US1750565A - Zero key mechanism for key set registers - Google Patents

Description

Mc'd' EL 1&3@ E. gt BRT-BEN, JR. ZERO KEY MECHANISM FOR KEY SET REGISTERS" Filed Sept. 22, 1925 4 Sheecs-Sheei l v @EGE l i V Y l n ,lr/T7 E m @ETE W@ M9 930, E. F. WETTEN, JR

ZERO KEY MECHANISM FOR KEY SET REGISTER Filed Sepi. :il Sheets-Sheet 2 w m M@ n, M w ,6m ww MJ 4 vQ Marh 11, 1930 E F, BR1TTEN, .J R 1,750,565

ZERO KEY MECHANISM FOR KEY SET REGISTERS Filed sept. 22. 1925 4 sheets-sheet 5 March 11 1930., E. F, BRlTTE-N, JR 15,759,565

, ZERO KEY MEGHANISM FOR KEY SET REGISTERS Filed Sept. 22.v 1925 l Sheets-Shf-:el 4

dnn/117A Patented Mar. 1v1, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN F. BRITTEN, JR., OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE -AS- SIGNMENTS, TO MONROE CALCULATING MACHINE COMPANY; 0F ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ZERO-KEY MECHANISM FOR KEY-SET R-EGrISTlEllx'fS Application led September The invention has relation to Zero key mechanism for key-set registers, such for instance as the calculating machine disclosed in the Monroe Patent 1,306,606; the Britten Patent 1,474,230, and the Phinney Patent 1,432,616. While this invention is shown as applied to the Monroe calculating machine,

its use is not confined to this reversible cycle the column which if depressed will release the column lock, for restoration of any depressed key of the column to normal position. In machines of this type it has been'cust'omary to provide repeat and'non-repeat .key mechanism similar to that shown in said Monroe and Phinney patents, which for nonrepeat operations operates in such a manner that if an item is set up in the keyboard and the machine is operated once, as in addition or subtraction, all of the column locks will be released and the l to 9 keys simulta neously automatically restored .to their normal elevated position. For purpose of making multiplication and division calculations, however, it is desirable to operate the machine several times without changing the key setting, and therefore the repeat key mechanism provides that the column locks l will remain undisturbed and depressed keys of the keyboard will remain .depressed through any number of cycles of operation, until suitable releasing mechanism is manually operated for return of depressed keys to normal position.

In performing additions and subtractions by the non-repeat method there has been the objection that as soon as the-key valuehas been registered the keys are returned to normal position, andthe key value being-added into and merged with the previous numeral Wheel reading, the operator had no means of checking back to determine whether or not the correct keys had been depressed. If,

22, 1925. Serial N0. 57,868.

however, additions and subtractions are performed by the repeat method, the keys which have been depressed `remain depressed after the registration has been made, and the operator may, by glancing at them, determine whether or not the correct key value has been registered. If an error has been made, a reverse rotation of the operating crank (or the equivalent manipulation) will cancel the registration, after which the keyboard setting ,may be corrected and the correct value reglstered. This method of operation with the `repeat key set has been brought into quite general use within recent years, and has been termed locked igure addition. By using this system it is possible to perform additions, subtractions,multiplications and divisions without setting for repeat or nonr'epeat operation.

Anobject of the present invention is to provide mechanism whereby the operation of locked figure addition may be accomplished by an improved method. Other objects and advantages will hereafter` appear.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts, as set forth in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the invention:

` Figure 1 is a plan view of a calculating machine to which the invention isshown as applied.

Figure 2 is a section, taken on the line 2-2,'

Figure 1. v Figure 2a is a detail face view of a l key; cooperating parts appearing in section.

Figure 3 is a detail front view of a portion of the keyboard, with parts of the lcasing removed and parts in section, the keys being in normal' position, with -diiierent keys depressed in two adjacent columns.

Figure 4 is a detail front view of the clear and oneofthe zero keys and associated parts, with the clear key in depressed position, assumed during operation thereof.

Figure 5 isa side view of the same.

Figure 6 is a detail side view of the repeat and non-repeat mechanism, with the non-repeat key depressed.

Figure 7 is a detail face view of the nonrepeat key.

Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the mechanism ofFigure 6, but with the parts positioned by the depression of the repeat kev.

The keg/board In these drawings the keys representing the digits 1 to 9 are designated by the nu'- meral 1. more columns, represent-ingvalues which are to be registered, the operating crank 3 is rotated once forwardly if itis desired to add the key value, and once reversely in subtracting. The rotation of the operating-crank causes the key values to be registered upon the register wheels 13, which will accumulate the total. The carriage 2 in which register wheels 13 are mounted may be shifted transversely by use of the knob 16, in order that key Values may be registered in the higher or lower value register wheels as required. Counting wheels 17 are provided 'which will register the number of forward or reverse rotations of the operating crank 3, thereby registering the multiplier in multiplication or the quotient in division. rThe register wheels and the counting wheels may be restored to zero by operation of the zeroizing crank 7 The constructional details providing these general operative features are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention. l

In carrying out the present invention the column correction' keys become zero keys (one -zero key for each'denominational column),

and are so marked upon the heads thereof, similar to the marking of the other keys.

Each column of keys of the machine is provided witha key locking bar 4, shown in Figures 2 to 4. This bar is pivoted at its ends upon pins 5 and is actuated by spring 6 to engage with notches of the key stems, each digital keyl stem having upper and lower notches 11 and 8 (see Fig. 2a). The lock bar normally engages the lower notches of the key stems, and engages the upper notches of said stems to hold the keys in set position, the lower'notches having each a cam edge 10 acting in the depression of any key to cam the lock bar outwardly to release any other depressed key of the related column, each key having a return spring 9, all as stated in detail in said patents.

The zero key of each denominational column is provided with upper and lower notches'23 and 24, (see Figs. 3 and 4) and is adapted to be locked in a partially depressed position by the aforesaid lock bar 4 of the related column engaging the upper notch 23 thereof. For reasons which willv be explained each notch may be provided with a cam upper edge 25, so that the lock bar 4 will be cammed outwardly to release position twice during the complete depression of a zero key. The

After keys have been set in one or upper notch 23 is engaged by lock bar 4 to hold the zero key in partially depressed position, as in Figure 3, while the lowerl notch 24 has the same oce yprecisely as the lower notch 8 of keys 1.

It is thus apparent that if an operator depresses a zero key, any other key in the related column will be released and restored to normal position, and the zero key will be held partially depressed, with the lock bar 4 engaging the upper notch thereof, but capable of the vzero keys simultaneously to the full eX- tent of their strokes. AThis means consists of universal bar 27 having an upper flange 28 under which engage the lower lugs 32 of the Zero keys, each Zero key having its lower end bent to form such lug, and said universal bar having an end extension 33 engaged by a shoulder 36 of said clear key. Spring means are provided to normally hold universal bar 27 and clear key 22 in elevated'position. In this way all depressed keys of the keyboard higher than the zero keys will be released and restored to normal raised position, and all of the zero keys will be held in partially ,depressedposition following release of the clear key.

It is desirable, if by improper operation a zero key and any higher key 1 to 9 should be both locke-d down simultaneously by lock bar 4, that depressioniof the said zero key oreof the clear key shall operate said lock bar and release said Vhigher key 1l to 9, and 'that the zero key shall be held in partially depressed position, and it is for t-hisreason that the upper notch 23 of the zero key may be provided with the upper cam edge 25, acting in the movement ofthe zero key from partially ydepressed to completely depressed position to move said lock bar outwardly to release position. Upon release of the zero key from completely depressed position it will be restored to partially depressed position by its return spring, whereuponthe lock bar 4 will engage notch 23 to hold the key partially depressed. This extra movement .of the Zero key from partially ydepressed to fully depressed position therefore admits of the res- Selective clearing operations Should no erroneous setting of a zero and a 1 to 9 key be present, a partial depression of the clear key will`be suiiicient to clear the keyboard. By this method of operation, the lock bars in columns wherein no key 1 to 9 is in depressed position, and the zero keys in such columns, need be operated only suiiciently to provide for clearance between' the walls of notches 23 of the zero keys being depressed andthe corresponding lock bars 4.

Thus the clear key will be relieved of theload encountered in moving 'the lock bars and 25 Zero keys in columns needing no clearing.

The Zero and clear key combination dis-.

closed hereinalso provides` for the splitting of the keyboard between any columns desired,^so that keys in the selected columns may be rendered irresponsive to release by an operative movement of the clear key.

In columns whereinp'ermanent setting is desired, a value key is depressed while the zero key is held with notch 23 thereof opposite bail 4. Preferably,all the zero keys are held in this position by means of the clear key, while value keys in the selected columns are being set. Uponvrelease of the Zero keys, they will remain depressed, notwithstanding that value keys are also held down in the same columns. Selective operation of the clear key, as above explained, will not release value keys set in this manner, since the zero keys are already depressed, while it will, `of course, release all value keys yset in the usual way.

When it is desired to clear the entire keyboard, the zero keys may be individually or selectively depressed to the full extent of their stroke; other value keys may be depressed, or other clearing means employed.

