US576967A - Cyclometer - Google Patents

Description

(Nq Model.) 3 Sh'eetS-Sheet 1. o. T. HIGGINBOTHAM.

. CYGLOMETER.

No. 576,967. 1 n x Patented Fe b.9,1897.

WITNESSE INVENTOR ATTORNEYI (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

C. T. HIGGINBOTHAM.

GYGLOMBTER.

'mi "Gams Fe'rzns co.. maremma., WASHINGTON, D. c.

C. T. HIGGINBOTHAM.

3 sheetssheet 3.

GYGLOMETBR.

(No Model.)

No. 576, .JL Patented Feb. 9, 1897.

ATTORNEY UNrrEn STATES PATENT rrrcn.

CHARLES T. HIGGINBOTHAM, OF THOMASTON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORTO THE SE'IH THOMAS CLOCK COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

CYCLOiVI ETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,967, dated February 9, 1897.

` Application led August 22,1896. Serial Nol 603,574. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t 711mg/ concer/1,:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. HIGGIN- BOTHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Thomaston, in the county of Litchiield, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cyclomet'ers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to new and useful 1o improvements in cyclometers.

The object is to provide in a device of this character mechanism for indicating the number of milestraveled by the vehicle up to a predetermined number, which mechanism i5 may be reset to zero, as desired, whilev at the same time by an additional means the total number is registered of miles traveled up to another and much larger predetermined number. In other words, while the whole diszo tance traveled by the vehicle is made and preserved the operator is at liberty to reset a portion of the device at any time at Zero to register each particular trip or portion thereof or to register distance covered in a given time.

My invention consists in the special arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter fully described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a face view of 3o my improved cyclometer shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a section on line oc of Fig. l, with certain parts removed. Fig. 5 is a section on line yy of Fig. l, with similar parts removed. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and lO are views of details. Fig. 1l is a face view of the interior mechanism. Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of the register-disks. Fig. 13 is a .section of Fig. l2.

4o Fig. let is a detail, and Fig. 15 is a section of Fig. l-i. y

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

A represents a casing containing the working parts of the device and provided, as

4 5 shown, bya transparent cover B2 for the protection of the internal mechanism. C is a shaft revolubly mounted in the casing at C and carrying on its outer end the star-wheel D and on its inner end the pinion E, Figs. 4

and 1l. The star-wheel D is operated in the 5o usual manner by one of the wheels of the vehicle to which the cyclometer is attached in any Well-known manner, and it isl designed to rotate step by step an internally-toothed ratchet ring or wheel F through the medium v of the eccentrically-mounted pawl F. This pawl F' may be mounted directly on the shaft C, but I prefer to mount it, as shown in the drawings, on a stud f, having a gear-wheel thereon meshing with said pinion E.

In a suitable bearing a is mounted the central arbor G, extending through the casing and carrying at one extremity the indicatorhand G and having at the other end outside the casing the head c, by which the hand G' 6 5 may be manually turned in one direction or the other. The automatic movement of the arbor G is accomplished by means of the crosspiece H, which is in frictional engagement with said arbor, as shown in Fig. ll, said 7o cross-head being connected with the ring F by the stud H'. Thus a complete rotation of the ring F causes a complete rotation of the arbor G and indicating-hand G'. Manual operation of the hand G' by means of the head 75 gdoes not affect the other parts of the dedevice except as hereinafter described, inasmuch as the connection between the arbor G and the cross-head H is merely frictional.

A toothed abutment-wheel .I is fiXedly se- 8o cured to the casing A, as shown, Fig. 5. A gear-wheel K is revolubly mounted on the arbor G and has an elongated hub extending through a stationary disk B. H2 H3 are gearwheels of equal diameter and tiXedly mounted on a revolu ble shaft H4, so as to move as one pinion. These Wheels are located one on each side of the cross-head H, by preference. The wheels H2 H3 engage With the gear-wheels K J, respectively. The diameters of the latter 9o are by preference equal, but the wheel K has a slightly greater number of teeth than the stationary wheel J. Therefore the rotation of the cross-head causes the wheel H3 of the pinion tov roll in the teeth of the abutmentwheel J, and thus revolve, through the medium of the wheel H2 of the pinion, the wheel K a distance proportionate to the difference in the numbers ot' the gear-teeth on said wheels K J, the principle being that ot` the differential gear.

Mounted on the stationary disk I3 is a revoluble disk M of a less diameter than the disk B and having suitable gradnations around its periphery. The disk ll carries at the extremity ot its hub a 'fixed gear-wheel N. Another gearwheel l', of equal diameter, is ixedly secured to the stationary disk B and stands in the same axial line with the gear N, ilXed to thehul) ot the wheel B. A pinion O,loosely mounted upon the revolublc wheel K, engages both of said gears B'. 'lhcre beingaslightly greater' num ber oi`- teeth on the stationary gear l' than on the revoluhle gear N the rotation ot' the wheel K causes the pinion O to roll in the teeth of the statim'iary gear B' and thus advance the disk )l through the medium oi. its gear N a distance proportionate to the difference in the numbers of the teeth on said gears B' i\`, the principle being, as above, that of the differential gear. An indicator-hand K' is mounted on the hub oi the revoluble wheel K.

