US1560381A

US1560381A - Calculating machine

Info

Publication number: US1560381A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1925-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1942-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1925.

A. L. GRAY CALCULATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Shed l Filed Nov. 12, 1923 1 I Il l T312 i .umu E IIJIIII E III I| um m IIIIIIII MMIII" l Al AM.. Lugli,

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A. L. GRAY Filed Nov. 12, 1923 l 3 SheetS-Shee 5 iff ATTORNEY.

tion

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES vPATENT i OFFICE.

ALTON L. GRY, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TODD COMPANY, INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CALCULAT'ING MACHINE.

Application filed November 12, Q23. Serial No. 674,241.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AL'roN L. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Calcula-ting Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the same, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, formin a part of this specification, and to the re erence numerals marked thereon.

This invention relates to calculating machines of the variety comprising accumulator mechanism and manual means for operating the same, the chief object of the invention being to provide a machine of this character having simple, practical' and convenient means for securing the machine against operation for the purpose, for example, of retaining registration of a partial or final result while use of the machine is temporarily discontinued. A further object is to provide a device of the above nature adapted to secure the parts of the machine normally employed forclearing the same and 'setting up new amounts and which is adapted to be released at will by manipulation of some other part of the machine normally employed in its operation, to thereby simplify and, if desired, conceal the releasing means and obviate the use of a detachable key.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specifica-tion.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the present invention Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a portion of the same with the casing in section to disclose the working parts;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the casing in section and showing the parts released for operation;

Fig. 4 is a similar view partly broken away and showing the parts in locked posi- Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the operation of unlocking the parts;

Fig. 6 is a detail View of some of the opcrating parts.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The invention is embodied in the present instance, by way of illustration of the principles involved, in a calculating machine of the variety disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,398,068 granted Nov. 22, 1921, to F. H. Doerr for improvements in computing machines, comprising accumulator mechanism adapted to indicate the amount registered thereon and operated by a plurality of manual actuators, one for each numerical order.

The actuators in this embodiment have the` form of pivoted sectors each provided with means adapted for engagement by the operators finger, a pencil, or the like, to move the same a distance corresponding to a digit desired to be registered. The finger means for moving each digit comprises preferably a series of projections with intermediate iinger receiving recesses one of which is opposite each digit position. A single clearing means for all of said orders forms the part normally employed in operation for clearing the machine, in addition to which there are also a plurality of clearing means, one for each order as useful, for example, in correcting an error in a particular digit. Combined with this construction is a simple and conveniently manipulated device movable to position for engaging a linger recess of each actuator and also the common clearing means and thereby securing the machine against operation. The securing device is adapted to4 be locked or latched in securing position by means connected with one of the individual order clearing means and released by a preliminar partial operation of the latter without a 'ecting any clearing operation of the machine. The latter is thus provided with an effective locking device capable of being conveniently released by anyone familiar with the operation of the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a frame comprising a base 10 and a casing formed by end walls 11 and front` and

rear walls

12 and 13, respectively. The rear wall rises the full height of the machine and is connected with the front wall by a horizontal top portion 14, a forwardly and downwardly curved portion 15 and at the front of the latter a horizontal step or table 16 to which the top ofthe front Wallis secured. At 17 is a main shaft supported at its ends in vthe end walls 11. i

-Rotatably carried on the main shaft 17 are a` plurality'of operating units each including a sleeve or hub 18, Fig. 2. Pivotally v part of each sector carries a series of projections 22 extending through the casing slot and forming recesses between them for gagement by the finger to swing the sector to register a digit. The casing strips be- .tween the slots 2l are marked with the digits as at 23' for operating the sectors, as well understood in the art andas fully described in said Doerr patents, the sector recess op posite a selected digit being'engaged by the linger and that portion of the sector swung down to the table 16.

Each'of said sectors has pivotally mounted thereon at 24 `(Fig. 3) a dog 25 lhaving a transversely extending end 26 moved by spring means (not shown), when the sector is swung, into engagement with the teeth of a disc 27 fixed on the'corresponding rotary hub 18. .As each sector is thus swung downwardly to correspond with a selected digit its dog 25 engages and rotates the corresponding disc 27 In the uppermost or zero position of each actuator 20 its dog strikes and is raised by a bar 28 extending across the machine so that in this position the disc 27 is released.

Each disc 27 has its teeth meshing with those of a pinion 29 o f an accumulatormechanism carried on a shaft 30 and including anf'indicatingwheel 31 visible through an opening 32 in the top of the casing. This accumulator mechanism is of any suitable variety such for example as disclosed in said Doerr patent, the accumulators of the different orders being connected by transfer mechanism which will now be briefly described.

