US2004881A - Counter - Google Patents

Description

. June 11, 1935. SLYE 2,004,881

COUNTER Filed July 5, 1932 I .JM

m By 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. A. SLYEY June 11, 1935.

coumrsn Fil ed July 5, 1952 2 Sh eetS Sheet 2 I Eon/2R0 LY ATTOR 'EY.

type. Afurther looking in the opposite UNITED STATES PATENTIOIFFICEI COUNTER Edward A.

Connecticut Application July 5, 1932, Serial No. 620,822

31 Claims.

My invention relates to counters.

It has among its objects to provide an improved counter; and, more particularly; an improved counter of the internal transfer pinion vide an improve object of my invention is to prod and accurate counter of this type having positive locking mechanism and cooperating resetting means for resetting the several units while the locking mechanism continues to lock the latter. A still further vention is to provide such an object of my inimproved mechanism including the above features and especially adapted to use as a trip section in the odometer of a combined speedometer and odometer, while also having an improved structure and improved means for connecting and mo parts in and for operatively unting the several a single unit forming the trip section, mounting'the latter in the odometer. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however,

hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying for purposes of illustration,

drawings, I have shown one embodiment which myinvention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure ometer and odometer trip section and mounted in a with a trip section resetting exposed position beneath the illustration;

1 is an elevation of a'combined speedembodying my improved portion of a dash, member shown in dash to facilitate structure shown in Fig. the driving end thereof 2 as it would appear from when in a speedometer casing, the latter being shown in dotted lines and certain of the mechanism tion also being indicated Fig. 4 is a still further enl counter portion of the inside the tripsecin dotted lines;

arged. view of the trip section, certain of the parts being shown in section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation the trip section; I

Fig. 6 is a section on Fig. '7 is a section on Fig. 8 is an edge view of of the opposite end of line 6-6 of Fig. 4; line 'I-'I of'Fig. 4, i. e.

direction from Figure 6;

the transfer pinion carrying partition plate shown in Figure '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged end vi pinion shown in Figure '7;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of that pinion;

Fig. 11 is a sectionon line I ew of the transfer I--II of Figure 4;

a corporation of Fig. 12 is a section'on line I2--I2 of Figure 4;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the number wheel as viewed from the section line I I-I I of Figure 4 with the gear and pawl plate removed;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the gear and pawl plate as seen from line II-l I of Figure 4, the transfer pinionv being removed;

Fig. 15 is a view of the opposite side of the gear and pawl plate from that shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is 'a perspective view of the main plate or casing member, and r Fig. 17 is a plan view of one of the spacing strips. 1

In this illustrative construction, in Figured an improved trip section, generally indicated at I, which may include any suitable number, of number wheels, herein 2, 3, 4 and 5, co-axially arranged and disposed behind the dial 6 of. a combined speedometer and odometer in a usual instrument board I and adapted to be set by a knob'or member 8, this trip section being .of an improved construction hereinafter described.

v Referring more particularly to the mounting of the trip section I, it will be noted'that as shown-.in Figure 2, it is carried on a single axial shaft 9, rotatably mounted at its opposite ends in suitable bearings through the number wheels 2, 3, 4 and 5. As shown, it also extends through a unit forming main frame II which suitably positions the several wheel in fixed positions longitudinally relative to'the shaft and is itself suitably positioned in fixed relation to Herein, this frame II has a disc like end portion I2, adjacent the wheel 2 and is also adapted to be positioned in fixed longitudinal relation to the shaft 9 by a usual spring ring- I3 received .in a corresponding groove near one end of the shaft .9. Further, this portion I2 has a depending lug I4 slotted to receive any suitable means as, for example, a screw, threaded into a portion I5 stationary on the speedometer frame, to position the frame I I against rotation or longitudinal movement. As shown, the frame ll also has a pair of oppositely located, longitudinally. extend ing narrow extensions'IB, which extend along on opposite sides of the wheels 2, 3, 4 and! and through apertures ll in a; series of spacing or partitionplates I8, herein three, disposed between the wheels 2 and 3, 3 and l, and 4 and 5. It will also be noted that spacing strips IS herein having series of oppositely located notches 20 in' their opposite edges, are disposed in the apertures [1 inside the extensions l6 and that lugs 2| on op- I have shown I0, and extending axially the speedometer casing.

posite sides of the apertures ll are disposed in these notches 20. Thus, it will be observed that the several" partition plates I8 are positionedby the'spacing strips l9, and that the latter and the partition plates are also positioned by the portions it of the main frame I l while the latter is held in position by the spring ring I73, all in such manner as to provide a unitary construction adapted to be held definitely in position and 10 at the same time to be quickly assembled or disassembled as desired.

