US2375413A

US2375413A - Counter

Info

Publication number: US2375413A
Application number: US476149A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Guenther
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-02-17
Filing date: 1943-02-17
Publication date: 1945-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1962-05-08

Description

May 8, 1945. .1. R.GUENTHER COUNTER Filed Feb. 17. 1943 2 Sheets- Sheet l May 8,-1945. J. R. GUENTHER COUNTER Filed Feb. 17. 194s 2 Sheets-Shed?I 2 j I INVENTOR JOHN 1 60e/vnf@ BY )M AT ToRNEY Patented May s, 194s is-claims.

" "f invention relates to improvements in ccnnirs'-V y f 'It is a primaryobject of the invention to prov vide a type of counter which-'will function electrically to count any predetermined number of operations of any kind; which will automatically or manually be reset and which may automatically be made toperform a further operation or sequence of operations at the conclusion of a specied number-of operations counted.

My improved counter employs counting relays,`

transfer relays, and clearing relays, so connected that as each countingrelay is actuated it opens and closes circuits as required to transfer the next impulse to a succeeding relay in a given sequence. The specific objects of invention have to do with the connectionand operation of the various relays for the purposes intended, and will be more apparent to those skilled'in the art upon lstudy of the following disclosure of the invention.

In the drawings: v

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram fragmentarily illustrating a counter capable of counting operations up to the total number of 999, or any intermediate number of operations, the relays being arranged in series corresponding to digits, tens and hundreds, and certain intermediate relays of each series being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a detail view diagramming the circuit of a single set of relays, the circuit connections through which current is actually passing at the moment being shown by the use oi heavy lines.

Fig. 3 shows a fragment of the circuit oi Fig. 2 to illustrate the changes in circuit consequent upon the operation shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a fragment of the circuit shown in Fig. 2 illustrating further changes consequent upon the changes illustrated in Fig. 3. l

Fig. 5 fragmentarily illustrates another porfnon of the circuit shown in Fig. 1 in connection COUNTER y John R. Guenther, Appleton, Wis.

' Application February 1'1,l 1943,' Serial No. 476,149

(ci. 11s-aseo) The other source of current which may be used to operate the several relays is preferably a source of D. C., the current being respectively designated with positive and negative symbols. In practice 50.volts has been found satisfactory.

The supply line for positive D. C. connects with the terminal marked with the plus symbol and .extendsupwardlythrough the diagram at I5. Deriving Power from this source is a. pulsing switch IB- whiclrrepresents, for the purpose of this disy'closure, aligthe sources of the impulses to be counted. Itv will, .of course. be understood that "regardless of the charactery of the operation to be counted, it lis easily possible to connect the pulsing 'switch I6 in such a manner that it will be closed and opened once `in the lcourse of each of the operations to be counted.

From- -the pulse switch I6 a line I1 leads to the s etl of relays which extends transversely of the top of Sheet 1, Fig. 1, and is shown in more complete detail in Fig. 2. As illustrated, there is a series of nine counting relays marked with reference characters VI to 9 respectively, a transfer relay marked Il, and a clearing relay marked X. It will, however, be understood that for special purposes' a diierent number of relays may be employed. 'I'he number illustrated is of universal application for counting in the-decimalsystem, as will hereinafter be explained. When I say that it is of universal application I mean that the mechanism can be so adjusted by thel use of a selection switch that less than the total number of relays may be operated when desired. There is nothing unusual about the relays used. They are standard telephone type relays. Relays numbers I to 9 inclusive are of a type known commercially as C-10,097. The relays numbered I'c, 2U, etc., and 90, and those numbered |00, 200, etc. and 900 are of a type known as B-10,097.

with the showing of a transfer from the relays ditions for which the particular device illustrated was designed, two separate current sourcesare used, as indicated at the bottom of Sheet l, Fig. 1. One may be regarded as a power source and this may bealternating current such as is usedin The conductor ordinary lighting systems. marked C may .be grounded, while the conductor marked H is the live conductor.

Other commercial types may be substituted where the ,functioning is modified somewhat from that disclosed herein.

Referring first to the relays comprising the series I to 9, one of these will be described.

