Patent GB-190414364-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Computing-machines
Inventor: DRAPER CHARLES WARDWELL
Filed: 1904-06-25
Granted: 1905-03-23
Abstract: 14,364. Draper, C. W., and Robertson, W. H. June 25, A.D. 1903, [date applied for under Patents Act, A.D. 1901]. Calculating-apparatus; receipts, checking and recording.-Computing-machines, specially appliable for use in stores &c., for ascertaining and displaying the result of multiplying weights and values together, are provided with two or more character-plates arranged over each other, and movable relatively to bring characters thereon into position to be displayed, and a number of perforated slides crossing each other and movable relatively to expose characters on the plates. Each character-plate 61 is movable to two or more positions, and the slides 30, 31 are arranged in two sets crossing each other between the characterplates and the face-plates 29. The machine shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is provided with a cash drawer. Fig.4shows oneof the character-plates 61, one of the vertical slides 30, and the key-operating mechanism. The slides are preferably made of aluminium and the character-plates of cardboard. In the normal position, all the character-plate openings register with the openings in the face-plates. There are three numbers to each opening, one above and two below. The ten slides 30 are actuated by the ten keys 45, while each horizontal slide 31 is operated by a key 57, and the character-plates are movable vertically into one of three different positions by means of one of the three keys 83, 85, 87. To prevent the springs provided from returning the slides and plates immediately to their normal position, catch mechanisms are provided. The vertical slides are held by the dogs 103, the character-plates by the dogs 106, and the horizontal slides by the vertically-movable bar 110. To release the catchdogs, the horizontally-reciprocating frame 112 is provided, and upon movement of this frame to the left the bell crank 170 moves the bar 110 to release any operated slide 31. A release movement is imparted to the frame 112 upon the closing of the cash drawer 25, by the means shown in Fig. 12, consisting of the lever 171 with its lower pivoted portion 17, and the drawer block 19. Additional mechanism co-operates with the character-plates to display the cost of ten, twenty, thirty, or forty pounds at from four to thirty cents per pound, and consists of double vertical slides 125, 126 with modified openings. The slide 125 is movable downward to two positions by the keys 139, 140, while the slide 126 is movable likewise by the keys 141, 142. Dogs 153, 154 are provided for the key-levers 146, 147, and the movement of the frame 112 acts to disengage the dogs. In a modified construction of machine, the number of pounds and price per pound are displayed at the rear, or purchasers' side, of the machine, the difference lying in the numbering on the rear sides of the character-plates, in the construction and arrangement of the rear sides of the double vertical and horizontal slides, and in the manner in which the rear face-plate is perforated. The computing- mechanism may be attached to a cash register or analogous machine.