Vending machine for video cassettes

• US 4,734,005 A
• Filed: 11/06/1986
• Issued: 03/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marvin Blumberg
• Original Assignee: Marvin Blumberg
• Inventors: Blumberg, Marvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Application Number:
  US06/927,585
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 414/268, 414/269, 414/273, 414/276, 414/277, 414/331, 414/280-283, 414/659-663, 414/417, 221/87-89, 221/129, 221/132, 221/195, 198/346.2, 198/468.1, 198/740
• US Class Current: 414/273
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0421 with control for stacker crane operations
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0435 with pulling or pushing means on either stacking crane or stacking area
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/069 by box-like containers, e.g. videocassettes, books
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/225 wherein the disks are transferred from a fixed magazine to a fixed playing unit using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 194/906 Video cassette vendor

Abstract

A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine. The machine includes an array of storage bins arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of the horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of the bins. A carriage is mounted for movement relative to the bins for transporting a container between a first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to one of the bins. A controllable arm is mounted to the carriage for movement therewith between the first and second machine positions and for movement relative to the carriage along a horizontal path transverse to the horizontal passages, the controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces. A control device is responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of the bins for moving the carriage between the first and second positions and for moving the controllable arm along the horizontal path at the second position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into the one bin, the first vertical surface of the controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin and into the carriage, and the second vertical surface being disposed for pushing a returned container from the carriage into the one bin.

Claims

1. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, each bin having a bottom for supporting a container, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) carriage means mounted for movement relative to said bins for transporting a container between a first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second machine position corresponding to one of said bins, said carriage means including a bottom platform with a free end adjacent said array and an opposite end pivotally attached to said carriage means for pivoting about a horizontal axis so that the height of said free end can be selectively adjusted to be above or below the bottom of said one bin depending on whether a container is being inserted into or withdrawn from said one bin, respectively;

(c) a controllable arm mounted to said carriage means for movement therewith between said first and second machine positions and for movement relative to said carriage means along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages, said controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces; and

(d) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said bins for moving said carriage means between said first and second machine positions and for moving said controllable arm along said horizontal path at said second machine position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into said one bin, the first vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin and into said carriage means when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container from said carriage means into said one bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path.

2. Machine according to claim 1, and further including actuating means connected to said platform near said free end for controllably pivoting said free end about said opposite end.

3. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said horizontal rows of bins are spaced apart in the vertical direction so that when the cassettes are in said bins there is sufficient space between the tops of the cassettes in one row and the bottoms of the bins in the horizontal row immediately thereabove to define a horizontal passage which has a height smaller than the height of the first vertical surface of said controllable arm, and further including means defining a horizontal channel between said rows of bins at the end of said bins remote from said carriage which has sufficient height to accommodate horizontal movement of said first vertical surface.

4. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said carriage means further comprises lateral adjustment means for laterally adjusting the position of a container within said carriage means to a predetermined lateral position.

5. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said lateral adjustment means includes two side walls, at least one of which is displaceable relative to the other.

6. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said lateral adjustment means includes two controllably movable side walls which can be controlled to adjust the width of the space between said side walls.

7. Machine according to claim 6, wherein said two side walls each have one end remote from said bins and a free end adjacent said bins which is pivotable about said one end for adjusting a spread between said two walls at their free ends.

8. Machine according to claim 7, wherein said lateral adjustment means includes actuating means connected to each side wall near its said free end for controllably pivoting such side wall about said one end.

9. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) carriage means mounted for movement relative to said bins for transporting a container between first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second machine position corresponding to one of said bins;

(c) a controllable arm mounted to said carriage means for movement therewith between said first and second machine positions and for movement relative to said carriage means along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages, said controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces;

(d) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said bins for moving said carriage means between said first and second machine positions and for moving said controllable arm along said horizontal path at said second machine position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into said one bin, the first vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin and into said carriage means when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container from said carriage means into said one bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path, said control means including a first piston means connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm back and forth along said horizontal path and a second piston means connected to said second vertical surface for moving said second vertical surface relative to said controllable arm along said horizontal path, wherein when a cassette is pushed from said carriage means into a said one bin, the cassette moves a distance along said horizontal path which corresponds to the combined strokes of said first and second piston means in the direction towards said one bin.

10. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) carriage means mounted for movement relative to said bins for transporting a container between a first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second machine position corresponding to one of said bins;

(c) a controllable arm mounted to said carriage means for movement therewith between said first and second machine positions and for movement relative to said carriage means along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages, said controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces;

(d) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said bins for moving said carriage means between said first and second machine positions and for moving said controllable arm along said horizontal path at said second machine position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into said one bin, the first vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin and into said carriage means when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container from said carriage means into said one bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path, said control means including pivoting means;

(e) a machine frame having an opening at said first machine position through which a cassette can pass; and

(f) a base plate disposed at said first machine position for supporting a cassette received through said opening or from said carriage means, said base plate having one end remote from said carriage means and pivotally connected to said machine frame and a free end adjacent to said carriage means which is pivotable about said one end, said pivoting means selectively pivoting said base plate in a first position downwardly inclined toward said opening, a second position which is horizontal, and a third position which is upwardly inclined toward said opening.

11. Machine according to claim 10, and further comprising an abutment fixed to said machine frame to serve as a stop for a cassette supported on said base plate when said base plate when is in said third position.

12. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:

(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;

(b) carriage means mounted for movement relative to said bins for transporting a container between a first machine position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second machine position corresponding to one of said bins;

(c) a controllable arm mounted to said carriage means for movement therewith between said first and second machine positions and for movement relative to said carriage means along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages, said controllable arm presenting first and second vertical surfaces;

(d) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said bins for moving said carriage means between said first and second machine positions and for moving said controllable arm along said horizontal path at said second machine position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into said one bin, the first vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin and into said carriage means when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container from said carriage means into said one bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path, said control means including pivoting means;

(e) a machine frame having an opening at said first machine position through which a cassette can pass; and

(f) a base plate disposed at said first machine position for supporting a cassette received through said opening or from said carriage means, said base plate having one end remote from said carriage means and pivotally connected to said machine frame and a free end adjacent to said carriage means which is pivotable about said one end, said pivoting means selectively pivoting said base plate between a horizontal position and a position inclined toward said opening.