US2254760A

US2254760A - Computing and printing machine

Info

Publication number: US2254760A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1941-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1958-09-02

Description

7 Sheets-Sheet l 0. J. SUNDSTRAND commune AND PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 18, 19:51

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ATTORN Sept. 2, 1941. o. .1. SUNDSTRAND COMPUTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 18, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 2, 1941. o. J. SUNDSTRAND COMPUTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 18, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lflllll/llll INVENTOR. Sun .0 s 7/??? N0.

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ATTORN Patented Sept. 2, 1941 COMPUTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Oscar J. Sundstra'nd, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a, corporation of Delaware Original application December 18, 1931, Serial No. 581,800. Divided and this application April 28, 1937, Serial No. 139,538

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to computing and printing machines and is illustrated on the type of machine employing a traveling paper carriage and a group of vertically movable type bars. This case is a division of my U. S. Patent No. 2,194,270, issued March 19, 1940. This divisional application relates to keyboard mechanism, and more particularly to the means for controlling the movement of the actuators, the means for restoring this controlling mechanism, the means for selectively releasing various keys, and various locking mechanisms to properly control manipulation of the keyboard.-

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims, and a preferred embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bookkeeping machine embodying the features of my invention,

Figure 2 is a iragmental perspective view of a keyboard lock, the parts being shown in the position assumed when the motor bar is depressed,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the keyboard mechanism,

Figure 4 is a fragmental elevation of the type bar mechanism,

Figure 5 illustrates the signal type bar and the characters printed thereby,

Figure 6 is a iragmental phantom view of the four type bars farthest to the left,

Figure 7 is' a fragmental plan view showing the connections between the type bars and the keyboard,

Figure 8 is a fragmental perspective view showing two of the stops comprised in one 01. the

ing (registers) Figure 14 is a detail plan view of the escapement lever of the stop-setting mechanism of the amount keyboard,

Figure 15 is a left-hand side elevation of the months character key bank, and shows parts oi the key restoring mechanism,

Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional view of certain part5 comprised in the amount keyboard,

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a pivoted unit comprised in the amount keyboard,

Figure 18 is a fragmental perspective view of the mechanism for setting the stops,

Figure 19 is a fragmental left-hand side elevation illustrating a portion of the mechanism concerned with the resetting of stops,

Figure 20 is a lragmental perspective view of the means for restoring the stops to their initial position,

Figure 21 is a fragmental perspective view of the character sections and the means for releasing operated character keys,

Figure 22 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating a means for adjusting the character key releasing mechanism,

Figure 23 is a right-hand elevation of the middle character section, 1. e., the section that controls the printing of the numbers of the days of the month,

Figure 24 illustrates the latch mechanism and stop mechanism for the units keys used in setting up the numbers of the days of the month,

Figure 25 shows the latching mechanism and stop mechanism for the tens keys used in setting up the numbers of the days of the month,

Figure 26 is a planv section on line 2626 of Figure 24,

Figure 27 illustrates the latching mechanism and stop mechanism associated with the keys used in setting up various bookkee ing symbols,

Figure 28 is a plan section on line 28-28 of Figurev 2'7, and

Figure 29 represents the latching mechanism and the stop mechanism for the two keys used in setting up the numbers denoting two years.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings is of the key set motor operated type, having one adding and subtracting totalizer (crossfooter) and tour totalizers capable or add- Folio numbers and amounts are entered by the use of. 10 key keyboards, and the dates and characters are printed by the use of keys situated in parallel banks generally similar to the "81 key keyboard construction. Repeat, back spacing, and correction keys are provided for controlling the functions of the other keys.

Actuators or type bars The type for printing items, totals, dates, folios, etc., upon the work-pieces are carried by type bars or actuators of which there may be any desired number. Herein there is a type bar I (Figure l) for printing symbols or "signals to denote the character of the amount or to indicate that a particular counter is clear, nine type bars 2 for use in printing amounts and for printing two naughts to signify that a counter was clear, four type bars 8 for printing folios, and four type bars 4 for printing dates and various abbreviations used in bookkeeping.

In this instance, the type bars or actuators I, 2. I and 4 have a rectilinear vertical movement. They are guided by a rod 5 (Figure 4) fixed in the machine frame and extending through a slot 50 in each of the type bars, a bar 8 secured in the'machine frame, and a plate 1 likewise fixed in the machine frame, said plate having vertical slots through which brackets I fixed to .the type bars extend. Each type bar has a rearward extension 8 having at its rear end a lug ID that extends through a vertical guide slot in a plate I l fixed in the machine frame.

