US3600085A

US3600085A - Counter for photocopy machine

Info

Publication number: US3600085A
Application number: US1679A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald R Altergott
Original assignee: American Photocopy Equipment Co
Current assignee: American Photocopy Equipment Co
Priority date: 1970-01-09
Filing date: 1970-01-09
Publication date: 1971-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-17
Also published as: DE7100487U; DE2100547A1

Abstract

A counter mechanism for a photocopy machine of the type having a reciprocating table or carrier, the mechanism including a dial, which is set to show the desired number of copies, directly coupled to a ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel is indexed by a pawl on the table during each copy-making stroke so that the setting of the dial is successively reduced to a reference setting at which point a switch is operated to terminate further cycling of the table.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Donald R. Altergott Highland Park, 111.

Jan. 9, 1970 Aug. 17, 197 1 American Photocopy Equipment Company Evanston, Ill.

coumen ron rno'rocorY MACHINE 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

1nt. Cl 603g 15/00 Field oISearch... 355/8, 3,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,445,160 5/1969 Hclland 355/3 X 3,482,912 12/1969 Zerdahs 355/14 3,503,677 3/1970 Uchiyama 355/13 3,520,605 7/1970 Wharson 355/14 X Primary Examiner-Samuel 8. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard M. Sheer Attorney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann ABSTRACT: A counter mechanism for a photocopy machine of the type having a reciprocating table or carrier, the mechanism including a dial, which is set to show the desired number of copies, directly coupled to a ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel is indexed by a pawl on the table during each copy-making stroke so that the setting of the dial is successively reduced to a reference setting at which point a switch is operated to terminate further cycling of the table.

COUNTER FOR PHOTOCOPY MACHINE It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter mechanism which is easily set to produce a desired number of copies, which provides a constant tally of the copies yet to be made, and which produces automatic shutoff when the set number of copies has been produced. It is a'related object to provide a counter assembly which is extremely simple and which, in the preferred environment, requires only a single moving part, other than the actuating pawl on the table and the responsive switch. It is yet another object to provide a counter which is inherently reliable, which can be reset to a smaller or larger number of copies, if desired, while the copies are still being turned out, and which is universally useable in machines of the reciprocated table type, of both new and existing design, at minimum expense.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the attached detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

' FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a photocopy machine of .the reciprocating table type incorporating the present invention.

- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the ratchet wheel and pawl, in elevation, looking along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse fragmentary section looking along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3..

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4., showing the opposite faceof the ratchet wheel. 1

FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram showing means for producing continued reciprocation of the moving table under the control of the counter mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing application of the counter mechanism to a patented design of photocopy machine.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that I do not intendto be limited to the particular embodiment shown but intend, on the contrary, to cover the various alternative and equivalent forms, of the invention included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Turning now toFIGS. l and 2, there is shown aphotocopy machinelO having a rectangular housing including a near side 1 l, a far side 12, and a discharge, or left-hand side 13 which includesa collecting tray 14 for the finished copies. The top of the machine 15 has an apron or surface 16which serves as a control panel.

Reciprocatingly mounted within the top surface 15 of the housing is a table 20. mounted on

longitudinal ways

21, 22. The table includes a glass plate, or platen, 23 upon which the original sheet is. mounted, face. down, for exposure, held in place by a cover, or-holddown, 24 having a longitudinal hinge 25. It will sufiice to say that. the. original to be copied is placed against, the platen of the reciprocating table and that the table undergoes a complete cycle of reciprocation for each copy to be produced. The drive for the table does notper se form av part of the, present invention, As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 6, a motor Mis provided-having alternativeforward and reverse clutches F and R respectively coupled to the table by suitable pinion and, rack connections (not shown). For the details of a typical reciprocating drive under the. control of forward and reverse clutches, reference is made to prior Sacre U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,526 whichissued .Ian. 28, 1969.

During the copyingprocess the original isprogressively exposedat anilluminating station which isat the discharge end of the machinehavingasuitable. lamp assembly 30. The moving image of the illuminated portion of the original is projected downwardly alongpath 31 onto a, mirror.3 2-from which it is projected horizontally along. path 33 through a lens 34. which focuses the image upon a moving sheet of preconditioned photocopy, paper transported in synchronism with the advancement-ofv the table. The paper may, for example, be of the zinc-oxide-coated type conditioned by. application of an overall electrostatic charge. The latter is selectively discharged by light from the original to produce a latent image of the original which is subsequently developed by application of colloidal particles of toner deposited and fixed upon the charge pattern. The copy sheet with its developed image is subsequently deposited in the collecting tray 14. For a complete discussion of a photocopy machine of the present type, reference is made to the above-mentioned Sacre patent.

In accordance with the present invention a counter assembly is provided including a control switch coupled to a settable ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel is cyclically engaged by a pawl on the reciprocating table so that the table continues to reciprocate until a set number of copies have been produced, the pawl finally restoring the ratchet wheel to a reference position thereby to turn off the switch for automatically stopping the motion of the table and the cycling of the associated copying mechanism within the machine. Thus referring to FIGS. 1-5, a counter mechanism, or assembly, is provided having a ratchet wheel 41 mounted upon a shaft 42 which is journaled in a subframe 43. The ratchet wheel has a plurality of teeth 45 which are dimensioned to project slightly above a horizontal guide surface 46 which forms the upper edge of the subframe 43. I

For the purpose of engaging the ratchet teeth a pawl 50 is mounted at the edge of the reciprocating table 20, for example, on a horizontal pin 51, the pawl being biased downwardly by a spring 52 so that it rides along the guide surface 46 as the table cyclically reciprocates, clicking idly over the backside of a tooth. For insuring against retrograde movement, a detent mechanism is provided including a ball 55 which engages a succession of dimples 56 molded or otherwise formed in the sidewall of the ratchet wheel. The ball 55 is received in a suitable clearance opening in the subframe and is pressed in the direction of the dimples 56 by means of a leaf spring 57.

For making an electrical circuit when the ratchet wheel is in any one of its set positions and for breaking the circuit when the ratchet wheel is in its home or reference position, a switch 60 is provided having contacts 61 (see FIG. 6) and having an operator in the form of a cam follower 62 which registers with a recess 63 in the sidewall of the ratchet wheel when the latter is in reference position. Where the ratchet wheel is of molded construction, it is desirable to provide an embossment 64 on the opposite wall for the purpose of accommodating the recess 63 and maintaining an adequatewall thickness.

Mounted at the end of the shaft 42 of the assembly 40 is a setting knob which is preferably in the form of a drum or finger wheel which projects conveniently through the control. panel l6and which has indicia 71 for setting the desired number of copies.

In operation, the finger wheel 70 is rotated to a position indicating the desired number of copies to be made. The accompanying rotation of the ratchet wheel causes the cam follower 62 of the switchto be cammed-out of the recess, closing the switch contacts 61'. With the movement of the table initiated by any desired control means, the engagement between the pawl 50 and the successive ratchet teeth, projecting above the guidesurface 46, causes the ratchet wheel and knob to be restored, step by step, in successive copy-making cycles, to the final reference position where the switch 60 is turned off for automatically stopping further reciprocation of the table. This means for successively restoring a settable knob and its control elements to a reference or home position utilizes a direct mechanical engagement between a pawl and ratchet wheel resulting in a simple, effective and long-wearing construction which is more economical than alternative arrangements employing solenoid stepping dev"ces to accomplish a similar function.

It is one of the features of the present counting arrangement that it may be utilized with any photocopy machine of the type having a reciprocating table, regardless of the specific construction of the table drive or the specific control circuitry which might be employed. In one possible control arrangement, shown in greatly simplified form in FIG. 6, limit switches, actuated when the table reaches or nears its limit positions are used for causing the table to reciprocate for production of successive copies as long as the control switch 60 is turned on. As there shown, the control circuit. 80 includes forward and reverse limit switches 81, 82 under the control of a slide 83 which is positioned in the path of movement of forward and reverse stop lugs 84, 85 mounted on the table. The forward limit switch 81 is connected in series with the winding 91 of the reverse clutch R while the reverse limit switch 82 is effectively connected in series with the winding 92 of the forward clutch F. Thecontacts 61 'of the copy control switch 60 are connected in series with the winding of a copy relay 95 having a pair of control contacts 96 and a pair of sealing-in contacts 97. i

In operation, then, rotation of the setting knob, producing rotation of the ratchet wheel 41, causes the switch cam follower 62 to be moved out of its recess, closing contacts 61 to energize the relay 95. Assumingthe table 20 starts from its retracted or home" position, contacts 82 are closed. Thus closure of contacts 96 on the relay completes a circuit to the winding 92 of the forward clutch causing the table to be driven forwardly by the motor M. The slide 83 has sufficient friction, or may be detented if desired, so that contacts 82 remain closed until the table 20 approaches the limit of forward movement. Thereupon the limit stop lug 84 on the table engages the slide 83 to open the contacts 82 and to close the contacts 81. This deenergizes the clutch winding 92 and energizes the reverse clutch winding 91 so that the table is driven in the opposite or retracting direction toward its home position. Upon approaching the end of the return stroke two things happen. The pawl 50 on the table, striking the presented tooth of the ratchet wheel 41, causes the ratchet wheel to undergo a step of movement toward'its reference position. At the same time the slide 83 is struck by the lug 85 on the table to open the contacts 81, thereby deenergizing the clutch winding 91, and to close contacts 82 to reenergize the winding 92 of the forward clutch, causing the table to begin another stroke of forward movement. It will be understood that transport means are provided within the photocopy machine for advancing copy sheets successively, synchronized with the cycling of the table 20, thereby producing one photocopy for each table cycle. The table continues to cycle until the ratchet wheel 41 is restored to its home position accompanied by the dropping of the cam follower 62 on the control switch into its recess, opening contacts 61 for automatic deenergization of the relay 95 to terminate any further movement of a table.

To facilitate the making of single copies, a pushbutton PB may be provided in parallel with the contacts 61, with the sealing-in contacts 97 serving to maintain the relay energized until the table 20 reaches the end of its forward movement. At such time, opening of contacts 82 deenergizesthe winding 92 of the forward clutch, as well as deenergizing the relay 95, and the making of contacts 81 energizes the winding 91 of the reverse clutch for the return stroke. At the end of the return stroke, as the table 20 assumes its home position, opening of the contacts 81 deenergizes the winding of the reverse clutch; however, closure of contacts 82 is ineffective to reenergize the forward clutch since the relay 95 is, by' that time, in its droppedout condition.

It will be understood that the diagram of FIG. 6 is for the purpose of illustrating the automatic operation of the counter and that a much more elaborate control circuit would be employed in a practical, commercial photocopy machine. For example, in a commercial machine such as disclosed in the above mentioned Sacre US. Pat. No. 3,424,526, the control switch associated with the ratchet wheel may be utilized to control a dispensing motor for dispensing individual copy sheets to a transport mechanism for transport to the exposing station where detector switches serve to initiate the cycling movement of the table which transports the original copy sheet.

Thus referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, which may be understood in conjunction with FIG. 10 of the above-mentioned Sacre patent, the contacts 279a associated with the cam follower, and which correspond to the contacts 61 in FIG. 6, lead to the dispensing motor control circuit, with the contacts being effectively connected in series with the dispensing motor. Thus such motor is abled for operation as long as the ratchet wheel, indicated at 296a, and which is set by the dial 47a, is away from its reference position. When the ratchet wheel is finally restored to its reference position the dispensing motor is open circuited so that no more copy sheets may be fed. The failure of a copy sheet to arrive at the exposing station then serves, in turn, to prevent any further cycling of the table which carries the original document:

It will be understood that the particular shape and number of teeth on the ratchet wheel is a matter of design and that certain of the teeth may be omitted withoufde'parting from the invention. Thus in the embodiment of FIG.'"7 teeth may be omitted corresponding to the C" or continuous" position of the dial 470 as well as in the O positioni' Or a tooth may be omitted in the single copy position so that the production of single copies may be achieved by a simple touching'of the pushbutton PB (FIG. 6) without necessity'for rotating a selector knob. 3

The present construction is in any event distinguished by extreme simplicity, having only a single rotating part,namely the shaft 42 and the ratchet wheel andknob which are connected to it. Thus the counter may be used universally with either new machines or machines of existing design with minimum modification. No electrical wiring other than'for the switch 60, is required and, because of the economy-which the structu re provides, it may be employed in machines at the low-cost highly competitive end of the line.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the knob may, if desired, be arranged at right angles to the ratchet wheel simply by interposing a pair of bevel gears midway of the shaft 42.

It is one of the features of the construction that the setting may be changed, either upwardly or downwardly, to change the number of copies, even as the copies are being produced. The terms off and on" as applied to the switch 60 are relative terms, and the switch may be of the normally closed type, or normally open type, with a compensatory change in the oilcuit, without departing from the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the motion of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table, a ratchet member coupled to the switch and having a reference position in which the switch is turned off and a series of set positions in which the switch is on, a pawl coupled to the table for engaging the ratchet member su cessively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet member from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.

.2. In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically'moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the movement of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table as long as the switch is on, a ratchet wheel mounted on the frame adjacent the table and directly coupled to the switch, means for defining a plurality of set ratchet wheel positions in which the switch is on and a reference position in which the switch is turned off, a pawl mounted along the edge of the table for engaging the ratchet wheel successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet wheel from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratchet member is in the form of a wheel having a shaft, a setting knob on the end of the shaft calibrated in terms of the number of copies, and detent means for defining a plurality of set positions of the knob and ratchet wheel.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which a horizontal guide surface is provided adjacent the ratchet wheel and in which the pawl is biased downwardly against the horizontal guide surface, the ratchet wheel being so positioned with respect to the guide surface that the teeth of the ratchet wheel extend upwardly beyond the guide surface and into the path of horizontal movement of the pawl.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratchet wheel presents a smooth surface in lieu of a tooth so that no tooth projects into the path of movement of the pawl when the ratchet wheel is in reference position.

Dedication 3,6U0,085.-l)0nald 11?. Altergott, Highland Park, Ill. COUNTER F TOCOPY MACHINE. P

OR PHO- atent dated Aug. 17, 1971. Dedication filed July 27, 1973, by the assignee, American Photocopy Equipment Oompany.

Hereby dedicates to the Public the entir- [Oficz'al Gazette 0 e term of said patent. ctober 30, 1973.]

Claims

1. In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the motion of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table, a ratchet member coupled to the switch and having a reference position in which the switch is turned off and a series of set positions in which the switch is on, a pawl coupled to the table for engaging the ratchet member successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet member from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.

2. In a photocopy machine the combination of a frame, means including a reciprocating table for mounting the original, driving means for cyclically moving the table, said driving means having associated transport means for exposing successive preconditioned photocopy sheets to the image of the original synchronized with the movement of the table to form a latent image with subsequent development of the image and discharge of the sheets, control means for said driving means including a switch for producing continued reciprocation of the table as long as the switch is on, a ratchet wheel mounted on the frame adjacent the table and directly coupled to the switch, means for defining a plurality of set ratchet wheel positions in which the switch is on and a reference position in which the switch is turned off, a pawl mounted along the edge of the table for engaging the ratchet wheel successively in successive cycles of the table and steppingly restoring the ratchet wheel from its set position to its reference position for automatically turning off the driving means when the set number of copies have been produced.