US1419970A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

. P. KEENE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLlcAnoN man Auchs, 1919.

Patented June 20, 1922.

A N\ 5 NN I.

PATENT oFFicE- WENDELL l?. KEENE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNDEBWOOD TYPE- WRITERCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Maaate.

Specification of-Ietters Patent. Patented June 2Q, 1922,

Application filed August 5, 1919. Serial No. 315,398. I

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WENDELL P. KEENE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York` have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and more particularly to bookkeeping machines, and is herein disclosed as a plied to an Underwood standard boo keeping machine.

In keeping track of accounts, especially in posting to stock and other ledgers the record sheets are frequently large and comprise a number of columns in which are to be made. entries so similar in their nature that frequently an entry is made in the wrong column. This is especially likely to happen if the entry is made on or near the bottom of a ledger sheet so long that its upper end carrying the headings bends back out of sight when in the writing machine. Besides this, even on ledger and similar sheets used in ordinary business there are often columns for posting various kinds of items which may be confused. A new typist requires careful instruction if she is unaccustomed-to the particular system of entries to be used.

According to the present .invention the typists work in bookkeeping may be greatly simplified by providing the typewriter lor other computing machine with devices for indicating the nature of the heading of each column upon the ledger or other work sheets. Where an Underwood standard bookkeeping machine is used these devices may be in the form of a posting scale adjacent the usual letter feed scale. This posting scale may comprise lettering corresponding to the meaning of the headings of the ledger columns or may comprise symbols such as colors forv certain columnscorresponding to similar symbols or colors upon the posting medium from which the entries are taken. Where entries taken from posting mediums of more than one sort are to be posted in a' given column, these posting mediums may be of different colors, and a stripe of each color may appear upon the posting scale.- This -enables an absolutely greenf typist bookkeeper to be put to work on almost any system of books, no matter how complicated,

with the assurance that after a few minutes instruction she can handle the entries rapidly and accurately. If desired the posting scale may include at each column a number or other symbol to indicate which of several registers is to be used in computing that column.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

1n the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic fragmentary View of an Underwood standard bookkeeping machine, viewed from a point in front of and slightly above the machine, many parts being omitted or broken away to show how the present invention is adapted to be used.

Figure 2 is a View of the scale, substantially full size and illustrating details omitted from Figure 1 for clearness.

A ledger sheet 1 is passed down over the usual rear paper table 2 of an Underwood standard bookkeeping machine and around beneath the platen (not shown) so that it comes up past the printing point centrally located in the cardv guide 3, and of which the level is indicated by the usual wing scales 4. The paper table 2 forms part of a carriage which also includes a pointer, 5, and other parts (broken away for the sake of clearness). The carriage travels on rails in a frame 6, and its position upon the frame is shown upon the usual letter space scale 7 by the pointer 5, said scale being adjustably fastened upon the front bar 8 by end screws 9 and center screws 10.

To enable computations to be effected the usual numeral keys (not shown) are adapted to set up digits upon rack bars (not shown) so that the digits are adapted to be carried into the computing wheels (not shown) by the usual connections (one form ofwhich is disclosed in thepatent to .Hart #1,190,171, dated July 4, 1916). 1n order that the numbers typed in different columns upon the sheet 1 may be computed upon the computing wheels of any desired one of the three registers, there are provided the three casings 11, 12, 13, containing respectively the denominational jacksfor the registers numbered as usual 1, II, and III. For convenience the casings 11, 12, and 13 are shown as numbered to correspond. r1`he denomination selecting is effected by dogs (not shown) but illustrated in one form in said Hart patent.

the accuracy of the copying.

To enable the computing devices to either' add or subtract there may be provided many of the 'connections shown in the patent to Minton 1,280,065, dated Sept. 24, 1018, but not shown herein, One form of the usual indicator is shown at 14 to indicate whether adding or subtracting is being effected.

