Patent GB-628973-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in manual accountancy
IPC: B41L3/14
Filed: 1946-08-12
Abstract: 628,973. Book-keeping appliances. WILSON, R. A. Aug. 12, 1946, Nos. 23888 and 28244. [Class 16]  In an apparatus for use in manual accountancy a table or platform is adapted to support one or more record sheet and transfer sheets, and a frame is pivoted at or adjacent one of the edges of the table or platform to support a narrow recording strip extending across the upper surface of the table or platform. A table 12 is movable in a step-by-step manner relatively to marginal portions 10 and 11 by means of a ratchet wheel 20 mounted on a spindle 14 which carries a clock spring 16 one end of which is fixed to the spindle 14 and the other to a drum 15 which houses the spring. One end of a cord 18 is attached to the underside of the table 12 while the other is wound around the drum 15. A ratchet pawl 21 engages the wheel 20 and is actuated against a spring 23 through a pin-and-slot connection 32, 31, and a lever 27 by a handle 24 mounted on a shaft 25. Actuation of the handle 24 permits the wheel 20 to rotate an amount equivalent to one pitch of its teeth to allow the table 12 to move a corresponding amount. A cam 36 on the shaft 25 moves a plunger 37 which actuates a resilient cutting member 35 to remove a portion from the edge of a ledger card positioned on the table 12, against guides 38 and 39. A strip 41 in roll form is supported in brackets 40 and is fed by a feed roller 43 mounted in brackets 44 and is driven by a ratchet wheel 45. A frame 46 which comprises angled members 47 '  is pivotally supported on the shaft of the roller 43 so that when the frame 46 is swung upwardly a pawl 49 carried by the frame engages the wheel 45 and causes it to rotate thus causing a corresponding movement of the roller 43 and the strip 41 which is fed under the roller 43, along the underside of the frame 46. When the frame 46 is lowered the amount of strip drawn from the roll is fed around a guide roller 55 under a roller 56 along the top of the frame 46 by the roller 43 which co-operates with a spring urged roller 53. The area between the members 47 is closed by means of a metallic shield attached or integral with the members 47. Ledger cards may be clamped in position on the table 12 by rollers 57 carried by arms 58 mounted on the shaft of roller 43. Record sheets may be clamped on the table 12 under the record cards by retaining bars 62 which engage pegs 61. A knife 63 is provided for cutting the strip 41 after its passage around the frame 46. In operation, the frame 46 is raised and a record sheet or sheets with carbons clamped on the table. A ledger card is now placed above the sheets, being registered by a preformed notch therein which is engaged with the member 35. The frame 46 is now lowered and the card clamped. The old balance on the card is entered on the strip 41 but is not duplicated on the record sheets because of the shield on the frame 46. The amount to be posted and the new balance are now entered on the card and are duplicated on the sheets. The handle 24 is next operated and feeds the card and sheets forward one step at the end of which the cutter 35 forms a second registering notch in the card for use if further entries are to be made on the card at some future time. Following this the frame 46 is elevated to feed the strip 41 forward, the card is removed and another card is inserted, and the operations repeated. The strip together with the sheets and cards enable the correctness of the entries to be checked. The apparatus may be employed without the frame 46 and strip 41 for making a record on the sheet or sheets of the amount entered on cheques, and with the strip but without the frame for making entries on the sheet and strip of wages paid, the separate parts of the strip being detached for handing to the payee. In a modification, the table 12 is fixed and the sheets and cards are fed thereon by rollers operated step by step by actuation of the handle 24. The first Provisional Specification states that a pivoted actuating lever may be adapted to project through a slot in one of the marginal portions 11 while the lower end is connected by a pin-and-slot connection to a spring urged bar having projections adapted to co-operate with a rack or pegs mounted on the underside of the table. The guide rail may carry a slidably mounted arm which is locked by a thumbscrew and which extends transversely across the table.