US1262236A - Post-card vending machine. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr; 9,1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEETI A. NELSON.

POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZG, I9I7. 1,262,236,

I I I I I I III I wie I I I A. NELSON.

POST CARDVENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED MA1/26.1911.

Patented Apr'. 9, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. NELSON.

7 POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26|1917.V L, Patented Apr. 9,1918. I SHEETS-SHEET 3.

bbozmm A. NELSON.

POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

Y I APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. |917. z@ Patented Apr. 9,1m

v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. NELSON. POST CARD VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 261 19H. I

1 3 abbonaei TENT. @FFQEQ ALBERT NELSON7 OF WHEATON, MINNESOTA.

POST-CARD-VENDING MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT NELSON, a citizen of the United States ot America, residingv at lWheaton, in the county of Traverse and State ot Minnesota, have inventcd certain new and useful improvements in ost-Card-lT ending Machines, of which the tollowing isa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. This invention relates to a postcard vending machine and has tor its principal object the production ot a structure wherein simple ane efficient means is provided for releasing a postcard or a series ot postcards as the coin of a suitable denomination is dropped into the machine.

Another object of this invention is the production ot a postcard vending machine wherein a plurality ot leaves are carried in such a manner as to support postcards, these leaves being operated by a simple mechanism which will cause the leaves to be automatically released one at a time as a coin is dropped into the machine to operate the above mentioned mechanism. y

Another object of this invention is the provision ot a postcard vending machine which is provided with a simple and efficient mechanism tor operating a coin switch plate so that when a certain series of cards has been exhausted and the leaves carrying the same have been lowered, the switch plate will be swung so as to direct the coin into a return channel thereby causing the coin to be returned to the purchaser.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a postcard vending machine which is provided with a coin race carried by the lower end of the return chutes so that the coins which are switched by the switch plate willbe directed through these chutes into said coin race and then returned to the purchaser.

Another object of( this invention is the production ot a postcard vending machine which is provided with a shutter mechanism arranged so that when the leaves carrying the postcards have fallen and the series ot' cards carried by the particular leaves have been exhausted the shutter will move in trout of a. sight opening so as to indicate Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 26, 1917.

Patented Apr. 9, t'll.

serial No. 171,301.

that this portion of the machine is exhausted of the particular set of postcards.

Another object of this invention is the production of a postcard vending machine wherein a plurality ot pawls are supported upon swinging rods so as to permit an operating mechanism to be connected to the pawls in suchr manner to reciprocate said pawls in unison and in opposite directions, thus permitting the pawls to be actuated so as to release one leat at a time.

llVith these and other objects in view this invention consists ot certain novel combinations, constructions and arrangements ot parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure l is a front elevation or" the postcard vending machine showing the. same as it appears when in use;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation ot the postcard vending machine a portion of the rear side being broken away;

F ig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the complete machine illustrating one set ot the operating mechanism;

Fig. l is an enlarged transverse vertical section through a portion of the machine taken on the line -/l of Fig. 2;

,F ig. 5 is a section taken on a horizontal plane through the upper portion of a partot the machine illustrating particularlvthe mechanism used for operating the swinging Jaws;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a portion of the coin cup supporting bar showing the plates carried thereon;

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view ot one of the clamps used tor releasably retaining a coin cup upon the coin cup s upporting bar;

Fig. S is a detail perspective view of one of the coin switch plates illustrating the manner in which the same is carried upon a certain strip;

Fig. 9 isa detail perspective view of a portion of the device illustrating the support for the swinging rods connected to the jaws as well as the supportt'or the switch plate operating mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the means employed for reciprocating the pawls;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of a reinforcing element used in the present invention showing one of the brackets used for releasably supporting one of the drop rods;

F ig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section through a portion of the machine illus-v trating the support for the pawls, and the shutter mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the shutter and arm therefor;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the sight opening and the closure means carried thereadjacent;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the leaves;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view adjacent the end of the coin return to which the coin passes when a certain series of the leaves are emptied;

Fig. 17 is a transverse section taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line 18-18of Fig. 5.

Referring to the-accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that the postcard vending machine includes a casing formed of a base 1 supported by the transverse cleats 2. rlChe end walls 3 extend upwardly from the base 1 as shown in Fig. 2 and carry the top 4 adjacent their upper ends. The front side 5 is positioned upon the forward side edges of the end walls 3 and the base 1, although it will be noted that Vthe top 4 slantsupwardly as indicated at 6 adjacent its forward portion for purposes to be hereinafter set forth, thus causing the front side 5 of the casing to extend to the upper portion of the top 4. It will be noted that the front side 5 is provided with an elongated notch 7 formed adjacent 'its lower end and this notch 7 communicates with the base 1 as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The front side 5 is also provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 8 carried upon its inner side and bearing upon the end walls 3 as shown clearly in Fig. 3. In this manner it will be seen that the front wall will be held against sagging notwithstanding that it is formed as shown herein of sheet metal. The rear side 9 has its lower portion extending into brackets 1() iixedly mounted upon the base 1 of the casing. The upper portion of this rear side 9 fits against the top 4 as shown in Fig. 3 and may be releasably held in engagement therewith by set screws or any other suitable lock which may be desired to be employed for this purpose. Therefore since the lower portion of the rear side 9 fits into brackets 10 and since the upper portion of the rear side is releasably held in engagement with the upper portion of the casing it will be seen that the rear side will be releasably held so as to close the rear portions of the casing. It is of course obvious that the rear side 9 may be removed when access is desired to the interior of the casing of the vending machine.

It will be also noted that the plurality of reinforcing ribs 11 are mounted upon the rea-r side 9 so as to hold this rear side from sagging and for efficiently reinforcing the same in order to withstand any strain which may be broughtI to bear thereon. It is of course obvious that this casing may be formed of wood or metal or of any other substance desired for it is only necessary to provide a comparatively ordinary casing for housing the working elements of the vending machine.

The coin cup supporting bar 12 is carried by .the end supporting standards 13 as shown in Fig. This coin cup supporting bar 12 is provided with a-plurality of vertically extending cleats 13 as shown in Fig. 3. These cleats are carried in pairs upon said coin cup supporting bar and are positioned in spaced relation with respect to each other so as to permit a coin cup to be positioned between each pairof cleats 13 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Each coin cup comprises sides 14 which are carried upon a front 15 and a back 16. The bottom 17 is carried by the sides 14 and the front 15 and back 16 as shown clearly in F ig.v 4 and this bottom 17 slants rearwardly so as to cause Y wardly extending flange-19 will rest uponv the coinL cup supporting bar 12 as shown in Fig. 4. At this time the clamp 20 is positioned so asvto hold the cup against accidental displacement. By referring particularly to Fig. 7 it will he noted that the clamp 20 is of the substantially inverted U-shaped construction so as to permit the clamp to be positioned over the rearwardly extending flange 19 and to grip the inner surface of the back 16 of the cup as well as to grip the coin cup supporting bar 12 thus releasably holding the coin cup in a set position upon the supporting bar 12.

The construction of each leaf is substantially similar and it is therefore thought that a description of one leaf will be suflicient to clearly disclose the construction of all the leaves used in connection with this invention. Therefore by referring toFig.

it will be noted that the leaf 21 coniprises an elongated body which is rolled at one end to provide a sleeve 22 extending transversely thereacross. At the opposite end of the body 21 of the leaf there is provided a reduced projection 23 for the purpose to be hereinafter set forth. The lip 24 is carried upon the leaf 21 adjacent the projection 23 since this lip 24 is provided with a foot 25 iitting upon the body 21 of the leaf. ln order to reinforce the lip 24 so as to hold the lip extended at right angles to the projection there is provided a reinforced strand 26 which has one end secured to the lip 24, while the opposite end is soldered or otherwise secured to the body 21 of the leaf as illustrated at 27. i plurality of these leaves are pivotally supported upon each coin cup by means of pivot pins which pass through the sleeves of the bodies 21 of the leaves, these pivot pins 28 being carried by the sides 14 of the coin cup. 1t will also be notedv that the leaves are formed so as to have the length of the leaves slightly graduated thereby permitting the leaves to be positioned above each other and the pins being supported in parallel vertical planes as illustrated clearly in Fig. 4. Furthermore it will be noted that the front 15 of the coin cup is considerably shorter than the back 16 of the cup thus providing suiiicient space in connection with the manner in which the lips are supported for permitting the leaves to be moved upwardly to extend in substantially horizontal planes when cards are caried thereby.

It will also be noted by referring to Figs. l and 2 that a series of operating mechanism are arranged within the casing so as to permit the different assortment of cards to be carried by each set of leaves although it is of course obvious that the number of mechanism employed in one casing may be either increased or dininished, as desired. The longitudinally extending platform 29 is iiXedly mounted upon the upper portions of the standards 13 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This platform 29 carries the strands 30 secured by means of the screws 31 or in any other suitable manner so as to permit the strands to project beyond the platform 29 as shown in Fig. 5 and have their ends tiXedly secured in any suitable manner to the longitudinal reinforcing` rod Between these reinforcing strands 30 and carried upon the platform 29 is a substantially U-shaped supporting strand 33 held by the retaining screws 34. This strand 33 also projects beyond one side of the platform 29 although it terminates short of the ends ofthe reinforcing strands 30. llhis U- shaped supporting strand 33 is provided with a pin 35 fixedly secured thereto in any manner, such for instance as by soldering,

and this pin 35 pivotally supports the swinging rods 36 as illustrated clearly in Fig. 9. The lower ends of these swinging rods 36 are iiXedly connected as illustrated at 37 to the pawls 38.

' The supporting bar 39 is fiXedly mounted upon the standards 13 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and this bar 39 is provided with supporting posts 40 liXedly mounted thereon in any suitable manner and projecting thereabove in parallel spaced relations. A shaft 41 has its ends 42 journaled in the supporting posts 4() whereby the shaft will he effectively supported although it will be permitted to freely oscillate when necessary. rlhe transverse pin 43 is carried by the shaft 441 and extends at right angles thereto as shown in Fig. 10 whereby the ends of this pin 43 may fit in the openings 44 formed in the rear ends of the pawls 38 as illustrated clearly in Fig. 4. Although the swinging rods 36 support the pawls 38 it will be seen that the pawls will be held in set positions so as to reciprocate in opposite direct-ions in unison when the shaft 41 is oscillated.

The U-shaped yoke 45 is i'ixedly supported upon the rod 32 and has the shaft 46 journaled thereon as illustrated in Fig. 2. The finger 47 is iiXedly secured to the shaft 46 and this finger projects forwardly as illustrated in Fig. 3 for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. 1t will be noted that this 'linger 4T is normally urged upward at its forward end as the rear end projects beyond the shaft 46 and is engaged by the coiled spring 48 and since the lower end of the coiled spring engages the rod 32 the rear end of the linger will normally be pulled downwardly for urging the forward end of the linger upwardly. The projection 49 is carried upon the shaft 46 and has the upper end of the link 50 pivotally connected thereto as is shown in Fig. 3. rlhe lower end of the linlr 50 is pivotally connected to the clamp 51 as shown at 52 and this clamp 51 is clamped upon the pin 53 projecting at right angles to the pin 43 on the shaft 41. 1t will therefore be seen that as the finger 47 is swung upwardly and downwardly the pin 53 will cause the shaft 41 to be oscillated thus reciprocating the pawls 38. Therefore when the leaves are positioned above the pawls as shown in Fig. 3 they will rest upon the upper pawl. As the upper pawl is retracted and the lower pawl is projected the weight of the leaves will be supported by the lower pawl. Upon the return of the pawls to their normal positions it will be seen that the upper pawl will pass above the lowest leaf so as to support the remaining leaves while retraction of the lower pawl will cause the lower leaf to fall to permit the guard carried by the lower leaf to be released.

the guide 55 which is carried within the casing being wedged or soldered or otherwise secured within the slanting portion of the casing, as illustrated at 56. This guide 55 is provided with a closed top 57 although the flanges 58 are spaced apart and carried -upon the lower portion of the guide 55 so that a coin of a denomination too small to operate the mechanism will fall from the guide Aand be returned to the operator by a course lto be hereinafter described. The back 57 is provided with a downwardly bent end 57 so as to deflect the coin downwardly which passes from the inner end of the guide 55. The slide for the coin comprises a back 59 while the front 60 is connected to the back 59 by the side flanges 61. It will be noted however that the front 60 is provided with a vertically extending slot 62 formed therein and extending for practically the entire length of the ,front 60 as shown in Fig. 2.v This slide is supported in any suitable manner upon the supporting strand 63 carried by the screws 64 upon the platform 29 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. The upper end of the slide is secured to the strip 65 as shown in Fig. 3. r1`he funnel 66 is also secured to the upper end of the slide and to the strip 65 directly beneath the end of the guide 55. Therefore when a coin is inserted in the chute 54 if of a proper denomination it will pass through the guide 55 and will be deflected by the downwardly bent end 57 into the funnel 66 and will then pass downwardly through the coin slide. Since the forward end of the finger 47 normally eX- tcnds through the slot 62 formed in the front and the slot 62 formed in the back of the coin slide the coin when passing downwardly through the slide will engage the forward end of the finger 47 and will therefore swing this forward enddownwardly. As the forward end of the linger is swung downwardly the link 55 will be urged downwardly thus causing the shaft 41 to be oscillated in a clockwise direction to retract the upper pawl and project the lower pawl thus leaving one leaf in engagement with the lower pawl and as the upper pawl is again moved to its original position and the lower pawl is retracted, the one leaf will be freed and swung downwardly to permit the card carried thereby to be released.