The winding is inl two sections' I8 and I9, having a midpoint connection 2 I serving as a tap. The armaturen operates several contacts. Contact 23 is normally open. It is connected tothe end of winding I8. When closed it engages spring contact 24 vwhich is normally closed against stationary contact 25. -In the No. 1 relay contact 25 is dead. In theNo.- 2 and each subsequent relay upto and including the No. 9 relay, contact 25 is connected in each case .back to the --spring contact 24 of the next preceding relay.

The amature 22 of each relay also operates a single pole double throw contact 28 which is normally closed upon the stationary contact 21 but. upon energization of the whole winding I8, I9, it is drawn upwardly into engagement with stationary contact 28, breaking the connection to contact 21. The single pole double throw contact 28 of each relay is connected to the station? ary contact 21 of the next successive relay. In the No. I relay the contact 21 is connected by conductor 29 with the mid point 2| between the winding sections I8 and I9 of the No. I coil.

Contact 28 is connected by conductor 3l t0 the mid point tap 2| between the winding sections rI8 and I 9 of the next successive relay, throughout the series.

The electromagnetic strength of the winding I9 of each relay is sufiicient to draw the armature 22 downwardly to the extent required to engage amature contact 23 with spring contact 24, but is not sunicient to move the spring contact out of engagement with the stationary contact 25. However, as soon as the contact 23 is closed into engagement with spring contact 24, a separate holding circuit is established directly from the positive supply line I5 (as will hereinafter be described), which supplies positive current not merely to section I9 of the relay coil, but to sections I8 and I9 of the relay coil. Both coils being connected in series and both being now energized, there is a suiilcient increase in electromagnetic force to immediately iiex the spring contact 24 suiilciently to break its connection with stationary contact 28 and at the same time to engage the double throw contact 28 with stationary contact 28 instead of contact 21.

, The circuit thus established through both sections of the relay coil constitutes a holding circontact 24. This will complete a holding circuit of increased power through both coil sections o! the No. 2 relay. I'he first eilect will be to ilex the spring contact 24 away from stationary contact 25, thereby interrupting the holding circuit to the No. I relay. 'I'he No. i relay will now be reset to its initial inoperative position by the ln herent bias of its contacts. Meantime No. 2 relay is maintained operative by the holding circuit above described to hold its contact 28 engaged with its contact 28. This interrupts all connection between the pulsing switch and the lcoils of the No. '2 relay,-but it establishes a connection between the pulsing switch and coil section I9 of the No. 3 relay.

It will, of course, be understood that the lower ends of the several coil sections I9 vare connected to negative. Such connection is indicated purely diagrammatically in Fig. l but the conductor affording such a connection is illustrated at 54 in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The relay marked 8 is somewhat different. lIn stead of adouble throw switch contact at 28, it

employs two

single throw contacts

32 and 33 .both

of which are normally open. When the full length winding 34 is energized, contact 32 is engaged with the stationary contact 38 and contact 33 ,is engaged with the stationary contact 38.

i Contact 38 derives current through a direct concuit which retains both sections of the coil of this relay energized and holds the several contact parts in the positions last described until further impulse comes from the pulsing switch I8..

The impulse fram the pulsing switch ls is delivered to the double throw contact 28 of the No. 9 relay. As most clearly appears in Fig. 2,

and the resulting increase in energy in the relay.

will throw contact 26 from engagement with contact 21 to engagement with contact 28, where it will remain pending receipt of a further impulse into the system.

When a second impulse traversed the system due to another cmsmg of the pulsing switch le, the second impulse will likewisel commence to travel backwardly through the system from relay 8 to relay I, as above described. Upon reaching the moving contact 28 of the No. I relay, however, it will no longer be able topass through the windings of the No. I relay but will be diverted, in the raised position of contactl 28. to contact 28, and will poss through conductor 3l to the mid poinatjl of the No. 2 relay. The No. A2 relay, energized only by winding section I9, will have only suiicient power, in the first instance;

`to operate its contact 23 under engagement with nection with the positive supply line I5. Contact 33 is connected with a conductor 31 which leads to the second series of relays which, for the purposes of the present disclosure, constitutes a tens series corresponding in all respects to the digit series of relays as already described. From the standpoint 0f the secondI series of relays the

contacts

33 and 38 are, in etl'ect, a second pulsing switch operated by every tenth pulsation reaching the digit series of relays from the main pulsing switch I8.

