US3600085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counter for photocopy machine
Assignee: American Photocopy Equipment Co
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Filing: 1970-01-09
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1990-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A counter mechanism for a photocopy machine of the type having a reciprocating table or carrier, the mechanism including a dial, which is set to show the desired number of copies, directly coupled to a ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel is indexed by a pawl on the table during each copy-making stroke so that the setting of the dial is successively reduced to a reference setting at which point a switch is operated to terminate further cycling of the table.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R Altergott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/02; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/6221; G03B27/6235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the motion of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table, a ratchet member coupled to the switch and having a reference position in which the switch is turned off and a series of set positions in which the switch is on, a pawl coupled to the table for engaging the ratchet member successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet member from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the motion of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table, a ratchet member coupled to the switch and having a reference position in which the switch is turned off and a series of set positions in which the switch is on, a pawl coupled to the table for engaging the ratchet member successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet member from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the movement of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table as long as the switch is on, a ratchet wheel mounted on the frame adjacent the table and directly coupled to the switch, means for defining a plurality of set ratchet wheel positions in which the switch is on and a reference position in which the switch is turned off, a pawl mounted along the edge of the table for engaging the ratchet wheel successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet wheel from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the movement of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table as long as the switch is on, a ratchet wheel mounted on the frame adjacent the table and directly coupled to the switch, means for defining a plurality of set ratchet wheel positions in which the switch is on and a reference position in which the switch is turned off, a pawl mounted along the edge of the table for engaging the ratchet wheel successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet wheel from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratchet member is in the form of a wheel having a shaft, a setting knob on the end of the shaft calibrated in terms of the number of copies, and detent means for defining a plurality of set positions of the knob and ratchet wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which a horizontal guide surface is provided adjacent the ratchet wheel and in which the pawl is biased downwardly against the horizontal guide surface, the ratchet wheel being so positioned with respect to the guide surface that the teeth of the ratchet wheel extend upwardly beyond the guide surface and into the path of horizontal movement of the pawl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratchet wheel presents a smooth surface in lieu of a tooth so that no tooth projects into the path of movement of the pawl when the ratchet wheel is in reference position.
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) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |