Distribution column for vending machines

Abstract

 A distribution column for vending machines includes two side walls forming a substantially vertical chamber for containing products, such as cans or bottles, stacked internally for vending, the mutual distance of the walls being adjustable in order to vary the dimensions of the chamber according to the products to be contained. The distribution column has an adjusting and locking means for adjusting the mutual distance between the side walls and locking the plates in a position that corresponds to a selected distance.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution column particularly for vending machines for bottles and cans.

[0002] Vending machines have distribution columns that accommodate products that are contained in containers, such as bottles or cans, having different shapes and dimensions.

[0003] Each distribution column must therefore be sized according to the containers to be arranged therein.

[0004] Generally, a distribution column is constituted by two walls joined by connecting members that may be constituted by spacers, adjustment brackets and various fixing means, which are inserted between the vertical walls of the column and accordingly determine its width.

[0005] This type of construction of the distribution column has some drawbacks.

[0006] The operator who works on the vending machine must be equipped, and must therefore carry with him, the various wall connecting members in various dimensions, and must find the optimum column width for a given product by positioning the components before locking them permanently.

[0007] This leads to a dual drawback in terms of cost and in terms of space occupation. It is necessary to produce a series of brackets having different dimensions, although only a few, the ones needed to obtain the selected width of the column, are used in each instance.

[0008] Another drawback, again of the economic type, is the time required for fitting the brackets on the column, in order to vary its width.

[0009] The complexity of the intervention for disassembling the distribution column, choosing the right brackets required to achieve the intended width, and eventually fitting the brackets, entails labour costs and machine downtime.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an adjustable distribution column that does not require the traditional fitting brackets and that can be adjusted simply and rapidly.

[0011] An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable distribution column that does not require the provision of a plurality of brackets and fittings in order to adjust its size.

[0012] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a distribution column, particularly for vending machines, comprising at least two side walls forming a substantially vertical chamber for containing products stacked internally for vending, the mutual distance of said walls being adjustable in order to vary the dimensions of said chamber according to the products to be contained, characterized in that it comprises an adjusting and locking means adapted to adjust said mutual distance and lock said plates in a position that corresponds to a selected distance.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a distribution column according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation view of the distribution column according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the distribution column according to the invention, illustrating the adjustment device in the minimum column width position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged-scale rear view of the distribution column according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of a distribution column according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective front exploded view of the column of the preceding figure;

Figure 7 is a perspective rear exploded view of the column of the preceding figure;

Figure 8 is a front view of the column of the preceding figure;

Figure 9 is a rear view of the column of the preceding figure;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a detail of the lower portion of the column as illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a front perspective view of a detail of the upper portion of the column as illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 12 is a side perspective view of the column of Figure 6;

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view, in greater a detail, of the column as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0014] With particular reference to Figures 1-4, an adjustable distribution column 1 according to the invention comprises two side walls 3 and 4 and a first adjustment template or plate 2.

[0015] With reference to the figures, a horizontal direction, determined by the base of the distribution column, and a vertical direction, defined by the vertical extension of the column, are defined. The front part of the column is the one that is closed by the adjustment wall 2 and the rear part is the one shown in Figure 2, in which the column appears to be closed by two rear wall portions 18 and 19.

[0016] Viewing the column from the front, therefore, there is a right wall 4, a left wall 3, a first adjustment plate 2, and a second adjustment plate 9.

[0017] With particular reference to Figure 1, one can therefore identify the right side wall 4 and the left side wall 3.

[0018] A right front transverse portion 27 and a left front transverse portion 26 are associated with the right side wall 4 and the left side wall 3, and first adjustment holes 11 a are provided in portions 26 and 27.

[0019] The right and left front transverse portions 27 and 26 are slidingly coupled at the front to the first adjustment plate 2 and at the rear to a second adjustment plate 9 by means of spacing pins 25.

[0020] In this particular embodiment, the second adjustment plate 9 is quadrangular and has, at its four corners, four guide slots 20 that are substantially horizontal. Bushes 24 can slide in the guide slots 20.

