US3848113A

US3848113A - Apparatus and method for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter

Info

Publication number: US3848113A
Application number: US00393142A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Kelch; H Mueller
Original assignee: Kienzle Apparate GmbH
Current assignee: Digital Kienzle Computersysteme GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1971-11-24
Filing date: 1973-08-30
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12

Abstract

To each counter wheel of a counter, a clearing cam with cam track portions analog to the values represented in digital angular positions of the counter wheel, is secured. Spring-biased sensing members are moved toward the respective cams and abut cam track portions analog to the digits stored in the respective counters. The sensed value is transferred from the sensing members, whereupon the counter wheels are unlocked by retracting tens-transfer means, permitting the cams to be pressed by the sensing members to a clearing position in which the counter wheels are set back to zero.

Description

United States Patent Kelch et al.

[ Nov. 12, 1974 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A VALUE FROM A COUNTER AND FOR CLEARING THE COUNTER Inventors: Heinz Kelch, Buchenberg; Helmuth Mueller, St. Georgen, both of Germany Assignee: Kienzle Apparate G.m.b.ll.,

Villingen/Schuartuald, Germany Filed: Aug. 30, 1973 Appl. N0.: 393,142

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 309,508, Nov. 24, 1972, abandoned.

Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 24, 1971 Germany 2158111 U.S. Cl..... 235/61 PD, 235/144 M, 235/144 SP Int. Cl G06c 15/42 Field of Search 235/61 PD, 61 PG, 61 PJ,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,131,684 9/1938 Haegele et al 235/61 PG 2,344,627 3/1944 Mixer 2,822,130 2/1958 Nolde et al 235/61 PD 2,989,230 6/1961 Adams 3,069,083 12/1962 Haydon Primary Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT To each counter wheel of a counter, a clearing cam with cam track portions analog to the values represented in digital angular positions of the counter wheel, is secured. Spring-biased sensing members are moved toward the respective cams and abut cam track portions analog to the digits stored in the respective counters. The sensed value is transferred from the sensing members, whereupon the counter wheels are unlocked by retracting tens-transfer means, permitting the cams to be pressed by the sensing members to a clearing position in which the counter wheels are set back to zero.

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures AT um/121974 P ENTE SHEET 3 3.848.113

SHEET 2 OF 3 PATENTL NBV I 21974 I Illlllllll FIG. 3

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A VALUE FROM A COUNTER AND FOR CLEARING THE COUNTER The present application is a continuation application of our copending application Ser. No. 309,508 filed Nov. 24, 1972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for clearing the counter wheels of a counter, and for setting value representing members to a position permitting interrogation of the number stored in the counter.

Counters of this type are particularly used where various amount of merchandise is supplied to a customer, for example, gasoline dispensed at a gas station. For registering and reading out of the amount dispensed to an individual customer, a measuring device is used for determining the dispensed volume of liquid, and indicated at a counter. Consequently, it is necessary to clear the counter before each new operation, so that the counter indicates zero. It is known to clear the counter at the latest before the beginning of a new dispensing operation, either manually or automatically.

In arrangements of this type, a total counter is provided for controlling the total amounts discharged during a predetermined time period. Such a total counter does not give any information regarding the manner in which the final result was obtained during the time period. Later checking or control of possibly valuable information regarding specific dispensing operations, and determination of whether the operations were carried out economically and properly is not possible in an arrangement provided with several dispensing stations.

It is known to provide counters of this type with printing means in which the partial values are printed on a tape wound up within a casing. This manner of determing individual data is expensive, and the evaluation of the data is time consuming. Furthermore, a complicated construction is required to drive the multi-order printing rollers from the counter, and to clear the same, particularly since in many cases the required power is not available.

Generally, it can be stated that, in order to obtain great accuracy of measurement, it must be avoided that the measuring device is subjected to an additional load due to mechanical forces required for the indication and registration.

The British Pat. No. 931,883 discloses a mechanical counter with means for interrogation of the stored number. It is only possible to interrogate a static position, but the apparatus is not suited for returning the counter to the zero position.

The German Pat. No. 1,265,464 discloses an apparatus for sensing in each order the value representing members of a counter, and for transforming angular positions in an analog manner into electric pulses. A stepped disc is required for each counter wheel which are sensed by sensing levers successively associated with the stepped discs by a cam shaft. The apparatus requires high precision, but is capable of representing by electric contacts only a static value, and there is no possibility of checking the correctness of the transferred value.

The German OS 1,939,533 discloses an apparatus for interrogating a counter in which a sensing member is moved toward a value representing member connected with a counter wheel. The value representing member is constructed as a stepped disc. The arrangement is limited to an interrogation device whose only purpose is to transform the sensing distance into electric pulses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide a simple apparatus for interrogating and clearing a counter which is free of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of simple construction which permits the interrogation and clearing of a counter.

The sensing means first moves through positions representing falling complementary values above the stored digit value and then senses the cam track portions representing the stored digit value. The sensing means then presses against the cam track so that the cam turns and the sensing means successively engages cam track portions representing falling real values below the stored digit value, and finally zero value so that the counter wheel is cleared.

An embodiment of the invention comprises an ordinal series of counter wheels, each of which is connected with a cam having a cam track with successive analog cam track portions representing the digital angular positions of the respective counter wheel; sensing means for each cam, biased toward the respective cam track; control means for simultaneously retracting the sensing means to a position of rest, and for releasing the sensing means for biased movement to a value transfer position abutting and pressing against the cam track portion representing a value stored in the respective counter wheel so that the respective cam is urged to move to a clearing position; value representing means operated by each sensing means in said value transfer position upon interrogation to represent the value sensed by the sensing means in the value transfer position; and blocking means for blocking rotation of each counter wheel, and controlled by the control means to release the counter wheels after operation of the value representing means so that the biased sensing means moves the cams to the clearing position in which the counter wheels are cleared.

It is an advantage of the present invention as compared to the prior art that a cam provided for clearing the counter, cooperates with sensing means for simultaneous transfer of a value represented by the counter wheel, and also complementary values, to another value representing means. At each point of the clearing cam, a value analog information regarding the stored and indicated value of the respective counter wheel is contained. Furthermore, the sensing means which drives the clearing cam to clear the counter wheel, moves, starting from a position of rest, always through positions corresponding to all ten digital positions of the counter wheel. Due to this arrangement of the invention, the clearing means, which are provided in any event, are used for dividing movement of the clearing means into three phases, which can be easily separated and are in corresponding relationship. In this manner, each transfer of a value can be checked with several additionally obtained control informations regarding correctness.

An apparatus according to the invention for clearing a counter, and for transferring values stored in the counter, has great advantages regarding the spatial arrangement of the parts due to the fact that the same device can be used for transferring a value and for clearing the counter, and can be arranged in a plane in which the counter wheel is located. Due to the separation of the drive for the clearing means and for the value transferring means, no load is applied by the value transfer means to the counter during the registering operation, and at the moment of interrogation, a printing device can be actuated, or a remote transfer started, without varying the indication of the counter,

which means a valuable possibility for comparing the indicated value with the transferred value. Due to the fact that the counter does not receive any additional load from the interrogation units, a reduced driving moment, and higher rotary speeds can be used. Interrogation devices in the form of electric contacts, are during a registration operation, mechanically as well as electrically loaded, but only at the controllable interrogation moment.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a position of rest;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating an embodiment of FIG. 1 in a value transferring position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the-embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a cleared position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view illustrating a counter provided with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of an enlarged scale illustrating the transfer of a value to a printing device and/or a code disc; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale, illustrating a sensing slide with contact means moving along a straight path, for cooperation with coded printed circuit cards.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate all parts necessary for interrogation and clearing of a counter wheel. The

counter wheels

1, 2 and 3 have a substantially identical construction, and are mounted for rotation on a shaft 4 which is supported in frame walls, not shown. Each

counter wheel

1, 2, 3 consists of a cylindrical body la having an outer cylindrical surface lb on which digits, or other symbols 1c are provided which are best seen in FIG. 4. Corresponding digits 2c of the counter wheel 2 are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 to indicate the positions of the counter wheel 2. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 also show a cover 5 which has openings 6 for observing the digits actually on the outer surface 2b of the counter wheel 2, but schematically indicated outward of counter wheel 2. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 the counter is shown in a cleared position in which the digit zero is viewed through the window 6, while FIG. 2 illustrates another position of the counter in which the respective counter wheel stores the digit 6 which is viewed through the window 6, actually on the outer surface 2b of counter wheel 2, but schematically shown in front of the window 6.

Corresponding parts of

counter wheels

1 and 2 are provided with corresponding subscripts, for example, indicia digits Is on counter wheel 1 correspond to indicia digits 2c in FIGS. 1 to 3, and being provided on the counter surfaces lb and 2b, respectively.

Counter wheel 1 is fixibly secured to a drive gear M in a predetermined angular position in relation to the indicia digits 1c. On the other side, a clearing cam 1e, which also serves for transferring measured values stored in the counter, a disc 1 f with a sliding rim lg and with a double tooth 1/1, is arranged for the tenstransfer. In the same manner, the

counter wheels

2 and 3 of the second and third decimal order, and further counter wheels of higher decimal orders are constructed.

The counter wheel 1 of the lowest unit order, is the only counter wheel provided with a star-shaped arresting member 7 which can be engaged by arresting and aligning means not shown, for precisely determining the angular position of the unit counter wheel 1, and thereby of the counter wheels of the higher orders. This arrangement is well known and not an object of the invention.

The tens-transfer connection between each counter wheel and the next higher order counter wheel is obtained by a tens-transfer means 8 which is rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 9, as best seen in FIG. 4. The gear portion 8a of each tens-transfer means 8 meshes with the lugs of the respective disc 1f of the next lower decimal order, and with the drive gear 2d of the next higher order represented by counter wheel 2.

Shaft 9 is mounted in the lever arm 10 of a lever 12 which is pivotally mounted on a stationary pivot 11, and has another lever arm 13 provided with the follower roller 14 rolling on the peripheral track of a control cam 15 due to the action of spring 16 on lever arm 10.

A control cam 15 is fixedly secured to a control shaft 17, which may be manually or mechanically rotated, and carries another control cam 18. The peripheral cam track of control cam 15, by which the movement of the tens-transfer device 8 is controlled, is designed so that the tens-transfer devices 8 disengage from

members

1d, 2d, 3d and 1f, 2f, 3f and permit free rotation of the

counter wheels

1, 2, 3 when the same are turned back to the zero position during a clearing operation which will be described hereinafter.

The control cam 18 has a peripheral surface which engages a follower roller 19 mounted on a swinging arm 20 supported for angular movement by stationary shaft 21, so that swinging lever moves within a predetermined angle in a predetermined phase relation with control cam 15. On the lever arm 22 of swinging lever 20, a transverse rail 23 is mounted which extends in axial direction over the entire axial length of all counter wheels, and cooperates with the projection 25 of a sensing member for sensing slide 26 which is mounted on guide rods 27 for movement in a plane, and has on its other end, a follower roller 28. A sensing means 25, 26, 28 is provided for each

counter wheel

1, 2, 3 and cooperates with the respective clearing cam le, 2e, 32, being located in the same plane transverse to shaft 4.

A spring 24 is secured at one end to a stationary point 24a of the supporting frame of the machine, and at the other end to a point 26a on the respective sensing member 26, biasing the respective sensing member 26 to move to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 to 3 for engaging the cam track 41 of the respective clearing cam 2e, as shown in FIG. 2. In the position of rest shown in FIG. 1, cam 18 holds lever in a position in which the rail blocks movement of all sensing members 26 due to the action of the respective springs 24, consequently the follower roller 28 is spaced from the respective ram 2e. A value representing projection 29 points to the indica X of a scale 30 which has also the digits from 9 to 9 indicating other positions of the respective sensing member 26.

