US2302001A - Tens carry mechanism for totalizers - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. W. BRYCE TENS CARRY MECHANISM FOR A TOTALIZER Filed Feb. 11, 1941 Nov. 17, 1942.

I %N VENT OR ATM ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1942. J. w. BRYCE TENS CARRY MECHANISM FOR A TOTALIZER 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1941 F'IG.3.

owe-- are 'les.

mvzmon BY z inomr Nov. 17, 1942. J w, BRYCE I 2,302,001

TENS CARRY MECHANISM FOR A TOTALIZER "i l m 1 i ATTORNEY I Patented Nov. 17, 1942 I TENS CARRY MECHANISM FOR TOTALIZERS James W. Bryce, Glen Ridge, N. J., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 11, 1941, Serial No. 378,394 6 Claims. (Cl. 235-133) This invention relates to an accumulator of the record controlled type and more particularly to improvements in the tens carry devices of such accumulator.

The type of accumulator to which the invention is applied comprises a number of denominational order wheels which are coupled to a driving device at differential times or index points in advance of what is called the zero time, and as presently constructed such devices are uncoupled at the zero time, leaving the wheels advanced various amounts in accordance with the differential time at which they were initially coupled to the driving means. In such accumulator it has been necessary to again couple those wheels into which a unit is to be carried, then again uncouple such wheels after one step of movement. It has thus been necessary in an order into which a carry is to take place to couple the wheel for a digit entry, uncouple it at zero, recouple it for carry and then uncouple it for a second time.

It is the purpose of the present invention to eliminate the first uncoupling operation so that, Where a carry is to be made into an order, the extra step of movement is merged or combined with the digital entry, and for the entire operation only a single coupling and uncoupling is required.

This is effected by providing a single mechanical uncoupling operation which takes place one step or point after the usual zero time, and the wheels are arranged so that all will tend to enter one more than the required digit. A relay device is provided which comes into action at the zero time to determine into which orders carrying is not to be effected, and in such orders uncoupling is selectively effected at the zero time. In the other orders, the wheels continue on to include the carry step of movement with the normal entering movement. The number of coupling and uncoupling operations required in any denominational order is thus substantially reduced. The arrangement also enables the entry of socalled elusive ones during operations involving subtraction by the addition of complements and also in resetting operations where an accumulator is reset by the addition of the tens complement of the amount standing therein.

In the present machines these operations require the entry of an additional unit in the lowest order wheel through special devices.

present arrangement the relay mechanism provided for normal carrying operations is utilized. Other objects of the invention will be pointed With the out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view showing one denominational order of the accumulator.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the driving gear connection to the accumulator.

Fig. 3 is a timing chart of the electrical devices of the machine.

Figs. 4 and 4a taken together constitute a wiring diagram of the electric circuits of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a portion of a perforated record card.

Accumulator The particular accumulator with which the invention is coordinated is that shown in Patent 2,138,636, g1 anted to C. D. Lake on November 29, 1938, and also in Patent 2,150,227, granted to Lake and Pratt on March 14, 1939. One denominational order of such accumulator is shown in Fig. 1, and the same may be briefly described as follows.

For each denominational order there is a constantly running driving ratchet l0 secured on a shaft ll. An accumulating element l2 carries a spring-pressed pawl I3, which is pivoted at M. The pawl I3 lies in the plane of the dliving ratchet l0 and is normally held out of cooperation therewith through the engagement ot a pin l5 carried by the pawl l3 with a cam edge 16 in a member ll (Fig. 2). The member H is mounted for slight relative rotation with respect to the accumulating element l2 and is normally held against making such movement by latch IS. The latch I8 is pivoted at 19 and is integral with the armature 20 suspended between pairs of magnets 2| and 22 which are known as the add and subti act magnets, respectively.

Energization of add magnet 21 latch will rock it! out of engagement with element ll thereby permitting counterclockwise rotation of the element, upon which rotation pawl I3 will engage driving ratchet l0 and the accumulating element l2 will be advanced (Fig. 2).

In the usual operation of accumulators of this type and as more fully set forth in the patents referred to, energization of the add magnet 21 at differential times starts the accumulating element rotating. A mechanical knockoff is then effected at the zero time in the cycle (see Fig. 3) and, if a tens carry is to be effected, the add magnet is again energized at the 11" time and the clutch again mechanically disengaged at the 12 time. In the present arrangement, no mechanical knockoff is provided at the zero time and an accumulating element always tends to rotate one step or unit beyond the zero time. If an order is not to be carried into, i. e., if the further step is not required, the subtract magnet 22 is energized at the zero time to effect uncoupling of the clutch. Thus, there is selective electrical control rather than fixed mechanical control of the uncoupling action at the zero time.

Mechanical declutching is effected by a pin 24a in gear 24, which latter drives the ratchet shaft IE. Pin 24a engages arm 23, rocking the same counterclockwise (Fig. 2) and through an extension 25 rocking latch I8 in the same direction to effect declutching of pawl I3 and ratchet I0. In the prior patents, two pins 24a were provided, one to effect declutching at zero and the other at the 12 time. For present purposes only one pin 24a is provided which effects the declutching operation at the 11 time.

Secured to accumulating element I2 is a disk 26 which, through camming portions on its periphery, cooperates with a follower 21 (Fig. 1) to position the tens carry brush 28 to control carrying to the next higher denominational order. Specifically, when the accumulating element is positioned to represent a 9, the follower 21 drops into notch 29, causing brush 28 to contact element 30. When the accumulating element passes from 9 to zero, rise 3| rocks follower 21 clockwise to a position where it is latched by lever 32 and where brush 28 engages contact element 33. For unlatching lever 32, a pin 34 is provided in gear 34 which causes release of follower 21 after the carry time in the cycle of operations.

Circuit diagram The accumulator of the present device is driven in synchronism with the usual card feeding and printing mechanism which may be of the form shown in Patent 2,232,006 granted to Lake et al. on February 18, 1941. The present accumulator is substituted for that shown in the patent by driving the shaft 35 on which gear 24' is carried from the shaft 22 of the patent. Fig. 4 con- -stitutes the operating and control circuits of the machine and is substantially the same as Fig. 14 of the patent. Fig. 4a shows the wiring for the new accumulator arrangement which will now be described with reference to the timing chart (Fi 3).

Starting cycZes.-With a stack of cards placed in the supply hopper of the machine (Fig. 2 of Patent 2,232,006), the machine is ready to start. Closure of switch I50 (Fig. 4) puts current on left side of line II and on right side of line I52, and current will flow through motor TM. The first operation is to depress the total and reset keyto close contacts I56 which complete a circuit from line I5I, print control relay magnet RI, relay contacts R21) and contacts I56 to line I52. Relay magnet RI closes its contacts Rla to energize the print clutch magnet through a circuit from line I5I, magnet 10, contacts RIa, R32), to line I52. The printing mechanism will now go through a cycle of operations during which the P contacts operate, and near the end of this cycle contacts P2 close, establishing a circuit from line I5I, control pickup relay magnet R3, relay contacts R5a, contacts P2, to line I52. Relay magnet R3 opens its contacts R3!) to break the print clutch magnet circuit but contacts PI hold magnet 10 energized until the end of the cycle.

Relay magnet R3 also closes its contacts R30 to provide a holding circuit from line I5I, magnet R3, contacts R3a, constantly running contacts CR2, to line I52. As seen from Fig. 3, contacts CR2 close when contacts P2 are closed during the aforesaid print cycle and remain closed for the major part of the next cycle, during which contacts CR5 close to energize the minor control relay magnet R5 through the following circuit: from line I5I, magnet R5, magnet R6, contacts CR5, contacts R3d (now closed), wire I59 to line I52. Relay magnet R6 closes its contacts Ria to provide a holding circuit from line I5l, magnets R5, R6, contacts RSa, contacts CF3, to line I52.

Relay magnet R5, when energized, remains so until contacts CFI! open during a card feed cycle. The magnet opens it contacts R5a, R5c and R5d and closes its contacts R527. The start key may now be operated to close its contacts I51 so that, when contacts CRI close near the end of the cycle, a circuit is completed from line I5I, relay magnets R1. R2, contacts I51, CRI, Rib, R5b (now closed), to line I52. Contacts R2a close to provide a holding circuit from line I5I, relay magnets R1, R2, contacts R212 and CFI to line I52. Magnet R1 closes its contacts R1a through which the card feed clutch magnet circuit is completed from line I5I, magnet CF, contacts RM to line I52.

The first card now commences to feed downwardly toward the set of upper brushes U3 and during this cycle cam contacts CF3 open to drop the holding circuit of relay magnet R6. However, at the time contacts CF3 open during this first card feeding cycle, there is a shunt path around them so that their opening at this time has no effect and relay R5 remains energized.

Near the end of this first card feed cycle, contacts CFI open to deenergize magnets R1 and R2 and card feeding ceases. If the start key contacts I51 are held closed or are again closed, the relay magnets R1 and R2 are immediately energized again as contacts CRI close shortly after contacts CFI open (see Fig. 3). Thus, a second card feed cycle will follow immediately after the first. The shunt circuit around contacts CF3 follows from contacts RIia, relay contacts LCLb, UCLc to line I52. The manner in which these contacts are controlled will be explained presently.

Just before the end of the first card feed cycle, the leading edge of the first card engages the upper card lever 50 to close contacts 5| which thereupon complete a circuit through relay magnet UCL which in turn closes contacts UCLc to provide a holding circuit for the magnet from line I5, magnet UCL, contacts UCLe, and CR1 to line I52. The contacts CR1 alternate with contacts 5I to keep relay magnet UCL energized as long as cards are fed to the brushes UB.

During the second card feed cycle, as the first card is advancing to the lower brushes LB, contacts UCLc are open so that, when contacts CF! open during this cycle, magnet R5 will become deenergized, causing in turn deenergization of relay magnets R2 and R1 and magnet CF, thus interrupting further card feeding and leaving the first card in a position where its leading edge is just under the lower brushes LB and the leading edge of the second card is just under the upper brushes UB.

Just before the first card reached brushes LB, it closed contacts 52 to energize relay magnet LCL which through its contacts LCLc and CR8 provide an alternate circuit to hold the relay magnet energized during the interval between cards.

The foregoing cycles comprising a print cycle, a reset cycle and two successive card feed cycles are a necessary preliminary to advance cards into the machine when first starting. Adding operations are now ready to commence.

Automatic control circuits.-The machine is provided with the usual automatic control devices generally designated GC (Fig. 4) which serve to keep the machine in operation as long as the control perforations on the successively fed cards are alike. This device may be disabled, however, so that operations continue as long as cards continue to feed. Disabling is efiected by closing switch I58, whereby when relay magnets R and R6 are initially energized and cards have reached the upper card levers, a holding circuit is established from line I5I, relaymagnets R5, R6, contacts R6a, switch I58, contacts UCLb to line I52 through wire I59. Therefore, with contacts UCLa also closed, the motor relay magnet R1 and feed control relay magnet R2 remain energized through a circuit from line I5I, relay magnets R1, R2, contacts R2a, UCLa, R41 and R512 to line I52. When the last card has passed the upper brushes and contacts UCLa open as a consequence, the circuit through relay magnets R1 and R2 is maintained for another cycle by contacts CFI which shunt contacts UCLa, Rdb and R5?) and enable the last card to be advanced to pass the lower brushes LB for sensing of the data thereon.

Adding circuits-For each column of the card whose data is to be added, a plug connection such as I65 is made between a lower brush LB and a plug socket I66 (Fig. 4a). Then as the card passes the lower brushes, a circuit is completed at differential times, depending on the location of the hole to energize the accumulator magnet 2|. Assuming a 6 hole to be sensed, the circuit will be completed at the 6 time in the cycle, traceable from line I 52, card lever contacts 52 (Fig. 4), circuit breaker I64, contact roller 58, 6 hole in the card, brush LB, plug connection I 65 to socket I66 (Fig. 4a) contacts SUb, contacts MCR3a, magnet 2|, to line I5I. The adding magnets 2| in the several orders will be energized at various times during the cycle and will cause their associated accumulatingtvheels 26 to commence rotating the required amount. A part of a record card is shown in Fig. 5 in which a six column field is represented with perforations corresponding to the value 247 made therein. It may be noted that in .columns to the left of the highest significant d'i'g-it zero representing perforations are made. Thesehero perforations are sensed by the lower brushes LB and complete circuits to the adding magnets at thezerotime.

Up to this point the operation of the machine is substantially like that of prior machines in that the adding magnets 2| are energized at differential times in accordance with the value of the perforations sensed. Just before the zero time in the cycle, cam contacts CR2I (Fig. 4a) close (see also Fig. 3) to complete a circuit traceable from line I52, contacts CR2 I, wire I80, to the several carry contact brushes 28. If at such time an order stands "at 9, the circuit continues through contacts 38, a relay magnet generally designated G, wire IBI, to line I5I.

If an order has passed through zero, the circuit continues from brush 28, through contacts 33, a relay magnet generally designated C, wire I8I,- to line I51. Thus, at a time just prior to the zero point in the adding cycle, the several denominational orders are tested to determine if any stand at 9 or if any have passed through zero. At the same time a parallel circuit is complete; from line I52, through cam contacts CR2I, relay magnet CA to line I5I. Magnet CA closes several contacts which are generally designated CA.

' Assuming first that an entry has been made into the accumulator of such value that no carries are called for, in such case none of the C magnets will be, energized. Then at the zero time when cam contacts CR22 close (see Fig. 3), a circuit may be traced from line I52, contacts CR22, contacts SUd, contacts MCRSd, contacts CAb, the units order subtract magnet 22, to line I5l. As a result, the units order adding wheel will be declutched at the zero time. A parallel circuit may be traced from line I52, contacts CR22, contacts SUd, wire I82, contacts MCR3e, contacts SUI, contacts Cu2, contacts CAb in the tens order, tens order subtracting magnet 22 to line I5I. A further parallel circuit branches from wire I82, through contacts GtI (if the tens ""order is not standing at 9), contacts Ct2. contacts CA?) to the hundreds order subtract magnet 22 and thence to line. If the tens order wheel were standing at 9, magnet Gt would have been energized, closing its contacts Gt3, and the circuit which energizes the tens order subtract magnet 22,would branch from contact Cu2, through contacts Cu5, wire I83, contacts Gt3, Ct3, CA!) to the hundreds order subtracting magnet 22.

Through similar circuits the higher order subtract magnets 22 would be energized, regardless of what digit was represented thereon as long as none of them had advanced from 9 to zero Where a circuit had been completed through the adding magnet in response to the sensing of a zero impulse in any order, the impulse to the corresponding subtracting magnet is efiected at the same time, that is, for the particular order both add and subtract magnets are concurrently energized and as a result the coupling mechanism is undisturbed, remaining in the position shown in Fig. 1.

Assume now a condition wherein a denominational order wheel has passed from 9 to zero, taking, for example, the wheel in the units order. In such case, at the zero time the related magnet Cu will have been energized opening its contacts Cu2 and C145. Contacts Cu2 are in the circuit hereinabove traced through the subtract magnet 22 of the tens order. As a result, the tens order wheel is not uncoupled at the zero time and continues on one additional step to be mechanically disengaged at the lltime, resulting in a carry having been effected in the tens order.

Assume now that the tens order into which a carry is effected'had been standing at 9. In such case its relay magnet Gt would have been energized to open its contacts Gtl, thus preventing the completion of a circuit to the hundreds order subtract magnet 22. It is to be noted that energization of magnet Gt closes its contacts G153. However, a circuit therethrough would not be completed since the' units order magnet Cu is energized to open the related contacts C which are in series with the contacts Gt3. It is to be noted that during adding operations the subtract magnet 22 of the units order is always energized at the zero time, since this order receives no carry.

Subtracting operations Subtracting operations carried out in machines to which the invention is applied are effected by initially energizing all the adding magnets at the 9 time in the cycle and energizing the subtract magnets at differential times in response to the sensing of perforations. This results in the entry of the 9s complement of the number sensed. At the end of the cycle the unit order is given an additional one step of advance to change the 9s complementary entry to a tens complementary entry. To condition the machine for subtracting during a card reading cycle. the record card whose amount is to be subtracted is generally provided with a special perforation designated I84 (Fig. which is sensed by the upper brushes U13 and which. through the usual pickup and holding circuits, closes a pair of contacts designated I85a represented at the top of Fig. 4a. The controlling circuits for these contacts are not specifically shown as they are well known. Suflice it to say that the controlling magnet IE5 is energized in response to the sensing of a special perforation I84 and circuits are provided to maintain this magnet energized while the record card passes the lower brushes.

As a card bearing an amount to be subtracted passes the lower brushes LB, cam contacts CPS close at 9 in the cycle (see Fig. 3) to energize a relay magnet SU through a circuit from line I5 I, magnet SU, contacts I85a, CPS, and the lower card lever relay contacts LCLe to line I52. Magnet SU remains energized for the major portion of the adding cycle and closes its contacts SUc so that, upon closure of cam contacts CF5 concurrently with the closure of contacts CFG, a circuit is traceable from line I52, card lever relay contacts LCLe, cam contacts CF5, thenc in parallel through all the contacts SUc, contacts MCR3a, and all th adding magnets 2|. Energization of magnet SU also causes opening of its contacts SW) and closure of contacts SUa, so that as the card now passes the lower brushes a circuit will be completed at differential times, upon the sensing of perforations, which are traceable from line I52 (Fig. 4), through card lever contacts 52, impulse distributor I64, contact roller 50, lower brush LB, plug connection I65 (Fig. 4a), plug socket I66, contacts SUa now closed, subtract magnet 22 to line I5I. wheels are uncoupled after they have advanced distances representing the 9s complements of the values sensed.

'It may be mentioned at this point that contacts SUd are opened so that no current is transmitted to the wire I82 nor the CA contacts. At the zero time, when contacts CR22 close, a circuit is completed from line I52, contacts CR22, contacts SUe now closed. contacts CAc also closed, add magnet 2I of the units order to lin I5I. Energization of this magnet at zero will cause the units order to advance one additional step, uncoupling being eiiected at the 11 time mechanically.

It may be noted that, if the column of the card controlling the entry of the units order were perforated in the zero position, the circuit through the lower brush LB would be completed through the units order subtract magnet 22 at the zero time concurrently with the energization of the add magnet 2I. Since the add magnet is already energized through the initial circuit completed by contacts CFS, the energization of magnet 22 at the zero time will have no effect, and

As a result, the adding the units order wheel will continue rotating through the zero position to be uncoupled at the 11 time.

If at the zero time in the cycle the units order wheel had advanced from 9 to zero, its relay magnet Cu would be energized as explained so that its contact C114 would be closed at the zero time and a circuit will be completed from lin I52, contacts CR22, contacts SUc, wire I81, contacts C114, contacts CAc, add magnet 2| in the tens order, to lin I5I. A unit is thus entered into the tens order. If the tens order stood at 9 at this time, its magnet Gt would be energized and would have closed its contacts Gt2, so that the circuit through the tens add magnet 2| would branch through contacts GtZ, contacts CAO to the magnet 2I in the hundreds order and so on.

Total printing operations.-As explained in Patent 2,232,006, the minor relay magnet R5 will be deenergized when a group number change occurs, and opening of contacts R51) will cause card feeding operations to stop with the first card of the new group at the lower brushes in readiness to traverse the same when card feeding resumes.

-If the automatic reset switch I12 (Fig. 4) is closed, a. total printing cycle will follow immediately upon cessation of card feeding to print the amount or total standing on the accumulator. A circuit is completed when contacts R and R2b close, traceable from line I5I, print control relay magnet RI, contacts RZb, switch I12, contacts R50 to line I52. resulting as before in energization of the print clutch magnet 10. As a conse quence, the type bars begin to rise and contacts PI close to shunt contacts RIa and R3!) in the clutch circuit and keep the magnet 10 energized through the cycle and by breaking the circuit take the arc.

