Resettable counter

Claim 2

In a resettable counter having a plurality of counter wheels, reset cams for resetting the wheels, transfer pinions adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the wheels during a resetting operation, reset fingers engageable with the reset cams for resetting the number wheels upon shifting of the transfer pinions out of engagement and a reset actuator movable toward and away from a resetting position for shifting the pinions and actuating the reset fingers, the combination including a whippletree linking member operatively connecting the reset actuator to both the transfer pinions and reset fingers, said linking member being movable with the reset actuator for shifting the transfer pinions out of engagement with the number wheels as the reset actuator is moved toward the resetting position and for permitting reengagement between the transfer pinions and the number wheels upon initial movement of the actuator away from the resetting position prior to disengagement of the reset fingers from the reset cams.

Claim 3

The counter of claim 1 wherein the whippletree linking member provides a pivotal connection between the transfer pinions and the reset fingers and the counter including transfer pinion biasing means constantly urging the transfer pinions toward the number wheels And urging the reset fingers into continued engagement with the reset cams during disengaging and reengaging movement of the transfer pinions.

Claim 4

The counter of claim 1 wherein the whippletree linking member is pivotally connected to the transfer pinions and reset fingers and controls the shifting pivotal action and sequential relative movement between the transfer pinions and the reset fingers.

Claim 5

The counter of claim 1 wherein the whippletree linking member is an elongated member connected at its midsection to the reset actuator and has spaced connecting means cooperating with the transfer pinions and reset fingers to provide sequential stationary pivot points for shifting the transfer pinions and actuating the reset fingers.

Claim 6

The counter of claim 1 including transfer pinion biasing means urging the pinions into engagement with the counter wheels and reset actuator return drive means independent of the transfer pinion biasing means for driving the reset actuator away from the resetting position, said biasing means being operative to maintain engagement between the reset fingers and the counter wheels upon initial return movement of the reset actuator by its drive means after resetting the counter.

Claim 7

The counter of claim 1 including a transfer pinion shaft movable toward and away from the counter wheels and a reset finger shaft in fixed parallel relationship to the counter wheels for pivotally mounting a reset comb carrying the reset fingers.

Claim 8

In a resettable counter having a plurality of coaxial counter wheels of ascending order, a transfer pinion shaft extending parallel to the axis of the coaxial counter wheels, transfer pinions mounted on the transfer pinion shaft for operative engagement with adjacent counter wheels for generating transfer from adjacent lower to higher order counter wheels, and reset means for resetting the counter wheels comprising reset cams on the counter wheels, a pivotal reset comb pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of the coaxial counter wheels and having reset fingers adapted to be pivoted into engagement with the reset cams for resetting the counter wheels, and a reset actuator connected to the reset comb and transfer pinion shaft and operable upon actuation thereof for laterally shifting the pinion shaft from a normal operating position with the pinions in operative engagement with the counter wheels to a withdrawn position for disengaging the transfer pinions from the counter wheels and for pivoting the reset comb for pivoting the reset fingers into engagement with the reset cams to reset the counter wheels, the combination wherein the reset means includes a linking member pivotally connected to the pinion shaft and reset comb for sequentially shifting the pinion shaft to its withdrawn position and for thereafter pivoting the reset comb about its said axis for resetting the counter wheels as the linking member pivots about the pinion shaft in its withdrawn position.

Claim 9

In a resettable counter having a plurality of coaxial counter wheels of ascending order, a transfer pinion shaft extending parallel to the axis of the coaxial counter wheels, transfer pinions mounted on the transfer pinion shaft for operative engagement with adjacent counter wheels for generating transfer from adjacent lower to higher order counter wheels, and reset means for resetting the counter wheels comprising reset cams on the counter wheels, a pivotal reset comb pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of the coaxial counter wheels and having reset fingers adapted to be pivoted into engagement with the reset cams for resetting the counter wheels, and a reset actuator connected to the reset comb and transfer pinion shaft and operable upon actuation thereof for laterally shifting the pinion shaft from a normal operating position with the pinions in operative engagement with the counter wheels to a withdrawn position for disengaging the transfer pinions from the counter wheels and for pivoting the reset comb for pivoting the reset fingers into engagement with the reset cams to reset the counter wheels, the combination wherein the reset means includes a linking member pivotally connected to the pinion shaft and reset comb for sequentially shifting the pinion shaft to its withdrawn position and for thereafter pivoting the reset comb about its said axis for resetting the counter wheels as the linking member pivots about the pinion shaft in its withdrawn position.

Claim 10

In a resettable counter according to claim 7 wherein the linking member is an elongated member pivotally connected to the actuator intermediate a pair of longitudinally extending slots connecting the linking member to the pinion shaft and reset comb.