1,260,551. Number setting mechanisms. ING. C. OLIVETTI & C. S.p.A. 17 April, 1969 [4 May, 1968; 3 March, 1969], No. 19750/69. Heading G4B. A number setting mechanism for a calculating or like machine includes a store, comprising a plurality of decimal orders having in each order at least one settable member adapted to be set in at least two positions and a mechanical transfer register, comprising a pair of complementary stepped profiles which may be moved in mutually fixed relationship according to the position to which the settable member is to be set said pair of profiles being read simultaneously by a pair of reading elements moving in complementary strokes to control the closing together of two positioning members, which positioning members engage the settable member from opposite directions to bring it positively from any previously occupied position to the said position to be reached. In the embodiment shown an encoder with a ten key keyboard converts decimal digits set into it to a biquinary code by selective rocking and longitudinal displacement of binary and quinary code bars. This controls the position of two members supporting the opposed stepped profiles, one member moving according to the binary part of the code and the other moving to represent the quinary part, separate rocking levers (used to read the positions of each profile) actuating positioning members (or jaws) to position binary and quinary store members respectively by means of lugs on the said store members. Store positioning mechanism.-The store comprises two longitudinally displaceable members in each decimal order, one of which 469, Fig. 10, has five stable positions, the other of which 539, Fig. 13, has two such positions so that a biquinary code may be used. In the quinary mechanism lug 468 is engaged by jaws 438, 451 slidably mounted on bars 433, 444 which are in turn pivotally mounted on the side frames of the machine 428, Fig. 6. Cranks 432, 443, Fig. 10, bearing pins located in slots in rocking arm 411 are rigidly affixed to bars 433, 444. The rocking arm slides on pins 413 located in the slot 412 and has reading elements 426, 427 located at its ends. Rotation of cam 606 via link 613, crank 617 and cam 620, forces the rocking lever upwards against spring 414 and the elements 426, 427 abut the steps of the profiles 271, 272 respectively, which profiles are fixedly mounted on slider 34. The ensuing movement of the cranks 432, 443 rotates bars 433, 444 and closes the jaws, the final position of the jaws depending on the angle of the rocking lever, and hence being determined by the longitudinal position of slider 34. The binary store members are set in an exactly similar way, the mechanism being disposed on the opposite side of the machine. In order that successive orders may be set in the store the two pairs of jaws 438, 451 and (508) (521) are set in a single carriage 460, Fig. 6 (and Fig. 7, not shown), slidable transversely across the machine. A sprocket 462 connected to a stepping motor is advanced one step each time a digit is entered into the key board, thereby moving carriage 460 step by step across the machine. Each decimal order of the store comprises two store members, the orders being placed side by side across the machine thus enabling the stepwise movement of the carriage to encode entered digits into successive orders (Figs. 7, 9, not shown). Actuation of a "function" key causes longitudinal displacement of cam-shafts 601 (602) (Figs. 11 and 14, not shown) so that cams 606, 608 disengage from rocking levers 411, 491, and cams (606<SP>1</SP>) (608<SP>1</SP>) engage with the rocking levers (411<SP>1</SP>), (4911) of a second identical store immediately behind the first and controlled by second sets of profiles (273) (274) and (363), (364) mounted on extensions to 34 and 39. Keyboard encoding arrangement.-In one embodiment the stems 61 of the keys 21, Fig. 1, are arranged one behind the other, each having shoulders 78, 79 and abutments 71, 72, Fig. 4. Five bars 22a-22e, 23a-23e, Fig. 4, are supported on each side of the apparatus by their ends 83a-83e, 84a-84e passing through Figure 8 shaped holes 86a-86c and 91a-91e in the end plates 81, 82. Coded projections 73, 74 are located on the bars 22, 23 such that depression of a key will cause engagement of abutment 71 with only one bar 22, and abutment 72 with corresponding bar 23. Two further bars 24, 25 are located above the bars 22, 23 with projections 76, 77 to be engaged by shoulders 78, 79 of selected keys. Each of the bars 22 has an angled projection 131, Figs. 1 and 2, and bars 24, 25 have similar projections 143, 144, while the end plates 81,82 have holes, 141, 142. On depression of a key the appropriate bar 22 is rotated clockwise, Fig. 1, against action of of spring 133 Fig. 4, until projection 131 is aligned with the hole 141 when the spring moves the bar to the left, Fig. 2, causing the end 81 to project into the path of sensor 31. A similar action by shoulder 78 causes bar 24 to move to the right placing end 99 in the path of sensor 36. It can thus be seen that depression of a key controls the positioning of the quinary store via a bar 22 or 23 in conjunction with sensor 31 of slider 34 which controls the position; and the binary store by bar 24 or 25 and slider 39. Movement of bars 22 or 23 causes rotation of paddle 153 or 163, Fig. 2, and hence movement of link 168 which clutches in the motor for rotating shaft 130, Fig. 6, once. During rotation a cam 129 causes rocking of paddle 117, Fig. 2, which disengages one set of bars against the action of springs 134, 146 and places the other set in operational readiness, allowing immediate entry of the next digit. The bars 22 and 24 or 23 and 25 are used alternately. In an alternative embodiment (Figs. 18, 19) (not shown) the binary code bars (702), (703) move in the same direction as the quinary bars, the ends (715), (720) moving inwards into the path of sensor (36). To clear information from one set of bars a cam (not shown) rocks lever (744) to the right (Fig. 19) causing end (738) of slider (741) to rotate half paddle (726) to cancel the bars (702) and (22a-22e). At the same time the arm (777) of rocker (778) abuts end (774) of the slider (769) and rotates the rocker clockwise. A pin (782) thus moves slider (784) across the device, and on return of (744) this causes partial rotation of cross piece (763), a pin (767) on which reverses the position of slider (769). Simultaneously pin (762) reverses the position of slider (741) ready to cancel bars (23a-23e) and (703) on the next stroke. After cancellation the half paddle concerned is held in position by bar (802) or (804) these being released on depression of any key on the keyboard via links (837) (839) or (817) (819). Differential slide positioning means.-The differential slider 34 is mounted on pins 252, 255 located in slots 253, 254, Fig. 10 (and Fig. 11, not shown). The foremost pin 252 is mounted on sensor 31 (Fig. 1) sliding on pins 203, 204 and having two stepped profiles 32, 33. On operation of a key 21, shaft 130, Fig. 10, bearing cam 219 rotates rocking bell-crank 216 pivotally attached to lever 213. Pin 212 moves to the right in slot 211 pushing sensor 31, Fig. 1, to the right until a step on one of the profiles 32, 33 abuts a key set projection 83 or 88. Stepped cam 243, Fig. 10, rotates until a corresponding step is placed in the path of the end 248 of lever 213 which is now moving to the right under continued movement of crank 216. A second lever 258 pivoted at 259 and linked to lever 213 therefore moves to abut its end 257 with the end 256 of slider 34 while the pin 252 on sensor 31 acts in the opposite direction. Slider 34 is thus positioned positively from any previous position according to which projection 83, 88 is encountered by sensor 31, and is maintained in the positions set by spring detent 264.