US3550846A - Tens-control device for sprocket wheel calculating machines - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] inventor Gottfried Burkhardt Winkelhaid, Germany [21'] Appl. No. 804,759 [22] Filed Mar. 6,1969 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [73] Assignee DIEHL Nurnberg, Germany [32] Priority Mar. 6, 1968 [33] Germany [31] No. 1,574,990

[54] TENS-CONTROL DEVICE FOR SPROCKET WHEEL CALCULATING MACHINES 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 235/137, 235/142 [51] Int. Cl G06c 15/26 [50] Field ofSearch 235/137, 142, 133, 139

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,588,835 3/1952 Herzstark 235/137 2,667,307 1/1954 Westinger et a]... 235/137 3,102,688 9/1963 Gang 235/137 3.456.877 7/1969 Juhas ABSTRACT: A tens-control apparatus for sprocket-wheel calculating machines having sprocket-wheel bodies and value sprockets additionally provided with a tens-control sprocket radially shiftable and engageable with a driven wheel of a countermechanism. Sprocket-wheel amount-control deviceforming means include countermechanism carriage means shiftable and operative relative to ten-toothed counterwheel means in each position having two sprockets with teeth evenly extending into rotation range of sprocket-wheel bodies shiftable with respect to valveand tens-control sprockets of the amount-control device respectively at a time for additive and subtractive calculating. Control shift means formed particularly with guide members of a tens-control lever extend over an angular range of the sprocket-wheel bodies engageable with respect to two counterwheel means. The control-shift means is adapted to maintain deflection of the tens-control sprocket of the next higher located amount-control device during resultant tens preparation. A tens-control lever alternately is formed as a ring body provided with a groove extending in circular arc-forming manner within range of the counterwheels ot'the carriage means.

PATENTED naczs mm SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR Gottfried BURKHARDT PATENTEDnaczsBm 3,550,846 31am 2 BF 2 IN VEN TOR. Gottfried BURKHARDT TENS-CONTROL DEVICE FOR SPROCKET WHEEL CALCULATING MACHINES This invention relates to a tens-control device for sprocketwheel calculating machines of which the sprocket wheel body .in an addition to the value sprockets still has for each a loose radially shiftable tens-control or-shift sprocket provided therewith, to be shiftable as provided to be displaced in helical formed or screw spiral manner place-for-place. The tens-control sprocket becomes coupled through guide members of a tens-control lever radially with the driven or secondary drive wheel of the counter in the respective position during the running-through operation. The coupling occurs so far as the tens-control cam or cog of the next lower position passes through null or zero and the tens lever is deflected into the tens-control position.

It is known to provide with sprocket-wheel-value-or amount-control mechanisms in which the sprocket-wheel bodies in addition to the nine value sprockets still each have a tens-control sprocket displaceable from place-to-place in a screw-spiral-forming manner. While the value sprockets are releasable or disengageable radially by means of apreset cam disc, the tens-control sprockets are releasable or disengageable only from event to event at a time, when a tens overlay follows in the next lower place or position. The control of tens sprockets of this type, for example described in the German Pat. 569,599, occurs for amount control mechanism in a known manner, described in German Pat. 574,487, through a tens-control or shift lever provided with two claws or prongs. The tens-control lever commands or dominates a tens-control tooth shiftable loosely on a sprocket wheel. The tens-shift lever on its side is so set for tens control through the control or shift cam or cog of the counterwheel that the tens-control tooth is brought into engagement with the tooth wheel of the next higher place or position through the tens-control lever and the counterwheel is shifted ahead by one step.

