GB1335057A - Calculating machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1335057 "¢" key arrangements RICOH KK 4 Dec 1970 [13 Dec 1969 (2)] 57595/70 Heading G4B In a reduced keyboard calculating machine, wherein a pin carriage is laterally shifted through one step after each digit of a number has been entered into the pin carriage, depression of any one of a number of function keys is normally arranged to shift the carriage (storing the set-up number) through one extra step, but such shifting through the extra step is prevented if a "¢" key has been depressed in entering the number. Two alternative mechanisms for controlling the extra step shift are described, the first, Fig. 5, being electro-mechanical, and the second, Fig. 3 (not shown), being generally similar but wholly mechanical. When a number not including "¢" has been set up in the pin carriage 3, Fig. 5, and a function key is depressed, a plate 14 moves upwardly (as shown in Fig. 5) to close a switch 34 and energize a solenoid 35. The solenoid plunger 35A rocks a lever 16 anti-clockwise, which rocks a lever 19 clockwise to raise a plate 22. Plate 22 shifts the zero pin in carriage 3 and the latter shifts one step to the left. Towards the end of its clockwise rocking, lever 19 engages a lug 26B to rock a lever 26, the right hand end of which depresses a lug 27A to rock a lever 27. This disengages a lug 27B from a lug 17B to allow a spring 29 to move a slide 17 to the right. Slide 17 carries the pivot 18 of lever 16 which is thus also moved to the right and disengaged from both plunger 35A and lever 19. A spring 43 then restores lever 19 and plate 22. If the "¢" key is depressed as the last step in setting up a number, a plate 23 is raised and, through a pin 24, rocks lever 26. As above described, this renders solenoid 35 non-effective so that a subsequent depression of a function key will not result in the pin carriage 3 shifting through the extra step. When lever 26 is rocked, either by lever 19 when the pin carriage is being shifted through the extra step or by pin 24 when the "¢" key is being depressed, a shoulder 26C clears a pin 38 to allow leftward movement of a plate 37 whereupon lug 37A engages a step 40A of a plate 40. This prevents upward movement of the plate 40 and prevents depression of the keys corresponding to digits "1" to "9". The "¢" key is linked to the "5" key so that on depressing the former, the "5" pin is set in the pin carriage, Fig. 4 (not shown).