Improvements in Adding and Calculating Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 15th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Adding and Calculating Machines.
A communication by CHARLES HENRY WEBB, of 167, Broadway, New York, in
the County and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Man-
chester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the class of adding and calculating machines wherein a
series of similar and independently operative adding mechanisms are mounted side-
by-side, or abreast, in a single casing, each mechanism having an adding ribbon
adapted to be moved longitudinally with the aid of a stylus or the like.
The novel features of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and indicated in
the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1, is a face view of an adding machine embodying the improvements.
Figure 2 is a sectional front elevation of the same showing the interior
construction.
Figure 3, is a longitudinal section in the plane indicated by line 3, 3, in Figure 1.
Figure 4, is a view of one of the clamping washers, detached.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the machine, illustrating the hinged support and
handle.
Figure 6 is a view of the support and handle, detached.
Figure 7 is a view of the combined stylus and pencil holder.
Figures 8 and 9, are, respectively, an edge and face view of one of the numeral-
bearing ribbons used in the machine.
66
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are views showing, respectively, the "shillings,"
pence, farthings,"
," "centimes" and "fractions" ribbons.
"
The casing of the machine comprises a drum-cell a, a receiving cell a', and a
connecting portion, comprising a front plate a² and a back plate a³. There may
be mounted in the casing any desired number of adding mechanisms; as here
shown, there are eight. Within the cell a is rotatively mounted a shaft b, on
which are rotatively mounted the ribbon drums c. Loosely mounted on the shaft b,
at the right in Figure 2, is a washer or disc b', which is thick enough to fill the
space between the end drum c and the side plate a of the casing, and within a
recess in the washer, b', is a spring 62, which is interposed between the plate a* and
a shoulder on the shaft b, whereby the spring tends to keep the shaft pressed over
toward the left in Figure 2. On the other end of the shaft 6 (at the left) is fixed
a pressure disc b³, which presses, normally, against the side plate a' of the casing
and which occupies a recess in an end-washer 6*, mounted loosely on the shaft b.
Between the drums c and splined on the shaft b, are clamping washers 6+, which are
capable of sliding along the shaft. The washer 6x occupies the space between the
end-washer and the side plate at of the casing. A washer is placed also
between the washer and the end drum c. On the right-hand end of the shaft b
is secured a crank 6, for rotating said shaft. When the shaft is pushed or pulled
to the right, longitudinally, the pressure disc 3 acts to cause the intermediate
washers 14 to clamp the ribbon drums c and compel them to rotate with the shaft.
When the pull on the shaft is relaxed, the spring 62 returns the shaft and relaxes
he pressure on the drums. The extent of longitudinal movement of the shaft

page_text: may be considerable or noticeable, as the disc has play in the recess in the
washer x, but the drums and washers will fit quite closely together and the
clamping movement will be very slight, otherwise the drums would be moved
laterally out of their proper respective positions.
On the respective drums are coiled the adding ribbons d, which pass out from
the drum cell at narrow slots, thence down along grooves in the front plate of the
casing, and enter the receiving cell a' at similar slits. The ribbons & will be of
paper or some similar cheap, non-resilient material, and they may be readily
renewed when soiled or worn. To enable the ribbon to be conveniently detached
from its drum for purposes of renewal, without the necessity of dismantling the
machine, the ribbon is not attached directly to the drum but is hooked on to an
intermediate strip of metal or the like, which strip is hinged to the drum at its
other end and lies in a groove in the drum. This piece or strip d¹ is long enough
to project out through the ribbon slot and enable the ribbon to be readily detached
from it and a new one hooked on.
The free ends of the ribbons, as stated, enter the receiving cell, and they are
caused to coil up therein by an expanding receiver e, made from a thin curved strip
of elastic material, preferably metal, fixed at one end in the cell near the point
where the ribbon enters. As the ribbon enters the cell, when drawn down from
the drum in adding, its end enters this guide or receiver e, which latter causes the
ribbon to coil up.
As the ribbon coils within the receiver, the latter may expand
so as to allow room, but the elasticity of the receiver causes it to embrace the coil
and keep it in proper shape. To divide the receiving cell into as many cells as
there are ribbons, and thus prevent entanglement of the latter, partition discs f
are employed, and these are forced or fixed on a tube, g, which extends through
the cell axially and has a bearing in the plates which close the ends of the same.
The receivers e are secured in place in the several ribbon cells, by a wire or rod e¹,
which extends through eyes formed in the several receivers and through
corresponding apertures in the discs f. One end of the tube g may be permanently
closed, and the other will be closed by a slide or hinged wicket g', as shown. This
tube g provides a receptacle to receive a combined stylus and pencil-holder, seen
detached in Figure 7. It is very desirable that the operator shall have a stylus in
hand for convenience of operating the ribbons and a pencil for noting down sums
and numerals. Hence the combined implement comprises a spring clamp h to hold
a pencil, and a stylus 2 hinged to said clamp and capable of being turned out or
away from the pencil so that either can be readily used.
The ribbons d, when in position as seen in Figure 1, are covered by a face-
plate, with slots over the ribbons to afford access to the perforations in the latter
for moving them with the stylus, and with rows of index numerals along the
margin or margins of said slots, as clearly shown in Figure 1. These index
numerals are spaced to correspond with the spacing of the numerals printed on
the ribbons.
The ribbons, seen detached in Figures 8 to 14 inclusive will have the numerals
thereon arranged according to the system of notation for which the machine is to
be used. For the decimal notation, they will be arranged as seen in Figure 9;
for adding up English currency, the "shillings," "pence" and "farthing" ribbons
will have the numerals arranged as in Figures 10, 11 and 12; Figure 10 shows
the "shilling" ribbon; Fig. 11, the "pence" ribbon; and Figure 12, the "farthing"
ribbon. The ordinary decimal ribbon, seen in Figure 9, will be used for "pounds."
Figure 14 shows a ribbon for use in stock accounts, being in fractions increasing
by eighths, and Figure 13 shows a ribbon adapted for "centimes," increasing
by fives.
The apertures j, at which the "carry "numerals appear, are arranged above
the respective columns of the index numerals, and the apertures k, at which the
numerals y, indicating the partial sums, appear, are arranged below the said columns
of index numerals. These apertures; and k will be in the face-plate i.
In adding, the operator applies the stylus to the perforations in the ribbons,

page_text: "
as they appear at the slots, and draws down the ribbons in a well known way.
The numerals of the partial sum will appear at the apertures k, and the "carry
numerals, if any, will appear at the apertures j. In order to return the ribbons
to their normal positions by winding them up on the drums, the operator grasps the
crank and draws to the right with sufficient force to clamp the drums to the
shaft b, by the means already described, and turns the crank. When the ribbons
are fully wound up, stops d² thereon will prevent them from moving any farther, as
these stops cannot pass along the shallow grooves in the front-plate in which the
ribbons play. When the ribbons are wound up, the operator slackens the end wise
pull on the shaft and continues to turn the crank until a stud 16 on the face of the
disc or washer engages a hole or socket a in the end-plate of the drum-cell, as seen
at the left in Figure 2. The spring effects the engagement of the stud with said
socket, and this device locks the drum-shaft against rotation in either direction
whilst the engagement is maintained. On the end of the shaft b, opposite to the
crank is, or may be, mounted a button or knob, 67, by which the shaft may be
pushed end wise for locking the drums thereon.
The spring and stud 60 may be placed in other positions than that shown, so
long as they perform their proper functions. As has been stated, the ribbons play
in shallow grooves or ways formed in the front-plate a², and there will be narrow,
deeper grooves in these shallow grooves for the point of the stylus to play in when
moving the ribbon.
"
Respecting the arrangement of the "sum" and "carry" numerals on the ribbons,
it need only be said that, on the ribbon of Figure 9, arranged for the decimal
notation, the "sum numerals y, on the right of the perforations, run 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, etcetera, while the "carry" numerals, a, at the left, are arranged
in series 1, 1, 1, etcetera, 2, 2, 2, etcetera, in such a manner that the "carries" will
appear properly at the carry apertures ; in adding. The other ribbons of Figures 10
to 13 have their sum and carry numerals arranged in a precisely similar manner
except that the series of " sum numerals varies with the notation. For example,
on the "shillings" ribbon, the numerals run from 1 to 19, 0); on the " pence
ribbon they run from 1 to 11,0; on the "farthings" ribbon they run 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2,
etcetera; on the "centimes" ribbon they run from 5 to 95, 0, increasing by fives;
and on the fractions they run from to 3, 0, increasing by eighths.
"
It facilitates the adding or calculating operations to number the adding
mechanisms from right to left, 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, as herein shown, these numerals
being arranged, by preference, directly under the several slots in the face-plate,
and above the apertures k, as seen in Figure 1; and it also aids the operator in his
work if the two adding mechanisms at the right (numbered 1 and 2) be designated in
some way by one colour, and the next three mechanisms (numbered 3, 4 and 5), by
another colour contrasting with the first named. This may be done in various
ways, as by colouring the ribbons of the mechanisms 3, 4 and 5, leaving the others
white (or normal), or by printing the numerals on these ribbons in some bright
colour, as red, on the white ribbons, or by marking the numerals 3, 4, 5 of these
mechanisms with a colour contrasting with the colour of the other numerals. Or
all of these distinguishing means or others may be employed together, the intention
being to distinguish the adding mechanisms by colour differences.
The casing may be provided at one side with a spring clasp or clip m, to hold a
pencil, and with clips, n n, to hold a card or sheet of paper to cover the index
numerals along the margins of the slots in the face-plate above the numerals 9.
This is sometimes convenient in adding. If the columns of figures to be added
are on a small slip of paper, this slip may be inserted in the clips nn.
For convenience as a handle for carrying the machine and as a leg for supporting
the machine in an inclined position convenient for adding, the casing is provided
with a hinged, bail-like leg O, seen detached in Figure 6. Figure 5 shows the
position of the leg when unfolded to form a support, and in Figure 3 it is shown as
folded. In this position is is used as a handle. To cause the leg to stand firmly
in position, its hinged ends O', which are spring actuated, have notches O2 in them

page_text: casing.
One important advantage of the use of paper for the ribbons is that they may
be cheaply made, and another is that paper is less variable under the influence of
heat and cold than such materials as metal celluloid, etcetera. It is, of course,
desirable that the ribbons shall not vary materially in length.
Having now particularly described and ascertained, the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
"
1. An adding or calculating machine having a longitudinally movable adding
ribbon made of paper, which varies little in length under the influence of heat and
cold, said ribbon having on its face the " sum and "carry" numerals as set forth.
2. An adding or calculating machine, having an adding ribbon, movable
longitudinally, a receiving cell for said ribbon, and a receiver in said cell adapted
to cause the non-resilient ribbon to coil when it is moved into said cell in the
operation of adding, as set forth.
3. An adding or calculating machine having a longitudinally movable adding
ribbon, a receiving cell for said ribbon, and an expanding, elastic or spring like
curved receiver in said cell to receive and coil up the ribbon as it enters the cell,
as set forth.
4. An adding or calculating machine, having a casing, a contracted passage or
guide-way for the adding ribbon, an expanding curved receiver in a receiving cell
for the ribbon, and a longitudinally movable adding ribbon mounted in said casing,
said ribbon having a stop fixed to it at some distance from its end, whereby the
portion beyond said stop serves as a director to aid in the coiling of the ribbon,
as set forth.
5. An adding machine having an adding ribbon of paper or the like, and a drum
on which the ribbon is wound, the ribbon being made conveniently detachable from
the drum for renewal and replacement, as set forth.
6. An adding machine having a drum-cell containing a drum, a strip d' attached
at one end to the drum, and a ribbon d, secured detachably to the said strip,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. An adding or calculating machine, having a casing, a drum-cell therein, a
shaft rotatively mounted in said cell, a ribbon-drum rotatively mounted on the
shaft, a disc secured on the shaft on one side of the drum, and a clamping washer
.splined on the shaft at the other side of the drum, whereby an endwise movement
of the shaft causes the disc and washer to clamp the drum and compel it to rotate
with the shaft in winding up the ribbon, as set forth.
8. An adding machine, comprising several independent adding mechanisms,
having certain of its mechanisms distinguished from the others by colours,
substantially as set forth.
9. An adding machine, comprising several independent adding mechanisms
mounted in a common casing, having its several adding mechanisms numbered, as
set forth.
10. In an
adding or calculating machine, the combination, with the casing and
the numeral-bearing ribbons mounted therein, of the slotted face-plate arranged
over the ribbons and having "sum" designating apertures arranged below the slots
in the plate and " carry designating apertures arranged above said slots, as
set forth.
11. In an adding machine, the combination, with a casing having at its upper
end a drum-cell, a shaft mounted rotatively in said cell and provided with a crank,
a series of drums mounted rotatively on said shaft, a pressure disc 63 fixed on the
shaft, and a series of intermediate clamping washers *, splined on the shaft, and a
spring 2, all so arranged that an endwise movement of the shaft causes the
washers to clamp all the drums to the shaft and compels them to rotate therewith,
as set forth.

page_text: 12. In an adding machine, the means substantially as described for locking the
drum-shaft against rotation in either direction, the locking being effected by an
end wise movement of the shaft.
13. An adding machine provided with a hinged folding leg, as described, adapted
to form a handle when folded in upon the casing.
14. The receiving cell provided with a centrally arranged tube to form a holder
for a stylus or the like, and partitions to separate the ribbons, as set forth.
15. The adding machine having its face-plate provided with index-numerals as
shown, and furnished with clips to hold a card or sheet of paper for obscuring the
upper numerals, as set forth.
16. A combined stylus and pencil-holder for use with an adding machine, con-
structed substantially as described and as shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 13th day of Anril 1902
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.