Historical Document · 1930
US Patent 1,764,915: Calculating Apparatus (A. E. Vethe, the Addometer)
Vethe's Addometer patent, filed 10 September 1928 and granted 17 June 1930.
Historical Document · 1930
Vethe's Addometer patent, filed 10 September 1928 and granted 17 June 1930.
June 17, 1930. A. E. VETHE 1,764,915 CALCULATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1928 No. 2. Sheets-Sheet June 17, 1930. A. E. VETHE 1,764,915 CAL CULATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 17, 1930 1,764,915 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANDERs E. VETHE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIs CACU ANG. APPARATUS Application filed September 10, 1928. Serial No. 304,921. My invention relates to calculating ap tails hereinafter pointed out. The preferred paratus of the type comprising a series of means by which I have accomplished my rotary indicating dials or discs together several objects are illustrated in the ac with intermediate driving means or carry companying drawings and are hereinafter 5 ing means for giving each disc a single step specifically described. That which I be- 55 of rotation for each movement of the indi lieve to be new arid desire to cover by this cating disc at its right past a critical point application is set forth in the claims. with respect to the indicia thereon. It is In the drawings one of the objects of my invention to pro Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred 10 vide a new and improved form and arrange form of my improved apparatus, with the 60 ment of parts whereby the likelihood of top plate broken away at the greater por overthrow movement of any of the discs tion of its length, and with the indicating discs and certain cooperating parts removed may be cut down. M It is one of the objects of my invention to at one end of the device; provide an improved form of clearance Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken at 65 means or resetting means which is arranged line. 2-2 of Fig.1; to cooperate with the carrying means in a Fig. 3 is a cross section taken at line 3-3 novel manner for preventing overthrow of Fig. 1; movement of the discs during the clearing Fig. 4 is a cross section taken at line O 20 operation. To this end, it is one of the ob 44 of Fig. 1; jects of my invention to provide for actua Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of my de tion of the indicating discs in peculiarly vice with the top plate, the indicating discs timed relation to each other upon a resetting and certain of the other parts removed for operation whereby when two adjacent indi clearness of illustration, the resetting bar 25 cating discs are in motion at the same time, being drawn out for bringing the teeth of 75 they shall rotate non-synchronously with such bar into operative engagement with respect to the intermediate driving means. the teeth of the resetting gears of the in It is one of the objects of my invention to dicating discs; provide an arrangement of this type in Fig. 6 is a view of a portion of the mech as shown in Fig. 5, but showing a so 30 which the indicating discs are divided into anism two sets, the clearance movement of the discs changed position of the parts, the resetting of one set being started when the discs of the gear and the parts connected therewith at left being shown in an intermediate po other set reach substantially the middle of the sition after an uncompleted portion of a re a step of such movement, with alternate setting operation, with the resetting gear 85 discs comprising one set and the Fig discs comprising the other set. It is one o and associated parts at the right in slightly overthrown position as a result of a just the objects of my invention to provide an ar completed resetting operation with respect rangement whereby, when two adjacent in dicating discs are both being rotated to nor to such parts, showingshow the engagement mal position by a resetting operation, the of the intermediate driving means with the po carrying wheel between said two indicating mechanism at the left prevents completion discs, if actuated slightly by an overthrow of the movement of the parts beyond nor movement of the disc to its right at the mal position under the influence of such end of the resetting movement of such disc tendency to overthrow; 4 to the right, is prevented from rotating to Fig. y is a side view of one end portion 05 the next step position by reason of such en of my device, E", the engagement be gagement with the disc to the left as to tween the resetting bar and the stylus, whereby the stylus is partially withdrawn prevent normal meshing. It is another object of my invention to improve devices of this type in sundry de an operative stroke of the resetting 2 1,784,915 Fig. 8 is an end view of the device as carried and guided by lugs 34 formed with seen from the right in Fig. 7; said bar 33. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the end por As is shown at the right in Fig. 1, the top tions of the resetting bars in associated re wall of the casing member 21 is provided lationship separated from the remaining with circular slots 35 extending almost com arts, with the bars at the limit of their pletely about the axes of the several indi 70 ongitudinal movement with respect to each cating discs 22, such slots being in posi other for an operative stroke; tion to provide access to a series of sockets Fig. 10 is a side view of the parts as 36 in the top faces of the indicating discs 0 shown in Fig. 9; for rotation of said indicating discs by the Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but use of a stylus 37 (see Fig. 7), the ends of 5 showing a changed position of the parts, the slots serving as stops for limiting the with the auxiliary resetting bar moved into rotary movements of the indicating discs in raised offset position with respect to the either direction. A series of numerals 1 to 5 main bar; 9 are provided adjacent to each of the slots Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a portion of inside of the slot for reference in connection 80 the auxiliary resetting bar; and - with the use of the apparatus for perform Fig. 13 is a side view of the end portion ing an operation of addition, and a similar of the main resetting bar. series of numerals 0 to 9 are provided out 20 side of each of the slots in reverse order for Referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are use for subtraction. Each indicating disc 85 indicated by the same reference characters, also is provided with a series of numerals 20 indicates a casing formed preferably of from 0 to 9 opposite the respective sockets sheet metal cut and pressed into shape, and 36, such numerals running in the same di 21 indicates the top plate portion also rection as that of the addition numerals formed of sheet metal bent into shape to fit above referred to. down over the casing member 20. At Sub It is believed to be unnecessary to de stantially the longitudinal center of the cas scribe the operation of the apparatus in ing, there are mounted a series of indicat detail except with respect to features form ing discs 22, each of which is rigidly mount ing some part of the present - invention. 95 ed on a sleeve 23 rotatably mounted on a With the parts assembled complete as shown pin 24 rising from the bottom wall of the at the right in Fig. 1, and with the several casing member 20. Each of said sleeves 23 indicating discs all in their normal zero po is also provided with a resetting gear 25, sitions (with the zero of each of the indi 35 a carrying gear 26, and a carrying arm 27, cating discs showing through a suitable such carrying gears and carrying arms be sight opening 38), an operator turns the ing adapted to engage intermediate driving several indicating discs by inserting the stylus in the desired socket 36 and pressing gears. 28 revolubly mounted on pins 29 ris the stylus around until it contacts with the ing from the bottom wall of the casing member 20. end of the slot 35. When one of the in 05 For holding the indicating discs 22 and dicating discs is rotated in either direction the intermediate E. gears 28 normally past the critical position (when the zero of 8. position as they the indicating disc is moved clockwise into in predetermined angular are given a step by step rotary movement, the sight opening or is moved counter-clock 45 and for assisting as may be required in the wise out of the sight opening) the arm 27 application of the rotary movements to such of such indicating disc is brought into mesh 0 parts, I have provided flat springs 30 bear with the intermediate driving gear 28 at ing at their free ends on the gears 28, and its left so as to give such gear a single step spring-pressed levers 31 bearing on the pe movement, such intermediate driving gear 50 serving at the same time to give the next 5 ripheries of the indicating discs 22. The adjacent indicating disc at the left also a arrangement is such that said gears and corresponding step movement. discs are normally held yieldingly in pre For effectingsingle this result theorro determined position by reason of a camming tation is in one direction forwhether addition in 55 action of the spring means, serving to ap the reverse direction for substraction, ply a pressure between two spaced bearing have arranged the carrying gears 26 ofI 20 points in such manner as to have a ten adjacent discsat different levels, dency to center the spring means between with the indicating intermediate, driving gears at cor such bearing points. The levers 31 are responding levels so that each intermediate spring actuated by means of coiled springs driving gear serves to rotate the indicat 32 connecting said levers at suitable dis ing disc at its left and so that each inter tances from the axes on opposite sides mediate driving gear is itself driven only thereof. In the construction shown, the by indicating disc at its right through springs 30 and the levers 31 are all mounted the the medium of the arm 27 carried by such on a removable bar 33, the levers 31 being indicating disc, each intermediate gear and 3 1,764,915 the carrying arm of the indicating disc to the parts, the bars 39 and 40 are arranged its left being normally out of mesh so that to have longitudinal movement with re while the intermediate gear serves to drive spect to each other, the arrangement being the indicating disc to its left such indicating such that upon the initial portion of the out ward movement of the bar 39 the bar 40 is 5 disc cannot in turn drive said intermediate left in its rearmost position. Upon continued gear. Such arrangement is not claimed herein, inasmuch as this subject-matter is outward movement of the bar 39 (toward the claimed in my co-pending application Seri right in Fig. 1), the bar 39 moves out of engagement with the horizontally disposed al No. 87,120. The means for clearing or resetting the part 46 of the bar 40 so as to permit 10 indicating discs will now be described. downward movement of such bar 40 into the Such means comprises a main resetting bar position shown in Fig. 10 at a level for sub 39 and an auxiliary resetting bar 40, each in sequent operative engagement with the gear the form of an angle bar, said bars being 25, the engagement of a diagonally disposed 15 Provided with teeth 41 along their inner cam portion 47 of the bar 39 with a lug 48 SO edges adapted to engage the resetting gears carried by the bar 40 serving to insure such 25 upon longitudinal movement of the bars downward movement of the bar 40. Short as hereinafter described for rotating such ly thereafter, a lug 49 formed on the bar resetting gears and the indicating discs 39 engages the lug 48 for causing the two connected there with to their normal zero bars 39 and 40 to move longitudinally to 20 positions. As is clearly shown in Fig. 1, each gether. of the resetting gears 25 is mutilated, the ar Upon inward movement of the bar 39 rangement being such that when the gears 25 with respect to the bar 40, a beveled corner stand in the position as shown in Fig. 1 the portion 50 of the bar 39 engages the hori 90 25 teeth 41 of the bars when moved longitudinal zontally disposed portion 46 of the bar 40, ly past said gears do not engage the gears. serving by a camming action on the bot tom face of said portion 46 to raise the bar When the indicating discs are rotated one or 40 again into offset position with respect to more steps out of their normal zero positions, however, the gears 25 are brought to posi the bar 39, the movement of the bar 39 lon 30 tion (see Fig. 5) for engagement with said gitudinally with respect to the bar 40 being teeth 41 upon longitudinal movement of limited by the engagement of the end of bar 39 with a lug 51 carried by the the bars. The bar 39 is slidably mounted in the position in the casing by means of screws 42 bar 40. passing through slots 43 in the bar, such For holding the bar 40 normally in sta 35 screws being provided with spring plates 44 tionary position upon the initial portion of 00 on their upper end portions for applying the movement of the bar 39 in either direc yielding downward pressure on the top face tion, a flat spring 52 is provided, engaging of the bar. Such bar 39 is provided at its at its middle portion a lug 53 rising from outer end with an upturned handle portion the bottom wall of the casing, and engaging 40 45. at its ends the inner face of the bar 40, as The arrangement is such that during the is best shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This spring sliding movementofthemain bar39nineteeth serves by friction to resist the movement o 41 thereon are drawn past each of the gears the bar 40 as desired. 25 for giving such gears 9 steps of move Upon the initial portion of the outward 45 ment if necessary for bringing the gears to movement of the bar 39, the five teeth 110 zero position, with the exception of the gear 41 Onits end portion move along, the path 25 farthest to the left in Fig. 1. Only five opposite the gear 25 farthest to the left in teeth 41 on said main bar are adapted to Fig. 1 for engaging such gear. After said engage said gear 25 farthest to the left, and five teeth 41 have passed said gear 25 and 5 50 it is for the purpose of supplying this de the bar 39 has moved downwardly as above ficiency that the auxiliary ar 40 is pro described into the position shown in Fig. vided. The auxiliary bar 40 comprises only 10, upon the continued outward movement a short horizontally arranged portion 46 of the bar 39 the bar 40 moves therewith, having four teeth thereon as is best shown serving to bring the teeth 41 on said bar 40 55 in Fig. 12, such horizontally disposed part into engagement with said gear 25. By this 20 46 being normally carried above the hori expedient, I have provided nine teeth adapt Zontally arranged portion of the bar 39 in ed to act in turn upon said gear 25, such nine offset relation with respect thereto as is teeth being arranged in spaced relation for shown in Fig. 11 so as to be out of engage proper meshing with said gear but occupy 60 ment with the gear 25 but being movable ing normally only the space, of five such 25 e against the downwardly into alignment with the hori teeth. I have thus provided Zontally arranged portion of the bar 39 and necessity for lengthening the casing at the into position to engage the gear 25 when left for accommodating a considerably long er resetting bar as would otherwise be 30 the bar 39 is drawn toward the right. 65 For effecting this change in position of necessary. N . w 4 1,764,915 As is shown in Fig. 5, the teeth 41 are ar such fit in the opening as to cause ranged in groups of four or five teeth, with itpreferably to be held lightly by friction therein. the spacing between the individual teeth of Upon an outwardstroke of the resetting bar each group the same in every instance but 39, a lug 54 carried by the bar 39 engages with the several groups of teeth arranged the head of said stylus and moves stylus in differentially spaced relation as compared outwardly in its opening for readytheremoval with the spacing of the axes of the gears therefrom for use. 25. In the construction shown, the spacing While I. prefer to employ the form of between the several groups of teeth is such mechanism as illustrated in my drawings . 