Patent GB-772423-A (GB)
Abstract: 772,423. Accounting machines. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Dec. 7, 1955 [Jan. 28, 1955], No. 35080/55. Class 106 (1). An accounting machine comprises separate printing mechanisms for printing on each of two inserted documents, sensing devices for sensing when either document has reached its last line position and means which then disable the printing mechanism for the other document. The invention is applied to a machine for use in banks and which is adapted to post a customer's pass-book and a ledger card simultaneously. The two documents are inserted into individual printing mechanisms each provided with linespacing mechanism. If one document reaches its last line before the other, the machine becomes locked against further operation, other than for printing a balance on the filled document to complete it properly. The machine is generally similar to that described in Specification 660,620; the differential, type-setting, totalizer, totalizer-engagement and driving mechanisms are substantially identical with those of the earlier machine. The present machine, however, has an add/subtract totalizer on its upper line with provision for printing therefrom both credit and debit totals. Upper totalizer; subtraction. The upper totalizer comprises adding wheels 305, Fig. 6, and subtracting wheels 306 in denominational pairs each interconnected by a pinion 309 on a pin 310 projecting through the supporting shaft 307. Collars 311, 312 hold the wheels 305 and 306 in position, and a sleeve 314 maintains the pinion 309 on the pin 310. A cam is rocked to engage and brace the totalizer frame against buckling when it is moved into engagement with the actuators 269, Fig. 8. Normally the adding wheels 305 are in register with the actuators and the shaft 307 is shifted axially to register the subtract wheels 306 by rotation of a drum cam 326, Fig. 62, which engages a roller carried by a yoke 321 straddling a collar 320 threaded on the shaft 307. During machine operation, cams 343 on the main shaft 193 rock a lever 336 which has a cam slot 335 engaging the centre pin of a pair of toggle links 332, 333 connected between a control bell-crank 331 and a toothed segment 330 in driving engagement with the drum cam 326. In operations requiring subtract engagement of the totalizer, depression of the corresponding transaction key to initiate the operation cams a slide, as 368, forwardly which, through an individual lever 372, a yoke 362 common to the three transaction banks, a lever 365 and a link 366, positions a stop arm 351 over a stud 345 on the control bell-crank 331. During straightening of the toggle links with the arm 351 so positioned, the bell-crank 331 is held against counterclockwise rotation and the segment 330 is actuated to rotate the drum cam and shift the totalizer shaft 307 to register the subtract wheels 306 with the actuators. In other operations, the arm 351 remains in its normal position clear of the stud 345, and the toggle links rock the bell-crank 331 idly as they straighten, the segment 330 being restrained by a spring-actuated detent arm 355. Overdraft totals. An arm 346 is normally positioned beneath the stud 345 to prevent clockwise rotation of the control bell-crank 331, for the toggle-links 332, 333 to be effective to restore the segment 330 and totalizer to normal adding position at the conclusion of a subtract cycle. The arm 346 is, however, temporarily shifted clear of the stud 345 during the course of the cycle by a connection 349 with the machine driving clutch release shaft 350. In overdraft total operations, which require two cycles, the arm 346 remains clear of the stud up to the end of the second cycle and the subtract position of the totalizer is therefore maintained for the two cycles. Fugitive one mechanism. An actuating lever 511, Fig. 64, is rocked counterclockwise under the control of a cam 516 on the main shaft 200 when a stud 5101 thereon is released by a stop arm 391. This occurs when a latch 399 is tripped by the long tooth of the active highest order wheel 305 or 306 of the upper totalizer in passing through zero. If this occurs with the totalizer engaged for addition, an arm 521 moving with the lever 511 is positioned thereon with a finger 523 opposite a stud 525 on a setting lever 526 secured to an overdraft shaft 531. The lever 526 and overdraft shaft 531 are, therefore, rocked counterclockwise to the positive balance position shown when the lever 511 operates. If, however, the totalizer is positioned for subtraction, a block 528 on its shaft 307 is brought over a surface 529 of a bell-crank 519 linked with the arm 521, and so rocks the bell-crank to raise the arm 521 relatively to the lever 511 as the totalizer is moved into engagement with its actuators. A lower finger 524 on the arm 521 is then brought opposite a lower stud 527 on the setting lever 526, with the result that the setting lever and overdraft shaft are rocked clockwise into the negative balance position. These movements of the overdraft shaft 531, as the balance totalizer passes zero positively or negatively, are employed to enter the fugitive one into the lowest order totalizer wheel. The shaft is linked to an arm (not shown), pivoted adjacent the lowest order actuator, and a bevelled end of the arm is adapted to wipe over a stud on a tripping member for a tens transfer mechanism provided in the lowest order. The construction of the tens transfer mechanism is identical with that described in Specification 660,620. Overdraft control of total keys. A key locking slide (not shown) is connected to the overdraft shaft 531 and is shifted to block the " balance " and " sub balance " keys when an overdraft exists in the upper totalizer. An " overdraft " key is then freed by the slide for release of the machine to take an overdraft total. Control key interlocks. Mechanism is provided for preventing a second operation of balance pick-up keys 131 or 138 of Row 2 (see Fig. 2) until one or other balance key 121 or 123 of Row 1 has been operated to clear the upper totalizer. Depression of either key 131 or 138 cams a slide 621, Fig. 33, forwardly which lifts a pawl 627 out of a notch in the forward end of the adjacent locking slide 622, Fig. 35. Upon release of the depressed key, the slide 622 is free to move forwards and to lock the studs 579 of the keys 131 and 138 against further depression. Depression of either key 121 or 123 cams a slide 620, Figs. 32, rearwardly rocking a bail 631, a stud 633, Fig. 35, on which restores the locking slide 622 to free the keys 131 and 138 for further operation. A detent 5102, Fig. 30, prevents accidental depression of two adjacent keys of a row. The studs 579 of the successive keys engage alternately a cam slot 5111 or an angle slot 5121 in the detent, so that key depression either locks the detent and adjacent keys against movement, or shifts the detent to lock the adjacent keys. Printing mechanisms. The ledger card, pass book and an audit strip printer are arranged side by side in the lower part of the machine with all the type wheels 465 rotatable on a common transverse shaft 463, Fig. 8. The type wheels are adjusted by differential slides 466 through gears 499, 500 and gear rings 508 interconnected by pinions 503 on square shafts 504. Separate hammers are provided for making impressions in the different columns, there being five columns on the ledger card and four on the pass book. Notched control discs, set by the transaction differentials, control the individual hammers against idle operation as successive columns of the ledger card and book are printed. Up to four control discs are provided for each hammer, and the feeler 1444, Fig. 70, is fitted either with a feeler roller spanning the discs or, as shown in Fig. 70, with a pawl 1451 pivoted to the finger and having laterally offset upper and lower feeler fingers. The arm 1420 of each printing hammer 1423 is actuated by means of toggle links 1425, 1427 upon rearward movement of a link 1431. This occurs when the link is lowered, during cyclic operation of a supporting arm 1448, to engage a hook 1436 thereon with a universal rod 1438 extending between follower arms 1438 of cams 1440 on the printer operating shaft 1441. The link 1431 is, however, only able to follow the arm 1448 if the feeler 1444 is free to move forwards. This condition exists, in the, case of the particular hammer shown in Fig. 70 when a deep notch in the control disc 1408 lies opposite the feeler 1444 itself, and a deep notch in the relevant adjacent control disc lies opposite either the upper or lower finger of the pawl 1451. An adjustable spring support 1429 for the lower pivot 1428 of the toggle links 1425, 1427 enables the hammer to adjust itself to the thickness of the book in the case of the pass book printer. Ledger card and pass book feelers. Feelers as 1460, Fig. 75, are provided to detect the presence of an inserted card and pass book, and to disable the hammers of the relevant printing mechanism in the absence of either. Each feeler is connected to an arm 1462 urged counterclockwise by a spring 1463 to raise the feeler. A pawl 1464, pivoted to an arm (not shown) rockable on the shaft 1471, engages in a notch 1478 and against a finger 1465 of the arm 1462 to restrain this movement. The arm and its pawl 1464 are rocked counterclockwise and back by cams on the printer shaft 1441, so raising the feeler. If the feeler is arrested by the presence of a book or card, the arm 1462 also is arrested and the pawl 1464 is carried out of the now stationary notch 1478 to travel idly over a forward periphery 1479 of the arm. In the absence of a book or card, the arm 1462 continues movement with the pawl 1464 which remains in the notch 1478 and drops in front of an arm 1480 of a lever 1470. Under these conditions, the pawl 1464 drives the lever 1470 clockwise upon its return, and the lever 1470, through a link 1481, positions a bail 1483 under ear