For selective additive and subtractive calculating with a value or amount control mechanism of the type named, it is necessary to use a value or amount control mechanism having two sets of tens sprockets rotatable in one of two-directional movement; due to forced or positive manner of drive there is unusable angular range; also due to the size of the moving masses, the turning count at a time and thereby the calculating speed is limited; or selectively it is possible to provide engageable intermediate wheels. This means, however, that there is need for multiplicity of parts as well as space and requires a higher fabricating accuracy. A high calculating speed is attainable with such machines, especially when a high place or position capacity is required, preferably through separation of the calculating and tens-control operation.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a straightforward calculating mechanism involving use of a value or amount control mechanism and a tens-control device of the previously identified type and having a minimum complexity of countermechanism wheels. A further object of this invention is to provide a calculating machine which operates also at high calculating speed satisfactorily for countermechanism carriage shifting from place-to-place at a minimum of operating steps and therewith requiring a minimum of time. The goal of the present invention is also to provide a calculating machine that operatesquietly as well as I mechanism with a tens-control device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of one location or place of the calculating mechanism with a tens-control lever of a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 20, 2b and 2c illustrate further detail of mechanism in accordance with the present invention. I

For the solution of this problem there are provided tentooth counterwheels with respect to the counterdevice carriage shiftable along the fixed or stationary sprocketwheelamount control mechanism in each position having two teeth mating with each other extending into the rotating range of the sprockets displaceable with respect to each other axially by approximately sprocket width. The ten-tooth counterwheels are adapted to shift the counterwheels provided with the tens-control cam or cog during addition and otherwise to shift the same in the range of the valueand tens-com trol sprockets of the amount control mechanism at a time during subtractive calculating. The guide members of the involved control shift formed as tens-control lever extend over an angular range of the sprocket-wheel body covering or corresponding to the engagement range of both counterwheels. With resultant tens preparation, the tens-control sprocket is therefore held in mating form relationship with respect to the next higher value control device position over the collective previously noted angular range displaced into tens-control position.

According to a further characteristic of the present invention, the tens-control lever can be formulated as a ring body which is provided with a closed loop radially extending groove with respect to the tens sprocket of the nextlhigher amountcontrol-device position. The groove is formulated approximately in an 0-form and runs at least in a circular arc-forming manner in the range of the counterwheels of the carriage. The tens-control-ring body is pivotable or swingable thereby, analogous with respect to the initially described tens-control lever, against the force of a spring through a tens-lever controlled or regulated from a tens-control or shift cam or cog into the tens-shift position. The tens-control-ring body there latches itself by means of a stop nose or projection at a corresponding part releasable toward the end of each calculating shaft rotation. The tens-control-ring body is preferably made of an easily workable material, especially molded out of a tough elastic thermoplastic synthetic material (Delrin or acetal resin or polyamide materials).

The inventive tens-control apparatus makes it possible to operate with two toothed wheels at a time per location and thereby the carriage can be shifted without raising and lowering from one location to another. The small or minimum number of movable parts as well as the reduction ofinertia mass permits attainment of a high-speed calculating operation. Due to the direct engagement of the value-and tens-control sprockets into the counterwheel to be turned at a particular time, there is avoidance of tolerance difficulties. The short drive train permits backlash-free operation without special safetymeans. Furthermore, the machine operates for calculation in a quiet and smooth or jerk-free manner in comparison with previously known machines.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, on an amount-control shaft 1 there are sprocket-wheel bodies 2,3 secured thereon and which provide other than nine value sprockets 4,5, additionally tens- control sprockets 6,7 as installed from the bottom toward the top staggered for each position at a time for position spiral-forming relationship. The value sprockets 4,5 are caused to move or travel radially in a known manner by means of value setting cams. The tens- control sprockets 6,7 are guided to be loosely radially shiftable in the sprocketwheel bodies 2,3. The tens control sprockets 6,7, however, also can be biased or held inwardly or outwardly by means of springs. As can be seen on the tens-control sprocket or spoke 7, there are sprocket teeth 6,7 carried on an arm, spar or overhanging beam 8 which extends into the range of the next lower position at that time.

Along the amount control mechanism provided stationarily in the machine there is a shaft or an axis-forming means extending transversely through the machine upon which the countermechanism carriage 10 is shiftable and is journaled or supported in a limited swingable or pivotable manner. In each operating position this countermechanism carriage 10 has counterwheels 13,1 4, particularly 15,16 'rotatably journaled i on two axes or shafts 11,12, extending with their teeth into the rotating range of the value-and tens- control sprockets 4,6, particularly 5,7 mating with each other and axially displaced with respect to each other by approximately a sprocket width. In the positive (additive) carriage position, the sprockets 4,6,

, particularly 5,7 drive the counterwheels 13, particularly 15, and in the negative (subtractive) carriage position in contrast thereto, the sprockets 4,6, particularly 5,7 engage with coun- 'terwheels 14, particularly. during rotation of the amount-cona circular formed disc means 22,23 of the sprocket-wheel bodies 2,3 respectively, in the inoperative stop or rest position The tens-control levers 18,19 provide a U-formed slide guide means 24,25 in a coulisse or rocker arm manner to the next higher amount-control-device position. During each 'amount-control-shaft rotation, the tens-sprocket or spoke 7 of the arm or overhang beam 8 runs into'the slide guide means 24. if the tens-control lever 18 is in the illustrated stop or rest position, accordingly the tens-sprocket orspoke 7 is radially retracted and proceeds ineffectively or inoperatively over the counterwheel or counterwheel 16 in operative alignment at the time.

Each of the counterwheels 13,15 has a tens-releasing cam or cog 26 provided therewith. In the rotating range of this tens-releasing cam or cog 26 there extends an abutment or engageable tooth 27 of a tens-lever journaled to be pivotable or swingable upon an axis or shaft 29 against biasing force of a spring means 28. The tens-lever 30 engages with an arm or overhanging beam 31 of a side or lateral flange, tang or lug 32 ofthe tens-control lever18. As the cam or pawl 26 travels during passage through null" of the countermechanism against the striker or engagement tooth 27, either from the front or from behind, which means during rotation of the counterwheel 13 counterclockwise or clockwise in direction, the tens-lever 30 in this way shifts or pushes the tens-control lever 18 with its slot 47 upon the axis or shaft 17, particularly the guide member or part 20 upon the disc 22. Thereby a nose or projection 33 of the tens-control lever 18 snaps into a cutout or recess 34 of a stop or rest spring tongue 35 of a spring comb or mating flange 36 and hooks itself into engagement therewith. lf now the tens-sprocket sprocket or spoke 7 of the arm or overhanging beam 8 travels into the slide guide means 24, which furthermore forms a circular are having a predetermined angular range collectively with respect to the coun- 1 terwheels 13,14, respectively, 15,16, then the tens-sprocket or spoke 7 is radially outwardly displaced, engages the counterwheel 15 or 16 corresponding thereto at the particular time, and shifts the same one-step further by one unit.

Upon the amount-control shaft 1 there is also a disc 37 with an eccentrically installed side or lateral stud or pin 38 secured thereto. in the turning range of the pin or stud 38 there ex- 1 tends a sloped portion or an inclined piece 43 of a swingable trol lever 18. Finally, by means of a leaf spring 44 of a spring comb 45 lying upon an extension 46 of the tens-control lever 18 the parts are shifted back into the starting position and engaged with a guide piece 20 on the circular disc 22. The spring 28 serves for resetting the tens-lever 30.

The lowering or dropping and raising of the countermechanism carriage 10 results with respect to a shaft 49 rotatably journaled in a sidewall 48. The shaft 49 at an end thereof carries a partially toothed or segmented gear wheel 50 which engages with a track 51 supported by the shaft 49 relative to a cutout or recess ofthe carriage wall 10. This cutout is limited from below by means of a flange or flap 52 which engages against or lies against the shaft 49 when, in the illustrated control position, the carriage 10 is coupled or engaged with the amount-control mechanism 2,3, whereby the track or rail 51 supports the carriage 10-along an incline 53. [f the shaft is rotated or pivotally swung in the direction of an arrow .b, then the track or rail 51 next engages a slit 54 of the carriage 10, pivots or swings the same downwardly .until an upper projection or overhanging beam 55 of ;the carriage' l0 liesor engages upon the shaft 49 and then supports the carriage 10 upon a lower incline 56. In the downwardly pivotally swung position the counterwheels 14, 16 mate in every position with respect to the corresponding toothed rod of the amount-control mechanism. Of the toothed rod there is only one toothed rod 57 illustrated in the drawing, namely,'the lowermost illustrated or represented amount-control mechanismlocation 2.

In comparison with calculating mechanisms with which the counting-mechanism carriage is lowered into a neutral inter- I mediate position at a time for transporting thereof, which means for each step from position to position, it is possible to control or further shift the carriage 10 of the present machine in the coupled carriage position illustrated without energization or actuation of the previously described arrangement 48 through 56. This is possible because as a result of cost reduction and savings of intermediate wheels while the counterwheels 13,14, respectively, 15,16 16 provide carriage transport upon a circular arc around the amount-control shaft 1, which means that both are equally far away from the sprocketwheel bodies 2,3 at the time, and stand or are located across from the starting angular position of the amount-control mechanism having a toothless part of-the previously noted sprocket-wheel bodies 2,3. The carriage 10 is lowered only for assuming or taking over values and for summationstroke or movement and thereby is coupled into the setting tooth rods 57. Stop or rest pawls or detents 61 provided with the counterwheels 13,15 for each position thereby are pivotally moved or swung into an ineffective or inoperative position.

During summation the abutments or nose projections 27 of the tens-lever 30 serve to limit the tens-releasing cams or cogs 26 while the tens-lever 30 is supported by an arm 58 upon the shaft 49 during dropping or lowering of the carriage 10.

Concerning the tens-control levers 18 and 19, respectively, it is also to be noted that the guide members 24,25 thereof are formed in a U-shaped profile and form a funnel-shaped widened inlet or'entrance whereby an outer wall 59 is pulled rearwardly so far that the arm or overhanging beam 8 engages also within the tens-control sprocket or spoke 7 of the next higher amount-control mechanism position, when the sprocket or spoke 7 is displaced radially outwardly. Conve rsely, there is an inner wall 60 extending inwardly so far to the amount-control shaft 1 that the arm or overhanging beam 8 is picked up and guided into the slide guide means 24,25. When the sprocket or spoke 7 has been shifted into place, the tenscontrol lever means 18,19 are shifted, however, through an existing null passage into the next lower position in the te nscontrol location or position and the guide members 24,25 are thereby caused to be radially further removed from the amount-control shaft 1, more particularly the circular discs 22,23. 1

As already noted, the guide members 24,25 form an approximately circular are having a midpoint in the axis of the amount-control mechanism 2,3 over an angular range in which toothed engagement of the tens-control sprocket or spoke 7 is possible into the counterwheels'15,16, respectively. The slide guides, that is, the upwardly extending or pulled sidewalls thereof, are smoothened inwardly or to the inside and preferably are entirely hardened. As a result of the shifting-swinging movement during the deflecting of the tens-control levers 18,19 into the tens-control position, there results a click-free or thump-free movement of the tens-sprocket orspoke.

In the event the tens-control sprockets or spokes 6,7 are held retracted in a stopped or rest position by means of the springs in the sprocket wheel bodies 2,3, it is sufficient to provide the tens-control levers 18,19 with only the inner wall 60. If the tens- control sprockets 6,7 thereagainst stand in the starting position with all radially extending forwardly, then the outer wall 59 extends sufficiently for ineffectiveness or inoperativeness of the same at a particular time during the over running of the counterwheels 13,14, respectively, 15,16.

Instead of forming the tens-control lever as a control pusher or shifter, the same is formed as a ring body 62 in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2. The ring body 62 is pivotally movable or swingable about an axis or shaft 17 rigid with respect to the frame. The tens-control body or ring body 62 provides an approximately O-formed groove 63 with respect to the next higher sprocket wheel body (corresponding, for example, to that identified by reference numeral 3, (in FIG. 1). The groove 63 radially leads or guides the side or laterally located arm or overhanging beam (corresponding to that identified by reference numeral 8, in FIG. 1) of the tens-control sprocket or spoke (corresponding to that identified by reference numeral 7, in FIG. 1) over a full rotation or turn of the amount-control shaft 1. Accordingly, the groove 63, as can be seen from FIG. 2, is only somewhat wider than the arm or overhanging beam 8 in the range of the counterwheels 13,14 respectively, 15,16 in a circular arc-shaped and radial manner. Displaced by 180 with respect to the counterwheels 13,14, which means in the juxtaposed upper part lying across therefrom, however, the groove 63 is preferably so wide that here, also, the tens-control sprocket or spoke 7 is not radially displaced during unattained tens release. Therefore, the tenssprocket or spoke 7 during unreleased tens-control is engaged into the sprocket-wheel body 3 during operation through the range of the counterwheels 13,15 and 14,16 and during previously released tens-control in contrast projecting radially from the sprocket-wheel body 3.

Also the tens-control-ring body 62 includes an abutmentor stop 64 against which the arm or overhanging beam 31 of the tens-lever presses when the tens-release cam or cog 26 runs against the engagement or abutment tooth 27 of the tens-lever 30. Thereby the tens-control-ring body 62 is swung or pivoted against the force of a leaf spring 44 around the axis or shaft 17 in the direction of the arrows c and engages or latches itself with respect to a stop nose or projection 65 in a latching counterpart 66. The latching counterpart 66 is pivotable or swingable against the force of a spring 67 about an axis or shaft 68 in a manner not illustrated in FIG. 2 but, similar to that of FIG. 1 is latchable or engageable at the end of the amount-controlshaft rotation, which means liftable away from the stop nose or projection 65.

The tens-control apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to operate with only two gears per place at a time and thereby the carriage can be shifted without lifting and lowering thereof from place to place. Previously known calculating machines of this type require up to four wheels or gears per place. The minimum or nominal number of movable parts as well as the reduction of mass moments or forces permits calculating speed now to be attainable which was previously not known. Due to the direct engagement of value and tens-control sprockets in the gear or counterwheel turned at a particular time, it is possible to avoid tolerance difficulties. The short drive chain permits attainment of correct calculation without particular safety means and by way of operation with a minimum of play. Additionally, the machine operates in a quiet and smooth manner.

The illustration of FIG. 1 described previously represents a perspective exploded representation of parts viewed with two adjoining places of a mechanism for amount shifting with a tens-control apparatus.

FIG. 2a shows a variation of the arrangement of FIG. 1 as a sectional side view with a sprocket-wheel body means of the three next-lower value places, whereby the tens-control sprocket of the'represented sectional parts is drawn without guide means (shifting-wheel bodies);

FIG. 2b is a sectional view taken along the line lIb-Ilb through the sprocket-wheel according to FIG. 2a; and

FIG. 20 shows the track of the value sprockets and the helically formed displaced tens-sprockets respectively the counter or numerical wheels meshing with the sprockets.

According to FIG. 1, there are provided sprocket-wheel bodies 2,3 upon an amount-control shaft 1. A sprocket disc 2' respectively 3' is secured in fixed relationship upon the shaft and a rotatable adjusting or setting disc 2" respectively 3" is provided upon the front side or end surface of the sprocket disc as viewed and these represent the essential construction elements of a sprocket-wheel body. The sprocket disc or plate itself includes in addition to nine value sprockets 4,5 additionally a tens- control sprocket 6,7. The tens-control sprockets of the individual sprocket-wheel bodies are staggered against the direction of rotation in helical or screwthread form. Certain sprockets are guided in beam-forming extension of grooves 6' of the sprocket-wheel bodies. The value sprockets 4,5 each have a laterally projecting spur 4', respectively 5', which engages in one of the centerinterrupted channels 4" of the setting discs or plates 2", 3"; the same are shifted in a known manner by means of setting discs radially and form a toothed element in shifted condition as can be seen from FIG. 2a. The tens- control sprockets 6,7 laterally provide a bracket crossbar or spar 8 which when viewed rearwardly in the drawing extends only through an indicated window 8 of the sprocket disc or plate and into the range of the next lower place at a particular time. By means of the window, the path of the otherwise loose tens-control sprocket is limited in the corresponding groove located with respect thereto. In another embodiment not illustrated, the tens-control sprockets are held in their particular position by way of spring means.

For fixation ofa set position of the setting discs or plates 2", 3", there is a stop or register sprocket 69, respectively 70 serving for each thereof. This is likewise guided in a groove of the sprocket disc or plate and the same is pressed outwardly in the stop or regulating tooth means 71, respectively 72 in a manner not separately illustrated. Additionally, the previously freely movable stop or regulating sprocket is arrested after setting by way of lateral shifting of a wedge 73 provided therewith.

Along the stationary provided amount-control mechanism in the machine, there is provided a shiftable countermechanism carriage 10 upon an axis 9 extending transversely with regard to the machine and the same is journaled in restricted or limited swinging range. In each value place there is provided with this amount-mechanism carriage 10 means including two tens- control sprockets 4,6 respectively 5,7 with projecting counterwheels 13,14 respectively 15,16 upon axes 11,12 rotatably journaling the same adapted for meshing with each other and shiftable with respect to each other approximately for a sprocket width in axial direction (FIG. 20) with the teeth thereof having a rotating range accordingly. In positive (additive) carriage positioning the number- wheels 13,15 and with negative (subtractive) carriage positioning the number- wheels 14,16 are shifted axially into the rotating range of the valueand tens- control sprockets 4,6 respectively 5,7, so that the same during rotation of the amount-control shaft 1 in the direction of the arrow a are found in the same engaging sense.

Upon a frame-fixed axis 17 there are tens-control levers 18,19 journaled by means of elongated slot means 47 and the same are formed as shifters from each of which in the inoperative rest position there is a sprocket-wheel body means 2, respectively 3 located thereon with a guide or slide member or piece 20,21 engaging upon an arcuately formed disc or plate 22,23 For the next higher amount-control mechanism place or position, there are tens-control levers 18,19 in a guide-type or coulisse-type U-formed slide guide 24,25. The spar or projection 8 of the tens-sprocket 7 runs into the slide guide means 24 during each amount-control shaft rotation. If the tens-control lever 18 is located in the represented rest position, then the tens-sprocket 7 is retracted radially and runs ineffectively over the fleeing set counterwheel 15 or 16.

Each of the number- wheels 13,15 is provided with a tensreleasing thumb or projection means 26. In the operating range of this tens-releasing thumb 26 there projects an abutment tooth 27 of a tens-lever 30 journaled pivotally upon an axis 29 against the force of a spring 28. The tens-lever 30 engages with a spur 31 of a lateral flap 32 of the tens-control lever 18. The thumb 26 runs against the abutment tooth 27 during zero passage of the countermechanism whether from the front or from the rear as previously noted.

With an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20, 2b and 20, there is a ring body 62 discernible as on the inner radii relative to which pivotal movement can occur upon a frame-fixed axis 17 for each of the sprocket-wheel bodies of which only the sprockets 4 and 6 are drawn in FIG 2a in value positioning or place two" and the channel 4", through the same is not shiftable in axial direction. The outermost dotted line designated radius hereby designates the effective and following ineffective sprocket path or track. Towards the next higher sprocket-wheel body there is represented only the tenssprocket 7 and a ring body is provided thereon with respect to the approximately -formed groove 63 upon the side as seen in the illustration. The same guides the lateral spar or projection 8 of the tens-control sprocket radially over a complete rotation of the amount-control shaft 1. The groove 63 extends in the range ofthe number- wheels 13,14 respectively 15,16 in an arcuate form and in this location the same is only slightly wider than the spar or projection 8. Displaced by 180 with respect to the number-wheels, which means in the oppositely located upper part, the groove 63 in contrast thereto is so wide that here the tens-control sprocket 7 is not radially shifted out in the basic position. As a result, the tens-sprocket 7 is found in the position illustrated during passage of the number- wheels 13,15 and 14,16 in a radially retracted position in the sprocket-wheel body 3. With previously released tens-control in comparison, the tens-sprockets is found in a projecting position extending radially from the sprocket-wheel body. The counter or number- wheels 13,15 each has provided therewith a tens-releasing thumb or projection 26. In the running or operating range of this thumb, there extends, moreover, the abutment or stopping tooth 27 shown in FIG. 20 which is journaled on the axis 29 and which is pivotable or swingable against the spring force with respect to the tens-lever 30 which presses with the projection or spur 31 against the abutment 64 of the ring body when the thumb or projection upon passing through a null position operates in a manner, in other words, such that during turning or rotation of the number mechanism against or in clockwise direction against the abutment tooth, thereby the ring body 63 is swung against the force of the leaf spring 44 around the axis 17 in the direction of arrow 0 and the same stops or comes to a rest with a rest nose 65 in a latching mating piece 66 which is pivotable against the force of a spring 67 about an axis 68. In a manner not illustrated though similar to the illustration of FIG. I, at the end of the amount-control shaft rotation the same is unlatchable or in other words can be lifted out of the rest nose 65. The wedge 73 provides an arresting means described with a preceding embodiment.

It is, of course, to be understood, that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims m I claim:

1. A tens-control apparatus for sprocket-wheel calculating machines having sprocket-wheel bodies each in addition to value sprockets also being provided with a tens-control sprocket spirally displaced from position to position, loosely radially shiftable, and which can be coupled with a driven wheel of a countermechanism through guide members of a tens-control lever in the pertaining position during running procedure, comprising: means forming a sprocket-wheelamount-control device structurally located in a stationary position and relative to which countermechanism carriage means can be shifted, ten-toothed counterwheel means provided operatively with said carria e means in each position having two sprockets displaced wit respect to each other by approximately sprocket width and having teeth thereof evenly extending into rotation range of sprockets of the sprocketwheel bodies when outwardly shifted radially thereof into mating relationship relative to each other, counterwheels provided with tens-release control cam means and including at least a pair of wheels which are shifted axially into range of valueand tens-control sprockets of the amount-control device respectively at a time for additive and subtractive calculating, and control-shift means formed particularly with guide members of the tens-control lever and extending over an angular range of the sprocket wheel bodies in engagement range with respect to two of the counterwheel means, said control-shift means being adapted to maintain deflection of the tens-control sprocket of the next higher-located amountcontrol device during resultant tens preparation in radially coupled formation over collective angular range.

2. A tens-control apparatus according to claim 1, in which said sprocket-wheel bodies include a guide disc, a shaft defining a structurally fixed axis journaling each tens-control lever to be swingable and shiftable with respect to slot means thereofrelative to the axis of said shaft, a nose projection and a slide portion respectively also being provided with the tenscontrol lever, spring means urging said slide portion against said guide disc, and a spring tongue engageable by said nose projection upon release of tens-control operation.

3. A tens-control apparatus according to claim 1, in which a ring body forms the tens-control lever and is provided with a closed-loop radially guiding groove having an approximate 0- form with respect to the tens sprocket of the next higher located amount-control device and extending in circular arcforming manner within range of the counterwheels of said carriage means.

4. A tens-control apparatus according to claim 3, in which said tens-control-ring body is pivotally swingable into tenscontrol position against force of said spring means through said tens-control cam means effective upon a tens-control lever, a stop nose on said ring body, and a releasable opposing part against which said stop nose latches near termination of each calculating shaft rotation.

5. A tens-control apparatus according to claim 3, in which said tens-control-ring body is made of readily workable material, especially a tough elastic, molded thermoplastic synthetic material.

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