Patent Application
20190257120
The present invention relates to a locking system specifically found on bulk vending machines. Bulk vending machines are typically designed with a clear hopper to display the merchandise for sale. The hopper sits atop a base mechanism that accepts payment and dispenses the product after payment is accepted. A dome sits atop the clear hopper to enable product to be refilled or replaced. A keyed lock is placed within a centrally formed cavity of the dome. On the rear end of the lock are threads. One end of the hopper rod is affixed to the base mechanism so that is positioned in the center of the hopper and aligns with the rear end of the lock inside the dome. The hopper rod is retained in the mechanism so it cannot rotate. When the proper key is presented to the lock and rotated, the stator section of the lock remains held in place by the shape of the dome and the rotor lock component turns and the threads of the lock and engage the hopper rod. During the securing of the dome the key will need to rotate approximate four complete revolutions before the dome will fit snugly on the hopper. Likewise, the unlocking function will require approximately four complete revolutions to allow the dome to be removed.
Bulk vending machines are usually placed in groups vending a variety of items in each location. The service person needs to open and close each machine when refilling, collecting payments, or servicing the units. This requires a lot of time and the repetitive motion places a strain on the person performing the services.
Prior art shows complicated solutions to allow the machines to be opened and closed with less time and effort. They have been shown to not be economically feasible or operationally practical and the industry continues to use the standard method. The standard method involves rod and lock threads that are ¼″−20 tpi-single lead.
One embodiment provides a lock and hopper rod with matching multiple thread leads to significantly reduce the number of complete revolutions required for either opening or closing the dome. For example, threads with double leads will require only half the number of revolutions. Quad lead threads will require only one revolution.
A second embodiment provides a solution to the many machines already placed in service. An additional adaptor component is configured to fit between the existing lock assembly and hopper rod. The adaptor component would attach to an existing hopper rod using the standard thread at one end with the opposite end having a multiple lead thread. The multiple lead thread end would be a larger diameter thread than the existing hopper rod. The thread in the rear of the lock would then be tapped to the new multiple thread configuration that matched the adaptor. This method would allow existing machines and locks to be converted and not need replacement.
Briefly stated, a locking system for a bulk vending machine, in one embodiment, employs a lock which comprises a stator and a rotor having a female thread. The lock is openable by a key. A hopper rod has a male thread threadably engageable with the rotor thread. The female thread and the male thread are multiple lead threads. In one embodiment, the female thread and the male thread are quad D threads.
A locking system for a bulk vending machine, in another embodiment comprises a lock openable by a key with a stator and a rotor having a female thread. A hopper rod has a male thread. An adaptor connects the rotor and the hopper rod. The adaptor has an external thread engageable with the female thread and an internal thread engageable with the hopper rod thread. The rotor female thread has a multiple lead thread and the external thread is a multiple lead thread engageable with the female thread or the internal thread has a multiple lead thread and the male thread is a multiple lead thread engageable with the adaptor internal multiple lead thread.
The rotor female thread and the external adaptor thread are each a multiple lead thread. The rotor female thread and the external adaptor thread are each a quad lead thread in one embodiment. The adaptor internal thread and the hopper rod thread are each a single lead thread in one embodiment. The rotor female thread and the adaptor exterior thread are each a single lead thread, and the adaptor interior thread and the hopper rod male thread are each a multiple lead thread. The adaptor female thread and the hopper rod thread are each a quad thread lead in one preferred embodiment.
A method for improving the lock system of a bulk vending machine comprises implementing a threaded engagement which connects a lock rotor and a hopper rod via a multiple lead male thread and a multiple lead female thread engagement. The method further comprises inserting an adaptor between the lock rotor and the hopper rod. The method further comprises forming a multiple lead thread in the lock rotor. In one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises tapping a multiple lead thread on the hopper rod.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, an improved locking system has particular application in connection with a bulk vending machine V of a type such as represented in
A dome D typically is disposed on top of the hopper and is removable to allow the hopper to be refilled or, in some instances, replaced. A key lock L is placed within a centrally formed cavity of the dome D and ultimately connects via a hopper rod R which, in turn, is affixed to the base B to lock the dome D to the base B. The hopper rod R is retained in the mechanism M so that it typically cannot rotate.
The proper key (not illustrated in
Three embodiments of an improved locking system are disclosed. One locking system embodiment is illustrated in
With reference to
When an unsecured lock is placed in a dome, it will first make contact with the top of the hopper rod. 3. A lock assembly 2 is generally comprised of a stator 6 and a rotor 7. As a properly coded key 1 is rotated within the lock assembly 2, the rotor 7 will correspondingly move to engage the rotor female threads 8 and the male threads 4 on the top of the hopper rod 3. The hopper rod 3 is fixed in place on its base by male threads on the bottom of the hopper rod 11. The engagement of the rotor threads 8 and the hopper rod threads 4 functions to draw the lock onto the fixed hopper rod 3. When the key is turned sufficiently, the shoulder of the lock assembly 10 will compress into the dome and create a tight seal. The thread of the rotor and top thread of the hopper rod being configured with a multiple lead will cause the lock assembly to draw down into the dome with less revolutions that using a single lead thread.
For illustration purposes, the thread of the rotor 8 is shown with four leads 9. A dual lead thread or other multiple lead thread is possible. The threads of lock rotors will be configured to match the multiple leads of the hopper rod. Custom taps can be made to fit this requirement.
With reference to
The thread in the rotor of the lock must be reconfigured to accommodate the multiple leads of the adaptor. This involves drilling the existing lock threads to accommodate a new multiple lead tap.
With reference to
It is possible that for some embodiments, the male/female multiple thread configurations on the rotor and the hopper rod and/or adaptors could be reversed in relation to the previously described embodiment.
While preferred embodiments of the foregoing locking system have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
