Devices and methods for dispensing a newspaper from a vending machine

Abstract

A newspaper vending machine (100) comprises a housing (102) having movable sliding tray (200) mounted therein and upon which the stacked newspapers rests. The housing (102) has a front wall (104) including a dispensing slot (120) through which the newspapers are dispensed. The vending machine (100) also includes a coin receptor mechanism and dispensing mechanism which comprises a dispensing lever (122) with a lever handle (124) attached to a dispensing blade (128). The dispensing blade (128) is disposed near dispensing slot (120) and is adapted to extract a portion of the newspaper through the dispensing slot (120) after payment is received by the coin receptor mechanism and after the purchaser articulates the lever handle (124). A barricading mechanism quickly barricades the dispensing slot (120) after the newspaper has been extracted thereby locking access to the cavity of the housing (102) effectively limiting the purchaser to no more than one newspaper per purchase.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Generally, the invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly, the invention relates to a devices and methods that dispense a single newspapers from a vending machine.

STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY THIS INVENTION

[0002] Interpretation Considerations

[0003] This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Statement of a Problem Addressed by This Invention is to be construed as prior art.

[0004] Discussion

[0005] Vending machines have long been used to conveniently dispense all kinds of printed publications, such as magazines and newspapers. These machines may be found on street corners or public places, such as bus stations, airports, and the like. These vending machines are typically comprised of a secure enclosure wherein a newspaper can be stored and later released to a purchaser through a release hatch. A purchaser may gain access to the newspaper by simply depositing a coin or token into the machine's coin receptor and then releasing the hatch.

[0006] However, existing vending machines that dispense publications offer purchasers access to an entire stack of publications. Accordingly, a purchaser is able to take more than one newspaper with only a single payment. As one may expect, these vending machines expose the enclosed publications to a substantial threat of theft, and studies show that substantial numbers of publications are stolen in this manner each year.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a vending machine that efficiently dispenses newspapers and other printed publications one at a time to a purchaser while simultaneously preventing the purchaser from having access to more than the newspaper being dispensed.

SELECT OVERVIEW OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The invention provides technical advantages as a vending machine that dispenses newspapers and other printed publication one at a time. Dispensing is accomplished by pushing one newspaper at a time through a specially designed slot. Accordingly, a purchaser is limited to obtaining one newspaper per payment. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a housing having a front wall that includes a dispensing slot and a lever slot. The housing has a cavity in which is disposed a newspaper elevating assembly. The newspaper elevating assembly is comprised of a slideable horizontal tray for receiving a series of horizontally stacked newspapers.

[0009] The invention also provides a dispensing assembly that is made of a rotatable dispensing lever with a lever handle at one end protruding through the lever slot. In addition, the dispensing assembly also includes a dispensing blade coupled to dispensing lever via a vertical pivot shaft wherein the dispensing blade pushes a portion of a single newspaper forwardly through the dispensing slot when a force is appropriately applied to the handle of the dispensing lever. Preferably, the invention includes a barricading means that obstructs the dispensing slot before and after each purchase.

[0010] In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of dispensing a single newspaper from a series of newspapers horizontally stacked inside the vending machine. The method comprises the act of sliding a newspaper forwardly through a dispensing slot of a housing using a rotatable dispensing lever that is coupled to a dispensing blade after a purchaser deposits a predetermined payment in a payment receptor. The method also includes obstructing the dispensing slot before and after the purchase via a barricading means.

[0011] Advantageously, the invention provides these and other inventive embodiments that both conveniently deliver a newspaper to a purchaser and easily limit the purchaser from gaining access to the vending machine's inner cavity so as to effectively limit the purchaser one newspaper per purchase.

[0012] Of course, other features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. After reading the specification, and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiment, these persons will recognize that similar results can be achieved in not dissimilar ways. Accordingly, the detailed description is provided as an example of the best mode of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the detailed description. Accordingly, the invention should be read as being limited only by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the newspaper vending machine according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows the sliding tray with newspapers stacked on the top surface thereof;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3D show the newspaper barricade assembly portion of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 provides a more detailed view of the coin receptor assembly and the dispensing assembly;

[0018] FIG. 5 shows the sliding tray, illustrating the relative position of the stop-flaps with respect to the top newspaper;

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a newspaper stack system with an elevating assembly with a sliding tray; and

[0020] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the top panel of the housing comprising an adjustable door hatch having a movable display window.

AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE

[0021] Introduction

[0022] The invention is a newspaper vending machine enabled to dispense a single newspaper (or other publication) at a time. The newspaper vending machine generally includes a means for receiving payment, a locking system coupled to the means for receiving payment, a means for activating a dispensing means, and a newspaper stack system. Also provided is a barricade means disposed over a dispensing slot that obstructs the dispensing slot except when a payment is received and a newspaper is dispensed. Accordingly, the invention provides a means for reducing the likelihood of publication theft.

[0023] Interpretation Considerations

[0024] When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

[0025] Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.

[0026] Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

[0027] Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”). Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for —functioning—” or “step for —functioning—” in the claims section.

[0028] Discussion of the Figures

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates the invention, a newspaper vending machine 100, having a cut-view to draw emphasis to interior components. The vending machine 100 comprises a housing 102 generally having a front wall 104, a rear wall 106, a top panel 108, a bottom panel 110, a left wall 112, and a right wall 114. The front wall 104 comprises a rotatable front door that is securably coupled to the housing 102 via hinges 116 and 118. The door opens to allow access inside the interior of the housing 102. The front wall 104 also includes a dispensing slot 119 through which a newspaper may be dispensed, and which is discussed in much greater detail, below.

[0030] In addition, FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing assembly 120 located inside the vending machine 100. A dispensing assembly 120 is any means capable of transferring mechanical energy from outside the vending machine 100 to a single newspaper inside the vending machine, to dispense one newspaper at a time. Additionally, the dispensing assembly 120 transfers mechanical energy to other systems that are used to hold a newspaper within the vending machine 100. Accordingly, by applying mechanical energy to the dispensing assembly 120, a user is able to dispense a newspaper or other publication through a dispensing slot 119.

[0031] More particularly, in one embodiment the dispensing assembly 120 comprises a rotatable dispensing lever 122. The dispensing lever 122 protrudes through the lever slot 126 and provides a handle 124. A purchaser of a newspaper may grasp the handle 124 and move the handle 124 to dispense a newspaper. Additionally, the dispensing assembly 120 provides a dispensing blade 128 that is hingedly connected to the dispensing lever 122 via a rotatable vertical shaft 130. The dispensing blade 128 rests near the dispensing slot 119 in a location and configuration that approximately corresponds with to the centerfold of a newspaper located at the top of a stack of newspapers in the vending machine 100. When articulated, the dispensing blade 128 extracts a newspaper by pushing it forward, through the dispensing slot 119, as will be described shortly.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a newspaper stack lift system embodied as a vertically-traveling tray 200 with a newspaper stack thereon. The tray 200 is mounted on two opposing vertical guides 202 and 204. The vertical guides 202, 204 enable the tray 200 to travel vertically as newspapers are loaded or dispensed. The tray 200 includes a support bar 205 that is coupled to springs 210 via fingers 206 and 208. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical guides 202, 204 have track guides (not shown) for guiding the fingers 206, 208 through their vertical travel, thus guiding the tray 200 through its vertical travel.

[0033] Vertical springs 210 and 212 couple the vertical guides 202 and 204 to the fingers 206, 208 to provide an upward force to the tray 200. Accordingly, the vertical springs 210 and 212 counter-balance the weight of the newspaper stack as it travels between the vertical guides. In addition, a flexible floor spring 214 connects the tray 200 to a floor bracket 216 affixed to bottom panel 110 of the housing 102 to stabilize the upward motion of the sliding tray 200, and to function as a counter-balance to the vertical springs 210, 212. Of course, many other systems and mechanisms for balancing a stack of newspapers may be used to provide smooth vertical travel for the stack of newspapers, and these are known or are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention incorporates all such modifications of a newspaper stack lift system.

[0034] FIG. 3A shows a barricade assembly 301 from the inside of the vending machine 100 looking out through the front wall 104 (not shown). FIGS. 3B and 3C show side views of the barricading assembly illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B illustrates the steady state position where the teethed portion of the barricading members 308-315 are shown engaged with the lock bars 316-323. Conversely, FIG. 3C shows a newspaper being ejected/withdrawn between the chute plates 300 and 302.

