US1484236A - Wetter - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 19 1924., 1,484,236

F. RAUCHWETTER TRANSFER mmcmmxsm FOR CALCULATING m0 HINES File y 19. 1921 S Sheets-Sheet 1 W/fnessas Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,236

F. RAUCHWETTER TRANSFER maczmnxsm FOR CALCULATING MACHINES F le y 19. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvemar: -M

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m'fncss cs Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,236

' F. RAUCHWETTER 'ramswm macrmmsu FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed 19. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jnventar: M44 5.

nitcv'n y mlness es counter, without a transfer taking Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR CALCULATING MACHINES.

Application filed May 19,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that FRANZ RAUCHWETTER, deceased, late a citizen of the German Republic, and residing at Berlin, Friedenau, Germany, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transfer Mechanism for Calculating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to calculating machines of the type, in which the counter is raised and lowered in order to bring the gear wheels of the said counter out of, or into, engagement with the toothed gearing actuating sectors or the like, operated from the key board or equivalent part of the machine.

A calculating machine of this kind is described and shown in the United States patent-specification No. 1,239,622. There the racks of the transfer-mechanism are lifted and lowered.

The present invention now relates to the provision of a novel kind of a tens transfer mechanism in calculating machines of a similar type, the arrangement being such that the counting mechanism, by lowering it, is made to engage racks of the transfermechanism, whereas by lifting the counting mechanism this latter is disengaged from those racks.

It has been found in practice that with calculating machines of the type mentioned in the first paragraph after the preamble in general and in the second paragraph in particular, more especially when they are driven mechanically, for instance by an electric motor, there is a tendency for inaccuracies to be causeddue to the momentum of the parts.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means in connection with the transfer mechanism, for ensuring the accurate Working of the machine, whether simple numbers are being transmitted to the place, or from one when a'transfer is taking place through numerical place to the next, or several numerical places.

To prevent .overrunning of the counting mechanism, it has already been proposed to utilize the racks for preventing overrunning as driving elements for carrying through the operation of the transfer mechanism.

1921. Serial N0. 471,014.

It has also been proposed to so construct the operating and transfer devices of a totalizing counter that the counter is in engagement with one or other of the said devices at all periods of operation.

he characteristic feature of the invention consists in connectingto the arms or levers supporting the counter mechanism, the racks which on the one hand operate the transfer and on the other hand lock the toothed wheel from overrunning, so that on lowering or raising the counter the engagement or disengagement as the case may be of the locking or transfer racks with the wheels of the counter is effected.

Other features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description .In order that our said invention may be more clearly understood, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, one method of carrying it into practical effect.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the actuating gear of the counter in a position just before the transfer takes place.

ig. 2 is a corresponding front elevation.

Fig. 3 is'a side elevation showing the position of the parts ready for the transfer, that is to say with the transfer lever set into position.

Fig. 4: is a side elevation showing the ppsition just after the transfer has taken p ace.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show the mechanism for restoring the locking racks to their original position.

In Figs. discs of the 1 and 2, 1 represents the number counter, provided with the numbers 09. These number discs are driven in a well known manner by toothed gearing 2, 2 for each numerical unit, 2 denoting the gearing for addition, and 2 the gearing for subtraction. 3 is the corre sponding actuating sector, operated from t e key board or the like and adapted to drive the counter gearing in the positive direction for addition or in the negative direction for subtraction whenever the gearing of the counter is engaged with the ac tuating sector 3, by the lowering of the said counter, as illustrated at Fig. 3.

Each of the number discs is provided with a pin 4: of the usual description for effecting the transfer, which co-operates with the transfer lever 6 pivotally mounted at 5.

For this purpose the transfer lever 6 is provided with a V shaped projection 7 which projects into the path of the pin 1, in

such a way that when the number disc 1 is turned in the direction for adding, that is in the direction indicated by the arrow 8, the upper surface of the V is pushed aside by the pin 4:, while when the disc is moved in the direction of the arrow 9, the direction for subtraction, the lower edge of the V shaped projection 7 is operated by the pin.

In its normal position, as shown at Fig. 1, the lever 6 is held in position by means of a bent lever 11 pivotally mounted at 10 and connected to the lever 6 by a spring 12. This is effected by the forward edge of the lever 6 coming against a projection 13 of the bent lever 11. As soon as the pin 1 (Fig. 3) has passed the V shaped projection 7 and has pushed the lever 6 outwards, the said lever is locked in this position by a projection 1 1 on the lever 6 coming against a shoulder 15 on the bent lever 11, as shown at Fig. 3. In this position the lever 6 is ready for'the transfer.

For locking the counter discs during the time when the gearing for operating these discs is out of engagement with the actuating segments 3, locking racks 16, and 16 are provided. In the preferred embodiment these are formed as a double rack for each unit of the counting mechanism. One of these racks, in the adding position engages the gear 2 for subtraction in the counter, while the other at the same time is disengaged, see Fig. 2. In the position of the counter for subtraction, on the other hand, the racl: 16 engages the adding gear 2, while the rack 16 is disengaged from the subtraction gear 2 it will be understood that the counter is so constructed and mounted in a well known manner that to alter from addition to subtraction, it is simply necessary to shift it aterally. The toothed rack, on the other hand, cannot be moved laterally.

The toothed sector for transmitting individual numbers from the key board or setting mechanism is located between the looking racks 16 and 16? and, in the position for addition, engages the gearing 2 of the counter, while in the position for subtraction it engages the gear 2 As long as the rack 16 is inengagement with the gearing 2 of the counter, no rotation of the same can be effected, in fact the counter mechanism is locked immovably in position by this rack.

2% is a. bent lever, pivotally mounted at 23, and 25 is a tension spring, which tends to press the end of the lever 2+1 against a rejection 21 on a spring controlled arm 21. Vfhen the arm 21 is pressed outwards,

as hereinafter fully explained, the for the bent lever 24: falls away, so lever can swin outwards until it comes against a second projection 26 of the bent lever 21.

As however the toothed racks 16 are hinged to the upper or vertical arm of the bent lever 2a, they are pushed forward through a division corresponding to one figure plate on the number disc of the counter, and in the opposite direction to the movement of the toothed sector 3, when transmitting a number from the setting mechanism As however in the position for addition the toothed rack 16 engages the subtraction gear 2 of the counter, the transfer mechanism is moved through the toothed rack 16, which has been moved through a distance corresponding to one numerical place in the opposite direction to the toothed sector 3, but in the correct direction when carried over to the counting discs.

It is to be understood that the arrangement is such that the transfer lever 6 operates the neighbouring gear for the arm 21 of the next following numerical unit, so that the carrying over of a ten from a previous numerical place to the next numerical place is effected.

It will be readily understood that the necessity for effecting a transfer from one numerical place to the next (higher or lower depending on whether addition or subtraction is being carried out) can arise from two causes.

In the first case the sector 3 with the counter in the lowered position transmits such a number that the counter wheel 1 in the same numerical place passes from 9 to 0 or O to 9. This posit-ion is illustrated in Fig. 3, from which it will be seen that the lower end 19 (somewhat hook shaped) of the lever 6 has been brought beneath the projecting pin 20 on the lever 21. When the counter is next raised, as the rack 16 or 16 comes into engagement with the counter gear (the sector 3 being disengaged) the end 19 will cause the lever 21 to swing outwardly against the action of its spring 22 and allow the lever 24 to swing downwards moving its rack 16, 16 forwards by the distance of one tooth i. e. one figure on the counter wheel, thus effecting the transfer.

The second case for transfer arises when the counter is approaching or in the upper or raised position and owing to a transfer (similar to that just, described) one or more of the counter wheels must pass from 9 toO or O to 9. Such a position is shown in Fig. 1. Assuming that the pin 4 is moving in the direction of the arrow 8, then the lever 6 will be forced outwards and the flat por- "tion of the end-19, will press on the pin '20 and operate the levers 21 and 24, and the racks 16, 16 as described for the first case support that this of transfer. This action takes place successively for all the counter wheels which must pass from t) to 0 or 0 to 9. 1

After the first case of transfer has been effected however it is necessany to bring the levers 6 and 11 back to their original position, so that the V shaped projection 7 comes again into the path of the pin 4, so that a fresh transfer can be carried through. The return of these parts is effected during the last phase of the raising of the counter by means of the fixed axle 27 which is located in a slot 28 of the counter casing. The lever 11 just at the end of the upward movement comes against this fixed axle 27 and as a result it is pushed downwards, so that the projection 14 on the lever 6 is removed from the rear surface 15 or shoulder on the. lever 11. In this way the locking between the levers 6 and 11 is released and they re.- turn under the pull of the spring 12 into the positions shown at Figs. 1 and 4, that is to the initial position.

In the second case of transfer considered the levers 6 spring back to their original position after the pin 4 has passed, owing to the fact that the lever 11 is held in the lowered position by the fixed axle 27.

Just as the levers 6 and 11 have to be brought back to their original positions, so also must the racks 16, and 16 together with their operating levers be brought back to their ori inal positions. This is effected not during the last phase of-the raising of the counter, but during the next succeeding operation for transmitting a number, and it is effected from a rail 29. This is seen in its normal position at Fig. 1 and in Fig. 3 in a position in which it has been swung as far as possible to the left. In this latter position it has brought back the racks 16 or 16 which at this moment through the sinking of the counter have come out of engagement with the ear 2 or 2 into the original position by stri ing against a turned up end 30 of the lever 24 and carrying this lever with it, to its former position.

The rail 29 is operated in the following manner, as will be understood from Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to Fig. 5, which shows the normal position, in which the counter gear is locked to the rack 16 and 16 the toothed sector 3 is in that figure in its initial position. The locking rail 29 is carried between lever arms 31, which swing upon a spindle 32. \Vhen the lever 31 swings backwards in the direction of the arrow 33, in Fig. 5, the bail 2!) comes against the projection 3 as already described. The backward movcment of the lever 31 in the lowered position of the rack 16. in which this latter is disengaged from the gears 2, 2 of the counter-' and therefore can be moved freely is effector from the machine crank by means of a con- Fig. 5, the lever 38 swings over 'the cross piece 37, which necting rod 34, actuated thereby, which also actuates the sector 3 as about to be de scribed. The rod 34 is connected to a lever 36 pivoted at 35 and having a transverse member 37 upon which the arms 38 of the toothed sector 3 rest under the pull of a spring.

'hen therefore the connecting rod is moved in the direction of the arrow 39in and with it latter is moved downwards. fore unsupported, and under the influence of its spring moves also, so that all the sectors come into the position permitted by their differential mechanism, ready for operation,-

see Fig. 6, where a sector is shown dotted. set for transmitting a maximum movement. At the same time, the lever 36 is provided with a pin 40, which works in a long slot 41, in a connecting bar 42, connected to a pin 43' in another connecting bar 44. This latter bar 44 embraces the pin 45 of an arm of the bent lever 31.

By the connecting bars 42 of toggle mechanism is pins 45 and 40.

The su porting of these knee-like joints in the 'loc ing position of the racks 16, 16 is effected by projecting rollers or pins 46, provided on the lever 6.

s long as the counter is in the raised position and the toothed racks 16, 16 are still in engagement with the toothed pinions of the counter, the parts 42 and 44 are at an angle to one other (the dotted position). lVhen however the counter is lowered the rollers 46 are lowered whereby the members 42 and 44 lose their means of support and go over into the extended position, under the pull of the spring 47. In this position they remain while the return of the lever 38 is taking place. which is effected by means of the sliding rod 34. By the return of the lever 38, the toothed sector 3 is brought back into its initial position. At the same time however the parts 42 and 44 which are in the extended position (at Fig. 7) are caused to move by the pin 40 reaching the upper end of the slot 41, the result being that through the pin 45 the bent lever 31 and with it the rail 29 is swung and 44, a kind formed between the outwards, that is to say the racks 16, or 16 The toothed sector 3 is there tion, after which the items eventually to be transmitted to the counter are set on the keys, causing the differential mechanism connected thereto, to take up the desired positions to limit the movements of their sectors 3. when they are freed subsequently, by the downward movement of the transverse member 37. lhe machine crank is now operated causing first the transverse member 3T to be lowered releasing the sector I) and allowing them to take up their ditl'erentiated positions: the parts are so proportioned and mounted that the counter is now lowered, bringing the counter gears into engagement with the sectors 3 and causing the racks l6, 16 which have been in engagement with the counter gears to be brought out of engagement. Upon continuing the operation of the crank the transverse member 37 is raised. In its upward movement it comes into contact with the tails of all the sectors 8 and turns the sectors. As these are "in gear with the counter gears, they transmit to the counter the items on the keys. To ards the end of this upward movement of the member 37. the toggle mechanism 10, 42. 44 causes the rail 29 to bring any racks 16. 16 which may be in the forward position. back to the original position as previously explained, it being remembered. that the racks are free and not in engagement with the counter gears. Should any of the counter wheels ass from 9 to 0 or 0 to 9. as the case may be, the lever (5 is operated as previously explained in the first case ot transfer. Upon the final portion ot' the operation of the machine crank taking place, the counter is raised. This as previously explained ettects any transfer the levers 6 for which have been set in position and any consequent transfers which may arise.

I claim:

1. 'l ranster-mechanism for calculating machines. comprising. in combination; a switching-gear having toothed segments: a counting mechanism adapted to be litted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end: bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine trame and supporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; supporting levers for said counting mechanism: and a common supporting rail coupled with the said racks at their other ends and being adapted to litt and lower them. substantially as described.

Transter-mechanism for calculating machines. comprising. in combination: a switching-gear having toothed segments: a counting niecnanism adapted to be litted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their "lower position mesh with said segt-oupled with the ,pivots of the machine ments; a plurality of pairs of racks of which each pair is located below a counting place of the counting mechanism, one of said toothed segments extending between the two members of the co-ordinate pair of racks: coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end; bell-crank levers'supported upon pivots ot the machine frame and supporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; supporting levers for said counting mecha nism: and a common supporting rail said racks at their other ends and being adapted to lift and lower them. substantially as described.

3. Transter-mechanism for 'alculating machines. comprising. in combination. a switching-gear having toothed segments; a counting mechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower position mesh with said segments: racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said 'acks at their one end; bell-crank levers supported upon frame and support ing in their turn said coaxial pivots: other levers supported upon pivots oi the switching mechanism and supporting in their turn said bell-crank levers: double-levers supported upon pivots of the counting mechanism and having lower arms adapted to bear against the levers supported by the switching mechanism; disks forming members of the eountingmechanisin;and pins allixed to these. disks and being adapted to switch said double-levers; tensioning springs engaging the said bell-crank levers and being adapted to turn them automatically; supporting levers for said counting mechanism; and a common supporting rail coupled with the said racks at their other ends and being adapted to lift and lower them, substantially as described.

Transfer-mechanism for calculating machines, comprising. in combination; aswitching-gear having toothed segments; a counting mechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end; bellcraul: levers supported upon pivots of the machine frame and supporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; other levers supported upon pivots ot the switching mechanism and supporting in their turn said bell-crank levers: double-levers supported upon pivots of the counting mecha nism: other bell-crank levers also supported by pivots ot the counting mechanism. and tensioning springs connecting the lower arm of these levers with said double-levers; laterally projecting lugs at said doublelevers: other lugs provided upon the horizontal arms or said bell-crank levers and being adapted to cooperate with the first llt) mentioned lugs; and a stationary railaffixed to the machine frame above said horizontal arms, for the purpose as described.

5. Transfer-mechanism for calculating machines, comprising, in combination; a switching-gear having toothed segments; a counting mechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end; bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine frame and supporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; lugs at the upper arms of said bell-crank levers; and a rocking rail supported in the switching mechanism and being adapted to move all said bell-crank levers back into their normal position, substantially as described. 6. 'lransfer-niechanism for calculating machines, comprising, in combination; a switching-gear having toothed segments; a counting mechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end; bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine frame and supporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; levers supported by pivots of the switching mechanism; a railsupported by these levers and being adapted to co-operate with said lugs; a mechanism adapted to switch these levers, said mechanism consisting of a push-bar, a lever supported by a pivot of the machine frame, a pin at this lever, a guide-bar having a slot receiving said pin, and a rod connecting said guide-bar with the railsupporting lever. substantially and for the purpose as described.

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

Frau ANNA RAUCHWETTER, Geb BGHME, i-ldminiatrafrim of Franz Rauchwetter, Deceased.

\Vitnesses Hanan-xxx REISING, VALDEMAR Imsrxsm.

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