US1539919A - Stock register - Google Patents

Description

Jun.; 2, 1925.

J. P. SWIFT STOCK REGISTER Filed Feb. 24, 1925 10 quantities of commodities Y Ul tering mechanism, the

Patented June 2, 1925.

' UNITED STATES JOHN PRESTON SWIFT, or WAYNEsvrLLE,u NORTH CAROLINA.

STOCK REGISTER.

Application iled February 24, 1923.

To all whom 'it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. SWIFT, a citizen of the -United States, and resident of lVaynesville, in the county of Haywood l `5 and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stock Registers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a device for registering in stock, and for counting quantities as taken from stock, and it consists in the constructions, combina tions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which affords facilities whereby quantities of a plurality of different articles may be counted in any predetermined .sequence and which also of removable strips supplying desirable data concerning any one ofthe articles, vthe quantity` of which is being determined at that particular time.

A further object of the invention 1s to j provide a device of the character specified which has means for releasably holding the quantity 'registering 'mechanism of the device against retrograde movement, the holding means being operable at will to permit adjustment of the registering mechanism to indicate any predetermined quantity to be added or subtracted or to permit more rapid operation of the registering'mechanism than is possible when the holding means is 1n engagement therewith.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character de- 'scribed which is extremely simple in coneasy to operate,

struction, compact inl form,

and thoroughly economical to manufacture lpractical commercially.

Other objects and advantages will bev`apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which` Figure lis a perspective view showing a register embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the regishousing therefor being omitted,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 2,

'Figure 4 is a section along the line A of Flgure 2, and Y i f provides means for holding a 'pluralityl Serial No. 621,005.

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

In carrying out my invention,I provide a supporting frame comprising a fiat base 1 having a transversely extending flat end por` tion 2 upstanding from one end thereof and preferably integral therewith. The supporting frame also includes an upstanding flat end 3 which is similar to the end 2 and is secured to the base by any suitable known fastening means in upstanding relation to the end of the latter opposite to that provided with the end 2. The ends 2 and 3 are thus ,disposed transversely of the base and in parallel relation to each other.

end portion of the shaft 4 is provided with a handle or key 5 shown as having a knurled head 6 adapted to be conveniently grasped between the thumb and foreinger and turned to rotate the shaft. A plurality of number wheels are mounted on the shaft 4 between the ends 2 and 3. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, four number wheels are shown (more or less may be used), the respective number wheels being designated 7, 8, 9 and 10. Each two adjacent number wheels are held with the rim portions thereof spaced apart by a hub ortion extending beyondthe adjacent en of one number wheel into sliding engagement with the adjacent face of the next in the series. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the extending hub portions of the respective number wheels are designated 7", 8, 9a and 10". The hub portion 10a of the number wheel 1() which is the last wheel of the series is shown as extending into sliding engagement with the adjacent face of the end 3. Eachv number wheel has a series of characters produced on the periphery thereof in spaced relation inrespect to one another, the series extending entirely around the wheel. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the characters are the numerals 0 to 9 arranged in sequence.

