Patent GB-333258-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to totalisators and like counting mechanisms
IPC: G06M1/10
Filed: 1929-02-01
Abstract: 333,258. Hamilton, R. M. Feb. 1, 1929. Divided on 331,524. Counters actuated by electric means; transfer-mechanism.- In apparatus for counting impulses, such as in totalizators, the elements of the counting- apparatus consist of electromagnetic step-by-step switches, for example of the pre-selector type, and transfer is directly effected by electrical means. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, adapted for controlling the operation of an indicator of the type described in Specification 331,524, the impulse-receiver 112, effects through a huntergear 111 the energization of a pre -selector switch magnet 114 to cause movement of three contact arms 115, 116, 117. The arms 115, 116, alternately effective, traverse virtually a bank of fifty contacts each representing a ú1 bet and at the end of a complete rotation the arm 117 closes a circuit to the magnet 119 of a higher denomination switch, each movement of which therefore is equivalent to a count of ú50. In a similar manner at each revolution of the second switch transfer to a third switch 126 is effected through an arm 123 and contact 125. The fifty contacts of the first switch are connected up at each fifth contact so that on the receipt of every five ú1 bets, circuit is completed through line 152 by one of the arms 115, 116 to a pre-selector switch magnet 91 effecting through a hunter-gear 135 the operation of an electromagnet clutch 75 and brakes 84 whereby the constantly driven shaft 80 is enabled to advance the sprocket wheel 70 driving the indicating-pointer chain. When bets to the total value of ú1.000 have been received and consequently the switch arm 121 has moved off its bank 151 of 20 contacts, the ú5 contacts of the units switch are cut out of circuit and therefore the pointer is advanced only upon the receipt of each ú50, the arm 115 then completing circuit through line 162 and a bank 132 of the third switch. Again, when the third switch has received four advances (receipt of ú10,000) and consequently the bank 132 has been left by the arm 129, the arm 115 is cut out of circuit and thenceforth an impulse at every ú500 is sent to the switch magnet 91 through the arms 122, 123 and the contacts 147, the indicator readings now proceeding from 10,000 to 100,000. Zeroizing of the indicator is effected by closing a switch 138 to initiate homing of the magnet 91 as described in Specification 331,524. In the second form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2 each denomination of the counter is represented by a switch such as 300, 301 each having two banks of contacts 304, 314 and 307, 306 respectively, each denomination being allocated to one digit of the total, and the pairs of banks being interconnected by pairs of revertive control lines. These lines are also provided between the transmitter and the units switch. The transmitter comprises a pre-selector switch one bank 204 of which is wired by double contacts to lines 207 normally live but selectively rendered dead. When the switch arm engages a live contact an impulse is sent through line 208, first contact of bank 203 and line 316 to contact arm of bank 304 and thence to the switch-operating magnet 302. The units switch thereupon advances one step and owing to the system of alternate connections shown an impulse proceeds from bank 314 to bank 202 and thence to the transmitter switch magnet 205 to advance this switch one step. This results in a second impulse being sent through bank 203 and line 326 to bank 304 and magnet 302 to advance the units switch another step whereupon the revertive arrangement again functions to step the transmitter, thus bringing the arm of bank 204 to the next line 207. If this is dead the switches remain stationarv but otherwise the transmitter again causes advance of the units switch as before. When the units switch makes its tenth (double) step, thus reaching the first of two transfer contacts 321, 322 and 337, 338 on the two banks, an impulse is sent to bank 306 of the tens switch to advance this one step, a revertive impulse then proceeding from bank 307 through line 320 to bank 304 to move the units switch one step. This brings the second of the transfer contacts into circuit so that the two switches again advance one step. The arm of bank 304 has now reached the first of the three final contacts 341 which are wired to the contacts connected to line 326. Consequently current from bank 203 is received by magnet 302 to complete the cycle of the units switch to bring it into the starting or zero position again, as shown, and the bank 314 effects completion of the travel of the transmitting switch through the connected final contacts of the bank 202. The first Provisional Specification refers to Specifications 324,658 and 326,152.