The ledger sheet 1 when inserted is gauged by suitable gauges, one being diagrammatically illustrated at 15 upon the paper table 2. The ledger sheet here illustrated as being used is a stock ledger sheet, adapted to keep track of the stock of a iven article (viz a rod) and its cost, for tie benefit of the purchasing agentl and others who may be interested. Such a form of sheet usually has rinted on it a heading including the wor s Article, Descriptiom Symboh Maximum, Minimum, No., and other desired data, to enable the details for different sheets to be rapidly filled out in the proper positions and to enable them to be rapidly identified. The sheet shown had the first entry thereon made June 30, when it was dated in column 16, and Vthe total, 25 rods 011 hand, and the unit price 1.25, were entered respectively in subcolumns 17 ,and 18 of column 19. This gave a total available of 25 copied into column 20. The total on hand was added in a double register while being written, and after being subtracted out in column 20 the star key was actuated to prove The value on hand was entered in column 22 as $31.7 5.

Later the same day 50 rods were ordered. After typing the date in column 16, the typist typed the number50 in column 23, adding it at the same time into register #1. The previous records (not shown) disclose that there were 25 still ordered and undelivered. This 25 was typed in column 24 and added into the same register. The total shown this register was then subtracted out by being typed in column 25 and the star printed to prove the accuracy of the copying. The order number was typed in column 26-usually this is typed when the entry is dated.

In order to enable these entries to be made rapidly and accurately in the correct columns, the machine may be provided with a suitable form of the well known Underwood decimal tabulator mechanism (not shown), and the upturned surface 27 of the front bar 8 may be provided with a scale plate 28 ruled in columns corresponding to the headings upon the ledger sheet 1, and if desired lettered to correspond. It will be remembered that the scale plate 7 is numbered reversely to the travel of the typewriter carriage, and the scale plate 28 is accordingly the reverse (reflection) of the heading of the ledger sheet. To make the division into columns clearer, the quantity ordered column 29 of the scale plate 28 may be colored green as shown in Figure 2, with the result that in standing over it, the pointer 5 mints to green. 'lhe Total last and "Total still duc columns 30 and 31 upon the scale plate 28 are also shown as colored green and are likewise covered by the pointer 5 when typing is being donc in the corresponding columns 24 and 25 of the sheet 1.

Since the scale 28 is colored green at the column 29, the entries in that column are advantageously taken from acorrespondingly colored Posting medium. Such might be a carbon copy of the order upon a green sheet, or a sheet having a green heading printed thereupon, or from a sheet in which the typed characters appear in green'. The green of columns 30 and 31 informs the typist that those are the columns in which the entries originally made in column 29 are to be further computed. The Total last column 24 on the sheet 1 is what is often called a pick up column, because when typing in this column the previous total is added into the register to enable the register to compute and display the total still due to be typed in column 25.

The next entry on sheet 1 was on the same order number, entered in column 26, and

dated July 2 in column 26. The illustratedI scale is shown as blue at the column where the column 32 to which the pointer 5 is to be brought to enable the quantity received, viz.

25, to be typed in the proper column 33 of the sheet 1. This was subtracted from the proper register, while being typed, and the sheet or posting medium from which the item is copied was advantageously blue, or written or printed with blue ink, thus avoiding all likelihood of confusion. Then the pointer 5 was brought to column 30 to deduct the quantity received from that on order.. First there was typed on'the corre sponding column 24 the 75 still due shown in column 25 adding this to the register. Then the pointer 5 was brought to column 31 and the total 50 shown in the register was typed in the corresponding column 25 subtracting it from the register, and the provin star printed.

The 25 received were also added to another register when typed in, and this remained unchanged so far, and is utilized to compute the total on hand. For this purpose the pointer 5 was brought to column 34, the last total 25 in the Total last-on hand column was typed in the corresponding column 35 and added to the 25 already in the register. The total 50 shown therein was then typed in column 17, by bringing the pointer 5 to the column 36, subtracting it from the register, then the proving star was printed. The order also called for the quantity, 25, to be reserved and this was entered by bringing the pointer to column 38 aud typing it in the corresponding column 37, the machine being then cleared 1n any suitable manner and the. star indicating clearance printed. The order number was entered at this time in column 4 0, but the other entries in this line were made ata later time. being concerned with price and value. lt will be observed that for each column in which entries are made and computed from a blue posting medium as well as from a post-ing medium ot' another color, there is a blue stripe in the scale in addition to a stripe of the other color. rl`he item of 50 received on July 5 is handled so similarly to the July 2 item, that it will not be described except to point out that the 50 received were divided between reserved column 37 and available column 20, with the result that the proving star could not beY printed in column 37. The star was, however. printed in column 20 after the pointer 5 had been brought to column 41 and the last total had been picked up while being typed in the corresponding column 42. It will be observed thatall the columns on the scale 28 corresponding to the ledger columns used at this time, comprise a blue stripe.

0n July 6 on the same order number there was delivered a quantity of 35, advantageously noted on a red memorandum, to correspond with a red division 43 on scale 28 to which the pointer 5 was placed at this time so that the item was typed in column 44 and at the same time subtracted from the appropriate register after entering the date and order number. Then the pointer was brought to column 34 which also comprises a red stripe, the last total typed in the corresponding column 19 and added in .the register, thus obtaining the to be typed and proved in column 17. This 35 was deducted from the reserved column 37 and the result proved by the star.

The last entry in columns 37 and 39 is a transfer to reserve from available in a manner apparently too obvious to require describing.

In addition to the quantity data kept track of in the columns above described, there are provided columns upon the sheet 1 and corresponding columns upon the scale 28 to enable the cost or inventory value of the stock onhand to be easily kept track of. These columns as has been intimated, are usually filled out after one or more sets of quantity-entries have been completed.

To make the irst of these cost entries, the pointer 5 was brought to the Value on hand now column 46 which is herein shown as colored violet, and the amount $31.25 already mentally computed from columns 17 and 18 was entered. Then the amount $31.25 computed from the entries in columns 33 and 48 corresponding to the date, July 2, was typed in Value received column" 49, the carriage being positioned by bringing the pointer 5 to the corresponding` violet column 5() of the scale 28. Then the pointer 5 was brought to violet column 5l o1 the scale 28, the previous balance $31.25 copied from column 22. and then after repositioning the pointer 5 at column 46 the total of these two (which in the meantime had been automatically addedA in register #11) was typed in c'olumn 22, while being subtracted out of the register and the proving star printed. 1t is believed to be unnecessary toigo through the other entries in detail. since they are analogous to those described already.

lf desired, as an aid to setting up the usual selector dogs (not shown) each column on the scale 28 may have noted therein the number of the register in which the entries in that column are to be computed, thus indicating the entries connected with the various computations. To avoid confusion with reference numerals, these register numbers are shown only in the green columns 29, 3() and 31, and in the violet columns. The columns 52 and 53 for the order number and the date; are shown as black, with white lettering. 1t has been found in actual use that the lettering in the green,

blue, red and violet columns is advanta geously white on the colored background.

The scale 28 is conveniently made like the scale 7 with a thin metal backing having turned over edges 54 under which the printed and colored paper is held. The paper may be varnished or protected by a transparent, preferably flexible cover. The scale 28 may be held by the screws 9, its backing having projecting ears 55 with elongated openings through which the screws may pass.

While certain features of the improved system and scale and their usesliave been described in considerable detail, this has been done to enable those skilledl in the art to appreciate some of the utilities of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. A scale for use in positioning a typewriter vcarriage for posting in various columns on a ledger-sheet, comprising variously colored sections adapted to correspond with posting mediums of like colors to indicate the column in which posting from each medium is to be efected.

2. A scale for use in a writing machine in connection with postingin various columns on a ledger-sheet, comprising a succession of variously colored sections oflengths corresponding to the widths of the corresponding columns on the ledger-sheet, to indicate where items should be written when copied from correspondingly colored posting mediums.

3. A scale for use in positioning a typewriter Vcarriage for posting in various columns on a ledger-sheet, comprising arbitrary syinbols therealong adapted to indicate where items on posting mediums bearing corresponding symbols should be written, and indications positioned to indicate columns, the entries in which are computed together. i

4. The combination with a scale adapted to co-operate with a pointer to indicate letter spaces for a travelling typewriter cai'- riage, of a scale comprising variously colored sections to enable said pointer to be utilized to position the carriage to bring the pointer to a colored section corresponding to the color of the medium from which items 4are to be copied upon the typewriter.

5. Ascale adapted to indicate columnar positions for a typewriter carriage assumed for posting, comprising variously colored sections along said scale to indicate the columns in which iternson posting mediums bearing corresponding colors should be written, one section comprising two colors, one color in one stripe and another color in another stripe.

6. A scale adapted to serve as a guide in posting from colored posting mediums comprising a green section, a red section, a blue section, a section of a fourth color, and sections comp-rising stripes of two of the colors.

7. The combination with a letter space scale, of a section of one color set along one section, a section of another color set along another section, and a section comprising stripes of said two colors along a third section.

8. In combination, a' carriage, a letterspace scale for indicating the position of said carriage, and a scale marked off in columns to show the headings of an entry sheet in the carriage and also comprising indications to show which of the entries in different columns are'to be computed together.

9. In combination, a carriage, a fixed front bar, a pointer upon the carriage, a scale upon said front bar adapted to indicate letter spaces, and a colored surface also upon said front bar arranged in columns adapted to indicate by the color whatv posting medium is to be posted at each position of the pointer. t

10. In combination, a carriage, a pointer upon the carriage, and colored sections relatively to which the pointer moves, said sections being adapted to indicate by their color the nat-ure of the posting to be effected in any column, and certain of said sections having indications thereon to show the columns, the entries in which are to be coinputed together.

11. In combination, a carriage, a pointer upon the carriage, and sections relatively to the results of such computations.

13. A scale for use in posting on a ledgersheet entries from work-sheets relatin to different items and having characteristic colors, comprising columnar sections corresponding to the diferent columns on the ledger-sheet, certain of said sections having single colors to indicate that ent-ries in each of the corresponding columns are to be made therein from a Worksheet of the same color as the corresponding section, and other sections having two colors to show that the entries in the correspogding columns depend upon the entries in more than one of the columns identified by the colored sections with the colored work-sheets.

14. A scale for use in posting on a ledgersheet from work-sheets relating to different items and having characteristic indications thereon, comprising sections corresponding to the different columns on the ledger-sheet, certain of said sections having indications corresponding to indications on single worksheets to show that entries in a column corresponding to a single indication are to be made from Work-sheets having the same indication, and other sections having a plurality of indications thereon to" identify the corresponding columns with worksheets, each having one of said plurality of indications to show that the entries therein depend upon the entries in more than one of the columns corresponding to separate worksheets.

15. A scale for use in posting ona ledgersheet from work-sheets relating to different items and having characteristic indications thereon, comprising sections corresponding to the different columns on the ledger-sheet, certain of said sections'having indications corresponding to the indications on single work-sheets to show that entries in a column corresponding to a single indication are to be made from work-sheets having the same indication, sections having a plurality of indications thereon to identify the corresponding columns with work-sheets each having one of said plurality of indications to show that the entries therein depend upon the entries in more than one of the columns corresponding to separate work-sheets, and

other sections having indications di'erent from any of thoseon the Work-sheets to indicate that the entries in the corresponding columns are obtained in a diferent manner from those in the other columns.

16. In a typewriting machine, in combination,.a traveling carriage, and means to assist in positioning the same comprising a scale divided into sections corresponding to columns of a ledger-sheet on which postlngs are to be made, said scale enabling the co1- umns of the ledger-sheet to be identified adjacent the writing line Withoutr reference to the column indications at the heading of the ledger-sheet.

17. In a typewritingmachine, in combination, a traveling carriage, and means to assist in positioning the same comprising a scale divided into sections corresponding to columns of a ledger-sheet on which postings are to be made, said scale enabling the col- `umns of the ledger-sheet to be identifiedadjacent the writing line Without reference to the colunm indications at the heading of the ledger-sheet, and having indications on certain of said sections to identify, by corresponding marks on Work-sheets, the Worksheets from which entries are to be made in the corresponding ledIger-sheet columns.

WEN ELL P. KEENE.

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