US1066700A - Register-resetting mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

F. H BIQKFORD. REGISTER RESETTING MECHANISM.

uuwnms FILED 001. 21, 191:.

1,066,700. Patented July 8, 1913.

3 SHEET8SHEET 1.

0 WITNESSES." INVENTOR A v "Mi W a ATRNEY F. H. BICKPORD.

REGISTER hESETTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.2L1911. I

Patented July 8, 1913.

3 8HEETSSHEET 2.

wrmmsss;

F. H.- BICKPORD.

REGISTER anssrrme mourns! APPLIOATIOH TILED 0017.21, 1911.

Patented July 8, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 34 k M/VEii/TOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. BICKFORD, F MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ADDER MACHINE COMPANY, OF WILKES-BARRY PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

REGISTER-RESETTING MECHANISM.

1 ,ocoxon.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 21, 1911.

Patented July 8,1913.

Serial No. 656,065.

To all 'z/ lzo'nz/ it may concern llc it known that l. Fiusk ll. Ilickronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muneie, Delaware county, lndiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Registcr-Resetting l\Iechanis1ns, of which the following is a specific-ationv This invention relates to im 'n'ovements in resettingmechanisms for registers whereby to'arrest the counters in their zero positions when the machine is cleared, in readiness for the next example.

The invention is an improvement on the well-known \Vales resetting me hanism illustrated, for instance, in United States Letters Patent #842,232 grantcd to (J. N. l\1cl arland, January 29, 1907. In said patent, the depression of a total key rocl's a setting lever to operate a link which swings a series ot projecti ns on a carrier into the paths of stops secured to turn with the individually rotatable numeral wheels or counters of a register. The main drive shaft is then turned in one direction to first lock the setting lever in position so that the projections or abutments are held in place, after which it ett'ects the engagement of the counters and their driving mechanism, whereby the counters are turned until the stops thereon strike the ii'iterposed projections or abutments, at which time the counters display zeros at the sight or reading line. After the main drive shaft completes its initial stroke. it is returned to its position of rest to disengage the counters and driving means and restore the latter to normal position. At the beginning of its return stroke, the shaft releases the setting lever which is re stored to normal position, thereby permitting or effecting the return of the abutments to idle position.

()ne object of the present inv'cntion is to maintain the ahutments in effective position until the counters have been restored to initial position to prevent accidental turning of said counters in one direction, from the time when thev have-been reset to Zero, until they are disengaged from their driving means and locked by the detents. which normally hold them against accidental rotaticn when at rest.

In the acccn'ipanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of one ei'i'ihodimcnt of the in-- ventiun applied to the wellknown ales calculating machine, the parts being It rest or in normal position. Fig. 2 is a similar \'lt\\' of the machine from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1, parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail, showing a counter arrested in its zero position, and its abutment about to be unlocked on the return stroke of the main drive shaft. Fig. 4 is a side view, showing the abutment in locked position at the beginning of the return stroke of the main shaft.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted in its application to the \Vales calculating machine, although for conven ience, it is illustrated in connection therewith. 1

An axle I mounted in arms 2 (Fi l) pivoted at 3 to opposite sides of the frame 4, carries independently rotatable counters thereon.

Props 6 on opposite sides of the frame, rest on a trip rod 7 and are jointedat 8 to the arms 2, to support the counters in normal idle position at which time the counters are held against accidental turning by detents 9 (Fig. 9). The trip rod is suspended by arms 10 (Fig. 1) loosely mounted on a shaft 11 journaled in the frame, and the main drive shaft 12 is connected by links 13 with said rod to rock it back and forth. A handle 14 may be used to turn the main drive shaft.

Assuming the result of one or more operations to have been registered on the counters in the well-known manner, and that it is desired to clear the machine, that is, to return the counters to zero, a set-lever 15 (Fig. 2) is rocked, by depressing a key It), forinstancc. An arm 15 of said lever 15 operates a link 17 with which it may he loosely connected. as at 18, to press the latter against a shiftable carrier 19 mounted in the frame i and having checks or abutments 20. The link 17 preferably has a shoulder 21 which impinges a stud 22 on a bracket 23, fixed on the carrier, the latter being pivoted at 24 to swing toward the counters when struck by the shoulder, to interpose the abutments in the paths of stops 25 fast with the counters (Figs. 2 and 3). A hook 26 (Fig. 2) locks the lever 15 in the position to which it has been rocked, by catching over a stud 27 on the lever.

The lever 15 is fixed to the shaft 11 extending across the frame 4, to rock the shaft 11 and with it a second lever 1.3, (Fig. I),

similar to lever 15, fast on the shaft 11 on that side of the machine opposite lever 15. The arms 15 and 15 of set- levers 15, 15 have connecting bars 28 fastened thereto and to legs or supports 29 journaled preferably on the axles l and depending in line with seats 30 on the frame. In the adding operation of tlltl'tt'tzltfltillc, these legs or supports rest on the seats when the trip rod is ini tially operated to defer the engagement of pintons 31. (fast on the respective counters 5), with the driving means or racks 32, until said racks have been protected by their driving springs 33, and ttt'l'c t0(l by keyoperatcd stops (not shown). The counters are then rotated in one direction, as the racks are returned to initial position to register the amount set up on the keyboard. This mechanism is well-known and shown in prior patents, to which reference has been made. In clearing the tnachinc, lltHYtVLl', it is desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the counters, to bring them back to zero position. Hence, the levers 13, to. when operated, draw the legs or HIPPUI'tS .29 out of line with their seats through the connecting bars 28, to enable the counters to engage their driving means, prior to the operation of the latter. 3y displacing the legs 25), the counters are supported out. of cngagement with their racks 32 by the props t5 and rod T. The main shaft 1), on its initial stroke. in the direction of the arrows, (l igs. l and '1), pull the links 123 'torwardly to swing the trip rod 7 in a descending arc to engage the counters with their driving means, prior to the advance of the latter.

A rock shaft '34 journaled in the frame 1 carries rackre training and restoring de vi es (not shown) to normally hold the rack. in their positions of rest. The tnain shalt 12. on its initial stroke vings an arm 7.? fast therewith. said arm having; a roll 36 playing in a cam sl t 31' formed ill a crank .h lixcd to thc lt't'h' shat't. lhtring the lirst part of th initial stroke. while the ((Hlliitl'r are being" engaged with their driving means wltcn clearing the wheel. the arm rides substantially idly in the cam slot. whereby to givethe counters time to engage their driw ing means prior to the release of the latter. 'hen tlte roll 36 reaches the catn 31) of said slot, however, it quickly swings the crank 38 to rock the shaft ll and withdraw the racka-estraining devices. whereby the racks 32 are free to be projected by their springs The racks. as they are pr pelled. turn 1)). the counter :3 in a reverse dire tion to that in whi h th t'ttllttltt's' arc turned when addin; or accumulating. until the stop 33 *tt'iht? the checks or abutntcnts it? to arrest the countcr at which time the latter di play Ztl't7\ at the rcadin;- line. it rea n of the contact of th stops and allotment the drip f of the counters was liable to occur.

itti m ans are alao at't'c.-t "i afraiat thriller forward movement, rebounding of the counters being overcome by the tendency of the driving means to pr01ect itself farther in its original path.

The. set- levers 15, 15*, which' have been held in position during the initial stroke of the main drive shaft 12, are freed to the action of springs 40 at the completion of said initial stroke, which prings restore the levers 13, 1.5" to normal position, and rock the arms 15 15" rearwardly. Arm 1.3 returns the link 17 to initial position and thereby releases stud 22 on the carrier 1!) to free the carrier to the action of a restoring spring 41, (Figs. 2 and t), which tends to retract the abutmcnts 20 from the paths of the stops E25.

'lbrust bars 42, (Fig. 1) pivoted at 43 to resetting levers it fulcrumcd at 45 to the o]' posite sidcs of frame 1, drop behind studs -16 on the arms 1.7", 1.3 of the levers 15, 15 -when the arms are rocked forwardly upon the depression of key 16. The arms 15, 15 on their return, press the thrust bars rearwardly to rock the resetting levers 44, the arms 17 of which contact studs 48 on the respective legs or supports 29 to raise the latter and thereby disengage the counters l'ront their driving means, at the outset of the return stroke of tltc main drive shaft 12 and prior to the restoration of the drive means toward initial position. (ants -19 on segments if) turning with the main shaft 12 n'tay assist the resetting levers to restore the counters, by pressing against lingers 51 on the set- levers 15, 15

As the main shaft (-otttittttcs on its return stroke, it operates through arm 235. the crank 38 and rock shatt iii, to tt:-t 1( the driving means and the trip mechanism to normal position.

The foregoing construction is, old and only constitutes a part of the pres-cut invention, in so far as it is combined with new parts now to be set forth.

It will he observed that the clearing mechanism rcleases'the carrier 19 shortly after the main drive shaft 12 starts upon its return stroke. This ordinarily, would leave the counters or wheels 5 free to turn during the interval between the disengagement of the driving racks 32 therefrom, and the engagement of the locking detehts t1 therewith. Furthermore, the abutments 20 were formerly permitted to start. on their return to idle position, in a downward are at about the same titnc that the counters were being disengaged from their drivin racks, which latter, owing to the pressure of their driving springs. caused the counters to turn very slightly on their axle and follow the abutmeats, until the counters were fully released from the racks. whereupon a slight rebound Owing; to this slight turning of the counters, it was aetive position and retains it against the 1 spring tension.

register when it should be clear. To avoid this disadvantage, I contrive to lock the ahutments in effective. positioniunt-il the counters have been locked by the detents 9, to prevent the rotation of the counters, above mentioned. To this'end 'I arrange to hold .lhe abutmcnts effective against-the tendency "of the restoring spring 41, by av latch 5L which catches the carrier 19' when it is in Said latch is mounted on the rear arm of a lever 53, preferably journaled intermediate its ends on the axle l.

r Said latch is controlled by means, as a shift crank, having a roll 57 edge of the lever 53.

ing part of the machine, and preferably a finger or tappct 56 which cooperates with a cam 54 on the forward arm of said lever, said cam merging into a dwell portion 55, normally contacted sa'id shiftable finger or tappet 5G, to hold the latch idle. ,Said finger is preferably operated through the driven crank- 38. In the present instance, said finger or tappet comprises a prong on the I to contact thecam In the operation 55 clearing the machine, the leverl5 having been rocked to shift the abut-ments 20 into the paths of the steps 25,

' thecra'nk 38 when swung forwardly during the initial stroke, of the=main drive shaft 12,

' withdraws the roll 57 from the'cam 54, 55

to free the lever to the action'of a spring 58 which thereupon rocks the lever '53 to cause the latch 52 to catch or take behind the carri)er 19 and lock it in effective position (Fig. 4 leases its control of the carrier at the outset of the return stroke of the maindrive shaft, but the latch 52 IQII'lillHSCffQCth-Q to prevent the return of the carrier lf) and its abutments 20 to idle position, until the counters have been disengaged from their driving means and restored .to normal position, where they arc-. ,hcld against accidental, turning by the'detcgits 9. The drive shaft 12 on on the axle 1123.

its return, rocks the arm 3:7'to swing the crank 38 (Figs; 4 and 3) audcause the tap pet or finger. 5G to contact'the lever 53 and release the latch 52 from the carricnlfl, whereupon the spring 41 \vitl'idraws the abutments 20"from the paths of-stops 55. The restoration of the counters by the thrust bars 42- and resetting lovers 4?. at the outset ofsaid return stroke, however, has-shifted the latch lever 52 away from the tappct :76, so that the l-"iicr IlfltSTlflt strike the can: 54 on lever i 1 will the main drive shaft has complete-(la "ill ll\'l(il'2l !l s1 rokc', rides tlicrcalg' u logs. the latch lever ugagc the. latch 52 from the carrier. \vhor upon the spring 41 restores The lever 15, it'will be remembered, re-

againstcams 61 on the'thrust liars .4

15', whereupon the legs or support ters. This operates to slightly el p oscd in tin-path of lheslop;

the carrier and its abutme'nts to idle The finger normally remains in contact with the dwell portion 55 of said camto latch idle against the' tension of t- 58. The disengagement of the coun their drive means raises the heated o legs or supports 29 to clear the se whereupon springs 59 (Fig, Dj'mayj the legs over said seats The It'rip swings in an ascending arc during tl stroke of the mainshaft, and rocks: 6 to return the latter to m a'rp Theprops, on their return, press ti lease the bars from the studs 46 Qfle fisali so $12 51ml on to their seats 30 to sustain the onn ters until the rod 7 is completely r urned, .;at which time, it raises the propsslightly and relieves the legs of the. weight of vth i ethelegs or supports from. their seats 30 s: that the latter oppose no obstruct-ion to the placement of. the legs when the keyilG pressed. I

It is evident that changes might be made in the form, arrangementand operation of the several parts set forthwithoutd from the spirit and scope of this \Vhat I. claim asnew. Q L In aregister, the combina counter, drive means for the-counte rmally disconnected therefrom;.andtmean to effect the connection and disconnection; of the counterand its drive means; of resetting mechanism, comprisina. step on the counter; an abutment shifta .le into the. path of the stop, to arrestthe latter wlreynit isreturncd. to zero position; and, mean, to permit the restoration of the-abnl'n'ientlto idle position only after the (IlSCOHIIPQi I IOILPI' the counter and its driving means. I -2. In a register, the combination. with? a driving rack a rotatable counternormally raised out of engagement therewith and means to drop the counterinto meshrand, raise it out of mesh with the rack; of n. zero-resetting mechanism, conqarisingna stop on the counter; and an abutment shittable into the path of the stop prior to the rotation of the counter, and restored to. idle position subsequently to the; return oft-he counter-to raised position. In a register, the combination with a counter; drive means for the counter, nor- 120 mally disconnected therefrom;,and means to effect the cmmection and d"'ronucction of the counter and its drivefans; of .2

on (he count-r1: a shit'tahle aliutiuqil H I- and a catch to hold the ahutuwnt. in mtlicq i\ c is ion until al'lcr tl1 cdisconnection of,,thc,counter;

and its drivingmcnus. 4

4. In a calculator,. the combination with &

registering mechanism, including counters, and means to effect the operation thereof; of a zero-resetting mechanism comprising stops on the counters; shiftable abutments interposable in the paths of the stops; and means controlled by the counter-operating mechanism to lock the abntments in effective position.

5. In a calculating machine, the combinir tion with a registering mechanism, incliniing a counter, and drive means therefor; of zero-resetting mechanism, including a normally idle abutment; a stop on the counter, means to shift the abutment into the path of the stop; and other means to maintain the abutment in active position after the shifting means has returned to normal position.

6. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registering mechanism, including a counter, and drive means theret'or; ot' zero-resetting mechanism, including :1 normally idle abutment; a stop on the counter, means to'shitt the abutment into the path of the stop; a latch indeperidi'mt of the shitting means; and a. rocking member controlling the latch, to permit it to lock the abutment in etl'ectire position. V

7. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registering mechanism, including counters, and drive means therefor; of a zero-resetting, mechanism comprising stops on the counters, abutments shiftableinto the paths of the stops; a spring-pressed latch normally tending to lock the abutments in effective position, and having a. cam; and a locking member normally contacting the cam to hold the latch inoperative.

8. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registering mechanism, including counters, and drive means therefor; ot' a zeroaesctting mechanism conn rising tops on the counters. abntmcnts shittablc into the paths of the stops; a lever having a latch formed thereon to loclt lho'abn'tmcnts in effective position and a rocking mcmhcr normalty contacting a cam on said lover to hold the latch out of operation.

9. in a calculating machine. the combination with counters. drive means thcrct'or.

andancchanlsm to cil'cct the connection and drive means; of a setting mechanism, to

stops; a releasable lock to maintain theahutments 1n etl'ectlve position subsequently to their release by said set-ting mechanism; and means other than .the setting mecha nism and operable after said setting mocha nism is restored to normal position, to release the lock to enable the abutments to be shifted to idle position.

11. In a calculating machine, the combination with counters, driving means therefor, and mechanism to shift the counters to connect them with and disconnect them from their driving mechanism; of zero-resetting mechanism, including stops turning with the counters; abntments shiftable into and out of the paths of the stops to arrest the wheels in Zero position; a latch to lock the abutments in effective position, and shiftable with the counters when the latter are connected to and disconnected from their driving means; and means to release the latch, and relatively to which the latch is shifted by the counter-shifting mechanism.

12. In a calculating machine, the combi nation with counters, and drive mechanism therefor; of a zero-resetting mechanism comprising stops on the counters; abutments shit'table into the paths of the stops; means to shift the abutments to effective position; a latch independentof said means/t0 lock the abutments in ctt'ectire positioinalid hold them after the return of said means to normal position: and means to release the latch.

i l. in a calculating machine, the eombination with a drive shaft, imlividually ro talable counters, and drive means therefor; ot' a resetting mechanism for the counters, including stops on the counters: and abutmcuts interposed in the paths of said stops; and a latch controlled by thedrive shaft to hold the ahntments etl'ectirc until the said shaft has nearly completed its return stroke.

il. in a calculating machine, the combination with driving means. and counters adapted for engagement and disengagement; relatively to each other; and detents to hold the counters against rotation, when disen gagcd from the driving means; of clearing mechanism. including a 1nannally-operable member: stops on the counters: ahntments shittcd by the mannally-operahle member into the paths of the stops, to arrest the counters in Zero position: said manuallyop rablc member adapted for restoration prior tothc clhadire cooperation of the. locking dctcnts and counters, thereby releasing the allotments: and means to lock the abutments in effective position until the counhrs are locked by tlmir (lU QH H. nulwillzfl HllIlHnlS liiflnlvlv intu lliv pn lis of Hm standing their i'clvnso by will nmnuzilly-op 1 ships, and mum l linh'l mid pilvnlnn-niH in emlilc member. vile-dive position.

15. In a calculating nim-liinc, llw mmlvi FRANK ll" HH'K F0111). nation with COlllllQlS and (lIlYO lilllflltilllfilll ln lln -,il1 ml" thorcfur; of a resetting mechanism for said llmnnn \f. Swux, qrconnters, including stops on lllt L'Ollliltl'xg; lhxnzi. (f. Swarm."

Images