US2316364A - Timing device - Google Patents

Description

April 13, 1943. M. H. RHODES 2,316,364 TIMING DEVI-CE Filed Nov. 4, 1940 FIG. I. Z F162.

i 7 1 TIME ALLOWED 8 I 2 NOTiCE lLLzeAuwnsnmnw g Patented Apr. 13, 1943 TIMING DEVICE Marcus H. Rhodes, Hartford, Conn, assignor to M. H. Rhodes, 1110., Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1940, Serial No. 364,238

11 Claims.

This invention relates to timing devices, and with regard to certain more specific features, to coin-controlled timing devices for indicating the passage of a purchased length of time, as for parking automobiles or the like.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 349,119, filed August 1, 1940.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a coin-controlled timing device of the class described, which is adapted to indicate at all times what portion of the purchased length of time has passed, and which is likewise capable of indicating progressively the amount of time consumed over and above the purchased time; and the provision of a device of the class described which is substantially fool-proof in operation, simple in construction, and which may be economically made. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated one of the possible embodiments of the invention: I

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a right end elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 1, but showing the device in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the device in a still different position;

Fig. 5 is another view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, but showing the device in another position;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line l- -l in Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

The device of the present invention is par ticularly adapted for use as a so-called parking meter which is usually installed in connection with designated parking spaces for'automobiles along the curbs of city streets. The timing device itself is usually mounted on a post on the curb in proximity to the designated parking The device is adapted to receive a coin space.

from a person parking his automobile in the designated space, and has means thereon for in dicating a duration or period of time corresponding to the length of time a person is entitled to park in the designated space in return for the value of a coin presented.

One of the principal features of the present invention is that it indicates progressively the gradual expiration of the purchased time interval as determined by the value of a coin initially deposited in the device. Moreover, the device indicates the passage of an additional overtime period. Both indications are readily visible at a.

distance, which greatly facilitates the enforce-. ment of parking ordinances, and assures receipt by the governmental agency of the full parking fees to which it is entitled.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a device in which numeral I indicates a casing of approximately rectangular shape, which has a semi-circular top portion. The top part of the front of the casing I has a semi-circular opening 2, preferably holding a glass. Back of this is a background 3, preferably plain, and preferably of a solid color such as white. In front of this background and movable thereover' by suitable clockwork mechanism, is a semi-circular shield 4, which, during the initiation of operation of the device, is rotated until it is substantially invisible. Upon this shield 4 are suitable scale indicia for measuring the allotted parking period. Initiation of the operation of the device, as well as winding of the clockwork mechanism [5, is carried out by means of a. handle 5 which operates the setting mechanism upon the insertion of a coin into the coin slot 6. Scale 4 is attached to a. shaft 1, which is rotated by the clockwork mechanism 15. Also mounted on this shaft, but loosely, is a second semi-circular shield 8, which, during the purchased time, hangs substantially invisible. Shield 4 has a projection 9 adapted durdng operation of the device to cooperate with a projection I0 upon shield scale 8. When the shield 4 has rotated so that it completely covers the background 3, it engages the shield 8 (see Fig. 7), and pushes the shield 8 into view as the operation of the device continues. Upon shield 8 are appropriate indicia, denoting the passage of additional periods of time after the expiration of the purchased time.

Appropriate indicia, indicated generally at H, are preferably placed upon the outside of the casing I, to explain to the user the significance of the scale figures shown on shields 4 and 8.

that in view.

Shields 4 and 8 are likewise preferably painted a color which will contrast effectively with the background 3. The preferred color is red, and the indicia upon the casing l are phrased with The use of other colors will of course require appropriate changes in the wording.

Fig. 3 shows the condition of the device after it is operated for half of an allotted period, which may be sixty minutes. When this is the case scale 4, in cooperation with the edge II of opening 2, tells the user that thirty minutes of the sixty-minute period remain for his use. Half of the white background 3 has now been covered by the red scale 4, which is an additional indication that half of the parking period has elapsed.

Fig. ,4 shows the condition of the device after it has operated over the full sixty minutes of the allotted period. It will be noted that the edge 12 of opening} now indicates to the user that the time allowed has expired. Moreover, the entire background 3 is covered by the shield 4, and the projecting portion 9 of shield 4 is now engaging the projecting portion ll) of shield 8 (see especially Fig. 7).

Assuming that the device continues to operate, without the insertion of another coin in the slot 6 and subsequent operation of the winding and setting mechanisms associated with handle 5, Fig. shows the condition of the device after this additional operation has continued over thirty minutes of overtime. The shield 8 has now been pushed into full view by the continued actuation of the timing mechanism l5 and shield 4, and the device now indicates to the user that thirty minutes of overtime have elapsed. Shield 8, as indicated above, is preferably made the same color as shield 4, in this instance red, and therefore the entire visible portion of the device is still red in color, even though part of the shield 4 is now obsecured.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present device not only presents a clear picture of the actual situation to the user and the general public, but in addition, greatly facilitates the enforcement of parking ordinances. A patrolling officer is easily able to note a violation of the law at a substantial distance from the device. If the device is operating legally some portion of the white background will be visible. However, if the entire dial shows red, the officer will immediately realize that the parked car is there illegally. By approaching closer the ofiicer is able to determine the extent of the violation, since the amount of overtime, up to a certain point, is calculated by the device, and is displayed for the officer's inspection, and is able to appropriately penalize the violation, adjusting his penalty to the seriousness of the infraction of law.

The shield 8 is preferably made to extend over slightly more than 180. In this way the shield 8 is always overlapped by the shield 4, so that the two shields will not jam through accident during the operation of the device. The excess portions of shield 8 (over 180") are preferably left either uncolored, or are colored to blend with the color of the background 8. In this way the excess portion of the shield 8 does not confuse either the user of the device or the patrolling oflicer. Only the portion which is displayed during overtime operation of the de vice need be the same color as the shield 4, and

accordingly it is only during the actual overtime operation or subsequent thereto, that the entire semi-circular portion 2 exhibits the color denoting illegality. The dotted line 13 shows the approximate position of the concealed edge 0! the shield 8 during various periods of the operation of the device.

The indicia on the shields 4 and 8, and also upon the case I, may of course be changed to provide for varying periods of legal and overtime parking, and also for varying color combinations of the shields 4 and 8 and the background 3. Any suitable timing means may be associated with the handle 5 to operate the shield 4 by rotating the shaft I. The timing means and associated mechanism illustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 349,119, referred to previously, is preferred for this purpose.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising a first scale having indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time, a second scale having indicia to indicate overtime, means for actuating only said first scale over a predetermined period of time to indicate one timing condition, and means for actuating said second scale at the conclusion of said timing condition over another predetermined period of time to indicate another timing condition.

2. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising a plurality of scales one or which has indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time and another or which has indicia to indicate overtime, means ror actuating less than all of said scales over a predetermined period of time to indicate one timing condition, and means for actuating one other of said scales at the conclusion of said timing condition over another redetermined period of time to indicate another timing condition.

3. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising timing means, a first scale having indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time and actuated by said timing means over a predetermined period of time to indicate one timing condition, a second scale having indicia to indicate overtime and actuated by said first scale only at the conclusion of said timing condition over another predetermined period of time to indicate another timing condition.

4. A timing device comprising timing means, a first scale actuated by said timing means over a predetermined period or time, and a second scale actuated by said first scale only at the conclusion of said predetermined period for indicating the passage of an additional period of time.

5. A timing device comprising timing means, a first scale actuated by said timing means, a second scale substantially completely obscured by said first scale during a predetermined period of time and actuated by said first scale only after said predetermined period of time, over another predetermined period of time.

6. A timing device 01' the character disclosed comprising timing means, a scale having indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time, a second scale having indicia to indicate overtime, said timing means acting on one scale alone over a predetermined period of time to indicate one timing condition, and acting on both scales over another predetermined period of time to indicate another timing condition.

7. A casing containing clockwork mechanism having a substantially semi-circular sight opening therein and two scales within said casing viewable at certain times through said sight opening, saidscales being also semi-circular and operatively connected with the clockwork mechanism, and means whereby one scale first completely fills the sight opening to change the color appearance and then acts upon the second scale at the end of a predetermined time and moves it across the sight opening as the first scale moves out of sight at the completion of two predetermined periods of time, one of said periods representing purchased time and the other overtime.

8. In a timing device, a case having a sight opening, a pair of relatively movable index members movable across said opening for presentation therethrough, said members respectively having different indices for indicating through said opening different timing conditions, a clock directly driving one of the index members, means for engaging said members for common movement across the sight opening for indicating one timing condition, said engaging means being arranged to be disengaged to provide for substantial relative movement of the clock-driven member with respect to the other index member to provide for an indication of another timing condition.

9. In a timing device, a case having a sight opening, first and second relatively rotary index members rotary across said opening for presentation therethrough, said members respectively having different indic'es iorindicating through said opening different timing conditions, a clock directly rotating the first of the index members, means for engaging said members for common movement across the sight opening for indicating one timing condition, said engaging means being arranged automatically to be disengaged to provide for predetermined relative rotation of the first of the members with respect to the second member to provide for an indication of another timing condition, and said second member being stationary while the first member effects its presentation.

10. A timing device comprising a case having a sight opening, scales movable successively across said opening, a clockwork connected to one of said scales for moving it, and means coupling said clock-moved scale with the second after movement ofthe first scale completely to cover the opening so as to draw the second scale into positions traversing the opening.

11. A timing device comprising a case having a sight opening presenting one color, scales of another color movable successively across said opening, a clockwork connected to one of said scales for moving it, and means coupling said clock-moved scale with the other after movement of the first scale completely to cover the opening so as to draw the second scale into positions traversing the opening.

MARCUS H. RHODES.

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