Abstract: An apparatus for counting hangers having a convex surface includes a housing having a central light source carried by the housing for projecting a light beam on the convex surface. A pair of spaced light detectors is positioned on the housing substantially on opposed sides of the central light source, the spaced light detectors detect light reflected from the convex surface. A detecting circuit is connected to the pair of spaced light detectors and detects the sequence of reflected light beams, and then determines whether the detected sequence is a sequence of reflected light beams characteristic of the relative displacement of the housing and the convex surface when the housing or the convex surface is displaced in substantially the direction of the space between the pair of opposed light detectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 1986
Date of Patent:
October 31, 1989
Assignee:
Arnold I. Neuman
Inventors:
Arnold I. Neuman, Thomas D. Heidt, Andrew Bergman, James Wickstead