[0021] The front wall 2 also has horizontal guide slots 21, which face the slots 20 of the second adjustment plate 9 and in which bushes 7 can slide. Spacing pins 25 are supported by the bushes 7 and 24, which can slide in the respective guides 21 and 20 and pass through holes 23 formed in the transverse portions 26 and 27 of the walls 3 and 4, so that the front adjustment wall 2 and the second adjustment plate 9 remain motionless while the two side walls 3 and 4 can perform a horizontal translational motion, moving mutually closer and further apart.

[0022] In order to ensure that the movements of the two walls 3 and 4 are uniform, a rack is provided monolithically with respect to the transverse portions 26 and 27 and is designated respectively by the reference numerals 13 for the portion 26 of the wall 3 and 14 for the portion 27 of the wall 4.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the racks respectively engage above and below a pinion 12, so that the two racks, and therefore the two walls, cannot slide independently of each other; the movement of one of the two walls instead produces a similar movement, but in the opposite direction, of the other wall.

[0024] The first adjustment plate 2 has a third series of adjustment holes 8 arranged at the sides of a central supporting pivot 16, so as to form two semicircles in which the concavity is directed toward the central supporting pivot 16. Likewise, a fourth series of holes 10 that are coaxial to the holes 8 is provided on the second adjustment plate 9.

[0025] The central pivot 16 enters a hole, not shown in the figures and provided in the first adjustment plate 2, so as to protrude partially from the plate.

[0026] On the side of the front wall 2, an adjustment lever 5 is mounted on the externally protruding part of the central supporting pivot 16.

[0027] On each of its two ends, the adjustment lever 5 has an adjustment pivot 17, respectively a first pivot 17a and a second pivot 17b.

[0028] Each of those pivots may be inserted in any of the holes of the third series of adjustment holes 8 of the first adjustment plate 2 and consequently may be inserted in a coaxial hole that belongs to the first series of adjustment holes 11 a of the transverse portions 26 and 27 and one of the holes of the fourth series of adjustment holes 10 of the second adjustment plate 9.

[0029] The adjustment lever 5 is pivoted to the pivot 16, substantially at the lever's central region, about the axis of which it can thus rotate and to which it is retained by means of a nut 15.

[0030] An elastic element 6 is provided between the adjustment lever 5 and the first adjustment plate 2, which is mounted on the central supporting pivot 16.

[0031] The adjustment lever 5 can perform a translational motion along the central supporting pivot 16 and is retained at the end of its stroke by the nut 15, so that the adjustment pivots 16 can enter and exit the coaxial holes of the series 8, 10, 11a and 11b.

[0032] The elastic element 6 acts by retaining the adjustment lever 5 in the position in which the adjustment pivots 17a and 17b are inserted in the holes 8, 10 and 11, whereas a certain force needs to be applied to the lever in order to disengage the adjustment pivots 17a and 17b from the holes.

[0033] A rear adjustment plate 30 is provided on the back of the column 1 and is similar to the first adjustment plate 2 as regards the structural components that are functional for adjustment.

[0034] The horizontal guides 21 and the series of adjustment holes 8 are in fact present here as well. Moreover, the second adjustment plate 9 is also present here, although it is not shown, and it is arranged inside the column as in the case of the front wall.

[0035] There are also two end walls that are rigidly coupled to the side walls 3 and 4: the end wall 18 is rigidly coupled to the side wall 3 and the end wall 19 is rigidly coupled to the side wall 4. The end walls 18 and 19, as shown by Figures 2, 3 and 4, partially overlap in order to allow to vary the width of the column.

[0036] The column according to this embodiment, has four similar adjustment devices: these four devices, arranged at the lower end and at the upper end of the distribution column 1, are arranged so that two are at the front part of the column and two are at the rear walls 18 and 19.

[0037] The operation of the distribution column according to the invention is as follows.

[0038] The operator acts on the adjustment levers 5 by pulling them outwards, i.e., by disengaging the adjustment pivots 17 from the holes 10, 11a and 11b and 8 and moving the lever 5 into a position in which the pivots engage no holes but abut against the first adjustment plate 2, for the front devices, and against the rear adjustment plate 30 for the rear devices.

[0039] Once all the adjustment levers 5 have been disengaged, the side walls 3 and 4 can be moved transversely mutually further apart or closer. The presence of the racks 13 and 14 and of the pinion 12 that engages thereon causes the two walls to perform mirror-symmetrical movements.

[0040] Once the operator has determined the optimum width of the distribution column for accommodating the products, he simply needs to rotate the adjustment levers 5 until the adjustment pivots 17a and 17b, under the action of the elastic element 6 that acts on the adjustment lever 5, enter one of the holes of the third series of adjustment holes 8 of the first adjustment plate 2, for the front devices, and of the rear adjustment plate 30, for the rear devices.

[0041] Figures 5-13 illustrate a distribution column, generally designated by the reference numeral 101, according to a further aspect of the invention, comprising a right side wall 104, a left side wall 103, a front motor plate assembly 102, and an upper front adjustment plate assembly 105.

[0042] The column 101 also comprises a rear plate assembly 106, a rear lower plate assembly 107 and a top plate assembly 108.

[0043] The plate assemblies described above each comprise pantograph members that allow the adjustment of the mutual distance of the side walls 103 and 104.

[0044] A pantograph member of the upper front adjustment plate assembly 105 comprises a rack 109 and pinion 110 associated, through arms 111, with two side bars 112 and 113, respectively associated with the side walls 103 and 104.

[0045] The upper front adjustment plate assembly 105 is constituted by an outer plate 114 and an inner plate 115.

[0046] A pantograph member of the front motor plate assembly 102 comprises a rack 209 and pinion 210 associated, through arms 211, with two side bars 212 and 213, respectively associated with the side walls 103 and 104.

[0047] The front motor plate assembly 102 is constituted by an outer plate 214 and an inner plate 215.

[0048] The rear plate assembly 106 comprises two pantograph members.

[0049] An upper pantograph member comprises an upper rack 309 and an upper pinion 310 associated, through upper arms 311, with two upper side bars 312 and 313, respectively associated with the side walls 104 and 103.

[0050] A lower pantograph member comprises lower arms 411 associated with two lower side bars 412 and 413, respectively associated with the side walls 104 and 103.

[0051] The rear plate assembly 106 is constituted by an outer plate 314 and an inner plate 315.

[0052] Each of the left and right side walls 103 and 104 comprises an upper dented slot 116 and a lower dented slot 117 having dents that can be engaged by bolts or rivets 118 associated with a rear movable wall 119.

[0053] The rear movable wall 119 is constituted by two plates sliding on each other that can be mutually fastened by means of bolts 121 engaging slots 122 in order to adjust the width of the movable wall 119 according to the distance between the side walls 103 and 104.

[0054] The rear movable wall 119 can be thus fastened to the side walls 103 and 104 in a selected position thereby adjusting the length of the column.

[0055] The side walls 103 and 104 comprise outer ribs 120 that are preferably constituted by corrugated plates welded to the walls.

[0056] The operation of the distribution column 101 is analogous to the operation described above but made even easier and quicker by the provision of the pantograph members.

[0057] The distribution column 101 further allows for the adjustment of the rear wall of the column by means of the dented slots 116 and 117 and the movable wall 119.

[0058] The distribution column according to the invention also allows to adjust the right and/or left supporting surfaces unevenly, i.e., to space the rear part of the column differently from the front part, so that in plan view the column has a trapezoidal cross-section in order to better accommodate containers that have a conical or otherwise irregular and non-cylindrical shape, such as for example bottles, optionally by means of suitable adjustment/setting shims.

[0059] The distribution column according to the invention is susceptible of modifications and variations, within the scope of the appended claims.

[0060] All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials and the dimensions may be various according to requirements.

Claims

1. A distribution column, particularly for vending machines, comprising at least two side walls forming a substantially vertical chamber for containing products stacked internally for vending, the mutual distance of said walls being adjustable in order to vary the dimensions of said chamber according to the products to be contained, characterized in that it comprises an adjusting and locking means adapted to adjust said mutual distance and lock said plates in a position that corresponds to a selected distance.

