The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 01, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1990
Christopher R Craven, Fresno, CA (US);
Richard A Pollock, Fresno, CA (US);
The Vendo Company, Fresno, CA (US);
Abstract
A latching mechanism is disclosed for application in vending machines, or the like. In a preferred embodiment the latching mechanism is of one-piece construction. The latching mechanism comprises a ramp mounted to an outer door of the vending machine and configured such that an inner door of the vending machine remains latched to the outer door when it is pulled away from a dispenser housing to access the refrigerated compartment therein. The ramp preferably comprises a ridge on a horizontal surface thereof. When the inner door is urged against the outer door, it passes over the ridge and comes to rest on the ramp. The ridge deters the inner door from sliding off the ramp and becoming detached from the outer door. An appropriate amount of force applied to separate the two doors causes the inner door to roll over the ridge and swing away from the outer door.