US3406803A - Multi-price coin changer having a dual denomination payout - Google Patents

Description

1968 E. B. OFFUTT ETAL 3, ,8 3

MULTI-PRICE COIN CHANGER HAVING A DUAL DENOMINATION PAYOUT Filed Jan. 23, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS f/mefl Brad/6y Offuff Leo/74rd 5/520 Och 1968 E. B. OFFUTT ETAL 3, v

MULTI-PRICE COIN CHANGER HAVING A DUAL DENOMINATION PAYOUT Filed Jan. 25, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L INVENTORS @ch 1968 a. B. OFFUITT ETAL. 3,

MULTI-PRICE COIN CHANGER HAVING A DUAL DENOMINATION PAYOUT Filed Jan. 23, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 w INVENTOR5 Oct. 22, 1968 E. B. OFFUTT ETAL 3,406,803

MULTIPRICE COIN CHANGER HAVING A DUAL DENOMINATION PAYOUT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 23, 1967 I5, 20, 25 PRICES I62 A Q A62 /50a lg Z26 r-P f w my 4 M/ Z, Z m4 through the closed circuit or circuits.

' 3,406,803 p f 'MULTI-PRICE COIN CHANGER HAVING DENOMINATION PAYOUT Elmer Bradley Offutt, Independence, and Leonard Bieri, Lees Summit, Mo., assignors to,The Vendo Company, Kansas "City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri u Filed Jan. 23. 1 967, Ser. No. 611,047 .10 Claims. (01. 194-52) A DUAL AB STR ACT F THE DISCLOSURE if], A mult'i-price coin'changer foran article vending 'machine is provided with nickel'land' dime changepayout tubes and associated payout mechanism which is "initiated by an electrical payout command when a deposit'exceeds printed circuit configuration having a'number of normally open circuits representing a range of'deposit'values greater than the minimum article price, such circuits being divided into a first group for initiating nickel payout and a second group for initiating dime payout. When a deposit is made,

United State 1 03.,

the price of 'thearticle. The' command 'isdeliveredby'a In periods of price fluctuation the prices of articles dispensed by vendinggmachines must'be adjusted accordingly in order to meet the demands of competition and assure that: the operator of the machines vwill :make a fair profit.

-The introduction .of multi-price icoin changeryhas 'provided-a means-by which the price of the articles vended by a particular machine maybe reset at the machine site.

.Howeveryfor true -flexibility and operator appeal, it is requisite-that such changers :be capableof adjustment by the'op-erator to set the priceat the desired amount, without the use of special'tools or thepresence" or maintenance personnel. Additionally, multi-price changerswhich .only return change coins-of asingle denomination suffer from alack-of change capacity,thus 'requiring more frequent operator attentioncThe commercial advantageobtainable through the use of multi-price changerspis .mani- I test, in that an operator is permitted to offer vending machines selling a variety of articles-at different prices and the stock of replacement coin mechanisms required is decreased by reducing mechanism obsolescence in periods 7 whichmay be programmed for operation at a; selected price through the selection of electrical connections made to change payoutcontrol circuitry. I

.Another important object is to. provide-payout control circuitry as aforesaid having a number of payout initiating circuits representing a plurality of deposit values, the circuitsbeing divided into a group for initiating payout of a coin of onedenomination and another group torinitiat- 3,406,803 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 ing payout of. a coin-of the other denomination, to the end that change ofeither or both denominations may be returned to. the customergdepending upon theditference between. the amount of the deposit and the price of the article to be .vended. j v I 1 Still another important object is toprovide a depositresponsive means for conditioning appropriate; payout circuits for delivery of a payout command to the coin disp'ensing mechanism of the changer,-and to effect, delivery ofthe command to the coin-dispensing mechanism by the appropriate, condition'edcircuit when the .coin denomination represented by the-.circuitequals the difference be tween the amount of the; deposit and theprice of the articlef I i .f In the drawings: r '11. .FIGURE 1 is a front view of a portion-0f a coin changerand acceptor; l-

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the. same portion of. thechangelg, certain parts of the housing being broken away; to reveal internal components;- FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the changer; FIG. 4 is .a top plan view of the coin slide mechanism per se; FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5..-5

of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail of the coin slide drive springs; I FIG. 7 is a detail similar to FIG. 6 showing a vertical section through the mounting post and associated support plate, the drive springs being removed;

FIGS. 8-13 are diagrammatic illustrations showing the operation of the coin-actuated totalizer rotorescapement; and z FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic diagram showing electrical control apparatus including the circuitry which delivers the payoutcommand to the solenoids of the payout mechanism. 1' v A coin changer and acceptor. 10 is shownfragmentarily in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a conventional acceptor jrnechanisrn 'and a coin-totalizer which are utilized inconjunction with the change payout apparatus of the instant invention. A nickel coin payout tube 12 and a dime coin payout tube 14 (FIG. 1) are disposed adjacent the bottom "of the structure, a'hickel track within the acceptor mech; anism being represented by two broken lines 16 and 18 and a dime track by two broken lines 20 and 22. A portion of a quarter track is illustrated by broken lines 24. and 26. 7 The acceptor mechanism directs nickels and dimes into the upper ends of coin tubes 12 and 14 respectivelyrinserr tionot a nickel causing momentary actuation of a coin feeler 28, insertion of a dime momentarily actuating a coin feeler 30', while deposit of a quarter similarly actuates a coin feeler 32. Feelers 28, 30 and32 project into respective coin tracks and form a part of a totalizer escapemen arrangement 34' to bedescribed hereinaften.

A nickel payout solenoid 36 is, mounted above a dime payout solenoid 38 located in the lower left-hand corner of the housing of changer 10 as viewed in FIG. 2. Solenoid 36 has an armature 40 spring-biased toward the normal position. thereof shown, armature 40 being pivot'ally joined to an upstanding arm 42h'aving a horizontally ex: tending latch element 44 integrally formed at its lower extremity. Similarly, solenoid 38 has an armautre 46 spring-biased toward the normal position thereo f illustrated, armature 46 being pivotallyjoined to an L-shaped member 48 having a horizontal leg presenting a second latch element 50 disposed below element 44. A pivot pin 52 at the apex of member 48 mounts the latter for swinging movement in a vertical plane; likewise, a pin 54 at the lower extremity of arm 42 mounts the latter and element 44 for swinging movement in a vertical plane.

Coin-tubes 12 and 14 are positioned in registration with a air of openings"(notshowh") in ahoriz'ontal"portion56 of the changer housing casting which extends between a sidewall 58 and a partition60 (FIG. 1) of the changer housing. In FIG. 4, the plan view of the mechanism there illustrated is taken in a plane substantially coplanar with portion 56, the latter being removed to reveal a main plate 62 of generally rectangular configuration which is mounted beneath portion 56 in closely spaced relationshi thereto, as may be seen in FIG. 1. Plate 62 is provided with an upright post 64 (note FIG. 7) which "extends above'and 'below the plate and isslotted at its extrer'nities to receive'one end of each of two fiat, helical springs 66 and 68. Spring 66 is disposed above plate 62 and is coiled about the upper portion of post 64, spring 68 being coiled about the lower portion'of post 64. i g i A generally sector-shaped slide plate 70 is disposed in overlying relationship to main plate 62 and is mountedfor oscillatory movement about the upright axis defined by 'p6st 64. Slide plate 70 is provided with an L-shaped projection 72 extending therefrom adjacent spring 66, the outer end'of the spring being secured to projection 72 as is clear in FIG. 4. I I

An elongated, nickel discharge link 74 has 'a slot 76 in one extremity thereof, a pin through slot 76 connecting link 74 to projection 72. The other extremity of link 74 is pivotally joined to -a crank component 77. Plate 70 is provided with a circular, nickel opening 78 which, when the plate is in its normal position illustrated in the figures, registers with the lower end of nickel tube 12 (FIG. 3).

A second generally sector-shaped slide plate 80 is disposed 'beneath main plate 62 for oscillatory movement about the upright axis defined by post 64, plate 80 being provided with a projection 82 joined to one end of an elongated, dime discharge link 84 by a pin extending through a slot 85in link 84. The opposite end of link 84 is pivotally joined to a crank component 86. The outer end of spring 68 is secured to a down-turned tab 87 integral .with slide plate 80 (FIG. 3). Main plate 62 has an oblong opening 88 therein shown in partial registration with nickel opening 78 in plate 70, and also has a circular opening 90 therein normally disposed in registration with a circular, dime opening 92 in slide plate 80 (FIG. The lower end of dime tube 14 is registered with opening 90 as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 5, an arcuate cutout 94 in the overlying edge of plate 70 providing clearance for the lower end of tube 14.

