US2266862A - Counting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

. v. s. HARDEY 2,266,862 COUNTING APPARATUS I Filed Aug. 21, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eg u/m [722/872 far VQyi/ 61 Hard? 01mm Dec. 23, 1941. v. s. HARDEY COUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 21,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 23, 1941. v v s HARDEY 2,266,862

COUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 21, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 45 AMPL/F/E/r I CONTRGLLED DEV/CE [7206/2507 Vijjgi/ dfiara gg m -M I Patented Dec. 23, 1641 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUNTING APPARATUS Virgil s. Harder, Oak Park, n1. Application August 21, 1940, Serial No. 353,480

3 Claims. (01. 235-132) My invention relates, generally, to counting apparatus, and it has particular relation to the operation counting apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide for operating a member from. one position to another on the receipt of a first impulse and then to move the member back to its original position on the receipt of a last impulse of a number of impulses.

Another object of my invention is to provide for adjusting the number of impulses required to effect the movement of the member from and to its initial position.

A further object of my invention is to provide inertialess means for counting a number of revolutions of a disc in a new and improved manner.

Other objects of my invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

My invention is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and it comprises features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which wfll be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference can .be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a counting mechanism. constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional viewtaken along the line 1-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 diagrammatically illustrates the arrangement of the countingmechanism as shown in Figures 1 through 4 with an inertialess control mechanism.

Referring now particularly to Figure l ofthe drawings, it will be observed that the reference character It designates, generally, a counting mechanism in which the present invention is embodied. The mechanism It is mounted on a face plate ll of suitable insulating material, such as Bakelite and is surrounded by metal trim I2. A metal ring 13 is provided within the trim l2 o facilitate securing certain parts on the back of the face plate II as will be apparent hereinafter.

Rotatably mounted with respect to the face accompanying drawings plate H is an indicating disc that is shown generally at H. The disc I is provided'with semicylindrical apertures I5 around its periphery certain of which are numbered as indicated at ii.

The indicating disc I! is provided with a detent l1 which is arranged to abut a stop I! that depends from a cam member l8 which projects through an opening 20 in the face plate II. The

' manner in which the cam is is mounted on the rear of the face plate II will be set forth in detail hereinafter. The cam is is provided with a cam surface 2! with which the outer end of the detent l1 cooperates to raise the cam member I! when the indicator disc 14 is rotated in a clockwise direction just prior to engagement of the detent I 1 with the stop IS. The. cam member I3 is provided with a similar cam surface 22 on the opposite side of the stop i8 for a purpose which The knob 29 is mounted on the control arm 21 to permit movement thereof.

Referring now particularly to Figure 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that the indicator .disc I! is formed in two parts. The outer part comprises a disc 30 of insulating material such as Bakelite while the other part 3| comprises a metallic disc that is formed integrally with a hub 32. The hub 32 projects through an aperture 33 in the face plate II and in a metallic frame plate 34 which is secured to the rear thereof.

It will be noted that the control arm 21 is provided with a slotted opening 35 to permit radial movement of the control arm. 21 with respect to the hub 32. A bushing or sleeve 36 is provided around the hub 32 and within the slotted opening 35. The control arm 21 is biased to the position shown in Figure 4 by means of a coil compression spring 31 which reacts between the outer surface of the bushing 38 and the inner end of a screw 38 which is threaded into the control arm 21 as shown. A washer 39 is located around the hub 32 and between the control arm 21 and the face .of the disc 30 forming a part of the indicating disc [4.

Underneath the knob 29 on the control arm 21 there-is provided a generally semi-circular detent 48 which is arranged to interfit with'any one of the semi-circular openings 45 in the indicating disc I4. It will now be apparent that the coil compression spring 31 will bias the control arm 21 radially with respect-to the hub 32' so as to hold the semi-circular detent-48 in any one of the semi-circular openings l in which it may be positioned. In order to move the control arm 2'0 from one position to another it is necessary to move it radially outwardly and compress the spring 31 sufficiently far to permit the semi-circular detent 48 to clear the outer periphery of the indicating disc M. It is then possible to move th control arm with respect to the indicating disc E4 to any desired position.

The control arm 2! is also provided with a radially'outwardly extending detent 44 which is best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The detent 4| is arranged to engage the cam surface 22 of the cam member I9 when the indicating disc I4 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and to prevent further rotation thereof when it engages the stop l8. Inmoving into engagement with the stop I8 the cam member i9 is lifted by the detent 4| to perform a control function which will be described hereinafter. As shown more clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings, the hub 32 is secured by set screws 42 to a shaft 43 which is mounted at its rear end in a bearing 44 that is carried by a frame plate 45, similar to the frame plate 34. A bracket 46, Figure 3, secured to the rear frame plate 45 serves to support the forward end of the shaft 43. The frame plates 34 and 45 are spaced apart by means of pillars 41 to which they are secured by suitable countersunk screws, as shown.

Secured to the shaft 43 is a spring washer 48 which is arranged to have frictional engagement with a friction disc 49 that is carriedby a drum 58 which is mounted for rotation freely on the shaft 43. A collar 50' secured by a set screw 58" to the shaft 43 holds the drum 58 against the friction disc 48.

With a view to preventing undesired rotation of th shaft 43, brake means are provided for by an adjusting screw 88. A coil tension spring 89 serves to bias the lever 81 in a clockwise direction for withdrawing the pawl 51 from the ratchet wheel 58. The lever 81 is pivoted at '58 in a bracket N that is carried by the rear frame plate 45. A link 12 connects the lever 81 and an armature i3 which is arranged to be attracted by a winding 14 that is intermittently energized in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

It will be recalled that the cam member i9, Figure 1, has been previously described as being mounted on means which projects through an aperture 28 in the insulating plate II and the front frame plate 34. As shown in Figure4 of the drawings, the cam member I9 is mounted on a stud H which is carried by a lever 18 that is pivoted at 19, Figure 3, on an insulating block 88 that is secured to the rear side of the front frame plate 34. The stud IT is provided with a sleeve 8| of insulation which engages the under surface of a contact finger 82, Figure 4, that is biased downwardly by a coil tension spring 83. The contactflnger 82 is pivoted at 84 in a bracket 85 that is carried by the insulating block 80.

As is shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the contact finger 82 carries a contact button 86 which is arranged to engage a similar contact button 81 that is carried bya metal bracket 88 which is mounted on the insulating block 80. The bracket 88 serves as one terminal to which a conductor 89 can be connected. Another conductor 98 is connected to a terminal plate 9|, also carried bythe insulating block 88, and it is connectedby a conductor 92 to the bracket 85, thereby providing a circuit-connection to the contact arm 82.

As previously set forth, when the detent l'l occupies the 'positionshown. in Figure 1 ofthe frictionally restraining the movement of the drum 58. For this purpose brake shoes 5| are provided on opposite sides of the drum 58. As shown in Figure 3, the brake shoes 5| are formed by properly shaping a single strip of metal. They are secured to the frame plate 45 by a screw 52-. Brake ,lining 53, Figure 4, is provided for each of the brake shoes 5| to provide'the brake surface for engaging the drum 50.

. Secured to the drum is a ratchet wheel 58, Figure 3, which is arranged to be advanced in a step-by-step manner by a pawl 51 that is carried at. the outer end of an arm 58. A pair of guide members 58 carried on opposite sides of the arm 58 interfit with the ratchet wheel 88 and insure the proper cooperation between the pawl 51 and the teeth of the ratchet wheel 58.

The stroke of the pawl 51 is limited by a pin 88 which is carried by a plate 8| which is secured to the rear frame plate 45.

