Abstract: An ice dispensing chute mechanism is characterized by an ice chute adapted for attachment at an upper ice inlet end to an ice retaining bin at an ice outlet from the bin. An actuating arm is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and has a lower end for being contacted and moved by a receptacle into which ice is to be dispensed from a lower ice discharge end of the chute and an upper end for contacting and moving a linkage mechanism upon rotation of the actuating arm by the receptacle. The linkage mechanism is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and is coupled to an ice gate that is linearly moved by the linkage mechanism between open and closed positions that establish and interrupt communication between the upper inlet to the chute and the ice outlet opening from the bin.