Numeral Wheels Patents (Class 235/1C)
  • Patent number: 6149054
    Abstract: A metering apparatus for metering for example a medicament requires a device with which the number of metering portions is displayed. The known display devices however are not suitable for a metering apparatus having two housing portions which are rotatable relative to each other. The mechanical counter for a metering apparatus of that kind comprises at least one spindle with rotary locking, whose axis extends in parallel relationship with the axis of the metering apparatus and which is disposed in the region of a peripheral surface of the apparatus. The spindle is automatically driven by way of a transmission assembly when the metering apparatus is actuated. The number of metering portions already discharged and the number of petering portions permitted in total is quasi-continuously displayed by the mechanical counter. The transmission ration of the transmission assembly can be designed to cover a wide range. The cursor serving for display purposes can be reset on the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Pasquale Cirrillo, Joachim Eicher, Andreas Fiol
  • Patent number: 6105859
    Abstract: A trash can having a trash bag storage compartment and trash bag counter device includes a trash can having a bag storage receptacle at its bottom end. A first embodiment relates to a device for visually displaying the number of bags remaining in a stack placed within the storage compartment. A weight biased rod drives a counter mechanism and rests on the upper surface of the stack so that when a bag is removed, the counter display output changes by a single unit. A second embodiment relates to a means for indicating the number of bags remaining on a roll placed within the storage compartment. An arm is secured to an end of the bag roll which rotates to engage a pivotable lever as a bag is being removed from the roll. The lever thrusts a vertical rod upwardly which is in communication with a counter mechanism display to change the display output each time a bag is pulled from the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Todd Stafford
  • Patent number: 5877480
    Abstract: An illuminating umpire counter and timing device including a hand-held housing having three apertures through a top face thereof. Each of the apertures have distinguishable indicia adjacent thereto. Three indicating wheels are rotatably disposed and extending outwardly of side walls of the housing. The wheels has illuminated numbers disposed circumferentially thereon. The three wheels are positioned within the housing whereby the numbers selectively aligning with the three apertures of the housing. An illuminating digital watch/stopwatch is secured within the top face of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph A. Tuso, John Torian
  • Patent number: 5730658
    Abstract: A system for attaching a scoring display unit to a fastening band of a glove. The fastening band includes a top strap, and a back surface patch for the top strap. Confronting surfaces of the top strap and the back surface patch comprise cooperating interengaging means, such as hooks and loops of VELCRO fabric. The scoring device of the invention includes a rotary, numbered disc scoring device having protrusions around the periphery which are engaged by a finger to rotate the disc as each golf shot is taken. A scoring window in the front side permits viewing of the selected score number. A fabric hook strip is attached on each end of the scoring device, the unit is placed on the top side of the top strap, wrapped under the glove flap and the hook strip engages the loop fabric of the glove strap. The assembly is then placed over the top of a glove top strap and fastened to the loop VELCRO on the underside of the glove top strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: John G. Kurtz, Edward L. Zabelny
  • Patent number: 5578807
    Abstract: A welded portion is formed by mounting a synthetic resin frame, in which a count display device including character wheels, a driving device for operating the count display device, and a driving source of the driving device, are incorporated, within a casing from the open side of the casing, and welding at least one portion of the contact portion of the frame and said synthetic resin casing using an ultrasonic welding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Shigeru Tsukakoshi
  • Patent number: 5010334
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises at least one pair of coded revolving metric indicators (2, 2', 2"), each consisting of a metric drum (11, 11', 11", 11"') and at least one coded revolving element. The revolving coded metric indicators (2, 2', 2") are rotatable about the same shaft (9) and the coded revolving elements are each positioned out of phase ahead at an appropriate angle with respect to the preceding revolving coded element. An electronic processing (18) prevents the sending of a signal to a display device when the signal read from the coded revolving elements has a value lower than that of any signal previously sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Fabbriche Riunite Misuratori Sacofgas S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vittorio Ponzio
  • Patent number: 4914278
    Abstract: An internally illuminated reset counter employs a shaft and counter wheel portions which are manufactured from light transmissive materials. A series of axially spaced grooves in the shaft function to direct light through the counter wheels and axially balance the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Western Pacific Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Achim J. Rudolph, Arnold C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4910392
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes plc
    Inventors: Ray L. Bannister, Frederick C. Close, Peter J. Loeber
  • Patent number: 4841130
    Abstract: A disk on a wheel-tpe odometer assembly is provided with a integral spring pawl that operates with the normally provided transfer teeth on the highest number wheel to effect a positive detent that prevents this last wheel from backward droop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dale C. Maschino
  • Patent number: 4829164
    Abstract: A counter employs a barrel for rotatably mounting high order counter wheels and a shaft integrally extending from the barrel for mounting the lowest order counter wheel. The barrel forms a groove in which the transfer pinion assembly is located. The walls of the groove are engageable by the pinion assembly to limit skewing of the pinion assembly components. The transfer pinions are configured to prevent axial jamming displacement against the counter wheels. The lowest order wheel is snapped onto the shaft and secured in position by means of a semi-flexible mounting hub and cooperative shaft detents. The counter forms an efficient internal light path for illumination of the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Western Pacific Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Achim J. Rudolph, Arnold C. Johnson, Paul L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 4728782
    Abstract: A cyclometer register in an electric watthour meter includes a free counterweight for producing a kinetic-energy kick for advancing superior cyclometer drums. A drum counterweight, affixed to the units cyclometer drum, is disposed 180 angular degrees out of phase with the free counterweight. The drum counterweight has a moment equal to one-half the moment of the free counterweight, whereby the maximum sum of moments and the peak-to-peak moment is reduced by half. A harmonic counterweight rotates at twice the angular rate of the units cyclometer drum and reflects one-quarter of the moment of the free counterweight back to the driving elements. The harmonic counterweight reduces further the maximum moment as seen by the driving elements and also increases the minimum moment so that the variability in moment is reduced, thereby enabling an offsetting constant increase in meter torque and reducing metering error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Samuel G. Hardy
  • 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: 4551620
    Abstract: A Biorythms analog computer-calendar is provided to display without computations the level of the physical, the emotional, and the intellectual biorythms of a human body. The level of the three biorythms appears on display in analog and digital forms for any dialed calendar date, if the computer-calendar is set initially with the individual's birth date. The analog elements used to register the three biorythm levels are drums attached to gears with a number of teeth equal or proportional to 23, 28 and 33, or to the period of the three biorythms respectively. A calendar arrangement is introduced to create a correlation between the displayed biorythm levels and the calendar date associated with them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Michael Rashev
  • Patent number: 4543475
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seizou Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4531051
    Abstract: Flat indicia wheels are used in conjunction with a Geneva-type register movement. The register utilizes transfer wheels which have an outer edge shaped to contain a plurality of scallops and cusps. Each transfer wheel is associated with a transfer disc that rotates about an adjacent shaft and whose transfer arm causes the transfer wheel to rotate a preselected angular distance by striking a peg attached to the transfer wheel. This type of movement makes possible the use of flat indicia wheels with indicia, or numerals, imposed on a flat surface of the wheel. The presentation of a flat numeral through an opening in a faceplate provides for easier reading and, when used with an automatic reading device such as a light pin, reduces the chances of an erroneous reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Sagmuller
  • Patent number: 4499370
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Nishiuchi
  • Patent number: 4426574
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser cost counter having a plurality of coaxial cost counter wheels with a 100 count first order counter wheel with ten, 36.degree. spaced, two-place identifying numerals of 00, 10, 20 . . . 90 having an angular height of 30.degree., ten-count graduations centered on the identifying numerals and intermediate five-count graduations between the identifying numerals and with both the ten-count and five-count graduations extending at least substantially the full width of the identifying numerals and such that the counter can be read without substantial readout ambiguity during a count transfer from the first order counter wheel to the next higher order counter wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Veeder Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno S. Smilgys
  • Patent number: 4425498
    Abstract: An expanded readout system and a method for expanding the readout of a resettable fuel pump register employs a shutter pinion, a shutter having a pawl assembly, and a stop means for each of the counters to be expanded. The pawl assembly may comprise one of two pawl structures depending on the counter. The expanded readout operates in conjunction with the mechanical system of the register to record the expanded readout and to reset the readout by rotation of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Veeder Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno S. Smilgys
  • Patent number: 4419571
    Abstract: Stepped-down counting mechanism with number wheels drawn on a locking shaft, with a control disc and with a slotted link. The number wheels and the control disc are moved by a ratchet shaft which is located in the interior of the locking shaft and to which are articulated pawls each acting on one pair of wheels. The switching mode with single or multiple stepping-down can be selected by adjusting the slotted link. The control disc is moved by means of an idle-stroke pawl subjected to the action of the slotted link and, independently thereof, by means of an advancing pawl acting between the control disc and the units wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Esselte Pendeflex Corporation
    Inventor: Ulf Koch
  • Patent number: 4368381
    Abstract: A numeral adding toy including an arrangement for rotationally indexing in a cooperative manner two rotary wheels displaying numerals to be added and a single rotary wheel displaying the added sum answer by means of a rotationally indexing mechanism including pins or ratchets. The wheel displaying the added answer is rotated the summed number of indexes of the two wheels displaying the numerals to be added. The wheels, having been rotationally indexed, are rotationally returned by means of a releasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Gakushu Kenkyusha (Gakken Co., Ltd.)
    Inventor: Shozo Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 4362927
    Abstract: A preselection counter having a switch-off counter which is adapted to actuate a desired function when a quantity of this function determined by a preset value has been reached includes presettable indicating means having number rollers adapted to have the preset value set therein and to retain this setting through repeated cycles of operation of the switch-off counter. The presettable indicating means enable continuous display of the preset value during operation of the counter with the preset value being transferred from the number rollers of the switch-off counter by a sensing wheel mechanism which is operatively interposed therebetween and which may be repeatedly reset to the preset value on the preset counter after each cycle of operation of the switch-off counter without requiring changes in the preset value in the presettable indicating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Kienzle Apparate GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Herrmann, Helmut Muller
  • Patent number: 4356386
    Abstract: A desk-top calculator wherein a printer of the type having a movable character wheel is designed so as to effect printing on paper on a desk and when the calculator is moved, the character wheel is returned to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Hanagata
  • Patent number: 4343238
    Abstract: A counting or printing mechanism for consecutive counting or numbering, in which a number or printing wheel is provided for each numerical place and the number or printing wheels are mounted on a common shaft. The number or printing wheels are turned by advancing elements which are connected loosely but so as to transmit force and designed to deflect one another. These advancing elements may, for example, be pawls disposed on an inner ring or coupling discs disposed on a side surface of the number or printing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corporation
    Inventors: Ulf Koch, Gerhard Nagel
  • Patent number: 4293765
    Abstract: A zero-restting type of counter comprising a plural number of digit wheels supported on the same shaft and having digit-shift pins, driven gears arranged between individual pairs of said digit wheels, intermittent transmission mechanisms for coupling the individual digit wheels with the corresponding driven gears, digit-shift pins and pinions engaged with said driven gears.Said counter is adapted in such a manner that rotation of said driven gears caused by rotation of said pinions is transmitted by way of said intermittent transmission mechanisms to said digit wheels for the counting operation, whereas said intermittent transmission mechanisms do not transmit rotation and only said digit wheels are rotated when these wheels are rotated for resetting at the zero positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tutomu Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 4284881
    Abstract: An improved mechanical counter including digit wheel means stepping pinion means which are movable between first and second positions, engaging and disengaging, respectively, the digit wheel means, and a resetting mechanism including a resetting rake, which is pivotally movable between an initial position in which rake is clear of the digit wheel means, and an actuated position.Also included in the resetting mechanism are a slider member connected to a pivoted member, which at its end opposite to the slider member is pivoted on a stationary pivot pin. Remote from its pivot pin, the pivoted member has a U-shaped coupling recess for actuating the resetting rake, and an S-shaped cam slot for disengaging the pinion means from, or re-engaging the same with, the digit wheel means, respectively. The resetting rake carries a coupling pin that is engaged by a respective edge of the pivoted member at the U-shaped coupling recess thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: J. Hengstler K.G.
    Inventor: Hans Neher
  • Patent number: 4195768
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Bowmar Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Herr, Edward D. Sigl
  • Patent number: 4172220
    Abstract: In a setting device for presettable counters, a number of indicating rollers are arranged with symbols on their circumferential peripheral surfaces. Connected to each indicating roller is a ratchet wheel and an adjusting wheel. A switching device for each roller permits it to be moved in a step-by-step manner and otherwise to be locked in position. The switching device includes a switching pawl for engaging the ratchet wheel and moving the roller, a fixing lever for locking the adjusting wheel and roller in position, a control pawl and a key for displacing the control pawl. The control pawl is spring-biased against the actuating movement of the key. The control pawl displaces the switching pawl and the fixing lever in response to its displacement by the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: Kienzle Apparate GmbH
    Inventors: Helmuth Muller, Lothar Herrmann
  • Patent number: 4133289
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for recording successive changes in indicia including a support structure, a front wall portion supported by the support structure, a display opening in the front wall portion, a fulcrum horizontally disposed above the opening on the rear side of the wall portion, an annular member on the rear side of the wall portion and through which the fulcrum extends eccentrically such that the annulus, when resting under its own weight on the fulcrum, presents a portion of its circumference against the opening and constructed and arranged such that manually pushing the annulus away from its rest position results in pivoting about the fulcrum and thereafter, in returning to its rest position under its own weight, moves circumferentially with respect to the fulcrum to present an adjacent circumferential portion to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Robert W. Beattie
  • Patent number: 4114025
    Abstract: The drawings illustrate an odometer for vehicle use, including an idler wheel mounted adjacent the highest-order number wheel, and an endless strip of flexible material mounted around these wheels having a length equal to an integral multiple of the circumference of the highest-order number wheel. An array of indicia is formed on the strip for each rotation of the highest-order number wheel, and distinctly marked to portray, for example, that a second revolution of the highest-order number wheel is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Carol, Jr., Harold P. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 4108355
    Abstract: A rotary indicating device comprising a rotary drum supporting respectively rotatably a plurality of indicating plates, a ring-shaped spring fitted on one side surface of the rotary drum and resiliently pressing the respective rotary shaft portions of the plurality of indicating plates in a direction along the diameter of the rotary drum and a member for turning the plurality of indicating plates in turn with the rotation of the rotary drum so as to be able to be simply assembled and to stably hold the indicating plates in the indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Copal Company Limited
    Inventor: Jusuke Yaguinuma
  • Patent number: 4098072
    Abstract: A digital clock having backlash-free gearing between a step motor and digit wheels that indicate time. The gearing includes an input pinion connected to the step motor, intermediate gearing driven by the pinion and an output ring gear driven by the intermediate gearing and connected to drive a seconds digit wheel of the clock mechanism. A pivotal bracket rotatably carries the intermediate gearing and is biased in one direction by a spring so that the intermediate gearing is urged into backlash-free engagement with both the input pinion and the output ring gear. The bracket tilts as well as pivots to permit the intermediate gearing to properly mesh with both the input pinion and the output ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 4040160
    Abstract: A drum formed on its outer peripheral surface with symbols and symbol position ascertaining marks. The symbols which, include characters, numerals, code marks and the like are superposed on the drum indirectly by affixing to the drum body a belt on which the symbols are positioned. For this purpose, the drum body is formed with a circumferentially aligned series of equalled spaced projections and the belt is formed with a longitudinally aligned series of perforations having a spacing equal to those of the projections. The drums can be used with any apparatus requiring symbol indication, e.g. time measuring instruments, gas meters, or calculators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takashi Funaki
  • Patent number: 4037719
    Abstract: A case for containing a pack of cigarettes, the case including a counting mechanism which counts the number of times that the case is opened up so to remove a cigarette from the pack, thus enabling a smoker, who wished to cut down on his smoking habit, to keep track of the number of cigarettes being smoked during a current day, the counting mechanism also having a counter that records the number of cigarettes smoked on a previous day for purposes of comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Alan Perlmutter
  • Patent number: 4037398
    Abstract: A digital timer having a selector to set a selected period of time that the timer is to be operated by the drive motor for only that set period of time, the timer comprising a pair of indicator drums rotatably mounted to the timer frame by a shaft. The drums have a pinion gear disposed therebetween and operatively associated therewith so that one of the drums will cause incremental movement of the other drum in a timed relation to incremental movement of that one drum caused by a drive connection of that one drum to the timer motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Paul T. Flumm, Vernon B. Harris
  • Patent number: 4022016
    Abstract: A simplified gear drive mechanism for an indicating device such as a clock. The output shaft of the indicator's drive motor carries an eccentric which orbits a multiple gear tooth orbiting gear. One gear on the orbiting gear engages a stationary ring gear having a different number of teeth while another gear on the orbiting gear engages an output ring gear having a different number of teeth. This output ring gear may, for example, be employed to drive the minute hand of a clock. To provide multiple indicators such as required in a clock, a second orbital gear train is provided having an eccentric on the output gear of the first gear train for the purpose of orbiting an orbiting gear in the second gear train. An output ring gear in the second orbiting gear train is employed to drive the hour hand of the clock. In another embodiment of the present invention, a similar orbiting gearing arrangement is employed for driving a digital indicator, such as a digital clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 3981441
    Abstract: A counter comprises a body housing a set of discs which are freely rotatable on a sleeve and which have numerals on their peripheries. A series of drive plates are keyed to the sleeve and interleaved with the discs. At one end of the set of discs a spring-loaded collar also keyed to the sleeve urges the drive plates and discs into frictional engagement. The sleeve is rotatable with a reset wheel while the collar is driven by a star counting wheel through an orbital drive arrangement. The orbital drive arrangement may include a further collar having outwardly directed projections thereon which engage an abutment carried by a resilient arm, the abutment and projections restraining the further collar against rotation during counting. Each disc has a set of first abutments and a second abutment on its periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: The Lucas Electrical Company Limited
    Inventor: John Benjamin Leslie Walters
  • Patent number: 3974694
    Abstract: A digital read-out or indicator attachment for a utility meter which features a tensioned, flexible stranded cable connected at one end to a crank driven in rotation by the index of the meter and having an opposite remotely extending end connected to operate a digital counter located in a position remote from the meter. The cable is supported between the crank and the counter by a low friction sheath having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to that of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Columbia Gas Service Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur C. Eberle, Robert G. Venendaal, William D. Munk
  • Patent number: 3963903
    Abstract: A low cost resettable counting mechanism comprising an electromagnetic indexing mechanism and a counter stepped by the indexing mechanism having three-piece higher order number wheels with respective unitary molded plastic reset and drive pawl members for connecting the number wheels for counting and resetting purposes. A detent arm integrally formed with the number wheel shaft engages a recess in the counter viewing crystal to hold the countershaft against rotation during counting and the counter shaft is manually rotatable for resetting the higher order number wheels. A clapper and plastic verge of the indexing mechanism interfit to retain them in assembled relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Veeder Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominick Anthony Pirro, Paul Levere Kennedy
  • Patent number: 3962568
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an attachment for a limited range gasoline pump. Many gasoline pumps are limited in price range to $9.99. The apparatus comprises an attachment wherein the number one is located on the face of the pump to extend its range to $19.99, and a flag bearing a dollar sign is placed over the number one. The flag remains in position if the sale is $9.99 or less. If that value is exceeded, the flag is moved to the left to expose the one, keeping the dollar sign correctly located. Movement is controlled by a cam attached to the rotating number wheel which displays the dollar value. This wheel is mounted on a cross shaft. The attachment cooperates with the cross shaft to respond to movement thereof to provide a reset motion when the gasoline pump is reset to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Inventor: Francis M. Lathrop, II