Alocking pawl 82 is pivoted at 63 in a bracket 84 thatis carried by the rear frame plate 45 and it is arranged to cooperate with the teeth of .the ratchet wheel 58 to prevent retrograde movement thereof. A coil tension spring 85 in-' tel-connects the arm 58 and the locking pawl 82 for biasing them into operative positions.

The arm 58 is pivoted at88 at the upper end of a lever '81 whose initial position is determined drawings in engagement with the stop l8, the cam member I9 is lifted. In this position the contact finger 82 is lifted since the stud I1 is in its upper position.- Consequently the contact button 88 is out of engagement with the contact button 81, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. On energization of the winding 74, the core 13. is attracted and the lever 61 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, carrying with it the pawl 51 which engages one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 58 and advances the latter one notch. This movement is transmitted through the friction disc. 49 and spring washer 48 to the shaft 43 on which the indicating disc I4 is mounted for rotation with the hub 32. The detent l1, which-is carried by the indicating disc l4, moves along the cam surface 2| of the cam member l9 and permits the latter to be lowered under the influence of the coil tension spring 83, Figure 4, so that contact button 88 engages contact button 81 and a circuit is completed for performing a certain operation which will be described hereinafter. The continued intermittent energization and deenergizationof the winding 14 causes the pawl 51 to step the ratchet wheel 58 around until the detent 4|, Figure 2, on the control arm 21 engages the cam surface 22 and furthermovement is arrested on engagement with the stop 13, Figure 1. Further intermittent energization of the winding 14 merely causes the ratchet wheel 58 to advance but no further movement is transmitted to theshaft 43because of the friction coupling-providedbetween the spring washer 48 and the friction disc .48.

The extent of movement of the indicating disc l4 and the control arm 21 associated therewith, of course, depends upon the relative position of able disc driving means 98.

the latter with respect to the former. 'As indicated, anywhere from one to twenty-five successive energizations and deenergizations of the winding I4 may be required to first effect the closure of the circuit through the contact buttons 86 and and its subsequent opening therebetween.

sirableto use some means which will not affect in any way the operation of the meter. For this reason it is desirable to use some inertialess means such as the interception of light rays for controlling the counting mechanism. Ordinarily it is difflcult to arrange the light transmitting and light sensitive apparatus on the opposite sides of the disc of the test meter for the reason that the operating windings, frame, and magnets interfere with the application of such equipment. According to my invention as herein dis-.

closed, I have provided for utilizing this inertialess means for controlling the counting mechanism in such a way as to not interfere with the construction of the standard test meter. Moreover, a minimum of modification of the meter construction is required in order to adapt it for use in conjunction with the control apparatus.

In Figure 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated diagrammatically the arrangement of the counting mechanism of this invention with a watthour meter disc construction also modified in accordance with the present invention. As there shown, the disc is indicated at 96 and is mounted on a shaft 91 which can be driven by any suit- Of course, it will be understood that, in a watthour meter construction, the disc driving means 98 would be the current and voltage elements of the meter. However, the present invention is not limited to this particular driving means and, accordingly, any other suitable or desired driving means can be substituted as desired. Mounted for rotation with the disc 96 is a sleeve 99 having registering apertures I00 therein. The rays of light from a light source IOI are arranged to be intercepted by the sleeve 99 so that they will notfall on a photo-electric cell I02 except when the apertures I00 are in alignment, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, directly between the light source IN and the photo-electric cell I02. By placing the light source I 0| on one side of the disc 98 and substantially in its plane of rotation and similarly placing the photo-electric cell I02 on the opposite side, no interference results with the mechanism above and below the disc 95 which is customarily employed for driving the same.

The light source IOI can be energized from any suitable source of current such as the source indicated at I03 which may be a 60-cycle 110 volt source. The source I03 is also employed for energizing the winding I I oi. the counting mechanism and certain other apparatus as will struction indicated at I04, which is arranged to control the energization of a winding I 05 of a control relay I 00. It will be understood that, when the apertures I00 are so positioned as to permit light from the source IN to impinge upon the photo-electric cell I02, then the winding I05 will be energized. As soon as further movement of the disc cuts-off the light rays from the photo-electric cell I02, the winding I05 is promptly deenerglzed.

The relay I00 is provided with normally open contact members I01 which are closed on energization of the-winding I05. When the contact members I01 areclosed, an energizing circuit for the winding I4 is completed from the source I03 which is obvious and will not be traced. As previously described, when the winding 14 is energized, the core I3 is attracted and the pawl 51. advances the ratchet wheel 56.

The first advance of the ratchet wheel 56 moves the detent I1 away from the stop I8 and over the cam surface 2|, thereby permitting the contact finger 82 to move downwardly until the contact button 86 engages the contact button 81. A circuit is then completed for energizing acontrolled device indicated at I08. The controlled device I 08 may be a relay orsimilar other electromagnetically operated device as will be readily understood. A conductor I09 serves to connect it to the source I03.

As long as the contact button 86 engages the contact button 81, the controlled device I08 will be energized. This will continue until the de-' tent ll engages the cam surface 22 and lifts the contact finger 02 so that these contact buttons are separated. The controlled device I08 is then deenergized.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction and different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter as shown in the accompanying drawings or described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. Counting apparatus comprising, in combination, means for causing current to flow in a circuit as a series of impulses, a ratchet wheel, pawl means cooperating with said ratchet wheel, electromagnetic means disposed to be energized each time an impulse is receivedfor moving said pawl means to effect corresponding movement of said ratchet wheel, a movable member having a fixed initial position, clutch means operatively interconnecting said ratchet wheel and said movable member, a contact aim and a cooperating contact member, means operatively connecting said contact arm to said movable member whereby in said initial position thereof it occupies one position with respect to said contact member and is moved to an alternate position on movement of said movable member from its initial position on the initial energization of said electromagnetic means, and means operated by said movable member for returning said contact arm to its said one position when said movable member has been operated to a predetermined position after receipt of a predetermined number of impulses.

2. In counting apparatus, in combination, a driven member, stop means for arresting said ,driven member in an initial position, a drive member, friction clutch means interconnecting said members for driving said driven member in one direction away from said stop means and permitting rotation of the same in the opposite direction, a ratchet wheel fast on said drive member, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel,

a spring for retracting said pawl, an armature operatively connected to said pawl, a winding disposed to be energized by a series of electrical.

impulses for attracting said armature and operating said pawl to advance said ratchet wheel and drive member and driven member one notch for each impulse, a member movable from one position to another, means carried by said drivenmember for causing said movable member toshift from said one position on movement of said driven member from its initial position, ad-

ditional means carried by said driven member for causing said movable member to shiftback to said one position after said driven member has been rotated through a predetermined extent corresponding to a predetermined number of impulses, and manual means on 'said driven member for resetting the same to its initial position against said stop means.

3. In counting apparatus, in combination, a driven-member having predetermined initial position, a drive member, friction clutch means interconnecting said members for driving said driven member in-one direction and permitting rotation of the same in the opposite direction,

a. ratchet wheel fast on said drive member, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel, a spring for retracting said pawl, an armature operatively connected to said pawl, a winding disposed to be energized by a series of electrical impulses for attracting said armature and operating said pawl to-advance said ratchet wheel and drive member and driven member one notch for each impulse, a contact arm and a cooperating contact member stop means carried bysaid contact arm, an indicator disc fast on said driven member and having a corresponding initial position,a scale on said disc, a lug on said disc adapted to engage said stop means and hold said contact arm in one position with respect to said contact member when said disc is in its initial position and to effect movement of said contact arm to an alternate position with respect to said contact memher when said disc moves from its initial position on receipt of the first impulse, a control arm adjustably mounted on said driven member and movable with respect to-said disc and said scale with the lug on said disc abutting said stop means.

S. HARDEY.

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