1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of vending machines and, more particularly, to a self-locking anti-pilfer gate for preventing unauthorized removal of products from a vending machine.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Certain types of vending machines include a glass front that covers a storage/display region. The glass front enables a consumer to view various choices available for selection. After currency is deposited into an appropriate receptacle and a selection is made, the selected product is moved from the storage/display region to a dispensing chamber of the vending machine. Typically, the dispensing chamber is accessed through a product delivery opening provided on a front face portion of the vending machine.
In order to retrieve the selected product, a consumer must access the dispensing chamber. However, in many cases, the dispensing chamber can also be used to gain unauthorized access to the product storage/display region. An individual that does not wish to pay for a product can insert a probe, generally in the form of a wire coat hanger, through the dispensing chamber up into the product storage/display region to withdraw a product without paying. This problem is particularly true in glass front vending machines, as the glass front enables a thief to view, and guide the tool toward a proposed target. Without a barrier to prevent unauthorized access to the product storage/display region, product losses will continue. While there exist several different methods of preventing access to the stored products, many still enable a crafty individual to withdraw products without paying.
Based on the above, there still exists a need in the art for an improved anti-pilfering device for a vending machine. More specifically, there exists a need for an anti-pilfering device for a vending machine that includes a positive latching mechanism that prevents unauthorized access to stored products while, at the same time, enables selected products to efficiently pass from a product storage/display region into a dispensing chamber.
The present invention is directed to a vending machine including a product storage area, a dispensing chamber, a chute zone that interconnects the product storage and dispensing chamber, and an access opening for removing products transferred from the product storage area to the dispensing chamber through the chute zone. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gate assembly including a gate member is movably supported at the chute zone. More specifically, the gate member is movable between a closed position, wherein passage of products between the product storage area and the dispensing chamber and, correspondingly, access to the product storage area from the dispensing chamber, is prevented, and an open position, wherein passage of products between the product storage area and the dispensing chamber is permitted.
In further accordance with the present invention, the gate assembly preferably includes a frame member arranged at the chute zone and secured to a wall of the vending machine. The frame member includes a peripheral rim having a first edge portion, a second edge portion and a peripheral wall that defines a passage extending between the product storage area and the dispensing chamber. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the frame member includes a plurality of tab members that snap-fittingly attached the frame member to a wall of the vending machine. The gate member is pivotally mounted to and, preferably, positioned entirely within the frame member when in the closed position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the gate assembly includes a latch element that engages with the peripheral wall of the frame member. The latch element locks the gate member in the closed position to prevent unauthorized access to the product storage area through the dispensing chamber. Preferably, the latch element is operatively connected to a trigger plate that is movably secured to the gate member. The trigger plate is biased away from the gate member through a spring element. With this construction, a product that is guided from the product storage area abuts the trigger plate, causing the latch element to disengage from the frame member. Once the latch element is disengaged, the gate member is free to shift from the closed position to the open position, allowing the product to transition into the dispensing chamber through the chute zone. Once the product passes into the dispensing chamber, a second spring element causes the gate member to return to the closed position, with the latch element re-engaging with the frame member.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
With initial reference to
In a manner known in the art, vending machine 2 includes a door 30 that extends across and selectively closes product storage/display zone 20. Door 30 is provided with a transparent zone or window 31 that enables a consumer to view various products available for selection in vending machine 2. Toward that end, a plurality of shelves 34-38 are arranged within product storage/display zone 20 so as to hold products in escrow prior to being selected by a consumer. As shown, shelves 34-38 are filled with a plurality of product containers, such as bottles 40 and cans 42. Once selected by a consumer, a product container 40 or 42 is transported to control/product delivery zone 22 by a product delivery system 48. In accordance with the embodiment shown, product delivery system 48 is vertically movable between adjacent bottom wall 7 and top wall 6 of cabinet 4 in front of shelves 34-38. Thus, depending upon the particular shelf 34-38 upon which the selected product container 40, 42 resides, product delivery system 48 moves to a required vertical position so as to receive the selected product container 40, 42. Once product delivery system 48 is adjacent the requisite shelf 34-38, a dispensing system (not shown) moves the selected product container 40, 42 onto product delivery system 48. At this point, product delivery system 48 shifts to a delivery position whereupon a conveyor belt 49, provided as part of product delivery system 48, carries the selected product container 40, 42 to an opening 52 formed in divider wall 18.
As further shown by way of example in
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to
In further accordance with the embodiment shown, gate member 128 is shiftable between a closed position, as shown in
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With this overall construction, once a product container 40, 42 is transported onto product delivery system 48, conveyor belt 49 carries product container 40, 42 toward opening 52. As the selected product container 40, 42 reaches opening 52, the selected product container 40, 42 abuts or engages trigger plate 130, causing latch members 210, 211 to deflect or disengage from frame member 123 in order to allow gate member 128 to open. At this point, the selected product container 40, 42 is transported through product opening 144 and guided through chute zone 190 into product dispensing chamber 80 so that a consumer can reach into access opening 82 and withdraw the selected product. After the selected product container 40, 42 passes into chute 190, gate member 128 automatically shifts back to the closed position under the biasing force of torsion spring 185, with latch members 210, 211 projecting into openings 220 and re-engaging with frame member 123. In any event, incorporating gate assembly 120 in opening 52 will prevent unauthorized access to products arranged on shelves 34-38 while, at the same time, enables products to be effectively transported from product storage/display zone 20 into product dispensing chamber 80.
Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, the particular location of gate assembly 120 as presented is but one example. Other examples could include other vertical locations on divider wall 18 or in a lower portion of vending machine 2. Also, it should be noted that, while vending machine 2 includes a conveyorized delivery system, other types of product delivery systems could also be employed. In addition, it should be understood that front end 170 of gate member 128 could be hingedly connected directly to divider wall 18. With this modification, divider wall 18 actually defines the discussed frame member and would include the required structure to directly support gate assembly 120. Furthermore, trigger plate 130 may be formed by other structure, such as one or more fingers or rods, rather than by the plate shown. Finally, it should be realized that latch members 210 and 211 could take various forms, while being integrally formed with or separate from trigger plate 130. For instance, latch members 210 and 211 could be spring biased relative to trigger plate 130, while still performing the desired latch and release functions described above. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited to the scope of the following claims.