Patent GB-481798-A (GB)
Title: A calculating device combined with a weight indicator
IPC: G01G23/18
Filed: 1936-09-11
Abstract: 481,798. Calculating-apparatus. BROIDO, D. Sept. 11, 1936, No. 24800. [Class 106 (i)] [Also in Group XL] In a calculating device combined with a weighing-machine, the weight, price per unit weight, and resultant cost are automatically printed or registered and the cost may be registered on a total accumulator, by means comprising a stationary screen for all weight indications, and one screen for each selective factor (i.e. price per unit weight) giving the value of this factor and the results of combining it with all weight indications, means for setting each of said selective screens by a key, means for illuminating an area on the two screens in accordance with the position of the weight indicator, means for projecting the image or said area on to a scanning screen, and a device sensitive to light which controls the transmission mechanism of the printing and accumulating registers. In a modification, provision is made for the application of the selective factor and cost recording mechanism to a weighing machine with weight registering mechanism of known form. The weight screen 6<1>, Figs. 1, 6, and the selective screens 8, Figs. 1, 6 are slotted and the co-ordinates defining the position of the slots represent weight or price values. The scanning screen 23, Fig. 7, contains step-wise slots 24 and the number of slots is equal to the total number of numeral areas in a row of slots on the weight and selective screens, such a row e.g. A or B, Fig. 6, being defined by a transverse slot and lens 4 in screen 3 moving with the weight indicator 1. Thus at a given instant only one scanning slot is in front oi the row of slots corresponding to the particular weight indication. The appropriate selective screen 8 is brought into the working position 81 by depressing a key 10. The weighing-machine is loaded and when the weight indicator 1 comes to rest the slot 4 defines the appropriate row of weight and price slots. The operator then turns handle 31 and with it the scanning cylinder 23 and as soon as the starting slot 24j, Fig. 7, which is directly under the space x, Fig. 1, between the weight and price screens, comes in front of the slot 4 light passes from the lamp 5 to the photocell 28, the currents from which cause a magnetic relay 37 to become inoperative.. The spring 70, Fig. 8, moves the clutch fork 38 which causes the clutch 43 to engage with clutch 46 which engages with the transmission mechanism. Each digit to be transmitted is associated with a separate transmission mechanism geared to a numeral wheel 84, Fig. 1. These transmission mechanisms are driven by a gear wheel having staggered segments, one segment for each mechanism, such that the mechanisms are driven consecutively. After the starting slot 24j has initiated the drive, a certain digit area is scanned and the corresponding numeral wheel is rotated synchronously by its corresponding gear segment. When a scanning slot is coincident with a digit slot, the light causes the relay 37 to be de-energized and the relay armature 65, Figs. 1, 8, corresponding to the digit area being scanned, is moved by spring 40, Fig. 8, allowing another spring (not shown) to move the corresponding clutch fork 64 which disengages the numeral wheel 84, which is then held stationary by a spring- controlled pawl stop wheel. The other relay armatures are prevented from operating by a series of staggered cams 69 rotating with the segmental gear wheel. The numeral wheels 84 corresponding to the resultant cost are geared to a total accumulator 115. When all the digits have been transmitted to the printing register the numeral wheels are inked and the figures transferred to a reciprocating printing table which prints them on a strip of paper, Fig. 23, fed from a roller. On turning handle 31 backwards all the mechanism except the total accumulator is returned to its initial position. The use of a spring controlled pawl stop wheel arrests the numeral wheels 84 at the nearest integer but intermediate values of the weight units can be recorded as in Fig. 22 if the units wheel is graduated, the exact weight being indicated by a zero line on the printing table. The scanning arrangements described cause the photo electric relay to operate at intermediate values except when intermediate between the highest value of one order of digits and the lowest value of the next, e.g. 109-110 as shown in position B, Fig. 6, when only partial illumination of the photocell is obtained. To obtain full illumination additional slots XI, Fig. 7 are provided in the scanning screen 23, such slots being placed behind the tenth slot and opposite the first (zero) slot of the respective digit area. Such accuracy is not essential for printing price figures since they are usually made up to full units. Therefore the selective screen 8 when in operative position 8<1> is brought exactly in front of slot 4 by means of pawl 134 fixed .to the rear wall of scanning screen 23, which pawl moves towards the teeth 135 on the cylinder 20x, Fig. 1, by means of clutch fork 138 when the clutch 43 is moved to the right by clutch fork 39. The engagement of the pawl 134 with the teeth 135 imparts a slight rotation to the selective screen 8. The above construction may be simplified by use of a locating device 147, which sets the weight indicator 1, after coming to rest exactly opposite the price slots on screens 61 and 8<1>. Figs. 24 and 25 shown an application of the selectivefactor and cost-recording mechanism of a weighing machine with weight registering mechanism of known form. The appropriate selective screen 201 is brought, by depressing one of keys 203, into operative position behind a non-transparent screen 204, having a slot 205 attached to the weight indicator 206. After loading the weighing machine a follower 219 mounted co-axially with the weight indicator 206 is moved by pinion 223 and toothed segment 221. The follower 219 moves a slide 212 along a rail 213, the slide carrying a vertical lamp 209 and mirrors 210 and 211. When the follower 219 and weight indicator 206 are coincident, light from a horizontal lamp 208 passes through the slot 205 and is reflected by mirror 210 through the starting slot in the scanning screen 215 on to the light sensitive device 217 which stops the follower bringing the slide 212 with mirror 211 exactly into coincidence with the next row of price slots in screen 201, and starts the drive of the transmission mechanism by a clutch mechanism similar to that described above. Light from the vertical lamp 209 passes through selective screen 201 and the image of the slots corresponding to the appropriate price is projected on to the cylindrical scanning screen 215 the scanning and transmission mechanism being operated as above. In a modified form the follower 219 is driven by a motor controlled by a light source and light-sensitive cell. Specifications 446,338 and 476,943 are referred to.