The transfer mechanism comprises a cam disc 33 fixed on each hub 18 rotated as described by the disc 27 of the same hub.

vSince the gear ratio of the disc to its pinion 29,is 4 to 1, the cam disc has its periphery divided into four cam surfaces 34, Figs. 3 and 6. Riding on the periphery of the cam is'an end 35 of a lever 36 pivotally supported on a cross shaft 37. Each lever has pivoted thereon a paw] 38 engaging the ad' ]acent disc 27 of the next higher numerical order. Each disc 27 is held against reverse movement by a pawl 39 pivotally supported on a crosszshaft 40, both pawls -38 and 39 being moved into engagement with the teeth of the disc by a common spring 41 connecting them. 'vThese pawls are. :formed the bottom of the next.

with

tail portions

42 and 43 respectively for operation by the clearing means as hereafter described. Each transfer lever 36 is pressed toward its cam disc by a spring 44 secured thereto and to a cross bar 38. of the frame and it is apparent from the arrangement of these parts that thecooperation thereof is such as to tend to rotate the cam disc in a reverse direction by the pressure of its lever 36 which forms the motive means for clearing the machine as hereafter described. It is evident that as the cam disc is rotated in operation its lever,36 is swung outwardly by one of the cam surfaces 34 as the corresponding actuator is operated and when in any order the sum of any selected digit with the digit already registered in that order isin excess of 9, y

the lever drops from the top of one cam to As the lever is thus swung outwardly and inwardly its dog 38 is moved in first an idle and then an active` direction to rotate the next disc 27 through a Space corresponding to the digit 1 so that a transfer is accomplished, as well understood in the art.

To prevent overthrowduring the operation of an actuator or during a transfer, -means are provided for engaging and arresting the rotation of each disc 27 comprising a lever 45 for each order pivotally supported on the main shaft 17 and having a forwardly extending arm 46 carrying a spur 47 projecting upwardly through an openin in the casing shelf 16 below the corresponding actuator. As al selected linger means of the latter is swung as described down to the shelfv 16, the operators finger strikes and depresses spur 47 and thereby swings the lever 46. The latter has a depending arm 48 provided with a camming surface 49 for engagement with an extension 50 on a lever 51 pivoted on a transverse shaft 52. Lever 51 has a finger 53 extending transversely to position for engagament with the teeth of the corresponding disc 27. The lever has also an extension 54 riding in a slot in a frame bar 55` and guiding the lever. A spring 56 connected with the lever and also with the lever 46 holds the spur 47 .raised and lever 51 depressed. When the spur isl depressed `as described,

however, the cam surface 49 of lever 45 engagesextensions .50 of lever 51 and raises and a lever 57 the forward end of which rides in the slot in the frame bar 55 in engagement with the under side of the extension 54 of lever 51 for `raising the latter in the manner already described. Lever 57 las ` the hook end 67 is pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 58 and has a tail portion 59 connected by a spring 60 with a tail portion 61 on a member 62 having a shoulder 63 and a stop portion 64 fory engagement with the lever 57, member 62 being pivotally mounted on shaft 58 for yieldably actuating lever 57. The transfer lever 36 has pivotally mounted thereon at 65 a lever 66 having a depending hooked arm 67 for engagement with shoulder 63 of member 62. A spring 68 secured to levers 36 and 66 moves the latter to maintain its other arm 69 in engagement with a frame bar 70 and it is apparent from this construction that, as lever 36 is swung outwardly in operation, its lever 66 is lowered and thereof swung beneath shoulder 63 of member 62, the upper side of the shoulder having the beveled shape shown. As lever 36 moves inwardly, its lever 66 is raised and engages and swings member 62 until tripped by the engagement of its arm 69 with bar 70. Such swinging of the member 62 raises lever 57 which in turn raises lever 51 and arrests the movement of the disc 27 as already described.

The means for clearing the machine comprises preferably a plurality of longitudinally slidable vertical bars 71 each having its upper end projecting through the top portion 14 of the casing and carry a button 72.V Each bar is normally urged upwardly by a spring 73 connected therewith and with the frame and carries a pair of spurs 7 4 and f5 for engagement, respectively,` with the tail portions of lever 36 and pawl 39 for` swinging the latter when the clearing bar is depressed to release the corresponding disc 27, so that the lever 36 cooperating with the attached transfer cam may rotate the parts to zero position, as well understood in the art. The bar 71 has a cam shaped lower end 76 for tripping lever 66 and holding the same clear of member 62 during the clearing movement. The bar has also an arm 77 engaged at its upper side by av rod 78 carried by a member 79 pivoted on the casing at 80. Member 79 has pivotally connected therewith at one end of the machine a link 81 the other end of which is pivotally connected at 82 with one arm 83 of the lever 84 pivoted on the casin at 85 and havin` an arm 86 projecting t rough vthe slot at one end of the casing ortion 15 and carrying a finger piece or utton 87. It is evident from this construction that, as finger piece 87 is depressed, member 79 is swung so that its rod 78 lowers all of the clearing bars 71 and thereby clears the whole machine. v

The present invention provides means for securing all of the actuators 2 0 and also the clearing lever 84 against movement comprising preferably a bail shaped member 88 with its sides pivoted as at 89 on the casing and having a transverse bar 90 for engagement in recesses of all of the sectors when the bail is swung downwardly into the active or securing position shown in Figs, 4 and 5. The bar is preferably angle shaped in cross Section having in addition to the locking leg 90 a leg 91 which carries a suitable notice visible in the secured position for indicating that the machine is in use and not to be disturbed. A finger 92 on one end of the bar projects across the path of downward movement? of the common clearing lever 84 to likewise secure the latter against operation, so that all of the parts which would normally be used to begin operation of the machine are secured against movement. The securing device or bail 88 is provided with means for locking the same in its securing position comprising preferably a hook or catch 93 thereon arranged to project through a slot in the casing. C0- operating with this catch is a latch shaped end 94 of a lever 95 pivoted on the main shaft within the casing and having an opposite arm 96 with an upwardly extending end 97 in the path of initial movementof spur 74 of one of the clearing bars 71 and preferably that one corresponding to the units order. A spring 98 urges lever 95 to position Lfor locking engagement with the securing bar, and spur 74 of the clearing bar may serve to limit the movement of lever in this direction. It is to be noted that 'the clearing bar has an initial idle movement before effecting any clearing actuation and may therefore be partially depressed to release the securing device without clearing its order. Upon depressing the bar, the locking bail is released and may be swung to the inactive position shown in Fig. 3, when the machine is again ready for operation.

The invention thus provides a machine of the variety described havino' a conveniently adjustable device for affording conspicuous notice of the reservation of the machine for completion of a prior calculation and for securing the same against operation except after an abnormal operation of one of clearing bars. Inadvertent disturbance of the machine is thus guarded against by a lockg A ing means of simple construction, convenlent to operate and involving no detachable key subject to becoming lost, while the concealed nature of this locking means in spite of its simplicity, affords security against unauthorized operation by those not familiar with the operation of the machine. f

- I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a. calculating machine comprising a plurality of actuators for the different numerical orders and a plurality of clearing means for said machine corresponding individually to said orders. of a device movable to position for securing all of said actuators against unauthorized operation, a'lock for retaining said device in securing position and a connection between one of said clearing means and said lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said clearing means. v

2. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of actuators for the different numerical orders, accumulator mechanism for each of said orders, a single clearing means for all of said mechanisms, and a plurality of clearing means, one for each of said mechanisms operable independently of said single means, of a device movable to position for securing said actuators and said single clearing means .against operation, a lock for retaining said device in securing position, and a. 'connection between one of said plurality of clearing means and said lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said clearing means.

3. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of actuators and an additional actuating means cooperating with said actuators in the normal operationof said; machine, of a pivotally mounted bar movableinto engagement with saidactuators for securing the same against operation, a lock for retaining said bar in securing position, and a connection between` said additional actuating means and lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said additional means.

4. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of swinging actuating sectors each provided with finger means for swinging the same and an additional means for operating said machine, of

a device movable to position for engaging.

said finger means and securing said sectors against unauthoriezd operation, a lock for retaining said device in securing position and a connection between said additional means and lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said additional means.

5. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of swinging actuating sectors each provided with finger means for swinging the same and an additional means for operating said machine, of,

a swinging bar movable into engagement with said finger means for securing said sectors against operation, a lock .for retaining said bar in securing position, and a connection between said additional means and lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said additional means.

6. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of swinging actuating sectors each provided with finger means for swinging the same and a clearing means for said machine, of a swinging bar movable to position for engaging said finger means and securing` said sectors against operation, a lockV for retaining said bar in securing position, and a connection between said clearing means and lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said clearing means.

7. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a plurality of swinging actuatingsectors each provided with finger means for swinging the same, accumulator mechanism for each of said sectors, a single clearing means for all of said mechanisms and a plurality of clearing means one for each of said mechanisms,` of a pivotally mounted bar movable to position for engaging said finger means and single clearing means and securing the same against operation, a lock for retaining said bar in securing position and a connection between one of said plurality of clearing means and lock for releasing the latter upon operation of said clearing means.

8. The combination with a calculating machine comprising a frame, a plurality of swinging actuating sectors each provided with Afinger means for swinging the same, accumulator mechanism for each of said sectors, a single clearing means for all of said mechanisms, and a plurality of clearing means one for each of' said mechanisms, of a bail pivotally mounted on said frame and comprising a bar movable to position for engaging said finger means and single clearing means and securing the vsame against` operation, a catch on said bail, alatch movable on said frame for engaging said catch and locking said bail in securing position and a connection between one of said plurality of clearing means and latch for actating the latter to release said bail ixpon operation of said clearing means.

" ALTON L. GRAY.

HNI