Patents Assigned to Arlan J. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5070986
    Abstract: A vending device for vending machines comprises a spiral coil connected to a coin-operated mechanism that allows rotation thereof and the connected coil when predetermined coins have been inserted into the mechanism. The loops making up the coil comprise closely spaced neighboring loops, remote from the mechanism, capable of supporting and transporting product to be vended as the coil is rotated, and distantly spaced neighboring loops, incapable of supporting the product. As the coil is turned, product is transported toward the mechanism until it reaches the distantly spaced loops where it drops from the spiral into a chute accessible by the purchaser. The mechanism is rotated by coin receivers that are blocked from rotating by spring-urged pawls unless predetermined coins have been inserted therein, or unless disabling tabs are interposed between the receivers and the pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Arlan J. Hoffman
    Inventors: Arlan J. Hoffman, Charles P. Crawley