US2633966A

US2633966A - Operation control interlocking mechanism for typewriters or like machines

Info

Publication number: US2633966A
Application number: US209619A
Authority: US
Inventors: John F Kloski; William H Kupper
Original assignee: Royal Typewriter Co Inc
Current assignee: Royal Typewriter Co Inc
Priority date: 1951-02-06
Filing date: 1951-02-06
Publication date: 1953-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 1970-04-07

Description

April 7, 1953 J. F. KLOSKI ET AL OPERATION CONTROL INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1951 INVENTORS JOHN E hLOS/f/ AND WILLIAM H. /1 UPPER 6M ,1

ATTORNEYS Apnl 7, 1953 J. F. KLOSKI ETAL OPERATION CONTROL INTERLOCKING MECHANISM F OR TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE MACHINES Filed Feb. 6, 1951 INVENTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 s JOHN F. KLOS/f/ 4ND w/LL/ M lfl/PPER ATTORNEYS p 7, 1953 J. F. KLOSKI ETAL 2,633,966

OPERATION CONTROL INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR 'TYPEWRITERS 0R LIKE MACHINES Filed Feb. 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTC-S 49 JOHN F. KLOS/f/ AND w/u. 1AM H. H'UPPER BY Emblem r ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 7, 1953 N TED; STATES 2,533,95 PATENT GFFICE OPERATION CONTROL INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS O LIKE MACHINES John F. Kloski, Hartford, and William H. Kupper,

West Hartford, Conn., assignors to Royal Typewriter Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application February 6, 1951, Serial No. 209,619

keys'or levers in such a way that when one of the 7 control keys or levers is in depressed or operated position, the others are blocked or restrained so that they cannot be operated.

Another object of the'invention isto provide interlocking mechanism of the kind referred to including two independently. movable blocking slides so mounted and related to the control keys 'or levers as to require exertion of a minimum effort for being moved to their several blocking positions, thus lightening the touch required to operate the keys or levers.

Another object of the invention is to provide interlocking mechanism of the general character referred to in combination with new and improved means for rendering the mechanism operative for blocking one or more of the keys or levers when an operation such as a carriage returning or tabulating operation. is being performed.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which: a

Figure 1 is a fragmentary fore and aft sectional view of a power operated typewriter embodying the invention, with the parts shown in their normal positions and with certain parts shown inelevation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 butwith certain parts omitted, and certain of the parts illustrated being shown in operated positions;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with certain parts omitted, drawn on an enlarged scale, and with some of the parts shown in operated positions;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1;

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view from end to end of the machine, on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing key blocking slides and related parts? V V Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with cer tain parts'omittediand other parts being shown -in positions different from the position shown in Figure 5; Y r ure 7 isa V e s a to gu e 6 but with certain of the parts shown in still other positions;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 4 drawn on an enlarged scale and with some parts shown in ele- I vation;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 4, drawn on an enlarged scale and with some parts shown in elevation; and

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view on the line I0-l0 of Figure 5.

The invention is illustrated as being embodied in a power operated typewriter, portions of a fixed frame of which are generally designated A. The typewriter includes electrically powered actuating or driving mechanism generally designated B and which is basically similar to but embodying improvements in the mechanism disclosed in the copending application of William H. Kupper, Serial No. 6,066, filed February 3, 1948, now Patent No. 2,567,945, issued September 18, 1951. The mechanism B supplies power for operating a tabulating mechanism for forward movement of a link instrumentality, a front .portion of which is shown at C, and the rear end of which is connected to tabulating mechanism not shown herein but which may be, for example, of the kind disclosed in the copending application of William H. Kupper, Serial No. 180,579, filed August 21, 1950, now Patent No. 2,620,057, issued December 2, 1952. Transmission of movement from the power mechanism B to the tabulating link instrumentality C for moving the latter forwardly is controlled by a tabulating key C pivoted at l on a frame cross bar 2.

. The mechanism B is also adapted to operate a carriage return mechanism by eiiecting forward movementof 'a link instrumentality, a front portion of which isshown at D and the rear portion of which is connected to carriage return mechanism which may be similar to the mechanism disclosed in the copendin application of Henry J. Hart, Serial No. 21,476, filed April 16, 1948, now Patent No. 2,567,937, issued September 18, 1951. The operation of the link D by'the mechanism B is controlled by either of two carriage return keys D--D' pivoted at I on the cross bar 2, and connected to work as a unit by a rod 3 intervening between and rigidly connecting the keys D-D".

The typewriter shown is also equipped with a back spacing key E adapted to control the mechanism B for operating back spacing mechanism,

not shown herein, but which may be of the kind disclosed in the copending application of John F. Kloski and William H. Kupper, Serial No.

115,542, filed September 13, 1949, now Patent No.1

2,577,467, issued December 4, 1951.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a typewriter constructed in accordance with the present invention may include a further link instrumentality,

a front end portion of which is shown at F and the rear end portion of which may be connected to tabular stop setting mechanism not shown herein but which may be of any suitable kind such, for example, as that shown in the patent to Myers and Handley, No. 1,892,071, of December 27, 1932. The link F may be operated directly--that is to say, manually-by a tabular set key F rather than through the intermediary of the power mechanism B.

Typewriters embodying the invention also are equipped with the usual complement of type bars and typing keys which may be operable by power mechanism of the kind disclosed in the aforementioned copending Kupper application Serial No. 6,066, now Patent No. 2,567,745, issued September 18, 1951.

