초록

A vending machine (10) is provided for storing items. The vending machine (10) includes a lock (18) to control access to the interior of the vending machine (10).

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution, a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the inter

What is claimed is: 1. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution, a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the interior region of the cabinet and a closed position blocking access to the interior region of the cabinet, at least one of the cabinet and door having an opening sized to permit distribution of the objects while the door is in the closed position, and a lock configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the closed position and an unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the closed position, the lock including a housing, a lock member supported by the housing, a motor configured to power movement of the lock member, and a ratchet mechanism positioned between the lock member and the motor to transfer force from the motor to the lock member, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a first ratchet member operatively coupled to the lock member and a second ratchet member operably coupled to the motor, the first and second ratchet members rotating relative to one another about an axis of rotation during at least a portion of the movement of the lock to the locked position, the first and second ratchet members each includes a plurality of teeth that engage each other to transfer force in a first direction about the axis of rotation during at least a portion of the movement of the lock toward the unlocked position and slip over each other in an opposite second direction about the axis of rotation during at least a portion of the movement of the lock toward the locked position. 2. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the first ratchet member transfers force from the motor to the lock member during movement of the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position. 3. The vending machine of claim 2, wherein the first ratchet member transfers force from the motor to the lock member during at least a portion of the movement of the lock from the unlocked position to the locked position. 4. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a gear set positioned between the ratchet mechanism and the motor. 5. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the gear set includes a plurality of spur gears. 6. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the gear set includes a worm. 7. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are ramped. 8. The vending machine of claim 1, where in the lock member directly contacts a portion of at least one of the door and the cabinet to block movement of the door from the closed position. 9. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution, a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the interior region of the cabinet and a closed position blocking access to the interior region of the cabinet, at least one of the cabinet and door having an opening sized to permit distribution of the objects while the door is in the closed position, and a lock configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the closed position and an unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the closed position, the lock including a housing, a lock member supported by the housing, a motor configured to power movement of the lock member, and a ratchet mechanism positioned between the lock member and the motor to transfer force from the motor to the lock member, the ratchet mechanism including a first ratchet member operatively coupled to the lock member and a second ratchet member operably coupled to the motor, the first and second ratchet members rotating relative to one another about an axis of rotation during at least a portion of the movement of the lock to the locked position, wherein the first ratchet member includes a first plurality of teeth spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a first distance, and a second plurality of teeth spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. 10. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the first ratchet member rotates about an axis of rotation and the second ratchet member rotates about the axis of rotation about which the first ratchet rotates. 11. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the first ratchet rotates in a first direction and the second ratchet member rotates in the first direction during at least a portion of the movement of the door to the closed position. 12. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the first and second ratchet members rotate relative to one another during a first portion of the movement of the door to the closed position and rotate with each other in the same direction during a second portion of the movement of the door to the closed position. 13. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the first plurality of teeth extend in an axial direction and the second plurality of teeth extend in a radial direction.