Patent GB-308977-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to calculating machines
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1929-03-28
Abstract: 308,977. British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd., (Assignees of Bryce, J. W.). April 2, 1928, [Convention date]. Multiplying-apparatus.-A machine for effecting the multiplication of factors in different notations, such as British currency and decimal, comprises means for setting both factors, a differentially timed impulse emitter, means for co-ordinating the possible emission of the impulses according to one of the factors, means for selecting from the co-ordinated impulses, impulses in proper denominational order and value in accordance with the second factor, and accumulators for receiving the computed values associated with means for transmitting the values to another accumulator to give the final product. General arrangement.-The machine as shown, in an electrical embodiment, in Figs. 1 and 1<a>, comprises factor entering means 10, 11, an impulse emitter 12, accumulators 13 - - - 16, a denomination selector 17, and the usual motor operating means. The computing process performed by the machine with a problem involving pounds, shillings, and pence is represented in Fig. 2. The first cycle effects the multiplication by the units figure of the multiplier and enters the amounts in the various accumulators 13 - - - 16 as shown, the tens of shillings being represented as .5 of a pound. During the second cycle multiplication is effected by the tens figure of the multiplier and during the subsequent cycles the amounts entered are transmitted to the accumulator 16 to give the total product. Factor entering means.-The setting-up device 10 for the multiplier comprises two differentially movable levers 32, 33 controlling the setting of corresponding commutators or other switching devices 34, 35. The setting-up device 11 for the multiplicand comprises similar levers 36 - - - 40 for differentially displacing the contact arms of commutator devices shown in Fig. 3<d>. Other setting-up devices may be employed, either hand or record-card controlled, such as described in Specifications 303,517, 304,599 and 307,025. Impulse emitter.-The impulse emitter 12 is composed of two sections 30, 31, Fig. 3<c>, one section with nine contacts for the decimal rotation and the other with eleven contacts for the duo-decimal rotation and has its shaft geared to the main shaft 20, Fig. 1 to rotate in timed relation therewith. Commutators.-The units multiplier commutator 35, Figs. 3<b>, and 3<c>, is composed of sections 41 - - - 46, which serve to control the transmission of impulse from the sections 31, 30 of the impulse emitter to the appropriate columns of the various accumulators in the manner indicated in Figs. 3<b>, and 3<c>. The commutator 34 is also composed of sections 201 - - - 209 and is adapted to control the transmission of impulses to the various accumulators as indicated in Figs. 3, 3<a> and 3b Connection between the impulse emitter sections and the commutator sections is effected by brushes on bus feeding lines 47 - - 49. Each of the commutator sections also cooperates with a set of brushes normally out of contact therewith but movable into engagement therewith by the energization of an electromagnet 53 or 54, the brushes being connected through leads 79, 93, 105, 110, 121, 212, 217 and 222 &c. to the multiplicand commutator contacts. Denomination selector.-The means 17 for selecting the denomination and controlling the cyclic operation of the machine is shown in Fig. 3<e> and is generally similar to that described in Specification 304,599 comprising commutator sections for connecting up through the leads 90, 103, 108, 116, 127, 130, 215, 220 and 225 &c. the totalizer operating electromagnets and a section for energizing the operation control electromagnets 19, 53. 54, 25, 26 and 27, Fig. 3. Totalizing registers.-The accumulators 13 - -15 are of the well known Hollerith type with reading out devices for transmitting the indications to another -accumulator 16 adapted to display the result or to an accumulator provided with reading out devices to transmit the result to a recording device as descrbed in Specification 307,025. Operating mechanism.-The driving motor M is put into operation by closing a switch 140, Fig. 3, and a start key 141 is then depressed to energize the relay 142 to maintain the circuit through the lead 143, contact 144 on the com mutator 17, electromagnet 19 to the source. The electromagnet 19 operates the one revolution clutch 18 to free the main drive shaft 20. At the same time the electromagnet 53 is energized through the commutator contacts 145 to cause the brushes to contact with the commutator 35. At the end of the first cycle a brush 146 encounters a contact 147 on the impulse emitter 31 and sends an impulse through lead 148 to operate electromagnet 149, Fig, 3e, to advance the selector commutator 17 one step thereby breaking tne circuit to electromagnet 53 and closing that to electromagnet 54 through contact 150 and shifting the column contacts one denomination to the left to ensure on the second cycle the multiplication by the tens figure of the multiplier. During the third and fourth cycle contact 151, 152 close the circuits to electromagnets 25 - - 27 to release the one revolution clutches 24 to rotate the cams 23 operating the reading out devices through the levers 22 to cause transmission of amounts standing on the accumulators 13, 14 and 15 to the accumulator 16 in the manner described in Specification 304,599. At the end of a computing operation the electromagnet 19 is de-energized causing all parts, except the driving motor, to come to rest. Resetting.-The various parts are reset by the operation of a reset shaft 28 through a crank 29. Modifications.-The manner of effecting computations is not limited to the electrical means described above as the invention may be carried out by mechanical or pneumatic means. A diagrammatic representation of the pneumatic means is shown in Figs. 5, 5<a> and 5b wherein A<1> represents the accumulators, B<1> the impulse emitter C<1>, and D<1> the co-ordinating means, and E<1>, F<1> the selecting means.