US2444224A - Register device - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1948. ARD 2,444,224

REGISTER DEVICE Filed Aug. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 llA/j V June 29,- 1948. c, GARDNER 2,444,224

REGISTER DEVICE Filed Aug. 16, 1946 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 -r counters. "---register structure of-simplified construction pro- "-viding' a plurality of separate counters with Patented June 29, 1948 UNITED "STATES i A T ENT OFFICE REGISTERDEVICE Lowell C. Gardner, North Miami, Fla.

' Application August 16, 1946,: Serial No; 691,088

. ,6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a register device. It is particularly useful in the registering of golf e scores and other data; and is preferably employed in'combinationwith a timepiece.

An-object of the invention is to provide a registerwhi'ch-will register or 'set out upon separate '-indicia-bearing disks the results of a count or score; whileat the same time providing means for totaling the results upon the separate disks A further object is to provide a which a manual member may be broughtinto clutching engagement so as to provide a record upon each of the counters while at the same time providing atotalizing counter or counters setting forth-the aggregate of the individual counters. A further object is to provide such counter mechanism with means for automatically resetting the same upon-operating a reset memben' Yet another'object is to provide means in a counter structure embodying individual counters and totalizing counters, separate control means for releasing the-individual counters to restore them to zero, and means for returning the totalizing counters to zero." Yet anotherobject is to provide a unique structure in which individual coun- "ters are arranged in' an annular row around a "circu1ar case; together with means for aligning a manual control member with the separate "counters *for actuation thereof, and means for recording the movements of the manual actuator Yet another object The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment; by the accompanying drawings, in

' Ewhich- Figure I is a plan'- view of a 'registerstructure embodying my. invention;.Fig. 2, a plan View of the circular portion of the structure shown. in

Fig. 1, the dial andglass cover being removed;

"""Fig. 3, a perspective'andpart sectional viewv of.

the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a detail *"sectional .view, the: section being. taken as indicatedait lln'e l -4' ofiFig}. 3";" Fig. 5, a' detail sec- 1;tional View, the section. being .taken as indicated ati'line 5:--5 or. Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a broken detail sectional View, the section being taken as' indica-ted at1ine---6-E of Fig. 2; Fig, 7, a plan view of the totalizin-g'counter gears and the mechanismior stopping each at zero duringresetting; Fig. 8, a

- sectional detail-view, the section being taken as indicated at line 8-8 oiFig. 4; Fig" 9, an vexploded perspective viewof the manual mechanism for actuating the counters; Fig. 10, a transverse sectional. view on an enlarged scale; Fig. 11-, a perspective view of the spring band employedyFig. 12, a perspective view" of therotat- .able selector ring employed; and Fig. 13, a perspective view of the pawl. or: latch device used with the separate counters.

v In the illustrationgiven, l0 designates a main casing- -body providing a central recess or chamher and having a lower threaded portion ll.

Threadedlyengaging the portion 1 I is an outer :casecover o-r-bottom I2.

The casing body In is provided peripherally with anannular recess 83 in-which is rotatably recesses shafts l6.:' Thebody it also provides. as shown mounted a rotatable ring l4, 'A1s0,.the body-l0 i provided at spaced intervals with longitudinal 15 adapted to receive therotatable more .clearly in Figs. 3 and 10, a-plurality of raised bosses ll adapted to rotatably receive the individual counters it; The body. I0 is also provided with a central boss i9 upon which isv ro- 'firmly secure and protect the centraltimepiece 23 against injury.

. I If desired, the lower cover l2 may beintegrally provided with laterally-extending arms 24 having slots therein adapted to receive a Wrist strap band.

\ The individual counters it may be of any de- -sired form or structure. In the-illustration given, "I provide a member bearing numerals oniits upper surface and having its sidewalls provided with spaced grooves or slots 25. The member I8- is recessed interiorly to house a spring 26 fixed to the-casing boss 17- at one end and to the mem- -ber It at the'other, the-tension of the spring the dial'21 thereabove.

' being such as to maintain the disk It with the numeral zero showing through the .aperture in If desired, the counter I8 may be. provided with a single tooth foren- 3 the dial 2'! is preferably aligned with an hour number shown on the timepiece 23. In addition to the openings 28 for the separate counters, there are openings 29 in the dial for the totalizing counters.

Each of the counters I8 is rotatably mounted upon a pin 38 fixed to the boss IT.

