US3686483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory and counting device
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-12-22
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-12-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an electric relay circuit arrangement for counting a pre-selected number of copies to be made in an automatic copying machine and to store the number of copies made so that such number is progressively indicated as the machine continues to produce copies until the pre-selected number is completed. The counting is accomplished by relays which are progressively actuated by a copy actuated counting switch. The actuated relays remain energized in self-latching circuits until reaching of the pre-selected count restores all circuits to the starting position. Visual indicator means are connected in parallel to the counting relays.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Umahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:27
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K23/00; H03K23/74; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
An electric relay circuit arrangement for counting a preselected number of copies to be made in an automatic copying machine, comprising a power supply circuit including input and output terminals, copy feeding means connected to the output terminals of the power supply circuit, a copy actuated counting switch, a first power supply conductor including a plurality of junctions, said counting switch being connected in series between said first power supply conductor and one output terminal of said power supply circuit, a second power supply conductor connected to another output terminal of said power supply circuit, a group of unit digit counting relays connected between said first and second power supply conductors, said unit digit counting relays comprising normally open first contacts connected in series between said junctions in the first power supply conductor, each of said unit digit counting relays being connected to a respective one of said junctions whereby the normally open first contact of a preceding relay prepares the circuit for the next succeeding relay when the preceding relay is energized by the closing of said counting switch, self-latching circuit means including junctions for said unit digit counting relays including a series connection, between respective junctions, of second normally open latching contacts of said unit digit counting relays, said self-latching circuit means being connected to said one output terminal of said power supply circuit to bypass the counting switch, selector switch means including a common conductor for pre-selecting the desired number of copies, said selector switch means being connected between said common conductor and to said latching circuit means individually to the respective junction of said unit digit counting relays, power supply interrupting circuit means connected in series between said common conductor and another output terminal of said power supply circuit, whereby the copy feeding means is stopped when the selected number of copies has been counted, and visual indicator means connected in parallel to said counting relays, whereby said indicator means remain energized with their respective counting relay in the corresponding self-latching circuit means to progressively indicate the number of completed copies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
345 words
An electric relay circuit arrangement for counting a preselected number of copies to be made in an automatic copying machine, comprising a power supply circuit including input and output terminals, copy feeding means connected to the output terminals of the power supply circuit, a copy actuated counting switch, a first power supply conductor including a plurality of junctions, said counting switch being connected in series between said first power supply conductor and one output terminal of said power supply circuit, a second power supply conductor connected to another output terminal of said power supply circuit, a group of unit digit counting relays connected between said first and second power supply conductors, said unit digit counting relays comprising normally open first contacts connected in series between said junctions in the first power supply conductor, each of said unit digit counting relays being connected to a respective one of said junctions whereby the normally open first contact of a preceding relay prepares the circuit for the next succeeding relay when the preceding relay is energized by the closing of said counting switch, self-latching circuit means including junctions for said unit digit counting relays including a series connection, between respective junctions, of second normally open latching contacts of said unit digit counting relays, said self-latching circuit means being connected to said one output terminal of said power supply circuit to bypass the counting switch, selector switch means including a common conductor for pre-selecting the desired number of copies, said selector switch means being connected between said common conductor and to said latching circuit means individually to the respective junction of said unit digit counting relays, power supply interrupting circuit means connected in series between said common conductor and another output terminal of said power supply circuit, whereby the copy feeding means is stopped when the selected number of copies has been counted, and visual indicator means connected in parallel to said counting relays, whereby said indicator means remain energized with their respective counting relay in the corresponding self-latching circuit means to progressively indicate the number of completed copies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said power supply circuit comprises an actuator switch connected in series between an input terminal and said one output termina, a latching relay connected across said output terminals of the power supply circuit and including a normally open relay contact connected in parallel to said actuator switch for activating the power supply circuit, said power supply interrupting circuit means comprising relay means and normally closed contact means connected in series between an input terminal and the other output terminal of the power supply circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said unit digit counting relays comprise normally closed third contacts connected in an initial energizing circuit in series between said self-latching circuit means and said first power supply conductor, whereby said initial energizing circuit is interrupted when a self-latching circuit is established for each unit digit counting relay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said unit digit counting relays comprise normally open fourth contacts connected in series between said common conductor and the respective one of said selector switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
196 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of memory relays, said copy actuated counting switch comprising a single pole double throw switch connected with its single pole to said one output terminal of the power supply circuit, said counting switch further comprising two throw contacts, a throw arm, and means for returning the throw arm to a home position on one of said throw contacts wHen the throw arm has been actuated by a copy to contact the other throw contact which is connected to said first power supply conductor, a third power supply conductor connected to said one throw contact, said memory relays being connected between the second and third power supply conductors to form relay pairs with said unit digit counting relays which comprise normally open fifth contacts connected in series with a respective one of said memory relays between the second and third power supply conductors, whereby an energizing circuit is prepared for a memory relay when the respective counting relay is energized by said counting switch and the memory relay is energized when the throw arm of the counting switch is returned to said home position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said memory relays comprise normally open first contacts connected in series with said first counting relay contacts in said first power supply conductor, whereby there are arranged two of said normally open first contacts in series between adjacent ones of said junctions; normally open second contacts connected in series to form a further self-latching circuit for said memory relays connected to said one output terminal of the power supply circuit, and normally closed third contacts connected in series in said energizing circuit for the respective memory relay, whereby said energizing circuit is opened as soon as the corresponding normally open second contact has closed the self-latching circuit for the respective memory relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a group of tens digit counting relays connected between a fourth power supply conductor and said first power supply conductor, said tens digit counting relays comprising the same contacts as said unit counting relays, release means comprising a normally closed release switch connected in series between the second power supply conductor and the other output terminal of the power supply circuit, actuating means for said release switch connected in series between the end of the second power supply conductor and a junction in said first power supply conductor between the normally open first contact of the last unit digit counting relay and the normally open first contact of the first tens digit counting relay which is also connected to the just mentioned junction, whereby actuation of the counting switch for the last unit digit count energizes said actuating means to temporarily open said release switch for returning all contacts of the unit digit counting relays to their normal position, thus preparing the group of unit digit counting relays for a further series of counts after the counting of a tens digit, and self-latching circuit means for said tens digit counting relays to bypass said counting switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said selector switch means comprise switches for each of said tens digit counting relays including a first tens digit selector switch connected in series between the common conductor of said selector switches for selecting unit digits and a further common conductor of said tens digit selector switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The electric relay circuit arrangement according to claim 8, comprising further power supply interrupting means for said tens digit counting relays, said further interrupting means being connected in series between the other output terminal of the power supply circuit and said further common conductor, said further power supply interrupting means comprising a normally closed contact connected in series between an input terminal and the other output terminal of said power supply circuit.
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) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |