Patent GB-687582-A (GB)
Abstract: 687,582. Calculating-apparatus. BROIDO, D. March 20, 1951 [April 4, 1950], No. 8436/50. Class 106 (i). In a multiplying machine, physical representations of partial products are equidistantly and unidirectionally spaced and arranged in groups, each associated with a digit of a predetermined succession of digits, the first group comprising the representations of the products of the first digit multiplied by all of the other digits, the second group comprising the representations of the products of the second digit multiplied by all said digits except the first, and so on, the last group comprising the representations of the product of the last digit multiplied by itself. The units digits of the partial products are represented by notches cut in the peripheries of discs 10, similar discs (not shown) being notched to represent the corresponding tens digits. The notches on each disc are arranged in groups associated with the digits 1 to 9, the first group representing the nine products of 1 by 1 to 9, the second group representing the eight products of 2 by 2 to 9 and so on, the last group representing the product of 9 by 9. The two discs for each denomination are riveted together and carried by a bush 12 on a sleeve 13 slidable along but rotatable with a shaft 14. Each pair of discs is set under the control of two locators, positioned horizontally in accordance with the multiplicand and multiplier digits respectively. Each locator, e.g. the multiplicand locator 16 shown, has lugs 18 and 24 which co-operate respectively with abutments, e.g. 4a, formed in the discs and with steps, e.g. 4s, formed on a stationary stopbar 23. During each cycle of operation, the shaft 14 is rotated clockwise. A pawl (not shown) carried by one of the discs engages a notch in the bush 12 and sleeve 13 so that the discs are also rotated. When the appropriate abutment, e.g. 4a, engages the lug 18 of the locator set in accordance with the smaller of the two digits concerned the discs are positioned with the first of the group of notches corresponding with the digit in the sensing position. On further rotation of the discs, the two locators, which are coupled by a pin and slot connection 19, are rotated about the shaft 14 until the lug 24 of the other locator engages the appropriate step, e.g. 4s, of the stop-bar to position the discs with the appropriate notch in the sensing position. The pawl driving the discs is cammed from the notch in the sleeve 13 and the discs are held in their set position by a pawl 28 which co-operates with ratchet teeth on one of the discs. The discs are sensed by known devices 145 (not described) associated with a totalizer 146. The machine has ten multiplicand keys 40 pivoted on a shaft 41, depression of one of the keys 1-9 rocking an arm 43, coupled to the key-lever by a spring 42, and thereby moving a corresponding slide 45 against an adjustable stop 49. The slides 45 have forked ends which engage rods 53, 54 mounted between plates pivoted on a shaft 57. One of these plates 55 has a forked portion 58 which normally embraces one end of a lever 38 pivoted to a slide 35 coupled to the end multiplicand locator 16, which is thus differentially set by depression of a key 40. A numeral wheel 71 is correspondingly positioned by a sector 69 and a link 67 pivoted to the lever 38. As the key completes its movement, its lever 63 engages a rod 89 carried by arms 90 pivoted on the shaft 41. A link 88 is thus moved rearwardly to rock a pair of plates 85 pivoted on a shaft 47 and carrying between them a rod 86 which operates an escapement pawl 81 co-operating with a fixed rack 84 and carried by a carriage 21 in which are mounted the partial-product discs 10, the levers 38 and the intermediate mechanism. The carriage is spring-loaded and moves laterally of the machine on rollers 78. When the depressed multiplicand key is released, the denominational shift of the carriage is completed and teeth on the slide 35 of the multiplicand locator which has been set engage a fixed locking bar 97 which prevents longitudinal movement of all of the multiplicand locators except that one in the setting position. The other multiplicand locators are then set by depressing the appropriate keys 40 in succession, the forked plate 55 successively engaging the several levers 38. Depression of the zero multiplicand key merely operates the carriage escapement mechanism, the multiplicand locators normally being held against rotation by the engagement of lugs 24 against stops in a guide 32. If an error is made during the multiplicand setting, a back-spacing lever 99 may be operated. This lever carries a pawl 103 which co-operates with a rack 106 on the carriage and also rocks an arm 111 which restores that lever 38 about to enter the fork in the plate 55. The carriage escapement pawl 81 and its rack 84 are so shaped to permit back-spacing. When all of the multiplicand locators 16 have been set in this fashion, the one of nine multiplier keys (not shown) corresponding with the first multiplier digit is operated. This key releases in known manner any other depressed multiplier key and is itself latched in its operated position. By an arrangement similar to that for the multiplicand keys, a bail structure similar to the structure 55 is differentially set and operates a link pivoted to an arm fast on a shaft 137. A sleeve 139, mounted within the carriage so as to be slidable but not rotatable on this shaft, carries arms 140 each connected to a slide coupled to a multiplier locator similar to the multiplicand locator shown. The several multiplier locators are thus set simultaneouslyin accordance with the multiplier key which is depressed. When the corresponding partial products have been entered into the totalizer, the carriage is shifted, and the process is repeated for the next and the other multiplier digits. In a modification, the multiplicand and multiplier locators normally rest in a central position and each is set in either direction according to the corresponding digit. The partial products may be represented by notches in linearly-movable rectangular plates instead of in discs. Specification 577,330 is referred to.