0. that when the bar 39 is first drawn toward and as above described, it is to be under the right in Fig. 5 for an operative stroke that my invention is not limited to the leading teeth of the second and fourth stood such form so far as the claims are groups from the right engage the teeth of so limited byexcept the prior art. the respective gears 25 earlier than the lead I claim: s ing teeth of the first and third groups en 1. A calculating mechanism comprising in 80 gage the teeth of the gears 25 adjacent combination two indicating discs rotatably thereto. By the time when the leading teeth mounted in spaced relation to each other, of said first and third groups first engage driving means for driving the the adjacent gears 25 in tE. position as intermediate indicating disc at the left by power from 20 shown in said Fig. 5, the leading teeth of the indicating disc at the right, and reset said second and fourth groups have moved ting means adapted upon an operative stroke their respective gears 25 to substantially to act first upon one of said indicating discs the middle of the first step movement, as and then when said indicating disc has been is also shown in said Fig. 5. It is thus given a partial step movement to act upon clear that the intermediate driving gears the other disc. 28 cannot be rotated in synchronism with 2. A calculating mechanism comprising 90 both of the two adjacent carrying gears 26 in combination two indicating discs rotat while such carrying gears are being rotated by the resetting EE If such inter ably mounted in spaced relation to each other, intermediate driving means for driv mediate driving gear were rotated in step ing disc. at the left by power with the rotation of the carrying gear at fromthetheindicating indicating disc atbythean right, and One side it would necessarily be half a step resetting means adapted operative out of normal meshing relationship with stroke to bring both of said discs to zero the carrying gear at the opposite side. position, being adapted upon such resetting 35 The effect of this differential arrangement operation to rotate said discs out of timei OC under certain circumstances is illustrated in relation to each other with respect to said Fig. 6. With the units and tens indicating driving means. 4 discs being brought to zero position by the intermediate 3. A calculating mechanism comprising resetting mechanism and with the tens in 40 dicating disc still in motion at an inter in combination two indicating discs rotat ably mounted in spaced relation to each mediate stage of the resetting operation at other, driving means for driv the time when the units indicating disc ing theintermediate indicating disc by power comes to its zero position, any slight over from the indicating discatatthetheleftright, reset throw movement of the units disc would 45 bring the arm 27 thereof into forcible con ting gears carried by the said indicating discs, and a resetting bar adapted by en tact with the teeth of the intermediate gear gagement with said gears upon an operative O 28 as shown in Fig. 6, serving possibly to stroke to bring both of said discs to zero give such intermediate driving gear a slight position, being adapted upon such resetting rotary movement out of normal position. operation to rotate the disc at the right in By reason of the differential arrangement such timed relation to the disc at the left of the teeth 41 as above described, such that in case said disc at the right should 15 slight rotary movement of the intermediate continue its rotation by an overthrow move driving gear 28 would serve to bring an ment said intermediate driving means would other tooth of said intermediate gear into be brought into non-meshing engagement 55 abnormal engagement with the end of one the resetting gear of the disc at the 20 left. of the teeth of the carrying gear 26 of the Sh tens indicating disc, such abnormal engage 4. A calculating mechanism comprisi.g ment serving effectively to stop the rotary in combination two indicating discs rotat movement of the intermediate driving gear mounted in spaced relation to each before it has proceeded very far, the springs ably other, driving means for driv 25 30 and 32 serving thereafter promptly to ing theintermediate indicating disc at the left by power return the parts to normal position. from the indicating disc the right, reset As will be appreciated from an inspection ting gears carried by saidat indicating discs of Figs 7, the stylus 37 is slidably mounted respectively, and a resetting bar slidably in a suitable opening in the casing, having mounted in position adjacent to said gears 30. 764,915 and provided with a plurality of sets of teeth for engaging the E. said resetting gears and bar having a differential arrange ment with respect to each other whereby the rotation of one gear starts when the other E is at substantially the middle of its st step of rotation. 5. A calculating mechanism comprising in combination two indicating discs rotat O ably mounted in spaced relation to each other, intermediate driving means for driv ing the indicating disc at the left by power from thegears indicating the indicating E. e setting carrieddiscby atsaid 5 discs respectively, and a resetting bar slid ably mounted in position adjacent to said gears and provided with a plurality of sets of teeth for engaging the gears, said teeth being differentially positioned with respect 20 to said gears whereby the rotation of one gear starts when the other gear is at sub stantially the middle of". its first step of rotation. 6. A calculating mechanism comprising in combination two indicating discs rotat ably mounted in spaced relation to each other, intermediate driving means for driv ing the indicating disc at the left by power from the indicating disc at the right, reset 30 ting gears carried by said indicating discs respectively, and a resetting bar slidably mounted in position adjacent to said gears and provided with a plurality of sets of teeth for engaging the gears, the distance 35 from the operative face of the leading tooth adapted to engage one gear to the operative face of the leading tooth adapted to engage the other gear being made to differ from the distance between centers of the indicating 40 discs by approximately one-half of the dis tance between the operative faces of teeth . of the same set. ANDERS E. WETHE, 45 O