Patent GB-799307-A (GB)
Abstract: 799,307. Accounting machines. OLYMPIA WERKE AKT. - GES. Aug. 16, 1955, No. 23585/55. Class 106 (1). The function of an accounting machine is controlled by a programme unit (control member) formed by a multi-faced prism mounted in the end walls of the reciprocable carriage with its axis parallel to the carriage movement. Each prism face is used for a particular control function and for this purpose each face has an axially extending single row of holes adapted to receive control inserts in selected combinations of these holes. The prism is rotatably adjustable to bring a particular face into a selected angular position whereby the control inserts in the selected face co - operate with key - operated latches and levers mounted on a stationary part of the machine to open or close electric contacts which control the carriage movements. In a described embodiment the programme unit or control member comprises a hexagonal drum 1 with each of its six faces provided with a row of slots 1a, Fig. 1, for the insertion, as required, of carriage stops 2 fitted with control studs 20, each of length appropriate to the function required. The drum is mounted at the lower rear part of the carriage 103, Fig. 5, and is rotatable by means of a Geneva stop mechanism so as to present any one of its six control faces to a centrally located group of control elements and the tabulating latches (a tabulating latch 5 only shown in Fig. 5). The control member may, alternatively, be of openchannel section. The carriage is driven by screw and nut 102, Fig. 5, and through forward and reverse clutches RK, VK, Fig. 11, and a differential gear from a continuously running motor. An eddy current brake B brings the carriage to rest after disengagement of either clutch. Forward tabulating to next position. Depression of the forward tabulating key initiates a machine operation to effect printing, whereupon a carriage control lever 13, Fig. 8, is rocked counter-clockwise. The lever 13 rocks interconnected tabulating latches 5 and 6 clear of the engaged carriage stop and actuates a switch lever 14 to close contacts 16, Figs. 1 and 11, to engage the forward drive clutch VK, a latch 17 holding the lever 14 in switch-closed position as the lever 13 and tabulating latches 5 and 6 return. As the carriage approaches its next position, the stud 20 on the carriage stop 2 strikes a stop lever 18 pivoted to a lower arm of the latch 6, the lever then tripping the latch 17 through the intermediary of a lever 25 and thrust rod 27, so releasing the switch lever 14 and disengaging the forward drive clutch VK. The stud 20 also engages a brake lever NB, Fig. Fig. 11, to close contacts 29 and apply the brake B. Forward skip tabulating. The skip tabulating key besides causing operation of the lever 13 to release and initiate forward drive of the carriage, also rocks a bell-crank 32 and a connected latch 33 counter-clockwise, a locking lever 35 then holding the bell-crank. The latch 33 is now effective to retain the tabulating latches 5 and 6 disengaged, when the lever 13 returns, and clear of subsequent carriage stops 2. The bell-crank 32 changes over contacts 42, 43 so that the forward drive clutch circuit is now maintained over contacts 44 of a skip stop lever 41. When the carriage reaches the skip position, a stud 20 of sufficient length secured in that position trips the skip stop lever 41 so releasing contacts 44. The lever 41 also rocks a bell-crank 39 which disengages the locking lever 35, so that the bell-crank 32 and latch 33 are released and the tabulating latches 5, 6 and stop lever 18 become effective to arrest the carriage in the new position. Forward tabulating to any position. The corresponding key rocks the control lever 13 directly, there being no initial machine cycle, and the forward drive clutch is engaged for as long as the key remains depressed. Full return movement. The control lever 13 is again rocked directly to initiate carriage movement, and the skip, tabulating mechanism is set and held by its locking lever 35. In addition, a bell-crank 46, Fig. 16, is rocked counter-clockwise and actuates a connected lever 48 to change over contacts 49 and 50 (see also Fig. 11), so that the reverse drive clutch RK is engaged to return the carriage. The lever 48 is mounted on the same pivot 15 as the switch lever 14, Figs. 1 and 8, and is held set for the return operation by a latch 17b adjacent the latch 17. The bell-crank 46 also prevents tripping of the lever 35 by the skip stop lever 41 so that the skip tabulating mechanism remains set. When the carriage approaches its initial position, a sufficiently long stud 20 on the marginal stop 2 actuates a stop lever 52, Figs. 11 and 16, which closes contacts 53, and 54 to apply the brake B and energize a relay R which releases the key initiating the operation. The relay R also trips the locking lever 35 of the skip tabulating mechanism so that the tabulating latches 5, 6 and stop lever 18 become effective to terminate carriage movement, the latch 17b being tripped with the latch 17 so that the lever 48 is released and the reverse drive clutch RK disengaged. Return movement to a controlled position is similar to the preceding. Movement is, however, terminated by engagement of a sufficiently long stud 20 fixed in the required position with a stop lever 64, Fig. 11, disposed below the marginal stop lever 52. Return movement to the preceding position. Operation following depression of the backspacing key is similar to that for forward tabulating except that the reverse drive clutch is engaged by actuation of the bell-crank 46 and change-over of contacts 49, 50. Printing positive and negative totals. Means are provided for printing totals in separate columns according to sign, which is registered by a two-position disc 124, Fig. 22, controlled by the totalizer as described in Specification 723,865. The position of the disc is sensed by a feeler lever 76 when released by a time-delay relay 77. This relay is energized upon arrival of the carriage in the first or debit total column position and at the completion of the initiating cycle, its circuit including contacts which are closed by means of a stud on a rotatable drum (not shown) driven by the carriage and further contacts adapted to be closed by a cyclic restoring bail of the calculating mechanism. The cycle is initiated by depression of the skip tabulating key and a stud 20 is provided to arrest tabulation in the second or credit total column. If a debit total exists, the disc 124 does not arrest the feeler lever 76 when released by relay 77, contacts 74 are closed and a relay 55, Fig. 11, energized which disengages the locking lever 35 (see above) so that the carriage is arrested at the first or debit total column. In the case of a credit total, the disc 124 obstructs the feeler lever 76 so that the contacts 74 remain open and the carriage continues tabulation to the credit total column. The finger 78 by which the feeler 76 senses the disc 124 is adjustable on the lever, so that the column positions of credits and debits can be reversed to suit the type of accounting