A pawl band 3| is received within the chamber of the casing I8 and around the separate counters l8. The band 3| is provided with a plurality of outwardly-extending pawls 32 adapted to engage the vertical grooves in each counter so as to maintain it in fixed position. The band 3| is provided with a recess 33 adapted to receive an arm 34 carried by a pivotally-mounted bell crank 35. The crank 35 is provided with alever terminating in a handle 36 by which movement of the arm 34 and the corresponding movement of the ring 3| may be effected to release the pawls 32 from engagement with the individual counters l8.

It will be observed that the ring gear 20 has teeth 31 vertically aligned with the teeth of grooves 25 of the individual counters i8 so that a single device may be employed for actuating both at the same time.

The shaft I6 is adapted to be rotated and is equipped at its end with a cross member 38 so as to engage the teeth 31 of ring gear 28 and the teeth 25 of individual counter l8 to actuate both simultaneously. The shaft l6 is provided at its upper end with a crosspiece 33 adapted to be engaged by a rotatable sleeve 48 having inwardly-extending arms 4|, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9. The sleeve 40 has inwardly-extending teeth 42 engaging a grooved actuating member 43. The actuating member 43 has a reduced upper end 44 permanently fixed to an outer button 45. Member 43 is guided within a casing sleeve 46 and a spring 41 therein normally urges the button to its outer position, as shown more clearly in Figs. 9 and 10.

In order to stabilize the shaft 16 and to prevent any undesired rotation thereof, I prefer to flatten an inner portion of the shaft l6 at 48. The friction ring 49, as shown best in Fig. 11, bears against the flattened portion 48 of shaft I6 and is provided with depending spring legs 58 extending through a slot 5| in the casing body In and bearing against the inner face Of the bottom cover i2.

In order to prevent excessive rotation of the rotatable ring I4 within the channel [3 of casing I0 and in order to align the ring |4 so that the rotatable sleeve will readily engage the shaft |6 at selected intervals, I provide the top wall of the ring [4 with indentations 52, as shown best in Figs. 10 and 12. Balls 53 carried by the body l0 and urged by a rubber seat engage the indentations 52 in the upper spring face of the member |4 so as to releasably lock the ring M in the desired spaced alignments. Ring I4 is provided at one section with a solid portion 54 through which extends an opening 55. The opening 55 rotatably receives the sleeve 48.

From the structure already described, it will be understood that the separate counters I8 are normally held in fixed position by the spring pawls 32 of the ring 3| and that each of the counters l8 may be actuated separately by the manual button 45 to bring the desired score or other numeral in the opening 28 of the dial so as to thus register a score or other numeral for a given golf hole or any other event.

By utilizing the ring gear 20 and a totalizing counter, I provide at all times a total count of the score as the individual counters are successively operated. When the shaft I6 is rotated to move the counter l8 one space, the crosspiece 38 simultaneously engages the tooth 31 of the ring gear 28 therebelow and moves it one space.

A totalizing unit gear 56, as shown best in Fig. 4, is in constant mesh with the teeth of the ring gear 20. The gear 56 is mounted upon a shaft 51, and upon a reduced end portion 58 of the shaft is mounted a reset gear 59. Above gear 59 is an indicator disk 68 bearing numerals up to ten. The gear 56 has a depending tooth 6| adapted to engage once during each revolution an adjacent totalizing gear 62. This gear has a disk 63 thereabove registering numerals in tens. A third gear 64 carries at its outer end a disk 65 for registering hundreds. Each of the gears 56, 62 and 64 is provided with a friction washer 66 to prevent accidental misplacement of the gears and to maintain a desired friction upon each. Gear 56 is provided with a cam recess 61, gear 62 is provided with a cam recess 68, and gear 64 is provided with a cam recess 69. It will be noted that the recesses 69 and 61 are inclined in a different direction from the recess of gear 62. Gears 56 and 64 rotate in a different direction from the intermediate gear 62. A cam member 10 is supported by a flat spring II in the position best shown in Fig. '7 and serves the purpose of stopping each of the gears with the numeral zero in registry with the opening 29 in the dial during the resetting operation.

The winding stem 12 of the watch 23 extends through the opening 13 in the pawl band 3| and through a passage in the casing body H1. The spring band 3| is cut away at 14 to permit the action of a reset shaft which will now be described.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the gear or ratchet 59 fixed upon the shaft 58 of the gear is adapted to be moved for resetting the gears 56 and thereby gears 62 and 64 to their initial positions. As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, a shaft 15 is slidably mounted in a slot 16 in the casing body l8 and is provided with a handle portion Tl.

At its inner side, the shaft 15 is provided with teeth 18 adapted to be brought into engagement with the ratchet 59 when the shaft 15 is drawn outwardly. The shaft 15 is normally guided for reciprocal movement by the overhanging member i3 secured by the screw to the casing body. A latch bar 8| is guided within a bracket 82 for horizontal movement and the bar carries a pin 83 which, in the position shown in Fig. 8, maintains a spring pawl 84 out of contact with the teeth of ratchet 59. The inner end of the latch bar 8| is provided with a pin 85 adapted to engage an inclined surface 86 of the actuating shaft 15. A spring 81 connects the lower end of actuating shaft 15 and the bracket 82. It will be noted that there is an intermediate reduced portion 88 of the shaft 15 where the shaft is not provided with teeth and where the shaft, when in the inner position shown in Fig. 8, does not engage the ratchet teeth 59.

The slot 13 provides a limit for rotation opening 3|.

The shaft 15 is provided with a notch or recess 85a to receive pin 85.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the casing body In may be provided with an undercut 89 between the end portions of spring 49 for the totalizing gears 56, 62, and 64. If desired, the stem 12 of the timepiece may be enclosed within a rubber or resilient collar .90, as indicated more clearly in Fig. 2.

Theiball gtl slides in between the teeth of the ring earzilto maintain the teeth always in line.

Operation The operation of the device will be described, for-the ose of simplicity, in connection with the reels v ring-of scores on a golf course, but it will he understood that the structure may be emp oye f h? i i A s -a Qle has been l e a the operator 35. 0 re is 5 9 il ha P ti hole, he swings the button 45 so as to bring it into alignment with the hole in question. For example, if the hole is number I, he will swing thelbutton .45 until it isv aligned with the numeral t shown onathe outer edge of the dial 21. When he reaches .the pointof alignment, the balls 53 Qf, casing Hi will slip into the corresponding recesses and thus will facilitate the alignment of the manually-operated means with the shaft IS. The operator will then press the button 45 inwar dly' to indicate the number of strokes taken qnthat hole. For example, if the score is 4, the operator will press the button 45. inwardly four times, As the member 45 moves inwardly, it carries-the groove shaft 43 bodily with it and rotates the sleeve 4;0. Sleeve 46 causes its arms 41 to engage the .crosspiece 3}) of shaft l6 and rotates the shaft /2 revolution. Similarly, the crosspiece or teeth 38 at the opposite end of the shaft it simultaneously moves the teeth 25 of counter I8, and the teeth 3,! of ring gear 263. The four separate inward movements of the button 45 resultin the rotation of the counter [8 and the-numeral-bearing disk thereon so as to bring the numeral .4 into alignment with the opening 2% of the dial. At the same time, the ring gear 20 is rotated to the extent of four teeth, and this causes the totalizer gear 56 to register four units on its disk 60-.

W-hen hole 2 has been played and the score is. say, 5, the playerwill swing the button 45 un til it is aligned with hole 2 as indicated on the dial, and the button 45 is pressed inwardly five times successively so that the individual counter l8 aligned therewith will show the number 5 through the opening 28 aligned with hole 2. The ring gear 20 is advanced by five teeth and this is registered by the totalizing unit gear 56 to show the number 9. As the total score increases, the gears 62 and 64 will be brought into play, the depending tooth 6| of each gear engaging the next adjacent gear once during each revolution thereof so that the intermediate gear 62 will register in tens and the outermost gear 64 will register in hundreds.

After nine holes have been played and the player is ready to start on the tenth hole, he will raise the handle 36 and this movement will swing the latch ring 3| to the left and thus will release each of the individual counters l8. Upon such release, the spring 26 of each will immediately restore the counter to its zero position. The handle 36 may then be pushed in to its normal position, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This movement moves the latch ring 3| back to its initial position in which the pawls 32 are eifective for maintaining each of the separate counters I8 against movement.

It will be noted that the above release operation in which the individual counters are restored to their zero position, does not affect the totalizing gears and, as the player proceeds through the second nine holes, the aggregateof the scores indicated on the separate counters is added to the total score already indicated for the first nine holes.