A pair of rearwardly extending latch dogs 96 and 98 are integral with projections 72 and 82 respectively, and are received in slots 100 and 102 of corresponding latch elements 44 and 50. Slots 100 and 102 are notched at 104 and 106 (FIG. 2) so that each latch element presents a shoulder that prevents substantial movement of the associated dog under the action of spring 66 or 68 unless the corresponding solenoid 36 or 38 is energized. Although dogs 96 and 98, shown in their normal positions, are slightly displaced from the shoulders formed by notches 104 and 106, it should be understood that, during operation of the mechanism, each dog shifts into engagement with the associated shoulder and is held thereby unless the corresponding payout solenoid 36 or 38 is energized.

Crank component 77 is integral with a hub 108, the crank component 86 being held rigid with component 77 by a screw 110 threaded into component 77 and extend,- ing along the axis of the pivotal connection of link 74 and component 77. Interengaging complemental parts (not shown) of components 77 and 86 provide a journal for link 74 and key the components together when screw 110 istightened in place. The axes of the pivotal connections of links 74 and 84 are eccentric with respect to the axis of hub 108 and diametrically opposed, as is clear by a comparison of FIGS. 3 and -5. Hub 108 is secured to the lower end of an upright shaft 120 driven by an electric motor 122 through a speed reducer 124 (FIG. 2).

The base of the changer housing is formed in part by a bottprn plate 126 (FIG 3), a pair of screw s threaded into portion 5 6 being utilized to secure bottom plate 126 in place with main plate 62 sandwiched between plate 126 and portion 56. Plate 126 has a depending, integral flange 130 along its front edge which provides :a supporting base in cooperation withanintegrally formed flange 132a, 13212,,1320 that defines the remainder of the peripheryof .the housing: at-the bottom =thereof. A nickel dischargeopening 134 is provided in bottom plate 126 jnr'egistration withaportion ofoblong opening 88 in main plate 62; Discharge opening 134 is defined by an arcuate, internal edge of plate 126 and a straight, internal edge thereof, the straight edge being defined by an elongated, transversely depending, integral rib 136. Opening 134 eifectively extends beyond' rib 136 by virtue of a recessed ledge 138 having its top surface spaced below main plate 62, only the underside of, ledge 138 being visible in FIG. 3. r

r In FIG-.5, it may be seen that a chute 140 isintegrally formed in .lower plate 126and communicates a dime opening'142 in an insert plate 144 with a discharge opening 146 at the bottom of thechute. Opening 92 moves into registration with opening 142 when slide plate 80 is shifted todischarge adime from dime tube 14;

Exemplary electrical vend control apparatus is illustrated in the lower half of FIG. 14. Three push button operated, article selector switches 150, 152 and 154 are each provided with two sets of normally open contacts designated 150a and 150b for switch 150,152a and 152k for switch 152, and 154a and '154b for switch 154. Three vend solenoids 156, 158 and 160 are operated by-respec- ,tive selectorswitches 150154 in a manner to be described.

Line voltage is supplied at terminals 162 and 164.

A credit relay has a relay coil 166 and a pair of normally open relayswitches 168 and 170. Switch 168 controls the energization of a push button lock solenoid 172 which, when energized, maintains any depressed push button of selector switches 150 154 mechanically lockedin until de-energization of relay coil 166 of the credit relay. A conventional mechanical interlock (not shown) is utilized to prevent more than one push button from being depressed at any one time.

-An electromechanical totalizer is shown schematically in the upper half of FIG. 14, together with payout control circuitry, the nickel and dime payout solenoids 36 and 38, and motor 122, the latter being provided with a cam controlled carry-over switch 174 of'the single-pole, double-throw type. The totalizer includes escapement 34 and a rotor 180 (FIG. 2) controlled by escapement 34 having a wiper 182 illustrated in FIG. 14. A printed circuit board 175 (FIG. 2) is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG.- 14 and has a credit section 176 containing five conductive segments contacted by wiper 182, the latter being shown in standby in contact with the longest of the segments. 1

Rotor 180 is also provided with a pair of wipers 184 and 186 which are associated with a change section 178 of the printed circuit configuration. Section 178 contains a number of conductive strips arranged in a pattern electrically equivalent to the pattern illustrated in FIG. 14.

The 0', 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 indicia associated with each wiper represent the steps or increments through which the wipers aremovable as a unit in response to a coin deposit of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25. Programming leads 188, 190 and 192 are selectively connectable to the associated terminals designated by numerical priceindicia The. above-mentioned totalizer escapement 34 responsive to coin feelers 28, 30 and 32 effects movement of rotor 180, and hence wipers 182-186, a number of steps or increments corresponding to the deposit 'made by'the customer which, in the instant example, would be from 543 to a maximum of 25.

Rotor 180 (FIG. 2) is supported adjacent its lower end by a bracket 206 which carries a pivot pin 208 that mounts the rotor for limited swinging movement about by a customer.

the axis ofpin 208. A rotorreturn cam 21 is driven by shaft 120 through a pair of meshed gears 212, cam 210 having a lobe which is engageable with a lateral projection 214 on the lower extremity of rotor 180 .to effect return movement-of the latter following displacement.of the rotorin a:counterc lockwise sense about pin 208 (as viewed in FIG. 2)..in response to the deposit of coinage Escapement 34 is conventional in construction, certain of the components thereof being-visible in-FIG. 2 and identifiable as a rocker-catch 300 and a dime pawl 302, the latter being shiftably mounted on a pivotal block 304. FIGS. 8-13 constitute diagrammatiqexemplary illustrations of 'escapement' mechanisms of this type and are utilized herein to demo'nstratethe principle of operation of escapement 34. Rotor 180ihas a row.of seventeeth 306 at its upper end lying along the arc of 'a circle having its center at pivot pin 208.'=FIGS.'8 and 9 illustrate-the operation'ofthe escapement :when a nickel is deposited, FIGS- 10 and 11 illustrate the operation of the escapement when adime is deposited, and: FIGS.v 12 and 13:

illustrate the operation in response todeposit of a quarter. FIG. 8 shows the. rotor in standby, a nickel pawl 308 being. pivotally mounted on a shaft 310 with the tip of pawl 308 clearing teeth'306 and aligned with the space between the third and fourth tooth from the left. (.The' dimeand quarter actuated'components of theescapement to be discussed hereinafter are also mounted on-shaft 310, butonly the components actuated by the coin under considerationare shown in FIGS. 8-13 for clarity of illustration.) .Catch 300 is in engagement with the first tooth and isheld in its standby position-by a spring 312. Nickel coin feeler 28i-s ri'gidwith pawl .308 and, when struck by a .nickel as illustrated in FIG. 9, feeler 28 rotates with pawl 308 about shaft 310 in a. counterclockwise direction. This-movement shifts a projection 314 on 'pawl 308 into engagement with rocker catch 300 to raise the latter out of contact with thegfirsttooth against the bias of spring.312.*The tip of pawl- 308'now catches the'fourth tooth, rotor'180 having moved a short distance counterclockwise by the release of rocker catch 300. The'pawl and feelerunit'is TcounterWeighted-to return to standby after passage-of the nickeL-whereupon it will beappreciated that rotor 180. will 'shift a short distance and be held in place by interengagement .of catch 300 and the leading edge "of the second tooth-Thus, total displacement of rotor 180 in response to the deposit of one "nickel is equal to;.the widthof one of the teeth 306.

Dimecoin feeler- 30 is rigid with block'304and operates in a similar mannerwhen a dime is deposited, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 .and 11:. Since dime pawl 302 is slotted at 316, rotor 180.moves a'greater distance before the tip of pawl 302 catches on the leading edge of the fourth tooth-(FIG. 11). Thus, when coin feeler30 returns to normal after being struck by a dime, rocker catch 300 engages the leading edge of the third tooth to provide a total rotor displacement equal to the width of two of: the teeth 306. A spring 318 interconnects block 304 and pawl 302 to return the latter to its-standby position shown in FIG. 10 as feeler 30 returns to normal.

When a quarter is deposited, coin feeler 32 releases rocker catch 300 for movement of rotor 180 to its position of maximum displacement, since no secondary catch is provided. Rotor 180 will come to rest with nickel pawl 308 in engagement .with a stop 320 on rotor 180 projecting above and spaced from teeth 306. This total displacement is slightly greater than the width of five of the teeth 306. If five nickels, for example, are. deposited rather than a quarter, the final position of rotor 180 is the same as illustrated in FIG. 13, the last increment being somewhat greater than a one tooth displacement in either event since nickel pawl 308 will be ineffective when the fifth nickel is deposited until it is engaged by stop 320. The lobe on return cam 210 is sized such that rotor 180 is returned to its standby position during operation of motor 122 in readiness fora subsequent deposit.

Conventional components of changer 10 associated with with payout apparatus but not discussed above will be'briefiy described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. An On-Otf. inventory switch 194 is utilized to effect continuous operation of the payout mechanism to empty coin tubes 12 and 14 so that such coins may be retrieved when desired. A pair of vertical slots 196 communicate with the lower end portions of coin tubes 12 and 14 through a wall 198 behind the tubes, apair of finge rs 200 being. disposed for rocking movementthrough slots 196 and.

into contact with coins stacked in tubes 12 and 14, where by the fingers are prevented from entering respective coin tubes .as long as a sufficient-supply .of coinage is main:

' tained therein. Fingers 200 form a part of a change supply sensing device 202 which operates a microswitch 204 to prevent acceptance of coins requiring change when sufiicienLcoinage is no longer present in the coin tubes. When the coins in a particular tube become depleted .to a

' level belowthe ,associated finger 200, .such finger is no longer held by the coins and microswitch 204 is ac:v tuated. i

- Operation The totalizer is illustrated as programmed for an article to be vended at a price of 15. This is reflected by the connection of leads 188 and 190 to the associated 15" terminals. Lead 192 is utilized only for items priced at 10 and hence is effectively disconnected from thechang'e section 178 of the circuitry.

If correct change is deposited, in the instant example, rotor wipers 182, 184 and 186 will shift three steps downwar'dly as viewed in FIG. 14, wiper 182 establishing electrical continuity between switch 174 and credit relay coil 166 by a path through Wiper 182, lead 188, and a lead 216 to coil 166. A deposit of 20 or 25 also establishes the same circuit since conductive segment 218 of credit section 176 is contacted by the center contact 220 of wiper 182 when the latter is either in the 15, 20 or 25 position. In change section 178, no powencircuit is established to either of the solenoids 36 or 38 since, manifestly, the deposit of correct change does not require the payback of change of the customer,

The establishment of 'the above desc bed circuit through the credit section 176 to credit relay coil 166 energizes the lattersince power from terminal 162 is continuously made availableto motor switch 174 by an interconnecting line 222. A line 224 completes the power circuit fromcoil 166 to terminal 164. Energization of the credit relay closes switches 168 and170, thereby render ing the selector'switches -154 operable to effect vending of the selected item when a selected push button is depressed.

Assuming for purposes of illustration that. selector switch 150 is operated by the customer, closure of contacts 150d applies electrical excitation to motor 122 via path from terminal 162 to switch 150a, along a lead 226 to relay switch 170, and thence along a lead 228 to motor 122. Line 224 provides the electrical return to terminal 164. At the same time, closure of switch 15% connects vend solenoid 156 across lines 222 and 224 through relay switch 168. Lock solenoid 172 holds the selected push button switch 150 in contacts closed conmagnet and associated coin blocking structure operated thereby is utilized to return to the customer any deposit dimes are deposited to obtain the article, such deposit causes wipers 184-186 to displace an additional increment. Wiper 184'now bridges conductive strips 230 and 232 in the change section 178 to energize nickel solenoid 36 by a path from lead 228 through lead 190 to strip 230, through wiper 184 to strip 232, and thence along strip 232 to solenoid 36 and the return via-line 224. This raises latch element 44 at the time shaft 120 commences rotation; therefore, the shoulder of element44' is moved out of the path of dog 96 and the latter is now aligned with slot 100. Thus, slide plate 70 is free to move under the'action of-spring 66 as link is shifted through its stroke by the rotation of crank component 77. i

