US2001367A

US2001367A - Tally roll mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2001367A
Application number: US564570A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert L Muller
Original assignee: Burroughs Adding Machine Co
Current assignee: Unisys Corp
Priority date: 1931-09-23
Filing date: 1931-09-23
Publication date: 1935-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 1952-05-14
Also published as: GB399019A; DE693155C; FR853082A; DE693135C; GB511120A

Description

May 14, 1935-A R. L- MULLER TALLY ROLL MEGHNISM Filed Sept. 23, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l l WL m m7 o Er, H Ve A WVU May 14, 1935. R. 1 MULLER TALLY ROLL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 23, 1931 3 Shee'cs-Shee1`v 2 .NME

, May 14, 1935. R. l., MULLER v TALLY ROLL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 25, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 4.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 14, 1935 PATENT oFFlcE lTALLY ROLL MECHAN'ISM Robert L. Muller, Detroit. Mich., signor to Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 23, 1931, Serial No. 564,570

20 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a tally roll mechanism particularly adapted for use on-calculating machines, typewriters, and the like.

Tally roll mechanisms are used to make a continuous record on a narrow strip of paper of a multitude of transactions that may be entered on separate sheets of paperthat are placed in a calculating machine from time to time. These mechanisms are usually not a part ofthe standard equipment of the machine but are in the nature of attachments. In some cases the tally strip is fed about the platen by means of the usual platen feed rolls. When the tally strip is fed in this manner, the tally roll mechanism must move with the paper carriage of the machine which is not altogether satisfactory. Furthermore, it is not always convenient to have the tally strip moved every time the platen feed rolls are actuated. In other cases, the tally strip is rewound on a reel which is actuated from some source to pull the tally strip from its supply roll past the printing line. When this sort of rewind mechanism is used to move the tally strip, the strip may be moved independently of the platen feed rolls, but the mechanism is generally complicated and rather bulky. Furthermore, it is sometimes desirable to tear oifportions of the tally strip in which event it is not desirable to have the strip rewound on a reel. The present invention is directed to a tally roll mechanism that will feed a tally strip independently of the platen feed rolls without necessitating the use of a rewind reel, thus enabling the tally strip to be torn otf from time to' time.

Inthe use of a tally roll mechanism of this character, it is generally necessary to move the tally strip in order that the last entry will be above the tear-off blade before the tally strip is torn. This can be accomplished by operating the tally strip feeding mechanism by hand but, in practice, rit has been found that the natural thing vfor an operator to do is to 'grasp the tally strip itself and endeavor to pull it upwardly 5 to the proper position for tearing it oft. This frequently results inV tearing the tally strip at the wrong place, jamming the feeding mecha- 1 nism, or `jamming the guide chutefor the strip.

The present inventionk is directed to a solution of 0 this difnculty,

The main object of ythe invention is to prol the same time, will automatically feed it as the calculating machine is operated.

A further object is to provide a tally strip feeding mechanism that will enable a tally strip to be fed into a machine from the rear and passed forwardly under the paper carriage to the front -of the platen and fed automatically to .the platen, with most of the mechanism out of sight within the calculating machine casing.

Other and more specic objects of the inven- 10 tion will appear in the following specification and drawings.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partial right side elevation of a 15 calculating machine with the invention applied thereto, some of the parts being cut away to show others more clearly.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective of a machine with the invention applied thereto, the paper carriage of the machine being removed to show the tally roll mechanism more clearly, and the vparts being in normal condition.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective of .the tally roll mechanism with the parts in condition for feeding a tally strip manually.

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the tally roll mechanism in normal position, some of the parts being cut away to show othersomore clearly.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a 30 portion of the mechanism used to control the tally roll feed.

The invention is shown applied to a calculatingmachine that is known as the Class 4 Burroughs machine. Inasmuch as this machine has been on the market for a long time, and is well known in the art, it will be described only very briefly.

