Patent GB-794129-A (GB)
Abstract: 794,129. Calculating-apparatus. BELL PUNCH CO., Ltd. Aug. 23, 1956 [Aug. 31, 1955], No. 25048/55. Class 106 (1). A machine which multiplies by repeated addition is adapted for sterling, or other non- uniform systems, by the provision of additional decimal register wheels and actuating mechanisms therefor above each non-uniform section, e.g. the pence and shillings sections, of the register. These additional actuating mechanisms and register wheels are actuated during multiplication by the tens and higher order digits of the multiplier, the values standing on the additional register wheels being converted into the non-uniform system and finally cleared into the main register wheels. The invention is applicable to several types of machine, including those with a denominationally shiftable register, but is described applied to the key-responsive power-driven machine described in Specification 747,352. This machine has a multi-bank keyboard associated with an accumulating register. The multiplier is preset and repeat actuation for a multiplicand setting proceeds automatically for each multiplier digit, the operator shifting the setting as each multiplier digit is cleared and the machine ceases operation. The present machine is adapted for sterling amounts and comprises main register wheels for pence, shillings, tens of shillings and pounds, numbered 1, 6, 7 and 12 to 19 in Fig. 9, and interconnected by transfer mechanisms in usual manner as diagrammatically indicated. Between the units of pence wheel 1 and units of shillings wheels 6 are a set of four additional wheels 2 to 5 for units of tenpence to units of ten thousand pence, respectively, and interconnected by tens transfer mechanism. Again, between the tens of shillings wheel 7 and units of pounds wheel 12, are a set of five additional wheels 8 to 11 for units of one hundred shillings to units of one hundred thousand shillings, also interconnected by tens transfer mechanism. All these additional wheels have individual actuating mechanisms controlled by additional columns of keys interposed between the normal sterling columns, the additional columns of keys being operated only when multiplying. For converting settings of the additional wheels into sterling form four further registers B, C, D and E are provided. The wheels of these further registers are in the form of cams contoured to reflect, in pounds, shillings and pence, values standing on the additional decimal wheels 2 to 5 and 8 to 11 of the main register A. Each additional wheel of register A is connected to the appropriate ones of these cams, as indicated, and the cams are aligned denominationally with the appropriate sterling wheels of the main register A. The additional wheel 2, for example, is connected to cams aligned with the pence wheel 1 and shillings wheel 6, in order to reflect units of tenpence in shillings and pence. Again, the additional wheel 4 is connected to 5 cams aligned with the sterling wheels 1, 6, 7, 12 and 13, in order to reflect units of one thousand pence in pounds, shillings and pence. After completing key operation of the machine, the cams of the registers B, C, D and E are brought successively to the values registered by the additional wheels 2 to 5 and 8 to 11 which themselves are zeroized. The cams of each of the registers B, C, D and E are then successively engaged with a transfer mechanism which transfers the pounds, shillings and pence values reflected by the cams to the main sterling wheels 1, 6, 7 and 12 to 17 of the register A. This transfer mechanism is similar to that described in Specification 720,088 for transferring amounts from a primary register to a secondary register. The additional register wheels need be observed by the operator only during division calculations. So far as addition, subtraction and multiplication are concerned, the sight openings for these wheels (indicated by double line) could be covered or omitted.