With switch I13 closed as a preliminary, a circult is traceable from line I5I, contacts 14 (clcsed due to energization of relay magnet R5), switch I13, relay magnet MCRZ to line I52. Magnet MCRZ causes closure of its contacts MCR2a (Fig. 4a) so that the print magnet PM is now connected to the common readout segment I44 through contacts MCR2a and plug connection I1l. Total printing circuits can now be completed as follows as follows: from line I52, circuit breaker I14 (Fig. 4a) contacts R5f and R3h- (now closed), common segment I15 of the print emitter PE, brush I16, segments I11, to impress impulses on th wires I18 in the order 9, 8, '1, etc, as the type bars present the correspondingly valued type to the platen, wire I18 to the readout segment I43 at which brush I42 is set, through the brush I42, segment I44, contacts MCR2a, plug connection I1I, print magnet PM to line I5I. In this manner the amount set on the accumulator readout devices is printed.

Near the end of the total printing cycle. contacts P2 (Fig. 4) close to cause energization of relay magnet R3 a explained, which in turn through its contacts R3d causes energization of minor relay magnet R5 and relay magnet R6 during the next following cycle when contacts CR5 close. Thus, total printing will take two cycles during the first of which actual total printing takes place and relay R3 is energized. In the second cycle, relay R5 is energized to open its contacts R50 and interrupt the circuit to print control magnet RI.

Resetting to zero operations.The accumulator shown herein is reset to zero by entering into the accumulator, the 9s complement of the amount standing therein under control of the readout device for the accumulator, and then adding 1 into the units order during the tens carry time to advance all the wheels from 9 to zero. It

will be understood, therefore, that resetting to zero is accomplished by the tens complemental subtraction process. This resetting operation takes place during th second of the two total taking cycles and is effective when a reset switch I8I (Fig. 4) is closed. As previously explained, relay magnet R3 is energized near the end of the total printing cycle and opens its contacts R31) to prevent the energization of the print clutch controlling magnet 10, so that the print clutch will not be engaged during the second or what may be termed the reset cycle, and its contacts 14 are accordingly open during the reset cycle so that the relay magnet MCRZ is deenergized.

Closure of the relay contacts R3f under control of relay magnet R3 and the closure of contacts CRIZ will completea circuit from'the line I5I, contacts CRIZ, R3f, switch I8I, relay magnet MCR3 to line I52. The energization of relay MCR3 will thereupon cause the opening of related contacts MCR3a for the units, tens and hundreds, etc., orders and the closure of its contacts MCR3b.

Relay magnet R3 also causes the closure of its contacts R3g (see center of Fig. 4a) one blade of which is connected to the segment I82 oi reset emitter RE. The brush I83 of the reset emitter RE is rotated by a shaft driven during resetting cycles and is adapted to successively contact segments I84 to transmit electrical impulses to the set of digit impulse transmitting wires I18 at times which are the 9s complement of the digits involved. The first segment I84 contacted by the brush I83 will transmit an electrical impulse to the digit impulse transmitting wire I18 at the "9 time in the resetting cycle. Thereafter, the brush I83 makes contact with the 8 segment I84 to transmit an electrical impulse to the 1 digit impulse transmitting wire I18 at the 1 time in the resetting cycle, and so forth. Thus, as emitter brush I83 rotates, circuits will be completed which are traceable from the line I52 (Fig. 4a), circuit breaker I14, contacts R R3g, segment I82, brush I83, segments I84, to the wires I18.

Thus, after the emitter RE has functioned, each denominational order wheel will stand at 9 and the wheels will continue on an additional step to be knocked out at the 11 time when all wheels will register 0. It is 'to be noted that none of the subtract magnets 22 will be energized, since no orders pass through zero during the operation of emitter RE, and the energization of subtract magnet 22 in the units order is prevented due to the open condition of contacts MCR3d.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification. it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without I departing from the spirit of the invention. It is vancing mechanism for said wheels comprising a rotating driving member, a clutch for each wheel. means called into action at differential times and with the wheels in any of their rotative positions for causing the clutch to couple the wheels to said driving member for rotation thereby, and means for causing the clutch to disengage the wheels at a fixed time in the operation of the machine, including in combination control means, separate for each wheel and normally operative to cause the clutch to disengage the wheels at a point in advance of said fixed time, a device for each wheel settable thereby when the wheel advances from its 9 to its zero rotative position, means operative at the same predetermined time for all wheels for testing the setting of said devices and means controlled by the device related to any wheel through said testing means for rendering the control means related to the wheel of next higher order ineffective whereby said next higher wheel will not be uncoupled in advance of said fixed time.

