Patent GB-308768-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record controlled calculating machines
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1928-11-22
Abstract: 308,768. Jacob, M. March 30, 1928, [Convention date]. Addition to 296,351. Statistical machines.-In a record-controlled machine of the type described in the parent Specification the known form of calculating machine adapted to effect calculations according to the four rules is replaced by calculating mechanism comprising a plurality of totalizing- counter units each provided with an independent reversing mechanism and with electromagnetic means for controlling the units and the reversing means whereby data may be added and subtracted simultaneously on different counters. Card-controlled electromagnetic means are also described for effecting multiplication and division. Means are also described for effecting transfer by the closure of an electric contact at the transfer point and for setting-up zeros to the right of the highest significant figure in an item or product. Translators and totalizer units.-The band or cards which are perforated in accordance with the code arrangement shown in Fig. 4, are fed between the contacts a - - f, a' - - f<1> of a translating device, Fig. 3. In each denomination the contacts a - - f are connected in pairs to switches 29 - - 31 in circuit with the winding 27 of an electromagnet 21, Fig. 2, and the second set a<1> - - f<1> is divided into sections connected by leads 23, 24 to other windings 25, 26 of the same electromagnet. The winding 27 assists winding 26 and opposes winding 25. Additional switches 32, 33 are connected to the winding 27. The switches 29 - - 32 are actuated in timed relation by cams driven from the main operating shaft, and are closed during a cycle of operation for periods represented by the proportion 1:2:4:3, the closing of 31 and 32 having a slight overlap. Each electromagnet 21 co-operates with an armature 20 pivoted at 16 and provided with a forked arm 15 engaging a constantly rotating one toothed pinion 1, Figs. 1 and 2, slidably mounted on a driving shaft 44. The pinion is adapted to be moved longitudinally by a pin 19 on a bar 18 operated by a cam on the main shaft at the moment of closing of the contacts 29 - - 31 so as to effect the step-by-step movement of a Geneva wheel 3 operatively connected through reversing gearing 4 - - 9 with a totalizer numeral wheel 10. When a perforation is felt the rod 18 causes the armature to approach to electromagnet 21 and current therethrough maintains the pinion in operative engagement for a length of time depending on the position of the perforation to cause a corresponding advance of the numeral wheel. The contacts c, d, for the "O" perforation energize the opposed windings 25, 26, so that the armature is not retained. Perforations in the e, f positions serve for classification &c., purposes. A modification of the translating device is described in which the arrangement of switches 29 - - 31 is duplicated and the electromagnet 21 has but one winding. Transfer mechanism.-Each gear wheel 5 of the totalizer units is provided with a cam disc 35, Fig. 6, having a projection 36 and recess 40 at the "0" and "9" position respectively. When a transfer is to be effected the cam disc 35 actuates a lever 37 to close the contacts 39 of a double-throw switch 34, Figs. 5 and 6, whereby the switch 33 is closed for one-tenth of a cycle and energises the electromagnet 21 of the next higher denomination. Consequent transfers are effected by the nose of the lever 37 in the "9" position of the discs entering the notch 40 and closing the contacts 42 of the switch 34. The cam disc is formed in two portions separated by a ridge adapted to guide the lever 37 to one or other side depending on the direction of rotation for positive or negative quantities, the recesses 40 being arranged on opposite sides of the projection 36. Splitting arrangements. If it is desired to effect calculations in several columns the connection between any two desired denominations may be broken by hand switches 43 and the various sections may be controlled at will to add or subtract by appropriate setting of the reversing mechanism by means of the shafts 12, 13, and lever 14. Multiplying and dividing apparatus.-The control of the machine in accordance with the digits of the multiplier or quotient is effected by the following means. At each revolution of the shaft 44 a drum 45, Fig. 9, is advanced one-tenth of a revolution; the drum carries insulated contacts 46 arranged according to the code and a contact ring 47 co-operating with brushes 50, and 48 respectively. These brushes 48, 50 are connected to a battery sud to electromagnets serving to compare the identity of two members. The electromagnets are connected to contact studs on the card carrier the corresponding comb contacts of which are connected to contacts co-operating with a contact on the laterally movable carriage. The drum imparts a movement to a shaft 56, Figs. 8 and 9, which carries a number of angle toothed pinions 57 adapted to engage Geneva wheels 68 the number of pinions corresponding to the number of denominations in the multiplier factor. The pinions 57 are engaged by the forked ends of levers 58 the opposite ends of which engage cam recesses 62 in a cylinder 61. The wheels 68 carry cams 64 - - 64<111> adapted to operate rods 65 - - 65<111> for closing circuits in accordance with the code to transmit the numbers to printing elements, so as to record the multiple or quotient. The cylinder 61 and pinions 57 which are mounted on an oscillatory frame 69 receive their movement through pinions 75 - - 78 from pinions 79, 80. In addition and subtraction operations the cam 71 holds the pinions 57 inoperative and a cylinder 81 maintains the wheels 68 in set position. Approximation. The last but one denomination of the wheels 68 may be provided with a drum, similar to drum 45, co-operating with two sets of brushes, or as shown in Fig. 9, two sets of cams 65 - - 65<111> may be provided for the purpose of increasing the last significant figure when the discard figure is 5 or over. Printing mechanism.-For printing the result of a calculation each denominational circuit has two electromagnets 82, 83, Fig. 3, connected to the windings 25, 26 of the magnet 21 so as to connect up a known form of epicyclic gearing and Geneva wheels to type wheels actuated in accordance with the impulses transmitted. The pinions 5 of the totalizer are also provided with cam members similar to cams 65 - - 65<111> to enable the product to be transmitted to another column. Controlling printing of zeros.. The return wires 84 of the electromagnets 82, 83 are not connected directly to earth 86, Fig. 11, but pass through two-way switches 85 controlled by cams on the pinions 5. If in any column the digit registered is zero the wire 84 is connected through the switch 85 to the wire 84 of the next higher denomination so that if this is a significant figure it will be printed. Hand switches 87 serve to split the machine. The control circuits for performing the different kinds of calculation are set forth in the Specification. Specification 262,794 is referred to.