The mechanism B for operating the link instrumentalities C and D and others, not shown, includes a driving element, which operates continuously, and controllable driving connections, which normally are inoperative or ineffective, but which may be conditioned by the operator selectively to effect operative driving connection between the continuously moving driving memher and the pull links (I and D. The driver is constituted by a continuously rotating element, more particularly a toothed snatch roll or bar 4, which may be of known form, and which is adapted to be driven in the direction of the arrow at in Figure 1 by any suitable means, but preferably by an electric motor (not shown).

The means for transmitting drive from the driver 4 to the tabulator operating link C includes an actuator 5 which extends fore and aft of the typewriter and above the member 4. The actuator 5 is pivoted as at 6 to a lever 'I' at a point ofi-set relatively to the pivotal mounting 6 of the lever on a fixed frame cross bar 6. The upper end of the lever 'I is pivoted at F to the front end portion of the link C. The actuator has a forwardly extending part It projecting under an abutment or guide plate I I mounted on the cross bar 2, to extend parallel to the snatch roll 3. A spring I2, interposed between the front end of the actuator 5 and a fixed anchor (not shown) yieldably urges the actuator to rock clockwise, and thus normally maintains the actuator in the position shown in Figure 1 with its front end part I6 bearing against the abutment or guide plate II. Another abutment I3 is disposed below the abutment II, and is slotted to receive and guide the lower extremity of the actuator part I!) for sliding movements.

In order to apply a power impulse to the link C, the actuator 5 is operatively but indirectly connected to the driving member 4, the actuator itself never engaging the driving member. Mechanism for bringing about the operative connection of the actuator element 5 to the member 4, includes an interponent pawl or coupler l4, pivoted as at IS on the actuator. A spring IS, anchored to the actuator 5 and connected to the pawl part 54, biases or urges the latter to rock clockwise so as to move its nose I 3 into transient engagement with the snatch roll 4. Normally, the pawl is maintained out of engagement with the snatch roll by the restraining action of a control element or trigger I! which is pivoted as at E8 on the actuator 5. In the normal position of the trigger, its rear end 19 engages a holding surface 26 on the pawl so as to prevent the spring 16 from rocking the pawl element I l into drive-transmitting engagement with the driving member 4. The pawl I4 is formed with an inclined resetter cam face 2| which is located just below the holding surface 26, and which is acted upon by the trigger for rocking the pawl counterclockwise, and thus resetting it in normal, inoperative position.

Operator controlled means is provided for bringing about operative driving connection between the driver 4 and the actuator 5. This means includes the manually operable tabular key device C normally held in its upper position engaging a cushion stop 22. The forward end of the key C is guided by a slotted comb guide 22 The tabular key C has an upward projection 23 disposed behind an arm 24 of an operating lever 25, pivoted as at 26 on a frame-mounted cross bar 21. The lever 25 has another arm 28 on which a limber dog or flipper 29 is pivoted at 36. A spring 29* urges the limber dog 29 to rock clockwise to retain it yieldably in its normal position of rest against a limit stop 30. The dog 29 can swing counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 3, but cannot move clockwise from this posiiton. A returning spring 3|, interposed between the tabular key C and a short arm 32 on the lever 25', yieldably holds the lever 25 and the tabular key C in their normal positions. Normally the lower end of the limber dog 29 overlies a contact ear 33 on the actuator 23.

In operation, when the tabular key C is depressed, the lever 25 is rocked clockwise to cause the flipper 29 to push the actuator 5 downwardly to an initial extent suificient to bring the trigger I? into engagement with the abutment I3. This causes the trigger to be rocked clockwise about its pivot [8, so as to release the pawl I4, which is then moved by the spring I 6 into engagement with the snatch roll 4. The snatch rol-l then drives the pawl I4 and actuator 5 as a unit so as to rock the lever i and operate the link 0. When the pawl It is cast off from engagement with the snatch roll 4, the spring I2 lifts the actuator 5 to bring the trigger I1 into engagement with the upper, trigger-resetting abutment I I. This causes the trigger I! to be rocked counterclockwise so as to move its end I 9 against the resetting cam face 2i of the pawl I4, thereby restoring the latter to its inactive position. At the end of a tabulating operation, the parts of the mechanism B will be returned toward their normal positions by a spring 34 interposed between a rearwardly extending arm 35 on the lever I and the lower part of a bracket 36 fixed to the frame cross bar 9. A tabular normalizing spring (not shown herein but shown at 68 in the aforementioned Kupper application, Serial No. 180,579, now Patent No. 2,620,057, issued December 2, 1952), assists the spring 36 to return the parts to normal positions after the tabulating operation has been completed. The lever l is provided with a heel 3! engageable with the upper part of the bracket 35 for limiting the return movement of the lever l and the connected parts to their normal positions.