The means for raising the type bars includes a plurality of levers l2, one for each type bar, said levers being pivoted in the machine frame as illustrated in the parent case. The forward arm of each lever l2 has a pin and slot connection with the bracket 8 on the corresponding type bar. A coiled spring tends to move the lever in the direction to raise the type bar.

Stop mechanism for amount keyboard in as many columns as .there are actuators 2,

there being ten stops 2| in each column. Pivoted to the lower portion of each actuator 2 is a forwardly extending bar 28 (Figure 4) the front end of each bar 28 extending slidably into an opening in a vertically extending pin 30. The pins 30 are guided for vertical movement in a slide ll (Figures 10 and 13) which is mounted upon a stationary rod32 for movementtransversely of the machine. The slide 8| is arranged to shift the pins 88 from their normal or initial position at the lefthand side of the group of stops 28 (shown in Figure 9) into the vertical planes of the columns of stops. The rear end of a stop which has been moved rearwardly into set position overhangs the transverse path of movement of the group of pins 80. When an actuator 2 is raised until its pin 80 stops against the lowermost stop in a given column, the actuator is in position to effect printing and/or registration of the digit 0. The second stop from the bottom corresponds to "l" and so on.

The actuators 2 for the numerical orders which are not needed in printing or registering a given amount are prevented from rising above the cipher-printing position by a detent plate 31 (Figures 7, 9 and 10) located at the left of the group of stops 28 and guided to move horizontally forward and back in the machine. Said plate has an arm 34 which is pivoted at 85 to a pushed rearwardly to set a stop 28.

lever in the form of a bail 38, said ball being pivoted on a rod 31. A spring 38 (Figure 9) normally holds the plate 33 in its rearward position, with its rear edge overhanging the pins 30. The forward and back movements of the detent plate 88 are limited by the engagement of shoulders 38 (Figures '7 and 10) on the plate with the back wall 48 (Figure 10) of the frame in which the stops 28 are mounted.

The means for pushing the stops 28 rearwardly into position to limit the rising movement of the pins 30 comprises a tier of ten push pins 4| (Figures 9, 10 and 18), the forward portions of which are 'slidable in openings in a post 42 which is fixed to a bracket 43 that swings upon an axis 44. The slide 3| and the bracket 43 are connected to move in unison by means of a stud 45 (Figure 10) on the bracket which lies in a fork 48 (Figure 13) on the slide. By means hereinafter described, the bracket 43 is caused to swing step by step from the initial position shown in Figure 9 toward the right to position the rear ends of the push pins 4| in register with successive columns of stops 28. The forward ends of the push pins 4| are pivoted to the arms 41 (Figures 9 and 16) of a series of three-arm levers 48 (Figure 16). The levers 48 are mounted upon a pivot 49 in the machine frame and are arranged to be swung counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 9, to set the stops, by means of numeral keys 58 (Figures 3 and 10) having stems 5| (Figure 10) which are guided in the framework of the keyboard for vertical movement. The movements of the keys 50 are limited by engagement of lugs 52 on the lower ends of the key stems 5| with a stationary plate 53. Each key stem 5| has a notch 54 to receive a lug 55 (Figure 9) on a rocking element consisting virtually of two bell crank

arms

58 and 51 and a shaft portion 58, the shaft portion being pivoted at opposite ends in the framework of the keyboard. To the arm 51 of each rocking element is connected a link 59 which is pivoted to one of the arms 41 (Figures 9 and 16). It will be apparent from Figure 18 that depression of a numeral key 50 will cause the corresponding push pin 41 to be A coiled spring 58 (Figure 16) connected to the arm SI of each of the levers 48 restores the lever 48 and the key 50 as soon as the operator releases the key.

The means for impelling the slide 3| and the bracket 43 to move toward the right comprises a link 82 (Figure 9) pivoted at its right-hand end to the bracket 43 at 63, and pivoted at its left-hand end to an arm 64 (Figure 20) which is pivoted in the machine frame on the axis 65. Rigid with the arm 54 is an arm 65 to which is connected a resetting lever 61. A spring 88 connected to the lever 61 exerts its force through the connections just described to move the slide 8| and the bracket 43 toward the right as viewed in Figure 9. Such movement of the slide and the bracket is controlled by an escapement con sisting, in this instance, of a bar 69 (Figure 13) fixed to the slide 31 and having two series of teeth I0 and 1|. An escapement lever 12 (Figures 9 and 14) pivoted in the machine frame at.

18 has a tooth 14 arranged to move into the path of successive teeth 10. An escapement tooth 15 is formed upon 'a pawl 16 pivoted to the lever 12 at 11 and is normally held against a stop pin 18 by a spring '19. The tooth 75 is arranged to engage successive teeth H. The teeth 14 and 75 are so located as to engage the

teeth

10 and 1| alternately as the'escapement lever 12 is swung. Said lever is swung by a link 88 (Figure 9), the forward end of which is pivoted to an arm 8|. 82 (Figure 17) pivoted in the machine frame on the axis 88. Said structure comprises a universal rod 83 held in contact with the arms 88 (Figure 16) of the three-arm levers 88 by a spring 85 (Figures 9 and 17). Whenever one of the numeral keys 88 is depressed, the corresponding arm 88 causes the structure 82 to swing counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 9, thereby. operat- The arm 8| is rigid with a structure I ing the escapement lever 12 to withdraw the a tooth 15 from the tooth 1| with which it was in engagement, and placing the escapement tooth 18 in position to engage the next tooth 18. When the operator permits the key 58 to rise, the spring 85 turns the structure 82 in the clockwise direction, thereby restoring the escapement lever 12 to normal position, withdrawing the tooth 18 from the tooth 18 with which it was in engagement, and allowing the tooth 15 to move into position to engage the next tooth 1 I.

As the operator sets up, by means of the keyboard, an item containing, say, four digits, the slide 3| and the bracket 83 move step by step toward the right. setting up the thousands digit of the item causes l5 and 19) fixed to the rock shaft I1. Near the end of the return stroke of the rock shaft, the arm 88 engages the end of the resetting lever 81 (Figure 20) and pushes said lever forward to a point slightly beyond its normal position.

In order to move the rear end of the resetting lever 81 out of line with the arm 88 so as again to permit the setting up of numbers in the keyboard, I provide a lever 88 pivoted at 88 in the machine frame and carrying a stud 8| against which the resetting lever 81 is normally held by the spring 88. As the arm 88 approaches its initial position, it engages a lug 82 on the lever 88 and thereby turns said lever counter-clockwise. The stud 8| thereon contacts the resetting lever 81 and swings it to the right sufliciently to withdraw the rear end of said resetting lever from in front of the arm 88. The forward movement imparted to the resetting lever 81 by the arm 88 is Depression of a digit key in Y the selected stop 28 in the column farthest to the left to be set. The release of the key permits the bracket 83 to move to place the push pins 8| in register with the next column of stops and allows the slide 3| to shift the pins 38 so as to bring the one that is connected with the units actuator 2 into position beneath the stop that has just been set. Setting up of the hundreds digit of the item causes setting of a stop in the second column from the left and advances the group of pins 38 another step. When'the tens digit of the item is set up on the keyboard, the corresponding stop is set in the third column from the left and the group of pins 38 is moved stop in the fourth column from the left and ad- 1 vances the group of pins 38 another step. It will be seen that the pin 38 associated with the units actuator 2 is now located beneath the set stop in the fourth column from the left, the pin 88 connected with the tens actuator 2 is located beneath the set stop in the'third column from the left, the pin 38 which is connected with the hundreds actuator 2 is below the set stop in the second column from the left, and the pin 38 which is associated with the thousands actuator 2 is located beneath the set stop in the column farthest to the left. Thus the item is set up by the" operator in the natural order, and the required number of pins 38 are moved outfrom under the detent plate 33 and brought into alignment with the proper columns of stops.

Stops that have been pushed rearwardly into set position are restored to initial position by a post 88 (Figures 10 and 13) fixed to the slide 3| and having a beveled face 81 adapted in the leftward movement of the slide 3| to cam the stops 28 back to initial position. The upper end of the post 88 extends through a slot 88a (Figure 9) in a stationary plate 88b, said slot assisting to guide the slide 3|.

, In the normal cycling of the machine, the stops 28 are reset and the slide 3| and the bracket 83 returned to initial position at the end of the cycle of operations by an arm 88 (Figures suflicient to cause the beveled face 81 (Figure 9) to reset the stops in the most leftward column of stops. As soon as the rear end of the resetting lever 81 has been movedout of line with the arm 88, the spring 88 (Figure 20) moves said lever 81 toward the rear and the slide 3| toward the right until the foremost tooth 1| stops against the tooth 15, which movement is sufficient to withdraw the cam face 81 from a position directly behind the column of stops 28 farthest to the left, and to place the push pins 8| in register with said column of stops.

