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An apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet. The door has a vertical column with two sides and a front face, the front face having openings that permit customer interface devices to be

An apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet. The door has a vertical column with two sides and a front face, the front face having openings that permit customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer. A continuous integral panel is secured to the vertical column and extends across a width of the front face and side of the vertical column.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet, the door having a vertical column having two sides and a front face, the front face having openings permitting customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer, the vending machin

1. A vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet, the door having a vertical column having two sides and a front face, the front face having openings permitting customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer, the vending machine further comprising: a continuous integral panel including a metal or metal alloy, the panel secured to the vertical column and extending across at least a majority of a width of the front face of the vertical column and extending along at least a majority of a horizontal width of a side of the vertical column. 2. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the panel having openings which align with at least two customer interface openings in the vertical column, so as to permit at least one customer interface device to be accessed by a customer through the panel, wherein the customer interface devices are selected from the group consisting essentially of: a coin entry and eject actuator; a paper currency validator; card reader; product/vend selection actuators; and a coin return cavity. 3. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the vertical column has an access opening for a T-handle, and the panel having an opening for the T-handle. 4. The vending machine of claim 3 wherein the continuous panel having a top end and a bottom end, and further comprising a cross member at the top end spanning between a top edge of the front face and a top edge of the portion of the panel extending along a side of the vertical column. 5. The vending machine of claim 4 wherein the cross member incorporates a first member of a locking device, and the cabinet has attached thereto a second, mating member of said locking device, whereby the door can be secured to the cabinet through cooperation of the first and second members. 6. The vending machine of claim 4 wherein the cross member presents an open edge which will deflect forces applied to a prying tool when such a tool is inserted between the open edge and edges of the door or cabinet when closed together. 7. The vending machine of claim 6 wherein the open edge forms one leg of a triangle. 8. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the continuous panel extends beyond a rear edge of the side of the column and overlaps a portion of a side of the cabinet. 9. The vending machine of claim 8 including a vertical channel formed on a side of the cabinet, and wherein the panel extends into the channel. 10. A vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet, the door having a vertical column having two sides and a front face, the vending machine further comprising: a continuous integral panel including a metal or metal alloy, the panel having a portion secured to one or more of the front face or a side face of the vertical column, or to a side face of the cabinet, the panel also having a top extending generally horizontally over the junction of edges on the top of an area where the door and cabinet form a seal when closed. 11. The vending machine of claim 10 wherein the panel portion is part of a continuous integral panel secured to the vertical column and extending across at least a majority of a width of the front face of the vertical column and extending along at least a majority of a horizontal width of a side of the vertical column. 12. The vending machine of claim 10 wherein top of the panel portion presents at least one open edge which will deflect forces applied to a prying tool when such a tool is inserted between the open edge and edges of the door or cabinet when closed together. 13. The vending machine of claim 12 wherein the open edge forms one leg of a triangle. 14. The vending machine of claim 10 wherein the top of the panel portion incorporates a first member of a locking device, and the cabinet has attached thereto a second, mating member of said locking device, whereby the door can be further secured to the housing through cooperation of the first and second members. 15. A vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet, the door having a vertical column having two sides and a front face, the front face having openings permitting customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer the machine further comprising: a continuous integral panel including a metal or metal alloy, the panel secured to the door over at least a portion of the front face of the vertical column, the panel having openings which align with at least two customer interface openings in the vertical column, so as to permit at least two customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer through the panel; wherein the customer interface devices are selected from the group consisting essentially of: a coin entry with display and eject actuator; a paper currency validator; card reader; product/vend selection actuators; and a coin return cavity. 16. The vending machine of claim 15 wherein the vertical column has an access opening for a T-handle, and the panel having an opening for the T-handle. 17. The vending machine of claim 15 wherein the continuous panel extends beyond the side of the column rear edge and overlaps a portion of a side of the cabinet. 18. The vending machine of claim 17 including a vertical channel formed on a side of the cabinet, and wherein the panel extends into the channel. 19. The vending machine of claim 15 wherein the continuous panel extends over at least a portion of the side of the vertical column. 20. The vending machine of claim 17 wherein the panel having a front-facing portion and a side-facing portion and having a top end and a bottom end, and further comprising a cross member at the top end spanning between the front-facing portion and the side facing portion. 21. The vending machine of claim 20 wherein the cross member is a plate welded to the panel. 22. The vending machine of claim 20 wherein cross member presents at least one open edge which will deflect forces applied to a prying tool when such a tool is inserted between the open edge and edges of the door or cabinet when closed together. 23. The vending machine of claim 20 wherein the cross member incorporates a first member of a locking device, and the cabinet has attached thereto a second, mating member of said locking device, whereby the door can be further secured to the housing through cooperation of the first and second members. 24. The vending machine of claim 23 wherein the first member is a through hole in the cross member and the second member is a strap having a through hole whereby the two through holes may be aligned and secured by the locking device. 