Add and subtract counter

Claim 2

In an add and subtract counter, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted pinion member having two axially adjacent portions each with a multiplicity of axially extending teeth spaced about the circumference thereof; a number wheel member rotatably mounted with a toothed portion in meshing engagement with one of said portions of said pinion member; a ratchet member mounted adjacent the other portion of said pinion member for oscillation between first and second positions and through a neutral point intermediate thereof, the axis of oscillation being parallel to the axis of rotation of said pinion member, said ratchet member having a generally curvilinear edge surface slidable upon the teeth of said other portion of said pinion member, said edge surface being configured for engaging a tooth of said other portion of said pinion member in said first and second positions of said ratchet member and for rotating said pinion member during oscillation of said ratchet member in either direction; means for selectively moving said ratchet member to and from said first and second positions; and biasing means operative upon said pinion member upon operation of said selective moving means to bias said pinion member in the same direction as that in which said ratchet member is selectively moved from said neutral point, said biasing means operating against a following edge of a tooth of said pinion member at least during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point and immediately prior to engagement of another tooth of said pinion member by said ratchet member curvilinear edge surface, whereby said biasing means urges said another tooth against said ratchet member edge surface for sliding contact thereon during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point to one of said first and second positions and thereafter urges said another tooth into engagement by said edge surface at either of said positions, whereby said ratchet member in returning to said neutral point will rotate said pinion member in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said ratchet member.

Claim 3

The counter of claim 1 wherein said one portion of said pinion member has twice the number of teeth as said other portion thereof.

Claim 4

The counter of claim 1 wherein said one portion of said pinion member has eight teeth, said other portion of said pinion member has four teeth, and said toothed portion of said number wheel has 20 teeth spaced about the circumference thereof.

Claim 5

The counter of claim 1 wherein said generally curvilinear edge surface of said ratchet member has a pair of spaced notches therein for engagement with said tooth of said other portion of said pinion member.

Claim 6

The counter of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively moving said ratchet includes a driving member mounted for oscillation about an axis parallel to said ratchet member axis and wherein complementary toothed elements are provided on said driving member and ratchet member to provide driving interengagement therebetween.

Claim 7

The counter of claim 5 wherein said biasing means is mounted on said driving member and is movable therewith.

Claim 8

The counter of claim 6 wherein said biasing means includes a pair of flat spring elements straddling said pinion member and normally out of contact therewith, a different one of said spring elements being brought into contact with a tooth of said pinion member upon oscillation of said driving member in each direction from the neutral point.

Claim 9

The counter of claim 7 wherein said spring element contact is with a tooth on said other portion of said pinion member.

Claim 10

The counter of claim 7 wherein said counter includes a fixed element, and wherein said driving member has an abutment element and second spring means thereon, said second spring means having two elements, one of which is positioned on each side of both said fixed element and also said abutment element so that each of said spring elements bears upon one of said stationary element and abutment element when said ratchet is in one of said positions, to urge said ratchet toward said neutral point.

Claim 11

The counter of claim 5 wherein said counter includes electromechanical drive means to selectively oscillate said drive member in either direction.

Claim 12

In an add and subtract counter, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted pinion memBer having two axially adjacent portions each with a multiplicity of axially extending teeth spaced about the circumference thereof; a number wheel member rotatably mounted with a toothed portion in meshing engagement with one of the adjacent portions of said pinion member; a ratchet member mounted adjacent the other portion of said pinion member for oscillation between first and second positions and through a neutral point intermediate thereof, the axis of oscillation being parallel to the axis of rotation of said pinion member, said ratchet member having a generally curvilinear edge surface slidable upon the teeth of said other portion of said pinion member, said edge surface being configured for engaging a tooth of said other portion of said pinion member in said first and second positions of said ratchet member and for rotating said pinion member during oscillation of said ratchet member in either direction; means for selectively moving said ratchet to and from said first and second positions including a driving member mounted for oscillation about an axis parallel to said ratchet member axis; and biasing means mounted on said driving member and movable therewith, operative upon said pinion member upon oscillation of said driving member to bias said pinion member in the same direction as that in which said ratchet member is selectively moved from said neutral point, said biasing means operating against a following edge of a tooth of said pinion member at least during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point and immediately prior to engagement of another tooth of said pinion member by said ratchet member curvilinear edge surface, whereby said biasing means urges said another tooth against said ratchet member edge surface for sliding contact thereon during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point to one of said first and second positions and thereafter urges said another tooth into engagement by said edge surface at either of said positions, whereby said ratchet member in returning to said neutral point will rotate said pinion member in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said ratchet member.

Claim 13

In an add and subtract counter, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted pinion memBer having two axially adjacent portions each with a multiplicity of axially extending teeth spaced about the circumference thereof; a number wheel member rotatably mounted with a toothed portion in meshing engagement with one of the adjacent portions of said pinion member; a ratchet member mounted adjacent the other portion of said pinion member for oscillation between first and second positions and through a neutral point intermediate thereof, the axis of oscillation being parallel to the axis of rotation of said pinion member, said ratchet member having a generally curvilinear edge surface slidable upon the teeth of said other portion of said pinion member, said edge surface being configured for engaging a tooth of said other portion of said pinion member in said first and second positions of said ratchet member and for rotating said pinion member during oscillation of said ratchet member in either direction; means for selectively moving said ratchet to and from said first and second positions including a driving member mounted for oscillation about an axis parallel to said ratchet member axis; and biasing means mounted on said driving member and movable therewith, operative upon said pinion member upon oscillation of said driving member to bias said pinion member in the same direction as that in which said ratchet member is selectively moved from said neutral point, said biasing means operating against a following edge of a tooth of said pinion member at least during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point and immediately prior to engagement of another tooth of said pinion member by said ratchet member curvilinear edge surface, whereby said biasing means urges said another tooth against said ratchet member edge surface for sliding contact thereon during movement of said ratchet member from said neutral point to one of said first and second positions and thereafter urges said another tooth into engagement by said edge surface at either of said positions, whereby said ratchet member in returning to said neutral point will rotate said pinion member in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said ratchet member.

Claim 14

The counter of claim 11 wherein said generally curvilinear edge surface of said ratchet member has a pair of spaced notches therein for engagement with said tooth of said other portion of said pinion member, and wherein said biasing means includes a pair of flat spring elements straddling said pinion member and normally out-of-contact therewith, a different one of said spring elements being brought into contact with a tooth of said pinion member other portion upon oscillation of said driving member in each direction form the neutral point.

Claim 15

The counter of claim 11 wherein said one portion of said pinion member has twice the number of teeth as said other portion thereof, and wherein complementary toothed elements are provided on said driving member and ratchet member to provide driving interengagement therebetween.