Multi-stage binary-coded-decimal to decimal conversion means having parallel input and serial output

Claim 1

A CONVERTER FOR USE WITH AN ASSOCIATED STATE SELECTING MEANS HAVING AN OUTPUT ON ONE OF A PLURALITY OF OUTPUT LINES TO CONVERT, UNDER CONTROL OF TRANSFER INITIATING MEANS, THE OUTPUT OF THE STAGE SELECTING MEANS A SERIES OF PULSES INDICATIVE OF THE PARTICULAR OUTPUT LINE HAVING AN OUTPUT ON IT AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER INITIATION COMPRISING: A CONVERTER SERIAL OUTPUT LINE, A PLURALITY OF ENERGIZABLE STAGES, ONE ENERGIZABLE STAGE WHICH PRODUCES A PULSE ON SAID CONVERTER SERIAL OUTPOUT LINE UPON ENERGIZATION CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID OUTPUT LINES FOR ENERGIZATION THEREBY, INTERLOCK MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID STAGES SUCH THAT ONLY THE STAGE LAST ENERGIZED REMAINS ENERGIZED, TRANSFER MEANS CONNECTED TO ALL OF SAID STAGES RESPONSIVE TO SAID TRANSFER INITIATING MEANS OPERABLE TO CAUSE ENERGIZATION OF A NUMBER OF SAID ENERGIZABLE STAGES UPON INITIATION OF TRANSFER WHICH NUMBER IS INDICATIVE OF THE OUTPUT LINE THEN HAVING AN OUTPUT ON IT, AND RESET MEANS CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID STAGES.