US3920964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Register price wheel structure
Assignee: Sunoco Inc R&M
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Filing: 1974-07-17
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-07-17
Abstract
Abstract In order to increase the ''''sale'''' or ''''cost'''' registering capacity of a standard, conventional threewheel register (counter) used in gasoline dispensers, a modified price wheel has been developed as a substitute for the lowest-order price wheel of a conventional register. This new wheel carries indicia from zero to 99 and during counting makes one revolution for every one hundred cents'' worth of gasoline dispensed. The new wheel has an antibacklash arrangement for eliminating inaccuracies during the counting mode, and has an improved reset stop and a linkage mechanism associated therewith, for providing accurate resetting and for preventing improper operation during the resetting mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Einar T Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:31
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/22; B67D7/224; B67D7/225; G; G06; G06M; G06M3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a displaceable element in the number wheel actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to the driven gear, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, means shiftably mounted on the number wheel and actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to said member, and fixed stop means engageable by said element to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a displaceable element in the number wheel actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to the driven gear, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, means shiftably mounted on the number wheel and actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to said member, and fixed stop means engageable by said element to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said element comprises a pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane in response to axial shifting of said shaft, said pawl having means for engaging the driven gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Mechanism of claim 1, wherein said element and the first-mentioned means connect the number wheel selectively with the driven gear and the rotatable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Mechanism defined in claim 1, wherein said element comprises a pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane to a reset rsition in response to axial shifting of said shaft; said stop means being adapted to engage the tail of said pawl when the same is in its reset position, thereby to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, displaceable pawl means mounted in the number wheel normally connecting the number wheel to the driven gear and shiftable with the shaft to a position disconnecting the number wheel from the driven gear and connecting the number wheel to the rotatable member, means associated with said pawl means for disconnecting the number wheel from the rotatable member, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing operation of said disconnecting means unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, displaceable pawl means mounted in the number wheel normally connecting the number wheel to the driven gear and shiftable with the shaft to a position disconnecting the number wheel from the driven gear and connecting the number wheel to the rotatable member, means associated with said pawl means for disconnecting the number wheel from the rotatable member, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing operation of said disconnecting means unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Mechanism defined in claim 5, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a mechanical linkage coupled to said detenting means and to said disconnecting means, and operated by said detenting means when said number wheel is in a non-zero position close to the zero position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at one side of the number wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a shiftable element in the number wheel engageable with the rotatable member to connect the number wheel with the rotatable member, means on the shaft for shifting the shiftable element into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, means on the shaft adapted to engage the shiftable element to disengage the shiftable element from the rotatable member, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing engagement of said shiftable element with said second-mentioned means unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at one side of the number wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a shiftable element in the number wheel engageable with the rotatable member to connect the number wheel with the rotatable member, means on the shaft for shifting the shiftable element into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, means on the shaft adapted to engage the shiftable element to disengage the shiftable element from the rotatable member, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing engagement of said shiftable element with said second-mentioned means unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
Mechanism defined in claim 7, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a mechanical linkage coupled to said detenting means and to said shiftable element, and operated by said detenting means when said number wheel is in a non-zero position close to the zero position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Mechanism defined in claim 7, wherein the first-mentioned means comprises a shoulder on the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Mechanism defined in claim 7, wherein the second-mentioned means comprises a notch in the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Mechanism set forth in claim 10, wherein the means for shifting comprises a shoulder on the shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, means for applying a frictional force against said gear, thereby to exert a substantially constant drag upon said gear as the latter rotates; a displaceable element in the number wheel actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to the driven gear, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, means shiftably mounted on the number wheel and actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to said member, and fixed stop means engageable by said element to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, means for applying a frictional force against said gear, thereby to exert a substantially constant drag upon said gear as the latter rotates; a displaceable element in the number wheel actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to the driven gear, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, means shiftably mounted on the number wheel and actuatable by the shaft for selectively connecting the number wheel to said member, and fixed stop means engageable by said element to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a driving pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the driven gear; said pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl out of engagement with the driven gear when the shaft is shifted axially, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a resetting pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the rotatable member; said resetting pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, and fixed stop means engageable by said driving pawl to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a driving pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the driven gear; said pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl out of engagement with the driven gear when the shaft is shifted axially, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a resetting pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the rotatable member; said resetting pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, and fixed stop means engageable by said driving pawl to retain the number wheel in zero position upon resetting of the same.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a driving pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the driven gear; said pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl out of engagement with the driven gear when the shaft is shifted axially, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a resetting pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the rotatable member; said resetting pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing said rotatable member engaging means from becoming disengaged unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a counter, an axially shiftable shaft, a number wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, a rotatable driven gear coaxially disposed at one side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a counting operation, a driving pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the driven gear; said pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl out of engagement with the driven gear when the shaft is shifted axially, a rotatable member coaxially disposed at the other side of the wheel for rotating the number wheel during a resetting operation, a resetting pawl pivotally mounted in the number wheel for pivoting movement in an axial plane and having means for engaging the rotatable member; said resetting pawl being actuatable by the shaft to shift the pawl into engagement with the rotatable member when the shaft is shifted axially, detenting means for retaining the number wheel in zero position, and means operated by said detenting means for preventing said rotatable member engaging means from becoming disengaged unless said number wheel is in zero position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Mechanism defined in claim 14, wherein said detenting means comprises a fixed stop engageable by the tail of said driving pawl.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
Mechanism defined in claim 14, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a mechanical linkage coupled to said detenting means and to said resetting pawl, and operated by said detenting means when said number wheel is in a non-zero position close to the zero position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |