The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 10, 1976
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1974
Kurt Wilhelm Kratt, Aldingen, DT;
Alois Bolsinger, Spaichingen, DT;
J. Hengstler K.G., Aldingen, DT;
Abstract
A plurality of counters are removably held by counter holder means at predetermined locations. Each counter is adapted to perform incremental and decremental counting operations. A program timer is operable to produce first and second control signals in alternation in accordance with a predetermined time schedule. Drive means are carried by said counter holder means and comprise drive output means and are operable under control of said program timer to rotate said drive output means in a decremental sense when said control timer produces said first control signal and in an incremental sense when said control timer produces said second control signal. A plurality of clutch means are carried by said counter holder means and connected to said drive output means and associated each with one of said counters. Each of said clutch means is adapted to assume a first state for driving the associated counter in an incremental sense and a second state for driving the associated counter in a decremental sense. A plurality of code detectors are provided, each of which is associated with one of said counters and comprises code detector elements and is adapted to receive an identification code carrier in a predetermined position and to assume a first state in response to an insertion of a mating identification code carrier having code elements, which represent the same code as said code detector elements, and a second state in response to the removal of such mating identification code carrier. A plurality of clutch-shifting means are carried by said counter holder means and associated with respective ones of said clutch means and of said code detectors and adapted to cause the associated clutch means to assume said first and second states in response to said first and second states, respectively, of the associated code detector.