At the conclusion of the game and when it is desired to reset the entire register for the next days game, the handle 38 is first drawn outwardly to release the latch or pawl ring 3| so that the individual counters :8 are restored to their zero position. The handle 36 is then pressed downwardly to restore the pawls 32 to operative position. The handle ll, as shown best in Fig. 8, is then drawn outwardly so as to bring the teeth 18 thereof into engagement with the ratchet 59. This movement causes the lever 8.! to swing inwardly under the downward pressure of spring 84 and at the same time the spring pawl engages the ratchet teeth 59.. Upward and downward movement of the shaft 75 rotates teeth 59 so as to reset the totalizing gears 59., 62 and 64. In the resetting operation, the spring-urged cam member iii, having cams engaging the notches 6?, 68 and $9 in the gears, serves to. halt, first gear 64 after it has reached the zero position, and next gear 52 after it has reached Zero position, and finally the unit gear 56 when it has reached zero position. It will be noted t at such cams and notches do not interfere with the movement of the gears in the opposite direction during the recording operation.

The register device is particularly useful on a. golf course in that it enables the player to mark each stroke at the time he makes the stroke. Thus, after each play, the player Will press, a button 415 inwardly causing a revolution of the shaft it, thus rotating the counter [8 one step. In the pressing of button 4 5, the sleeve 40:

first, by reason of friction, moves inwardly to,

its inner position and at that point starts its rotary movement.

On resetting the totalizing counter to zero, the members 7,6. will bring the pawl first into engagement with recess 69, leaving the gears 62 and 56 free to operate. After gear 62 is rotated to zero, the member 16 brings its second pawl into engagement with recess 68, stopping the gear 62, but leaving unit counter gear 56 free to operate. When unit gear 56 reaches zero position, the third pawl of member 10 will engage recess 61 to stop counter gear 56.

In the combination structure shown, the timepiece 23 has the hour numbers thereon preferably aligned with the registry openings for the separate holes. With this structure, the operator can align the minute hand with any selected hole and determine the intervening period of time required to play it and any selected number of succeeding holes. The watch is resiliently held within the enclosure provided by the annular row of counters.

While in the foregoing specification, I have set forth certain details as illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a register device, a casing providing a. chamber and an annular groove in the periphery thereof, a plurality of actuator shafts extending through passages in said casing between said annular groove and the interior of said chamber, means carried by the inner end of each of said shafts for actuating counter mechanism therein, said counter mechanism comprising individual counters and a totalizing counter, and a manual member for actuating said shaft to effect the rotation thereof.

2. In a register device, a casing providing a chamber and an annular groove in the periphery thereof, a plurality of actuator shafts extending through passages in said casing between said annular groove and the interior of said chamber, means carried by the inner end of each of said shafts for actuating counter mechanism therein, said counter mechanism comprising individual counters and a totalizing counter, and a manual member for actuating said shaft to effect the rotation thereof, said manual means being rotatably mounted within said peripheral groove and adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with each of said shafts.

3. In a register device, a casin providing a chamber and an annular groove in the periphery thereof, a plurality of actuator shafts extending through passages in said casing between said annular groove and the interior of said chamber, means carried by the inner end of each of said shafts for actuating counter mechanism therein, said counter mechanism comprising individual counters and a totalizing counter, and a manual member for actuating said shaft to effect the rotation thereof, said manual means comprising a reciprocable member and a rotatable leeve connected thereto by a pin and spiral groove means, and clutch means connecting said sleeve to one of said shafts.

4. In a register device, a casing providing a chamber, said casing having an annular groove extending thereabout, a ring rotatably mounted within said groove, a plurality of spaced shafts extending through said casing and having ends extending into said groove, counter members ar ranged Within said chamber in releasable engagement with said shafts, and manually-operable means carried by said ring and adapted to be brought into engagement with a selected shaft for rotating the same to effect movementol' said counter mechanism.

5. In a register device, a casing providing a chamber, said casing having an annular groove extending thereabout, a ring rotatably mounted within said groove, a plurality of spaced shafts extending through said casing and having ends extending into said groove, counter members arranged within said chamber in releasable engagement with said shafts, manually-operable means carried by said ring and adapted to be brought into engagement with a selected shaft for rotating the same to effect movement of said counter mechanism, and spring-locking means for aligning said manual means with said shafts.

6. In a register device, a casing providing a chamber, said casing having an annular groove extending thereabout, a ring rotatably mounted within said groove, a plurality of spaced shafts extending through said casing and having ends extending into said groove, counter members arranged within said chamber in releasable engagement with said shafts, manually-operable means carried by said ring and adapted to be brought into engagement with a selected shaft for rotating the same to effect movement of said counter mechanism, and spring means engaging each of said shafts to prevent free rotation thereof.

LOWELL C. GARDNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,119,256 Eaton Dec. 1, 1914 1,271,927 Murchey July 9, 1918 2,308,064 Eacrett Jan. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 373,272 Great Britain May 23, 1932

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