Patent GB-431497-A (GB)
Title: Printing odometer and like mechanisms
IPC: G01C22/00
Filed: 1934-08-23
Abstract: 431,497. Counting-apparatus. LEWERS, W. H., 47, Victoria Street, London.-(Ohmer Fare Register Co. ; Bolander Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.) Aug. 23, 1934, No. 24348. [Class 106 (i)] Counters with recording-apparatus ; with snap action.-A mileage register for vehicles is provided with printing mechanism which is operated to effect a record of the readings at the commencement and termination of a journey, the record being made on a card inserted into the register and rendered inaccessible until the second impression has been effected. As shown a flexible cable associated with one of the vehicle wheels is attached to a spindle 21, Fig. 12, and drives a wheel 22 ; the wheel 22 engages directly a pinion 23 and indirectly a similar pinion 25 so as to drive these pinions in opposite directions. The pinions are loose on a shaft 24 and are adapted to drive the shaft in one direction by means of pawls 26 and a ratchet wheel 27, the movement being transmitted through a worm 28 to a gear wheel 31. The gear 31 is integral with a disc 32, Fig. 13, forming part of a snap action device which transmits a complete rotation of the gear as a quick one step movement to a pinion 38 on a shaft 52 driving a counter with type wheels 55, Fig. 4. The pinion 38 is also geared to a shaft 59 driving an indicating counter 60. The snap action device, Fig. 13, comprises the disc 32 loose on a sleeve 33 to which is attached a pair of discs 34, 35 one on each side of the gear wheel 31. The disc 35 has a notch 36 and a plate with a pair of teeth 40 that co-operate with a five toothed pinion integral with the pinion 38 to form a Geneva drive. The disc 32 has a stud 41 engaging one end of a spring 42 the other end of which engages a pin 44 on the disc 34. A pivoted pawl 46 has a nose 48 locking the pinion 38, so that as the gear 31 is rotated the pin 41 is moved down the recess 45 in the disc 34 to tension the spring 42. During this movement a pin 50 on the disc 32 engages an offset 51 on the pawl 46 which is rocked to free the pinion 38 and subject it to the action of the tensioned spring. In alignment with the mileage counter type wheels 55 are a set of serial number type wheels 96 and a block 66 with fixed type for identification purposes. The card, Fig. 10, is inserted in a flat receptacle 120, Fig. 8, and an impression of the type members is effected by a platen bar 112 actuated by the operation of a handle 68, Fig. 1. The handle is mounted on a short shaft 69 with a diametrical groove 73 adapted to engage a pin 74 on a shaft 75. When a card is inserted the handle is in its lowermost position and is then rotated through 180‹ clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 1 so as to rotate the shaft 75 and thereby the shaft 79. The shaft 79 carries a disc 80, Fig. 3, operatively connected to a disc 83 rotatably mounted on a shaft 85 and provided with a pawl 87 adapted to drive the shaft 85 in one direction. The shaft 85 carries a Geneva pinion driving the serial number counter. The operation of the platen is effected by a cam 97 on the shaft 79 rocking an arm 99 secured to a shaft 109 provided with an arm 110 spring connected to the platen 112, the platen being secured to a sleeve 113 loose on the shaft 109. During this first part of the operation a semicircular lug 102 on the shaft 75 cooperates with a latch lever 104 that operates to hold the arm 99 in displaced position until near the end of the movement whereupon the lug 102 raises the latch lever and frees the arm 99 which under spring action operates the platen bar 11 to effect the impression. Similar action takes place when the handle is lowered to its normal position to effect the second impression. In order that this second impression may be made above the first impression the card holder 120 is movable. Normally it extends through an aperture 118 in a shutter 119 to facilitate insertion of the card. When the handle is operated a cam 132 on the shaft 75 rocks a bell-crank lever 124 the lower arm of which is connected to a bar 123 on the card holder to retract the holder within the casing. At the same time a notched disc 76, Fig. 6, on the shaft 75 co-operates with a toothed disc 128 on a shaft 125 to rock the shaft 125 through a limited angle and by means of arms 133 thereon lowers the shutter to conceal its aperture 118 thereby rendering the card inaccessible. When the second impression is taken the shutter is again raised and the card holder is projected so that the card is in a position to be withdrawn. The operating handle is provided with lugs to engage slots in the casing and co-operates with a slotted sleeve so that it can only be applied and removed when in its uppermost position. The slotted sleeve is provided with a ratchet wheel 144, Fig. 12 that co-operates with one or other of a pair of pawls 145, 146 controlled by the movements of a sliding plate 152 to act as a full stroke device. Movement of the slide 152 is effected by a cam 156 on the sleeve engaging a lug 157 on the slide.