US2417563A - Locking device for accounting - Google Patents

Description

R. J. MOSER 2,417,563

LOCKING DEVI-CE FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES March 18, 1947.

Filed June 17, 194s 3 Sheets-Sheet l NTO/ J. MOSER HIS` ATTUHNEY /NVE RUDOLPH Eumcoo March 18,' 1947. R. J. MOSER 417,563

.LOCKING DEVICE FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed June 1'7, 1945 5 Sheets-Shes?, 2

March 18, 19417., RJ, MOSER 2,417,563

LOCKING DEVICE FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17 @www wml.

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/VVE/VTOH I RUDOLPH J. MOSER v @y/LM awww i H/S ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 18, 1947 LOCKING DEVICE FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Rudolph J. Moser, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application June 17, 1943, Serial No. 491,144

8 Claims.

This invention relates to accounting machines and similar business machines and is directed particularly to mechanism under control of an add-and-subtract totalizer or crossfooter, as they are known in the art, for preventing release of the machine during an operation following one in which an error has been made.

The invention is herein shown embodied in a machine of the general type shown in the following United States Letters Patent, and reference may be had to them for a complete showing and description of standard mechanism not iully disclosed herein:

Patents No. 1,693,279, issued November 27, 1928, to Walter J. Kreider; Nos. 1,619,796 and 1,916,535, issued March 1, 1927, and July 4, 1933, respectively, to Bernis M. Shipley; No. 2,141,332, issued December 27, 1938, to Charles H. Arnold; No. 2,175,346, issued October 10, 1939, to Maximilian M. Goldberg; and No. 2,262,258, issued November 11, 1941, to Bernis M. Shipley, Pascal Spurlino, and Everett H. Placke; and also the co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No, 381,962, led March 6, 1941, by Pascal Spurlino, Mayo A. Goodbar, and Marvin D. Frost, for accounting machines, which issued into Patent No. 2,345,839 on April 4, 1944.

The machine illustrated herein as embodying the present invention is well adapted for use by public utility companies and especially in the bookkeeping departments thereof, Where the various items involved in each customcrs account for certain speciiied periods of time are listed, classified, and totaled, and where also bills are made out which are sent to the cus# tomer, showing the amount oi service which has been rendered to him and the cost thereof.

The system chosen to illustrate the present invention is one used by public utility companies or municipalities for keeping records of the water used by industries or the peoples of the municipalities.

It is, however, not intended to limit this invention in any Way to the recording of water service from meters, as it is very readily susceptible of use in connection with public utility companies and other municipalities who have control oi, for example, the gas and electrical supplies, equipment, and service for the peoples of those municipalities.

The machine used to illustrate the invention is provided with an add-and-subtract totalizer, usually referred to as a crossfooten which is of the type known in the art asa split totalizer. In the present instance, this totalizer is split into three sections, one for meter readings, one for gross amount, and one for net amount.

The data entered into the machine is taken from a meter readers book, which book is supplied to the operator of the machine illustrated herein with all the items that are to be posted on the bill already entered therein, so that all that the operator need do is read the items from the book, set them up on the keyboard, and enter them into the machine by depressing appropriate control keys.

In the system illustrated herein, the operator first sets up the amount of the present reading on the left-hand section of the keyboard and releases the machine for operation by depressing the present reading key, and during such operation the amount of the present reading of the meter is entered into the subtract side oi the left-hand section of the crossfooter.

Next, the operator scans the meter readers book to determine the amount of the previous reading of the meter, then sets that amount up on the left-hand section of the keyboard, and releases the machine for operation by depressing the Previous reading key, and during such operation the amount of the previous reading is entered into the plus side of the left-hand section of the crossfooter.

Next, the operator scans the meter readers book to determine the amount of consumption noted therein, then sets that amount up on the left-hand section of the keyboard. Then the operator scans the meter readers book to determine the gross amount of the bill and sets that amount up in the middle section of the keyboard, and nally scans the meter readers book to determine the net amount of the bill and sets that amount up on the right-hand section of they keyboard. After these three items have been set up on the keyboard, the operator depresses an appropriate key, then releases the machine by depressing a motor release key, and, during the ensuing operation, the amount oi Water consumed is added into the plus side o1" the left-hand section of the crossfooter; the gross amount to be charged is entered into the plus side of the center section of the crossfooter; and the net amount to be charged is entered into the right-hand section of the crossfooter.

If, during the three entries described above, the amounts of the present reading, previous reading, and consumption were properly set up on the keyboard, the plus wheels of the left-hand section of the crossfooter will be standing at zero. However, if an error occurred in the entry of any one or more of these three amounts, this section of the crossfooter will have an amount standing thereon, but at this time the operator is not aware of the fact that an error has been made.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means to notify the operator that an error has been made in entering the above three items, and the invention contemplates notifying the operator by locking the machine against release to start a new series of entires. Therefore, when the plus wheels of the left-hand section of the crossfooter are not standing at zero after the amount of consumption has been entered, the depression of the Present reading key will not release the machine for operation.

The above-described series of entries applies to the entry of data relating to one meter. Some users of water, known as commercial users, have two meters, one for commercial use ci water and one for industrial use. The meter readers book for such a customer has entered therein two series of amounts like that described above for one meter. In enteringT the two series of amounts, the operator reads them from the meter readers books in the same sequence as described above. That is, he will enter the amount of present reading, previous reading, and the water consumption, gross amount to be charged and net amount to be charged for one meter, and, if no error is made in the entry thereof, the operator immediately begins entering the amounts of present reading, previous reading, and the water consumption, gross amount to be charged and net amount to be charged for the second meter readings, In printing a bill for a commercial user, the entry of the second water consumption and gross and net amounts to be charged is immediately followed by a totaltaking operation to print the total gross and net amounts to be charged for the two meter readings.

During the entry of the second series of entriesthat is, the entries for the second meteran error may have been made, so that, at the end of the operation in which the second consumption gross and ne.J amounts are printed, the plus wheels of the left-hand section of the crossfooter will not be at zero. Under this condition, it is desirable to prevent release of the machine by depression of the Present reading key for the next succeeding customer, but it is desired to release the machine for printing the totals of the two meter readings, so that the customers bill can be completed by a total-taking opera-tion.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means to prevent release of the machine by depression of the Present reading key when the error has been made in entering said data, but to permit a total-printing operation even though the left-hand section of the crossiocter is not at zero, and to provide a control maintaining the non-releasing condition of the machine by the Present reading key even after said totalta-king operation, so that the operator will be notined that an error was made in the said entries when attempting to enter the present reading for the next succeeding customer account. rlhis will give the operator an opportunity to correct the error on the bill before proceeding to enter the next customer's data.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means to lock the machine against release under control of the totalizer when the latter is not at zero at the end of an operation, and means to retain such locking means in its eifective position after said totalizer has been reset to zero during a total taking operation.

Another object is the provision of a novel means to set up a condition during one operation to prevent release of the machine during a subsequent operation when an error has been made during an operation previous to said one operation.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specication.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view oi' the keyboard of the machine according to one system in which the invention can be used.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken alongside one of the control banks of keys and shows a portion of the locking mechanism of the present invention, and also shows a portion of the total plate set under control of the keys of row l.

Fig. 3 is a detail View showing a portion of a crossfooter in the disengaged position and illustrates also a portion of the locking mechanism controlled thereby.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a mechanism shown in Fig. normal position.

Fig. 5 is a detail View of the locking mechanism shown in the locking position and also shows the novel means to retain it in such position, and shows the positions which the parts assume just before the crossiooter is moved into engaging position during a total operation.

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partially broken away, showing the regular release mechanism for the machine, a portion of the crossfooter for registering the meter readings and consumption, and the locking mechanism controlled by the crossfooter for controlling the release of the machine. Also there are shown in diagrammatic form the key stems of the control keys and their relationship to the control bars which they operate for operating and controlling the locking mechanism associated with the releasing mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the locking mechanism operated under control of the control 1liar associated with row l, or the row of total eys.

portion of the locking 2, and shown in the GENERAL DESCRIPTION Described in general terms, the machine embodying the present invention is of the saine general type as that disclosed in the Shipley and Arnold patents referred to above, and also the Spurlino et al. patent referred to. Like the machines disclosed in such patents, the present machine is provided with a plurality of totalizers and column printing mechanism. The totalizers are operated by differential mechanism under the control of amount keys, while the selection of the totalizers to be operated is accomplished through diiferential mechanism under control of the control keys provided for that purpose.

The above-mentioned diiferential mechanism also serves to adjust the printing iechanism to print the various amounts and data relating thereto on record material.

The present invention, however, is concerned chiefly with means for locking the machine against release when an error in the setting up of certain data, and the registering thereof, has been made -during the registration of a previous operation.

For this purpose, the machine keyboard is divided into sections, otherwise known as a split keyboard, having the left-hand group of keys for the purpose of setting up the meter readings and the consumption, the center group of amount keys for the purpose o1 setting up the gross amount of the bill, and the right-hand group of amount keys for setting up the net amount and forfeited discounts, sewer charges, etc.

The four rows of control keys are used for selecting the various totalizers and also for clearing the totalizers and controlling the printing, as has been described in connection with the above-mentioned patents.

When an operator is registering what is known as a multiple-meter registration, it is a case where the customer uses two meters; one, for example, for commercial use and the other for industrial use, or it might be where a person in an apartment house or large residence uses one meter for drinking water and general house'- hold use and a second meter for laundry use.

In either event, the meter reader is required to read both meters, and, when the bill is sent to the customer, both meter readings of present, previous, and consumption, and the gross and net amounts of those meters, are set up on the machine and totaled by the totalizers, and finally the amount of the total bill is obtained by the depression of the Total bill key. It is with this particular type of case that the present invention is involved. In other words, should an error be made during the setting up of the present, previous, or consumption of the second meter. the operator would take the total of both readings by the operation of the Total bill key. However, when the operator attempted to set up the present reading from a meter of the next customer, the machine could not be released upon the depression of the Present reading key, which is normally a key that releases the machine for operation, because, during the operation preceding the total operation, the machine releasing means which is under control of the Present reading key was locked, and, during the total operation immediately following, a retaining means for said locking means was rendered eilective to retain such locking condition to prevent an operation subsequent to said total operation.

DE'rArLED DESCRIPTION Keyboard The keyboard of the machine used to illustrate a system with which the present invention is involved has l5 rows of amount and data keys divided into three sections. The iirst five left-hand rows of keys 2i) are used for setting up the present meter reading, the previous meter reading, and the amount of consumption of water. The net five rows of keys 2l are used to set up the gross amount to be charged for the water consumed, and the next five rows of keys 22 are used to set up the net amount to be charged for water used, forfeited discounts, sewer charges, arrears, etc., in connection with a water system which may be operated by a public utility company or by a municipality.

There arefour rows of control keys marked Row l, Row 2, Row 3, and Row ll. The keys 23 of row l are what are known in the art as Total keys. The Clear row 3 and Clear row e keys 23 are used to clear the totalizers in the machine associated with the keys of rows 3 and 4. The Correction key 23 is used to clear the crossfooter and the totalizers when an error has been made that is discovered immediately. The Arrears balance key 23 is used to clear the machine after partial payments and balance forwards have been registered, so as to get the new balance of whatever the customer is in arrears.

The Total bill key 23 is used to clear the machine and take the total of a multiple-meter bill. The Total bill key, the Arrears balance key, and the Correction key 23 are what are known in the art as machine release keys; that is, the depression of any one of these keys alone will release the machine for operation. The lear row 3 and Clear row 4 keys are non-release keys and must be used in connection with keys in rows 3 and t to clear the totalizers for those rows.

The keys 24 of row 2 are used to register various transactions in the machine, The Credit balance key 24 is a non-release key and is used to clear the overdraft when used in connection with the Arrears balance key 23 of the total row. The Part payment key 2Q is a machine release key and releases the machine upon depression. The Present reading key 24 is a machine release key and is used when the operator sets up the presentJ reading of the meter with the amount keys 20. The Full payment key 24 is used when a customer completes a balance due. Itis a machine release key. The Previous reading key 24 is a machine release key and is used when the previous meter reading is registered. The Balance forward key 24 is a machine release key and is used in a posting operation. The Multiple line key 24 is a nonrelease key and is used in conjunction with all keys 26 of row li, and the 5th step key 2li of row 2 when a multiple-meter bill is registered. The 5th step key 24 is one wof the graduated rate scale keys used in the setting up of amounts gross and net. The Lock proof key 24 is used to release, or take off, the lock for the machine release and is not a machine release key but is operated in conjunction with the Arrears, Sewer charge, or Forfeited discount keys 25 when an error has been made in the setting up of the meter readings or consumption.

The Reinsert ledger key 25 is a machine ref lease key and is used when a ledger card is reinserted after an error. The Grand total key 25 is a release key and is used with Clear row 3 key 23. The Arrest-rs" key Z5 is a release key and is used to release the machine when amounts paid towards arrears balance are registered. The Sewer charge key 25 is used in connection with setting up charges for this pur pose. The Forfeited discount key 25 is used likewise for setting up the amount of forfeited discount. These last two keys are machine release keys. The Commercial and Industrial keys 25 are non-release keys and, of course, are used for segregating whether the water is used for industrial use or for commercial use. The Residential key 25 likewise is used whenever the water used is for residential purposes.

The keys 2 of row l are all machine release keys and are used for segregating the amounts depending upon the size of the meters used, such as 5/8, 1%, 1", 11/2, or 2, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,

and 4th step keys 25 are used in connection with a graduated scale of charges for water.

The differential mechanism associated with the amount keys, and also all of the control keys of rows l, 2, 3, and 4, is not sho-wn here, as it is identical with those shown and described in the above-mentioned patents.

The keys are mounted in the usual type ci key frames 3d (shown in Fig. 2), which are supported by rods Si and S2 carried by the side frames 33 and 34 (Fig. 6) of the machine.

Each of the keys of each of the control rows l, 2, 3, and 4 cooperates with a control bar for its respective row. In Fig. 2 is sho-wn a control bar 35 mounted on a pair of arms 3E supported by the frame 3G. This control bar 35 is associated with the keys 24 of row 2. A spring 3? tends to move the bar upwardly to keep projections 38 on said bar in contact with key pins 39 of all of the keys in row 2 except the Fresent reading key and the Multiple line key, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6. The pins 3S of the Present reading and Multiple line keys are shown diagrammatically shorter than the rest of the keys in Fig. 6. However, the control bar 35 has no projection 3S associated with the pins 35 of the Present reading key 24 or the Multiple line key 24, and therefore depression of either of these keys will not move the bar 35. However, depression of any of the other keys in this row will move said bar 35 downwardly and toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, for a purpose to be described later.

Associated with the keys 26 of row 4 is a control bar d having projections lll, which cooperate with pins 2 of the keys 2S. This control bar 40 has a projection di, which cooperates with each and every one of the keys 26 0f row 4, so that depression of any one of these keys will move this bar 49 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 5. This bar 40 is mounted on a pair or" arms 43 (only one of which is shown), which are supported by a key frame like the key frame 30.

Associated with the keys 25 of row 3 is a control bar 44 (Fig. 6), which has a projection i5 opposite the Reinserted ledger key 25 only, to cooperate with its pin 6. This key is the only key 25 in row 3 which will operate the har 4&5'. This bar is rigidly connected by means of a coupling pin d? to the bar 49. The purpose of coupling this oar d4 to the bar ri will be described later.

Associated with the Total keys 23 of row Z is a bar 5U (Figs. 6 and 7) having notches 5I to cooperate with pins 52 of the Total bill key, the Arrears balance key, and the Correction key, so that the depression of any one of these keys will move this bar downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 7, for a purpose to he described later.

Totalzaers As has 1neen stated previously, the machines in which the present invention is adapted to be used are usually provided with three lines of to-talizers, as shown in the abovennentioned patents. One of these lines is a line having a plurality of addand-subtract totalizers or crossfooters arranged side by side in a formation known in the art as a split totalizer. In the present set-up, there are a crossfooter for the meter reading, a crossfooter for the gross amount, and a crossfooter for the net amount.

However, the present invention involves only the crossfooter which is associated with the meter readings and the consumption, and therefore 8 only so much of the crossfooter will be shown as is necessary to show how this controls the release of the machine when the operator has made an error in setting up either the present reading, the previous reading, or the consumption.

The crossfooter associated with the lmeter readings and the consumption is shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 6, mounted in the usual frame Gil, which is slid back and forth on a rod 6I carried by the side frames 33 and 34. The lower end of the totalizer frame @il carries the usual shouldered roller "2, which is operated by a drum cam (not shown) to shift the crossfooter laterally for the purpose of selecting either the plus side or the minus side thereof. As the crossfooter is shifted laterally, it is guided by the usual bracket 63, shown in Fig. 3.

