Patent GB-204076-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with mechanism for counting consecutive operations in textile, printing or other machines
IPC: G06M1/08
Filed: 1922-03-25
Abstract: 204,076. Imray, O. Y., (Shawmut Engineering Co.). March 25, 1922. 0 p e r a t i n g or controlling toothed wheels and the like.-A controlling apparatus for use in connection with printing-machines for delivering predetermined numbers of papers into groups for despatch to different localities, for controlling the shuttle boxes of looms or the jacquard mechanism of looms, or for controlling the action of any machine or for indicating when a predetermined number of operations of a machine has taken place, or for any like purpose, comprises essentially a series of counting-members of lower and higher order, means for independently operating said counting-members, and pattern-controlling means movable step-bystep to bring said counting-members into operation, the patterncontrolling means being formed with pre-arranged and inter-related formations which bring the counting-means into operation. After the machine has effected the predetermined number of operations, a slot or indicating-mechanism is operated, and the machine may then be re-set to perform the next predetermined number of operations. According to one form of the invention, a pattern-member in the form of an endless web 1, Figs. 2 and 21, is advanced intermittently by a toothed barrel 29 which engages edge holes 25, 26, Fig. 21, in the web 1, and the web 1 is formed with a series of predetermined apertures along the lines a - d, which apertures are adapted to be brought in turn beneath levers 33 - - 36, Fig. 3, mounted freely on a shaft 32, and to allow projections 33<1> on the undersides of the levers to pass into longitudinal grooves formed in the periphery of the barrel 29. The levers 33 - - 36, normally mask the operation of oscillating pawls 11 - - 14, which are operated by means controlled by the printing or like machines, e.g. by a shaft 7 which is oscillated by a crank operated by said machine. The pawls when released are adapted to engage the counting-wheels 19, 18, 17, 16, and if the number of papers required in one batch is over a thousand, the pawl 14 is the first to be released, and it actuates the " thousand " counting-device until this has gone through a complete count and allowed the machine to deliver a thousand sheets, or allowed any machine to operate a thousand times. All the counting-wheels are provided in their normal position with a series of horizontal slots which are in alignment. The "thousand" counting-member which is shown in Fig. 11 has two slots 37, on discs 120, 121 integral with gears 122, 123 formed with ninety-nine and hundred teeth respectively geared together by gears 106. The gear 123 is integral with the ratchetwheel 19, and after the first operation of this ratchet, the slots 37 are moved out of alignment, and return into alignment again after a thousand actuations of the ratchet-wheel 19. The slots 37 control the movement of a lever arm 43 on a shaft 42 fitted with arms 40 with a bar 38 between them, the bar 38 being pressed into the slots 37 when these are in alignment and thereby releasing a spring-pressed pawl 48 on a lever 50 oscillated by the shaft 7. The pawl 40 engages a bar 53 and operates a lever 57, and pawls in a yoke 62 attached to lever 57 advance the pattern barrel 29. The yoke 62 is fitted with two pawls one of which is brought into operation when the pattern 7 is to be rotated in a clockwise direction, and vice versa. A cam-member consisting of a disc with flats controls which of the pawl is in operation. The advance of the pattern-member and web 1 brings other controlling-perforations into action which are situated along the lines 72a - - 75<a>, Fig. 21. These perforations permit controlling-bars 72 - - 75, Figs. 2 and 3, to fall and thereby corresponding bars 66 - - 69 are depressed so as to come into the range of action of an oscillating bar 90 which engages in a recess 103 on the underside of the required bars 66 - - 69 it is desired to actuate. As shown, it is the bar 66 which is to be moved to left in Fig 2 to perform some controlling function, such as to determine into which receptacle a batch of sheets is to be delivered. The bar 90 does not come into action at once, and the bar 66 may be raised again without being operated on, if the count has not been completed, the actual operation of it taking place after all the counters have been actuated. The bar 90 is carried by crank-arms on a sleeve oscillated from the shaft 7, and a similar member 102 which can move vertically is used for restoring the members 66 - - 69 to their normal position by acting on the recessed parts on the upper ends of the rods. In a modification, the patternmember 1 is replaced by two pattern-members, one of which controls the counters only, and the second member is formed with perforations for controlling the bars 66 - - 69 and is advanced automatically with each advance of the pattern 1. The counting-wheels cay be re-set by depressing the pinions 106, Fig. 11, by means of a bar 105. The counting-wheels as 102, are loosely mounted on a barrel 111, Fig. 16, provided with spring-pressed radial pins 114, which, when the barrel 111 is turned by a knurled knob 111<1>, Fig. 3, pick up the wheels in succession and return them all to a zero position.