Referring to the driving and reset operating connections controlled by the knob 8 and operative upon the number wheels], 3, 4 and 5, it

will be noted that these connections are of a usual type. Herein the driving connections include a gear on the right hand end of the shaft 8, (Fig. 2), adapted to be moved longitudinally into or out of engagement with any suitable 2a co-operating driving gear or pinion 26 driven from any suitable source of power, as for example the wheels of the vehicle or other part moving when the wheels are moving. Herein, this gear 25 rotates as a unit on the shaft t with a usual 25 bevel pinion 21 and a usual reciprocable driving sieeve28 having a conical cam at its end adjacent the wheel 5, and the unit is normally pro- Iiected over to the right from the full line position shown in Figure 2 by a coaxial coiled spring 30 29, acting between the member 28 and the first wheel 5, in such manner that the gear 25 is,

as usual, normally in mesh with and driven by its driving gear 26. Herein, the operating knob or member 8, which is as usual both reciprocally and rotatably mounted in a suitable support 30, is also provided with a usual conical end 3i adapted upon reciprocatiori'to engage the conical cam on the member 28 and force the latter from its counting or dotted line position, shown in Fig. 2, into its resetting or full line position illustrated therein, while a usual beveled gear 32, rotatable with member 8, meshes with the beveled-pinion 2! when the parts are in that position and isthus adapted to rotate the latter gear upon rotation of the member 8. Thus, it will be evidentthat when the parts are in the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 2, rotation will be imparted to the member 28 from the driving member 26 in such manner that the member 28 and the first wheel 5 will be rotated to effect counting in a usual manner on the associated number wheels, while, when the parts are in the full line position illustrated therein, the driving member 26 will be disconnected and the wheel 5 and its and itsassociated wheels may be independently turned thereof upon rotation of the member 8.

Operatively associated with the driving and setting mechanism described is the counting r'necha ism associated with the wheels2, 3, 4 and ,5.and which is, broadly speaking, operative by the driving member26 'and set by the setting member 8 in a generally well-known manner. Herein, however, this mechanism is, of an improved construction and includes not only an improved structure of the internal transfer pinion type, but alsoan improved construction including positive locking means for the transfer pinions and improved quick resetting-mechanism "associated with the wheels and adapted to 7o reset the same while thelocking mechanism continues to lock the several units, all in such manner as, while, "producing a construction which is very quickly and easily reset, also to produce an exceedingly accurate construction in which 75 there is no chance of splitting a tooth,

Referring first to the counting mechanism, as distinguished from the resetting. mechanism, it will be noted that the wheel 5, which as usual in a trip section is graduated to represent tenths of a mile, is provided with a hub portion 35 around which the spring 29 is disposed and which has an abutment 35, against which one end of this spring acts. This hub portion is herein, as. preferably formed integral with the wheel 5 and is also suitably fixed to the non-reciprocable, rotatable shaft 9, as by a pin 31. Sockets 38 are also provided in this hub portion at right angles to the pin in order to permit adjustment of ternal transfer pinion 39 carried by that plate,

while said pinion in turn co-operates with a gear and pawl plate 40 on the opposite side of the partition plate l8 and the plate 40 is in turn ,cperatively connected to the second number wheel 4 through improved clutch connections hereinafter described.

Inasmuch as the mechanism from the inside face of the wheel 5.to and including the right hand face of the wheel 4 is the same in each pair of wheels, it is thus necessary only to describe this structure in connection with the single pair of wheels comprising the wheels 5, 4.

