Apparatus having a high center of gravity with energy absorbing device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention, an energy absorbing device suitable for use on an apparatus having a high center of gravity such as a vending machine, solves the problem of being able to manipulate the machine in a rocking manner resulting in a free vending of the vended articles.
It is an objective of this device, through the incorporation of a rapidly extending energy absorbing device, to absorb and dampen the forward motion of a vending machine.
This absorption of the forward motion prevents this energy from being built up in the machine such that the machine will rock past its point of neutral stability, in the forward direction.
The invention provides a force absorbing means having a spring or hydraulic actuated system with an extending leg operable to take the vertical load and respond to that vertical load thereby storing the energy of the lateral forces subjected to the vending machine.
This energy absorbing device operable for use with a vending machine would include a cylinder containing a first spring which is mounted upon a piston and is cooperatively associated with the piston.
In an alternative embodiment, a second spring which surrounds the piston shaft, and is on the exterior of the cylinder further serves as an energy storage means.
The extension of the piston causes the energy to be absorbed on the return stroke.
A method of fabrication for an energy absorbing device mountable on a vending machine is also disclosed.