Improvements in Computing and Recording Machines

• Main Author: FRANK S. BALDWIN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.05.1904

1286. Baldwin, F. S. Jan. 18. Calculating - apparatus. -A machine for computing the sum total of numbers or amounts in American or English money, and for recording or printing the items and totals, is shown in Fig. 3. The operator can work either the registering- mechanism independently of the printing-mechanism, or the printing- mechanism independently of the registering-mechanism. The registering and printing mechanisms 5, 6 are movable laterally or transversely, the one being moved at a greater rate and a greater distance than the other, so that, while the recording mechanism is confined to the usual printing space, the registering - mechanism can be extended to provide room for a strong carrying-mechanism. The machine is actuated by a spring motor surrounding the shaft 8 which carries the gear driving the main shaft 12. On the shaft 12 is the common motor gear 15 for actuating the registering and recording mechanisms as they are moved across. An escapement mechanism controlled by the keys 20 controls the distances moved by the carriages 5, 6. When a key 20 is depressed, the pawl 26 engaging the ratchet-wheel 27 on the shaft 12 is withdrawn, the pawl 30 pivoted to the yoke 25 is positively held in engagement with the ratchet 27, and the yoke 25, ratchet 27, and wheel 15 are moved a distance regulated by the shoulder 24 of the key-lever and corresponding to the number on the key. A cushioning-cylinder 40 is connected with the yoke 25. The carriage 5 is moved across the machine by a spring motor 90, and a spring mechanism feeds the carriage one space each time a key is depressed. The wheels 50 of the register are successively brought in line with the wheels 53. The carrying-mechanism of the register comprises the pivoted lever 56 operated by the cam 55, a toothed auxiliary wheel, and the pawl 63. The wheel also aids in looking and returning the parts to zero. The locking-lever 62 is released by a pin. The registering-wheel in engagement with the wheel 53 is released by the cam 66, Fig. 16, depressing the arm 67. To bring the register to zero the wheels are unlocked by the swinging member 68 , a lever being pushed back and the crank handle on the shaft 68 rotated for this purpose, and the wheels are rotated by pins engaging in cam-shaped openings in the members. The carriages 5, 6 have racks 86, 87 which are engaged by different-sized gears 88, 89. The printing- frame 24 is operated by the rock-shaft 99 to which is connected an operating handle or lever. This lever by a pawl and ratchet partially re-winds the motor at every printing operation, and overwinding is prevented by the ratchet having a toothless portion. To obviate the printing of excess ciphers, an oscillating and reciprocating member is provided with wings 109, 110, the wing 109 engaging a pawl carried by the carriage 6, and the wing 110 engaging with the arm 114 attached to the shaft 99. A double-acting escapement 118, Fig. 15, is employed for the spacing. The member 119 of the escapement is yielding and the escapement is oscillated by the depression of a key. A sliding member is used to shift the intermediate gears 17 out of mesh with the main wheel so that one or other of the carriage mechanisms may be thrown out of operation. When the machine is used for adding only, the motor spring has to be wound at intervals and a warning-bell is sounded before the spring is exhausted. The bell mechanism comprises the parts shown in Fig. 17. The motor shaft has screw threads 130 to receive the sleeve nut 131 which is guided by the rod 133, and the fixed disc 139 provided with the pins 140. When the spring needs re-winding, as determined by the position of the nut 131, the member 136 is engaged by a pin 140 and oscillated to cause the hammer 137 to strike the bell 138. When used for computing in English money, one pence wheel and two shillings wheels embrace two lateral space movements, and the wheels carry ratchets and pawls to transfer from one wheel to another, the pawls being controlled by cams fixed to the shaft of the register.