Abstract: A protective system (10) for use in a vending machine (100) to protect vulnerable parts of the machine, such as the coin changer (130) selection switches, display, harnessing and the like, located below the bill validator (120), from being damaged when liquid is introduced into the bill validator by vandals. The system (10) includes a catch pan (12), attached to the vending machine (100) below the bill validator (120) and providing a reservoir having a bottom (14) and side portions (16, 18, 24 and 26) and a drainage opening (30) and a conduit (34) for carrying the liquid to a remote area.

Abstract: A coin-handling assembly including a coin escrow station for receiving coins of one denomination, and an escrow-actuator selectively retaining the coins in the escrow station, and selectively releasing the coins individually from the escrow station. The escrow actuator includes first and second fingers selectively movable into and out of the path of the coins in the escrow station, and an actuator selectively moving the first finger into engagement with a lowermost coin, and the second finger out of engagement with the coins for holding the coins in the escrow station. The actuator selectively moves the first finger out of engagement with the lowermost coin for releasing the lowermost coin for delivery to the coin-diverter, and selectively moves the second finger into engagement with a next adjacent coin for holding the remaining coins in the escrow station while the first finger releases the lowermost coin.

Abstract: A coin payout assembly in which a plurality of actuating arms are operatively connected to a plurality of coin-handling members that are movable to a first position for receiving a coin and to a second position for discharging the coin, and in which a drive mechanism is selectively connected to any one of a plurality of actuating arms by a coin-selecting mechanism for moving the selected actuating arm and its associated coin-handling member. A plurality of guide slots each receive the guide pin of one of the actuating arms. The drive mechanism includes a drive link selectively alignable with any one of the actuating arms by the coin-selecting mechanism whereby the drive link is moved into engagement with the selected actuating arm for moving the associated coin-handling member.

Abstract: A coin-sensing assembly having a tube for holding a supply of coins, and a coin-sensing lever pivotally mounted on a bracket attached to the housing adjacent the tube, the lever including a coin-engaging portion extending into the tube for engagement with the coins held in the tube. A switch is mounted on the bracket and includes a resiliently actuated switch member engageable with the lever and resiliently urging the lever toward a first position upon disengagement of the coin-sensing portion with the coins in the tube for conditioning the switch for one operation. The lever is pivotally movable to a second position upon engagement of the coin-engaging portion with the coins in the tube for actuating the switch member and conditioning the switch for another operation.