Abstract: A number wheel assembly for a counter mechanism has a plurality of hubs with an eccentrically shaped aperture for slideable assembly and orientation on a shaft and eccentric lobe. Each hub having a recess and a pinion spindle in the recess for receiving an internal pinion gear having narrow teeth alternated with wider teeth that extend outside the hub. The number wheels, which represent successive orders of magnitude, are slipped over the hubs. Each number wheel has a single tooth that engages one of the wider teeth of the pinion gear driving the next higher order number wheel once for each revolution of the number wheel. This moves the pinion which, in turn, moves the next higher order number wheel. The gear ratio is 1:10 for a decimal counter. The lowest order number wheel is a drive wheel which includes means operable by a drive mechanism for advancement in increments of 1/10 revolution for each cycle of operation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting the number of times a medical instrument has been sterilized includes an indicator having sequential indicia and a heat responsive member for indicating a next one of the indicia. Mechanical, fluid mechanical and electronic versions of the invention are disclosed. In the mechanical version, the indicator can be a ratchet member having teeth, a pawl and a display surface containing indicia. A heat responsive element such as a bimetallic member engages the teeth of the ratchet and advances the ratchet each time the apparatus is subjected to the heat of sterilization. A housing with a window masks the display to indicate one of the indicia as advanced by the heat responsive element. Preferred embodiments of the mechanical version include a ring-like ratchet member with interior teeth and an exterior display surface. The number of teeth is preferably one or more less than the number of indicia so that upon advancing the ratchet member to the last indicia, it can be advanced no further.

Abstract: A reset device (7) for the digit rollers (3) of a counter has a positioning spring (22) developed integrally on a shift drive bridge (9), the positioning spring being adapted to engage by means of a detent projection (21) into detent recesses (17-20) of the side surfaces (13-16) of a position setter (12). In this way, the position setter (12) passes in particularly reliable manner into each of its four possible positions.

Abstract: In this arrangement the rolls of an odometer are serially built up on a support shaft and are sequentially interconnected by pinion gears which drivingly mesh with gear teeth internally of the rolls. These pinion gears are operatively mounted on partition plates which are interposed between each of the externally numbered rolls. The rolls are incrementally rotated by cooperating transfer and gear teeth on the rolls and the pinion gears so that distances traveled are accurately measured in predetermined increments. The rolls are initially stacked with number alignment and to maintain number alignment, the partition plates between each rolls are mechanically interlocked by pin and pocket construction that extend transversely from the extremity of a tangentially extending tang thereon.

Abstract: A counter mechanism for a postage meter includes a number of sections each having a number wheel (14) repesenting the respective order of accounted value, transfer mechanisms in the form of Geneva gears connecting the number wheels (14) to provide carry-over movements between adjacent sections. A ratchet mechanism is provided in the number wheel (14) to allow rotation of the number drum (16) as a result of an account input from the postage meter, even when a carry movement gear (18) of the number wheel (14) is locked by the Geneva gear. The ratchet mechanism includes an internally-profiled surface on one part (16) having ratchet steps (70) separated by portions (76) of relatively low gradient. Projections (74) are provided on a central member (72) of another part (18), the projections extending substantially tangential to the internally-profiled surface so as to engage in the ratchet steps (70) in the event of attempted rotation in one direction and to stop such rotation.

Abstract: An antireverse rotation means which includes a resilient arm provided on and protruding from a side face of a pinion holder and an engagement portion formed on a side face of a digit wheel at a position corresponding to an end of said resilient arm. The resilient arm slides and rides over the engageable portion on the digit wheel without causing noise during positive rotation of the digit wheel; however, during the reverse rotation, the resilient arm engages with the engageable portion blocks reverse rotation of the digit wheel.

Abstract: A zero-reset type counter comprising an order shift pinion built in an inner space formed between two adjacent digit wheels in order to make the space between the adjacent digit wheels as small as possible and to form a compact counter as a whole. The zero reset lever to pivot the order shift pinion is so arranged as to be able to fill up the gap between adjacent digit wheels.

Abstract: An internal pinion revolution counter includes a bearing member rotatably supporting an input shaft. At least first and second number wheels are provided each having a radially outwardly extending web portion joined to an annular flange portion, the first and second number wheel flange portions respectively extending toward each other. Each web portion has an annular bearing surface which defines a central opening. The flange portion of the first number wheel has an internal gear segment and cooperating internal locking cam formed thereon, and the flange portion of the second number wheel has an internal full tooth gear formed thereon. The first number wheel is connected to the input shaft for rotation therewith. A pinion carrier is arranged within the center opening in the web portion of the second number wheel, surrounds the input shaft, and is secured against rotation with respect to the input shaft.

Abstract: An internal pinion revolution counter includes a rotatable input shaft having first and second axial sections, and a bearing sleeve member rotatably supporting the first shaft section. A gear member is rotatably mounted on the sleeve member and has first and second axial sections, the first section having a first full tooth spur gear formed thereon. A first number wheel is secured to the second shaft section for rotation therewith, and an internal pinion transfer mechanism couples the first number wheel to the first spur gear. A second number wheel has a web portion joined to a hub portion mounted on the first spur gear for rotation therewith, and the second section of the gear member has a spur gear segment formed thereon as an extension of the first spur gear. A locking ring has a hub portion mounted on the second section of the gear member, and having an axial slot formed therein with the gear segment extending therethrough, the hub portion of the locking ring having an annular outer locking cam surface.