Abstract: A theft deterrent device restricts the number of newspapers or other periodicals that can be retrieved from a newspaper vending machine at one time. The device includes a cover gate forming a generally T-shaped opening with a vertical passageway and a horizontal slot opening. The cover gate mounts over an access opening of the vending machine behind a hinged door that closes against the vending machine. The cover gate restricts the number of periodicals that can be withdrawn at one time from a storage cabinet portion of the machine after the hinged door is opened and lowered by a customer. The deterrent device is easily installed on existing newspaper vending machines by way of an engagement member that securely engages a fixed part of the vending machine in the region of the access opening. A lock mechanism on the cover gate serves to lock the cover gate to the dispensing machine and firmly hold the gate in place over the access opening.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine is disclosed having a mechanism for setting at least three prices at which an article is to be vended. Price selection is remotely effected by an externally accessible lock.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine is disclosed having a mechanism for setting at least three prices at which an article is to be vended. Price selection is remotely effected by an externally accessible lock.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine is disclosed having a mechanism for setting at least three prices at which an article is to be vended. Price selection is remotely effected by an externally accessible lock. A totalizer sums the inserted coins and in response to the insertion of the required amount permits the opening of the vending door. An important feature resides in the provision of a lock by which any one of the prices can be selected.

Abstract: A coin sorter is described for sorting coins of different denominations by means of ramps and flaps, the sorted coins being directed to different chutes, one chute being provided for each coin denomination, the chutes and coin exit openings at the ends of chutes as well as the ramps being formed in two complementary parts of the coin sorter. The sorter may be provided either in a coin operated assembly for use in an existing coin operated vending machine or in a new machine and in either case is best used in conjunction with a coin totalizer having a ratchet wheel, a price cam and at least two circular cams, the price cam and circular cams being rotatable with the ratchet wheel when the latter is rotated by a trip wire-lever, the degree of rotation being determined by the chute through which a given coin passes.

Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers and the like having a coin operated mechanism with:(a) a coin sorter;(b) a coin chute assembly having a plurality of vertical chutes through which coins of different denominations, from the coin sorter, fall;(c) a trip wire, one end of which extends through the coin chutes and can move downwardly in the chutes with downward movement of coins;(d) a totalizer, connected to the other end of the trip wire, for counting the value of coins which fall through the coin chutes; and(e) a vending controller connected to the totalizer.

Abstract: A dispenser for a stack of horizontally disposed, rectangular cards or the like and a product vending machine incorporating the dispenser. The dispenser features a magazine for the stack of cards and a dispensing chute beneath the magazine. Between the magazine and the chute, on one lateral side thereof, is a slider with a pair of laterally extending front and rear fingers that can be moved frontally and rearwardly against the front and rear edges, repectively, of the bottommost card of the stack. When the dispenser is actuated, the slider moves rearwardly so that its front finger urges the bottommost card to move rearwardly to an intermediate position in which the rear portions of the card are restrained from moving downwardly while the front portions of the card are free to move downwardly into the dispensing chute.

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating structure normally in a closed position prevent removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating structure to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating structure permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the gating means includes at least two mutually independently movable blocking members which normally close the access opening.

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating normally in a closed position prevents removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. The size of the access opening is readily adjustable, preferably by tubular members movable to more or less obstruct the access opening, and including elongated blocking members one of which extends through each of the tubular adjusting members to close the access opening.

Abstract: A satellite vending machine having a tier of manually operated ejectors for dispensing a selection of packaged articles from storage magazines therein to expand the capacity of a parent vending machine is installed on top of the parent and utilizes the coin-actuated totalizer unit and associated mechanism of the parent and provides a linkage to its own heavy duty mechanism responsive to the latch positions in the parent as pilferage protection. The dual pricing capability of the parent is extended to the satellite by a linkage from the ejectors of the magazines having the higher priced articles in the satellite to the latch mechanism of the parent to lock both parent and satellite latch mechanisms when a higher priced ejector in the satellite is pulled with the deposit of coins sufficient only for the lower priced articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism for interlocking two units, which is tamper proof and which requires locking the otherwise accessible parts of one of the units before the other can be locked, and in which locking the other unit automatically locks the one unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article dispensing satellite vending machine which has no coin slots for coin deposits or coin operated mechanism but which is capable of being interconnected with another vending machine having a coin mechanism and an article dispensing mechanism which may dispense articles other than those dispensed by the satellite unit. The satellite machine includes a frame housed in a cabinet which is attached to the cabinet of the other vending machine, an article storing assembly being carried on the frame for storing articles to be dispensed.