Vending machine

Abstract

A vending machine including a housing and a plurality of support members coupled to and positioned to support the housing. The housing includes a central cabinet having a central display portion, a central rear wall and opposing sidewalls coupled between the central display portion and central rear portion. The central display portion is configured to allow access to displayed items. At least one side cabinet has a rear wall coupled to one of the opposing sidewalls of the central cabinet. Each side cabinet has a frontal display portion opposing the rear wall of the end cabinet and is configured to access displayed items. The frontal display portion is positioned at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the opposing sidewalls of the central cabinet. The frontal portion of each end cabinet is positioned in a substantially forward direction with respect to the central rear wall of the central cabinet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation-in-Part of commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/233,735, filed Jul. 7, 2005, entitled NEWS BOX, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vending machines, and more specifically, to a vending machine or news box having multiple cabinets for displaying and allowing access to newspapers, tabloids, periodicals and other literature and goods from more than one vantage point.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Unattended newspaper vending machines, commonly referred to as news boxes, are well known. Generally, a newspaper vending machine is placed in a high traffic area to allow pedestrians and even passing motorists to pay for and obtain literature, such as newspapers and tabloids, typically on a daily basis. The newspaper vending machine is usually positioned on the sidewalk near the curb. The vending machines have evolved from a news box having a single cabinet to a multi-cabinet or stacked vending machine.

One variation on a multi-cabinet design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,019 to Schmitt (“Schmitt”). Schmitt shows a vending assembly with vending boxes spaced around and attached to a circular support structure. The vending boxes radiate outwardly from the support structure at different angles allowing multiple viewing angles around the central support. However, one major problem exists with the arrangement of Schmitt because such invention is not suitable for urban streets where space for installation of such invention is limited. For example, New York City (NYC) sidewalks usually vary between twelve and twenty feet and an eight-foot pedestrian path is required to be devoid of any obstruction between the outer face of the street furniture and the building line or building facade. The vending assembly of Schmitt would not be suitable for installation on NYC metropolitan sidewalk because of its size.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved vending machine capable of displaying newspapers and other literature and goods to the general public in an urban sidewalk environment in a safe, appealing and effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a vending machine is provided to enable pedestrians to see the contents displayed therein as they approach the vending machine, for example, while walking along a sidewalk in an urban environment. The vending machine includes a housing, which comprises a central cabinet and at least one side cabinet. The vending machine may include a housing containing the cabinets and a support member supporting the housing. The central cabinet includes a central display portion that is configured to store and permit access to displayed items.

The side cabinet also has a front display portion configured to allow access through a door. The side cabinet is positioned on a side of the central cabinet such that the front display portion of the side cabinet is positioned at an angle less than 90° with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the opposing sidewalls of the central cabinet or housing. When positioned along a curb with a display portion of the central cabinet facing away from the curb, the display portion and access door of the side cabinet is angled forward, towards the sidewalk and away from the street, without obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic passing by the vending machine.

The angle of the frontal display of the side cabinet can be at any angle suitable to the environment and preferably in the range of about twenty degrees (20°) to thirty-five degrees (35°) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the angle is about twenty-seven degrees (27°). This offset angle of the side cabinets (as compared to the housing longitudinal axis) allows pedestrians to see the contents as they approach the vending machine along the sidewalk (or when angled towards the curb, motorists or others in the street). In this manner, the pedestrians (or motorists) may see something of interest, which would inspire an impulse purchase of the displayed item, in the present embodiments, a publication.

