Locking and releasing mechanism for a vending machine

摘要

A mechanism for selectively locking and releasing an actuating device for a vending machine. The actuating device, when unlocked and actuated, releases an item from the vending machine. The locking and releasing mechanism of the invention includes a shaft rotatably connected to the actuating device. A pair of arm members are attached to the shaft, one being rigidly attached and the other being rotatably attached with respect thereto. Springs are provided for biasing the arm members to a first position for locking the actuating device against an abutment surface connected to a frame member. A cam structure associated with the actuating device is provided for rotating the shaft to thereby unlock one of the arm members under certain circumstances. A projection of a coin registering mechanism is provided to cause unlocking of one or both of the arm members when a predetermined amount of money is registered on the coin registering mechanism.