Calculating machine The machine is provided with the usual de-v pressible amount'keys rIll having stems Il. When one of these keys is depressed the lower' end of its stem is positioned in the path of a corresponding lug kI3 on a slidable stop bar Il, 45 said barbeing urged forwardly or to the left. in Fig. 1, bya spring l5. 'The 'rear end of stop bar I4 isconnected to one arm I6 of a bell crank lever pivoted at I'l.v The other arm.

IB of this bell crank lever forms a curved type 50 bar carrying movable types'l, forming a part of the printing mechanism with which the machine is equipped. Suitable hammers 20 are also provided to strike the type at the vappropriate time. 55

Mounted at the rear of the machine is a laterally movable paper carriage C traveling on rails 2| under the control of an escapement mechanism, not shown. This carriage supports a platen P with which feed rolls 22 are associated. Suitable line spacing mechanism is provided for the platen, such mechanism not being illustrated in the present case but being of the same type as shown in United States patent to Gardner No. 960,634. A ribbon mechanism is also provided, such mechanism including two spools 23 and 24 (Fig. 2) having two stretches of

ink ribbon

25 and 26 between the spools so that two original copies may be made, one on a tally strip 21 and the other on the different sheets of paper 28 that may be inserted in the machine.

A main drive shaft 30 operates the machine, said shaft being first rocked counterclockwise by a handle 3| to give the machine a forward stroke and then returned clockwise to give the machine a return stroke. Fixed to the shaft 30 is a crank 32 connected by a link 33 to a full stroke sector 34 fixed to a shaft 35 at the rear of the machine.

In operation, the handle 3| is pulled forward and then released. As the main shaft 30 rocks counterclockwise during the forward stroke, it pulls the link 33 forward which rocks the full stroke sector 34 and shaft 35 counterclockwise. During the counterclockwise movement of these parts the stop bars |4 are released for forward movement and the type bars are differentially positioned. Near the end of the forward stroke the printing mechanism is operated to cause the hammers 2D to strike the differentially positioned type to print the amount that has been indexed.

During the return stroke of the machine the stop bars I4 and the type bars are restored to normal, the carriage escapement may be operated to move the carriage laterally and the line space mechanism is actuated to line space the platen.

Tally strip guide and support The tally strip paper is generally supplied in the form of a roll. In the invention herein disclosed this roll is mounted on a suitable support 4| at the rear of the machine. The tally strip 21 is led from this roll into a chute or guide 42 which is located inside the casing of the machine and which guides the strip under the paper carriage to a point in front of the lower side of the platen. The strip is then passed upwardly between the printing mechanism and platen and, where a double ink ribbon is used, the strip mustl be passed between the two stretches of a

ribbon

25 and 26. The forward end of the strip as it emerges from chute 42 is normally inaccessible and, unless some special means is provided, it would be extremely diicult to get the paper to pass between the two stretches of ribbon. This means must not interfere with the operation of the printing mechanism or the other paper that is to be inserted about the platen. A novel guiderhas been provided which is located at one side of the printing area as shown in Fig. 3. It comprises two irregular shaped members 43 and 44 forming a unit attached to a frame member 45. These members have downwardly extending portions which diverge from one another to provide a mouth to receive the end of the tally strip. The members also have upward extensions which are positioned between the stretches of

ink ribbon

25 and 26. In order to get the best results the paper should be cut or torn diagonally as illustrated in Fig. 3 so that one corner of it will first be guided between the ribbons by the irregular shaped members 43 and 44 after which the rest of the strip will automatically move in the correct path. The paper can be easily torn diagonally by means of a tear-off blade 46 (Fig. 2) associated with the tally roll.

After the paper passes the stretches of ribbon, it passes upward behind a front tear-off plate 41 (Fig. 1) which enables the operator to tear off sections of the tally strip. Naturally, before tearing off any section of the strip, it must be moved upwardly so that the last printed item is above the tear-off plate.

An advantage of the above construction of tally strip guide and support is that the parts are almost wholly within the casing of the machine. Only the support for the tally roll is noticeable at the rear. Another advantage is that the strip is positioned in a chute which protects it from the dirt and oil and from interference from the paper carriage or any of the moving parts.

Tally strip feeding mechanism The tally strip feeding mechanism is normally operated automatically and independently of the platen and its feed rolls.

Referring to Fig. 3, two sets of tally strip feed rolls are provided, the lower set 50 being mounted on a shaft 5| that is journaled in the

frame plates

52 and 53 of the machine. The upper set of feed rolls 54 is carried by a shaft 55 whose ends are journaled in slots 56 in the

frame plates

52 and 53. The upper feed roll shaft 5a is urged downward to cause the upper set of feed rolls to grasp the tally strip between said rolls and the lower rolls by means of springs 51. The tally strip feed rolls are preferably knurled or roughened to provide good gripping engagement. l

The upper set of feed rolls 54 cooperates with the lower set to form a paper receiving throat which is normally in open throat position but which is automatically closed as will be hereinafter described.

The upper set of feed rolls 54 is normally held out of engagement with the tally strip and the lower rolls by means of a member 6|) in the form of a. bail pivoted to frame

plates

52 and 53 by pivot screws 6|. This bail has forward projections 62 positioned under the shaft 55 to engage and hold it upward against the tension of the springs 51.

The member 6|) is held in a position to hold the upper set of feed rolls in an inactive position by means of an abutment 63 (Fig. 3) engaging a lateral lug 6 4 on the left hand arm of the bail or member 60. The abutment is slidably mounted on a lateral lug 65l on a link 65, a spring 66 urging said abutment to the left in Figs. 2 and 3, and being stronger than both springs 51. The rear end of link 65 is connected to one arm 61 (Figs. 1 and 2) of a bell crank lever pivoted on shaft 68. The other arm 69 of this lever is connected by a link 10 to a crank 1| fixed to the shaft 35 that is rocked during each operation of the machine.

When the parts are in normal-position before the machine is operated, the abutment 63 holds the bail 60 in position so that the upper set of feed rolls 54 are separated from the lower to lopen the throat between them to thereby enable a tally strip to be easily inserted and freely moved relative to the feed rolls. I n other words, the operator can grasp the tally strip at any time and pull it upwardly without interference from the feeding mechanism.v As the machine is operated the shaft 35 is rocked counterclockwise which pulls the link 65 rearward. lThis pulls the-abutment 63 away from the lug 64 and releases the bail 60 whereupon the springs 51 move the shaft 55 downwardly to cause the upper feed rolls to grasp the tally strip for feeding. This closes the paper throat formed by the upper and lower feed rolls. This gripping action takes place during the forward stroke of the calculating machine, and, after' the feeding mechanism has thus been placed in active condition for feeding, the feed rolls are automatically rotated a predetermined amount to feed the strip, after which, and during the latter part of the return stroke, of operation ,of the `machine, the link 65 is returned forwardly whereupon the abutment 63 engages the lug 64 to rock the bail 60 clockwise, thereby lifting the feed rolls 54 to theirnormally inactive position.

The tally strip feeding mechanism is actuated to feed the tally strip by rotating the lower set of feed rolls by means of a gear A(Fig. 3) xed to the end of the shaft 5|. 'Ihis gear meshes with another gear 8| fixed to a shaft82 journaled in the frame plate 52 of the machine. The gear 8| has a tongue projecting into a slot in the shaft 82 as shown in Fig. 4, to insure rotation of the gear with the shaft, a screw stud extending through frame plate 52 and threaded into the end of shaft 82 locking shaft 82 and` gear 8l together.

