US3652011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elapsed time recorder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-19
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1989-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An instrument incorporates a stop clock which records the time that elapses between the start of turning of a shaft in a specified direction and the completion of a predetermined number of revolutions in that direction. The clock is started by a ratchet and pawl device so that movement in the reverse direction does not start the clock, and the predetermining counter which may be, for example, a friction member bearing on a screw thread has a starting point which can be locked, as desired to alter the predetermined number of revolutions. The stopping point is always the same so that the predetermining counter in effect counts down from an adjustable start. The instrument is primarily intended for measuring the time for an automobile to cover a fixed distance from a standing start by a simple attachment to a road wheel. The ratchet and pawl feature allows the vehicle to be moved (e.g., for accurate positioning on a starting line) without resetting the timer by using the reverse gear.
Inventors
- 👤 Glyn West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:18
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F7/00; G04F7/04; G04F7/06; G06; G06M; G06M3/00; G06M3/02; G06M3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An elapsed time recorder instrument suitable for timing a number of revolutions in a predetermined direction of rotation, comprising a shaft, a timing clock, a ratchet wheel coupled to said shaft and rotatable in either direction, a pawl means having a movable mounting, said pawl means being associated with said ratchet wheel, a movable connecting means connected to said clock mechanism and adapted to start the clock, said pawl means being mounted on said movable connecting means and adapted to move the movable connecting means when the shaft starts to rotate in the predetermined direction but not otherwise, and an adjustable predetermining counter means coupled to said shaft, said predetermining counter having an operating means actuated after a predetermined number of shaft revolutions, said operating means being connected to said timing clock so that the operation stops said clock.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An elapsed time recorder instrument suitable for timing a number of revolutions in a predetermined direction of rotation, comprising a shaft, a timing clock, a ratchet wheel coupled to said shaft and rotatable in either direction, a pawl means having a movable mounting, said pawl means being associated with said ratchet wheel, a movable connecting means connected to said clock mechanism and adapted to start the clock, said pawl means being mounted on said movable connecting means and adapted to move the movable connecting means when the shaft starts to rotate in the predetermined direction but not otherwise, and an adjustable predetermining counter means coupled to said shaft, said predetermining counter having an operating means actuated after a predetermined number of shaft revolutions, said operating means being connected to said timing clock so that the operation stops said clock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1 in which said predetermining counter means comprises a shaft having a screw thread and a lever engageable with the screw thread for travel through a length proportional to the number of revolutions to be timed, and a spring biasing the lever onto the thread so that the lever will move along the thread unless positively constrained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2 in which the adjustment of the predetermining counter comprises: an adjustable stop positioned so as to determine the commencement of the travel of said lever engageable with the screw thread.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1 in which the means connecting said pawl means to said clock is a bar and in which said pawl is mounted on said bar and further comprising: biasing means to provide a first and second stable position for said bar so that the clock is started upon movement of said bar from one stable position to the second, the subsequent operation of the clock being independent of the second position of said bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2 in which: the rotatable shaft having a screw thread has an unthreaded portion at the end corresponding with the termination of the number of revolutions to be timed, the unthreaded portion having a diameter substantially reduced from the root diameter of the thread for a length sufficient to allow said screw thread engaging lever to drop tHrough a substantial distance and further comprising: a clock stopping lever adapted to engage both the timing device and the screw thread engaging lever when the screw thread engaging lever drops, so as to stop the timing device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2 in which the adjustable predetermining counter means has a count adjustment means which is adjustable at the beginning of the count, without affecting the ability to allow movement in the reverse direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1 which is suitable for use with a reversible road vehicle and further comprising: a flexible cable suitable for connecting said shaft to a vehicle weight bearing wheel hub.
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) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |