Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1887
Specification Accepted, 8th July, 1887.
I, JAMES RICHARDSON of The Willows, Tarrytown in the County of Westchester and
State of New York United States of America 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 :-
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification, in which, figure 1 is a plan view of my improved adding machine.
Figure 2 is a side elevation, the casing being in section.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section, taken on line a x in figure 1.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section, taken on line y y in figure 1.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section, taken on line - in figure 1.
Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation, shewing the spring drum.
Figure 7 is an inverted detail plan view of the carrying mechanism.
Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse section of two of the carrying wheels, showing
the mechanism for transferring motion from one wheel to another.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of
the drawing,
This machine is designed to add numbers as wholes. Thus in adding numbers
employing two or more figures, the operator, by touching the keys corresponding with
the successive digits of the first number, (beginning at the left) registers that number
on two sets of number wheels; one set for verification, the other set for summation.
He then touches a trip key, which erases the figures of the verification row of wheels,
and, leaving the summation wheels undisturbed, restores the rest of the mechanism to
its first position, ready for registering the second number.

page_text: When the keys are touched for the second number, that number is registered as
before, on the registering (or verifying) wheels, while the summation wheels are
caused to show the sum of the two numbers registered; and so on for any number of
numbers, the sum of which it is desired to obtain.
My invention consists in two series of numbered wheels, a series of numbered keys,
and means for imparting motion to the numbered wheels from the keys, and mechanism
for insuring the operation of the numbered wheels in succession, and for returning the
wheels and the wheel moving mechanism to the point of starting. It also consists in the
combination with the registering and summing mechanism, of a disk for registering
the number of the addition, all as hereinafter more fully described.
In the casing A, and upon the bar B, are pivoted long and short number keys C,
whose numbered finger plates a alternate in position, to economize space in the
keyboard, the keys being numbered successively from 0 to 9.
The bar D, extending transversely under the series of keys C, is supported by arms b,
secured to its ends, and pivoted on studs c, supported by the inner or supporting
frame A. An arm 1 projecting from the bar. D, is supported normally in contact,
with a stop-pin, 2 projecting inward from the side of the casing A, by a spring e
secured to the bottom of the supporting frame A', and pressing upward against
one of the arms b. The bar D rests in contact with the 9-key, when the machine
is not in operation.
In a chamber, formed between the frame A¹ and the casing, is journaled a toothed
wheel E, upon a study and upon the same stud is placed an arm h, carrying at its
free end, beyond the periphery of the wheel E, a pawl i, which is pressed forward into
engagement with the ratchet wheel E. by the spring secured to the arm, and
bearing on a pin projecting from the inner face of the pawl. The arm h is connected
by a link k with the end of the arm 1 carried by the bar D.
The teeth of the wheel E are so proportioned to the space between the bar D
and the several keys, that when any key is depressed, it engages the bar D, and pushes
it down sufficiently through the medium of the pawl i, to cause the wheel E, to turn
through the portion of a revolution equivalent to a number of teeth corresponding
with the number on the key depressed. For example; when the 9-key is depressed,
it carries the pawli and the wheel E forward, through a distance equal to nine teeth
of the wheel the depression of the 8-key will carry the wheel E through a distance
equal to eight teeth of the wheel; and so on throughout the entire series of keys,
excepting the 0-key, which produces no motion in the bar D, as when 0, or nothing
to be added, no motion of the wheel E will be required. Each key after depression, is
returned to its position of rest in its notch in the front of the casing A, by a
spring m secured to a bar 3 extending across the casing, pressing against the under
surface of the key; and the arm and pawl i are returned to the position of starting,
by the upward movement of the bar D.
A graduated bar 4 extending across the front of the frame A' is bent at right angles
at its ends forming arms 5 which extend within the frame A' and are pivoted to the
sides of the said frame. To the pivoted ends of the arms 5 are secured arms 6 which
extend upwardly and support the rod F. A rod G extends across the frame A' and
upon the rods F, G, are placed the number wheels H, I. Each number wheel H I,
is provided with a series of notches n, and plane surfaces, o upon which are impressed
numbers from 0 to 9 in succession around the periphery of the wheel. The wheel
consists of a rim p, formed integrally with the weighted arm. q, whose center line is
about opposite the 5 mark on the number wheel to prevent the wheel stopping on its dead
center, in order to insure the turning of the wheel from any position to the point of
starting, as will presently be described. The wheels I, are each provided with a series
of teeth on one side, corresponding with the noteles n in their peripheries, and each
wheel I, is provided with a flat springs, secured in the inner end of the arm 2 and
lying normally against the side of the wheel opposite the toothed side, so that in the
series of wheels, each springs is carried around opposite the teeth of the adjacent
wheels; and below the series of wheels I, there are series of cams u, which are

page_text: supported by springs e, supported by a rock shaft journaled in the frame A¹ parallel
with the shaft G. The outer ends of the springs s are bent outward away from the
wheels I, at right angles and they are held normally in position to be engaged by the
cams u, when the carrying from one wheel to another is to be effected, in the manner
presently to be described. The springs v bear upon the flat surfaces of the wheels I
and cause them to register.
+
The rock shaft which carries the springs », is provided with an arm 1, (shown
in Figure 2) which reaches rearwardly and is retained in an elevated position by a
spring attached to the side of the casing. The arms 6 are drawn forward and
held in their normal position against stop pins 10 by spiral springs 11.
Between the series of wheels E, I, is journaled a grooved-shaft J, upon which is
placed the star wheel K, provided with a feather, entering the groove of the shaft J,
so that the star wheel is compelled to revolve with the shaft, while it is capable of
being moved longitudinally thereof.
The teeth of the star wheel engage the notches n of the number wheels H, I, and
upon the extremity of the shaft is placed a pinion w, which is engaged by the
toothed wheel E, and the relation of the star wheel K, pinion and wheel E, is such,
that the movement of the ratchet wheel E one notch, will turn the star wheel K
forward one notch, and by its engagement with number wheels H, I, will move the
number wheels one space, so that when one of the keys C is depressed, the number
wheels engaged by the star wheel will be moved forward as many numbers as are
indicated upon the face of the key.
Under the series of keys C, is placed a bar L, which is supported by arms a,
pivoted on opposite ends of the bar B, which supports the keys; and the bar L is
pressed upward into contact with the keys C, by springs secured to the bar 3 and
pressing against the bars a¹.
In the chamber f1, at the side of the series of keys is journaled a short shaft.c',
which carries upon its outer end, a drum d¹; and upon its inner end, a ratchet
wheel e¹.
To the side of the casing A¹ is pivoted an arm g¹, which carries a pawl h¹, engaging
the teeth of the ratchet wheel e¹. The arm g' is connected with the bar L by the
link 7, so that when the bar L, is moved up or down, the arm gl and pawl h¹ will be
carried with it. When the bar L rises, the arm g' is carried upward, turning the
ratchet wheel e¹ forward one notch.
The drum contains a spiral spring which is wound by the action of the pawl h',
as it turns the ratchet wheel e¹ and shaft e¹, and the spring is retained under strain by
a pawl. To the drum d¹ is secured a cord ³, which is wound around the drum in
opposite directions one end of the cord passing over the pulley ¹, journaled in
supports attached to the partition A', and is attached to a forked arm 1, which slides
on the rod m', extending across the casing parallel with, and below the shaft J. The
fork upon the lower end of the arm is received in the circumferentially grooved
boss of the star wheel K. The outer end of the arm in front of the rod m',
forms an index and stop o¹, which moves below the series of wheels F and above the
bar 4. To the opposite side of the arm is secured the other end of the cord j
which extends over a pulley p', journaled in supports attached to the partition d,
thence downward and rearwardly over a pulley q', thence across the lower part of
the casing, and over a pulloy r', back to the drum d".
The springs b' have sufficient strength to push the bar L upward, against the strain
of the spring and the drum d", so that whenever any one of the figure keys is
depressed, the ratchet wheel e¹ will be moved forward one notch, thus, through the
medium of the cord j³, turning the drum d", and moving the star wheel K forward,
from one pair of figure wheels to the next, for every depression of a key, and forward
movement of the ratchet wheel.
To the arm 5 opposite the ratchet wheel e¹ is secured an arm 8 carrying a T-shaped
head in position to engage the pawls h',, when the bar 4 is depressed and release
the pawls h¹¹, from the ratchet wheel e¹, when it is desired to return the star

page_text: .
wheel K to the point of starting. This releases the pawls, and allows the spring
in the drum d, to turn the drum in the direction required to move the cord to carry
the arm and star wheel K back to the point of, starting, or to any intermediate
point, the retrograde movement of the parts being arrested by placing the finger in
the path of the arm 01. To the pivot of the arms 5 of the bar 4 is secured an arm o¹¹,
which projects beyond the periphery of the indicating wheel m", and carries a spring
acted pawl which engages ratchet teeth formed in the periphery of the wheel m
so that whenever the bar 4 is depressed, the wheel m¹¹ will be turned forward one
notch, so as to bring a new Figure to its top.
In the chamber of the casing is pivoted a lever 9 whose ends are bent at right
angles and project inwardly through openings in the frame A'. The lower arm of
the lever is capable of projecting into the path of the bar I so as to prevent the
depression of the said bar while the upper end of the lever is in the path of the arm l
so that when the arm and star wheel K reach the end of their excursion, the
engagement of the arm with the lever 9 will bring the said lever into temporary
engagement with the bar L and stop any further depression of keys.
A spring 10 returns the lever ŷ to its original position when the said lever is
released from the arm l.
To a bar c, fixed in the casing A, parallel with, and above the shaft F, is secured
a series of springs ell, which press upon the flat faces of the figure wheels H, causing
them to register, and preventing them from moving beyond the required limit.
The operation of my improved machine is as follows:
On touching a key, say, 3-key, the bar D is pressed down a sufficient distance to
turn the toothed wheel E, (in the manner already described,) three notches and the
wheel, through the medium of the pinion w and shaft J, turns the star wheel K,
shifting the number wheels with which it engages, as many points as the star wheel
itself is turned.
The same depression of the key that turns the star wheel in the manner described,
pushes down the bar L, and brings the pawl h¹ into another notch of the ratchet
wheel el, so that when the key is released, the rising of the bar L moves the drum d",
which is connected with the ratchet wheel e'; and through the medium of the cord j',
the star wheel K is moved forward to the adjoining pair of figure wheels.
The bar D is operated by all the keys excepting the zero key, and the bar L is
operated by all of the figure keys. In this manner, on pressing the keys corresponding
with the successive digits of the first number, the two sets of number wheels are
made to present at the top of the machine the several digits of the numbers in their
proper order.
Now, on touching the bar 4, all of the wheels H are released, and allowed to return
by their own gravity to the zero position, and at the same time, the pawl carries
the indicating wheel m" forward one notch, exhibiting through an opening in the side
of the casing, a figure corresponding with the number of the addition made.
The next action of the bar 4 is to release the ratchet wheel e¹ in the manner already
described, allowing the drum d¹ to be turned by its spring, thus carrying the star
wheel K back to the point of starting, or to any desired point along the series of
number wheels, according to the duration of the depression of the bar or until stopped
by the finger. The indicating wheel m" shows the number of the additions, that is,
the number of different sums added, thus enabling the operator if interrupted, to find
his place in the series of numbers he is adding.
The recording or verifying wheels I, by presenting always the last number added,
serve both as a check to the operator, and a help in determining the next number to
be added when the work is resumed after interruption. The wheels I, forming the
summation series, always show the sum of all the numbers recorded. In this series,
provision is made for carrying tens, in the following manner.
The springs & are arranged so that when the figure 8 of one wheel is at the top of
the casing, the spring is in position for engagement with the cam u, and as the
wheel turns from 8 to 9, the springs is pressed out by the cams u, so that it engages

page_text: a tooth of the adjoining wheel at the left, thus temporarily tying the two wheels
together. In moving through the space from 9 to 0, the wheel engaged by the spring
is carried along one space, causing the engaged wheel to record a figure one higher
than it showed before. Then the spring slips, from the cam, and the first wheel again
moves independently of its neighbor. In every case, in the passage of the wheel
from 9 to 0, the adjoining wheel is moved forward one space. When all the numbers
have been recorded, their sum is shown in the reading of the summation series of
wheels.
To crase the results of any addition, and prepare the machine for a new summing,
the lever is depressed, turning on the shaft v, thus releasing the wheels I, and
allowing them to turn by gravity, so as to present a row of naughts at the top of the
casing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. In an adding machine, the combination with one or more series of number
wheels, of a wheel adapted to engage the number wheels of each series singly, means
for turning the engaging wheel through an aliquot part of a revolution, and for
carrying it into engagement with the different number wheels in succession, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
2. The combination with a series of figure keys, of means for moving the recording
or indicating mechanism through distances proportionate to the number represented by
the keys, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. In an adding machine, the combination of a series of loaded number wheels,
having peripheries notched and provided with plane faces between the notches,
springs for engaging the plane faces of the number wheels, and means for turning
the number wheels through aliquot parts of a revolution, substantially as herein'shown
and described.
4. In an adding machine, a series of wheels provided on one side with carrying
springs s, and on the opposite side with teeth, and cams u, for carrying the
springs into engagement with the teeth », substantially as herein shown and
described.
5. In an adding machine, the combination with the wheel I, having notches n, in
its periphery, and plane numbered faces intervening between the notches, and having
teeth in the sides thereof, of the springs s, shaft and the cams u carried thereby,
substantially as herein shown and described.
6. The combination with the keys C, star wheel K, and shaft J, of means sub-
stantially as herein shown and described, for moving the star wheel successively along
the shaft J.
7. The combination with the keys C, shaft J, and the star wheel K, of the bar L,
ratchet wheel e', and arm g', spring acted pawl ¹, the retaining pawl, the drum d¹i.
and spring contained therein, the cord and its guide pulleys, and the arm ¹
engaging the grooved boss of the star wheel K, substantially as herein shown and
described.
8. The combination with the drum d", ratchet wheel e¹ and pawls h¹ engaging
the ratchet wheel, of the lever 8 provided with a T-head adapted to engage the
pawls, and the bar 4 for bringing the lever 8 into engagement with the pawls,
substantially as herein shown and described.
9. The combination in an adding machine, of the releasing bar 4, arm o" carried
thereby, pawl pivoted to the arm o", and the toothed indicating wheel m" engaged
by the pawl, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the number wheels H, star wheel K and cord j¹, of the
arm provided with the stop o' substantially as described.

page_text: 11. In an adding machine, the combination of a series of keys C, inclined bar D.
the arm h, pawli, toothed wheel E, pinion wc, slotted shaft J, star wheel K, and
means substantially as herein shown and described for moving the star wheel
successively along the shaft, and the number wheels H I, substantially as herein
shown and described.
12. In an adding machine, the combination with the star wheel carrying arm l, of
the arm o for indicating the position of the star wheel relative to the number wheels,
substantially as herein shown and described.
13. The combination with the star wheel operating arm and bar L, of the angled
lever 9 pivoted in the side of the casing, substantially as specified.
J. RICHARDSON.
By A. M. & Win. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.