Vending machine with goods driving mechanism

Abstract

A goods driving mechanism for a vending machine includes a driver, an angle adjuster, and a release member. The angle adjuster is detachably secured to the driver and defines a plurality of diametrically-opposed through holes. A tip end of the release member extends through any diametrically-opposed pair of though holes thereby mounting the tip end of the release member to the angle adjuster. The release member is rotatable about its central axis to move goods in a direction along the central axis of the release member driven by the driver, and the starting angle of the release member can be adjusted very easily, to ensure effective delivery of any goods selected by a customer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A goods driving mechanism comprising:
 a driver;   an angle adjuster detachably secured to the driver and defining a plurality of through holes; and   a release member comprising a tip end secured to the angle adjuster, and the release member being movable by the driver, about a central axis, to move goods in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the release member;   wherein a starting angle of the release member relative to the angle adjuster is changeable, by engaging the tip end of the release member in different diametrically-opposed pair of the plurality of through holes.   
     
     
         2 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a rotating shaft is connected to the driver, the angle adjuster comprises a securing post defining a securing hole, the rotating shaft is engaged in the securing hole and abuts the tip end of the release member, to prevent the release member from disengaging from the angle adjuster. 
     
     
         3 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of through holes is defined in the periphery of the securing post and communicates with the securing hole. 
     
     
         4 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the rotating shaft comprises a plurality of outer threads, and a plurality of inner threads is located in an inner wall of the securing hole corresponding to the plurality of outer threads. 
     
     
         5 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the angle adjuster further comprises a turntable extending from the securing post, and a plurality of racks is located in periphery of the turntable. 
     
     
         6 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a supporting plate, wherein the supporting plate hangs on the angle adjuster and is configured to support the goods. 
     
     
         7 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the supporting plate comprises a plate body, and the release member surrounds the plate body and is configured to be rotated relative to the plate body. 
     
     
         8 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the supporting plate further comprises a hanging tab defining a hanging hole, a pivot shaft extends from the securing post, and the pivot shaft is received in the hanging hole, to hang the supporting plate on the pivot shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the hanging tab extends from the plate body, and the hanging tab is substantially perpendicular to the plate body. 
     
     
         10 . The goods driving mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein a blocking gasket is located on a distal end of the pivot shaft, the hanging hole comprises a wide portion and a narrow portion communication with the wide portion, and the blocking gasket extends through the wide portion to engage the pivot shaft in the narrow portion. 
     
     
         11 . A vending machine comprising:
 a stock tray, and   a goods driving mechanism secured to the stock tray, the goods driving mechanism comprising:
 a driver; 
 an angle adjuster detachably secured to the driver and defining a plurality of through holes; and 
 a release member comprising a tip end secured to the angle adjuster, and the release member being rotatable driven by the driver about a central axis to move goods in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the release member; 
 wherein a starting angle of the release member relative to the angle adjuster is changeable by engaging the tip end of the release member in different diametrically-opposed pair of the plurality of through holes. 
   
     
     
         12 . The vending machine of  claim 11 , wherein a rotating shaft is connected to the driver, the angle adjuster comprises a securing post defining a securing hole, the rotating shaft is rotatably engaged in the securing hole and abuts the tip end of the release member, to prevent the release member from disengaging from the angle adjuster. 
     
     
         13 . The vending machine of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of through holes is defined in the securing hole and extends along an axis direction of the securing post. 
     
     
         14 . The vending machine of  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of outer threads is defined in the rotating shaft, and a plurality of inner threads is located in an inner wall of the securing hole corresponding to the plurality of outer threads. 
     
     
         15 . The vending machine of  claim 13 , wherein the angle adjuster further comprises a turntable extending from the securing post, and a plurality of racks is located in periphery of the turntable. 
     
     
         16 . The vending machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a supporting plate, wherein the supporting plate hangs on the angle adjuster and is configured to support the goods. 
     
     
         17 . The vending machine of  claim 16 , wherein the supporting plate comprises a plate body, the release member surrounds the plate body and moves the goods out of the plate body. 
     
     
         18 . The vending machine of  claim 17 , wherein the supporting plate further comprises a hanging tab defining a hanging hole, a pivot shaft extends from the securing post, and the pivot shaft is received in the hanging hole, to hang the supporting plate on the pivot shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The vending machine of  claim 18 , wherein the hanging tab extends from the plate body, and the hanging tab is substantially perpendicular to the plate body. 
     
     
         20 . The vending machine of  claim 18 , wherein a blocking gasket is located on a distal end of the pivot shaft, the hanging hole comprises a wide portion and a narrow portion communication with the wide portion, the blocking gasket extends through the wide portion to engage the pivot shaft in the narrow portion.