Patent GB-456141-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record-controlled multiplying machines
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1935-05-03
Abstract: 456,141. Statistical apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd., Vernon Place, Southampton Row, London. May 3, 1935, No. 13258. Convention date, May 4, 1934. [Class 106 (i)] In a record-controlled multiplying-machine of the type such as described in Specifications 405,031 and 413,327, control devices are provided for selectively entering into the machine the factors according to the denominational position of the highest significant figure and connections adjustable by the control devices are provided to allocate the decimal point position in the resulting product that is to be punched on the record card or entered into the summation accumulator. In the machine shown, the factor receiving registers each have four denominations and the connections between the reading device and the registers are adjusted so that the highest significant figures are entered into the highest denominations of the registers, the excess lower figures being disregarded. The card feed and reading section is shown in Fig. 2 ; in addition to the main reading brushes 28, the X position brush 23, and lever contacts 25, a supplementary row of brushes 24 and lever contacts 26 are provided. On starting up the machine the first card cycle will advance the card to a point where the X position will be in alignment with the brush 23 and the nine position will be about to pass the brushes 28. The card in reaching this position passes under the brushes 24 and the operation of the card lever contacts 26 completes a circuit through the cam contacts FC14, Fig. 3a, the impulse distributer 12 and bus-bar 44 to the significant figure selecting coils 43MC, 45MP. These coils are connected to the four brushes 24 that read the fields of the card to the left of the decimal point in the multiplicand and multiplier respectively. The coils 43MC, 45MP when momentarily energized close contacts 43a, 45a to complete circuits to energize.relays 46MC, 47MP which in turn close holding contacts 46a, 47a and transfer contacts 46b, 47b for these relays. The relays 46MC, 47MP co-operate with a cascade arrangement of contacts 46u, 46t, &c. and 47u, 47t, &c. plug connected to the main reading brushes 28. As shown, the brushes are normally connected to read the decimal part of the factors but are shifted when the relays are energized so that at the beginning of the second card cycle when the card passes the brushes 28, the multiplicand and multiplier register magnets 53MC, 54MP are energized at a time in the cycle in accordance with the value of the highest significant figures in the factors. After the factors have been entered the cam contacts FC12 open to deenergize the relays 46MC, 47MP so that they may be subject to the control of the next card in passing the supplementary brushes 24. A set-up corresponding to that of the relays 46MC, 47MP for the first card must be retained for the subsequent reading out operations after the product has been obtained in the product accumulator by the usual multiplying circuit arrangement of Fig. 3b. This set-up is effected by the closure of contacts FC16, before contacts FC12 open, so as to energize relay coil T which closes its contacts T1-T8, Fig. 3d. A circuit is then completed through these contacts and the closed contacts 46c, 47c of the energized relays 46MC, 47MP to the corresponding coils of relays 57MC, 58MP when the cam contacts FC13 close, the relays being maintained energized by holding contacts 57a, 58a. During the reset of the multiplicand register the set-up of the relays 57MC, 58MP is transferred to sets of connection changing relays 69MC, 70MP through associated contacts 57b, 58b and is maintained by holding contacts 69a, 70a. The multiplicand register contacts 20 open to de-energize the relays 57MC, 58MP. The coils of the relays 69MC, 70MP are arranged in duplicate and control contacts for controlling the read out from the accumulator to the punching section and to the summation accumulator. The contacts are arranged in cascade formation and are connected at one end by leads 76, 100, to segments of the read out mechanism LHRO, Fig. 3c, of the left-hand accumulator and at the other end are plug connected to the accumulator magnets SP and the read out commutator 73 respectively. To ensure that zeros will be punched in the product field of the card to the right and left of those columns receiving digits, the contacts not connected to lines 100 are connected with a lead 75 associated with the zero punch magnet 83. The machine may be operated under rate card control for which purpose the switches 55, 66 are moved to open position in which position the return circuit for the multiplier register MP extends through the normally open contacts A2 of a relay A, and the return circuit of the reset magnet 62MP can only be completed when contacts A1 are closed by energization of the relay coil A which is effected on the passage of each rate card.