Part 13

Some of the drawings of this patent will be found reproduced on the opposite page, from which the reader will note that Felt combined his scheme for recording with the mechanism of the machine he was then manufacturing and selling under the trade name of “Comptometer.”

In this patent is shown the first application of the type sector combined with the individual type impression for printing the figures of the items as they were added, thus giving equal impression, whether there were one or a dozen figures in the item or total to be printed.

While the average mechanical engineer would not at a glance recognize any great advantage in placing the type figures directly on the sector instead of using the type-wheel and segment gear to drive it, as shown in two of the previously described patents, there is plenty of evidence of its advantage in the fact that all the later successful inventors have followed the Felt scheme. It provided more simple construction for the narrow space these parts must occupy for practical linear spacing.

As the adding mechanism of this machine corresponds to that of the Felt patent 371,496, previously described in the preceding chapter, it is not necessary to duplicate the description here. Suffice it to say, that by the depression of a key in any order, the value of that key is added to the numeral wheel of that order, and if the figure added is great enough when added to that previously registered on the wheel, a ten will be transferred to the higher wheel by a carrying mechanism specially provided to allow the said higher wheel being in turn operated by an ordinal series of keys, thus providing the means whereby a series of denominational orders of key-driven adding mechanism may be interoperative.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings is shown the result of striking the (8) key, which may be considered illustrative of such action in any order, whether units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.

The depression of the (8) key is shown to have carried the lever D down eight of its nine additive points of movement, causing the plunger 15, bearing against its upper edge, to drop with it under the action of the plunger spring 17.

To the upper end of this plunger, is pivotally attached an arm of the type sector U, which is in turn pivoted to the rod y, and by the lowering of the plunger 15, is rocked on its pivot, raising the type-head until the number (8) type is presented opposite the printing bar or platen T, which is hung on the pivot arms T¹, so that it may be swung forward and backward.

An ink-ribbon w, and its shifting mechanism is provided, as shown in Fig. 1; the paper v, is supplied in ribbon form from a roll and passes between the ink-ribbon and the platen T.

Normally, the platen, the paper and the ink-ribbon are in a retracted position, allowing space for the type sector to raise and lower freely. But, as shown in Fig. 2, a type impression is taking place through the escapement of the cam wheel R¹ which is located back of the platen, and which, as shown, has forced the cam lever 1 forward, pressing the spring p, against the platen T, thus forcing the paper and ribbon forward against the type, and printing the figure 8.

After the cam-tooth passes, the platen, paper, ink-ribbon and spring return to normal, allowing the type sector freedom to drop when the key is released.

The cam wheel R is propelled by a spring S (Fig. 1), wound by the hand-knob S³, and is released for action through the escapement of the pallet wheel R attached to the cam wheel R and the pallet c.

The pallet c is tripped each time a key is depressed and is shown in the tripped position operated by the link P and the plural-armed lever O, N, which through its manifold arms N, may receive action through pins a, of any of the rock bars L, as they are depressed by the keys.

The cycle of action described takes place with every key depressed, except that the movement of the type sector varies according to the key depressed.

As the printing in this Felt invention was by individualized type impression, legibility of recording as well as accurate addition was obtained. Although this patent shows that Felt had produced such an operative combination, there are two features in this patent which would prevent its becoming a marketable machine.

One of these features was that of having to wind the motor spring that furnished power for the type impression. The other feature was that there was no provision for printing the ciphers. Although the ciphers were always omitted from the keyboard of non-recording adders, as they could perform no function in addition or other forms of calculation, they could not without inconvenience, be eliminated from items in recording.

THE SECOND FELT RECORDER

While the last-described Felt patent was still pending, Felt improved his mechanism for recording, installing new features and eliminating the objectionable features referred to. These improvements were of such a satisfactory nature that the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. made twenty-five recording-adders, with the new features, which were sold to various banks. The first of these machines was placed on trial with the Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa., in December of 1889.

Good evidence of the practical features of this machine was set forth in a testimonial given at the time by W. A. Shaw, the cashier of the bank, after it had been given a six months’ test. This testimonial is extant and has been reproduced on opposite page.

Records show that the bank purchased that “Comptograph,” which was the trade name given the Felt recording-adder, and used it until 1899, at which time this machine, along with others of the same make purchased at a later date, were replaced by the bank with “Comptographs” of more modern type.

This Felt recording machine was without question the first practical recording-adding machine ever sold that would produce legible printed records of items and totals under the variable conditions that have to be met in such a class of recording.

Purchased and Used for Ten Years by the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Machine is now in the National Museum at Washington]

After ten years of service this first practical recording-adding machine was still in excellent condition, and in 1907 was secured by the Comptograph Co. from the Bank of Pittsburgh, into which the Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank, along with other banks, had been merged. It was finally procured by Mr. Felt and presented to the National Museum of Washington, D. C., where it may now be found on exhibit along with other inventions produced by Felt. A photo reproduction of this machine as it appeared before it was presented to the Museum, is shown on the opposite page.

Like the machine of the first Felt recorder patent, it was a visible printer, each figure being printed as the key was depressed, the paper being shifted by the hand lever shown at the right.

Unlike the former machine, however, the operator was not called upon to perform the extra operation of winding up a spring to furnish power for the printing.

Power for the printing was stored by the action of the paper shift-lever and an entirely different printing device was used. Provision for printing the ciphers automatically was also a feature of this machine. It was not necessary to operate cipher keys, and there were no such keys to be operated. To print an item having ciphers in it required only the omission of the ciphers as the ciphers would automatically fill in.

The arrangement of the paper shows a good improvement over the first machine, as it was more accessible, being fed from a roll at the top down and around rolls below and looped back so that it is moved upward on the printed surface, where it may be torn off as desired.

The mechanism of this machine is not illustrated in any one patent. The Felt patents Nos. 441,233 and 465,255 cover the new feature, but the later patent, No. 465,255, shows it best. Some of the drawings of the last-named patent are reproduced on the opposite page to help in explanation of the details of the new features.