Overthrow Preventers Patents (Class 235/131R)
  • Patent number: 5969315
    Abstract: A display device is described which indicates the number of heatings performed, especially for the purpose of autoclave sterilization. The display device comprises a temperature-sensitive mechanical element which essentially reversibly transforms from a first spatial state to a second spatial state when the temperature-sensitive mechanical element is heated in excess of a predetermined temperature. The temperature-sensitive mechanical element is coupled to the actuating element of a counter mechanism and upon the transformation to the second spatial state effects movement of the actuating element into an actuation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Schulze
  • Patent number: 5689098
    Abstract: A postage meter has a secure housing and a printing means and accounting register within the secure housing. Formed in the secure housing is postal lock. In the postal lock, a door is movable between first and second positions relative to a cavity. When the door is closed (in its first position) it renders the cavity inaccessible, and when the door is open (in its second position) it renders the cavity accessible. The door has a latch. The latch is spring-loaded so that it engages a latch feature in the cavity and holds the door closed. Pushing the latch the other way (against the spring) causes the latch to engage a pawl in the cavity, and the pawl tends to push the door open. A protruberance on the rear of the door engages a locking gear in the cavity. The locking gear allows separation of two halves of the meter housing, or holds the two halves together. If the locking gear is in the position that permits separating the halves, then the door cannot be closed because the gear abuts with the protruberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems AG
    Inventor: Christian Gillieron
  • Patent number: 4658123
    Abstract: A shaft assembly, including a main shaft, is used with a postage meter of the type including a base supporting the main shaft. A printhead is mounted to the outer end of the main shaft so the main shaft and printhead rotate together. The main shaft has a flat surface against which a number of elongate value rods are mounted parallel to the main shaft axis. The outer ends of the value rods are coupled to the printhead to operate the printing elements of the printhead. The inner ends of the value rods are connected to stepper motor drives, mounted to the base, to move the value rods axially. Bearings, mounted to the main shaft, radially position the main shaft relative to the base. At least one of the bearings is fixed to a chosen axial position along the main shaft so that such bearing, when mounted to the base, also axially positions the main shaft relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: f.m.e. Corporation
    Inventors: Ward J. Payn, Timothy D. Pike
  • Patent number: 4629870
    Abstract: A tamper resistant and tamper-proving odometer construction. Driving of the odometer mechanism in the reverse direction to lower the count is prevented by a one-way locking mechanism associated with the lowest order digit wheel. A marking mechanism is associated with the two highest order digit wheels to clearly indicate if tampering has taken place in the lower mileage range up to 10,000 miles and in the higher mileage range up to 100,000. A continuous drive between the two highest order wheels can also be used to indicate tampering in the range below 10,000 miles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: Gerald F. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4532415
    Abstract: An electrical impulse operated number wheel counter with coaxial number wheels (2); transfer pinions (8); a reciprocable pawl (12) engaging the first number wheel and a solenoid (20) driving the pawl, has a series of leaf springs (33) carried on the solenoid armature (24). In the rest position the leaf springs (33) engage bosses (9) on the transfer pinions to ensure that the number wheels (2) are correctly aligned but when the solenoid (20) is energized to effect a count, the movement of the armature (24) lifts the leaf springs away from the transfer pinions (8) which therefore rotate unhindered. An additional effect of the leaf springs is to reduce the power consumption of the counter and this effect can still be achieved with other spring arrangements. A shock resistance element (50) is freely rotatably mounted in the path of the pawl (12) so as to be struck in the event of shock induced movement of the pawl, substantially to eliminate spurious shock induced counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Mecom Standard Limited
    Inventor: Peter Alway
  • Patent number: 4365147
    Abstract: Two embodiments of a fuel pump cost counter anti-overtravel device having a controlled coil spring clutch for selectively clutching the cost counter drive train to a fixed drum for preventing cost counter overtravel at the termination of a fuel delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Veeder Root Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Lombardo, Bruno S. Smilgys
  • Patent number: 4365146
    Abstract: A fuel pump cost counter anti-backlash device having a follower rotor connected by a reverse bias spring to the cost counter drive train for removing any inertia overtravel in the drive train at the termination of a fuel delivery and a controlled coil spring clutch for clutching the follower rotor to a fixed drum for establishing a substantially constant reverse bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Veeder Root Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno S. Smilgys
  • Patent number: 3938737
    Abstract: A counter for measuring apparatus such as a water meter or the like includes a first number wheel for a low decade; a drive shaft for driving the first number wheel; an additional number wheel for values of a lowest decade; a clutch coupling for coupling the additional number wheel to the drive shaft; and, a cam mechanism for aligning the number wheels. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable cam shaft for actuating a first pawl for engaging an alignment star of the first number wheel and an additional pawl for engaging an alignment star of the additional number wheel. The cam shaft is configured so as to first cause the additional pawl to engage the alignment star of the additional number wheel, and then, to cause the first pawl to engage the alignment star of the first number wheel when the cam shaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Richter