Theft deterrent can dispenser

• US 8,397,922 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2011
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David E. Burbrink, Robert C. Best, William Henry Kahl
• Original Assignee: David E. Burbrink, Robert C. Best, William Henry Kahl
• Inventors: Kahl, William Henry, Best, Robert C, Burbrink, David E
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODDEN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US13/159,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20110240569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/135, 211/59.4, 211/51, 211/59.3, 211/175, 211/184, 221/303, 221/311, 221/107, 221/130, 221/266, 221/114, 221/116, 221/123, 221/124, 221/125, 221/247, 221/251, 221/255, 221/256, 221/279, 221/280, 312/303, 312/323, 312/315, 312/35, 312/61, 312/71, 312/72, 312/216, 312/217, 312/221, 108/60, 108/61
• US Class Current: 211/59.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/285 Show stands having fixation means, e.g. hanging means, slidable fixations, frictional retaining means, theft prevention

Abstract

A theft deterrent dispensing unit particularly for use with cans includes a conveyor section that leads to a dispensing head. A shroud extends over the forward edge of the conveying section. The dispensing head pivots downwardly allowing the leading can to be grasped without interference of the shroud. The rear edge of the dispensing head pivots upwardly, preventing the next adjacent can from moving immediately into the dispensing head until the dispensing head rotates back to a closed position. Likewise, when the dispensing head is rotated to an open position, a barrier is pulled down from the top of the shroud, again preventing an individual from reaching in and grabbing the next adjacent can. A locking mechanism is positioned on the side of the dispensing units to prevent two adjacent dispensing units from being opened at the same time. Finally, the speed at which the dispensing heads move from an open to a closed position is regulated to prevent rapid removal of cans from a single dispensing unit.

Claims

1. A plurality of dispensers for dispensing cans positioned side by side on a shelf, each of said dispensers including

a conveyor section and a dispensing head pivotally attached to a forward section of said conveyor section;

and

a locking member extending below each said dispensing head, each said locking member having a member which pivots laterally when one of said dispensing heads is pivoted to an open position thereby preventing another one of said dispensing heads of an adjacent one of said dispensers from pivoting to an open position and wherein the dispensing head of each of said dispensers has first and second posts below a base of said dispensing head wherein one of said posts forces one of said members to pivot laterally when said head unit is in an open position and wherein said members pivot beneath posts of adjacent ones of said dispensers preventing said dispensing heads of said adjacent ones of dispensers from pivoting to an open position.

2. The plurality of dispensers claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of dispensers includes a shroud extending over a forward portion of said conveyor section and a stop member pivotally connected to said shroud member and further connected to said dispensing head by a linking mechanism whereby moving said dispensing head to an open position causes said stop member to extend downwardly preventing access to a next adjacent can.

3. The plurality of dispensers claimed in claim 1 wherein the base of the dispensing head of each of said dispensers has a rear edge which raises above a plane of said conveyor section when said dispensing head is pivoted to said open position thereby preventing cans from sliding from said conveyor section to said dispensing head when said dispensing head is pivoted to said open position.

4. The plurality of dispensers claimed in claim 1 wherein the dispensing head of each of said dispensers is spring biased to be in a closed position.

5. The plurality of dispensers claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said dispensing heads of each of said dispensers is attached to a speed regulator.