IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTERS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, AND OTHER MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: . Machines.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
COUNTERS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, AND OTHER MACHINES, a communication to me*
from abroad by Charles T. Brown, of 115 Monroe Street Chicago, State of
Illinois, United States of America, Attorney at Law, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the'
following statement :-
This invention relates to Counters, for printing presses, and other machines,
where à constant (or intermittant) rotary motion, or a vibratory or intermittant.
lateral motion, is to be registered, by a machine exposing the number or count
thereof through slots or holes in the case of the Counter as the same is added or
recorded by the counting wheels of said Counter, and in which the numbers are.
thus brought in front of the said slots or holes by the rotary or intermittant lateral,
movement of the machine to which the Counter is attached.
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the Counter.
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Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, showing a sector, acting as a rocker, used
when the Counter is actuated by or from a machine having a recipricatory lateral;
movement.
Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view, on line 3.
direction of the arrow on said line 3- 3.
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3 of Fig. 5, and viewed in the
Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view, on line 4- 4 of Fig, 5, and viewed in the
direction of the arrow on said line 4- - 4.
Fig. 5 is an elevation, (with the case removed), and with two of the counting
wheels illustrated in section.
•
Fig. 6 is a side view, or front elevation of the tens wheel. All wheels of a
higher denomination than tens are duplicates of the tens wheel.
Fig. 7 illustrates a spring, which is placed on the hub of the wheel illustrated in
Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the units-wheel, yoke, dog, and eccentric,
;

page_text: Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the same parts as are shown in Fig,, 8, in a different
position.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the dog, and a portion of the yoke upon which
it is placed.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the eccentric.
Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.
The shell or case forming the frame work of the machine is composed of two
parts, A and A¹, having hinges a, a, and slots X, X.
B, B are the shafts upon which all movable parts of the counter, (with the
exception of the yoke D and the dog placed on said yoke,) are loosely placed.
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C is an eccentric placed on shaft B, and having a long hub C¹, which extends
through the case, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. Eccentric C may be turned or
rotated continuously on shaft B, or rocked (vibrated) thereon, as preferred.
C3, is a sector, termed in this specification "a Rocker," placed on hub C' and
firmly secured thereto..
C³ is a flexible strap, of steel, leather, or like material, attached to the outer
surface or periphery of Rocker C³.
C is a spring, attached at one end to hub C¹ of eccentric C, and at the other end
to pin C. The sole function of spring C is to cause eccentric C to return to the
position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, after a register or count has been made.
Eccentric C and spring C are used when a recipricatory lateral movement is to be
registered by the Counter; if a continuous rotary movement can be utilized in
actuating the counter, Rocker C² and spring C are taken off and replaced by an
ordinary gear or other wheel, and connected to the revolving shaft or wheel
by which the Counter is to be operated, (and whose revolutions the Counter is to
register) in the ordinary manner.
D is a yoke, (having dog d attached thereto by pin d.) secured to case A by
screw or pin E, on which screw said yoke may be freely rocked or vibrated.
d is that portion or part of dog d extending or projecting through yoke D and.
into and meshing with teeth f, in wheel F.
e, e, are inside faces or surfaces of yoke D, The radius of surface e, e, is equal
or nearly equal to the radius of the circle described by the outer surface or face e¹
of eccentric C.
.
e2 is a surface or face of yoke D.
F is a counting wheel on the periphery of which are placed the figures by which
the units of the count registered by the Counter are indicated, and hence termed
by me
"the units wheel."
ff, are teeth on the inner surface or rim of wheel F.
f, f1, are figures on the outer surface or periphery of wheels F, and F¹, by means
of which the count or register is indicated when viewed through holes or slots X, X,
of the case A.
The figures f¹, f³, are termed "counting figures" and are cast with a raised
surface on the periphery of wheels F, and F¹.
F is a counting wheel, substantially like 'counting wheel F, with the exception
that wheel F¹ has teeth I, I, instead of teeth f, f, and has a longer hub than
wheel F.
All counting wheels by which-any figure of the register made by the Counter is
indicated, other than the units figures, are duplicates each of the other, hence a
description of the units-wheel and the tens-wheel is a description of all the counting
wheels used in the counter.
..
f2 is a pin driven into, or otherwise firmly secured to, one side or face of counting
wheels F, and F. (Illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.)
f3 is a portion or part of wheels F and F¹, having a smooth surface, and having
a radius smaller than is the radius of that portion of said wheels on which are
placed or cast the counting numbers ƒ¹‚ ƒ¹,
3.
f is a recess back of pin f2 on wheels F and F. (Illustrated in Fig. 4.)
G, G, are radial grooves on one side or face of counting wheels F, and F¹.

page_text: us a short distance. Recess may be omitted if
desired, the object in using it being merely to firmly secure spring
of the hub.
I, I, are teeth on wheels F.
K. is a transmitter and lock.
L, L, are teeth on transmitter and lock K.
on portion h
m, m, are
M, M, is the portion of transmitter and lock K serving as a lock.
interstices between M, M, into or through which pin f passes during a portion of
the revolution of wheels F and F¹, thus causing transmitter and lock K to partially
turn on shaft B¹ on which said transmitter is placed.
N, is the outer surface or face of portion M of transmitter and lock K. The
radius of face N is equal or nearly equal to radius of surface or face f2 of wheels F
and F¹.
O is a spring pressing against teeth L, L, of transmitter and lock K. The function
of spring O is merely to hold transmitter and lock K in position when the case A, A¹,
is opened for the purpose of setting the counting wheels so that any desired
number or numbers may be placed in front of slots X, X, and is not considered a
material part of the invention.
The manner in which the Counter is constructed, or the parts assembled, is as
follows:-
Yoke D is suspended in part A of the case by screw E, in such manner that it
may vibrate or rock freely thereon.
Spring g is placed upon portion h of hub H of the counting wheels F¹, F¹.
Eccentric C is placed in case A, (illustrated in Fig. 5), so that the hub C¹ of
said eccentric shall project through said part A of the case.
Counting wheel F, and any desired or suitable number of counting wheels F¹
are placed in case A.; and shaft B is then passed through part A of the case, and
hubs H, of the counting wheels F1 and F, and also through hub C¹ of eccentric C.
Spring g, secured as described to the hub of wheels F, presses against and into
radial grooves G of the next adjacent wheel of a lower denomination.
The several counting wheels F and F, placed as described, will now turn freely
on shaft B, in part A of the case.
Transmitter and lock K, (a suitable number thereof) are placed on shaft B¹ in
portion or part A¹ of the case.
If the case A, A¹, be now closed face N. of transmitter and lock K comes in
contact or nearly so with surface or face f³ of counting wheels F, F', and teeth I, I,
of wheels F¹ mesh with teeth L, L, of transmitter and lock K. Any rotary move-
ment in transmitter and lock K and wheels F, F¹ is thus rendered impossible,
except as pin f' enters and passes through interstice or slot m of the transmitter
and lock K, as hereinbefore described.
When a lateral motion is to be utilized for imparting motion to the Counter,
rocker C is placed on hub C¹ of eccentric C and spring C is attached as before
described; and the rotary movement of eccentric C regulated and controlled
thereby. The necessary twist or rotary motion is given to eccentric C by the
alternate pulling of strap C³ and the action of spring C
The desired counting numbers having been adjusted before slots X, X, of the
case and the case closed the Counter is now ready to "register."
Before proceeding to describe the manner in which the Counter operates I desire
to call attention to Yoke D, dog d, and eccentric C, by which an intermmittant
motion is obtained in wheel F, and to the fact that these parts may be omitted if
o

page_text: a constant rotary motion is desired in counting wheel F, by extending hub H of
said wheel F through part A of the case, and imparting a constant rotary motion
thereto in the ordinary manner.
The direction in which wheel F turns on shaft B is immaterial, being guided
solely and alone by the order in which the counting numbers are arranged on the
periphery thereof. When said counting. figures are placed on wheels F and F¹ in
the manner or order illustrated in Fig. 5 said wheel F should turn in the direction
indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8.
To obtain a positive intermittant motion in wheel F and wheels F¹ in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, I employ the means and mechanism
heretofore referred to and described and illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11,
and consisting of the following
Units-wheel F is provided with inside ratchet teeth f. f. f.
Yoke D vibrates on shaft or pin E, and portion of dog a lettered d³ meshes with
teeth f, f.
Eccentric C is placed on shaft B. The vibration of yoke D is caused and
controlled by the rotation of eccentric C. A continuous rotary movement of
eccentric C will cause yoke D to vibrate once to the left and back to the position
illustrated in Fig. 3, to each revolution of eccentric C.
In most cases where a counter or register is employed an intermittant lateral
motion must be utilized to impart motion thereto and for this reason and purpose
rocker C² and spring C are placed upon hub C¹ of eccentric C.
to
Rocker C² and eccentric C being in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3,
a downward movement in strap C³ causes rocker C² and eccentric C to be turned or
twisted about one half way round, in the direction indicated by the arrow on
rocker C2 Fig. 2, Rocker C turning or twisting from about the position illustrated
in Fig. 2 to about the position illustrated in Fig. 9. As eccentric is turned or
twisted as last described, face e¹ of said eccentric comes over portion d² of dog das
illustrated in Fig. 8, thereby firmly locking or holding dog d'in tooth f. This locking
of dog din tooth f is accomplished before any movement is imparted to yoke D by
eccentric C. Further movement of eccentric C causes yoke D to vibrate to the left,
as illustrated in Fig. 9. As yoke D thus vibrates, wheel F is turned or forced
around on shaft B by said dog d, the dog being held continuously in tooth f by
eccentric C, and a number of a next higher denomination on wheel F is thus made
appear before slot X. The rotation of wheel F as last described gradually raises
part d² of dog d, resting in tooth f, until the upper face of said part d' of dog d
comes in contact with face e³ of yoke D, the arc of the circle described by face e of
yoke D not being concentric with the circle described by teeth f, part d' of dog d,
and face e¹ of eccentric C, said yoke turning on pin E and said wheel F with
teeth ff, as well eccentric C, turning on shaft B. Further rotation of wheel Fand
teeth ff, is thus prevented, as a further lifting of part d² of dog d is impossible.
At the time, or just prior thereto, when wheel F is thus locked, eccentric C has
vibrated yoke D into about the position illustrated in Fig. 9, and surface e of
yoke D being, as before described, the arc of a circle having the same radius as has
the circle described by surface e¹ of eccentric C, further movement in eccentric C is
permitted, but causes no further movement in yoke D, said face e¹ of eccentric C
sliding over or upon face e of yoke D. A large amount of "lost motion" is thus
secured in eccentric C and rocker C2 on the hub thereof.
F.
Strap C being released eccentric C and rocker 02 are returned to their original
or initial position by spring C. While eccentric- C is being thus returned to the
position illustrated in Fig. 3 no movement is imparted by it to yoke D until after
face e' of said eccentric has passed over and to the right of portion or part d² of
dog d, and hence the dog may be and is raised by the face or point of tooth f as it
slides over the same.
The operation of the Counter is as follows-
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page_text: case A, pin f is about to mesh or enter, interstice or slot m, in the transmitter and
lock K.
Up to this time no rotary movement has been or could have been imparted to
transmitter and lock K. As counting figure 9 is turned from in front of slot X and
counting figure 0 is turned in front thereof, pin f' enters interstice or slot m of
transmitter and lock K, passing through the same, and carrying with it transmitter
and lock K, thus causing transmitter and lock K to rotate partially upon sliaft B².
As transmitter and lock K thus turns, the points of portioni M, of said transmitter
and lock enter into recess f* back of pin f' and as said pin leaves said slot m,
having turned said transmitter and lock a sufficient distance, another and different
face N is brought in contact, or nearly so, with periphery f³ of wheel F.
