US1322329A - Computing-kachine - Google Patents

Description

A. A. MoTHs. COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED API'LZI. 1917- 1 ,$22,329. Patented Nov. 18, 1919.4

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR ATTORI\IEY6a A.A.MOTH&

COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2I. 1911.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNIESSES:

@I ff/M l /ATIOIIIIEY AUGUST A. MOTIIS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

COMPUTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

'Application filed `April 21, 1917. Serial No. 163,541.

To all whom z'tfmag/ concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST A. MoTHs, a citizen ofthe UnitedStates,residing at the city of lWilwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of `-Wisconsimhave invented new and useful Improvements in Computing- Machines, ofwhieh the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in computing machines. The object of my invention is to provide a form of construction suitable for all ordinary requirements, but which can be manufactured for a small fraction of the costheretofore incurred in manufacturing computing machinesfor like purposes. A further object ofmy invention is to provide a machine oflight weight, compact and durable structure, which can lbe easily and accurately.manipulated by an 1nexperienced userto perform operations in addition or subtraction. A further object of my invention is to provide simple means for the correction of errorsin setting slides, whereby the counting wheels may be retracted, and the slides reset, preparatory to the recording operation.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 isa plan-view of'a three slide machine, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the top portion ofrthc machine as seen from the underside, showing the number slides, printing slides and computing wheels.

F ig. 3 is a view o-f my improved machine in longitudinal section, drawn to 'a vertical plane extending between the slides.

Fig'. 4: is a fragmentary sectional view of the computing wheels'and their supporting shaft, drawn to ajvertical plane, exposing the shaft and cutting the top plate and window slide.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

The casing 1 includes the base plate, sideand end walls. The top plate 2 is in the form of a cap having depending flanges 3 and 4. The cap is provided with a bottom wall 5, extending forwardly for a short distance from the rear end wall 3, thereby strengthening this portion of the cap. A horizontal pivot pin 7 extends transversely through the cap near the rear-end, and pivotally connects the cap with the side walls ofl the casing y1.

The top plate v2 is provided with-a set of longitudinallslots 9 in its rear end portion, and a set of sight apertures 11 in its central portion. A set of slide bars 13 are mounted'insuitable guide ways 1li, on the under surface of the top plate, and these slide bars 13 are provided with upwardly projecting operating handles 15, which extend through the slots 9, as shown, whereby the slides may be drawn forwardly a distance equal to the length of the slots, there being one slide for each slot, and the surface of the plate 2 beingprovided with an index numbering from cipher to nine inclusive, from the rear end ofthe slotV inwardly tothe front end near the corresponding sight aperture 11. `When the slides-,are-in normal position their operating handles 15will be located at the rear ends of the slots, beyond the zero mark of the index, and `at a distance therefrom substantially equal to the distance between successive in dex marks.

Each slide may also be provided with a pointer 17, which registers with the zero mark ofthe index when the'slide is in its normal position, whereby when the slide is pushed forwardly, or drawn forwardly, this pointer may be brought into registry successively with the several index marks or numerals.

The rear portion of each slide'lS is formed with a set of rack teeth 19, in mesh'with the teeth 21 of a'ratchet wheel 23 loosely mounted upon a supporting cross shaft 2A. Num ber wheels 25 are mounted upon the same shaft 2.1, one number wheel being employed for each ratchetwheel, and-actuated therefrom by a spring actuated dog 27 connected with the ratchet wheel, and adapted to engage in any one of a series of notches 29 formed in the side of the number wheel. The dog 27 preferably comprises a lip, cut from a disk 31 formed of spring metal and secured to t-he side of the ratchet wheel, this disk serving as a spacer between the ratchet wheel and the number wheel. The disk is somewhat larger in diameter thanthe ratchet wheel, and is therefore adapted to serve as a guide for one side of the corresponding slide bar 13, which actua-tes such ratchet wheel. When a slide 13 is pulled forward, by means ofits operating handle 15, the ratchet wheel, which it engages, will be actuated in J(he direction indicated by the arrow in Fig'. 2,

and the number wheel, with which said ratchet wheel is associated, will be actuated in the same direction by dog 27 engaging in one of the notches 29. On the return stroke of the slide the ratchet wheel will be rotated in the opposite direction, but the number wheel will be held against rotation by a spring actuated dog 33 connected with the frame at 35, and adapted to engage any one of the notches 29 of the number wheel, thereby locking the number wheel, or counting wheel, against backward rotation. The dog 27 will be pushed laterally out of each notch 29 with which it registers, the rear side of each notch having an inclined face 39 adapted for this purpose. Similarly, when the counting wheel is rotated during the forward movement of its actuating slide 13, the spring actuated dog 33 will be pushed laterally out of the notches with which it registers, successively.

Each number wheel 25 is provided on its outer face, e. the side face opposite that on which its actuating ratchet is located) with a set of teeth 41, in mesh with the teeth 13 of a transferring wheel 45, mounted upon back shaft 47. This transferring wheel carries a dog L19 adapted to engage any one of the notches 29 of the next succeeding number wheel on shaft 24, once during each revolution of transferring wheel 45, thereby advancing the succeeding number wheel rotatably a distance equal to the distance between successive notches 29. In this manner each complete revolution of a number wheel may be indicated upon the next succeeding number wheel by advancing the latter one notch. p

Each of the number wheels is provided with two annular rows of numbers or characters ranging from zero to nine inclusive, (one number or character'being provided adjacent to each notch 29 in the side of the wheel), there being ten notches 29. One set of numbers is arranged for counting or adding purposes, with the zero character normally exposed at the sight opening, and the successive characters or number being exposed in natural order at the sight opening. When the slide moves forwardly, the arrangement is such that when the slide pointer has advanced from normal zero position to the numeral 1 of the index, adjacent to the slot 9 occupied by the pointer, the number wheel will be advanced to expose the numeral 1 at the sight opening, provided the rotation of the number wheel has started from the normal zero point. If the slide be then returned to normal position and again advanced to bring the pointer to the numeral 1 of the index the corresponding number wheel will be rotated one notch to expose the numeral 2 at the sight opening, so far as the described set of numerals is concerned, this set being hereinafter termed the right hand set of numerals.

But the left hand set of numerals is reversed in order of arrangement. Each of these numerals is positioned at the side and to the left of the numerals of the right hand set, but the numerals of the left hand set extend around the wheel in reverse order, the numeral 9 of the left hand set being associated with the numeral 1 of the right hand set. The sight openings 11 are elongated sufliciently to expose both numerals, i. e., one numeral of each set. But, underneath the sight openings I have provided a transverse slide 48, having an operating lip 49 at one side of the machine, and provided with apertures 51 of less size than the sight aperture 11 in the transverse dimension, and so arranged as to size and location that only one set of numerals, on each number wheel, will be exposed, the slide being capable of adjustment transversely of the machine to expose one numeral of either the right hand or left hand sets.

lVith the above arrangement the slide 48 will be adjusted to ex ose the right hand numerals on each num er wheel, when the slides are being actuated for the purpose of addition. lVhen they are to be actuated for the purpose of subtraction slide 48 will be adjusted to expose the left hand numerals on the respective wheels, and it will be assumed for the purpose of computation that each zero character represents 10, the final or right hand zero character being assumed to represent ten decimals, in case the subraction is to be carried into fractions of a unit.

@affecting operations.

The resilient dogs 33 may be retracted by a set of wedge members 60 mounted upon the lower ends of vertically extending rods 61, the upper ends of which project through the cap, and are provided with knobs 62. These rods extend through a friction bar 63, whereby they tend to remain in any position of vertical adjustment to which they may be manually moved by means of the knobs 62. By pushing downwardly on the knobs 62 the dogs 33 may be crowded laterally by the wedge members 60, whereby backward rotation of the number wheels will be permitted.

Printing without adding.

' The cage 64 in which the number wheels are mounted, may be swung downwardly upon its pivotal connection with the flanges 4 at 65, thus disengaging the pinions 23 from the rack teeth 19 on the slides. This may be done by a crank 66 located at the opposite end of the cage, and which is utilized to support the cage with the pinions either in or out of mesh with the racks. When out of mesh, the slides may be actuated to position for printing the totals exposed at the sight openings, without actuating the num,- ber Wheels.

Resettz'ag operations.

A knob 67, connected with cross shaft 24 on. which ythe number wheels are rotatably mounted, may be manually actuated to rotatev the number wheels forwardly independently of the slides and pinions. Each nmnfberwheel is provided with a resilient catch 68, adapted to engage in a notch (S9-in` The printing mec/71 (mism.

Each of the slide bars 13 is provided with an extension 75 having printing characters 77 disposed along its under surface. When the slide bars are pulled forwardly these printing` characters are carried over the surface of an inking roller 79, having a shaft 80 ournaled in elbowed supporting arms 81, at the respective ends of t-he shaft 80. The lower ends of the supporting arms are pivoted to a cross shaft 83, and a spring S5 tends to hold these supporting arms with roller 80 in a. raised position, and in contact with the characters on the extension bars 75. Airink reservoir 87 may also be mounted upon the supporting arms S1, the lower surface of roller 79 being in contact with the ink in said reservoir. The ink will preferably be in the forni of a paste, and the reservoir will be yieldingly held to the roller 79 in accordance with common practice where 'inling rollers are to be employed. The

inking roller 79 will be actuated by frictional contact of the printing characters 77 with its upper surface. The printing charactersy will ordinarily comprise numerals corresponding with those displayed upon the number wheels.

l/Vhen the slides have been adjusted in a position for adding the desired number, the cap or top plate Q, may be pushed downwardly at its front end, said top plate 2 swinging upon its `pivotal connection with the casing at 7, near its rear end. In this manner the printing characters representing the proper number may be brought into contact with the record strip of paper 88, which extends over a platen 90, the strip of paper 8S being advanced preparatory to each printing operation by a partial rotation of the platen 90,.motion for this purpose being transmitted from the arms S1 through a set of pawls 91 and ratchet wheels 92, mounted on the respective ends of the platen. A spring actuated dog 93, adapted to engage the same atchet wheels, prevents backward rotation of the platen.

In the .construction shown, the record strip is initially wound upon a roller 95, in the rear end of the machine. Thestrip passes from-this .roller 95 over a suitable guide 96, which curves upwardly from an intermediate pointe in the bottom of the casing, and partially encircles the platen on the front side, whereby the paper is held to the platen, and is fed over the latter step by step to the rear end portion ofy the machine, where it passes .over another guide 97, adapted to carry it over the roller 'to the exterior.

t will, of course, be understood that the printing characters 77 are so arranged upon they slide extension 7 5 that when a slide 13 has been advanced toexpose any given numeral at the sight opening pertaining to such slide, a similar type numeral, or printing character representing. it, will be positioned for printing` contact with the paper on the platen, when the top plate is depressed. F or example, if one of the slides 13 is advanced to add the number 3 upon the unit number wheel, the unit slide extension 75 will be advanced to bring the type numeral 3 into printing position. As soon as..

the printing operation is completed and the manual pressure upon the top plate-released, said top plate will be raised to normal position by the actuating springs of the arms S1, exerting pressure through the inking roller 7 9'upon the under surfaces-of the slide extensions 75. lllhen the slides are next advanced and a second printing operationperformed by again depressing the top plate, the downward. movementof the top plate will, while pressing` the inking roller 79 downwardly and backwardly, also actuate the platen 90 by means of the pawls 91 to advance the record strip S8 and its printed numerals, thereby presenting an imprinted surface for. the next printing. operation.

lWhen subtracting, it will of course be understood that the column of figures representing an addition column on the record strip will be closed by printing the total in. the manner above described, viz: by depressing` the cage to disengage the pinions from the rack teeth on the slides, and then adjusting the slides to a position indicating the total exposed by the number wheels at the sight openings. Printing characters on the slideextensions which will then be in printing position will also represent the total, and by depressing the top plate this total may be printed.

In order that the total. may be separated from the foot of the column to be added, I provide each slide with a dash or period at its extremity, which dash or period will be in printing position when the slide is in its normal retracted posit-ion. Therefore,l by depressing the top plate when all the slides are in normal retracted position a line of dashes or periods may be printed upon the record sheet. The total may thereafter' be printed below this line.

Vhen subtracting operations are to be performed, the total of the addition column will be printed on the record sheet, after which the number to be subtracted Will be printed thereon in the same manner as when adding, except, of course, that before adjusting the slides in correspondence with the number to be subtracted, the sight controlling slide 48 will be adjusted to expose the subtraction numerals, and conceal the addition numerals with which the number wheels are provided. Therefore, when the slides are adjusted to a position for printing the number to be subtracted, the number wheels will show the result, such result being obtained by complemental addition, the left hand numeral in the column above the highest numeral in the total previously printed being disregarded in readingr the figures or numbers exposed by the number wheels. The total thus indicated will then be printed upon the record strips as in total printing, the cage being first depressed, and the slides adjusted to print the result of the subtraction process.

lVhere a seriesof numbers are to be subtracted, the operation as above described may be repeated, thereby separately subtracting each successive number. But if the series to be subtracted is lengthy, it will, of course, be found more desirable to print the total of the addition column, and then reset the number wheels to zero, and add the series of numbers to be subtracted as in ordinary addition, after which their total may be printed. When by resetting the number wheels to indicate the first total, and subsequently adjusting the sight controlling slide 48 to expose the subtraction numerals, and then actuating the slides in correspondence with the subtraction total previously ascertained, the inal result will be indicated upon the .number wheels. Thereupon, the cage will be depressed, and the slides adjusted to print the indicated result upon the record strip.

It is possible to have two sets of characters or marks on the extremities of the slides, one set comprising dashes and the other comprising periods. The dashes may then be used under an addition column and the dots or periods may be used under a subtraction column.

Vliile T have illustrated the springs 85 as utilized to elevate the inling roller, the top plate and the slides, I do not limit the scope of my invention to this particular means of readjustment, it being immaterial whether the top plate and slides are resiliently lifted or manually readjusted, or otherwise carried to normal position after printing operations.

A clearing slide 107 is preferably mounted upon the under side of the top plate between the top plate and the slides, in a position to move rearwardly and adjust all the computing slides back to normal position simultaneously by engaging their operating handles 15.

I claim:

l. A computing machine, including the combination of a slide carrying top plate pivotally supported at its rear end, a series of number wheels supported from the top plate, and provided with pinions of less diameter than the wheels, a set of slides carried by the top plate and mounted for longitudinal movement thereon between the upper portions of the number wheels, each slide being provided with depending printing characters at one end, and rack teeth at the other end, normally in mesh with one of said pinions, and a platen adapted to support a record strip in the path of printing characters on the slides when the latter are swung downwardly by a depression of the top plate.

2. In a computing machine, the combination with a casing provided with a platen roller, and means for feeding a record strip over said platen, a slide carrying plate having its rear end pivotally connected with the casing and its front end overhanging said platen, the rear portion of said plate being slotted and provided with index numerals adjacent to the slots, a set of slides mounted on the under side of the top plate, and provided with actuating members extending through said slots, a set of printing characters mounted in lineal series on the front end portions of said slides, and adapted to be advanced successively to positions above the platen by adjustment of the slides along the top plate, said printing characters being arranged in correspondence with the index characters, whereby the actuating members mayindicate upon the index the position of the printing characters, and means for resiliently supporting the top plate at a distance from the platen, said top plate being adapted to be manually depressed to bring the printing characters into contact with the record strip on the platen when such characters are adjusted in printing position by actuation of the slides.

3. In a computing machine, the combination with a supporting casing, of a top plate having one end pivotally connected with the casing, a Cage having hinged connectionv with the top plate, a set of number wheels mounted in the cage, a set of slides carried by the top plate, means for transmitting motion from the slides to the number wheels,

said top plate being provided with a set of index characters, and the slides being provided with actuating members arranged to travel along the index, whereby the position of each slide may be indicated by the index, and means for moving the cage to carry the number wheels into and out of operative relation to the slides.

4. In a computing machine, the combination with a supporting casing, of a top plate having one end pivotally connected with the casing, a cage having hinged connection with the top plate, a set of number wheels mounted in the cage, a set of slides carried by the top plate, means for transmitting motion from the slides to the number wheels, said top plate being provided with a set of index characters, and the slides being provided with actuating members arranged to travel along the index,rwhereby the position of each slide may be indicated by the index, means for moving the cage to carry the number wheels into and out of operative relation to the slides, and means for resetting the number wheels in Zero position when out of operative relation to the slides.

5. In a computing machine, the con'ibination with the casing, provided with a top plate pivotally connected with the casing near one end, a set of slides mounted upon the top plate for longitudinal movement, and provided with depending teeth, a cage having one end in hinged connection with the top plate, a set of pinions v rotatably mounted in the cage, each pinion having teeth in'mesh with the teeth on one of the slides, a set of number wheels mounted in the cage, means for transmitting motion in one direction' from each pinion to one of the number Wheels, manual devices for swinging the cage upon said hinged connection to disengage the pinions from the teeth on the slides, and means for manually resetting the number wheels when the pinions are disengaged from such slides.

6. In a computing machine, the combination with a roller platen arranged to support and advance a paper record strip, a carrier provided with printing characters resiliently supported out of contact with the record strip and platen, an inking roller resiliently supported for contact with said printing characters and adapted to yield when such characters are actuated in the direction of the record strip and platen, and means for transmitting yielding movements of the inking roller supports to actuate the platen for advancement of the record sheet step by step.

7. In a computing machine, the combina tion with a roller platen adapted to support a record strip, a set of resiliently supported arms, an inking roller journaled in said arms, pawl and ratchet mechanism arranged to transmit motion from said arms to the platen to rotate the latter step by step, a set of printing characters, means for manually adjusting said characters successively in printing position with reference to the platen, and means for simultaneously actuating said characters in the direction of the platen, and depressing said supporting arms of the inking roller.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST A. MOTHS.

Vitnesses OTTILIA C. WEBER, FREDERICK W. NOI/rn.

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