In the construction illustrated herein, the above described selective clearing operations are facilitated by the added spring tensionv encountered by the clear key after the Zero keys have been depressed to locking'position, since a light manual stroke may readily be checked at this point.

All of the above operations relate -to locked figure addition, the method of operation above mentioned.

Although termed locked figure addition, the system is generally used alsofor subtraction, and corresponds to the system'used for multiplication and division calculations.

Repeat and noa-repeat key mechanism Inl this invention the functioning of the clear key is entirely independent of the mechanism for restoring the depressed keys of all columns to normal position at the end of the stroke of the operating crank, said mechanism including the repeat and non-re# peat keys and being used ,only optionally, I

since it is not essential to the performance of any mathematical calculation.' It may further be used to clear the entire keyboard, if-

certain value keys have been rendered irresponsive to release by an operative movement of the cleary key.

rhe repeat and non-repeat key mechanism of the said Phinney Patent 1,432,616, has been modified somewhat to provide for its proper operation in conjunction with the clear key and zero key mechanism of this machine Figures, -7 and 8 show these modifications sufficiently.

rlhe operating crank 3 is secured to driving gear 19, carrying pin 29 (Figs. 6 and 8). Cam 18 is loosely mounted on the same axis" as gear 19, and is driven by 'pin 29, there being lost motion of said pin between the opposite sides of the cam as the direction of rotation of-crank 3 is reversed, thereby Gaus;

- the. cam to lag and to function at the proper time, in either direction of rotation. Cam 18 operates lever 14, fulcrumed at 15 and having its movement limited by stop 37, working in slot 39 of said lever. Bell lever 21, fulcrumed at 40 (see Fig. 8), is engaged by lever 14 and engages slide 12, to thereby operate rock bars 4 (see Fig. 3) andrelease all keys of the keyboard, from O to 9. Slide 12 is operated only `for non-repeatiregistrations. The character of the operation is selectively controlled by moving the lever 14 into or out of the path of cam 18, the lever 14 being slidable transversely of its plane Jvith its fulcrum stud 15 and slidably adjusted by operation of key 20, which has a cam slot 30 engaged bythe tail arm 35 of said lever, the cam edges of said slot causing the shifting of lever 14 toward the right or the left for non-repeat or 'repeat operations whenever key-2O is depressed or raised. Key 2O being depressed, the upper end of'cam slot 30 will hold lever v14 in its operative position, as shifted tothe right, andl said key being r'aised, as in Figure `8, the lower end of said cam slot will hold lever 14 in its inoperative position, as shifted to the left.

Talking beam lever 34 is fulcrumed on s tud 41 and engages at one end a slot in key 20 and at its other end a similar slot in a key 3 1, working in conjunction with key 2Ol Spring pawl 38 serves to releasably hold lever 34 in either position taken in the operation of key 20 or key 31, and lever 34 connects said keys so that either one or the other key Awill be depressed at all times, and the depression of one key Will cause the other key to rise.v Thus when key 81 is depressed, repeated rotations of operating crank 3 may be made WithoutI releasing any of the keys to 9 of the keyboard, but when key 2O is depressed, all depressed keys of the keyboard will be released and will be restored to normal position Whenever operating crank 3 is rotated once in either direction. This repeat and nonrepeat key mechanism is the same as that of said Phinney patent, except thatthe lever 14 is now independent of the clear key, instead of being operated thereby.

Operation V lVhen the mechanism is set for non-repeat operations the action of the machine is the same as in said Phinney patent, excepting that if a Zero key is depressed to make a correction it will so remain until the operating crank 3 is rotated once or until another key in the same column is depressed; and if the clear-key 22 is depressed to make the correction, all zero keys will be depressed and locked in partially depressed position.

lVhen the machine isoperated by the -repeat key method, with repeat key 31 depressed, the clear key 22 is the only means for releasing all of the keys l to 9 inclusive of the keyboard, and upon operation of the clear key the zero keys Willbe' or will remain depressed. If any key from 0 to 9 of a given column is depressed it will release any other key or keys of the column which has been depressed, and the new key s'etting Will remain through any 'number of cycles of operation of the operating crank 8, until altered by depression 'of another key of the same column or of theclear key.

lVith this method of operation, one key in every column Will be depressed at all times,

. this enabling an operator to determine by glancing at the zero keys Whether or not values from 1 to 9 are set up in any column, Without lookingat all of the keys of the columns.

It frequently occurs that successive key settings involved repeated depression of a. key in certain columns and not in others.v For example, one item to be registered may be $44.25 and the next item $44.75, in which case the operator needs merely depress the 70 key, in place of the previously depressed 20g/ key. In this example the operation of three keys is avoided through the use of the locked figure addition system. Onvthe other hand, by this system it becomes necessary to depress zero keys `or vthe clear key in order to obtain a properkey setting under certain conditions. For example, if $5.55 has been added, and the next item is $5.00, the- 559% keys should be released by depressingthe Zero keys of these columns. Through using the locked figure addition7 system, the operation of the repeat and non-repeat keys as the operator changes from multiplication to addition, or from one calculation to another of opposite nature, may be eliminated. This again has a tendency to simplify the Work, and prevents error through failure to properly set the machine before starting a calculation, only toiind after some work has been done that the machine was improperly set and the operation must be' started over again. In some cases it is preferable for thel operator to strike the clear key between items added and make anentirely new keyboard setting, and in other cases it Would be easier to revise the old setting by depressing the proper Zero and 1 to 9 keys.

-taining more accuracy and speed in the operation of the machine.

The utility of the split keyboard involves series of operations containing both variable and constant factors, and may be illustrated by an 'example involving a constant divisor. Heretofore, after the first d ivision had been accomplished, the divisor was cleared from the keyboard, so that anew dividend could be set up and transferred to the numeral xvheels. y

By the use of the present invention, the operationin dividing 4276v and 5478 by 1728 (as an example which may be supposed to be extended indefinitely by the inclusion of other dividends) would be accomplished as follows: l

lVith the carriage 2 shifted to the extreme left and with the vzero keys held in their locked-down position, set up the divisor, 1728, at the right of the keyboard. Set up the first dividend, 4276, at the left of the keyboard, in the usual Way, Without holding the Zero keys. Rotate the crank?, forwardly for one turn, whereupon the dividend and the divisor will appear upon the numeral Wheels 13 and the numeral l upon the Wheels 17. The clear key is now partially depressed, thereby clearing the dividend 4267 from the keyboard lbut leaving the divisor 1728 set up. Rotate the crank 3 reversely for one turn, to remove the number 1 from the Wheel 17'; this operation also removing the divisor from the wheels 13. Shift the carriage to the right until the dividend in Wheels 13 is directly over the divisor on the keyboard, and operate the crank 3 and carriage shifting knob 16, to

les v accomplish the division in the Well-known A manner. At the completion of the operation,

' lating machines, including a plurality of co1- umns of digital value and zero keys, holding means for each column, said keys being each `adapted -When depressed to be so held by the related holding means and each further adapted upon depression to move the related holding means and release any set key of the same column, and means including a member common to the zero keys for depressing all zero keys.

2. Selecting mechanism for key-set calculating machines, including a plurality of columns of digital .value and other keys, a holding member common to each column, said keys being each adapted When depressed to be so held by the related member and each further adapted u-pon depression to move the related member and release any'set key ofthe same column, said other keys being each When set further movable and adapted thereupon to move the related member and release any set digital key of the same column.

3. Selecting-mechanism for key-set calculating machines, including a plurality of columns of digital value keys, a holding meinber for each column, said keys being each adapted when depressed to be so held by the related holding member and each further adaptedupon depression to move the related holding member and release any set key of the same column, and clearing means including" a vmember manually `operable to select and move the holding members of columns Wherein digital value keys are set and to release said keys.

4. In a. key-set calculating machine having a' plurality of banks of depressible value keys. and means for holding the keys of each bank in depressed position; universal clearing means operative to release the depressed keys from their holding means and including a clear key and means selectively manipulable to render the depressed value .keys in any of said banks irresponsive to an operative movement of said clear key.

5. In a key-set calculating machine havy 'ing a plurality of banks of depressible value keys, andmeans for holding the keys of each bank in depressed position; universal clearing means operative to release the depressed keys from their holding means and including a clear keyand keys individual to the banks and depressible simultaneously With value keys in the same banks to render the latter keys irresponsive to an operative movement of said clear key.

6. In a key-set calculating machine having a plurality of banks of depressible value keys, and means for holding the keys of each bank in depressed position; universal clearing means including a member operable to release the depressed keys in any selected portion of the keyboard, and a second universal clearing means operable invariably to clear the entire keyboard. A

7. In a key-set calculating machine having a plurality of banks of depressible value keys, and means for holding the keys of each bank in depressed position; universal clearing means including a member operable to re-A lease the depressed keys in any selected portion of the keyboard and including keys individual to the banks and operable at any time to release the keys in the same banks.

In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature.

nDWiN rqBRrrTEN, JR.

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