Price selection vending machine arrangement

Claim 2

In vending machines of a multiple-module type, the price selection arrangement comprising in combination, momentary selection switches for identifying selected ones of said modules for a vending operation, motor controlled vending means for each module causing a vend cycle to Be completed in response to operation of a corresponding said momentary selection switch, a price selection switch for each module designating for each module any one of at least two different price schedules, a coin mechanism identifying the receipt of payment of different prices of said schedules, a switching mechanism common to all modules establishing a different vending condition for each of the different price schedules, and a control circuit operated by said switching mechanism to operate the motor of one of the modules identified by one of the selection switches conditionally only when the coin mechanism identifies payment of the price established by the price selection switch for that module.

Claim 3

An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the control circuit comprises a relay operable in two different states as a corresponding two of said price schedules are identified by said coin mechanism.

Claim 4

An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means causing a vend cycle comprises for each module a vending motor momentarily actuated when the module is selected by one of said selection switches and means on said motor to complete the vending cycle after said momentary actuation.

Claim 5

An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the switching mechanism includes a vending relay operable momentarily when the control circuit identifies a price schedule corresponding to that selected for the module by one of said selection switches.

Claim 6

An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the coin mechanism makes change and including relay control circuits operable by said price selection switch for the selected module thereby providing change.

Claim 7

A control circuit in vending machine for vending selected ones of a plurality of items having at least two prices wherein each item is vended under control of a corresponding module having a motor operated through a vending cycle in response to momentary contact of a corresponding item selection switch identifying a particular one of said items, comprising in combination, coin identifying means providing switching control paths for different coins deposited, a price switch for each item identifying its price, relay controlled switching means common to all modules and responsive to set up different control circuits for different prices as controlled by said price switch, a momentary selection switch for each item connected with its corresponding pricing switch to operate said switching control means, and a price comparison circuit operated by said relay controlled switching means to initiate said vending cycle in response to said momentary selection switch only when the coins deposited exceed the price of the selected item.

Claim 8

A control circuit in vending machine for vending selected ones of a plurality of items having at least two prices wherein each item is vended under control of a corresponding module having a motor operated through a vending cycle in response to momentary contact of a corresponding item selection switch identifying a particular one of said items, comprising in combination, coin identifying means providing switching control paths for different coins deposited, a price switch for each item identifying its price, relay controlled switching means common to all modules and responsive to set up different control circuits for different prices as controlled by said price switch, a momentary selection switch for each item connected with its corresponding pricing switch to operate said switching control means, and a price comparison circuit operated by said relay controlled switching means to initiate said vending cycle in response to said momentary selection switch only when the coins deposited exceed the price of the selected item.

Claim 9

A vending machine comprising in combination, electric control circuit means including an electrically operated coin mechanism having circuits therein for controlling payout from deposited coins for at least two different item prices, electrically actuated cyclic means for vending a plurality of different items in response to a momentary switch selection where some of the items have different ones of said two prices, a set of momentary switches in said electric control means operable to actuate said cyclic control means to vend selected items, a pricing switch in said electric control circuit means for each item establishing a selected one of said prices, and further electrical control circuits including said pricing switches and said circuits controlling payout in said coin mechanism connected for operation by said momentary switch selection to initiate a vending cycle to dispense a selected said item identified by an actuated one of said momentary switches only when at least the selected price is deposited in the coin mechanism wherein the coin mechanism makes change in response to the circuits controlling payout and including relay control circuits controlled by the price selection switch for the selected item controlling the payout of change.

Claim 10

A vending machine comprising in combination, electric control circuit means including an electrically operated coin mechanism having circuits therein for controlling payout from deposited coins for at least two different item prices, electrically actuated cyclic means for vending a plurality of different items in response to a momentary switch selection where some of the items have different ones of said two prices, a set of momentary switches in said electric control means operable to actuate said cyclic control means to vend selected items, a pricing switch in said electric control circuit means for each item establishing a selected one of said prices, and further electrical control circuits including said pricing switches and said circuits controlling payout in said coin mechanism connected for operation by said momentary switch selection to initiate a vending cycle to dispense a selected said item identified by an actuated one of said momentary switches only when at least the selected price is deposited in the coin mechanism wherein the coin mechanism makes change in response to the circuits controlling payout and including relay control circuits controlled by the price selection switch for the selected item controlling the payout of change.

Claim 11

A machine as defined In claim 7 wherein said further electrical control circuits consist of a single low price relay connected to operate said coin mechanism for controlling payout for any of said plurality of items identified by the position of its respective said pricing switch as a lower price item of said two prices and a single high price relay connected to operate said coin mechanism for controlling payout of any of said plurality of items identified by the position of its respective said pricing switch as a high price item of said two prices.