Means are provided for adjusting or varying the amount of driving impulse generated by the power mechanism B. This variation or adjustment is effected by variably limiting the extent to which the actuator pawl nose I l enters a tooth interspace on the snatch roll 4 under the urge of the spring i6 when the restraint of the trigger I? on the pawl M is discontinued. In the form shown, the actuator 5 is provided with a downwardly extending stop element or finger 38 which is disposed in front ofand normally out of contact with a downwardly extending stop part, heel, or finger 39 on the pawl l4. When the pawl I4 is rocked clockwise by. the spring It so as to move the pawl nose M into a snatch roll tooth interspace, the pawl stop 39 moves toward the actuator stop 38, which may be so positioned as to be engaged by the stop 39 to arrest rocking of the pawl l4 before the tooth H moves to the root of the snatch roll tooth interspace. By variably positioning one of the stops 38, 39, e. g., by bending the stop 38 towards or away from the stop 33, the extentto which the pawl tooth it enters the tooth interspace can be varied. Consequently, the angle through which the snatch roll rotates while in contact with the pawl, which determines the amount of driving of the pawl 14 and actuator by the snatch roll 4, can be varied. Any suitable means or construction may be provided for adjusting one of the stops 38, 39 relatively to the other, but in the preferred construction the stop 38 is formed integrally with the actuator 5 so as to be bendable toward or away from the stop 39.

In typewriters or like machines in which all or some of the instrumentalities to be operated, e. g., type bars, carriage return mechanism, tabulating mechanism, and escapement mechanism are operated by power, it may be desirable to provide means for varying collectively the extent of driving of the several actuator pawls corresponding to the pawl 14 and associated with the other mechanisms referred to. This may be accomplished by providing a knock off bar 60 mounted on the main frame so as to extend under the front ends of all of the actuators corresponding to the actuator 5 shown in Figures 1 and 3. Any suitable means (not shown), may be provided for adjustably tilting or otherwise variably positioning the knock off bar bar 40 so that it will be engaged by the lower ends of the actuators to control the timing of disengagement of the associated actuator pawls from the snatch roll.;

Normally, the parts for operating the tabulating mechanism are in the positions shown in Figure 1. In order to initiate a tabulating operation, the tabulating key C is depressed to the position shown in Figure 3 so as to rock the lever 25 clockwise, push the actuator 25 downwardly, and release the trigger ll so as to permit the spring IE to move the pawl I4 into engagement with the snatch roll 4. The consequent forward movement of the actuator 5 will rock the lever 7 counterclockwise to the position shown in Figure 3 so as to pull forwardly on the tabulating link C. When the link C has been moved to its forward position, it will be latched so as to be retained in its operated position until the tabulating operation-that is, the leftward movement of the carriage-has been completed, and will then be unlatched and returned to its normal or retracted position. The latching and unlatching mechanism associated with the tabulating link C is fully disclosed in the aforementioned Kupper application Serial No. 180,579, now Patent No. 2,620,057, issued December 2, 1952. i

l The mechanism B also includes connections be tween the snatch roll 4 and the carriage return link I) operable under the control of the carriage return keys D-D for pulling the link D forwardly so as to effect operation of the carriage return mechanism in the manner disclosed in the aforesaid copending Hart. application Serial No.

. 21,476, now Patent No. 2,567,937, issued September 18, 1951. These connections are similar, to those described above with reference to the operation of the tabulating link C, and only certain of 6 the parts need be shown described. Those of the parts constituting these connections for opcrating the carriage'return mechanism D which are illustrated are designated by reference characters the same as those applied to corresponding parts of the connections for operating the tabulating link C, but are distinguished in that the characters applied to the parts for operating the carriage return link D are primed, Thus, the parts for actuating the carriage return link D include an actuator 5', a lever I, and a pawl 14' corresponding to the actuator 5, the lever I, and the pawl l4.

The carriage return link D corresponds to the pull link 98 disclosed in the copending Hart application Serial No. 21,476, now Patent No. 2,567,937, issued September 18, 1951, with the exception that the link D is adapted to be latched or held in its forward or operated position until the carriage return operation has been completed, whereas, in the construction disclosed in the copending Hart application, the link 98 is permitted to return immediately after the beginning of a carriage return movement. In substance, the carriage return link D shown in the present application may be latched or heldin its operated position during the performance of a carriage return operation by connecting the pull link 98 disclosed in the copending application directly to its associated latch lever arm 88 instead of through the one-way operable latch actuator i 05 shown in the Hart application.

In operation'when a carriage key D is depressed, the associated pawl 14' and actuator 5 are driven forwardly by the snatch roll 4 to rock the lever l counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 9 so as to pull the carriage return link D forwardly and permit it to be latched in its moved position until the end of the carriage return operation, when the link D will be permitted to return to its non-actuated position.

The back spacing key E is adapted to control mechanism not disclosed herein for transmitting power from the driver 4 to the carriage to effect incremental back spacing movement of the latter. The bank spacing mechanism operable under the control of the key E may, as previously stated, be of the kind disclosed in the copending Kloski and Kupper application Serial No. 115,542, now Patent No. 2,577,467, issuedDecember 4, 1951.

The tabular set key F is formed with slots 4 I-4l through which extend headed studs 42l2 secured to a vertical stationary frame plate 53 so as to mount the key F for'horizontal sliding movements. Secured to the key F is a headed stud 44 which extends through a slot 45 in the upper end of a lever 46 pivoted to rock on a headed stud 47 securedto the frame plate 43. The lower end of the lever 45 has lost motion pivotal connection at 68 to the front end of the link F, the rear end of which is connectedto tabular stop setting mechanism not shown but which may be substantially of the kind disclosed in the Myers and Handley patent, No. 1,892,071, previously referred to. The arrangement is such that, when the tabular set key F is pushed rearwardly from its Figure 1 position to its Figure 2 position, the link F will be pulled forwardl to set the tabular stop in a well known. manner.

The mechanism described solar is, to a large extent, either known in the prior art or disclosed in the copending applications referred to above. The present invention relates more particularly to interlocking mechanism for preventing the conjoint operation of certain of the keysCf, D,

E and F,'a1'1d'lor preventing theoperation' of certain of these keys when a protracted operation such as a tabulating operation or a carriage returning operation is being performed, the invention relating also to the combination of the interlocking mechanism with certain of the parts described above.

Interlocking mechanism Normally ineffective key actuated blocking mechanism operable independently of the power mechanism B and the instrumentalities which it operates is provided for preventing depression of more than one of certain of the spaced or de-- ployed selectively operable keys C, D, E, and F at one time. The key actuated interlocking mechanism includes a unitary blocking slide as formed with slots 55 and through which respectively extend

studs

52 and 53 secured to the frame 53, the arrangement being such that the slide 49 can have limited shifting movement transversely with respect to the typewriter frame The slide 48 is formed with vertically extending or

upstanding fingers

56, 57, and 58, the finger 55 having a cam edge 56 disposable under the back spacing key the finger 5! having an oppositely inclined cam edge 57* disposable under the carriage return key D, and the finger 58 having an inclined cam edge 58 disposable under I the front arm til of an interlocking lever 85 pivoted at 6! on the frame cross bar 2 and held in normal position by a spring 6 l The spacing of the

fingers

58, 5i, and 58 with respect to each other and with respect to the keys D and E and the interlocking lever arm Sit is such that certain of the fingers block certain of the related parts D, E, and 68 according to the shifted position of the slide 49. In the form shown, the contiguous vertical edges of the fingers 5! and 58 are spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to the center-tocenter distance between the key lever D and the interlocking arm 39*. Thus, when the slide 49 is in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, the

fingers

56 and 53 respectively block movement of the key E and the interlocking lever arm 66*. When the slide 49 is in the position shown in Figure 7, the finger 51 will block depression of the carriage return keys D. If the slide 49 is in the position shown in Figure 5, downward movement of either the back spacing key E or the interlocking lever arm 6th will, through the cooperation of the downwardly moved part and the associated

cam edge

56 or 58 move the slide 49 to its Fig ure 7 position. Similarly, if the slide 49 should be in the position shown Figure 7 and if the carriage return key B should be depressed, it will engage the cam surface 57 and shift the slide 49 leftwardly to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

A second blocking slide 62 is formed with

slots

54 and 55 through which extend respectively the stud 53 previously referred to and a stud 63 secured to the slide 49 so as to mount the slide 62 for transverse shifting independently of the s1ide49. The slide 62 is formed with a single vertically extending finger 65 somewhat wider than the

fingers

5B, 51, and 58 and having oppositely inclined converging cam edge portions 65 55 at its upper end. The slide 62 can occupy either of two positions, the first position being shown in Figure 5 and the second position being shown in each of Figures 6 and 7. When the slide is in the position shown in Figure 5, and is held there as by previou depression of the tabulating key C3, the slide cam edge 55 is disposed under the carriage-return key D so as to prevent its being depressed. H, with the slide positioned as shown in Figure '5 but with the tabulating key C in elevated or normal position, the carriage returning key D is depressed, it will engage the cam edge :15 so as to shift the slide 52 to the position shown in Figure 6, in which the cam edge 65* will be disposed below the tabulating key C so as to prevent its being depressed as long as the carriage returning key D is in depressed position, preventing leftward movement of the slide 62.

The slides 69 and 62 are formed with interengageable parts which cooperate to effect shifting of one slide when the other slide is shifted by depression of one of the keys or the interlocking lever arm or. In the form shown, the finger 65 of the slide 62 has its upper portion E 5 oifset rcarwardly as shown in Figures 1 and 3 so as to be disposed alongside and in the plane of move ment of the finger 5'! on the slide the arrangement being such that the left edge of the finger part 55 is engageable with the right edge of the finger 5?. Thus, if the slide 49 is moved toward the right from its Figure 5 position, the right edge of the finger 57 will push against the left edge of the finger part 65 of the slide 82 so as to shift the slide 62 toward the right together with the slide 58. Similarly, if the parts are in the positions shown in Figure '7, and the slide 52 is shifted to the left as by downward movement of the tabulating key C, the left edge of the finger part 65 will push against the right edge of the finger 57 so as to move the slide 49 to the left to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The interlocking lever element 66 is formed with a rearward and upward extension 6% having an ear 68 extending in front of a slide 66 formed with slots 67 through which extend headed studs 38 secured to the vertical stationary plate 43. A stud 69 secured to the slide 55 is disposed in front of the lower end of the lever 46 operable by the tabular set key F as previously explained. When the key is depressed or moved toward the right from its normal position shown in Figure l, the lever 36 is rocked clockwise, so that its lower end pushes against the stud 69 and moves the slide 55 toward the front of the machine, that is, toward the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. When neither one of the keys C, D is in depressed position, the front end of the slide 66, moved forwardly by the lever 46, will press against the ear 66 on the lever 50 and rock the latter counterclockwise as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 so as to move the interlocking arm 58a from the position shown in Figures 5 and 5 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. In moving downwardly, the interlocking arm 66 will engage the inclined cam edge 58 of the finger 58 so as to move the slide 49 from the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to the position shown in Figure '7. On the other hand, if either of the keys C, D is in depressed position, so that the slide 49 is held in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, the interlocking lever arm 86 is blocked against downward movement by the finger 5%, so that, in turn, the slide 66, lever 46, and tabular set key F are blocked against operative movement.

