US1828896A

US1828896A - Indicator

Info

Publication number: US1828896A
Application number: US435422A
Authority: US
Inventors: Orville S Hershey
Original assignee: Oakes Products Corp
Current assignee: Oakes Products Corp
Priority date: 1930-03-13
Filing date: 1930-03-13
Publication date: 1931-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1948-10-27

Description

o. s. HERSHEY INDICATOR Filed March 13, 19.30

UNITED STA ORVILLE S. .HERSHEY, OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO OAKES'PRODU'CTS'COR- Patented Oct. 27 1931 res PATENT [OFF] PORATION, OF NORTH cnroaoo, ILLINOIsA CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN I INDICATOR Application filed March 13,1930 Serial No. 435,422.;

This invention relatesito anindicator in which is comprised a series of independently rotatable wheels carrying on their peripheries digits,any selected combination of which may be exposed to view through an aperture in the housing wherein the wheels are mounted. More particularlythe invention relates to a .means for locking the wheels against accidental or casual movement from a given position of adjustment, and to an operating means therefor. An instrument of this character may be used to advantage in connection with the oiling and greasing o erations of an automobile, and it may be esigned for convenient mounting therein, as within the ball of a gear shift lever or upon the dash board of a vehicle, whereby to apprise constantlythe operator respecting mileages at which lubricating operations should be performed.

Asuggestive embodiment of this invention is set forth in the accompanying drawingsin the following manner:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a gear shift lever ball containing the indicator mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a'transverse sectionthrough Fig. 2 as indicated by the line 3;

Fig. 4 isa sectional view taken as indicated bylthe line 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the key and spring clip assembly;

vFig. v(ishows the indicator modified to the extent of being mounted on the dash board of an automobile; and 'Fig. 7 showsa modified arrangement of theindi'cator in the ball.

The present indicator mechanism may be contained within a ball handle A such asis fitted upon the end of a gear shift lever B. As shown, it includes an indicating barrel assembly C fitted in the ball in a manner to shift lengthwise therein. Through the ball is formed a transverse bore 9 enlarged at ne end to accommodate a knurled head 10 forming part of the barrel assembly. A groove 11 may beformed in the handle parallel to the axisof the bore to receive a. key12 the ends of which are provided with transversely extended jaws 13 which engage opposite points on the ball to hold the key in place. The key is further provided with a shoulder 14 adjacent a neck 15, the purpose of which will be explained later. The key maybe provided with a hole 16 to receive one end of a spring clip 17 having a detent 18 for holding the barrel assembly in apredetermined position. a recess 19 which is formed alongside the groove 11, as seen in Fig. 2. An opening 20 formed in the top of the-ball is covered by a celluloid window 21 which is so. mounted as to protect the indicator within the ball.

The spring clip lies in p forms ahousing .for the indicating mechanism. At the. outer end of the sleeve is mounted the barrel head 10. which is held in place on a stem 28 by a transverse pin 29. The stem 28 is rotatably carried by the body of the barrel. v

Rotatablymounted on the stem is a series of .wheels30, each provided with a disk 31 which is connected thereto upon one face. .The

disks which are of greater diameter than the wheels are notched at '32 to receive ,engagement from the key 12. I Upon each wheel is carried, marked or impressed a series of digits, from- 0 to 9,'by preference, any one of which may be moved into register with the windowopening 20; So that each wheel-may tend to rotate with the stem, I provide-for each a spring 35 set into an opening 36 in the wheel'in position to engage with the stem.

The key is received in part within a groove 37 in the barrel, complementary to the handle I 1 groove 11. Transversely disposed to. these grooves are sockets 38 adapted to receive the detent 18 on the spring clip 17 so as to hold the barrelreleasably in the desired position for advancing certain of the wheels 30. In Fig. 3, the barrel is shown as in the normal position wherein thekey engages each of the disks 31. From this position the barrel may he slid partly out. of the ball in response to pressure applied to the end of its body, the head 10 being then in position for rotation, as

part novelty thereto.

shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the key is released from contact with several of the disks when the barrel is as positioned. The key neck 15 is of such length that when the barrel is moved to the extreme position (the right as viewed in Fig. 4) all the disks are released from the key, so that *the frictional contact obtaining between the stem and wheels will cause the wheels and disks to turn with rotation of the barrel head. An opening39 in thesleeve 26 registers wzthathe window 21 so that a single row of digits, one on each wheel, is exposed to View. A stop pin 40 is inserted in the barrel to limit its outward movement by contactw'ith one end of the windowopening.

A modified form of the ,houslng for the present indicatoris shown in'Fig. 6 in which the barrel C and its operating mechanism are identical with that just described. In this construction the housing A isso shaped as to be attached to the dash board D of an automobile. This modification is ,suggestlve of various places. and conditions in which/my indicator may be .used with advantage.

A further modified form is shown in Flg. 7 which is similar to the construction first described .except that the windowopening 20 extends through vto one edge of the ball housing A, and a block 40 is formed upon the sleeve 26 to occupy the open space .at the end of the window opening when the barrel isreturned to .itsnormal position. The celluloid window :21 is attached :to and moves with the barrel in its shifting movements. In this form, the various digits in .a single ,row will at all times be exposed to view.

The present construction is such that the numbered wheels, when set to a desired position, may not .be accidentally moved therefrom. Ghangin'gzthe position ofthese wheels may be accomplished only when the barrel has been moved to extend beyond theconfines of the housing. The extent to which the barrel is projected from its normal position will determine which, or how many, of the numbered wheels will turn with the barrel aplained.

From the preceding description, it wil :be manifest that the present invention is 'ad- *vantageoum' because of the compact constructionof its part, the simplicity of their operation, and the positive character of the means for holding the numbered wheels in a predetermined position. I desire .in accordance with the terms of the claims follow ingto be protected in this invention, whether or not the embodiment thereof :be as illustrated and described, or modified therefrom, without sacrifice of the features which im- I claim:

1. In an indicator, the combination of a body having a through opening communicating with a second opening in one face of the body, a wheel with peripheral numbers mounted for axial movement in the through opening and adapted in one axial-position to expose a single number through the second opening, means engaging the wheel, when in the position noted, to lock the same against rotation, the wheel being freed for rotative adjustment only when shifted to another position, and operating means in yielding fric tional connection with the wheel and protruding exteriorly of the through opening for manipulation. to adjust the wheel when the wheel is shiftedto adjusting position.

12.. In an indicator, the combination of a mountings plurality of co-axial independently movable numbered wheels disposed within the mounting and movable axially thereimmeans connecting the several wheels in unitary relation, manipulating means for theseveral wheels located beyond one endof .an outermost wheel, andlocking means co-acting with-allof the wheels only when the latter are in one axial position, permitting rotation of one or more wheels only when the latter are shifted axiallyto a position free ofsaid lockin gr means.

An indicating mechanism comprising a mounting with two communicatingopenings in oneof which is contained v a barrel having indicating Wheels, the barrel being axially movable to one position in which the wheels are adjustable and to a second position in which the wheelsare looked, a portionofieach wheel being visible through the remaining .openingwhen the barrel is in-one position.

a. An indicating mechanism comprising a grooved mounting movably supporting a grooved barrel having adjustable indicating units, .a key disposed in the .two grooycs to lock the barrel units against rotation when the barrel is in-one position, and meanslat one end of the barrel in connection with :the-sev eral unit-s adapted to adjust the same when the barrel is in a second position.

In combinatiomabodyhavingabore and a groove. a barrel mounted for axial .movement within the bore, indicating wheels associated with the barrel, means for rotating the indicating wheels, and means co-acting with one or more of the wheels depending upon the longitudinal position of the barrel for locking .the wheels vagainst rotation.

,6. In an indicator, the combination of a body having a passageway and a sightopening communicating therewith, a rotatable supporting member shiftable axially in said passageway, an indicating wheel mounted on said supporting member to .move axially therewith and adapted in one axial position to be exposed through said sight opening, means within said passageway for engaging lUO I said wheel to prevent rotation thereof when said supporting memberis in an inner position in said passageway, and a frictlonal connection between said supporting member and wheel whereby said wheel may be rotated by said supporting member after said supportin member has been shifted outwardly to re case said wheel from said rotation preventing means.

7. In an indicator, the combination of a housing having a passageway, a rotatable operating member shiftable axially in said passageway, a row of indicating wheels mounted on said operating member and having fric-v tional driving connection with said member, stop means within said passageway engaging with said wheels when said operating member is in its inner position to thereby prevent rotation of said wheels with said member, said wheels being successively released from said stop means for rotation with said member when said member is shifted outwardly. s a

8. In an. indicator, the combination of a bodv having a passageway, a rotatable operating member shiftable axially in said passageway and having an' operating head. said member and its head being normallv entirely within said passagewava row of indicating wheels mounted on said member and each having frictional driving connection' therewith, and a stop engaging said wheels to prevent rotation thereof with said member when said member is in its inner position within said passageway, there being a sight opening in said body communicating with said passageway through which the indications on said wheels may be read, outward movement of said member progressively releasing the wheels from said stop for rotation with said member.

9. In indicating mechanism, the combination of a housing having a passageway therethrough, a rotatable operating member having an operating head, said member with its head being normally entirely within said'passageway to form a closure for the ends thereof, a row of indicating wheels on said mem-,

ber each having frictional drive connection therewith, and stop means engaging with said wheels when said member is in its normal position within said passageway whereby said wheels are stopped from rotating with said member, said wheels being progressively released from said stop means when said member is shifted outwardly to be then free to rotate with said member, said hous ing having a sight opening through which the indication on said wheels may be read. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of December, 1929. ORVILLE S. HERSHEY.