Patent GB-354916-A (GB)
Abstract: 354,916. Typewriter calculating- machines. BOUTET, R. E., 80, Rue Taitbout, Paris. June 11, 1930, No. 17935. [Class 106 (i).] In a typewriting and computing machine combination wherein the typewriter keys are connected by electrical circuits and electromagnets with the keys of the calculating machine the electromagnets in each row are insulated from each other and are adapted to be connected to the circuit by a conducting link controlled by an additional electromagnet energized by the closure of contacts associated with the typewriter carriage. The machine is adapted for making out customer's bills, the price per unit, and the quantity of goods is first typed, the price and quantity being automatically set up on the calculating machine keyboard. The multiplication is then performed while the description of goods is being typed and the result is observed and typed on the bill. The machine comprises a known form of typewriter A, Fig. 1, and calculating machine B, the latter having a multiplicand keyboard M and multiplier keyboard m and starting control keys 1, 1a, for addition and multiplication respectively. A known manner of electrically connecting the machines is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the leads 4, 5 being connected by shunt circuits with switches C1 &c. corresponding to the numeral keys of the typewriter, with electromagnets E1 &c. controlling the corresponding key of the multiplier keybank m, and with circuits 7a .. 7d with electromagnets EA1 .. ED1 &c., controlling the respective banks of multiplicand keys na .. nd. The closure of the shunt circuits is controlled by switch contacts D, Da .. Dd, through contacts on a bar 10 supported on the carriage and a fixed insulated contact block 11. The bar 10 has contacts PM, Pm for co-operation with contacts pa .. pd, and pm on the block 11 these latter contacts being connected to the switch contacts Da .. Dd, and D respectively. Other contacts may be provided on the bar 10 to control the operation of the zeroizing mechanism. In accordance with the present invention the circuit arrangement for a nine-bank keyboard machine is shown in Fig. 7, the several rows of electromagnets EA1 &c. being insulated to eliminate the effect of stray currents. To connect the magnets of any one row to the wire leading to its switch contact, such as Da, each row is associated with a pivoted conducting rod 20A &c. under the control of a spring 23a and electromagnet 21A &c., shunted across a circuit 22 including a switch 23 closed each time a contact C1 &c. is closed. A rod 25 is associated in a similar manner with the electromagnets E1 &c. for the multiplier keys. The circuit is completed through the switch contacts and a wire 24. The closure of the switch 23 simultaneously with a contact C1 &c. may be effected as shown in Fig. 8 by providing each key stem 26 with two fingers 27, 28 co-operating with contact pins 29, 30, for the contact C1 and switch 23. The carriage bar 10 and contact block 11 may be arranged as shown in Fig. 9 with contacts PM, Pm, and contacts pa . . pi for each row of electromagnets EA1 &c., and contact pm for the multiplier row of electromagnets E1 &c. Additional contacts are provided on the block 11 as follows, contact 31 for setting the calculating machine for multiplication by operating electromagnet 31, contact 32 for controlling the start key 1a, through electromagnet 32, contact 33 controlling electromagnet 33a for setting the machine to subtraction and restoring the keys depressed, contact 34 connected to an electromagnet 34a controlling the motor start key, and a set of contacts pc1 .. p1 connected to the contacts pc .. pi. The contacts 33, pc1 .. pi1, and 34 co-operate with a contact 35 on the bar 10. When the contact 35 reaches contact 33 the machine is set for subtraction and the keyboard cleared. The carriage is then in position for typing the result and as the typewriter keys are depressed the corresponding keys of the multiplicand section of the calculating machine are depressed and the machine performs a subtractive operation to clear the totalizer the two last figures in the decimal places being discarded since the contacts pa, pb are isolated. When the numeral wheels of the totalizer, with the exception of the last two, reach the zero position notches on discs 48, Fig. 12, carried by their spindles are presented to pins 61 on a spring-controlled bar 59 which is thereupon displaced to close a switch 62 to operate an electromagnet 54 the core of which operates a bar 67 to actuate any known form of zeroizing machinism associated with the last two numeral wheels. In order to ensure that the electromagnets corresponding to the contacts 31 . .34 shall operate only on the movement of the typewriter carriage to the left in making out a bill the tabulation keys of the typewriter are adapted to control the circuit to the electromagnets through switch contacts 37. In a modification the contact block may be subdivided each division 11a, 11b, &c., Fig. 11, carrying a set of contacts and being mounted independently by cheeks 45 on a rack 46 secured to the framework. The various contacts on the carriage may then be replaced by a single stud on an arm 47 co-operating with the blocks in succession. The arm 47 may carry two studs 47, 47a the blocks being arranged on the corresponding side of the rack 46. In another modification the studs 47 may be carried in a block 154, Fig. 19, moved by the typewriter carriage and guided in a groove 152 in a right-angled bracket 150 on which the contacts are mounted. The zeroizing electromagnet 64 may be utilized to close a switch 68 in an electromagnet circuit for the purpose of returning the carriage to its normal position. In order that the product standing on the totalizer may be transmitted automatically to the keys of the typewriter the numeral wheel spindles are each provided with a metallic cylinder 113 having a series of helically arranged contact studs 115, Fig. 14, adapted to co-operate with contact blades 114 on an insulated plate 110. Each plate is displaceably mounted under the control of an electromagnet 109 and the circuit completed through the contacts 115, 114, energizes a corresponding electromagnet 118, Figs. 13 and 15, surrounding the stem of the numeral key of the typewriter. The circuits to the electromagnets 109 are controlled by a stud 101 on the typewriter carriage and stationary contacts 102a .. 102e, the contact 102c serving merely to energize an electromagnet 123 to tabulate the carriage at the decimal point. As shown in Fig. 13 the leads 117 from the various contact blades are connected in parallel to the appropriate electromagnets 118. This operation is initiated by the depression of a " Product " key 107 which closes contacts 106a, 106b in the main circuit 100-105. To ensure that the typewriter key depressed in this manner shall rise the current to the electromagnet is cut off by opening switch contacts 108. These contacts are operated by a bridge member on an insulated arm 129, Fig. 16, pivoted on a shaft 128 to which is attached arms 127 co-operating with pins 125, 126 on the key stems. The "product" key 107, Figs. 13 and 18, also controls contacts 106a, 139 in the circuit of electromagnets 138 associated with the tabulated keys the energization of which cause the carriage to move to its correct position for receiving the result. The number of electromagnets 138 energized depends on the setting of discs 131, Fig. 17, on the numeral wheel spindles, the displacement of which from the zero position closes contacts 133, 134 or 137, Fig. 13.