25. A vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet, the door having a vertical column having two sides and a front face, the front face having openings permitting customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer, the vending machine further comprising: a paper currency validator mounted inside the vertical column, the paper currency validator having an opening or slot for accepting bills, the bill slot being aligned with an opening in vertical column for passage of bills into the paper currency validator;a shield mounted to the vending machine door, the shield including a front wall which is spaced sufficiently from the vertical column such that impact on the shield front wall is not transferred to the paper currency validator or the vertical column direct contact with the front wall of the shield;at least one support for supporting the front wall of the shield and spacing it from the paper currency validator slot; and,an opening in the front wall of the shield for permitting passage of a bill there through and into the paper currency validator. 26. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the front wall of the shield and the support defines a five-sided enclosure. 27. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the shield is an integral part of a continuous integral panel secured to the vertical column and extending across at least a majority of a width of the front face of the vertical column and extending along at least a majority of a horizontal width of a side of the vertical column. 28. The vending machine of claim 27 wherein the continuous panel having openings which align with at least two customer interface openings in the vertical column, so as to permit at least one other customer interface device to be accessed by a customer through the panel; wherein the customer interface devices are selected from the group consisting essentially of: a coin entry and eject actuator; card reader; product/vend selection actuators; and a coin return cavity. 29. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the vertical column has an access opening for a T-handle, and the panel having an opening for the T-handle. 30. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the continuous panel extends beyond the side of the column rear edge and overlaps a portion of a side of the cabinet. 31. The vending machine of claim 30 including a vertical channel formed on a side of the cabinet, and wherein the panel extends into the channel. 32. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the opening in front wall of the shield is adjustable in size and vertical location. 33. The vending machine of claim 25 wherein the shield front face and support define a cavity surrounding the paper currency validator and the cavity is sized to accommodate more than one vertical or horizontal positioning of the paper currency validator in the vertical column. 34. A method of modifying a vending machine having a cabinet with an outer surface and a vertical column having a front, a side, and product selection actuators, the method comprising the steps of: opening the cabinet;drilling at least one hole within the cabinet;aligning openings in a generally L-shaped panel with the product selection actuators to provide access to the product section actuators when the panel is attached to the cabinet;attaching the panel to the outer surface of the cabinet over at least a portion of the front and side of the vertical column; and,closing the cabinet. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of fitting the panel over a paper currency validator. 36. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of aligning an opening in the panel with a paper currency validator. 37. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of removing a lock from the cabinet. 38. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of attaching a lock to the panel. 39. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of attaching a strip to the outer surface of the cabinet, the strip providing a channel for receiving a portion of the panel when the cabinet is closed. 40. A method of modifying a vending machine having a cabinet with an outer surface and a center column having a coin insertion opening, the method comprising the steps of: opening the cabinet;aligning openings in a panel with the coin insertion opening to provide access to the coin insertion opening when the panel is attached to the cabinet;attaching the panel to the outer surface of the cabinet over at least a portion of the center column; and,closing the cabinet. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of fitting the panel over a paper currency validator. 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of aligning an opening in the panel with the paper currency validator. 43. A method of modifying a vending machine having a cabinet with an outer surface and a center column having a paper currency validator, the method comprising the steps of: opening the cabinet;aligning openings in a panel with at least a portion of the paper currency validator to provide access to an paper currently insertion slot in the paper currency validator when the panel is attached to the cabinet;attaching the panel to the outer surface of the cabinet over at least a portion of the center column; and,closing the cabinet. 44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of fitting the panel about a coin insertion opening in the vending machine. 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of aligning an opening in the panel with the coin insertion opening. 46. An apparatus for attachment to a center column of a vending machine having a coin entry, the apparatus comprising: a rigid panel having an inner surface and at least one opening;at least one stud attached to the panel and extending from the inner surface; and,wherein the coin entry is accessible via the opening when the panel is attached to the vending machine and covers at least a portion of the center column. 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the panel surrounds an opening to a paper currency validator. 48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of the panel is outwardly curved. 49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a majority of the panel is outwardly curved. 50. An apparatus for attachment to a center column of a vending machine having a paper currency opening, the apparatus comprising: a rigid panel having an inner surface and at least one opening;at least one stud attached to the panel and extending from the inner surface; and,wherein the paper currency opening is accessible via the opening in the panel when the panel is attached to the vending machine and covers at least a portion of the center column. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the paper currency opening is aligned with a slot in a paper currency validator. 52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein at least a portion of the panel is outwardly curved. 53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein a majority of the panel is outwardly curved. 54. An apparatus comprising: a vending machine including a door and a cabinet;a first rigid strip having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having an opening extending therethrough and the proximal end attached to the cabinet, the distal end being in spaced parallel relationship with the proximal end;a second rigid strap having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having an opening extending therethrough and the proximal end attached to the door, the opening in the first rigid strip being in coaxial alignment with the opening in the second rigid strap when the door is closed. 55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a lock having a shackle extending through the openings in the first and second rigid strips. 56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lock is tethered to the first rigid strip or the second rigid strip.