US3673793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct charge-rate indicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-02-25
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1991-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A device for indicating the cost of an operation having at least one charge-rate applicable thereto comprises a compound dial including fixed and movable dial surface which have inscribed thereon logarithmic time and charge scales. A clutch arrangement is provided to allow pre-setting of an applicable charge-rate by manipulation of the dial surfaces. To effect multiplication of that charge-rate by the operation''s elapsed time, a timer is included having start and stop controls which provides an output movement proportional to elapsed time. A drive linkage couples this output movement to the movable dial surface so that relative movement between the scales proceeds logarithmically with respect to elapsed time. An embodiment of the device for use as a telephone long-distance call charge indicator is described, including various embodiments of the compound dial and drive linkage therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Barnard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for indicating the cost of an operation having an applicable charge-rate comprising: a. a timer for providing an output movement related to the operation''s elapsed time, b. first and second dials having placed thereon logarithmic time and charge scales, respectively, c. means for adjusting the relative positions of said time and charge scales by displacement of said first and second dials, d. an index aligned with an increment of said time scale, e. drive means for providing relative logarithmic movement between said charge scale on said second dial and said index in response to said output movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for indicating the cost of an operation having an applicable charge-rate comprising: a. a timer for providing an output movement related to the operation''s elapsed time, b. first and second dials having placed thereon logarithmic time and charge scales, respectively, c. means for adjusting the relative positions of said time and charge scales by displacement of said first and second dials, d. an index aligned with an increment of said time scale, e. drive means for providing relative logarithmic movement between said charge scale on said second dial and said index in response to said output movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes means providing a time delay between the initiation of said output movement and the initiation of said relative movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said timer provides an output movement which varies linearly with respect to elapsed time, and wherein said drive means includes means for translating said linear output movement into an output movement which varies logarithmically with elapsed time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said timer provides an output movement which varies logarithmically with elapsed time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said timer includes a shaft rotatable to provide said output movement, and wherein said drive means comprises a second shaft, means supporting said second shaft for rotation, linkage means coupling said timer shaft to said second shaft, and wherein said adjusting means comprises a clutch means supporting one of said dials for rotation with said second shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said timer shaft rotates linearly with elapsed time, and wherein said linkage means includes a disc rotatable with said timer shaft, said disc defining therein a spiral slot, a pinion gear rotatable with said second shaft, a rack, means supporting said rack for movement with said pinion gear, and said rack having a pin ridable in said spiral slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said timer includes a shaft rotatable to provide said output movement, and wherein said drive means comprises a lever arm, means supporting said lever arm for pivotal movement, a disc rotatable with said timer shaft, said disc defining therein a spiral slot, and wherein said lever arm has at one end thereof a pin ridable in said spiral slot, said lever arm supporting at another end thereof said index.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
A telephone long-distance call charge indicator including: a. a housing, b. a timer supported by said housing and providing an output rotation of a shaft thereof which varies with time, c. a disc means supported by said timer shaft within said housing which defines at least one notch therein, d. a first logarithmic scale inscribed on said housing whose markings correspond to time units, e. a dial having inscribed thereon a second logarithmic scale whose markings correspond to charge units, f. a dial shaft supported by said housing for rotation, g. clutch means supporting said dial on said dial shaft so that said first and second scales are in register, said clutch allowing the relative displacement of said dial with respect to said dial shaft, h. a linkage means coupling said dial shaft to said timer shaft, i. a latching means supported by said housing for selective engagement with said notch for selective initiation of rotation of said timer shaft, and j. means supported by saId housing for selective termination of rotation of said timer shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
A telephone long-distance call charge indicator including: a. a housing, b. a timer supported by said housing and providing an output rotation of a shaft thereof which varies with time, c. a disc means supported by said timer shaft within said housing which defines at least one notch therein, d. a first logarithmic scale inscribed on said housing whose markings correspond to time units, e. a dial having inscribed thereon a second logarithmic scale whose markings correspond to charge units, f. a dial shaft supported by said housing for rotation, g. clutch means supporting said dial on said dial shaft so that said first and second scales are in register, said clutch allowing the relative displacement of said dial with respect to said dial shaft, h. a linkage means coupling said dial shaft to said timer shaft, i. a latching means supported by said housing for selective engagement with said notch for selective initiation of rotation of said timer shaft, and j. means supported by saId housing for selective termination of rotation of said timer shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An indicator as recited in claim 8, wherein said timer shaft rotates linearly with time, and wherein said disc means defines a spiral slot, said linkage means further including a pinion gear rotatable with said dial shaft, a rack, means supporting said rack from said housing for movement with said pinion gear, and wherein said rack includes a pin ridable in said spiral slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
An indicator as recited in claim 9, wherein said disc further defines a circular slot adjacent to and continuous with said spiral slot, the relative positions of said notch and said circular slot in said disc being chosen so as to provide a time delay between the initiation of rotation of said timer shaft and the initiation of rotation of said dial shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |