US2350454A - Zero elimination means - Google Patents

Description

Filed June 18, 1942 s sneets sheet 1 Rnbcrt S. Goebcl' Inventor y His Attorney 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V R. S. GOEBEL ZERO I'ELIMINNLION MEANS Filed June 18, 1942 June 6, 1944.

Roburl S. Gocbcl Inventor By M Hi: Attorney June 6, 1944.- R. s. GOEBEL ZERO ELIMINATION MEANS Filed June 18, 1942 3 Shasta-Sheet 3 Rohvrl S. Gocbcl Inventor v BY Hil Attorney data-settirig means, and

Patented June 6, 1944 PATENT OFFICE ZERO ELIMINATION MEANS Robert 'S. Goebel, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application June 18, 1942, Serial No. 447,527

(Cl. 10l99) Claims.

This invention relates to a means associated with a printing mechanism in which a plurality of type .c'arriersare set for printing data and in which it is desired at timesto suppress the printing of certain characters on the type carriers; -forexamplato suppress the printing of zeros in all orders to the left of "the highest significant order when the data being recorded are num- "bers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for suppressing the printing of certain characters, which means is controlled collaterally with the setting of the type carriers,

:but not directly thereby.

Anotherobiect of the invention is to provide an electricallycontrolled means for differentially setting type carriers and electric circuits independent of said electrically controlled means to suppressprinting of zeros or other data.

Aspecific object of the invention is to provide a ZEEICWSUDPI'CSSIHQ means for controlling the setting of type carriers, including type carriers adjustable by'an independent power source; means toarrest the type carriers in a selected position; and separate circuits for controlling the arrestin: means to cause all the type carriers to the left of the highest significant order to be arrested in a blank position and all the type carriers to the right of asignificant order in which-no number is to be printed to be arrested in a zero position.

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

Of said drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of one group of devices, 'the machine-operating one unit of the data distributing means.

"Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the data-distributing means for'four groups of data, together with the data-suppressing means. is a diagrammatic view of a modified the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2.

3 form of ing machine and particularly to the amount keys therefor, and-as illustrated, is arranged for controlling the setting of zerosand the suppression'oi the setting of zeros.

Fig. 1 illustrates a single bank of keys, which for convenience is'designated the units order, and this bank of keys is shown at the left of the figure. Each key is connected to a distributor having a rotor actuated step by step by an oscillating relay. When the rotor reaches an energized contact in the distributor, the circuit through the-oscillating relay is broken and a circuit is established through another distributor (Fig. 2), the latter being operated by the same oscillating relay which rotates the aforementioned rotor, so that the two rotors always move the same extent. The second rotor establishes a circuit .through a type carrier arresting relay to arrest the type carrier in -a position as determined by the key depressed in the key bank, when a significant digit is set up thereon. If, however, a zero is set up on the key bank, then the second-named rotor establishes a circuit through the type carrier relay, by way of selecting switches, so that the type carrier will be arrested either in its zero position or in its blank position, depending on whether a digit is set up on the higher order banks, so that zeros are printed only in the orders in which they are needed to print the number set up on thekeyboard.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of circuit for selecting the zero and blank printing positions of the type carriers. In this form, a system of relay.- operatedsvn'tches is employed in lieu of the second-named distributors in the first-mentioned form of the invention.

Detailed description Only one bank of keys is shown in Fig. 1, and this bank will be referred to as the units bank for convenience in describing the invention. Any number of banks of keys can be used, four banks being illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Each of these four banks of Figs. 2 and 3 is controlled by a means such as that illustrated in Fig. 1.

To start the machine operating, a motor bar NJ is depressed, which closes a circuit through relay H by closing switch l2. This circuit is established from the power source [3, through wire l4, armature l5, wire l6, relay ii, wire [1, switch l2, wire I8, armature l9, and wire 23, back to the source of power. When this circuit is closed, the relay I attracts its armature against the power of a spring 2| connected thereto. Mounted on the armature I5 is a ratchet pawl 22 coacting with a ratchet 'wheel 23 secured on value.

a shaft 24U. When the armature I5 is lowered upon energization of the relay II, the ratchet pawl drops behind an advance tooth of the ratchet wheel preparatory to rotating the latter.

Lowering of the armature l5 breaks the circuit just described at the contact 25, thus deenergizing the relay H and permitting the spring 2i to restore the armature IE to its original position, shown in Fig. 1, which movement again closes the circuit through relay ll, provided the circuit is not opened by movement of the armature I 9. Thus the shaft 24U is moved step by step by the armature l5 and the ratchet device 22 23,

each step of movement of the shaft 24U equaling a one-twentieth rotation thereof.

As pointed out above, the step-by-step rotation of the shaft 24U continues until the circuit through the relay II is opened by movement of the armature I9, which is normally held in the position shown by a spring 26. The circuit through relay II is opened by energizing relay 21, which attracts the armature 19 to open the above circuit at the point 28, When the relay H is deenergized, the shaft 24U comes to rest.

The energization of the relay 21' is controlled by the amount keys 29, each one representing a different digit, from 1 to 9, and zero. If, for example, it is desired to enter the amount 4, the corresponding key; 29 is depressed, which operates a switch blade 30 to electrically connect the terminals 3| and 32. Connected to the motor bar I0 is a switch member 33, which, upon operation of the motor bar l0, bridges the terminals 34 and 35 to connect them electrically. The switch member 33 thus closes a circuit from the source of power 36 and a contact 35, by means of wires 38, 39, and 46, terminal 3|, switch 30, terminal 32, and wire 4!. When, during the rotation of the shaft 24U, a rotor 42 thereon comes into contact with the terminal 31, a circuit through the relay 21 is completed by the rotor 42 and the wires 43 and 44. This energizes the rela 21 and attracts the armature H) to open the circuit through relay H to arrest further rotation of the shaft 24U. Thus it is apparent that the rotor 42 and the shaft 24U are arrested in a position commensurate with the value of the key depressed.

Also secured to the shaft 24U is a rotor 45U, which wipes over and makes contact with terminals 46 as the shaft 24U is rotated step by step by relay II. In their step-by-step movement, the rotors 42 and 45U simultaneously contact terminals 31 and 46, respectively, of the given Thus, in the example used above, when the rotor 42 comes to rest on the 4 terminal 31. the rotor 4511 comes to rest on the 4" terminal 46. The 4 terminal 46 is connected to a terminal 41 by a wire 48U (see Figs. 2 and 3). The terminal 41 is associated with a rotatable contact member 49U connected to a type carrier mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 59. The type carrier is connected to the shaft 50 by a friction connection of any well-known kind.

Rigidly connected to the type wheel is an aligner wheel 5|U. which is contacted by the end of an armature 52U; when a relay 53U is energized, to thereby arrest the type carrier in a selected position.

The contact member 49U is electrically connected'to' one side of the relay 53U by a wire 54U, the other side being connected to ground by a wire 55U.

The relay 53U is energized to arrest the type wheel in the 4 position when the contact member 43U reaches the terminal 41, when the rotors 42 and 45U rest on the 4" terminals 31 and 46, respectively. When these conditions exist, the following circuit is closed:

The circuit is closed from the power source i3, through wire 20, armature I9, wire 56U, rotor 45U, terminal 46, wire 48U, terminal 41, rotatable contact member 49U, Wire 54U, relay 53U, and Wire 55H to ground.

Thus the armature 52U is attracted to arrest the type carrier in a position corresponding to the value of the key 29 which was depressed.

The above circuits are duplicated for each bank of keys for setting the type carriers associated with the respective banks of keys for set-' Zero. suppressing circuits The relay 53U is controlled by special circuits to arrest the type carriers either in a zero position, in which position a zero is set up to be printed, or in a blank position, depending upon the amount set up on the keyboard. Various examples will be used in the description of these circuits, the first example being an operation in which all the zero keys 29 are depressed. In this example, the type carriers will all be arrested in their blank positions, so that nothing will be printed. 1

When a zero key 29 is depressed in each of the key banks, the rotors 45U, 45T, 45H, and 45TH are arrested in the zero positions, in which they are illustrated in Fig. 2. The shafts 24'1, 24H,

and 24TH haverotors T, 65H, and 65TH, respectively, secured thereto. These rotors are so located on their respective shafts that they engage contacts 66T, 66H, and 66TH, respectively, when the shafts are arrested in zero positions as illustrated in Fig. 2. When this condition occurs, and when the relay 21 (Fig. 1) is energized to rock its armature IS, the circuit for arresting the units type carrier is as follows:

From the source of power l3, wire 20, armature l9, wire 56U, rotor 45U, wire 61, rotor 6ST, con tact 66T, wire 68, rotor 65H, contact 66H, wire 69, rotor 65TH, contact 66TH, wire 10, to the contact B for the units order type carrier, rotatable contact member 49U, wire 54U, relay 53U, and wire 55U to ground.

Thus, when the contact member 49U. in the units order engages the B contact, the armature 52U is attracted by the relay 53U to arres the type carrier in the blank position.

The tens wheel is arrested in the blank position in a similar manner. Secured to shaft 24H is a rotor 15H, and secured to the shaft 24TH is a rotor 15TH. When zeros are set on the hundreds and thousands order key banks, the rotor 15H isarrested when in engagement with a contact 16H, and the rotor 15TH is arrested when in engagement with a contact 16TH. When the condition exists, a circuit is closed through the relay 53T of the tens bank to arrest the tens 'type carrier in the blank position.

The circuit through the relay 53T will be completed from rotor 45T, through wire 11, rotor 15H .'contact 16H, wire '19, rotor 15TH, contact 16TH, wire 86, contact B in the tens order, contact member 4ST, wire 54T, relay53T, and wire 5.5T, to ground. Thus the tens type carrier is arrested in the blank position.

The-hundreds order :type carrier-is also set in a blank position by a :similar means. The rotor ASHin thehun'dreds order is connected toa rotor 385TH secured to shaft 24TH. When zeros are set .on the keyboard in the example assumed, the circuit is :closed from rotor 45H, through wire :8l,1rotor185TH,.contact 86TH, wire "08, B con- .tactiin the hundreds order, contact member 49H, wire 54H, relay"5 3H, and wire 55H to ground.

The rotor 45TH: in the thousands order is connected directly to the B 'contact'in the thousands order by a wire 89, so that, where the capacity of the machine is'lim'ited to four'banks, :ablank is printed in the thousands order, when :no digit 1 to '9 is set up on'the thousands order key bank.

The next example assumed in describing the zero suppressing circuits is one in which a digit is set up in the tens order key bank; for example, ""40. In this example, the shaft 2 1T will be arrested when the rotor 4ST reaches the fourth position; that is, the contactindicated by 40 inFig. 2. When the shaft 2 1T reaches this position, the rotor '65T is in a corresponding position, in which position it will be in engagement with a contact ring SOT, and therefore the connection with the contact 6ST will be opened. For this reason, the rotor 45U will no longer be in circuit with the B contact associated with the units order type carrier. On the other'hand, the rotor U is connected in circuit with the 0 contact associated with the units type carrier, sothat a zero is presented to the printing line in the units order. The circuit for obtaining this result is from the rotor 45U, through wire 61, i

position, since the rotor 45H remains in the zero position shown in Fig. 2. In this order, the rotor 45H is connected to a rotor 85TH by wire 81. and the rctor 85TH is connected tothe B contact in the hundreds order by contact 86TH and wire 88.

The fthousandsiorder rotor 45TH is connected direct to the B contact associated with the thousands type carrier by wire 89 in the manner explained above.

The next example assumed is one in which 400 is set up on the keyboard. In this example, the circuit to the B contact, associated with the units order type carrier, is broken when the hundreds rotor 55H is moved to the fourth position, wherein this rotor contacts ring 90H. The ring :QQH is connected to wire 92 by a wire '93. Therefore, during the assumed operation, the typecarrer in the units order is arrested in the 0 position by a circuit from the rotor 45U, wire vbl, rotor 5.5T, wire 6'8, rotor 65H, ring 90H, wires 93'and'92, 0 contact in the units order, contact member 48U,"wire 5417, relay ESU, wire 55U, to ground.

When'the rotor 45H in the hundreds order is arrested in the 4 position, a rotor H, connected to shaft 24H, is arrested-in a corresponding position, thus bringing the rotor 55H into contact with a ring IUOH. The ring HIGH is connected to the 00 contact associated with the Cal tens order type carrier by wires HH and I02. Therefore, in the'example assumedthat is, setting up 400 on the keyboardthe tens type wheel is arrested in the zero position by a circuit from the rotor '45T, wire '11, rotor 15H, ring 500B, wires 110i and H32, 00 contact associated with the tens type carrier, contact member "4.9T, wire MT, relay 533T, wire 55T, to ground.

The hundreds type carrier is arrested in the 4 position by the circuit established by rotor H, through contact 400, wire 48H, contact 400 associated'with'the hundreds type carrier, contact "member 48H, wire 54H, relay 53H, wire 55H, to ground.

The thousands order type wheel is arrested in the blank position in the same manner as that described before, through wire 83 and relay 53TH.

Another example assumed in describing the circuit is one in which 4000 is set on the keyboard. The shaft 24TH has an additional rotor 85TH secured thereon. When the amount 4000 is set up on the keyboard, the three rotors TH, 15TH, and TH are arrested in the position corresponding to the position of the rotor 45TH, which at this time is resting on the contact 4000. This setting of the rotors breaks the circuit from rotor 45U to the B contact associated with the units type carrier at the point 66TH and connects the 0 contact associated with the iuiits type carrier to the rotor 45U through ring TH and wire 92. The 0 contact associated with the tens order type carrier is connected to the rotor 4ST through ring HJQTH and wire I532. The 0 contact associated with the hundreds order type carrier is connected to the rotor 55H through ring I IDTH and wire l I. The type wheel in the thousands order is arrested in the 4 position by a circuit established through rotor 45TH. contact 4000. wire 48TH. contact member 49TH, wire 54TH, relay 53TH, wire 55TH. and ground.

From the above description it becomes clear that the zero key of each bank of keys normally controls the setting of the type carrier associated therewith to be arrested in a blank position, and t at this control is modified to set up a zero when a digit other han zero is set up on. any higher order type carrier. This result is obtained by routine: the current from the lower order control units to blank setting control, through a distrihutor associated with each higher order, which distributors are connected in series. and when any one of the d stributors of the series is moved out of zero position. the current is routed through another route to control setting of a zero in said lower order. Certain wires have been omitted for simplicity in the illustration.

Modified form A modified form of zero-suppressing means is-illustratcd in Fig. In this'form, the digits 1 to 9 are set up in the same manner as that described abo e; that is, the circuits 4871, 4ST, BE, and 18TH are connected to the type carrier arresting means-in a lik manner.

'In the modified form, the arresting of the type carriers in the blank or zero positions is controlled by a system of relay-operated switches, which switches route the current from the distributor rotors 45H, 415T, 45H, and 45TH to the type carrier arresting relays 53U, 5.3T, 531-1, and 53TH, respectively. These relay-operated switches are provided in lieu of the series of distributors shown in Fig. 2. The control connected in series.

over the energization of the relays shown in the modified form is such that, if all the relays of higher denomination than a particular order are energized, the type carrier of the said particular order will be arrested in its blank position. If less than all of said higher order relays are energized, the type carrier in said particular order will be arrested in its zero position.

In the illustrative application of the invention, four denominational orders are shown. In this application, three relays I20T, I20H, and IZGTH are provided, one associated with the tens bank of keys, one associated with the hundreds bank of keys, and one associated with the thousands bank of keys.

Units order type carrier setting control v The control for setting the units type carrier includes two sets of three switches, one set being connected in parallel and the other set being The set of switches which are connected in parallel control the type carrier so that it is arrested in zero position, and the set of switches which are connected in series control the type carrier so that it is arrested in its blank position. The zero controlling switches are closedwhen the relays are deenergized, and the blank controlling switches are open when the relays are deenergized. The energization of each one of the three relays opens one switch of each set and closes one switch of the other set. Therefore, to prevent a zero from being set up for printing in the units order, all three relays must be energized to open the three switches connected in parallel and to close the three switches connected in series. Each relay is energized only when a zero is set up in the key bank associated therewith. Therefore, if any one of the three relays is not energized due to a digit 1 to 9 being set up on one or more of the orders higherthan the units order, a zero will be set up by the units order type carrier.

The means for obtaining the above results includes switches IZI, I22, and I23, which are connected to armatures I24, I25, and I26, respectively, in such relationship thereto that the switches I 2I I 22, and I23 are all closed when the relays are deenergized. Also, these three switches are connected in parallel with each other and are in series with the contact cooperable with the rotor 4513 and the 0. con tact cooperable with the contact member 49U. A wire I21 is connected to one side of each of the three switches I2I, I22, and I23 by leads I28, I 29, and I30, respectively, and to the zero contact of the units order rotor 45D. The other sides of the said switches ar connected to a wire I3I by leads I32, I33, and I34, respectively. The wire I 3! connects the switches to the "0 contact in the type carrier arresting distributor.

Also operated by the armatures of the relays I201, IZBH, and IZOTI-I are switches I4I, I42, and I43, respectively, which switches are open when the respective relays are deenergized and are closed when said relays are energized. The three switches I4I, I42, and I43 are connected to each other in series by Wires I44 and I45, and one side of switch I43 is connected to the B contact of the type carrier arresting distributor by a wire I45. Also, one side of the switch MI is connected to the 0 contact cooperable with the rotor 45U by the leads I28 and I21.

When the three relays I 20T, IZIJH, and I2IJTH are all energized, which occurs when a zero key 29 is set in the three higher order banks of keys, the three relays I2llT, IZOH, and I20TH are energized to open switches I2I, I22, and I23 and to close switches I4I, I42, and I43. Thi interrupts the circuit from rotor 45U to the 0 contact in the type arresting distributor and closes a circuit from said rotor 45U to the B contact in said type arresting distributor. The last-named circuit is from the rotor 4513, through wires I21 and I28, switch I, wire I44, switch I42, wire I45, switch I43, wire I46, B" contact, contact member 4913, wire 45U, relay 53U, wire 55U to ground. This energizes the relay 53U when the blank position of the units type carrier is in the printing position. Thus, when all the relays IZIIT, IZOH, and IZOTI-I are energized upon depression of zero keys 29 in the three higherorder banks of the keyboard, and a zero key is depressed in the units bank, no zero will be setup for printing in the units order.

However, if one or more of the relays I T, IZIlH, or I20TH are not energized, because a digit 1 to 9 is set up on the keyboard, then at least one switch I2I, I22, or I23 will be held closed and at least one switch I4I, I42, or I43 will be held open, and then the circuit to the "0 contact will remain closed and the circuit to the B contact is opened, and the setting of a 0 on theunits type carrier will result.

In the latter case, a circuit will be closed-from the rotor 45U, through wire I 21 to whichever switch I2I, I22, or I23 remains closed, thence through wire I3I to the 0 contact, contact member 49U, wire 54U, relay 53U, wire U, to ground. This circuit will energize the relay 53U at the proper time to arrestthe type carrier in the units order in the zero position.

Thus, when a digit is set up on the higher order key banks, a zero will be set up on the units order type carrier, and when no digit is set up on the higher order key banks, a blank will be set up on the units order type carrier.

Tens order type carrier setting controls The tensorder type carrier is controlled for zero printing in the same manner as described for controlling the setting of the units order type carrier, except that, in the case of the tens order, there are only two controlling switches in each of the two sets of switches instead of three. This is due to the fact that there are only two higher orders disclosed herein.

The controls for setting the tens order type carrier include switches I52 and I53 connected in parallel, the switch I52 being opened under control of the relay I25I-I in the hundreds order, and the switch I53 being opened under control of the relay IZGTH in the thousands order, respectively. If neither of these two higher order relays is energized,'the switches I52 and I53 remain closed, with the result that a circuit is closed by rotor 4.5T through wires I54 and I55, switches I52 and I53, wire I55, 0 contact in the tens type carrier control distributor, contact member 49T, lead 54T, relay 53T, wire 551 to ground. Energization of the relay'53T when'the opened, and'therefore the circuit from the rotor 451. to the contact in the tens type carrier setting control distributor is opened. Energization of both relays I20I-I and [20TH closes two switches I62 and I63, respectively. Closing these latter two switches closes a circuit between the rotor MT and the 13 contact inthe tens order type carrier control distributor. This circuit is from the rotor 15T, wires I54 and I55, switch I62, wire I64, switch I63, wire I65, B contact in the tens type carrier control distributor, contact member 9T, wire 54T, relay 53T, wire 551 to ground. Thus, when both relays IZOI-L and I20TH are energized, and when. the rotor 45T is on the 0 contact, the relay 5ST will arrest the type carrier in the tens order in the blank position. Thusablank is set up in the tens order whenever zeros are set in the tens, hundreds, and thousandsorders.

