US3580496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counting device including an escapement with no automatic return bias
Assignee: The General Electric Company PLC
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Filing: 1967-10-18
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1987-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A counting device for use in a road toll charging or similar system having a counter driven by a long life clockwork-type mechanism whose escapement is controlled by input means responsive to signals radiated by roadside sources. The mechanism is sealed in a tamper-proof casing providing with means for indicating that it is operative. The toll system may produce an incomplete half unit registration when a vehicle carrying the counting device enters a road zone which unit is completed by a further half unit registration as the vehicle leaves the zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald William Nelid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/06; G07B15/063; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G07C; G07C1/00; G07C1/30; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A counting device including in combination an escape member, a spring urging the escape member to move in a given direction, an escapement arranged to restrain such movement of the escape member, electromechanical means arranged to operate the escapement so as to release the escape member for a step of movement in said direction, a counter linked with the escape member so as to give a direct or proportionate indication of the number of said movement steps effected, and electrical circuit input means responsive to electromagnetic input signals of predetermined frequency arranged to actuate the electromechanical escapement-operating means so that the reading of the counter is determined by the number of input signals received, wherein the input means is arranged to be responsive to input signals of two different frequencies f1 and f2 and its output operates the electromechanical means in one manner for frequency f1 but in a different manner for frequency f2 such that following an operation of the escapement to produce a step of movement of the escape member in response to receipt of an input signal of the one frequency, a further operation of the escapement to produce a further step of movement of the escape member in response to the receipt of a further input signal of that frequency can only take place after the receipt of an intervening input signal of the other frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A counting device including in combination an escape member, a spring urging the escape member to move in a given direction, an escapement arranged to restrain such movement of the escape member, electromechanical means arranged to operate the escapement so as to release the escape member for a step of movement in said direction, a counter linked with the escape member so as to give a direct or proportionate indication of the number of said movement steps effected, and electrical circuit input means responsive to electromagnetic input signals of predetermined frequency arranged to actuate the electromechanical escapement-operating means so that the reading of the counter is determined by the number of input signals received, wherein the input means is arranged to be responsive to input signals of two different frequencies f1 and f2 and its output operates the electromechanical means in one manner for frequency f1 but in a different manner for frequency f2 such that following an operation of the escapement to produce a step of movement of the escape member in response to receipt of an input signal of the one frequency, a further operation of the escapement to produce a further step of movement of the escape member in response to the receipt of a further input signal of that frequency can only take place after the receipt of an intervening input signal of the other frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
A counting device according to claim 1, wherein the escapement consists of a rocking pin lever pivoted at its center and arranged to be rocked in opposite senses on receipt of the input signals of the different frequencies f1 and f2, and wherein the escape member consists of a toothed wheel driven by a spiral spring, each such rocking movement of the rocking pin lever releasing a pin at one end of the lever from a tooth of the escape wheel and permitting it to rotate under the urging of the spiral spring until the other pin engages another tooth of the escape wheel, said engagement being maintained until receipt of an input signal of the second frequency rocks the lever in the other sense.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A counting device according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical escapement-operating means incorporates a permanent magnet-type moving coil device and the input means is arranged to feed a direct electric current through the coil in different directions in response to the receipt of the input signals of different frequencies f1 and f2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A counting device according to cLaim 1, wherein the input means includes rectifier circuits designed to generate from the input signals direct electric current which is arranged to effect the actuation of the escapement operating means so that the operation of the latter is effected solely by the energy of the input signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control system in which an object transversing a given path carries a counting device and one or more sources of electromagnetic signals are located at fixed points adjacent to the path and designed to radiate into the path electromagnetic signals which can be received by the counting device as the object carrying it passes by each fixed point so that the device can provide an indication of the total number of passages of the object by the fixed points, wherein the counting device is in accordance with claim 1 and the sources of electromagnetic signals are arranged to radiate signals of different frequencies f1 and f2 at spaced points such that the object is arranged to encounter the different signal frequencies in alternate succession.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A control system according to claim 5 wherein the path is a road and the objects are vehicles using the road, each of which vehicles is equipped with a said counting device which registers the amount of road usage for enabling a charge to be levied for the road usage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |