Patent GB-381221-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical or calculating machines
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1931-07-02
Abstract: 381,221. Statistical - apparatus. CAMPBELL, C. and BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd., Victoria House, Vernon Place, Southampton Row, London. July 2, 1931 No. 19120. [Class 106 (i).] In apparatus arranged to deal with amounts involving vulgar fractions or non-uniform denominations such as British currency and weights or Indian currency means are provided whereby an amount entered in one notation may be converted into another notation appropriate to the device into which it is to be entered. The apparatus comprises in combination an entering device for entering the numerator of a fraction whose denominator x is not a prime number and is greater than, but not divisible by ten, an upper and lower adding mechanism, and a translating mechanism for converting the numerator into terms of the notation whose bases are y and z where x = y x z and to transmit the converted digits to the respective adding elements. The invention is described as applied to a statistical machine of the type described in Specification 247,200, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c]., and is arranged to add and subtract amounts expressed in Indian currency, i.e. rupees and annas. The rupees, which are decimal amounts, are dealt with in the usual manner, the perforated cards being fed past upper and lower brushes UB, LB, Fig. 1. When a card passes the lower brushes a circuit is completed through the line 17, cam contacts CF1, card lever contacts LCLC, line 19, the roll 11, brush LB3, plug connection 20, line 21, normally closed contacts 22a, counter magnet 16, and contacts 24 to the line 25. The circuit of the magnet is established at a time determined by the position of the hole in the card column to couple the clutch of the counter actuating wheels 13, Fig. 3, to the tabulating motor shaft 12 to add the value to the counter wheels 27. The amounts added may be printed in any known manner under the control of electromagnets 29. Subtraction of an amount is effected in a known manner by entering the complement by means of a translator of the kind described in Specification 288,516, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. This mechanism as shown in Fig. 5 comprises a disc 36 of insulating material mounted on a shaft 37 that makes one revolution for two card cycles, two sectorshaped metal plates 38 carrying a set of spring blades 39 held open from individual contacts 42 by means of trip pawls 41 controlled by a trip lever 34 from an electromagnet 32, and a commutator segment 43 with contacts cross connected to the contacts 42. A hole in the so-called " X " column denotes that the amount is to be subtracted and through this hole a circuit is completed to a holding coil 49 and magnet 22 which thereby opens contacts 22a and closes contacts 22b. During this cycle the magnet 32 is energized to close the appropriate contacts 39, 42. When the card in question reaches the lower brushes a circuit is completed through the cam contacts CF1, line 47, brush 46, segment 45, closed contacts 39, 42, corresponding complementary contact 43, brush 44, line 48, closed contacts 22b and adding magnet 16. The totals standing on the accumulator may be printing by reading-out mechanism as described in Specification 356,304 which for the decimal wheels comprises gear wheels 50 each with an insulated disc 52, Fig. 4, carrying a pair of brushes 53 co-operating with a commutator segment 54 and insulated contact studs 55. The contact studs are connected to bars 57 the other ends of which are connected to the studs 61 of a commutator 58 comprising a pair of brushes 60 and a segment 59, the segment 59 being connected to the supply line through cam contacts R1. The entry of non- decimal amounts, i.e. sixteenths of rupees, is based on the conversion from the normal notation to a special notation involving halves of rupees and eighths of halves. Two special denominations in the adding section are necessary for this purpose. The units or eighths section actuating wheel 13 is geared to the adding wheel 26 and corresponding wheel 50 so that for an entry of eight these wheels rotate through one and a half of one revolution respectively. The tens or halves denomination is similar to the decimal units but is arranged to transfer after every alternate step. The transfer mechanism may be similar to that described in Specification 168,311, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. Two translating units similar to that described are provided. The tens units comprises a segment 74, contacts 69, commutator contacts 70, 72 co-operating with brushes 75, 71, 73 respectively. The contacts 69 are operated by a brush UB2 completing a circuit through contacts 65, 66 and translator magnet 68. The brushes 71, 73 are connected to the contacts 22a, 22b of the tens adding magnets 16 and are complementary. By the eighths notation " 1 " must be entered when the tens digit is " 1 " or the units digit is " 8 " or " 9." The upper brush UB1 reading the units completes a circuit through the " 8 " or " 9 " hole position, the cam contacts CF4 and coils 76, 77 ; the coil 76 disengages the contacts 65, 66 and engages contacts 78, 66 thereby connecting the tens translator magnet 68 in series with cam contacts CF7, CF8. The contacts CF7 close at the " 8 " point in the cycle to operate contacts 69a and the contacts CF8 close at the " 1 " point to operate contacts 69. The units translator comprises a segment 82 with the contacts 81 connected as shown in Fig. 1, commutator contacts 83, and cross-connected contacts 85 co-operating with brushes 99, 84, 86 respectively. When the tens digit is " 0 " the contacts are connected to contacts for the digits 0 .. 7 ; when the tens digit is " 1 " it is necessary to enter a digit which is " 2 " higher than the units digit read. This is in effect a phase change and is produced by providing additional brushes 87, 88 for co-operating with the contacts 83, 85, the brushes being connected to the upper contacts of contact sets 89a, 89b normally closed with respect to the lower contacts associated with the brushes 84, 86. The contacts 89a, 89b are controlled by a coil 89 connected to a brush 90 co-operating with a segment 91 connected to the contacts 69. If the tens translator has been set to " 1 " the contacts 89a, 89b will be operated to connect up the brushes 87, 88 except at the time when the units translator reads " 8 " or " 9 " in which case the contacts 69a are engaged to short-circuit the coil 89 and prevent operation of contacts 89a, 89b. The printing of the annas " may be effected by plugging the lower brushes directly to the printing magnets 29. As the complement is obtained by complementing the units digits with respect to " 7," the tens with respect to " 1 " and the remaining denominations with respect to " 9 " means such as described in Specification 311,321, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.], may be employed for adding the fugitive one. For printing totals the units wheel 50, Figs. 3 and 4, carries two pairs of brushes 100, 101 co-operating with a segment 103 and eight contacts 104, a segment 105 and two contacts 106 respectively. The tens unit carries a pair of brushes 110, Fig. 2, a segment 108 and ten contacts 109 connected as shown. Two additional commutators 111, 112 are provided cross connected as shown to the contacts 104. When the tens wheel stands at " 0 " the commutator 112 sends an impulse from the cam contacts R3 and contacts 113a through the appropriate contact 104 and segment 103 to the line 114 and printing magnet 29. When the tens wheel stands at " 1 " the closure of cam contacts R2 completes a circuit through the contacts 109 to a relay coil 113 which opens contacts 113a and closes contacts 113b to complete a circuit through the commutator 111 so that the impulse which passes through the contact 104 is two steps later than one that passes through from the commutator 112 and the printing magnet is energized to print a digit two units lower. At the same time the contacts R4 are closed to energize line 115 and tens printing magnet 29 to cause " 1 " to be printed. When the tens wheel stands at " 1 " and the units wheels at " 1 " or " 0 " the " 1 must not be printed in the tens position. Printing is prevented by the energization of a magnet 114 connected to the contacts 106 and operating the contacts 114a to open their circuit. In adapting the invention for British currency units the pence would be entered in a notation involving halves of shillings and sixths of halves. In this case the contacts CF7 are closed from the " 9 to " 6 " positions, the contacts 83, 85 for the " 6 and " 7 " digits are omitted and the corresponding contacts connected to the " 0 " and " 1 " contacts, the brushes 87, 88 are arranged for a phase change of four, and necessary changes made in the commutators. While the arrangements above described are capable of dealing with weights involving Ibs. and ozs. modifications are necessary for weights involving tons, cwts., qrs., and lbs. Four translators are provided arranged in pairs for the units and tens of lbs. ; the uppermost one controls the lowermost units translator while the third or other units translator controls the second or tens translator. An arrangement of reading out commutators is provided to print the total.