Improvements in or connected with Counting Mechanism.
Year: 1892

page_text: "Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Counting Mechanism.
I, JAMES PATON, of 20 Dingle Grove, Dingle, near Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to mechanism for counting, to be used amongst
other purposes for tallying the delivery of, or receipt of, goods or articles, for
example, in the loading or unloading of a ship. The apparatus can also be used as
a counter for general purposes, such as an engine revolution counter.
According to my invention I provide a series of polygonal discs which are
mounted on a common axis or spindle. These discs are each marked on the several
surfaces of the polygon with numerals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0, the first disc of the
series representing units, the second disc tens, and the third disc hundreds, and so
on. The first polygonal disc is actuated by a spring pusher through the medium
of ratchet wheels, one of which is fixed to the said disc, a pawl being provided to
prevent the disc moving in the reverse direction. Each polygonal disc of the series
receives movement from the disc preceding it, once in every revolution of said
preceding disc, by means of bevel and toothed wheels or their equivalent.
toothed wheels are provided with teeth corresponding with the numerals on the
disc, and are operated once in every revolution of the preceding disc by means of a
pin or its equivalent attached to such disc, which moves the wheel one tooth
forward and thereby the succeeding disc one numeral forward. The numerals on
-each alternate disc are marked in a reverse direction. Between each disc and in
connection with the tooth and bevel wheels, there is a spindle and nut by means of
which the discs can each be set to zero.
The
The whole apparatus may be enclosed in a suitable casing with a window for
displaying the numerals.
T
1 1000
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Counting Mechanism.
1, 'JAMES PATON, of 20, Dingle Grove, Dingle, near Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to mechanism for counting, to be used amongst
other purposes for tallying the delivery of or receipt of goods or articles, for
example, in the loading or unloading of a ship. The apparatus can also be used as
a counter for general purposes, such as an engine revolution counter.
According to my invention 1 provide a series of polygonal discs which are
mounted on a common axis or spindle. These discs are each marked on the several
surfaces of the polygon with numerals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0, the first disc of the
series representing units, the second disc tens, and the third disc hundreds, and so
on. "The first polygonal disc is actuated by a spring pusher through the medium of

page_text: a ratchet wheel, which is fixed to the said disc, a pawl being provided to prevent
the disc moving in the reverse direction. Each polygonal disc of the series receives
movement from the disc preceding it once in every revolution of said preceding
disc, by means of bevel and toothed wheels or their equivalent. The toothed
wheels are provided with the teeth corresponding with the numerals on the disc,
and are operated once in every revolution of the preceding disc by means of a pin
or its equivalent attached to such disc, which moves the wheel forward and thereby
the succeeding disc or numeral forwards. The numerals on each alternate disc are
marked in a reverse direction. Between each disc and in connection with the tooth
and bevel wheels, there is a spindle and nut by means of which the discs can each
be set at zero.
The whole apparatus may be enclosed in a suitable casing with a window for
displaying the numerals.
In the drawings hereto annexed,
Figure 1 is a plan in section, Figure 2 is an elevation in section, and Figure 3 is
a cross section shewing a counter according to this invention; whilst Figure 4 is an
outside view thereof.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate in elevation and end view the actuating device
thereof.
Referring to the drawings, a are the polygonal discs on which the numerals,
namely from 0 to 9 are provided; b is the shaft supported at both ends, and by
which the discs a are supported; c are bevel wheels fixed on the discs a; and d are
bevel wheels meshing with c, and mounted on the shafts e, such shafts being
supported in the brackets f, and in T-pieces g mounted loosely on the shaft b, said
shafts serving also to prevent the T-pieces g from turning on said shaft. h are
pawls hinged at h¹ upon the T-pieces g, and the opposite end of which engages with
the toothed wheel i on the hub of the discs, by which the discs are prevented from
turning in the wrong direction. jare pins or teeth on the discs a which in each
revolution thereof actuate the toothed wheels d and move the succeeding disc one
tenth of a revolution forward. The numeral discs a are adapted to be set at zero
by the shafts e which extend to the side of the case, and are so formed, that by
applying a handle or knob thereon, such as the knob k, they can be turned to the
required position.
The actuating device shewn consists of a ratchet wheel mounted loosely on the
shaft b and fixed to the first or unit disc a; a lever m mounted on the shaft b; a
pawl n mounted on the lever m and adapted to engage with the wheel /; and an
actuating rod o (with a spring to bring it back), the lower end of which engages in
a slot in the lever m. A pawl p mounted upon a fixed support holds the ratchet
wheel and prevents it turning in the wrong direction.
The case q is provided with apertures opposite the shafts e for inserting the
knobs k, and has windows opposite the discs a for exhibiting the numerals
thereof.
In operation, by depressing the rod o, the lever m through the pawl n rotates the
wheel one tenth of a revolution, and so the first disc a, that is the unit disc. At
the tenth operation from zero, the tooth or teeth j on the inside of this disc a
engage with the wheel d, and so through the wheel c move the next numeral disc
round one.tenth of a revolution. In like manner the subsequent or following discs
are rotated and the integration of the actuations of the mechanism effected.
When after any counting having been effected by the machine, it is desired to
bring it back to zero (or to another position), this is done by turning the shafts e 5
by the knobs k.
The movement of the alternate discs a is different and opposite, and they are
marked with the numerals in reverse positions alternately as shewn.
It is to be stated that the construction is not strictly confined to that specifically
shewn in the drawings; and that as to form and size the invention may be modified 5
variously.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a counting mechanism, a series of numeral wheels or discs adapted to be
operated through toothed wheels from a pin, tooth, or like provision on said discs
or wheels by being adapted to engage with said wheels once every revolution ;
substantially as described.
2. In a counting mechanism, a series of numeral wheels or discs adapted to be
operated through toothed wheels from a pin, tooth, or like provision on said discs
or wheels by being adapted to engage with said wheels once every revolution; and
shafts e connected with said gear wheels by which the numeral wheels or discs can
be set to zero or other position at will; substantially as described.
3. The combination of parts constructed arranged and adapted to operate as set
forth with reference to the drawings, by which, motion of one numeral disc is
transmitted to the other once every revolution.
Dated this 5th day of August 1893.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.