US3696995A

US3696995A - Calculator

Info

Publication number: US3696995A
Application number: US184151A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Kasner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-27
Filing date: 1971-09-27
Publication date: 1972-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-10

Abstract

A calculator of the type with successive digit or numeral wheels with improved carryover or transfer means between wheels. Transfer wheels are used between successive digit or numeral wheels. Each digit wheel has a finger or projection which picks up abutments on a transfer wheel for driving it and effecting the transfer or step movement. The transfer wheel has spaced abutments which are picked up by the projection on the digit or numeral wheel. These abutments on each transfer wheel are displaced angularly from ten predetermined stopping positions of the transfer wheel. When there are simultaneous transfers or carryovers of several digit wheels, there is a slight delay in the pick up of each transfer wheel for effecting the transfer with the result that the transfer takes place sequentially thereby eliminating the imposition of a sudden, heavy torque load on a single driving digit wheel.

Description

United States Patent Kasner [s41 CALCULATOR [72] Inventor: William Kasner, 1330 l-iollydale,

Fullerton, Calif. 92631 [52] US. Cl. ..235/ 139 R, 235/74 [51] Int. Cl ..G06c 7/10, G06c 15/26 [58] Field of Search.....235/74, 114, 109, 139 R, 140

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hook ..235/74 X Murphy ..235/139 Vethe ..-.....235/74 Gorbatchewsky ..235/74 X Crowley ..235/74 Kesling ..235/74 Burke et a1. ..235/1 14 1 Oct. 10, 1972 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Stanley A. Wal Attorney-Albert M. Herzig et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A calculator of the type with successive digit or numeral wheels with improved carryover or transfer means between wheels. Transfer wheels are used between successive digit or numeral wheels. Each digit wheel has a finger or projection which picks up abutments on a transfer wheel for driving it and effecting the transfer or step movement. The transfer wheel has spaced abutments which are picked up by the projection on the digit or numeral wheel. These abutments on each transfer wheel are displaced angularly from ten predetermined stopping positions of the transfer wheel. When there are simultaneous transfers or carryovers of several digit wheels, there is a slight delay in the pick up of each transfer wheel for effecting the transfer with the result that the transfer takes place sequentially thereby eliminating the imposition of a sudden, heavy torque load on a single driving digit wheel.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnucr 10 1912 3.696. 995

50b INVENTOR. 6 W/LL MM KAY/v52 1 CALCULATOR A particular form of such a calculator is shown in the earlier filed application of William Kasner, Ser. No. 94,222 filed on Dec. 2, 1970. This application is a continuation-in-part of the earlier application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in improvements in adding machines or calculators. Typically, calculators have a series of digit or counter wheels with transfer means between the wheels such that a full revolution of any wheel makes a step transfer movement of the next adjacent wheel, that is, a step of one unit, a tenth of a revolution, the counter wheels accordingly being identified as units, tens, hundreds, etc. Typically, counters of this type have the numbers from zero to nine on each wheel.

ln machines or calculators as referred to, transfer or carryover may occur at a plurality of digit or counter wheels at the same time. Typically of course, only one wheel is actually being driven at the time simultaneous transfers take place. The effect is that a sudden, heavy torque load is imposed on the wheel which is being driven. A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved construction which eliminates or avoids the necessity of this sudden large torque loading on a single counter wheel. Although the improvements of the invention may be adapted in many different forms of calculators, it has particular significance in small calculators of the type that are hand operated by way of a stylus.

In calculators of the type referred to, it is of course desirable that the entire unit be made small and particularly that it have limited thickness to facilitate its being carried in a pocket or the like. It is convenient that a calculator have its parts made out of plastic. Because of the small size and weight of the parts, the strength is limited. Thus, the advantage of the invention is apparent in that smaller parts and more particularly, a counter wheel can be used with less sturdy construction because less torque load is imposed on them. This consideration applies equally to the transfer mechanism. The realization of this advantage is an object of the invention. Furthermore, calculators of this type are manually operated by way of a stylus which is inserted into holes in a counterwheel for turning the wheel. It is highly desirable that the effort required to turn a wheel in order to operate the machine be limited; and therefore, a further object of the invention is the realization of that advantage that less manual effort is required.

Typically, in machines of the type described, each counterwheel has an extending finger or projection which once every revolution will engage with an idler transfer wheel with the next counterwheel once per revolution to effect an incremental or step movement of one unit of the next counterwheel. The improvements of the herein invention reside primarily in the transfer mechanism. The idler transfer wheels are toothed wheels which are moved in incremental steps by one digit or counter wheel and which mesh with the next counter or digit wheel for driving it. In calculators of the type referred to, each counterwheel of course has ten predetermined positions; and this is also true of the idler transfer wheels.

