US1751609A - Calculating machine - Google Patents

Description

March 25, T1920, J. A.l v. TLJRCKv 39755609 CALCULAT ING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Mar." 25, 1930' UNITED A s' 1Aras PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH A. V. TURC, OF WILMETTE; ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB. TO FELT @t TARRANT MANU fldfllUlRINGt COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS v CALCULATIN G MACHINE Application led ctober 8, 1023. Serial No. 667,277.

rlhis invention relates to calculating machines of the ordinal key `type and its object is-to provide an improved mechanism for preventing errors in calculating operations, Which may arise from a partial key stroke; the invention comprehends the provision of means individual to the respective orders of keys for notifying the operator of a partially depressed key, for example, by locking the cancelling crank against operation, Whenever a partial key stroke occurs, with the result that' the operator is unable to cancel the machine, until thepartial stroke of the mismanipulated key has been completed. The errordprevention mechanism of the invention operates independently of the usual keyboard locking mechanism of this class of machines, and is controlled by the sevment lever or column actuator of the or er in which a partial key stroke has occurred, independently of the column actuators of any other orders. In this respect, it diiers from the keyboard locking mechanism wherein the locking action is universal, i. e., throughout the entire keyboard of the machine, With the exception of the mismanipulated key. Moreover, the locking of the cancelling or zeroizing mechanism is eected even though a segment lever be erroneously depressed not far enough to add one to the corresponding accumulator. Consequently, the invention provides a valuable safeguard, additional to the keyboard locking mechanism, particularly in conjunction, with units keys of the various orders which may be partially depressed without actuating the keyboard locking mechanism. The invention is thus especially useful, though not restricted to calculating machines designed for Working in terms ci' British currency, in which machines the third order comprises only a single units key employed to accumulate tens orn shillings.

r1`he invention is moreover applicable for use in connection with calculating machines of the key-driven multiple-order type, and, in the present embodiment, is illustrated in a machine of the general type of the Well known duplex comptometer, the general character of which is exemplified in the United States litt patents to Dorr Felt, No. 762,520 and `1, 1913; No. 1,072,933, dated 762,531, dated June29, 1904; No. 1,028,344, datedJune 4, 1912; N o. 1,066,096, dated July September 9, 1913; thel patentto Kurt F. Ziehm, No. 1,110,734, dated September 15, 1914 and my prior Patent-s, Nos. 1,357,747 and 1,357,748, dated November 2, 1920. l

In addition tothe general objects recited above, the invention has for further objects such other improvements or advantages in construction and operation as may be found to obtain in the structures and devices hereinafter described or'claimed.

In the accompanying' dravings, forming a part of this specification, and showing, for purposes of exempliiication, a preferred form and manner in which the invention may be eml odied and practiced, but Without limiting the claimed invention to such illustrative instance or instances:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation taken at the extreme right hand side of a calculating machine orp the multiple-order key-driven type, in. which the present improvements are embodied;

F ig. 2 is another vertical sectional elevation taken farther to the left than that of F ig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan View of a calculating machine designed for operation in terms of British currency.

The same characters of reference indicate the same parts in each of the several views of the drawings.

In its present embodiment, the invention is incorporated in a calculating machine of the multiple-order key-driven type, such as the well known comptometer disclosed in the prior United States ,netters Pat-ent hereinbefore referred to. As the details oi const-ruction oi this type oi machine may be readily understood trom these United States patents, a brief description of the general features of this type of machine, and such parts as are directly concerned with the operation of the present improvements, will be suicient for an understanding of this invention.

rlhe various'instrumentaiities of the caiculating machine are supported by a frame mounted on the base 21 or" a casing, said frame consisting essentially of side skeleton plates 22 and intermediate skeleton plates 23 disposed between the various actuating mechanisms of the several orders of the machine,

. the pounds columns L, one key for the tens of shillings column T, nine keys for the shillings column S and eleven keys for the pence column D. In the event that the invention is applied to computation according to the decimal system, for example, for use in calculation in United States currency,

every column will have nine keys. Each key is indicated by the reference character 25;' there is a column of keys for each numeral Wheel; and also the actuating mechanisms and attendant partsV interposed between a column of keys and its correspondingnumeral wheel. Each column of keys 25 forms a part of an actuating mechanism for transmitting through the accumulator mechanism to its numeral wheel an amount of travel proportional to the particular key operated.

The actuating mechanism for each column of keys and the corresponding numeral wheel includes a'column actuator in the form of a segment lever 26 pivoted at the rear of the machine and depressed for distances determined by the numerical value of the key operated. Each key is provided with a stem 27 extending down and bearing upon the correspon-ding column actuator 26. The key at the extreme frontof the machine, being fari ther from the pivotal axis of the column actuator than the key at the extreme rear of the machine, moves the column actuator through a lesser arc than does the key last mentioned.

The column actuator 26 of each order 'or column of keys is adapted to impart calculating-movement to an accumulator` and, for such purpose, is provided at its forward end with a rack 28 which meshes with an accumulator pinion 29. The pinion 29 of -eacli order forms a part of an internalrat'chet mechanism, not herein described or shown in detail, but fully set forth in the prior patents hereinabove mentioned; such ratchet mechanism becomes effective during the upstroke of the column actuator toclutch the pinion 29 to a train of gearing 33 extending to the numeral wheel or registering Wheel 38. During the downstroke of the column actuator, the ratchet mechanism moves idly, without transmission of `calculating movement by the gear train to the numeral wheel 38. However, upon the return or upward movement of the column actuator, a clutching operation is effectedwso that the geartrain rotates the numeral Wheel 38 to register a numerical value corresponding with the actuated key. Carrying mechanism is co-operatively combined with each ordinal accumulatorrmechanism for the purpose of actuating the accumulator mechanism of the next higher order of thel machine whenever a carry is to go over from a lower order. The carrying'mechanism provides for simultaneous depression of keys and delivery of column actuator 1mpulses in two or more adjacent orders, as explained in the said prior patentshereinbefore mentioned. However, any carrying impulses released from a lower o ne of said orders will notbe actually delivered to the y are associated with various stop mechanisms set forth inthe said patents, to'limit the movements imparted to the accumulator mechanisms by the prime actuations and carrying impulses; all of these stop mechanisms are shifted variously into and out of their various stop positions to impose additional restrictions to the movement of the carrying devices and to the prime .actuations of the accumulators.

There is also provided a cancelling or zeroizing mechanlsm for clearing the machine or cancelling, that is, for returning the registering wheels and other parts to the zero positions. Briefly stated, the zeroizing operation is accomplished by disconnecting the connections between the registering wheels 38 and the actuating devices so that, while retaining the various above mentioned stop devices in their normal relations to the accumulator mechanisms, the stored power in the carrying springs may give to the numeral wheels backward rotations, so as to move them rearwardly from the divers positions they may occupy and stop them when they arrive individually at zero positions.

The shaft 37 of the numeral wheels is mounted in bearings fixed in the frame of the machine, as is `likewise the shaft 30 of the ratchet mechanism and gearing and the shaft 35 of the gears 34 of the gear train 33. In order to effect detraining or disengagement of the carrying spring winding gears (see Patent No. 1,357,748) from the gearing on theshaft 30, the shaft 50 of the carrying spring winding gears is carried by a swinging frame, indicated generally at 64. .The frame 64 is adapted to have a slight outward pivotal movement on an axis coincident with the 4shaft 35. As the swinging frame carries Withv it the shaft 50 of the carrying sprin winding gears, the latter are disconnecte from. the gearing on the shaft 30, whenever said swingingv frame 64 has an outward pivotal movement on its axis. In the present 'embodiment of the invention, the swinging frame is detained in such gear detraining position, after a cancelling operation has been eected, until a key has been depressed to effect a'further operation of the accumulator mechanism whereupon the swinging frame is again restored to position for entraining the carryinglsprinv Winding gears with the gearing of t e shaft 30.

The following instrumentalities are included in theI mechanism for moving the swinging frame to detrain, as above described, and to permit the carrying springs to return the registeringlwheels to Zero positions. As shown in Fig. 1, an operating han-` dle or lever 71, hereinafter termed the canp celling crank is pivoted at the right hand side plate 22 of the fixed frame. A segment 72 is xed to this lever, and pivoted to said segment 7 2 is a link 73 which, in turn, is pivoted'to a depending lever 74 that is pivoted at 75 on the fixed frame. rlhe lower end of said lever 7 4 is pivotally connected by means of a short link 7 6 with an arm 7 7 rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft 78 that is itself journaled in the fixed frame. The. arm 7 7 is provided with an engaging face 7 9 adapted to Contact with a second arm 80 fixed on the shaft 78. rllhe operation of this construction is as follows: When the parts are in the relative positions indicated in Fig. 1, a short swinging movement of the cancelling crank 71 toward the left will, through the segment 72, link 7 3, lever arm 74, short link 76, arm 77 and rocker arm 80 impart a short rocking movement to the shaft 7 8 in a counter clock- `wise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, and such counter clockwise rocking of the shaft 78 is edected through the instrumentality of connections fully described in said Patent No. 1,357,748, to swing the arm 64 upwardly and to detrain the carrying spring winding gears from the gearing on the shaft30. The action of detraining the gearing releases the carrying springs, permitting them to unwindv and to turn the several registering wheels reverse- .ly from their, various positions to zero positions. rllhe unwinding of the carrying springs is terminated by stops which are projected in operative position on arrival of the variousregistering wheels at zero, by means rof devices and in the manner shown and described in said prior patent.

The present invention provides means individualized to the several or any of the orders of the machine for preventing errors in calculating operation, by locking the cancelling crank against operation, whenever a key has been partially depressed and released, even though the key be moved not far enough to add one in the corresponding accumulator mechanism. After a key thus partially depressed has been moved to complete its stroke, the cancelling mechanism is again released for operation. The error prevention means of the invent-ion operates entirely independent of and without effect upon the usual key board locking mechanism of a standard duplex comptometer, and provides an additional check against errors, which is especially useful in conjunction with the units keys, inasmuch as the -units keys have not suiicient capacity to operate Athe keyboard locking mechanism. An important application of the invention is therefore in machines which compute in British currency, as such machines in the tens of shillings order are provided with one, a units key. As shown in Fig. 2 there is provided on the zeroizing shaft 78 a zeroizing stop arm-101, preferably, for each order of the machine. Pivoted on' the rod 102 in each order of the machine is a Vlocking dog 103, to a depending' lip 104 of which is attached a spring 105. The spring extends to and is attached at 106 to a fixed portion of the frame, and, when the dog is released, throws it and its locking tooth 107, so that the locking toot-h engages the zeroizing stop arm 101 of the corresponding order and prevents movement of the shaft78 to eect a zeroizing operation. This happens whenever a key in that order, for example, the units key has been partially depressed and released, even though not moved sufficiently to add one. The release of the dog is effected by a lock releasing roll 108 mounted on the segment lever 26 of the -corresponding order and moved by said segment lever beneath the arm 109 of the dog, whenever the segment lever remains from a artial depression and release of a key. 'l e operation of a key for its full stroke results, of course, in an immediate rising of the segment lever, so that the dog 103 will be shifted to inoperative position by the roll 108 engaging under the hook of the arm 109. rFhe locking action of the dog is thus not eective during correct key manipulationv and, may also be released after mismanipulation, by operating the mismanipulated key for its full stroke. rlhe calculating machine described in the above speciication embodies various other instrumentalities and devices which need not be herein described, for the reason that they are fully set forth in the prior patents above mentioned.

rl'he term cancelling crank, wherever employed in the ensuing claims, has been adopted for convenience and is not strictly, but includes broadly, in addition to the specic disclosure of the drawings and description, cancelling or zeroizing mechanisms, whether manually or power operated. 'lhe invention as hereinabove set forth is in lowered position to be construed embodied in a particular form of construe-I tion, but may be variously embodied within the scope ofthe claims hereinafter made'.

' tion: keys; registering wheels; key-driven actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and locking dogs interposed between said column actuators individually and said cancelling mechanism and normally held in inoperative position 4by said column actuators and rendered operative to block movement of the cancelling mechanism upon partial depression of a corresponding key for any distance insuiilcient to register the numerical value of the key on the corresponding registering wheel.

- 3.' In a calculating machine, in combination: keys; registering wheels; key-driven actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and spring actuated locking dogs interposed between said column actuators individually and said cancelling mechanism and controlled by partial depression of a corresponding key for any distance insufficient to register the numerical value of the key on the corresponding registering wheel, to block movement of the cancelling mechanism and controlled by complete de-l pression of such key to permit movement of the cancelling mechanism. 4. In a calculatingmachine, 1n combinai tionz'ordinal keys; registering wheels; keydriven actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and ordinal locking mechanism individual to each order of the machine and controlled by the corresponding ordinal keys and individual column actuatois to render inoperative the cancelling mechanism upon .partial depression of any ordinal key.

5. In a calculatingmachine, in combinai tion: keys; registering wheels;"keydriven actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and locking mechanism controlled by the corresponding keys and individual column actuators and movable into locking position on initial movement ofthe column actuator to render inoperative the cancelling mechanism upon partial depression of any key. I

6. In a calculating machine, in combination: ordinal keys; registering wheels; keydriven actuating devices for said registering wheels, includingA ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism;'and ordinal locking mechanism for said cancelling mechanism, said locking mechanism being rendered operative by an individual ordinal column actuator upon mismanipulation of a corresponding ordinal key and rendered inopera-' tive by the correct, manipulation of the mismanipulated key. 7. In a calculating machine, in combinationzkeys; registering wheels; key-driven' actuating devices for said registering Wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and means controlled by the individual ordinal column actuators responsive to partial depression of any key for rendering inoperative said cancelling mechanism and responsive to complete depression of any partially depressed key for rendering operative sai-d cancelling mechanism.

8. In a calculating machine, in combination: keys; registering wheels; key-driven actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators; cancelling mechanism; and means controlled by the individual ordinal column actuators and operable on initial movement thereof andre-l sponsive to partial depression of a units key for rendering inoperative said cancelling mechanism.

9. In a calculating machine, in combination: a plurality of ordinal keys; registering wheels; actuating devices, including ordinal column actuators for said registering wheels rendered operative upon movement of the keys; a cancelling crank; a cancelling crank lock; and means individual to .each order of the machine, controlled by operation of the column` actuators in the individual orders for moving said lock into locking position on initial movement of a column actuator column actuator and responsive to mismanipulation of any key for rendering operative said cancelling crank lock.

11. A calculatingpmachineprovided with keys7 registering wheels, actuating devices for said registering wheels, including ordinal column actuators, and -zeroizing mechanism,

combined With means, operable on initial movemeni; of a column actuator and conrolled by mismanipulation of any key and I its ordinal column actuator, for-locking said `zeroizing mechanism.

l2. A calculating machine provided with keys, registering wheels, actuating devices my hand.

JOSEPH A. V. TURCK.

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