Patent GB-607674-A (GB)
Abstract: 607,674. Calculating-apparatus. BROIDO, D. April 4, 1946, No. 10425. [Class 106 (i)] In a calculating or like machine, a valueentering mechanism operatively associated with a totalizing register comprises a plurality of differential mechanisms each associated with a denominational registering element of the totalizer, a plurality of actuators each adapted to cause a predetermined quantity of stored transmission elements such as balls or plates of standard thickness to move into operative association with a driving member and a driven member, and means for reciprocating the driving member through a predetermined stroke during each operating cycle, to move the transmission elements and through their medium drive the driven member through a distance proportionate to the. total quantity of the associated transmission elements. The invention is described as applied to a multiplying machine for non-uniform quantities employing plates perforated to represent the decimal multiples of set-up values as described in Specification 566,942. The multiplicand is set up by positioning the finger tips 41, Fig. 1A, of discs 34, appropriate numerals on strips 43 showing through apertures 44, Fig. 18, in the cover. Each setting disc 34 is connected by a linkage, e.g.- 64, 66, Fig. 1B, to a verticallyslidable set of perforated plates D10<12> &c., positioning the set so as to bring the plate appropriate to the set-up digit into alignment with a pusher frame 100. The setting discs 34, linkages, perforated plates, &c. are all mounted in a spring-urged, movable carriage which is released for stepwise movement by depressing a lever 17, Fig. 1A, which rocks an escapement pawl 19 co-operating with a rack 23. Movement in the reverse direction is accomplished by rotation of a handle 25 whose shaft 26 carries a pinion 27 in mesh with another rack 28. Multiplication is carried out by repeated addition, the main operating handle 214, Fig. 18, being rotated a number of times in each denomination according to the values of the multiplier digits. Upon each rotation of the handle 214, the frame 100, Fig. 1B, is pushed to the left carrying with it the aligned plates 53 and positioning them beneath sensing slides 96 which are arranged in columns of four and are adapted to enter perforations (if present) in the plates when a supporting plate 113 is lowered. Each perforation represents the digital value 1, 3, 1 or 6 according to its position in the column, Fig. 6, and the head 112, Fig. 1B, of the corresponding slide 96 has a width proportional to this value and, normally, contains a similar number of so-called transmission elements 117. These transmission elements, which may be shaped as in Fig. 8 (or steel balls or circular discs may be used, and the possibility of using columns of mercury is also suggested) are slidable horizontally on lugs 116 formed in a rectangular aperture in each head 112. When the plate 113 is lowered, those slides 96 which have entered perforations in the plates 53 are positioned so that their elements 117 are in alignment with an abutment 129 on a bar 118 which extends through the channel formed by the rectangular apertures, and when the bar is moved to the left, Fig. 1B, the abutment 129 pushes all the lowered elements 117 along and into engagement with the bifurcated end 128 of a rack 123. The bar 118 is moved a distance equal to the total width of the heads 112; therefore the rack 123 moves a distance equal to the total width of the lowered elements 117. To prevent overthrow of the rack 123 a spring-urged pawl 133, Fig. 1C, pivoted to the bar 118, is arranged to ride with its tail 135 along a bar 136 until a notch 138, Fig. 1B, is reached, whereupon the nose of the pawl 133 engages with ratchet teeth 131 forming part of the rack 123. Totalizer. The rack 123, Fig. 1C, is restored by the bar 118 when a slide 142, connected to the bar 118 by a spring 143, engages a stud 141 on the tail 130 of the rack 123. During this movement each rack 123 rotates a small pinion 154, Fig. 1B, and also a coaxial pinion 155 which is in mesh with a pinion 156, one or other of the last two pinions being engaged by the totalizer pinion 167 for subtractive or additive entry respectively according to the setting of a frame 162, Fig. 12, carrying the totalizer. The position of the frame 162 is controlled by two pinions 172 at each side which mesh with a cam-controlled sector 175. The pinions 172 rotate discs 169 and cams 168 which are pivoted to the totalizer frame at 173, 174, giving the frame a curved to-and-fro movement which brings the totalizer wheels into engagement with either of the pinions 155, 156 at the beginning of the return stroke of racks 123. An aligner bar 188, Fig. 12, supported by brackets 189 which are spring-urged to cooperate with the cam 168, locks the totalizer pinions 167 against rotation when they are disengaged from the pinions 155, 156. Transfer mechanism. A one-toothed pinion 193, Fig. 17, integral with each totalizer wheel is adapted to engage a projection 196 or 197 on an escapement lever 194 which co-operates with a spring-urged, toothed member 146 to position steps 204 ... 206 relative to a lug 144 on the tail of the rack 123 associated with the next higher denomination, thus providing for additional movement of the rack. If the step 206 is moved clear of the lug 144, the equivalent of a further step is provided by the engagement of a lug 145 with a plate 127. The stepped plates 146 are restored at the beginning of each cycle by lugs 208 rocking with the shaft 202 and engaging studs 207 on the stepped plates. In the tens of shillings denomination the pinion 193 is provided with five teeth; in the pence the pinions 153, 155, 156 and 167 have twelve teeth each. The main driving handle 214, Fig. 18, is rotated clockwise for additive and counterclockwise for subtractive calculations. A pawl- and-ratchet device prevents reversal before completion of a full turn and a coupling device is arranged to drive the main cam-shaft in the same direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of the handle 214. Revolution register. A one-tooth driving pinion 285, Fig. 1A, sliding with the carriage along a shaft 283 operates the revolution register 289 which is stated to be of a wellknown type. According to . the Provisional Specification, numerical values are represented by notched plates, the depths of the notches being proportional to the value of the digit represented. Feelers for sensing the notched plates control shutters in the upper portion of a conduit containing balls or cubes &c. allowing an appropriate number to pass into a lower, normally empty, portion of the conduit. The conduit is completed by a third U-shaped portion normally filled with balls &c. and a rack associated with this is driven when means operate to drive the balls out of the lower portion into the U-shaped portion and so refill the upper portion. Specification 575,324 also is referred to.