US3738467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time purchase winding means for parking meters
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with a winding means attached to a timing mechanism, the pawl means being moved into engaging position by a coin employed for purchasing time. The improvement involves the use of an auxiliary winding arm operatively connected to the winding means. A winding disc is directly tied to the winding means whereby driving engagement of the winding arm with the disc will result in the purchase of time. The winding disc defines teeth which are moved into position after the initial purchase of time so that the subsequent insertion of a coin results in engagement of the pawl directly with the disc for purchase of additional time.
Inventors
- 👤 B Zajac
- 👤 R Sciacero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:28
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with winding means attached to a timing mechanism and including a movable coin carrier associated with the pawl means, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the timing mechanism, a auxiliary winding arm mounted for movement relative to said rotatable member, teeth defined by said rotatable member and by said arm for engagement by said pawl, means cooperating with a coin initially inserted in the coin carrier operating to move said pawl into position for engaging a tooth on said arm whereby movement of the coin carrier operates to move said arm, abutment means defined by said rotatable member for engagement by said arm whereby movement of the arm transmits movement to the rotatable member, such movement of the rotatable member shifting the position of the teeth on the rotatable member, and including additional coin cooperating means for moving said pawl into position for engagement with the teeth on said rotatable member upon subsequent insertion of another coin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with winding means attached to a timing mechanism and including a movable coin carrier associated with the pawl means, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the timing mechanism, a auxiliary winding arm mounted for movement relative to said rotatable member, teeth defined by said rotatable member and by said arm for engagement by said pawl, means cooperating with a coin initially inserted in the coin carrier operating to move said pawl into position for engaging a tooth on said arm whereby movement of the coin carrier operates to move said arm, abutment means defined by said rotatable member for engagement by said arm whereby movement of the arm transmits movement to the rotatable member, such movement of the rotatable member shifting the position of the teeth on the rotatable member, and including additional coin cooperating means for moving said pawl into position for engagement with the teeth on said rotatable member upon subsequent insertion of another coin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of teeth on said arm, and separate means for cooperating with different coins in the coin carrier whereby the engagement of different teeth on the arm will lead to the purchase of different amounts of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means cooperating with a coin initially inserted comprise segments located in the path of movement of a coin held by the coin carrier, said segments operating to drive said coin against the pawl means to thereby locate the pawl means in position for engaging the teeth on said arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said additional means cooperating with the coin in the coin carrier comprise an additional segment mounted on said first mentioned segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of the means cooperating with coins in the coin carrier comprise additional segments mounted on said first mentioned segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a bearing surface positioned opposite the coin carrier, coins inserted in said coin carrier bearing against said surface during movement of the coin carrier and wherein the means cooperating with a coin initially inserted comprise segments located in the path of movement of a coin held by the coin carrier, said segments rising above said surface and thereby operating to drive said coin against the pawl means to thereby locate the pawl means in position for engaging the teeth on said arm, and wherein said coin carrier defines a plurality of openings for receiving coins of different denominations, and including a plurality of segments situated in side-by-side relationship on said surface, each segment being positioned in the path of movement of a coin of a particular denomination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A construction in accordance with claim 6 wherein the leading edges of the respective segments are spaced apart on said surface whereby said pawl means is moved into coin engaging position with different teeth whereby coins of different denominations result in different degrees of winding of the winding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotatable member comprises a disc having teeth defined on its periphery, said auxiliary arm being mounted co-axially with said disc, the teeth on said auxiliary arm being located on the periphery of the arm and being spaced radially inwardly relative to the teeth on said disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein said abutment means comprise a post mounted on said disc, the leading edge of said auxiliary arm being adapted to drive against said post for rotation of said disc in response to the movement of said auxiliary arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein the meter is set to provide a maximum amount of purchased time upon insertion of a coin of a particular denomination, the teeth on said disc being located out of position for engagement by said pawl means whenever the meter displays less than said maximum amount of time whereby engagement of the pawl means with said auxiliary arm provides the only means for operating the timing mechanism, the operation of the timing mechanism by the auxiliary arm serving to move the teeth on said disc into position for engagement by the pawl means when said auxiliary arm drives the disc a sufficient distance to achieve at least the purchase of said maximum time on the meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A construction in accordance with claim 10 including means for resetting the position of said auxiliary arm at the conclusion of the operation of the timing mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A construction in accordance with claim 11 wherein said auxiliary arm is spring loaded, and second abutment means defined being end movable with said disc whereby said auxiliary arm is reset to a different position depending on the degree of wind during the operation of the timing mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein the teeth on said disc are located at a lower level relative to the teeth on said auxiliary arm, the means cooperating with coins in the coin carrier comprising segments located in the path of movement of a coin held by the coin carrier and operating to drive the coin against pawl means to locate the pawl means in position for engaging said teeth, and additional segments formed on the first mentioned segments at an outer level relative thereto, said additional segments operating to drive said pawl means a sufficient additional distance toward said teeth to provide for engagement of the pawl means wit the teeth of said disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of teeth on said arm, said means cooperating with a coin operating to move said pawl into engagement with different teeth on the arm when a plurality of coins are inserted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of a pawl with winding means attached to a timing mechanism and including a movable coin carrier associated with the pawl, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the timing mechanism, an auxiliary winding arm mounted for movement relative to said rotatable member, at least one tooth defined by said rotatable member and at least one tooth defined by said arm for engagement by said pawl, means cooperating with a coin inserted in the coin carrier operating to move said pawl into position for engaging said tooth on said arm whereby movement of the coin carrier operates to move said arm, and abutment means defined by said rotatable member for engagement by said arm whereby movement of the arm transmits movement to the rotatable member, and operates said timing mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of a pawl with winding means attached to a timing mechanism and including a movable coin carrier associated with the pawl, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the timing mechanism, an auxiliary winding arm mounted for movement relative to said rotatable member, at least one tooth defined by said rotatable member and at least one tooth defined by said arm for engagement by said pawl, means cooperating with a coin inserted in the coin carrier operating to move said pawl into position for engaging said tooth on said arm whereby movement of the coin carrier operates to move said arm, and abutment means defined by said rotatable member for engagement by said arm whereby movement of the arm transmits movement to the rotatable member, and operates said timing mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A construction in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rotatable member comprises a disc having a plurality of teeth defined on its periphery, said auxiliary arm being mounted co-axially with said disc, said auxiliary arm also having a plurality of teeth located on the periphery of the arm and located approximately the same radial distance from the axes of said member and arm as the teeth on said member, and means normally holding said arm in position relative to said member whereby all of the teeth on said arm are circumferentially displaced relative to the teeth on said member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A construction in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least the initial coin inserted in said meter engages one of the teeth on said arm, the movement of the rotatable member effected through engagement with said arm resulting in repositioning of the teeth on said rotatable member whereby teeth on the rotatable meMber will be engaged upon subsequent insertion of a coin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
A construction in accordance with claim 17 wherein the engaging portion of said arm is normally held in spaced relationship with said abutment means whereby a lost motion portion of movement of said arm is required before engagement of the abutment means, the re-positioning of the teeth of said rotatable member resulting in direct engagement of the teeth on said rotatable member by said pawl whereby said lost motion portion of movement does not occur.
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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |