Mechanical counter
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsNorman L. Giorgini, John W. Ulseth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical counting device for use in office machines such as copying machines in which almost all of the operative structure has been integrated into a single component. The surface works in conjunction with a ratchet pawl to count down from a preselected number, the number of completed cycles performed by the office machine. The counter energizes and de-energizes the office machine's operation at the start and finish respectively of this preselected number of cycles. In addition the counter includes a position for the continuous operation of the office machine without counting, and the capability to stop the operation of the office machine without disrupting the counting sequence.
Claims10
A counting device operative to energize a circuit and maintain said circuit energized for a predetermined number of cycles of operation after which said device will automatically open said circuit, said device comprising
- a frame,
- a central spindle affixed to said frame,
- a ratchet pawl rotatably and slidably mounted on said spindle so as to allow rotation about said spindle during each cycle,
- biasing means connected between said pawl and said frame for restoring the original position of said pawl after each cycle,
- an indicator knob rotatably and slidably mounted on said spindle, said knob comprising
- a ratchet surface formed substantially around its periphery which can be engaged by said pawl to rotate said knob about said spindle,
- an axially facing side with a graspable protrusion disposed so as to allow said knob to be manually rotated about said spindle, and
- limiting means interacting with said frame for limiting the rotational movement of said knob about said spindle,
- biasing means disposed between said frame and said knob for urging said knob to its most distal position from said frame,
- releasable latch means disposed for holding said knob in a position proximate to said frame and for releasing said knob upon said pawl rotating said knob to a predetermined position, and
- switch means mounted on said frame to be engaged by said knob in said proximate position and actuated by said knob for energizing said circuit during the cycle of operation and de-energizing said circuit upon said completion of said cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.