초록 ▼

A spring-driven pusher device for a forward, side, top, or up feeding merchandise dispenser having an adjustment mechanism for setting a desired pushing force. The adjustment mechanism is utilized to increase and/or reduce the tension of the windings of the coiled end of a spring or strip of coiled

A spring-driven pusher device for a forward, side, top, or up feeding merchandise dispenser having an adjustment mechanism for setting a desired pushing force. The adjustment mechanism is utilized to increase and/or reduce the tension of the windings of the coiled end of a spring or strip of coiled metal carried on the pusher device. The tension in the windings is increased if greater pushing force is desired, or decreased, if less pushing force is desired. Since the desired pushing force can be set, the same spring-driven pusher device can be utilized to feed various different products, regardless of size, shape, weight or surface texture.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pusher device for an article dispenser, comprising:an elongate track having a dispensing end, an opposite end, and a surface portion extending lengthwise of said track between said dispensing and opposite ends; a pusher extending outwardly from said surface portion of said track and being movab

1. A pusher device for an article dispenser, comprising:an elongate track having a dispensing end, an opposite end, and a surface portion extending lengthwise of said track between said dispensing and opposite ends; a pusher extending outwardly from said surface portion of said track and being movable lengthwise along said track between said dispensing and opposite ends for controllably moving toward said dispensing end a plurality of articles positioned along said surface portion; a force exerting mechanism connected to said pusher and exerting a force on said pusher to urge said pusher toward said dispensing end of said track, said force exerting mechanism having a coiled end portion with multiple windings under tension and a terminal end located adjacent an axis of said coiled end portion; and an adjustment mechanism engaging said coiled end portion and being adapted to tighten and loosen said windings for permitting adjustment of said force exerted by said force exerting mechanism on said pusher, said adjustment mechanism including an arbor extending within said coiled end portion, said terminal end being connected to said arbor and said arbor being rotatable to alter said tension of said windings thereby adjusting said force exerted on said pusher.