2. The column according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said side walls comprises at least one front transverse portion, respectively a right front portion and a left front portion, adjustment holes being formed in each one of said at least one right and left front transverse portions, each one of said side walls comprising at least one right rear transverse portion and one left rear transverse portion, second adjustment holes being provided in each one of said at least one right and left rear transverse portions, said adjusting and locking means comprising at least a first adjustment plate, which is provided with third adjustment holes, and at least a second adjustment plate, which is arranged inside said column at said at least first adjustment plate, is substantially parallel thereto and is provided with fourth adjustment holes, and at least one adjustment lever, which is pivoted to said at least one first adjustment plate by means of a central supporting pivot, and a means, associated with said at least one adjustment lever, for coupling said at least two side walls with respect to said at least one first adjustment plate and with respect to said at least one second adjustment plate.

3. The column according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjusting and locking means comprises at least a first and at least a second adjustment pivot, both pivots being associated with said at least one adjustment lever and being arranged at opposite ends, with respect to said central supporting pivot, of said at least one lever, said pivots being adapted to be both inserted in said third adjustment holes formed in said at least one first adjustment plate and in said fourth adjustment holes formed in said at least one second adjustment plate, said at least one first pivot being inserted, if said at least one first adjustment plate is positioned in front of the column, in said first holes formed in said at least one right front transverse portion and said at least one second pivot being inserted in said first holes formed in said at least one left front transverse portion.

4. The column according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for locking said at least one adjustment lever comprises at least one first adjusting pivot and at least one second adjusting pivot, both said pivots being associated with said at least one adjustment lever and being arranged at opposite ends, with respect to said central supporting pivot, of said at least one lever, said pivots being both adapted to be inserted into said third adjusting holes formed in said at least one adjustment plate and in said fourth adjusting holes formed in said at least one second adjustment plate, said at least one first pivot being inserted, if said at least one first adjustment plate is positioned to the rear of the column, in said second holes formed in said at least one right rear transverse portion, said at least one second pivot being inserted in said second holes formed in said at least one left rear transverse portion.

5. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one adjustment lever has at least one elastic element that is arranged at said central supporting pivot so as to contrast the extraction of said at least one first and second adjustment pivots from said third adjusting holes.

6. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first adjustment plate and said at least one second adjustment plate each comprises, in facing positions, substantially horizontal and mutually parallel guiding slots.

7. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sliding bush is provided in each one of said guiding slots.

8. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that pairs of said sliding bushes arranged in facing slots support the ends of a spacing pivot, said spacing pivot being stably coupled to one of said right or left, front or rear transverse portions of one of said at least two side walls and moves with it.

9. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one right front or rear transverse portion and said at least one left rear or front transverse portion each comprise a rack portion with a set of teeth that is suitable to engage a pinion that is arranged between said at least one first adjustment plate and said at least one second adjustment plate.

10. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a right side wall, a left side wall, a front motor plate assembly, an upper front adjustment plate assembly, a rear plate assembly, a rear lower plate assembly and a top plate assembly.

11. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate assemblies comprise pantograph members that allow the adjustment of the mutual distance of the side walls.

12. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantograph member of the upper front adjustment plate assembly comprises a rack and pinion associated, through arms, with two side bars and respectively associated with the side walls.

13. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper front adjustment plate assembly is constituted by an outer plate and an inner plate.

14. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantograph member of the front motor plate assembly comprises a rack and pinion associated, through arms, with two side bars respectively associated with the side walls.

15. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front motor plate assembly is constituted by an outer plate and an inner plate.

16. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear plate assembly comprises two pantograph members, an upper pantograph member comprising an upper rack and an upper pinion associated, through upper arms, with two upper side bars, respectively associated with said side walls.

17. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower pantograph member comprises lower arms associated with two lower side bars, respectively associated with said side walls.

18. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear plate assembly is constituted by an outer plate and an inner plate.

19. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said left and right side walls comprises an upper dented slot and a lower dented slot having dents that can be engaged by bolts or rivets associated with a rear movable wall.

20. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear movable wall is constituted by two plates sliding on each other that can be mutually fastened by means of bolts engaging slots in order to adjust the width of the movable wall according to the distance between the side walls.

21. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear movable wall can be fastened to the side walls in a selected position thereby adjusting the length of the column.

22. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side walls comprise outer reinforcing ribs.

23. The distribution column according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer ribs are constituted by corrugated plates welded to the walls.

Drawing