Patent GB-304383-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical accumulating mechanism
Filed: 1927-10-24
Abstract: 304,383. British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd., (Deutsche Hollerith Maschinen- Ges.). Oct. 24, 1927. Statistical apparatus.-A statistical counter has operation-reversing means so that it can be used selectively in either of two ways, namely, starting when the card hole is read and stopping at the end of the cycle, or, starting at the commencement of the cycle and stopping when the hole is read. A counter wheel 92 of the Hollerith type has its clutch 95 normally held in by a spring 98 and an armature lever 112, which latter is attracted to break the clutch whenever either of two windings 101, 102 is energized: if these two windings are energized at the same time, however, they counteract one another and the lever 112 is not moved. The winding 101 is in the circuit 12 of the reading brushes 100, cam contacts 115 opening the circuit when the gap between successive cards is passing the brushes. The winding 102 is in a circuit 16 including a magnet 20 and contacts 18 which are momentarily closed by a cam 26 at the instant that the hole positions 214, Fig. 2, pass the brushes. these positions 214 being one step in advance of the " 9 " hole position. When a hole 214 is present the amount in that column has to he added; if no hole 214 is present the complement is added. That is, if there is a hole 214, a brush 100 registers with it at the same instant that contacts 18 are closed. This energizes winding 102 and breaks the clutch 95 and also energizes the magnet 20 to close a, shunt 24, 22 which cuts out the reading device and maintains the circuit 16 for the rest of the cycle. When the ordinary hole, e.g. at " 2," is read, the winding 101 is energized, counteracting the winding 102, the clutch 95 is engaged and adding occurs for the rest of the cycle. If there is no hole 214 the clutch 95 remains in from the beginning of the cycle until the winding 101 is energized to declutch the counter wheel. To allow for the " fugitive one " the complement is taken with respect to ten in the units column and with respect to nine in the other denominations. Cams 114 break the clutches 95 at the " 0 " position for all denominations except the units, which is declutched one 'step in advance of the " 0 " position. In a modification for the units wheel the clutch is normally disengaged and is engaged when either of the windings 101, 102 is energized, the hole 214 being used to signify a negative number, but still signifying position numbers in the remaining denominations 90 and 91, Fig. 1, represent Hollerith counters circuited for adding negative numbers only and positive numbers only, respectively, their clutch magnets 110, 111 being controlled by contact arm 104 operated by a magnet 103 in the circuit 16. If desired, printing mechanism such as described in Specification 183,867 may be provided for printing the totals from the three counters, the type bars being suitably arranged for printing positive numbers or complements in the various cases and the type bars being modified so as to allow for the " fugitive one." Alternatively, there may be used printing mechanism of the kind which moves synchronously with the resetting movement of the counter wheels.