Patent GB-190300355-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Adding Machines.
Inventor: LOTTERHAND JASON CHRISTOPHER
Filed: 1903-01-06
Granted: 1903-05-21
Abstract: 355. Lotterhand, J. C. Jan. 6. Calculating-apparatus.-In adding-machines in which each of a plurality of rows of keys numbered from 1 to 9 co-operates with a rotary longitudinal shaft 1, means are provided for actuating the total wheels 3 by the item wheels 2 while the item wheels are being re-set to zero by the depression of the bar A, for returning the item wheels 2 to zero without actuating the total wheels 3 when an error has been made in setting up the item, for repeating or adding the same item a number of times in succession, and for clearing the machine by re-setting all the wheels to zero. The total wheels 3 are loose, while the item wheels 2 are fast, upon the shafts 1, which, when released, are turned by coiled springs 6. These springs are preferably enclosed in sleeves 7 fast upon the shafts 1, the sleeves being provided with spirally-arranged pins 32 for engagement with the keys 1 to 9. Each row of keys is associated with a pivoted bail 18 from which a pin 20 projects through a slot 20<a> in each key, Fig. 17, so that, whenever any key in any row is depressed, the corresponding bail 18 will be swung downwards without carrying down the other keys in the same row. On the downward movement of a bail 18, the rearwardly-projecting pin 22 rocks the spring- pressed latch lever 15, Fig. 9, so that it releases the disc 13 on the shaft 1, which is thereupon turned together with the item wheel 2 by the spring 6 through a distance determined by the number of the operating-key. Simultaneously, a pin 23 projecting from the forward end of the bail 18 forces outwards a latch 26, Fig. 8, so that the spring 25 can pull downwards the arm 24, and with it the bail, to the limit of movement permitted the bail. During this movement, the key is locked to the bail 18 by a projecting stud 28, thereby ensuring a full stroke even though the key be only partially depressed. The extent to which the shaft is turned is determined by the position of the spirally-arranged pegs 32, which strike the lower ends of the slots 20<a> when the keys are fully depressed, and stop the rotation of the shaft 1. After making nine-tenths of a revolution, the shafts are held by permanent stops 34, Fig. 9, engaging the discs 13, but either the stops 34 or the pins 32 corresponding to the keys numbered 9 may be dispensed with. The shaft 7 and the item wheels 2 are re-set to zero by depressing the crossbar A, which, through a pair of spring-pressed levers 37, a connecting-bar 40, and studs and racks 42, 43, operates the pinion 44<a> on the shaft 1 ; the levers 37 also cause a cross-bar 45 to lift the pins 22 on the bails 18, whereupon the keys are re-set by springs. Upon the depression of the bar A, a spring pawl 59 carried by a connecting-plate 58 engages a cam 56, Fig. 20, which rocks the shaft 53, causing the bail 51 to slide the total wheels 3 rearwards. Thereupon, one of the holes therein engages the pin 48 of the item wheel 2 before the re-setting rod 40 strikes the pins 42 to return the shafts and item wheels to their initial positions, so that the wheels 3 move with the wheels 2 during their return movement. The second spring pawl 62 re-sets the cam 56 and disengages the wheels 3, 2 when the bar A is released and moves upwards. The engagement of a spring-pressed pawl 65, controlled by a pin 67 on the cam 56, with serrations 64 on the plate 58, prevents the return movement of the bar A until it has completed its down-stroke. The correction of mistakes made in setting the item wheels is effected by pressing the lever B rearwards until it strikes a pin 73 and retracts the pawl 59, permitting the bar A to be depressed to re-set the wheels 2 to zero without turning the cam 56 and engaging the wheels 3, 2. To allow of the machine being cleared by setting all the wheels to zero, the pins 48 are passed through holes in the wheels 2, and are mounted upon discs 76, which may be retracted by a bail rod 79 actuated by pressing rearwards a lever D. The rearward movement of the lever D operates the rock-shaft 81, the bell-crank lever 84, and the slide bar 86, Fig. 8, which, moved downwards by the slots and pins 87, contacts with the pins 23 of all the bails 18 and releases all the shafts 1, which are then turned by the springs 6 to show 9 on the item wheels 2. The bail 51 is also connected to the lever D, so that, as the pins 48 are retracted, the wheels 3 are moved sufficiently near to the wheels 2 for the speciallyarranged projecting studs 75, 74 to engage and carry the total wheels 3 to zero while the item wheels are turned to show 9. The item wheels are then turned to zero by depressing the bar A. To repeat or add the same item several times in succession, the lever C is pulled forwards, and, through levers 91, 47, throws the bail and key re-setting rod 45 out of operation. The keys and bails then remain in the set position when the bar A is depressed, while the rod 40 re-sets the racks 43 at each depression of the bar A, and returns all the wheels 2 to the zero position. Upon releasing the bar A, the rod 40 and the racks 43 descend, the wheels 2 being again turned forwards by the springs 6, and the same amount added on the wheels 3. Whenever one of the two total wheels 3 completes a revolution, the transfer to the next wheel of the series is effected by a cam on the disc 96 releasing a latch 103, Fig. 5, which retains a spring-pressed three-armed lever E. The connecting-pin 100 can then swing this lever and operate the disc 96 of the next higher wheel 3 in the series, which is turned by its spring 102 through one-tenth of a revolution. The premature reengagement of the latches 103 with the levers E is prevented by supplemental latches. The levers E are re-set by a rod 109, actuated from the bar A by a cam and connecting-levers, picking up the pins 108, and the rod 109 prevents the levers E from effecting the transfers until the rod rises as the bar A approaches its limit of upward movement. The movements of the wheels 3 when turned to zero to clear the machine are stopped by pins on the latches 103 coming into contact with the cams on the discs 96, and the wheels 3 are normally prevented from rotating by the pins 100, from which the wheels 3 are disengaged when they are moved towards the wheels 2. Thus the wheels 3 are practically always engaged with either the pins 100 or the pins 48.