The device in the drawings is so designed that one revolution of the ring F causes one revolution ot' the shaft G and the indicatorhand G and one-'lit'tieth ot' a revolution of the wheel K and hand K', the ratio between the gears .I and K being forty-nixle to iiit'ty, respectively.

One revolution ot the gear K causes onetwent-ieth oi' a revolution of the disk M, the ratio between the gears N and l5 being twenty to twenty-one, respectively. It should be understood, however, that my invention is not confined to any particular ratio of gearing.

The indicator-balais G and K' move from left to right over a suitahly-graduated scale on the iixed disk li, while the disk M carries a suitably-grad uated scale thereon and moves t'rom right to lett, the scale on the disk M being read with relation to any tixed point adjacent thereto, such as indicated by m. The particular advantage in causing the internal dial M to move i'rom right to left is the t'actthat it permits the numerals on said dial to be arranged around the periphery of the same in the ordinary manner, thus obviating i any confusion in reading the same.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the indicatorhand G is adapted to b'e manually moved at will in either direction. It is not desirable, however, that the hand K should be capable of any manual movement in a forward direction, and to prevent this I provide the hand li with a huh-ring 7:, having an opening preferably slightly smaller than the hub of wheel K. This hub-ring /t' is split, as shown, at a point closely adjacent to the butt of the hand K', and is desigiied to tit spring-tight on said hub. A metallic washer It is placed over the square portion oi' the shaft G, so as to revolve therewith, and stands between the hands K a nd G', and has downwardly-inclined springblades r ot any desired number adapted to impingc against the edge 71:3 ot the hand K. IVhen it is desired to manually reset both indicator-hands to zero, the hand G 'lirst lturned from right to left by means ot' the head g, and as it is turned the downwardly-inelined spring-blades v engage the hand K', as described, moving it in the same direction (right to lett) toward the zero-mark, the split hub oli' said hand K tending to open at the point o'if separation, thus increasing its internal diameter and permitting it to move 'freely in that direction on its hub. `lVhen the hand K' reaches the Zero-mark, the lmovement oli' the hand G is reversed, it being then moved in a complete circle :from leii't to right, thus bringing both hands to the Zero-mark. During the movement ot' the hand G trom let't to right the hub ot' the hand K clutches its supporting-shaft and remains stationary. rlhe movement ot' the hand G l'rom lel't to right is easily effected, as the inclined sl'iring-blades v' readily ride over the surface of the hub /.f, which, it' desirable, may also be provided with the inclined face 7J", as shown.

In the ordinary operation of the device both hands move in the same direction, the hand G' being permitted to move at a much li: ster pace than the hand K', the incline ot the spring-blades being in a direction such to permit the increased speed of the hand G'.

In reading the eyclometer-:lace shown in Fig. l the dial and pointers indicate that the rider has traversed a distance ol and twenty-three tiftieths otl a mile, thus illustrating how the cyclometer .registers to a niccty t-he exact distance. The stationary dial l is divided into points, cach representing a twenty-fifth oi a mile as regards the hand G', while as regards the hand K' each point represents two miles. Obviously the number ol' points may be increased or diminished, as desired. The revoluble dial )I is shown as divided into t'orty points, each representing twenty-live miles. Thus the dial M registers a total distance traveled of one thousand miles and then repeats, so that while thc rider may at any time reset the hands K' G Ato zero the resetting ot said hands will not dist-urb the position of the dial M, which performs the i function of a total adder, registering the entire distance traveled from the time when the cyclometer was ,ii rst attached to the vehicle.

Obviously in carrying out my invention some changes in the particular construction and arrangement shown and described may be made, and I would therefore `have it nndersteod thatl do not limit myseli' to the specitic form and arrangement shown, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes as are fairly within the spirit and scope ot' my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters latent, is-

l. In acyelometer, a revoluble ring, across- ICO head carried thereby, a revoluble arbor G moved by said cross-head, and an indicatinghand carried by said revoluble arbor, a pinion carried by-said cross-head, said pinion gearingwith a ixed wheel, and arevoluble Wheel, said revoluble wheel being loosely supported upon said revoluble arbor, a greater number of teeth on one of said Wheels than on the other, an indicating-hand carried by the hub of said revoluble Wheel, and a stationary graduated dial.

