Details Patents (Class 235/96)
  • Patent number: 11821419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic power pack arrangement that can be configured in multiple different mounting configurations. The hydraulic power pack arrangement can include a bracket assembly for mounting a hydraulic power pack core assembly and a hydraulic reservoir assembly at a mounting location such as a floor, wall, or ceiling of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Joshua Boone Pepper, David E. Korba, Brady Powell Dearing, Eugene Mikhailovich Grigoriev, Kelly Dale Valtr, Stephen Marshall Devan
  • Patent number: 8928310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reluctance resolver (100) with an at least partially soft magnetic stator (104) and an at least partially soft magnetic rotor (102) which oppose each other by forming an air gap. The magnetic resistance in the air gap changes periodically on account of a configuration of the rotor that varies over the circumference. The angle sensor has a magnetic flux transmitter which is arranged on the stator and generates a predefined magnetic flux distribution in the air gap via at least one pair of poles. Furthermore, a magnetic flux receiver, which measures the intensity of the magnetic field via at least two pairs of signal poles arranged offset from one another at an angle, is arranged on the stator, wherein an angle value for a position of the rotor in relation to the stator can be derived from the two receiver signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Belgium EC BVBA
    Inventors: Tom Ocket, Jan Van Cauwenberge, Jurgen Verstraete
  • Patent number: 8129985
    Abstract: An inductive position encoder is described having first and second members which are relatively moveable over a measurement path, a magnetic device mounted on the first member; a plurality of first windings mounted on the second member; and a second winding. The magnetic device is operable to interact with the windings such that upon the energization of either the second winding or the first windings, there is generated a plurality of sensor signals each being associated with a respective one of said first windings and varying with the relative position between said magnetic device and the associated first winding and hence with the relative position between said first and second members. Additionally, the plurality of first windings are arranged along said measurement path so that the sensor signals vary substantially in accordance with a predetermined Gray code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sagentia Limited
    Inventors: Robin Lee, Graham Lodge, Ross Jones
  • Patent number: 7610128
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at securely calculating and storing odometer data associated with a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that checks the integrity of odometer data being received from a vehicle's engine. More specifically, the method includes receiving a first and second engine odometer values for an engine. Then, these odometer values are compared to determine whether data indicative of tampering was received. In this regard, if data indicative of tampering was received, aspects of the present invention adjust the official vehicle odometer value to account for the tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Ian David O'Connor, Martin Jay Caspe-Detzer, Ted Joseph Scherzinger, William Michael Creel, Wayne Michael Winch
  • Patent number: 6961671
    Abstract: A system for preventing tampering with recorded accumulated running distance data is provided which comprises a first memory, a tampering prevention control unit, and a third memory. The tampering prevention control unit is configured to output an error message if the vehicle serial number data stored in the second memory unit is not equal to the vehicle serial number data stored in the first memory unit and in the third memory unit. The tampering prevention control unit is configured to determine whether the accumulated running distance data stored in the second memory unit is equal to the accumulated running distance data stored in the first memory unit, and if not, the tampering prevention control unit stores the accumulated running distance data stored in the second memory unit to the first memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seong Yun Ko
  • Publication number: 20030178480
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately measuring the distance traveled by a golf ball per golf stroke. An odometer-type device measures the distance traveled by a golf cart by measuring the number of rotations of a wheel of the golf cart as it travels between a first and second position. The number of rotations are then converted by the device to yardage and displayed on the device to represent the relative distance traveled by the golf ball. The system and method are configured to concurrently measure the distance traveled by first and second golf balls concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Craig H. Mogensen
  • 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: 5399843
    Abstract: A mechanical counter having number wheels rotatably mounted on a shaft with interleaved pinion carriers has a drive gear at one end fixed to the shaft and an end wheel rotatably mounted at the other end and retained by a washer press fit on the shaft. The end wheel has a cavity in its outboard side for receiving the washer, the cavity depth being greater than the washer thickness. The washer is installed by a press tool having a flat surface which engages both the washer and the outboard side of the end wheel to simultaneously advance the washer and seat the parts on the shaft. Then the washer and the bottom of the cavity are spaced by an amount providing the end play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jean M. Buechler, Walter J. Nill
  • Patent number: 5376776
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Paese, Mark D. Slaugenhoup
  • Patent number: 5304785
    Abstract: A combination meter for vehicle comprises counter device, for displaying a distance traveled by the vehicle, having a plurality of numeral wheels rotatably juxtaposed to a flame provided with the counter device; drive device for driving a pointer provided with the drive device to display a measured vehicle source by obtaining a scale of a dial secured to the frame of the counter device; coupling device, provided with the counter device and the drive device, for integrally coupling the flame of the counter device with the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Ohike
  • Patent number: 5189286
    Abstract: An odometer type device for recording mileage and changes therein in a vehicle or the like, including a plurality of mileage indicating wheels placed on a shaft for rotation, each wheel being in closely spaced relationship to one another. The wheels each have a hub portion, an outer rim portion and integral spokes connecting the hub and rim portions. The spokes have a thinned midportion sufficiently weak so as to separate and disconnect the hub and rim portions to defeat attempts to move one wheel axially away from an adjacent wheel by imposing a significant axially directed prying force on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Robert L. Tromeur
  • Patent number: 5146158
    Abstract: The cross coil type meter has a magnet rotor and a stopper plate inside a coil bobbin. The magnet rotor is driven by a combined magnetic field produced by a cross coil wound on the coil bobbin. A pointer on a dial plate is attached to the magnet rotor's shaft so that it can indicate the magnitude of a measured quantity. The stopper plate engages with the magnet rotor to stop the pointer at a zero position on the dial plate. But when due to some assembly errors the stop position of the pointer and the zero position on the dial plate do not agree, the position of engagement between the magnet rotor and the stopper plate can be adjusted by manipulating the stopper plate from outside until the two positions agree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Ooike
  • Patent number: 5091633
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Joseph T. Betterton, Richard L. Biegler
  • Patent number: 4975564
    Abstract: An odometer wheel assembly has a retainer cooperating with a groove in an end disc of the assembly to automatically establish end play in the wheel assembly by the difference between two accurately controlled component dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Dale C. Maschino
  • Patent number: 4973867
    Abstract: A device for setting a resettable mechanical counter, has a stepping motor (1) which is developed as two-phase stepping motor having a rotor (32) consisting of a permanent magnet (33) with diametrically opposite permanent magnet poles and a coil arrangement (10, 11) with coils which are arranged at an angular distance apart of, in particular, 90.degree.. The stepping motor is connected to the counter via a gearing (2). In order to effect the resetting of the counter with the same stepping motor and with a compact construction of the device, the stepping motor has a coil body (14) to receive the coils, the coil body being divided into two parts (15, 16). Bearings (36, 37) of the shaft of the rotor being so formed in the coil body that the shaft extends out of the coil body (14) on at least the front outer end (12). The coil body has, for this purpose, furthermore, fastening elements on one outer end of one of the two parts for the attachment of an intermediate body which encloses the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Roland Sudler
  • Patent number: 4970377
    Abstract: An odometer having a reset mechanism with a single spring that has a torsion section acting on the reset mechanism to bias pinions into engagement with the odometer wheels and a compression section for biasing the pinions into a predetermined axial position relative tot he odometer wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Overseas Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 4970378
    Abstract: Geared drive for reset trip odometer in which a transfer tooth on each of the rotatable odometer wheels is immediately ahead of the tooth space in the circular track on the wheels for tracking the wide teeth of the associated transfer pinion gear and laterally clear of the narrow pinion teeth. With the wide teeth normally riding on the track of the wheel, there is a gear locking action if a reverse drive occurs to limit wheel droop from a reference line and anti-locking action when reset is attempted so that the wheels can be forwardly driven to record trip distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Bleicher
  • Patent number: 4930094
    Abstract: A method and firmware/hardware system for updating an analog odometer using a pulse rate rather than an absolute number of updating pulse signals. The pulse rate is developed from a number that represents an accumulation of a series of pulses that represent distance traveled by a vehicle during a chosen interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: William V. Luitje, John M. McCambridge
