US2698137A

US2698137A - Calculator

Info

Publication number: US2698137A
Application number: US197973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Weiss Sol
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-11-28
Filing date: 1950-11-28
Publication date: 1954-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1971-12-28

Description

S. WEISS CALCULATOR Dec. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 195o qwf/ Dec. `28, 1954 s. wElss 2,698,137

CALCULATOR Filed Nov. 28 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

l 5.0/ Wad/'5f United States Patent/TO CALCULATOR soi weiss, Philadelphia', Pa. vApplication November 28, 1950,` Serial No. 197,973 Claims. (Cl. 235-78)V My invention relates to calculators, and relates particularly to a pocket calculator, of the circular variety.

It is an object of my invention to provide a small pocket calculator by means of which columns of gures may be quickly added and totaled, and also, by means of which subtraction may be made, simply by reversing the minuend operation of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a calculator of the character described which is positive in opzratiion and incapable of error when correctly manipuate Another object of my invention is to provide a small pocket calculator which has relatively simple parts which do not wear or easily get out of order.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pocket calculator which is easily read and easilyactuated.

Another object of my invention 1s to manufacturea small calculator wherein the parts may be easily molded of a plastic or synthetic resin.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of the character described, that lis easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly eicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consistsin the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a top View of the calculator, portions of which are cut away to reveal the construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View of the calculator seen from above with one counter ring exposed.

Fig. 3 is a detailed fragmentary view showing the digit transfer mechanism in inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a detailed fragmentary View showing the digit transfer mechanism in operative position.

Fig. 5 is asectional view taken along the line 5-5 of 'Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the ring, the catch, and*l the catch holding spring.

F g. 7is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom piece of the calculator.

1 Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the top piece of the calcuatOl':

F Fig 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Fig 10 is a sectional View taken along the line 10--10 of Fig."8.

Fig. 1l is a perspective view of the slide itself.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the stylus.

Referring now tothe drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, I show a circular calculator with a top portion, generally designated as A1, of a case, a complementary bottom case portion, generally designated as B, forming a case wherein there are' a plurality of counter rings, each of which is generally designated with'the prefix C. Each ring C has ten equally spaced notches N in its outer curved surface `to'permit the insertion of a stylus, pencil point, or other sharp pointer for turning the ring and a communicating notch N1 is adapted to be engaged by a catch, generally designated as E. The upper face of each ring C carries the

digits

0, 12, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 at equal. intervals in black color as viewed clockwise, and beside each of the aforementioned digitsvis the

digit

9, 8, 7,6, 5, '4, 3, 2, 1, 0 in red color, the digits being located Ybetweenthe successive'notches N which are spaced ice 36 degrees apart. The digits on the face of the rings arenot visible when inserted within the case, except throughv The bottom of each ring.

next ring C2 indicates tens, ring C3 indicates hundreds,

ring C4 indicates thousands, and the innermost ring C5 indicates tens of thousands. shown a calculator having live rings which can handle totals up to live figures, but the calculator may have any desired number of rings.

The upper outer surface A3 of the top case portion A1.

is provided with a plurality of concentric annular slots designated as A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 which overlie' rings C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5, respectively.- These annular slots extend a distance of 5%@ of the circumference of each of the rings, however, each of the slots A4 to A8, respectively, expose the notches N in the particular counter ring C which it overlies. The remaining 1/10 of the upper surface is closed except for a plurality of windows or apertures therein which are covered by a slide, generally designated as D, see Fig. 11. The aperture A2 is where the numerals on each .ring appear and may be designated the totalizing aperture.

The windows in the top case portion A1 determined portions of the slide D, to be visible therethrough. The slide D is an elongated thin member A10 having a plurality of openings D1 therein solthat only one digit on one ring may be seen at one moment of time. A tab 12 carries the notation S-A (S to indicate for subtraction and A for addition), a second tab 14 integrally formed with the body member 10 has a vertical handle 16 which serves as a pusher so that S or A may be pushed to be visible. The ends 20, 22 are slightly upturned to permit easy sliding of the slide D.

The uppermost surface of each ring C carries the digits 0 through 9 equally spaced and arranged in ascending orderin a counter-clockwise direction (red color) and also in a clockwise direction (black color) so that the surface has numerals which read 9-0, 8-1, 7-2, 6-3,

5-4, etc. The red numerals arranged in a counterclockwise direction are used for hereinafter be described.

The under portion of the case has a plurality of

circular walls

25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. The walls 25 to 29 extend adjacent the annular slots A4 to A8, respectively. The vertical walls 26 to 30 cover the same circular distance that the slots A4 to A8 extend.

performing subtraction, as will Those portions of the vertical walls 26 to 30 whichiv are included in the central angle dened by the numerals 9 and 0 on the central portion, are cut away leaving a transfer notch or gap 33 in the walls which extends for 36 degrees. These gaps are sullicientlyy deep lto permit a spring-pressed catch, generally designated as E, one of which is carried by each of the rings C1, C2, C3 and C4 to pass entirely through the gap 33 and to engage one of the notches N1 in the adjoining higher unit;V counter ring. A spring, generally designated as F, presses;

upon the catch E to keep it extended.

If one of the inner rings is rotated a complete revolue` tion, the second ring will be rotated 36 degrees or one-- tenth of the circumference by the catch E engaging at The catch notch N1 of the adjoining inner ring. will be retracted by the dividing wall at theend of the movement through the gap 33. The walls defining the. ends of the gap are cut to form a beveled surfaceat each end to depress the spring easily. The spring and4 catch is the mechanism by which a transfer is effected between any two adjoining rings, and the transfer will take place in the direction that the ring is rotated. This means that one ring is to be rotated in one direction a full revolution to move the adjoining ring one tenth revolution.

The spring pressed catch E is carried by each of the counter rings C, except the innermost 10,000 unit ring A pocket 32 is formed in the inner curved wall of each VPatented Dec. 28, 1954i In the drawing, I have enable prethe/.walliso thatthe ring moves smoothly into the .posit tion to which Aitzhas been moved by a stylus, generally designated as S., A screw 37 secures the catch E Vand its hook E1-A vto-the` ring;

A plurality of circulan

concentric slots

40,41, 42, 43", and'` 4'4 areV formed in the inside surface of the bottom piece Bland eachxslot receives one on the extensions 111iy on peachl of; theyrings. Through the concentric circular slots` 40,411, etc.,.is a radial slot 46 for the reception of the-stylus, S. It is toy be noted thatY the top and bottomI case; portions A1' and B` are pivoted-` togetherV by a pivot holding member 48 Vso that in one case portion A1 ro tates with respect to the other B. Hence, when the stylus lies in theradial. slot 46 rotation of the rings C in onedirection: brings the extension 11` to rest against the stylus.

Upon the periphery of the upper case portion A1V are a series `ofequally'spaced digits 0, l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and` 9 designated as 53 which are read counterclockwise-the 0 is located above the totalizing gures on the.;slide D and the 9 appears belowy the totalizing figure. Beforethe digits;3-4 is a "-l-re-set notation with its notch 50. and betweenthe 45 digit is a reset notation with` its. notch 52., The notches 5052,.are adapted to receive the,v head S2 of the stylus. The function of the +reset and the reset is to have the zero appearV in the windows for addition and for subtraction. This is achieved in the following manner:-

The-pointer S1 ofthe stylus S is inserted into the radial recess 46 as far as it will go; the casingportion A1 and B for addition are rotated. at least one revolution so thatl all-,of the projections 11 on all of the rings move-until the head 52 of the stylus fits into the -1-reset notch 50. Thegbottom casing portion B is moved counterclockwise by-,one hand while the top` casingv portion A1 is held stationary by the other hand. Whenthe projections 11 are in their correctposition allv zeros should appear in the windows.

To subtract, the reverse movement of the' casingsA A1 and` B occurs as contrasted to the movements for addition-so thattall digits 9 appear in the Windows until the slider D is moved to the4 subtraction side whenallV zeros, appear.

A radial indicator, generally designated as'` G, indicates the units, tens, hundreds and has openings inline` withf` theaconcentric slots A4, A5, etc.

Operation` To-use` the calculator for addition, the unit ringsjare rotated until their zero numerals appear in' the sight window. This is brought about by inserting point S1 of the stylus S in the radial slot 46'and rotatingthe'4 bottom case portion with respecty tothe upper case portion' so f. that the rings pass one revolution andthen placing the:Y head ofithe stylus in the reset' (-1-) notch 50; and

movingthe slide D until the A (additionyappears. .Alli of Athe-digits appear in the WindowfAZ as 0. What hasV oceurredis 4that all'of` the extensions 11am-aligned; As

suming that the number 3254 is to rbe calculated, therst' digit-r4 is placed on totalizerV of the calculator by' placing the point S1 of the` stylus S into the notchlN on the digitiofv the unit rin-g C1 at the 4 (designated 53)', ,and moving the stylus in a clockwise direction until itis arrested.` by the solid portion whereuponl the numeral 4` appears through the sight'window A2l over theunit ring.

Thersecond digit ofV the number is registered by placing are repeated, and the digits may be added in anyord'erl provided that they areV placed on the-propierfunitring'.

Thertotal of 2657 plus 3254fwill appear` inthe; window When the1digit'7 is added to` thedi'git* 3,v the' unit" counter ring# Clfw-illhave i revolve-d` voneY compie/te revoiultion, and the tens ring C2 will advance one notch automatically, the transteribeing eiected bythe hook EI' of the catch mechanism E previously described, engaging the keeper notch N1 only in the space 33. The walls 26 cause the hook E1 to be disengaged from the keeper notch N1 of the adjoining ring.

Subtraction To perform subtraction, the` totalizer is cleared, the S appears in the window and the unit cleared to have all of the digits zerosappear otherwise1 digits 9 will appear. The minuend is located in the totalizer by using the red numerals 54 instead of the black numbersv 53 r` "and moving the stylus S counterclockwise. A series of red digits 54 are located' alongsideof the' black digits 53 s o that the red digits 54 and the black digits total 9; that 1s to say the black digits 53 are read in a counterclockwise direction while the red digits are read in a clockwise direction, so' that black` 1l isbeside red 8, b1a`ck`-2 isbe'- side red' 7, black 3 is beside red 6, until black 9 1s aiongside of red 0.

In performing subtraction, the same-procedure is .foie lowed except that the minuend numeralsv are` located on the proper unit rings by referring to the inner ring. Each counter ring. C forming theminuend numeral is tui-n ed counter-clockwise by means of the stylus until the entire` minuend has been setup. Thesubtrahend isthen locatedv as in a row of figures for addition and tl'ie'counter rings are turned in a clockwise manner to complete the sub'- traction. p

In construction, the calculator is especially adapted to be made of molded' plastic composition, withv spring steel inserts. Thecalculator is flat, light and sturdy,`

simple to use, and: inexpensivey to manufacture, and ac'- curate.

The calculator may be'carried by the'housewife to total the money she expends and canbe particularly useful inA super markets for shopping purposes.

All of the numerals on ringsC1 and C2 maybe red and allot the numerals on the otherrings C3, C4, and'. C5 may be in rblack to indicate dollars' (black) and cents (red). This expedites readingoi'the calculator.

Although my invention has been described inA con;y siderable detail, such.` description" is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, Vsinceftheinvention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the' invention-is to bedetermined as claimed;

I claim as my invention:

l. A pocket calculator comprising' a" flat base mem-- ber havinga peripheral ange thereon, a series ofi-conv centrically spaced annular grooves in said` base, a topr4 member having aflangeada'pt'ed'to telescope'withinI said base` member, a series of concentric'annular op"enings"ii1` said top member, a series of rings having `ritir'neralsthere" on and located between said top merriberv and said base` member, a plurality vofnotches in said rin eachof said notches having' a vertical portion` whic coincides with one of said annular openings` inn saidftopmember;

and` a horizontal portion which liesorthe under4 sur@ face of said ring, the vertical portions of/eachnofl said notches being adapted'to receive an instrument for turn ing its respective ring,,said horizontal portions being' adapted to receive a spring-pressed" catch mounted on=an1-r adjacent ring, and each of said ringsbeing.furthenpro videdwith; a' depending lug which is adapted to'- enieiI '1l one of said concentrically spaced A. annular groovesin said base, `and said depending 1u`g` being." adaptedto engaged by a stylusjwherebyrotation oftleb'ase and the rings lbrings the ringsft a zero position. y

2. A- calculator, comprising a" disc-like 'b'dy merrie berV having concentric circularv dividing walls fo'ined.

thereon, ai plurality/of numeral" lbearing, rings' :adapted "t berotated between-saidwalls; a set of notches'`f el ceiviiig an actuating stylus"fo`rmedin` saidring's"adiacenti` being adapted to be compressed by said dividing walls and being adapted to project through said gap in said dividing walls and to engage one of the ten transfer notches in an adjacent ring, and a depending lug projecting downwardly on each of said rings.

` 3. My invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said gaps in said walls extend approximately 36 degrees of a circle; and wherein a sight window is incorporated in said body member; and a radial slot extending in said disc-like body member whereby a stylus placed in said slot is adapted to bring said rings to a zero position when relative motion occurs between the rings and said body member.

4. In a pocket calculator to perform addition or subtraction, a plurality of rings, each ring having ten notches equally on its curved outermost periphery, a notch in one of said rings, a spring pressed catch in said notch, said catch comprising a lever pivoted at one end and having a substantially V-shaped lug adjacent said other end, a case, means on said case to keep said spring pressed catch away from said second ring for nine-tenths of the circumference of the rings, a gap in said means for one-tenth of the circumference whereby said catch in one ring may engage a notch in the adjoining ring whereby said two rings are moved simultaneously, and a depending lug projecting downwardly on each of said rings adapted to be engaged by a stylus located at a radially extending slot in said case to bring said rings to register at a zero position when said case and said rings are relatively moved.

5. The invention of claim 4 including a slide having windows on the top of said casing, digits upon said rings, and said digits being adapted to be visible only at said window, said slide being radially movable from one position for addition and to another position for subtraction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS