Patents by Inventor James W. Erwin

James W. Erwin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Vending apparatus and method having improved reliability
    Patent number: 5660304
    Abstract: A vending apparatus of the type having drop shelves, wherein the shelves are retained in an upright position by a solenoid, and wherein, when so positioned, the solenoid forms a series electrical circuit with the shelf, such that the position of the shelf can be tested by testing the integrity of this series electrical circuit. The vending apparatus can be equipped with an acoustic input, such that upon receiving a particular acoustic input signal, the machine will automatically test the position of the shelves by testing the shelf/solenoid circuit, and in this way, an inventory of the contents of the vending machine can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: IDX, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Halsey, Scott Juds, James W. Erwin
  • Vending apparatus and method having improved reliability
    Patent number: 5586684
    Abstract: A vending apparatus of the type having drop shelves, wherein the shelves are retained in an upright position by a solenoid, and wherein, when so positioned, the solenoid forms a series electrical circuit with the shelf, such that the position of the shelf can be tested by testing the integrity of this series electrical circuit. The vending apparatus can be equipped with an acoustic input, such that upon receiving a particular acoustic input signal, the machine will automatically test the position of the shelves by testing the shelf/solenoid circuit, and in this way, an inventory of the contents of the vending machine can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: IDX, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Halsey, Scott Juds, James W. Erwin
  • Car wash coin/token collection system
    Patent number: 5211275
    Abstract: A car wash system includes a pair of car washing areas to either side of an upstanding wall, a pair of coin/token boxes within the upstanding wall with each having a front face opening toward an associated car was area, a coin/token vault within the upstanding wall below the pair of coin/token boxes, and a pair of tubes leading from the coin/token box to the coin/token vault whereby coins/tokens deposited in the coin/token boxes are guided into the coin/token vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: IDX, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Halsey, James W. Erwin
  • Car wash coin/token collection system
    Patent number: 5129501
    Abstract: A car wash system includes a pair of car washing areas to either side of an upstanding wall, a pair of coin/token boxes within the upstanding wall with each having a front face opening toward an associated car was area, a coin/taken vault within the upstanding wall below the pair of coin/token boxes, and a pair of tubes leading from the coin/token box to the coin/token vault whereby coins/tokens deposited in the coin/token boxes are guided into the coin/token vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: IDX, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Halsey, James W. Erwin