Mounted on the shaft 82 is a ratchet wheel 83 with which cooperates a pawl 84 (Fig. 5) pivoted at 85 on a member 86 pivoted loosely on shaft 82. The pawl 84 is urged clockwise into engagement with the ratchet teeth by a spring 81. The pivoted member 86 is provided with a stud 88 positioned in a slot in the forward end of the link 65 (Fig. 1). A spring 88 connects the member 86 and the link 65 so as to urge the member 86 clockwise to position the stud 88 in the left hand end of the slot, but such positioning of the stud is normally prevented until the link 65 has started rearward during operation of vthe machine as will be presently described. y

As the link 65 moves rearward during the forward stroke of operation of the machine, the member 86 is picked up by the left hand end of the slot in link 65 and rocked counterclockwise, and the pawl 84 slides over a predetermined number of teeth of the ratchet wheel 83. During the return stroke of movement of the machine, when the link 65 moves forward again, the

pawl 84 engages the ratchet teeth and rotates the ratchet wheel 83 to rotate the shaft 82 to move the tally strip feeding rolls a predetermined distance.

As the link 65 moves forward to operate the tally strip feeding mechanism, the pivoted memtally strip feed rolls from being rotated as they are separated. 'I'hese rolls are separated during the latter part of the return stroke of operation of the machine by reason of the forward movement of the link 65 which causes the abutment 63 to strike lug 64 on bail 60. The parts are arranged so that movement of the bail does not occur until after pivoted member 86 has been arrested by projection 9|, after which the continued forward movement of link 65 separates the feed rolls, but they are not rotated while being separated.

It is to be noted that pawl 84 prevents backward rotation of the feed rolls but the tally strip may be moved backward by grasping and pulling it as it is normally free of the feeding mechanism:

Manual operation tally strip feeding mechanism It is sometimes desirable to operate the tally strip feeding mechanism by hand and provision has been made for enabling this to be done independently of the automatic operation of said mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be observed that a sleeve 92 is slidably mounted on the outer end of shaft 82, the sleeve carrying a knob B3 on its outer end which the operator may grasp to turn the shaft, said knob sometimes being called a twirlen The vshaft 82 carries a pin |32SL projecting into slots 94 in the sleeve 9,2, the connection being such that the sleeve can be moved longitudinally relative to the shaft but, whenever the sleeve is rotated, the shaft will be rotated. Mounted'on the inner end of the sleeve 82 is a bushing 85 having an annular groove that receives a stud 96 on one arm 91 ofl a bell crank lever pivoted at 98 to a bracket 99 on the machine frame. The other arm |00 of this bell' crank lever has a downwardly projecting portion |0| (Fig. 3) positioned behind the lateral lug 64 onthe arm of bail 60. This downwardly projecting portion |0| also has a lateral lug |02 positioned in front of a portion of the abutment 63. Y

If, with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. l, the knob 93 is pushed inwardly, the parts will be moved to the position of Fig. 3. Inward movement of the knob pushesthe sleeve 92 inward which rocks the bell crank lever 91-I00 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4. This pushes the abutment 63 backward against the tension of its spring 66 and frees the bail 60 so that the upper set of feed rolls 54 may move downward into engagement with the tally strip. By then rotating the knob 93 the feed rolls ymay then be rotated to feed the tally strip forward manually at will.

A pivoted detent |03 (Fig. 4) is provided having a V-shaped nose |04 adapted to engage notches |05 in the end of the bell crank arm 91 to hold the bell crank in the position to which it is moved, the detent being held in engagement with the end of thearm by a spring |06.

After the operator has manipulated the feeding mechanism by hand it is not necessary for him to pull the knob outwardly to disable the manual control because said manual control is automatically disabled during the next operation of the calculating machine.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be observed that the pivoted member 86 has an upward exrocked counterclockwise by the rearward movement of the link 65 during the forward stroke of the machine, lug H i strikes the curved edge H2 of arm 91 and rocks the bell crank lever 91-100 and sleeve 92 back to normal central position. The manual control is thus automatically disabled and the feeding mechanism is put under the control of the automatic mechanism which then proceeds to operate as already described. This is particularly advantageous in connection with introducing a tally strip into the machine. The operator can use the manual feed to get the strip to proper position and he does not need to manipulate anything to condition the feeding mechanism` for automatic operation. Errors due to forgetting to condition the feeding mechanism are thus avoided.

Disabling tally strip feeding mechanism It is sometimes desirable to disable the tally strip feeding mechanism entirely and provision has been made to accomplish this result by moving the knob outwardly instead of inwardly.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that if the knob 93 is pulled outwardly the bell crank lever ST-l will be moved counterclockwise from its central position. Projection IDI of this bell crank lever will then engage the lateral lug G4 on the arm of bail EB and move the bail clockwise if it is not already in this position. If the bail is already in its clockwise position, and it normally should be in this position, the projection IDI will move into engagement with the lug 64 to hold the bail in its clockwise position. With the parts held in this position, the upper set of feed rolls 54 will not move downward into engagement with the tally strip even though the abutment 63 is moved during operation of the calculating machine to release the bail, because the bail is held by the projection ll. Accordingly, the feeding mechanism remains in inactive position and is not operated during operation of the calculatirrT machine, although the lower feed rolls are, in fact, rotated.

I claim:

l. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen and printing mechanism, tally strip feed rolls normally separated from said tally strip so as to enable said tally strip to be freely moved relative to said rolls, and means acting automatically during operation of said calculating machine to cause said tally strip feed rolls to momentarily engage said tally strip and move it, said rolls returning to separated position as the operation of said machine is completed.

2. A calculating machine having a forward and return stroke of movement, a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally strip feed rolls normally separated from said strip so that the strip may be freely moved relative to said rolls, and means acting automatically during the forward stroke of operation of said calculating machine to cause said tally strip feed rolls to grip said tally strip, said means including portions acting automatically during the return stroke of operation of said machine to rotate said rolls to feed said tally strip, said means also acting to return said rolls to separated position during the latter part of the return stroke of operation of said machine.

3. A calculating machine having a laterally movable paper carriage supporting a platen and feed rolls, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally strip feed rolls operating independently of said platen feed rolls, said tally feed rolls being normally'separated so as to permit said tally strip to be freely moved relative to said rolls, and means acting automatically during operation of said calculating machine to cause said tally feed rolls to grip said tally strip and feed it and to subsequently return said tally strip feed rolls to separated position.

4. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally strip feed rolls urged toward a position for grasping said tally strip, a member normally restraining said feed rolls from such engagement, and means operating automatically during operation of said calculating machine to move said member to momentarily release said feed rolls for engagement with said tally strip, said automatic means also including portions acting to rotate said feed rolls to feed the tally strip a predetermined distance.

5. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, a tally strip feeding mechanism, automatic means for operating said feeding mechanism as said calculating machine is operated, manipulative means for conditioning said feeding mechanism to enable the same to be operated by hand independently of said automatic operating mechanism, and means operating automatically as said machine is operated to disable said manual control of said feeding mechanism and to place said feeding mechanism under the control of said automatic operating means.

6. A calculating machine having a platenua printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, a tally strip feeding mechanism, said feeding mechanism being normally in an inactive condition such that said tally strip may be moved freely relative to said feeding mechanism, manipulative means for conditioning said feeding mechanism to enable the same to be operated by hand, and means operating automatically during operation of said calculating machine to disable said hand control of said feeding mechanism and to automatically render said feeding mechanism active and to operate it to feed said tally strip.

7. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally feed rolls, said feed rolls being normally separated to permit said tally strip to be freely moved relative to said feed rolls, hand controlled manipulative means for conditioning said feed rolls for engagement with said tally strip and for operation by hand, and automatic means acting during operation of said calculating machine to disable said hand control of said feed rolls and to momentarily cause said rolls to engage said tally strip and be rotated to feed said strip a predetermined amount.

8. A calculating machine having a platen, a

vprinting mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen and printing mechanism, tally strip feed rolls, said feed rolls being normally separated so asV to permit said tally strip to be moved freely relative to said rolls, a member restraining said feed rolls against engagement, a rotatable sleeve having connections for rotating said feedrolls, said sleeve being movable longitudinally and being provided with connection for moving said member to release said feed rolls for engagement with said tally strip, and means vacting automatically during operation of said calculating machine to return said sleeve longitudinally vand to momentarily move said member to release said rolls, said automatic means including portions operating to rotate said rolls a predetermined amount to feed said tally strip, said automatic means also operating said member to cause it to separate said rolls during the latter part of the operation 0f said machine.

9. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, a tallystrip feeding mechanism, said feeding mechanism being normally in an inactive condition such that said'tally strip may', be moved freely relative to said feeding mechanism, means acting automatically during operation of said calculating machine to render said feeding mechanism active and to operate it to cause it to feed said tally strip, and a rotatable sleeve having connections for operating said feeding mechanism by hand, said sleeve being movable longitudinally and having connections such that, when it is moved longitudinally in one direction, it will condition said feeding mechanism for hand operation and, when it is moved longitudinally in the opposite direction, it will disable said feeding mechanism from operation by hand and by said automatic means.

10. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen and printing mechanism, tally strip feed rolls normally urged toward a position for engaging said tally strip, a member normally restraining said feed rolls from such engagement, a rotatable shaft having connections for rotating said feed rolls, means acting automatically during operation of said calculating machine to release said member to permit said feed rolls to engage said tally strip, said automatic means including portions acting to rotate said shaft to rotate'said feed rolls, a hand-rotatable sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, said sleeve having Yconnections such that, when itis moved longitudinally in one direction, said member will be released to permit said tally rolls to engage said tally strip and, when said sleeve is longitudinally moved in the vopposite direction, said member will be held against movement to releasing position.

11. A calculating machine having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally `strip feed rolls, said feed rolls being normally separated to permit said tally strip to be freely moved relative to said rolls, a member for holding said feed rolls out of engagement with said tally strip, 'an abutment engaging said member to hold it in a position to hold said feed rolls out of engagement with said strip, said abutment being carried by.a movable link, means for operating said link automatically as said machine is operated to move said abutment to release said member to permit said feed rolls to engage said strip, and means operated by said link to rotate said feed rolls after they have engaged said strip, said link being returned during the latter part of the movement of said machine to cause said abutment to engage said member t?l move said rolls out of engagement with said s rip.

l2. A calculating machine having a platen, a yprinting mechanism, means for `supporting and guiding a tally strip between said printing mechanism and platen, tally strip feed rolls urged toward a position for engaging said tally strip, a member for holding said rolls out of engagement with said strip, an abutment ,normally engaging said member to hold it in position to hold said rolls out Yof engagement with said strip, said abutment being yieldingly mounted on a link that is automatically moved as said calculating machine is operated to move said abutment to release said member to permit the rolls to move into engagement with said strip, said link being lreturned during the 'latter part of the operation of said machine to cause said abutment to engage said member to raise said rolls to normal position, mechanism operated by said link during the return movement thereof to -rotate said feed rolls, and a manipulative member for moving said abutment relative to said link to release said member, said manipulative member also being connected with the means for'rotating said rolls whereby said tally strip may be fed manually.

