Access panel for a vending machine face

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6230426
  • Patent Number
    6,230,426
  • Date Filed
    Friday, June 19, 1998
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 15, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A vending machine includes a vending machine face having an access panel therein for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face. The access panel is movable from a closed position prohibiting access to the graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to the graphics piece for removal of the graphics piece. The access panel allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the access panel in the closed position. The access panel is openable by using a special key or tool which is different from the key used to open the vending machine door. This allows the vending machine owner to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece without having to worry about the security of the money inside the vault area by giving that person only the special key to the access panel instead of a key to the vending machine door. Without the special key, the graphics piece is securely held in the vending machine face to prevent theft of the graphics piece. The access panel may be incorporated into the exterior trim of the face, such as the upper trim piece.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a vending machine face having an access panel therein for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face. The access panel allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door.




DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART




With today's vending machines, one or more graphics pieces are provided in a particular arrangement to form the face of the vending machine. These graphics pieces may be designed to attract attention to the vending machine, or may be utilized to promote a particular item. These graphics pieces may become damaged over time, or the item being promoted may change. Thus, it becomes necessary to change one or more of the graphics pieces in order to change the appearance of the vending machine.




In order to prevent theft of the graphics pieces in existing vending machines, the faces of the vending machines are designed so that the graphics pieces are not readily removable from the exterior of the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to open the vending machine door in order to obtain access to the interior of the door for the purpose of changing one or more of the graphics pieces from the inside of the door. Thus, the interior contents of the vending machine are accessible to the person changing the graphics piece, including the vault containing money therein. Accordingly, only certain trusted people can be authorized to perform the task of changing the graphics pieces because of security issues with respect to the contents of the vending machine.




There is a need in the art for a vending machine having a face including at least one graphics piece, whereby the graphics piece may be changed without opening the vending machine door. This would allow the owner of the vending machine to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece without having to worry about the security of the money inside the vault area by giving that person access only to the graphics piece instead of a key to the vending machine door.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a vending machine face having an access panel therein for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vending machine face having an access panel therein which allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which someone may perform the task of changing the graphics piece without having access to the interior contents of the vending machine.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine having increased security for any money located inside the vault area of the vending machine.




These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a vending machine having an access panel located in the face for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face. The access panel allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door. The access panel may be incorporated into the exterior trim of the face. The access panel is openable by using a special key or tool which is different from the key used to open the vending machine door. This allows the owner to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece without having to worry about the security of the money inside the vault area by giving that person only the special key to the access panel instead of a key to the vending machine door. Without the special key, the graphics piece would be securely held in the vending machine face to prevent theft of the graphics piece.




Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a vending machine which may incorporate an access panel of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a partial perspective view of the vending machine of the present invention showing the access panel in a top trim piece;





FIG. 3

is a partial perspective view of the vending machine of the present invention showing the graphics piece being inserted into its track;





FIG. 4

is a partial perspective view of an alternative graphics piece which includes a video screen;





FIG. 5

is a front exploded perspective view of the face trim for the vending machine of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of a locking mechanism for one of the trim pieces for the vending machine of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is an enlarged side view of an upper trim access panel in a closed position;





FIG. 8

is an enlarged side view of the upper trim access panel in an open position;





FIG. 9

is an enlarged side view of a locking bar for locking the upper trim access panel;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view showing a clip for attaching the trim pieces to the frame of the vending machine of the present invention, with the clip being inserted into a slot in the frame;





FIG. 11

is a perspective view showing the clip of

FIG. 10

, with the clip being inserted into a trim piece;





FIG. 12

is a side view showing the clip of

FIGS. 10 and 11

in an installed position joining together the trim piece to the frame;





FIG. 13

is a perspective view, partially exploded, of an alternative embodiment showing access panels in the upper trim piece and the side trim piece, both in an open position;





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 13

showing the access panel of the upper trim piece in a closed position;





FIG. 15

is an enlarged side view of an alternative embodiment of the upper trim piece in a closed position;





FIG. 16

is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the access panel showing the access panel in a side of the vending machine face;