In the preferred form of the invention as described herein, the idler transfer wheels are provided with pairs of angularly spaced abutments, the abutrnents of each pair being angularly spaced with respect to the ten predetermined positions of the transfer wheel. More specifically, two abutments are spaced apart at the position of the teeth on the wheel. The effect of this is that when a counterwheel makes a revolution and transfers an incremental step to the transfer wheel, because of said angular displacement of the abutments, there is a limited delay before movement takes place. Preferably, this delay is represented by a displacement of an abutment in an amount of four degrees, for example, from one of the ten predetermined stopping positions. This delay or lag occurs with respect to transfer from each counterwheel to the next. The effect is that when transfer is to occur at a plurality of counter wheels, transfer takes place sequentially, that is, there is a slight time delay between starting movement of successive wheels that are being transferred. The result is obtained that sudden, heavy torque loading is not imposed on that counterwheel which is being driven, as will be made more clear in the more elaborate description hereinafter.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the aforesaid sequential effect when several counterwheels are to be transferred at the same time and to accomplish this by means as stated.

The pairs of abutments produce the result of a more positive device. Transfer or carryover of one step cannot be effected except in response to a full incremental step of a counterwheel being dialed since the other abutment of a pair restrains the movement. The realization of this purpose is an object of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a counterwheel and a transfer wheel;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a calculator embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a enlarged partial detail view illustrating the drive of a transfer wheel from a counterwheel;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of slightly modified form of counterwheel and modified form of transfer wheel;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan viewof a calculator embodying counterwheels and transfer wheels like those of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the relationship between the counter and transfer wheels of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Except for the transfer mechanism, the calculator parts may be like those of the earlier application, Ser. No. 94,222 filed on Dec. 2, 1970.

In the preferred form of construction as shown, the calculator embodies a casing or housing comprising parts which may be referred to as front and back or top and bottom which may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. The type of construction shown is one that produces a thin calculator. The calculator comprises top and bottom plates and 12 which may be secured together at their edges or otherwise in any suitable way. One side 12 has a plurality of integral pins 14 which form the spindles or arbors for the counter or digit wheels and the idler wheels as will be described. The top and bottom may be staked together if desired. The two parts 10 and 12 may have a peripheral edge flange which flanges can be brought together and cemented or otherwise held by a snap lock securement if desired.

Numerals l6, l8 and designate pins extending from one of the side parts of the calculator and which serve the purpose of holding detent springs such as that shown at 24. Detent spring 24 has a bowed out part 26, the legs of which are positioned one between pins 16 and 18 and one between pins 18 and 20. At the ends of the bow spring 24, there are bent portions 30 and 32 adapted to engage between teeth of counterwheels so that the effect is that 10 predetermined stopping positions are provided for as will be described more in detail presently.

FIG. 1 shows one of the counterwheels at 38 and an idler transfer wheel at 40. These wheels can conveniently be molded of plastic. The counterwheel 38 has a center hub 42 and a rim part 44 with ten equally spaced teeth 46. The hub mounts on one of the arbors 14. It has one extending pointed finger or projection 50 which is positioned below and between two of the teeth 46. Above this projection between the two adjacent teeth is a small member 52 which strengthens finger 50.

The counterwheel 38 has ten equally spaced bores or holes 54 adapted to receive a stylus so that the wheel can be manually turned in the usual manner. Preferably, an arcuate slot is provided in the top wall 10 for insertion of the stylus through it for operating the counterwheel. This slot is designated at 56 and a similar slot 58 is provided in the other wall 14, the device being operable from either side as in the previous application. Holes like holes 54 can be provided on both sides or they may extend through the wheel.

The transfer wheel 40 has a hub 60 and peripheral part 62 and ten equally spaced teeth 64. The hub can mount on one of the arbors 14. The teeth on both wheels are 36 apart and each wheel has ten predetermined stopping positions which is determined by the detent springs as shown at 24. Formed on each of the teeth 64 of the transfer wheel are a pair of abutments 66 and 68 which are adapted to be engaged by the projection 50 for effecting the transfer or carryover.

The counterwheels or transfer wheels are arranged in the calculator as illustrated in FIG. 2. The counterwheels are in line, with the transfer wheels between counterwheels, but displaced laterally to thereby minimize space.

Referring to FIG. 2, the teeth 46 on the counterwheel 38 do not mesh with the teeth on the transfer wheel 40 but rather move in a different plane. The transfer wheel 40 is movable in increments only by the projecting finger 50 on the counterwheel 38 as will be described. On the other hand, teeth 64 on transfer wheel 40 mesh with the teeth on the next counterwheel 38b. The teeth on these two wheels lie in the same plane, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Successive counterwheels are inverted with respect to each other as may be observed in FIG. 3. The same is true of successive transfer wheels, thereby appearing as shown in FIG. 3 and as described more in detail in the earlier application.