The crossfooter associated with the meter readings and the consumption consists of ve digits, three of which are shown in Fig. 6. Each denominational digit of the crossfooter comprises a minus wheel S5 and a plus wheel G6, which are geared together to move in opposite directions, as is clearly shown in the above-mentioned patents to Shipley. and also in United States Patent No.

issued on May 8, 1945, to Pascal Spurliliam M. Carroll, Arthur Ray Colley, and 'rred G. Kibler. Secured to the plus wheel 65 second plus wheel 57, and secured to this plus wheel G'l is a disk 68 having a notch 69. The second plus wheel 6l is used for a purpose not pertinent to the invention described herein.

When the crossfooter is at zero, the minus wheels 65 stand at 9, and the plus wheels 66 and Sl stand at Zero, and, when the crossfooter is in this condition, a pa-wl 'lil engages the notch 69. This pawl '.10 is secured to a shaft il, which is carried by the totalizer frame 6B. As shown in 6. there is a pawl l for each denominational oder of the crossfooter.

When the totalizer is in its disengaged position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the pawl l0 is held either in engagement with the notch ES, as shown in Figs. 2 and or in contact with the periphery of the disk 53 by a torsion spring l2 having one end secured in the totaliZer frame 60 and the other end to a pin 'i3 of an arm 74, which is secured to the shaft l. Also secured to the shaft is an arm l5, which is adapted to cooperate with a pin 76 secured in the side frame 33.

Since the shaft il is carried by the totalizer frame G0, it will receive a movement downwardly when the totalizer is engaged with the actuators 'Il shown in Fig. 6. During this downward movement of the crossfooter and the shaft il, the arm strikes the pin 'l5 and rocks the pawls 'l0 counter-clockwise to disengage them from the notches 52 just prior to the time the crossfooter becomes fully engaged with the actuators 7l, so that the totalizer can be properly operated by the actuators.

Then, after the totalizer has been operated to either add or subtract, as the case may be, it is disengaged from the actuators 7l, and during this disengagement, as the arm 'I5 leaves the pin 76, the spring 'l2 will rock the shaft 'H and the pawls l0 clockwise until the pawls 75 engage the notches BS of the disks 68, assuming, of course, that the adding wheels 56 and 6'! of the totalizer stand at zero. If any one of the wheels does not sta-nd at Zero, then the pawl coacting with such wheel engages the periphery of the disk 68 and consequently will not be rocked quite so far in a clockwise direction by the spring 12 as it would be if it could engage the notch 69. Since all the 9 pawls 10 are secured to shaft 1l, all the pawls are held in such position by any one disk. The purpose and function of this will be described later.

Machine releasing mechanism The complete machine releasing mechanism has not been shown, as it is not thought necessary to do so. It is thought that it is suiiicent to show only one main shaft of the releasing mechanism, which, shaft is mounted in the side frames 33 and 34. This shaft and the mechanism for operating it are fully illustrated and described in the above-mentioned Shipley patents. To release the machine, this shaft 89 is given a clockwise movement, as viewed in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 7. Secured to this shaft is an arm 8|, which is rocked clockwise along with the shaft 80 when the machine is released for operation.

There are certain keys in the machine, as above stated, which are known as release keys and which, when depressed, will set up a Condition whereby the shaft 80 will be rotated in a clockwise direction to release the machine.

In row I, the Total bill key, the Arrears balance key, and the Correction key 23 are machine release keys. In row 2, the Part payment, Present reading, Full payment, Previous reading, Balance forward, and th step keys 2i are machine release keys; in row 3, the Reinsert ledger, Grand total, Arrears Sewer charge, and Forfeited discount keys 25 are machine release keys; and in row 4, all of the keys 26 are machine release keys. Therefore, the depression of any one of the keys just mentioned will set up a condition whereby the shaft 80 and the arm 8l will be rocked clockwise to release the machine.

The arm 8l has a flange 82 bent at right angles thereto to cooperate with mechanism to be described later, to prevent the necessary clockwise movement of the shaft 80 on certain types of operations and when certain keys are depressed should the crossfooter associated with the meter readings and consumption not be at zero, which occurs, as stated above, when the operator has made a mistake in the setting up of the present reading, the previous reading, or the consumption.

Differential mechanism The diiierential actuators l1 (Fig. 6), associated with the rows of keys 20 for setting up the meter readings and the consumption, are the only part of the dii'lerential mechanism shown in this application. However, the differential mechanism used is the same as that shown in the previously-mentioned Shipley patents, and for a complete understanding thereof reference may be had to these patents. This applies also to the differential mechanisms associated with the Gross amount keys 2l and the "Net amount and Forfeited discount keys 22.

None of the diilerential mechanisms associated with 'the control rows of keys 24, 25, and 26 have been shown in this application, as it is not felt necessary that they be shown herein in order to have a complete understanding of the invention, and therefore reference may be had to the above-mentioned Shipley patents for this mechanism, if it is desired.

Neither has the differential mechanism associated with the total row of keys 33 been shown, and for a disclosure and description oi such mechanism reference may be had to the previouslymentioned Shipley, Spurlino, and Placke Patent No. 2,262,253.

10' Locking mechanism for the machine releasing mechanism As has been previously stated, the machine vrelease shaft is prevented from moving its full clockwise movement to release the machine for certain. kinds of operations-for example, a Present reading operation whenever an error has been made in the setting up of the meter ,reading of the present, previous, or the consumption of the previous series of operations, so that the crossfooter will not come to zero at'the end of such a series.

However, this error may not be discovered during the registration of that particular transaction, but it will be discovered upon the subsequent operation, when the operator attempts to release the machine by depressing the Present reading key 241, after having set up on the meter reading keys 20 the present reading of the next customers meter, or it might be the same customers second meter, where a customer has two meters, one for commercial use and one for industrial use.

The error might also be discovered if the customer had other charges to be put on his bill, such as Forieited discount, Arrears, or a Sewer charge. These keys 25 also could not release the machine because they do not cooperate with the control bar M, which is tied to the lock release control bar 40.

The mechanism for causing this lock-up of the machine-that is, the prevention of the release of the machine when the Present reading key 24 is depressed-will now be described.

First let it be assumed that the crossfooter shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6 is standing in its cleared position, while the wheels 65 on the minus side stand at 99999 and both of the plus wheels 63 and El of the crossfooters stand at 00000. Assuming that the present reading of the meter was 765, this amount is set up on the keys 20 and 765 is added to the minus Wheels 65 of the crossfooter, so that these wheels now read 00764, and at the same time, this 765 is subtracted from the plus wheels 66 and 61, so that these wheels now stand at 99235. On the next operation, the operator sets up the previous reading, which, for example we will say is 532. This amount is added to the 99235 of the plus wheels 66 and 61, so that they now stand 99767. This same amount 532, which is the previous meter reading, is subtracted from the minus wheels 65, so that these wheels now stand 00232. This would leave the consumption at 233, and therefore the operator now sets up the amount 233 on the keys 20, which amount is added to the plus wheels 61 and 56, so that they now stand at 00000, and this amount 233 is subtracted from the minus wheels 65, so that they now read 99999. At the end of this operation, the notches 69 in the disks 68 are in the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the pawls l0 will engage those notches and the operator may then continue to set up the transactions of present and previous meter readings and the consumption for the next customer.

However, if, instead of setting up the consumption 233, the operator had erroneously set up the consumption as 3.33, then this amount of 333 would have been added to the plus wheels 66 and 6l, leaving these wheels standing at 00100 instead of 00000. At the same time, this amount 333 would have been subtracted from the minus wheels 69, which stood at 00232. Therefore these wheels would now stand at 99899, and therefore the notch 69 would not be opposite the pawl 'Z9 of the hundreds order digit, but would be in the position shown in Fig. at the end of this operation, and, by means to be described hereinafter', it will be impossible for the operator to go on for the next operation, which normally is the setting up of the present reading for another meter, because, upon the depression of the Present reading key 24, the release shaft 8) would be blocked against its proper clockwise movement. This mechanism will now be described in detail.

Secured to shaft 88 supported by the side frame 35 and a plate 8l is a yoke 89. This yoke 89 has a long arm 99, and a spring 9! connected thereto holds a linger 92 of the arm against a stationary stud 93 carried by the plate 8l. This is the normal position of the yoke 89, as shown in Figs. 2 and Ll.

Rigidly secured to the previously described shaft l! is an arm 94 normally held in the position shown in Fig, 2 by the previously described spring 12.

It will be recalled that the sha-ft 'II is moved downwardly when the crossfooter is moved into engagement with the actuators 1l', and also that this shaft 'lI receives a counter-clockwise movement `iust before the crossfooter is engaged with the actuators, occasioned by the contact of the arm 'I5 with the stationary stud i6 in the frame 33. This counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 'II positions the arm 94 beneath the yoke 89, after the shaft 'II has been moved downwardly with the totalizer frame 59.

Assuming now that the operator made e, mistake, as mentioned above, and entered as the consumption the number 333 instead of 233, this would leave the notch 59 in the hundreds order disk 68 in the position shown in Fig. 5 when the crossfooter is disengaged from the actuators 'I'I.

Consequently, the pawls '.19 could not be rocked clockwiseby the spring 12, as described earlier, upon the disengagement of the crossfooter from the actuators 1l, and therefore, as the totalzer is disengaged or moved into the position shown in Fig. 5, the upward movement of the shaft l! causes the arm S4 `to strike the yo-ke 89 and rock said yoke 89, the shaft 5 and the arm 90 in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in.

Fig. 5. Pivoted on a rod 95 supported by the machine side frames 33 and 34 is an arm 95, which is normally held in contact with a stud 91 on the arm Sil by a spring 98 connected to pins on the arms 99 and 95. Secured to the arm 95 is a yoke 99 connecting an arm IBD also pivoted on the rod 95. The end ISI of the arm |99 is normally in the position shown in Fig. 4, which is above the ange S2 of the release arm 8! and the release shaft 89.

From the above description it will be clear that, when the arm 99 is rocked counter-clockwise by the arm 94, as described above, the spring 98 Vwill rock the arm 96, the yoke 99, and the arm I U9 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7 into the position shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the end IGI of the arm Iii!! is directly in the path of movement of the flange 82 on the release arm 8l of the release shaft 83 and consequently..\vill prevent sufficient clockwise movement of the arm 89 to release the machine. Assuming that an.arrears charge, a sewerWchargeg ora forfeited discount charge had to be added vto thisbill, the operator depressed 4the appropriate key 25, but, due to the above errorhavingbeen made, vthe, machine: can-A 12 not be released by depression of any of said keys.

Since the machine will not release upon the depression of any of the keys just mentioned, the operator knows that he has made a mistake, and he may now release the locking arm Illfl; that is` move it out of the path of the iiange 82 of the release arm 8l by depressing the Lock proof release key 24 in row 2 and then depressing the appropriate key 25 to enter an arrears Sewon or forfeited discount charge.

The-,Lock proof key 24 cooperates with the previously described control bar 35 (Figs, 4 and 6), which carries a pin I I0, which cooperates with a finger III of an arm H2 pivoted on the rod 95. This bar35 is associated with, the Lock proof key 24, and consequently depression of this key rocks the arm IIL' in a counter-clockwise direction, whereupon a slot i3 thereof, by its engagement with a pin II4 of an arm II5 secured to a shaft HG, rocks said shaft in a clockwise direction. This shaft is carried by the plate 8'! and another plate Iii' (Fig. 6). Also secured to the shaft IIS is an arm i8 having a pin IIS, against which a projection IZQ of the arm came into contact when the arm 98 was rocked in a clockwise direction by its spring 98 in the manner previously described.

Therefore, the clockwise movement of the shaft HG will rock the arm II8 clockwise and the pin I I9 will rock the arm 9B, the yoke 99, and the arm it counter-clockwise to move the end IUI oi the arm |69 from the path of movement of the ange 82 of the release arm iII after which the machine may be released for operation by depression of an appropriate release key 25. In order to show the proper data on the bill, the operator corrects the bill by hand-written gures after the series of operations has been completed.

During the operation of the machine with the Lock proof key 24 and the appropriate key 25 depressed, when the crossfooter is disengaged, the arm i9!) is again brought in front of the fiange of the release arm 5I, the machine is therefore again locked due to the error still in. the meter reading crossfooter.

The operator now corrects the meter crossfooter by clearing the same by releasing the machine by depressing the correction key 23 in row I. This key takes off the lock for the release shaft in the following manner.

The control bar 50 (Figs. 6 and 7) of row I has a slot 5i cooperating with the Correction key 23, so that depression of this key moves the bar 59 to the left (Fig. 6), and a pin I25 thereon rocks an arm IEE counter-clockwise. This arm |26 has a finger I2'i normally contacting a pin IZB on the arm II2. Therefore, this arm II2 is rocked counter-clockwise by the bar 59, whereupon the arms H5 and H3 are rocked clockwise and the pin IIS rocks the arm 93, the yoke 99, and the locking arm IOS from the position shown in Fig. 5 into the position shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7.

During this clearing operation of correction, the notches will all again aline themselves with the ends ci the pawls 79, and consequently. when the crosslooter is disengaged, the arm 94 will not be in the path of the yoke Sil. since the ends of the pawis will be engaged with the notches 59..under the iniiuence of the spring l2, and consequently the stud 9? will hold the arm 96, the yoke 99, and the arm 39 in the position shown in Figs. 2, 4, and '7.

Assuming now that the operator is going to make up what is known as a multiple line bill,

where one customer has two meters for the registration of water used-one, for example, for commercial use and the other for industrial useand that the meter readings of the commercial use are set up rst, the rst being the present reading, the previous reading, and the consumption, al1 of which the operator sets up correctly, then he sets up the meter reading from the industrial meter, and, during the registration of the meter reading from this industrial meter, an error is made, so that the crossfooter will not come at zero, and consequently the notches 59 in one or more of the disks 68 will not be opposite the ends of the pawls TQ. However, the operator at this time does not discover the error because, after having set up the consumption, the next operation for the operator to do in order to obtain the total amount due from both meters is to release the machine by operating the Total bill key 23, whereupon the crossfooter will be returned to its zero position.

During the disengagement of the crossfooter, after the entry of the consumption, wherein the crossiooter was not cleared, due to the error, the arm te was rocked from the position shown in Figs. 2, 4., and 7 into the position shown in Fig. 5, as has already been stated, whereupon the spring :i8 moves the end ISI of the locking arm Hill into the path of the flange 2 of the releasing arm 8l.

At the same time, an arm IBI, secured to the shaft 35, is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 5. This move ment or" the arm I3! occurs during the entry or the first item of the transaction wherein the error was made when registering the meter readings or the consumption from the industrial meter in connection with the multiple line bill above nientioned.

Associated with the Total bill key 23 is a iifferentially positioned total plate 132 (Figs. 2 and 6), which plate is adapted to be set into different positions under control of the keys 23 of row i for the total row, as it is sometimes called, by mechanism which is fully illustrated and described in the previously mentioned Shipley, Spurlino, and Placke Patent No, 2,262,258.

When the Total bill key. 23 is depressed, the total plate |32 (Fig. 2) is rocked clockwise until the bottom of a depression of a slot 34 in the plate 32 cooperates with a roller |35 on an arm i353 pivoted on the shaft l It, thus causing a counter-clockwise movement of the arm |36. Integral with this arm its is a finger i3?, which, upon the counter-clockwise movement of the arm is positioned directly in front of a square stud |33 carried by the arm lSl, since the arm ESI has been previously moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 5, during the entry of the transaction ci the setting up of the meter readings for the consumption from the industrial meter, as mentioned above. The timing of the movement of the total plate 132 is such that it is fully set before the cross footer is lowered into engaging position.

Since the total plate 32 is differentially positioned before the crossfooter is in engaging posi tion, and since the plate |32 remains in the position into which it was set at the completion of an operation, and until it is differentially moved during a subsequent operation, either to its normal position shown or to another position under control of one of the other keys '23 of the total row, the arm |36 and the nger |31 will be retained in the position shown in Fig,

at the completion of the total bill operation and consequently hold the arm |31 in the position shown in Fig. 5. This permits the locking arm lili] to be positioned in front of the releasing flange 82 of the release arm 8l, and prevents release of the machine when the operator attempts a subsequent operation of the machine by the depression of the Present reading key 2e to register the meter readings of a subsequent customer.

Since the iinger |31 is moved into the path of the arm lill, before the crossfooter is lowered into its engaging position, said arm i3! is not released to the action of the spring 9| when the crossfooter is lowered. When the crossfooter is cleared during the operation in which the Total bill key 215 is depressed, al1 the notches in the disks S8 are alined with the pawls 1B, thus permitting the pawls lo, the shaft 1|, and the arm de to rock clockwise under action of spring 12, and thereby withdraw the arm 94 from the path of the flange 89. Thereafter, when the crossfooter is disengaged, the arm Q4 moves idly. v

operation with the Present reading key del pressed, thus indicating that an error was made the statement just completed.

Now on the subsequent operation, as above mentioned, since the operator discovers that an error had been made when he pressed the Present reading key 24 when attempting to register meter readings of a subsequent customer, it then becomes necessary for him to release the lock arm im! from the path of movement of the flange S2, and in order to do so he depresses the Lock proof key 2e in conjunction with the Present reading key 2e. The depression of this Lock proof key 2t through the control bar, as described above, rocks the arm HS (Fig. 7) clockwise, whereupon the pin iii! raises the arm S5, the yoke Sil, and the locking arm ist, thus moving the arm i out of the path of movement of the flange 82 of the release arm 8i, and then the operator may proceed to set up the meter reading by means of the keys 2s (Fig. 1) and enter this present meter reading into the machine by depressing the Present reading key 2li.

Since the entry of this present meter reading does not involve the depression of any of the keys of row l, the total plate |32 will be automatically differentially positioned back into the position shown in Fig, 2, whereupon the slot I3!! will rock the arm |36 and the finger i3? clockwise to remove the ringer 13'! from in front of the stud 33 of the arm 53E. of this finger I 31 from the stud |38, the spring t8, having been put under tension by the counterclockwise movement of the arm 9d, will rock the arm do and the arm lili from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in TEig. 2, wherein the pin Si of the arm Se again contacts the under side of the arm t. This movement of the arms and liti is also aided by the spring Si in conjunction with the spring 953.

If no error was made during the entry of the various items of a multipledine bill, then, at the conclusion of the last entry, the disks 58 are in the position shown in Fig. 2, and the arm 94 is in the ineffective position and does not hold the arin iti in the locking position. Thus the rela After the removal i tionship between tle finger i3? and tl^e rm i3! is as shown in Fig. 2. F-Jih the parts in such position and a Total bill operation initiated, the total plate the Enger 53'. counterclockvv'ise, as in i previously described. However, is out of range of the nL i does not come in ry of the present meter crossfo ter wheels d out of their normal. i is move l into locke flange il, at the end of reading of any in and (Fig. (il are positions, the locking arr; ing position in en y the prc v v is n cessary that this lock arm ld be removed from the path oi tie flange .l this nplished by the depression of the Previi of key, he pin associated proof which cooperc- `lection on the contr (l2, as has been previously described. rfhis rocking o the HE, as will be remembered, rocks the arms H5 and clockwise, vhereupon the stud lli? rocks the arm w, th yoke 9, and the arm counter-clockwise remove the locking arm is@ -aivay from the flange 32 of the release a m 8l.

At the end oi this transaction-that is, the entry the previous reading-the lock arm lilo will again be positioned in iront of the flange 32, and conse-a tly, when the operator sets up the consumption, this arm must be removed.

When the amount of the bill is set up, one of the keys in row or the th step key 24 in row 2, is depressed to select the proper totalizer into which the amount of the bill is to be added, because will be remembered that, when the consumption is set on the lzeys 2li, the gross amount oi the bs set up on the keys and the net amount oi the bill is set up on the keys 22, and therefore, in creer to have these gross and het amounts go into the proper totalizers, they must be selected one of the keys 26 or the rift-o step key Therei re, the depression of the 5th step key '25; will move the bar 35 the saine as the Previous reading key to remove the lock arm Sr from in iront of the ange 82.

sscciated with each ci the keys 23, as has been prei, usly mention f is a control bar lill, n has projections il oi each of the keys its:

bar through its act vit-h il integral with the lool: ld, Will rock c. arm l-ll and consequently lock arm l in a corner-clockwise direction and move it out of the path of movement of the flange S of the release arm Si.

However, at the end of the entry of this consuo'ption, if error has been made, as has been described previously. lock the class described adapted to mal-:e a plurality of operations to complete a single transaction, said operations comprising adding, subtracting, ai l total-tal the combination of a machine i normally ineirectire loc i shaft; a totalizer includ' ity of plus wheels and plurality of Jels; means controlled by the totalizer when the totalizer s a positive or a l egative amount tiereon to .ider said leciti O means eiective to lock the machine release shalt to thereby prevent release of the machine for certain types of operations; means operable upon conditioning the machine for a total-taking operation to render the locking means ineffective so that the machine may be released for a total-taking operation; means to again render the locking means effective upon completion of the totaltaking operation, said last me ns inclu U device. settable during the aiter said totalizer is reset to 'd total-taking operation.

'line of the class described adapted to mak-e a plurality oi operations to complete a single transaction, said operations comprising adding, subtracting, and total-taking operations, the combination of a chine release shaft; a normally ineffective locHx ig means for the release shaft; a totalizer including a plurality of plus wheels and a plurality ci minus Wheels; means controlled by the totalizer when tl e totallzer has a positive or a negative amount therein to render said locking means effective; means operable upon conditioning the machine for a total-taking operation to render the locking means neective so that the machine may be released for a total-taking operation; means to again render the locking means effective upon completion of the total-taking operation, said last means including de ces setta'ole during the total-taking operation and effective to reenable said locking means to prevent movement of the release shaft for an entry operation of a subsequent transaction, after said totalizer in reset to Zero during the total-taking operation; and means operable as a preliminary to the entry of said subsequent transaction to render said locking means ineffective.

In a machine ci the class described adapted to make a plurality oi operations to complete a single transaction comprising adding operations, subtracting operations, a total-taking, or reset, operation, the combination oi a machine release shaft; a normally ir fective locking means for the release shaft; a totalizer including a plurality or plus wheels and a plurality of minus wheels; means controlled by the totalizer when the tctaliaer has a positive or a negative amount therein to render said locking means effecti e; means operable upon conditioning the entry of said subsequent transaction to render said locking means ineffective; and means operable during the entry of said subsequent trans'- action for restoring said reenabling means to its normal position.

4. In a machine of the class described, `adapted to make a plurality of diiierent types of operations to complete a single transaction comprising adding operations, subtracting operations, and a total-taking, or reset, operation, the combination of a plurality of control means for releasing the machine for the different types of operations; a machine release shaft; a normally ineffective locking means for said release shaft; a crossfooter; means controlled thereby for rendering said locking means effective during an adding or subtracting operation when the crossfoo-ter is out of zero or normal position at the end of said adding or subtracting operation to prevent certain of said control means from releasing the machine through said release shaft for another operation of the same type; means operable upon conditioning the machine for a total-taking operation to render the locking means ineffective so that the machine may be released for a totaltaking operation; means to again render the locking means effective upon completion of the total-taking operation, said last means including devices settable during a total-taking operation and effective to reenable said locking means to prevent an immediate adding or subtracting operation after said totalizer is reset to zero during said total-taking operation; and means controlled by one of said control means and operable as a preliminary to such an immediate adding or subtracting operation to render said locking means ineffective for such an operation.

5. In a machine of the class described, adapted to make a plurality of different types of operations to complete a single transaction comprising adding operations, subtracting operations, and a total-taking, or reset, operation, the combination of a plurality of control means for releasing the machine for the different types of operations; a machine release shaft; a normally ineffective locking means for said release shaft; a crossfooter; means controlled thereby for rendering said locking means effective during an entry type of operation when the crossfooter is out of zero or normal position at the end of said one type of operation to prevent certain of said control means from releasing the machine through said release shaft for another operation of the same type; means operable upon conditioning the machine for a total-taking operation to render the locking means ineffective so that the machine may be released for a total-taking operation; means to again render the locking means effective upon completion of the total-taking operation, said last means including devices settable during a total-taking operation and effective to reenable said locking means at the end of said total-taking operation to prevent an immediate entry operation of said one type; means controlledby one of said control means and operable as a preliminary to such an immediate entry operation oi the last-mentioned type to render said locking means ineffective for such an operation; and means operable during such an immediate entry operation for restoring said retaining means Ato its normal position.

6. In a machine of the class describedthe combination of a machine release member; a normally ineffective'means adapted when effective to lock saidrelease member against operation; means for holding said locking means in its ineffective position; a crossfooter adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with its actuators; means controlled by the crossfooter and adapted to move the holding means into an in-l effective position while the crossfooter is being disengaged from its actuators; resilient means for rendering the locking means effective when the holding means is moved into its ineffective position; means for retaining the holding means in such ineffective position; means for temporarily rendering the locking means ineiective While said holding means is retained in its ineiective position, said locking means being again rendered effective by said resilient means When the last means is inactive; means for releasing said retaining means; and means for restoring said holding means to normal effective position when the retaining means is released to again render the locking means ineiective.

7. In a machine of the class described having an add-and-subtract totalizer, and means to add and subtract in said totalizer and to reset said totalizer to zero, the combination of a machine release shaft; a notched disk in each denominational order of said totalizer, said disks having their notches alined when the totalizer is standat aero; means movable into engagement with the notches in the disks when the disks are alined and engaging an unnotched section of any one of the disks when the notches are not alined; a normally ineffective locking device movable into a position to be effective to prevent operation of the machine release shaft for add or subtract operations; an element normally maintaining said locking device in ineffective position; a projection on said means positioned, by the unnotched section of any disk, into operating connection With said element; power means to thereafter move the said means to cause the projection to move the element out of normal position to thereby cause the locking device to move into effective position; means, movable when conditioning the machine for a reset operation, to move the locking device into ineffective position so that the machine can be released for reset operations; and means settable during a reset operation to maintain the element in moved position after the totalizer has been reset to Zero and the notches in the disks are alined to thereby maintain the locking device in effective position upon completion of the reset operation.

S. In a machine of the class described having an add-and-subtract totalizer, and means to add and subtract in said totalizer and to reset said totaliser to Zero, the combination of a machine release shaft; a notched disk in each denominational order of said totalizer, said disks having their notches alined When the totalizer is standing at aero; sensing pavvls coacting with the notched disks to sense for the notches in the disks and movable into one position when all device to move intov effective position; a total 10 taking key for releasing the machine for an operation; means controlled by the total taking keys to reset the totalizer to zero; connections between the total key and the locking device. to move the. locking device into normal ineffective position, whereupon the machine may be released for a reset operation and means set-table during the reset operation to maintain the said element 20 in the position to which it was set by the sensing naw-ls to thereby cause the locking device to again become eective at the end of t'ne reset operation with the notches alined.

RUDOLPH J. MOSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,624,105 Landsiedei Apr. 12, 1927 1,993,626 Robertson Mai'. 5, 1935 1,988,625 Lawrence Jan. 22, 1935 2,087,542 Muller July 20, 1937 1,992,142 Butler Feb. 19, 1935 2,274,803 Muller Mar. 3, 1942

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