The several conditions which may be met in normal operation of the typewriter and the interlocking functions performed in accordance with these conditions will be reviewed briefly. If

. mechanism.

slides 49 and 62 are in the positions shown in Figure 5, and the tabular set key F is depressed, the lever 49 and slide 66 will operate through the one-way drive connection Eli-50 to rock the interlocking lever SI) and move the interlocking lever arm 69 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 7, thus shifting the

slides

49 and 62 to the positions shown in Figure '7. With the parts so positioned, the tabulating key C, which is intermediate the key lever D and the lever 55,. is blocked against operation by the finger (i5, and the carriage returning key D is blocked by the finger 51. The fingerjEB will not block the back spacing key E against depression, so that, conceivably, the tabular setting key F and back spacing key E could be operated simultaneously, but this could not result in damage to the machine.

If the keys should be in their normal positions and the

slides

49 and 62 in the positions shown in Figure '7, depression of the vtabulating key C would shift the slides 69 and E2 to the positions shown in Figure 5, so that the finger t5 would prevent depression of the carriage re-' turning key D, and the interlocking lever arm 69 would be restrained by the finger 58, cons'equently preventing depression of the tabular setting key F. The finger 56 would prevent depression of the back spacing key E so as to prevent conjoint operation of the tabulating thereby avoiding damage which otherwise could be caused.

If the keys should be in their normal positions and the

slides

49 and 62 in the positions shown in Figure 5, depression of the carriage return key D would move the slide 62 to and retain it in the position shown in Figure 6, and would retain the slide 49 in the position shown in both Figure 5 and Figure 6. The finger 65 would be disposed under the tabulating key C so as to prevent operation of the tabulating mechanism; the finger 56 would be disposed under theback spacing key E so as to prevent operation of the back spacing mechanism; and the finger 58 would be disposed under the interlocking arm til of the lever 60 so as to prevent operation of the tabular setting key F and the tabular setting If the keys should be in their normal positions and the'slides 49 and 62 in the positions shown in Figure 5 when the back spacing key E is depressed, the key E would engage the cam surface 56* on the finger 56 so as tomove the slide 49 and also the slide 62 to the positions shown in Figure 7; With the parts so positioned, the finger 51 will block the carriage returning key D against depression; and the finger 65 will block the tabulating key C against depression. The finger 58 will be disposed out of the path of the interlocking arm 69*, so that, conceivably, the tabular setting key F could be operated con-' jointly with the backspacing key E, but, as previously stated, conjoint operation or"; these keys would not result in damage to the machine.

The interlocking mechanism described above is effective only when one of the key controlled movable lever members D, E, F, and "69 is op-.- erated. In accordance with the invention, co-

operating mechanism is provided for preventin depression of any of the keys C", D, and F when either the tabulatin mechanism or the carriage return mechanism is in operation, even though the tabulating key C or the carriage return key D has been restored to normal position before the completion of the attendant operation.

mechanism and the back spacing mechanism,

Mechanism for locking the keys C, D, and F against operation when a tabulating operation is in progress in consequence of the link instrumentality C having been operated, and after the tabulating key C has been restored to its normal position, includes a slide member it formed with slots H-H through which the studs tie-68 extend. The front end of the slide H1 is disposed immediately behind and normally is in engagement with the ear 60 on the interlocking lever 50. Fixed to the slide Ill adjacent its rear end is a pair of headed pins or studs 72-12 which extend through slots 13-43 formed in another slide member M, which thereby is mounted for sliding movements on and with respect to the slide 70. A yieldable motion transmitting'spring connection 15 is interposed between an ear 1% on the slide 74 and an ear 1! on the rear end of the slide 10 so as normally to retain the

slides

70 and 14 in the relative positionsshown in Figures 1 and 2. The rear end of the slide i4 is formed with a downturned portion 58 and a hori-'.

zontally extending car 19.

A shaft 89 is mounted to rock on the stationary plate 43 and a fixed frame part 8! shown in Figure 4. Fast with the shaft is an arm 82 which extends upwardly in front of the ear E9 on the slide 14, the arm 82 being curved rearwardly and downwardly as at 83 and being provided with an ear 84 projecting horizontally across the rear end of the downturned end 18 of the slide M.

Mechanism is provided for rocking the shaft 89 and the arm 82 counterclockwise from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the position shown in Figure 3 when the tabulating link C is moved forwardly in response to depression of the tabulating key C. In the form shown, the

link C is provided with a pin 85 which extends behind an arm 86 fast with the shaft to. The arrangement, is such that, when the link C is moved forwardly to initiate a tabulating operation, the pin 85 will rock the arm 86, the shaft 89, and the arm 92 counterclockwise as viewed in the drawings. This will cause theear 8% on the arm 82 to press against the rear end of the slide it so as to push the latter forwardly and,:

through the spring 15, to move the slide 19 also forwardly, so that its front end will push against the ear' 69 and rock the interlocking lever 65 counterclockwise to the position shown in Figure 3, thus movin the interlocking lever arm 53 7 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. The

slides

49 and 52 will thus be positioned as shown in Figure 7, so that the keys C and D will be blocked against operation'in the manner previously described.

