Patent GB-280935-A (GB)
Abstract: 280,935. British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd., (Assignees of Daly, G. F., and Bryce, J. W.). Nov. 18, 1926, [Convention date]. Printing totals.-A device for transmitting from a counter element to another device, such as printing mechanism or another counter, the amount registered by the counter-element, comprises an electrically conducting member which is moved in step with the counter-element to take up a corresponding differential position and a second electrically conducting member which is moved in step with the operative cycle of the printing or the second counting mechanism and in successive register with the differential positions of the first conducting member, whereby at the correct time the two conducting members make electrical connection to operate the printing or counting device. The total-taking mechanism includes printing magnets 16 which, through latches 23 and pawls 24, differentially arrest the type bars 25<1>, and commutators 20, Fig. 6, loose on shaft 41 and each having conducting segments '25 integral with wheel 32 geared to the counter-element 30. Each segment 25 co-operates with a stationary brush 21 and is connected to a piece 52 set in an insulating ring 27 and co-acting with a rotating brush 22 fixed on the shaft 41. The commutator rotates once for every two revolutions of the corresponding counter wheel 30, hence two members 52 diametrically opposite are employed. At zero the brush 21 rests on an insulated portion 51. Thus the appropriate member 52 is positioned differentially according to the amount standing on the wheel 30. At total-taking the lever 261 is rocked as in Specification 216,142 and actuates gearing 37, 38, rack 39, and pinion 40 fixed to a shaft 35 which rotates one third of a revolution for each half revolution of the commutator 20. At totalling, this shaft 35 rotates one third and, through a one-way ratchet clutch, drives wheels 42, 43 and shaft 41 carrying the brushes 22 which thereby operate the magnets 16 at differential times. A notched disc 46 rigid with wheel 42 and a pawl 45 prevent retrograde movement of brushes 22 when the total-taking parts are restored. For asterisk printing to denote a total, a special asterisk commutator is mounted loosely on the shaft 35 and is driven directly thereby through a one-way clutch. Specification 183,867 is referred to. Special provision is made for reading fractions since the type carriers are moved in accordance with a ten-point cycle. Accordingly for each fraction there is a special type-bar which is blank in its upper positions as indicated at 60, Fig. 8. Since the reading device and type carriers are displaced simultaneously lost motion connections are provided between the driving devices and the brush to suppress the brush movement while the blank spaces upon the type bars are passing the printing line. After the brushes have been picked up by the lost motion device they must be rotated half a revolution during the rest of the printing cycle. Fig. 7 shows such a device for ninths, a pin-andslot connection 70, 71 in the drive constituting the lost motion device and the gearing being so proportioned that after the pin 70 picks up the disc 67 containing the slots, the brush 62 is driven through 180‹. By proportioning the slots 71 and gearing correctly any fractions can be dealt with on the customary ten-point printing cycle. In a modification, Fig. 13, illustrated for dealing -with eighths, a brush 135 driven from the counter-wheel is positioned differentially on contact pieces 150 which are connected to seven contacts of a second series 141 which at totalprinting are read by a brush 142 moved in step with the printing cycle. The gear 136 carrying the brush 135 rotates 180‹ for one revolution of the counter wheel 131 so that two sets of contacts 150 are provided in series with the set 141. Means is described for lifting the brush 142 of the contacts 141 during the return movement.