A distance measuring device for attachment to the hub of a vehicle wheel includes a pendulum, which remains generally stationary, as the hub rotates. A counting mechanism rotates with the hub, and is coupled through a worm wheel and lost-motion mechanism to the pendulum. The lost-motion mechanism reciprocates a feeding arm against the bias of a spring, which shifts periodically back and forth over center, as the lost-motion mechanism periodically transmits motion. A feed spring, mounted on the feeding arm, acts as a pawl to intermittently advance a ratchet wheel, coaxially disposed on the counting mechanism, to thereby index the counting mechanism as the vehicle wheel turns. If the counting mechanism, by any means, becomes jammed then the feed spring will deform, preventing further operation of the counting mechanism.
A control device for an instrument (10) attached to a vehicle wheel hub for recording the distance covered by the vehicle comprises a counting mechanism with several number-carrying wheels (25), a stamping mechanism (29,30) for stamping cards, a means (14) for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism in response to the distance covered, and a pendulum, the oscillation axis of which coincides with the vehicle wheel axle, and which by substantially standing still effects a relative movement in relation to the recording instrument. This movement is utilized for driving the means for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism via a gear unit (12). The means for advancing the number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism comprise a feed hook (14), which is deformed permanently when number-carrying wheels of the counting mechanism are blocked, and thereby effects permanent closing of a first electric contact (14b-34). A movable member (18) in the gear unit (12) is provided with at least one signal shoulder (49), which is capable upon movement transfer of the gear unit to alternatingly open and close a second electric contact (33-34). Furthermore, an element (34,35) of the electric contacts is provided for scanning the condition of the electric contacts in order to render possible rapid observation, whether the recording instrument operates in the way intended.
The use-registering reel for flexible tape has a pair of lateral disk-like members in spaced parallel relationship united to an axially centered core structure. The core structure includes an axial hub and a cylindrical tape-support member at its radially outer perimeter. Between the hub and tape-support member, within a radial segment of the core structure, is a walled housing having a transparent window. The housing is united to the core structure and undergoes orbital movement about the hub axis during rotation of the reel. A counter assembly is mounted in tamper-resistant condition in the housing for orbital movement with it. The counter assembly includes an actuatable indicating means for registering revolutions of the reel, an action means for actuating the indicating means responsively to rotation of said reel, and selective means responsive solely to the direction of rotation of said reel. The selective means effectively causes the indicating means to register revolutions of the reel in one predetermined direction only; and the registration is viewable through the aforenoted window.