At the beginning of the next cycle of operation of the machine, the arm 88 swings away from the lug 82, whereupon a coiled spring 83 (Figure 20), secured to a link 95 and to the machine frame, pulls link 85 forward in the machine, swirming lever 88 clockwise until said lever stops against a stop pin 88 (Figure 19), thereby allowing the spring 88 (Figure 20) to place the resetting lever 81 in the path of the return movement of the arm 88.

Correction key for amount keyboard a lug 88 on a bell crank lever I88 pivoted at MI in the machine frame. A spring I82 normally holds the'correction key elevated, a pin I 83 on the stem 81 limiting the action of the spring by engaging the plate 53. On the bell crank I88 is a stud I88 which lies within an elongated opening I85 formed in a link I88. The rear end of the link I88 is connected to an arm I81 (Figure 9) pivoted in the machine frame at I 88. In the arm I81 is a slot I88to receive a pin. II8 on the link 82. It will be seen that depression of the correction key 88 will cause the link 82 to be moved toward the left, as viewed in Figure 9, to reset the stops 28.

Back-space key for amount keg board A back-space key III (Figure 10) provides means for restoring the stops 28 at the rate of one numerical order for each depression of the key. 0n the stem 2 of the key I is a pin II8 that engages a bell crank lever II8 pivoted in the machine frame at II5. To the other arm of the bell crank lever H8 is pivoted a link I I8, the rear end of which is pivoted to a bell crank lever 1 (Figure 9) pivoted in the machine frame at II8, the bell crank II1 carrying a pivoted dog II8 (Figure 14) adapted to engage teeth 1|. When the back-space key I II is released, a spring I28 restores the pawl H8 and the key III to their normal position, the action of the spring being limited by a stop pin I2I (Figure on the key stem I I2, said pin stopping against the plate 53.

Repeat key for amount keyboard In order to permit printing or registering the same amount more than once under manual control, I provide a repeat key I22 (Figure 10) having a stem I23, the key being normally held in elevated position by means of a. spring I24. The normal position of the key is determined by contact of a stop pin I25 on the key stern I23 with the top plate I26 of the keyboard. The lower end of the stem I23 is arranged .to engage a cam surface I21 (Figures 9, 10 and 20) formed on a slide I28 guided for movement transversely of the machine by two guide studs I29 (Figures 9 and 20) extending through elongated openings I88 in the slide. The lefthand end of the slide is connected to one arm of a lever I3I (Figure 20) pivoted at I32. The other arm of said lever is arranged to engage a downwardly extending lug III on the lever 88. When the repeat key I22 is depressed, the slide I28 is pushed toward the left, thereby causing the lever 89 to swing in the counter-clockwise direction so as to swing the resetting lever 61 toward the right, out of the path of arm 88. The key stem I23 is notched (Figure 10) to provide a shoulder I34 adapted to engage beneath the top plate I26 and thus retain the repeat key depressed and hold the reset lever 61 in its right hand position, to permit the repeated printing or registration of the same amount as many times as desired. When the operator disengages the shoulder I34 from the plate I28, the spring I24 restores the repeat key to its normal position and permits the spring 93 to swing the lever 89 in the clockwise direction, the spring 68 at the same time swinging the reset lever 61 toward the left into position to be engaged by the arm 88 at the conclusion of the cycle of operations.

Keyboard lock Means is provided to lock the keyboard so as to prevent the setting up of an item or a folio until the item last set up has been eliminated by the operation of the stop-resetting post 86 (Figure 13). The means herein provided for this purpose comprises a plate 621 (Figure 2) in the nature of a lever pivoted in the machine frame on the axis 826. At right-hand side of the plate 621 is a lug 828 to which a spring 638 is connected. This spring serves to hold the plate 621 normally elevated. On the under side of the plate 621 are mounted two detents I and 632 urged forward by springs 633. On the forward end of the detent "I is a down-turned lug 634 which, when the plate 621 is depressed, lies directly behind the edge 635 of the pivoted structure 82 (Figure 1'1), and thereby prevents the depression of any of the amount keys 50 unless suflicient pressure is applied to overcome the force of the spring 633. (In the touch system," which is the method commonly employed, only light pressure is applied to the keys. The detents SM and 632 are yieldingly mounted to prevent damage in case the operator, on meeting with resistance, should strike the keys with excessive force.) There is a similar lug 634 on the front end of the detent 632 which serves to lock the pivoted structure 480 (Figure 3) when the plate 621 is in its lowered position, thereby preventing use of the folio keys 4" unless enough pressure is applied to overcome the spring 833 for the detent 632. An arm 636 pivoted on the axis 49 is in contact with the post 42 (Figure 9) when the latter is in its initial position, a spring 631 holding the arm in contact with said post. On the arm 636 is a headed stud 638 (Figure 2). The setting up of the first digit of a number by one of the amount keys 56 will allow the spring 631 to move the arm 636 so that the head of the stud 638 lies in contact with the edge 639 of the plate 621. Depression then of the motor bar 594 depresses the plate 621 so as to allow the spring 631 to move the arm 636 farther to the right so as to cause the head 636 to overlie the edge of the plate 621, thus latching said plate down and thereby maintaining the lugs 634 in position to block movement of the pivoted structures 82 and 488.

When the stop or stops 28 (Figure 9) are reset by the post 86, the accompanying movement of post 42 moves the arm 636 to the left to its normal position, thereby disengaging the headed stud 638 from the plate 621, whereupon the spring 630 lifts the plate 621 to its normal position and thus releases the keys 50 for operation. The keys 469 are similarly controlled by the corresponding parts therefor.

Because of the above mechanism, when the repeat key I22 is depressed, and an amount set up and the machine operated, the failure of the post 42 to move to the left (because of the depression of the repeat key) to release plate 621 from stud 638 prevents another number from being set up on the amount keyboard until after the repeat key has been released and the stops 28 reset. The same applies to the folio repeat key 481.

The mechanism just described also serves to prevent the operator from beginning to set up an item until the last preceding item has been completely eliminated through the operation of the stop-resetting post 86.

The folio keyboard Referring now to the means for printing folios, invoice numbers, car numbers or other numerals which are used merely as designations: As shown in 'Figures '7 and 9, each of the folio type bars 3 is provided with a pivoted arm 464 similar to the arms 29 and connected to stop pins 465 similar to the stop pins 38. The stop pins 465 are guided in a slide 466 (Figure 9) similar to the slide 3 I. The upward movement of the type carriers 3 is selectively limited by stops 461 (Figure '1) similar to the stops 28. The stops 461 are set by push pins 468 (Figure 3) similar to the push pins 4i, and are carried by a swinging bracket 468a similar to the bracket 43. The push pins 468 are operated by numeral keys 469 constructed and connected similarly to the keys 58. The type bars 3 for the numerical orders not needed in printing a given number are prevented from rising by a plate 418 (Figure 7) which for all practical purposes is a stationary element. The means for moving the slide 466 (Figure 9) to carry the stop pins 465 successively out from under the plate 416, and the means for returning the slide 466 and stop pins are similar to the corresponding parts for the amount keyboard, and are fully shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 2,194,270.

A correction key 482 (Figure 3) permits of manually resetting all of the stops 461 in one movement, said key being constructed and connected quite similarly to the correction key 81.

A back-space key 485 similar to the backspace key III constitutes means for resetting the Character keys At the left of the folio keyboard are three banks of character keys. These keys are latched in depressed position during a given cycle of operations of the machine by slides such as 505 (Figure 24) reciprocable longitudinally of the machine and having lugs 2H thereon. Each lug has a beveled surface 2|2 and a locking shoulder 213. On each of the key stems is a locking lug 2l4 having a beveled surface to engage the surface 2|2 when a key is depressed, and thus push the slide forward to allow the lug 214 to engage beneath the shoulder 2l3 when its respective slide is drawn rearwardly by a spring such as 50511. Near the end of the cycle of operations the slide 505 is drawn forward to release the key by theaction of the key restoring means.

The key restoring means consists of a bell crank such as 2|5 (Figure 23) pivoted at 2i1, one arm of the bell crank engaging the stem of its associated key, and the other arm being pivoted to the.

forward end of a slide such as M1. The rear end of the slide is guided in the frame work. An expansive spring 2 I 9 (Figure 12) holds the slide 5 in its forward position, thus holding the key elevated. Depression of a key compresses spring 2|! and moves slide M1 to the rear. These parts are held in this position until the key restoring mechanism is operated. When the slides such as 505 (Figure 24) are drawn forward to release the depressed keys, springs 2i9 (Figure 12) return slides 5" (Figure 23), the bell cranks 215, and their corresponding keys, to their normal undepressed position.