  • Patent number: 4918295
    Abstract: A combination hubodometer protective housing and step assembly having a cylindrical metal housing, to which the hubodometer is mounted, and a cylindrical metal adapter, which couples the housing and hubodometer to the axle of a wheel for rotation therewith. The housing and the adapter, and hub assembly and the adapter are coupled by means of threads along the inner and outer surfaces. The hubodometer is mounted to an internal wall of the housing by a threaded stud and nut. The internal wall of the adapter defines an internal chamber which contains lubricant for the vehicle axle. Excess lubricant is allowed to exit the lubricant chamber through vent holes in the housing and step assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Charles J. Sauber
  • Patent number: 4906825
    Abstract: This invention relates to a golf cart range finder and, more particularly, to a range finder which makes use of precision gear ratio resulting from the rotation of the golf cart wheels, where the amount of wheel rotation is converted into a numerical reading for user reference. The invention permits the golf player to know the distance of each shot and includes a wheel axle track encoder having a miter gear wheel and a guide rod mounted on a wheel axle so that displacement of wheel axle is synchronously transmitted by a transmission cord to a counter placed on the end of the body of the cart. The precision gear set of said counter converts the wheel rotation into an accurate shot distance reading for the player's reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Jiin-Tang Wu
  • Patent number: 4900901
    Abstract: An assembly to indicate and prevent unauthorized tampering and more specifically, detachment of the odometer cable from the transmission of an automobile, truck or like vehicle. The assembly includes a tamper indicator formed at least partially from a frangible material which, upon the application of force thereto, such as when attempts are made to disconnect the odometer cable from the transmission, the tamper indicator will be severed and indicate exposure or disconnection of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Iguy Richard
  • Patent number: 4889976
    Abstract: A tamper-proof odometer having an odometer register including a plurality of sequentially driven odometer dials carried on a common shaft with a pinion gear supported on an individual bracket disposed between each adjacent pair of dials to engage gears formed as part of each dial of an adjacent pair. A protective cover for the odometer register comprising a shield supported on each of the brackets with all shields forming collectively a partial barrier cover over the odometer register dials exposing only the register readout numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas P. Powell
  • Patent number: 4887704
    Abstract: For use with an overland motor vehicle including therewithin a traversal-recording odometer that is actuatably connectable to the vehicular transmission, there is disclosed an odometer disabling system for disabling the odometer during time periods when the motor vehicle is being towed and during which it is inappropriate to record overland traversal of the towed vehicle.There is a novel electrically-disengageable spring-actuated clutch intervening between the vehicular odometer and transmission and co-acting with and along the flexible-shaft connection between the odometer and transmission. The clutch has the capability of maintaining the traversal-recording integrity of the odometer only so long as electrical current is not being fed into the electrically powerable coil of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Herbert C. Glesmann
  • 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: 4680454
    Abstract: An odometer for use by a golfer in the measurement of distance covered by each shot. The odometer attaches to the wheel of the cart and counts revolutions or parts of a revolution of the wheel through the use of a magnetic head that rotates past a Hall effect sensor. A digital readout indicator displays yards covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventors: Robert E. Zeaman, David E. Meyer
  • 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: 4563574
    Abstract: A hub odometer having a protective case adapted to be mounted axially on an axle cap of a vehicle with a substantially cylindrical carrier plate rotatably mounted in the case for supporting a counting mechanism having figure wheels. The shaft of the figure wheels is mounted transversely of the axis of rotation of the case within the carrier plate, and a reduction gearing transfers the relative rotation of case and carrier plate to the figure wheels. At least one ball of heavy metal is provided, the ball being movably positioned in substantially diametrical opposition with respect to the case axis to the figure wheels, the ball being heavier than the counting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Dreyer, Manfred Rieger
  • 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: 4510379
    Abstract: A control device for an instrument (10) attached to a vehicle wheel hub for recording the distance covered by the vehicle comprises a counting mechanism with several number-carrying wheels (25), a stamping mechanism (29,30) for stamping cards, a means (14) for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism in response to the distance covered, and a pendulum, the oscillation axis of which coincides with the vehicle wheel axle, and which by substantially standing still effects a relative movement in relation to the recording instrument. This movement is utilized for driving the means for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism via a gear unit (12). The means for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism comprise a feed hook (14), which is deformed permanently when number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism are blocked, and thereby effects permanent closing of a first electric contact (14b-34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Haldex AB
    Inventors: Sven Wallqvist, Rune Sund
  • Patent number: 4507549
    Abstract: A reset mechanism for an odometer is provided. The reset mechanism operates by means of manually rotatable structure which causes rotation of a reset shaft provided in an odometer. Means are provided for permitting manual rotation of the odometer reset shaft through an angular distance of more than 360.degree. before a stop structure is encountered. Spring means are provided to urge the reset mechanism to a start position after each resetting of an odometer. The reset mechanism requires only about half as much manual rotation as the necessary reset rotation for the convenience and ease of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Nelson W. Secord
  • Patent number: 4506147
    Abstract: A hubodometer having a wide range of selectable gear ratios so that the same basic structure can be used to indicate distance traveled by wheels of greatly different wheel diameters in either miles or kilometers. The hubodometer has an elongated bore extending through a frame and centered on the axis of rotation of the hubodometer. An odometer helical drive gear and shaft is mounted on the frame transversely to the axis of rotation and removed from the bore in the frame. In assembly of the hubodometer, if a first gear ratio is desired, a support shaft carrying a gear is located within the bore and is fixed to rotate with the casing on its axis of rotation. This gear engages the odometer helical drive gear at a first locus so that the odometer reading is responsive to the rotation of the casing with a first gear ratio. If a second gear ratio is desired, a support shaft having no gear is located within the bore and is fixed to rotate with the hubodometer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Standard Car Truck Company
    Inventor: Patrick L. Powell
  • Patent number: 4493988
    Abstract: In a highly compact odometer an electric motor which drives a mechanical display thereof, is disposed within the set of annular figure wheels used in the display and drivingly connected to said wheels through a worm and worm wheel drive train. In the case of integrated "total" and "trip" odometers a multipole rotor having a torque capacity adequate for driving both odometers is disposed within the set of figure wheels used for the "total" odometer display while the coil is disposed within the "trip" odometer set. Yokes extend between the sets of wheels to provide a magnetic connection between the coil and rotor. To prevent reversing of the odometer and gear chatter in the drive train a one-way clutch type bearing is used to support the output shaft of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Kanto Seiki Co., Limited
    Inventor: Etsuo Ichimura
  • Patent number: 4493987
    Abstract: A counter including a housing which is made from a continuous plastic extrusion. End caps which rotatably support the counter barrel shaft fit telescopically within the housing extremities. The extrusion includes detail for mounting a pane in the viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Kammeraad
  • Patent number: 4454411
    Abstract: A roller skate has an odometer supported on a bracket located in the space between the rear wheels of the rear truck, the bracket being affixed on the truck by a U shaped shackle and shackle nuts. The odometer may be electronic, with digital display in a magnifying window and actuated by a magnet on a rear wheel. It may also be mechanical, actuated by a friction wheel rotated by a skate wheel and movable into and out of contact by a set screw or lever and spring arrangement. The odometer can be read by raising the heel after skating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventors: William H. Hale, Robert E. Day
  • Patent number: 4431910
    Abstract: The reducing mechanism comprises rings stacked one inside the other, namely an annular planet gear having two superimposed sets of teeth having different numbers of teeth. One set of teeth is engaged with a fixed ring gear formed in the case of the recorder and the other set of teeth is engaged with a freely rotatable second gear carrying a spiral gear engaged with a gear for driving the recording means. An eccentric rigid with the driving cable of the recorder is mounted inside the planet gear and displaces the latter. The eccentric defines a cavity for receiving a magnetized disc of a magnetic speedometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Huret et ses Fils
    Inventor: Alain P. B. Huret
  • Patent number: 4430561
    Abstract: A hubodometer having a casing supported solely by, and balanced on, its mounting bracket by a ring-like shock mount. Additionally, an odometer mechanism assembly is carried by, and balanced on, a drive-gear shaft located within the casing on the axis of rotation of the hubodometer. The casing is formed by two joined cup-like shells each having a circular flange integrally formed at a mouth of the shell and lying against the flange of the other shell to define an enclosed cavity. An elastic-like gasket is seated upon the joined flanges, and a rigid retainer ring is seated upon the gasket. The retainer ring is fitted tightly to a circular wall of the mounting bracket to nest the casing at least partially within a socket cavity defined by the mounting bracket. The elongated drive-gear shaft has its shaft extremities anchored to opposite bottoms of each casing shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Standard Car Truck Company
    Inventor: Patrick L. Powell
  • Patent number: 4356388
    Abstract: A tamper proof odometer wherein elastic arms are mounted on a driving gear, teeth in the inner circumference of a recess formed in one side of the least significant digit wheel engage with the front end of the elastic arm to prevent reverse rotation, and alternate teeth of a gear of a holder to engage with two protrusions in the inner circumference of the recess formed in the other side of the least significant digit wheel are partially notched for prevention of reverse rotation so that the odometer may be driven and may register mileage in the forward direction of the vehicle only and may not be driven in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kobayashi, Hisao Nezu, Etsushi Nishikata
  • Patent number: 4354097
    Abstract: An odometer for displaying the speed of a vehicle and the distance travelled, comprising an input shaft driven at a speed proportional to that of the vehicle, a speedometer unit connected to the input shaft, a mileage recording unit comprising a plurality of graduated drums mounted side by side on a common shaft and driven from the input shaft, a plurality of radially projecting stop lugs, and a frame for supporting said unit in rotation, the frame comprising two parallel walls provided with recesses for receiving the respective ends of the shaft of the mileage recording unit.The frame comprises a bar extending between said walls parallel to said common shaft and providing stop means for the projecting stop lugs. There is associated with the bar a locking element for immobilizing the stop lugs in their stop position, which element is force-fitted in recesses formed in the walls of the frame substantially in the plane of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Societe Internationale de Mecanique Industrielle S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Menager
  • Patent number: 4350880
    Abstract: A system for budgeting fuel costs and for emitting an unwarranted-cost alarm based on instantaneous consumption, in a motor vehicle using liquid, gaseous, solid (or with adaptation, electrical) fuel includes an input drive to a counting meter showing accumulation in monetary units of fuel costs, mechanism for compensating speed of counting meter based on engine efficiency and variables of estimated vehicle miles per unit of fuel and on cost of fuel per unit of measure; mechanism is provided for connecting to a vehicle odometer cable to provide input speed in direct relation to vehicle speed along with provision for splicing the odometer cable to the meter drive and to provide cable extension to odometer, provision for re-setting cost indicating meter back to zero and to lock all settings of meter speed selection and reset. Plural modes of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventor: Bartholomew F. Quintilian
  • Patent number: 4314149
    Abstract: A daily mileage recording unit, of the type comprising a plurality of drums mounted side by side on the same shaft and supported in rotation by a frame, a swinging member mounted to pivot with respect to the frame, a series of gears carried by the swinging member, each disposed between two drums to displace one drum by one graduation when the preceding drum has effected a complete revolution, a sliding member guided in translation in the frame and provided with a push button, a mechanism connecting the sliding member to the swinging member to pivot the latter when the push button is displaced, a cam rigidly locked with each drum and an actuator associated with each cam and carried by the swinging member for returning to zero the corresponding drum when the push button is actuated, a square rigidly locked with each gear and ramps carried by the frame which are engaged by respective squares during the pivoting of the gears, the contact surface of the ramp being a circular sector centered on the pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: e.d. Veglia
    Inventor: Michel Gomez
  • Patent number: 4308453
    Abstract: An odometer i.e. a distance recorder, for a vehicle has a counting mechanism driven by a stepping mechanism which is in turn driven with rotation of a vehicle wheel. The stepping mechanism has a plurality of pawls which reciprocate with wheel rotation and which can advance respective ratchet wheels. For a given vehicle wheel size, one of the pawls is selected to operate its ratchet wheel by a cam means which then disables the or each other pawl from engagement with associated ratchet(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: E. Wehrle GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg G. Faller, Horst Kretz, Eberhard Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 4284882
