Patent GB-190929891-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Mechanical Calculators.
Inventor: ELLIS HALCOLM
IPC: G06C21/04
Filed: 1908-12-28
Granted: 1910-03-29
Abstract: 29,891. Ellis, H. Dec. 28, 1908. Adding - apparatus wit h printing - mechanism. - Relates to the adding-mechanism of the combined typewriter and recording adding-machine described in Specification 28,253/08, which is a development of the machine described in Specification 20,422/03. The adding-machine is of the multiple - bank, key - set, handle - operated type, in which the set keys act as stops for the released rackbars, which are returned to position while in engagement with one or other or both of two totalizing-counters which are without visible numerals; the printing - segments are differentially-set by the rackbars, and are subsequently moved bodily against a stationary platen, which is that of the ordinary typewriter carriage, to give the impression. The machine is provided with a number of operating-shafts O<1>, R<1>, R<2>, P', &c., rocked or rotated by the handle O<58>, under the control of the numeral keys and the controlling-keys, the proper timing and interlocking of the parts driven from these shafts being provided for. Keyboards; keyboard interlocks.-The numeral keys are restored by springs K<80>, Fig. 2, mounted in slots in the plates 60<K> between the denomination banks, so as to press upwards against washers 56<K> secured to the key stems, above which are loose felt washers K<99> and above these other washers 59<K> held in the plates. Stops K<23> upon the keys co-operate with the stepped upper surfaces of the rack-bars to determine the differential movement. For each bank there is a key latch 52<K>, Fig. 8, and a key lock 53K, both of which are spring-controlled plates pivoted on the rods K' and controlled by transverse members connected with the operating parts. These plates co-act with projections upon each key stem of the bank, and the condition for withdrawal of the corresponding rack-lock 68<K> is that one key in the bank shall have been fully depressed, with consequent movement of the key latch and key lock. Operating - means; full - stroke mechanism; interlocking. - The main operating-shaft O<1>, Fig. 15, is rocked by means of a handle O<58> loose upon the shaft and having a rigid connexion with a plate O<50> carrying the full-stroke pawl O<91> which co-operates with a rack O<67> provided at its lower end with a hook to prevent vibration of the pawl at the end of the forward stroke. A lever 51<o> co-operates, during certain positions of the typewriter carriage, with a projection on the full-stroke pawl to prevent full reversal thereof at the end of the rearward stroke and thus to lock the machine. Movement is conveyed to the main shaft by the springs O<80> and 80<o> and associated linkwork arranged between the plate O<50> and a plate O<51>, which is fast on the main shaft and drives shafts R<1>, P<1>, R<2> through cams and linkwork, the shaft R<2> controlling the alining-bar. In the normal or raised position of the handle there is sufficient tension in the springs to ensure that upon the first movement of the handle, with consequent tripping of a hook O<53> by a projection O<55>, the plate O<51> shall at once move to the full extent under the control of a dash-pot, thereby allowing the springs to contract to the fullest extent. As the handle moves forward the springs are extended, and the plates O<50>, O<51> are again latched by the hook for a common return. If the handle-plate completes the forward stroke before the plate O<51>, they are held against return by a hook O<65>, which is subsequently tripped upon completion of the forward movement of the main operating-plate O<51>. The handle is also subject to a locking action which is only destroyed by the arrival of the carriage in the tabulating position, or by the depression of certain controlling-keys. Arrangement and operation of controlling- keys. The particular operation to be performed is determined by a special bank of nine controlling-keys on the left of the keyboard, comprising release, repeat, and non-adding keys, together with adding, total, and sub-total keys for each totalizer. The total, sub-total, and non-adding keys are interlocked by pivoted drop-pieces cooperating with pins on the key stems and moved by a spring at the beginning of the operation. Several of these keys govern the effect to be subsequently produced by the rocking of a three-armed lever D<67>, Fig. 27, produced by the pin D<14> upon a main-shaft plate D<50>. Totalizer engaging-mechanism. A tabulating- key disengages the typewriter carriage escapement and allows the carriage to move to the left until arrested by the contact of an adjustable stop with a stop-bar thrown up for the purpose; while the carriage remains in this position, inclined surfaces upon the stop and upon a lever pivoted to the frame co-operate to raise links D<64>, D<60>, Fig. 27, and to unlock a lever D<58> the upper pin D<21> of which follows the link upon the three-armed lever downwards and allows the bent lever D<51> to swing as the plate D<50> moves forwards, until towards the end of the forward stroke the pin D<12> abutting on the end of the lever D<51>, as shown, arrests the straightening of a link D<56> and flying lever D<53> and thereby rotates the totalizer-engagement shaft A'. Similar parts control the lower totalizer. The adding key for either totalizer produces a like effect, for instance, the upper key K<65> rocks the lever L<57> and thereby the lever D‹‹, the movement of which is also utilized to release the main-operating catch. Both adding-keys may be simultaneously depressed. Numeral - key release. To disengage the numeral key latches the link D<68>, Fig. 27, is moved forward, and upon its return stroke by means of the pin L<14> and spring - controlled lever L<63> the sliding member L<51> is forced rearwards and by link-work moves a transverse bar connecting the latches. Printing totals.-The total key, K<63>, Fig. 28, in common with the sub-total and repeat keys, operates through the movement of its latching lever. In this case linkwork L<56>, 58<L> raises the rear arm of a lever 60<L>, thus obstructing the flying lever D<53> and directly rocking the totalizer - engagement shaft A<1>; but at the beginning of the return the flying lever co-operates with the front end of the lever 60L to disengage the totalizer, and the total key is ultimately released through the agency of a pin D<13>, pivoted lever L<67>, stop L<29>, and slide L<66>. The release of any depressed numeral keys prior to the taking of a total is effected by parts set by the total key and operated upon the initial movement of the link D<68> to release the key latches. Printing sub-totals.-The sub-total key K<64> operates in a similar manner but is released by its own slide L<66> at the end of the forward stroke, whereby the totalizer remains engaged with the rack-bars during their return, for which purpose the pin D<14> co - operates with the lever L<68>. Multiplying by repetition. - The repeat-key latch L<55> disables the key latch restoring-mechanism, connexions being provided between this latch and that of the total key, whereby the depression of the latter releases the repeat key. Varying functions of machine. - The non- adding key so controls the movements of the pivoted piece D<58>, the bent lever D<51>, and the flying lever D<53> that no operation of the totalizer-engagement shaft occurs; it also releases the main-operation latch. Error keys.-The release or error key moves the three bars engaging the latches respectively of the adding keys, total keys, and sub-total keys, and has also a connexion with the sliding member L<51> for disengaging the key latches; the initial movement of the handle locks the release key against operation.