US3583629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telltale odometer
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-11-24
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-11-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to automobile odometers and, more particularly, to odometers which are generally mounted in or adjacent to the automobile speedometer in the instrument panel, and having an indicator associated therewith that is readily visible to the viewer through a window or opening in the automobile instrument panel. An indication will be conveyed to a viewer that the numbered wheels of the odometer have each in sequence turned at least one complete revolution. More specifically, the odometer includes an additional wheel adjacent the highest numbered indicating wheel and marked in a manner to readily show that the numbered wheels on the odometer have turned one complete revolution.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Heidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/22; G06M1/24; G06M1/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In combination: an odometer on a vehicle having an array of cylindrical coaxial number wheels interconnected to rotate stepwise in digital counting action and in sequence to indicate numerically the cumulative vehicle travel up to a predetermined total, a window, a movable telltale indicator having a face in registration with said window, said face having one visible surface treatment in an initial unmoved position and a different surface treatment when moved, interengaging drive elements, said interengaging drive elements including a drive arm on the outward side of said highest-order number wheel, and a driven arm on said telltale indicator, wherein the drive arm acts on the driven arm to move the telltale indicator from said initial unmoved position to a different position when the number wheel for the highest order of digits completes a full rotation, the drive elements thereafter disengage to discontinue rotation of the telltale indicator, thereby displaying a different surface treatment from that initially seen through said window to provide an indication that all the number wheels on the odometer had turned through at least one complete revolution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In combination: an odometer on a vehicle having an array of cylindrical coaxial number wheels interconnected to rotate stepwise in digital counting action and in sequence to indicate numerically the cumulative vehicle travel up to a predetermined total, a window, a movable telltale indicator having a face in registration with said window, said face having one visible surface treatment in an initial unmoved position and a different surface treatment when moved, interengaging drive elements, said interengaging drive elements including a drive arm on the outward side of said highest-order number wheel, and a driven arm on said telltale indicator, wherein the drive arm acts on the driven arm to move the telltale indicator from said initial unmoved position to a different position when the number wheel for the highest order of digits completes a full rotation, the drive elements thereafter disengage to discontinue rotation of the telltale indicator, thereby displaying a different surface treatment from that initially seen through said window to provide an indication that all the number wheels on the odometer had turned through at least one complete revolution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
In combination: an odometer on a vehicle having an array of cylindrical coaxial number wheels interconnected to rotate stepwise in digital counting action and in sequence to indicate numerically the cumulative vehicle travel up to a predetermined total, a window, a movable telltale indicator having a face in registration with said window, said face having one visible surface treatment in an initial unmoved position, and a different surface treatment when moved, interengaging drive elements, said interengaging drive elements including a drive arm on the outward side of said highest-order number wheel, and a driven arm on said telltale indicator, said telltale indicator being weighted adjacent the driven arm, wherein said drive arm acts on the driven arm to move the telltale indicator from said initial unmoved position to a different position when the number wheel for the highest order of digits completes a full rotation, as said telltale indicator is moved by the interengaging drive elements out of view of said window, the telltale indicator by action of the weighted portion thereof, will cause the telltale indicator to rotate out of reach of said drive arm, thereby displaying a different surface treatment from that initially seen through said window to provide an indication that all the number wheels on the odometer had turned through at least one complete revolution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
In combination: an odometer on a vehicle having an array of cylindrical coaxial number wheels interconnected to rotate stepwise in digital counting action and in sequence to indicate numerically the cumulative vehicle travel up to a predetermined total, a window, a movable telltale indicator having a face in registration with said window, said face having one visible surface treatment in an initial unmoved position, and a different surface treatment when moved, interengaging drive elements, said interengaging drive elements including a drive arm on the outward side of said highest-order number wheel, and a driven arm on said telltale indicator, said telltale indicator being weighted adjacent the driven arm, wherein said drive arm acts on the driven arm to move the telltale indicator from said initial unmoved position to a different position when the number wheel for the highest order of digits completes a full rotation, as said telltale indicator is moved by the interengaging drive elements out of view of said window, the telltale indicator by action of the weighted portion thereof, will cause the telltale indicator to rotate out of reach of said drive arm, thereby displaying a different surface treatment from that initially seen through said window to provide an indication that all the number wheels on the odometer had turned through at least one complete revolution.
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) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |