Dispenser pull handle

Abstract

A pull handle for dispenser machines having a first arm and a second arm. The second arm may be articulated and translated about an axis. The joint between the first and second arms is configured such that the second arm may be secured into and released from a first position. The first position facilitates accessible engagement of the pull handle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dispensing machine that dispenses products, the dispensing machine comprising: 
 a housing;    a dispensing mechanism at least partially within the housing;    a door coupled to the housing; and    a pull handle connected to the dispensing mechanism, the pull handle having a first arm having a proximate end and a distal end; and a second arm having an end pivotally coupled to the distal end of the first arm such that the second arm may pivot about a first axis at the distal end of the first arm to move between a first position forming a first angle with the first arm and a second position forming a second angle with the first arm.    
     
     
         2 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the proximate end of the first arm is configured to be pivotally coupled to the dispensing mechanism such that the first arm may pivot about a second axis at a location where the first arm is coupled to the dispensing mechanism.  
     
     
         3 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second arm may be secured in the first position by at least one surface of the first arm juxtaposed against at least one surface of the second arm.  
     
     
         4 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second arm may be translated in a radial direction.  
     
     
         5 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a fastener coupled to the distal end of the first arm, wherein the end of the second arm defines at least one slot for receiving the fastener such that the second arm may be rotated and translated about the fastener.  
 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the second arm may be translated in a radial direction to be rotated from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         7 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein in the first position the first arm forms an approximately 90 degree angle with the second arm.  
     
     
         8 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the first arm forms an approximately 180 degree angle with the second arm.  
     
     
         9 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the first arm and second arm are configured such that the pull handle may be engaged without digitally engagement of the pull handle.  
     
     
         10 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal length of the second arm is greater than one-half the greatest distance across the opening of the door.  
     
     
         11 . The dispensing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second arm in the first position is generally parallel with the dispenser door, the distance between the second arm and the dispenser door being at least approximately 0.5 inch, and wherein the longitudinal length of the second arm is greater than one-half the greatest distance across the opening.  
     
     
         12 . A dispensing machine that dispenses products, the dispensing machine comprising: 
 a housing;    a dispensing mechanism at least partially within the housing;    a door coupled to the housing, the door defining an opening providing access to an inside of the housing; and    a pull handle connected to the dispensing mechanism, the pull handle having a first arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the distal end of the first arm having an extending tooth, wherein the tooth is configured to receive a first fastener; and a second arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end having two spaced teeth, the two spaced teeth of the second arm configured to receive the tooth between the two spaced teeth, each of the two spaced teeth defining a slot, wherein the second arm is coupled to the first arm with the first fastener extending through the tooth and the two spaced teeth, and wherein the second arm may rotate about a first axis, the second arm moveable between a first position, a second position, and a third position.    
     
     
         13 . The dispensing machine of  claim 12 , wherein in the first position, the second arm forms a first angle with the first arm, the first fastener is located in a distal end of the slots, a first side of each of the two teeth of the second arm is adjacent to the distal end of the first arm, a proximate end of each of the two teeth has a curved portion, and the second arm may be translated in a radial direction to the second position by the first fastener traveling in the slots; 
 wherein in the second position, the second arm forms the first angle with the first arm, the first fastener is located in a proximate end of the slots, the first side of each of the two teeth is adjacent to the distal end of the first arm, the curved portion is located proximate to the distal end of the first arm such that the curved portion may slide adjacent to the distal end of the first arm, permitting the second arm to move rotationally about the first fastener, about the first axis, to the third position; and    wherein in the third position, the second arm forms a second angle with the first arm, and the fastener is located in the proximate end of the slots.    
     
     
         14 . The dispensing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first angle is approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . The dispensing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the second angle is approximately 180 degrees.  
     
     
         16 . The dispensing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the proximate end of the first arm further has two spaced teeth, the two spaced teeth of the first arm configured to be coupled to the dispensing mechanism with a second fastener such that the first arm may pivot about a second axis.  
     
     
         17 . The dispensing machine of  claim 16 , wherein the two spaced teeth of the first arm have a generally horizontal orientation and the two spaced teeth of the second arm have generally vertical orientation.  
     
     
         18 . The dispensing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the dimensions of the first arm and second arm are configured such that the pull handle may be engaged without digital engagement of the pull handle.  
     
     
         19 . The dispensing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal length of the second arm is greater than one-half the greatest distance across the opening.  
     
     
         20 . The dispensing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the second position permits the pull handle to pass through an opening in the dispenser door.  
     
     
         21 . A method for accessing an interior of a dispensing machine having a housing, a door coupled to the housing, the door defining an opening, a dispensing mechanism at least partially within the housing, the method comprising: 
 providing a pull handle having a first arm and a second arm, wherein a first end of the first arm is connected to the dispensing mechanism and a second end of the first arm is pivotally coupled to an end of the second arm, wherein the second arm forms a first angle with the first arm;    translating the second arm in a radial direction, wherein translation of the second arm permits the second arm to be pivoted to a second position;    pivoting the second arm to the second position forming a second angle with the first arm;    opening the door, wherein the second position permits the pull handle to pass through the opening of the door.