Patent GB-490418-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to multiplying machines
Filed: 1937-02-10
Abstract: 490,418. Statistical machines. REMINGTON RAND, Inc. Feb. 10, 1937, No. 3967. Convention date, March 18, 1936. [Class 106 (i)] A record-card-controlled multiplying-machine comprisesincom. bination a plurality of sets of devices (one device for each multiplier denomination) each device representing all the products of the digits 1 to 9 multiplied by 1 to 9, mechanism operative under the control of the portion of the card-reading device which reads multiplier holes in the card to select from all the denominational devices simultaneously the ranges of products appropriate to the several multiplier digits and a plurality of devices, (one for each multiplicand denomination) all of which are simultaneously operative under the control of the portion of the card reading device which reads multiplicand holes in the card, to select simultaneously from the selected product ranges those products which are respectively appropriate to the several multiplicand digits together with means for accumulating and recording the final product represented by the sum of said products, whereby the time occupied in the multiplication of two factors is the same irrespective of the numbers of digits in said factors. The machine comprises mechanism for sensing cards fed from a card magazine into a sensing chamber, the sensed factors being transmitted through the medium of a translator, key set up mechanism and a decoding device, for use with the 90- column code, to multiplying mechanism of a known type comprising partial product plates which control accumulating devices and set up the product in receivers which control (1) known mechanism which prints the multiplier, multiplicand and product on a record sheet; (2) total accumulating mechanism ; totals being taken out of the machine by the operation of a total key and, if desired, printed on the record sheet and punched on a summary card ; (3) punch-setting mechanism which controls perforating mechanism through the medium of a translator whereby the product is punched in the appropriate card, the card having been fed during the computing operation into the punch chamber. The machine is adapted to be set for manual semi-automatic, or automatic operations. Reference is made to British Specification 307,407, [Class 106 (i)], with regard to the multiplying mechanism, and to U.S.A. Specification 2,004,208 with regard to the punching mechanism. The card magazine 386, Fig. 28, card picker mechanism 387, &c. and card-reading mechanism are of the Powers' type, the latter comprising a reciprocating pin box 404 whereof the pins 409 actuate corresponding keys in the multiplying mechanism through the medium of a translator 425, Fig. 26, which is adapted to convert the dual-perforation code of the 90-column card into a form suitable for the key set-up mechanism. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 58, members 447 which are elevated by the appropriate pins in the sensing mechanism are adapted to control two elements 455 (excepting in the case of the " nine " member) which actuate through Bowden mechanism 453 members 432, Fig. 31, and bell-cranks 31 beneath the multiplying mechanism which by means of links &c. 42, 55 cause bell-cranks 31 in an upper series to depress corresponding keys by the engagement of an arm 32 and a lug 43 on the key shank 10 thereby providing a oneway connection so that the keys may, if desired, be operated manually without interfering with the set-up mechanism. When 45-column cards are to be used the connections 453, Fig. 58, may be rearranged to effect proper translation. The sensing of an even number in a 90-column card will, in view of the arrangement of the translator cause the said number, together with the next lower one and also the "nine," to be set up in the keyboard. The locking of the depressed. key representing the lower (odd) number is prevented in this case by having the shoulders 15, Figs. 36-38, which would normally be engaged by a latch 14 when depressed, shorter in the case of all the " odd " numbers, Fig. 36, excepting the " nine," Fig. 38, thus preventing any of the odd-numbered keys from being latched whilst the " nine key is in the depressed position. After the setting up of the keys has been completed, multiplication is carried. out in a known manner and the product set up in receivers 110, Fig. 25. The multiplication factors and the product are then printed upon a record sheet in a known manner. Total accumulating. The product arms 126, Fig. 25, extend rearwardly and carry sectors 140 adapted to be engaged after each computation through the medium of cams 148 actuated from a cross-head 280, Fig. 5, by a series of accumulator pinions 147, mounted upon a carrier 145 pivoted at 144. For the purpose of transfer, each pinion has a tooth 160 adapted to engage a pawl 161 having a laterally extending lug 163 normally in the path of a lug 164 on a spring-pressed rack 154 adapted to engage a pinion of the next higher denomination. After engagement of the pinions 147 with the sectors 140 a cross-bar 158 is moved down and allows any of the racks 154 which have been freed to effect transfer. Since movement of the pinions 147 in a counterclockwise direction is limited by teeth 160 engaging pawls 161, a total can be extracted, printed, and punched in a card by depression of the " total " key 21, Fig. 53, which causes the pinions 147 to be moved into mesh with the sectors 140 and set up the total in associated mechanisms. Punch-setting mechanism controls the mechanism for perforating the cards, a number of stepped plates 555, Fig. 25, being linked with the factor and product arms 126 and with mechanism operated by the " clear " key. During the operation of the machine, therefore, plates 555 are moved rearwardly to positions corresponding to the setting in the receivers 110 and in the key-board, whereupon a, series of slidably mounted racks 556 are released and rise under the tension of springs 563 until lugs 562 thereon engage appropriate steps 569 on the plates 555, causing, meanwhile, through the medium of pinions 578. a series of horizontal racks 579 to be moved through corresponding distances to bring into position punch setting slides 580 which are adapted to be depressed by means of a lever 598 pivoted at 597 and to cause fingers 589 thereon to engage appropriate , members 615 in a translator 610 which connects the punch-setting mechanism with the perforating mechanism. The translator 610 is removable and is held in position by suitable locking means. Pins 625 are adapted to be screwed into appropriate tappings in a plate 622, the arrangement in accordance with the 90-column and 45-column codes being shown diagrammatically in Figs. 59 and 60 respectively. The " nine " pin is arranged to be depressed whenever a finger 589 depresses an " even " number pin. The cards are positioned in the punching chamber, perforated and passed into the card receptacle in a known manner. Actuating-mechanism. The machine is provided with two driving motors, an upper one 8 driving the multiplying mechanism and a lower one 313 driving the feeding, sensing and punching mechanisms (hereafter called " the base mechanism "). Independent control switches 270, 314, Fig. 63, are provided. The multiplying mechanism is controlled in a known manner by a cross-head 280, Fig. 5, which in one complete reciprocation back and forth sets the several parts of the multiplying mechanism in sequence to cause it to carry out the computing operations, resetting these parts to normal on its return movement. The base mechanism is started by manually depressing a button 465, Fig. 7, on a rod 466 whereupon a hook member 470 causes toggle-links 474 to be broken and allows a shaft 328 to rotate and connect by a clutch the base mechanism with its motor 313. After the factors have been sensed and set up in the multiplying mechanism, a high spot on a cam 337 fixed to the card handling shaft 330, Figs. 7 and 28, actuates a link 490, Figs. 5 and 7, to start the cross-head 280 on its rearward travel by tripping the crosshead shifter latch 293. During its movement, a cam-roll on the cross-head engages a lever 233, Fig. 43, which is arranged to control the setting of the total accumulator and associated mechanism and also the punch-setting mechanism ; meanwhile, the base mechanism is arranged to be stopped by the cam 337, but is subsequently restarted when the camroll 280, on return of the cross-head, engages a cam lever 201, Fig. 49, which causes the link 500 to be elevated, the hook 499, Fig. 7, thereon engaging a pin 488 on an arm 486 to cause toggles 474 to be broken. At the end of its return movement the cross-head breaks electric contacts 303, Figs. 5 and 63, and the motor 8 is stopped until the cam 337 once more. brings it into operation. When the machine is to perform single cycle operations, the control lever 505, Fig. 49, is set in its centre position, thereby causing the hook 499 on the link 500 to be held out of engagement with the pin 488 on the lever 486. Consequently, the base mechanism will not be restarted by the cross-head and, therefore, if but one factor is sensed from each card, the other may be manually set up at the commencement of each cycle. Where both factors are set up manually, the lever 505 will be set in its lower position, Fig. 47, and the multiplying mechanism started by depressing a trip bar 7. Where a set-up multiplier is to be retained during the passage of a, series of cards each bearing a multiplicand, the " repeat " key is depressed and the lever 505 is set in its uppermost position, Fig. 49. A card suitably perforated to operate the " clear " key may be used to erase the multiplier. Known devices are used to stop the machine when the sensing chamber is empty or when the supply of cards in the card magazine is exhausted. The former device which comprises a spring-pressed pin 518, Fig. 50, adapted to preven