US1341962A - Calculator - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jmu L 192% n. A. WRENN,

CALCULATOR.

APPLICATION man APH. 4. 1917. RENEWEU ma,

ATTORNEYS m QT wir

fiiigi fyi H. A. WRENN.

CALCULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4. 1917. RENEWED DEC. 24, I9I'9. Y

' 1,341,962. Patented June 1, 19201,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. A. WRENN.

CALCULATOR.

APPLICATION man APR.4,1917. AENEWED DEC. 24. |919.

1934192- Patented June l, 1920.J

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

, 5% urli/Hm@ l @A TTOBWE YS UNITED STATES PATENT oF-FICE.

HERBERT A. WRNN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFl COLUMBIA, ASSIG-NOR- TO THE tURENN ADDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

A CORIORATION OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CALCULATOR.

. Application led April 4, 1917, Serial No. 159,696.

To all lwhom t 'may concern.'

Be `it known that I, HERBERT A. VRENN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of lVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Calculators, of which the following is a specification. Y My present invention relates generally to calculators and consists` more particularly in certain improvements o ver and in connection with my Patent, No. 1,181,819, dated May 2, 1916.

The primary object of my present 11nprovement is to provide means in connection with the well known chain type of calculators, whereby to effectively prevent overrunning either in the manipulation of the chains in use or the resetting of the series of number vwheels, and a further object relates more particularly to improvements in the zero setting mechanism.

Still further .objects relating for the most part to details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described, will be better understood from the following' description of the construction, arrangement and operation of the several part-s, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formi ing a part of this application, whereinf Figure 1 is a: front elevation of my improved calculator, partly broken away and in section,

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on line z-Q ot Fig. v1`

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view orl one -V of the transfer levers.

Fig. -l is a detail perspective view ot ,one of the chain locking plat-cs,

Fig. 5 is a detail horzontal section taken substantially on line of Fig. 1.

Fig'. G is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to the lower portion of 2.

Figs.` 7 and 9 are vertical sections taken on line 8 8 of Fig. '1. illustrating two positions of one of the number wheels.y in conneet-ion with portions of the transfer mechanism,

Fig'. 9 isa sectional view along a similar linelooking in the opposite direction.

Fig. 10`is a detail perspective view ot a portion of one of the chains, y

Figs; 11 and 12 are respectively' a side Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1920.

Renewed December 24, 1919.` Serial No. 347,195.

forming between them channels in which the Chains 1S travel, and the keyboard as seen particularly at 19 in Fig. 5 having recesses in the `bases of the channels between the guides 1T into which the numbered strips 20 are disposed either with or without protecting coverings 21 of glass. mica or other suitable transparent or translucent material.

The casing 16 has a front opening exposing the .major portion ot the surface of the y keyboard and has upper and lower front wall sections Q2 and 23, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper section 22 of which is provided with a. series of horizontally alined and spaced openings 24 in alinement with the channels between the several guides 17 of the keyboard` and the lower section 23` of which is provided with an upper edge-25 adjacent tliellower portion or the keyboard, which l'orins a permanent rigid stop for the. operatous fingers working downwardly in the channels ot' the keyboard in the operation ot the machine as presently described.

Mounted through the upper portions of the side walls oit the Ytraine l5 is a shat't 26 on which are a series of number wheels 27 equal in number to the openings i4 of.' 'the casing and the channels ot the keyboard, each of said wheels having a tooth-like numbered peripheral surface, the grooves 28 between the numbered facets oli which receive thecross bars 29 of the links of the respective chain 18,the chain passing upwardly around the number wheel as seen particularly in Fig. 2 and as well known in this un of each chain entends 'uide cha nucl of the keyin Fig. 2, the lower end of the chain passing 'around a cross bar 30 secured through the upper fr'ee ends of the extensions 31 of a U-shaped tension member, the lower cross bar 32 of which is engaged by the'forward hook end of a spring 33, the latter anchored to a stationary cross bar 34 of the frame 15.