Numeral 72 designates a pawl in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted on an arbor 74 within the casing having arms 76 and 78 which are rounded at their ends and which can engage between teeth 64 on the transfer wheel 40. Each transfer wheel has a similar cooperating pawl. Their function is to reduce or limit the velocity of rotation during a step transfer movement and to thereby control the movement which in cooperation with the spring detents causes the digit wheels to stop in the correct position without overrun. In operation, as transfer wheel 40 rotates clockwise, a tooth pushes on arm 76 rotating the pawl counterclockwise. The end of arm 78 moves in between teeth so a tooth strikes its end with a tapping action which accurately stops and indexes the wheel 'at the correct position. The operation is similar in the opposite direction. Thus, accuracy of the device is assured. The pawl mechanism 72 could take other, specific forms.

All of the counterwheels, transfer wheels, detent springs, and pawls conform to the description as given above relative to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As previously stated, the teeth on the counterwheels and the transfer wheels establish l0 predetermined stopping positions which are governed by the pawls 72 and the detent springs 24. The finger 50 on counterwheel 38 is between two teeth as shown. It can be mentioned of course that the top of cover of the housing of the machine will have openings preferably square through which are can read the digits from zero to nine on the various counterwheels as illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the zero numeral on the counterwheel 38 would be showing through the window.

The operation will be understood from the following considering the enlarged detail view of FIG. 4. From the position of FIG. 2, the counterwheel 38 has to make a complete revolution in order to impart an incremental step or movement to the transfer wheel 40. As the wheel 38 makes such a complete revolution, it will come into a position as shown in FIG. 4 wherein the finger 50 will pick up the abutment 68 of the transfer wheel 40. The two abutments 66 and 68 as previously pointed out are angularly displaced from the center of the tooth on the transfer wheel 40, that is, they are displaced from the angle representing the stopping positions, there of course being ten predetermined stopping positions. An exemplary displacement is four degrees for each of the abutments 66 and 68 from the intermediate angle position. Thus, the finger 50 on wheel 38 does not actually pick up and begin moving the transfer wheel 40 until it is past the predetermined stopping position by 4 when it engages the abutment 68. In other words, there is a slight delay or lag with respect to what would happen if finger 50 picked up anabutment or pin centered on the tooth on the transfer wheel. As the counterwheel 38 moves around to the position of FIG. 2, the position of the parts is as shown in that figure. The transfer wheel 40 is rotated through one incremental step and since it is in mesh with the counterwheel 38b, it moves that counterwheel through one incremental step. If at that time, the. counterwheel 38b is positioned for a carryover or transfer to the next counterwheel 38c, the operation is as follows. Again, there will be a lag or delay before the finger 50b on the counterwheel 38b picks up an abutment as identified by 68b on the second transfer wheel 40b. A step incremental movement will be imparted to the transfer wheel 40b and since it is meshing with the counterwheel 380, it will impart an incremental step movement to that counterwheel.

It should be understood that in the transfer movements to effect a full step transfer movement the wheel being driven does not have to be driven through a full 36, but it can be driven through less than 36. The remaining part of the movement is accomplished by the detent springs as shown at 24 which always cause the wheels to stop in one of their predetermined positions.

However, it is important to observe that the dual abutment structure identified by numerals 66 and 68 produces a very positive type of device. A transfer of a step movement cannot occur in response to only a partial step movement of a counterwheel. That is, considering FIG. 4, if the counterwheel 38 is moved through an amount of less than a 36 increment, the transfer or carryover to the next counterwheel cannot occur because the transfer wheel 40 is restrained by the other abutment 66. Thus, transfer or carryover cannot result from pulsing a counterwheel, that is, by moving it through angles less that 36 with the stylus. The improved characteristic in the herein device is unique, known prior art devices not having a comparable characteristic.

From the foregoing description, it can readily be seen that with respect to the transfer of each counterwheel, there will be delay in the starting of the transfer movement with respect to successive counterwheels. Thus, if a plurality of counterwheels are to be transferred at the same time (three or four wheels), because of the delay as described, the step movements of the wheels will begin not at the same time but in sequence so that a sudden torque load is not imposed on the driving wheel which would be the one driven by a manually operated stylus. As a result, considerably less effort is required and parts can be made considerably less strong and sturdy. They can be smaller, thinner, and lighter in weight which is a great advantage in a machine of this type.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show a slightly modified form of the invention. The parts are similar to the parts of the previous embodiment, except as explained hereinafter. Numeral 38' in FIG. 5 designates a counterwheel which is like the wheel 38, except that the spacer part 52 between the teeth is omitted. Numeral 40' designates a transfer wheel which is like the transfer wheel 40 except that is is formed slightly differently, not having a hub like the hub 60 and having the abutments differently formed. In this form of the invention, they are formed by way of equally spaced radial notches or grooves 67 formed in the body 62' of the wheel.

The parts are similarly arranged as shown in FIG. 6. As in the previous embodiment, successive counterwheels are inverted with respect to each other, and the same is true of the idler wheels as illustrated in FIG. 6. Finger 50' on counterwheel 38' picks up an abutment formed by one side of a radial notch 67 and imparts a step movement to transfer wheel 40'. This wheel is in mesh with the next counterwheel 38b and imparts an incremental step to it. The purpose of having adjacent wheels in a series inverted with respect to each is apparent from the drawings in both modifications. For example, whereas the counterwheel 38 drives the transfer wheel 40 by way of the finger 50, the transfer wheel 40 having its teeth in mesh with the next counterwheel 38b drives it. Fingers 50' and 50b do not interfere with each other because these two wheels are in respectively inverted positions as illustrated in FIG. 8. Fingers 50' and 50b do not lie in the same plane. They are not positioned at the center line of the hubs of their wheels, that is, a center line with reference to the axis. Thus although all counterwheels are alike and all transfer wheels are alike, by inverting successive adjacent wheels as explained, the result is achieved that a more compact assembly with wheels closer together and with the transfer wheels displaced laterally.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand the nature and the construction of the invention and the manner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as set forth in the foregoing.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred embodiments of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a calculator of the type having a series of digit wheels, transfer means between the digit wheels whereby a complete revolution of a digit wheel transfers a step movement to a subsequent digit wheel, the improvements comprising said transfer means embodying a single projection on a digit wheel, a second wheel to which a step movement is to be transferred by the projection on said digit wheel, said second wheel being adapted for step movements in increments of one-tenth of a revolution and having a predetermined stopping position, said second wheel having abutments positioned to be engaged by the projection on the digit wheel for effecting the step movement, said abutments being angularly displaced predetermined amounts from said predetermined stopping positions whereby when transfer is to take place, said digit wheel moves through a predetermined number of degrees constituting a delay before the projection picks'up an abutment on the second wheel and moves the second wheel.

2. A calculator as in claim 1, having a plurality of similar wheels adapted for transfer of a step movement from each wheel to a subsequent wheel, there being corresponding delay in movement as between successive wheels such that when there is a simultaneous transfer of a number of wheels resulting from an incremental movement of the digit wheel, the step movements take place sequentially thereby eliminating the imposition of a sudden large torque load on a digit wheel.

3. A calculator as in claim 1, including detent means cooperating with the digit wheels whereby to establish ten predetermined stopping positions of each of the digit wheels.

3,696,995 r a Z 8 4. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments 6. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutrnents are arranged in pairs, there being a pair for each of the are fonned by way of radial slots formed in the second ten stopping positions of the second wheel, the abutwheel.

ments of each pair being similarly angularly displaced 7. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein the second from the angle of the stopping position to provide for Wheel is in the form of a transfer Wheel Positioned operation in either dir tion, between said digit wheel and a second digit wheel.

'5. A al l t as i l i 4, h i one f id 8. A calculator as in claim 7, wherein said transfer abutrnents of each pair is positioned to be able to en- Wheel and a second digit Wheel each have ten leeth gage the projection on the digit wheel so as to prevent 'F other said transfer Wheel driving the step movement of the second wheel unless the step second wheelmovement of the digit wheel is substantially executed.

Claims

1. In a calculator of the type having a series of digit wheels, transfer means between the digit wheels whereby a complete revolution of a digit wHeel transfers a step movement to a subsequent digit wheel, the improvements comprising said transfer means embodying a single projection on a digit wheel, a second wheel to which a step movement is to be transferred by the projection on said digit wheel, said second wheel being adapted for step movements in increments of one-tenth of a revolution and having a predetermined stopping position, said second wheel having abutments positioned to be engaged by the projection on the digit wheel for effecting the step movement, said abutments being angularly displaced predetermined amounts from said predetermined stopping positions whereby when transfer is to take place, said digit wheel moves through a predetermined number of degrees constituting a delay before the projection picks up an abutment on the second wheel and moves the second wheel.

4. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments are arranged in pairs, there being a pair for each of the ten stopping positions of the second wheel, the abutments of each pair being similarly angularly displaced from the angle of the stopping position to provide for operation in either direction.

5. A calculator as in claim 4, wherein one of said abutments of each pair is positioned to be able to engage the projection on the digit wheel so as to prevent the step movement of the second wheel unless the step movement of the digit wheel is substantially executed.

6. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments are formed by way of radial slots formed in the second wheel.

7. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein the second wheel is in the form of a transfer wheel positioned between said digit wheel and a second digit wheel.

8. A calculator as in claim 7, wherein said transfer wheel and a second digit wheel each have ten teeth meshing with each other, said transfer wheel driving said second digit wheel.