Device for storing and retrieving articles

A device for storing and retrieving articles comprises a series of axially aligned carousels 3a, 3b with stalls 7 that receive articles, for example coins, stepper drive motors (11, fig 2) with worm gear reduction (12, fig 2) that operate to rotate and position the carousels 3a, 3b so coins can be stored in the stalls 7 and transferred between the carousels 3a, 3b and non-lifting coin transfer mechanisms that operate to move the coins between the carousel 3a, 3b. An electronic controller (15, fig 2) is programmed to keep track of the positions of the coin stalls 7 and the values of the coins in the coin stalls, and to determine and operate the appropriate drive motors (11, fig 2) and transfer mechanisms for transferring coins between the carousels 3a, 3b and for returning change and moving coins directly to the cash box. The device can be used to store and retrieve articles other than coins, for example products to be sold in a vending machine.