Patent GB-1423721-A (GB)
Title: Recording device
IPC: B41J32/00
Filed: 1973-01-30
Abstract: 1423721 Counting apparatus MANGOOD CORP 30 Jan 1973 [4 Feb 1972] 4678/73 Heading G4D A device for periodically recording the value of a count comprises a counter assembly including a plurality of counter print wheels 66 and a plurality of transfer pinions 211; a printer assembly 40 including a roller 165 which is periodically moved to bring a paper tape 41, an ink ribbon and the print wheels into printing engagement; an ink ribbon cartridge 65 including supply and take spools carrying the ink ribbon ; means for advancing the paper tape periodically and means for advancing the ink ribbon periodically. In a first embodiment the counter is driven by a stepping motor 219 suitably energized by a pair of 25 milli-second monostable circuits (not shown). The counter may count vehicles by way of a pneumatic pad switch or induction wires in a road. A time switch 154, consisting of a disc rotating once an hour and carrying four magnets 157 operating a reed switch 158 every 15 mins., energizes a motor 104 once every 15 mins. to produce a printing operation of assembly 40 and to advance the paper tape and ink ribbon ; every fourth energization of the motor an hour wheel 136 is advanced and the counter is reset to zero. The wheels 66-66C print both decimal numerals and a binary code comprising long and short strokes which can be subsequently read by an optical reader; the hour wheel 136 prints the time alongside the count (Fig. 9, not shown). The counter assembly comprises a plurality of decagonal wheels, each flat face carrying the decimal and binary coded information. The wheels are mounted on a longitudinally slotted shaft and each carries internally a spring loaded pawl (Fig. 22, not shown) engageable with the slot for resetting when the shaft is rotated. Formed integrally with each wheel is a 10-point star wheel 152, which co-operates with clamping fingers 151 to prevent movement of the number wheels 66 and locate them in the correct position during printing, a 20-tooth gear and a transfer tooth and locking ring assembly (Fig. 27, not shown) co-operating with Geneva type transfer pinions. The latter are individually mounted on spring loaded arms 223 (Fig. 25, not shown) so that during resetting they are pushed aside by the gear teeth. The printer assembly has rollers 165 for each of the five print wheels individually mounted on spring loaded arms 163 attached to a block 160 rotatable with a shaft 100. The shaft 100 is rotated through one revolution each time motor 104 is energized, to sweep the rollers 165 across the faces of the number wheels. A finger 99 on shaft 100 steps a star wheel 120; every fourth revolution fingers 119 on wheel 120 engage a clutch 123 to drive the counter shaft 88 through two revolutions to reset the counter; different wheels 120 may be substituted allowing resetting at different intervals. A finger 24 geared to shaft 100 similarly steps a star wheel 132 (Fig. 10, not shown) to step the hour wheel 136. A finger 73 on shaft 100 drives a pawl (87) (Fig. 10, not shown) to advance a ratchet (76) on a shaft 56 of a capstan sprocket 49 which advances the paper tape 41; a slipping belt drive (54) advances the take up spool 52. The motor 104 also drives through gears 109, 110 a roller 113 which frictionally drives the take up spool in the ink ribbon cartridge to advance the ribbon. The ink ribbon cartridge (Figs. 3, 14-20, some not shown) which forms the subject matter of divided Specification 1,423,722 has a moulded ease with separate compartments for the feed and take up spools and guide surfaces whereby the ribbon takes a path as shown in Fig. 14 so as to lie flat adjacent to the paper tape 41. The ribbon passes in this region between flexible plates (186, 187) formed with apertures 189 in line with the number wheels 66, 136 and at such an angle (Fig. 18, not shown) that each part of the ribbon is used once only. The cartridge 65 is releasable clamped to the counter with its take up spool engaging roller 113 by a screw 170 (Fig. 1, not shown). In a second embodiment (Figs. 29-30, not shown) the counter is driven by a sprocket over which runs a chain (237) coupled at opposite ends to a float and a balance weight whereby the counter registers the level of a liquid such as a river. The level is recorded at intervals as before but the automatic resetting function is omitted.