Abstract: E-Z-T Golf Ball Dispenser is a device used by an individual on a practice tee or similar surface for the convenient placement of golf balls on a practice tee and the retrieval or pick-up of balls on and around a practice tee. The device allows for ease in carrying and is free-standing. The device allows for the storage of multiple golf balls due to the utilization of three (3) metal tubes in which golf balls are placed. By pressing a lever, a golf ball is released from storage to the lower horizontal portion of the device which is rounded and cut out in front to allow for the placement of the ball on a tee from above and the removal of the device from the tee by lowering the device thereby placing the ball on the tee and sliding the device away from the tee. Conversely, this device can also be used for the pick up of a single ball and placement on a tee thereby reducing the necessity of a golfer to bend over and pick up a ball.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing merchandise from a vending machine comprises an ejector assembly having an ejector, which by a driven eccentric cam is movable to a pile of merchandise and reciprocable under that pile. The apparatus comprises a central, fixed axle (1), which constitutes a stationary element and on which the driven eccentric cam (3, 4) and a bushing (16) are mounted. The bushing can be selectively coupled to the axle (1) and the eccentric cam (3, 4) and carries the ejector assembly (21). The disclike eccentric cam has an eccentric opening (13), which is disposed within the raised cam track. Below the disc (3) provided with the cam track (4), the axle (1) is connected to a bottom plate (2), which has at least one discharge opening (14), with which the opening (13) can be registered and through which merchandise can be discharged at a defined location.

Abstract: A cup delivery and turret indexing arrangement in which a motor receives a signal indicating that a cup is to be delivered to drive its shaft first to actuate a cup drop ring over which one turret column is positioned and to release a cup supply sensing arm which moves to permit a full cycle switch to close. When the last cup at a predetermined column level has been dropped, the arm moves to position a turret drive slide in the path of a crank pin driver by the shaft to rotate the turret to position a fresh column over the cup drop ring.

Abstract: An insertion machine for integrated circuits includes a number of upwardly extending bars arranged in side-by-side relation on a carrier plate with a driving mechanism moving the carrier plate relative to an output device. Each bar has a displaceable lock at the bottom end for holding the bottom integrated circuit within the bar until it is to be moved into the output device. The carrier plate can be a hollow cylinder or a flat plate. The bars are removably mounted on the carrier plate by locking elements engageable with complementary locking elements in the carrier plate.

Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus of a coin operated type is provided with a housing having a product delivery compartment attached thereto. A frame structure is rotatably mounted within the housing and has a plurality of product column assemblies mounted in a carousel arrangement. Each of the product column assemblies has a set of shelves, each shelf pivotally attached thereto and oriented one above another in each column for allowing a product to be placed thereon for dispensing, one at a time. A radially extending partition wall is disposed on each side of each set of shelves for preventing the product from being moved off of the shelf. Each of the shelves is a generally pie section shaped configuration with side wing members that fold so that such shelves do not become wedged between the partition walls when they drop towards a product dispensing position.

Abstract: An automatic coin dispenser in which coins are stored in a plurality of coin tubes of equal length arranged around the circumference of a rotatable base. The coins are fed into the tubes from above according to the type of machine in which the dispenser is used. Coins projecting above the top of the tubes are swept off into a suitable receptacle. Coins are dispensed from the bottoms of the tubes which are provided with a slot in the wall and an opening in the bottom giving access to the bottom coin of a column of coins for a rotatable coin ejecting mechanism arranged to eject coins radially from the bottoms of a sequence of columns of coins during rotation of the base. The dispenser is further provided with a mechanism to activate or deactivate the coin ejecting mechanism so that a predetermined number of coins may be ejected. Suitable receptacle are provided for surplus coins removed from the tops of the columns and also for coins dispensed.

Abstract: An improved drive system for a merchandising machine having a plurality of removable modules each including an upper and a lower rotary merchandise carrier adapted to be driven successively to position the compartments thereof adjacent to an escrow mechanism actuated in response to movement of the carrier first to release an article and then to receive an article from a compartment positioned adjacent thereto, each unit having a product pusher adapted to be moved into a positioned compartment positively to force an article out of the compartment to the escrow mechanism, said drive system including a plurality of sliders mounted on the modules adjacent to the respective carriers for vertical reciprocating movement to carry a drag link having a pawl thereon along a path defined by cam and follower means successivly to step the carrier through a distance equal to the extent of one compartment and then to operate said pusher.

Abstract: A key blank selector-dispenser comprises a drum having a central axis aperture and several series of radial cells for receiving magazines of key blanks and contained in respective radial planes of the cylinder. The drum is rotatable by an electric motor having an electromagnetic brake. Key blank ejectors for each said series are provided in said aperture and are located in the same diametral plane of the drum.A control panel has a number of slots for insertion of specimen keys equal to the number of said cells. Means actuatable by insertion of a specimen key closes the motor circuit to start the motor. A cam on each series of cells operates a limit contact when a cell having a desired blank comes into the plane of the ejectors to effect stopping of the motor and actuation of the ejector corresponding to the series selected.

Abstract: A currency dispensing apparatus employs a removable portable cartridge having a plurality of compartments for storing currency of differing denominations to be dispensed during successive transactions, another compartment for receiving a journal record printed as each transaction is completed, and a different compartment (preferably defined by a detachable portion of the cartridge) for storing rejected currency. Upon removal from the apparatus, the cartridge will thus contain all undispensed currency, including rejected currency, and also contain a complete journal record of all transactions conducted at the apparatus using that particular cartridge. The cartridge comprises two concentric members, the outer having an opening through which currency is dispensed, and the inner providing the compartments. The appropriate currency compartment is rotatably aligned with the dispensing opening, which is adjacent a dispensing station.

Abstract: An automatic article vendor is provided for storing a plurality of articles, and for individually dispensing the articles. The vendor comprises a carousel including a plurality of elongate, vertically disposed chambers in which the articles are stacked one on top of another. The carousel is rotatable so that the articles are moved in a circular path preparatory to being vended. A finger is mounted on each chamber, a portion of the finger extending beneath each chamber when the finger is in a support position for supporting the articles stacked thereinabove. The finger also has a release position for individually releasing one of the articles from a chamber. The vendor includes an article select mechanism for selecting a certain article stacked in one of the chambers by urging the corresponding finger into a release position. An aspect of the vendor is an empty indicator for indicating when a chamber no longer has articles stacked therein.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising an upright circular array of storage bins formed by an annular wall and by partitions extending from a hub which is horizontally journaled for rotation within the wall. A merchandise selector is vertically aligned with the bottommost bin through an opening in the wall and is adapted to receive a single item of merchandise from a plurality of loosely disposed items. The annular wall includes a spring-loaded, slidably overlapping portion which serves as a jam release. Ramp surfaces are provided on the partitions or on opposing edges of the wall opening to divert merchandise to the gravitational center of the bottommost bin.