US3219268A - Counter and casing assembly therefor - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 23, 1965 s o z 3,219,268

COUNTER AND CASING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Filed June 17, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7Z 72 49 f6 4% 34 9% O I p 5: 1L 5 6 12 2 P 1 Li x I 32' 1 .11 %-22 4% k \x \1 INVENTOR. EDWARD M. STOLARZ A TTOR/VE Y Nov. 23, 1965 E. M. STOLARZ 3,219,268

COUNTER AND CASING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17 1963 INVENTOR. EDWARD M. STOLARZ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,219,268 COUNTER AND CASING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Edward M. Stolarz, New York, N.Y., assignor to Redington Counters, Inc., Windsor, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,091 Claims. (Cl. 2351) The present invention relates to counters and like indicating devices and to a novel casing assembly therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter and like indicating devices having a novel and highly attractive casing assembly with cover and base members which cooperate to protect the counter mechanism received therein from tampering and contamination.

It is also an object to provide a counter and like indicating device having a casing assembly which provides a target frame about the number wheels for directing the eye of a reader to the numbers.

Another object is to provide a counter having a casing assembly with a base member which permits the introduction of lead wires into the casing assembly at a plurality of points spaced thereabout while retarding the passage of contaminant through the point of introduction to the counting mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a counter having a casing assembly with cover and base members which cooperate with the counting mechanism frame member to support a transparent crystal and space the upper portions of the number wheels in close proximity to the upper surface of the crystal.

A further object is to provide a casing assembly for a counter having cover and base members which cooperate to form a tamper-resistant, substantially dirt-proof casing.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed specification and the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a counter embodying the present invention with the counter mechanism unremoved from the cover for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the counter of FIGURE 1, the numbers and number wheels being shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the base member of the counter of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom perspective view of the frame member of the counter of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view along the line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view to an enlarged scale along the line 66 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

It has been found that the foregoing and related objects may be readily attained by a counter employing a counting mechanism having a frame member, a number wheel shaft journaled in the upper portion of the frame member, a plurality of number wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft and means for actuating the number wheels. The frame member is received within a casing assembly having a cover member and a base member which enclose the frame member and the bulk of the counting mechanism. The cover member has a top wall portion extending over the top of the frame member and side and end wall portions extending about the sides and ends of the frame member. The top wall portion has a transparent window area registering with the number wheels and having its margins spaced inwardly from the margins of the top wall portion, the area therebetween being relatively opaque. A coating or other suitable means is pro- 3,219,268 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 ICC vided to outline conspicuously the margins of the window area with respect to the top wall portion thereabout and thus to provide a target frame about the window area and the portion of the number wheels visible through the window area.

In the preferred form, the top wall portion and the windowportion therein are both outlined with bright metallic margins to guide the eye of a reader inwardly to the numbers framed within the window portion. The upper surface of the top wall portion is substantially planar and provides a dark, opaque spacing between the outer and inner margins, thus rendering the margins more conspicuous and providing freedom from distraction as the eye is directed to and fixed upon the numbers. The target frame thus provided is extremely effective in drawing the eye of a reader to the numbers framed there in for rapid, accurate and facile reading.

The base member of the casing assembly underlies the frame member and includes a base element adapted to be secured to a mounting surface and a pedestal or a subbase element interposed between the base element and the frame member. The base member permits the introduction of lead wires into the casing assembly at a plurality of spaced points thereabout and cooperates with the cover member to provide a substantially dirt-proof, tamper-resistant casing assembly. The casing assembly dimensionally cooperates with the counting mechanism to space the upper portions of the number wheels in close proximity to the window area to provide a wide angle of sight.

The cover member may be detachably secured to the frame member by a first set of threaded fasteners extending upwardly through the frame member, and the base member may be detachably secured to the frame member by a second set of threaded fasteners extending upwardly through the base member to block access to the first set of fasteners, thus making more difficult attempted tampring with the counting mechanism.

The top wall portion may include a crystal member of transparent synthetic plastic material providing the major portion thereof including the window area, and the margins of the window area are outlined with relatively light material with the area between the margins of the window area and the margins of the crystal member having applied thereto a relatively dark and relatively opaque material to accentuate the target frame. The lower surface of the top wall portion may have a recess therein substantially registering with the window area to receive the upper portions of the number wheels and to permit them to rotate therein with the periphery of each wheel in close proximity to the upper surface of the top wal portion to provide a wider angle of sight.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, therein is illustrated a counter embodying the present invention and generally comprised of a counting mechanism 1 and a casing assembly therefor provided by a cover member generally designated by the number 2 and a base mem ber generally designated by the number 4.

