Patent GB-534022-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in recording and computing machines
Filed: 1939-08-16
Abstract: 534,022. Calculating machines. TATE, F. R. (Remington Rand Inc.). Aug. 16, 1939, No. 23653. [Class 106 (i)] In a power-operated computing andrecording machine (as shown as Remington bookkeeping machine) having a travelling totalizer with means for printing position and negative balances and digital contacts traversed by the totalizer teeth controlling circuits for printing magnets, the digital contacts may be changeably connected to control nines-complementary magnets and a sensing device detects the last wheel registering a significant figure to control the printing appropriately. The machine is of the Remington type. A power-driven shaft 63 carries cams 71 which, under the control of the numerals keys, operate the numeral types and also the computing mechanism 153. A power-driven snatch roll 64 under the control of keys operates the alphabet and special sign type. A power-driven shaft 65 operates the carriage shifting means. In an example the machine includes column totalizers DR, CR, ST, and T, and a cross totalizer 152. The column totalizers carry adjustable cams 165 to set totalizer 152 for addition or subtraction. Between the second and third and third and fourth column totalizers a cam block 111 (Figs. 1 and 20) is placed on the tabulator column stop bar 88 to cause the carriage to jump to the last two totalizers automatically. A subtotal is taken in column ST and a total in column T, usual comb apparatus in the latter case printing a clear sign. The automatic printing in these operations is effected by solenoids 421 acting on levers 73 which operate the keys of the machine. These solenoids are included in a circuit which can be seen by combining Figs. 23 and 24. Contacts 137 therein are connected to the carriage return mechanism so that the circuit is always broken while the carriage is returning. Further contacts 346 are operated by a cam block 351 which closes them when the carriage enters a total column. Sensing contacts 287 are also provided and as seen particularly in Fig. 6 actuating teeth 280 on each totalizer wheel will actuate a particular contact 287 corresponding to the value indicated on the particular totalizer wheel. The system of rapid and slow action relays in the circuit has the effect of permitting only a momentary energization of the particular solenoid 421 and leave a certain fraction of a second before the circuit is restored. This permits the printing mechanism to operate and the carriage to shift so that the next totalizer wheel comes into association with the feelers. The wire 482 for the zero solenoid 421 passes through a make and break contact 483 which is open at first so that if the first few wheels of the. totalizer show zero the carriage is tabulated without printing them. When a wheel is reached with a value other than zero a relay R11 is actuated in addition to the appropriate solenoid 421 so that contacts 483 are closed and subsequent zeros will be printed. The shifting of the carriage is controlled bv the energization of a magnet 342 (Figs. 20 and 23) controlled by a sensing contact 333. The actual shifting mechanism is of the usual Remington type. Fixed discs which operate the contact 333 are placed in the totalizer at comma and decimal point divisions to tabulate the carriage past these points. The printing is stopped when the totalizer is clear by a member resembling a brake shoe arranged adjacent to contacts 287. This member is of such a length that it can only be moved inwards from its outer position if the wheels beneath indicate zero and it then operates a contact 315 causing the energization of relay RX to stop printing. After the printing of the total the carriage returns and closes the circuit of the clear signal magnet at 370, 372. In the course of this operation the nought teeth and comma and decimal teeth brush their sensing contacts so a contact 347 is provided to break circuit on the return. An extra wheel is provided on the totalizer which collaborates with a finger 2801 to signal whether the total is positive or negative. If the latter is the case a relay RV is energized by this signal which changes over the connections of solenoids 421 so that they actuate keys representing the nines complement of the digit sensed. In this arrangement actuation of contact 315 at the end of the printing operation adds the fugitive one.