Patent GB-190300409-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Adding and Printing Machines.
Inventor: HARRISON GEORGE
Filed: 1903-01-07
Granted: 1903-06-04
Abstract: 409. Harrison, G., [Bundy Manufacturing Co.]. Jan. 7. Calculating-apparatus. - Relates to a d d i n g-machines which print all the numbers to be added in column on a paper band, and record the sum in such a manner that the total can be printed by a single movement of the paper carriage whenever required. Parts of the mechanism are applicable to machines for printing other characters than numbers, either with or without adding- mechanism. Fig. 13 shows the machine in plan with the carriage and keyboard removed, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section. The keys 1 are arranged in eight parallel columns, each of which contains numeral keys from 1 to 9. Six of the colums are for dollars and two for cents. The machine is operated by depressing keys in one or more of the columns so as to indicate the number in question, and then turning a crank on the shaft 6 through one revolution, which effects both the printing and adding operations. Zero keys are not provided, the machine automatically printing cyphers on the right-hand side of the first significant figure unless keys in the corresponding columns are depressed. A protecting -plate 207 covers the keyboard, and is provided with apertures through which the keys can be seen and struck. Whenever a key in any column is depressed, a bar 98, Fig. 3, extending beneath all the keys in that column, is depressed and swung towards the right. In addition to other functions described below, this bar serves to actuate through yielding connections a series of screens which swing laterally so as to conceal the keys. A stop on the stem of the depressed key prevents the movement of its own screen, so that the depressed key alone remains exposed. When the various keys have been depressed, the operator can thus tell at a glance whether he has set up the right number. With each column of keys is associated a wheel 7, Figs. 3 and 27, loose on a sleeve 5, and normally engaged by a pivoted catch 35 with the radial arm of a wheel 8, Fig. 13, fast to the sleeve. Each wheel 7 bears a toothed segment 9. When a key is depressed, the lower end of its stem is moved into the path of a projection 4 on the catch 35, and at the same time a bar 226 is shifted so as to lift the stop 223, and also to prevent the depression of any other key in the column. When the shaft 6 and sleeve 5 are rotated by means of the crank, the wheel 7 moves until the projection 4 abuts against the lower end of the depressed key, thus tilting the catch 35. The wheel 7 and sector 9 then come to rest, but the wheel 8 continues to move with the shaft. Each sector 9 is thus rotated by an amount depending on which key in the column was depressed, and the toothed segment 10 and type-wheel 11 are moved accordingly, the proper type 12 being brought beneath the impression hammer 13. The type - wheels are locked by spring-pressed pawls 14 in the position into which they are moved. The paper strip 16 passes from the roll 96 between the hammers 13 and the type-wheel, the hammers being struck simultaneously to print the number set up. In order that the sectors 10 may be spaced well apart to correspond with the columns of keys in the keyboard, and at the same time to allow the typewheels 11 to be placed compactly together, the sectors and type-wheels are carried at opposite ends of hollow shafts 53, Fig. 13, nested within one another. Behind the type-wheels 11 are situated the total-adding wheels 17 which also bear type on their peripheries. There is one wheel 17 for each of the type-wheels, and one or two extra ones for carrying numbers from the left-hand wheel of the set of eight. The transmission to the total-adding wheels 17 takes place through toothed sectors 18, 19, a pawl (not shown), a ratchet-wheel 55, transferring-wheels 20, 21, 22, and gears 23 on the wheels 17. As the hand-crank completes its revolution, the sleeve 5 is disconnected from the shaft 6, and the parts fly back to their original positions under the tension of springs 40. The wheels 7 with their sectors 9 are arranged in echelon round the shaft 6 as shown in Fig. 3, to equalize the pressure on the crank, shaft, and sleeve during the rotation. Carrying of the tens from one adding-wheel to the next is effected by means of special pawls carried by the wheels 21 and engaging with the ratchet of the next wheel 20. For the purpose of re-setting the total-adding wheels 17, the wheels 17, 22, 21 are carried in a frame pivoted about the shaft 24. When this frame is moved rearwards by means of the eccentric 71, the wheels 21 no longer engage with the wheels 20, but the wheels 22 are brought into mesh with wheels 61. The wheels 61 are loose on their shaft, and are separated by friction discs which engage therewith. The wheels and discs are pressed together by a spring 64, Fig. 13. When the shaft is rotated, the wheels 61 turn with it until the wheels 22 are stopped by the engagement of pins 76 with a stop arm 75. In this position, the total-adding wheels are at zero. A single hand-wheel 69, Fig. 13, effects the whole of the re-setting movements. Accurate alignment of the total-adding wheels after each movement is ensured by pawls 83 which are rocked by means of a cam at the end of each revolution of the main shaft 6, and enter between the teeth of the wheels 22. The hammer-striking mechanism is of the following character :-Each hammer is carried by a sleeve 90, the sleeves being nested one within another on a transverse rod 91 of a carriage 93 slidingly mounted on rails 94. At their outer ends, the sleeves 90 bear pins which are adapted to be operated by triggers, so as to lift the hammers and allow them to fall. The triggers are power-operated, but they are only set when a key in the corresponding column is depressed, subject, however, to the action of a locking-device which ensures that all the triggers on the right-hand side of that corresponding to the first significant figure shall always be set. The printing of cyphers where keys are not depressed is thus ensured. The setting of the triggers is effected by means of the bars 98, already referred to, levers 99, arms 102, nested sleeves 104, and suitable actuating - links. A second set of triggers to the rear of the first has a connection therewith, and also with the adding-wheels, and, whenever the carriage 93 is pushed back against the stops 149, these triggers trip the hammers so as to take an impression from the total-adding wheels, thus recording the sum on the paper. A single hammer is used for the units and tens of cents, which are always printed. In addition to the number-printing wheels, a printing disc or sector 150, Fig. 13, is provided, bearing on its periphery means for printing certain words such as "balance," " credit," &c. used in banking. The printing-disc is adjusted by means of a pinion, rack, and a pointer moving over an index plate at the left-hand side of the keyboard. A hammer with an operating- trigger effects the impression. The paper strip 16 from the roll 96 passes over both sets of printing- wheels, and is bent sharply upwards at the edge of the plate 202 so that each number is visible as soon as it is printed. The feed-rolls 200, 201 are connected by toothed gearing with a ratchet-wheel operated by a cam on the main shaft for spacing purposes. The printing is effected by means of two inking-ribbons arranged transversely of the machine above the printing-wheels. The ribbons are placed at a slight ioclination to the direct transverse line so that the impressions are taken from them in echelon, and do not overlap. The spools are made easily detachable, and two shafts are driven alternately by bevel gearing from a shaft which is automatically shifted for reversing the movement of the ribbons. The reversal is effected by means of buttons secured near the ends of the ribbons, and serving to actuate lever arms which shift the shaft aforesaid. The machine can be operated by a pedal, cord, and spring, instead of by hand. A movable stop of special construction is provided for ensuring an exact revolution of the shaft 6 when turned. A repeat key is provided for enabling a reprint of the numbers set up to be taken, and a release key permits the keys to be released, if one is wrongly struck, without operating the machine.