GB829470A - Mechanical device for reading and storing the working positions of a moveable machine element - Google Patents

Abstract

829,470. Calculating-apparatus. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES Ltd. Oct. 25, 1957 [Oct. 27, 1956], No. 33389/57. Class 106 (1). The invention relates to a device for reading and storing the working positions of a movable machine element. As described, an accounting or calculating machine is provided with means for reading and storing mechanically the position of movable type carriers. A type-bar 11, Fig. 1, having ten positions for the digits 0-9 is movable vertically and is attached to a code plate 12 provided with five slots 13 having notches 14 so arranged that for each vertical position of the type bar, just two of the notches 14 are aligned with plugs 15 carried by horizontally-slidable bars 16. A sensing cycle is performed by a single rotation of a cam 17 which causes a horizontal reciprocation of a guide bar 18 bearing pins 20 co-operating with notches 19 in the bars 16. The initial rightward movement causes the pins 20 to assume the positions shown in Fig. 3, to the right of lugs 22 formed in spring members 21 carried by the bars 16. Subsequent movement to the left causes the pins co-operating with those of the bars 16 which are not opposite a notch 14 to pass to the left of the lugs 22 so that these bars are carried further to the right on the subsequent rightward movement to the state shown in Fig. 1, where the digit which has been typed is represented by the third and fourth bars 16 being further to the left. The bars 16 remain in the position shown despite any subsequent vertical movement of the type bar with the next sensing cycle. The bars 16 may control electrical contacts which are sensed electrically. The cam 17 is operated by a one-revolution clutch controlled by a relay actuated by the element which sets the type bars. Other codes may be employed and the slots 13 may be in the form of circular arcs.