FIG. 17

is a partial perspective view a vending machine of the present invention showing an access panel in the front face thereof;





FIG. 18

is a front exploded perspective view of a third embodiment showing a clip for attaching the trim piece to the vending machine of the present invention and showing an opening tool;





FIG. 19

is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 18

showing the clip on the flange;





FIG. 20

is a bottom perspective view similar to

FIG. 19

showing the trim piece in an installed position;





FIG. 21

is a end view of the opening tool and trim piece of the third embodiment;





FIG. 22

is a view similar to

FIG. 21

showing the opening tool inserted in the trim piece opening;





FIG. 23

is a cross-sectional view of

FIG. 22

taken along line XXIII—XXIII;





FIG. 24

is a front perspective view showing the trim piece removed from the clip; and





FIG. 25

is a bottom perspective view of FIG.


24


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




As used herein, like reference numerals have been used to designate similar components throughout the various embodiments.




Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to

FIG. 1

, a first embodiment of the vending machine


10


is shown. The vending machine


10


includes a cabinet


12


with a rectangular top wall


14


, a bottom wall


16


, opposing right and left side walls


18


,


20


, a back wall


22


, and a front face


24


. The front face


24


of the vending machine


10


shown in

FIG. 1

forms a door


26


which is pivotally attached to the cabinet


12


at the left side thereof. The door


26


is movable between a closed position where access to the interior contents of the vending machine


10


is prohibited, and an open position which provides access to the interior of the vending machine


10


. When the door


26


is open, a service person may restock the vending machine


10


with articles to be dispensed, such as beverage cans. Further, the service person may access the money box


28


or perform repair work on the vending machine


10


.




A lock


30


is provided on the vending machine door


26


to lock the door to the cabinet


12


in a closed position. When the door


26


is locked in the closed position, access to the money box


28


and the interior of the machine is prohibited. The door


26


further contains a transaction area


32


which may include a bill validator


34


and a coin slot


36


. The door


26


further includes a delivery port


38


near the bottom of the door


26


which provides a discharge opening from the vending machine


10


. Beverages or other items can easily be dispensed through the delivery port


38


. The height of this port


38


and its position on the door


26


of the vending machine


10


can be varied. For example, the delivery port


38


can be located closer to the top or bottom of the door


26


or could be located in the center part or on the left side of the door


26


.




It should be understood that while the first embodiment shows the door


26


as forming the front face


24


, with the door


26


including the above-described elements, these elements of the face


24


of the vending machine


10


may be formed on a portion of the vending machine


10


other than the door


26


. Further, the door


26


does not necessarily form the front face


24


of the vending machine


10


. For example, the door


26


may be formed as part of one of the side walls


18


,


20


or the rear wall


22


of the vending machine


10


.




The face


24


of the vending machine


10


includes a central column


40


and a plurality of graphics pieces


42


,


44


. The graphics pieces


42


,


44


may be illuminated from behind, and may include product identifying indicia thereon. The embodiment of

FIG. 1

shows a first larger graphics piece


42


located on the left side of the face


24


of the vending machine


10


, and a second smaller graphics piece


44


located in the upper right portion of the face


24


of the vending machine


10


. The vending machine


10


of the first embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

has a contoured or undulating face


24


. However, vending faces which are generally flat or have other curved configurations may be utilized with the present invention.




Turning now to

FIG. 2

, a first embodiment of an access panel


46


is shown for providing access to the graphics piece


44


for purposes of changing the graphics piece


44


. While the following discussion specifically refers to the graphics piece


44


, it is to be understood that the same discussion would apply to the graphics piece


42


, or any graphics piece located in or on the face


24


of the vending machine


10


.




