Patent GB-244785-A (GB)
Abstract: 244,785. Cosmann, O. Dec. 17, 1924, [Convention date]. Multiplying and dividing apparatus; selecting denomination; for monetary values.-A machine for effecting calculations in non-uniform notations by any of the four rules comprises a number of elements each allotted to a particular key of the keyboard and shaped to represent the products of the key value by successive powers of ten. To perform, say, a multiplication, the multiplicand is set up on the keyboard, adjustment of the elements made according to the denomination of the multiplier digit, and the main shaft rotated a number of times equal to this digit. At each rotation of the shaft the elements are reciprocated and their values selectively transmitted to auxiliary counting-wheels and then subsequently to the totalizing-counter. The machine described in the Specification is constructed for dealing with British currency. Keyboard. The multiplicand is set up on keys arranged as shown in Fig. 16 in banks of pounds, shillings, pence and fractions of pence to the denominator of 32, the banks being spaced as shown, that is, with the shillings bank separated by a larger interval from the banks on each side. Multiplying elements. To each key is allotted a multiplying plate 40 formed with depending tongues a.. f, Fig. 7, the lengths of which are proportional to the complements of the products of the key value by successive powers of ten, both positive and negative. Alternatively, the tongues may be directly proportional to products, the subsequent engagement of the totalizing-counter being correspondingly timed. The plate shown in Fig. 7 is that of the ú1 key and it occupies the normal or 10‹ position relatively to the denominational devices for picking off the values, the positions of which are denoted by the arrows. Thus on descent of the plate, tongue b alone will be effective and will cause the addition of unity in the pounds. If the plate is shifted slightly to the right, tongue c will be in functioning position and when lowered will produce actuation of the shillings wheel to the extent of 2 places (that is ú1 x 10-'). With a further shift to the right the plate comes into position for actuating the pence and the fractional wheels, tongues e and f (in part) being dimensioned to advance these wheels to the extent of 2d. and <13>/32d. respectively, the approximate product, of ú1 and 10<-2>. The longer. portion of tongue f becomes effective in the 10<-3> position to enter the value <8>/32 d. but further shifts to the right would give no results as amounts of less than <1>/32 d. are ignored. The plates 40 are hollow to contain two sliding bars 43 drawn towards each other by springs 47 and shaped at 48 as hooks to engage over angle irons 49, Figs. 3 and 4, fixed in a carriage 50 shiftable right and left according to the denomination concerned. When a key is depressed its stem entering at 43<a> between the bars displaces them sufficiently to disengage the hooks 48 from the angle irons, the outer ends of the bars at the same time entering recesses 54 in a vertically-slidable frame 51 mounted on the carriage 50. In the subsequent operation of the machine, crank mechanism 67 driven by 'bevel gears from the main shaft 98 effects a downward and upward motion of the frame 51 and such of the multiplying plates 40 engaged therewith. As soon as the frame leaves its upper or normal position the bars 43 are locked in their displaced condition by knife-edges 59, Figs. 3 and 4, carried by rocking levers terminating in rollers 57 running on guideways on the carriage, the edges 59 being adapted to enter notches 60 in the displaced bars. Denomination - selecting mechanism. The carriage 50, carrying the multiplying plates and the vertically-movable frame 51, is shifted right or left by a screwed spindle 73, Fig. 3, geared with a setting arm 74 rotatable about an axis 75 and co-operating with position-defining spring pins 79. The arm is moved anticlockwise for positive powers of ten and reversely for the negative powers. The denominational setting is displayed by means of an indicating slide, Figs. 2 and 6, traversed beneath a series of sight openings 92 by a screwed spindle 88 connected by motion-increasing gear with the setting arm. Actuation of totalizing-counter from the multiplying plates. The plates in their descent engage by means of one or more of their tongues, feelers 44, 45, 46, Figs. 1 and 4, slidably mounted in guides 130 and adapted, when depressed, to shift a link to the right, Fig. 2, and rock a lever 121, 122 or 123 counterclockwise. These levers control the engagement of axially slidable counting-wheels 114, 115, 116 with racks 111, 112, 113 reciprocated from the main shaft so that the amount of rotation received by these wheels depends upon the moment when the corresponding feeler is engaged by the tongue and therefore is proportional to 'the value represented complementarily thereby. There are three series I, II, III of counting-wheels and the. wheels correspond in number and position with the banks of keys. The wheels of series I are controlled by feelers 44, links 118 and levers 121, series II by feelers 45. links 119 and levers 122 and series III by feelers 46, link 120 and lever 123. There is only one bank of feelers 46 (for the fractional parts of a penny) but there is a bank of feelers 44 and another of feelers 45 for each of the other denominations. The feelers are provided with lips 135 projecting over bars 136, 137 rising and falling with the frame 51 so that any displaced feelers are restored on the completion of the reciprocation of the frame. The amounts standing on the various groups of auxiliary counting-wheels are conveyed to the totalizing-counter in stages during the cycle of operation; the amount on series I is entered first and any resulting transfers effected, and similarly with series II and III. For the purpose of conveying the amounts, the square shalt on which the slidable wheel, say 114, is mounted also supports a slidable wheel 145 cooperating with a similar wheel 148, both these wheels being mutilated by removal of one tooth. The wheel 148 is fixed to a pinion 151 meshing with a rack 154 reciprocated at the correct stage in the cycle by the main operating mechanism. While the amount is being set up on the wheel 114 the gap in wheel 148 permits corresponding rotation of wheel 145 without the wheel 148 being affected but when the above-mentioned stage is reached the rack 154 is reciprocated so as to return wheel 145 and its shaft to normal position. This return movement is transmitted to a pinion 60 slidable on a squared shaft forming an extension of a wheel 172, Fig. 14, actuating the corresponding totalizer numeral wheel. There are separate pinions 160, 161, 162 on the one shaft for the wheels of the separate series I, II, III belonging to the same denomination and they are thrown into train with their corresponding wheels 145, 146, 147 in successive stages as pointed out above. Operating and controlling gear. To effect the various movements in timed relationship, two cam-grooved and arcuately toothed cylinders 104, 105, are provided and are rotated alternately by the main driving-shaft 98 through mutilated bevel wheels 100, 101. Thus, the racks 111, 112, 113 for driving the auxiliary counting-wheels' are reciprocated successively in different parts of the cycle, in one direction by one cylinder through toothed arcs thereon and for the return stroke by the other cylinder. Further, the cam grooves 169, 170, 171 control through levers 163, 164, 165 the engagement of the pinions 160, 161, 162 with the counting-wheels for actuating the totalizer. Provision is also made on these cylinders for effecting the other actions of the machine such as the reciprocations of the multiplying plate frame 51 and the various transfers in the totalizer and revolutions counter. Totalizing-counter. In order that the numeral wheel 203 for the thirty-seconds of penny may be of larger size than the others but without alteration of the spacing arrangement of the sight openings, this wheel stands behind the plane of the others (see Fig. 6) and carries the numerals on flaps 204 which normally lie, under spring influence, against the face of the wheel as seen low down in Fig. 14. When the flap approaches the display position an arm 206 on it engages a cam rail and brings.the flap horizontal into view. Alternatively the numerals may be on slidalale plates carried around with the wheel but thrust forward into view when at the sight aperture by means of a stationary cam groove. The counter is driven in additive or subtractive direction by reversing-gear 172, 173, 174, Fig. 14 of which 174 is on the numeral wheel axle and is axially displaceable by means of a finger-lever 178, Fig. 3, to convey the drive from wheel 172 either directly or through the intermediate pinion 173. Transfer-mechanism. The Thomas type of transfer is used but is modified as regards the driving arrangements. At transfer a tappet 180, I'igs. 2 and 14, displaces by means of a lever 182, a grooved wheel 184 on a sleeve provided with a single tooth 185 adapted to drive a Maltese wheel secured on the receiving pinion 172 of the next higher numeral wheel. For giving the requisite rotations to these teeth 185 they are divided into three groups for operation by corresponding racks 191, 192, 193 through pinions 190. The racks are driven seriatim by the driving cylinder 105 and in this way the echelon arrangement of the teeth 185 is facilitated. Counting number of revolutions of the main shaft. The counter for this purpose is visible at the openings 93, Figs. 2 and 6, and is operated by a single tooth 209 through a Maltese wheel 210 and reversing gear 212 controlled by a finger lever 21, Fig. 3. The tooth is carried by a pinion 213 slidable on a shaft mounted in the denomination-indicating slide 89. At the right time in the cycle, and through the in