Each of the extensions 31 of each tension member has a V-shaped notch in its rear edge adjacent the cross bar 32 for the reception of the forward downwardly inclined knife edge 85 of a bearing cross bar 3G, which permits the tension member to yield on the bearing thus formed without undue friction as each link of its respective chain 18 passes therearound, as plainly seen by a comparisonof Figs. 2 and 6, such movement of course being under tension of the spring 33.

It is understood, of course,that the tension members extend in a series alined with the several operating' chains 18 and that the numbered facets of the number wheels 2.7 are arranged to show through the openings 24 of the casing so that by placing his linger upon that cross bar of the chain 18 in one of the channels immediately below the desired number in the base of the channel, the operator by then moving his finger downwardly until further motion is arrested by the stop 25, may turn the respective number' wheel to show the desired numberthrough the respective sight opening 24.

In starting operation with the several number wheels in the Zero position shown in Fig. 1, the first channel at the right hand side is utilized unless a number consisting of more than one figure is to be registered.

The transfer mechanism includes a cross rod 37 at the rear of and/ parallel with the shaft 2G on which are pivoted at their rear ends a plurality of transfer arms 38, these arms being positioned between the several number wheels 27 and provided at one side with intermediate laterally projecting rollers 39, the forward extremities of these 'arms being pivotally connected to the upper extremities of forwardly and downwardly inclined transfer levers 40, de pending in a series in spaced relation beneath the keyboard 19, with their lower offset ends 41 working through a transverse guide bar 42 and provided with upwardly inclined lower angular extremities 43, the lower extremity of each lever being thus positioned in vertical alinement with the lower portion of the chain 18 of the next adjacent number wheel to the left thereof.

Each of the number wheels 2T has at its left side a laterally projecting cam 44, which in the rotation of the number wheel in operation works against the rollerI 39 vof its respective transfer arm 38 to gradually lift the same a distance equal to the length which permits the roller 39 and the respec` tive arm 38 to drop when the end of the cam is reached and provide for lowering movement of the respective transfer lever 40, the lower angular extension 43 of which operates against that cross bar of its respective operating chain 18, previous to which it has been elevated above, to thus force the chain downwardly and rotate the corresponding number wheel a single space. To this end each transfer lever 40 is engaged at an intermediate point by the upper end of a spring 46 the lower end of which is anchored to the guide bar 42 before mentioned.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be noted that each number wheel 27 is provided with a laterally projecting pin 47 `spaced from the upper portion of the cam shoulder 45 a distance just suiiicient to admit of the passage of the respective roller 39 between f moves over the end of the cam so as to thus promptly and effectively check further movement of the respective number wheel and obviate the danger of overrunning in the operation of the Zero mechanism t0 be presently described.

lirconstructing the apparatus the first number wheel at the right is preferably set slightly in advance of the others in respect to its direction of rotation in order to provide for the release of the parts operating the next adjacent number wheel of the series, slightly in advance of all others, in the zero setting operation in the linterest of which an operating handle 48 is provided as best seen in Fig. 1, having a socket portion 49 extending through an opening in one side of the casing 16 and engaging the adjacent end of the shaft 26 whereby rotation of the handle will impart similar rotation to the shaft.

Each of the number wheels 27 has a hub portion 50 loosely disposed on the shaft 2G as best seen in Fig. 9 and is further provided with a radial spring arm 51 anchored thereto at theouter end of the arm, the inner end of which projects through a` slot 52 of the hub 50 for engagement with the periphery of the shaft 26. Adjacent each of the wheels the shaft i: cut away to form a shoulder over which the end of the spring 51 freely passes in the normal rotation of the number wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9, at the same time providing for engagementof the shoulder with the inner end of the spring arm i the number wheels will be reset to the Zero position as shown in Fig. l.

In order to 'prevent movement of the handle 48 beyond the full stroke whereby to prevent overrunnng of the shaft 26, a spring stop preferably of the form shown in Figs. ll and l2 is utilized attached to the adjacent side wall of the casing 16,this spring stop including an upwardly projecting spring arm 54 having a cam shaped head 55 which, in the movement of the lever 48 toward the stop in the direction of the arrow of Fig. l1 is engaged by a laterally projecting pin 56 of the said lever to move the spring arm 54 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1l. The arm has a horizontal angular stop piece 57 below its head 55 into engagement with which the pin 56 moves when the arm 5l is in the dotted line Aposition of Fig. l1, so as to prevent `further downward movement of the I lever, the pin 5G being then in the position shown in dotted lines at 56L in Fig. 1l, and the arm 54: being prevented from return movement from its position shown in dotted lines in Fig. ll by virtue of a shoulder 58 above which the Vlever pin 5G must be subsequentlyelevated. When the pin is elevated the spring arm 54 will return to the 'operating chain, in movement normal position in full lines in Fig. l1 and the lever will then be free for subsequent movement in the next Zero setting operation in the proper direction, its movement in the reverse direction lbeing prevented by a lug 59 of the spring arm 54.

It is obvious that in the operation ot a calculator of the present type a hurried or jerky motion of the operators fingers, even though limited to some extent by the stop 25 ot the casing, is calculated tobring about overrunning of the operating` chains at times, and thus over-'running of the number wheels, a disadvantage which l seek to overcome by the provision of means capable et movement adjacent the stop 25 in normal ope 'ation and which, upon engagement by the operators lingers. will etiectively lock the chains against further movement and thus against overrunning.

l therefore provide an upwardly and rea rwardly inclined locking plate (it) as shown in Fig. l having its uppe angular end Gl extending into the lower open end or the respective Ouide channel of the keyboard lil, and provided at its lower end with depending side arms G2, the lower extremities ot' which are pivotally mounted upon the projecting extremities of the cross rod 30 ot the respective tension member 8l before described, so that as each link oit the respective around the cross rod 30, rocks the respeIl ive member 31, -the respe will be elevated to t end 61, normally hush shown in Fig. 2, to a pont'above the said stop as shown in Fig. 6. Thus as each cross bar of each of the chains reaches the stop 25, the respective stop plate 6() will be in course of elevation, and upon being engaged by the operators finger, will lock the tension member, and in this manner act as an effective check against further and overrunning movement ot' the respective operating chain. lt is thus obvious from the foregoing that my invention providesa calculator of the present type capable of a generally more effective and more eiiicient operation in uses to which such an apparatus is generally assigned, and that vmy improvements in each instance materially contribute to greater usefulness and capabilities without adding materially to the constructive cost thereof and without unduly con'iplicating the same.

l claim l. A lalculating apparatus of the character described including a keyboard, a series of number wheels above the keyboard, link operating chains, the upper runs of which extend over the keyboard and which project around the number wheels at their upper ends, tension members at the lower ends of the chains, each of saidtension members including a pivoted U-shaped piece, the `free lends of which are connected by a rod around which the lower end of the respective chain pas; springs engaging the cross-bars of said U-shaped tension members, and `locking plates. adjacent the lower end of the keyboard pivotally connected to the said tension members and vertically shittable upon rocking movements ot the said tension members, for the purpose described.

2. A calculating apparatus of the characterV described including a keyboard, a series of number wheels above the keyboard, link operating chains, 'the upper runs of which extend over the keyboard and which project around the number wheels at their upper ends, tension members at the lo ver ends ot the chains, each of said tension members inclluling a pivoted ntl-sliaped piece, the free ends ot which are connected by a rod around which the lower end of the respective chain passes, springs engaging theI ross bars ot said U-shaped tension members, and locking plates adjacent the lower end otthe keyboard pivotally connecte( members and vcrticalljv s ing movements ot the s l tension mei said locking plates having the upjazr ai finger engaging ends and provided depending side extensions having apertures at their lower ends receiving the estremi- 'ties ot the cross rods ot the tension mefnbers.

8. calculating apparatus ot the chaisacter described comprisinfy r ke series of number wheels at the 'upper the keyboard` link oj'iafra'iing chains llO ends around the said number wheels, tension members engaging said chains at their lower ends and vertically shiftable locking members operating adjacent the lower end of the keyboard and connected to, and shiftable vertically by, the said tension members.

4. A calculating apparatus of the character described having a keyboard provided withl channels, finger actuated chains movable in said channels, number wheels at the upper end of the keyboard around which the upper ends of the chains travel, tension members around portions of which the lower ends of said chains extend, and locking members for checkingr movement of the chains consisting of' plates adjacent the lower end of the keyboard having upper angular ends extending into the lower ends of the said channels of the keyboard and connected at their lower ends to and shiftable by the said tension members.

5. A calculating apparatus of the character described having a keyboard, a series of' number wheels, link operating chains extending over the keyboard and around said number wheels at one end, tension members engaging said chains at their opposite. ends 'and means connected to said tension members and manually actuated to check movement oi said chains.

(l. In an apparatus of the character described thc combination of operating chains, a keyboard on which the said cha-ins operate having a finger stop and manually actuated means adjacent the finger stop for checking movement of the chains.A

7. In an apparatus olf the character described the combination o'lE operating chains,

' a kevboard on which the said chains operate,

having a linger stop and manually actuated means adjacent the finger stop for checking movement ot' the chains, said means consisting of' vertically shi'f'table locking members normally moved by the chains.

8. In an apparatus otI the character described, the combination of a keyboard having a lower finger stop, number wheels, operating chains extending over the keyboard and around the number wheels, means to tension the said chains, and means to prevent overrunning of the chains in use consisti ,g of' members arranged adjacent the said linger stop and vertically reciprocated during normal movement of the said chains, whereby pressure upon the said members will check movement of` the said chains.

9. In a calculator of the type described, a series of number wheels, a series of operating chains extending at one end around said number wheels and tension members at the opposite ends of said chains including U-shaped pieces having their extensions provided with inteimediate V-shaped recesses` a cross bar connecting the extensions olE said members and around which the adjacent end of therespective chain passes, and a cross bar forming a bearing for said tension members and having a knife edge extending into the V-shaped recesses of the4 said members.

l0. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of operating chains, a keyboard on which said chains operate, and manually controlled means adjacent the lower portion of the keyboard for checking movement of the chains.

l1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of operating chains, a keyboard on which said chains operate, and a finger engaging member for each chain for checking movement thereof, arranged in the path of movement of the chain.

l2. In anapparatus of the character described, a calculating mechanism including by checking of movement of the stop mem-- bers will check the operating members and prevent their overrunning. f

13. In an apparatus off the character described, the combination oi an endless movable operating member and a manually controlled stop member normally moved by the operating member and disposed adjacent to the path of movement thereof.

14. In apparatus of' the character described. the combination with a totalij/,er` olf a movable endless belt operating member therefor, adapted to be shifted by the finger of' the operator or by a stylus held in the hand of' the operator, and means to hold the endless belt operating member against overrunning nuivenunt, said means being a1'- ra'nged near the endless belt operating member to be actuated by the finger or stylus which is employed to move the endless belt operating member.

15. In appa "atus of the character described, the combination with a totalizer, of a movable operating member therefor, adapted to be shifted longitudinally by the finger of the operator or a stylus held in the hand of the operator, and means to prevent over-running movement of the movable operating member, including an element arranged near and upon one side of the movable operating member to be thereby dislposed in the path of travel of the finger or indicia bearing member and adapted to be operated by the finger or stylus simultaneously With the operating member whereby the indicia bearing member Will be checked stylus held in the hand ofthe operator, and

means arranged in the path of travel of the nger or stylus for checking the rotation of said rotating element.

18. In a device of the type described a totalizer, an operating member therefor'embodying a plurality of simultaneously shiftable elements adapted to be engaged by the finger of the operator or a stylus held in the hand of the operator, and means for locking said operating member against movement in one direction when the operating member has been shifted a predetermineddistance.

19. Ina device of the type described, a totalizer, an operating member therefor, embodying a member adapted to be shifted by the nger of the operator', or aYY stylus held in the'hand of the operator, and means adjacent' said operating member and operated simultaneously therewith when the operating member has been shifted a predetermined distance,' for checking the motion of 3b said totalizer. y

HERBERT A. WRENN. Witnesses:

STERLING H. WA'rso, LINwooD A. WALTERS.

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