US2892570A - Fluid dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1957 I N VENTOR Emma THORESEN ATTORNEYS June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1957 INVENTOR five/F 50 9656 My/flkfl Y ATTORNEYH June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN 5 5 FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1957 1 s Sheets-Sheet s BY Mfw ATTORNEYS June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN 2,892,570

' FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV ENT OR 6%? 50/9656 ATTORNEYS June 1959 I E. THORESEN ,892,570

' FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTOR {hi Zia/Fess ATTORNEY 5 June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN 2,892,570

FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1957 V 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VENTOR 971 4? ZJwes 64 ATTORNEYS June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 11, 1957 m 6 mm m u z o Q i 5 o a Q m 2 m 2 I 3 I 3 fi Z Z 8 2 m 3 m 2 M :1 a W m 0 W W y m m 9 u M LINN a n I N VENTORS Emma. THORESEN BY 9 ATTORNEYS June 30, 1959 E. THORESEN 2,892,570

FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 11, 1957 EZT. 5.2

INVENTOR 37 aao $76 390 ATTORNEYG United States Patent O FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Einar Thoresen, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application July 11, 1957, Serial No. 671,365

30 Claims. (Cl. 222-20) The present invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically terminating fluid flow through a line after metering a selectable quantity of fluid therethrough and particularly to improvements in selectively settable fluid meter driven registers for such devices. This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 410,975, filed February 17, 1954. This application also discloses and claims subject matter disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 552,129, filed December 9, 1955 Application Serial No. 410,975 is now Patent No. 2,818,198 and application Serial No. 552,129 was abandoned after filing the present application.

The invention in its preferred embodiment relates to the dispensing of large quantities of fluid at high velocity through a line having a flow control valve. Should-the valve attempt to quickly and completely cut ofi the flow of fluid in one single stage of closing when the predetermined quantity has been dispensed, the hydraulic hammer caused by this quick cut-01f would result in undue shock and damage to the valve, meter and other elements in the fluid line and may break the valve latching mechanism. Therefore, for most satisfactory operation of devices of this type, it is highly desirable for eflicient operation that the device meter large quantities of fluid at a rapid rate and essential that the device, after metering of the pre selected quantity, terminate the fluid flow accurately without destructive hydraulic shock or water hammer. As hydraulic shock varies in magnitude in proportion to the fluid flow rate, the elimination of destructive hydraulic shock in high rate devices of this type materially increases thelife of all related equipment such as joints, fittings and gaskets, as well as of the device itself.

Heretofore many efforts have been made to reduce the hydraulic shock in devices of this type by providing an interval of stage closure of a control valve.

For example it has been proposed that a meter in the fluid line operate a preset predetermined register mechanism which through some device such as a latch box will eflect staged closing of the line. Usually this is done by closing a main valve when the greater part of the desired quantity of fluid has been delivered and continuing flow at a reduced rate through a smaller valve which is triggered at the proper time to complete the flow cut-off.

This prior two stage plural valve fluid cut-off apparatus has proved to some extent satisfactory in operation but it involves a multiplicity of small complex parts particularly in the latch mechanism for the valve and the valves used in association with such mechanism have been mechanically complex.

It has also been suggested to provide two stage closure of a single valve but such mechanisms have been complex and difiicult to maintain in accurate adjustment.

In its valve, meter, and valve controlling latch box mechanism, the device disclosed and claimed in the aforenoted application Serial No. 410,975 for Predetermining Dispensing Apparatus presents an excellent solution to this overall problem. The invention herein claimed con- 2,892,570 Patented June 30, 1959 templates the improved register latch release mechanism to enable accurate and improved operation during both high and low rates of fluid delivery, and also contemplates further improvements in the structure of devices of that type, particularly with reference to the structure and mode of operation of the predetermining register controlled valve actuating mechanism and its interaction in the overall combination.

In prior art devices in which the reduction in destructive hydraulic shock has been achieved by providing for the closing of a control valve in successive stages, the shock reduction has been limited by the inherent characteristics of the register mechanisms, the interval of stage closure being limited to the interval of dispensing the last ten units (normally gallons) of fluid. Since the interval of stage closure of the valve necessary to eliminate destructive hydraulic shock varies directly with the full flow rate, such prior art devices can be operated without hydraulic shock only at relatively low rates of flow, a factor which seriously limits their utility.

Further, in the prior art devices providing for stage closure of a control valve within the time interval of dispensing of the last ten units of fluid by the extremely rapid operation of a spring loaded register controlled latch box actuating mechanism, heavy rapidly occurring periodic loads are imposed upon the register and the meter driving the register during the interval of stage closure of the valve which may result in inaccuracies in the operation of the meter and therefore errors in the quantity of dispensed fluid.

While, as has been indicated, devices of this type should accommodate high rates of fluid flow under full flow conditions, there are also installations in which lower rates of full fluid flow are required. In devices of this type, the interval stage closure of the valve varies with the full flow rate for a given structure whereas the interval required to terminate fluid flow without destructive hy draulic shock varies directly with the full flow rate. This results in ineflicient operation in that longer intervals than necessary are required for dispensing fluid at a rate less than the maximum rate at which the device is designed to operate without destructive hydraulic shock.

With reference to the foregoing discussion, a principal object-of this invention is to provide in a predetermining fluid dispensing device a novel mechanism for automatically cuttingoff the flow of fluid through a line, after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been metered, which is of improved construction and embodies a new mode of operation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved positive shifting predetermining register mechanism.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel mechanism for adjusting the final cut-01f movement of the predetermining register.

Another object resides in the provision of a predetermining fluid dispensing device and novel predetermining register controlled actuating mechanism therefor which is operative to dispense fluids at high rates and to accurately terminate fluid flow after metering a pre-selected quantity of fluid without destructive hydraulic shock.

Still another object resides in the provision of a predetermining fluid dispensing device and novel predetermining register controlled actuating mechanism therefor operative to dispense fluid at a high rate and terminate fluid flow rapidly and accurately by the staged closure 7 of a control valve, the interval of staged closure of which can be varied to efficiently accommodate wide ranges of fullflow rates without destructive hydraulic shock upon final flow termination.

v A further object resides in the provision of a predetermining fluid dispensing device and novel plural order I predetermining register controlled actuating mechanism therefor operative to terminate fluid flow rapidly and accurately by the stage closure of a control valve in which the valve controlling mechanism is to constructed as to free the meter by which it is driven of the imposition of high periodic loads resulting in its inaccurate metering of the dispensed fluid.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more fully apparent by reference to the appended claims and as the following detailed description proceeds in reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of thepredetermining dispensing device of the present invention which includes the preferred embodiment of the register controlled valve actuating mechanism;

Figure 1A is a plan view of the general assembly of the'meter, register valve and control linkage.

Figure 2 is a top plan view partially in section, of the register controlled valve actuating mechanism of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view partially in section, of the register controlled valve actuating mechanism of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and fragmentary end view of the helical cam mechanism of the assembly of Figures 2 and 3 shown in its configuration prior to the initiation of the stage closure of-the valve mechanism;

Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and fragmentary end view of the helical cam mechanism of the assembly of Figures 2 and 3 in its configuration immediately following the initiation of the stage closure of the valve mechanism;

Figures 8 and-9 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and a fragmentary end view of the helical .cam mechanism of the assembly of Figures 2 and 3 inits configuration immediately following the initiation of the stage closure of the valve mechanism;

Figures 10 and 11 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and fragmentary end view of the helical cam mechanism of the assembly shown in Figures 2 and 3 shown in its configuration immediately following the second stage of valve closure;

Figures 12 and 13 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and fragmentary end view of the helical cam mechanism of the assembly of'Figures 2 and 3 shown in its configuration immediately prior to the third and final stage of valve closure;

Figures 14 and 15 are respectively a fragmentary top plan and fragmentary end view of the helical cam mechanism of the assembly of Figures 2 and 3 immediately following the third and final stage of valve closure;

Figure 16 is a left end view of the tens order counter wheel of the plural order register of the assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mechanism of Figure 2 as modified to provide a thirty gallon initiation of stage closure of the valve;

Figure 18 is a left end view of the tens order counter wheel of the plural order register of the assembly of Figure 2 as modified to provide a thirty gallon initiation of stage closure of the valve;

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 17 showing the mechanism as modified to provide a ten gallon initiation of stage closure of the valve;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 2020 of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 18 showing the tens order counter wheel as modified to accommodate a ten gallon initiation of stage closure of the valve;

Figure 22 is an enlarged portion of Figure l, certain parts being broken away to show the drive means from the meter through the latch box to the. predetermining register and totalizing register;

Figure 23 is atop plan view of another predetermining register mechanism and the housing therefor;

Figure 24 is a bottom plan view of the predetermining register embodiment shown in Figure 23 and looking in a direction opposite from that viewed in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a top plan view of the register trip plate;

Figure 26 is a detail section, taken on line 26-26 of Figure 23, showing the weight actuating means and the cut-off point calibrating mechanism;

Figure 27 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 26, as viewed from the right in Figure 24;

Figure 28 is a vertical'section taken along the lines a 28-28 of Figure23;

Figure 29 is an enlarged elevation'view of a portion of the latch box shown in Figure 1 illustrating its cover plate and the relative position of the register trip plate in the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 30 is a top plan view of a modified register trip plate assembly secured on a modified latch box coverplate; and

Figure 31 is an elevation view illustrating the modified register trip plate assembly of Figure 30.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 1A, the assembly there shown, which constitutes -a preferred general assembly of the several component units of the present invention, comprises a fluid pressure operated fluid meter 20, which is preferably :of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,274,206,1issued February 24, 1942, having a cast vertical end housing section 22 which encloses a vertically extending'continuously driven meter operated shaft coaxial with and drive connected to a register drive shaft 24 (show in Figures 2, '3 and 22), a selectively settable predetermining register mechanism 26, a latch box unit 28 rigiclly clamped between the upper end of the housing 22 and a base plate 30 of the housing 32 for the register 26 by machine screws passing through spacers 34, a totalizing register 36 suitably secured to the top of the predetermining register 26 and drive connected to the meter operated shaft through the assemblies 26 and 28 by means not shown, and a quantity control valve unit 38 rigidly attached to the meter 20 and in fluid communication with the outlet thereof. The valve unit 38 is operatively connected to the valve latching unit 28 by a linkage comprising a bar 40, a rod 41, a lever 42, and a shaft 44.

The detailed structure of the valve .unit 38 and the latch unit 28 are disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending application Serial No. 410,975, now Patent No. 2,818,198, and disclosed and claimed in co-pending applications Serial No. 663,097, now Patent No. 2,834,378, and Serial No. 656,075. The present invention relates primarily to the construction and improvements of the predetermining register unit 26 and the-inter-relation of these improved features with the associated components of the over-all assembly. For the. purposes of understanding the present invention it will sufiice to explain in reference to the overalloperation that when it is desired to dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid, the predetermining register 26 is set to indicate the amount of fluid to be dispensed by manipulation of the knob 46 and the valve unit 38 is opened to initiate fluid flow by rotation of shaft 44 to the-open valve position by manipulating hand lever 48. The valve 38 isspring biased toward its closed position but islretained in its open position by the action of latch box 28-upon -bar'40. As the fluid passes through meter 20 and valve unit 38, the predetermining register 26 is restored toward its zero condition at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of fluid through the meter 20. During the period of fluid flow through the meter 20, the latching unit 28- is operative under-control of the predetermining register unit 26 to permit closing of the valve unit 33 in three stages as the registering unit 26 approaches its predetermined quantity conditions of the register unit 26 enable a signal in the form of a mechanical movement to be sent from the register to the latch unit which upon receipt of such a signal permits a valve closing movement. This closure of the valve 38 under control of the latching unit 28 is effected through the linkage comprising members 42 and 44 and is effective to reduce the rate of flow of fluid from its maximum rate, which may be in the order of 800 gallons per minute, in stages to its final cut off condition in a period less than fifteen secends. The final cut off occurs the instant that the predetermined quantity has been measured. The multi-stage valve closing, as effected in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, entirely eliminates destructive water hammer or hydraulic shock.

As has been indicated, the present invention is directed primarily to improvements in the structure of the predetermining register unit 26. This improved structure will now be described in detail in reference to Figures 2 and 3.

The predetermining registering mechanism is supported within the housing 32 primarily between two generally parallel frame members 50 and 52 secured as by screws 54 to the mounting flange 30 of the housing 32 and provided with a transverse tie rod 56 secured therebetween by screws 57 and 58, and an intermediate frame 60 secured between the frames 50 and 52 as by screws 62.

The meter driven shaft 24 is journalled at its upper end in a boss 64 formed on the intermediate frame 60. This shaft 24 is drive connected to the units order counter wheel 66 of the selectively settable register or counter, generally designated as 68, through a drive train which will now be described. This drive train consists of a spur gear 70 fixed to the upper end of the shaft 24 above frame 60 and constantly meshing with a gear 72 (Figure 2) fixed to a stub shaft 74 journalled on frame 60. Shaft 74 extends through frame 60 and has fixed to the opposite end thereof below frame 60 a gear 76 (Figure 3) in constant mesh with a gear 78 of a gear cluster 80 fixed to a shaft 82 which is journalled on the frame 60. The smaller gear 84 of gear cluster 80 is in constant mesh with a gear 86 fixed to a shaft 88 journalled through frame 60 and having a bevel gear 90 (Figure 2) fixed thereto above frame 60. Bevel gear 90 meshes with a bevel gear 92 fixed to a shaft 94 journalled in the frame 52 and an end plate 96 for the register mechanism housing 32. Shaft 94 is uni-directionally coupled to a gear 98 mounted thereon for rotation relative thereto and drive coupled through a one-way clutch mechanism including a driving member 100 fixed to shaft 94 and a driven member 102 fixed to gear 98. The peripheral surface of member 102 is in frictional contact with a partially encircling band 104 fixed at one end to the frame 52 by a stud 106 and resiliently biased against the periphery of member 102 by a spring 108 (Figure 3). The band 104 through its frictional engagement with the driven member 102 prevents overthrow and reverse movement of the driven member 102. The gear 98 is in constant mesh with a gear 110 fixed to a shaft 112 which is journalled between frame 52 and end plate 96 in spaced parallel relationship to shaft 94. A gear 114, fixed to the end of shaft 112 between frames 50 and 52, through an intermediate idler gear 116 journalled on a stub shaft (not shown) mounted on the frame 52, drives a gear 118 coaxially fixed to the units order counter wheel 66. Gears 114 and 118 are of the same size so that the angular velocities of gear 114 and its associated shaft 112 and of gear 118 and the associated units order counter wheel 66 are the same.

The selectively settable registering mechanism 68 is a plural order mechanism, in the disclosed embodiment having a units order, a tens order, a hundreds order and a thousands order counter wheel designated respectively 66, 120, 122 and 124. The adjacent order counter wheels are interconnected by interposed tens carry pinions 126, 128 and 130 in the conventional manner whereby one revolution of a lower order counter wheel of an adiacent pair of counter wheels imparts one-tenth of a revolution to the higher order counter Wheel of that adjacent pair.

The counter wheels 66, 120, 122 and 124 are individually selectively settable to any of the ten possible positions indicative of the ten digits. The shaft 47 which extends coaxially through the registering mechanism 68 is rotatably mounted in the frames 50 and 52 and axially slidable relative thereto and is provided with teeth which by axial displacement of the shaft 47 is selectively engageable internally with any one of the counter wheels 66, 120, 122 and 124 individually to effect the selective setting thereof.

As has been indicated generally hereinbefore, after these counter wheels 66, 120, 122 and 124 are selectively set to the quantity to be dispensed by the unit and the valve 38 opened, the meter 20 driving the register through the meter driven shaft 24 is effective through the drive train just described to advance the units order counter wheel in a reverse direction towards its zero position. Each hundred revolutions of the units order counter wheel 66 will advance the tens order counter wheel in a reverse direction ten revolutions, the hundreds order counter wheel 122 one revolution in a reverse direction, and the thousands order counter wheel 122 one tenth of a revolution in a reverse direction. In this manner the register is driven from shaft 24 until all of its counter wheels are restored to zero.

As has been previously indicated, the latching mechanism 28 is actuated by the registering mechanism 26 to control the closing of the valve unit 38 in successive stages. This successive actuation of the latching unit is controlled by a member 132 having a depending pin 134 and fixed to a shaft 136 journalled between the frames 50 and 52 by which member 132 is mounted for pivotal oscillatory movement. The member 132 is controlled by the registering mechanism 68 to drop from its first position as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to a second position when the registering mechanism is restored to a first predetermined value intermediate the value of the quantity to be dispensed and the zero setting of the register, and by a Vernier control mechanism to rise toward its first position when the register is further restored to a second setting intermediate in value the first intermediate value and the zero setting of the register, and to drop toward its second position a second time when the registering mechanism is fully restored to zero.

The latching mechanism 34, as is fully described in the aforesaid copending application, is effective on the first occasion of the dropping of the member 132 to close the valve 38 to a first setting, upon the raising of member 132 to further close the valve to a condition but slightly removed from complete closure and, upon the final dropping of member 132, to completely close the valve member 38 thereby terminating the flow of fluid.

With continuing reference to Figures 2 and 3, the member 132 is resiliently biased about the axis of shaft 136, which is parallel to that of shaft 112, by a spring 138 and is provided with a pair of integral arms 140 extending downwardly below the shaft 136 and supporting therebetween a shaft 144 on which are journalled three cam follower rollers 146, 148 and 150 engaging the profiles of cams 152, 154 and 156 respectively and thus forming a cam follower common to those three cams. Cams 152, 154 and 156 are respectively coaxially fixed to the counter wheels 120, 122 and 124. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the profiles of cams 154 and 156 are provided with a notch to receive rollers 148 and 150 respectively at positions corresponding to the zero positions of the counter wheels 122 and 124. The profile of cam 152, in this separate embodiment of the invention, is provided with a lobe to engage the cam follower 146 at the positions corresponding to the ninth and eighth positions of the counter wheel 120. By this construction, so long as either of counter wheels 122 or g 124 is at a position other than its zero position, the

corresponding cam 154 or 156 through engagement with the associated roller.148 or 150 is effective to maintain member 132 in its upwardly pivoted'position in opposition to the force .of spring 138,that is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewedfromthe right of Figure 2 and. the left ofFigure 3. As is shown in Figure 16, the extent and orientation of the lobe on cam152 is suchthat cam 152, through its cooperation with the cam follower roller 146, is effective to maintain the member 132 in its upwardly pivoted position so long as the associated counter wheel 120 is in its nine or eight position but is otherwise ineffective to prevent downward pivotalmovement of the member 132. There is no cam or cam follower directlyassociated with the units order counter wheel 66.

In operation therefore the thousands order counter wheel 124 will be graduallyrestored to its zero position to align the notch in cam 156 with the roller 150 and upon the next revolution of: the hundredsorder, counter wheel 122 and the notch inthe cam 154 associated therewith will become aligned with the coacting cam follower 148 when the counter wheel 122 is restored to zero. Following the restoration of counter wheels 122 and 124 to their zero position, the tens order counter wheel 120 will continue to advance intermittently a tenth of a revolution for each revolution of the units order counter wheel 66. 'When the counter wheel 120 advances from its eighth position to its seventh position, the lobe on the associated cam 152 will become disengaged from the cam follower 146 so that all three cam followers 146, 148 and 150 are free of the high portion of the profiles of the cams 152, 154 and 156 respectively. -At this time the registering mechanism 68 reads'0079. Once the lobe on the cam 152 has disengaged from the cam follower 146, the member 132 oscillates abruptly to its second position under the action of the spring 138 to actuate the mechanism of the latch unit 28 to effect the first closure step of the valve unit 38. .As will be pointed out in. detail later, by substituting cams having lobes of diifering lengths for cam 152, the timing of the initiation of stage valve closure can be varied in steps of tengallons between readings of 0099 and 0009, the given value 0079 being purely illustrative. Movement of the member 132 to its second position brings into operation a Vernier mechanism now to :be described, which controls further movement of member 132 during the remainder of the operating cycle as the registering mechanism 68 is restored to zero. This vernier mechanism comprises a helical cam 162 preferably formed of nylon and fixed by a set screw .163 for rotation with shaft 112, a cam follower member 164 mounted for pivotal movement by a pin 166 upon a member 168 fixed to the end -of the pivotally mounted shaft 136 and resiliently biased by a spring 170 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 and a clockwise direction as viewedin Figure 3 about the axis of pin *166against a stop 172. Stop 172 is pivotally mounted upon member 168 on a pin v174 parallel to the pin 166 and may be locked in its adjusted position by a screw I76 extending through an arcuate slot 178 formed through the stop member 172 and threadedly engaged with the member 168. Cam follower 164 is thus mounted for pivotal movement relative to member 132 by pin 166, a movement which alone has no effect on the position of member 132, and for-pivotal movement with member 132 about the axis of shaft 136.

The various critical positions of the cam 162 and the cam follower 164 are illustrated in Figures 4 through 15. Referring first to Figure 4, the cam 162 has a first portion 179 in the form of a series of square helical threads of uniform outside diameter and a final thread 184 having a dwell of materially larger diameter'and an interconnecting gradual rise. The cam follower 164 is provided with a pin 180 having a diameter substantially equal to the width of and adapted to extend into the groove between the threads, withoutbottoming, to feed the cam follower along the earn 162 as it is rotated.

follower 164 is formed with a projection 182 adjacent the pin which,-as is clearly shown in Figure 5, is substantially shorter than the pin 180. The endface 183 of theprojec tion 182 preferably is beveled to form-an acute angle with the axis of pin 180 and is'adapte'd to ride upon the profile of the threads of the cam 162. As is shown in Figure 4, the profile of the major portion- 186 of final thread 1'84is beveled at an acute angle to mate with the acute angle formed by pin 180 an'd'the end face 183 of projection 182. This construction-prevents disengagement of the cam follower during therise and final dwell of the last cam thread 184.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the relative position of the cam follower 164 relative to the axis of the cam 162 at any time after initiation 'of the fluid flow and before restoration of the registering mechanism 68 to the first contact therebetween. When the registering mechanism 68 advances to the first predetermined value permitting the member 132 to drop, the shaft 136, upon which'the member 168 is also fixed, pivots therewith to lower the cam follower 164 into engagement with the cam 162.

The position of initial engagement of the cam 162 and the cam follower 164 is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In this positiornthe pin 180 extends into the'groove between the threads of.the.cam-162 and, as the shaft 112 rotates, the pin 180 will advance one thread length for each revolution of the shaft 112, without imparting pivotal movement to shaft 136 causing cam follower 164 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6. The shaft 112 rotates one revolution for every revolution'of the units order counter wheel 66.

As has been pointed out, the last thread of the cam 162 has a portion of gradually increasing diameter which .causes'the cam follower 164, when engaging that portion, to'pivot about the axis of shaft 136 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed Figures 9 and 11 from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 11. The initiation of thispivotal movement of the cam follower 164 is, in the disclosed embodiment, at the registration of the registering mechanism 68 of eight galions and is complete at a registration of four gallons by that mechanism. This pivotal movement of the camfollower 164 pivots the shaft 136 and the member '132 with it thus raising the member 132 and initiating thesecon'd stage of valve closure as previously described.

The last thread 184 terminates in a radially extending projection 188 having a radially extending beveled side face190 adapted to coact with a bevel side face 192 on the cam follower 164 to force the cam follower 164 to the right as viewed in Figure 12 to disengage it from the profile of that last thread 184. The profile of'the last thread immediately in front of the bevel face 190 on the projection 188 is cylindricalrather than beveled as at 186 (see Figure 8) so that the locking engagement between the cam follower 164 and the last thread 184 no longer exists when the beveled faces 190and 192 engage. The position of the components of this mechanism immediately prior to engagement of the beveled surfaces 190.and 192 is shown in Figures 12 and 13. These faces engage immediately prior to restoration of the registering mechanism 68 to its zero condition. As the shaft 112 continues to rotate about its position corersponding to the zero position of the units order counter wheels 66 the beveled face 190 coacting with the bevel face 192 on the cam follower 164 causes the cam follower 164 to .pivot about its pivot pin 166 sufficiently to disengage the projection 182 from the periphery of the last thread 184 and allow the cam follower 164 to pivot in'a clockwise direction about the axis of shaft 136 as viewed in Figure 13. Thispivotal movement of the cam follower 164 is effected under the resilient biasingforce of "the Spring 138 (Figures 2 and 3) and permits the final pivotal movement of the member 132 to finally actuate the mechanism of the latching unit 28 to effect final closing of the valve unit 38. This final condition of the components of the three dimensional cam mechanism is shown in Figures 14 and 15.

The components of this mechanism will remain in the position shown in Figures 14 and 15 until the counter wheels 66, 120, 122 and 124 have been set to anew value to lift the member 132 to its initial position and the cam 162 advanced sufficiently to disengage the projection 182 and the pin 180 from the projection 188 on the cam 162. Upon this occurrence, the spring 170 contacts to shift the cam follower 164 to its position as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and against the adjustable stop 172.

The member 132 may be lifted manually by rotation of the hand trip lever 191 (Figures 2 and 3) which is fixed to a shaft extending through the side wall of the housing 32 and the internal frame 52 and having a member 193 fixed thereto below the member so that, by pivotal movement of the member 191, the member 193 may be turned so one of its arms engages the bottom of the weight member 132 to lift it in opposition to the resilient biasing force of the spring 138, and the other arm of member 193 upon further movement of lever 191 will engage and depress a trip plate 376 (see Figures 30 and 31). By several successive manipulations of the hand trip lever 191, the latch mechanism can be tripped to permit an emergency valve closure.

The cam 162 being formed of nylon and the cam follower being formed of bronze, the friction between the two during their engagement is very slight, thereby imposing a relatively light load upon the meter driven shaft 24. The load upon the meter driven shaft 24 is further reduced in this construction which permits spacing of the movement of the member 132 from its second position toward its first position to effect the second step in the stage closure of the valve over approximately four tenths of a revolution of the shaft 112 and units order counter wheel 66, thus avoiding the rapid reversal of movements of member 132 and concomitant heavy periodic loading upon shaft 24.

The gallon reading of the register 68 at which stage closure of the valve is initiated may be varied in initial assembly by the substitution of another cam for cam 152 as has been indicated generally herein before and by either substituting a cam for cam 162 having a number of threads equal to the number of 36 spacings on the cam substituted for cam 152 or by adjusting the stop 172 so that the number of threads over which the cam follower travels is equal to that number of 36 spacings. Thus in reference to Figures 17 and 18, which show the modifications necessary to accommodate a 30 gallon initiation of stage closure of the valve, the substituted helical cam has three threads and the substituted cam 152a associated with counter wheel 170 has three spacings corresponding to the 2, 1, and 0 positions of that counter wheel. When the number of 36 spacings on the cam substituted for cam 152 is but a single space (see Figure 21) so that the stage closure is initiated at a reading of 0009 gallons, cam follower 164 may be locked in a fixed position, perferably in a plane normal to the axes of shafts 136 and 112, and cam 162 formed as a plate cam 16212 (Figure 19), cam follower 164 is apertured at 196 (Figure 4) and member 168 is provided with a suitably aligned threaded aperture 197 so that cam follower 164 can be fixed in position in this manner by a lock nut 198 on a screw 200 extending through aperture 196 and mounted in threaded aperture 197. The profile 184b of the cam 1625, the configuration of which is shown in Figure 20, coacts with the projection 182 on cam follower 164 in the conventional manner. The relative orientation of cam profile 18% and projection 182 is that of these parts immediately prior to the engagement of roller 146 (Figures 2 and 3) with the single notch in the profile of cam 1521) (Figure 21) at a reading of 0009 of the register 68.

Additional predetermining register embodiment The latch box mechanism can be tripped to permit successive three-stage movement of the bar 40, and closing of the valve can be accomplished by, the predetermining register embodiment shown in Figures 23-28. For the purpose of tripping the latch mechanism 28 a tube 240 is loosely disposed through a central opening in a boss 242 integrally formed on the cover 244 of latch box 28 as shown in Figure 29 and engages latch mechanism tripping means (not shown) but which is fully described in co-pending application Serial No. 410,975.

The predetermining register unit 226 has a series of digit wheels, 250, 250, 250 and 251 mounted in a suitable frame 252 within a housing 254 and provided with a manually operable shaft 256 for setting said wheels. A gear train now to be described, is mounted in the frame 252 and transmits the drive to the digit wheels from shaft 24 which is in turn coupled with the meter drive shaft as shown in Figure 22. Gear 260, mounted on the shaft 24, meshes with gear 262 which is non-rotatably fixed to shaft 264 (Figure 24), vertically mounted for rotation in frame 252. Vertically spaced above the gear 262 (Figure 23) and mounted for rotation with shaft 264 is a worm 266. A pinion gear 268 and a worm gear 270 are mounted on frame 252 for rotation together on a horizontal axis, the worm gear 270 meshing with and being driven by worm 266 while gear 268 meshes with and drives gear 272 similarly mounted on frame 252 for rotation on a horizontal axis. The unit wheel 251 is driven directly by gear 272 meshing with a gear 274 which drives the unit digit wheel by means of a conventional clutch arrangement (not shown). All the digit wheels can be selectively engaged by the shaft 256 through a oneway clutch (not shown) to rotate the wheels in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the left in Figure 23, to preset any desired total on the wheels. Rearwardly of shaft 256 and vertically spaced therefrom is a shaft 276, mounted in the frame 252, which carries transfer pinions 278 by which the other wheels 250, 250 and 250" are progressively moved in descending order in a ten-to-one ratio in a manner well known in the art. In the present instance, four digit wheels are shown but a greater or less number may be used as desired.

Rearwardly of and parallel to shaft 276, a shaft 280' is journalled in frame 252 and has pivotally mounted thereon a weighted arm 282. Rigidly secured to the right leg 283 of weighted arm 282 (Figure 23), for rotation therewith, is a bracket 284 and between said bracket and frame 252, a carrier member 286 is pinned to shaft 280 by means of pin 288. A collar 292 is also pinned to the shaft 280 between the legs of the weight 282 constituting an abutment for a spring 290 compressed between the said collar and the right leg of the weight to urge the weight 282 and bracket 284 against the sleeve and collar member 286.

Figure 26 is a view of the weight actuating means taken along the lines 2626 of Figure 23. Rod 294 is rigidly mounted between one leg of the weight 280 and the bracket 284, in a position directly beneath the shaft 280. Rod 294 has formed thereon three spaced circular cam followers, 296, 296 and 296 which, as will be explained, coact with the digit wheels to allow sequential pivotal movement of the weight 282, thereby tripping the latch box mechanism previously described. As best shown in Figures 26 and 27, a pin 298 protrudes inwardly from the marginal portion of carrier element 286. One end of a trip arm 300 is loosely pivoted on the pin 298. The other end of trip arm 300 is enlarged, as shown in Figure 27, and has a slot 302, which slot is guided on a guide pin 304 on the end of post 305. Post 305 is rigidly secured to the extreme lower end of bracket 284 by any suitable means such as screw 306. Trip arm 300 is maintained in.

11 proper vertical alignment by means of the shoulder of pin 304, washer 308 and screw 310. It will be noted that as the collar 286 is rotated with the shaft 280, the trip arm 300 will be moved up and down in a vertical direction by means of the pin 298 and will be guided in' its vertical movement by the pin 304- riding in slot 302.

Three of the digit wheels 250, 250' and 250", have integrally formed therewith, coaxial circular cams 312, 312 and 312" (Figure 23) into which are milled respective depressions or notches 314, 314-? and 314". The notches are formed adjacent the numeral in each case so that they will all be in alignment with each other and directly opposite the cam followers 296 when wheels 250, 250' and 250" present the numeral 0 to the window 316 in housing 254. Unit digit wheel 251 (Figure 27) has integrally formed therewith a cam 318 having a raised portion 318' which extends along the periphery of wheel 251 from the numbers 7"5 inclusive and drops off abruptly at end of number 5.

Formed on the enlarged portion of trip arm 300 opposite slot 302 is a nose portion 320. As best seen in Figures 24 and 27, the trip arm 300 depends from the carrier 286 in such a position that the nose portion 320 will, during a portion of each revolution of digit wheel 251, ride up on the raised portion 318 of the cam 318 and by means of its linkage with Weight 282 through the pin 304, slot 302 and bracket 284, will cause the weight 282 to pivot about the shaft 280 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 27, and thereby move the rear portion of the weight 282 upwardly, as viewed in Figures 23 and 27. .As the unit digit wheel 251 continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the nose portion 320 of the trip arm 360 will be disengaged from the raised portion' 318' and will drop down to the circular periphery of the cam 318 under the influence of the weight 282, 0

thereby allowing the tail portion of the weight 282 to move downwardly as viewed in Figures 23 and 27.

Extending from the side of the extended portion of weight arm 282, and integral therewith, is a horizontal bar 324. As shown in Figure 24, the front end of a trip plate 328 is pivoted to a web 329 at the front lower portion of housing 254. The trip plate is thus mounted beneath the frame 252 for limited vertical rotation about a horizontal axis. A pin 326 depends from the end of bar 324 and, when the frame 252 is secured within the housing 254 by means of screws 330 extending upwardly through a circular web in housing 254 and into threaded holes 332 on frame 252, pin 326 will be positioned directly above the rear portion 333 of pivoted plate 328.

Referring to Figures 1 and 24, the register housing 32, which can be considered to enclose either the preferred register mechanism 26 or the embodiment 226, is mounted in the general assembly by first mounting base plate 30 on the latch box assembly 28 and clamping the said latch box between the plate 30 and the top of housing 22 by means of eight equally spaced screws and spacers 34 which are threaded into the top of the housing 22. Register housing 32 is secured on top of base plate 30 by means of screws which project upwardly through the base plate 30 and are threaded into eight equally spaced holes 334 tapped in the web portion of housing 254 (Figure 24). When so mounted, trip plate 328 is directly over and rests on tube 240 (Figure 29). The plate 328 has a central opening 336 into which project ears 338, which are adapted to contact tube 240. Shaft 24 extends through tube 240 within the latch box 28 through opening 336 in plate 328 and by means of a coupling 340, drives a totalizing register 36 mounted on top of predetermining register 26 or 226 by suitable means not shown. Register 36 will record the total amount of fluid through the meter and has no control effect on the operation of predetermining register 26 or 226, latch box 28 or valve unit 38.

Operating cycle The particular embodiment of the predetermining register mechanism just described is adapted to begin closing movement of the valve when all but 10 gallons of the desired predetermined quantity of fluid remains to be metered and dispensed. It is to be understood, however that by suitable placement of the recesses 314, 314', 314", and the cam portion 318', the first or initial stage of the' valve closing movement could be initiated at any desired figure within the range of the predetermining register. Assuming that it is desired to dispense 100 gallons of fluid and then close the valve to further flow, the numeral 100 is set up on the digit wheels 250', 250" and 251 by means of the knurled knob 322. The operating handle 48 is grasped and rotated in a clockwise direction, as

viewed in Figure l, to open valve unit 38, as explained above. The clockwise rotation of shaft 44 will open the valve against a valve spring (not shown). As shaft 44 is rotated in a clockwise direction to fully open the valve, latch bar 48 is pulled toward the meter 20 or to the right in Figure 1A, and when the valve is in its full open position, bar is latched'in position against the pressure of the valve spring by the latch box mechanism.

Valve unit 38 now being latched in its full open position, fluid will fiow through the meter 20 driving the shaft 24. Through the train of gears 260, 262, worm 266, worm gear 270, gears 268, 272, and 274, Figures 22, 24 and 28 the digit wheels are driven to register progressively decreasing amounts by means of the transferpinions 278 in a manner well known in the art. When a point is reached where 10 gallons of the desired predetermined quantity remains to be dispensed, digit wheels 250, 250' and 251 will show the numeral 0 through the window 316, while the digit wheel 250" will show the numeral l. and respectively opposite the circular cam followers 296 and 296. However, since, at this point, the recess 314" is not in alignment with the recesses 314 and 314,;the'

cam follower 296 rides on the periphery of cam 312", thereby maintaining the rear portion of weight 282 in a relatively elevated position to hold pin 326 out of contact with trip plate 328. However, as one more gallon is dispensed through the meter, the digit wheel 251 will register the numeral 9 and the digit wheel 250" will register the numeral 0, thereby bringing the recess 314" into alignment with the recesses on the other digit wheels and to a position directly opposite the cam follower 296. Since, as explained above, the raised portion 318' extends only from the numeral 75 inclusive, of the digit wheel 251, the nose portion 320 will be opposite the peripheral surface of the cam 318. At this point, cam followers 296, 296' and 296" will drop into recesses 314, 314' and 314" and nose portion 320 of arm 300 will be swung into contact with the cam 318, allowing the weight 282 to pivot about shaft 280, causing pin 326 to depress register trip plate 328 which in turn depresses the tube 240 which reciprocates to trip the latch mechanism in the manner explained in conjunction with the preferred embodiment. When tube 240 is initially depressed, the latch mechanism permits bar 40 to move to the left under the influence of the valve spring to a predetermined position where it is held against further movement to the left (Figure 1) to latch the valve 38 in its first stage of partially closed position. Further flow of fluid through the meter 20 at a reduced rate will now continue until the numeral 3 on digit wheel 251 is brought removes pin 326 from contact with plate 328, which in turn releases tube 240, again tripping the latch mechanism and permitting the latch bar 40 to move to' the left (Figure l), to a position which is short of full .closurethereby completing the second stage of-closin'g movement of the valve 38.

The recesses 314 and 314' are in alignment assas'ro Continued flow of fluid through the meter 20 at a further reduced rate will take place until the numeral on digit wheel 251 appears in register through window 316 at which point all of the predetermined quantity of fluid has been dispensed. At this point, the wheel 251 has been rotated to the position shown in Figure 27 and arm 300 drops down off the raised cam portion 318' on to the periphery of cam 318, allowing weight 282 to rock in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 27, about shaft 280. The pin 326 again depresses plate 328 which in turn again depresses tube 240 to again trip the latch mechanism bar 40 thereby permitting to move to the left (Figure 1) an amount sufiicient to permit complete closure of the valve unit 38, thus preventing further flow through the meter 20.

In order to precisely adjust the point where the nose portion 320 of arm 300 is disengaged from the raised cam portion 318' to initiate first and third stages of valve closure, the vertical position of arm 300 may be varied with respect to the digit wheel 251 by means of the mechanism shown in Figures 26 and 27. This adjustment is accomplished by rotating the shaft 280 and carrier 286. Arm 300 depending from pin 298 will thereby be moved vertically with respect to the axis of shaft 256, and guided by pin 304 in the slot 302. Since the engagement between trip arm nose portion 320 and cam 318 determines all three stages of valve closure, it will be.

appreciated that the described adjustment of arm will vary the precise points in the revolution of digit wheel 251 where the nose portion 320 is engaged and disengaged by raised portion 318, thus providing a means to adjust the three-stage cut-off range with relation to total quantity. Shaft 280 is accessible from the outside of housing 254 by means of an opening 341 through which a screw driver may be inserted to engage a slot in the end of shaft 280. Opening 341 is normally closed by a plug 342.

In case it is desired to close the valve unit 38 before the predetermined quantity has been dispensed, a manually operable emergency trip means has been provided, as best shown in Figures 23 and 24. A shaft 343 is journalled in t. e side wall of housing 254 to the outer end of which is secured a manually operable lever 344. The shaft 343 extends through an opening in the frame 252 and attached to the inner end thereof is a trip lever 350, saidlever being positioned beneath the weight 282 and directly above trip plate 328. Intermediate its ends and closely adjacent to the outside of frame 252, a stop arm 346 is non-rotatably secured to the shaft 342. Stop arm 346 is L-shaped in form and has a leg 346' extending from one end and a pin 348 rigidly secured to its opposite end. A spring 349 extends between the pin 348 and the frame 252 to normally urge the leg 346' into engagement with a bottom web integrally formed on housing 254. As the shaft 343 is rotated against the pressure of spring 349 by depressing lever 344, the trip lever 350 will depress plate 328 to actuate the latch box mechanism. To manually actuate the tripping mechanism to close the valve, it is simply necessary to depress lever 344, thus depressing the tube 240 and the valve will close its initial step, as above described in connection with the automatic operation. When lever 344 is released, spring 349 will rotate the shaft 343 until arm 346' abuts against housing 254. This releases tube 240 to complete the second stage closing of the valve and the final stage of closure is initiated by again depressing the lever 344.

If desired, the weighted arm 282 may be biased downwardly by a spring 352 extending between a pin 354 on arm 282 and the frame 252. However, the weight of arm 7 282 will normally be effective to trip the latch lever holding pin 202.

Modified register trip plate assembly To enable easier assembling and testing of various units of the predetermining fluid dispensing combination a separable register trip plate assembly360 (Figures ,30

and 31) is proposed in lieu of the register trip plate 328 which is mounted on the bottom side of register housing 32 or 254 (Figure 24). Trip plate assembly 360 is mounted on the top of latch box cover plate 362 and therefore normally remains in an essentially horizontal position on the latch box When the register is removed from above the latch box. In a horizontal position on the latch box cover the register trip plate will not be freely hanging from the predetermining register when the register is placed on the latch box and cannot impede assembly and Waste time.

Latch box cover 362 is essentially similar to cover 244 excepting the center boss 364 has an outer cylindrical portion of sufficient dimension to serve as a mounting post for the trip plate assembly 360. Assembly 360 consists of a register trip plate support 366 with a split ring clamp 368 integral at one end to releasably fit over and be clamped to the cover plate boss 364 by tightening a screw 369. Support 366 also has a lateral arm 370 which overlies the cover plate 362 and extends away from ring -clamp 368 to a position adjacent the cover plate perimeboth of which extend over the cover plate boss 364. An

inwardly directed finger 386 and 388 on respective long and short arms 382 and 384 are diametrally disposed over the boss 364 and the upper edge of the latch mechanism actuating tube 240. Long arm 382 projects beyond cover boss 364 and terminates in a wide flat end 390 which with the register assembled on the latch box mechanism, will be disposed immediately under the pin 134 or 326 carried on the operating arms of respective predetermining registers 26 or 226. A wide section 392 of trip plate 376 Will be disposed under the arm of member 193 or 350 (Figures 3 and 24), on the manual trip device of respective registers 26 or 226, which swings downward when the manual trip is operated.

Thus, when the register operator pin moves down to engage and depress flat end 390 or when the manual trip lever is operated to engage the wide section 392 the register trip plate 37 6 will pivot downward about the pivot rod 374 and press the latch mechanism trip tube downward. Reverse movement of the register operator pin or the manual trip device will permit the register trip plate 376 to be moved back under the force of tube 240 which is biased against the trip plate by a spring loaded device (not shown) within the latch box. Register trip plate assembly 360 can be positioned in any desired angular disposition on latch box cover plate 362, by releasing, adjusting and reclamping the split ring clamp 368, to enable the register to be assembled to be read from any desired angular position.

From the foregoing detailed description it is apparent that the present invention provides an improved predetermining registering mechanism which provides signals indicative of the restoration of the selectively settable register to two distinct values intermediate the preset value and the Zero position of the register. These intermediate values, in this mechanism, may be varied independently and provide an accurate control for the gradual reduction in the rate of flow of fluid through a predetermined quantity fluid dispensing device.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characterand all changes which come within the meaning and 15 range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined quantity of material comprising a material flow control valve, a device for measuring the quantity of material dispensed through said valve, a selectively settable predetermining register driven by said measuring device and operative to provide an indication of the quantity of material to be discharged through said valve, a mechanism operative when actuated to efiect the closure of said valve in a plurality of stages, means controlled by said register for actuating said mechanism upon restoration of said register to a predetermined value to eifect the initial stage of closure of said valve and a vernier means driven by said measuring device and rendered operative during the initial actuation of said mechanism for effecting subsequent actuations of said mechanism to efiect subsequent stages of closure of said valve.

2. A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined quantity of fluid comprising a fluid control valve, a meter for measuring the quantity of fluid passing through said valve, a selectively settable predetermining register driven by said meter and operative to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid to be discharged through said valve, a mechanism operative when actuated to effect the closure of said valve in a plurality of stages, means controlled by said register for actuating said mechanism upon restora tion of said register to a predetermined value to effect the initialstage of closure of said valve and a vernier means driven by said meter and rendered operative during the initial actuation of said mechanism for effecting subsequent actuations of said mechanism to effect subsequent stages of closure of said valve.

3. A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined quantity of fluid comprising a fluid control valve, a meter for measuring the quantity of fluid passing through said valve, a selectively settable predetermining register driven by said meter and operative to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid to be discharged through said valve,

a mechanism operative when actuated to effect the closure of said valve in a plurality of stages, means controlled by said register for actuating said mechanism upon restoration of said register to a predetermined value to effect the initial stage of closure of said valve comprising a member mounted for oscillatory movement in a predetermined path and means for maintaining said member in a first position so long as the condition of the orders of said register other than the units order thereof is indicative of a value greater than said predetermined value and operative upon restoration of said register orders to a condition indicative of such predetermined value to move said member to a second position in which said member is operative to actuate said mechanism to initiate the stage closure of said valve, and a vernier means, a portion of which is carried by said member, rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position and driven by said meter for controlling the position of said member to actuate said, mechanism to effect subsequent stages of closure of said valve.

4. A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined quantity of fluid comprising a fluid control valve, a meter 7 for measuring the quantity of fluid passing through said valve, a selectively settable pluralorder predetermining I register driven by said meter and operative to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid to be discharged through said valve, a mechanism operative when actuated to effect closure of said valve in a plurality of stages,

actuation of said mechanism and driven by said meter a normally disengaged cam and cam follower, said cam being mounted for rotation and driven by said meter at the same angular velocity as the units order of said register, said cam follower being mounted for pivotal movement and engaged with said cam upon initial actua-,

tion of said mechanism, said cam being so constructed as to eflect controlled pivotal movements of said cam, follower to actuate said mechanism to efiect'subsequent stages of closure of' said valve.

5. A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined quantity of fluid comprising a fluid control valve; a meter; for measuring the quantity of fluid passing through said' valve; a selectively settable predetermining register driven by said meter and operative to provide'an indication of the quantity of fluid to be discharged through said valve,

a mechanism operative when actuated to effect closure of said valve in a plurality of stages; means controlled by said register for'actuating said mechanism upon restoration of said register to a predetermined value to elfect' the initial stage of closure of said valve comprising a' member mounted for pivotal oscillatory movement in'a predetermined path and means for maintaining said mem-:

ber in a first position so long as the condition of the orders of said register other than the units order thereof is indicative of a'value greater than the predetermined value and operative upon restoration of said register to a condition indicative of such a predetermined value of said mechanism to effect subsequent stages of closure of said valve comprising a normally disengaged helical cam and cam follower, said cam being mounted for rotation about an axis in spaced parallel relation to the pivot axis of said member and driven by said meter at the same'angular velocity as the units order of said register,

said "cam follower being mounted for pivotal movement I with said member and for pivotal movement relative thereto and being positioned to engage said helical cam upon movement of said member to said second position, i said helical cam being so constructed as to effect con: trolled pivotal movement of said'cam follower relative to said member without producing movement of said to the direction of movement of said member to said second position and to effect rapid conjoint pivotal movement of said cam follower and member toward said second position to'eflect a second and third stage of closure of said valve respectively.

-6. 'A device for dispensing a selectable predetermined.

quantity of fluid comprising a fluid control valve, a

meter formeasuring the quantity offluid passing through through said valve,'and a signal responsive means operatively connected to receive'signals from said register and including mechanism operative upon receipt of such "signals from said register to effect successive: stages of closure of said valve, said plural order predetermining.

register having a first base quantity indicative condition andbeing selectively settable to a second quantity inquantity measurement indicative of said register and operative to restore said order and eachhigher denominational'order of said register from any selectively set second condition to said first condition, means responsive to the restoration of said higher for effecting subsequent actuation of said mechanism to eflect subsequent'stages of closure of said valve comprising denominational orders of said register to a third condition indicative of a quantity intermediate the quantities indicated by said first and second conditions thereof for producing a first signal to actuate said signal responsive mechanism, means rendered operative in response to said first signal and controlled by said quantity measurement indicative means for producing a second signal indicative of a further quantity setting of said register intermediate said third and first quantity indicative condition and a third signal indicative of restoration of said register to said first quantity indicative condition to actuate said valve closure efiecting mechanism to efiect a second stage of closure of said valve and a final stage of closure of said valve respectively.

7. In combination, a selectively settable predetermining register, a register input drive train operative to restore said register from a preset value to zero, a mechanism operative through a series of stages upon successive actuations, means controlled by said register for actuating said mechanism upon restoration of said register to a predetermined value to initiate the initial stage of operation thereof, and a Vernier means driven by said drive train and rendered operative upon efiectuation of the initial stage of operation of said mechanism for effecting subsequent actuations of said mechanism to initiate subsequent stages of operation of said mechanism.

8. In combination, a plural order predetermining register having a first base quantity indicative condition and selectively settable to a second quantity indicative condition, a fluid meter driven shaft, a drive train interconnecting said shaft with one order of said register and operative to restore said order and each higher denominational order of said register from any selectively set second condition to said first condition at a rate proportional to the rate of rotation of said shaft, a member mounted for oscillatory movement in a predetermined path, means associated with said higher denominational orders of said register for maintaining said member in a first position so long as the quantity indicated by said register is higher in value than a third quantity intermediate the quantities indicated by said first and second conditions of said register and operative upon restoration of said register to third quantity indicative condition to effect movement of said member to said second position, auxiliary means, a portion of which is carried by said member rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position and driven by said drive train for shifting said member from said second position toward said first position upon restoration of said register to a condition indicative of a quantity intermediate the value of said third and first quantity indicative conditions and to restore said member toward said second position upon restoration of said register to said first quantity indicative condition.

9. In combination, a plural order predetermining register having a first base quantity indicative condition and selectively settable to a second quantity indicative condition; a fluid meter driven shaft; a drive train interconnecting said shaft with one order of said register and operative to restore said order and each higher denominational order of said register from any selectively set second condition to said first condition at a rate proprotional to the rate of rotation of said shaft; a member mounted for oscillatory movement in a predetermined path; means associated with said higher denominational orders of said register for maintaining said member in a first position so long as the quantity indicated by said register is higher in value than a third quantity intermediate the quantities indicated by said first and second conditions of said register and operative upon restoration of said register to said third quantity indicative condition to efiect movement of said member to said second position; means, rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position for shifting said member from said second position toward said first position upon restoration of said register to a condition indicative of a quantity intermediate the value of said third and first quantity indicative conditions and to restore said member towards said second position upon restoration of said register to said first quantity indicative condition, comprising a normally disengaged cam and cam follower, said cam being mounted for rotation and driven by said drive train at an angular velocity equal to the rate of rotation of said one order of said register and said cam follower being mounted for pivotal movement with said member along said path.

10. In combination, a plural order predetermining register having a first base quantity indicative condition and selectively settable to a second quantity indicative condition; a fluid meter driven shaft; a drive train interconnecting said shaft with one order of said register and operative to restore said order and each, higher denominational order of said register from any selectively set second condition to said first condition at a rate proportional to the rate of rotation of said shaft; a member mounted for oscillatory movement in a predetermined path; means associated with said higher denominational orders of said register for maintaining said member in a first position so long as the quantity indicated by said register is higher in value than a third quantity intermediate the quantities indicated by said first and second conditions of said register and operative upon restoration of said register to said third quantity indicative condition to effect movement of said member to said second position; means, rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position for shifting said member from said second position toward said first position upon restoration of said register to a condition indicative of a quantity intermediate.

the value of said third and first quantity indicative conditions and to restore said member towards second position upon restoration of said register to said first quantity indicative condition, comprising a normally disengaged helical cam and cam follower, said cam being mounted for rotation and driven by said drive train at an angular velocity equal to the rate of rotation of said one order of said register and said cam follower being mounted for pivotal movement with said member along said path' and for pivotal movement relative thereto along a second path under control of said helical cam.

11. In combination with a plural order selectively settable counter andcounter drive means operative when actuated to restore said counter from any selectively set value to its zero value, a control member mounted for oscillatory pivotal movement between a first and a second position, a cam mounted for rotation with each counter wheel of said counter other than the units order counter wheel thereof, a cam follower common to said cams and mounted for pivotal movement with said memlier, means resiliently biasing said cam follower against the profiles of said cams, the profiles of said cams being so formed that said cam follower is maintained by said cams in a first position in opposition to said biasing means so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value greater than a predetermined value and that said cam follower is permitted to move to a second position and remain in such second position so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value equal to or less than said predetermined value, and Vernier cam means rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position for controlling the subsequent positioning of said member.

12. In combination with a plural order selectively settable counter and counter drive means operative when actuated to restore said counter from any selectively set value to its zero value, a -control member mounted for oscillatory pivotal movement between a first and a second position, a cam mounted for rotation with each counter wheel of said counter other than the units order counter wheel thereof, a cam follower common to said cams and mounted for pivotal movement with said member, means resiliently biasing said cam follower against the profiles of said cams, the profiles of said cams being so formed that said cam follower is maintained by said cams in a first position in opposition to said biasing means so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value greater than a predetermined value and that said cam follower is permitted to move to a second position and remain in such second position so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value equal to or less than said predetermined value, and vernier cam means rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position for controlling the subsequent positioning of said member comprising a cam driven by said counter drive means at an angular velocity equal to that of the unit order counter wheel of said counter, and a cam follower mounted for pivotal movement with said member, the profile of said cam having a low portion permitting said member to remain in said second position, a rise effective to move said member towards said first position and a drop off effective to rapidly restore said member toward said second position.

13. In combination with a plural order selectively settable counter and counter drive means operative when actuated to restore said counter from any selectively set value to its zero value, a control member mounted for oscillatory pivotal movement between a first and second position, a cam mounted for rotation with each counter wheel of said register other than the units order counter wheel thereof. a cam follower common to all of said cams and fixed to said member. me ns resilientl biasing said cam follower toward the profiles of said cams, the profiles of said cams being so formed that said cam follower and said member are maintained by said cams in a first position in opposition to said biasing means so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value greater than a predetermined value and that said cam follower and member are permitted to move to a second position and allowed to remain in such second position so long as said counter wheels are in positions indicative of a value equal to or less than said predetermined value, and vernier cam means rendered operative upon movement of said member to said second position for controlling the subsequent positioning of said member comprising a helical cam driven by said register drive means at the same angular velocity as the units order of said counter and a cam follower mounted for pivotal movement with and relative to sa d member and adapted to follow the profi e of said helical cam when engaged therewith, the profile of said helical cam having a low portion permitting said member to rema n in said second position after initial enga ement of said i cam and cam follower throu hout a predetermined rotowards said first position and a drop off effective to rapidly restore said member toward said second position when said helical cam is rotated to a position corresponding to the zero position of said counter. 4

14. In combinati n, a al order n edete mininsz register with an order indicating means for each order of re istration having a first base quantity indicative condition and selectively settable to a second ouantity indicative condition, quantity measurement indicative means connected to one order indicating means of said register and operative to restore said order indicating means and each higher denominational order indicating means of said register from any selectively set second condition to said first condition, means structurally associated with and responsive to the restoration of said higher denominational order indicating means of said register to a third condition indicative of a quantity intermediate the quantities indicated by said first and second conditions of said register and unaffected by subsequent restorative movement of any of said order indicating means to said base quantity indicative condition for producing a first signal, means rendered operative in response to said first signal and controlled by the first said means for producing a second signal indicative of a further quantity setting of said register intermediate said third and first quantity indicative conditions and to a third signal indicative of the restoration of said register to said first quantity indicative condition.

15. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein said cam comprises: a first threaded portion with a series of external helical threads of uniform outside diameter, a second threaded portion having a dwell of materially larger diameter than said external helical threads, and an intermediate third threaded portion of gradual rise interconnecting said first threaded portion and said second threaded portion, a radially extending projection on said second threaded portion having aradially extending beveled face on the edge toward said third threaded portion and facing away from said third threaded portion; and said cam follower including a first portion adapted to be disposed between said helical threads and a second portion adapted to engage and follow the contour of said third and said second threaded portions of said cam.

16. A cam member adapted to be rotatably mounted, comprising a first threaded portion with a series of external helical threads of uniform outside diameter, a second threaded portion having a dwell of materially larger diameter than said external helical threads, an intermediate third threaded portion of gradual rise interconnecting said first threaded portion and said second threaded portion, a radially extending projection onsaid second threaded portion having a radially extending beveled face on the edge toward said third threaded portion and facing away from said third threaded portion.

17. A cam member as defined in claim 16, wherein the external edge of said third threaded portion is inclined, in profile, toward the axis of the threads in a direction toward said first threaded portion.

18. A cam member as defined in claim 16, which is made of plastic.

19. A register for use in a predetermining dispensing mechanism comprising: a support frame, rotatable quantity indicative means mounted in said frame for connection to a material quantity measuring device, a shiftable operator pivotally mounted in said frame, means coacting between said rotatable means and said operator maintaining said operator in a first position during a predetermined period of rotation of the rotatable means, said means coacting between said rotatable means and said operator enabling said operator to shift to a second position during a second successive predetermined period of rotation of the rotatable means, said means coacting between said rotatable means and said operator adapted to move and maintain said operator to and in said first position during a third succeeding predetermined period of rotation of the rotatable means, and said means coacting between said rotatable means and said operator at the end of said third period of rotation enabling said operator to abruptly move to said second position.

207 In a register as defined in claim 19 wherein said means includes an element adjustably mounted on said operator to accurately predetermine the said three movements with respect to the rotational position of the rotatable means.

21. A register for use in a predetermining dispensing mechanism comprising a support frame, a plurality of digit wheels mounted coaxial for rotation in said frame, similar cam means corresponding to and fixed on each of said wheels except one, for rotation therewith, an in ed on said pivoted member in off-set relation to said pivotal axis and engaging said similar cams on said unit wheels, a lever arm movable with said pivoted member and coacting with said inclined cam, and means operative on said lever arm for positioning it relative to said pivoted member.

22. A register for use in a predetermining dispensing mechanism comprising: a support frame; rotatable quantity indicative means mounted in said frame and adapted for operative connection to a quantity measuring device; a shiftable member mounted in said frame and movable between two positions; and means structurally coacting between said rotatable quantity indicative means and said member to successively shift said member to alternate ones of said two positions corresponding respectively to completion of at least three distinct and successive predetermined quantities indicated on said quantity indicative device.

23. A register as set forth in claim 22 wherein said means cooperating between said quantity indicative means and said member includes adjustable means whereby the desired predetermined quantity between the first and second shifting movement of said member may be variably pro-selected.

24. A register as defined in claim 23 wherein said shiftable member comprises: a weighted pivoted arm and the means cooperating between the member and said rotatable quantity indicative means includes a plurality of cams on said register movable in accord with increments of flow through the meter, and a plurality of cam followers on said pivoted arm cooperating with said cams to enable said pivoted arm to lower and also to raise said arm in accord with cam positions.

25. For use in combination with a predetermining liquid dispensing apparatus, a selectively settable predetermining register, to be driven by a meter, having a shiftable operator movable between a first and a second position and adapted to coact with a valve control mechanism; means to set the operator in said first position; means in the register adapted to be responsive to passage of a first predetermined quantity of fluid through the meter to move the operator to its said second position; means responsive to movement of the operator to its said second position adapted to actuate the valve control mechanism; means responsive to passage of a second predetermined quantity of fluid through the meter to move the operator back to said first position; means responsive to movement of the operator back to said first position adapted to further actuate the valve control mechanism; means responsive to passage of a third predetermined quantity of fluid through the meter to move the operator back to said second position; means responsive to the movement of the operator back to said second position adapted to still further actuate the valve control mechanism.

26. A register combination for use in a predetermining dispensing mechanism comprising: a support frame; rotatable quantity indicative means mounted in said frame and adapted for operative connection to a quantity measuring device; a shiftable member mounted in said frame and movable between two positions; means structurally coacting between said rotatable quantity indicative means and said shiftable member to successively shift said shiftable member to alternate ones of said two positions corresponding respectively to completion of at least three distinct and successive predetermined quantities indicated on said quantity indicative means; and a register trip plate assembly secured below and to said support frame including a plate member pivotally mounted on a lateral axis and adapted to be engaged and moved by said shiftable member.

27. A register combination as defined in claim 26, wherein a manual trip device including a lever member is pivoted in said frame and adapted to engage a portion of said pivoted trip plate independently of said shiftable member.

28. In the combination defined in claim 27, a control device with a cover plate being secured to the underside of said support frame, said cover plate having an upstanding vertically apertured cylindrical boss adapted to provide vertical passage for a cylindrical link, said register trip plate assembly comprising a support member with means at one end releasably clamped around said cover plate boss, one end of said trip plate being pivotally mounted on said support member at a position radially offset from said boss with portions of said trip plate extending over said boss in a position adapted to engage the edges of the cylindrical link, at least one of the portions of said trip plate extending over and to the opposite side of said boss from the pivotal mounting of said trip plate.

29. A predetermining dispensing register trip plate assembly comprising a support member and a trip plate pivotally mounted thereon, said support member including a releasable clamp means adapted to be mounted on a support structure in a manner enabling selective positioning of said assembly about an axis transverse to the axis of the pivotal mounting of said trip plate.

30. A trip plate assembly as defined in claim 29, wherein, said support member is a unit having a split ring clamp at one end, an arm portion extending substantially normal to the axis of, and away from, said ring clamp, and a pivot support means at the end of said arm portion; said trip plate having pivot means at one end pivotally secured to said pivot support means on an axis transverse to the axis of said ring clamp, a portion of said plate extending over and beyond said ring clamp and two facing, spaced apart lugs on said plate extending over a portion of the area included within the inner perimeter of said ring clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,487 Thoresen et a1. Jan. 25, 1955

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