The counting mechanism 1 has a frame member 6 having a bottom portion 8 and generally vertically extending end portions 10, 12. Iournaled in the upper portion of the frame member 6 is a number wheel shaft 14 on which a plurality of number wheels 16 are rotatably mounted. Also supported in the frame member 6 is means for actuating the number wheels 16 including the electromagnet 18 through a lead wire (not shown) pivot the recess 20 in the upper surface of the bottom portion 8 of the frame member 6. Elctrical impulses to the electromagnet 18 through a lad wire (not shown) pivot the clapper 21 against the biasing pressure of the spring 23 and thereby rotate the unit number wheel 16a about an increment of rotation, as is conventional.

Depending from the bottom portion 8 are baffle portions 22, 24 and the bathe-like projection 26 formed by the bottom surface of the bottom portion 8 about the recess 20, all for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The bottom portion 8 is provided with a relatively large aperture 28 for introducing a lead wire (not shown) into the counting mechanism, a pair of threaded apertures 30 and four recessed apertures 32.

Snugly fitted over the frame member 6 is the cover member 2 having a top wall portion 34 extending over the top of the frame member 6 and side wall portions 36 and end wall portions 38 extending, respectively, about the end portions 10, 12 of the frame member 6 and therebetween. The side wall portions 36 are provided with inwardly projecting bosses 40, having threaded apertures 44 in the bottom thereof, and the frame member 6 is dimensioned to fit snugly within the cover member 2 for a firm, relatively dirt-proof seal. Detachably securing the cover member 2 to the frame member 6 are threaded fasteners 42 which extend upwardly through the recessed apertures 32 into threaded apertures 44 in the bosses 40 registering therewith.

The side wall portions 36 of the cover member 2 are also provided with small bosses 46 adjacent the upper edges thereof for a purpose described hereinafter. The end wall portions 38 are provided with generally vertically extending, elongated slots 48 opening on the bottom edge thereof to enable the cover member 2 to be conveniently slipped over the frame member 6 when the number wheel shaft 14 has an outwardly extending portion 49 such as that portion mounting the reset knob 50. The end portions 10, 12 of the frame member 6 cooperate with the end wall portions 38 of the cover member 2 to prevent substantially the passage of contaminants through the slots 48 in the assembled counter. Inwardly projecting flange portions 52, 54 are provided at the upper edges of the side wall portions 36 and end wall portions 38 which serve a function to be described hereinafter.

The top wall portion 34 of the cover member 2 includes a crystal member 56 of transparent synthetic plastic material with a substantially planar upper surface which provides a transparent window area 58 generally centered therein and registering with the number wheels 16 as shown in FIGURES 2, and 6. Most desirably, the window area 58 has its margins 60 oriented generally parallel to the corresponding margins 62 of the top Wall portion 34 provided by the upper surface of the flange portions 52, 54, and the margins 60, 62 are conspicuously outlined with respect to the area therebetween, to provide a target frame generally designated by the numeral 64 about the window area 58 and the numbers visible through the window area 58 so as to direct the eye of a reader to the numbers for rapid and accurate reading. To maximize the effect of the target frame 64, the margins 60 are outlined with a light or brightly colored material such as metallized aluminum coating on the inner surface of the crystal 66 and the area of the crystal between the margins 60, 62 has applied thereto a relatively dark and relatively opaque material 68 as seen in FIGURE 7. The metal of the flange portions 52, 54 defining the margins 62 of the top wall portion 34 has a bright metallic finish to accentuate the frame target 64 still further.

Most desirably, crystal 56 is provided with a recess 70 corresponding generally to the window area 58 and dimensioned to receive therein the upper portions of the number wheels 16 to permit them to rotate therein with the periphery of each wheel in close proximity to the upper surface of the top wall portion 34, thus widening the effective angle of vision.

The crystal member 56 is provided with flange portions 72, 74 projecting outwardly from side edges adjacent its lower surface which cooperate with the flange portions 52, 54 of the cover member 2 to limit the outward movement of the crystal member 56 with respect to the cover member 2 as seen in FIGURES 5 and 6. Proper dimensioning of the thickness of all flange portions, as seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, locates the top surfaces of the crystal member 56 and the flanges 52, 54 in a substantially common plane to provide the highly desired planar surface to the top wall portion 34 defined thereby.

