US2688445A - Counting and recording mechanisms - Google Patents

Description

p 7, 1954 J. F. BOWERS 2,688,445

COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Filed May 25, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet l [WORM DE y Amprsg uv/r Fem Y i L JAMES /-T adg s Gttornegs P 7, 1954 J. F. BOWERS 2,688,445

COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Filed May 25, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor JAMES E 5 14 62 attorneys P 7, 1954 J. F. BOWERS 2,688,445

COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Filed May 25, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 3nnentor JAMES E BOWE/Q 3 J. F. BOWERS COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Sept. 7, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 25, 1950 mm mm AW 59 MW r Law w mam n, mrw K Enventor F EUWF/E 3 JA'MES (Ittcmegs Sept. 7, 1954 J, BOWERS 2,688,445

COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Filed May 25, 1950 8 sheets -sheet 6 H 20 /33 E s 3 {F 3nventor JAMES F. 801K625 P 7, 1954 J. F. BOWERS 2,688,445

COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS Filed May 25, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 F my Patented Sept. 7, 1954 COUNTING AND RECORDING MECHANISMS James F. Bowers, Memphis, Tenn., assignor of forty-nine per cent to Daniel N. Copp and Richard 0. Wilson Application May 25, 1950, Serial No. 164,091

6 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mechanisms for counting and recording unit output of machines and is applicable to recording the operations of instrumentalities such as punch presses and the like, as well as counting and recording measurements such as distance, the present mechanism being activated by the motions produced by instrumentalities, such as the punch presses mentioned, which produce a reciprocating motion, or by speedometers and other devices which produce a rotary motion.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism and arrangement for counting and recording unit output including means for printing a visual record, operable upon energization and deenergization of the machine with which it is used, at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine, and at such times as an interim printed record may be desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counting mechanism and means for alternately coupling the counting mechanism to a rotary drive and to a reciprocating drive.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drive coupling arrangement adaptable for use with alternate forms of drive.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and novelarrangement of counting means, including means for selectively resetting the counting means and for alternately concurrently recording therewith.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide in combination with such counting means, printing recording means of a new and novel character.

A further object of the invention is to provide in conjunction with printing recording means, means for selectively automatically effecting printing of the record and means for manually efiecting such printing at desired intervals.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counting mechanism which comprises a plurality of counting wheels arranged for successively recording units and multiples thereof primarily driven by a rotatable and oscillatable shaft member which includes a pawl carrying wheel mounted on the shaft and cooperating with a ratchet carried by a unit number wheel to transmit either oscillating or rotary drive motion thereto.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve the design, construction and effioiency ofcounting mechanisms, particularly toimprove the adaptability of a single such mechanism to drive variations.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve the design, construction and efficiency of record printing means, particularly readily be understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the exterior of the casing housing the present invention,

illustrating a coupling to a rotary drive member.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line IIII of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear end elevational view with the rear cover of the casing removed as on the line III-III of Figs. 2 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view with the side cover removed as on the line IV IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line V--V of Figs. 2 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a front view with the front retain-er wall removed as on the line VI-VI of Figs. 2 and 4.

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken as on the line VIIVII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 2 illustrating a drive coupling between the main drive and the auxiliary number wheels of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6, illustrating the printing mechanism in lowered rest position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating variations in the invention.

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary sectional elevations taken as on the line XI-XI of Figs. 2 and i, illustrating respectively engaged and dis engaged positions of the worm forming part of the rotary drive coupling of the invention.

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary sectional views taken as on the line XIIIXIII of Fig. 2 and illustrating respectively operating positions of the timing mechanism drive; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line XVXV of Fig. 2, illustrating the preferred form of resetting means of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a plan view on a reduced scale illustrating a further variation in the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is preferably housed in a casing, including a top 21, bottom 22, rear Wall 23, and

side walls 24, 25, with closure of the front of the device being effected by a retainer wall 25. A rear retainer wall 21 is disposed vertically within the casing, adjacent but forwardly of the rear wall, and preferably extending substantially from side wall to side wall and from top to bottom, the rear retainer wall, together with the front retainer wall, being seated on the bottom and forming the principal supporting means for the instrumentalities of the invention.

The retainer walls are interconnected by upper and lower bars which extend respectively through the front and rear walls and are preferably secured in place by suitable nuts, these bars including upper bars 29. It will be observed that rear retainer wall 21 is spaced forwardly of the rear wall 23 providing a rear chamber 39, housing certain of the instrumentalities of the mechanism.

A suitable bearing 3! is carried by rear retainer wall 21, in which bearing a drive shaft 33 is journalled. Drive shaft 33 extends through rear .retainer wall 2! with the rear end of shaft 33 extending into rear chamber 30 and the forward portion of the shaft extending forwardly beyond the retainer wall into the main housing. To the rear end of shaft 33 a collar 35 is removably fixed, as by a suitable set screw 36. Carried by collar 35 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a finger 37 which is suitably apertured to slidably receive a coupling member 39 substantially horizontally disposed and substantially parallel with the rear retainer wall 27. An adjustment nut 40 threadedly engages one end of the coupling member 39 and a yoke 4| is carried by the opposite end of the coupling member. Interposed between nut 43 and ear 31 and between yoke 4| and car 37! are compression springs 43, 44 which are adapted under normal load to impart thrust from member 39 to ear 3?, maintaining separation between ear 3! and nut 43 and yoke 44, respectively, except under overload conditions. Yoke 4! is adapted to receive and have coupled thereto one end of a drive rod 45 leading from a reciprocating machine, such as a punch press, and adapted to impart an oscillating or rocking motion to finger 3l.

Preferably a bracket 41 is mounted on rear retainer wall 2'! and carries oppositely disposed limit members, such as screws 43, which are positioned to lie in the path of movement of finger 37 and which may be adjusted to establish the length of stroke to be imparted to finger 31 by drive rod 45. It will be seen that if the stroke of the drive rod 45 is in excess of the limits prescribed by screws 43 the movement of finger 31 will be stopped, although the stroke of drive rod 45 may be completed, overcoming the action of spring 44.

Forwardly of rear retainer wall 21, shaft 33 is provided with a worm wheel section 5i adapted to be drivingly engaged by a worm 53. Worm 53 is mounted upon a rotatable shaft 55, the opposite ends of which extend substantially to the side walls 24, and which are adapted to be coupled to a rotary drive, such as a flexible shaft 56 from a drive adapter unit 57. Preferably the end portions of worm shaft 55 are suitably shaped, as, for example, of square cross section, to provide for ready drive engagement with the rotary driving member.

Worm shaft 55 is rotatably supported by a pair a substantially vertical slot 65 which is slidable upon and embraces a screw 61, screw 61 threadedly engaging rear retainer wall 21 and being adapted to be tightened and fix arm Bl in position, or loosened to permit shift of the arm to a new adjusted position. As will be seen from.

Figs. 7 and 8, worm 53 may, through the movement of arm 6|, be selectively engaged with or disengaged from worm wheel 5! on shaft 53 and is adapted when engaged with worm wheel 5! to impart rotary motion to shaft 33. .At its inner end shaft 33 carries a wheel 69 which, as indicated, is preferably a gear, the purpose of which will hereinafter be discussed. A pawl H is pivoted to the face of wheel 69 and is moved I therewith.

Journalled in the forward end of shaft 33 is one end of a shaft 73, the forward end of shaft 13 extending through front retainer wall 26, in which the Shaft is rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 15. The forward end of shaft ":3 projecting beyond the forward retainer wall is provided with a knob H for manual rotation.

Rotatably mounted on shaft 13 are a plurality of number wheels 8|, each provided with embossed or raised figures and arranged in the example shown respectively to record units, tens. hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. The number wheels 8i for recording multiples are respectively distinguished by appended letters so that wheel iHA records tens, EHB records hundreds, 8IC thousands, and MD tens of thousands. Carried by the rear of the unit number wheel 8! is a ratchet 82 which is drivingly engaged by pawl H. The multiple number wheels BIA, 81B, BIG, and 8RD are each provided with a drive gear 83, each drive gear 83 being carried by the rear face of its wheel and being meshed with one of a plurality of pinions 85 turnably mounted on a rod 31 extending between and rigidly secured to front and rear retainer walls 26, 21. Rod 81 is positioned parallel to shaft 13 with the longitudinal axis of rod 39 preferably lying in the same horizontal plane with the longitudinal axis of shaft 13.

The number wheels are preferably provided with a dual set of digits, each set of digits running consecutively from zero through 9, and drive gears 83 are preferably arranged with forty teeth so that each two-tooth shift of a gear 83 accomplishes a one digit shift of a number wheel 8|. Each of the number wheels 31, BIA, 8IB, BIC preferably is provided on its forward face with a lock disc 88 notched at diametrically opposite points as at 89. The lock discs are of a diameter substantially equal to the pitch diameter of a drive gear 83, and are adapted to engage pinions 85 to restrain undesired pinion rotation and through the successively meshed gears 83 to restrain number wheel rotation. It will be observed that pinions 85 are of a thickness in excess of the thickness of drive gears 83 and that each pinion projects rearwardly beyond the drive gear with which it is meshed. Preferably alternate teeth of pinions 85 are milled away as at 90 sufiiciently to accommodate the thickness of a disc 88. It will be seen that the discs 88 are enabled to be positioned with their respective peripheries in contact with the hubs of the respective pinions 85 between two unmilled pinion teeth, which also contact the periphery of a disc and prevent pinion rotation. Fixed to the forward face of each disc 88 adjacent disc notches 89 are a pair of diametrically opposite, twotoothed gear segments 91 of the same pitch diameter as drive gears 83, lying forwardly of the plane in which the alternate pinion teeth are milled and adapted to be drivingly meshed with the teeth of pinions 85 as the gear segments are moved into pinion engaging position responsive to number wheel rotation and to thereby transmit motion from a preceding number wheel to a succeeding one.

Turnably carried upon shaft I3 forwardly of number wheels 8| are a plurality of auxiliary number wheels 93 which are similar to the number wheels 8| heretofore described, with letter designations being appended to further distinguish the wheels. The multiple number wheels 93A, 93B, 930 are each provided on their rear faces with drive gears 94 which are disposed in mesh with pinions 95 carried by rod 81. Number wheels 93, 93A and 93B are each provided upon their forward faces with a lock disc 96 similar to lock discs 88, and similarly notched as at 91, and each carrying adjacent notches 91 a pair of diametrically opposite two-toothed gear segments 99, similar to the gear segments 9| heretofore described, and which are of the same pitch diameter as gears 94. An intermediate portion of each of the pinions 95, as in the case of pinions 85, lies in the path of movement of the gear segments 99 and the pinions are adapted to be engaged by the gear segments responsive to number wheel rotation imparting a limited rotation to the engaged pinion by which the limited rotation is transmitted to the next succeeding number wheel. Alternate teeth of pinions 95 are milled as at I in manner similar to pinion milling 90 to accommodate lock discs 96.

It will be seen that as number wheels BI, 93 are rotated lock discs 88, 96 are rotated therewith without effecting drive of the respective pinions. When the pinions are engaged by the respective gear segments 9|, 99, pinion drive is forced moving the pinion and bringing an unmilled tooth into intersection with the path of the lock disc. Disc notches 89, 91, are adapted to receive such intersecting unmilled teeth and to permit shift of disc and pinion under gear segment drive by providing for passage of the unmilled teeth beyond the disc periphery.

Drive of the auxiliary number wheels is ac complished by a gear take-off from shaft-carried gear wheel 69. A horizontal rod IOI is rigidly fixed to and extends beyond front and rear retainer walls 26, 21, and lies laterally offset from the number wheels 8|, 93 and preferably is positioned above the horizontal axis of the number wheels. A hollow quill I03 is carried by rod IOI and is adjustably positioned thereon through the medium of front and rear collars I05, collars I being provided with suitable securing means, such as the set screw indicated. A gear I01 substantially identical in pitch diameter with gear wheel 69 is carried by the rear end of quill I03 and is adapted to be meshed with gear wheel 39. Adjacent the forward end of quill I03 a ratchet I 09 is fixed to the quill and is adapted to engage a pawl III carried by a gear II 3, gear |I3 being turnably carried upon quill I03 adjacent forward collar I05. Gear I I3 is adapted to be positioned in mesh with a similar gear I|5 carried by shaft I3 intermediate number wheel 8ID and the unit number wheel 93. A pawl I I1 is fixed to gear H5 and is positioned in engagement with a ratchet II9 fixed to the rear face of the auxiliary unit number wheel 93.

The device further includes a timing mechanism comprising a clockwork I2I mounted adjacent the forward portion of the casing, preferably being attached to and supported by front retainer wall 23. A bevel gear I23 is driven by a shaft I25 from the clockwork and drivingly engages a bevel gear I2'I, the latter bevel gear being turnable upon rod IOI. Integral and rotatable with bevel gear I21 is an eccentric cam member I29, the bevel gear I21 and cam I29 being preferably retained against rearward movement along rod I 0| by a collar I3I removably fixed to rod IOI as by the set screw indicated. Rockably attached to rod 81 is one end of an arm I33, which adjacent its opposite and free end is spring coupled as by a spring I31 which is attached to the casing and urges arm I33 upwardly. A pin I39 is fixed to arm I33 adjacent the free end of the arm, pin I39 underlying rod IN and lying in the path of eccentric cam I29. It will be seen that upon rotation of bevel gear I21 and cam I29, pin I39 carried by arm I33 will be depressed against the action of spring I31, effecting a rocking motion of arm I33, return of the arm to original position being effected by spring I31. A pawl MI is pivoted to arm I33 intermediate its length and engages a ratchet I 43, turnably carried upon a sleeve I44 which surrounds and is supported on shaft I3 forward of number wheels 93. Ratchet I43 is fixed to a number wheel I45 forming part of the timing recording mechanism. Additional hour and day time wheels I45A and I45B are provided for the purpose of recording additional time intervals. The time wheels I45 are carried on sleeve I44 and are interconnected for driving purposes preferably by inner lock rings in a manner which does not form a part of this invention. It will be observed that the time mechanism which is provided is a constantly driven mechanism and not dependent upon the operation of the machine or other instrumentality with which the counting and recording mechanism may be employed. Upon each rotation of cam I29 and depression of arm I33 thereby, arm-carried pawl MI is moved into engagement with another tooth of ratchet I43, and upon spring return of arm I 33 the pawl is effective to shift the ratchet and the minute wheel to which it is fixed. It will thus be seen that the present mechanism includes a group of instrumentalities by which units of production may be recorded in conjunction with a constant recording of time.