2. In a cyclometera revoluble ring, a crosshead carried thereby, a4 shaft frictionally journaled in said cross-head, an indicatinghand G' carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said crosshead, said pinion gearing with a fixed Wheel and a revoluble Wheel, a greater number of teeth on one ofsaid Wheels than on the other, an indicating-hand Kl carried by the hub of said revoluble Wheel, said hand K being free to revolve on its hub in one direction and carried by the hub in the opposite direction, a Washer having springblades and carried by the frictionally-mounted shaft, said spring-blades engaging and turning the hand K on its hub when revolved in one direction, and moving independently thereof when revolved in the opposite direction.

3. In a cyclometer a revoluble ratchet-ring, means as described for intermittently moving said ratchet-ring in one direction, a crosshead carried bysaid ratchet-ring, a shaft frictionally journaled in said cross-head, an indicating-hand Gr carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said cross-head, said pinion gearing with a fixed wheel and a revoluble Wheel, a greater number of teeth on one of said Wheels than on the other, an indicatinghand K carried by the hub of said revoluble Wheel` said hand K being free to revolve on its hub in one direction and carried thereby in the opposite direction, and means as described for causing said hands K and G to be manually moved to Zero, and a stationary graduated dial.

4. In a cyclometer a revoluble ring, a cross- I head carried thereby, a shaft frictionally journaled in said cross-head, an indicatinghand G carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said cross-head, said pinion gearing with a fixed Wheel and revoluble Wheel to gradually advance said revoluble Wheel as the cross-head is rotated, an indicating-hand K carried by the hub of said revoluble Wheel, said hand K' having a split spring-hub free to turn in one direction upon its supportinghub, a Washer having inclined springblades carried by the frictionally-mounted shaft, said spring-blades engaging and turning the hand K' when revolved in one direction and moving independently thereof when revolved in an opposite direction.

5. In a cyclometera revoluble ring, a crosshead carried thereby, a shaft journaled therein, an indicating -hand G carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said cross-head, said pinion gearing With a stationary Wheel .I and a revoluble Wheel K, a greater number of teeth on one of the Wheels K J than on the other, ,an indicating-hand K' carried by the hub of the Wheel K, a pinion O carried by the Wheel K meshing With a stationary gear B', and a revoluble gear N fixed on the hub of a dial M and causing said dial M to be revolved as the wheel K and cross-head are revolved.

6. In a cyclometer a revoluble ring, a crosshead carried thereby, a shaft j ournaled therein, an indicating-hand carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said cross-head, said pinion gearing with a stationary Wheel and a revoluble Wheel, a greater number of teeth on one of said wheels than on the other, an indicating-hand K', a pinion O meshing with a stationary gear B and a revoluble gear N fixed on the hub of a graduated dial M, said hub passing through the stationary dial B, one of said gears B' N having a greater number of teeth than the other, substantially as described.

7. In a cyclometer a revoluble ring, a crosshead carried thereby, a shaft frictionally j ournaled therein, an indicating-hand G carried by said shaft, a pinion carried by said cross-head, said pinion gearing with a stationary Wheel J and a revoluble Wheel K, a greaterrnumber of teeth on one of the Wheels K .I than on the other, an indicating-hand K" carried by the hub of the Wheel K, and a graduated dial B, a pinion O carried by the Wheel K and meshing with a stationary gear B' carried by the dial B and a revoluble gear N xed on the hub of a dial M, said hub passing through the stationary dial B, one of said gears B N having a greater number of teeth than the other, and means for permittin said indicating-hand to be reset to Zero.

IOO

8. In a cyclom eter, an indicating-hand frictionally mounted, a Washer adjacent thereto and concentric therewith, said Washer having inclined blades, substantially as described, to engage against a shoulder on the said indicating-hand when said Washer is revolved in one direction and freely passing said shoulder When revolved in the opposite direction.

9. In a cyclometer a revoluble ring and means for moving the saine, a cross-head carried by said ring, a revoluble shaft journaled in said crosshead, an indicating-hand carried thereby, a pinion carried by said crosshead, said pinion gearing with a fixed Wheel and a revoluble Wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a greater number of teeth on one of said Wheels than on the other, an indicating-hand carried by the journal of said revoluble Wheel, a pinion eccentrically carried by" said revoluble Wheel and meshing With a fixed Wheel and a gear carried on a revoluble dial-plate, substantially as described.

10. In a cyclometer,a revoluble central shaft and means for driving the same, an indica- IIO ier-hand Carried by said shaft, L erossheml jeurnzrled ou said central shaft, a piilieii earried by said cross-heard, said pinion geared with L Iixed wheel, mid L reveluble wheel, the latter being loosely mounted 'upon szrirl reveluble shaft, a greater number e1i' teetlren one of Said wheels than on the other, an in,-

(lieziingizmll carried by ille journal el' Suid,

Witnesses:

FRANK il. Hwieifuies, Gem'zm lL. BILL.

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