GB678816A - Improvements in counting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

678,816. Counting-apparatus. MEASURE. METERS CO., Ltd. April 3, 1951 [April 5, 1950], No. 8519/50. Class 106 (i). Counting apparatus comprises two presettable counters each having a series of numeral wheels interconnected by transfer mechanism, the two counters being driven in opposite directions through a reversing gear, the last wheel of each counter having a cam which, when all the wheels of the counter register their highest value, moves a lever which through electrical or mechanical means operates the reversing gear to reverse the direction of rotation of the two counters. The driving shafts a<SP>1</SP>, a<SP>2</SP> of two counters A<SP>1</SP>, A<SP>2</SP>, Fig. 3, are driven from a unidirectional rotating shaft B through reversing gear comprising a bevel gear b on the shaft B and bevel gears c<SP>1</SP>, c<SP>2</SP> on a sleeve c slidably mounted on a short shaft C situated between the two shafts a<SP>1</SP>, a<SP>2</SP> and drivingly connected thereto. A plate G<SP>1</SP> pivoted on a pin g<SP>1</SP> and carrying a roller h located between shoulders on the sleeve c is connected by a pin and slot to a plate G also pivoted on the pin g<SP>1</SP>. The plate G has an arm g which is connected to the armatures f, f<SP>1</SP> of two electromagnets F<SP>1</SP>, F<SP>2</SP>. The last numeral wheel a<SP>3</SP>, Fig. 5, of each counter has a recess a4 which, when all the numeral wheels read " 9," comes opposite the end d of a pivoted lever D which then rocks clockwise to release a spring-operated plunger e of a micro-switch E which completes a circuit to one or other of the electromagnets F<SP>1</SP>, F<SP>2</SP> whereupon the armature for f moves the plates G, G<SP>1</SP> and the sleeve c to disengage the bevel gear b from the one and engage it with the other of bevel gears c<SP>1</SP>, c<SP>2</SP>. An electric bulb H or H<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 3, is illuminated upon movement of the associated lever D. In operation one of the counters A<SP>1</SP>, A<SP>2</SP> is preset to read one unit less than the number at which reversal of the counterdrive is desired and the other counter is preset to read " 999 ... ". The reversing gear is thereby positioned so that the first counter is driven backwards and the second counter forwards. When the first counter reads " 999 ... " i.e. when the desired number has been counted, the counter drive is reversed as above described. The operation of the microswitch F<SP>1</SP> or F<SP>2</SP> may cause reversal of a drive to a machine, bring into action alternately one or other of two machines and/or give a visible or audible signal. The shaft B may be rotated continuously if used in connection with a length measuring apparatus or intermittently if desired.