When control cam 18 is turned by control shaft 17 out of the position shown in FIG. 1, and a lower cam portion is effective, a spring, not shown, turns lever 20 and rail 23 away from the portion 25, so that the spring 24 moves the sensing means 26, 28 to the right as viewed in the drawing. Each sensing means 26, 28 moves entirely independently and under the action of the respective spring 24 along a straight path, parallel to the other sensing means 26, 28.

Assuming that a value 6 is stored in the counter wheel 2, the respective clearing cam 2e is in the position shown in FIG. 2, and the cam track 41 is engaged by the follower roller 28 so that the value representing projection 29 indicates schematically the digit 6 in the scale 30. The position of the sensing means 26, 28 shown in FIG. 2 is a value transfer position in which the value stored in the respective counter wheel 2 is represented by the position of the projection 29, and can be transferred.

The peripheral cam track 41 of

cam

1e, 2e, 3e is equidistant to an imaginary curve 42 which passes through the center of the follower roller 28. The imaginary curve 42 has such a shape that for each angular displacement of the respective counter wheel, between two successive digital positions the center of roller 28 is displaced the same distance so that each digital position of the counter wheel corresponds to indication by projection 29 of another digit on the scale 30. In other words, when the respective clearing cam is turned with the counter wheel between digital positions, the sensing member 26 moves equal distances, as indicated by the scale 30.

Consequently, if in another counter wheel the digit 4 would be stored, the respective portion of cam track 41 would permit the respective spring 24 to pull the respective sensing member 26 to a position in which projection 29 is located opposite the line of scale 30 representing the digit 4. It can be said that the cam has cam track 41 with successive portions whose radii vary analog to the values represented in successive digital positions of the counter wheel.

The

cams

1e, 2e, 3e are secured to the

counter wheels

1, 2, 3 respectively for rotation therewith, in a particular relative position to the digital angular positions of the counter wheel so that the sensed height of the cam track 41 is analog to the value which is stored in the counter and to be transferred to other value representing means.

The shoulder connecting the highest point of the cam track 41 with the lowest point of the cam track 41, has an abutment 43 which cooperates in the zero position with a portion of the sensing member or slide 26, as best seen in FIG. 3, so that the counter wheel 2 and cam 2e are arrested and held in an accurate zero position.

The projecting means 29 is only symbolically shown as an indicator cooperating with a scale 30 having an indicia X indicating the position of rest, and I0 other indicia corresponding to the digits from 9 to 0. Starting from the position of rest X, first complementary values to the stored values are represented, thereupon the stored value 6 is represented as shown in FIG. 2, and diminishing real values are represented, and finally the cleared position zero.

FIG. 5 shows a first construction which is symbolically represented by projection 29 and scale 30 in FIGS. 1 to 3. The slide 26 has a rack portion 31 meshing with the pinion 32 secured to a printing wheel 33 which is lined on both sides, and has at least on one side a printed circuit 35 cooperating with contact springs 34 which sense the conductive surfaces 35 in a predetermined sequence to determine the stored values in coded form. While the real counter position is represented in a static condition by the counter wheels, the respective complementary and real digital values are determined by a dynamic passage of the interrogating means through the entire order and all digital positions. For testing purposes, it is sufficient to count only the position of the complementary values in relation to the stored value, and to determine the relation between the same.

Another embodiment of value representing means to which the stored value is transferred, is shown in FIG. 6. On a projecting arm 37 of the sensing member 26, a group of contact brushes 36 is mounted, and the group of contact brushes 36 moves at the same speed as sensing slide 26 along a straight path over a coded printed circuit card 38. In accordance with each position, the output 39 of the printed circuit card 38 has a signal, for example in a binary code, for evaluation,

.which is generated due to the conductive connection through the group of contact brushes 36 with a printed circuit part 40 connected to a voltage.

OPERATION Counters as described above are connected by mechanical transmissions with a measuring device which, for example measures the volume of a dispensed liquid. For the provision of data, visual interpretation, as well as for printing out or for electric interrogation, it is required that indicated value intermediate to digits, is adjusted to an integral digit. This is accomplished by control shaft 17 which operates means, not shown in the drawing, by which an aligning member is pressed into a recess of the star-shaped arresting wheel 7 which is secured to the lowest counter order, so that the counter wheels of the higher orders are automatically adjusted to a digital position by the tens-transfer means 8.

Upon continued rotation of the control shaft 17 in counterclockwise direction, the lower cam track portions of the control cam 18 become effective to permit withdrawal of rail 23 from projections 25 so that springs 24 pull the sensing slide 26 to the right as viewed in the drawing. Each sensing means 26, 28 moves in a plane perpendicular to shaft 4, in which the respective correlated

cams

1e, 2e, 3e are located. All slides 26 are located in a horizontal plane passing through the axis of shaft 4.

If no value is stored in the respective counter wheel, so that no pairing is required, sensing means 26, 28 move to a position in which roller 28 engages the partcircular recess 44, for resting the cam and counter wheel, as shown in FIG. 3.

Assuming, however, that the respective counter wheel 2 stores the digit 6, cam 2e is in the position shown in FIG. 2, and spring 24 pulls the respective sensing means 26, 28 to a position in which roller 28 abuts the peripheral cam track 41 of cam 2e. In order to arrive in the position of FIG. 2, the sensing means 26, 28 have moved out of the position of rest X, and through complementary

digital positions

9, 8, 7 to arrive in the position sensing the digit 6.

Sensing means 26, 28 is pressed by the respective spring 24 against the cam track 41 and due to the fact that the radius of the cam track decreases in one direction, urges cam 2e to turn in clockwise direction to the cleared zero position.

However, cam 2e and counter wheel 2 cannot move to the zero position as long as the teeth 8a of the tenstransfer device 8 engage the teeth of the drive gear 2d.

In the value transfer position of sensing means 26, 28, 29 shown in FIG. 2, the electric interrogation, or printing of the value stored in the counter wheel 2 and in the respective means 26, 28, 29 takes place, while control shaft 17 stops. As long as control shaft 17 is not operated for causing clearing of the counter to zero positions of the counter wheels, but in addition to the relation of the complementary value to the statically indicated stored value, a visual control of the transfer of the value is possible.

Irrespective of the fact that the pressure of the sensing means 26, 28 caused by spring 24 and acting on cam 2e urges the counter wheel to turn, the counter wheel is blocked due to the engagement between the teeth 8a of the tens-transfer means 8 with the gear 2d, and with the teeth of the disc If. Only when control shaft 17 is again turned, cam track portion of control cam becomes effective to turn lever 12 about pivot 11 to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which tenstransfer means 8 is retracted from the counter and the counter wheel 2 can freely rotate which is accomplished by the pressure of roller 28 on cam track 41 which causes turning of cam 2e from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3 in which the follower roller 28 engages the part-circular recess 44 at the lowest point of the cam track, while the abutment 43 oil the shoulder of cam 2e abuts the sensing slide 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The cooperation between roller 28 and recess 44, and the abutment face 43 assure that counter wheel 2 is placed exactly in the zero position, and is stable in this position. The engagement of the abutment face 43 with the slide 26 also precisely determines the clearing position of cam 2e. In this position, the control cam 15 is turned by the rotating control shaft 17 so that the ten-transfer means 8 again engages the drive gears 2d, 3d and the lugs of the

discs

1f, 2f. Finally, at the end of the cyclical operation of shaft 17, cam 18 operates control lever 20 and rail 23 to pull all sensing means 26, 28 back to the initial position of rest X shown in FIG. 1.

In the above described arrangement, all sensing means move from the position of rest X through a complementary position associated with

digits

9, 8, 7 to the position representing the stored digit 6, and then in accordance with the real diminishing values through the positions 5 to 0. However, it is possible to construct the

clearing cam

1e, 2e, Se in relation to the sequence of digits on the

counter wheels

1, 2, 3 in the mirror reversed arrangement which means that the sensing member 26 moves from a common position of rest and assumes positions corresponding to a sequence of real numbers, then indicates the static counter position with the stored digit, and finally, during return of the

counter wheels

1, 2, 3 to the zero position counts the complementary values. The value indications of the interrogating

elements

30, 35, 38 must also be mirror reversed constructed. Contrary to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the direction of rotation of the counter wheels for counting and for return to the cleared position remains the same.