Contact 32 is likewise directly connected with the positive supply line I5. ,Contact 35 is connected by conductor38 with the full length winding 39 of the relay X. This relay is a resetting or circuit breaking-relay. It includes the stationary contact 4I directly connected with the positive current supply line I8 and a movable contact 42 which is normally closed against contact 4I and which is connectedv to the stationary contact 43 of the 8 relay and also to' the spring contact 24 of the No. 9 relay. The only function of the contact 43 of the 8 relay is to supply a holding circuit when engaged by ,the movable Contact 44 of the 8 relay.

Fig. 2 shows in heavy lines the circuits established through the digit set of relays at a time when there had been four impulses already developed by the pulsing switch I8 and the system is in readiness to receive a fifth. Positive current is passing from line I5 through contact 4| of the successive preceding relays down to No. 4. In

the No. 4 relay the energization of both sections I8 and I9 of the windinghas iiexed the spring contact 24 out of engagement with the stationary contact 25 so-that current supplied from the line I5 can reach the windings oi relay No. 4 but can go no farther back through the series. Passing through such windings the holding circuit is completed by the return line 84 which leads back to the negative conductor 45. The holding circuit thus described is the only circuit closed at this moment.

The path travelled lby the next impulse derived from the pulsing switch I8 is indicated by heavy broken lines. Upon the closing of the pulsing switch I6 current is momentarily switched from the positive line I5 to conductor I1 to pass backwardly through the .contacts 26 of the several relays until the No. 4 relay is reached. In this relay, due to the operation of the holding circuit.

contact 26 is not engaged with contact 21 but with contact 28. Accordingly, nthe impulse travels switch I8. an actual circuit in which current is momentarily travelling'.r It will be noted that only coil section I9 is energized. Almost instantly, however, the attraction of the armature results in establishing the holding circuit by the slight deflection` of contact 23 into engagement with spring contact 24. Although both ofthe coils' I8 and I9 are-now connected in circuit between the positive supply line I5 of the negative line 54, the amount of current flowing through coil I8 will be negligible as long as the pulsing switch I6 remains closed; Coil I9 provides a much shorter current path than as provided by coils I8 and I9 in series. Accordingly, until the pulsing switch opens, coil I8 will be ineffective.

As soon as the pulsing switch opens, the relatively short current path through coil I9 only, is broken. Thereupon the current is forced to flow through both of the coil sections I8 and I9 in series, and the resulting increase in energization of the core exerts suiiicient attraction on the armature 5 to open the circuit to fixed contact 25. This immediately breaks the circuit previously established through relay 4 to coil section I9, and establishes a new circuit connection'through contact 26 of relay 5 to coil section I9 of relay 5. The new potential impulse circuit is shown by broken lines in Fig. 4.

- After nin'e such impulses have been generated by the pulsing switch I8 it will be Iapparent from the foregoing description that relay 9 will be energized by its own holding circuit and that a new potential circuit will have been established through the full length winding 34 of relay 0. From the connections shown, and from the foregoing description, it will be apparent that when the tenth impulse comes from the pulsing switch I6, the resulting energization of relay 0 will momentarily establish a holding circuit for such relay but will almost immediately break thevholding circuits-oi' relays 9 and Il by energizing the clearing relay X at the same time that an impulse is created in the secondary impulse switch 33-36 to pass through conductor 31 to the second series of relays.

Since the clearing relay X has broken the last yholding circuiti in' the entire digit series of relays,

itmust be apparent that all relays in the digit series have been restored to the initial position indicated in Fig., 1 so that the next impulse generated in switch I8 will start over again by energizing the No. I relay as above described. It`

must likewise be apparent that every time ten impulses are received through the'digit' seriesof relays the tenth impulse not only clears all relays of the digit series but communicates a single impulse through conductor 31 to the No. III relay of the tens series,l

The relays of the tens series count tens impulses in exactly the same manner in which the `relaysl of the digiti series count individual im pulses. series through conductor 31 will energize the No.

The second impulse received in the tens 20 relay and the third lwill energize the No. 38 relay, etc., until, nine such impulses have been received and the No. 90 relay has been -ener. gized. Thereupon, exactly as in the digit series. the tenth impulse received through conductor 31 will energize the 88 relay, with the result that the entire tens series of relays will be cleared by the XX relay and the closing of contact 33 against contact 36 of the 00 relay will generate an impulse which will pass through conductor 41 to the hundreds series of relays. Y

The first impulse communicated through conductor 41 will necessarily be the one hundredth impulse developed by the pulsing switch I6. The next impulse from the-

switch contacts

36, 33, of

the tens series of relays (being thev two hundredth impulse generated bythe main pulsing switchl' will result in the energization yof relay 200, etc., until 900 such impulses have been received and the ninth relay in the hundreds series has been operated. As many more series of relays may be used as may be desired. However, the foregoing description is illustrative of how transfer is made,

,and therefore no furtherseries of relays arev illustrated. Instead, I will now describe how the device functions .when the end of the serie is reached.

After 99 impulses from the main pulsing switch have passed through the iirst and second series of relays, following energization of the relay 900, the one thousandth impulse will be transferred to the circuits already described to the relay 900 and from contact 26 thereof to contact 28 which is connected by conductor 48 to the coil 49 ofthe reset relay 000. Like relay 0 and relay (IIJ, the impulse reaching this relay establishes a holding circuit by engaging contact 44 with contact 43, the latter being connected through contacts 42 and 4I with the power from supply line I5. An-

other result of the energization of relay 000 is to communicate current from t`e positive supply line I5 through conductor 38 an

contacts

32 and 35 to the winding 5I of the. clearing relay XXX,

and thereby interrupts the negative connection to the conductor 54 which, as indicated by the negative symbol in Fig. l. is connected to all of the other negative terminals throughout the series of relays. .This opens all circuits, breaking all holding circuits and resetting the entire system in readiness for a repetition of the sequence.

Relay 0001s also Drovidedwith power circuit When this relay is energized the connections. normally open contact 56 closes against/contact 51 to complete an alternating current connection through the winding 58 of the relay Y, this being a relay controlling the application of power to any desired point'. Contacts 59 and 6I are illustratedasbeing available for any desired control.

any desired point in the next cycle of operation of' the apparatus.

When contacts 82 and 63 are closed, A. C. current is communicated from the terminal H through conductor 61 to conductor 88 and thence to conductors 69 leading to the moving contacts 1| with which the relays to 9 are shown to be provided and with which any of'the other relays may be provided as desired. The stationary contacts 12 with which the several moving cntacts` 1| are adapted to co-operate, are connected through suitable conductorslto the corresponding terminals 13 of a selector switch A having a manually adjustable moving contact 15 which may be set in engagement with any one of the several terminals 18.

During the nexty cycle following the operation of the power relay Y, as soon as the sequence of impulses is transferred through' the apparatus to a point such as to energize the particular relay Whose moving contact 1| is in circuit through the selector switch A with contact 15 of the latter switch, then the energy communicated through the contacts 1| and 12 of such relay and will. In addition, however, it is possible to make a. universal device which can be manually adjusted to count any number of impulses within its capacity and then to actuate the power relay and reset itself to repeat the cycle. The mechanism illustrated for performing this function will now be described.

Each of the several relays is provided with an additional set of contacts where it is desired that thel device be set. to operate the power relay at any predetermined point. 'The fixed and movable contacts are respectively designated by reference characters 11 and 18. Whenever any relay I to 9 or I0, 20, etc.', to 80, or |00, 200, etc., to 980, throughout the entire series is energized, its respective contact 18 will engage its respective contact 11. Leading from the positive supply? line l5 is a branch conductor 19 extending to the manually operable moving contactar 8| of the selector switch D which has ten stationary terminals with which the moving contactor 8l is lselectively engageable. The rst nine oi' these terminals are individually connected (the connections being represented by a single broken line) to the respective.stationary contacts 11 of the several relays |88, 288, etc., of the-'hundreda'series (or whatever series is last in the apparatus). The several movable contacts 18 of the relays in this series are all connected to the common conductor 82 which extends to the corresponding manually operable moving contact 88 of selector switch C. The tenth terminal of selector switch Dis also connected directly by conductor 84 to the moving contact 88 of selector switch C.

The nrst nine or the ten stationary contacteer selector switch C areindividually connected by separate leads (again indicated by a broken line) tc the 'several stationary contacts 11 ofthe relays y'In ` used to effectuate any secondary function in any 2,875,413 to be described such release may be effected at in the second last series (in this case the tens sex-ies). The moving contacts 18 of the relays of this series are all connected by a common conductor 85 back to the moving contact 88 of selector switch B in the next preceding series (in this case the digit series of relays). The tenth terminal of selector switch C is connected directly to the moving contact 8B of selector switch B, such connection b'eing made by conductor 81 which, as a matter of convenience, leads to conductor 85.

The moving Contact 18 of the relays of the iirst series are all connected by means of conductor 88 with a conductor 89 leading to the winding 49 of the reset relay 088. A shunt circuit comprising a manually reset switch 9| and conductor 92 likewise leads from the positive supply line I5 to the conductor 89 and thence to the winding 48 of the reset switch 000.

In operation, it will be apparent that whatever number is set up in the moving contacts 8|, 88 and 88 of the selecting switches B, C and D will be the number of impulses at which the counting device will be reset for another cycle and the power relay will be operated. Assume, for example, that the number selected is 219. The selector switch contact 8| will be set in contact with the second terminal. The contact 83 of selector switch C will be set in contact with the first terminal. The contact 86 of selector switch B will be set in contact with the ninth terminal.

Regardless of how/often the No. 9 relay and the No. |8 relay maybe operated, the circuit to the resetting relay 000 will remain open pending the operation of the relay in the hundreds series which has been selected (namely, the No. 208 relay). Upon the closing of the No. 288 relay -a circuit will be partially completed through selector switch D to selector switch C but there -the circuit will still remain open until the No. I0 relay is again operated. This will extend the circuit through the selector switch B but the circuit to the resetting switch will still remain open vline through the several selector switches to the winding 49 of the resetting relay 008 and thence back to the negative main conductor 55. Thereupon the resettiing relay 008 will function to open all circuits and resetthe device for another cycle and the power relay will be energized as above described.

If the number chosen is less than 100, the moving contact 8| of selector switch D will be set to the tenth or zero terminal, whereupon conductor 84 will short out all of the pertinent contacts of the third series, leaving only the contacts of the first two series to function in accordance with the presetting of their respective selector switches.

Similarly, if the number selected is less-than 10,

ment can obviously be extended as desired. Moreover, at any time, by simply closing the resetting switch 8|, the operator can cause the power relay to function and the device to reset itself for the commencement of a new cycle. y

It will be noted that the control effected through the selector switch A is one which may be lpredetermined relation to .the primary operation performed at the conclusion of the predetermined cycle. Inthis instance it happens that the sec-v ondary function is only the opening of the detent latch which has held the contacts of the powe'r relay Yclosed. Obviously, however, the-circuit described can be used to perform an additional or substitute function as desired. j

As an example of the utilityv of the'device herein disclosed, its use in the paper industry may be cited. A paper converting machine is cutting a paper web into -sheets and delivering the sheets into a stack. It isldesired to count accurately the number of sheets in the stack in units of one hundred and to insert in the stack a paper marking strip or tab which is simply interposed between successive sheets in the stack when the respective units are counted. If the marking strip is cut off immediately upon being positioned on top of the one hundredth sheetV of the counted unit, it vwill fall from its position, or be blown away by the wind created by the deposit `of the next successive sheet. The mechanism used for inserting this strip is of such a nature that it is electrically energized and does not cut off the strip until the circuit is opened. The contacts 59 and 6| -may be used to control this device. They will be operated by the power relay at the impulse which shows completion ofthe predetermined unit of sheets in the stack, the pulsing switch being set to close each time a sheet is deposited in the stack. Since the latch detent 65 holds contact 59 closed to contact 6I for a certain period; the marking strip will not immediately be cut oi and meantimeadditional sheets will be deposited in the stack. As soon as a suflicient number of sheets has been deposited in the stack to assure rm retention of the marking strip in a stack, then the closing of contacts 'I2 and 'Il at a point determined by selector switch A will release, the detent of the power relay, allowing contact 59 to open from contact 6I, and the resulting interruptionyof current to the `marking strip feeder will permit such feeder to operate lamps 99, in series or parallel with the circuits ing circuits) to enable an operator to read the count accurately at any moment in terms of to cut olf the strip previously'fed. It will be understoodthat no claim is made to the well known sheet'cutting machine or marking strip Y feeding machine above described, these being referred to'only by way of illustrating one use to which the counting device herein disclosedmay beput. From this one illustration,and from the multitude of other possibilities which. will suggest themselves toy those skilled in the art, it will be apparent that any desired function or series of functions in any predetermined order or interval hundreds, tens, and digits (or higher numbers if additional series of relays are employed).v

Many other changes are possible within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a counter system for counting electrical impulses, the combination of a plurality of sets of relays, an impulse-receiving circuit having a temporary connection to the first relay of the rst set, each relay of said set comprising electromagnetically operable means for transferring such connection to the next successive relay of the set, resetting means associated with each relay other than the iirst of each set for resetting the preceding relay upon energization of a subse-v quent relay, a transfer and resetting relay mechanism at the end of -saicl rst set comprising means for reconnecting said impulse-receiving circuit to the irst relay of the rst set and comprising means for generating a new impulse, said impulse generating means being connected to the first relay of a second set and the second-set comprising relays each including electromagnetic means adapted upon the energization of successive relays to connect the second impulse generating means with successive relays of the second set.

