초록 ▼

A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from

A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A counter actuatable in response to rotary motion, said counter comprising: a support defining a central axis; a first indicator member mounted on said support and rotatable about said central axis, said first indicator member comprising an outwardly facing transparent first

What is claimed is: 1. A counter actuatable in response to rotary motion, said counter comprising: a support defining a central axis; a first indicator member mounted on said support and rotatable about said central axis, said first indicator member comprising an outwardly facing transparent first side surface extending circumferentially therearound, counting indicia being positioned on said transparent first side surface; a second indicator member having an outwardly facing second side surface extending circumferentially therearound and positioned coaxially within and adjacent to said transparent first side surface, said second indicator member being rotatable about said central axis, counting indicia being positioned on said second side surface and visible through said transparent first side surface; a coupling engaging said second indicator member for transmitting rotary motion thereto; and a slave wheel mounted on said support and rotatable about an offset axis offset from said central axis and substantially parallel thereto, said slave wheel having a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face, said second indicator member engaging and rotating said slave wheel, said slave wheel engaging and rotating said first indicator member intermittently. 2. The counter according to claim 1, further comprising a foot extending from said second indicator member for engaging said drive transfer wheel, said first indicator member having gear teeth arranged circumferentially therearound for meshing with said gear on said opposite face of said slave wheel. 3. The counter according to claim 2, wherein: said offset axis is fixed on said support; said drive transfer wheel is oriented facing said second indicator member for intermittent engagement with said foot when said foot passes said offset axis as said second indicator member rotates about said central axis; and said gear is oriented facing said first indicator member and meshing with said gear teeth thereon, said first indicator member being rotatably moved one increment when said second indicator member rotates said drive transfer wheel upon passing said offset axis. 4. The counter according to claim 3, wherein said coupling comprises a ratchet and said second indicator member comprises a pawl for transmitting rotary motion to said second indicator member in response to the rotation of said coupling, said ratchet and said pawl being movable about said central axis and causing rotational motion of said first indicator member only in one direction about said central axis. 5. The counter according to claim 4, wherein said first indicator member has a projection mounted thereon and said support comprises a stop block positioned for engaging said projection and preventing a full rotation of said first indicator member relatively to said support. 6. The counter according to 5, further comprising: an inwardly facing surface extending circumferentially around said second indicator member and positioned in the plane of said slave wheel; a plurality of receptacles positioned circumferentially around said drive transfer wheel for receiving said foot for rotating said drive transfer wheel; and a plurality of lobes positioned on said slave wheel between said gear and said drive transfer wheel and extending radially outwardly therefrom, each of said lobes being aligned with one of said receptacles on said drive transfer wheel, two adjacent said lobes engaging said inwardly facing surface as said second indicator member rotates relatively to said slave wheel thereby preventing inadvertent rotation of said slave wheel and thus said first indicator member. 7. The counter according to claim 6, wherein said second indicator member comprises a unit wheel and said first indicator member comprises a tens wheel, said tens wheel moving once for every ten movements of said unit wheel. 8. The counter according to claim 7, wherein said unit wheel and said tens wheel rotate in the same direction during operation. 9. The counter according to claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises a ratchet and said second indicator member comprises a pawl for transmitting rotary motion to said second indicator member in response to rotation of said coupling, said ratchet and said pawl being movable about said central axis and causing rotational motion of said second indicator member only in one direction about said central axis. 10. The counter according to claim 1, wherein said first indicator member has a projection mounted thereon and said support comprises a stop block positioned for engaging said projection and preventing a full rotation of said first indicator member relatively to said support. 11. The counter according to claim 1, further comprising: an inwardly facing surface extending circumferentially around said second indicator member and positioned in the plane of said slave wheel; a plurality of receptacles positioned circumferentially around said drive transfer wheel for receiving said foot for rotating said drive transfer wheel; and a plurality of lobes positioned on said slave wheel between said gear and said drive transfer wheel and extending radially outwardly therefrom, each of said lobes being aligned with one of said receptacles on said drive transfer wheel, two adjacent said lobes engaging said inwardly facing surface as said second indicator member rotates relatively to said slave wheel thereby preventing inadvertent rotation of said slave wheel and thus said first indicator member. 12. The counter according to claim 11, further comprising: a notch positioned in said inwardly facing surface of said second indicator member adjacent to said foot; and one lobe of said slave wheel being received within said notch when said foot engages one of said receptacles aligned with said one lobe to rotate said slave wheel, said notch providing clearance between said lobe and said inwardly facing side surface allowing said slave wheel to incrementally rotate about said offset axis, another of said lobes engaging said inwardly facing side surface upon incremental rotation of said slave wheel thereby again preventing rotation of said slave wheel until said foot again engages one of said receptacles aligned with said other lobe on said drive transfer wheel. 13. The counter according to claim 1, wherein said second indicator member comprises a unit wheel and said first indicator member comprises a tens wheel, said tens wheel moving once for every ten movements of said unit wheel. 14. The counter according to claim 1, wherein said first indicator member and second indicator member rotate in the same direction during operation. 15. A slave wheel for incrementally rotating a first indicator member intermittently in response to rotation of a second indicator member, said slave wheel otherwise preventing rotation of said first indicator member and comprising: a first face having a rotatory intermittent drive transfer wheel positioned thereon, said drive transfer wheel having a plurality of receptacles spaced circumferentially therearound; a second face positioned opposite said first face and having a gear thereon; and a plurality of outwardly extending lobes positioned between said drive transfer wheel and said gear, each of said lobes being aligned with a respective receptacle on said drive transfer wheel. 16. The slave wheel according to claim 15, in which said first indicator member is rotatably mounted and has gear teeth positioned circumferentially therearound, said second indicator member is rotatably mounted and has a circumferential surface with a notch therein and a foot extending therefrom and positioned adjacent to said notch, and wherein: said slave wheel is rotatably mountable between said first and second indicator members, one of said lobes on said slave wheel engaging said circumferential surface on said second indicator member, thereby preventing inadvertent rotation of said slave wheel as said second indicator member rotates; each of said receptacles on said drive transfer wheel is adapted for receiving said foot, said drive transfer wheel being rotatable incrementally by said second indicator member when said foot engages one of said receptacles and, said lobe aligned with said one receptacle is received within said notch, said notch providing clearance between said lobe and said circumferential surface allowing said slave wheel to incrementally rotate, another of said lobes engaging said circumferential surface after said incremental rotation of said slave wheel, thereby again preventing rotation of said slave wheel until said foot again engages another one of said receptacles and, said lobe aligned with said other receptacle is received in said notch; and wherein rotation of said drive transfer wheel causes rotation of said slave wheel and thereby rotation of said gear, said gear meshing with said teeth on said first indicator member and driving said first indicator member in response to rotation of said gear. 17. The slave wheel according to claim 15, wherein said second indicator member comprises a unit wheel and said first indicator member comprises a tens wheel, said tens wheel moving once for every ten movements of said unit wheel. 18. The slave wheel according to claim 15, wherein said first indicator member and second indicator member rotate in the same direction during operation. 19. The slave wheel according to claim 16, wherein said second indicator member comprises a unit wheel and said first indicator member comprises a tens wheel, said tens wheel moving once for every ten movements of said unit wheel. 20. The slave wheel according to claim 19, wherein said unit wheel and tens wheel rotate in the same direction during operation.