It should be noted that by having the leaves provided with the lips 24 the leaves will be held in spaced relation when inv an elevated position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 thus providing sufficient space between the projections 23 for the operation of the pawls as the same are reciprocated.

rlhe supporting bar 67 is carried by the standards 13 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This supporting bar 67 is provided with a plurality of notches 68 formed therein in spaced relation. The slanting tray 69 is connected to the sill 70 mounted upon the base and this slanting tray also has its upper portion secured to the bar 67. Flanges 71.are struck from the slanting tray 69 adjacent its upper rear portion and these flanges 71 project 'so as to lit within the notches 68 thereby holding the slanting tray against accidental movement. 1t will also be noted that the base l of the casing projects beyond the forward surface of the front side 5 of the casing and is provided with an overhanging molding 72. r1`herefore a card which has just been released by the falling of one of the leaves will fall into engagement with the slanting tray 69 since the tray is carried directly beneath the several seriesof leaves as shown in Fig. 2. As the card falls into engagement with the slanting tray it will slide therealong and then because of the momentum obtained by the card it will slide into engagement with the overhanging molding 72 so that this forward movement will be limited. This action will be limited because of the elongated notch formed in the front side 5 thereby permitting the purchaser to pick the card up without difficulty.

lVhen the leaves are rst provided with cards and are in an elevated position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the purchaser can readily tell that the series of cards of which he desired to obtain one or more cards is provided with the cards desired since at this time a view may be had through one of the sight openings 73 formed in the side 5 0f the casing. It will be noted that a plurality of these sight openings are provided so that one sight opening will be provided for each series of leaves. In order to prevent a foreign instrument from being projected through any one sight opening a piece of glass 74 is positioned over each sight opening and the glass is held in position by means of a frame 75 overhanging the same since the frame is held in a set position upon the inner side of the front side 5. This construction is shown clearly in Figs. 12 and 14 and although the casing is entirely closed in and devoid of sufficientlights for awouldbe purchaser to viewV the interior of the same the dark interior of the casing will 'cause the opening to be dark and the purchaser may then be aware of the fact that the card is carried in the series he desires. After the last card of a certain series has beenexhausted or discharged because of the falling of the last leaf of the particular series the shutter 76 will fall in front of the sight opening 73. It is intended to have this shutter provided with a-light outer surface so that when the shutter is in front of the sight opening the light surface will be readily apparent and will indicate that the series of cards desired has been exhausted. ln order to support the shutter 76 there is provided a rearwardly extending arm 77 having an angularly extending portion 78 which passes through the supporting blade 7 9. From the projection 78 a rearwardly extending curved portion 80 extends, which fits into the leaves when the same are in an elevated position as illustrated clearly in Fig. l2. Since the portion 8O is curved upwardly it is obvious that when the outer end is carried in a horizontal plane with respect to the pivot. point the shutter 76 will be carried above this horizontal plane so as to be positioned upon the sight opening 73. l/Vhen the last leaf of the particular series has fallen the weight of the shutter 76 will cause the shutter to fall downwardly in front of the sight opening the downward movement being limited by the engagement o f the arms 7 7 and a vertical strip 81.

After a particular series of leaves have fallen and the cards thereof have been discharged the money which may be accidentally inserted in the chute leading to the operating mechanism of this exhausted series is automatically returned to the would-be purchaser. ln order to accomplish this function a substantially U-shaped yoke 82 is iixedly mounted upon the supporting strip adjacent the lower end of the guide 55 and the upper end of the coin slide. The coin switch plate 83 is fixedly secured to a pivot pin 84 mounted upon the yoke 82 as shown in Fig. 8. This coin switch plate is provided with flanges 85 formed on all but a forward side so as to `cause the coin directed thereagainst to be held from sliding from the plate excepting over the front. end thereof. Under normal conditions this switch plate permits the coin to beY caught by the funnel 66 and be directed down through the coin slide as hereinbefore specified. At this time however the coin switch plate 83 is engaged by the push rod 86 which projects through the supporting strip 65 and engages the rear surface of the coin switch plate 83 as shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of thispush rod 86 is pivotally connected to the clamp 87 as shown at 88. This clamp 87 is clamped upon. the lever 89 which has pivoted journals 90 extending at right angles thereto. These pivotedjournale. 9): are pivotalliy' mounted upon the- U- shaped yoke 91, tixedly secured in any suitable manner such for instance as being annealed to the U-shaped strand 33 whereby the lever 89 is pivotally supported. This lever 89 is provided with an eye 92 at one end through which passes the drop rod 93. This drop rod 93 is provided with a head 94: and when the leaves are in an elevated position, that is when the post-cards are carried by the series of leaves7 the lower end of this drop rod 93 will be carried upon the upper leaf as shown clearly in Fig. 3. At this time the head 94 will be carried at a distance above the eye 92 of the lever 89. As a consequence the weight of the push rod 86 will be suiicient to cause one end of the lever 89 to remain in a lowered position thus causing the coin switch plate 83 to also remain in a lowered position. As soon however as the last leaf has fallen the drop rod 9.3 which projects through the platform 29 will fall or move downwardly so as to cause the head 94 to engage the eye 92 for swinging this end of the lever 89 downwardly and moving the push rod 86 upwardly. Upon the movement of the push rod 86 upwardly it is obvious that the coin switch plate 83 will be swung upwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Because of the length of this switch plate it will seen that a coin inserted at this time kwill be prevented from entering the slide but will be directed to the coin return chutes and return race to be hereinafter described. l

It should be noted that when coins are passing downwardly through the coin slides and as the linger i7 is being operated so as to cause the leaves to be released and Cards to be discharged in the manner hereinbefore set forth the coins will pass from the lower end of the coin slides into the o'set caps 95. These caps are offset so as to cause the coins to be directed by the cap of a particular slide into the coin cup carried therebeneath. lt will be noted by referring particularly to Fig. 5 that the coin slide is car-` ried off center with respect to the coin cup since it is necessary to provide the slide in such a position as to provide suflicient space for the operating elements of the vending machine. The coins which fall into thecup will be directed toward one side thereof because of the slanting bottom illustrated inV Y The coin return chutes 96 have guide flanges 97 formed upon the side edges and each chute isprovided with a web 98 at its upperend to prevent the coin from accidentally being thrown over the upper end ofthe returnchute. Since vthe return chute is carried adjacent the lower end of the guide 55it will be seen that when the coin switch plate is moved upwardly to the position indicated by the dotted position in Fig. 3 the coin will ride over the plate 83 and be directed into the upper end of the. coin return chute. Although the momentum of the coin may throw the saine against the interior of the web 98 it is obvious that this web will retain the coin within the chute and the coin will then fall downwardly into the interior of the coin race 99. This coin race 99 slants from an elevated position at one end to a lowered position at the other as shown in Fig. 2. IThis race extends practically the entire length of the casing so as to be carried in a position to receive coins from any one of the coin return chutes 96 when any one of the series of leaves of the several mechanisms within the casing has been exhausted of its supply of cards. The coin race 99 is substantially U-shaped in cross section as shown in Fig. 3 and has upwardly extending guards 100 formed thereon in alinement with the lowerl ends of the coin return chutes 96. As a consequence the coin which is directed downwardly by the chute will be caught by one of the guards 100 and directed into the coin race 99. Since the race slants forwardly toward one end the coin will then lroll forwardly through the race to the auxiliary race 101 which extends into the tube 102. This tube 102 slants downwardly at approximately 45 passing along the outer side surface of one of the standards 13 as shown in Fig. 2. The tube 102 connects with a second tube 103 carried by the front side 5 of the casing. At the forward end of the second tube 103 casing 5 is provided with a slot 10st through which the coin which is being returned may pass. The return cup 105 is xedly mounted upon the outer surface of the front side 5 of the casing as shown clearly in Fig. 16. This return cup 105 is provided with a slanting bottom 106 which will facilitate the lifting of a return coin therefrom.

When the postcard vending machine is in operation it is necessary to interpose cards between the leaves of each coin receiving cup. Tn order to accomplish this function the clamp 20 of the particular cup is pulled from engagement with the cup and the coin cup supporting` bar thus permitting the particular coin cup to be lifted from between the cleats of the coin cup supporting bar. A. card or a vplurality of cards as desired may be interposed between the leaves at which time the leaves are swung to a substantially horizontal plane as shown in F ig. 4. The cup is then positioned upon the coin cup supporting bar and the clamp 20 replaced so as to hold the cup against accidental displacement. The leaves may then be positioned so as to cause the projection of the lower leaf to rest upon the upper pawl 38 and to bear upon the curved free end 80 of the arin 77 to hold the shutter in an elevated position. This operation is formed in connection with all of the cups and series of leaves Carried within the casing.

It is intended that the front side 5 of the casing be provided with a franie 107 having an inner wall 108 against which guards 109 may be positioned. The glass 110 may then be positioned within the frame 107 being held by the molding 111. A series of cards are positioned within this franie as illustrated in Fig. 1 so that one card will be positioned directly beneath each chute 54. In

this manner the disclosure of a card may he made illustrating the kind of cards which are carried within the casing by the leaves which will be operated by the inserting of acoin in the particular chute 54E beneath which a certain card is illustrated. 1f it is intended to have the machine operated and a series of cards or a single card discharged `by the action of a nickel it is obvious that the space between the flanges 58 of the guide 55 will be suiiicient to cause a coin such as a dirne or a penny to fall between the flanges 58. Although the operating mechanisms are carried beneath the guide 55 their open construction will merely cause the falling coin to rebound therethrough and finally fall upon the slanting trayv 69 and be directed upon the base 1 adjacent the overhanging molding 72 so as to permit the would-be purchaser to receive his returned coin.

l/Vhen the postcards are carried upon the leaves in the manner above mentioned the shutter will be held above the sight opening while the tension of the coiled spring 48 will hold its respective finger in an elevated posi-- tion. The coin switch plate 83 then being in a lowered position as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3, the proper coin will be directed downwardly into the coin slide so as to swing the finger 4-7 for causing the pawls to be reciprocated in the manner above specified. The coin will pass forwardly from. the coin slide through the cap 95 into one of the coin receiving cups. The reciprocation of the pawls may be readily accomplished and these pawls willbe`held so as to be .reciprocated in a horizontal plane by the swinging rods 36. When the leaves lhave fallen and the drop rod 93 is in its lowered position the downward movement of the lever 89 at one end may be limited to prevent this lever from coming into engagement with the strand 33 by the guard yoke 112. This guard yoke 112 fits along the strands 30 as shown in Fig. 17 so as to be held ina bowed condition. As soon as the leaves of the particular series have fallen the drop rod will also fall thereby causing the push'rod 86 to swing the coin switch plate so as to cause any other coin which may be inserted vaccidentally while the rods of this particular' series are in a lowered position'to be directed through the coin return chute, the coin race and the tubes to the return cup upon the front of the casing. The shutter will of course have fallen simultaneous with the movement of the drop rod as this shutter 1s also controlled by the movement of the last leaf.

It should be understood that when one of the coin cups is removed and the leaves thereof are being provided with cards the drop rod of this particular series is lifted so as to be carried by the bracket 113 carried upon the reinforcing rod 114. This bracket 113 is provided with a lateral extension 115 to permit the rod to be extended into this extension 115 and to permit the head 94 of the drop rod to rest upon this extension 115. In this manner the drop rod will be held out of the way for permitting the party who is refilling the machine to easily place the leaves upon the upper pawl and the cup in engagement with the cup supporting bar without interference from this drop rod. As soon as the cup has been iiXed upon the bar by the engagement of the clamp 2() the drop rod is then moved from engagement with the eX'- tension 115 of the bracket 113 and permitted to drop so as to have its lower end fitting upon the upper leaf as illustrated in Fig". 3. rlfhis supporting rod 114 lits upon the fors ward surface of the coin slides and permanently engages the same by being; soldered thereto or otherwise secured whereby since the coin return chutes and the supporting strip 65 are xedly mounted in engagement with the coin slides these elements will all be effectually reinforced by the supporting rod 114 since this rod 1141- is pivotally carried by the props 116 secured to the platform Q9 as illustrated at 117.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very 'efficient postcard vending machine has been provided wherein the leaves are removably carried in a set position by means of the reciprocal pawls these pawls being operated by a very eiiicient coin controlled mechanism. It is however obvious that means has been provided for the return of the coin to a would-be purchaser provided the series of cards of which he desires one has been exhausted, this return mechanism being also edectually operated by the movement of the last leaf when the last card of al series is exhausted. It is also obvious that any number of the operating mechanisms may be employed in connection with each machine since each operating mechanism for each series of leaves is practin cally identical thus permitting any number of mechanisms to be. provided in each casing according to the size of the casing and number of mechanisms desired.

It is not desired to limit the construction of this vending machine to the specific form of the casing or of the operating mechanisms herein shown but it is desired to include all such forms ofthe device as properly come within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of a support, a coin cupcarried by said support. leaves pivotally mounted upon said coin cup, coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in set posie tions, means for directing the coin into engagement with said coin controlled means whereby one leaf may be released at a time and said last mentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said cup.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a support, a coin cup carried by said support, leaves fiXedly mounted upon said cup. coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in.V set positions. means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlled means, said last mentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said cup and means for automatically switching the coin and returning' the same to the purchaser provided all of said leaves have been released.

3. In a. device of the class described, the combination of a plurality ofleaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having lips formed thereon whereby said leaves.

may be retained in spaced positions with respect to each other, pawls carried adjacent said leaves, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls in opposite directions' whereby said pawls may permit one leaf to be released at a time and the spacing of said. leaves permitting said pawls to easily engage each separate leaf.

ile. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, pawls carried by said swinging rods whereby said pawls may swing in. a horizontal plane, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls in opposite directions' whereby said pawls will engage said leaves in such manner as to permit only one leaf to fall at a single operationv 5. In a device of the class described the combination of a support, leaves carried by said support, pawls carried adjacent said leaves, a shaft, a transverse pin carried by said shaft and engaging' said pawls, a second pin extending from said shaft, means for swinging last mentioned pin, 'whereby said first mentioned pin will simultaneously reciprocate said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will successively release said leaves.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of al plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swii'igii'igsrods,

' carrying means pawls carried by said swinging rods, a shaft, a transverse pin carried by said shaft and engaging said pawls, said pin extending through said shaft, means carried by said last 'mentioned pin for swinging the same whereby the first mentioned pin will reciprocate said pawls simultaneously in opposite directions, thereby releasing one leatl at a time.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a card carrying means, means for supporting said card carrying means, pawls carried adjacent said card carrying means, a shaft, a pin carried by said shaft and engaging said pawls, a second pin extending from said shaft, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a linger, said link being connected to said finger, means for normally urging said linger in one direction, means for directing a coin into engagement with said linger, whereby said pawls may be simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions so as to intermittently and partially release said card carrying means.

8. In a device olf the class described, the combination of a card carrying means, coin controlled means engaging said card carrying means, means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlled means, a coin return means, a switch plate carried adjacent said last mentioned means, a lever, a push rod pivotally connected to said lever and bearing upon said switch plate, a drop rod connected to said lever and resting upon said card carrying means, said push rod beinp; adapted to fall when said card has been entirely released, whereby said push rod will swing said switch plate so as to cause a coin to be directed by the switch plate into said return means.

9. In a device of the class described the combination of a plurality of leaves, coin controlled means engaging said leaves for releasably holding the same in set positions, means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlled means, a coin return means carried adjacent said last mentioned means, a switch plate carried adjacent said last mentioned means a push rod engaging said plate, a lever supporting said rod, a drop rod engaging said lever and resting upon said leaves, whereby when all of said leaves have been released said rod will fall so as to swing` said lever, thereby causing said push rod to swing said plate for causing the plate to direct a coin which may then be directed into engagement therewith into said coin return means.

10. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a support, a coin cup cai-,

ried upon said support, means for releasably retaining said coin cup in a set position,- leaves pivotally mounted upon said coin cup whereby said coin cup may be removed so as to permit the leaves to receive articles to be vended, and means for releasably 'retaining said leaves in set positions, whereby said leaves may be released for permitting tlie articles carried thereby to be vended.

1l. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a' bar carried thereby and having cleats formed thereon, a cup positioned between said cleats, said cup having a ianee, a cup fitting upon said clamp and engagingy said bar for releasably holding said cup in a set position, leaves pivotally mounted upon said cup, coin controlled means engaging said leaves for rctaining the same in set positions, means for directing a coin into engagement with saidl last mentioned means, said last mentioned means being adapted to direct the coin into said cup.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a card carrying means, coin controlled means releasably holding said card carrying means in a set position, a slide carried adjacent said coin controlled means, a coin cup, means for carrying a coin into said slide whereby said coin controlled means may be operated, a chute leading from a point adjacent said slide, acoin race extending adjacent said chute and means for automatically directing a coin into said chute to be returned by said race when said card carrying means has been released.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, pawls carried adjacent said leaves, a pin engaging saidA pawls, a second pin extending over` said first mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means forv urging said finger in one direction, means for directing coin into engagement with said finger whereby said'linger will-move so as to simultaneously .reciprocate said pawls thereby successively releasing said leaves.

la. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, pawls carried adjacent said leaves, a pin engaging said pawls, a second pin engaging said first mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means for urging said finger in one direction, a slide, said iinger projecting through said slide, means for directing a coin into said slide whereby said slide will conduct the coin into engagement with said linger thereby causing said finger to move for swinging said pin thereby simultaneouslyl reciprocating said pawls for releasing one of said leaves.

.15., ln adevice of the 'class described, the

iat

combination of a support, a coin receiving means carried by said support, leaves pivotally mounted upon said coin receiving means, coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in set positions, means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlled means whereby one leaf may be released at a time, and said last mentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said coin receiving means.

16. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a coin receiving means carried by said support, leaves Apivotally mounted upon said coin receiving means, coin controlled means releasably retaining said leaves in set positions, means for directing a coin into engagement with said coin controlled means whereby one leaf may be released at a time, said last mentioned means being adapted to direct a coin into said coin receiving means, and means for automatically returning the coin to the purchaser after all ol2 said leaves have been released.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having spaced lips formed thereon whereby articles may be placed between said leaves, swinging rods, pawls carried by said swinging rods whereby said pawls may swing in horizontal planes, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls in opposite irections whereby said pawls will be permitted to engage said leaves by the spacing of said leaves apart and at the same time successively release said leaves.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, said leaves having spaced lips formed thereon whereby articles may be placed between said leaves, swinging rods, pawls carried by said swinging rods whereby said pawls may swing in horizontal planes, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will be permitted to engage said leaves by the spacing of said leaves apart and at the same time successively release said leaves, and means for returning coin to the purchaser after all of said leaves have been released.

19. 1n a device of the class described, the combination oi' a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawl Carried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging saidpawls, a second pin eX- tending from said lirst mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means for urging said finger in one direction, means for directing a coin into engagement with said finger whereby said finger will move so as to simultaneously reciprocate said pawls in a horizontal plane whereby said leaves will be successively released.

20. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawl carried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging said pawls, a second pin eX- tending from said first mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a finger connected to said link, means for urging said ringer in one direction, a chute, said nger projecting through said chute, said chute being adapted to direct a coin into engagement with said inger whereby said linger will move so as to simultaneously reciprocate said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will be successively released.

21. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, means for supporting said leaves, swinging rods, a pawl carried by each said swinging rods, a pin engaging said pawls, a second pin eX- tending Jrom said lirst mentioned pin, a link connected to said last mentioned pin, a nger connected to said link, means for urging said inger in one direction, a chute, said linger projecting through said chute, said chute being adapted to direct a coin into engagement with said inger whereby said linger will move so as to simultaneously reciprocate said pawls in opposite directions whereby said pawls will be successively released, and means for automatically returning the coin to the purchaser after said leaves have been released.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, pawls releasably retaining said leaves in set positions, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls whereby said leaves may be successively released, means for directing a coin into engagement with said last mentioned means, a coin returning means, a

switch plate carried adjacent said last men-v tioned means, a lever, a push rod connected to said lever and bearing upon said switch plate, a drop rod engaging said lever and resting upon said leaves, said drop rod being adapted to fall when said leaves have been released whereby said push rods will swing said switch plate so as to cause the coin to be, directed by said switch plate into said coin receiving means.

23. 1n a device of the class described, the i combination of a plurality of leaves, pawls releasably retaining said leaves in set positions, means for simultaneously reciprocating said pawls whereby said leaves may be successively released, means for directing a coin into engagement with said last mentioned means, a coin returning means, a coin race carried adjacent said last mentioned means, a switch plate carried adjacent saidV last mentioned means, a lever, a push rod pivotally connected to said lever and bearing upon said switch plate, a drop rod connected to said lever and resting upon said leaves, ysaid drop rod being adapted to fall, when said leaves have been released whereby said push rod will swing said switch plate into said coin race t0 be returned to the purchaser,

24. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a bar carried upon said support and having cleats formed thereon, a cup iitting between said cleats and said cup having a flange, a clamp itting upon said cup and flange and carried by said bar for releasably holding said cup in a set position, article carrying means mounted upon said cup, coin controlled means engaging said article carrying means for releasably retaining said article carrying means in set positions, means for directing a coin into engagement with said last mentioned means whereby said article carrying means may be freed so-as to ,bend the articles mounted thereon, and said last mentioned means being adapted to direct the coin into said cup.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiiX my signature.

ALBERT NnLsoN.

Copies et this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. Y

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