[0035] Preferably, the barricade assembly 301 is disposed adjacent to the dispensing slot 119. Generally, the barricade assembly 301 comprises a first chute plate 300, a second chute plate 302, a first release bar 304, a second release bar 306, and a plurality of ratcheting and rotatable barricading members 308, 310, 312, 314, and 315. The chute plates 302, 304 are rigidly disposed against the dispensing slot 119 at the front of the vending machine so as to form generally horizontal planes capable of guiding a newspaper through the dispensing slot 119. The chute plates 300, 302 have a plurality of slits, each slit corresponding to and capable of nesting a barricading member 308-315.

[0036] The barricading members 308-315 have a blocked end and a ratcheting end, and the barricading members 308-315 are enabled to swivel (or pivot) vertically about the ratcheting end, which is preferably pivotally attached to a slit of the chute plate. A plurality of spring-loaded lock bars 316, 318, 320, 322, and 232 provide ratcheting functionality to each of the barricading members 308-315. Additionally, each barricade member 308-315 is preferably spring-loaded via torsion-type springs 317 (see FIG. 3B) located about the pivot-point of the ratcheting end.

[0037] A first release bar 304 and a second release bar 306 are generally parallel to each other, and are situated horizontally in the vending machine. The release bars 304, 306 are configured to de-couple front-mounted lock bars 316-322 from the teethed portion of the barricade members 308, 310, 312, 314 when moved out of a static position.

[0038] Thus, the lock bars 316-323 function as locks for the ratcheting ends of the barricade members; the release bars 304, 306 are configured to, in a static state (see FIG. 3B), allow the lock bars 316-323 to lock the ratcheting end; and the release bars 304, 306 disengage the lock bars 316-323 from the ratcheting ends when the release bars 304, 306 are moved out of the static position (see FIG. 3C). Accordingly, the coupling of the teethed portion of the barricade members 308-315 to the release bars 304, 306 prevents the teethed portions from rotating (or ratcheting), thus barricading the front of the slot 119. Since ratcheting is known in the art, further discussion of ratcheting is omitted.

[0039] In addition, each release bar 304, 306 has a vertically-attached release arm 326, 328 attached to the end of the release bar 304, 306 closest to the vending machine's swivel 310. The barricade assembly 301 also includes a pair of swivels 330 and 332 that include tumble levers 334 and 336, respectively, which extend from the swivel 130 so as to engage the release arms 326, 328 as shown. Preferably, the swivels 330 and 332 are mounted to the same vertical pivot shaft 130 as the dispensing blade 128, which is preferably mounted between the two swivels 330, 332. Thus, in a steady state, the barricade assembly effectively obstructs the dispensing slot to prevent access to a newspaper.

[0040] Conversely, in an active state (following the dispensing of the correct payment, and the articulation of the dispensing handle outside of the vending machine when the dispensing lever 122 is rotated by a purchaser of a newspaper), the shaft 330 rotates (clockwise in FIG. 3A), which causes the tumble levers 332, 334 to rotate the vertical release arms 326, 328 about a pivot 327, 329 so that the release bars 304, 306 engage the lock bars 316-323 away from the ratchet teeth of the barricading members, thus allowing the barricading members to pivot approximately 90 degrees from vertical so that a single newspaper may be pushed through the slot 119 by the dispensing blade 128. Accordingly, the barricading members 308-323 can rotate freely into the slits as the newspaper is being pushed through the dispensing slot 119. At this point, the dispensing blade 128 prevents further newspaper extraction.