The access panel


46


is provided in the vending machine face


24


, and is movable from a closed position prohibiting access to the graphics piece


44


, to an open position permitting access to the graphics piece


44


in order to remove the graphics piece


44


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, the access panel


46


is located in the upper exterior trim piece


48


of the face


24


. When the access panel


46


is in a closed position shown in solid lines, a plurality of locking fasteners


50


are provided to secure the access panel


46


in the closed position. The locking fasteners


50


may comprise a plurality of screws having an odd-shaped aperture therein such that only insertion of an appropriately shaped tool or key will permit the locking fasteners


50


to be removed. Alternatively, the locking fasteners


50


may comprise locks similar to the embodiment shown in

FIG. 16

, which will be discussed in more detail later. While three locking fasteners


50


are shown, any number of fasteners


50


could be used.




When the access panel


46


is moved to the open position shown in dashed lines in

FIG. 2

, the graphics piece


44


may be removed by vertically sliding the graphics piece


44


out of a pair of channels


52


, shown in

FIG. 3

, which receive side edges of the graphics piece


44


. As shown in

FIG. 3

, the graphics piece


44


is located behind a transparent window


54


which protects the graphics piece


44


from damage. The transparent window


54


is generally thicker than the graphics piece


44


in order to protect the window


54


and the graphics piece


44


from damage from impacts and the like. Of course this transparent window


54


could be omitted and the graphics piece


44


would be directly exposed to the ambient environment.




The graphics piece


44


may be formed of a very thin plastic material which can even be rolled up for storage purposes before placing the graphics piece


44


in the vending machine face


24


. An example of the graphics piece


44


is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,225, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.




As shown in the first embodiment of

FIG. 2

, the access panel


46


is openable even if the main vending machine door


26


is in a closed position. It is simply necessary to open a piece of the trim (access panel


46


). Therefore, it is possible for a service person to change the graphics piece


44


without obtaining access to the money box


28


located within the interior of the vending machine


10


which is only accessible by unlocking the main vending machine door


26


.




Turning now to

FIG. 4

, an alternative example of the graphics piece


44


is shown. In

FIG. 4

, the graphics piece


44


comprises an interactive touch screen or video display unit


56


which can display, for example, a map. In this embodiment, the top of the graphics piece


44


is designed to be larger than the opening


58


provided by the access panel


46


such that access to the video display unit


56


is not possible even if the access panel


46


is opened. Only by opening the main vending machine door


26


is access to the video display unit


56


possible. Thus, the access panel


46


provides a mechanism whereby relatively inexpensive graphics pieces, such as graphics piece


44


, may be changed by merely opening the access panel


46


, and where relatively expensive pieces, such as the video display unit


56


, may be designed such that they cannot be removed through the access panel


46


.




An important aspect in the security of a graphics piece


44


is making the access panel


46


as inconspicuous as possible. For example, in the first embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

, the locking fasteners


50


are located on the top of the trim piece


48


which is out of sight of the casual vandal which may attempt to open the access panel


46


for removal of the graphics piece


44


.




To further disguise the access panel


46


, a second embodiment is shown in

FIG. 5

, wherein the access panel


46


comprises most or all of the entire top trim piece of the vending machine as opposed to comprising a door-like portion as part of the upper exterior trim piece


48


. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 5

, a plurality of trim pieces are shown. The number and arrangement of the trim pieces may vary according to the desired look and arrangement of the face


24


of the vending machine


10


. In

FIG. 5

, there is shown a left vertical trim piece


60


, a right vertical trim piece


62


, and a center column


64


. Further, a lower horizontal trim piece


66


, a middle horizontal trim piece


68


, and an upper horizontal trim piece


70


are shown. In this embodiment, the upper horizontal trim piece


70


comprises the access panel


46


. A locking mechanism


72


is arranged at the junction between the right vertical trim piece


62


and the upper horizontal trim piece


70


. A rear view of the locking mechanism


72


is shown in FIG.


6


. The locking mechanism


72


includes a rotatable locking element


74


for fastening the locking mechanism


72


to the face


24


of the vending machine


10


.




Enlarged side views of the upper horizontal trim piece


70


forming the access panel


46


are shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

.

FIG. 7

shows the access panel


46


in a closed position, and

FIG. 8

shows the access panel


46


in an open position whereby the graphics piece


44


may be removed. As shown in

FIG. 7

, the upper horizontal trim piece


70


comprises a first portion


76


which is attachable to a frame


77


of the vending machine


10


, and a second portion


78


visible from the exterior of the vending machine


10


which is pivotally attached to the first portion


76


by a compressible hinge


80


. The compressible hinge


80


permits pivotable motion of the first portion


76


with respect to the second portion


78


, and further provides limited linear movement of the second portion


78


with respect to the first portion


76


in a downward direction as viewed in FIG.


7


. The graphics piece


44


is receivable in a space


81


located between the first portion


76


and the second portion


78


.




The first and second portions


76


,


78


include first and second locking hooks


82


,


84


, respectively, which are matingly engageable together as shown in FIG.


7


. When the locking hooks


82


,


84


are matingly engaged together, the second portion


78


is prevented from being pulled away from the first portion


76


, for example, by a vandal attempting to forcibly open the access panel


46


.




In order to prevent the second portion


78


of the access panel


46


from being compressed downwardly, a locking bar


86


shown in

FIG. 9

is inserted into a gap


88


located between the second locking hook


84


and the first portion


76


. The locking bar


86


is shown in an installed position in FIG.


5


. The locking bar


86


extends across the entire width of the access panel


46


to prevent any portion of the access panel


46


from being compressed downwardly to disengage the matingly engaged locking hooks


82


,


84


. Of course, this bar


86


would be shortened such that it extends only across a majority of the width of the access panel. In fact, the length of the bar needed merely needs to be sufficient to prevent compression of the access panel


46


and therefore, this bar could extend over less than a majority of the access panel's width.




Upon removal of the locking mechanism


72


as shown in

FIG. 5

, a service person may slide the locking bar


86


out of the gap


88


by pulling the locking bar


86


rightwardly as viewed in FIG.


5


. Thereafter, the service person may compress the second portion


78


of the upper trim piece


70


downwardly to disengage the locking hooks


82


,


84


, and thereafter may pivot the second portion


78


outwardly and upwardly into a position as shown in FIG.


8


. Thereafter, the graphics piece


44


may be removed in the manner described above with respect to

FIGS. 2 and 3

.




It is conceivable that an alternative locking bar may be provided which is located between the top of the first locking hook


82


and the second portion


78


, ie., located adjacent to the compressible hinge


80


, which would prevent the second portion


78


from being moved downwardly as viewed in

FIG. 7

to disengage the locking hooks


82


,


84


.




As shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, the first portion


76


includes a plurality of fastening elements


90


for fastening the first portion


76


to the frame


77


of the face


24


. Further, the second portion


78


includes a projecting member


92


to assist in retaining the graphics piece


44


in place when the access panel


46


is in a closed position as shown in FIG.


7


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 10-12

, a clip


94


for fastening the trim pieces


60


-


70


to the frame


77


of the face


24


is shown. While the following discussion specifically refers to the upper trim piece


70


, it is to be understood that the same discussion would apply to the remaining trim pieces


60


-


68


, or any trim piece located on the face


24


of the vending machine


10


.




The clip


94


comprises a first portion


96


attachable to the upper trim piece


70


, and a second portion


98


attachable to the frame


77


. The second portion


98


includes a pair of projections


100


which are receivable in corresponding apertures


102


in the frame


77


for securing the clip member


94


to the frame


77


. The clip member


94


is attached to the upper trim piece


70


as shown in FIG.


11


. The clip member


94


is thereafter insertable into the frame


77


as shown in

FIG. 10

until the pair of projections


100


are received in the apertures


102


. At that time, the upper trim piece


70


is attached to the frame


77


as shown in FIG.


12


. Thus, no special tools are required to attach the trim pieces


60


-


70


to the frame


77


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 13 and 14

, an alternative configuration of the access panel


46


is shown. As shown in

FIGS. 13 and 14

, an access panel


46


may be provided in both the upper trim piece


70


and the right trim piece


62


. The construction of the trim pieces


62


,


70


is similar to the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

.




An alternative form of locking mechanism


73


is shown in FIG.