More particularly, it will be observed that the.

inner face of the wheel 5 is, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, provided with an annular locking surface orlocking ring 4| projecting laterally therefrom toward the partition plate l8 and relatively closely adjacent the,periphery of the wheel while providing an open space 4| inside the ring 4|, permitting the wheel 5 to rotate freely about the pinion 39. This locking ringis provided with a single tooth aperture 42 which extends through a lateral projection 43 onthe surface of ring 4i and is adapted to receive the adjacent end of one of the long teeth 44, herein three in number, on the transfer pinion 39. Thus, during rotationof the wheel 5, the pinion 39 will be locked against rotation save when said aperture 42 is opposite one of the pinion teeth 4% while the wheel 5 at any time may rotate freely about the pinion. As shown herein, the transfer pinion 39 is ofa usual mutilated type and has its long teeth 44 extending clear acrossthe same, andalso "has intermediate shorter teeth 45 on one end provided between corresponding end portions of the teeth 44, while the opposite end portions of the teeth 44, i. e. those portions of the same which engage in the aperture 42, arebeveled off at their sides as illustrated.

Herein, this transfer pinion 39 is rotatably mounted on .a pin 46 which, in turn, has its end remote from the wheel 5 fixed to an inwardly bentarcuately disposed strip 4! on the adjacent partition plate l8, while this strip is disposed in such manner that the transfer pinion on the pin has its opposite ends accessible from opposite sides of the plate. Here, it will also be noted that the plate 18 is formed of a single thickness of sheet metal and that this strip 41 is struck up therefrom and provided with an intermediate portion 48 parallel to the plane of the plate l8 and spaced therefrom, on which the pin 46 is fixed, this portion 48 herein being connected to the body of the plate by'inclined portions at its opposite ends. Further, it will be noted that the strip is spaced from the periphery of the plate l8 by an arcuate slot 49 and that it is also spaced on. its opposite side from the body of the plate by a corresponding but shorter and narrower slot 50 in such manner as to leave a portion of metal surrounding the axial aperture 52 in the partition plate through which the shaft 9 extends. I Operatively associated with the ends of the transfer pinion teeth 44 and 45 which extend through the partition plate I8, is the gear and pawl carrying plate "40 having teeth 53 around its inner periphery and accordingly adapted to be rotated when the transfer pinion is rotated. As shown, this gear and pawl plate 40 is also suitably cut away around its axis, as shown at 54, in such manner as to permit it to house the portion 48 on the partition plate and rotate about the pinion 39. Herein, the same is also provided with a hub portion 55 which extends toward the plate l8 and is rotatable on a corresponding hub portion 56 on that side of the wheel 4. The opposite face of the gearandpawl plate 49, as shown in Figure 15, is alsoprovided with a laterally projecting reduced portion 40, herein substantially oval and having oppositely disposed, generally T- shaped spring retaining slots 51 in its ends. These slots 51 are'adapted to receive the bent ends 58 of spring pawl members 59 having bent free ends 69 and two such slots 51 and spring members 59 arepreferably provided on the plate 40, the springs herein being oppositely located and extending clockwise, as shown in Figure 15. .To facilitate assembly, each slot 5? is also preferably widened at its base to enable it to receive and position the'end portion 58 of a spring 59 at either side of the same in reverse positions of the spring. These springs 59; in turn, have their ends 60 received in spaces. 6| between teeth 62 on the adjacent face of the wheel 4,'ten such spaces and teeth being herein illustrated. Attention is also directed to the fact that these teeth are herein spaced inward or to the left from the right hand edgeof plate 49, Fig. 4, in such manner as to permit the latter to be housed within the lateral limitsof the wheel 4.

, As a-result of the provision of this mechanism, it will be evident that when the first wheel 5 is rotated as. before described, the transfer .pinion 39 will be locked against rotation and according- I lyhold the gear andpawl plate 49 against rotation until one of the teeth 44 on the pinion 39 comes opposite the aperture .42 in the locking ring 4|.- Then, the wheel 5 having made a complete revolution the transfer pinion 39 will be actuated in such manner as, with the gear 40 and wheel 4 then moving together, to advance the number wheel 4 pne tenth of a revolution, i. e. to register in a welleknownmanner. Similarly, the mecha-' nism beingthe same between each set of adjacent number wheels, the number wheel4 will, upon the completiomofa complete revolution,'actuate the number wheel 3 through a tenth of a revolution and the latter wheel will similarly actuate the wheel 2 ma well-known manner. Thus it will be evident that all of the wheels, through the locking mechanism provided, are locked in such manner as to insure a accurate counfiwhen operated.

' Referring to the resetting mechanism, itwill be noted that the shaft 9 is provided throughout its length with an angled notch 65 andthat the number wheels 4, 3 and 2 each carry pawlmecha nism adapted to co-operate with this notch. Inasmuch as the resetting mechanism on each number wheel 2, 3 and 4 is the same, it is sufficient to describe that on wheel 4. More particularly, it will be noted that, as shown in Figure 13, the latter wheel is provided with a longitudinal pawl slot 66 in its hub 59 and also with a substantially segmental pawl aperture 61 opposite this slot. In this aperture 61, a pawl 68 is pivoted at 69 and adapted to move toward and from the surface of the shaft 9, while normally being pressed toward the latter by a spring 19 having a bent end ll seated in a corresponding slot in the inner face of the wheel 4 at one end of the aperture 61..

Further, it will benoted that, by reason of the spring clutch therebetween, the wheel 4 is rotatable relative to its gear 40 which remains station 'ary by reason of the action of the locking mechanism) Thus, it will be evident that when the member 8 is pushed in to disconnect the gears Hand 26, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, and is then rotated to the right (Fig. 2), the shaft 9 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3), by reason of its pin connection 31 to the hub 35 of the first wheel 5. As a result, the. notch 65 in the shaft will pick up the pawls 68 of the several number wheels 4, 3 and 2, and cause these wheels to be rotated back to zero, the same then rotating relative tothe gear and pawl carrying plates 49 which will remain stationary due to the action of the locking mechanism. For example, assuming the initial reading to be 3.9, the tenths wheel will first rotate reversely as shown in Figure 2,, or counterclockwise as shown in Figure 13, until it indicates 3, and then the units wheel will be picked up in a usual manner and move with it so that the next indications will be 2.2, 1.1 and 0.0. It will also be evident that all of the wheels 5, 4, 3 and 2, will be reset in a single reverse revolution "or less of the shaft Band that when the member 8 is released or pulled out to its normal position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, the spring 29 will again cause the gears 25 and 26 to be engaged, also as shown in dotted lines, as soon as the beveled pinion 32 disengages the beveled pinion 21 and the cam portion 3| of the member 8 releases the cam 28. I I By my improved construction; it is made possible for the number wheels to be rotated. rela-' tive to their respective gears in such manner as to permit resetting while still utilizing positive locking mechanism. Attention is further directed to thef'act that this locking of the several units continues throughout the resetting operation, my improved constructionbeing such that the unit's continue to be positively locked- 5, 4, 3 and 2, it is possible to set the number wheels very conveniently at any predetermined reading; ,For example, when using a guidebook in touring, and coming from a cross road to a place said by the book to be 111.1 miles (or 222.2, 333.3, etc.) from another place and on a route to the latter appearing in the book, it is possible, by rotating the wheels reversely through my improved uick resetting mechanism, to set the same to indicate 111.1 miles ,or (222.2, 333.3 etc.)

them reversely through the quick reset mechanism to the nearest number which can be presented thereby, here 111.1, and then again reversing the direction of rotation of the member 8 until the wheels indicate 125, after which the member 8 may be allowed to return to its normal posit tion.

As a result of my improved construction, it

.will also be noted that it is made possible *to obtain a quick reset of the several units 'by rotating an axial reset shaft extending therethrough, and also to obtain a more slow resetting drive of the units through their transfer mechanism while rotating the same about the axis of this shaft, all while using a longitudinally fixed v resetting shaft and thus avoiding the necessity for providing both a reciprocable reset shaft and means-for reciprocating thesame. It will also be noted that while obtaining these advantages it is also made possible to mountthe drive controlling connections reciprocably and rotatably on the shaft and within the longitudinal limits thereof. Thus it is possible to obtain at will from a common actuator, a rotation of the reset shaft.

to effect a quick reset or the shifting of the drive controlling mechanism longitudinally of the shaft and" the subsequent rotation of the units thereby through their transfer mechanism during a slow reset, as, for example, when turning from a reading of 111.1 to 125; all as distinguished from the, constructions of the prior art requiring a reciprocable shaft .and drive controlling means for reciprocating the shaft disposed beyond the end skilledin the art."

of the latter, or the use of a stationary stud in lieuof a shaft and incapable of effecting a quick reset, or a selective quick or slow reset. It will also be noted that although in the illustrative construction, the first unit is rotatable with the resetting shaft during quick resetting, all necessity for shifting the shaft longitudinally, or any of the units longitudinally withthe shaft is also obviated by my improved construction. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however,

'While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practicefit will be understood that this form of the same has been described for illustrative purposes, and thatthe invention may be modifled and embodied in variousother forms without departing from its spirit -,the appended claims.

What vI claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-'

1. In a counter, a plurality of number wheels having a. longitudinally fixed axial resetting shaft, internal transfer mechanism between said wheels having positive locking mechanism, driving mechanism for said wheels, and mechanism for disconnecting said driving mechanism and resetting said wheels while said transfer mechanism is locked.

2. In av counter, a plurality of number wheels,

,reversely rotatable to drive be clearly apparent to those or the scope of internal transfer-means therebetween including a transfer pinion: rotatable Iockingmeans for said transfer pinion, a longitudinally fixed driving shaft for said wheels, and means for resetting said wheels upon reverse rotation of said shaft while said locking means continues to lock the parts.

3. In a counter, a plurality of coaxial number wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween including a transfer pinion and a cooperating locking ring 'carried by the'driving wheel and positively locking said transfer pinion, driving mechanism for said wheels, and mechanism for disconnecting said driving mechanism and resetting said wheelstvhilesaid pinion is locked by said ring including a. longitudinally fixed reset shaft, an actuator, and operative connections selectively operable upon reverse rotations of said actuator for driving said wheels and for rotating said reset shaft to effect a quick reset of said wheels.

4. In a counter, a plurality of number wheels, internal transfer mechanismiherebetween including a transfer pinion and gear means 00- operating therewith and rotatable with different wheels, holding means for said transfer pinion carried by one of said wheels, and resetting mechanism for the other wheels operative upon rotation of said wheel carrying said holding ,means including wheel carried reset pawl means and a grooved longitudinally 'flxed reset shaft said wheels and pick up said pawl means.

5. In a counter, a plurality of number wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween including a transfer pinion and cooperating gear means rotatable with different wheels, a'locking ring for positively locking said transfer pinion vcarried by the driving wheel, a longitudinally fixed driving shaft fixed to said driving wheel, and-resetting mechanism operative upon the driven wheel upon reverse rotation of the. driving wheel and while said locking mechanism remains locked.

6, In a counter, a plurality of number wheels, internal transfer means therebetween including a transfer pinion, gears rotatable with dif ferent wheels, locking means for said pinion,

and combined driving and. resetting mechanism including a clutch between one of said wheels and the gear carried thereby and a longitudinally fixed combined driving and resetting shaft reversely operable during driving and resetting and connecting or disconnecting said clutch.

7. In a counter, a plurality of number wheels, internal transfer means therebetween including a transfer pinion, gears rotatable with different wheels, and lockingmeans for said pinion, and combineddriving and resetting mechanism in- ]cluding ratchet means between one of said wheels and a gear. carried thereby-permitting relative rotation between. said wheel and gear during resetting and a longitudinally fixed coma ,bined driving and resetting shaft reversely operable during driving and resetting and connecting or disconnecting said elements.

8., In a counter, a plurality of counter wheels, internal transfer means therebetween including a transfer pinion, gears rotatable with different wheels,jand locking means for said pinion, and

resetting mechanism including a clutch betweenone of said wheels and a gearn'ormally rotatable :with' the latter, and, means foreffecting relative rotation between said wheel and said gear is- I setting means for said wheels operative upon a longitudinally fixed reversely rotatable driv ing and resetting shaft fixed to said driving wheel.

10. In a counter, a plurality of counter wheels,

internal transfer means therebetween including a transfer pinion, gears rotatable with different units, and locking means for said pinion, and resetting mechanism including a clutch between one of said wheels and the gear carried thereby, a longitudinally fixed reset shaft extending through said units and driving the driving wheel, and pick up pawl means for the driven wheel operative upon reverse rotation of said shaft.

11. In a counter, coaxial driving and driven number wheels, a partition plate therebetween, a transfer pinion mounted in said partition plate, a locking ring having transfer aperture means therein cooperating with said pinion and carried by the driving wheel, a gear plate on the opposite side of said partition plate likewise' cooperating with said pinion, a clutch between said gear plate and driven number wheel permitting relative rotation between the same and 'means carried by said a longitudinally fixed reset shaft driving said ating with said said gear, a longitudinally fixed shaft driving said wheels when rotated in one direction, and

, resetting means for said wheels operable upon reverse rotation of said shaft.

