Patent GB-190722212-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Adding Machines.
Inventor: JAMES REGINALD WILLIAM
Filed: 1907-10-08
Granted: 1908-06-04
Abstract: 22,212. James, R. W., [Gatewood, W. F.]. Oct. 8. Typewriters and like machines.-Relates to single bank key-set lever-operated machines of the kind provided with a master setting - arm which, by means of a set of denomination-selecting keys and spacing-mechanism, can be brought into engagement with the actuating rack-bars of desired denominations in turn, such rack-bar being subsequently differentially set while in gear with the item-wheels by depression of a main keyboard ; the item is then printed and the actuating rackbars are subsequently reset while in gear with both the totalizing and the item wheels. The machine consists of : (1) Item-wheels and rackbars arranged in a longitudinally movable carriage ; (2) denomination-selecting mechanism ; (3) keyboard and differential mechanism ; (4) means for actuating the item-wheels and for spacing ; (5) printing-apparatus ; (6) means for resetting the actuating and item elements and registering on the totalizing-counter, with detent and transfer parts therefor; (7) means for printing and either retaining the total or zeroizing, for adding without prmting, for correcting errors, and for punctuating. Fig. 1 is a plan of the machine, Fig. III an elevation from the right, and Fig. XII a similar view of the rack-bars and associated wheels. (1) The rack-bars 30, item-wheels 23, and item-printing wheels 26 are all mounted upon the horizontal plate 16, which is capable of movement forwards and backwards through a short distance only, between guiding-rollers 9, 10 ; in front and rear each rack-bar is provided with teeth for engaging pins on these wheels, and in rear also with ratchet teeth 32, by which the arms 82 may retain the bars in their raised position. (2) In adding an item, the highest denomination is selected by means of the spacing-keyboard 51, of which the proper key is depressed and the whole plate 47 then slid to the right until the projecting end of the selected key strikes either one of the pins 6 or enters a suitable recess, thereby moving the denominationselecting arm 40 to the left to a corresponding position, in which the pin 40<1> thereon so places the slide 62 along its bar 59 that the projection 65 attached to the slide is in the slot 37 of the required rack-bar. Meanwhile, the selecting-arm 40 is held against spring return by engagement of a latch 70 attached thereto with the teeth of the fixed ratchet bar 38. (3) The item is next set by depression of the keys, in order from left to right, upon the main keyboard 53, which as a whole is pivoted by the side arms 55 in the vertical plates 56 ; each key upon operation rocks its depending leg 77 slightly forward into the path of the corresponding stop pin 81, of which there are ten, carried each by a vertical plate 80, whereby the continued depression of the key causes a differential upward movement of the rear ends of the arms 55, attached to which are the cross-bar 59 carrying the actuating projection engaged to a rack-bar, and the yoke 67 with pins for maintaining the position of the selecting-arm. (4) The rack-bar in rising sets the item-wheels and is then held by the retaining detent 82, while, by the combined action of a lip on the actuating projection, of the slot 37, and of the stop pins on the yoke, the descent of the bar 59 leaves the selecting arm one position to the right. (5) The initial spacing movement displaces the cam 113 through a corresponding distance, thereby forcing outwards the required number of slides 108 in the printing- frame 105, whereby upon operation of the printing- handle 123 the projecting extremities of these slides may, as the frame is swung upwards into the vertical position about its pivots 104, strike the required number of roller-platen bearing slides 96 and cause them to press the paper from the roll 90 against the set item-printing wheels. Upon the return movement of the parts the paper is fed onwards by the arm 136, which is rocked by the mechanism of the printing-handle and operates the rollers by the gear-wheels shown, the arm also carrying a pawl for moving on the inking-ribbon 130. (6) The printing - handle carries studs adapted by means of link-work to move the itemcarriage forward after the printing impression has been made, whereby the detents 151 are withdrawn from the totalizing-wheels and the racks 30 are withdrawn from engagement with the retaining-detents and placed in engagement with the wheels ; simultaneously, the transfer-mechanism restoring-comb 159 is moved rearwards and the rack-bars fall until the pins 33 rest upon the pivoted transfer stops 167, thereby resetting the item-wheels and actuating the totalizing-counter. During transfer the pin 149 upon a counter wheel operates the trip-pawl 163, whereby the corresponding stop falls downwards and the rack-bar of the next higher element moves downwards through an additional unit distance. Subsequently the itemcarriage is returned, the detents re-engage, and the transfer parts are restored by the comb. (7) The total is printed by setting in the usual manner the number displayed by the totalizing-counter ; to zeorize this, the knob 174 is turned to withdraw the detents from the counter, whereupon the numeral wheels of the latter are rotated in the contrary direction until the transfer pins are arrested against the transfer trip-pawls, or, in the case of the highest wheel, against a bent finger 173<a> specially moved into position. The printing- parts may be disconnected by operating the key 176 after an item has been set, instead of the .printing-handle, whereby only the carriage and associated parts are moved, without operation of the platens. By depression of the error key 181 the bar 185 is moved downwards and the retaining- detent 82 withdrawn from the rack-bars, which immediately drop into their lowest position Means for locking the key 176 to prevent operation of the carriage-moving parts after a total has been printed are described, and also a type for a punctuation mark.