2. An electric counting device comprising the combination with an' ,impulse-receiving circuit, of a first set of relays with which said circuit is selectively coupled, each of several relays in said set comprising 'means ,for transferring the coupling of said circuit from itself to a successive relay in said set and means for clearing the next preceding relay, a terminal relay of said set comprising means for generating a secondary impulse and for transferring the circuit coupling back to the. rst relay. of said set, thereby representing the conclusion of a cycle, together with a second similar set of relays and a circuit connected to receive said secondary impulse and with which the relays of the second can be automatically controlled in accordance with predetermined -settings of the apparatus herein disclosed and suggested.

It wm be understood by those skiui in the. art that one of the great advantages of a counter of the type described lies in its ability to count impulses or arriving at any conceivable speed. Devices equipped with this counter have been speeded- UD. beyond the capacity of any mechanical apparatus to accomplish the work.

It will'alsoberecosniaed by-thoseskilled in the art that within the broad concept of a counter in which successives'ignals or impulses are transferred from one relay to' another through a predeterminedseries, then to' repeat the cycle, and using each cycle to clear an impulse for operating relays in another series, many changes in the circuit and the specific character of the relays tion.

.It will further be understood that where visual indication of the count 'is desired at any'time, it is only necessary to incorporate any desired anmay be made without deviating from the invennunciator, here exempliiled simply by pilot set are successively connected, each relay of the itself and connecting a subsequent relay of said second set to receive said secondary impulse, whereby the particular relay energized inthe second set will be a; function of the number of cycles completed in the first set.

3. The device of claim 2 in which at least one of said sets of relays is provided with a manually operable selector switch and a circuit clearing device connected with said selector switch for terminating the cycle and reestablishing circuit connections for the commencement of a newcycle at a point determined by the setting o f the selector switch.

4. In a counter of the character described, the combination with a set of nine relays and animpulse-receiving circuit for connection vsuccessively to the relays of said set, each relay comprising circuit breaking and circuit f connecting means operatively organized to insuccessive relay of the set, a tenth relay comprising a resetting relay specific to said set and comprising electro-magnetic means connected to the impulse-receiving circuit upon the energization of the main relay and adapted when energized by receipt of a tenth impulse to re-establish the connection of the impulse-receiving circuit to the first relay of the set and to transmit an impulse,` a second set of relays like the first and adapted successively to receive impulses transmitted from the first set, together with. an impulse-receiving circuit, of a digit series of relays comprising means for transferring successive impulses to successive relays points in each cycle, and means for selectively each comprising a two pole switch having stationary and movable contacts and a two stage switch having a normally open contact and a normally closed contact, an energizing coil and a holding coil, the moving contact of the double pole switch of the last relay of the series being connected tothe impulse-receiving circuit, normally closed contacts of the double pole switches of the respective relays being connected in each instance with the moving contact of the double pole switch of the next preceding relay Vdown to the first relay of the series, whereof the stationary contact of the ldouble pole switch is connected to the energizing coil, circuit connections from the-normally open contacts of the double pole switches of the respective relays being successively connected to the energizing coils of successive relays in the series down to the last relay in the series, whereof the normally open contact of the double -pole switch has a repeat circuit connection, the normally closed contacts of the two stage switches of successive relays being connected from the last toward the first in a holding circuit connection and the normally open contact of each two stage switch being connected to the holding coil of therespective relay, together with a repeat relay having an energizing coil in circuit 'with said repeat circuit connection, and a holding circuit interrupter energized by said repeat relay and comprising means for interrupting all holding circuits throughout said series, whereby to deenergize all of said relays and thereby to reestablish a connection through the double pole' ,further combination, a. second like series of relays, a second impulse circuit adapted to receive impulses upon each energization of the resetting relay of the ilrst circuit, such impulses 'being transferred successively to successive relays of the second series,lwhereby the number of relays energized in the second series in any cycle is a function of the number of cycles completed in the first series.

