Automated product delivery apparatus for retailing products to a vehicle occupant

• US 6,253,956 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Momentex LLC
• Original Assignee: Momentex LLC
• Inventors: Khan, Zafar, Chadwick, Melissa
• Primary Examiner(s): Noland, Kenneth W.
• Application Number:
  US09/374,424
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 221/211, 221/278, 186/52, 186/53, 186/55, 406/1, 406/2, 406/3
• US Class Current: 221/211
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/16 Delivery means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus

Abstract

For automated retail product delivery to drivers, a retractable apparatus linked to a retail product dispenser brings the dispensed retain products within reach of the drivers. The apparatus delivers the retail products to vehicle occupants while they are seated in the vehicle. It may be activated electrically or pneumatically or mechanically by the weight of the retail product itself.

Claims

1. An automated delivery apparatus that enables an occupant of a vehicle to collect retail products without exiting the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a product dispenser having a product exit passage;

a vehicle service location spaced adjacent to the dispenser, and

delivery means associated with the dispenser for delivering a product exiting said passage to a vehicle stopped at said service location, said delivery means including a chute having a proximal end and a distal end, a 2-axis pivot joint connecting the proximal end of the chute to said dispenser adjacent to said passage so that the chute can swing from a retracted position wherein said distal end is located next to said dispenser and an extended position wherein said chute extends outwardly and downwardly from said dispenser toward said service location, said joint allowing horizontal swinging motion of the extended chute so that the chute can withstand impacts with a vehicle at the service location and means for maintaining said chute in said positions.

2. An automated delivery apparatus that enables an occupant of a vehicle to collect retail products without exiting the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a product dispenser having a product exit passage;

a vehicle service location spaced adjacent to the dispenser, and

delivery means associated with the dispenser for delivering a product exiting said passage to a vehicle stopped at said service location, said delivery means including a chute having a proximal end and a distal end, hinge means connecting the proximal end of the chute to said dispenser adjacent to said exit passage so that the chute can swing from a retracted position wherein said distal end is located next to said dispenser and an extended position wherein said chute extends outwardly and downwardly from said dispenser toward said service location, and means for maintaining said chute in said positions, said maintaining means including means for biasing said arm to said retracted position, said arm being moved to said extended position by the weight of a product at the distal end of the chute.

3. An automated delivery apparatus that enables an occupant of a vehicle to collect retail products without exiting the vehicle, said apparatus comprising;

a product dispenser having a product exit passage;

a vehicle service location spaced adjacent to the dispenser, and

delivery means associated with the dispenser for delivering a product exiting said passage to a vehicle stopped at said service location, said delivery means including a chute having a proximal end and a distal end, hinge means consisting of a 2-axis pivot joint connecting the proximal end of the chute to said dispenser adjacent to said exit passage so that the chute can swing from a retracted position wherein said distal end is located next to said dispenser and an extended position wherein said chute extends outwardly and downwardly from said dispenser toward said service location, and means for maintaining said chute in said positions, said maintaining means including first means for biasing said chute to said retracted position, and second means for biasing said chute so that it extends perpendicular from said dispenser in the X-Y plane.