Patent GB-190327472-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Calculating and Registering Machines
Inventor: CLOUD OTHO EDMUND
Filed: 1903-12-15
Granted: 1904-11-17
Abstract: 27,472. Lake, H. H., [Cloud, O. E.]. Dec. 15. Calculating - apparatus. - A keyboard calculating and registering machine, adapted to register, indicate, and print the addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of numbers, is shown in plan in Fig. 1, and in longitudinal section in Fig. 2. The machine has a series of sets of independently operative keys acting in connection with a movable keyboard, and a series of sliding members adapted to co-operate with the keys to communicate movement to the registering-mechanism, which includes means for transferring from one element to another certain multiples of figures. The dial - wheels 17 mounted upon the shaft 60 have black and red rows of figures, the red numerals increasing and the black numerals decreasing in one direction, and the wheels are fixed to the pinions 8. The pins 50, 51 on the dial-wheels effect carrying by engaging the catches 47, which operate the serrated members 46 of the next higher dial plate. The black or red numerals are displayed according to the position of the slide 228 beneath the apertures 229. Beneath each set of keys is the step-bar 4 which has a reciprocating horizontal movement. Each stepbar has a type-bar 85 and a rack-bar 5 adapted to co-operate between the step-bar 4 and the pinion 8 to communicate motion to the dial-wheels, the connection between the step-bar and the rack being a lost motion one. This lost motion effects the printing of the significant zeros without printing the non-significant zeros. The slide 18, Fig. 7, transversely disposed beneath the step-bars, has projections 20 of different widths. This slide is carried to the left by the bell-crank 25 until stopped by the step-bar of highest denomination operated. In the motion of the keyboard, compression of a spring begins before the keyboard reaches the limit of its advance, and in the forward movement the projection 30, Fig. 2, stores up power in the spring 31. At the end of the forward movement the rack 7 is disengaged from the pinion 8. Return movement causes upward movement of the member 35, and the disengagement of the ratchet 46 and the re-engagement of the latch member 47. A shutter mechanism for the dial-wheels is provided and can be operated manually by the knob 231. The keyboard is supported by ball bearings, and is reciprocated by the handcrank 81 through the medium of three gearwheels, one of which is fixed to the shaft 71, and the crank 72, which engages by a sliding box with the slotted extension 69 of the member 68 secured to the keyboard. Backward motion of the crank is prevented normally by a pawl and ratchet mechanism. To take up the lost motion in the slot and pin connection 6, the cam 4<a> is pivoted to the step-bar 4. As the cam is rotated over the cross-bar 4<g>, causing the withdrawal of the projection 4<f> from the notch 4<c>, the lever 4<d> is moved away to prevent forward movement of the rack 5 until the pin and slot connection has reached the other end of the slot. The speed of the reciprocation of the keyboard may be controlled by the spring-controlled fly-ball toggle-lever governor shown in Fig. 14. Upon abnormal speed of reciprocation, the governor, which is rotated in one direction through ratchet gearing, actuates the rod 127 to lock the keyboard bar 139 with the stationary frame. If a wrong key in a set is depressed, the depression of the right key effects the release of the other. The release or locking bar has a longitudinal movement across the keyboard, and is adapted to operate all the key-locking members so as to release all the keys. Tbe release or locking member may be manually operated by a spring-controlled push-rod. The type-bars 85 have a downward printing stroke at the end of their forward movement, and coiled springs are interposed between the bars to introduce friction. The type-carriers are raised, latched, and tripped by means provided, and a manually-adjustable latch prevents printing if desired. In printing the total or subtotal, the keys corresponding to the numerals on the dials are depressed, and the total lever 143 is then pressed forwards. This lever operates to disengage the rack 7 and the pinion 8, and to engage the rack 46 and pinion 8. After pulling the lever 143 back, the return movement of the keyboard returns the dials to zero. In connection with the printing-mechanism, the automatic ribbon feed and reverse shown in Fig. 4 are employed. The means for actuating the type-bars rotates one of the ribbon spools 175,176. The shaft 197 has the rollers 201, 202 at its ends ; these rollers are engaged by the ribbon wound on the spool to cause the shifting of the shaft, and to shift the ratchet feed motion from the full to the empty spool. The paper is fed by the actuation of the type-bars, a toothed bar facilitates the separation of the portion of the paper printed, and a suitable shield directs the paper upwardly so that it may be accessible. An indicating-device, Figs. 1, 18, and 19, for multiplying and dividing, is secured to the outside cover. The pointer for the two consentric circles of numerals, one circle of numerals being exposed at one time, is fixed to the shaft 147, to the lower end of which is secured a spiral spring. Every reciprocation of the keyboard causes the engagement of the pin 158 with the tail of the escapement lever 157. In adding, only the black numerals are exposed, in subtracting only the red numerals. For multiplication, the black numerals are used, and the multiplier is set in stages upon the indicator device by means of a thumb-piece ; for division, the red numerals are used, and the indicator device is used in the alternative position.