Patent GB-676506-A (GB)
Abstract: 676,506. Accounting-machines. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Jan. 15, 1951 [Jan. 21, 1950], No. 1033/51. Class 106 (i). A combined accounting machine and record material sorting device comprises a plurality of sorting compartments and an individual shutter for each compartment, a plurality of control keys, and connections between each shutter and a related control key including an electromagnet energized upon depression of the key to move the shutter to open position and deenergized after restoration of the key to undepressed position to permit the shutter to close, wherein there is provided a time delay device which maintains an operated shutter in open position for a predetermined period of time after restoration of the control key. The invention is described as applied to the type of machine described in Specifications 609,076, 610,374 and 610,400. The keyboard Fig. 1 includes ten banks of amount keys 61, a " Star " key 62, a bank 63, normally used to control printing and four rows of control keys 65, 66, 67, 68. In use, when the transaction relates to customer's deposits the entire list of debits i s first entered in the plus side of the crossfooter totalizer by the amount keys 61 and the plus key 20 in row 2. Each debit is then entered into the related totalizers of the machine by means of keys in row 3 and at the same time each debit is subtracted from the crossfooter totalizer. As each debit is entered the corresponding cheque is placed by the operator in the appropriate sorting compartment the cover of which is opened as described later. If the crossfooter totalizer is not at zero when all the cheques have been accounted for the machine is locked as described later. The crossfooter totalizer is then " read," i.e. a subtotal is taken therefrom, by depression of the " error " key in row 1, thereby printing the amount of the error. The error is then located by inspection of the master tape and by depression of the appropriate key the compartment containing the cheque in respect of which the error was made, is opened. The complement of the amount of the error is set up on keys 61, 63 and by depression of a " Star " key 62 this complementary amount is added into the crossfooter to set it to zero. The machine is normally released for operation upon energization, as described later, of a solenoid 87, Figs. 11 and 13, the core 86 of which is moved to the left and through a link 84, Fig. 13, rocks a tripping lever 81 clockwise to free the machine release shaft 70, unless otherwise locked as described later, for counter clockwise movement to close a circuit to the machine operating motor so that the machine performs a cycle of operations. The keys of rows 2, 3 and 4 are supported by a frame 111, Fig. 2, and each key carries a pin 114. Depression of an appropriate key causes counterclockwise movement of arms 123, 129, the latter of which effects momentary operation of a micro-switch 132 to close a circuit to the solenoid 87, Fig. 13. Depression of the " lock release " key of row 2 effects a counter-clockwise movement of a lever 151, Fig. 2, which through a link 154 and an arm 155 moves a finger 157 clockwise to actuate a micro-switch 162, Fig. 11, included in a circuit for the solenoid 87. The six control keys 65, Fig. 4, are carried by a frame 176 and co-operate in the usual manner with a retaining detent 179. Depression of the " Error " key 65 effects downward movement of a bar 190 to effect through a linkage counterclockwise movement of an arm 205 which closes a micro-switch 208 and completes a circuit to the solenoid 87, Fig. 11. The machine may, however, be mechanically locked as described later so that energization of the solenoid 87 is ineffective. Depression of the " Error " key 65 also results in a counter-clockwise movement of a shaft 217, Fig. 12, which carries a cam plate 220 which co-operates with a bell-crank 223 to effect opening of a switch 227, Figs. 11 and 12, thus preventing energization of the solenoid 87 by a subsequent closure of the micro-switch 132 by operation of a numbered control key. A shaft 233 carried by the totalizer frame 229, Fig. 6, is moved with the crossfooter totalizer so that after each machine cycle a group of pawls 232, Figs. 5 and 6, are each rocked to engage the periphery of a cam 230 and consequently the machine release mechanism is locked as an arm 247 on the machine release shaft 70, Fig. 5, will be arrested by an arm 244 on a shaft 124. Upon depression of any of the " minus " control keys of rows 2, 3 and 4 or of the " Lock Release " key a bar 240, Figs. 5 and 6, is moved to the left and the arm 244 will be moved away from the arm 247 to free the release shaft 70. The number of items entered by each of the keys 67, 68 is registered on a totalizer 272, Fig. 7, actuated by four differential mechanisms 271, Fig. 1. In the.lowest order differential 271 the trip lever 281, Fig. 7, pivoted to the actuator 275 is always in tripped position so that the transfer segment 277 gives one step of movement to the units wheel 272 at each operation. Each of the differential mechanisms 271 is driven in the usual way and zero stops 310, Fig. 7, co-operate in the known manner with the pivoted latch 313 to arrest the differential actuators in zero position. The zero stops 310 are ineffective during sub-total and total-taking operations. The differential mechanisms 271 and those of the amount keys are aligned by the usual mechanism comprising segments 330 and an aligner 332. The differential mechanism associated with the keys 63, Fig. 1, is in two parts one of which sets the printing mechanism each and every regular adding operation of the machine and the other constitutes totalizer actuators. The differential arm 350, Fig. 10, is positioned in accordance with the depressed keys by a driver 354 which is rocked clockwise then counter-clockwise at every machine cycle. Normally coupled by a pawl 373 to the arm 350 is a differential plate 370 carrying the usual actuator racks 371. During regular adding operations however the pawl 373 is rocked counter-clockwise by the lever 377 and consequently the plate 370 and actuators 371 are not moved. Depression of the " Star " key 62, Fig. 7, effects downward movement of a bar 401, and through a linkage clockwise movement of the shaft 156 to move a latch arm 393 and so free a lever 390 so that when an arm 422, Fig. 10, is rocked clockwise during the succeeding machine cycle the lever 390, the shaft 311 and the arm 377 are moved so that the pawl 373 is not rocked counter-clockwise. The plate 370 and actuators 371 will now move with the arm 350 under the control of the depressed key 63 to add the complement, determined by said key, into the associated totalizer wheel. Depression of the " Star " key 62 also effects closure of a micro-switch 435, Fig. 7, in a circuit to the solenoid 87, Fig. 11. When taking a sub-total from the crossfooter the latch 393, Fig. 10, is moved away from the finger 391 to allow the pawl disabling arm 377 to be moved so that the plate 370 and the actuators move with the differential arm 350. Sorting. The sorting compartments are arranged in step-like fashion as in Specification 610,374, each compartment is formed by side walls 450, 451, Fig. 17, sloping back 452, Fig. 16, a bottom 453 and an indicator cover 455 secured to a shaft 461 carried by a bracket 462. A bellcrank 463 free on the shaft 461 is connected to the indicator 455 by a spring 464 and by a link 466 to an armature 467 of a solenoid 468. The cover 455 is normally held closed by a spring 469. Upon energization of the solenoid 468 by depression of the appropriate key in rows 2, 3 and 4, Fig. 1, the armature 467, Fig. 16, is moved to rock the bell-crank 463 clockwise to cause the cover 455 to be opened. The underside of the cover is contrastingly coloured to afford an indication of the correct compartment to the operator. Upon de-energization of the solenoid 468 the cover 455 is restored to its closed position. The circuit arrangement of the various solenoids 468 is shown in Fig. 18. Upon depression of one of the appropriate control keys the associated contacts 147, 148 are closed to establish a circuit from the supply 501, 502 to the associated solenoid 468 and the corresponding cover 455, Fig. 17, of the appropriate compartment is raised. The speed of opening of the cover may be varied by adjustment of a rheostat 515. When, during the succeeding cycle, the aligner 332, Fig. 7, is disengaged from the segment 330 a switch plate is moved to close a switch 489, 490, thus completing a circuit through lines 505, 520, 527, resistor 522 and a condenser 523 which is thereby charged. At this time a cam 482, Fig. 12, effects closure of a switch 475, Fig. 18, to complete a holding circuit to the solenoid 468. When the aligner 432, Fig. 7, is moved away from the segment 330 the switch plate 489 closes the contacts 489, 488 whereupon the condenser 523 leaks back through a line 530 to energize a magnet 531 which moves a switch 511 to establish a second holding circuit to the solenoid 468 which lasts until the condenser is completely discharged and the magnet 531 deenergized. The speed of leakage of the condenser 523 may be varied by adjustment of a rheostat 532. By operation of a switch 533 the circuit to the electromagnet 531 may be broken so that there is no delay in the closing of the shutter 455.