Patent GB-397528-A (GB)
Abstract: 397,528. Calculating-machines. COUFFIGNAL, P. L., 44, Rue de l'Amiral Courbet, Lorient, Morbihan, France. Nov. 17, 1931, No. 31894. Convention date, Nov. 17, 1930. [Class 106 (i).] A machine for calculating according to the four rules has on the keyboard a single bank or multiple bank series of numeral keys and a set of functional control keys whereby a numeral item set may be entered directly for addition or subtraction into a totalizer or entered indirectly into factor receiving mechanism for subsequent computation or transmission as product or quotient to the totalizer or another counter through the activation of a laterally displaceable operating mechanism. The various machine operations are performed by different use of pinions 36, 28, 38, Fig. 5, on laterally displaceable shafts 36<1>, 28<1>, 38<1> and of rocking frames carrying the totalizer drums 2 with their pinions 1 and the quotient indicator 45, the former rocking about the shaft 10, Fig. 3, and the latter about the shaft 51. The lateral movements of the shafts are effected by nuts attached to levers 190, Fig. 3, operated by links 191 and the rocking of the frames by levers and links such as 52. The links are pivoted to keys or levers which are connected by cross-bars 195 in a manner diagrammatically shown in Fig. 8. This arrangement thus allows various settings to be made from the keyboard and various transpositions of results between the totalizer drums 1, the quotient drums 45 (and reserve indicators associated with them), the key set pinions 36, Fig. 5, the pinions 28, 35, so that calculation can be performed, for example, of the product of several numbers, the power of a number, the quotient of a product of numbers divided by a product of numbers, the evaluation of a rational fraction and the calculation of polynomial series in general. Results of addition and subtraction and products are read on the totalizer drums 2 and quotients on the quotient indicator drums 45, both of which are viewed through windowed shutters, that 46 for the quotient indicator being laterally displaceable to disclose series of digits contiguous to but running in an opposite sense to the normal quotient digits. This second series is for numbers " in reserve." The totalizer 2 has two positions, controlled by bar I, Fig. 8, an upper and a lower with its pinions 1 geared respectively directly or through pinions 3 with the pinions 4. The quotient indicator has two positions, upper and lower, disengaged from pinions 37 and engaged with them respectively controlled by the bar XII, Fig. 8. Zeroizing-machanism.-A squared shaft 54 carries pinions 55, with peg teeth parallel to the shaft, loose on the shaft but spring-pressed against abutments thereon and can be laterally displaced to engage the pinions 55 with the pinions 37 so that any selection of pinions put in train can be rotated until zero stops on a series in the selection act and thus another series of the selection can be set to the reading of the first series. Thus a sum, difference, or product can be used as a miltiplier or divisor or placed on the " reserve " drums by using the transfer parts of the totalizer drums as stops. By using a toothed rack 60, Fig. 5, in the quotient indicator as a stop for the internal teeth 62 therein, a quotient or a member " in reserve " may be used as multiplier, multiplicand, or divisor or may be used in addition or subtraction. Abutments on the multiplying casings 27<1> may be used as stops, and the quotient determining pinions 35 may have a stop member mounted on the spindle 69, Fig. 3. In a modified construction the squared spindle 54 may rock round a shaft 71, Fig. 3, to gear with wheels 2 or 37 with lateral movement controlled by nut 73 and lever 74. The squared shaft is rotated in either direction by bevel gears 81, 82 under control of a rocking arm. Keyboard.-A multiple bank for numeral setting may be provided in which case each bank sets differentially the toothed drum 36 of its denomination, but a single bank is shown, setting the drum 36 through a splined shaft 118 and a pinion 115 mounted on an intermediate carriage sliding on rails 113 under the action of a spring and controlled by an escapement wheel 116 engaging a rack 119 for step-by-step travel between denominations. For setting, tabulating keys Ta, Fig. 2, are provided to disengage the rack 119 from the escapement wheel and to set appropriate stops 131 for the carriage. In the E bank, key N gears pinions 36, 38, 5 together for setting on the totalizer, thus performing addition, or with the use of key S, subtraction. Md gears drum 36 to a toothed arc 28<2> in the casing 27<1> to set multiplicand or divisor. Mr connects gears 36, 38, 35 to set the multiplier on pinions 35. Q connects gears 36, 38, 35 and lowers the quotient indicator to engage pinions 37. R returns the intermediate carriage to the initial position. C causes numbers set on pinions 35 or 28 to appear on the quotient indicator thus checking the setting. The next bank of keys Ef arranged in juxtaposition to the keys just described effects " cancellation " or zeroizing in the corresponding trains. The next three banks T<1>, T<2>, and T<3> select trains of gear for transporting the amount from the totalizer (or dividend), the quotient indicator (or number in reserve), and the multiplicand pinions (or divisor) respectively. Multiplying.-Each denomination has a casing 27<1> having a toothed arc 28<2> with which the laterally movable pinion 28, upon which the multiplicand is set from the keys can gear, the casing having an arcuate cam 26, Fig. 9, to engage a finger on a toothed sector 25 adapted to rotate round the spindle 24 and rock on a pivot 24<1> at right-angles to it. Thus the appropriate number of teeth of the sector 25 engage the pinion 4 to add the number on the totalizer 2. The number of turns of the spindle 24 is thus successively equal to the corresponding digit of the multiplier which is set on the pinions 35, the driving means being displaced to each denomination in turn as explained before. Thus, to effect multiplication, a suitable tabulator key is first set, then key Md in rank E, then the successive digits of the multiplicand are set. The key R is then depressed to restore the intermediate carriage, a suitable tabulating key again and key Mr in rank E and then the multiplier is set up. The driving means is then released and the product is built up on the totalizer. If this product were required to be multiplied by a further factor the product is thrown into the pinions 28 and the totalizer zeroized by the use of the appropriate keys on the ranks T<1> and Ef, and the further factor is set up on the pinions 35. Dividing.-The dividend is set on the totalizer and the divisor on the wheels 28, and the totalizer driven reversely until a fictitious remainder appearing on the totalizer causes in known manner addition of the divisor once to the totalizer, stepping the driving means to the next denomination and correction of the quotient indicator. The quotient is produced by the pinions 35. Transfer mechanism.-A transfer tooth 8, Fig. 5, on the totalizer rocks a lever 20 to rock arcuate racks 19, 18 to rock the frame 15, Fig. 10, so as to cause a cam 17<1> therein to throw a pivoted tooth 14 into position to engage the pinion 4 of the next denomination. The levers 20 are mounted on the oscillating framework of the totalizer and have two projections 201, 202 to operate in either position of the totalizer. To avoid faulty operation a lever 21 and rod 40, Fig. 3, are fitted to raise a shutter 41 and obscure the totalizer windows until the action is completed. In addition and subtraction one turn of the frame 15 is necessary and may be effected by a linkage from the intermediate carriage return mechanism. In multiplication and division the frame 15 is driven continuously by gearing 30, 31, 32 &c. from the driving mechanism. Driving-mechanism.-The driving means comprises a carriage 90, Fig. 6, supported on a rail 92 and having wheels 93 rolling on a rail 94 and carrying a driving spindle 24 with a rigid finger 84 to actuate the pinion 35 oppositely to its setting movement by the keys. On arrival of the pinion 35 at initial position a finger 67 on it engages a stud 88 on a sector 85 to drive a sector 106 screwed to move longitudinally a spindle 103 and pinion 101 into gear with a sector 99 on the driving spindle 24 and with a pinion 102 which then drives a pinion 96 along a rack 97 to the next denomina-- tion. A cam 86 on the spindle 24 and lever 87 restore the sector 85 to normal position. To allow for continual travel of the carriage through denominations whose setting is zero, the pinions 35 have each a lever 89 spring connected to the tooth 67 to engage a stud 88 on the sector 85. The main carriage is urged by springs 97<1> and controlled by stops 122. To avoid fouling the totalizing gearing in its. travel the driving means may be carried by a, framework 107 pivoted on a spindle 108 in the carriage and having rollers 110 to engage a guide rail 111. To avoid error due to the main carriage overrunning the intermediate carriage 112, a cam 117 on the latter co-operates with the rods 121 actuating the stops 122 for the main carriage to cut off the current of the driving motor at a trolley 126 between a main lead 128 and a lead to the motor. A spring 127 checks the carriage. This control of the motor circuit may be employed to start the machine when the multiplier is set up. The machine is stated to be suitable for incorporation with a typewriter, a single numeral keyboard being employed.