Patent GB-625311-A (GB)
Abstract: 625,311. Calculating-apparatus. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. March 21, 1947, No. 7860. Convention date, Aug. 5, 1946. [Class 106 (i)] The totalizers in a calculating machine can each be split into two or more totalizers in any selected one of a certain number of predetermined ways by variably setting a single control device to disable the appropriate transfer means. In one setting, one of the totalizers resulting from splitting each original totalizer may be arranged as an item counter into which one unit is automatically added when an item is entered into any remaining part of the original totalizer. The invention is shown applied to a machine having front, back and upper lines of interspersed-type totalizers, the first two lines having each 9 totalizers, each of 15 denominations and the upper line having 10 totalizers, each of 15 denominations. These 28 totalizers are selected by transaction keys arranged in three banks, one bank for each line. Splitting is effected by moving a control lever 32, Fig. 1, from position 1, in which the totalizers operate normally, to positions 2, 3 or 4. In position 2, each of the 28 totalizers is split into five totalizers each of 3 denominations. In position 3, each totalizer is split into two totalizers having 6 and 9 denominations respectively. In position 4, each totalizer is split into three, having 3, 9 and 3 denominations respectively, one of the split totalizers formed from each original totalizer acting as the item counter previously mentioned. The totalizers 50, Fig. 2, are driven by segments 48 actuated differentially in known manner. Transfer arms 49 carrying transfer teeth are pivoted to the actuating segments and are normally moved with the segments 48 by levers 76 pivoted to the transfer arms 49 and having pins 77 engaging projections 78 on the segments. The segments when being returned counterclockwise always move one step beyond the basic position. If the transfer arms followed this movement, the totalizers would be driven one step too many and so normally the transfer arms 49 are uncoupled from the actuating segments 48 at the basic position by the contact of studs 80 on the arms 49 with transfer levers 82. If a transfer occurs, the next higher transfer lover 82 is tripped and moves away from the stud 80 so that the corresponding transfer arm 49 is not stopped at the basic position and the related totalizer pinion is moved an extra step. Tripped transfer levers 82 are restored by the clockwise rocking of a three-armed restoring lever 95, Fig. 3. The restoring levers 95 in certain denominations are held at the end of their outward or clockwise movement and the tripping of the corresponding transfer levers can thus be prevented, the totalizers thus being split at these denominations. A lever 134 is connected to the restoring lever 95 in each denomination in which a split may be required. A latch lever 139 is urged by a spring 133 to move under a pin 138 on the lever 134 to hold this lever and the restoring lever 95 at the end of their outward movement to split the totalizer. This holding action may be prevented by the engagement of the end 131 of the latch lever with a disc 128 on a shaft 124 which is set into various angular positions by setting the splitting-control lever 32. When the splitting- control lever 32 is set to a position in which the totalizer is to be split at the denomination in question, the disc 128 is turned to bring a gap opposite the end 131 of the latch lever 139 to allow this to rock to effect the split. In the present embodiment, each totalizer may bo split at any one or more of four denominations. There are thus four discs 128 fixed to the disc shaft 124, each controlling one denomination. Each disc has one or more gaps so that, for each setting of the splitting-control lever, a given arrangement of gaps (allowing splitting) and of disc periphery (preventing splitting) is presented to the latch levers 139 to split the totalizers in the manner corresponding to that setting. The splitting-control lever 32 is held in each position by a manually-operated detent lever 33 having a projection 172 which moves into the path of an arm 171 on a machinerelease shaft 23 to prevent release of the machine when the splitting-control lever is not in one of its definite setting positions. Item counting. When the splitting-control lever 32 is in position 4, in addition to splitting the totalizers between denominations 3 and 4, it controls the transfer means between denominations 12 and 13 in such a way that one unit is added into denomination 13 at each machine operation, denominations 13, 14 and 15 then becoming an item counter. The shaft 124, Fig. 4, differentially positioned by the splitting-control lever 32 has a disc 146 provided with a gap which, when the said lever is in position 4, comes beneath a roller 145 to allow a spring 147 to rock a set of interconnected levers 144 to lift a pin 142 to trip (and hold tripped) the transfer lever 82 for denomination 13. The interconnected levers 144 are connected by a three-armed lever 156 to the tripping devices for the same denomination on the other totalizer lines. This item-counting mechanism is disabled during total and subtotal taking by a plate 100 which at these times is turned clockwise to present a surface 168 against a pin 167 on one of the interconnected levers 144 to prevent the rocking of these levers. Specification 8119/15, [Class 106 (i)], is referred to.