Abstract: A rotatably actuated counter is disclosed. The counter includes a ratchet driven unit wheel nested within a tens wheel. Each wheel has a radial face displaying counting indicia. The tens wheel is transparent, allowing the indicia on the unit wheel to be viewed adjacent to the indicia on the tens wheel to provide a total count. A slave wheel is positioned between the unit and tens wheels. A gear on one face of the slave wheel engages gear teeth on the tens wheel. A Geneva mechanism on the other face is engaged by a foot on the unit wheel once per rotation. The wheels are rotatably mounted within a housing having a sidewall with a window through which the count indicia may be viewed. The unit wheel rotates in ten increments and then rotates the tens wheel through one increment by engaging and rotating the slave wheel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2010
Assignee:
Aventis Pharma Limited
Inventors:
Noel Butterworth, Stephen John Minshull, Simon Paul Wells, Duncan Grant Young
Abstract: A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 28, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 1, 2010
Assignee:
Aventis Pharma Limited
Inventors:
Stephen J. Minshull, Duncan G. Young, Andrew J. Ledgeway, Simon P. Wells, Graham K. Lacy, Julian F. R. Swan
Abstract: Medical device having a counter for recording usage. A medical tool is provided having a proximal extremity. The tool having a collar fixed thereto and a cap. The cap includes a part which requires replacement and/or cleaning for each use of the tool. A detent assembly is carried by the cap and the collar and includes a rotatable counter wheel and a mechanism for causing advancement of the counter wheel from one number to the next number when the cap is separated from the collar so that the counter wheel is advanced by one increment each time the cap is removed and/or replaced on the collar to give an indication of the number of times that the device has been used.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 21, 1996
Assignee:
Unisurge, Inc.
Inventors:
Janine C. Robinson, Isidro M. Gandionco, Jeffrey J. Christian, Elisha A. Tal
Abstract: Medical device having a counter for recording usage. A medical tool is provided having a proximal extremity. The tool having a collar fixed thereto and a cap. The cap includes a part which requires replacement and/or cleaning for each use of the tool. A detent assembly is carried by the cap and the collar and includes a rotatable counter wheel and a mechanism for causing advancement of the counter wheel from one number to the next number when the cap is separated from the collar so that the counter wheel is advanced by one increment each time the cap is removed and/or replaced on the collar to give an indication of the number of times that the device has been used.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 1993
Date of Patent:
September 5, 1995
Assignee:
Unisurge, Inc.
Inventors:
Janine C. Robinson, Isidro M. Gandionco, Jeffrey J. Christian, Elisha A. Tal
Abstract: A game device having a plurality of insignia, a selective one of which may be exhibited at a time and the selected insignia may be changed by relative reciprocation of two of the members of the device.