Abstract: A protective device for storage and transport containers comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a housing or frame carrying a sensor for detecting orientation, an attachment element for securing the housing or frame to a container, an alarm mounted to the housing or frame and operatively coupled to the sensor for generating a cognizable alert signal upon detection by the sensor that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation, and an activation element mounted to the housing or frame and operatively connected to the sensor and/or the alarm for enabling operation of that component after securing of the housing or frame to the container. The activation element preferably includes a switching component for enabling operation of the alarm only after securing of the housing or frame to the container.

Abstract: The method utilizes an encoding switch to derive encoded position signals representing the current position of a member such as the print element of a franking machine. The switch has conductive strips and in order to ensure reliable operation of the switch the strips have substantial length. However for correct printing it is necessary that not only is the selected type character at the printing position but that it is precisely positioned to achieve correct printing of the character. In order to obtain this precise positioning of the print element the encoded position signals are utilized to move the selected type character to the print position and the print element is then moved by a predetermined distance to achieve precise positioning of the type character within the printing position.

Abstract: A counting apparatus comprising a drum counting mechanism and a step motor for driving the drum counting mechanism. A housing for the drum counting mechanism includes a wall which forms a part of the housing for the step motor, the step motor including a rotor with a rotor shaft, which shaft extends through the wall. The step motor includes a stator coil which is supported on an extending portion of the housing for the step motor. Alternatively, a bearing and flange unit may be provided which extends through an opening in the common wall and which may have an extending portion on which the stator coil is mounted in surrounding relationship.

Abstract: A counting and batching device for items such as tablets, capsules or caplets is faster than the electronic radial feeder counters, and is more easily adjustable for different quantities, sizes and shapes of items than slat counters or disk counters. The device has a hopper with an adjustable feed gate and a first vibrator to cause items to flow from the feed gate. A V-guide sorting trough is positioned beneath the feed gate having a slot at its base to hold a single row of items, and a second vibrator funnels items into a single row moving along the slot. A moving belt receives items from the trough and transports them in a single row between stationary guides past an electronic counter to a diverter where a predetermined number of items are diverted into at least two diverter streams. Loading positions are provided under each diverter stream with provision for positioning and removing containers independently into each loading position.

Abstract: A monitoring device for emitting an alarm signal by means of an alarm transmitter in dependency on the count result of a counter with at least one roller, particularly a kilometer counter, with a first sensing element which has a predetermined roller position for the emission of a first position-dependent signal. For emitting the alarm signal, from the second time of arrival of the roller from the zero position into the predetermined roller position, there is an activation circuit arrangement, also controlled in dependency on the roller position, which activation circuit arrangement before the second time of arrival of the roller into the predetermined roller position makes inoperative either the emission of the first position-dependent signal from the first sensing element or its retransmission to the alarm transmitter.

Abstract: A mechanical preselection counter having: a counter, which has figure rollers and a zero-setting device for the figure rollers; a preselection unit having that number of preselection rollers and transmission of feed gears corresponding to the number of figure rollers, with the transmission gears being drivingly or operatively connected with the figure rollers; and with setting or adjustment elements associated with each preselection roller for setting or adjusting them, the adjustment elements being held in the rest position by spring force, being connected via a coupling device with the zero-setting device of the counter, and being operable with actuating elements. The preselection unit is provided with keying devices, each of which has at least two axially protruding noses which project through openings in the associated transmission gear, are respectively associated with a recess on the preselection rollers, and are loaded or biased by a releasing rack toward the preselection rollers.

Abstract: A printer countwheel mechanism in a time stamp machine keeps a running count of the number of groups of documents stamped by automatically advancing a countwheel to the next highest number when all documents in the group have been stamped. A document group comprises one or more documents. Each document in the group is stamped with the same countwheel number. When stamping single documents, i.e. groups consisting of only one document, the countwheel is advanced every stamping operation so that every document is stamped with a different number. When stamping duplicates, i.e. groups of two documents, the countwheel is advanced every other stamping operation so that duplicates are stamped with the same number. The mechanism may also be disengaged when it is not necessary to keep a count of the number of documents stamped.

Abstract: A mileage counter for vehicles that provides signals after predetermined mileage intervals indicating the need for vehicle maintenance. Several different maintenance requirements are signalled at different intervals and after the maintenance on the vehicle has been performed each of the counting functions may be reset independently.The counter consists of a plurality of ascending order counter wheels driven by the vehicle's speedometer drive. Several ratchet wheel and switch counting assemblies are mounted adjacent and driven by the higher order one of the counter wheels. One of these counting assemblies may, for example, provide a signal indicating the need for maintenance after a five thousand mile interval, and another signal after fifty thousand miles. Each of these counting assemblies includes an advancing pawl for the ratchet wheel that moves laterally to reset the wheel after the maintenance has been performed, and a holding pawl that also defines one of the contacts of the switch.

Abstract: To an odometer which has two parallel shafts, one being fitted with a plurality of distance-indicating wheels, while the other is fitted with a plurality of carry pinions which actuate said distance-indicating wheels, is fitted an alarm device, which comprises a means for triggering, which rotates together with one of said carry pinions, and an alarm switch, which is actuated by said means for triggering when it reaches a certain predetermined position during its movement together with its carrying pinion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a service reminder when a vehicle has accumulated a predetermined mileage comprises a potentiometer operated by the highest order number wheel of the vehicle odometer to provide an output voltage which changes incrementally with each indexing motion of that number wheel. An electrical detector responsive to the potentiometer output energizes a signal lamp when the output reaches a voltage in a predetermined range representing a desired service interval. An electrical connector in circuit with the potentiometer can be disconnected to change the potentiometer voltage to a value outside the predetermined range to allow the service reminder circuit to turn off the indicator lamp when the indicated service has been performed. The apparatus is adapted to operate in conjunction with an electronic engine control module which can be programmed to detect the predetermined value of the potentiometer output and to operate a signal lamp.

Abstract: A plurality of presettable digit wheels are rotatably mounted on a first axis. Each of said wheels is rotatable to a plurality of preset positions corresponding to respective values of an associated digit position of a preselected count. Retaining means retain said presettable wheels in said preset positions during a counting operation of the counter. A signal generator comprises axially movable cam follower means arranged to generate a signal when said counter has counted to said preselected count. A plurality of presetting members are associated with respective ones of said presettable wheels and pivoted to a stationary first pivot. At portions remote from said first pivot, said presetting members are engaged by a guide member, which is pivotally movable between first and second positions to move said presetting members about said pivot out of and into engagement with said presettable wheels. First spring means are adapted to urge said guide member to said first position.

Abstract: A preset counter has a case and one or more counter units. Each counter unit has a number wheel, a first intermediate wheel in mesh with the number wheel, a preset wheel and a second intermediate wheel in mesh with the preset wheel. Said first intermediate wheel comprises a first wheel which is in mesh with said number wheel and whose rotation is prevented releasably by a locking means and a second wheel which is disposed in opposed relationship with said second intermediate wheel, resiliently connected through a clutch to said first wheel and is formed with a recess or notch cut into the peripheral surface thereof. When the preset wheel is rotated, its movement is transmitted through said second intermediate wheel to said second wheel, but not to said first wheel. When the number wheel is rotated, its movement is transmitted through said first wheel to said second wheel, but not to said second intermediate wheel.

Abstract: In a counter reset to zero by a push button and adapted to be mounted on a tape recorder or the like, there are provided a U shaped frame including a bottom plate, a pair of side plates, a spacer parallel with the side plates, a plurality of pinion aligning resilient members secured to the bottom plate, a digit wheel shaft supported by the side plates, a plurality of digit wheels rotatably mounted on the digit wheel shaft, and a driving gear rotatably mounted on the digit wheel shaft for driving a digit wheel of the lower most order. Each digit wheel comprises a heart shaped cam and a gear on one side and a carry pin gear on the other side. A zero resetting bracket is pivotally mounted on the frame and is provided with actuating members for actuating the heart shaped cams. The digit wheels are rotated by the source of drive of the tape recorder through the driving gear and each time a digit wheel of the lower order completes one revolution, a digit wheel of the higher order is rotated by one digit.

Abstract: A presetting counter device comprising a ratchet wheel coupled to a cycle number setting dial and being stepwise rotatable for reducing the setting of the dial, an indexer engageable with the ratchet wheel in operative relation to the movement of a cyclically movable device to rotate the ratchet wheel stepwise by one pitch thereof at a time, a cycle repeating signal generator, a member movable with the ratchet wheel for actuating the signal generator and having a signal generator actuating portion with the same pitch angle as the ratchet wheel, and the ratchet wheel being adapted to be temporarily halted in the course of its stepwise rotation at a position where the signal generator is held actuated by the actuating member.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate a switch and latch arrangement responsive to vehicular odometer movement and including means formed at a predetermined location on one of the odometer number wheels, indicative of a predetermined cumulative vehicle travel, for pivoting suitable magnetic shunt means from a first position out of the path of lines of flux extending from a permanent magnet to a magnetically actuated reed switch to a second position in the path of the lines of flux, in order to selectively control an external device electrically connected to the reed switch.

Abstract: Electrical sequence control system. There is described an electrical sequence control system which is controlled according to a predetermined program by means of a switching circuit wherein the outputs of the binary counter are connected with n bits to the data inputs of the decoder and the address inputs of a multiplexer, the output of the latter being applied to one input of an AND-gate and the second input of said AND-gate being connected to a rectangular wave generator. The output of the AND-gate is connected to the input of the binary counter and the connection of the output of the multiplexer with the input of the binary counter acts as a return when one of the input signals at the multiplexer corresponds with the address input.