The operation of this phase of the mechanism may be described as follows: If a rotary device is to be employed, screw 61 is loosened and arm 6| moved upwardly until worm 53 carried by the arm is moved into engagement with worm wheel 5|, in which position screw 61 may be tightened upon slot 65 fixing the arm 6| in position with the worm and worm wheel engaged. Set screw 36 is loosened so that shaft 33 may freely turn in collar 35 and limit screws 49 are preferably tightened against finger 31 to fix the finger and collar against movement. The rotary drive, such as flexible shaft 56 or other form of rotary drive, may be fixed to either end of worm shaft 55 and the rotary drive imparted from the flexible shaft is transmitted through the worm to the worm wheel and thence to the main drive shaft 33. As the drive shaft 33 is rotated by such rotary drive gear Wheel 69 carried thereby is rotated and pawl 1|, engaging ratchet 82 drives the ratchet, effecting rotation of number wheel 8|. As number wheel BI is rotated by the drive described, this rotary motion is not transmitted further to the additional multiple number wheels Y BIA, 8IB, SIC, or ilID until the gear segments 9! have been moved into driving engagement with a pinion 85, movement of the advanced number wheels being restrained by lock discs 88. In the present arrangement illustrated it is necessary for each of the successive number wheels to be driven through an arc of 180 degrees or twenty teeth before any motion of the pinion and of the succeeding number wheel is transmitted by one of the diametrically opposed gear segments. Thus it will be seen that when the unit number wheel M has been driven through half of its circumference, that is one hundred eighty degrees, one of the gear segments 9| carried by the number wheel 8! will be moved into engagement with first pinion 85 and upon further drive of number wheel GI will eifect a partial drive of that pinion 85 through the two teeth of the gear segment equally shifting the next succeeding number Wheel SEA, through two teeth and effecting shift of that wheel one digit. As the drive is continued additional shifting is accomplished through each ten digits and when the number wheel 8IA has been thus shifted ten times, that is the equivalent of one hundred units, the motion will be similarly transmitted to the gear wheel MB to eifect a recording thereon through the movement of the gear segments carried by the wheel SIA.

Simultaneously gear Iil'I meshed with gear wheel 69 will be driven by rotation of gear wheel 69, and will effect rotation of quill Hi3 and of ratchet Hi9 effecting through pawl III drive of gear H3, which, being meshed with gear H5, effects drive through pawl Ill of ratchet I I9 and thus of number wheels 93. It will be seen that the drive of the auxiliary number wheels 93 may be disengaged by shifting either gear WT or gear H3 respectively out of mesh with gear wheel 69 and/or gear H5. Preferably the device is arranged so that the auxiliary number wheels may be reset to zero through rotation of shaft is by knob TI, rotating the number wheels 93 independently of the number wheels 8i. Preferably the shaft 13 along the intermediate portion of its length upon which the number wheels 93 are borne is provided with an elongated spline or keyway I41, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Each of the auxiliary number wheels are preferably provided with an internal pawl we adapted to ride over spline I l'I when the number wheel is rotated in counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 15, but which are adapted to engage the spline I4? upon reverse relative rotation, so that upon counterclockwise rotation of shaft 73 by knob i! the spline Ml formed in that shaft is successively moved into engagement with the pawls Hi9 carried by the number wheels 93 successively picking up the number wheels and being enabled to move them concurren ly with the rotation of the shaft, whereby they may be shifted to a setting as desired, during which movement number wheels 8| are held in unchanged position by lock discs 88.

In the event it is desired to couple the device for use with a machine having a reciprocating motion, screw iii is loosened and arm 6| lowered within the limit of slot 65, moving worm 53 out of engagement with worm wheel M. A drive rod 45 may then be coupled to yoke 4!, limit member 4t set to the desired length of stroke, collar 35 fixed to shaft 33 by tightening set screw 36, and the device put into operation. Upon each stroke,

drive shaft 33'will be rocked, moving pawl II therewith, the pawl being enabled to ride over with a pan I5i disposed transversely of the casing and sup-ported adjacent one side of the casing by a rod r53 extending between and secured to the front and rear retainer walls 2%, El. Rod I53 passes through a pair of opposite substantially vertically disposed flanges the forming the front and rear portions of pan I5I, and the pan is rockably supported upon rod I53 as a pivot. The top of the pan is formed of a flat plate-like member I5! which extends between flanges E55 and from which flanges I55 depend. Adjacent the pivot rod i53, top plate .lili is continued in a downwardly and transversely extending arcuate portion I55} adapted to serve as a support roll of paper 61 at one side of pan I5I. At its remote end roll support I55 is preferably provided with a resilient member i'a'I which is adapted to overlie and contact one side of paper roll I5! and by its resiliency is urged into contact so as to serve as a retainer for the paper roll.

