Accumulator Having Ratchet Wheel Patents (Class 194/223)
  • Patent number: 7516829
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a bill-operated capsuled article vending machine. The capsuled article vending machine 10 is provided with a capsule container 12 at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit 14 at a lower portion thereof. The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with a reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 of the handle 32, a bill identifying unit 50, a bill storing box 52 and a rotation control unit 54 for the handle 32, in addition to the handle 32. The rotation control unit 54 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 for locking or unlocking the handle 32, a sensor 62 for detecting a rotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32 and a control unit 64. When the bill identifying unit 50 recognizes reception of a prescribed bill, the rotation control unit 54 enables one rotation of the handle 32, by which an article is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kite International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7083036
    Abstract: An apparatus for securely monitoring the sales transactions in bulk vending machines, said apparatus comprising at least one bulk vending machine having a coin mechanism. The coin mechanism includes a coin plate; a selectively rotatable shaft extending radially therefrom; a coin shuttle, a cam-bearing lobe and a coin mechanism adapter plate co-axially and collectively located around the selectively rotatable shaft; and a first switch and a second switch. The first and second switches are fixedly mounted and oriented on the coin mechanism adapter plate so that the maximum amount of backlash in the coin mechanism is less than the angular spread of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Coinstar Entertainment Services Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Adams