Patent GB-326444-A (GB)
Abstract: 326,444. Hamilton, R. M., and Rickets, W. J. Oct. 31, 1928. Totalizators. - An apparatus for computing or transmitting mathematical functions consists of a movable primary member having an actuating surface divided into sections and a movable secondary member having a surface divided into corresponding sections the lengths of which bear a predetermined mathematical relation to the lengths of the sections of the primary member. Means are provided to engage the surface of the primary member and thereby to operate devices for setting the secondary member in movement. Means are also provided to engage the surface of the secondary member and thereby to actuate devices for stopping the secondary member, the means for engaging the surfaces of both members being operated at the junctions of the sections, so that the secondary member is caused to follow the movement of the primary member section by section. The apparatus is described for use in conjunction with the totalizator mechanism set forth in Specification 307,816. A " bets " primary drum 11, Fig. 1, and a pool " primary drum 12 are associated with secondary drums 13, 14 respectively. The primary drums receive impulses by connections 22, 23, which rotate them in one direction and by connections 24, 25 which rotate them in the opposite direction by means indicated at 20, 21. Operating means for the '' pool " primary drum 12 are described in Specifications 324,615 and 332,189. The, movements of the primary drums 11, 12 are converted into logarithmic movements of the secondary drums 13, 14 by means 16, 17, according to the present invention, the relative position of the secondary drums, shown by a differential apparatus 15, indicating the odds. The surfaces of both the primary drum 11, Fig. 2, and the secondary drum 13 have alternating projections 26, 35, and notches 27, 34. The spaces or sections between the notches and humps on the secondary drum bear a logarithmic relation to corresponding sections on the primary drum. In order to equalize the scale, a mid-point is taken on each drum. The sections lying to one side thereof on the primary drum are uniform and the corresponding secondary drum sections are logarithmic, while sections lying to the other side on the secondary drum are uniform, the corresponding sections on the primary drum being proportional to the antilogarithms of these uniform secondary drum sections. Two-way switches 28, 36, contact with the drums 11, 13 respectively. The projections and notches are arranged in a spiral line around the drum surfaces, the switches being kept in contact with them by screw gearing, not shown. The driving means for the secondary drum 13 comprise clutches 51, 54, and brakes 52, 55, operating through differential mechanism 58, the arrangement being such that operation of clutch 51 and brake 55 rotates the drum in one direction and operation of clutch 54 and brake 52 rotates it in the reverse direction. The corresponding clutches and brakes are connected in parallel and operated by circuits 59, 60. If the primary drum 11 moves until a projection comes into contact with the switch arm 28, the upper contacts 28, 30 will be closed and a circuit will be formed through the right-hand electromagnet 40 of a two-way relay 39, 40. The armature 41 of this relay will be moved to close relay contact 44 and so establish a circuit from the positive supply, through the armature 41 and relay contact 44, through the contact 50 and armature 65 of a second twoway relay 45, 46, through a line 64 and reversing switch 63 to the line 59 controlling the secondary drum operating mechanism. The secondary drum will thus commence to rotate. The armatures of both relays are controlled by flick-over springs 42. When the corresponding projection 35 on the secondary drum meets with the switch arm 36, contact 36, 47 are closed, whereby a circuit through the right-hand electromagnet 46 of the second relay 45, 46 is formed, the armature 65 being thereby moved and the above-described actuating circuit being broken. The secondary drum therefore stops, having rotated an amount proportional to the logarithm of the corresponding rotation of the primary drum. The reversing switch 63 is operated by an electromagnet 66 controlled by a switch consisting of a disc 67 freely mounted on the shaft 68 of the primary drum and having braking means 69. This disc carries a contact 70 electrically connected through a slip-ring 71 and brush 72 to the control line 73. Rigidly secured to the drum shaft 68 is an arm 74 having similar slip-ring connections. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the contacts 70, 74 close, thereby energizing the magnet 66 and bringing the reversing switch arm 63 into its left-hand position against the action of a spring. When the primary drum rotates in the opposite direction, this circuit is broken and the switch arm 63 moves back to its right-hand position. The arm 74 is prevented from moving more than a small distance from the contact 70 by contacting with an insulated stop 75 on the disc 67. To prevent the operation of the reversing switch when the secondary drum is in motion, the actuating circuit for the latter passes through an electromagnet 79 which, while, energized, holds the switch arm 63 against movement. Actuating primary drums. The " bets " signal wire 24 is connected to a device 190 which causes the movement of a ratchet wheel 191 carrying a hunting master-arm 192 moving over a. following- disc 193 having an insulated segment 194. The following-disc 193 is driven from a bevel wheel connected with the clutch 85, so that when the master-arm 192 moves off the insulating segment a circuit is established through the clutch 85 and brake 86, the movement of the following disc 193 and consequently of the drum 11 continuing until they catch up the master-arm 192. A similar arrangement controlled by the " stamped card " signal wire 22 causes rotation of the drum 11 in the reverse direction. To allow of the simultaneous reception of both bets signals and stamped-ticket signals, switches 184, 185 are arranged in parallel to cut out both brakes 86, 87, if both clutches 84, 85, are operated at the same time. Construction of clutches and brakes. A continuously rotating member 92, Fig. 3, has a pole face 93 adjacent the pole face 95 of a driven member 94 fixed to a sleeve 96. These members are situated within the fixed casing 88 of the clutch 84 and are surrounded by a fixed magnetic winding 89. The sleeve 96 transmits the drive to the sun wheel 104 of the differential gearing, the planet wheels of which gearing are connected to the drum 11 by means of a shaft 68. To the sleeve 96 is also secured a member 98 having a pole face adjacent the pole face of a member 100 fixed to the casing of the brake 86 and surrounded by a fixed magnetic winding 102. Energization of the clutch winding 89 causes the rotation of the sun wheel 104 by reason of the attraction between the pole faces 93, 95, and operation of the brake winding 102 prevents rotation of the sun wheel 104 by reason of the attraction between the sleeve member 98 and the fixed member 100. According to the Provisional Specification, the primary and secondary drums are driven by their respective pair of motors, one in each pair for each direction of rotation. The relavs control the time of operation of the secondary drum motors, and operation of the primary " stamped ticket " motor actuates the reversing switch for the secondary drums.