Depending pan flanges 155 are continued beyond the arcuate roll support portion I59 of pan top I51 by sections I13, flange sections H3 respectively lying along the front and rear of supporting section use and serving as limits against forward or rearward movement of paper roll ISI. Pan plate I6? extends in the opposite direction beneath number wheels 85, as and beyond the number wheels isprovided with a transverse slot H5 which is adapted to receive and have threaded therethrough a length of paper I16 from paper roll Ibl. Beyond slots H5, pan I5I is provided with a cover portion H? which is preferably oifset upwardly from the plane of plate Iii? and otherwise extends between and is secured to an flanges 555.

Intermediate the length of pan flanges I55 9. bar We forming part of the pan assembly preferably is provided, the bar extending between and being rigidly secured to the respective front and rear pan flanges. Bar I79 is positioned to lie vertically beneath the axis of shaft '13 by which the number wheels are carried. Substantially midway of the length of pan lei a resilient platen strip IBI, as of rubber or similar material, is fixed to the upper face of pan late I51 and extends from front to rear thereof underlying number wheels 8 l, G3, and lying between the pan plate and the number wheels. Underlying cover member ill and substantially in engagement therewith are a plurality of friction rollers I83, mounted upon and secured to a shaft I journalled in pan flanges I55 and provided prefv erably at its front end with a suitable knob I81. Rollers I33 are adapted to serve as feed rollers for paper I16 from paper roll it! and the rollers and cover ii! are arranged so that paper I'lfi may be fed therebetween and the frictional engagement of the under side of paper I16 by the friction rollers against the under side of cover t fora II'I enables the rollers upon rotation of shaft I 65 to effect advancement of the paper I16.

Below pan II and in vertical alinement with shaft 13 and pan bar I19, a shaft I 89 is journalled in front and rear retainer walls 26, 21. Carried by and fixed to shaft I89 are front and rear cam members I9I which underlie and support pan bar I19 effecting support of pan I5I intermediate its length. A quill I93 is turnably mounted upon shaft I99 and carries at its respective front and rear ends cam members I95 positioned respectively rearwardly and forwardly of front and rear cams I9I. To one of the quill cams I95, preferably the rear quill cam, an arm I91 is integrally secured, which arm, at its lower end, is

coupled to the armature of a solenoid I99. Solenoid I99 is preferably rockably mounted upon a rod 21H secured to and extending between front and rear retainer walls 26, 21, and solenoid I99 is further coupled electrically, as by leads 203, to the source of energization of the machine or other instrumentality with which the counting and recording mechanism is associated. One end of a tension spring 205 is coupled to cam arm I 91, the opposite end of the spring being suitably attached to the casing as by attachment to a bar 201 and consequently urges movement of arm I 91 toward bar 291.

A pair of ink ribbon rolls 2.98 are turnably supported by brackets 289, '2 I 9 above the level of pan I5I, brackets 299, 2I9 being preferably attached to pan flanges I55. A ribbon 2] I, inked in conventional fashion, which is carried by the ribbon rolls 298, passes beneath the number wheels M, 93 and overlies paper roll I6I, aper I16 being interposed between ribbon 2H and platen strip I'8I. Ribbon rolls 208 are each suitably supported upon rods or shafts journalled respectively in brackets 209, 2I0.

To the rear end of shaft I89 a crank 2I3 is fixed, the crank at its outer end being coupled to one end of a tension spring 2I5, the opposite end of which is fixed to an upper .bar 29. Spring 2I5 resists rotation of the crank 2-I3 and shaft I99 to which the crank is fixed, but is adapted to yield to rotary movement and to complete a shaft rotation and return the crank to its original position after completion of approximately onehalf rotation of the shaft. For convenient rotation of shaft .89 a key 2I1 may be removably fixed thereto.

Adjacent forward pan flange I55 and lying between the pan flange and knob I81 a ratchet 2I9 is fixed to feed roll shaft I85. A pawl 22I, pivoted upon a pin 223 carried by forward wall 26, is urged toward engagement with ratchet 2I9 by a spring 225, and normally lies in engagement with the teeth of ratchet 2 I 9 and is adapted to maintain engagement with ratchet 2I9 so as, upon upward movement of pan I5I, to effect rotation of feed roll shaft I85 and rollers I83 carried thereby, thus effecting advancement of paper I16 from roll I6I during pan raising. Pawl 22I is provided with an intermediate enlarged bulge portion '22IA which is bulged toward feed roll shaft I95 and ratchet 2| 9 so that upon continued upward movement of pan I5I, beyond paper advancement, ratchet H9 is moved into contact with bulge portion 22IA of pawl 22 I, thereby removing pawl 22I from engagement with ratchet 2I9, interrupting the advancement of paper I16.

