Drive system for a vending machine dispensing assembly

1. A vending machine dispensing system configured to selectively dispense beverage containers, the vending machine dispensing system comprising:

at least one shelf configured to support a plurality of beverage containers in each of a plurality of queues;

dividers separating the queues;

first and second release mechanisms mounted at an end of each queue on opposite sides of the beverage containers within the respective queue, each of the first and second release mechanisms including a drive member; and

a drive system mounted to the shelf, the drive system including a drive mechanism operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms through the drive member wherein, upon selection of a queue, the drive mechanism is activated to shift the first and second release mechanisms from a retention position to a release position to release a foremost beverage container within the queue.

2. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a product transport system arranged adjacent to the queues, the product transport system configured to carry a beverage container from a selected one of the queues towards a delivery area, wherein the product transport system includes an activation mechanism configured to selectively operate the drive mechanism.

3. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 2 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a plunger having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion, the plunger configured to be moved outward from the product transport system to activate the drive mechanism during a dispensing cycle.

4. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 3 , wherein the plunger is configured to move outward along a path that is substantially parallel to the shelf.

5. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 4 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a pusher member pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the plunger.

6. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 5 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a cam having at least one lobe, the at least one lobe configured to abut the pusher member to extend the plunger outward from the product transport system.

7. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 6 , wherein the activation mechanism includes at least one microswitch, the at least one micro-switch configured to sense a position of the cam.

8. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 7 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a return spring biasing the plunger to be retracted into the housing.

9. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 8 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a safety spring mounted between the pusher member and the first end of the plunger, the safety spring allowing the plunger to retract into the housing prior to completion of the dispensing cycle.

10. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes an activation member connected to the first release mechanism, a first geared link, a second geared link interengaged with the first geared link, and a driven member that is connected to the second release mechanism.

11. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 10 , wherein the activation member includes a plurality of geared teeth, the geared teeth meshing with the first geared link.

12. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 11 , wherein the driven member includes a plurality of geared teeth, the geared teeth meshing with the second geared link.

13. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a solenoid operatively connected to a drive bracket through a connecting member.

14. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 13 , wherein the drive bracket includes a plurality of slotted openings each configured to received a guide element attached to the at least one shelf.

15. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 13 , wherein the drive bracket includes first and second openings, the first and second release mechanisms including first and second drive members projecting respectively into the first and second openings.

16. The vending machine dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second release mechanisms includes a respective plurality of hinge plates each configured to shift between the retention and release positions through operation of the drive system.

17. A method of selectively dispensing beverage containers from a vending machine dispensing system, comprising:

retaining a plurality of beverage containers supported on at least one shelf configured to support the plurality of beverage containers in each of a plurality of product queues using first and second release mechanisms mounted at an end of each queue on opposite sides of the beverage containers within the respective queue, each of the first and second release mechanisms including a drive member; and

activating a drive system mounted to the shelf at the end of a selected one of the queues, the drive system including a drive mechanisms operatively connected to each of first and second release mechanisms through the drive member that, when activated, shifts the first and second release mechanisms from a retention position to a release position to release a foremost beverage container within the selected queue.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

activating the drive mechanism by shifting an activation member upon aligning a product transport system with the selected queue.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

activating the drive mechanism by shifting a plunger carried by the product transport system into engagement with the activation member.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the plunger is shifted substantially parallel to the shelf.