US2307245A - Computing and printing machine - Google Patents

Description

o. J. SUNDSTRAND 2,307,245

COMPUTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 18, 1951 S'SheecS-Sheet l gwua/whor,

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COMP UTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec 18,. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mir 5? I [ill/ //I/ M Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE signor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Original applications December 18, 1931, Serial No. 581,800, and April 28, 1937, Serial No. 139,538. Divided and this application June 2'7,

1940, Serial No. 342,738

4 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 copending application Serial No. 139,538, filed April 28, 1937, which application is a division of application Serial No. 581,800, filed December 18, 1931, which issued into U. S. Patent No. 2,194,270 on 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, and the means for selectively releasing various keys.

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 mo.- chine embodying the features of my invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmental elevation of the type bar mechanism,

Figure 3 illustrates the signal type bar and the characters printed thereby,

Figure 4. is a fragmental phantom View of the a acter section,

Figure 9 is a left-hand side elevation of the Months character key bank, and shows parts of the key restoring mechanism,

Figure 10 is a fragmental perspective view of the character sections and the means for releasing operated character keys,

Figure 11 is a fragmental perspective view il1ustrating a means for adjusting the character key releasing mechanism,

Figure 12 is a right-hand elevation of the middle character section, i. e., the section that controls the printing of the numbers or" the days of the month,

Figure 13 illustrates the latch mechanism and stop mechanism for the units keys used in setting up the numbers of the days of the month,

Figure 14 shows the latching mechanism and stop mechanism for the tens keys used in setting up the numbers of the days of the month,

Figure 15 is a plan section on line l5l5 of Figure 13,

Figure 16 illustrates the latching mechanism and stop mechanism associated with the keys used in setting up various bookkeeping symbols,

Figure 17 is a plan section on line ll-il of Figure 16, and

Figure 18 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 (cross-footer) and four totalizers capable of adding (registers). 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.

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 1) 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 is clear, four type bars 3 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 l, 2, 3 and 4 have a rectilinear vertical movement. They are guided by a rod 5 (Figure 2) fixed in the machine frame and extending through a slot 5a in each of the type bars, a bar 6 secured in the machine frame, and a plate '1 likewise fixed in the machine frame, said plate having vertical slots through which brackets 8 fixed to the type bars extend. Each type bar has a rearward extension 9 having at its rear end a lug [0 that extends through a vertical guide slot in a plate l l fixed in the machine frame.

The means for raising the type bars includes a plurality of levers 12, one for each type bar, said levers being pivoted in the machine frame as illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 2,194,270. 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.

Forwardly extending arms such as 518 and 502 are pivoted to the lower ends of the type bars the names of the months (see Figure .4).

and carry upstanding pins such as 5l5 .and 50l. The pins are suitably guided for vertical movement, and are arranged to be stopped in their upward movement by settable stops as will hereinafter be described.

Character keys At the left of the 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 13) reciprocable longitudinally of the machine and having lugs 21 l thereon. Each lug has a beveled surface 2| 2 and a locking shoulder 2 I3. On each of the key stems is a locking lug 2l4 having a beveled surfaceto engage the surface 2l2 when the key is depressed, and thus push the slide forward to allow the lug'j2l4:to,,engage beneath the shoulder 2 I 3 when its respectivjeslide is drawn rearwardly by a spring such asl505a.

An expansive spring 2|9 (Figure 8) holds the slide 511 in its forward position, .thus holding the key elevated. Depression of a key compresses spring 2 I 9 and moves slide 5| 1 to the rear. These parts are held in this position until the key restoring mechanism is operated. When the slides such as 505 (Figure 13) are drawnforward to release the depressed keys,-springs- 2;l 9 (Figure 8) return slides 51 1 (Figure 12 the bell} cranks 21B,

and their corresponding keys, to their normal undepressed position.

The bank of twelve keys 498 (Figure 1) 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 9). Each key e93 operates a slide similar to the slides 511 (Figure 12), one tine of the fork at the rear end of each of said slides serving as a stop500 (Figure 7) to limit the upward movementof a pin 50! connected to an arm 502 (Figure 9) pivoted to the lower portion of the type bar 4 that is farthest to the left (see Figure 5). This type bar has twelve type adapted to print abbreviations of The rear end 999a (Figure 9) of the slide 499, when in its normal or ineffective position, serves as a stop to keep the pin 50f from rising. When any one of the 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 50!. 1

The keys in the middle bank at the left hand side of thekeyboard are used in printing numerals indicating the days of the month. The printing of the units digits 1 to 9," inclusive, is controlled by nine keys 503 (Figure 12) having key stems 5M arranged to'be latched in depressed position by a slide 505. A spring 5051 normally holds said slide in its rear position. On the rear end of said slide is a stop portion 506 (Figures 13 and 15) located in the path of the upward movement of a pin 591 connected to an arm 508 hinged to the lower portion of the type bar 4 that lies third from theleft (Figure 5); This type bar carries ten numeral type, as indicated in Figure 4. The stop 590 is located so as to limit the rising movement of the type-bar to the point where the cipher type is positioned at the printing line.

Connected to each of the keys 503 is a slide 5|! having at its rear end a, fork, one tine of which constitutes a stop 510 (Figure 7) to limit the upward movement of the pin 501.

The printing of the tens digit in the number of the day of the month is controlled by three keys 5 (Figure 12) having key stems 512. The keys 5 are arranged to be latched in depressed position by a slide 513 (Figure 14) said slide being urged rearwardly by a spring 513a. The rear end of said slide constitutes a stop 514 for a pin 515 connected to an arm 5I6 (Figure 5) pivoted to the type bar 4 that lies secondfrom the left end. When the slide 5l3 is in its normal position, 'the'stop 514 prevents upward movement of said type bar, bu't when said latch is operating to hold one of the keys 5 depressed,.the stop portio'n'5l4 is out of the path of upward movement of the pin 515; Said type bar carries three niif meral type, as shown in Figure 4. l

Each of the keys 5H is connectedj to a slide 511 (Figure 12) having at. its rear end a fork,. one tine of which forms a stopf5l8 (Figure 8) forlthe pin5l5. I 'I 5 The third bank from the left controls thep ing of. the numbers denoting,say; two years, -also a variety of symbols used in bookkeeping work. Herein I have shown the two upperkeys in this bank as arranged-for controllingthe- print pf 30 and 31. These year. keys are ind ated at 519 (Figure 1) and have key stems529 igure 18) arranged to be latched in depressed position by a slide 52!. Said slide is urged rearwardly by a spring 521a. The keys 513are connected to slides 522 (Figure 6) having at their rear ends forks, one tine of each of whichser ves as a s top 5220. to limit the rising movement of ag-p n 523 connected to an arm 524 (Figure fi), hinged io the lower portion of the type-bar 4 farthest to the right as viewed in Figure 5. n n

The remaining keys in this bankare-flenoted by the number 525 (Figure 1).: T'-hey have-key stems 528 (Figure. 16) arranged-to be latched down by a slide 521. A spring-521g tendstomove the slide 521 rearwardly. T-he rearendlot said slide forms a step 523 which, When the slide is in its normal position, serves to prevent the pin 523 from rising. When the slide 52 1 is actingto hold one of the keys 525 down, the stop portion 529-is out of the path of upward movement of the pin 523. 7

To each of the key stems 529 is-connected a slide (similar to 511 in Figure 12) having at its rear end a fork. One tine; of each-fork constitutes a stop 529 (Figure 7) to limit upward movement of the pin 523.

The beveled lugs 530 (Figure 18) arranged to be engaged by the slide 5 2I for-the purpose ofloeking either of thetwoyear keys' down, are also arranged to operate against-beveled surfaces 531 (Figure 16) on the slide 521, for the purpose of moving the slide 521 forward far enough to Withdraw the stop 523 from the path of the pin-523.

Depression of any one of the symbol keys 525- serves to move the slide 521 forward a further slight extent to permit of latching said symbol keys down. g

A row of operation controlling keys 430, etc. (Figure 1) is situated at the right hand side of the keyboard for controlling the various machine functions, such as non-adding, totaling, subtotaling, etc. The various functions of these keys are covered in the before mentioned U. S. Patent No. 2,194,270, 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 10) is pivoted along its upper edge to the machine frame. The pivotal support consists of brackets 220a secured to plate 220 and having rearwardly extending projections 22% (Figure 13) overhanging a stationary plate 2200 on the machine frame. The lower edge of the plate 220 (Figure 10) at the right hand side of the machine engages behind a lug 22! on a slide 2"] for the bank of operation controlling keys, and behind lugs 532 on the slides 499, 505, 513, 52| 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 an arm 88 secured in turn to the oscillating drive shaft I! that receives a clockwise and then a counter-clockwise oscillation during each operation of the machine. 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 abuting the left end of plate 220. When slide 222 is thus moved forward, a cam surface 225 thereon rides over a stationary cam surface 226 and thereby raises the rear end of slide 222 sufliciently to allow it to be free of the pin 224, whereupon spring 223 returns slide 222 to its normal rear position.

This forward movement of the lower edge of plate 220 pulls the slides 499, 505, 5l3, etc, forward, and moves the locking shoulders 2|3 (Figure 13) from above the lugs 2l4 on the stems of the depressed keys, allowing the key restoring springs 219 (Figure 8) to restore the keys as mentioned above.

In the present embodiment of the invention,

the operation-controlled keys at the right hand side of the keyboard and the ten symbol keys 525 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 10 that the lower edge of the plate 220 has notches 533, 534 and 535 therein. A manually operable lever 536 (Figure 11) is pivoted in the framework at 531. Fixed to said lever is a pin 538, one end of which lies within a notch 539 in the plate 220. It will be seen that when the lever 536 is swung toward the right, the plate 220 will be also slid toward the right so as to bring the notch 533 into register with the slide 499, the notch 534 into register with the slides 505 and 5l3, 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 11) 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, 513 and 52!, 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 1 and 10), the stem of which has a lug 54! arranged to bear against an arm 542 fixed to the upper edge of the plate 220. A tension spring 543 normally holds the key 540 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:

l. A printing machine comprising, in combination, a plurality of parallel banks of keys, a slide for each of said banks, said slide serving to hold any key in its bank depressed, a member engaging all of said slides to move the latter out of effective position, said member having a notch therein, and manual means for shifting said member to bring said notch into register with one of said slides to deprive said member of control of the slide.

2. A printing machine comprising, in combination, a plurality of parallel banks of keys, a slide for each of said banks, said slide serving to hold any key in its bank depressed, a member engaging all of said slides to move the latter out of effective position, said member having a notch therein, manual means for shifting said member to bring said notch into register with one of said slides to deprive said member of control of the slide, and means operable in the cycling of the machine for pivotally moving said member.

3. A printing machine comprising, in combination, a plurality of parallel banks of keys, a slide for each of said banks, said slide serving to hold any key in its bank depressed, a plate pivoted at one edge to swing on an axis transversely of said banks of keys, the other edge of said plate being arranged to engage all of said slides to move the latter out of effective position, said other edge having a notch therein, manual means for axially shifting said plate to bring said notch into register with one of said slides, whereby to deprive said plate of control of such slide, and means operable in the cycling of the machine for pivotally moving said plate.

4. The combination of a series of keys, means for latching any one of said keys in operated position, a pivoted member arranged to engage said means, means for pivotally moving the said member to move the latching means out of eifective position, and manually operable means for moving said pivoted member axially out of position to engage said latching means.

OSCAR J. SUNDSTRAND.

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