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:
Aug. 20, 1991
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1990
Peter F Stultz, Elgin, IL (US);
Digital Appliance Controls, Inc., Elgin, IL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for generating a digital pulse train from a dial rotation indicating the direction and degree of rotation. The device incorporates two facing disks mounted to a stem and having mating teeth on adjacent surfaces. One disk is mounted for free rotation about the winding stem and projects an actuating lever arm from its periphery. The other disk is mounted for axial movement and is keyed to rotate with the shaft. Left and right micro-switches are mounted proximate the disks and positioned to be contacted by the actuating lever when it is rotated in the respective left and right directions. During this rotation the stem moves the keyed disk in the selected direction of rotation. The keyed disk engages the free disk and causes it to rotate until the actuating lever arm contacts a micro-switch. When such contact occurs, the free disk is prevented from further rotation and the keyed disk shifts over the teeth of the free disk. This shifting repetition causes the lever arm to be periodically forced against the micro-switch to cause periodic switching during stem rotation.