Digit wheel counter

In a mechanical counter comprising digit wheel means, stepping pinion means movable between first and second positions, in which said pinion means engage and disengage, respectively, said digit wheel means, and a resetting mechanism comprising a resetting rake which is movable between an initial position, in which said rake is clear of said digit wheel means, and an actuated position, and is arranged to reset said digit wheel means by a movement from said initial to said actuated position, a pivoted member which is pivoted on a first stationary axis and has eccentric portions operatively connected to said pinion means and said rake, and actuating means which are operatively connected to said pivoted member and operable to move by means of said pivoted member said pinion means from said first position to said second position and back to said first position and to move by means of said pivoted member said rake to said actuated position when said pinion means are in said second position and subsequently to move said rake back to said initial position by means of said pivoted member

• the improvement residing in that
• said pivoted member comprises an S-shaped cam slot and a U-shaped recess,
• said pinion means comprise a pinion-carrying axle, which engages said cam slot,
• said rake is pivoted on a second stationary axis and carries a coupling pin extending into said recess and is pivotally movable between said initial and actuated positions,
• said recess has in the direction of the pivotal movement of said pivoted member about said first axis an extent which exceeds the diameter of said coupling pin so that there is lost motion between said coupling pin and said pivoted member,
• said pivoted member is adapted to cooperate with said coupling pin only when said pinion means are in said first and second positions, and
• resilient means are provided which tend to yieldably hold said rake in its initial and actuated positions.