Selectable coupling mechanism including article dispensers

Abstract

An electromechanical selection control is transmitting the rotation of an electric motor output shaft to a selectively controlled reciprocating motion for performing a desired action in one or more selected stations. A coupling mechanism in each station is electrically selectable and mechanically connectable to a power drive and resettable by the power drive within a control cycle. Among the numerous applications the reciprocating coupled motion is usable in vending machines for operating dispenser actuators requiring a reciprocating motion. The control circuitry has flexibility to suit different conditions and it is satisfying the vending machine control requirements where a simple series connected selection switch chain is connectable to a coin validating unit which in the most complex form includes a multiprice and changemaker control circuitry and more than one selectable dispenser groups each including a drive motor and more than one selectable dispensers. The compact coupling mechanism can be directly a part of a dispenser actuator or it is connectable to a dispenser actuator by a connecting linkage if the two are not in a close proximity. Novel front end dispensing mechanisms to act from a horizontal or inclined storage platform are provided for various product shapes including cylindrical containers, rectangular packages and bagged products.