Fitted under and leading support to the crystal member 56 is the crystal retaining member 76 which has an aperture 77 therein somewhat larger than and registering with the window area 58. The end portions 10, 12 of the frame member 6 are vertically dimensioned to locate the crystal retainer 76 and the crystal supported thereon with the flanges 72, 74 of the crystal 56 in abutment against the flanges 52, 54 and with the retaining member 76 reinforcing the crystal member 56 interposed between the end portions 10, 12 and the crystal 56. The retaining member 76 is provided with depending flange portions 78 which are lightly bent outwardly and cammed inwardly during insertion to resiliently bear against and frictionally lock with the small bosses 46, giving limited support to the crystal member 56 when the frame member 6 is removed from the cover member 2.

The base member 4 underlies the frame member 6 and is detachably secured thereto by threaded fasteners 80 which extend upwardly through apertures in the base member 4 and are received in the apertures 30, blocking access to the fasteners 42 to discourage removal of the fasteners 42 and tampering with the counter mechanism 1. The base member 4 includes a base element 82 adapted to be secured to a mounting surface as by fasteners through the mounting apertures 84, and a pedestal or sub-base element 86 interposed betwen the base element 82 and the frame member 6. The sub-base element 86 is provided with the lead wire aperture 88 and a knockout 90 of reduced thickness, and the base element 82 is provided with the lead wire aperture 92, and the elements 82, 86 cooperate to provide a base member 4 which permits the introduction of a lead wire into the casing assembly through a plurality of points spaced thereabout.

The battle portions 22, 24 and the projection 26 depending from the bottom portion 8 of the frame member 6 are adapted to cooperate with the configuration of the base member 4 to retard the passage of contaminating agents through the points of introduction of the lead wire into the casing assembly. Integral rivets 94 on the subbase element 86 extend into the apertures 96 of the base element 82 to seat it securely upon the upper surface thereof. Where desired, the sub-base element 86 may be easily detached from the base element 82, and the counter may be secured to a mounting surface by passing the threaded fasteners 80 through apertures in a mounting surface and through the apertures in the sub-base element 86 for detachable engagement in the threaded apertures 30 of the frame member 6, thus necessitating access to the underside of a mounting surface before gaining access to the fasteners 42 to discourage further any tampering with the counting mechanism.

The cover member is conveniently cast from zinc or aluminum alloys or other metals which may be brightened easily to provide a light colored margin for the top wall portion, or it may be injection molded of suitably rugged thermoplastic material. For rigidity and close tolerance, the frame member may be economically die cast from the same alloy as the cover member to minimize electrolytic corrosion.

The crystal member may be readily injection molded from thermoplastic material having satifsactory optical properties such as styrene-acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylics, vinylidene chloride and polystryene. The margins of the window area most desirably are vacuum metallized with aluminum to produce an appearance similar to that of the brightened metallic margins of the top wall portion. The lower surface of the crystal member between the margins of the window area and the margins of the top wall portion may be coated with a relatively opaque lacquer or paint, such as matte black or charcoal finish, to produce a highly effective target frame, and this coating desirably extends over the metallized coating to provide protection therefor.

The sub-base element is conveniently injection molded of polyethylene or nylon which may be readily machined to prvoide alternate points of introduction for the lead wire. The base element is desirably and economically stamped from metal sheet for rigidity and strength.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a counter having a novel and highly attractive casing assembly with cover and base members which cooperate to protect the counter mechanism from tampering and contamination. The casing assembly provided by the present invention provides a novel and highly effective target frame about the number wheels to direct the eye of a reader to the numbers for rapid and accurate reading. The base member construction provided by the present invention permits the introduction of lead wires at a plurality of spaced points to permit improved versatility in potential placement of the counters. The use of baffie portions on the frame member cooperating with the base member retards the passage of dirt or other contaminants through the lead wire approach into the casing assembly so as to increase the life of the counter. The cover and base members cooperate with the counting mechanism to support and reinforce the crystal member and to space the number wheels in close proximity to the upper surface of the crystal to afford a wide angle of sight.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A counter comprising a counting mcehanism having a frame member with a bottom portion, a number wheel shaft journaled in the upper portion of said frame member, a plurality of number wheels rotatably mounted on said shaft, and means for actuating said number wheels; and a casing assembly in which said frame member is received, said casing assembly having a cover member with a top wall portion extending over the top of said frame member and side and end wall portions extending about the sides and ends of said frame member, said top wall portion having a transparent window area therein registering with said number wheels, said casing assembly having a base member underlying said frame member with a base element adapted to be secured to a mounting surface and a sub-base element interposed between said base element and said frame member, said base member permitting introduction of lead wires into said casing assembly at a plurality of points spaced thereabout, and said base member cooperating with said cover member to prevent substantially the passage of contaminating agents to the interior of the counter. A

2. The counter of claim 1 wherein said bottom portion of said frame member has a plurality of depending baffie portions and said sub-base element has portions thereof cooperating with said baffle portions to retard the passage of contaminating agents through a point of introduction of an associated lead wire into the interior of the counter.

