Anti-reverse odometer one-way drive

Claim 2

In a counting device, a plurality of number wheels mounted in side-by-side relation to indicate digitally the rotation of a drive mechanism in a predetermined direction, the number wheel representing the least significant digit defining an internally toothed surface telescoped over a drive mechanism, the invention comprising an improved drive mechanism adapted to be rotated about the axis of said device and defining a disc-like drive plate having a portion that defines a flexible finger formed within the perimeter thereof, said finger having a tooth thereon adapted to engage the teeth of the least significant numbered wheel and rotate said wheel when the drive mechanism is driven in one direction, and to slip over said teeth when driven in the opposite direction to allow said drive mechanism to free wheel and thereby prevent turn-back of the numbered wheels.

Claim 3

In a counting device, a plurality of number wheels mounted in side-by-side relation coaxial with a drive mechanism to indicate digitally the rotation of the drive mechanism in a predetermined direction, the number wheel representing the least significant digit defining an internally toothed surface telescoped over said drive mechanism, wherein the invention comprises an improved drive mechanism adapted to be rotated about an axis and defining a disc-like drive plate having a cut-away portion that defines a flexible finger formed within the perimeter of the drive plate, said finger having a tooth thereon adapted to engage the teeth of the least significant numbered wheel when the drive mechanism is driven in one direction, and to be moved into the cut-away portion to slip over the teeth of the least significant numbered wheel, when the drive member is driven in the opposite direction, to allow said drive mechanism to free wheel and thereby prevent reversal of the numbered wheels.

Claim 4

In a counting device, a plurality of number wheels mounted in side-by-side relation coaxial with a drive mechanism to indicate digitally the rotation of the drive mechanism in a predetermined direction, the number wheel representing the least significant digit defining an internally toothed surface telescoped over said drive mechanism, wherein the invention comprises an improved drive mechanism adapted to be rotated about an axis and defining a disc-like drive plate having a cut-away portion that defines a flexible finger formed within the perimeter of the drive plate, said finger having a tooth thereon adapted to engage the teeth of the least significant numbered wheel when the drive mechanism is driven in one direction, and to be moved into the cut-away portion to slip over the teeth of the least significant numbered wheel, when the drive member is driven in the opposite direction, to allow said drive mechanism to free wheel and thereby prevent reversal of the numbered wheels.

Claim 5

The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drive plate and flexible finger are integrally molded, with said flexible finger being arcuate in shape, and generally formed along a radius inwardly from the perimeter of said drive plate, and spaced from the main body of said drive plate so as to define the undercut portion, said tooth on said finger having a surface on one side that mates with the teeth on the least significant numbered wheel to drive said counting device, and a cam surface on the opposite side that slides over the teeth on said least numbered wheel, to thereby cause the flexible finger to deflect into the undercut portion on said drive member and slip to prevent rotation in the reverse direction.