US4580280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric counter with substantially unitary housing
Assignee: BOBAR INSTRUMENTS Inc 2491 GREENSBURG ROAD NEW KENSINGTON PA 15068
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Filing: 1983-12-22
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2003-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A compact, unitary non-contacting counting device includes a housing with contains a photoelectric sensor adapted to monitor the passage of articles and emit responsive electrical signals and a totalizer for receiving such electrical signals or a related binary output change of state indication and maintaining a count. The housing is unitary and is sealed to resist undesired entry of foreign matter. The housing is preferably generally L-shaped having a first leg containing the photoelectric sensor which is adapted to emit and receive light in a first direction and a second leg which contains the totalizer which is adapted to display the count in the direction which may be opposed to or perpendicular to the second direction. Separate power supplies may be employed for the photoelectric sensor and the totalizer. Lenses or fiber optics may be employed to improve the efficiency of transmission of light from the source to the object or target and return of the light from the object or target.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Douglas Hetrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A photoelectric counter comprising a substantially unitary housing, photoelectric sensing means for monitoring the passage of articles thereby and emitting responsive electrical signals, totalizer means operatively associated with said photoelectric sensing means for maintaining a count of the number of said articles passing said photoelectric sensing means, said housing containing said photoelectric sensing means and said totalizer means, said housing being sealed to resist undesired entry of foreign matter, said housing having a first section within which a photoelectric sensing means is disposed and a second section within which said totalizer means is contained, and seal means including gasket means interposed between said first and second housing sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A photoelectric counter comprising a substantially unitary housing, photoelectric sensing means for monitoring the passage of articles thereby and emitting responsive electrical signals, totalizer means operatively associated with said photoelectric sensing means for maintaining a count of the number of said articles passing said photoelectric sensing means, said housing containing said photoelectric sensing means and said totalizer means, said housing being sealed to resist undesired entry of foreign matter, said housing having a first section within which a photoelectric sensing means is disposed and a second section within which said totalizer means is contained, and seal means including gasket means interposed between said first and second housing sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 1 including wire means connecting said photoelectric sensing means and said totalizer means, and said wire means passing through openings in said gasket means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 1 including relay means interposed between said photoelectric sensing means and said totalizer means for effecting a binary output change of state responsive to said electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 2 including reset means operatively associated with said totalizer means for resetting the count to a predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 4 including said reset means being in communication with the exterior of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 1 including said photoelectric sensing means having light source means and light receiving means both facing in a first direction with respect to said housing, said totalizer means providing a visual indication of said count readable from a second direction with respect to said housing, and said second direction being generally opposed or generally perpendicular with respect to said first direction, whereby one monitoring the count may be positioned on the opposite side of said housing from the objects being counted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 6 including said light source means including an LED source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 7 including first lens means operatively associated with said light source means, and second lens means operatively associated with said light receiver means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 6 including fiber optic means operatively associated with said light source means and said light receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 4 including said reset means being disposed remotely from said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 4 including first power means for energizing said photoelectric sensing means, and second power means for energizing said totalizer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 11 including said second power means including battery means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 6 including said housing being generally L-shaped, a first leg of said housing containing said photoelectric sensing means, and a second leg of said housing containing said totalizer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 13 including indicator light means secured to said housing for providing a visual indication of whether said counter is sensing an object or not.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The photoelectric counter of claim 1, wherein said counter is employed in environments which have high temperatures or substantial vibrations.
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) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |