Improvements in Computing Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1893
CUBELE
Improvements in Computing Apparatus.
We, KNUT EDVARD WIBERG, Engineer, Björngårdsgatan 9B, Stockholm, and
GUSTAF FREDRIK BERNDES, Proprietor Kungstensgatan 40, Stockholm, Sweden,
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 :-
The apparatus represented in the annexed drawing has for its object the summing
up of numbers.
Figure 1 is a section through line I-II (Fig. 2).
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus, the top part of its casing being removed.
Figure 3 is a section through line III-IV (Figure 2).
Figures 4, and 6 represent different parts of the apparatus shown in the
positions they hold in the Figures 1-3.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views of detached portions of the apparatus.
The same letters refer to corresponding parts of the different figures.
The apparatus consists of the following five principal groups :-
1. An arrangement for adjusting the numbering plates-i.e. the round plates
intended for reading off the sums and provided on their peripheries with figures
from 0 to 9.
2. An arrangement for fixing the positions to be taken up by the numbering
plates at each summation.
3. The numbering plates together with an arrangement for shifting them into
intended positions.
4. An arrangement for adding the surplus from a number of an inferior order, to
the next higher order.
5. An arrangement for moving these latter three groups.
The adjusting mechanism is constructed as follows;―
A plane table a is provided with slots 6 parallel to each other. On the upper
side of this table the flat plates d are supported by means of the journals e running
in bearings provided therein. The plates are on their upper sides provided with
the heels running in a transversal direction and between these heels, with figures
from 0 to 9. By means of the springs the plates are turned upwards. In the
slots run the flat plates which on their upper parts are supplied with the
teeth and are drawn towards the left (as in Figure 1) by means of the springs l.
In virtue of the said spring tension the teeth k rest against any of the heels h on
the plates d.
On the turning downward of any of the plates d by the pressure of a finger, pin
or similar instrument placed upon one of its figures, the tooth k of plate i passes
freely over the heels of the plated and stops against the finger or pin and after
the plate d has been allowed to return to its normal position by the removal of the
finger or pin the tooth k engages and remains resting against the then nearest heel
of this latter plate. The plates are on their extended parts m provided with
teeth for engaging with the mechanism for adjusting the positions of the figure
plates. The plates are returned to their previous positions by pushing forward
a cross-piece n on which are mounted the flat plates o running in the same grooves
as the plates i¹.
The arrangement for adjusting the positions of the numbering plates in summing
up, consists of the toothed wheels p gearing into the teeth on the plates and
firmly connected with the index-plates or discs q. These discs are, at one point of
their peripheries provided with a notch or recess r (Fig. 5) which thus, according
to the differing adjustment of the disc, takes up various positions, thereby
DO077

page_text: indicating the future positions of the numbering plates in the manner mentioned
hereafter.
The arrangement for shifting the numbering plates into the positions thus
indicated consists of the plates s running loose between the discs p and q and
carrying the pawls which oscillate round the pivots u and are acted upon by the
springs v so as to force the pawls into engagement with the recesses r of the discs g.
The parts of the pawls t not acted on by the springs are formed as hooks, so wide
that they may touch both of the discs x and y, which are placed close to each other.
The former of these discs is firmly connected with the shaft, and has on its
periphery a tooth a' (Fig. 4); the latter constituting one wall of the numbering
plates, is on its periphery provided with notches a² for receiving the hooked ends
of the pawls t. The other wall of the numbering plates consists of the discs o
provided on their peripheries, with projections o² and between these, curved
recesses with which the correspondingly shaped detents A engage, said detents
being acted upon by the springs B. Between the walls y and o' of the numbering
plates, and firmly connected thereto, are placed the rings C provided on their
peripheries with figures from 0--9 arranged in such a manner that one of them
may be always observed through the glass D in the casing.
All the afore mentioned discs attached to the shaft z are movable round this
shaft, except the plates as already set forth.
The arrangement for adding the surplus from a number of an inferior order to
the next higher one consists of the discs E firmly connected with the shaft F. To
these discs are applied the plates I which are capable of sliding transversely to the
shaft F being guided by slots (see Fig. 6) and pins H Figs. 1 and 3 and provided
with the arms or projections I (Fig. 6) and pins 12 the latter of which move in
slots in the discs E. The plates I are operated on by means of the springs K.
When the projections I' are nearest to the shaft F, the pushing on of the discs E
is prevented by the rings L, which move freely upon the shaft F, being moved
towards the discs E inside the pins 12 by means of the levers M which are movable
upon the pivots N and are acted upon by the springs O. At the side of the
discs E there are placed the plates P one edge of which is situated at a distance
from the shaft F, corresponding to the greatest distance from this shaft of the outer
ends of the projections I and the other edge at a distance corresponding to the
shortest distance from the shaft F of extremities of projections I'.
The arrangement for moving the latter three groups consists of the lever Q
movable, by means of the handle Q, round the pivot R and provided with two
segmental racks S and T, each of which engages with one of the spur wheels U
and V the former moving freely on the shaft 2, the latter likewise on the shaft F.
The plates X and Y are attached to the spur wheels U and V respectively and
carry the pawls Z and A' each of which engages with one of the ratchet plates A²
and O¹ fixed to the shafts Z and F respectively. Consequently the shaft z makes
one revolution, when the handle Q' is lifted (Fig. 1) while the spur-wheel V and
the plate Y with the pawl A' move freely round the shaft F; whereas when the
handle Q is moved downward, the shaft F makes one revolution, while
the spur-wheel U, the plate x and the pawl z in their turn move freely round
the shaft z.
The function of the arrangements hereinbefore described is as follows;-
When a figure is adjusted by means of the adjusting mechanism, as afore-
mentioned, the notch or recess r in the corresponding index-plate g
removed by
this plate being turned into proper position. Accordingly, the part of the pawl t
resting in the said recess, is lifted up, while the hooked part of the pawl t¹ engages
with one of the notches a² in the wall y of the numbering plates in question, and is,
besides, placed before the projecting tooth a' on the plate. The handle Q
thereupon being lifted up (Fig. 1), the pawl Z engages with the ratchet plate A
and turns round the shaft. This shaft takes along with it the plate x, which, by
means of the tooth a¹ pushes forth the pawl t, which in its turn engages the
numbering plate, until the appropriate part of the pawl t engages with the recess r

page_text: in the index-plate q, the connection between the pawl t the tooth a¹ and the
numbering plate thus ceasing, the latter stops and takes up the position determined
by the recess r.
Whenever a nine on any of the numbering plates passes the glass D in the
casing, the projection o² on one of side-walls of the said plates pushes aside one end
of the lever M, the other end thus pulling the relative ring L from the adjoining
disc E and consequently the pin 12 in the plate I applied thereto will be disengaged
and the plate pushed forward by the spring K.
By again moving down the handle Q the shaft z as aforementioned is brought
out of action, while the shaft F will be turned round. Accordingly, the nearest
numbering plate is removed one step by means of the projection 1. On the
continued rotation of the shaft F the projection I' strikes against one of the plates P
placed obliquely to the shaft F, whereby the plate I is gradually brought back to
its previous position in relation to shaft F, whereupon the ring by means of the
spring O acting upon the lever M is finally moved towards the plate E thus locking
the plate I by means of the pin 12 as before described.
In the Figures 7, 8, 9 is represented a modification of the oscillating bar serving
to fix the future positions of the numbering plates and to replace them into these
positions, and also of the plate x. This modification, designed to prevent the
numbering plates, when in their adjusted positions, from continuing their rotation
round the shaft z which would result from the energy acquired in their turning
round, and by which they would indicate a higher figure than required consists in
the pawl t although maintaining its form being reduced to a thickness corre-
sponding to that of the plate 9 together with that of a part of the plate x, this
attenuated pawl t having moreover a pawl t¹ placed upon it, which oscillates round
the pivot u common to these two pawls and is at least as thick as the other part
of the plate together with the wall y of the numbering plates, which wall is
provided with notches. The part of the pawl t¹, formed as a hook like the corre
sponding part of the bar t, is intended to engage with the notches in the numbering
plates a function now transferred upon this pawl from the pawl t, the hooked part
of which will no longer engage with the said notches-and it is on the outside of
the hook prolonged and attenuated into a spring u¹ which rests upon the pin v
applied to the plates, that the pawl t¹ is allowed to rest in two positions, one on
each side of the pin v. The other part of the pawl t¹ formed as a hook al is bent
over the corresponding part of the pawl t in consequence whereof the bar this
forced to partake of the motion of the pawl t, when the latter part of the pawl t
by turning the spur wheel p and the plate q is lifted out of the notch rìn the
said plate.
The projecting tooth a¹ on the plate is attenuated or made narrow so as to be
directed only against the pawl t but not against t¹ (Fig. 9) on the turning of the
shaft z.
Behind the tooth a' the plate x has a heel y', intended to be directed
against the hooked part of the pawl t¹, when engaged in the notches of the numbering
plates, in order to replace it into its position on the other side of the pin v³.
The function of the parts now described is as follows;-
The one end of the pawl t¹ having been lifted out of the recess r on the turning
of the spur wheel p and the plate or disc q while its other hooked end is thus bent
down to meet the tooth a' and the hooked end of the pawl t' at the same time
catching into one of the notches of the numbering plates, the shaft z is turned until
the numbering plates, by means of the said tooth a¹ have been removed so far,
that the one end of the pawl t will again coincide and engage with the recess r in
the plate whereby the connection between the tooth a' on the one hand and the
said pawl and the rest of the mechanism on the other hand ceases and the plate.c
continues revolving with the shaft z, while the numbering plates remain in the
positions thus occupied. However it might occur that the numbering plates owing
to the energy imparted to them by running at too high a speed, would continue
revolving beyond the proper position. By means of the aforesaid modification
this is obviated in such a way, that the hooked end of the pawl t¹ remains

page_text: resting in the notches of the numbering plates, thus preventing their rotation, after
the hooked part of the pawl t has parted from the tooth a¹ until the heel y¹ on the
plate has reached the pawl t¹; which is then lifted up and brought into its
previous position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is ;-
In an adding apparatus provided with plates capable of being rotated round a
shaft and intended for reading off the sums (numbering plates).
1. An arrangement for adjusting the numbering plates, consisting of spring-
controlled toothed bars in direct gearing with the plates and guided in slots made
in a plane table (a) and also of plane plates (d) applied to this table and capable
of being turned which plates are provided with elevated heels or hooks and between
these with figures, the whole so constructed that when the plane plates (d) are
being turned by means of a pin finger or similar instrument being placed upon
them, the toothed bars, owing to the spring tension are moved until their teeth (k)
stop against that heel on the plates (d) which is nearest to the figure, upon which
the finger or pin has been placed the numbering plates at the same time taking up
corresponding positions, substantially as set forth and shown in the drawing.
2. An arrangement for fixing the positions to be occupied by the numbering
plates at each summing up consisting of a plate or disc (9) capable of being rotated
round a shaft (2) and provided on its periphery with a notch or recess (r) and
firmly united to a spur-wheel (p) which communicates direct with the adjusting
mechanism and also of a plate (s) working freely between the aforesaid plate and
the spur wheel (p) and supporting a pivotted pawl (t) intended to catch with its
one end into the notch (r) and by the turning of the plate (g) to engage with its
other end with notches provided in the peripheries of the numbering plates the
whole for the purpose of allowing the notch (r) in the above mentioned plate (g)
when various figures are adjusted in the adjusting mechanism and in consequence
of the plate turning round, to take up corresponding positions, thus, by means of
the pawl (t) fixing the positions of the numbering plates on their turning round the
shaft (2) substantially as set forth and shown in the drawing.
3. An arrangement for bringing the numbering plates into the positions fixed by
the mechanism set forth in the Claim 2 consisting of a plate or disc (a) fixed to the
shaft (2) and provided with a projecting tooth (a¹) intended when the plate is
turned to be directed against the hooked end of the pawl (t) after this end, as set
forth in the Claim 2, has locked into the notches in the numbering plates in order
that these plates on the plate (x) and the shaft (2) turning round may be brought
into the positions previously fixed substantially as set forth and shown in the
drawing.
4. An arangement for adding the surplus from a number of an inferior order to
that of the next higher one consisting partly of a lever (M) applied in such a
position that its one end when the numbering plates are brought into the positions
fixed by the mechanisms stated in the Claims 2 and 3 may be removed by a pro-
jection or heel on the numbering plates the other end of the lever supporting a
socket or ring (L) movable in the longitudinal direction of a shaft (F) parallel to
the said shaft (2) and intended to prevent the removing of a plate (I) this function
being performed by means of a pin or tappet resting against the outer periphery of
the socket (L) and secured to the said plate (I) which actuated by a spring slides
a plate (E) applied to the former shaft (F) and partly of plates (P) situated
parallelly and obliquely to the said shaft in such a position that one edge of each
is nearer to the shaft than the other edge and so that they may come in contact
with the projection or outer end of the plate (I) placed at a right angle to them the
whole having for its purpose that when one end of the lever (M) is removed by the
projection of a numbering plate the other end may pull the socket or ring (L) from
the plate (I) which being thus disengaged and removed will cause the numbering
on

page_text: plate nearest to the afore mentioned one and denoting the next higher numerical
order to be turned forward for a convenient distance in consequence of the said
shaft (F) turning round and will be finally replaced into its previous position by
being successively pushed back against one of the plates (P) the socket (L) actuated
by a spring being thus brought back against the same plate (I) and locking it,
substantially as set forth and shown in the drawing.
5. In combination with the arrangements set forth in the Claims 2, 3 and 4, an
arrangement for enabling the operations performed by these former, to be effected
at different moments, consisting of spur-wheels working freely one upon each of the
said shafts (Z F) and engaging each with a segmental rack oscillating round a
centre and turning by means of a handle each spur wheel or a disc X Y supporting
a pawl (ZA) for engaging with ratchet-plates (A² O') fixed one on each of the
shafts and so arranged that they move in opposite directions to each other in
consequence whereof the one shaft is at rest, while the other is turned and nice versa
in order that after the motion stated in the Claim 2 has been performed the motions
caused by the arrangements set forth. in the Claims 3 and 4 for bringing the
numbering plates into the positions previously fixed and for adding the surplus from
a number of an inferior order to that of the next higher one, may be then performed
at moments different from each other and from those of the former orders substan-
tially as set forth and shown in the drawing.
6. A modified arrangement of the oscillating or pivotted pawl (t) and of the
plate or disc (a) with the projecting tooth (a¹) stated in the Claims 2 and 3 con-
sisting of a pawl (1) oscillating at the side of the same pawl (t) and round the same
journal with it, having its one end hooked and bent over the corresponding end of
the latter bar and thus partaking of the motion of this pawl out of the notch or
recess (r) in the plate (9) provided therewith the other end of it being intended to
catch into the notches or recesses in the numbering plates at the same motion, and
also of a heel (y) upon the same plate (a) with the tooth (a¹) in order that the
former pawl (1) after having engaged with the notches in the numbering plates and
these having been brought to the positions by means of the tooth (a) the said
pawl (1) may remain in engagement with these notches and prevent the numbering
plates from continuing the rotation until the said pawl (t) on the continued turning
of the shaft (2) is lifted by the heel (y¹) into its previous position substantially as
set forth and shown in the drawing.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete computing
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of March 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.