The number wheel 7 is secured to the shaft 4 to rotate with the latter while the number wheels 8. 9 and 1() are loosely mounted on the shaft. Each of the number wheels 8, 9 and number wheel 10 has an annular series of gear teeth rigid therewith and located between one end of the lnumber wheel and the adjacent number wheel, the respective annular series of gear teeth being designated 8b, 9b and 10". These gear teeth may be formed of pins extending laterally from the wheel to which they are secured and the diameter of each series of gear teeth is less than that of the number wheel. These series of gear teeth are part of a mechanism for transmitting motion from the number wheel 7 to the number wheels 8, 9 and 10 intermittently and in such sequence that a complete rotation of the wheel 7 will result in the number wheel 8 being moved one tenth of a complete revolution, a complete rotation of the number wheel 8 causing a one-tenth rotation of thev number wheel 9, etc. The motion transmitting mechanism preferred by me includes a second shaft 11 supported at its ends in the ends 2 and 3 in s aced parallel relation to the shaft 4. ach of the number wheel hubs 7a, 8a and 9a is enlarged radially for part of its circumference and the enlargement is formed with a notch 12 in its outer end, each notch 12 thus being ianked by gear teeth or projections 13-13 which lic in the arc described by the radius of the annular series of gear teeth on the adjacent number wheel. A pinion 14 is provided for each two-adjacent numberwheels, each of the pinions 14 being loosely mounted on the shaft 11 with the transverse median line thereof lying in a plane extending midway between the planes of the adjacent ends of the rim portions of the two adjacent number wheels. Each pinion 14 is provided with relatively wide teeth 15 spanning the yspace between the rim portions of each two adjacent number wheels, the relatively wide teeth of the pinions alternating with narrower teeth 15. The gear teeth 8", 9* or 10b at one end of -one of the said two adjacent number wheels are engaged continuously b the teeth of'the associated pinion and in a .dition one of the relatively wide teeth 15 of said pinion will be engaged between the projections 13-13 of the adjacent number wheel during each complete rotation of the latter and will be moved in unison with the latter through one-tenth of a revolution about the axis of the shaft 4. The friction between the num- 'ber wheels 8, 9 and 9, 10.. and between the gear teeth 8", 9b and 10 at one end of each of such number wheels and the pinions 14 is sufficient to normally hold each of the number wheels 8, 9 and 10 aga-inst rotation about the shaft 4 and in any position to which moved intermittently in the manner described. y

.A ratchet wheel 16 is secured to the shaft 4 and is disposed between the fixed number wheel 7 and the end 2 of the supporting frame. The ratchet wheel 16 has teeth corresponding in number and arrangement with the numerals on the number wheel 7. These teeth 17 (best seen in Fig. 4) are formed to extend obliquely to radial lines of the ratchet wheel and are adapted to be engaged successively by the inwardly and downwardly bent end of a spring latch or pawl 18 having the other end thereof pivotally secured at 19 in a recess in onel side edge of the base 1. The arrangement is such that the spring pawl or latch may move laterally of the -plane of the ratchet wheel into and out of a recess 20 in the adjacent face of vthe-end 2 and thereby into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth but is held against moving outwardly from the ratchet teeth. An arm 21 for operating the spring pawl to move the latter into and out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet' wheel extends slidably in a groove 22 in the end 2 and projects beyond the outer face of the latter, being bent outwardly adjacent to its extremity as indicated at 23.

A housing for the registering mechanism and supporting frame described in the foregoing comprises a substantially Hat base 24 and a cover 25 mounted upon the base and being open at one end so that the supporting frame with the registering mechanism mounted thereon lnay be slid into and out of position to rest upon the base 24 within the cover 25, the end 2 of the supporting frame then forming a closure for the open end of the cover. The cover 25 conforms in cross sectional contour to the cross sectional cohtour of each of the ends 2 and 3 and since the latter have inclined side faces converging toward their upper ends and being merged one into the other by rounded upper faces, the sides of the cover will likewise be inclined or slope toward each other, as shown. Pairs of spaced apart parallel strips or flanges respectively indicated at 26 and 27 are provided on the sides of the cover adjacent to the lower ends thereof, these strips being secured at their remote edges to the sides of the cover and having the adjacent longitudinal portions thereof'upwardly offset to lie in spaced relation to the interposed portion of the sides of thecover and' tov cooperate with the latter in defining a slide holder for strips such as indicated' at 28. Each of the strips 28 may have desirable indicia or data produced on the outer face thereof and a plurality of strips 28 may be disposed successively in the slide holder on each side of the cover, being retained therein by the stri s 26 and 27 which constitute retaining gui es.

Since the sides of the cover 25 are inclined, the data on the 'strips disposed in the slide holders may be conveniently observed.

