US2030525A - Towel vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Feh, H, 1936., H. F. MAYFIELD TOWEL VENDING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l &

Feb, 11, 1936. H. F. MAYFIELD I TOWEL VENDING MACHINE Filed June/26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

My invention relates to vending machines of the towel type.

An important object of the invention is to provide a vending machine of the above mentioned 5 character, which will accurately vend a single towel upon each operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a. vending machine of the above mentioned character which is coin controlled.

10 A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character which is comparatively simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and which will be reliable in operation.

15 Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are 20 employed to. designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine embodying my invention, a part of the casing being regarded as transparent, for the 2 purpose of illustration,

1 Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 2'--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the ejector elements or ejector blocks, 39 Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the 35 ejector blocks and associated elements, parts broken away, and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the plunger.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of 40 my invention, the numeral I designates a vertical casing, having its rear side covered by a hinged door II, which may be held closed by any suitable means. By opening this door access may be had to the interior of the casing for replenishing the towels and the like. The door II is equipped with an opening or window I2, through which the towel may be withdrawn, for use. In its bottom, the casing II] has a compartment I3, for receiving the used towels, which pass therein through the opening I4, as shown.

Disposed in the upper portion of the casing I0 is a horizontal towel holding or supporting rod I5, extending parallel with the door II, when 55' the door is closed. This horizontal rod has one end rigidly attached to a plate or bracket I6, which is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to one side of the casing. The towel supporting rod I5 has its free end terminating near the longitudinal axis of the window I2, and this free end 5 is bent downwardly into a neck I1, having a chain or flexible element I8 attached thereto. The rod I5 is arranged above the window to so support the towels that their lower ends are positioned above the window to prevent the im- 10 proper removal of the forwardmost towel. The chain extends downwardly through the casing I0, preferably in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the window I2 and the lower end of the chain is suitably detachably secured to an anchor element, such as an eye I9, which is attached to the bottom of the casing, the chain or flexible element entering the compartment I3 through the opening I4. The towels 20, preferably formed of cloth or the like, are equipped with grommets or rings 2I, which are adapted to be mounted upon the rod I5, as shown.

Disposed above the rod I5 and arranged near the same in spaced parallel relation, is an ejector element or ejector block carrying rod 22, one end of which is rigidly attached to the plate I6, while the opposite end may be suitably rigidly attached to the opposite side of the casing. Permanently mounted upon the rod 22 are ejector elements or ejector blocks 23, having transverse openings 24 receiving the rod 22, and these openings 24 are slightly larger than the diameter of the rod so that the ejector elements or ejector blocks may turn somewhat upon their transverse axes. Each ejector block or ejector element 23, see more particularly Figures 3 and 6, is provided with a pair of depending spaced fingers 25, having a passage 26 therebetween. The passage 26 receives the rod I5. The pairs of fingers of the several ejector elements or ejector blocks are alternately arranged with respect to the grommets or rings 2I of the towels, as more clearly shown in Figure 6.

Releasable holding means is provided for the ejector elements or ejector blocks, comprising a pair of horizontally arranged leaf springs 21, which are disposed upon opposite sides of the rods I5 and 22 and are equi-distantly spaced horizontally and vertically from these rods. Corresponding ends of the leaf springs 21 are rigidly attached to the plate I6, as shown at 28, while the, free ends of these leaf springs terminate inwardly or rearwardly of and near the down turned neck I! of the rod I5. At. these free ends, the leaf springs 21 are provided with 5 inwardly projecting jaws or extensions 29, which are in advance of and engage with the foremost ejector element or ejector block 23, as it is successively brought to this foremost position. The set of ejector elements or ejector blocks is urged forwardly by compressible coil springs 3|], mounted upon the rear portions of the rods 22 and I5, as shown.

Arranged above the ejector elements or ejector blocks 23, is a vertical tubular plunger guide 3|, rigidly attached at its upper end to a bracket 32, in turn rigidly secured to the top of the casing. This tubular guide receives a vertical reciprocatory plunger 33, carrying spaced heads or cams 34. The heads or cams 34 are provided with upwardly diverging inclined edges 35. The space or passage 36 between the heads is for the reception of the rods 22 and I5. The plunger is provided at its lower end with forward and rear, inclined upwardly diverging faces 31 and 31'. The heads 34 extend downwardly below the faces 3'! and 31 for a substantial distance, as shown. The plunger 33 is also provided with a laterally projecting cam 38 upon the same side with the face 31. The cam 38 operates within a slot 39'. It might be stated at this point when the plunger 33 is moved downwardly, the heads 34 first pass between the forwardmost ejector element 23 and the next rear ejector element 23, and the inclined edges 35 engage and spread the leaf springs 21 so that the jaws 29 release the foremost ejector element 23, shortly before the inclined faces 31 and 31' descend between the two adjacent ejector elements. The inclined faces 31 and 31 spread the adjacent ejector elements, and shift the forwardmost ejector element 23 to the right along its rod 22. The further downward movement of the plunger 33 causes the cam face 38 to contact with the foremost ejector element, which is inclined and shift it sufficiently to the right to cause its depending fingers 25 to move to the right sufliciently to shift the grommet 2| of the foremost towel from the forward end of the rod on to the neck whereby the towel will drop downwardly upon the chain |8.

The plunger 33 is connected with a pin 39, operating through a slot 40 in the housing 3| and this pin projects into an elongated slot 4| formed in a lever 42, which is rigidly secured to a horizontal rock shaft 43, suitably journalled in the upper portion of the casing l0 and extending to the exterior of the casing for connection with a hand lever 44. The arrangement is such that when this hand lever 44 is swung rearwardly or toward the operator, the plunger 33 is moved downwardly. The rock shaft is returned to the normal position by a retractile coil spring 45, attached to one end of a lever 46, also rigidly secured to the rock shaft.

Coin controlled or actuated means is employed to regulate the turning movement of the rock shaft, comprising a coin shute 41, leading to a receptacle or safe 48. This coin shute has a slot 49 formed therein, for the reception of one end of a lever 50, the opposite end of which is pivotally supported at 5|, and this lever is moved upwardly by a retractile coil spring 52. The lever 50 is pivotally connected at 53 with a link 54 which is pivoted at 55 with a dog 56, in turn pivotally supported at 51, upon a bracket 58. The numeral 58' designates a weighted lever which is rigidly mounted upon a rock shaft 59, journalled in a bearing 60 carried by the bracket 58. Rigidly connected with the rock shaft 59' is a crank 6 l, the free end of which has a shoulder 62, to engage behind a shoulder 63 of the dog 56. Disposed upon one side of the dog 56 is a vertically arranged dog 64, pivoted at its upper end, at 65, with a bracket 66. A retractile coil spring 61 is attached to the lower end of the dog 64. The dog 64 has a shoulder 68 to engage over the free end of a latch lever 69, which is rigidly attached to the rock shaft 43. The rock shaft 59 carries a cam 65 rigidly attached thereto and provided with a crank extension 61'. The cam 66 is arranged to engage the lower end of the dog 64, and when the weighted lever 58 drops, the cam 66 will shift the dog 64 from the latch lever 69 so that the shoulder 68 will free the latch lever 69. A link 13 is pivotally connected with the crank extension 61 and is provided at its upper end with a slot 72 to receive a pin 13, carried by the latch lever 69.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

With the several elements of the machine arranged in the starting positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, a suitable coin is inserted into the chute 4? and this coin strikes the outer end of the lever 50, swinging it downwardly andthis lever moves the link 54 downwardly, which in turn swings the dog 56 downwardly. When the dog 55 swings downwardly it disengages the crank 6|, whereby the weighted lever 58 drops to the lowered position. The cam 66' now swings the dog 64 to the right so that the shoulder 68 releases latch lever 63. The rock shaft 43 is now free to be turned and the operator swings the handle 44 rearwardly or toward him. When the rock shaft 43 is thus turned counterclock-wise lever 42 is swung downwardly, causing the plunger 33 to descend. The heads 34 first pass between the forward adjacent ejector elements 23, said heads moving downwardly so'that their inclined edges 35 engage and spread the leaf springs 21. The operation is so timed that the spreading of the leaf springs 2'! will cause the jaws 29 to release the foremost ejector element 23, just prior to the passage of the inclined faces 31 and 31 between the adjacent pair of ejector elements. When these faces engage between the adjacent pair of the ejector elements, such ejector elements are spread, and the foremost ejector element becomes inclined to some extent longitudinally of the rod 22. The further downward movement of the plunger causes the inclined face 31 and the cam 38' to shift the foremost ejector element to the right sufficiently whereby its depending fingers 25 will shift the grommet 2! of the foremost towel from the right end of the rod l5 so that the grommet passes upon the depending neck l1 and the grommet and towel will drop down the chain |8. When this operation is thus completed, the handle 44 is released and the springs return the several elements to their normal starting position, as is obvious. The operator may now insert his hand through the window !2 and withdraw the vended towel to the exterior of the casing, for use. The towel still remains attached to the chain l8, but the chain has sufficient slack so that the towel may be conveniently used. After the towel has been used,

it is inserted inwardly through the window and may be passed through the opening l4 into the collecting compartment I3.

The ejector elements are all shifted upon the forward portion of the rod 22, while all of the grommets and the towels pass from the rod l5. By detaching the chain l8 from the eye IS, the grommets of the soiled towels are separated from the-chain, and the grommets of; theclean towels are applied upon the chain and the chain again attached to the eye. The grommets are again applied tothe rod I5, in alternate relation with the ejector elements 2.3.,

It is to be understood that the form of. my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken asv a preferred, example of the same and that. various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without: departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention whatv I claim is;

I. In a machine for vending towels hayinggrommets, a rod to receive the grommets there on and having a free end, a flexible element connected with. the free end of the rod, a second rodarranged' near the first named rod and extending longitudinally thereof, ejector elements slidably mounted. upon the second named rod to move longitudinally thereof andalternately arranged with relation to the. towels and having parts projecting, between the towels to detachably engage therewith, means to engage with the leading ejector element to normally hold the same against movement toward the free end of the first named rod, and means to actuate the holding means to release the foremost grommet and then shift the leading grommet toward the free end of the first named rod.

2. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the grommets thereon and having a forward free end, a fiexible element connected with the free end, a second rod arranged near the first named rod and extending longitudinally thereof, ejector elements mounted upon the second named rod to move longitudinally thereof and alternately arranged with relation to the towels and having parts projecting between the towels to detachably engage therewith, means to shift all of the ejector elements forwardly upon their rod, releasable means to engage the foremost ejector element to hold the same against forward movement, and means to actuate the holding means so that the foremost ejector element is released and to then shift the foremost ejector element forwardly,

3. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the grommets thereon and having a free end, a flexible element connected with the free end, a second rod arranged near the first named rod and extending longitudinally thereof, ejector elements mounted upon the second named rod to move longitudinally thereof and alternately arranged with relation to the grommets and having parts projecting between the towels, means to shift the ejector elements toward the free end of the grommet receiving rod, a pair of springs disposed upon opposite sides of the ejector elements and provided with inwardly projecting jaws to engage the leading ejector element, a plunger arranged near the jaws and having heads arranged to pass between the leading ejector element and the next ejector element, said heads having inclined surfaces to engage with the springs and spread them so that the jaws release the leading ejector element, said plunger also having an inclined face to engage with the leading ejector element and shift the same toward the free end of the grommet receiving rod.

4. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the; grommets there: on and having a free end, a flexible element con: nected with the free end, a second rod arranged near the first named rod and extending longi, tudinally thereof, ejector elements having openings for receiving the second named rod. and alternately arrangedwith relation to the towels,- the ejector elements having spaced pairs of fingers disposed upon opposite sides of the second rod and projecting. between the grommets, means to shift the ejector elements toward the free. end of the grommet receiving rod, a pair of spaced spring action elements disposed upon. op. posite sides of the ejector elements and having jaws to engage the, leading ejector elementto hold, it against movement toward the free end. of the grommet receiving rod, a plunger'arrangeda near the jaws. and having a pair of spaced downwardly tapering heads to pass between the, leach ing ejector element and the next ejector element; and spread the spring action elements to cause the jaws to release the leading ejector element, said plunger having downwardly converging faces to pass between therleading ejector-elsement and the next ejector element and also having a cam to engage with the leading ejector element and shift the same toward the free end of the grommet receiving rod, and means to move the plunger.

5. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the grommets thereon and having a free end, a flexible element attached to such free end, a second rod arranged near the first named rod and extending longitudinally thereof and projecting beyond the free end for a substantial distance, ejector elements permanently mounted upon the second named rod to move longitudinally thereof and having parts arranged between the towels in alternate relation therewith, and means to engage the leading ejector element to shift the same toward the free end of the grommet receiving rod.

6. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the grommets thereon and having a free end, a flexible element attached to such free end, a second rod arranged near the first named rod and extending longitudinally thereof and projecting beyond the said free end for a substantial distance, ejector elements permanently mounted upon the second named rod and having parts disposed between the towels and alternately arranged with relation to the grommets, means to feed the ejector elements as a unit toward the free end of the grommet receiving rod, releasable holding means to engage with the leading ejector element, a plunger arranged near the leading ejector element having means to actuate the releasable holding means and means to engage the foremost ejector element to shift the same toward (3 ejector elements mounted upon the second named I rod to move longitudinally thereof and having parts arranged between the towels and disposed alternately with relation thereto, a pair of jaws arranged to engage over the opposite edges of the foremost ejector element, means to spread the jaws, and means to shift the foremost ejector element forwardly.

8. In a machine for vending towels having grommets, a rod to receive the grommets thereon, ejector blocks alternately arranged with respect tothe towels and having parts for controlling the advancing movement of the towels, said ejector blocks having openings formed therein, means to advance and guide the ejector blocks as a unit including a rod passing through the openings of the same, a pair of spaced jaws arranged to engage the leading ejector block, and means to spread the jaws to release the leading ejector block.

9. In a machine for vending articles, a guide rod, article holding means having a portion thereof arranged generally parallel with the guide rod and a portion projecting laterally from the guide rod, ejector elements slidably mounted upon the guide rod and alternately arranged with relation to the articles and having parts projecting between the articles, the arrangement being such that when the leading ejector element moves forwardly upon its guide rod the corresponding leading article will move upon the laterally projecting portion of the guide means and will be separated from such ejector element, and releasable means for detachable engagement with the leading ejector element.

10. In a towel vending machine, a guide rod, ejector blocks having openings for receiving the guide rod, each ejector block having a forked end, a towel guiding element having a part arranged generally parallel with the rod and a part extending laterally from the rod, towels having grommets mounted upon the towel guiding element, the ejector blocks corresponding in number to the towels and alternately arranged with relation thereto with their forked ends extending between the towels, the arrangement being such that as each leading ejector block is moved forwardly upon its rod and the leading towel moves upon the laterally projecting portion of the towel guiding element such ejector block and towel are separated, and means for releasing the leading ejector element and holding the next ejector element against forward movement.

HARRY F. MAYFIELD.

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