Slide plate 70 rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 under the action of spring 66 as link 74 is advanced leftwardly. Plate 70 is of a sufiicient thickness to trap a nickel in opening 78, such nickel normally resting on the upper surface of plate 62. It will be appreciated that, as opening 78 moves into register with opening 88 in plate 62, the nickel drops through opening 88 and onto the upper surface of ledge 138, whereupon the nickel then discharges through opening 134 in bottom plate 126. Subsequently, link 74 is returned to its normal position to return plate 70 to the position shown as shaft 120 completes the revolution.

In an analogous fashion, a dime is discharged in the event that a quarter is deposited by the customer. This moves wiper 186 (as well as the other wipers) five increments and causes conductive strip portion 234 and strip 236 to be electrically bridged by wiper 186. Hence, solenoid 38 is now energized by a current path extending through lead 190, strip portion 234, wiper 186, and strip 236. With latch element 50 raised, dog 98 is aligned with slot 102 and spring 68 advances dime slide plate 80 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 with link 84 shifting rightwardly. A dime trapped in opening 92 of slide 80 isadvanced along the upper surface of insert plate 144 until opening 92 is registered with opening 142, whereupon the dime gravitates through chute 140 and discharges from opening 146. It is manifest that both of the slide plates 70 and 80 will receive another coin upon return to their standby positions and hence will discharge coins as long as change remains in the coin tubes 12 and 14.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that change section 178 of the printed circuitry has a number of normally open payout initiating circuits divided into two groups, one controlling the operation of the nickel solenoid 36 and the other controlling the operation of the dime solenoid 38. Three such circuits exist in the first group associated with nickel solenoid 36, and correspond to deposit values of 15, 20 and respectively. The 15 circuit comprises conductive strips 238 and 232, the 20 circuit (discussed in the above example) comprises conductive strips 230 and 232, and the 25 circuit comprises contact point 240 and strip 232. Thus, by sweeping the pattern in a downward direction as viewed in FIG. 14, wiper 184 closes the circuit corresponding to the amount of the deposit. In this manner, if the deposit is equal to 15, 20 or 25, the appropriate circuit for nickel solenoid 36 is conditioned for delivery of a payout command to solenoid 36, such delivery being effected at the time that power becomes available on lead 228 it lead 190 is connected to the corresponding price terminal designated 10, 15 or 20.

Similarly, the second group of payout initiating circuits for 'dime solenoid 38 comprises conductive strips 242 and 236 corresponding to a 20 deposit, and conductive strips 234 and 236 (discussed inthe previous illustration) corresponding to a deposit of 25,"and conductive strips 244 and 236 also corresponding to a 25 deposit. Circuit 242, 236 is closed by wiper 186 when a deposit of 20 is made,

and the remaining two circuits are closed by wiper 186 when a deposit of 25 is made, it being appreciated that the configuration of wiper 186 is such that strips 234 and 244'will both be electrically connected to the common strip 236 when wiper 186 is in the 25 position. It shouldbe noted that strips, 238 and .242 are electrically interconnected and that strips 230 and 234 are electrically interconnected, the interconnected circuits in each case representing deposit values differing by 5. Thus,.in accordance with the selected connection of lead 190 except for the special case to be discussed hereinafter, although both a5 and a 10 payout circuit may be closed by wipers 184 and 186,.the payout command will only be delivered by the one circuit'which effects dispensing of the coin of proper denomination.

In the illustrations previously described, an article price of 15 was assumed. Thus, in no case would it be required for both solenoids 36iand 38 to be energized. For a 10 article, however, this additional mode of operation would be required in the event that a customer deposited a quarter. The printed circuit configuration of FIG. 14 is arranged such that, by reconnecting jumper leads 188, 190 and 192 to associated terminals of 10 price designation, the circuitry automatically delivers the change payout command to solenoids 36 and 38 to discharge both a nickel and a dime in response to a 25 deposit.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In money-actuated apparatus for controlling the operation of an article vending machine, a changer for accommodating a range of article prices comprising:

payout control circuitry including a number of payout initiating circuits corresponding to a plurality of deposit values;

