Patent US3702404A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3702404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire length counter
Assignee: Southwire Co LLC
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Filing: 1971-06-29
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Granted: 1972-11-07
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Expires: 1991-06-29
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a system for marking a continuously moving filament at predetermined intervals along its length comprising a marker head for applying retro-reflective indicia to the filament, and a photosensor disposed a predetermined distance from the marker head for sensing the indicia and actuating the marker head to apply subsequent indicia to the filament. In a modification of the system, a second photosensor and a counter permit the velocity of the filament to be monitored, and a comparator then compares successive velocity readings and computes the time interval required between successive applications of indicia, whereby the indicia are applied to the filament at substantially equal intervals of length irrespective of variations in the velocity of the filament.
Inventors
- 👤 Floyd P Mcdermitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/04; G01B11/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In apparatus for marking a continuously moving filament at predetermined intervals along its length comprising means for applying indicia to said filament, means for sensing said indicia, and means responsive to said indicia sensing means for actuating said indicia applying means; the improvement therein comprising means for determining the velocity of said filament at selected time intervals, means for comparing said velocities, and means responsive to said means for comparing for applying said indicia, so as to apply said indicia to said filament at substantially equal intervals of length irrespective of variations in the velocity of said filament and irrespective of any mechanical delay in said indicia applying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In apparatus for marking a continuously moving filament at predetermined intervals along its length comprising means for applying indicia to said filament, means for sensing said indicia, and means responsive to said indicia sensing means for actuating said indicia applying means; the improvement therein comprising means for determining the velocity of said filament at selected time intervals, means for comparing said velocities, and means responsive to said means for comparing for applying said indicia, so as to apply said indicia to said filament at substantially equal intervals of length irrespective of variations in the velocity of said filament and irrespective of any mechanical delay in said indicia applying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for determining velocity includes first and second scanners for sensing said indicia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second scanners are disposed a predetermined distance from each other and means responsive to the sensing of said indicia respectively by said scanners for measuring the time interval for said indicia to move from one scanner to the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for comparing successive intervals of time for successive indicia to move from one scanner to the other and for computing the elapsed time required between successive markings of said filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for comparing and for computing is a special purpose digital computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including retro-reflective means for marking said filament, and photoelectric means for sensing said indicia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for marking a continuously moving filament at predetermined intervals along its length, comprising means for applying indicia to said filament, first means for sensing said indicia, second means disposed a predetermined distance from said first means for sensing said indicia, means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said first means for measuring the time interval for said indicia to move from said first means to said second means, and means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said second means for comparing the time intervals for successive indicia to move from said first means to said second means and for actuating said indicia applying means after a computed interval of time, so as to apply said indicia to said filament at substantially equal intervals of length irrespective of variation in the velocity of said filament and irrespective of any mechanical delay in said indicia applying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for marking a continuously moving filament at predetermined intervals along its length, comprising means for applying indicia to said filament, first means for sensing said indicia, second means disposed a predetermined distance from said first means for sensing said indicia, means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said first means for measuring the time interval for said indicia to move from said first means to said second means, and means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said second means for comparing the time intervals for successive indicia to move from said first means to said second means and for actuating said indicia applying means after a computed interval of time, so as to apply said indicia to said filament at substantially equal intervals of length irrespective of variation in the velocity of said filament and irrespective of any mechanical delay in said indicia applying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said first means is a counter adapted to begin counting when said indicia is sensed by said first means and to stop counting when said indicia is sensed by said second means, and wherein said counter is adapted to store the count.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means responsive to the sensing of said indicia by said second means includes a counter adapted to begin counting when said indicia is sensed by said second means and to stop counting when said indicia applying means is actuated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the time permitted to elapse on said counter prior to actuation of said indicia marking means is computed as a function of variations in the time intervals for successive indicia to move from said first means to said second means.
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) | 1975-11-07 | 1976-05-08 | 1976-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-07 | 1980-05-08 | 1980-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-07 | 1984-05-08 | 1984-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |