Patent GB-546273-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to multiplying apparatus
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1939-10-24
Abstract: 546,273. Calculating-machines; record-card controlled. JENNINGS, H. W. K. (Addressograph- Multigraph Corporation). Oct. 24, 1939, No. 28608. Addition to 546,272. [Class 106 (i)] The multiplying apparatus set forth in Specification 546,296, in which switches, representing digits are grouped in order and control sets of conductors so as to select from them those representing products of a fixed factor and a factor represented by a selection of the switches, is now extended so that if the variable factor exceeds a predetermined value conductors are selected to give the product of the predetermined amount and the fixed factor and the product of a second predetermined fixed factor and the excess of the variable factor over the predetermined amount, and similarly for a further factor and amount. The invention is illustrated in a record-cardcontrolled machine as in the parent Specification. The total consumption to be charged is set up on a three-denominational register in which the hundreds, tens and units numeral wheels respectively carry cam discs 57J, 58J, 59J. Arranged circumferentially around each cam disc are ten multiple contact switches HU0, HU1... HU9, or TEO, TE1 ... TE9, or UN0, UNI ... UN9 so that the lug on the cam closes the switch corresponding to the number registered on that denominational numeral wheel. In Figs. 1 - 3 these multiple switches are shown in three vertical lines for convenience, Fig. 3 being a continuation of the bottom of Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 a continuation of the foot of Fig. 1. These switches are wired as shown to three sets of product conductors on the right of the Figures, the circuits being led out through a cable 242 to a final product indicating or printing device. Where the consumption quantity may be charged at three rates, e.g. rate 6 for the first fifty units of electricity, rate 5 for the second fifty, and rate 4 for the remainder up to twenty-five units, the apparatus is so wired for the various fixed factors or multipliers (6, 5, and 4) that the conductors are led through the units switch (UN0 or UN1 &c.) which has been closed to the appropriate product conductors on the right. For this the energization (including the "0" hundreds and tens switches HU0 and TEO) of the hundreds and tens switches controls the range (for rate 6 or 5 or 4), in conjunction with relays H1R, T04R and T59R, Fig. 3, by deciding whether the circuits shall go to the wired product conductors via the transfer conductor group H0-T04 or HO-T59 or H1-T02, Fig. 1. This splitting of control is wired to correspond to the ranges fifty, fifty, and twentyfive at the rates 6, 5 and 4 respectively. When multiplication occurs a main conductor 11K is in circuit The relay HIR or T04R or T59R, if energized, connects earth to the third or second or third conductor of the transfer conductor set H1-T02 or H0-T04 or H0-T59 respectively ; these transfer conductor sets corresponding respectively, from left to right, to the consumption ranges 1 - 49, 50 - 99, and 100-125 inclusive. The designation H0-T04 indicates that the first set is controlled by the hundreds "0" switch H0 and the tens switches Nos. "0" to "4," i.e. TE0 ... TE4; the sets H0-T59 is controlled by the hundreds switch H0 and the tens switches Nos. "5" to "9"; and the set H1- T02 is under control of the hundreds "1" switch H1 and the switches Nos. "0" to "2." Between the hundreds and ten multiple contact switches are two pairs of conductors H0 and H1, of which HO is controlled by the hundreds "0" switch H0 and is wired to all the tens switches TEO ... TE9. The pair HI is controlled by the hundreds "1" switch H1 and is connected to tens switches TE0, TE1 and TE2. Example No. 1. For a consumption of 26 the product is 26 X 6 = 156. The hundreds "0" switch H0 is closed and the ten and units switches TE2 and UN6 respectively are closed. A circuit is closed through 11K, 235 and 236, Fig. 1, H0, 2358 and 2368 at tens switch TE2, H0-T2, 235C and 236C, 235D and 236D, Fig. 2, 235E and 236E of the units " 6 " switch TE6, 235F and 236F, to the hundreds No. " 1 " product conductor 237 and the tens No. " 5" line 238. At the ten switch TE2 the contact 239A is also closed to give a circuit 11K, 11L, Fig. 3, 11M, Figs. 3, 2, and 1, 239A, 239, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, T04R which energizes this relay T04R. The latter connects the earth on the armature of relay H1R through contact 240A to the second conductor from the left, 240B, in the set H0- T04. From thence the circuit leads through 240C, Fig. 2, 240D of the units " 6 " switch UN6, 240E to the units No. " 6 ' product conductor 241. Example No. 2. Consumption 123. Product is (50 X 6) + (50 X5) + (23 X 4) = 642. The hundreds, tens, and units switches H1, TE2, and UN3 respectively are closed. The relay H1R, Fig. 3, is energized over the left-hand contact of the hundreds No. 1 switch H 1 and thus earths the third conductor from the left in the transfer group H1-T02. Since the hundreds "0" switch M0 is open the pair of conductors H0-T2 at tens switch M12 (connected to pair H0) have their circuit broken at 235 and 236, but another pair H1 - T2 at tens switch TE2 are connected over the pair H1 to the closed contact of hundreds No. "1" switch H1 and to line 11K. This connects earth to the sixth and seventh lines from the left in group H1-T02. The 3rd, 6th, and 7th lines of set H1-T02 are earthed and over the closed contacts of the units switch UN3, Fig. 2, are connected to the sixth, fourth, and second conductors in the hundreds, tens, and units product conductors respectively. U.S.A. Specification 2,176,933 also is referred to.