Patent GB-189709872-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Calculating Machines.
Inventor: HIETT DE KERNIEA JAMES THOMAS
Filed: 1897-04-20
Granted: 1897-09-04
Abstract: 9872. H i e t t, de H.. J. T. April 20. Type-writers &c. -Relates to apparatus for adding and multiplying and printing the process. S e t s of spring keys 7, marked 1 to 9, are pivoted to sets of bars 4 turning on the shafts 2, 3 (five of the keys of each set are pivoted o n o n e shaft and four on the other). Each bar 4 has a finger 9, Fig. 18, forming a recess x, the length of which is proportional to the number of the key. 10, 10 are sliding bars (one for each set of keys) urged constantly to the left by springs 11, but normally held by detents 12. On pressing any key of a set the detent 12 is released by the key striking a cross-bar 13, and the slide 10 moves forward until the bar 14 strikes the end of the recess x which the depression of the key has brought opposite to it. Thus the bars 10 move proportionally to the number on the key actuated, and by the rack 15 and link 64 "set" the counting-mechanism 17 and the type-sectors 65. The operated key is locked down, and the others are kept up until the bars 10 are returned. The gears 16 of the counter (which is carried by a frame 19 pivoted at 20) do not engage the racks 15 during the "setting" movement, but when this is completed the operating-lever 22, 30, 32 is pulled forward. The initial movement rocks the frame 19 so as to bring the counter into gear, and then the part 32 engages a lever 31 which is linked to a cross-bar 34. This cross-bar in moving to the right picks up and returns to normal position all the bars 10 so as to actuate the counter. It is possible, by a mechanism not shown, to restore the racks as described without throwing the counter into gear. This is done if a mistake is noticed in the " setting " or when zeroizing the counter. The "carrying" mechanism of the counter is as follows :- A series of hooks 36 and driving-pawls 63 are pivoted to frames 37 hung on the shaft 38, the hooks normally engaging a fixed bar 39. When any numbering-wheel 17 passes from 9 to 0 a pin on it knocks up the hook 36 and the frame 37 is drawn back by a spring 40 bringing a projection 42 into the path of a lug 43 on a frame 49. When the handle 22 is pulled forward, the bar 34 strikes an arm 44" and through it and a connecting-link swings a bell-crank lever 46, 47 right across the machine; carrying with it the frame 49 sliding on the shafts 50, 51 to which is keyed a sliding pinion 52. At the same time a spring is put into tension which drives a flywheel and the shaft 51. As soon as the handle 22 is released, the shaft 51 begins to revolve and the frame 49 to return under the influence of another spring. Whereever a hook 36 has been disengaged, the frame 49 is arrested temporarily by the contact of the lugs 43, 42 and the pinion 52 engaging the frame pushes it forward to re-engage the bar 29. This movement causes the pawl 63 to advance the next numbering-wheel one unit. The frame 49 is then free to move on to the next disengaged hook. In setting the printing-segments 65 to print a number, say 7050, it is necessary that zeros should be printed to the right of each key pressed. For this purpose the zeros are mounted on separate bell-cranks 74, 75 resting normally, as shown, on a bar 73, so that there is a vacant space under the platen hammer 78. When a key is pressed and a segment moved to the right, the arm 75 is pushed over the bar 73 and all the zero levers are so connected by overlapping pins that all those printing to the right of a displaced segment are lifted into printing-line. The lever 22 is connected to a slide carrying a slip pawl and projecting lug. The former actuates the spring lever of the printing- platen 78 in a manner similar to the ringing of a table bell, while the latter operates the carrier of the pawl driving the feed-roller 90. Means are also provided for introducing the leaf of a book from the side and for printing two columns on one leaf. To set the segments 6b for printing the total, a key 96 (see also Fig. 13) is depressed, turning a frame 97 pivoted at 98 so as to raise a cross-bar 99 (in which are a series of spring-controlled slide bars 100) so that pins 102 on the segment levers come opposite stops 103 on the slide bars. The total key then acts through a lever 104 and cross-bar 106 to free all the detents 12. Immediately all the rack bars 10 move forward, carrying with them the bars 100 until the latter are arrested by snails 101 attached to the numbering-wheels and graded to correspond with the numbers thereon. To allow multiplication to be performed, detaining-fingers 119 are connected by links 118 to the key bars 4. The multiplicand, say 4731, is set upon the keys, and an external handle is moved over a notched plate to the unit figure (5) of the multiplier, say 25. This movement through a lever 113 and link 115 slides a cross-bar 116 over the detaining-fingers. The operating-lever 22 is then repeatedly actuated each movement, by an escapement mechanism (not shown), causing the handle to slide one notch until, after five strokes, the cross-bar 116 escapes and allows the keys to return. The number 47310 is next set upon the keys, and multiplied by 2. The result is then shown on the counter, and the total may be printed as before described.