Patent GB-343021-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for counting and checking sacks, bales and the like goods
IPC: G06M1/08
Filed: 1929-11-06
Abstract: 343,021. Counters for articles. SPILLERS, Ltd., 40, St. Mary Axe, and GILES, F. C., 17, King George Avenue, Custom House, both in London. Nov. 6, 1929, No. 33739. [Class 106 (i).] Counters actuated by electric and magnetic means ; stop mechanism.-Apparatus for counting and checking the number of sacks, bales and like goods delivered from a mill, &c. and for ensuring the delivery of a predetermined number comprises a counting device actuated by successive sacks and provided with electric switches and contacts adapted to be set so as to arrest the operation of the delivery means after a predetermined number of sacks have been counted. The delivery apparatus which is described in Specification 342,787, [Group XXX] comprises a delivery shoot, a barrier in the shoot which forms an abutment to arrest the movement of the sacks, a power operated barrier-clearing device by means of which each sack is lifted in succession over the barrier, and a depressible contact plate engaged by the liberated sack the movement of which effects the actuation of a counting- mechanism electromagnetically. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the sacks are delivered to the upper end of a shoot A and each sack in its descent is arrested by the laterally spaced inclined abutments B of the barrier. Movement of the sack over the barrier is effected by the successive rotations of arms C in the spaces between the abutments, the arms being mounted on a shaft c1 driven from a motor D. The sack thereafter depresses a counterweighted plate E in the shoot the movement of which closes contacts e1 in the circuit of a solenoid G, Fig. 2, the core of which, through a lever #2 and pawl f4, actuates the ratchet wheel #5 of the units wheel F1 of the counting mechanism. Cylinders H1, H2, H3 are connected to the respective numeral wheels F1, F2, F3 and each is provided with a spiral arrangement of stud contacts h1 .. h10, and a ring contact h11 for cooperation with corresponding brushes k1 .. k10 and k11. These brushes are connected to the contact studs of dial switches K1, K2, K3, as shown in Fig. 12. The brush k11 of cylinder H1 is connected to the arm of switch K2, the brush k11 of cylinder H2 is connected to arm of switch K3, and the brush k11 of cylinder H3 is connected through the main switch M to the negative side of line. The arm of switch K1 is connected through a stop switch S and the switch M to positive side of the line. The switch S for the starter d1 of the motor which is shown as a trip switch with quick-break action comprises a magnet s2, Fig. 3, with a winding s1, an armature s7, and a weighted arm s6. When the number of sacks delivered agrees with the setting on the dial switches the circuit through the winding s1 is closed and the armature s7 attracted to throw out the arm s6 and break the motor circuit. In a modified form of counting-mechanism, Figs. 13 and 14, the numeral wheels are set to the number of sacks to be delivered and the wheels returned step by step to the zero position whereupon the circuit, through contacts V, V1 and the winding s1 of the switch S, Fig. 15, is closed to stop the motor. The counter comprises a wheel F4 fixed to a spindle f20 freely mounted in bearings in end frames and graduated to read from 0 to 99 and a hundreds wheel F5 driven from the wheel F4 by a Geneva type transfer mechanism. The wheel F4 is formed of flanged discs connected by pins f24 actuated by a pawl f25 under the control of a solenoid such as G, Fig. 2. The wheels F4, F5 carry pins #36, #37 which in the zero position meet the flexible arms v1 of the contacts V, V1, to close the circuit through the switch S. Counters for totalizing the delivery over a period are provided these may be actuated mechanically under control of the depressible plate E or electrically by association with the solenoid G.