GB803086A - Improvements in or relating to typewriters and the like including tabulating mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

803,086. Tabulating mechanism for typewriters and the like. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Feb. 7, 1956 [Feb. 10, 1955], No. 3745/56. Class 100(4). Data in the form of electrically conductive marks 13, Fig. 2, on a worksheet 11 is used in conjunction with sensing means B, Fig. 7, to control tabulating movements of the carriage of a typewriter or like machine to present selected portions of the worksheet to the printing station. Tab resetting mechanism C resets the stops after they have been set. The data-is recorded on the worksheet in predetermined selected portions and the tabulating mechanism is operative when the carriage is moving in one direction only. The sensing means may comprise contacts, such as brushes 14, Figs. 3, 4, adapted to engage the marks 13 on the paper or may comprise photoelectric means which energize a solenoid 49, Fig. 5, to move a tabulating stop to operative position. The brushes 14 comprise a holder 16 of insulating material in which a number of wires 17 are carried with their free ends 22 extending through the holder 16 below the lower face 21 so as to engage the surface of the worksheet. The holder 16 is yieldingly and adjustably supported against the typewriter roller by a steel strap 26, Fig. 2, so that documents of varying thickness may be accommodated in the machine. The circuit containing brushes 17, conductors 41, 42, thyraton 43, solenoid 49 and relay 51 is so arranged that when a conductive mark on the sheet 11 is sensed the solenoid 49 is momentarily energized through an impulse on the control grid to displace a tab stop. Further movement of the carriage causes the displaced stop to be cammed to its normal position.