Patent GB-534640-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to counters
IPC: G06M1/34
Filed: 1939-09-09
Abstract: 534,640. Counting apparatus. VEEDERROOT, Inc. Sept. 9, 1939, No. 25499. Convention date, Sept. 20, 1938. [Class 106(i)] A counter mechanism comprises a plurality of counters each having operatively connected resettable counter wheels which are adapted selectively to be connected with drive means by manually-operable means which controls a mechanism for locking the resetting means for the counter wheels against operation except when the counters are disengaged from the drive. Located in the casing 10 are two counters 16, 17 each of three numeral wheels located in alignment on a reset shaft 14 which has a limited longtitudinal movement and when in mid position is adapted to be rotated to reset the counter. Each counter wheel 20 is driven by a gear 21 through a one-way clutch comprising pivotal spring pawls 24 on the gear 21 cooperating with internal teeth 25 on wheel 20. A locking disc 22 fixed to the numeral wheel carries a mutilated gear 23 comprising two teeth and a gap. Pivotally carried by each counter wheel 20 is a reset pawl 30 adapted to be picked up by notches 31 in shaft 14 when the latter is in correct position. A shaft 35 parallel to shaft 14 carries transfer pinions of usual alternate long and short teeth to mesh with driven gear 21 of higher order and gear 23 and to co-operate with a locking disc 22 when the transfer is not in operation. The counters are selectively driven from a shaft 40 carrying a worm 43 meshing with a worm wheel 44 slidable on shaft 35 and provided with clutch members 52,54 adapted to engage similar clutch members 50, 55 of which the member 50 is pinned to the shaft 35 and the member 55 is in one with a gear 56 loose on shaft 35. The gear 56 meshes with a gear 27 in one with units wheel of counter 17. The unit wheel of counter 16 is driven by a gear 59 on shaft 35. The clutch is slidably a knob 60 the stem 61 of which carries a head 63 with an eccentric pin 64 engaging an opening in a bearing block 66 sliding in a groove 67 of a sliding block 68 bifurcated to provide arms 69 between which a reset locking collar 70 is accommodated. The reset shaft 14 extends transversely through the arms 69 and has secured to it the collar 70. The forward end of slide block 68 engages between guide flanges 72, 73 projecting from the front wall of the casing. Slidably movable with the block 68, shaft 14 and collar 70 is a clutch arm 74 the upper edge of which is apertured to receive the shaft 14. This edge is located between the collar 70 and one of the yoke arms 69. The lever end of the arm 74 extends into a circumferential groove in the worm wheel 44. Co-operating with the collar 70 is a locking plate 80 which when either counter is driven locks the shaft 14 since the collar 70 engages a slot therein. The collar has a single notch adapted to receive a lug 85 or 84 when the corresponding counter is engaged. When the clutch is neutral, the notch 83 allows shaft 14 to turn. A pivoted member 95 carries spring fingers 96, 97 and at the free end has a notch engaging arm 74. The result is that when the arm is moved to engage one clutch member the arm is rocked so that its spring finger engages the teeth of the other clutch member and locks it.