The bank of twelve keys 499 (Figure l) at the extreme left are used in printing the names of the months. The keys in this bank are arranged to be locked by a slide 499 (Figure 15). Each key 499 operates a slide similar to the slides 511 (Figure 23), one tine of the fork at the rear end of each of said slides serving as a stop 500 (Figure 11) to limit the upward'movement of a pin 501 connected to an arm 502 (Figure 15) pivoted to the lower portion of the type bar 4 that is farthest to the left (se Figure 7). This type bar has twelve type adapted to print abbreviations of the names of the months (see Figure 6). The rear end 4990. (Figure 15) of the slide .499, when in 24 and 26) located in the path of the upward movement of a pin 501 connected to an am 500 hinged to the lower portion of the type bar 4 that lies third from the left (Figure '7). This type barcarries ten numeral type as indicated in Figure 6. The stop 505 is located so as to limit the rising movement of the type bar to the point where the cipher type is positioned at the printin! line.

Connected to each of the keys 502 is a slide 5 having at its rear end a fork, one tine of which constitutes a stop 5l0 (Figure 11) to limit the upward movement of the pin 501.

The printing ofthe tens digit in the number of the day of the month is controlled by three keys 5 (Figures 3 and 23) having key stems H2; The keys 5l| are arranged to be latched in depressed position by a slide 5|! (Figure 25), said slide being urged rearwardly by a spring 5l3a. The rear end of said slide constitutesa stop 5 for a pin 5l5 connected to an arm 510 (Figure 7) pivoted to the type bar 4 that lies second from the left end. When the slide 5|! is in its normal position, the stop 5 prevents upward movement of said type bar, but when said latch is operating to hold one of the keys 5 depressed, the stop portion 5 is out of the path of upward movement of the pin 5I5. Said type bar carries three numeral type, as shown in Figure 6.

Each of the keys III is connected to a slide 5" (Figure 23) having at its rear end a fork, one tine of which forms a stop 518 (Figure 12) for the pin 5".

The third bank from the left controls the printing of the numbers denoting, say, two years, also a variety of symbols used in bookkeeping work. Herein I have shown the two upper keys in this bank as arranged for controlling the printing of 30" and 31". These year keys are indicated at 519 (Figure 3) and have key stems 520 (Figure 29) arranged to be latched in depressed position by a slide 5. Said slide is urged rearwardly by a spring 52la. The keys U9 are connected to slides 522 (Figure 8) having at their rear ends forks, one tine of each of which serves as a stop 522a to limit the rising moveits normal or ineffective position, serves as a stop to keep the pin 5M from rising. When any one of th keys 498 is depressed, the slide 499 is moved and held far enough forward for its rear end to be out of the path of upward movement of the pin 501.

The keys in the middle bank at the left hand side of the keyboard are used in printing numerals indicating the days of the month. The printing of the units digits "1 to 9", inclusive, is controlledby nine keys 503 (Figure 23) having key stems 504 arranged to be latched in depressed position by a slide 505. A spring 5050 normally holds said slide in its rear position. On the rear end of said slide is a stop portion 505 (Figures ment of a pin523 connected to an arm 524 (Figure 7) hinged to the lower portion of the type bar 4 farthest to the right as viewed in Figure '7.

The remaining keys in this bank are denoted by the number 525 (Figure 3). They have key stems 525 (Figure 27) arranged to be latched down by a slide 521. A spring 5210 tends to move the slide 521 rearwardly. The rear end of said slide forms a stop 528 which, when the slide is in its normal position, serves to prevent the pin 520 from rising. When the slide 521 is acting to hold one of the keys 525 down, the stop portion 525 is out of the path of upward movement of the pin 529.

To each of the key stems 52B is connected a slide (similar to 511 in Figure 23) having at its rear end a fork. One tine of each fork constitutes a stop 529 (Figure 11) to limit upward movement of the pin 523.

The beveled lugs 530 (Figure 29) arranged to slight extent to permit of latching said symbol keys down.

A row of operation controlling keys "ll, etc., is situated at the right hand side of the keyboard for controlling the various machine functions, such as non-adding, totaling, sub-totaling, etc. The various functions of these keys are covered in the parent case and will, therefore, not be discussed here. The manner in which the depression of these keys controls the printing mechanism and also the manner in which they are latched down and restored is similar to the manner in which the three rows of keys at the left of the keyboard control the printing mechanism, so this also need not be discussed.