a deposit totalizer operably associated with said circuitry and responsive to a deposit equal to any of said values for conditioning a corresponding circuit for delivery of an electrical payout command; and

coin payout mechanism including means for storing a supply of coins of a first denomination and a second, larger denomination, a first electrically initiated payout structure coupled with said circuitry for dispensing one of said coins of said first denomination, and a second electrically initiated payout structure coupled with said circuitry for dispensing one of said coins of said second denomination,

said circuitry having means for programming the operation of the circuitry in accordance with an article 1 price selected from said range of prices to effect delivery of said command, when said deposit is greater than the selected price, to the structure required for the return of proper change to the depositor.

2. The invention of claim 1,

a first group of said circuits being coupled with said first structure,

a second group of said circuits being coupled with said second structure,

said'programming means determining which, if any,

circuit of each group is operable to deliver said command at the selected price.

3. The invention of claim 1,

there being a pair of said circuits representing one of said values at least equal to the minimum price of said range of prices plus said first and second denominations,

one circuit of said pair being coupled with said first structure,

the other circuit of said pair being coupled with said second structure,

said programming means effecting delivery of said command to both of said structures by said pair of circuits when the total of said first and second denomina tions equals the difference between said deposit and said selected price.

4. The invention of claim 1,

there being a pair of said circuits representing each of said values, respectively, greater than the minimum price of said range of prices by an amount at least equal to said second denomination,

one circuit of each of said pairs of circuits being coupled with said first structure,

the other circuit of each of said pairs of circuits being coupled with said second structure,

said totalizer being responsive to said deposit, when the latter is equal to any of said values greater than said minimum price by said amount, for effecting said conditioning of both of the corresponding circuits.

5. The invention of claim 4,

said programming means determining which of said circuits is operable to deliver said command at the selected article price, equal to either said minimum price or one of said values no greater than the total of said minimum price and said second denomination.

6. The invention of claim 1; and

vend control means coupled with said totalizer and operable to provide electrical excitation when money is deposited at least equal to the selected price,

said programming means being coupled with said vend control means and including a conductive element selectively connectable to each of said circuits for applying said excitation to the selected circuit for delivery as said command, if the selected circuit has been conditioned for delivery of said command by the totalizer.

7. The invention of claim 6,

a first group of said circuits being coupled with said first structure,

a second group of said circuits being coupled with said second structure,

there being two of said circuits representing each of certain of said values respectively,

one circuit of each of said two circuits being in said first group,

the other circuit of each of said two circuits being in said second group,

each pair of circuits in respective groups representing values differing by an amount equal to said first denomination being interconnected.

8. The invention of claim 6,

each of said circuits being normally open,

said totalizer including means for establishing electrical continuity in the circuit representing the value of said deposit.

9. The invention of claim 8,

said circuitry comprising a printed circuit configuration presenting said payout initiating circuits in a pattern representing increasing deposit values as the pattern is traversed in a predetermined direction,

said totalizer including a wiper for sweeping said pattern in said direction to sequentially close said circuits, and means engageable with said wiper for controlling the displacement thereof in said direction in accordance with the value of said deposit.

10. In money-actuated apparatus for controlling the operation of an article vending machine, a multi-price changer comprising:

first coin payout mechanism for storing a supply of coins of a first denomination and having electrically initiated first payout structure for dispensing at least one of said first denomination coins upon operation thereof;

second coin payout mechanism for storing a supply of coins of a second denomination and having electrically initiated second payout structure for dispensing at least one of said second denomination coins upon operation thereof;

product pricing means for permitting selective variation of the sales price of a product from the machine;

a totalizer responsive to money deposits for registering the total value of money deposited in the machine; and

payout control means operably associated with said pricing means and said totalizer, responsive to the registering of deposited money by the totalizer, and having separate payout circuits coupled with said structures for effecting operation of said first structure, said second structure, or both depending on the sensed excess deposit over the selected product price.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,974,772 3/ 1961 Zeigle et al. 1942 3,172,519 3/1965 Albright et al. 1942 3,175,670 3/1965 Offutt et a1. 194-10 3,179,225 4/1965 Murphy 194-2 3,321,058 5/1967 Brooks 1942 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

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