Patent GB-721437-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to combined calculating and writing machines
Filed: 1951-03-15
Abstract: 721,437. Calculati ng-apparatus. WALDBERGEN, L. A. T. VON. March 15 1951, No. 6291/51. Class 106 (1). In order to facilitate the typing of items and totals registered by a calculating machine in correct denominational position, the digit and tabulating keys of an associated typewriter are fitted with indicator lamps which are selectively controlled by the amount differential and totalizer of the calculating machine. The invention is shown applied to a non-printing calculating machine, Fig. 1a, with amount keys T and totalizer dials Z, and a typewriter, Fig. 1b, having a single set of numeral keys K and tabulating keys t. The invention provides means whereby the column or position of the highest significant digit in a total on the dials Z is indicated by illumination of a lamp g in the appropriate tabulating key t, so that the typewriter carriage e is correctly positioned for writing the total by operating that key. The particular calculating machine shown has a travelling carriage N which supports the totalizer z and registering dials u for a multiplier. The indicator lamps of the tabulating keys t are also controllable by the carriage N and keys T to aid in printing multipliers and key-set amounts in correct columnar position, whilst lamps f in the digit keys k are selectively illuminated according to operated keys T or the settings of dials z or u. The combined machine is adapted to print in successive columnar zones: quantity, shown by the multiplier dials u, price as set by the keys T and total cost shown by the dials 2. As the typewriter carriage e enters each zone in turn, it is correctly positioned by depressing the tabulating key t which then becomes illuminated according to the denomination of the highest significant digit to be written; thereafter the digit keys k are operated in turn as they are illuminated, the operator's attention throughout being confined to the typewriter. Printing the multiplier. The carriage N has an insulating strip P with contacts SI-SIV connected to corresponding keys t. When the typewriter carriage e enters the first or quantity printing zone, a wiper h thereon bridges contact rails m and v, on a stationary plate i, and this applies potential from supply n to a stationary wiper q. The appropriate tabulating key t is consequently illuminated owing to engagement of its contact S with the wiper q. The multiplier (quantity) dials u have contact arms u<2> working over digital contacts u<3> connected by means of a multiple cable x with the lamps f of the one set of digit keys K. During stepwise movement of the carriage e to print the quantity, the wiper h engages successive contacts u<7> connected to blades u<5> engaging the spindles u<4> of the contact arms u<2>. Potential is thus applied to the contact arms u<2> in turn as the carriage moves step-wise, and the digit keys K are successively illuminated as they have to be operated according to the settings of the dials u. Printing the price. Each bank of amount (price) keys T is adapted to rock a lever 26 differentially against the action of a spring 28, and to engage a contact 31 on the lever with the appropriate one of a set of digital contacts 32-36. In its zero position, the lever 26 holds a change-over contact blade 42 clear of a contact 46 and engaged with a contact 43, contacts 46 being connected to respective tabulating key lamps g whilst contact 43 is connected by a lead indicated at 45a to the next lower contact blade 42. When the typewriter carriage enters the second or price-printing zone, the wiper h bridges rails v<2> and m which applies potential to the highest order blade 42 and thence over leads 45a and contacts 43 to successive lower order blades down to the highest order in the price set on the keys T. At that order the blade 42 will be switched over from the contact 43 to the contact 46 resulting in illumination of the corresponding tabulating key t operation of which then positions the carriage for printing the price. The digital contacts 32-36 are connected to the lamps of the digit keys k of the typewriter and, as successive digits are typed, the wiper h steps over contacts 38 connected to the contacts 31 of the arms 26, so that the appropriate keys K are illuminated in succession according to the amount set on the keys T of the calculating machine. Printing the total. A similar system of change-over contacts for controlling the tabulating key indicator lamps is associated with the totalizer z. The spindle z' of each totalizer wheel has a cross-pin 24 which, in the zero position of the wheel, rocks a contact lever 19 against a spring 20 to engage a right-hand contact 15 connected through the spring 20 to the conducting end of the next lower lever 19. When a totalizer wheel moves from zero, its cross-pin 24 releases the lever 19 which then moves into engagement with a left-hand contact 16 or 18, these being connected to the indicator lamps of the tabulating keys t. Potential is applied to the highest order contact lever 19 by the wiper h engaging a rail v3 as the typewriter carriage enters the total printing zone, and this results in illumination of the tabulating key t corresponding to the highest order in the total registered on the totalizer. Successive digit keys k are then illuminated according to the amount to be typed by connections to digital contacts z<3> engaged by contact arms z<2> carried by the totalizer spindles. Potential is applied to these arms in succession, as the carriage moves step-wise during printing, by connections through blades z<5> with contacts z<7>, engaged in succession by the wiper h of the typewriter carriage.