The base 24 of the housing is provided with marginal portions extending ,beyond the opposite sides of the cover. Each of the extending marginal portions Aof the base is provided with a marginal flange 29 extending along a plurality of the edges thereof and overlying the marginal portion of the base to cooperate with the latter to provide slide holders adapted to receive movable slides 31 which as in the case of the slides 28 have desirable indicia or data produced A thereon.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof maybe readily understood. The device is designed particularly for use in registering quantities of small articles, such as accessories and parts of automotive vehicles or like commodities. In taking stock or determinig the total number of each commodity on hand at a given time, it is necessary to determine by actual/count the quantity of each particular article on hand and this can be done quickly and accurately by manipulating the handle 5 to 'effect rotation of the number wheels, whereby the quantity of the article will be registered and the result of the count indicated at all times during the counting operation. The engagement of the spring pawl 18 with the ratchet wheelwill cause a slight click to be heard and felt each time the number wheel 7 is turned one tenth ofare-volution.

With the arrangement of number wheels described the numerals on the number wheel 7 represent units, those on the number wheel 8 represent tens, these on the number wheel 9 represent hundreds while the numerals on the number wheel 10 representy thousands. In the event that it is desired to adjust the numberiwheels at any time to indicate a predetermined quantity,.as for instance to correct an error, or to set the device for further operation after the quantity of one arvticle has been determined and permanently registered, the outturned end portion 23 of the pawl operating arm may be pressed outwardly by' the finger to release the ratchet wheel and theshaft 4 then ral idly rotated in either direction to add or su tract.

The slides disposed in the several slide holders may supply information relating to the article, the quantity of which is bein measured. For instance, one of the slides may have produced thereon lthe name `of the article and the selling priceithereof, another of the slides may indicate the stock number of the article, another of the slides may indicate the quantity thereof received in a late shipment while still another of the slides may show the quantity on hand at any given prior date. The cover 25 of the housing is Y provided with an inspection opening 32 preferably closed by a transparent ,closure to exclude dust from the registering mechanism of the device and permitting observation of g end portion of aligned numerals on the peripheries of the number wheels 'when sucn numerals are in position to indicate the quantity recorded by the' device at that particular time.

The inspection o ening 32 is located near the upper edge o the cover'so that the numerals on the number wheels may be conveniently observed. Screw receiving openings 33 are provided in the base so that the housing canl be secured upon a suitable suppor A Obviously, my invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms other than that-illustrated herein and I therefore consider as my own all modifications and adaptations of/ the form of the device disclosed herein which fairly fall Within the scope of the appended claims. l

I claim 1. In a registering device of the character described, a support including an upright member, ay number wheel mounted to rotate in proximity to said upright, a ratchet wheel disposed between said upright and said number wheel and connected to the number wheel to control the rotation of the latter, said upright having a recess in the face thereof proximate to said ratchet wheel, and a spring pawl attached at one end to sald support to swing between position to engage at its free end with said ratchet wheel to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel in one direction and position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel in which the free e-nd portion of said pawl is received in said recess.

2. In a registering device of the character described, a support including an upright member. a number Wheel mounted to rotate 1n proximity to said upright, a ratchet wheel disposed between said upright and said number wheel and connected to the vnumber wheel to control the rotation of the latter, said upright having a recess in the face thereof a spring pawl attached at one end to said support to swing between at its free end with said ratchet Wheel to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheelin one direction and position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel in whichthe free said pawl is received in said recess,` the bottom wall of said recess constituting a guide on which the free end por'- tion of said pawl can slide between said positions. l

3. In a registering device of the'character described, a housing including an end member having a recess in the inner face thereof vand having an opening extending from the proximate to said-ratchet wheel, and,

housing for roill!) position to engage tation with said ratchet wheel, a spring pawl pivotaliy supported at one end Within the housing, said pawl being swingable from yposition to engage at its free end with the 5 teeth of said ratchet wheel and tothen prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel in one direction to :and from position to extend into said recess and out of engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel, and a pawl operating handle extending through said opening in said end member of the housing and being operableexterorly of the housing.

JOHN PRESTON SWFT.

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