6. In a counting `system, the combination throughout the series, a resetting and transfer relay connected at the end of said series to be energized by an impulse succeeding the impulse energizing the last relay of said series, a tens series of relays comprising means for transferring successive impulses from one relay to the next throughout said series, said tens series of relays being operatively connected to receive individual impulses upon the conclusion of each cycle of digit impulse transfers in the first series, a resetting device common to both series and adapted to re-initiate the cycling thereof, and energizing connections for said resetting device comprising switches energized by successive relays in the respective series, a selecting A switch foreach switch having terminals connecting the switches of particular relays therein, and a moving contactor engageable with the respective terminals, and circuit connections for energizing the resetting device through the selector switches and the respective relays of each series designated thereby, whereby a new cycle may be initiated upon the completion of successive series of impulses of predetermined number.

'7. The device of claim 6 in further combination with supplemental switches connected to be closed by certain of said relays, another selector switch having a moving contact and terminals engaged selectively thereby and connected respectively with the supplemental switches aforesaid, and a power switch having connections including said lastl mentioned selector switch and the supplemental switch designated thereby for initiating a power operation at a predeterminable point in each cycle.

40 8. A counter of the described class comprising the combination with a 4system adapted to .receive successive impulses to be counted, of a series of relays land circuit connections therefor, each relay being provided with means adapted upon the energization/of such relay to cut such relay out of the circuit and to transpredetermined relay of the series back to the rst lrelay of such series, said selector switch including terminals respectively connected with the several relays.

9. A counter as defined in claim 8 in further combination with a power relay and means including a selector switch for selectively coupling said power relay to any of the relays of said system to be operated coincidentally therewith,

10. In a counter, the combination with a plurality oi.' sets of relays and switch contacts and circuit .connections in one of said sets for the transferl of successive impulses from the last relay of said one set to the first vrelay of the next, a normally open control switch in operative connection with each of said relays to be closed upon `the energization of such relay, separateselector switches having separate contacts respectively connected in series with the control switches-of the respective relays, each of said selector switches including a movable contact adjustable for selective engagement with one of the contacts connected with a particular control switch, and circuitmeans conthe relays of both of said sets and to return the ne t successive impulse to the first relay of the ilrs of said sets.

12. The device of claim 10 in which the relays of the respective sets comprise resetting means operatively connected to reset each relay upon the energization o f the next successive relay.

13. In 'a counter, the combination with a plurality of setsv of relays, at least the first such set comprising ten relays, each of which comprises an electromagnetic coil and armature means,

pulsing-means for generating impulses, circuit means for leading successive impulses to` successive relays, each of the first nine relaysoi' the rst set including an armature-connected switch for disconnecting its own `coil with said circuit means and connecting to said circuit means the coil of the next successive relay, the tenth relay including switch means for disconnecting its coil from said circuit means and connecting to said circuit means lthe coil of the ilr'st relay `of the rst set, said tenth relay also including a pulsing switch for the relays of the' second set, said said relays other than the first relay of each set comprising means for resetting the preceding relay.

14; The device of claim 13 wherein each of the several relays comprises a, control switch normally open -and adapted to'be closed upon the energization of such relay, selector switches for the respective sets each provided withKa movable contact and with relatively xed oontacts 'respectively connected in circuit with the control switches of the several relays ofthe respective sets, and circuit means connecting the respective selector switches and the particular control switches of specific relays determined by the positions of the movable contacts of the respective selector switches in circuit, said last mentioned circuit means including a power relay.

l5. The device of claim 13 wherein each of the several relays comprises a control switch normally open and adapted to be closed upon the energization of such relay, selector switches for the respective sets each provided with a movable contact and with relatively xed contacts respectively connected in circuit with the control switches of the several relays of the respective sets, and circuit means connecting the respective selector switches and the particular control switches of speciilc relays determined by the positions of the -movable contacts of the respective selector switches in circuit, said last mentioned circuit means including a power relay, and means for clearing the last energized relays of the respective sets and for returning last mentioned relays comprising switch means $5 the next successive impulse to the first relay and circuit connections for transferring successive impulses to successive relays, and each of of the first Slet.

JOHN R. GUEN'I'HER.`