GB1284948A - Compact toy lap counter - Google Patents

Abstract

1284948 Toy lap counter MATTEL Inc 3 Aug 1970 [16 Jan 1970] 37405/70 Heading A6S [Also in Division G4] Apparatus for counting the passes of toy vehicles consists of housings 20 to which is attached a track section 24, for connecting in series with the track 16. In the illustrated embodiment the track is a dual one, track 18 lying by track 16. Indicating means, in this case a wheel 36, is provided for each track for each counter to register the number of vehicle passes, the indicator moving in successive steps in response to the engaging by a passing vehicle of lever 32 which projects through slot 24 in the track; through a vehicle engaging its end 72. The link between lever movement and movement of the indicator wheel 36 is provided by means of escapement mechanism 46 driven by spring 44, which is also attached to lever 32 to return it to its rest position. The spring 44 urges the wheel 36 in the direction of arrow 42, movement being prevented in the rest position by engagement of ratchets 54 on the underside of the wheel with a pawl 76 attached to the lever 32, as shown in Fig. 5A. Depression of the lever 32 operates to remove the restraint provided by the pawl 76 but raises a pawl 80, formerly out of contact with the ratchets, into position 80A which permits the wheel 36 to move a part of one step. Pawl 80 is so shaped that when a ratchet face 84 contacts it, it is depressed and, consequently, pawl 76 is raised into the next indent. The movement of the wheel continues until prevented by contact of face 84 with the pawl 76, when one step is completed and the number registered by wheel 36 has risen by 1. Spring 44 may be wound, and wheel 36 set to zero, by manually rotating the wheel backwards when the pawls wil permit movement.