13


. The locking mechanism


73


of

FIG. 13

includes a unitary locking member


104


having the locking bar


106


integral therewith. Although the locking bar


106


shown in

FIG. 13

is shown as being relatively short, the locking bar


106


preferably extends filly across the width of the access panel


46


. Alternatively, a pair of locking mechanisms


73


may be provided on each side of the access panel


46


at the corners thereof in order to prevent the access panel


46


from being compressed and thereafter pivoted so that the graphics piece


44


could be removed.




In the embodiment of

FIG. 13

, because an additional access panel


46


is provided on the right vertical trim piece


62


, additional locking bars


108


are provided on the locking mechanism


73


to prevent the vertical access panel


46


from being compressed leftwardly to disengage the locking hooks


82


,


84


.




An enlarged side view of a similar access panel


46


is shown in FIG.


15


. In the embodiment of

FIG. 15

, a bar-like projection


110


is provided on the second portion


78


of the access panel


46


which engages a corresponding recess


112


in the graphics piece


44


to hold the graphics piece


44


in place. The first portion


76


is shaped slightly differently for attachment to an alternatively configured frame


77


of the vending machine face


24


. The embodiment of

FIG. 15

also includes the compressible hinge


80


and operates in the same manner as the previous embodiments.




Although not shown in

FIG. 15

, a locking bar would be provided in the space


114


between a depending lug


116


of the second portion


78


and a shoulder


118


of the first portion


76


in order to prevent the locking hooks


82


,


84


from becoming disengaged from one another, and to thereby prevent the compressible hinge


80


from being compressed.




Yet another embodiment of the access panel is shown in FIG.


16


. The access panel


46


is provided in the frame


77


of the face


24


. The frame


77


includes an elongated aperture


120


in a wall


122


thereof. The access panel


46


is pivotally mounted to the frame


77


by a pair of spaced-apart pivots


124


. The access panel


46


is movable from a closed position as shown in

FIG. 16

where the access panel


46


blocks the elongated aperture


120


, to an open position where the access panel


46


does not block the elongated aperture


120


, and a service person may access a graphics piece


44


through the elongated aperture


120


. A locking mechanism


126


is provided which includes a rotatable lug


128


which, when rotated to the position shown in

FIG. 16

, prevents the access panel


46


from opening due to the engagement of the lug


128


with a locking plate carrier


130


. A key and lock arrangement can be used, for example, to lock the access panel


46


in a closed position.





FIG. 17

shows a further embodiment of the access panel


46


wherein the access panel


46


is provided in a horizontal middle trim piece


140


of the vending machine face


24


. In the embodiment of

FIG. 17

, the access panel


46


is formed as a flip-down panel


142


. When the flip-down panel


142


is open, the graphics piece


44


can be slid or otherwise removed from the face


24


. A plurality of key locks or special fasteners


144


are provided to lock the access panel


46


in the closed position. While three separate locks


144


are shown in

FIG. 17

, any number or placement of locks


144


can be utilized.




Turning now to

FIGS. 18-25

, a third embodiment of the access panel is shown. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism


72


in

FIG. 5

is replaced by an end cap


150


. Similarly to the embodiment of FIG.


5


and as shown in

FIG. 10

, this third embodiment has a frame


77


. The frame


77


is attached to the vending machine. A pivotable clip


95


is provided and as shown in

FIG. 19

is received in opening


154


of frame


77


. The clip


95


can be pivotably attached to frame member


77


or some other member of the frame of the vending machine. It is contemplated that this clip


95


will pivot such that the projections


156


will move in and out of the opening


154


of frame


77


as will be described in more detail below.




The end cap


150


conforms to the shape of the left or right vertical trim pieces


60


or


62


, for example. As noted above, the locking mechanism


72


can be replaced with this end cap


150


. In order to move the trim pieces to an open position, this end cap


150


can be removed similarly to the locking mechanism


72


in order to permit removal of a locking bar


86


. The end cap


150


has a curved rear end which conforms with the shape of the vertical trim pieces


60


,


62


, to therefore blend in with the face of the vending machine. This helps to keep the means for accessing the graphics hidden.




In order to mount the end cap


150


onto the vending machine face, it is longitudinally slid such that slots


158


will slide over projections


160


. These projections


160


are part of the vending machine frame


77


. As seen from

FIGS. 18

,


19


and


20


, the interfitting of pieces


150


,


77


and


95


is shown. While the clip


95


is shown as a separate piece from the frame member


77


, these two pieces can be pivotably connected or this clip


95


can be connect to another portion of the vending machine frame. When the end cap


150


is slid onto the projections


160


of the frame


77


, the tab


95


will have its projections


156


engaged in cavity


162


on the underside of the end cap


150


. This effectively locks the end cap


150


on the vending machine frame


77


. If someone were to attempt to pull the end cap


150


from the vending machine frame, the raised projections


156


would engage the walls of cavity


162


and prevent this removal. While not shown, the clip


95


can be biased upwardly to ensure engagement of the projections


156


in the cavity


162


. For example, a spring or other biasing means could be used for urging the clip


95


in this direction.




When it is desired to remove a graphics piece from the face of the vending machine, an opening tool


152


can be inserted in slot


164


in the end of the cap


150


. After insertion, the opening tool


152


can be rotated 90° as shown in FIG.


22


. This will cause the end


166


of the opening tool


152


to engage the top of the spring biased clip


95


as shown in FIG.


23


. This engagement will overcome the force of the spring or other biasing means and move the projections


156


of the clip


95


out of the cavity


162


. The end piece


150


can then be slid from the frame


77


. Thereafter, the vertical trim pieces can be moved to an open position in order to release the graphics piece.





FIGS. 24 and 25

show the removal of the end piece


150


. The end


166


of the opening tool


152


is shown projecting from the cavity


162


in FIG.


25


. While a key-type opening tool


152


has been used, it is contemplated that any suitable tool can be used. For example, a specially shaped screwdriver or an Allen wrench could be used in order to detach the clip


95


from engagement with the end cap


150


. Upon removal of the end cap


150


, the locking bar can be withdrawn from the trim piece which will thereafter be opened.




With the access panels


46


shown in the present invention, the graphics pieces


42


,


44


can be slid or otherwise removed from the vending machine face


24


without the need for opening the main vending machine door


26


. Therefore, a service person could open the access panel


46


to access the graphics piece


44


and change the graphics piece


44


without opening the vending machine door


26


. This would allow the owner of the vending machine


10


to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece


44


without having to worry about the security of the money inside of the money box


28


or the security of the product in the vending machine


10


. The person could have a key which would only give limited access to the panel


46


instead of a key to the lock


30


of the vending machine door


26


. Without the key or special tool, however, the graphics piece


44


would be securely held in the face


24


to prevent theft or vandalism of the graphics piece


44


.




The graphics pieces


42


,


44


can be thermoformed panels of clear material having appropriate graphics thereon. A light box (not shown) can be included in the face


24


behind the graphics piece


44


, or can be omitted. With this vending machine face


24


, it is easy to switch from one promotion to another by simply and easily changing the graphics pieces


42


,


44


. The vending machine


10


will clearly communicate to the consumer what item is being dispensed or promoted at that particular time. Therefore, the appearance of the vending machine


10


can be completely changed very easily without risking the security of the money or products inside of the money box.




It should be understood that the key or special tool which opens the access panel


46


will not fit the lock


30


which opens the main vending machine door


26


. However, it is contemplated that the key which fits the main vending machine door


26


may additionally fit the locks


50


,


72


,


104


,


126


,


144


of the access panels


46


such that a fully authorized person may access both the main vending machine door


26


and the access panel


46


with the same key. Thus, the key would act as a master key for the authorized service person, while non-master-type keys could be distributed to persons only authorized to change to graphics pieces


42


,


44


.




The exterior trim pieces


48


,


60


-


70


are preferably formed of a thermoformed plastic. However, any suitable material, such as metal, may be utilized. Further, while a compressible hinge


80


is shown in each of the embodiments, it is conceived that a standard-type pivoting hinge may be utilized which additionally includes a slidable portion which permits the limited linear movement of the second portion


78


of the access panel


46


with respect to the first portion


76


. With regard to the matingly engageable locking hooks


82


,


84


, these locking hooks


82


,


84


extend across the entire width of the access panel


46


. However, it is conceivable that a plurality of spaced-apart individual locking hooks


82


,


84


may be utilized instead. Although the access panel


46


in the embodiments shown herein is relatively flat with square edges, any desired shape of the access panel


46


may be utilized, such as a curved shape similar to the exterior trim pieces


60


,


62


which form the vertical sides of the vending machine face


24


.




The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A vending machine face having at least one graphics piece therein, said vending machine face comprising:a movable door that provides access to an interior of a vending machine, the door having a first exterior surface, the first exterior surface having a transaction area including at least one product selection button, the door also having a second exterior surface, the second exterior surface being formed by an outwardly facing side of at least one side wall extending substantially perpendicular to a periphery of the first exterior surface; and an access panel provided in said door and forming at least a portion of at least one of the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, said access panel being movable, relative to the door, from a closed position prohibiting access to such a graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to such a graphics piece for removal thereof.
  • 2. The vending machine face as recited in claim 1, wherein said vending machine face includes at least one exterior trim piece, said access panel being located in said trim piece.
  • 3. The vending machine face as recited in claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pivotable clip and an end cap, the end cap having generally a same configuration as the at least one trim piece, the end cap further having an interior cavity and the clip having at least one projection received in the interior cavity of the end cap when the access panel is locked, the at least one projection being movable out of the interior cavity upon pivoting of the clip to thereby release the end cap for opening of the access panel.
  • 4. The vending machine face as recited in claim 1, wherein said access panel comprises an exterior trim piece of said vending machine face.
  • 5. The vending machine face as recited in claim 1, wherein said vending machine face further includes a frame and at least one exterior trim piece, and a clip member for attaching said trim piece to said frame.
  • 6. The vending machine face as recited in claim 5, wherein said clip member comprises a first portion attachable to said trim piece, and a second potion attachable to said frame, said second portion having a pair of projections receivable in corresponding apertures in said frame for securing said clip member to said frame.
  • 7. The vending machine face as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least one fastening element provided on the at least one trim piece, the at least one fastening element connecting the at least one trim piece to the clip member.
  • 8. The vending machine face as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one fastening element comprises a plurality of fastening elements, the clip member having a plurality of apertures with each of the apertures of the clip member receiving one of the fastening elements of the at least one trim piece whereby the trim piece is clipped onto the clip member to thereby attach the at least one trim piece to the clip member.
  • 9. The vending machine face as recited in claim 5, wherein the exterior trim piece is a top trim piece located at a top of said vending machine face.
  • 10. The vending machine face of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the access panel in the closed position.
  • 11. A vending machine face having at least one graphics piece therein, said vending machine face comprising:an access panel provided in said vending machine face, said access panel being movable from a closed position prohibiting access to such a graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to such a graphics piece for removal thereof, and a frame, wherein said access panel further includes: a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being attachable to said frame; and a compressible hinge interconnecting said first portion to said second portion, said compressible hinge permitting pivotal movement and limited linear movement of said second portion with respect to said first portion.
  • 12. The vending machine face as recited in claim 11, wherein said graphics piece is receivable in a space between said first portion and said second portion.
  • 13. The vending machine face as recited in claim 11, wherein said first and second portions include first and second matingly engageable locking hooks, respectively, which, when matingly engaged together, prevent said second portion from being pulled away from said first portion.
  • 14. The vending machine face as recited in claim 13, wherein said compressible hinge permits said limited linear movement of said second portion with respect to said first portion to allow said first locking hook to disengage said second locking hook, thereby permitting said second portion to pivotally move with respect to said first portion.
  • 15. The vending machine face as recited in claim 14, further comprising a locking mechanism including a locking bar insertable into a gap between said first portion and said second portion for prohibiting said linear movement of said second portion with respect to said first portion, to thereby prohibit said first locking hook from disengaging said second locking hook.
  • 16. A method of changing a graphics piece in a face of a vending machine, the vending machine having a main door movable between an open position permitting access to an interior of the vending machine, and a closed position prohibiting access to the interior of the vending machine, said door including a lock for locking said door in said closed position, said face including a graphics piece receiving area and an access panel, the access panel being movable from a closed position prohibiting access to the graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to the graphics piece for removal thereof, and a locking mechanism for locking said access panel in said closed position, said method comprising the steps of:maintaining the vending machine door in a closed and locked position while performing the steps of: unlocking said locking mechanism of the access panel; opening the access panel; selectively removing or inserting a graphics piece out of or into the graphics piece receiving area; closing the access panel; and locking the locking mechanism of the access panel.
  • 17. A vending machine face in combination with a vending machine cabinet, the vending machine face having at least one graphics piece therein, the vending machine face comprising:a door that provides access to an interior of the vending machine cabinet, the door being movable from a first position prohibiting access to the interior of the vending machine cabinet to a second position permitting access to the interior of the vending machine cabinet, and an access panel provided in the vending machine face, the access panel being movable, relative to the door, from a closed position prohibiting access to the graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to the graphics piece for removal thereof; wherein the access panel is movable from the closed position to the open position while the door is in the first position.
  • 18. The vending machine face as recited in claim 17, wherein said vending machine face further includes a frame, said access panel being provided in said frame.
  • 19. The vending machine face as recited in claim 15, wherein said frame includes an elongated aperture therein, said access panel being pivotally mounted to said frame for movement from a closed position where said access panel blocks said aperture, to an open position where said access panel does not block said aperture.
  • 20. The vending machine face as recited in claim 17, wherein said locking mechanism includes a plurality of spaced-apart fasteners interconnecting said access panel to said vending machine face.
  • 21. The vending machine face of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the access panel in the closed position.
  • 22. A vending machine including a vending machine face having at least one graphics piece therein, the vending machine face comprising:a movable door that provides access to an interior of the vending machine, the door having a first surface facing the interior of the vending machine, an opposite second surface facing outwardly from the vending machine, and four outwardly-facing peripheral surfaces surrounding the first and second surfaces; and an access panel provided in at least one of the second surface and four outwardly- facing peripheral surfaces, the access panel being movable, relative to the door, from a closed position prohibiting access to the graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to the graphics piece for removal thereof.
  • 23. The vending machine of claim 22, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the access panel in the closed position.
  • 24. A vending machine as recited in claim 23, wherein the door is movable between an open and a closed position, said door including a lock for locking said door in said closed position.
  • 25. The vending machine as recited in claim 24, wherein said vending machine includes a money box which is not accessible when said door is in said closed position.
  • 26. The vending machine as recited in claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism is accessible when said door is in said closed position.
  • 27. A vending machine face having at least one graphics piece therein, said vending machine face comprising:a movable door including at least one of a transaction area and a product delivery port; an access panel provided in said vending machine face, said access panel being movable, relative to the door, from a closed position prohibiting access to such a graphics piece, to an open position permitting access to such a graphics piece for removal thereof; a plurality of trim pieces the access panel including one of the plurality of trim pieces; and a second access panel including another of the plurality of trim pieces.
  • 28. The vending machine of claim 27, further comprising at least one of a first locking mechanism for locking the access panel in the closed position and a second locking mechanism for locking the second access panel in the closed position.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/845,376, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,876, filed on Apr. 24, 1997, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

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Number Name Date Kind
3803738 Weiss Apr 1974
4326620 Felix et al. Apr 1982
4516343 Stilling May 1985
4940160 Williams Jul 1990
5255968 Craven Oct 1993
5465774 Smith Nov 1995
5471794 Nishioka Dec 1995
5488656 DeArkland Jan 1996
5505333 Shibazaki et al. Apr 1996
5509225 Minh et al. Apr 1996
5598655 McGarrah Feb 1997
5680721 Hine, Jr. Oct 1997
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/845376 Apr 1997 US
Child 09/100096 US