle member, the coupling member having a handle member connected to the coupling member for manipulation, wherein manipulation of the handle member moves the coupling member and attached door and receptacle members; and

a switch connected to the receptacle component for forcing the receptacle component into an extended position when the receptacle component is moved toward the extended position without manipulation of the handle component.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and deformable for providing the force of the switch.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the coupling member is resilient and guided for movement in the housing in a deformed configuration, thereby providing a resilient force of the switch.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the coupling member is configured to retain the receptacle member in the extended position until the handle member is manipulated to retract the receptacle member, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the apparatus.

17. A method for dispensing novelty items, comprising the steps of:

receiving the novelty article in a chamber of an enclosure;

moving a slidably mounted container component from a retracted position within the enclosure, through an opening in the enclosure, into an extended position in which a portion of the container component protrudes from the enclosure;

moving a door mounted adjacent the opening from a closed position to an open position, the open position enabling the container component to protrude from the opening; and

delaying movement of the container member until the door is partially moved out of the closed position.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: switching the container part into the extended position when the container part is moved towards the extended position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the switching step comprises: connecting an elastic and deformable coupling member to the receptacle member for providing an elastic force for the switching.