3. A counter comprising a counting mechanism having a frame member with a bottom portion, a number wheel shaft journaled in the upper portion of said frame member, a plurality of number wheels rotatably mounted on said shaft, and means for actuating said number wheels; and a casing assembly in which said frame member is received, said casing assembly having a base member underlying said frame member and a cover member with a top wall portion extending over the top of said frame member and side and end wall portions extending about the sides and ends of said frame member, said top wall portion having a transparent window area therein registering with said number wheels, said base member having a base element adapted to be secured to a mounting surface and a sub-base element interposed between said base element and said frame member, said base member permitting introduction of lead wires into said casing assembly at a plurality of points spaced thereabout, said base member cooperating with said cover member to prevent substantially the passage of contaminating agents to the interior of the counter, a first set of fasteners detachably securing said frame member to said cover member, and a second set of fasteners extending upwardly through said base element and detachably securing said frame member thereto to discourage tampering with said counting mechanism.

4. The counter of claim 3 wherein said base element is detachable from said sub-base element to permit said counter to be secured to an associated mounting surface by said second set of fasteners to further discourage tampering with the counter mechanism, said sub-base element being interposed between said frame member and the associated mounting surface to cooperate with said cover member to prevent substantially the passage of contaminants into the interior of the counter.

5. A counter comprising a counting mechniasm having a frame member with a bottom portion and generally vertically extending end portions, said bottom portion having a plurality of bafiie elements depending therefrom, a number wheel shaft journaled in the upper portion of said end portions of said frame member, a plurality of number wheels rotably mounted on said shaft, and means for actuating said number wheels; and a casing assembly having a cover member with a top wall portion and side and end wall portions adapted to extend about the top, sides and ends of said frame member, said top wall portion having a transparent window area therein registering with said number wheels, said casing assembly having a base member underlying said frame member for said counter mechanism with a base element adapted to be secured to a amounting surface and a sub-base element interposed between said base element and said frame member, said base member permitting introduction of lead Wires into said casing assembly at a plurality of points spaced thereabout, the bottom and end portions of said frame member being dimensioned to provide a snug fit in said cover member to prevent substantially the passage of contaminating agents therebetween into the interior of the counter, said cover member being detachably secured to said frame member by a first set of threaded fasteners extending upwardly through the bottom portion of said frame member, said base member being detachably secured to said frame by a second set of threaded fasteners extending upwardly through said base member to block access to said first set to fasteners to discourage tampering with said counting mechanisms, said base member having portions thereof cooperating with said depending bafile portions of said frame members to retard the passage of contaminating agents into the interior of the counter, said base member and said cover member cooperating to provide a substantially dirt-proof, tamper-resistant casing assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,372,650 4/1945 Bliss 2351.5 2,541,161 2/1951 Harper 235-15 2,636,680 4/1953 Summers 235-1.5 2,998,187 4/1961 Wollar 235-1 17 LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A COUNTER COMPRISING A COUNTING MECHANISM HAVING A FRAME MEMBER WITH A BOTTOM PORTION, A NUMBER WHEEL SHAFT JOURNALED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID FRAME MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF NUMBER WHEELS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT, AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID NUMBER WHEELS; AND A CASING ASSEMBLY IN WHICH SAID FRAME MEMBER IS RECEIVED, SAID CASING ASSEMBLY HAVING A COVER MEMBER WITH A TOP WALL PORTION EXTENDING OVER THE TOP OF SAID FRAME MEMBER AND SIDE AND END WALL PORTIONS EXTENDING ABOUT THE SIDES AND ENDS OF SAID FRAME MEMBER, SAID TOP WALL PORTION HAVING A TRANSPARENT WINDOW AREA THEREIN REGISTERING WITH SAID NUMBER WHEELS, SAID CASING ASSEMBLY HAVING A BASE MEMBER UNDERLYING SAID FRAME MEMBER WITH A BASE ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO A MOUNTING SURFACE AND A SUB-BASE ELEMENT INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID BASE ELEMENT AND SAID FRAME MEMBER, SAID BASE MEMBER PERMITTING INTRODUCTION OF LEAD WIRES INTO SAID CASING ASSEMBLY AT A PLURALITY OF POINTS SPACED THEREABOUT, AND SAID BASE MEMBER COOPERATING WITH SAID COVER MEMBER TO PREVENT SUBSTANTIALLY THE PASSAGE OF CONTAMINATING AGENTS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE COUNTER.

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