Instead of the slides 26, which are guided along a straight path by guide rails 27, in a common horizontal plane passing through the axis of the counter wheels, sensing levers can be used which are turnable about the pivot axis.

The difference from the above described embodiment is only that for a transfer of values by the sensing lever, a transmission ratio influenced by the construction of the sensing levers can be obtained between the analog values of the clearing and value transferring cams. Furthermore, the value representing transmissions are transformed into analog angular position when obtained from the sensed height of the cam track of the clearing and value transferring cam.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of arrangements for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus including a clearing cam with successive analog cam track portions sensed by sensing means from which sensed values are transferred to other value representing means, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, comprising an ordinal series of counter wheels rotatable about an axis; a cam connected with each counter wheel for movement therewith and having a cam track with successive analog cam track portions representing the digital angular positions of the respective counter wheel, respectively, and decreasing in one direction; sensing means for each cam, biassed toward the respective cam track; control means for simultaneously retracting said sensing means to a position of rest, and for releasing said sensing means for biassed movement to a value transfer position abutting and pressing against the cam track portion representing a value stored in the respective counter wheel so that the respective cam is urged to move in said one direction to a clearing position; value representing means operated by each sensing means in said value transfer position to represent the value sensed by said sensing means in said value transfer position; and blocking means for blocking rotation of each counter wheel, and controlled by said control means to release said counter wheels after operation of said value representing means so that said biassed sensing means move said cams to said clearing position in which 'said counter wheels are cleared.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each sensing means includes a sensing member, and a spring for biassing said sensing member toward the respective cam track portion; and wherein each sensing member has means for operating the respective value representing means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each sensing member includes a roller rotatably mounted thereon in contact with the respective cam track when the respective sensing member is in said value transfer position, and during movement of said cam to said clearing position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cam track is equidistant from an imaginary curve passing through the axis of said roller and having for each angular displacement of the respective counter wheel between two successive digital positions, the same radial distance increase so that when said cam is turned with said counterwheel between digital positions, said sensing member moves equal distances.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing members are parallel slides movable in a common plane along a straight path; and wherein the cam track portions engaged by said sensing member are located in said plane.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said cam has a locking portion operative in said clearing position to interlock with said sensing means so that said counter wheel is fully cleared.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing means include sensing members, respectively, and sensing rollers rotatably mounted on said sensing members abutting said cam tracks in said value transfer position, and rolling thereon during movement of said cams to said clearing position; and wherein each cam track has a circular concave portion receiving said roller in said clearing position for interlocking said sensing members with said cams so that said counter wheels are held in a fully cleared position.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said circular concave track portion is located at the lowest point of said cam track; and wherein said cam has an abutment portion on a shoulder between the highest and lowest points of said cam track abutting said sensing member in said clearing position of said cam.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each sensing member and the correlated cam are located in a common plane perpendicular to said axis.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blocking means include tens-transfer means connecting adjacent counter wheels, and being operated by said control means between a position engaging and blocking said transfer wheels, and a releasing position spaced from said counter wheels.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said control means include a control shaft, a first control cam on said control shaft for operating said blocking means, a second control cam, and means including a rail operated by said second control cam for retracting and releasing said sensing means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cam is fixedly secured to said counter wheel for rotation about said axis, and wherein said cam track has such a gradient that successive portions of said cam spaced the sam angular distance have portions of said cam track spaced from said axis equally increased radial distances so that during movement of said cam to said clearing position, said sensing means moves the same distance whenever the respective counter wheel turns to successive digital positions.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cam is fixedly secured to the respective counter wheel for rotation; wherein each sensing means has a means for operating said value representing means, and moves equal distances when said counter wheel and said cam turn equal angles between successive digital positions of said counter wheel; and wherein said sensing means moves from said position of rest first to digital positions representing complementary values, then to said value transfer position representing the digit stored in said counter wheel, and then to digital positions representing lower real values than said stored digit.

14. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, comprising at least one counter wheel for storing digit values; a clearing cam operatively connected with said counterwheel, said clearing cam having a cam track whose height varies analog to the digital values represented by said counter wheel in successive digital positions so that when a digit is stored in said counter wheel, a cam track portion corresponding to the stored digit value is placed in a sensing position; and sensing and clearing means movable from a position of rest through a plurality of positions until sensing said cam track portion which is in said sensing position for determining and transferring said stored digital value, and for clearing the counter wheel by pressing against said cam track.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said sensing and clearing means are movable through positions representing falling complementary values to the stored digit to a value transfer position sensing said cam track portion .in said sensing position and pressing against the same so that said clearing cam is moved in the direction in which the height of said cam track diminishes whereby said sensing and clearing means successively engages cam track portions representing falling real digit values below said stored digit value and finally zero value so that said counter wheel is cleared.

16. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, comprising at least one counter wheel rotatable about an axis between a plurality of successive digital angular positions representing successive digital values; a clearing cam connected with said counter wheel for movement, and having a cam track whose height varies analog to the digit values represented by said counter wheel in successive digital angular positions so that when a selected digit value is stored in said counter wheel, a cam track portion whose height represents the stored digit value is placed in a sensing position; sensing means for sensing said cam track; control means for moving said sensing means between a position of rest, and a value transfer position abutting and pressing against said cam track portion in said sensing position so that said clearing cam is moved to a clearing position whereby said counter wheel is cleared; and value representing means operated by said sensing means in said value transfer position to represent the digit value stored in said counter wheel and sensed by said sensing means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 comprising means for operating said control means to first move said sensing means from said position of rest to said value transfer position through positions representing falling complementary digit values above the stored digit value, and to then press said sensing means against said track portion so that said clearing cam turns in the direction in which the height of the track diminishes whereby said sensing means successively engages track portions representing falling real digit values below said stored digit value and finally zero digit value so that said counter wheel is cleared.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said clearing cam is fixedly secured to said counter wheel for rotation therewith about a common axis; wherein the height of said cam track diminishes in one direction of rotation so that said clearing cam turns in said direction of rotation to said clearing position when said sensing means presses against said cam track whereby said counter wheel is cleared.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, comprising an ordinal series of counter wheels rotatable about an axis; a cam connected with each counter wheel for movement therewith and having a cam track with successive analog cam track portions representing the digital angular positions of the respective counter wheel, respectively, and decreasing in one direction; sensing means for each cam, biassed toward the respective cam track; control means for simultaneously retracting said sensing means to a position of rest, and for releasing said sensing means for biassed movement to a value transfer position abutting and pressing against the cam track portion representing a value stored in the respective counter wheel so that the respective cam is urged to move in said one direction to a clearing position; value representing means operated by each sensing means in said value transfer position to represent the value sensed by said sensing means in said value transfer position; and blocking means for blocking rotation of each counter wheel, and controlled by said control means to release said counter wheels after operation of said value representing means so that said biassed sensing means move said cams to said clearing position in which said counter wheels are cleared.

14. Apparatus for transferring a value from a counter and for clearing the counter, comprising at least one counter wheel for storing digit values; a clearing cam operatively connected with said counter wheel, said clearing cam having a cam track whose height varies analog to the digital values represented by said counter wheel in successive digital positions so that when a digit is stored in said counter wheel, a cam track portion corresponding to the stored digit value is placed in a sensing position; and sensing and clearing means movable from a position of rest through a plurality of positions until sensing said cam track portion which is in said sensing position for determining and transferring said stored digital value, and for clearing the counter wheel by pressing against said cam track.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said sensing and clearing means are movable through positions representing falling complementary values to the stored digit to a value transfer position sensing said cam track portion in said sensing position and pressing against the same so that said clearing cam is moved in the direction in which the height of said cam track diminishes whereby said sensing and clearing means successively engages cam track portions representing falling real digit values below said stored digit value and finally zero value so that said counter wheel is cleared.