# US 4,400,090 A · Chugometer

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- Number: US 4,400,090 A
- Document ID: US4400090A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/299,571
- Filed: 1981-09-04
- Granted: 1983-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 1981-09-04
- Inventors: Wesley H. Beroth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4400090A

## CPC

- G04F 10/04: by counting pulses or half-cycles of an AC {(G04F10/005 takes precedence)}
- G04F: TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING (measuring pulse characteristics G01R, e.g. G01R29/02; in radar or like systems G01S)

## Abstract

Presented hereby is a means for measuring elapsed time commencing with a start signal, after which first and second items may be removed from respective, individual stands for the performance of specific functions and ending with the return of an item to its specific stand. The apparatus comprises a pair of stands for receiving beverage containers in combination with means to optically sense the presence or absence of containers on their stands and light sequence starting means and time recording means responsive to the optical detectors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A timing device, comprising:
first and second sensing means for providing signals indicative of the presence or absence of an object;
means for initiating a start sequence when enabled by signals from said first and second sensing means indicative of the presence of objects;
a start indicator responsive to an output of said means for initiating a start sequence; a start function generated by said start indicator;
a pulse generator for producing clock pulses; counting means activated by said start function for counting said clock pulses; and
means responsive to said first or second sensing means providing a signal indicative of the presence of an object for stopping said counting means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A timing device as defined in claim 1, comprising: inhibiting means responsive to said sensing means providing a signal indicative of the absence of an object for preventing said counting means from counting said clock pulses when said absence indicating signal occurs before said start function.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A timing device as defined in claim 2, comprising: a digital indicator means for displaying the accumulation by said counting means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A timing device as defined in claim 3, comprising: a foul indicating means responsive to said inhibiting means for providing a visual indication of the operation of said inhibiting means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A timing device as defined in claim 4, further comprising reset means to manually deactivate said inhibiting means.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A timing device as defined in claim 5, wherein said start indicator comprises:
a shift register including a plurality of outputs;
indicator lamps for predetermined ones of said plurality of outputs of said shift register; and
logic means responsive to said means for initiating a start sequence for incrementing said shift register.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A timing device as defined in claim 6, wherein said logic means comprises:
a two input logic gate;
a one shot multivibrator responsive to said means for initiating a start sequence for enabling said two input logic gate; and
a pulse generator for generating incrementing pulses to be applied through said logic gate when said logic gate is enabled.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A timing device as defined in claim 7, comprising:
a second logic gate means interposed between said logic means and said shift register;
a timing pulse generator for enabling said second logic gate means; and
switch means for activating said timing pulse generator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A timing device as defined in claim 8, further comprising reset switch means for resetting said shift register.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A timing device as defined in claim 9, wherein said digital indicator means comprises:
a plurality of digital indicators;
a flip-flop responsive to a predetermined output of said shift register for providing an enabling logic function;
a counter logic gate enabled by said enabling function of said flip-flop for passing said clock pulses when enabled; and
a counter shift register incremented by the output of said counter logic gate for controlling said digital indicators.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A timing device as defined in claim 10, wherein said sensing means comprises a light source and a light responsive means oriented so that it is illuminated by said light source but positioned apart therefrom so that said object may shield said light responsive means from said light source.