In order that the tabular setting key F will be blocked against operation during the course of a tabulating operation, the slide it is equippedwith astop 87 which normally is disposed out ofthe path of a cooperating stop 88 on the leverilt,

the stop 81, however, being adapted to'be moved under or into the path of the stop Edwhen the slide it is moved forwardly in the manner de- 7 11 plication, Serial No. 180,579, new Patent No. 2,620,057, issued December 2, 1952, thus retracting the pin 85 from the arm 86 and permitting the shaft 38, the arm 82, and the

slides

14 and 19 to be returned to normal positions by a wrapped spring 89 anchored at its opposite ends respectively to the fixed frame part BI and to an arm 951 secured to the shaft 80.

Mechanism for locking the keys C, D, and F when the carriage return mechanism is in operation also includes the slides 16 and M, the spring 15, the arm 82, and the shaft 89, the construction and operation of which have been described above. For operating these parts in response to operation of the carriage returning mechanism, an ear 9! is formed on the carriage return operating link D so as to extend behind the arm 90 secured to the shaft 89.

In operation, when the carriage returning link D is moved forwardly in response to depression of the key D, the ear 9| on the link D will press against the arm 99 so as to rock the latter, the shaft 89, and the arm 82 counterclockwise. As previously stated, such movement of the arm 82 will cause the slides I l and 'ifito be moved forwardly so as to rock the interlocking lever '69 to its Figure 3 position, and thus to position the interlocking arm 58 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. As previously explained, such positioning of the interlocking arm 56* will cause the blocking slides 49 and 62 to be located as shown in Figure 7, so that the tabulating key C and the carriage returning key D will be blocked against depression.

The stop 87 on the slide "Iii also will have been been moved to its Figure 3 position so as to prevent efiective downward movement of the stop 88 on the lever 46, thus blocking the tabular setting key F against operative movement.

If the tabulating key C or the carriage returning key D should be held down while a tabulating operation or a carriage returning operation is being performed, the slide 49 will be held in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, with the finger 58 on the slide d9 positioned to block downward movement of the interlocking lever arm 60 consequently preventing rocking of the lever 6i and forward movement of the slide 19. No harm will be done when the tabulating link C or the carriage returning link Dis moved 'forwardly with consequent rocking of the shaft as and forward movement of the slide it, because the spring will be held to permit the slide in to remain stationary although the slide it is moved forwardly.

The mechanism disclosed embodies the invention in its preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a typewriter or like machine, three spaced key-controlled movablemembers; a blocking slide having two cam portions which are so spaced with respect to each other and with respect to two of said members that when a first of said cam portions is disposed in the path of a first of said two members a second of said cam portions is disposed out of the path of a second of said two members, and when said second of said cam portions is disposed in the path of said second of said members said first of said cam portions is disposed out of the path of said first of said members; means mounting said slide for 'shifting'movement in the direction of spacing of said members and said cam portions, said first and second cam'portions being so-inclined that when either one is engaged by the associated movable member said slide will be shifted to position the other cam portion in the path of the other movable member, the third of said members being operable concurrently with said first of said members without harmful effect; a third cam portion so positioned on said slide as to be disposed in the path of said third of said members when said first of said cam portions is disposed in the path of said first of said members, and to be disposed out of the path of said third of said members when said first of said cam portions is disposed out of the path of said first of said members, said third cam portion being so inclined that when it is engaged by said third of said members said slide will be shifted to position said second of said cam portions in the path of said second of said two members.

2. In a typewriter or like machine, three spaced key controlled movable members; a unitary blocking slide having two oppositely inclined cam portions which are so spaced with respect to each other and with respect to two of said members that when a first of said cam portions is disposed in the path of a first of said two members a second of said cam portions is disposed out of the path of a second of said two members, and when said second of said cam portions is disposed in the path of said second of said members said first of said cam portions is disposed out of the path of said first of said members; means mounting said slide for shifting movement in the direction of spacing of said members and said cam portions, said first and second cam portions being so inclined that when either one is engaged by the associated movable member said slide will be shifted to position the other cam portion in the path of the other movable member, the third of said members being operable concurrently with said first of said members without harmful effect; a third cam portion so positioned on said slide as to be disposed in the path of said third of said members when said first of said cam portions is disposed in the path of said first of said members, and to be disposed out of the path of said third of said members when said first of said cam portions is disposed out of, the path of said first of said members, said third cam portion being so inclined that when it is engaged by said third of said members said slide will be shifted to position said second of said cam portions in the path of said second of said two members.

3. In a typewriter or like machine, three 'depressible key-controlled levers, the first and third of said levers being operable concurrently without harmful effect but the second of said levers not being operable concurrently with either of said first and third levers without harmful effect; means mounting said levers in deployed relation; a unitary blocking slide; and means mounting said slide to'ex'tend under said levers in the direction of deployment thereof and for endwi-se shifting, said slide having three upstanding fingers so spaced with respect to -each other and with respect to said levers that when the first and third of said fingers are disposed in the paths of the first and third of said levers the second of said fingers is disposed out of the path of the second of said levers, and when said second of said fingers is disposed in thepath of said second of said levers said first and third of said fingers are disposed out of the paths of said first and third of said levers, said fingers having upper camportions so relatively inclined'that depression of either of said "first "and third of said -'levers when its associated finger is disposed in its path and the second of said levers is in normal position will shift said slide to position said second of said fingers in the path of its associated lever, and depression-of said second of said levers when its associated finger is disposed in its path and said first and third of said levers are in normal positions will shift said slide to position said first andthird of said fingers in the paths of their respectively associated levers.

4. In a typewriter or like machine, a plurality of key-controlled movable members; means mounting said members in deployed relation; and interlocking means cooperable with three of said members including a first orintermediate member and second and third members flanking said first or intermediate member for preventing con-. current operation of two or all three of said three members, said interlocking means comprising a first blocking slide having two cam portions which are" so spaced with respect to each other and with respect to said second and third members that when said slide is in a first position one of said cam portions is out of the path of said second member and the other of said cam portions is in the path of said third member, and when said slide isin a second positionsaid other of said cam portions is out of the path of said third member and said one of said cam portions is in the path of said second member, said cam portions being so inclined that when either one is engaged by its associated member said slide will be shifted to position the other cam portion in the path of its associated member, a second blocking slide having oppositely inclined cam edges, one of, said edges being disposed in the path of saidsecond member when the other of said edges is disposed out of the path of said first member when said second slide is in a first position, and said other of said edges being disposed in the path of said first member when said one of said edges is disposed out of the path of saidsecond member when said second slide is in a second position, means mounting said slides for independent sliding movement, and interengageable parts on said first and second slides for moving said second slide to its second position when said first slide is moved to its second position and for moving said first'slide to its first position when-said second slide is moved to its first position. I

5. In a typewriter or like machine, first, second, and third spaced depressible key-controlled levers,the first lever being between the second and third levers, relatively close to the second lever, and relatively remote from the third lever, a first blocking slide having two upstanding fingers the contiguous vertical edges of which are'spac'ed from each other adistance substantially equal to the center-to-center spacing of said second and third levers, the tops of said fingers having portions respectively inclined from said contigu ous edges upwardly and away from said contiguous edges; a second blocking slide having an Lipstanding finger wider than the distance between adjacent vertical faces of said first and second levers, said last named finger having two inclined portions converging upwardly 'fromits vertical side edges; and means mounting said slides under saidlevers forshifting in the direction of spacing of-said levers by engagement of respective depressed ones of said levers with underlying inclined portions on said slides, said slides havinginterengageable parts for transmitting shifting movement-from one slide-'tothe other and vicegasses .6. In a power operatedtypewriter or like'machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality'of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one-of said devices having been operated, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking means adapted to be rendered effective to block operating movement of said devices, a first member operable for rendering said blocking means 'eifective, a second member operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position, and a yieldable motion transmitting connection between said first and second members.

7 Ina power operated typewriter or like*ma-' chine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plu-' rality of selectively operable devices for eflecting driving of selected ones of saidinstrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated and for preventing operation of nonoperated ones of said devices when another of said devices is in operated position, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking meansadapted to be-rendered efiective to block operating movementof said devices, a first member-operable for rendering said blockingmeans effective, a second member operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position, a yieldable motion transmitting connection between said first and second members, and means operable in response to operation of one of said devices for rendering said blocking means effective for blocking the other of said devices.

8. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones ofsaid instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated, said mechanism comprising normally inefiective blocking means adapted to be rendered effective to block operating movement of said devices, a first slide operable for rendering said blocking means effective, a second slide, means mounting said second slide for slidingmovement with respect to and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, means operable by movement of the operated instrumentality tooperatedposition for moving said second slide, and a yieldable motion transmitting spring connecting'said slides. I

9. In a power operated typewriter or like machine,;a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving imember; means including a plurality of selectively" operabledevices' for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for'preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operatedfposition in consequence ofone of said devices having been operated, said mechanism comprisingnormally inefiective blocking means adapted td'be rendered effective to block oper atmgamovement: of said devices; I a first-slide w re,

operable for rendering said blocking means effective, a second slide, means mounting said second slide for sliding movement with respect to and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, means operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position for moving said second slide, a yieldable motion transmitting springconnecting said slides, and means for returning said slides to normal positions in response to return of the operated instrumentality to normal position.

10. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mecha nism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking means adapted to be rendered eiieotive to block operating movement of said devices, a first slide operable for rendering said blocking means effective, a second slide, pin-and-slot means mounting said second slide on and for sliding movement with respect to said first slide and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, means operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position for moving said second slide,and a yieldable motion transmitting spring connecting said slides.

11. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectivelyoperable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated and for preventing operation of non-operated oneslof said devices when another of said devices is in operated position, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking'means adapted to be rendered effective to block operating movement of said devices, a first slide operable for rendering said blocking means effective, a second slide, means mounting said second slide for sliding movement with respect to and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, means operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position for moving said second slide, a yieldable motion transmitting spring connecting said slides, and means operable in response to operation or" one of said devices for rendering said blocking meansleffective for blocking the other of said devices.

'12. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalitiesto be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of ione of said devices having been operated and for preventing operationofnon-operated ones of said devices when another of said devices is in operated position, said mechanism comprising normally inefiective blocking means adapted to be rendered eifective to blockpperating movement. of i said devices; as

first slide operable forrenderingsaid blocking means efiective, -a second slide, pin-and-slot means mountin said second slide on and for sliding movement with respect to said first slide and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, means operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position for moving said second slide, a yieldable motion transmitting spring connecting said slides, and means operable in response to operation or one of said devices for rendering said blocking means effective for blocking the other of said devices, 1

13. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; and mechanism' for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking means adaptedto be rendered effective to block operating movement of said devices, a first slide operable for rendering said blocking means eifective, a second slide, means mounting said second slide for sliding movement with respect to and in the direction of operative sliding movement of said first slide, a yieldable motion transmitting spring connecting said slides, a rockable shaft, a part operable by rocking of said shaft for moving said second slide to transmit force through said spring to move said first slide and to thus render said blocking means efiective, and arms on said shaft ooopera'ble respectively with said instrumentalities for rocking said shaft in response to movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position.

14. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for eiTecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices, having been operated and for preventing operation of non-1 operated ones of said devices when anotherofsaid devices is in operated position, said mech anism comprising normally inefiectiveblocking means adapted to be rendered effective by operating movement of one of said devices to block operating movement of the other of said devices, a first member movable from a normal position to an operated position only when said blocking means is inefiective for rendering said blocking means effective and being restrained against movement from said normal position by said blocking means when the latter has been rendered effective in consequence of operation of one of said devices, and a second member operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated positionya, key for operating a further instrumentality; means including a oneway drive connection for transmitting movement from said key to said first member for moving the latter from its normal position when said blocking means has not previously been rendered ef iective and for preventing operation of said key when said blocking means has been rendered effective and saidfirst member is, thereby re-- strained against movement from its normal porsition; and a stop movable by operation of said second member from an inactive position to an active position in which it prevents operation of said key when said second member is in operated position.

15. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; mechanism for preventing operation of aid devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated and for preventing operation of non-operated ones of said devices when another of said devices is in operated position, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking means adapted to be rendered effective by operating movement of one of said devices to block operating movement of the other of said devices, a lever rockable from a normal position to an operated position only when said blocking means is ineffective for rendering said blocking means effective and being restrained against movement from said normal position by said blocking means when the latter has been rendered effective in consequence of operation of one of said devices, and a first slide operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position for rocking said lever to operated position; a key for operating a further instrumentality; means including a second slide mounted to move independently of said first slide and providing a oneway drive connection for transmitting movement from said key to said lever for rocking the latter from its normal position when said lever is not restrained by said blocking means and for preventing operation of said key when said lever is restrained; a first stop movable by operation of said key; and a cooperating stop on said first slide normally positioned out of the operating path of said first stop but being movable int-o the path of said first stop by operation of said first slide for preventing operation of said key.

16. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including a plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting driving of selected ones of said instru mentalities by said driving member; mechanism for preventing operation of said devices when one of said instrumentalities is in operated position in consequence of one of said devices having been operated and for preventing operation of non-operated ones of said devices when another of said devices is in operated position, said mechanism comprising normally ineffective blocking means adapted to be rendered effective by operating movement of one of said devices to block operating movement of the other of said devices, a lever rockable from a normal position to an operated position only when said blocking means is ineffective for rendering said blocking means efiective and being restrained against movement from said normal position by said blocking means when the latter hasbeen rendered efiective in consequence of operation of one of said devices, a first slide operable for rocking said lever to operated position, a second slide operable by movement of the operated instrumentality to operated position, and a motiontransmitting spring connection between said first and second slides; a key for operating a further instrumentality; means including a third slide mounted to move independently of said first and second slides and providing a one-way drive connection for transmitting movement from said key to said lever for rocking the latter from its normal position when said lever is not restrained by said blocking means and for preventing operation of said key when said lever is restrained; a first stop movable by operation of said key; and a cooperating stop on said first slide normally positioned out of the operating path of said first stop but being movable into the path of said first stop by operation of said first slide for preventing operation of said key.

17. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a plurality of instrumentalities to be operated; a driving member; means including two keys for selectively effecting driving of selected ones of said instrumentalities by said driving member; a movable element; means including a yieldable motion transmitting connection for operating said element in response to movement of one of said instrumentalities to op erated position; and interlocking means cooperable with said keys and with said movable element for preventing operation of said element and either of said keys when the other of said keys is in operated position, and for preventing operation of either of said keys when said element is in operated position, said interlocking means comprising a first blocking slide having two cam portions which are so spaced with re spect to each other and with respect to one of said keys and said element that when said slide is in a first position one of said cam portions is out of the path of said one of said keys and the other of said cam portions is in the path of said element, and when said slide is in a second position said other of said cam portions is out of the path of said element and said one of said cam portions is in the path of said one of said keys, said cam portions being so inclined that when either one is engaged by its associated key or element said slide will be shifted to position the other of said cam portions in the path of its associated key or element, a second blocking slide having oppositely inclined cam edges, one of said cam edges being disposed in the path of said one of said keys when the other of said cam edges is disposed out of the path of the other of said keys when said second slide is in a first position, and said other of said cam edges being disposed in the path of said other of said keys when said one of said cam edges is disposed out of the path of said one of said keys when said second slide is in a second position, means 7 mounting said slides for independent sliding JOHN F. KLOSKI. WILLIAM H. KUPPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,769,834. Harding July 1, 1930 1,963,285 Woodward June 19, 1934