Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers and magazines has the capability of dispensing one newspaper at a time to a customer following insertion by the customer of proper coins into a conventional coin mechanism. The insertion of the coins releases a normally locked dispensing lever which the customer need only pull a single time in one direction. A roller activated by the dispensing lever buckles the topmost newspaper in a stack on a biased platform to release the folded edge of the newspaper from beneath a biased hold-down plate, the released newspaper gravitating onto a delivery tray near the bottom of the machine where it can be picked up freely by the customer. The delivery system resets itself automatically for the dispensing of additional newspapers, one at a time, sequentially, from the top of the stack each time the dispensing lever is returned automatically to the non-dispensing position where it remains locked until proper coins are again inserted.

Abstract: Newspapers of substantially any thickness are delivered one at a time in succession to customers with the assistance of gravity following the placing of proper coins into the coin control mechanism of the machine and pulling a dispensing lever toward a newspaper delivery position. The dispensing lever is coupled through a linkage with an individual newspaper elevating device which lifts the folded edge of each newspaper above the upper edge of a retaining plate. Immediately after such lifting, the same linkage releases a clamp member adjacent to the top edge of the newspaper so that the paper can free-fall along a slide to a customer pick-up station. Thinner newspapers can be handled in the machine by a friction roller lift mechanism.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine in conversion kit form allows the ready installation on existing or new vending machines of a simplified, reliable, durable and essentially theft-proof mechanism to dispense newspapers one at a time downwardly through a bottom outlet with the assistance of gravity. Variation in newspaper thickness has no adverse effect on the mechanism. A standard type coin mechanism is utilized.

Abstract: A mechanism kit is provided to enable fast and economical conversion of existing semi-honor newspaper vending machines to machines for dispensing one newspaper or magazine at a time following the insertion of proper coins into the conventional coin control mechanism. The customer thus has access to only a single newspaper and not the full contents of the vending machine after insertion of the coins. A manually operated reciprocating single newspaper gripping, transporting and release device withdraws each paper through a narrow slot in the front, side or top of the dispensing machine cabinet and this device is connected with a reciprocating element of the coin mechanism which is released for movement only after the insertion of proper coins by a customer. An associated cabinet door lock and release linkage releases the door for access by the customer to the last newspaper held on the cabinet door after the customary stack of newspapers is exhausted.