[0041] As the handle 124 is returned to its steady-state, pre-purchase position, the shaft rotates the tumble levers 332, 334 to allow the release bars 304, 306 to reengage the ratcheting end of the lock bars 316-323. Next, the torsion springs 317 coupled to the barricading members return the barricading members to vertical positions that block access to the newspaper stack via the dispensing slot 119, thus limiting a purchaser to one newspaper per purchase. Thus, when in the static-state position, the barricading members 308, 310, 312, 314, 315 are locked by the spring-loaded lock bars 316, 318, 320, 322, 323 to prevent a newspaper from being drawn through the dispensing slot 119. Likewise, FIG. 3D shows a top view of the barricade assembly 301. From this view of the barricade assembly 301 it is seen that swivels 330, 332 (swivel 332 is not viewable from this position) are attached to the pivot shaft 330.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the coin receptor assembly 400 and the dispensing assembly 120. The coin receptor assembly 400 receives a payment for a newspaper, and then enables the dispensing of a newspaper from the vending machine 100. The coin receptor assembly 400 includes a newspaper width adjustment mechanism (the adjustment mechanism) 401 with an adjustor bar 402 connected thereto. In use, a manual adjustment bar 403 is manually moved to reflect a change in newspaper price, and then the adjustor bar 402 is mechanically lowered or raised by the coin adjuster mechanism 400 in response to a change in the price of the newspaper, such as for a Sunday edition. Thus, since the width of a newspaper typically corresponds to the price of the newspaper, the mechanical adjustment of the price simultaneously adjusts the height of the dispensing blade 128 to properly align with the fold of the newspaper. The available systems for accepting coinage or other payment are prolific and many alternative systems are available. These systems, and the use of these systems are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of vending machines. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to a specific mechanism or assembly for accepting payment, or to a specific system for adjusting payment to accommodate a specific day of the week or newspaper (or other publication) edition.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the coin receptor assembly 400 also includes an elevator bar 404 that is coupled to the adjustor bar 402, such as through a spot-weld. The dispensing blade 128 rests on the horizontal portion of the elevator bar 404. The coin receptor assembly 400 also includes a tuning screw 406 that adjusts the position of the adjustor bar 402 so as to simultaneously adjust the height of the tip of dispensing blade 128 to correspond with the fold of a newspaper 422 at the top of the newspaper stack 420. Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, a wing on top of the shaft 130 is locked into place by the coin receptor assembly in a manner well known in the art of vending machines. When a payment is received, the wing is released so that the pivot shaft 130 may rotate freely.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a front view of a support system 500. As illustrated, the support system 500 incorporates two opposing stop-flaps 501 and 502 that provide a top horizontal support of a top newspaper 522 stacked on a tray 200. The two stop-flaps 500 and 502 are hingedly mounted to stop-flap supports 504, 505. The stop-flap supports 504, 505 are in turn coupled to flap-mounts 506 as well as to spring supports 507, 508 via hooks 522, 524 and springs 510, 512. The spring supports 508, 509 are mounted to the back of the vending machine 100 via mount bar 509, while the flap-mounts are typically mounted directly to the back of the vending machine 100. In the static-state, the stop-flaps 500, 502 securely hold the newspaper 522 at the top of the newspaper stack flat, and in position on the sliding tray 200.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a newspaper stack system having an elevating assembly 600 which generally includes a sliding tray 200, springs 210, 212, vertical guide 204, wheel attachments 640, wheels 642, fingers 206, and support bar 203. The elevating assembly 600 counter-balances the weight of the newspaper stack 622, and guides the newspaper stack 622 as it travels vertically within the vending machine 100. Accordingly, the vertical motion and final placement of the sliding tray 200, and thus the height of the newspaper stack 622, is controlled by the elevating assembly 600.

[0046] The elevating assembly 600 includes a slide bar 602 that is coupled between the vertical pivot 130 and the front 104 of the vending machine 100 via spring 616. The slide bar 602 includes an extension pivot 604 that is coupled to a lift assembly that comprises a first member 608, and a second member 610. A pull member 606 is coupled between the second member and a pivoting member 612. The elevating assembly 600 also includes a grasping member 614 disposed on the sliding tray 200. The grasping member is engaged by the pull-member 606 when the handle 124 is turned by a purchaser. In FIG. 6 a guide wheel 642 is seen located proximate to the vertical guide 204. In a preferred embodiment, the guide wheel 642 is grooved to fit about and follow the vertical guide 204. The guide wheel 642 couples to the sliding tray 200 through a wheel attachment 640. However, it should be noted that in a preferred embodiment the wheel attachment that cannot be seen in FIG. 6 attaches to two wheels that are, in turn, coupled to the vertical guide 664.

[0047] In operation, the elevating assembly 600 assist with the vertical movement of the sliding tray 200 against the stop flaps 501, 502, as a newspaper is dispensed from the vending machine 100. In the static-state, the pull-member 606 is disengaged from the grasping member 614, allowing the sliding tray 200 to be pulled against the stop-flaps 500, 502 by the springs 210, 212. The force placed upon the stop-flaps 500, 520 by the springs 210, 212 holds newspapers stead, but makes it difficult to remove a newspaper when a purchase is made.

[0048] Accordingly, when a purchaser rotates the dispensing lever 122 the pull-member 606 shifts to engage the grasping member 614, thus shifting the sliding tray 200 slightly downward so that the vertical guide springs 210 and 212 no longer generate a substantial upward force upon the stop-flaps 500, 502. The retraction spring 616 attached to the front wall 104 allows the dispensing lever 122 to retract back to its pre-dispensing position immediately after the purchaser releases the lever handle 124. This action returns the pull-member 606 to the static-state position, thus allowing the springs 210, 212 to place their normal force upon the stop-flaps 501, 502.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows the top panel 108 with door assembly 700 and related components in isolation. The door assembly 700 generally comprises a door 701 with a pivotable display window 702 mounted thereon. The door 701 preferably includes a generally planar back panel 718. In one embodiment, the door 701 is hinge-mounted to the top panel 108 via a door hinge and support bar 706. The door assembly 700 also includes a hatch lever 708 that is rotatably attached to the housing 102 via support 752. A push bar 710 activates the opening of the display window 702 by impressing upon the hatch lever 708. Articulation of the push bar 710 by turning the handle 124 is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0050] A pivotable release lever 712 couples to a first release hook 714 and a second release hook 716 (pivoting is enabled by pivot pin 720). The release hooks 712, 714 couple to the door hatch 701 via door holes 703 and holes in display window holders 726, 728. Thus, when in a steady state, the first release hook 714 and the second release hook 716 hold the display window 702 to the door hatch 701, thus preventing the opening of the display window 702.

[0051] The release lever 712 is firmly attached to the back panel 718 via the fixed pivot pin 720 (due to the cut-view of FIG. 7, the attachment of the pivot pin to the back panel 718 is not shown). FIG. 7 also shows the display window 702 attached to the door 701 via hinge(s) 722 that allow the display window 702 to be opened or closed such that a newspaper may easily be inserted or removed from the cavity of the door 701. The display window 702 is preferably transparent so that a newspaper is viewable through the display window 702. The display window 702 is shown resting on spring fingers 730, 732 which forcibly open the display window 702 when the release lever 712 causes the release hooks 714, 716 to disengage the widow display holders 726 and 728.

[0052] The display window 702 is preferably adapted to automatically open to provide access to a displayed newspaper when payment is received and when there are no newspapers left on the tray 200. Thus, when all the newspapers on the sliding tray 200 have been sold, a sensor rod 734 (not shown) mounted underneath the sliding tray 200 protrudes through a hole 660. The sensor rod 734 engages the push bar 710 to release the display window 702. This rotates the release lever 712 such that the two release hooks 714 and 716 are forcibly disengaged from the display window holders 726 and 728, causing the display window 702 to spring open under the force of the spring fingers 730, 732. Accordingly, a purchaser can then remove a displayed newspaper stored inside the door 701.

[0053] Though the invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A vending machine adapted to dispense one newspaper at a time, comprising:

a housing having an interior and a door, the door having a substantially horizontal dispensing slot and a lever slot;

a tray mounted in the housing interior, the tray enabled to travel vertically within the housing, and the tray for storing a plurality of newspapers thereon;

a dispensing assembly having a dispensing lever, the dispensing lever having a protruding end that protrudes through the lever slot, and an interior end that is positioned within the housing interior;

the dispensing assembly having a rotatable vertical shaft rigidly coupled to the dispensing lever at the interior end; and

a dispensing blade coupled to vertical shaft, the dispensing blade having a free end adapted to engage a fold of a newspaper, the newspaper disposed on the tray, wherein the dispensing blade is adapted to extract a portion of the newspaper forward through the dispensing slot when the lever handle is moved.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a newspaper stack lift system.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the newspaper stack lift system comprises the tray being mounted between a first vertical guide and a second vertical guide, the first vertical guide opposite the second vertical guide.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a support bar coupled to the tray, the support bar having a first finger and a second finger, the fist finger being coupled to a first spring and the second spring being coupled to the second spring.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the first vertical guide and the second vertical guide each have a track guide for guiding the first finger and the second finger through a vertical travel.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the first vertical guide and the second vertical guide each have a track guide for guiding the a first wheel and a second wheel through vertical travel, the first wheel being coupled to the tray via a first wheel mount and the second wheel coupled to the tray via the second wheel mount.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a coin receptor assembly mounted within the housing, the coin receptor assembly adapted to:

lock the dispensing blade to prevent the movement of the vertical shaft,

receive a payment from a purchaser, and

allow free movement of the vertical shaft in response to the receipt of an appropriate payment from a purchaser.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a barricade assembly disposed within the housing adjacent to the dispensing slot, the barricade assembly comprising:

a first chute plate, a second chute plate, a first release bar, a second release bar, and a plurality of ratcheting and rotatable barricading members,

the chute plates are rigidly disposed against the dispensing slot so as to form generally horizontal planes capable of guiding a newspaper through the dispensing slot,

the chute plates having a plurality of slits, each slit corresponding to and capable of nesting a barricading member,

each of the barricading members having a blocked end and a ratcheting end where each of the barricading members are enabled to swivel vertically about the ratcheting end,

the ratcheting end being pivotally attached to a slit of the chute plate.

9. The device of claim 8 further wherein the barricade assembly further comprises a plurality of spring-loaded lock bars to provide ratcheting functionality to each of the barricading members, each barricade member is spring-loaded via torsion-type springs located about the pivot-point of the ratcheting end.

10. The device of claim 9 further wherein the barricade assembly further comprises a first release bar and a second release bar that are generally parallel to each other, the first release bar above the second release bar, and are situated horizontally in interior of the vending machine, the release bars are configured to de-couple front-mounted lock bars from teethed-portions of the barricade members when the release bars are moved out of a static position thus enabling the lock bars to function as locks for the ratcheting ends of the barricade members, wherein the release bars are configured to allow the lock bars to lock the ratcheting end.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the release bars are configured to disengage the lock bars from the ratcheting ends when the release bars are moved out of a static position.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein each release bar has a vertically-attached release arm attached to the end of the release bar closest to the vending machine swivel, and further comprising a first swivel that includes a first tumble lever which extends from the first swivel so as to engage the first release arm, and a second swivel that includes a second tumble lever which extends from the second swivel so as to engage the second release arm.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein each swivel is mounted to the vertical pivot shaft, and the dispensing blade is mounted to the vertical pivot shaft between the first swivels and the second swivel.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising:

tumble levers coupled to the vertical shaft to allow the release bars to reengage the ratcheting end of the lock bars; and

torsion springs coupled to the barricading members to return the barricading members to vertical positions that block access to the newspaper stack via the dispensing slot, thus limiting a purchaser to one newspaper per purchase.

15. The device of claim 1 further comprising a support system, the support system comprising two opposing stop-flaps hingedly mounted to stop-flap supports, the stop-flaps for providing a top horizontal support of a top newspaper stacked on a tray, the stop-flap supports being coupled to flap-mounts that are rigidly attached to the housing.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a coin receptor assembly, the coin receptor assembly for receiving a payment for a newspaper and for enabling the dispensing of a newspaper from the vending machine, the coin receptor assembly comprising:

a newspaper width adjustment mechanism;

an adjustor bar connected to the adjustment mechanism;

a manual adjustment bar coupled to the adjustment mechanism; and

an elevator bar having a horizontal portion, the elevator bar rigidly coupled to the adjustor bar so that a dispensing blade may rest on the horizontal portion of the elevator bar and so that the horizontal dispensing blade will be raised and lowered as the manual adjustment bar is raised and lowered.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising a guide wheel located in a track of the vertical guide, the guide wheel being coupled to the sliding tray via a wheel attachment.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising a top panel with door assembly, wherein the door assembly comprises:

a door with a pivotable display window mounted thereon, the door includes a generally planar back panel, and is hinge-mounted to the top panel via a door hinge and support bar;

a hatch lever that is rotatably attached to the housing via a support; and

a push bar that activates the opening of the display window by impressing upon the hatch lever such that the articulation of the push bar is accomplished by turning the handle.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the door assembly further comprises:

a pivotable release lever coupled to a first release hook and a second release hook;

the release hooks couple to the door hatch via door holes and holes in a first display window holder and a second display window holder;

the release lever is firmly attached to the back panel via a fixed pivot pin;

the display window is attached to the door via at least one hinge; and

at least one spring finger coupled between the display window and the housing to forcibly open the display window when the release lever causes the release hooks to disengage the widow display holders.

20. A method of adjusting the pressure on at least one newspaper to enable the dispensing of the at least one newspaper, comprising:

rotating a dispensing lever so that a pull-member shifts to engage a grasping member for shifting a sliding tray slightly downward so that a plurality of vertical guide spring do not place an upward force upon at least one stop-flap.