Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Oden
Kenneth W. Oden 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).
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Patent number: 6571931Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Publication number: 20010047920Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 6213276Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 6125989Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return slot positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects a coin slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5791450Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Royal Vendors Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5713490Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for vending products includes left and right column walls defining a column divided into front and rear sections for retaining the products in front and rear corded stacks. A rear spacer provided at the back side of the column is laterally adjustable relative to the front side of the column to accommodate products of different lengths in the rear section. Front and rear product funnels are positioned respectively in the front and rear sections above the bottom end of the column, with front and rear adjustable product ramps interposed between the outlets of the front and rear product funnels, respectively, and the open bottom end of the column. The front and rear adjustable product ramps are independently pivotable about their pivot axes in response to movement of front and rear adjustment rods to change the width of the open bottom of the column at the front and back sections to accommodate products of different diameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Oden, Michael D. Ring
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Patent number: 5601177Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1994Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5547105Abstract: A can vending mechanism comprising a module containing three vertically-extending channels arranged front-to-back and dimensioned to vend cylindrical products, such as cans, with their longitudinal axes parallel to the front face of a vending machine to achieve greater product capacity. A sold-out switch is provided in each channel. Each sold out switch is activated when two products remain in escrow at the bottom of its respective channel. The channels are refilled without the use of diverters by dropping new products into the channels. The two products remaining in escrow at the bottom of each channel absorb the shock of the falling products.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Oden, Michael D. Ring
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Patent number: 5529207Abstract: This retainer system for vending machine storage compartments includes opposed compartment walls and opposed elongate retainers selectively connected to associated compartment walls in adjustable relation lengthwise of the containers to engage selected contoured containers intermediate the length thereof to provide a stop inhibiting axial movement of said selected containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1995Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Oden, Thomas E. Uzzle
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Patent number: 5511688Abstract: This vending machine dispensing assembly (10) for dispensing containers of different diameter includes a storage compartment (1) having an exit passage defined by a turnstile member (20) on one side and an arcuate stop member (30) on the other side. The stop member (30) is disposed in adjustable relation from the fixed axis (22) of the turnstile member (20) to determine the diameter of the articles passing therebetween. The stop member (30) is adjustably mounted between the end walls (16, 18) of the compartment (1) on upper and lower rods (32, 34).Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1994Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignee: Coin Acceptors, Inc.Inventors: David W. Duncan, Larry D. Lee, Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5226521Abstract: A protective device for a mechanism which accepts coins through a raised coin slot comprises a jacket made from an elastic material and conforming substantially to the configuration of the mechanism. The jacket has an open end for insertion over the mechanism, a coin slot aperture positioned and dimensioned to snugly receive the coin slot, and a raised lip surrounding the coin slot aperture. The jacket further includes a cable aperture positioned to receive an electrical cable extending from the mechanism and an elongated tube surrounding the cable aperture, and a closed, raised protrusion positioned to cover a release lever extending from the mechanism. The elastic material can be latex rubber or a synthetic plastic.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1992Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5193862Abstract: An anti-theft latch mechanism is especially suitable for securing vending machines. According to the present invention, a control mechanism (such as a rotatable stud attached to a knob) includes a clutch arrangement by which the control mechanism remotely controls a latch portion. Thus, the control mechanism is not rigidly tied to the remote latch, thereby avoiding possible damage to the latch and relaxing design criteria for the mechanism as a whole. A latch portion prevents vandals or thieves from pushing the door either inward or outward as they attempt to gain entry to the inside of the vending machine. For this purpose, the latch provides a cove in which a catch in the side of the vending machine is enclosed at least partially on all four sides when the door is closed. This cove arrangement substantially prevents the latch from being shaken loose even when the vandal or thief jars the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 5111962Abstract: A vending apparatus ensures that the delay between a customer's selection of an article, and the dispensation of the selected article, is minimized, preferably to less than a predetermined delay, regardless of the point in a multi-article vending cycle. The reduced selection-dispensation delay is achieved through use of a "memory and learning" feature. The "memory and learning" feature is predicated on a recall and/or analysis of the relative times of occurrence of one or more previous dispensations, so that the apparatus' present position in the multi-article vending cycle is determined. The "memory and learning" feature allows the vending apparatus to anticipate how long the article dispensation mechanism should run after the present dispensation, to strategically poise the mechanism for a subsequent dispensation having an optimum selection-dispensation delay.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1989Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 4705176Abstract: A column vendor for articles such as generally cylindrical containers of beverage typified by cans or bottles of soft drinks is provided with an inexpensive and reliable way of being reconfigured to fit the particular distribution of popularity of brands/flavors or the like of articles, as experienced by the operator for the particular vendor. Openings are provided through intercolumn divider walls. In use, these openings are either closed by closure members, or fitted with shunt, cam or floor plates for effecting particular column transfers. In use, these members are static; adjustment can involve rearrangement, substitution, augmentation and removal of these members which preferably are hooked in place either on edges of the openings or in slots or other securement features provided on the intercolumn divider walls.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1986Date of Patent: November 10, 1987Assignee: Dixie-NarcoInventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 4509658Abstract: A vendor for sequentially vending in alternation successive lowermost articles, such as beverage cans, from at least two stacks which are arranged in tandem, using a shared generally semi-cylindrical angularly indexable cradle having a stepped edge, where angular movement of the cradle by a first increment is sufficient to drop one supported article from under a forward one of the stacks to a delivery station, but insufficient to drop an axially adjacent supported article from under a relatively rearward one of the stacks, is improved by being provided with an anti-theft device preferably in the form of a leaf spring based on the cradle and erectable into the volume of space which is at other times occupied by the one supported article.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1984Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 4298138Abstract: A rotary cradle extends from front to back of a compartment for holding columns of articles to be dispensed. The cradle is of generally semi cylindrical hollow shape having a straight axial leading edge and a stepped trailing edge and mounted to be rotated about its cylinder axis. The cradle is free of internal partitions and is adapted for sequentially dispensing front and then rear articles from front and rear columns of articles in the compartment, or for dispensing single longer articles. A removable support in the cradle holds long narrow articles at the proper height for supporting a column of those articles in the compartment at the proper elevation for the straight leading edge of the cradle to isolate and support the column while dispensing an article in the cradle.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1980Date of Patent: November 3, 1981Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 4036400Abstract: A vending machine has a compartment dimensioned to hold at least two columns of cylindrical articles with the articles in axial alignment, front to rear. A bail structure has upper and lower bail bars swingable about a central fore and aft axis, to opposite sides thereof. The lower bail bar, when in one lateral position, supports the bottom articles of both the columns while the upper bail bar supports all other articles in the compartment. The lower bail bar is laterally wider under the rear column than under the front column so that partial swinging of the bail releases the bottom article from only the front column and further swinging releases the bottom article of the rear column. An anti theft member hangs pendulously from the upper bail, in the front column, and serves to prevent movement of a rear column article resting on the lower bail from moving into the front column after an article in the front column has been released from the lower bail.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1976Date of Patent: July 19, 1977Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: 4019650Abstract: A vending machine having a compartment dimensioned to hold two pairs of columns of cylindrical articles with the columns of each pair arranged with their articles in axial alignment, front to rear, and the two pairs being vertically staggered and horizontally overlapping. A bail structure comprises upper and lower bail bars swingable about a central fore and aft axis, to opposite sides thereof. The lower bail bar, when in one lateral position, supports the bottom articles of one pair of columns while the upper bail bar supports all other articles in the compartment. The lower bail bar is laterally wider under the rear columns than under the front columns so that partial swinging of the bial releases the bottom article from only the front column and further swinging releases the bottom article of the rear column.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1975Date of Patent: April 26, 1977Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
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Patent number: D344410Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Royal Venders, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden