US3002687A - Internal transfer mechanism for counters - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 R. w. HERR INTERNAL TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR couu'mns Filed Jan. 5, 1959 U d StatesPs t 3,002,687 INTERNAL TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS Robert W. Herr, Fort Wayne, Ind,- assignor to Bowmar Instrument Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind. Filed Jan. 5, 19,59, Ser. No. 784,941

' 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-139) wheel.] Thus, in one well known form of counter, com-,

monly referred to as an odometer, each higher order number wheel is moved through one complete revolution responsive to ten revolutions of the next successive lower order number wheel, each revolution of'the'lower order number wheel providing one incremental advance of the next higher order number wheel. The transfer mechanisms of such prior internal counters known to the present applicant commonly comprise one of the well known intermittent motion devices such as a mutilated gear and locking cam assembly, or a geneva wheel and lock combination, arranged within the peripheral boundaries of the wheels. Such prior internalcounters have generally employed internal gears (as opposedto externally toothed, i.e., spur gears) conventionally formed on the number wheels themselves, the provision of such internal gearing requiring casting or molding with consequent imperfections in the gearing. While such prior internal gearing counters have been generally satisfactory'for slow speed operation, they have been found to be unsatisfactory in applications requiring highspeed operation, due primarily to the lack of precision of the internal gearing, as well as the basic materialfrom which the gears are cast or molded. Furthermore, many prior internal counters known to the present applicant have been unduly complex and thus not suitable for high quantity, production. It is therefore desirable to provide a counter construction of the internal transfer type in which the transfer mechanisms incorporate spur gearing thus permitting the use of precision parts and in turn permitting high speed, heavy duty operation. It is furtherdesirable that such a counter construction be characterized by its simplicity and ease of assembly.

gaged by a' frame thereby to restrain the {plate member;

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved counter of the internaltransfer type.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved internal transfer mechanism for a counter char! become apparent by reference to the following descrip: tion and the accompanying drawings, and the features of' novelty which characterize thisinvention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

My invention in its broader aspects provides a counting device having a rotatable shaft with first and second lower and higher order number wheels coaxially disposed thereon in axially spaced apart relationship. An inter 3,002,687 Patented Oct- 3,1

mittent motion transferring mechanismis interposed bee.

tween the wheels for advancing the higher order wheel with the shaft rotatably extending therethrough. j The:

plate member has a slot formed therein extending'radially; outward from the central opening with its endterminat-iing short of the outer periphery and a transfer member is provided having a hub portion rotatably seated in the end of the slot with first and second portions respectively on either side of the plate member. The first portion of" the transfer member cooperatively engages the inter-.- mittent drive means while the second portion coopera'etively engages a spur gear secured to the higher order Wheel on the side thereof toward the lower order wheeL.

and means are provided for restraining the plate meme beragainst rotation. In a specific embodiment of .my' invention, the hub portion of the transfer member has ;a';. smaller outside diameter than the outside diameters of? its first and second portions so that the transfer member is thereby axially retained in the plate member slot witlt the 'enga gement of the intermittent drive means and higher order wheel gear with thefirst and second transfer; member portions respectively radially retaining the hula portion at. the end of the slot. Furthermore, thecentral opening of the plate member has a larger diameter than? the width of. the slot and the outside diameters either first and second transfer member portions therebyto; permit initial insertion of the transfer member through the central opening in the plate member and insertion: of the hub' portion thereof into the slot. In accordance;- with a further aspect of my invention, the plate member; extends radially outwardly between peripheral tlanges olt the lower andhigher order number wheels, the plat e;; member further having a radial extension which isen-j from rotation.- o

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional I view show-t ing the, preferred embodiment of my invention; FIG; 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective, partly; exploded and partly broken away, illustrating the improved transfer mechanism of my invention; 7 i FIG. 3 is an end view of the plate member employed; in thetransfer mechanism of myinvention; and i j 1 1 FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views of the multilated gear; and locking earn employedin the preferred embodimentl of my invention. p a Referring now to the drawings, the improved internal transfer mechanism of my invention is illustrated in con-;

nection with a counter, generally identified as 1, having;

four successively higher order number wheels 2, 3,4 and 5. The lowest order; number wheel 2 is mounted one, sleevev member 6 abutting an annular fiange portion. 7 ',f sleeve 6 being secured to shaft-8 in any suitable manner so as to rotate therewith, such as by a key 9. Number;

wheel 2 is in turn securedto annular flange portion 7 of sleeve 6 by means of a suitable pin 11 and it is thus seem that the number wheel 2 is rotatable with the shaft 8.

Number wheels 3, 4 and 5 are respectivelymountedon sleeves 12, 13 and '14, which are coaxiallydisposed on shaft 8 with a running fit so that they are respectivelyrotatable and axially movable with respect thereto. It

will be seen that each of the number wheels 2, 3, {and 5- is provided with a peripheral flange 15 on which; the; numerals are, displayed, the flanges of adjacent numberr wheels extending toward each other, as shown; -1-

The improved transfer mechanism of my invention it isp'osed between each adjacent pair of number wheels, in, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and 4 and 5, serving in each case to advance the higher order number wheel of the respective pair a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of the respective lower order number wheel. Thus, in the odometer arrangement specifically' illustrated, the second order number wheel 3 will be advanced one digit responsive to each complete revolution: of the lowest order number wheel 2, the second order' number wheel 3 being advanced through one complete revolution in ten incremental steps responsive to ten revolutions of the lowest order number wheel 3. Eikewise, number wheel 4 is advanced in the same man tier-with respect to number wheel 3 and the highest order number wheel 5 is advanced in the same manner with respect to number wheel 4.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided a mutilated gear 16 and a cooperating locldng cam 17 coaxially-mounted on the hub 6 on the side of number wheel, 2 toward number wheel 3, the mutilated gear 16 and locking cam 17 being secured to number wheel 2 so as toyrotate therewith by means of the pin 11. It will be observed that mutilated gear 16 and locking cam 17 are disposed within peripheral flange 15 of number wheel 2. AS} bestseen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, in the specific embodiment, mutilated gear 16 comprises two teeth 18 and 19. I11 accordance with conventional practice, the main portion21 of locking cam 17 has a radius substantially equal to: the: radius of the mutilated gear 16 to the tips of teeth -18 and19, the cut-out or notch portion 22 of locking cam lflfl'having the same width as the circular pitch of the teeth. 18 and 19- of the mutilated gear 16'and being slightly deeperthan the whole tool depth.

A plate member 23 is provided disposed between number-wheels 2 and 3, extending radially outward between theadiacent peripheral flange portions 15 as shown; plate member 23 has substantially the same radius as the radiusof' the number wheels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Plate memberv 23 has-a central opening 24 formed coaxially therein through which shaft 8 extends with a running fit. Plate member 23 further has a radial extension portion 25 fbrmed on one side thereoffor a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. Plate member 23 has a. slot 26 formed therein extending radially outward from the centralopening 24 with its end 27 terminating short of its outer periphery; in the illustrated embodiment, slot 26 isshown as being in radial alignment with the extension 25, however, it will be readily understood that slot 26 may extend radially in some other direction.

A transfer pinion28 is provided having a central hub portion 29 formed therein, hub portion 29 having a diameter slightly less than the width of the slot 26 of plate 23 and being seated in the slot 26 at end 27 thereof, as shown. Central hub 29 of pinion 28 divides the pinion iiltotwoparts; part 31 being disposed on the side of plate 23 toward number wheel 2 and part 32 being disposed on the sid'eof plate 23 toward number wheel 3. Portion 31.,ofthe transfer pinion 28 is further divided into two toothed parts 33 and 34, part 33 being cooperatively engageable with mutilated gear 16 and part 34 being cooperatively engageable with the locking cam 17. It will be observed that in the illustrated embodiment, toothed part= 33 of' the transfer pinion 28 comprises six teeth with toothed part 34 having three teeth, e.g., every other tooth oftoothe'd part 33 being removed. Likewise, in the illustrated embodiment, portion 32 of transfer pinion 28 comprises six teeth which cooperatively engage a twentytoothed, gear 35. Gear 35 is coaxially disposed onv the hub'xpprtion 12 andis secured. for rotation with number wheel 3' by means of pin 11a.

It will now be observed that in the illustrated embodiment,- by virtue'of' the number of teeth provided in the mutilated gear 16, transfer. pinion 28 and the gear 35, each complete revolution of the number wheel 2 will result in rotatibnal advancement of number wheel 3 through one angular increment, ten revolutions of the number wheel 2 resulting in one complete revolution of the number wheel 3 in ten incremental stops. it will further be observed that all gearing incorporated in my transfer mechanism is of the external, i.e., spur type, and further, that each of the gear elements, namely mutilated gear 16, locking cam 17, transfer pinion 28, and gear 35, are individually formed, thus permitting their manufacture on conventional high. precision gear making apparatus.

It will further be observed that the diameter of the central hub portion 29 of transfer pinion 28 is smaller than the outside diameter of the toothed portions 31 and 32 and therefore that the transfer pinion 28 is axially retained by virtue of the seating of the hub portion 22' in the slot 260i the plate member 23. It will further be observed that transfer pinion 28 is radially retained against the end 27 of slot 26 by virtue of the cooperative engagement of toothed parts 33 and 34 of portion 31 with mutilated gear 16 and locking cam 17 respectively on the one hand and toothed part 32 with the gear 35 on the other hand. Furthermore, in accordance with a particular fea ture of my invention, it will be observed that the diameter of central opening 24 of plate 23 is not only greater than the width ,ofs'lot 25, but also somewhat greater than the diameter of portions 31 and 32 of the transfer pinion 23. Thus", in order initially to assemble my improved" counter; it is merelynecessary to insert transfer pinion 28 through central opening 24 of plate member 23 and then to position hub portion 29 thereof in the radially extending slot 26, after which plate member 23 maybe" disposed on the shaft 8. it will now further be observed that the transfer pinion v28 of my invention may be initially integrally formed a six-tooth pinion, the hub portion 29Ibeing thereafter turned and the alternate teeth removed by milling'to' form the three-toothed portion 34 bymilling;

It will. be observed that the transfer mechanism: intercoupling'numberwheels' 3 and 4, and number wheels 4 and 5 are identical to the transfer mechanism described above which interconnects number wheels-'2' and" 3. Thus, mutilated gears 16a and 16b and cooperating; lockingca'ms' 17a and 1712 are respectively secured to" number wheels 3 and. 4 for rotation. therewith by pins 11a and 11b and gears 35a and 355 are respectively tension 45 is provided extending, axially outwardly from,

end 44 of shaftS andbeing" thus adapted for driving the lowest order number wheel 2. Base 39 is provided with.

an elongated slot 46 therein in which. the extensions 25 of the plate members 23 are-seated, thus restrainingplate members 23 against rotation.

In order to hold the number wheels 2, 3,. 4 and S and plate members. 23 in. assembled. relation, anannular groove 47' is formedinshaftfi adjacent end-23. A- suitable-snap ring. 48 is positioned in. the groove 47 in turnengaging a suitable annular shim 49 which in turn. engages the annular flange portion 51. of the hub portion 14 of the highest order numberwheel 5. The. annular shim 49 urges number wheels 5, 4 and. 3- and the. plate members .23 toward. number. wheel 2, it being observed that number wheel. 2 is rigidly secured to the shaft 8 through the intermediary of hub 6 and pin 11.. The thickness of annular shim 49 is suitably chosen in order to provide a close running engagement between the plate members 23 and the flanges 15 of the adjacent number wheels 2,, 3, 4-and 5.' It willrnow be seen that: neither.

the plate members 23 nor number wheels 3,- 4 and 5 are axially restrained and are thus positioned axially, under the influence of shim 49, by virtue of their respective running engagement so that shims for positioning the needed.

The above described counter construction has been found to be extremely free running with no tendency for binding and with extremely smooth transfer of motion between the respective number wheels. It will be observed that the construction isrugged permitting the use of large ball hearings in order to withstand the high speeds for which the unit is designed; It will also again be observed that all gearing is of the spur type, individual gears being utilized which can be formed on conventional high precision gear making apparatus. It willfurtlieribe observed that my device is extremely simple and is readily assembled withthe employment of a minimum number of component parts.

' While the specific transfer mechanism shown is of the mutilated gear and locking cam type, ,it will be readily apparent that my invention is not restricted to this specific form of transfer mechanism and that other well known'forms of transfer mechanisms, such as the well known geneva wheel and lock type of intermittent motion transferring mechanism may be readily employed without departing from my invention.

Therefore, while. I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art'and -I desire therefore in, the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

'1. In a counting device: rotatable shaft means; a

first lower order number wheel coaxially disposed on I said shaft means; a second higher order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means and axially spaced from said first wheel; and intermittent motion transferring" mechanism interposed between said first and second wheels'for advancing said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of said first wheel comprising externally toothed, intermittent drive means secured to said first wheelon the side thereof toward saidvsecond wheel, a

plate member disposed between said wheels and having a central opening formed therein with said shaft means rotatably extending therethrough, said plate member having a slot extending radially outward from'said central opening with its end terminating short of the outer periphery of said plate member, a transfer member having,

ahub'p'ortion rotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portions respectively on either side of said plate member, said first transfer member portion cooperatively engaging said intermittent drive means, an externally toothed spur gear secured to said second wheel on the'side thereof toward said firstwheel, the second portion of said transfer member including a pinion co- I operatively engaging said gear to drive the same and thereby to advance said second wheel, and means for restraining said plate member against rotation, said hub portion of; said transfer member having a smaller outsideTdiameter than the outside diameters of said first and .'second portions whereby said transfer member is axially retained by said slot, engagement of said intermittent driverneans and said gear with said first and second portions respectively of said transfer member radiallyretaining saidvhub portion thereof at said'end of said slot, saidjcentral opening of said plate member having a, larger diameter than the width of said slot and said outside diameters of said first and second portions of said transfer member whereby said hub portion thereof is initially positioned in said slot.

2. In -a counting device: rotatable shaft means; a first lower order number wheel coaxially disposed on said individual plate members or number wheels are not.

shaft means; a second higher order number wheel c axially disposed onsaid shaft means and axially spaced from said first wheel; said first and second wheels having peripheral flanges respectively extending axially toward each other for display of'numerals on the outer surfaces thereof; and intermittent motion transferring mechanism interposed between said first and second wheels for advancing-said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsivetoa predetermined rotation of said first wheel comprising externally toothed intermittent drive means secured to said first wheel on the side thereof toward said second wheel and within the peripheral flange of said first wheel; a plate member disposed between said wheels and having a central opening formed'therein with said shaft means rotatably extending therethrough, said plate member having a slot extending radially outward from said central opening with its end terminating short of the outer periphery of'said plate member, a transfer member having a hub portion rotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portionsrespectively on either side of said plate member, said first transfer member portion cooperatively engaging said intermittentdrive means, an externally toothed spur gear secured to said second wheel on the side thereof toward said first wheel and within the peripheral fiangeof said v second wheel,-the second portion of said transfer member including a pinion cooperatively engaging said gear to drive the same and thereby to advancesaid second wheel, and means for restraining said plate member against rotation, said hub portion of said, 1

transfer member having a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameters of said first and second portions whereby said transfer member is axially retained by said slot,-engagement of said intermittent drive means and said gear with said first and second portions respectively of said transfer member radially retaining said hub portion thereof at said end of said slot, said central opening of said plate member having a larger diameter than the width, of said slot and said outside diameters wheels for advancing said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of said first wheel comprising externally toothed intermittent drive means secured tosaid first wheel on the side thereof toward said second wheel and within the peripheral flange of said first wheel, a plate member disposed between said wheels and having a central opening formed therein with said shaft means rotatably extendingtherethrough, said plate member extending radially between said fianges of said first and second wheels, said plate member having a radial extension portion extending beyond said flanges and a slot extending radially voutward from said central opening with its end terminating short of the outer periphery of said plate member, a transfer member having a hub portion rotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portions respectively on either side of said plate member, said first transfer f member portion cooperatively engaging said intermittent drive means, an externally toothed spur gear secured to said second wheel on the side thereof toward said first wheel and within the peripheral flange of said secondwheel, the second portion of said transfer member in-' cludinga pinion cooperatively engaging said gear to drive the same and thereby to advance said second wheel, said' hub portion of said transfer member having a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameters ofsaid first and second portions whereby said transfer member is axially retained by said slot, engagement ofsaid-inter mittent drive means and said gear with said first and second portions respectively of said transfer member radially retaining said hub portion thereof at said end of, said slot, said central opening of said plate member having a larger diameter than the width of said slot and said outside diameters of said first and second portions of said transfer member whereby said hub portion thereof is initially positioned in said slot, and a frame having bearing means rotatably supporting the ends of said shaft means and a portion engaging said plate member extensi'on thereby restraining said plate member against ro tation 4-. in a counting device: rotatable shaft means; a first lower order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means; a second higher order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means and axially spaced from said first wheel; said first and second wheels hav ing peripheral flanges respectively extending axially toward each other for display of numerals on the outer surfaces tier-cot; and intermittent motion transferring mechanism interposed between said first and second wheels for advancing said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of said first wheel comprising externally toothed intermittent drive means secured to said first; wheelon the side thereof toward said second wheel and within the peripheral flange of said first wheel,v a plate member disposed between said wheels and having a central opening formed therein with said shaft means rotatably' extending therethrough, said plate member extending radially be-' tween and having substantially the same radius as said flanges of said first and second wheels, means urging saidsecond wheel axially toward said first wheel whereby said peripheral flanges have a running engagement with said plate member and axially locate the same, said plate member having a radial extensio'n portion extendingi beyond said flanges and a slot extending radially outward from said central opening with its endtermi-' nating short of the outer periphery of said plate member, aitransfer member having a hub portionrotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portions respectively on either side of said plate member, said first transfer memberportion cooperatively engaging said intermittent drive means, an externally toothed spur gear secured to said second wheel on the side thereof toward said first wheel and within the peripheral flange of said second wheel, the second portion of said transfer member including a pinion cooperatively engaging said gear to drivethe same and thereby to advance said second wheel, saidhub portion of said transfer member having a smaller outside diameter than theoutside diameters of said first and second portions whereby said transfer member. is axially retained by said slot, said central mechanism interposed between-said" first and second wheels for advancing said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of said first wheel and comprising an externally toothed mutilated gear and a cooperating external locking cam coaxially arranged on said shaft means on the side of said first wheel toward said second wheel and within said flange of said first Wheel, said mutilated gear and lock-'- ing cam being secured for rotation with said first wheel, an externally toothed spur gear coaxially arranged on said shaft means on the side of said second wheel toward said first wheel and within said flange of saidsecond wheel, said spur gear being securedfor rotation with said second wheel, a plate member disposed between said gears and having a central' opening formed therein with said shaft means extending. rotatably there-' through, said plate member having a slot extending radi-' ally outwardly from said central opening with its end 7 terminating short of the" outer periphery of said plate opening of said plate member having a larger diameter 1 5. In a counting device: rotatableshaft means; a first lower order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means; a second higher order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means and axially spaced from said first wheel; said first and second wheels having peripheral flanges respectively extending axially to- Ward each other for display of numerals on the outer surfaces thereof; and intermittent motion transferring member, an integral transfer pinion having a central hub portion rotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portions respectively disposed oneither side of said plate member, said first pinion portion having a first toothed part cooperatively engageable with said mutilated" gear and a second toothed partcooperatively engageable with said locking cam whereby each revolu tion of said first wheel imparts a predetermined amount of rotational movement to said transfer pinion, said second pinion portion being toothed and cooperatively engaging said spur gearthereby driving said second wheel; and means for restraining. said plate member against rd ration.

6. in a counting device: rotatable'shaft meansp'a first lower order number wheel coaxially'disposed on said shaft means; a second higher order number wheel coaxially disposed on said shaft means and axially spaced from said first wheel; said first and second wheels havingperipheral flangesrespectively extending: axially toward each other for display ofnumeralson theoutersurfaces thereof; and intermittent motion transferring" mechanism interposed between said first and second wheels for ad vancing said second wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of said first wheel and comprising an externally toothed mutilat ed gear and a cooperating external locking cam-coaxial 1y arranged on said shaft means on the side of said first wheeltoward said second wheel and Within said flange of said first wheel, said mutilated gear and locking cam being secured for rotation with said first wheel, an externally toothed spur gear coaxially arranged on said shaft means onthe side: of said second-wheel toward said first wheel and within said flange of said second wheel, said spur gear being secured for rotation with said second Wheel, a plate member disposed between said gears and extending radially outward between said flanges, said plate member having a radial: extension and a central opening formed therein with said shaft means extending rotatably therethrough, said plate member having a slot extending radially outwardly from said central opening with its end terminating short of the outer periphery of said plate member, anintegral transfer pinion having a central hub portion rotatably seated in said slot end with first and second portions respectively disposed on'either side of said plate member, said first pinion portion hav-' ing a first toothed part cooperatively engageable with said mutilated gear and a second toothed part cooperax tively eneageable with-- said locking. cam whereby each revolution of's'aid first wheel imparts apredetermined amount of' rotationalmovement tosaid-t'r ansfer piniom said second pinion portion being toothed and; coopera tively engaging said spur gear thereby driving said second wheel, said hub portion of said transfer pinion having a smaller diameter than the diameter of saidfirst and sec'-' ond pinion portions wherebysaid transfer pinion is axial- 1y retained by said plate member slot, engagement of said first and second pinion portions with said gears and locking cam respectively radially retaining said transfer pinion hub portion at said end of said slot, said central opening of said plate member having a diameter larger than the width of said slot and the diameters of said first and second pinion portions whereby said transfer pinion is initially inserted through said central opening and said hub portion thereof positioned in said slot; and a frame having bearing means respectively rotatably supporting the ends of said shaft means and a portion engaging said plate member extension to restrain the same against rotation. q

7. In a counting device: a rotatable shaft; a first lower order number wheel coaxially secured to said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of successively higher order number wheels coaxially arranged on said shaft for rotational and axial movement with respect thereto; each of said wheels having a peripheral flange for display of numerals on the outer surface thereof, the flanges of adjacent wheels extending axially toward each other; intermittent motion transferring mechanism interposed between each pair of adjacent wheels for advancing the higher order wheel a predetermined angular amount responsive to a predetermined rotation of the lower order wheel, each said transfer mechanism comprising an externally toothed mutilated gear and cooperating external locking cam coaxially arranged on said shaft on the side of the lower order wheel toward the higher order wheel and within the flange of the lower order wheel, said mutilated gear and locking cam being secured for rota- 7 tion with the lower order wheel, an externally toothed spur gear coaxially arranged on said shaft on the side of the higher order wheel toward the lower order wheel and within the flange of the higher order wheel, said spur gear being secured for rotation with the higher order wheel, a plate member disposed between-said gears and extending radially outwardly between the flanges of the respective wheels and having substantially the same radius, said plate member having a radial extension and a central opening formed therein with said shaft extending rotatably therethrough, said plate member having a slot extending radially outwardly from said central open- '10 ing with its end terminating short of the outer periphery of said plate member, an integral transfer pinion having a central hub portion rotatably seated in said slot end pinion, said second pinion portion being toothed and cooperatively engaging said spur gear thereby driving the higherorder wheel, said hub portion of said transfer pinion having a smaller diameter than the diameter of said first and second pinion portions whereby said transfer pinion is axially retained by said plate member slot, engagement of said first and second pinion portions with said gears and locking cam respectively radially retaining said transfer pinion hub portion at said end of said slot, said central opening of said plate member having a diameter larger than the width of said slot and the diameter of said first and second pinion portions whereg by said transfer pinion is initially inserted through said thereby restraining the same against rotation; and means on the end of said shaft adjacent the highest order number wheel and engaging the same adapted to retain all of said wheels and said plates so that said plates have a running engagement with the respective flanges.

References Cited in the file of patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,577,069 Olsen Mar. 16, 1926 1,797,738 Tittensor Mar. 24, 1931 2,628,779 Bliss Feb. 17, 1953 2,656,107 Volger Oct. 20, 1953 2,753,116

Manke July 3, 1956

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