US3814309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital timer with resetting mechanism
Assignee: AUTOMATIC TIMING & CONTROLS COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-20
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-12-20
Abstract
Abstract In a settable and resettable digital wheel timer or the like wherein resetting means rotate all the wheels back to their original starting position, a latching assembly is provided to lock the reset means in its wheel-engaging position until the clutch and carry gears associated with the wheels are brought into mesh with those wheels at the beginning of an operating cycle. The latching assembly is actuated by a first lever moving in unison with the gears which presses on a second lever that first keeps the resetting means engaging the wheels and then releases the resetting means from the wheels only when the clutch gear and the other gear actually engage the wheels. This latching action prevents undesired accidental rotary self-movement of the wheels when the clutch is disengaged but is moving into engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ramstetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H50/00; H01H50/86; H01H50/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In a device for counting or the like wherein there are a plurality of wheels bearing indicia thereupon, rotary power means, a plurality of resetting means which move in unison and which can engage respective ones of said wheels and a plurality of gears which move in unison and can engage said wheels, at least one of said gears operating as a clutch to transmit rotary power from said rotary power means to at least one of said wheels, the improvement comprising: latching means operative when said gears start to move into engagement with said wheels for keeping said resetting means in engagement with said wheels until said plurality of gears engage said wheels and thereupon releAses said resetting means thereby preventing idling and possible inadvertent rotation of said wheels in the interval in which said gears are moving toward engagement with said wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a device for counting or the like wherein there are a plurality of wheels bearing indicia thereupon, rotary power means, a plurality of resetting means which move in unison and which can engage respective ones of said wheels and a plurality of gears which move in unison and can engage said wheels, at least one of said gears operating as a clutch to transmit rotary power from said rotary power means to at least one of said wheels, the improvement comprising: latching means operative when said gears start to move into engagement with said wheels for keeping said resetting means in engagement with said wheels until said plurality of gears engage said wheels and thereupon releAses said resetting means thereby preventing idling and possible inadvertent rotation of said wheels in the interval in which said gears are moving toward engagement with said wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises a first movable lever having a cam surface, a second lever moving in unison with said gears and further wherein said resetting means normally is biassed out of engagement with said wheels and includes a portion which is prevented by said first lever from moving in a direction in which said resetting means would be disengaged from said wheels, said second lever having a portion which bears on said cam surface and which, when moving with said gears toward said wheels, causes said first lever to move until the time it no longer prevents said resetting means from moving out of engagement, said time substantially coinciding with the beginning of the engagement of said wheels by said gears.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said first lever is mounted pivotally and biassed in a first rotary direction, wherein said second lever is pivotally mounted, and wherein said resetting means is pivotally mounted and biassed in a second rotary direction opposite said first direction, said resetting means portion having a stop element engaged by said first lever when said gears are out of engagement with said wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said resetting means portion also includes a tab which engages an edge of said second lever and enables the latter to move said resetting means in unison with it in said first rotary direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said stop element is positionally adjustable relative to the tip of said first lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said tab is mounted in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which said portion lies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3610847A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |