Patent GB-516553-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to multiplying machines
Filed: 1938-07-02
Abstract: 516,553. Calculating apparatus. McCLURE, E. C. July 2, 1938, No. 19645. [Class 106 (i)] A machine for multiplying an amount by a whole number and/or a fraction comprises means for entering a multiplicand into the machine, means for entering a predetermined fraction of said multiplicand into the machine, multiplying means, means for causing the multiplying means to effect multiplication of the. multiplicand by the whole number portion of the multiplier and means for causing said multiplying means to effect multiplication of the predetermined fraction of the multiplicand by a whole number multiplier which when divided by the denominator of the predetermined fraction of the multiplicand yields the fraction which occurs in the multiplier. The invention is shown as applied to a record card controlled multiplying machine of the kind described in Specification 490,358. Cards on which two factors for multiplication are represented by punchings are fed from a container 6, Fig. 3, to a sensing pin box 9. After a card has been sensed it passes punches 454 which mark it with the product before it enters receiver 16. The factors sensed in the pin box are set up in stop baskets 620 and 621, Fig. 4. The basket 621 contains stops 632 on which the complete multiplicand is set up and stops 631 on which the fractional multiplicand is set up. The stops 632 are set from the pin box 9 through wires 635. The latter are also connected to wires 640 in such a manner that when a wire 635 of a particular value is raised a wire or wires 640 are also raised which represent a desired fraction say 1/960 of this value and thus the fractional multiplicand is set on the stops 641 in the stop basket 642. It is now desired to add together the partial quotients set up on stops 641 and to set the stops 631 according to the result. For this purpose bars such as SU, take a setting from a particular column of stops 641 and each controls a particular partial product plate PU which when permitted to fall moves until one of its steps 685 contacts with a lug 686 moving in a slot 687 in the setting bar SU. The plates PS, PT, and PU serve for the units of shillings denomination and have a transfer plate T6 associated therewith to receive amounts transferred from the end penceplate PR. When the latter moves more than eleven steps downwards lug 692 can move down over step 695 and plate T6 moves one unit and moves the lug 686 along one step 685. As each lug plate moves the lug under the steps of the next and each is further moved by the setting bar of the plate the end plate PU will move down a distance equal to the total of the settings transferred -to the plates from the pence denomination and from the settings on stops 641. The plate PU is provided with steps 695 co-operating with a lug 692 to transfer amounts to the tens of shillings denomination. There is a reading bar R<SP>5</SP>, Fig. 18f, or R6, Fig. 3, for each denominational group of plates which can be moved by springs until lugs 701 thereon contact with steps 700 on the end plate of a denomination group. These bars each carry a swinging member 721, Fig. 3, and when all the bars have moved a lifting bar raises the members 721 into contact with the stops 631 which thus become set up with the fractional multiplicand. The stops in the multiplicand stop basket are read by bars 111a, 111b, 111c and so on, and stops in the multiplier stop basket are read by bars 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110g, and 110h. The bars have actuating and restoring means operated from the driving shaft 4 of the machine in a manner similar to the analagous parts in the machine described in Specification 490,358. The multiplicand reading bars each position one or two fingers, for example F<SP>11</SP>, F<SP>12</SP>, over a partial product plate such as 3P, Figs. 3 and 22. The plate corresponding to a multiplier digit is raised at the appropriate moment by a bail 213 as described in Specification 490,358 and the projections on the plate raise transverse bars 778 which raise the fingers set with the multiplicand amounts indicating the value of the product of the multiplicand and the digit and these values are transmitted to a partial product accumulator PPA. In order to effect multiplication by the next higher denominational digit of the multiplier it is necessary to multiply the multiplicand by ten and this is effected by mechanism as described in Specification 440,180 which erases the multiplicand setting after each multiplying cycle and replaces it by the tens multiple of the original setting. The apparatus is, however, modified by the addition of means which are operated whenever a hole in any of the columns indicating the fractional part of the multiplier is sensed. Multiplication of the fractional multiplicand by each digit of the fractional multiplier is first effected and then multiplication of the complete multiplicand by each digit of the whole number multiplier is effected. The wires of the pins that sense the fractional columns of the multiplier on the card are arranged to set stops corresponding to numbers which when divided by the number say 960 which was used in the fractional multiplicand will give the actual value of the fractional part of the multiplier. Reading bars 801 transmit the totals from accumulator PPA and transmit them to accumulator wheels 291 which operate punches 454. The various operating movements are caused by cam and lever connections driven by shafts 4, 5 and 41 which are connected by chain drives in the manner described in Specification 490,358. Specifications 275,285, 307,407, [both, in Class 106 (i)], 465,517, and 490,418 also are referred to.