Releasing character keys The bank of operation controlling keys at the right side of the keyboard and the three banks of character keys at the left side of the keyboard are released to the restoring action of their respective restoring springs in the following manner.

A plate 220 (Figure 21) is pivoted along its upper edge to the machine frame. support consists of brackets 220a secured to plate 220 and having rearwardly extending projections 22Ib (Figure 24) overhanging a stationary plate 2200 on the machine frame. the plate 220 (Figure 21) at the right hand side of the machine engages behind a lug 22! on a slide III for the bank of operation controlling keys, and behind lugs 532 on the slides I99, 505, ill, I and 521 for the keys at the left side of the keyboard. Near the end of the cycle of operations the plate 220 is thrown forward by a slide 222 guided in the machine frame for movement longitudinally of the machine. Spring 223 normally holds the slide 222 in its rearward position. A pin 224 is secured to the arm 88 secured in turn tothe oscillating drive shaft ll that receives a clockwise and then a counter-clockwise oscillation during each operation of the machine (see also Figure 19). Pin 224 engages the rear end of slide 222 and pushes it forward, on its return oscillation, thereby tilting plate 220 forward by the forward end of slide 222 abutting the left end oi slide 220. When slide 222 is thus moved forward a cam surface 225 thereon rides over a stationary cam surface 228 and thereby raises the rear end of plate 222 sufnciently to allow it to be free of the pin 224, whereupon spring 213 returns slide 222 to its normal rear position.

' This forward movement of the lower edge of plate 220 pulls the slides 48!, 505, Ill, etc., forward, and moves the locking shoulders ill (Figure 24) from above the lugs ill on the stems of the depressed keys. allowing the key restoring The pivotal The lower edge of when the lever 538 is swung toward the right, the plate 22D'will be also slid toward the right so as to bring the notch 533 into register with the slide 449, the notch 534 into register with the slides 505 and H3, and the notch 535 into register with the slide 52L it being noted that the pivotal support of plate 220 permits of such sliding movement. A spring actuated detent 539a (Figure 22) yieldingly holds the clearing plate 220 in either of its two positions. With the plate 220 thus positioned. pivotal movement of said plate will not cause forward movement of the slides 499 505, SN and 2|, and consequently the keys which may have been latched down by those slides will not be released.

Manually operable means is provided for releasing the keys in the four banks of keys. This means comprises a clear key 540 (Figures 3 and 21), the stem of which has a lug 5 arranged to bear against an arm 542 fixed to the upper edge of the plate 220. A tension spring 5" normally holds the key!" elevated. It will be seen that depression of the clear key 540 will release the keys in accordance with the position that may be occupied at the time by the plate 220.

While .the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: a

1. In a computing machine, the combination of a group of stops, keys for setting the stops, means for restoring the stops, means to initiate a cycle of operations of the machine, means to prevent normal depression of the said preventing means being movable into effective position under control of and upon operation of said cycle initiating means, and means sensitive to operation of the keys for latching said premnh ling means in effective position.

springs 2!! (Figure 12) to restore the keys as 50 mentioned above.

In the present embodiment of the invention. the operation-controlling keys at the right hand side of the keyboard and the ten symbol keys III are automatically released at the conclusion of every cycle of operations of the machine. Means is provided whereby the remaining keys in the three banks of character keys may be released or held depressed as desired. It will be noted in Figure 21 that the lower edge of the plate 220 has notches "I, 534 and 535 therein. A manually operable lever 538 (Figure 22) is pivoted in the framework at 531. Fixed to said lever is a pin 63!, one end of which lies within a notch It! in the plate 220. It will be seen that 2. In a computing machine, the combination of a group of stops, keys for setting the stops, means for restoring the stops. means to initiate a cycle of operations of the machine, means to prevent normal depression of the keys, said preventing means being movable into effective position under control of and upon operation of said cycle initiating means, and means sensitive to operation of the keys for latching said preventing means in effective position, said/preventing the advancing movement of the arm, the rod being so situated in respect to the arm that it is moved by the arm during the return movement thereof to restore the indexing mechanism, and a disengaging member situated so as to be moved by the arm during the last increment of its return movement, and adapted to disengage the rod from the arm.

OSCAR J. SUNDSTRAND.