The display areas can be increased by including more than one side cabinets on each side of the central cabinet. Each side cabinet can include two stacked vending units. Multiple central cabinets can also be added side by side and each central cabinet can also include multiple units, such as two stacked vending units or two stacked pairs of vending units. The vending units display and provide access to newspapers, tabloids, periodicals and other literature and goods.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved vending machine, the display of which can be viewed from an increased distance and directions as people approach the vending machine, such as pedestrians walking along the sidewalk.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a-c depict a news box of one of the present invention in various configurations, illustratively located on a sidewalk in an urban or metropolitan environment;

FIG. 2 is a front and left-side view of an embodiment of the news box;

FIG. 3 is an aerial view of the news box;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the news box;

FIG. 5 is a front and left side elevation view of the news box without vending units;

FIG. 6 is a view of a side cabinet without vending units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1a-c depicts a news box 110 of an embodiment of the present invention located in an urban environment 100. The environment 100 can be any metropolitan or urban area, in which a sidewalk 104 and a curb 106 serve as a divider between adjacent buildings 108 and the street 102.

Sidewalks in urban areas are typically regulated by local ordinances as to the placement of municipal and/or public service objects 112, such as fire hydrants, sign posts, bus stops, benches, parking meters, telephone booths, vending machines, and the like. Each object 112 is regulated with respect to its dimensions to accommodate its usefulness, functionality, and aesthetics of the object, as well as accessibility for pedestrians passing along the sidewalks and the vehicles traveling the streets. Accordingly, the objects 112 are normally positioned near the curb 106 to provide an unobstructed pathway to facilitate pedestrian traffic flows along the sidewalks 104.

In FIG. 1a, a vending machine (e.g., news box) 110 of the present embodiment is shown positioned on the sidewalk 104 near the curb 106. The news box 110 is most suitable for use in a metropolitan environment 100 where there is heavy pedestrian traffic. Advantageously, one or more portions of the news box 110 are oriented so that pedestrians are able to see the displayed contents from a distance as they approach without having to walk near the curb 106 or wait until they are standing directly in front of the news box 110. The news box 110 is unobtrusive because its dimensions may comply with regulations so as not to become an obstruction to pedestrians and/or drivers of vehicles in the street 102.

In FIG. 1b and 1c, alternative embodiments of the vending machine 111 and 113 of the present embodiment are shown positioned on the sidewalk 104 to allow multi-viewing angles for pedestrians.

As will be discussed in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 2-8, the shape of the news box 110 enables the pedestrians to view the contents and consider purchasing one or more particular items (e.g., newspapers) while approaching from either side of the news box 110. Thus, a pedestrian will have a longer time to view the displayed contents as he approaches the vending machine to increase the likelihood of purchase.

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of the news box 110. The illustrative news box 110 is a vending machine suitable for displaying various newspapers, tabloids, or other publications for sale. The publications are sold and accessed when a purchaser inserts money (e.g., coins, debit card, etc.) into a slot, releasing a latching mechanism to allow the access door corresponding to the item selected to be opened to allow retrieval of the purchased publication or goods. The news box can also be configured to allow free access.

The news box 110 comprises a central cabinet 210, two side cabinets 220 and two supporting members 230. In alternate embodiments, a single side cabinet, multiple central cabinets and other than two supports may be used. In still further alternate embodiments, each of multiple side cabinets may be angled in different directions (e.g., towards the front and rear, or at different angles), such as shown in FIG. 1b and c. Each cabinet includes a front display potion, two side walls and a rear portion/wall opposite the front display portion. The central cabinet 210 includes two side walls 215, a central display portion 212 and a rear portion 214. The side cabinet 220 includes front display portion 240, two side walls 640, 645 and one rear wall 225. The central cabinet 210 and the side cabinets 220 form a housing or body 200 of the vending machine. In an alternate embodiment, the cabinets can be integrally formed as one large multi-sided cabinet. The support members 230 are positioned between the rear portion 225 of the side cabinets 220 and the sides 215 of the central cabinet 210. In one embodiment, the cabinets 210, 220 are generally substantially rectangular in shape and are each sized to house and secure at least one vending unit 250 although the shape of the cabinets may be other than rectangular. For example, they can be trapezoidally shaped or curvedly shaped. Furthermore, the rear portion 214 of the central cabinet 210 can include a display, so that the materials within the cabinet may be accessed from both front and rear portions of the central cabinet 210.

As seen in FIG. 2, the support member 230 is positioned between the side wall 215 of the central cabinet 210 and the rear portion 225 of the side cabinet 220.

In another embodiment, the side cabinets are attached directly to the central cabinets without the support member. The side cabinets can be fixedly or moveably attached to either the support or the central cabinet, for example, by a hinge or on a rotatable base.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 2, the cabinets can be sized to secure at least two stacked vending units 250, although other numbers are within the scope of the invention. Alternatively, as shown with respect to the central cabinet 210, four half-sized vending units 250 are inserted into the central cabinet 210 to accommodate the sale of magazine sized publications.

Also seen in FIG. 2, a pair of vending units 250 is shown being inserted into the side cabinet 220. Each vending unit 250 is sized to accommodate, for example, a national or local newspaper, and includes a door 241 having a display window 242, a coin slot 243, and a handle 244. The windows 242 are illustratively sized to display the entire newspaper or at least a large portion thereof to attract viewing of the front page headlines. Upon inserting the required amount of money into the slot 243, the purchaser can retrieve the paper by pulling the handle 244 to open the door 214.

Alternately, vending units 250 can also be display cases that offer printed materials or goods without payment.

As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, alternative types of construction can be used, including those without a housing, where individual unitary assemblies are joined together in rows and/or stacked to form a larger news box.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top plan view of the news box 110 is shown. In this preferred embodiment, the news box 110 has an arcuate shape along the front portion 610 and rear portion 620. The front portion 610 is collectively formed by the front display portion 212 of the central cabinet 210 and the first side walls 640 of the two side cabinets 220. In one embodiment, the first side walls 640 are aligned substantially flush with the front display portion 212 of the central cabinet 210. The radius of curvature of the front portion 610 is approximately 5 feet, and the arc across the entire front 610 of the news box 110 extends approximately 60 degrees. Although other dimensions are within the scope of the present invention, these dimensions provide the advantages of providing maximum capacity and viewing areas for materials without being too bulky and obstructive for a sidewalk of about between 12 and 24 feet in width. The rear portion 620 of the news box 110 is collectively formed by the rear 214 of the central cabinet 210 and the second side wall 645 of the two side cabinets 220. As shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment has second side walls 645 that are not flush with the rear wall 214 of the central cabinet 210.

The curvature of the rear portion 620 is substantially parallel to the front portion 610 of the news box 110, and curvature of the second side walls 645 of the two side cabinets 220 are approximately parallel to the first side walls 640 of the side cabinets 220. The arc forming the entire rear 620 of the news box 110 extends approximately 60 degrees.

The front portion 240 of the side cabinet 220 is angled with respect to a central plane 650 that bisects the front 212 and rear 214 of the central cabinet 210. Further, a pair of secondary planes 660 is shown as being positioned parallel with the central plane 650. The secondary planes 660 are positioned at the outermost portions of the two side cabinets 220 when extending from (i.e., with reference to) the central plane 650. The outermost portions includes the front portions 240 of the two side cabinets 220 proximate the rear 620 of the news box 110.

The front portion 240 is angled inward (i.e., towards the front) towards the central plane 650 at an angle θ with respect to the secondary plane 660. The angle θ is the angle formed between the front portion 240 of the side cabinet 220 and the secondary plane 660. For city sidewalks, the angle θ is typically in a range of approximately twenty degrees to thirty five degrees (20° to 35°). In one embodiment, the angle is about 27 degrees such that when a pedestrian is walking in the middle of a 20 foot wide sidewalk, and the vending machine is positioned about 2 feet from the curb, he receives a full, perpendicular view of the vending machine contents when he is about 18 feet away or when on a 12 foot wide sidewalk at about 9.5 feet away. Such angle and distances generally provide the pedestrian a clear, unobstructed view of the contents of the vending machine at a distance at which the contents can be read (such as the headline of a newspaper).

The relationship of the two side cabinets 220 with respect to the central cabinet 210, as defined by the angle θ discussed above, provides enhanced viewing of the vending units 250 installed in the side cabinets 220 as compared to side panels that are perpendicular to the central plane 650. Accordingly, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the angle θ can vary based on the width of the sidewalk 104 and local regulations governing the overall dimensions of the news box 110.

The angled extension of the side cabinets does not obstruct passing pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The angle of the side cabinets allows approaching pedestrians to see their display portions. In this manner, the pedestrians may better see something of interest that would inspire an impulse purchase. Thus, the news box of the present embodiment overcomes the existing problems of current vending machines, since it is conducive to attracting potential purchasers who do not normally purchase publications on a routine or daily basis.

The angling of the side cabinets 220 or the front display portion 240 thereof can be achieved through various means, such as by inserting support members generally triangular in shape, or adjustable accordion-like gusset, hinge, pivot or swivel base for the side cabinet to rest on. Angling can also be achieved by altering the shape of the cabinets.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, angling is achieved by utilizing angular supports. The support members 230 of the news box 110 are substantially triangular in shape (as viewed from above) and extend vertically from the top surface down to a surface on which the news box is located, such as the sidewalk 104. The apex of the triangular support members is positioned at the front 610 of the news box 110. The two triangular-shaped support members 230 are each positioned adjacent to a side wall 215 of the central cabinet 210 and the rear portion 225 of the side cabinet 220. The rear portions of each support member 235 form part of the rear 620 of the news box 110. In alternate embodiments, the supports, central cabinet and side cabinets may take different shapes (e.g., the side cabinets may be triangular and the supports rectangular).

In one embodiment, the support members 230 extend a distance substantially the same as the lengths of the side walls 215 of the central cabinet 210 and the rear portions 225 of the side cabinets 220. In this manner, the rear portions of the support members 235 are substantially flush with the rear 214 of the central cabinet 210. Further, the rear portions 215 of the support members have a radius of curvature substantially the same as the rear wall 214 of the central cabinet.

In one embodiment, the lower, or ground-contacting portions of supports 230 are preferably adjustable to accommodate the angle of the sidewalk and to level the news box in its anchored position.

Each support member can include a base plate 232 formed at the bottom portion of the support member 230. The base plates 232 provide additional stability and protection around the lower portions of the support members 230.

Referring to FIG. 5, each cabinet of the news box 110 preferably includes an optional top cover 700 and a bottom skirt 710. The option bottom skirt can be extended to the ground to prevent objects from being lodged near the support member. Preferably, the top cover 700 is sloped downward from the front to the rear relative to the central cabinet 210.

In FIG. 6, one side cabinet 220 is shown in a side view, which further illustrates that the top cover 700 slopes downward towards side wall 645, which is adjacent to the rear wall 214 of the central cabinet 210. The sloped top cover 700 helps carry moisture (e.g., rain, snow) away from the vending units 250.

The vending units 250 can be secured in a variety of ways in the cabinets. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The vending units 250 can be secured in the cabinets by a locking device, such as a key lock with a tumbler and latch, or any other conventional locking device.

Alternatively, the vending units can be secured to the interior of the cabinets by a fastener, such as a bolt or clasp. In this embodiment, the rear of the vending units includes one or more orifices for receiving the fastener and securing the vending unit to the interior of the cabinets.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show that a pair of frame members 402 extends vertically along the interior of the cabinets 210, 220. A pair of bolts 404 associated with each vending unit 250 is respectively threaded into the pair of frame members 402 at the same height with respect to the bottom of the cabinets. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the frame members 402 can be installed horizontally against the rear interior of the cabinets. Accordingly, each cabinet includes two pairs of bolts threaded into the frame members to retain the stacked vending units 250.

In one embodiment, the orifices in the rear of the vending units are greater than the bolt head. The vending units are slidably mounted in the cabinets by sliding the rear of the vending units to the rear of the cabinets, such that the pair of orifices, when lined up with the respective pair of bolts, slide over the bolt heads and are “hooked” by the bolts 404 to the frame members 402. Alternatively, the orifices in the rear of the vending units are smaller than the bolt heads and are sized to accommodate the shaft of the bolts. The rear portions of the vending units 250 then can be inserted into the cabinets and the bolts can be threaded into the frames thereafter to secure the vending units in place.

The news box 110 of the present embodiment can be constructed from any durable materials capable of withstanding weather conditions, pollutants, as well as occasional abuse. In one embodiment, the cabinets, support members, and vending units are fabricated from sheet metal and the framing members 402 are fabricated from tubular steel. Other fabrication materials can include fiberglass, alloys, composites, plastic materials or any other durable material. The display windows of the vending units can be fabricated from transparent plastics of the type customarily used in such vending machines or other materials.

In addition to the curb, the news box of the present embodiment can also be placed in bus and rail terminals and airport concourses, either against a wall or in a central area where space permits. The side cabinet units can be angled in different directions to accommodate the paths taken by approaching pedestrians. The central display portion can be straight, angular or curvilinear and can be fitted with display portions facing in multiple, including opposing, directions when positioned on a large open area. For example, the side portions may be angled in opposite directions (e.g., one to the front and one to the rear), and one or more sides may include two side cabinets, one angled to the front and the other to the rear.

While the structure and use have been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, modifications such as those suggested above, but not so limited are to be considered within the scope of the invention, which is to be determined by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A vending machine for the display of items to viewers moving along a path, the vending machine comprising: a central cabinet displaying items in a first direction towards the path, the central cabinet having two sides, a front surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the sides, and at least one side cabinet displaying items in a second direction, the side cabinet placed adjacent the central cabinet and angled with respect to the longitudinal axis towards the first direction.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the central cabinet comprises a front display portion configured to allow access to displayed items.

3. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the side cabinet has a frontal display portion angled towards the path at an angle in a range of approximately 20 to 35 degrees, with respect to the longitudinal axis.

4. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein the side cabinet frontal display portion is angled at an angle of approximately 27 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis.

5. The vending machine of claim 1 further comprising at least one support means interposed between the central cabinet and the side cabinet.

6. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein the support means is triangular in vertical cross-section including two sides and an apex, with the apex positioned proximate the front display portion of the central cabinet.

7. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein the cabinets are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of sheet metal, tubular metal elements and molded plastic.

8. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein each cabinet comprises a frame structure attached to an interior surface to support and secure vending units.

9. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein the vending units are coupled to the frame structure.

10. The vending machine of claim 1 further comprising multiple cabinets, each side cabinet being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis.

11. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein one of the side cabinets is angled towards the first direction and another of the side cabinets is angled away from the first direction.

12. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein two side cabinets are adjacent one side of the central cabinet, one side cabinet angled towards the first direction and another side cabinet angled away from the first direction.

13. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein the side cabinets include side walls and wherein the central cabinet includes a front portion, arcuate in shape, which comprises the display portion of the central cabinet and the side walls of the side cabinets.

14. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein each cabinet comprises a pair of vertically stacked vending units.

15. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the central cabinet comprises two pairs of vertically stacked display units.

16. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein each cabinet further comprises a top cover, the top cover being sloped downwardly away from the display portion of the cabinet.

17. A vending machine for the display of items to viewers moving along a path, the vending machine comprising: a central cabinet displaying items in a first direction; at least one side cabinet displaying items in a second direction; and means for angling the side cabinet towards the first direction, the means for angling being coupled to the central cabinet and side cabinet.

18. The vending machine of claim 17, wherein an angle is formed the first direction and the second direction, the means for angling the side cabinet moveably coupling the central cabinet to the side cabinet to adjust the angle.

19. The vending machine of claim 17 further comprising multiple side cabinets, wherein one of the side cabinets is angled towards the first direction and another of the side cabinets is angled away from the first direction.

20. The vending machine of claim 19, wherein two side cabinets are adjacent one side of the central cabinet, one side cabinet angled towards the first direction and another side cabinet angled away from the first direction.