The office and function of the lock herein before described, consisting of eccentric C,
yoke D, dog d, and teeth f, is to allow of the counter being attached to a machine
having a variable rate of speed, and force; or to different machines having different
speed and force in their action, without adjustment; and to dispense with drag
springs to cause wheel F to move in unison with dog d: and with the herein
described mechanism taken therewith, to obtain a positive, though intermittant
motion in all the count-wheels of the Counter.
The purpose and object of spring 9 and radial grooves G is merely to assist the.
operator in setting the counting figures before slots X, X, when the case is open,
and holding them in position, so that teeth I, I, will readily mesh with teeth L, L:
when the case is closed; and if it be desired to make a counter which is not to be
opened for the purpose of setting or adjusting the counting wheels, springs 9, 9,
may be dispensed with.
Spring O serving merely to hold transmitter and lock K in position when the
case is open may also be dispensed with, if said case is not to be opened, as last
stated.
Having thus described my invention, its construction and method of operation,
what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is
1. A Counter for printing presses and other purposes comprising the following
elements, viz: A Counter composed of a shell or case, divided into two parts
connected together by means of a hinge, a series of counting wheels placed loosely
on a shaft in one of said parts, a series of transmitters or gear wheels placed loosely
on a shaft in the other of said parts, the said transmitters in connection with and
in addition to the transmition of motion, serving as a lock to hold all wheels of
a denomination higher than units in their proper place and position; and all
arranged so that when the shall or case is open, the counting wheels may be
revolved loosely upon the shaft, and when the same is closed, the counting wheels
shall mesh and come in contact or nearly so, with the transmitters, substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a Counter, shaft B, having wheel F, turning loosely thereon, yoke or
collar D, having dog d thereon, vibrating on pin E in combination with internal
teeth f, f, on wheel F, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.
3. In a Counter, shaft B, having wheel F and eccentric C, turning loosely
thereon, yoke or collar D, having dog d thereon, vibrating on pin, E, in combination
with internal teeth f. f, on wheel F, substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In a Counter, shaft B, having wheel F, and eccentric C, turning loosely.
thereon, sector C, attached to the hub of eccentric C, spring, C, one end of which is
attached to the hub of eccentric C, and, the other end attached to a stationary pin,
yoke or collar D, having dog d, thereon, vibrating on pin E, in combination with
teeth ff, on wheel F, all substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a Counter, shaft B, wheels F, F¹, placed loosely on said shaft, in com-
bination with spring g, constructed as described and secured to the hub of F¹, said
spring pressing against radial grooves on the side of the next adjacent wheel; all
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: . 6. In a Counter, the combination of shaft B, wheel F, and eccentric C, all placed
loosely on said shaft B, yoke or collar D, having dog d placed thereon and engaging
with internal teeth ff, in combination with radial grooves G, on wheel F, and
wheel F¹, having spring g, secured thereto, substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
7. In a Counter, the combination of eccentric C, yoke or collar .D, dog d,
teeth ff, wheel F, pin small f³, recess f*, rim or periphery f³, shafts B, and B¹,
transmitter K, wheel F', having teeth I, all substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
:
8. In a Counter, the combination of an eccentric, a wheel having inside teeth
therein, and a yoke or collar, having a pawl or dog placed thereon as described, and
for the purpose set forth.
9. Yoke D, having dog or pawl d thereon, in combination with eccentric C, and
wheel F, having teeth f, f, therein, substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
10. In a Counter, the combination of the locking and transmitting wheel K,
having surfaces N, interstices or slots m, and teeth L, thereon, and placed loosely,
on shaft B¹, with wheel F, having surface f³, and pin f thereon, acting as:
a driving wheel, and wheel F', having teeth I, thereon, constituting a driven wheel;
wheels F, and F¹, being also placed loosely on shaft D, all substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth..