Patent GB-361484-A (GB)
Abstract: 361,484. Calculating-apparatus. MERCEDES BœROMASCHINENWERKE AKT.- G E S., Benshausen, Post, Zella - Mehlis, Thuringia, Germany. Sept. 19, 1930, No. 28036. Convention date, Aug. 20. [Class 106 (i).] A combined typewriting and computing machine is adapted to deal with currencies &c. not based on the decimal system by providing certain of the differential members with value determining parts which can be changed by depression of the appropriate key levers. The invention is shown applied'to a power-driven machine with a continuously running motor 34 driving a shaft 30, Figs. 1 and 2, connected by sprocket gearing to shafts 26, 37 and N. The carriage movement is controlled by a known form of escapement mechanism. Its return to normal position and the line spacing of the platen is under the control of a shaft 26 with clutches 21, 23, and 24, 25 connected by gearing to a rack 8 on the carriage. The shaft 37 has secured thereto a number of ratchet wheels 43 one for each of the numeral key levers 44a. These levers are pivoted on a spindle 45 and when a key is depressed the rear end of its lever releases a pawl 50 on a corresponding cam disc 51 so as to couple the disc to the ratchet wheel 43 and effect its rotation. Co-operating with each cam disc 51 is a differential member or slide 53<1>, Figs. 2 and 9, with a shaped slot 61 depending on the key value represented. When the slide moves downwardly the slot 61 engages a bar 62 on a member 66 rotatable about pins 65 and imparts a movement to a ratchet toothed sector 67 pivoted to the member 66. The sector 67 gears with a pinion 71 on a spindle 72 the movement of which is transmitted through an axially movable pinion 73 thereon and reversing mechanism 74, 75, 76, 79 to the spindle 77 and main driving wheel 78 of the totalizing counter 7. The wheels of the totalizing counter are normally locked until it reaches the computing zone whereupon a lever 7x on the totalizer casing rocks a lever 59b to free a lever 59 on a shaft 55. The shaft 55 is rocked when one of the differential slides is actuated by an arm 54 engaging a cam recess 53c in the slide. The movement of the shaft 55 displaces a lever 59x and operates a lever 60 to free the totalizer locking means. The value set up on the keys is typed by a projection 53w on each of the differential members striking the type key levers 80. Each lever 80 carries a pawl 84 co-operating with a lever 92 which is depressed into engagement with a ratchet on the shaft N and is thereby pulled to the right, Fig. 2, to displace an arm 90 and raise the type lever 98. To adapt the machine for British monetary units two of the key levers, e.g. the " 4 " and " 6 " keys, are associated with keys marked " 10 " and 11." Each of these special keys has a head 114, Figs. 2 and 3, slidably mounted on a key lever 100 pivoted on the spindle 45 and having a U-shaped forward part normally engaging a stop bar 105, a lateral projection 115 extending over the " 4 " or " 6 " key lever 44a, and a curved rear end 119 on which rests a slide member 122. The projection 115 on each lever co-operates also with a corresponding slide 117 which is moved when the " 4 " or " 6 " key is depressed to prevent depression of the " 10 or " 11 " key. Each slide 122, Figs. 3 and 4, is guided for movement by a bar 121 and a pin working in a slot 123 and is connected by a spring 126 to a control lever 129 pivoted on a fixed stud 128. The control lever 129 has a bifurcated end terminating in projections 139, 142 and carries a pin 130 engaging a slot 131 in a slide 132 guided for vertical movement by a slot 133 engaging the stud 128. The slide 132 is provided with a projection 144 which normally engages the face 145 of a slide 146. The slides 146 for the " 4 " and " 6 " keys take the place of the differential members 53<1> and each carries two differential slides 143, 140, shaped to correspond respectively with the digits 4 and 10, 6 and 11, and guided thereon by pins 149, 150 and a screw 157, Fig. 5, engaging slots in the differential slides. Each slide 146 is controlled by springs 153, 154, and weak springs 162, 169 are provided to maintain the differential slides 143, 140 with the lower end of the slots 171, 170 in contact with a fixed stop 164 which passes through these slots and through a slot 172 in the slide 146. When the parts are in the normal position the projection 144 engages the face 145 of the slide 146 and the notch 173 of the differential slide 143 so that when the " 4 " key is depressed the slide 146 is lowered and with it the differential slide 143. Depression of the " 6 " key effects a similar movement in the corresponding parts associated with that key. The corresponding differential slides 140 are locked in the position of rest by the engagement of the face 175 thereof with the projection 139 of the control lever 129. The projection 177 at the same time operates in the manner above described the appropriate type lever 98. When the " 10 " key is depressed the slide 122 is raised, the spring 1126 rocks the control lever 129 and slide 132 anticlockwise. At the same time the projection 144 engages in the slot 174 of the slide 140 to couple it to the slide 146 and the projection 142 on the control lever 129 moves under the face 179 to hold it in normal position. The projection 115 on the key lever 100 acts on the key lever 44a to release the pawl 50 and a hook-shaped projection 180 on the lever 117 moves under the looking bar 49 to hold the key lever 44a depressed. In its downward movement the differential slide 140 acts upon the bent end 185 of a lever 187 connected by pin and slot means to a lever 191 which bears upon a key lever 44a<1> to operate a type lever bearing the numerals 10. Similarly the slide 140x for the " 11 " key operates a key lever 44a<11> to print the numerals 11." The totalizing counter, as shown in Fig. 8, comprises the usual arrangement of numeral drums with driving pinions 197, 199, 203 .. 208 and transfer mechanism of the Genevatype. The pence drum is adapted to be driven by either of the gears 197, 199 in the known manner from the master wheel 78. The numbers of teeth on the various gear wheels and the disposition of the transfer teeth are arranged in accordance with the transfer operations desired. In performing calculations based on the decimal system the special keys 114, 114x are pulled out to free the lugs 107 thereon from the lever 100 and the heads are turned down about the pin 110 in the slot 109.