US1243224A - Adding and subtracting machine. - Google Patents

Description

F. W. RODOLF.

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. I914.

1 ,24 3 ,224. Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

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I citizen of the United FRED W. RODOLF, OF PORTLAND,

OREGON, ASSIG-NOR TO THE ADDACHINE MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON.

ADDING AND surraacrme MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 191 7.

Application filed February 13, 1914. Serial No. 818,504.

To. all whom it may boncer'n."

Be it known that I, FRED W. RoooLE, a States, residing'in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adding and Subtracting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to adding and subtracting machines, and more particularly to a small portable, keyless device by means of which columns of figures can be quickly and accurately added, and also by means of which subtractions from a given total can be quickly. and accurately madev by simply reversing the operation of the machine.

Among the salient objects of the invention are,to provide a device of the character referred to which is direct and positive in its operation and incapableoferror if correctly manipulated; to provide a device of the character referred to having a series of movable dials or counter members adapted to be positively moved by hand, or preferably by using the point of a pencil or other convenient instrument, there being a units dial, a tens dial, a hundredths dial, and so on to any desired capacity, these being arranged, preferably, one above the other in pyramidal form; to provide in device of the character referred to positive mechanical connections by means of which transfers are made fromone dial to the next adjacent dial; and'in general, to provide a very simple, practical and eflicient adding and subtracting machine which can be cheaply manufactured and which can be held in one hand and manipulated by the other.

In order that others may thoroughly understand my invention, I have illustrated one practical embodiment thereof on the accompanying sheet of drawings, which I will now describe; I.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge or side view thereof;

Fig.3 is. a fragmentary top plan view with the top and bottom index plates or dials omitted, and showing in dotted lines shifted positions of the counter dials; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a detail of construction. I

For purposes of illustration Ihave shown only a unlts, tens and hundredths combiportions 17 and 18,

nation of dials or counter disks, and these' I have designated, respectively, 10, 11 and 12, mounted one above the other and each being successively smaller, whereby to leave an exposed edge margin around each to receive the numerals 1 to O. A subtracting index plate or dial 13 is provided at the bottom of the dials for use in making subtractions, and a top or adding index dial or plate 14 is provided for use when making additions, said index plates or dials being stationary and preferably being connected by an arm or stop member 15, having a sight opening, as 16, therein, which constitutes a reading position. The top or adding index dial 1 1 is provided around its edge with the numerals 1 to 0 arranged in the order shown and dividing the dial into ten equal segnents. The units, tens and hundredths dials or counter members 10, 11 and 12 are also thus divided by the numerals 1 to 0, arranged in the same order, and in radial alinement with each other when the parts are in their normal or zero position, but not in alinement with the numerals on the index dials. The movable counter dials 10, 11 and 12, it will be noted, are provided with small holes merals thereon,

radial alinement index dials when these holes standing in with the numerals on the the parts are at rest, as shown in Fig. 1. The lower or subtracting index dial 13, it will be noted, is also pr0- vided'around its outer margin with the numerals 1 to 0, equally spaced, but arranged in the reversed order from that of the top or adding index, and also to those of the counter dials, but in radial alinement with the numerals of the adding index dial and with the holes in the counter dials. The connecting arm or member 15 between the stationary index dials is tapered and preferably covers one of the segmental spaces, as between two rows of holes, theholes resting along the straight opposite edges ofsaid member 15, as the parts come to adjusted arranged between the nupositions, while the numerals. on said counter dials, it willbe noted, are in register with the sight opening 16 in said member 15.

Arranged immediately beneath the counter dials 11 and '12, these being the tens and hundredths dials. as 17 and 18, having formed therein the cam standing in fixed radial relationship as shown. The parts are are two'fixed cam disks,

secured together by means of a middle binding post, as 19, of square construction, with its corners rounded, whereby the movable counterdials 10,11 and 12, having round holes therein, can be turned upon said post, while the cam disks 17 and 18, having square holes therethrough, are held stationary with the post 19. -A screw 19' is inserted into the upper end of said post to bind the top ,or addmg index plate thereto. This construction is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

In order to reduce frictional contact between the counter dials and the other parts, I suitable washers, as 20, are placed upon the tion, with the spring 22 about to pass over 7 the point of one of the teeth forming the notches in the member 21. It will be readily understood that as soon as the dial 12 has been moved sufliciently to permit the end of the spring 22 to pass over the point, said spring then operates to move the dial forwardly until the end of the spring is seated snugly in the notch, thus insuring that the dials are properly positioned so that their numerals register properly with the sight opening 16, and also so as to put the dlals with their transfer levers, hereinafter referred to, in proper relationship with the cam disks.

I will next describe the mechanism by means of which transfers are made from one counter dial to the next adjacent dial. Pivotally' mounted upon and carried by the coimter dials 10 and 11, are pawl like levers 23 and 24, each having upturned fingers as 23 and 23, and 24 and 24", the fingers 23' and 24" being shorter and adapted to engage and be moved by the cam members 17 and 18, while the fingers 23 and 24 are adapted to be moved'into and out of operating engagement with notches, as 11 and 12, around the edges of the dials 11 and 12. The cam members 17 and 18 are enough larger than the counter dials 11 and 12 that the fingers 23" and 24" are held normally out of engagement with these notches 11 and 12', as the counter dials on which the 2 levers 23 and 24 are mounted are moved,

excepting at the proper positions where said cam plates are formed so as to guide said fingers into and out of the proper notches of the adjacent dial in order to move it in making a transfer from one counter dial to the next adjacent counter dial, whether it be adding or subtracting.

As this construction and operation can be best understood by a description of the operation, I will now describe the operation in making additions and also in making subtractions.

Assuming that the parts are in their normal or zero positions, as shown in Fig. 1,

posite the index numeral 2 of the top or adding index dial 14. For the adding operation, these counter dials are moved clockwise. The hundredths dial is therefore moved until the pencil stops against the edge of the member 15, which puts the numeral 2 on the hundredths dial in the sight opening 16. The pencil is next inserted in the hole in the tens dial which is radially opposite the numeral 5 of the adding index dial 14, and this dial is turned clockwise until the pencil stops against the edge of the arm 15, as before, bringing the numeral 5 of the tens dial into the sight opening. The pencil is next inserted in the hole in the units dial, which is opposite the numeral 3 of the index dial, and the units dial is turned likewise tothe stop, thus putting the number 253 in register with the sight opening 16. In like manner the number 546 is then put into the machine by inserting the end of the pencil in the hole in the hundredths dial which is radially opposite the index numeral 5, and this hundredths dial is turned clockwise until the pencil stops at the arm 15. This results in moving the numeral 7 (the total of 2 and 5) of the hundredths dial into the sight opening. The pencil is then inserted into the hole which is radially opposite the index numeral'4 in the tens dial, and this dial is so moved, bringin its numeral 9 (sum'of5 and 4) into the sight opening. The pencil is next inserted into the hole which is radially opposite the index numeral 6, in the units dial, and the units dial is so moved to the stop as before, which brings its numeral 9 (the sum of 3 and 6) into the sight opening. Thus we have the' total of the numbers 253 and 546, or 799. in the sight opening, as indicated in Fi 3. Now if we add 1 to this number, we wil get a demonstration of a double transfer, that is, a transfer from the units dial to the tensdial, and from the tens dial to the hundredthsdial. In order to thus add 1 to the number 799, the pencil is inserted into the hole in the units dial which is radially opposite the index numeral 1, and the units dial is turned until the pencil stops against the edge'of the arm 15, as before. In doing this, the transfer is automatically made a of springs.

from the units to the tens dial, and from the tens dial to the hundredths dial, and the total of 800 immediately appears in the sight opening as the pencil stops at the arm 15. These transfers are accomplished by a direct and'positive mechanical connection between the adjacent dials, without the use These connections will now be described.

In manipulatingthe units and tens dials, as just described, the transfer levers 23 and 24, mounted thereupon, have been carried around with their respective dials nine- [tenths of a full revolution, or over nine of the segmental sections into which the dials are divided, and to the relative positions shown in Fig. 3, being held out of operating engagement with the notches in the counter dials by the cam plates 18 and 17 The next movement of the units dial to add 1 to the total of 799, as described, carries its transfer lever 23 forwardly until its finger 23 engages and is moved outwardly the in clined surface 18 of the fixed cam 18', which action moves the finger 23 at the opposite end of said lever 23, into the notch of the tens dial and thereby carries the tens dial with the units dial until the finger 23 of the lever 23, reaches and engages with the inclined surface 18 of cam 18, by which it is caused to move out of engagement with the notch in the tens dial. By this movement, therefore, the tens dial has been carried substantially through one segmental division forwardly, which forward movement is completed by the operation of the positioning spring 22, acting on the notched member 21, fixed to the dial. Inasmuch as the tens dial, with its transfer lever 24, occupied the same radial position, the movement of the tens dial by the units dial, operated in a like manner throughthe transfer lever 24, .to turn the hundredths dial forwardly one segmental section. Just after a transfer has been made, the parts rest in the positions shown in Fig. 1, that is, the transfer levers are over the cams 17 and 18. Further forward or clockwise movement of the dials carrying these transfer levers would not operate to move adjacent dials, but would move the dial and its transfer lever independently of any other dial, the cam plate 17 or'18, as the case may be, operating to keep the levers free from the notches in the dials. A backward movement, however, of either the units or tens dial, as in subtracting, would also turnback the connected dial,

as I will now describe. If, for example, we

13, and the units dial would be moved in a direction opposite the movement of the hands of a clock. As the units dial with its transfer lever is thus moved backwardly, the finger 23 of the lever 23 engages and is moved by the cam surface 18", causing the finger 23 to move inwardly so that it engages the notch in the tens dial and moves the tens dial with it back one segmental section, putting the numerals 99 in the sight opening 16 on the units and tens dial. The tens dial with its lever 24 would have operated in the same manner to engage and move the hundredths dial back one section, and assuming that 800 was in the sight opening 16, the remainder 799 will be put there instead by simply turning the units dial l0 wardly by the cam surface 18, asin Fig.

3, so as not to engage the tens dial notch, and us the fingers 23 and 24 on the short ends of the transfer lovers 23 and 24 are shorter than the fingers at the long ends of said levers, said fingers 23 and 24"" do not engage the counter dial above each, but pass under the notches therein. Therefore the units dial would be free to move nine-tenths of the revolution before its lever again engages and turns the tens dial with it.

If it is desired to subtract the number 546 from this total of 799, it is quickly accomplished as follows: The end of the pencil is inserted in the hole in the hundredths dial which is radially opposite the numeral 5 on the lower or subtracting index 13, and that dial is turned in a direction opposite the movement of the hands of a clock until the pencil strikes the edge of the arm or member 15. The pencil is next inserted in the hole in the tens dial which is radially opposite the numeral 4 on the subtracting index, and this tens dial is turned in the same direction until. the pencil stops against the member 15. The pencil is next inserted in the hole of the units dial which is radially opposite the numeral 6 on the subtracting dial andv this dial is turned to the stop, whereby there is put into the sight opening the remainder 253. The subtracting operation is exactly the same as the adding operation, except that the dials are turned in the opposite direction, and the lower or subtractin index 13 is used as the guide in stead of the top or adding index. The transfers are made automatically and as the sum, or as the remainder, requires, and when the last numeral has been put into the device by the movement of a dial, the total, or the remainder, is shown at once in the sight opening 16.

If it is desired so to do, the column of numbers can be added on the machine in the same manner that they are added mentally, that is, by adding the units column first, the tens column next and the hundredtlls column next, and so on and Whenever ten is reached in any column, the transfer is made. For example, commencing at the bottom, or at the top, of a column of figures, all of the numerals of the units column can be put into the machine by manipulating the units dial. After all of the units column has been put into the machine, all of the tens column is put into the machine without regard to carrying any amount from the units column. hen the tens column is all put into the machine by manipulating the tens dial, then the hundredths column is put into the machine by manipulating the. hundredths dial in the same manner. The total will be the same as if the numbers were put into the machine as they are put into an ordinary adding machine by manipulating the keys, or as before described.

No mental work need be done other tha what is required to manipulate the machine. The transfers are automatically taken care of and are accurately made at the time they occur, and the tens or hundreds, as the case may be, is carried forward mechanically during the manipulation of the machine.

I am aware that changes can be made in the embodiment here shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, limit the invention to the showings made for purposes of illustration, except as I may be limited by a broad interpretation of the hereto appended claims.

I claim,-

1. In an adding and subtracting machine of the character referred to, two disk counter dials of different diameters mounted concentrically one above the other, a transfer member mounted upon the lower dial outside the periphery of the upper dial and moving therewith and adapted to be positively moved into and out of operating engagement with the peripheral edge of the upper dial for moving it therewith, and a fixed cam disk of intermediate diameter interposed between said dials and normally holding said transfer member out of engagement with said upper dial as it moves with the lower dial, said cam disk being adapted at one place to positively move said transfer member into and out of engagement with said upper dial for moving the latter a step, substantially as described.

2. In an adding machine, two counter dials of different diameters, concentrically mounted, a cam disk mounted therebetween and being of an intermediate diameter, one of said counter dials having its edges adapted to be engaged by a transfer member, a transfer member carried by the other counter dial and normally held out of engagement with said first counter dial by said cam disk, and a cam portion on said cam disk for operating said transfer member.

3. An adding and subtracting machine comprising in combination a bottom index dial and a top index dial having index characters arranged in reversed order circumferentially thereof, counter dials concentrically disposed between said index dials and movable circumferentially in both directions, pivotally mounted transfer levers carried by some of said counter dials and adapted each to engage an adjacent counter dial and move it with the dial upon which said transfer member is mounted, and cam members for rocking said pivoted transfer members into and out of transfer engagement with the adjacent counter dials, substantially as described.

Signed at Portland, Multnomah county, Oregon, this 6th day of February, 1914.

FRED W. RODOLF.

In presence of- F. A. BULLINGTON, R. 'B. FRENCH.

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