Patent GB-534894-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to calculating and similar accounting machines
IPC: G06C11/02
Filed: 1939-08-17
Abstract: 534,894. Calculating-machines. DRIESCHER, H. Aug. 17, 1939, No. 23721. Convention date, Aug. 17, 1938. [Class 106 (i)] A calculating or similar accounting machine comprises a plurality of plates each bearing a plurality of data, a window adapted to display any selected one of the data always substantially in the same position relatively to the boundaries of the window, and means operable in dependence upon at least two variables entered into the machine under key control, to select one of said plates and to select therefrom and display in the window one of the resultant data appearing thereon. The machine may be used by public utility companies for furnishing their customers with statements of their accounts. The old and new meter readings are entered by the amount keys 11 into the balance mechanism 13 in two consecutive operations and the consumption is calculated and printed by setting the balance mechanism to zero, in the following machine operation. It is assumed that less than 500 units will be consumed between meter readings. The charge per unit is determined by special keys 14 which can select forty-nine different product tables. Consumption indicating apparatus. - By setting the balance mechanism to zero, differential members 15 connected by racks 16 to the printing mechanism are set as described in Specification 368,117. Three racks 16 of the lowest denominations carry contact springs engaging fixed contacts 19, 20, the contacts 19 being in circuit with a set of electric lamps 22, Fig. 3, illuminated according to the setting of racks 16 only when the balance mechanism is set to zero, i.e. when the consumption is printed. The lamps are arranged in three rows of ten on a support curved horizontally and vertically so as to project light through a diapositive 27 bearing a vertical row of figures to produce a horizontal three-figure indication of the consumption on a screen 26. Selection of product tables.-A disc. 34 mounted on shaft 36 carries at its periphery a number of diapositives 33, Fig. 8, each of which bears a product table considerably reduced in size of the type described with reference to Fig. 6 (not shown) according to the price per unit which may be determined by special keys 14, which position racks 45, 46 for springs 47, 49 to engage contacts 48, 50. Contacts 50 are connected to five segmental members of collector ring 53, and each of the ten contacts 48 is connected to a group of five plates of collector ring 56. Collector rings 53, 56 are mounted on fixed plate 57 and arm 58 rotating with shaft 36 carries two conductively interconnected brushes 59 insulated from arm 58. When brushes 59 engage the live portions of the collector rings, a circuit is established to energize magnet 42 which raises stop 39 to hold ratchet 37 and disc 34 stationery during the operation of taking the total from the balance mechanism, the selected diapositive being in the lowermost position. Piston and spring mechanism ensure the shockfree retention of ratchet 37 (Figs. 9, 10, not shown), which is held by friction after the magnet 42 is de-energized. Shaft 36, disc 34 and wheel 37 are rotated by motor 78 insulated from mechanical shock by spiral spring 80. After the consumption has been printed, motor 78 is reversed to release stop 39, after which the motor is set for forward rotation again. Selection of a pre-determined product from the selected table.-The product table (Fig. 6, not shown) bears the products in ten columns of fifty reading from left to right down the table as. products of 0-499 by the price per unit. Light passes through the selected diapositive 33, Fig. 8, on to a mirror 88, Figs. 8, 11, 13, carried by an armature 89 rotated by a magnet 91 to an extent determined either by the action of nine bent fingers 94 carried by segment 93 on stop springs 96 operated by magnets 97 one of which is usually energized by the associated contact 20 of the lowest valve rack 30, or in the case when no magnet 97 is energized, by the action of finger 98 on fixed stop 100. Mirror 88 is thereby positioned to reflect only one column of the product table on to mirror 106 (Fig. 15, not shown) which in similar manner is set to one of five positions according to the setting of the hundreds rack 30, to reflect a column of only ten products on to a fixed mirror 189, from which the beam is reflected towards a screen 120 positioned by a small electric motor 129 and stops operated by electro-magnets 139, according to the setting of the tens rack 30 to select only one product which is passed through slot 127 in screen 120 on to the ground glass screen 25. Means are provided to prevent any indication on screen 25 except in a printing operation. Modified form (mechnical).-The amount differential mechanisms of the units, tens and hundreds set the corresponding differential members 215a (Fig. 19, not shown), 215b, Fig. 20 and 215c (Fig. 18, not shown) connected by gearing to gears 218a, b, c respectively on shaft 220. The hundreds gear rotates disc 231 carrying pins 232 bearing discs 234<SP>1</SP>, 234<SP>2</SP>, 284<SP>3</SP>, 234<SP>4</SP>, 234<SP>5</SP> so that a one step movement of hundreds member 215c moves disc 231 one-fifth of a revolution to bring the next disc 234 uppermost. Each disc 234 carries ten tables of ten products (Fig. 24, not shown) on diapositives 236<SP>1</SP>-236<SP>10</SP>, 236<SP>11</SP>-236<SP>20</SP> &c. and carries a gear meshing with gear 235 which can be rotated by the units differential member (215a, not shown) to bring the appropriate diapositive into the path of a beam of light from lamp 240. The tens differential member 215b positions a shutter 261 with a slot 262 to project the selected product on to screen 243. For a different basic price, a different disc 231 with discs 234 and diapositives 236 can be fitted. Second modified form.-For use with indicating apparatus of the type described in Specification 192,082, [Class 106 (i)], a number of groups of product tables 301, Fig. 25, are provided for the various tariffs, any group being selected by the special keys 14. The hundreds differential member raises a selected product table and the shutters 302, 303 having vertical and horizontal slots 304, 305 are positioned by the units and tens differential members to select a particular product which is projected on to a screen by a lamp corresponding to the tariff.