2. In an accumulating unit for an accounting machine having a plurality of denominationally ordered accumulating wheels which are to be advanced to any of a plurality of rotative positions to represent the different digits, differential advancing mechanism for said wheels comprising a rotating driving member, coupling means for each wheel, means called into action at differential times and with the wheels in any of their rotative positions for causing the coupling means to couple the wheels to said driving member for rotation thereby, and means for causing the coupling means to uncouple the wheels at a fixed time in the operation of the machine, including in combination control means separate for each wheel and normally operative to cause the coupling means to uncouple the wheels at a point in advance of said fixed time, a device for each wheel settable thereby when the wheel advances from its 9 to its zero rotative position, a further device for each wheel settable thereby when the wheel stands in its 9 rotative position, and testing means jointly controlled by said settable devices. at a predetermined time for rendering the control means related to the wheel of next higher order than the one advanced from 9 to zero and any adjacent higher order or orders standing at 9 concurrently inefiective whereby said next higher order wheel and adjacent wheel or wheels will not be uncoupled in advance of said fixed time.

3. The'invention set forth in claim 1 in which selectively settable means is provided and means controlled thereby for causing the advanced uncoupling means related to the units order wheel to be effective or inefiective during any operation according to the setting of said settable means.

4. In an accumulating unit for an accounting machine having a plurality of denominationally ordered accumulating wheels which are to be advanced to any of a plurality of rotative positions to represent the different digits, differential advancing mechanism for said wheels comprising a rotating driving member, coupling means for each wheel, means called into action at difierential times and with the wheels in any of their rotative positions for causing'the coupling means to couple the wheels to said driving member for rotation thereby, and means for causing the coupling means to uncouple the wheels at a fixed time in the operation of the for adding, subtracting or resetting operations wherein subtracting and resetting are eii'ected by complementary addition, in combination with means separate for each wheel and normally operative to cause the couplirm means to uncouple the wheels at a point in advance of said fixed time, a device for each wheel settable thereby when the wheel advances from its 9 to its Zero rotative position, means controlled by the device related to any wheel for rendering the control means related to the wheel of next higher order inilective whereby said next higher wheel will not be uncoupled in advance of said fixed time, and means operative when the machine, is adjusted for adding for rendering the control means related to the units order effective and when the machine is adjusted for subtracting or resetting for rendering said units order control means ineifective.

5. In an accumulating unit for an accounting machine having a plurality of denominationally ordered accumulating wheels which are to be advanced to any of a plurality of rotative positions to represent the different digits, differential advancing mechanism for said wheels comprising a rotating driving member, coupling means for each wheel, means called into action at difierential times and with the wheels in any of their rotative positions for causing the coupling means to couple the wheels to said driving member for rotation thereby, and means for causing the coupling means to uncouple the wheels at a fixed time in the operation of the machine, said means for causing coupling comprising a magnet, in combination with a further magnet for each wheel, for causing uncoupling,

means for normally energizing said uncoupling magnet at a point prior to said fixed time, settable means controlled by a wheel when an entry therein causes the wheel to pass from 9 to zero, means for testing said settable means at said point prior to the time of operation of said first named uncoupling means, and means controlled by said testing means when said settable means is set, for rendering said normal energizing means inefiective to energize the uncoupling magnet of the next higher order wheel whereby said higher order wheel will be uncoupled at said fixed time in the operation of the machine.

6. In an accumulating unit for an accounting machine having a plurality of denominationally ordered accumulating wheels which are to be advanced to any oi. a plurality of rotative positions to represent the diflerent digits, differential advancing mechanism called into action at difi'erential times and with the wheels in any 01 their rotative positions, a first stopping means for interrupting the wheels at a fixed time in the operation of the machine, a second stopping means for interrupting the wheels at a diflerent fixed time in the operation of the machine, tens carry devices adjusted by the wheels during their rotation to represent which wheels have passed from 9 to zero and which represent entries of 9, means for concurrently testing the setting of said devices, and means controlled thereby for concurrently selectively rendering one or the other of the stopping means effective for the several wheels.

JAMES W. BRYCE.

Images