- l2. In a counter, coaxial driving and driven number wheels, a partition. plate therebetween,

a transfer pinion mounted in said partition plate, a locking ring having tooth aperture means therein cooperating with said pinion and carried by the driving wheel, a gear plate on the opposite side of said partition plate likewise cooperating with said pinion, spring pawl means carried by said gear plate, cooperating tooth driven number wheel,

wheels when rotating in one direction, and rereverse rotation of said shaft.

13. In a counter, coaxial driving and driven numberwheels, a partition plate therebetween, a transfer pinion mounted in said partition plate, a locking ring having tooth aperture means therein and cooperating with said pinion carried by the driving wheel, a gear plate on the opposite side of said partition plate likewise cooperpinion, spring ratchet means between said gear plate and'said driven wheel, and resettingmeans for said number wheels including a longitudinally fixed shaft fixed to said driving wheel and having a resetting aperture in said shaft, and pawl means carried by said driven wheel engageable in said aperture when the shaft is rotated in one direction.

14. In a counter, coaxial driving and driven number wheels, a partition plate therebetween, a transfer pinion mounted in said partition plate, a lockinf ring having tooth aperture means thereln and cooperating with said pinion carried by the driving wheel, a gear plate on the opposite side'of said partition plate likewise cooperating;- with said pinion, spring ratchet means betweensaid gear plate and said driven number wheel,

of counter wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween having positive locking means, driving means for the driving wheel, means for disconnecting the latter from said driving means and rotating the same while disconnected including a longitudinally fixed resetting shaft, and coopating resetting mechanism operative by said shaft for resetting all of said wheels while said transfer mechanism is locked.

16. In a trip section for odometers, a plurality of counter wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween having positive locking means, driving means including a reset shaft, means within the longitudinal limits of said shaft for disconnecting said shaft from said driving means and rotating said wheels in opposite directions while disconnected, and cooperating resetting mechanism operative upon rotation in one direction for resetting said wheels while said'transfer mechan sm is locked.

17. In a trip section for odometers, a plurality of counter wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween having positive locking means, a rotatable combined driving and resetting shaft, means within the longitudinal limits of said shaft operable thereby upon rotation of the latter in opposite directions for driving 'and resetting said wheels, means for driving said shaft, and means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said shaft and said driving means.

18. In a trip section for odometers, a plurality of counter wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween having positive locking means, a rotatable combined driving and resetting shaft fixed against longitudinal movement, means operable thereby upon rotation of the latter in opposite directions for driving and resetting said wheels, means for driving said shaft, and means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said shaft and said driving means, said last mentioned means being rotatable reversely to rotate said wheels in a forward or reverse direction when said shaft is disconnected from said driving means.

19. In a trip'section for odometers, a plurality of counter wheels, internal transfer mechanism therebetween having positive locking mechanism, driving means for the driving wheel, means for disconnecting said driving means and'rotating the driving wheel in opposite directions while disconnected from said driving means including a longitudinally fixed shaft rotatable with said therebetween having means for positively locking said mechanism, driving means for the driving wheel, means for disconnecting said driving means and rotating the driving wheel in either direction while disconnected from said driving means including a longitudinally fixed shaftrotatable with said driving wheel, and cooperating resetting mechanism cooperating with each of the wheels other than the driving wheel operative while said transfer mech anisms are locked and having a non-reversible ratchet between each of said other wheels and the transfer mechanism connecting said wheel to the adjacent wheel of lower order, and also wheel pick-up means for each of said other wheels operative when said driving wheel is rotated in one direction. r 21. A trip section for odometers or the like com-- prising number units having transfer mechanism therebetween, quick reset means for picking up a plurality of said units and returning them to zero having a reset shaft, a driving element for said units shiftable longitudinally relative to said shaft to disconnect the drive thereof,'a reciprocable and oppositely rotatable actuating member, means operative upon reciprocation of said memher for shifting said element as aforesaid, and means selectively operable by said member upon rotation thereof in opposite directions for effect ing driving of said units through said driving element or a quick reset of said units through said reset shaft.

22. A trip section for odometers or the like comprising number units having transfer mechanism therebetwee quick reset means for a plurality of said units comprising reset pawls thereon and a reset shaft having means cooperating with said pawls to pick up said units, a spring pressedclutch member movable longitudinally relative to saidshaft to tension its spring and disconnect -said units from the drive thereof, a reciprocable and rotatable actuating'member, means for shift-' ing said clutch member as aforesaid upon reciprocation of said actuating member, and means selectively operable by rotation of said actuating member in opposite directions for effecting a quick reset of said units through said pawls and reset shaft or rotation of said units through said clutch member and said transfer mechanism.

23. A trip section for odometers or the like comprising number units having transfer mechanism therebetween, quick reset means for a plurality of said units having reset pawls-thereon and a reset shafthaving means cooperating with said pawls to pick up said units, a clutch member movable longitudinally relative to said shaft to disconnect said units from the drive thereof, a reciprocable and rotatable actuating member, means for shifting said'clutch'member as aforesaid upon reciprocation of saidresetting member,

and means selectively operable upon. opposite rotations of the latter following clutch shifting for rotating said reset shaft in one direction to drive said units from said shaft through said transfer mechanism and in the opposite'direction to drive said reset shaft to pick up said pawls and reset said units.

24. A trip section for odometers or the like comprising number units having transfer mechanism therebetween, quick reset means for picking up a plurality of said units and returning them to zero having a longitudinally fixed reset shaft, a driving element for said units shiftable longitudinally relative to said shaft to disconnect the drive thereof, a reciprocable and oppositely rotatable actuating member, means operative upon-reciprocation of said member for shifting said element as aforesaid; and means selectively operable by said memhaving means receiving said and interlocked with said partition plates to in-" ber upon rotation thereof in opposite directions for effecting driving of said units through said driving element or a quick reset of through said reset shaft.

25. In a counter unit, a series of operatively connected number wheels having partition plates therebetween and projecting spaced lugs on said partition plates, spacing strip means'interlocked with said lugs, and a frame having portions positioning said spacing means and said plates and disposed between said lugs.

26. In a counter unit, a series of operatively connected number wheels having partition plates therebetween and oppositely projecting spaced lugs on said partition plates, spacing strip means interlocked with said lugs, a frame positioning said spacing means and said plates, .saidframe having extensions extending longitudinally of said wheels between the spaced lugs on said plates, and means for fixing said frame relative to said wheels permitting longitudinal withdrawal of said frame at will.

27. In a counter unit, a series of operatively connected number wheels having partition plates therebetween and projecting spaced lugs on said partition plates, spacing strips having notched edges interlockedwith said lugs and connecting said wheels and plates into a unit, and aframe receiving said unit longitudinally and having portions extending between said spaced lugs externally of said spacing means.

28. In a counter unit, a series of operatively connected number wheels having partitionplates therebetween and a protruding shaft, means interlocked with said plates operatively connecting said wheels and plates into a unit, a frafne hibit rotation of said unit while permitting longitudinal separation, and removable means connecting said frame to said shaft while enabling longitudinal separation at will.

29. Ina counter unit, a series of .operatively connected number wheels having partition plates therebetween and a protruding shaft, means connecting said wheels and plates into a unit, a frame having an open end receiving said unit longitudinally therein and a closed end through which said shaft projects; means for inhibiting rotation of said unit in said frame while per-- mitting longitudinal separation, and removable means for connecting said unit and frame against longitudinal separation.

,30. A partition device for internaLtransfer.

type counters comprising a. single plate having a laterally deflected struck upstrip connected'at both ends to said plate and providing a transfer pinion pin seat between its ends, a pin car-' ried on said seat perpendicularly tosaid plate and projecting on' opposite sides of the latter, and a transfer pinion rotatable on said pin and having its opposite ends accessible from opposite sides of said plate.

31. A partition device for internal transfer type counters comprising a single plate having a laterally deflected struck up strip connected at both ends to said plate and providing a trans fer pinion pin seat between its ends, said struck up strip being arcuately disposed and spaced from the periphery of said plate by an arcuate' slot and also having a slot-between said struck' up'strip and the axis of said plate. Y

' nowannasnm.

unit longitudinally said units i

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