Abstract:
A satellite vending machine having a tier of manually operated ejectors for dispensing a selection of packaged articles from storage magazines therein to expand the capacity of a parent vending machine is installed on top of the parent and utilizes the coin-actuated totalizer unit and associated mechanism of the parent and provides a linkage to its own heavy duty mechanism responsive to the latch positions in the parent as pilferage protection. The dual pricing capability of the parent is extended to the satellite by a linkage from the ejectors of the magazines having the higher priced articles in the satellite to the latch mechanism of the parent to lock both parent and satellite latch mechanisms when a higher priced ejector in the satellite is pulled with the deposit of coins sufficient only for the lower priced articles. When a proper amount of coins is deposited, a mutual lockout function between satellite and parent locks the ejectors in the parent when an ejector in the satellite is operated and vice versa.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an article dispensing satellite vending machine which has no coin slots for coin deposits or coin operated mechanism but which is capable of being interconnected with another vending machine having a coin mechanism and an article dispensing mechanism which may dispense articles other than those dispensed by the satellite unit. The satellite machine includes a frame housed in a cabinet which is attached to the cabinet of the other vending machine, an article storing assembly being carried on the frame for storing articles to be dispensed. Ejectors are provided in the satellite unit for ejecting articles from compartments in the assembly, the ejectors in the satellite vending machine being interconnected with the coin mechanism in the other machine for enabling movement of the ejectors in the satellite machine under control of the coin mechanism in the other machine and for clearing the coin mechanism incident to movement of the ejectors whereby to dispense articles from the satellite unit as a function of coin deposit in the other machine. The satellite vending machine is adapted for interconnection with electrically, mechanically or electromechanically operated vending machines.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a locking mechanism for interlocking two units, which is tamper proof and which requires locking the otherwise accessible parts of one of the units before the other can be locked, and in which locking the other unit automatically locks the one unit.