A pawl 221, pivotally mounted upon a pin 229 also secured to front retainer wall 26, normally lies in engagement with a ratchet 21, carried by the ribbon roll shaft which is journalled in I16 from paper bracket 2I0. Ribbon roll pawl 221 is formed similarly to pawl 22I of the paper feed with an enlarged bulge portion 221A and is urged by a spring 233 into engagement with ratchet 23I in normal position of pan I5I. Ratchet 23I is carried forward of bracket 2H] and between that bracket and front retainer wall 29. The ribbon roll pawl and ratchet arrangement adapted similarly to the paper feed pawl and ratchet arrangement to effect advancement of the ribbon roll upon upward movement of pan I5I and as the pan is continued in its upward movement ratchet 23I is moved into contact with pawl bulge portion 221A, camming pawl 221 out of engagement with ratchet 23I, thereby limiting the advancement of ribbon H I.

In the employment of the printing mechanism of the device solenoid I99 is normally positioned in dcenergized condition with its armature extended as shown in Fig. 3. Upon energization of solenoid I99 through leads 293, as upon the occurrence of the energization of the machine or other instrumentality with which the counting and recording mechanism is being employed, the solenoid armature is retracted in conventional fashion moving through the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 5. As the solenoid armature is thus retracted, cam arm I91 is moved therewith effecting rocking of quill I93 about shaft I89, and of cams I95 carried by the quill, which cams acting upon pan I 5I through bar I 19 effect raising of the bar and of the pan I5I to which the bar is rigidly fixed, moving pan plate I 51, platen strip I8I, and paper I16 upwardly, bringing the paper into underlying contact with ribbon 2H and moving thence into engagement with the raised figures carried by the time wheels I45 and the number wheels 8| and 93. In this manner a print is made of the production record and the time record at the instant upon which the mechanism or machine with which the instrumentalities is being employed is first energized. similarly at the end of the run or upon other deenergization of the machine or other instrumentality with which the present invention is being employed occurs, solenoid I99 upon such deenergization releases its retracting action upon its armature, and arm I91 is returned by tension spring 205 to its initial position with the armature of the solenoid extended. As the arm I91 is thus returned .by spring 205, cams I95 are again moved beneath bar I19 and again efiect upward movement of the bar and of pan I5I, again effecting printing of the record as it exists at the time of such deenergization. It is believed apparent that the solenoid leads may be connected with an indexing or other switch of conventional type and arrangement made for solenoid actuated shift of the cams for printing in the manner described at any predetermined interval, so that furtherdescription of the solenoid actuated printing is believed unnecessary.

In addition the present invention makes provision for demand printing of production records as and when desired through the provision of rotatable shaft I89 and cams I-9I. If a check of production is demanded key 2I1 may be attached to shaft I 89 and the shaft rotated within quill I93, the quill being held by the solenoid restraint on cam arm I91, causing cams I9I to act upon bar I19 raising pan I5I and paper I16 into printing position, the existing record being thus printed on paper I16. As the shaft is rotated, crank 2I3 is turned therewith against the action of spring 2I5 and after the shaft has 11 been turned in excess of one-half rotation, spring 2I5 will be effective to complete the rotation, returning crank 2l3, shaft I89 and cams l9l to normal position.

It will be seen that in each'instance printing is accomplished by cam raising of pan [5i to carry paper I16 into printing engagement with ribbon 2| I and the number and time wheels. In the manner described above shift of the ribbon and of paper I16 is accomplished on each raising of pan l5! through the engagement of ratchet 23! with pawl 22! and of ratchet 219 with pawl 22L It will be seen that this paper and ribbon shift is accomplished, as described, during the initial portion of pan raising and is completed prior to printing contact, the pawls being disengaged by the interaction of the pawl bulges 22|A and 221A respectively with the ratchets so that further shift is prevented until the pan has been returned to normal lowered position for subsequent operation. Thus smearing of the printed record due to shift of ribbon or paper during printing contact is effectually prevented.

