Adjustable storage rack for a vending machine

• US 20070158358A1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automated Merchandis
• Original Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems Incorporated (Seaga Manufacturing Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mason, Paul, Sprankle, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/241
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/007 wherein the storage and dispensing mechanism are configurable in relation to the physical or geometrical properties of the articles to be stored or dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/04 in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/08 arranged in two columns in staggered relationship

Abstract

A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising:

at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having

a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and

an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls.

2. A vending machine as in claim 1 wherein the fixed wall is connected to the movable wall by a connecting link pivotally attached to the fixed wall by a first connector and pivotally attached to the movable wall by a second connector.

3. A vending machine as in claim 2 wherein each of the first and second connectors is selected from the group consisting of:

threaded fasteners;

pin and clip fasteners; and

rivets.

4. A vending machine as in claim 1 wherein the storage rack further comprises:

a vending mechanism connected to a connecting link that connects the movable wall to the fixed wall.

5. A vending machine as in claim 1 wherein the adjustment mechanism is connected to the vending machine and to the movable wall.

6. A vending machine as in claim 5 wherein the adjustment mechanism is a turnbuckle.

8. A device as in claim 1 wherein the connecting link comprises at least one bracket fixedly connected to the fixed wall, each bracket including an adjustment link having spaced apart adjustment slots, each constructed and arranged to receive a pin attached to the movable wall.

9. A device as in claim 8 wherein the connecting link comprises four brackets and wherein four pins are used for each movable wall.

10. A vending machine as in claim 1 wherein at least one fixed wall is connected to two movable walls.

11. A device as in claim 1 having adjustment slots positioned to form single and double column stacks of at least one product to be vended.

12. A device as in claim 11 wherein the products to be vended are soda cans and wherein a first adjustment slot is positioned to form a column having a width of about 2.6 inches and wherein a second adjustment slot is positioned to form a two-wide column having a width of about 4.85 inches.

7. A width-adjustable storage rack for a vending machine, the storage rack comprising:

a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and

an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and thereby to vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls.

13. A storage rack for a vending machine, the storage rack comprising:

a fixed wall and two movable walls, each connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link, and

adjustment mechanisms constructed and adapted to position each movable wall relative to the fixed wall and thereby to vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls.

14. A method of adjusting an interior width of a storage rack for a vending machine, the method comprising:

providing a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and

moving the movable wall relative to the fixed wall to vary the interior width between the fixed and movable walls until an appropriate width is reached.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein the vending machine vends bottles of a certain diameter and wherein the appropriate width is one which allows the bottles to be stacked within the rack.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein the appropriate width is one which allows a two-column stack of products within the rack.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein the products are soda cans and wherein the width is approximately 4.85 inches.