Abstract: Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).

Abstract: A coin lock for carts in which the body of the lock is provided with two levers which turn upon introduction of a coin and displace lock plates which release a closure locking plate by which the lock is held to an adjacent element. The levers are held in a closure locking plate release position by means of bars which swing in a vertical plane around individual pins and then engage and hold the levers apart and hold the levers and the lock plates in their releasing positions. Upon its introduction the closure locking plate acts against the elastic action of individual springs and presses against and turns the bars downward. This releases the levers and turns them, under the elastic action of individual springs, into the releasing position. This in turn frees the coin for removal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a coin chute assembly which includes a sizing block having a plurality of vertical slots each disposed to receive one of a plurality of removable sizing inserts. The sizing block has a horizontal groove in the top surface which communicates with the vertical slots. Each insert has a flange portion received in the horizontal groove and a downwardly extending notch defining stem portion which fits within a separate one of the vertical slots. The notch portion of each insert defines the upper edge of an acceptably sized coin needed to operate the assembly. Fasteners are provided to removably fasten the sizing block within the assembly to permit replacement of the inserts as needed.

Abstract: Coin-controlled apparatus for locking shopping carts together in nested series at a cart parking station having coin-controlled mechanism mounted on a cart, e.g. on the handle of the cart, which is adapted for receiving and releasably locking therein a latch bar on a tether which is attached to the next cart in the nested series, requiring deposit of a coin to release the latch bar to free the cart for being wheeled away by the user, and holding the coin until the user brings the cart back to a cart parking station, nests it in the end cart at the parking station, and inserts the latch bar which is tethered to said end cart in the mechanism to lock the returned cart to the series and to provide for return of the user's coin.

Abstract: An improved coin slide is disclosed which incorporates a transverse stop bar formed in the bottom of the slide. The stop bar is positioned to overlie the lever checking mechanism when the slide is moved to its rearward vending position whereby in the event of a broken lever, the lever will be automatically spring biased into contact with the stop bar to prevent forward movement of the slide. Additionally, the slide is provided with a pair of transversely spaced hold down pads which are positioned on the slide top surface to contact with bridge trailing surface for slide stabilization precisely when the bridge is performing its coin checking function.

Abstract: Coin-controlled apparatus for locking shopping carts together in nested series at a cart parking station having a coin-controlled mechanism mounted on a cart, e.g. on the handle of the cart, which is adapted for receiving and releasably locking therein a latch bar on a tether which is attached to the next cart in the nested series, requiring deposit of a coin to release the latch bar to free the cart for being wheeled away by the user, and holding the coin until the user brings the cart back to a cart parking station, nests it in the end cart at the parking station, and inserts the latch bar which is tethered to said end cart in the mechanism to lock the returned cart to the series and to provide for return of the user's coin.

Abstract: A coin chute construction for a dispensing machine and method of making same are provided wherein such machine requires at least one coin of predetermined size and valuation to initiate one operation of the machine for one item of goods or service. The construction comprises improved structural components associated with holding, moving, and testing each coin at a test station; and a coin knockout device which prevents a coin jammed in a slider of the machine from being used to provide more than one operation of such machine.

Abstract: An improved coin slide is disclosed which incorporates a transverse stop bar formed in the bottom of the slide. The stop bar is positioned to overlie the lever checking mechanism when the slide is moved to its rearward vending position whereby in the event of a broken lever, the lever will be automatically spring biased into contact with the stop bar to prevent forward movement of the slide. Additionally, the slide is provided with a pair of transversely spaced hold down pads which are positioned on the slide top surface to contact with bridge trailing surface for slide stabilization precisely when the bridge is performing its coin checking function.

Abstract: A device for removably attaching carts or the like such as used in supermarkets is comprised of a casing fixed to the handle of a cart. The casing is equipped with a plunger wherein a coin may be inserted into a coin housing in the plunger to release a locking key. The locking key can be affixed by means of a chain to either the casing of a preceding cart or to any other suitable support. Insertion of the locking key into the casing will release the plunger to allow the user to again gain access to the previously inserted coin.

Abstract: A disk operated mechanism having two pivotable members spaced apart by an amount less than the diameter of the disk. A lever extends from one pivotable member. Co-operable stops on each pivotable member restrict pivoting of the members when the lever is moved, thus restricting further movement of the lever. The arrangement ensures that a disk placed between the pivotable members will transmit force applied to one pivotable member by the lever to the other pivotable member to widen the spacing between the pivotable members so that the co-operable stops cannot contact each other to restrict pivoting of the members and thus movement of the lever.

Abstract: A locking device for interlocking at least two nested shopping carts. The device comprises a housing which is attachable at a predetermined location on a shopping cart, usually but not exclusively, the handlebar thereof. A coin-activated unlocking actuator is movably mounted in the housing for limited inward displacement thereof on a working axis. A locking mechanism is also displaceably mounted inside the housing and has a locking pin and lock pin displacing member. A key element is received in a key slot provided in the housing and is immovably engaged by the lock pin. An actuator retention member engages the actuator and is comprised of one or more retention elements, one of which has a pin ejector associated therewith. The key element has in its free end at least two lock activating contact points lying in different planes for disengaging the actuator retention member to thereby release the actuator and cause the locking mechanism to engage the key element in the housing.

Abstract: In a manually operated coin slide mechanism, the usual coin receiving coin slide is permitted a full inward stroke regardless of the value or validity of the coin inserted therein. Actuation of an apparatus controlled by the mechanism is governed instead by a secondary slide yieldingly coupled to the coin slide, and whose displacement is dependent upon the value and validity of the coin. The mechanism is thus protected against damage resulting from the use of brute force by vandals, and is further readily adapted to accept coins of different values, since the degree of displacement of the secondary slide can be made dependent upon the coin value.