US3708750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elapsed time indicator
Assignee: AUTONUMERICS CORP
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Filing: 1970-08-20
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract An electronic apparatus for measuring the time required for a vehicle to travel a predetermined distance such as a quarter mile. The exemplary embodiment described comprises pulse generating means for producing a pulse for each increment of distance traveled in combination with an integrating means for accumulating such pulses and producing a stop count signal when the output of the integrating means reaches a predetermined level. By adjusting a duty cycle of the individual pulses input to the integrating means, the predetermined point at which the stop count output is produced may be made to correspond to a desired predetermined value of traveled distance. Clock pulses are counted by a digital counter from a time determined by either manual or automatic start means until said stop count signal is produced at which time the counter is adapted to hold its contents until being reset. An indicator is also associated with the counter for visually displaying the contents of the counter indicating the elapsed time required for the vehicle to travel the predetermined distance as determined by the pulse width adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bucks
- 👤 F Ayars
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/64; G01P3/66; G01P3/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
Apparatus for measuring the time required from pulses proportional in number to the distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle to change from a first value to a second value, said apparatus comprising: pulse generating means for producing pulses proportional in number to the value of a measured parameter comprising distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle, integrating means for producing an output signal proportional to an accumulation of said pulses occurring after the occurrence of said first value of said measured parameter, clock means for producing clock pulses at a predetermined rate, counter means operatively connected to said means for counting said clock pulses, starting means for causing said counter means to start counting from a preselected content when said measured parameter has said first value, and level detecting means operatively connected to said integrating means for detecting when said output of said integrating means corresponds to said second value and for producing a stop signal in response thereto for stopping said counter means, thereby causing the contents of said counter means to be indicative of said elapsed time required for the measured parameter to change from said value to said second value, wherein said starting means includes: a bi-stable start flip-flop for producing a clock starting signal when in a first state, manual means for causing said start flip-flop to switch to said first state when said measured parameter is at said first value, and automatic means actuated in response to at least one pulse output from said pulse generating means for causing said start flip-flop to switch to said first state when said measured parameter is substantially at said first value if not already switched by said manual means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
Apparatus for measuring the time required from pulses proportional in number to the distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle to change from a first value to a second value, said apparatus comprising: pulse generating means for producing pulses proportional in number to the value of a measured parameter comprising distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle, integrating means for producing an output signal proportional to an accumulation of said pulses occurring after the occurrence of said first value of said measured parameter, clock means for producing clock pulses at a predetermined rate, counter means operatively connected to said means for counting said clock pulses, starting means for causing said counter means to start counting from a preselected content when said measured parameter has said first value, and level detecting means operatively connected to said integrating means for detecting when said output of said integrating means corresponds to said second value and for producing a stop signal in response thereto for stopping said counter means, thereby causing the contents of said counter means to be indicative of said elapsed time required for the measured parameter to change from said value to said second value, wherein said starting means includes: a bi-stable start flip-flop for producing a clock starting signal when in a first state, manual means for causing said start flip-flop to switch to said first state when said measured parameter is at said first value, and automatic means actuated in response to at least one pulse output from said pulse generating means for causing said start flip-flop to switch to said first state when said measured parameter is substantially at said first value if not already switched by said manual means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said manual means includes sequencer means having: a manually operated switch, and count down indicating means for indicating sequential time periods after operation of said manually operated switch leading up to eventual switching of said start flIp-flop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including an OR gate operatively connected to said start flip-flop wherein said automatic means comprises a connection between said pulse generating means and an input of said OR gate and wherein another input of said OR gate is connected to said manual means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said level detecting means comprises a bi-stable detector flip-flop for switching from a first state to a second state when the output from said integrating means reaches a predetermined level corresponding to said second measured parameter value and wherein the output of said bi-stable detector produces said stop signal for effectively stopping the count of clock pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said clock means is normally disabled unless provided with an ''''enable'''' signal and further including start/stop AND gate means for producing said ''''enable'''' signal only when both said start flip-flop is in said first state and said detector flip-flop is in said first state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including indicator means connected to said counter means for visually displaying the contents of said counter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3125884A
Cited
US3530382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |