US1244574A - Computing-head-setting mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

W. WRIGHT COMPUTING HEAD SETTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2. I91].

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ENVENTOR: 'f

W. WRIGHT.

COMPUTING HEAD SETTING MECHANISM.

vAPPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, I9II.

1,244,574. Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F IG. 4.

S IIII ENTI m ATIOIIE. v

W. WRIGHT.

COMPUTING HEAD SETTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2. IBM.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- [b INVENTOR- mz12 0m BY WITN E55 E5= MGM yfm ATT RN EY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER WRIGHT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD COMPUTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMPUTING-HEAID-SETTING MECHANISM.

Application filed November 2, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VALTER WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Computing-Head-Setting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hand-automatic computing-head setting mechanism of a type useful in connection with the UnderwoodlVright combined typewriting and computing machines such as those shown in my Patent No. 1,162,730, and in application No. 513,603 filed February 12, 1910, by Gustave O. Degener and myself, and in my applications No. 631,115, filed June 3, 1911, and No. 574,813, filed August 1, 1910.

In certain types of combined typewriting and computing work, it is desired to repeat a predetermined sequence of operations over and over again. For example, it may be desired to keep a bank account, wherein the date is written out, the balance of the day before carried forward, the amount deposited added to this balance, to give the cash on hand and the total of all the checks drawn against this cash on hand summed up and deducted from the cash on hand, so as to give the balance to be carried forward to the next day.

Now if above computation were carried on, and assuming each day occupied a line, it would be necessary to repeatedly shift one or more computing heads to their several states of adding, neutral and subtracting a number of times each line, according to the sequence of the various portions of the computation carried on.

IVhere a number of computing heads are used. and frequent changes in each computing head required during a singleline, as in the above problem, the operation becomes tedious, and also is open to the danger of having mistakes made by a wrong shift of one of the computing heads.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an automatic hand shift which will change the state of one or more computing heads. according to a predetermined sequence of operations to be carried on by the simple mechanical shifting of a lever at each point where it is necessary to make Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

Serial No. 658,119.

a change in the character of the work being done by the computing heads.

In the embodiment with which this invention is illustrated, a computing machine of the Underwood-Tight type is used, in which the master wheel of each computing head is driven a predetermined amount from a source of power, which amount is controlled by an escapement mechanism, and depends on the particular numeral key actuated. The master wheel of each head is connected to the source of power by means of a gearing, which includes a clutching mechanism capable of reversing, so as to drive in either direction, and also capable of occupying a neutral position wherein the master wheel will not be driven at all. T enscarrying mechanism for each computing head is also driven from the source of power, and also has a controlling mechanism shiftable so as to drive in both directions, and also so as not to drive at all. The controlling mechanism of each master wheel and the tens-carrying mechanism are operable by the movement of a composite shifting lever.

To obtain the automatic shift of all of the computing heads, so that the sequence of operations will be mechanically certain, a shaft is shifted so that it will swing all of the clutching mechanisms which are operated by individual levers to one extremity of their motion. and this shaft. on its return movement. after having been rotated a predetermined amount. will shift such of the levers back. as it is desired to bring the corresponding computing head to some other state than that corresponding to the extreme movement in the first direction, just mentioned. As shown. the lovers are first shifted down, so that they occupy a position corresponding to the adding state of their respective computing heads. and they are shifted back by a series of position tappets, which are brought successively, by the rotation of the shaft at each actuation thereof. into cooperative relation with the levers. These tappets are of various effective magnitudes, depending on the particular character of the work desired at the instant when they are in cooperation with the lovers. That is to say, if it is desired to add. the levers, being in adding position. would not need any shifting, and therefore no tappet would be provided at this point. If it is desired that either one of the computing heads should remain neutral, the tappet to actuate the lever at this instant would be only of sufiieient effective magnitude to bring the lever back to its intermediate or neutral position. If, however, it is desired to subtract, the tappet would be of greater effective magnitude, so as to throw the lever to the other extreme of its swing, corresponding to the subtracting state of its computing head. The shaft is operated by an actuator or lever in such a manner that it will be swung downwardly before rotating, and then held in its lowermost position while being rotated and subsequently brought back to its original position after it has been rotated a sufficient amount to bring the next position controlling tappets in cooperative juxtaposition with the shifting levers. A complete throw lock may be provided to prevent the partial swing and return of the actuator.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, showing the controlling shaft in its normal or raised position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the controlling shaft in its lowermost position.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the actuator for the shaft and the mechanism connected thereto, showing-the actuator in its normal unoperated position.

Fig. 5 is a viewlof certain of the parts shown in Fig. 4, showing the actuator after it has moved a suflicient amount to depress the controlling shaft, but not a sufficient amount to rotate said shaft.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view. of one of the holders for the controlling position tappets. I

Fig. 7 is a section showing certain details of an adding head.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the throwout for the lever latches.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section, showing the method of securing the position tappets in place.

Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view of one of the position tappets.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the cam actuated lever for reciprocating the controlling shaft.

Fig. 12 is a developed view, showing the arrangement of one series of position tappets for controlling a given cycle of operations of one of the computing heads.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the computing heads, showing the connection to the typewriter carriage.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of this invention as embodied in the form shown in the drawings, 1 indicates a motor which drives through a slip clutch (not shown) a bevel gear 2 meshing with a gear 3 on a shaft 4. The shaft 4 is provided with a bevel gear 5 meshing with acontrolling bevel gear 6, which is mounted on a. shaft 7 the rotation of which is prevented by an escapement mechanism 8 controlled by the numeral keys in such a manner as to permit a rotation of the shaft 7, at the actuation of a numeral key, an extent proportionate to the particular numeral key,

struck, the slip clutch (not shown) permitting the rotation of the motor without actuating the other mechanism. This structure is more fully described in said prior application No. 543,603, filed February 12, 1910, jointly by Gustave O. Degener and myself. I

The bevel gear 6 has also meshing therewith a bevel gear 9, which is mounted on a shaft 10, so as to rotate a bevel ar 11 at its other end, which meshes wit a bevel gear 12 on a vertical shaft 13. The shaft 13 is provided with a plura-lit of pairs of bevel gears, one pair for eaci of the computing heads 14 and 15. indicated by the numerals 16 and 17, and 18 and 19. The members of each pair are faced in opposite directions, and both of them mesh with gears 20 and 21, so as to be capable, when they are rotated, of driving these gears 20 and 21 in opposite directions.

The gears 16 to 19, however, are loosely mounted on the shaft 13, but capable of being connected thereto by means of shift clutches 22 and 23, which have teeth on each end capable of engaging with corresponding teeth provided in the inwardly facing sides of the gears 16 to 19, so as to connect either one of each pair in driven relation with the shaft 13. These clutches can also assume an intermediate neutral position in which neither of the members of each pair of gears is connected in driving relation to the shaft 13. Each of the clutches 22 and 23 is provided with a groove into-which pins 24 on shifting levers 25 and 26 enter. These shifting levers project from the front of the machine, so that they can be manipulated to control the position of each clutch. For the purpose of holding each of these levers in any adjusted position, there are provided spring latches 27 and 28, which engage in one of three notches 29 provided on an extension of each of the levers 25 and 26. Springs 30 tend to draw the shift levers 25 and 26 to their lowermost position corresponding to adding.

It will thus be seen that the direction of rotation of the gears 20 and 21 can be controlled separately very easily. These gears are secured to master wheel shafts 31, which, as will be seen by reference to Fig.

These gears are 7, are squared, so as to permit arbors 32 to be splined thereon, whereby the shafts may be caused to rotate master wheels 33 secured to these arbors, and yet permit a relative movement between the master wheels and a series of computing Wheels. 34, so as to bring them successively in engagement with the internal gears formed by the inwardly proring teeth 35 provided on these computing wheels. The computing wheels 34 are also provided with external teeth forming external gears 36, which mesh with gears 37 carrying dial wheels 38 adapted to exhibit the result of the computation carried on by the computing head. This mechanism is shown more clearly anddescribed more fully in prior applications No. 543,603 and No. 631,115, above mentioned.

The relative movement above referred to, between. the master wheels and the computing Wheels may be brought about in a manner usual in this art. As is well known, either the master wheels may be moved through the computing wheels, or the computing Wheels may be moved over the master wheels. In order to produce this relative movement, I have shown a connection between the master wheels and the typewriter carriage (Fig. 13). The connection in this instance comprises a frame 103 and a frame 103, one frame for each master wheel, said frames being connected to the typewriter carriage 104, through the medium of a connecting lever 105, a hook 106, and a tappet 107 carried on a bar 108 forming part of the typewriter carriage.

In addition to driving the master wheels, the shaft .4 also drives in each computing head the tens-carrying mechanism, indicated at 39. This mechanism is described in said application N 0. 543,603, and depends for its actuation on the rotation and direction of rotation of a rubber roller 40 secured to a shaft 41, there being of course one of these rubber rollers provided in the case of each computing head. The shafts 41 are driven by bevel gears 42 and 43 similar to those of the master wheel driving shafts. These bevel gears 42 and 43 mesh with pairs of oppositely disposed bevel gears, which are loosely mounted on a shaft 44, so that when any one of these bevel gears is connected to the shaft 44, it will drive one of the bevel gears 42 or 43 in a direction corresponding to the way in which it faces. The members of the pairs of bevel ears are indicated by the numerals 45, 46, 4 and 48.

To control the connection of the members of the pairs of gears to the shaft 44, there are provided clutches 49 and 50, splined on the shaft 44 and having teeth at their tops and bottoms, to engage corresponding teeth in the inner sides of the bevel gears. The clutches 49 and 50 are so connected that they can be operated concomitantly with the operation of the clutches 22 and 23, so as to cause a simultaneous action of the tens-carrying mechanism with the master wheel mechanism, and for the purpose of accomplishing the same character of computation. To this end the shift levers 25 and 26, which are pivoted at 51 and 52, have secured thereto pivot pins 53 and 54, on which are mounted supplementary shifting levers 55 and 56. These supplementary shifting levers 55 and 56 have pins 57, which engage in grooves in the clutches 49 and 50, so as to form a positive connection which will permit a rotation of the clutches. A limited motion between the supplementary shifting levers 55 and 56 and the main shifting levers 25 and 26 is provided by the supplementary levers being pivotally mounted on the main levers, and having fingers 58 and 59 extending on opposite sides of the pivots 51, at a certain distance, to permit a certain amount of play before positive connecting contact therewith. The play between the main and supplementary shifting levers is taken up by springs 60 secured to the pins 53 and 54 and to the supplementary levers 55 and 56. The shaft 44 obtains its drive from the shaft 4 by being provided with a bevel gear 61 meshing with a gear 62 on a shaft 63, which has a bevel gear 64 meshing with a gear 65 on the shaft 4.

We now come to the mechanism which is used to obtain a predetermined sequence of operations by the computing heads, in an automatic manner, by the simple shifting of a hand actuator. Arranged in juxtaposition to the shift levers 25 and 26, there is provided a control shaft 66, which is supported so as to be capable of having both an endwise reciprocating movement and a rotary movement. Adjacent each of the shifting levers 25 and 26, the control shaft 66 is provided with setters 67 and 68, shown in the form of collars normally held in their lowermost position by means of springs 69. These collars are provided with circular flanges 70 which overlie pins 71 and 72 secured to the shift levers 25 and 26, so that when the shaft 66 is depressed, these flanges will engage the pins 71 and 72, and force the shifting levers 25 and 26 to their lowermost position corresponding to adding.

Underlying each of the setters 67 and 68 there is provided a holder 73, which is shown in detail in Fig. 6 asprovided with aseries of radial slots 74 formed in a circular flange extending from the body portion of the holder. These slots are capable of receiving control tappets 75, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 10. The tappet-s 75 are preferably reduced at the point where they enter the slots 74, so as to prevent movement in a vertical direction of the tappets relative to their holder. That is to say, the tappets are provided with grooves in their sides forming shoulders which engage the circular tlange projecting from the body portion of the holder. in order to secure these tappets in position on the holder, so that; they may not slip oil by accident. in a radial direction, they are provided with grooves '76 in which a circular detent 77 may enter. This detent is slidingly mounted on the shaft 66, and normally held in its engaging position by a spring 78 which abuts against a collar 79 secured to the shaft 6 as well as against the detent 77. A portion of the outer surface of the detent 77 may be roughened or knurled so as to permit it to be more readily handled.

It will be seen, by reference to Figs. 9 and 10, that the extreme top and bottom limits of the tappets 75 are located at nnequal distances from the grooves provided in the sides of the tappets, so that if a tappet is reversed in the holder, it will project a diti'erent extent above the circular flange of the holder than it did before. The extentof projection of a tappet above the flange of a holder determines the extent to which it will shift the corresponding shifting lever 25 or from an adding position. In order that the. tappets may be used in either position. they are provided with the grooves 76 at both their top and bottom so that the detent 77 will hold them in either position. The tappets may also be interchanged one with the other.

It will be seen that it one of the tappets is located beneath one of the pins 71 or 72. when. the shaft 66 returns to its normal raised position, that it will shift this pin and thus the shifting lever to which it is secured. a given distance according to whether the larger or smaller end of the tappet is located above the flange of the holder. If the smaller end of the tappet, corresponding to the top end shown in Fig. 10. is located uppermost. the shifting lever will be only moved back to a neutral position. if. however, the larger end of the tappet. corresponding'to the lower end in Fig. 10. is at the. top, it will force the lever up to its extreme movement corresponding to a subtracting position. ()f course. it at'any particular point. a tappet is omitted. the lever will be allowed to remain in its lowermost position corresponding to adding.

it will thus be seen that. by arranging the. controlling tappets around the holder. and giving the holder a combined movement. such that it. will brim;- the tappets succesivelv in operative contact with the pins '71 and T2. any 1 redetermiiual sequence of operations ol' the computing heads n'iafv e obtained. ln Fig. l"). a development of one -arrangement of tappcts in the holder is l]()\\'ll. Taken from left to right the. first tappet will force the shifting lever to a subtracting position, the second tappet to a neutral position, lacl: of a tappet in the third place will leave it; at an addirw position, and so on.

In order to obtain a. reciprocating, rotary motion of the shaft 66 necessary to successively operate the shifting levers 25 and 26 together with the stu i 'ilenientary levers operated thereby, the (36 is provided, adjacent its lower end. with a grooved shifting collar 80. engaged by a roclier 81 shown in the form of a bell crank lever, having one arm rounded to form a follower which will engage the sides of a cam slot 83 provided in an actuator Si. shown in the form of a lever mounted to rotate loosely on a collar 85 splined on to the shaft (56. The actuator Stis norn'ially held in its unactuated position. corresponding to that shown in Fig. l. by means of a. spring 86. The actuator H t isnot only used to reciprocate the shaft cc. but also to rotate this shaft. This is accomplished by means of a spring n'essed awl ST nivotallv mounted on the.

actuator H t. and adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel 88 splined on the shaft (36. The ratchet wheel 89. and thus the shaft (56. is prevented from backward rotation by means of a spring-pressed detont or dog 89.

The relation of the pawl 97- with the ratchet wheel. as shown in Fig. 4-. is such that there will be. an appreciable swing of the actuator 81 before it starts to rotate the shaft on. by engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 33. This ineti'eo tive throw or play of the actuator is taken advantage of to slide the shaft (36 down to its lowermost position. To accomplish this result. the cam slot 83 "from the. beginning. indicated at 90. to a point (see Fig. i3) changes rathe aln'uptly so as to swing the follower. 352 tnom i inermost to its cutemost 3 YSlilOlL wtie the shaft (it? will he its lowermost posith position shown shown in Fig. stiolie ol' the acti I gages a tooth o long enough to hr 115 ;o say,

to the holders it undernt. tn the pins i= ll this slot contains a ti. will be shifted to a posi eitl er neutral or subti do not contain tappets. i.

at the adding position. ifnnng this lat/.71 part or the initial stroke or the actiu'itor St, the hillower S2 is substantially unacttnited, because oii the fact that the remainder of the cam slot 9 is snbstantiall circular. with the axis of the shaft 36 as a center.

The actuator St is autoimiticallv thrown back by the spring Rt). so as to return to the position shown in Fig. at. During this movement this cam slot 88 travels. so as to leave i 2'. it

the follower unactuated until the actuator has almost reached its normal position, and then, for the last fraction of the return stroke, shifts the shaft 66 back up into its normal position so that Whatever tappets are beneath the pins 71 and 72, they will engage the same and shift the levers to which they are connected to the positions "irresponding to the tappets.

To avoid danger of the typist throwing the actuator a fraction of a stroke, there is provided a two-way acting lock 92, which is of such a character that the actuator must be swung its full stroke in one direction before it will be permitted to return, and also so that the actuator cannot be partially returned and then swung out again. In this 'case this two-way lock is shown in the form of a two-way ratchet bar 93 engaged by a pawl 94 pivotally mounted on the actuator 84 in such a manner that it can swing to either side of its pivot, and when in engagement with the ratchet bar 93 will prevent a return of the actuator until the pawl has traveled over the full length of the ratchet bar. The pawl 94 is held by a spring 95, which is so arranged that it will cause the pawl to engage the ratchet bar positively in whichever direction theactuator 84 is traveling.

When the automatic hand mechanism is in operation itis desirable to relieve it of any unnecessary retarding action or friction. It therefore may be advisable to remove the latches 27 and 28 from engagement with the notches 29. For this purpose, there is provided a throw-01f 96, shown in detail in Fig. 8, which is slidingly mounted by means of one or more pin-and-slot connections 97, and is shown in the form of a bar 98 having an operating handle 99 extending from one side thereof and a plurality of arms 100, one

. for each of the latches 27, which underlie the same and are adapted to lift said latches from engagement with said notches 29, when the throw-off is moved to its uppermost position. The throwoff 96 may be held in either position of adjustment by a spring catch 101, which-engages any one of a plurality of notches 102 provided in the edge of the bar 98.

In the operation of the device, the action or position tappets 75' are placed around each of the holders 73, according to the sue cessive operations which it is desired that each computing head shall perform, thereby forming a controller which governs the action of each computing head. For example, if We take the upper computing head, by referring to Fig. 12 where a controller is developed, it will be seen that the first tappet, starting at the left, is arranged with its largest end up, so as to shift the clutches to their subtracting positions corresponding to the subtracting direction of rotation of both the master wheel and the tens-carrying mechanism. The second tappet will not shift the clutches quite so far, inasmuch as its smaller end is above the flange of the holder, so that it will correspond to a neutral position of both of the clutches, and thus neither the master wheel nor the tenscarrying mechanism will be driven. The third slot of the holder is shown to be vacant, so that the clutches after having been shifted to their adding positions will not be returned but remain in their adding positions, thus causing the master wheel and the tens-carrying mechanism to rotate in an adding direction. The remainder of the slot positions of the holder are shown to have, successively, tappets or no tappets, corresponding respectively to subtracting, subtracting, neutral, adding and neutral.

The tappets are formed so that they can be reversed and interchanged in the holder, and thus are capable of acting to control the mechanism for either subtracting or neutral, and by omitting the tappets, the adding state of the computing heads can be. obtained. This, it will be seen, enables the tappets to be made exactly alike, and simplifies the use of the same.

After the tappets have been properly placed according to the predetermined se- 5 quence of operations desired, the typist can then perform the combined operation of inscribing the figures upon the work sheet and computing said figures in the computing head by striking numeral keys (not shown) so that the master wheels are given a predetermined rotation of an extent dependent upon the particular numeral keys struck, this, however, only happening if the master wheel is connected in driving relation with the shaft 66 by having the clutches either in their adding or subtracting position. If we start with the computing heads, each performing a certain operation, it is merely necessary for the typist to swing the actuator 84 a complete stroke in order to bring all of the computing heads to their next state. By swinging the actuator 84: the follower 82 is first shifted from the position indicated in Fig. 2 to the position indicated in Fig. 3, whereby the rocker 81 will be swung so as to pull down the shaft 66 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in 3. During this time the pawl 87 has been moving from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5,;so that it has not as yet actuated the ratchet wheel 88 to rotate the shaft 66. This permits the tappets to be withdrawn from any possibility of engagement with pins 71 and 72 while the shaft is being rotated. The rotation is accomplished by the pawl 87 engaging the tooth with which it is in opposition in Fig. 5, so that the next'slots in the holder 73, whether they contain tappets or not, will be brought underneath the pins '21 and 72. During this portion of the movement or" the actuator 84, the follower 8:2 wiil remain stationary, inasmuch as the slot 83- does not change relative to the shaft 66 for this distance. The lock 92 will force the typist to throw the actuator 84 a complete stroke before said actuator can be returned.

During the return motion of the pawl 87, it is withdrawn out of positive engagement with the tooth on the ratchet wheel 88, and then the shaft 66 is thrown up to its uppermost position by the follower 82, changing from the upper portion of the cam slot 83 to the inner portion. When the shaft has been moved to its lowermost position, the setters 67 have engaged the pins 71 and 72, so as to swing the shifting levers 25 and 26 and the clutches operated thereby to their adding positions, so that when the shaft 66 returns to its uppermost position, it will shift these pins separately, or not, according to. whether or not there are tappets under the pins at this particular position of rotation of the shaft 66. If there is no tappet beneath either of the pins the corresponding computing head will remain in its adding state; If there is a tappet with a short end uppermost, the corresponding computing heads clutches will be shifted to a neutral position, leaving the computing head inactive. If the larger end of the tappet is uppermost, beneath a pin, it will shift the clutches to their subtracting position, so that the corresponding computing head will now be actuated, so as to subtract the numeral struck subsequently by the typewriting keys. The operation of the actuator may be repeated as often as the typist desires to change the character of Work carried on by the computing mechanism.

Certain features disclosed herein are broadly claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 569,502, filed June 29, 1910, which application is directed, among other things, to the feature of the provision of a series of state-controlling cams or the like upon a revoluble controller, and also to the feature of shifting said controller to silence the same, and of bringing into use other controllers for individually determining the state of the totalizers. The claims in this application are restricted to features not disclosed in said application No. 569,502.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a computing head capable of adding and subtracting, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the character: of wort; carried on by said computing head, said con n mechanism including a tappet having both a positioning movement and an actuating movement to control said computing head, and a device for imparting to said tappet both movements.

2. The combination with a computing head capable of adding and subtracting, of controlling mechanism for selecting the character of work to be carried on by said computing head, said controlling mechanism including a plurality of tappets having both a positionin movement and an actuating movement to control said computing head, said actuating movement being uniform for all of said tappets, and the tappets having different efi'ective magnitudes whereby to differently control said computing head on said uniform actuating movement, and a device for imparting to said tappcts both movements.

3. The combination with a computing head capable of adding and subtracting, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the work carried on by said computing head, said controlling means including a plurality of tappets having a positioning movement and also an actuating movement to control said computing head, said tappets being in terchangeable with each other, and so formed that their effect is difl'erent on said actuating movement in one position of ad iustment "from what it is in another position.

i. The combination with a computing head capable of adding and subtracting, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the work carried on by said computing head, said controlling mechanism including a plurality of tappets, means for giving said tappets movement to successively position one tappet at a time, said means also acting to give all of said tappets an actuating movement whereby said positioned tappet will actuate said controlling mechanism for selecting the work to be carried on by said computing head.

5. The combination with a computing head capable of adding and subtracting, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the work carried on by said computing head, said controlling mechanism including a tap pet having a positioning movement and also an actuating movement to control said computing head, said tappet being reversible so that on said actuating movement the effect of said tappet is greater in one position than in the other position.

6. The combination with a computing head capable of performing a plurality of different types of computations, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the work carried on by said computing head, said controlling mechanism having a plurality of tappets, and said tappets being of different eliective magnitudes at their opposite ends.

7 The combination With a computing head capable of performing a plurality of difierent types of computations, of a controlling mechanism for selecting the work carried on by said computing head, said controlling mechanism having a plurality of tappets, and said tappets being of difierent efieetive magnitudes at their opposite ends, and also being reversible to vary their effect.

8. The combination with a plurality of computing heads, each capable of inaction and action in a plurality of different Ways to perform a number of dilierent types of computation, of individual controlling mecha-- nism for each computing head for determining the action of each head, said controlling mechanism having a plurality of succes sively effective tappets, and a single actuator for successively operating all of said controlling mechanisms simultaneously to suecessively control said computing heads.

9. The combination with a plurality of computing heads, of individual means for controlling the state of action of each computing head, latches for each of said individual means, for maintaining said means in any position of adjustment, a single actuator for controlling concomitantly all of said means, a throw-oft for rendering said latches inoperative While said actuator is in operation, said throw-off comprising a slidable bar, a handle for manipulating said bar, and a plurality of arms connected to said bar and extending under said latches.

10. The combination with a computing head capable of inaction and action to perform a variety of computations, of means for changing the action of said computing head, rotary reciprocating means for governing said first-mentioned means, and an actuator for manipulating said rotary reciprocating means for its rotating and reciprocating movement.

11. The combination with a computing head capable of inaction and action to perform a variety of computations, of means for changing the action of said computing head, rotary reciprocating means for governing said first-mentioned means, an actuator. for manipulating said rotary recipro cating means for its rotating and reciprocating movement, and a spring for returning said actuator and also acting on said rotary reciprocating means.

12. The combination with a computing head capable of a plurality of states of action and inaction, of means for controlling the action of said computing head, rotary reciprocating means for governing said first-mentioned means, and an actuator for alternately reciprocating and rotating said last-mentioned means.

13. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a member positionable to control said determining means and also movable to engage and move said determining means, and means for preventing the en gaging and moving movement until said positioning movement has been effected.

14. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a member adapted to be rotatable in one plane to a position to control said determining means, and moved in another plane to engage and move said determining means, and means for preventing said last mentioned movement until said rotary movement has been effected.

15. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a controller to be operated to move said determining means to a predetermined point, to be then positioned. to control said determining means, and to be then moved when so positioned to move said determining means to some other point, and means for preventing the third said movement of said controller until the second said movement has been effected.

16. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a controller to be operated to move said determining means to a predetermined point, to be then positioned to control said determining means, and to be then moved when so positioned to move said determining means to some other point, a reciprocating actuator for said controller, acting on the first part of its initial stroke to operate said controller to its first position, on the last part of its initial stroke to operate said controller to its second position, and on its return stroke to operate said controller to its third position, and means for preventing the third said movement of said controller until said second movement has been effected, comprising a full stroke device acting on the last part of the initial stroke of said actuator.

17. The combination with a computing head capable of a pluralitv of states of action and inaction, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, controlling means for governing the position of said shifting means, and thereby the state of said computing head, and an actuator for manipulating said controlling means, said actuator reciprocating and rotating said controlling means at different times.

18. The combination with a computing head capable of a plurality of states of action and inaction, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, controlling means for governing the position of said shifting means, and thereby the state of said computing head, and an actuator for manipulating said controlling means, said actuator reciprocating and rotating said controlling means at different times, said actuator causing a complete reciprocation of said controlling means and a. partial rotation thereof.

19. Th combination with a computing head ramble of a plurality of states of action and inaction. of shifting means for de termining the state of said computing head, controlling means for governing said shifting means, and an actuator for manipulating said controlling means, said controlling means including a shaft and a plurality of tappets'carried by said shaft, and said actuator acting to remove one of said tappets from active engagement with said shifting means and bring another of said tappets in active engagement with said shifting means.

20. The combination with a computing head capable of a plurality of states of action and inaction, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, controlling means for governing said shifting means, and an actuator for manipulating said controlling means, said controlling means including a shaft and a plurality of tappets carried by said shaft, and said actuator acting to remove one of said tappets from active engagement with said shifting means and bring another of said tappets in active engagement with said shifting means; certain of said tappets being arranged to have different effects than certain others of said tappets.

21. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, the combination with a carriage, of a. computing head capable of a plurality of states of action and inaction, shifting means for determining the state of said computing head in the different zones or columns determined by said carriage, a control shaft, tappets carried by said control shaft, and a manually operated actuator for bringingeach of said tappets successively into oooperation with said shifting means, independently of the position of the carriage.

22. The combination with a computing head, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, controlling means for governing said shifting means, said controlling means acting, at each operation, to manipulate said shifting means to a predetermined position, and also capable of acting to leave said shifting means at said predetermined position or else move said shifting means to any one of a plurality of points at variable distances from said predetermined position, said controlling means embodying a shaft .and a plurality of tappets, arranged for different efiects, carried by said shaft, and an actuator for reciprocating said shaft, and causing a partial rotation thereof at each reciprocation.

23. The combination with a computing head, of shifting means for controlling the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder on said shaft, and a plurality of removable tappets carried by said holder for governing the control of said computing head by said shifting means.

24. The combination with a computing head, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, and a plurality of interchangeable tappets of different effects brought successively into cooperation with said shifting means by the movement of said shaft, to govern the control of said computing head by said shifting means.

25. The combination with a computing head, of shifting means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, and a plurality of reversible tappets brought successively into cooperation with said shifting means by the movement of said shaft, to determine the control of said computing head by said shifting means.

26. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft, said shaft being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions, said holder having a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of said shaft, and one or more removable tappets mounted on said holder at one 'or more of said points, to control the action of said means.

27. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft, said shaft being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions, said holder having a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of said shaft. and one or more tappets mounted on said holder at one or more of said points, to control the action of said means; said tappets being reversible to change their effect.

28. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder car ried by said shaft, said shaft being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions, said holder having a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of said shaft, and one or more tappets mounted on said holder at one or more of said points, to control the action of said means; said tappets being detachably connected to said holder.

29. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft, said shaft being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions, said holder having a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of said shaft, one or more tappets mounted on said holder at one or more of said points, each of said tappets havinga head portion to control the action of said means; each of said tappets also having a groove in said head portion, and a detent engaging said groove to secure said tappets in position on said holder.

30. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft, said shaft being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions, said holder having a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of said shaft, one or more tappets adjustably mounted on said holder at one or more of said points, each of said tappets having a head portion to control the action of said means; each of said tappets also having a groove in said head portion, and a circular spring-pressed detent for engaging said groove to secure said tappets in position on said holder.

31'. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft having a flange with a plurality of slots therein, and a plurality of tappets positively movable in one direction for governing the control-of said computing head by said means, said tappets engaging said flange so as to be held in said slots for such movement.

32. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft having a flange with a plurality of slots therein, and a plurality of tappets, positively movable in one direction for governing the control of said computing head by said means, each of said tappets having a groove therein, said groove holding said tappets for such movement by engagement of said flange therewith.

"33. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft having a flange with a plurality of slots therein, and a plurality of tappets, for governing the control of said computing head by said means, located in certain of said slots, each of said tappets having a groove therein, to determine the position of each tappet on said holder; said tappets being of different effective magnitudes on opposite sides of said groove to thereby differently control said determining means.

34. The combination With a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft having a flange with a plurality of slots therein, and a plurality of tappets, for governing the control of said computing head by said means, located in certain of said slots, each of said tappets having a groove on each side of a center line and symmetrically located in respect to said line to determine the position of each tappet on said holder; said tappets being of different effective magnitudes on opposite sides of said groove to thereby differently control said determining means; and being reversible in said slots to present either end to said determining means.

35. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a holder carried by said shaft having a flange with a plurality of slots therein, a plurality of tappets positively movable in one direction for governing the control of said co1nput ing head by 'said determining means, a spring-pressed detent for detachably securing said tappets in said holder, each of said tappets having a groove adapted to be engaged by the flange of said holder to secure said tappet for positive movement, said tappet also having a head portion to engage said determining means, and a groove in said head portion adapted to be engaged by said spring-pressed detent.

36. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, the combination with a carriage, of a computing head, means for determining the state of said computing head in different zones or columns determined by said carriage, a setter movable to engage said state determining means and to move said means to a predetermined point, and a manually operable controller for determining in any zone whether said state determining means shall remain at said predetermined point or be manipulated to any one of a plurality of other points; said controller including a plurality of members of variable efiect.

37. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, the combination with a carriage, of a computing head, means for determining the state of said computing head in different zones or columns determined by said carriage, a setter movable to engage said state determining means and to move said means to a predetermined point, and a manually operable controller for determining in any Zone whether said state determining means shall remain at said predetermined point or be manipulated to any one of a plurality of other points; said controller including a plurality of members of variable effect, and an actuator for manipulating said controller at each operation thereof, to change the positionof said members.

38. The combination with 'a computing head, of means for determining the state of shaft, and a lever, said lever acting through the medium of said shaft to move said determining means to a predetermined point, said lever also acting throiigh said rotating means to position said tappet to control the movement of said determining means.

40. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a tappet carried thereby, means for rotating said shaft, a cam, a rocker controlled thereby, and a lever, said lever acting through the medium of said shaft, rocker and cam for moving said determining means to a predetermined point, and acting through the medium of said rotating means and shaft for positioning said tappet to control said determining means.

41. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, tappets carried by said shaft for governing the action of said means, a lever loosely mounted with respect to said shaft and having a cam surface thereon, a rocker having a follower engaging said cam surface, said rocker being connected to said shaft so that a manipulationof said lever will swing said rocker to reciprocate said shaft, to move said determining means to a predetermined point, and means for rotating said shaft by said lever whereby said lever will position a tappet to control said determining means, said cam surface and said rotating means being so arranged that their effective action will take place at different times.

42. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, a spring for said shaft, a rocker engaging said shaft, a lever acting through the medium of said rocker to move said shaft against the tension of said spring to move said determining means to a predetermined point, a cam moved by said lever and positively controliing said rocker, and a spring acting on said rocker through the medium of said cam to return said lever and assist said firstmentioned spring to return said shaft to normal position.

43. lhe combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, means carried by said shaft for governing the action of said means, a lever loosely mounted with respect to said shaft and having a cam surface thereon, a rocker having a follower engaging said cam surface, said rocker being connected to said shaft so that a manipulation of said lever will swing said rocker to reciprocate said shaft to move said detel-mining means to a predetermined point, means for rotating said shaft by said lever to position the means carried thereby to con-. trol said determining means, said cam surface and said rotating means being so arranged that their effective action will take place at different times, and a lock for preventing an opposite motion of said lever before a complete stroke in one direction and acting during the actuation of said rotating means only.

44. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, controlling means on said shaft for governing said firstmentioned means, a lever mounted to rotate I with respect to said shaft, a one-way clutch connectionbetween said lever and said shaft, whereby said lever may rotate said shaft, said lever having a cam surface thereon, a

rocker connecting said cam surface with said shaft, whereby a manipulation of said lever may reciprocate said shaft, said cam surface being concentric with said shaft for a portion of its extent, so as to permit a rotation of said shaft while said shaft is free from longitudinal movement.

45. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, controlling means on said shaft for governing said firstmentioned means, a lever mounted to rotate with respect to said shaft, a one-way clutch connection between said lever and said shaft, whereby said lever may rotate said shaft, said lever having a cam surface thereon, a rocker connecting said cam surface with said shaft, whereby a manipulation of said lever may reciprocate said shaft, said one-way clutch having a limited ineffective play, to permit a reciprocation of said shaft by said lever through the intermediary of said cam surface and said rocker, while said shaft remains free from rotary movement.

46. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a shaft, controlling means on said shaft for governing said firstmentioned means, a lever mounted to rotate with respect to said shaft, a one-way clutch connection between said lever and said shaft, whereby said lever may rotate said shaft, said lever having a cam surface thereon, a rocker connecting said cam surface with said shaft, whereby a manipulation of said lever may reciprocate said shaft, said cam surface being concentric with said shaft for a portion of its extent, so as to permit a rotation of said shaft while said shaft is free from longitudinal movement, said one-way clutch having a limited ineffective play, to permit a reciprocation of said shaft by said lever through the intermediary of said cam surface and said rocker, while said shaft re- 1 mains free from rotary movement.

47. The combination with a plurality of computing heads, a setting member for each of said computing heads for concomitantly changing the state of each head, a shaft, a series of tappets for each of said members, carried by said shaft, for manipulating said members in the opposite direction variable extents according to the effective magnitude .of the active tappets, and a single actuator for manipulating all of said tappets, and bringing each of said tappets successively into its active position.

48. The combination with a computing head, of means for determining the state of said computing head, a plurality of tappets, a manually operable lever, and means controlled from said lever for bringing said tappets successively into position for operating on said state-determining means.

49. The combination with a computing head capable of existing under a plurality of states as to adding, subtracting and remaining neutral, of manual means adapted to be successively operated, and means controlled from said manual means for varying the state of said computing according to a predetermined sequence at each successive operation.

50. The combination with a computing head capable of existing under a plurality of states as to adding, subtracting and remaining neutral, of manual means adapted to be successively operated, and means for insuring a complete change in state at each successive movement of said manual means, comprisin a lock acting on said manual means during a part of its stroke only.

51. In a computing mechanism, a tappet having means by which it may be supported, said means being located at unequal distances from the ends thereof, said tappet acting on said computing mechanism to variably affect it according as said tappet is difi'erently supported.

52. The combination with a computing head, of a shifting lever for controlling the state of said computing head, a pin on said shifting lever, a uniform collar engaging said pinfor shifting it in one direction, and a series of tappets having different features for engagin said pin to shift it in the opposite direction.

53. In a, computing mechanism, a locldng detent having an annular engaging surface to lock a series of tappets in position on their holder, each of said tappets having a head portion to control said computing mechanism and a groove in said head portion to be engaged by said detent.

54. The combination with a computing mechanism, said computing mechanism being capable of existing under a plurality of states as to the activity and type of computation carried on thereby, of a carriage connected to determine different computing zones or columns, and means operable at will at any part of the travel of said carriage for varying the state of said computing mechanism according to a predetermined sequence. i 55. The combination with a computing mechanism capable of existing under a plurality of states as to activity and the type of activity carried on thereby, of a carriage traveling to determine different computing zones or columns, and manual means for varying at will the state of said computing mechanism successively and according to a predetermined sequence, so that the sequence of state may correspond to any desired sequence of zones.

56. The combination with a computing head, of gearing for driving said head, ashifting mechanism for determining the drive and character of drive of said head by said gearing, a setter for manipulating said shifting mechanism, and a series of tappets having their ends facing said setter, located at variable distances therefrom and arranged to actuate said shifting mechanism in a direction opposite to that of the actuation of said setter. 4 57. The combination with a computing head, of gearing for driving said head, a shifting mechanism for determining the drive and character of drive of said head by said gearing, a setter for manipulating said shifting mechanism, and a series of tappets having their ends facing said setter, located at variable distances therefrom and arranged to actuate said shifting mechanism in a direction opposite to that of the actuation of said setter, said tappets being adjustable to vary the clearway between the ends thereof and said setter.

58. The combination with a computing mechanism variable as to its action, of controlling mechanism for varying the action of said computing mechanism, said controlling mechanism including a holder having a series of spaced receiving points, and a series of spaced tappets of variable effect located at some of said points.

59. The combination with a computing mechanism capable of existing under a plurality of states, of a traveling carriage arranged to determine the periods of activity of said computing mechanism, and a rota- -mechanism for actuating said mechanism including a plurality of exactly table controlling mechanism rotatable by hand at the will of the operative, and at any point in the travel of said carriage, to cause a sequence of states of said computing mechanism.

60.,The combination with a computing mechanism capable of existing under a plurality of states, of a traveling carriage arranged to determine the periods of activity .of said computing mechanism, and a rotatable controlling mechanism rotatable by hand at the will of the operative, and at any point in the travel of said carriage, to cause a sequence of states of said computing mechanism according to a predetermined plan.

61(The combination with a plurality of individual'computing sets, of a plurality of controlling mechanisms, one individual to each computing set for determining the states of the accordant sets, each of said controlling mechanisms including a plurality of separate and distinct determining members, corresponding each to the particular state which it institutes in the accordant computing set, and a common means for controlling said determining members.

62. The combination with a computing mechanism capable of existing under a plurality of different states, of a shifting mechanism for determining the state of-= said computing mechanism, and controlling, shifting similar tappets..positioned so as to have different effects.

63. The combination with a computing mechanism capable of existing under a plur'ality of difierent states, of a shifting mechanism for determining the state of said computin mechanism, and controlling mechanism $01 actuating said shifting mechanism including a plurality of exactly similar tappets positioned so as to have different effects, said tappets being readjustable so as to vary their eifect. I 64. The combination with a plurality of individual computing mechanisms, of a state- 'controlling mechanism. individual to each computing mechanism, and driving means common to all of said controlling mechanisms for driving said controlling mechanisms in unison, each of said controlling mechanisms being individually adjustable so as to .vary the individual efl'ect independently of the other controlling mechanisms.

.65. The combination with a computing mechanism, of controlling mechanism for governing the state of said computing mechanism, said controlling mechamsm having a rotary movement and a reciprocating movement, both movements being necessary to effective change in state of said computing mechanism, means for reciprocating said controlling mechanism while said mechanism is silent as to its rotary movement and means for rotating said controlling mechanism while said mechanism is silent as to its reciprocating movement.

66. The combination with a computing mechanism for computing in a cycle of several computing zones, of a state-controlling mechanism having a series of successive step-by-step movements aggregating in all a cycle of operation corresponding step for zone with the cycle of zones of said computing mechanism, and having a configuration corresponding at diflerent points in the movement thereof to a variety of states or characters of computation of said computing mechanism, said state-controlling mechanism having its parts adjustable so as to change the configuration and thus the character of computation for different computing zones or steps in a cycle of movement thereof, so as to accord any state with any zone, and whereby any sequence of states may correspond to any sequence of zones.

67. The combination with a computing device, of a manually operable handle, a controlling mechanism including a tappet device, said tappet device movable to determine the state of the computing device, and means operable by similar movements of said handle to move said tappet device to different predetermined positions.

68. The combination with a computing head, of means for determinin the state of said computing head, a plurality of tappets for controlling said determining means, a manual lever, and means brought into action by movements of said lever to bring the tappets successively into a position to control said determining means and to move said determining means through the medium of the tappet so positioned.

69. The combination with a computing head and means for determining the state of said computing head, of a tapp et, a manual lever, means brought into actlon on a movement of said lever to move said tappet to a position to control said determining means, and means brought into action on another movement thereof to move the tappet so positioned to move said determining means.

- 70. In a computing machine the combination with computing mechanism, a carriage traveling to determine different computing zones or columns and a device movable from oneposition to another in accordance with said zones or columns, and determining! while stationary in its different positions,

different states under which said computing mechanism may exist in the difierent zones or columns determined by said carriage.

71. In a comput ng machine the combination with computing mechanism includlng a plurality of computing heads, of a carferent combinations of state under which riage traveling to determine different oomsaid computing mechanism may exist in the 143 puting zones or columns, and a controlling different zones or columns determined by device, one for each computing head, said said carriage.

5 controlling devices movable from one posi- WALTER WRIGHT.

tion to another in accordance with different Witnesses: zones or columns and determining While PAUL ZLRoN,

stationary in their different positions, dif- LORENZ L. PRITzL.

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