    Abstract: A tamper resistive odometer having a construction whereby manual attempt to reverse the number setting thereon, by separating the pinion gear engagement with number wheel gears, results in a fractured pinion gear that permanently disengages all the pinion gears from the number wheel gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gary F. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4267438
    Abstract: A tamper-proof odometer of the type having digit wheels mounted for rotation about a shaft by gears on gear plates separating the wheels. At least one wheel is formed, for example, by scoring so as to break when an attempt is made to pry that wheel from an adjacent wheel to reset the odometer. The shaft is grooved and end caps are fixedly attached to the shaft ends so that the shaft will break if an attempt is made to remove the caps by drilling or sawing. The caps have different cross-sections so that the shaft can be engaged in a frame in only one orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas D. Regan
  • Patent number: 4192450
    Abstract: A tamper preventive odometer wherein a driving gear operatively coupled to a driving shaft of a tachometer and a least significant digit wheel are coupled through a driving plate and a locking plate which locks the rotation in the subtractive direction of the LSD wheel, thereby preventing tampering of the odometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Kabishiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisao Nezu
  • 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: 4015109
    Abstract: An improved "reset" type odometer assembly having counting wheels rotatably supported on a shaft and interconnected by pinion gears therebetween for sequential counting as mileage progresses. A gear wheel between each of the counting wheels is engaged on its right side by a pinion gear which moves with each revolution of the counting wheel located to its right. In turn the gear wheel engages an outer pawl on a molded ratchet spring to cause corresponding rotation of the leftwardly positioned counting wheel. The ratchet spring also has an inner pawl which is engaged by a groove in the shaft when rotated to cause the ratchet spring and counting wheel to rotate during a reset mode of operation. During resetting, the gear wheel and pinion gears are stationary and the outer pawl moves between circumferentially spaced detents in the gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Deming
  • Patent number: 3986005
    Abstract: An odometer for an automobile comprises a drive gear having a couple of projections, a plurality of numbered wheels whose least significant digit wheel has an internal gear, and a cam disposed between the drive gear and the least significant digit wheel, whereby the cam engages with and disengages from the internal gear teeth as the couple of the projections abut against the cam in response to the rotating direction of the drive gear, thus preventing the reversing of the numbered wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Itoh
  • Patent number: 3968568
    Abstract: In the use of a rotatable wheel and a rotation sensing device such as an incremental shaft encoder to measure the longitudinal translation of one member relative to another which extends longitudinally, for example, and wherein the wheel is supported for rotation on the longitudinally extending member by means of an inclined pivot arm supported on the one member, means are provided to automatically adjust the angular position of the stator portion of the shaft encoder to compensate for rotation of the wheel when the lateral spacing between the two relatively movable members changes, thereby eliminating a false indication of longitudinal translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventor: Bobby R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 3965847
    Abstract: An odometer assembly having a shaft on which a plurality of numbered counting wheels are mounted for rotation and including a rotatable service indicator wheel supported on the shaft next to the highest order counting wheel for rotation therewith until a flag portion which overlays the indicator wheel becomes visible to the vehicle operator. A drive mechanism between the service indicator wheel and the highest order counting wheel couples the wheels together for the aforementioned rotation and thereafter permits the highest order counting wheel to rotate with respect to the service indicator wheel. A rotatable reset lever means is also provided to counter-rotate the service indicator wheel back to its original non-indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Deming
  • Patent number: 3949202
    Abstract: The invention consists of an improved method of constructing and installing digital counting devices, such as odometers, digital time recorders and digital gauges, consisting of a self-destructing and tamperproof "first" or left counting wheel. The numeral of the "first" counting wheel is obliterated by mechanical (or other) means after such numeral has passed the viewing window, thereby making it useless to attempt to "wheel back" the counter to indicate lesser usage, and thereby promoting safety and honesty to and by user, seller and buyer of the machines or devices to which the digital counter is attached. Such improved counters are practically irreversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Inventor: Peter D. Bogart