13. In a machine of the class described, a platen, a printing mechanism, a ribbon mechanism supporting two stretches of ribbon adjacent the printing line of said platen, a chute for guiding a tally strip beneath said platen from` ceive a tally strip from said'chute' and guide it between said stretches of ribbon. y 14. In a machine of the class described, a traveling paper carriage, a printing mechanism,

sov

a platen on said carriage Whose lower front portion is normally inaccessible, a ribbonmechanism supporting two stretches of ribbon adjacent Athe printing line of said platen, means forv guiding a record sheet about said platen from the rear including devices for holding said sheet in feeding relation to said platen, a stationary l guide chute for guiding a. tally strip from the rear of said machine beneath said traveling paper carriage to a position below the inaccessible, front, underside of said platen, and

a stationary guiding means positioned out of the path of said printing mechanism, said guiding means having portions positioned between said stretches of ribbon and other portions positioned adjacent the discharge end of said chute and shaped to receive a tally stripl Cil a cycle of operation of said operating means, means for holding a record sheet about said platen in feeding relation thereto, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip about said platen so that one end of said strip is positioned to be conveniently grasped by hand, said strip being normally free for ready movement by hand, and means acting automatically during a cycle of operation of said operating means to grip said strip prior to operation of said printing mechanism, to hold said strip in printing position While the printing mechanism operates, to line space said strip after said printing mechanism has operated, and to subsequently free said strip for further movement by hand.

16. A calculating machine having a plurality of depressable keys, a gene/ral operating means adapted to be given a cycle of operation after desired keys have been depressed, a platen7 a printing mechanism operating during a cycle of operation of said operating means, means for holding a record sheet about said platen in feeding relation thereto, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip under said platen from the rear and up in front of said platen Where the end of said strip is in position to be conveniently grasped by hand, tally strip feeding means normally conditioned to free said strip for ready movement by hand, and means acting automatically during a cycle of operation of said operating means to cause said feeding means to grip said strip, to hold it While said printing mechanism operates, to line space said strip upwardly in front of said platen, and to subsequently return to a condition to free said strip for ready hand movement.

17. A calculating machine having depressable keys, a general operating means adapted to be given a cycle of operation after desired keys have been depressed, a platen, means operating to automatically line space said platen during a cycle of operation of said operating means, a printing means operating automatically during a cycle of operation of said operating means, means for holding a record sheet about said platen in feeding relation thereto, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen and printing mechanism, and means operating automatically during a cycle of operation o1 said operating means to grip said strip and hold it during operation of said printing mechanism and to subsequently line space it in the same direction as the platen, but independently thereof, and to subsequently release said strip.

18. A machine of the class described having a platen, a printing mechanism, means for supporting and guiding a strip between said printing mechanism and platen, a tally strip feeding means, automatic means for operating said tally strip feeding means as the machine is operated, means for operating said tally strip feeding means by hand, and means conditioned by movement of a manipulative member so that in one position of said member said tally strip feeding means is fed automatically, in another position said tally strip feeding mechanism can be operated by hand only, and in a third position Said tally strip feeding mechanism is disabled.

19. A calculating machine having a plurality of depressible keys, a general operating means adapted to be given a cycle of operation after desired keys have been depressed, a platen, a printing mechanism operating during a cycle of operation of said operating means, means for holding a record sheet about said platen in feeding relation thereto, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen iand printing mechanism to a position Where the end of said strip may be conveniently grasped by the hand, tally strip feeding means normally conditioned to free said strip for ready movement by hand, and means acting automatically cluring a cycle of operation of said operating means to cause said feeding means to grip said strip, to hold it While said printing mechanism operates, to line-space said strip, and to subsequently return to a condition to free said strip for ready hand movement.

20. A calculating machine having depressible keys, a general operating means adapted to be given a cycle of operation after desired keys have been depressed, a platen, means operating to automatically line-space said platen during a cycle of operation of said operating means, a printing means operating automatically during a cycle of operation of said operating means, means for holding a record sheet about said platen in feeding relation thereto, means for supporting and guiding a tally strip between said platen and printing mechanism, and means operating automatically during a cycle of operation of said operating means to grip said strip and hold it during operation of said printing mechanism and to line-space it in the 'same direction as the platen, but independently thereof, and to subsequently release said strip.

ROBERT L. MULLER.