In addition smearing due to movement of the timing or number wheels during printing is prevented through the provision of the arms 235, 236, 231 respectively, each pivoted at one end upon rod I! and extending beneath and beyond the wheels. Each of the arms intermediate its length is provided with a tooth 239 adapted to lie in engagement with a ratchet and limit movement of the ratchet in one direction. As shown, arm 235 underlies ratchet 82, arm 236 underlies ratchet H9, and arm 23! underlies ratchet I43. Each of the arms 235, 236, 231'is provided with a spring 241 yieldingly urging the teeth 239 carried by the arms into ratchet engagement. A resilient bridge member 243 is secured to each of the pan flanges I55 and extends transversely across the pan, being spaced above paper 116 and ribbon 2H as the ribbon and paper pass over the pan plate I51. The resilient bridge member 243 underlies the free ends of the arms 235, 236, 231, and as pan I5! is moved upwardly during printing as described hereinabove, the bridge member 243 carried thereby is raised, coming into contact with the free ends of the arms 235, 236, 237, forcing the arms and the teeth 239 carried by the arms respectively into firm contacting engagement with the respective ratchets which the arms and teeth underlie. In this manner the ratchets and the wheels by which the ratchets are carried are held firmly against movement during the moment of printing. It is preferred that the bridge member 243 be attached to the opposite pan flanges I55 and to be spaced above plate l5! in the manner described, although it will be understood that a resilient leaf-like member may beextended across the pan and based similarly above plate [51 without departing from the invention involved.

Referring now to the variations illustrated in Fig. 10, it will be observed that there are two variations of arrangement illustrated therein. The first of these variations involves the rearrangement in the worm drive of the device in which main shaft 33 is somewhat shortened to eliminate worm wheel 5| therefrom, the wormcarrying arm 6| is attached to rear retainer wall 21 in manner similar to the attachment heretofore described, although somewhat below the position heretofor described, placing the worm 53 below gear wheel 69, so that the worm may be moved upwardly in manner already described to mesh with and engage the gear wheel 63 or lowered away from such engagement, the worm being adapted to effect drive of the gear wheel directly without the interposition of the previously described worm wheel. In this modification it is preferred that th hub of the unit number wheel 8! be somewhat extended in order to position ratchet 82 further rearwardly from unit number wheel 3| than in the form originally illustrated, in order that the ratchet may be brought into engagement with the pawl carried by gear wheel 69.

A further variation illustrated in Fig. 10 provides for the resetting of the main number wheels 8| in addition to the resetting of the auxiliary number Wheels 33. In this arrangement an elongated sleeve 245 is positioned concentrically upon shaft 13, turnably surrounding the forward position of the shaft. Auxiliary number wheels 93 are mounted upon sleeve 245 in manner similar to the mounting of the number wheels 93 on shaft 73 hereinabove described. In this arrangement a spline similar to spline 141 is formed in shaft l3 along the portion upon which the number wheels 8! are borne, and each of the number wheels is provided with an internal pawl I43, so that upon rotation of shaft 13 by knob '11 the main number wheels may be reset in the manner heretofore described. Similarly sleeve 245 is provided with a similar spline and the number wheels 93 provided with inner pawls of the same type, the sleeve at its outer end being provided with a suitable knob 24? for manual rotation of the sleeve. It will be observed that the auxiliary number wheels may be reset in manner described through the rotation of sleeve 245 by knob 241, and the main number wheels may be similarly, though independently, reset through the rotation of shaft 13 by knob 11.

It is of course apparent that other variations in detail of structure may be substituted for instrumentalities depicted and described herein without departing from the invention involved.

The present invention provides a counting mechanism which is adaptable for use with each of the known forms of motion imparted by mechanical instrumentalities with which the counting mechanism may be used and further provides a simple yet novel printing mechanism by which the print of the record is made at the time of energization of the machine with which the mechanism is used, similarly upon deenergization of the machine, and upon demand at any time during operation of the machine, without interrupting or interfering with the machine operation. Through the use of an adapter, such as the unit 51,. the device may be coupled to the cable leading to an automobile speedometer and be enabled to make recordings of the distance in the manner described, recording upon the main wheels the permanent mileage or distance of the machine and upon the auxiliary wheels the trip or single journey distance. If directly coupled to a rotary drive the device may be utilized to record R. P. M. or other similar direct measurements. If coupled to a reciprocating drive, such as the punch press suggested, the device may be employed to record unit production of such a device.

As illustrated in Fig. 16', it is in some instances desirable to provide the top 2! of the casing with a View window 21A. It willbe observed that through the use of the double set of numerals upon the number wheels 8|, 93 the numbers in printing position at the bottom of the wheels are duplicated at th top of the wheels so that an assume '13 operator or other person connected with the operation of the machine may readily visually check the record made by the machine without the necessity of effecting printing thereof.

It will be understood that the forms of the devices embodied in the drawings attached hereto are intended to be illustrative of the example of the invention chosen for the purposes of this disclosure, and that it is the purpose of this application to cover all such changes and modifications in this example which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention embodied herein.

I claim:

1. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shafting turnably supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels compising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, a pawl pivoted to said gear wheel eccentrically of said main shaft, disconnectable means drivingly connecting said main shaft to a rotary drive, a ratchet fixed to one of said number wheels engaging said pawl for rotation responsive to shaft and gear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, a ratchet fixed to the forward end of said quill, a gear turnably mounted on and adjacent the forward end of said quill, a pawl pivoted to said latter gear and drivingly engaged by said quill-carried ratchet, a drive ratchet fixed to one of said auxiliary number wheels, a drive gear adjacent the latter said ratchet and supported on said shafting, and a pawl carried by said drive gear in driving engagement with said latter ratchet, said drive gear being engaged with said forward quill mounted gear, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number wheels.

2. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shaf ting supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels comprising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, means connecting said main shaft to a rotary drive, overrunning clutch means drivingly connecting said gear wheel to one of said number wheels for number wheel rotation responsive to shaft and gear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, overrunning clutch means drivingly connecting said quill to one of said auxiliary number wheels for rotation responsive to quill rotation in one direction, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number wheel drive in said one direction.

.3. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shafting supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels comprising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, a pawl pivoted to said gear wheel eccentrically of said main shaft, means connecting said main shaft to a rotary drive, a ratchet fixed to one of said number wheels, engaging said pawl for rotation responsive to shaft and gear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, overrunning clutch means drivingly coupling said quill to one of said auxiliary number wheels, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number wheels.

4. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shafting supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels comprising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, clutch means drivingly coupling said gear wheel to one of said number wheels for number wheel rotation responsive to shaft and gear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, a ratchet fixed to the forward end of said quill, a gear turnably mounted on and adjacent the forward end of said quill, a pawl pivoted to said latter gear and drivingly engaged by the quill-carried ratchet, a drive ratchet fixed to one of said auxiliary number wheels, a drive gear adjacent the latter said ratchet and supported on said shafting, and a pawl carried by said drive gear in driving engagement with said latter ratchet, said drive gear being engaged with said forward quill mounted gear, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number wheels.

5. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shafting supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels comprising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, a worm section formed in said main shaft adjacent said gear wheel, a transverse shaft disposed at right angles to said main shaft, a worm mounted on said transverse shaft, means connecting said transverse shaft to a rotary drive, a shiftable arm pivoted at one end to said rear support means, lugs forwardly offset from and carried by said arm, said transverse shaft being journalled and supported by said lugs for shift to and from a position in which said worm engages said worm section, said shiftably mounted worm imparting rotation to said main shaft and integral gear wheel, clutch means drivingly coupling said gear wheel to one of said number wheels for rotation responsive to shaft and rear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, and clutch means drivingly coupling said quill to one of said auxiliary number wheels, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number wheels.

6. In a counting and recording mechanism, a plurality of main number wheels, a plurality of auxiliary number wheels, shafting turnably supporting said wheels in axial alinement, said auxiliary wheels being rotatable independently of said main wheels, drive means for said wheels comprising a rotatable, relatively fixed main shaft axially alined with said shafting, front and rear support means supporting said shaft and shafting, a gear wheel integral with said main shaft adjacent but spaced from said rear support means, a pawl pivoted to said gear wheel eccentrically of said main shaft, a worm section formed in said main shaft adjacent said gear wheel, a trans verse shaft disposed at right angles to said main shaft, a worm mounted on said transverse shaft, means connecting said transverse shaft to a rotary drive, a shiftable arm pivoted at one end to said rear support means, lugs forwardly offset from and carried by said arm, said transverse shaft being journalled in and supported by said lugs for shift to and from a position in which said worm engages said worm section, said shiftably mounted worm imparting rotation to said main shaft and integral gear wheel, a ratchet fixed to one of said number wheels, engaging said pawl for rotation responsive to shaft and gear wheel rotation, a quill turnably supported in offset relation to said number wheels, a gear fixed to the rear end of said quill in mesh with said gear wheel, a ratchet fixed to the forward end of said quill, a pawl pivoted to said latter gear and drivingly engaged by the quill-carried ratchet, a drive ratchet fixed to one of said auxiliary number Wheels, a drive gear adjacent the latter said ratchet and supported on said shafting, and a pawl carried by said drive gear in driving engagement with said latter ratchet, said drive gear being engaged with said forward quill-mounted gear, whereby to drive said auxiliary number wheels concurrently with said main number Wheels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 351,228 Wacsh Oct. 19, 1886 1,012,905 Parten Dec. 25, 1911 1,024,332 I-Iammond-Knovvlton Apr. 23, 1912 1,043,381 Wolfe Nov. 5, 1912 1,053,253 Volkmar Feb. 18, 1913 1,056,411 Grunow Mar. 18, 1913 1,410,772 Stuber Mar. 28, 1922 1,458,509 Arthur June 12, 1923 1,512,434 Veeder Oct. 21, 1924 1,566,628 Stosick Dec. 22, 1925 2,046,810 Cannon July 7, 1936 2,122,518 Deane July 5, 1938 2,255,010 Lake Sept. 2, 1941 2,339,188 Payne Jan. 11, 1944 2,460,659 Schmidt Feb. 1, 1949 2,482,542 Hanrahan Sept. 20, 1949 2,511,148 Chollar June 13, 1950

Images