Hundreds order type carrier setting control The hundreds order type carrier is controlled for zero printing in a similar manner under contro1 or" a single relay I20TH in the thousands order. When the relay I-ZGTH is not energized that is, when a digit 1' to 9 is set up in the thousands order key banka switch I12 will remain closed. In this event, a zerois set up on the hundreds order type carrier if the rotor 45H is stopped at zero, and a circuit is closed to the relay 53H. This circuit. is from the rotor 45T, through wires I13 and [14, switch I12, wire I15. to the 000 contact in the hundreds order type carrier control distributor, wire 54H, relay 53H, and wire 55Hto ground.

When a zero is set up in the thousands order key. bank, the relay I20TH is energized by a circuit from the rotor 45TH, wires I16, I11, relay |20TH, and wire I18 to ground. Energization of the .relay IZHTH attracts the armature I26 to open switch I12 and close a switch I82. When this occurs, a circuit is closed between the rotor 451-1 and the B contact in the hundreds order type carrier control distributor. This circuit is from the rotor 45H, wires I13, I14, switch I82, wire I83, 13' contact in the hundreds order type carrier control distributor, contact member 49H, wire 54H, relay 53H, wire 55H to ground.

Thousands order type carrier setting control The type carrier in the thousandsorder is adjusted in the same manner as in the case of thefirst form described above; that is, the 0000" contact is, connected to the B contact in the type carrier setting control distributor directly through wires 89and I15, and the digits are set. up through the wires 56TH. No zero is set up in this order, as illustrated herein, because it is th highest order disclosed.

Thus, by controlling the energization of the relays I261, I20H, and |20TH from the keys on the keyboard, zeros are printed only when necessary, and the zeros are suppressed when they are unnecessary to record data.

While the form of the invention 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 form or embodiments 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:

1. In a zero-suppressing mechanism, the combination of type carriers for setting digits zero and 1 to 9 and blank; means to rotate the type carriers; a separate electromagnetic means associated with each type carrier; an arresting means operatedby each electromagnetic means to arrest an associated type carrier in a selected position; contacts representing digits from zero, 1 to 9, and blank connectable to each electromagnetic means; a differential means associated with eachtype carrier each having contacts representing digits from 0 to 9; a circuit between-the zero contact of each differential means and the zero contact associated with each electromagnetic means, said last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in paralleland operable under contro1 of the differential means of next higher order; and a circuit between the zero contact of each differential means and the blank contact associated with each electromagnetic means, the last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in series and operable under control of the differential means of higher order, said sets. of switches being operable to close a circuit. through an electromagnetic means to arrest type carriers in zero only when one higher order differential means is set to represent a digit 1 to 9, and to selectively arrest the type carriers in blank position when-all'higher. order differential means are set to represent zeros.

2. In a zero-suppressing mechanism, the combination. of type carriers for setting digits zero and. l to 9 and blank; means tov rotate the type carriers; a separate electromagnetic means associatedwith each type carrier; an arrestingmeans operated by eachelectromagnetic means to arrest an associated type carrier in aselectedposition; contacts representing digits from zero, 1 to 9, and blank connectable to each electromagnetic means; a diiferential means associated with each type carrier each having contacts representing digits from 0 009; a circuit between the zero contact of each differential means and the zero contact associated with each electromagnetic means, said last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in parallel and operable under control of the differential means of next higher order; and a circuit between the zero contact of each difierential means andthe blank contact associated with eachelectromagnetic means,.the last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in series and operable under'control of the differential means of higher order, said sets of switches being operable to close a circuit through an electromagnetic means to arrest the type carriers in zero only when one higher order'differential means is set to represent a digit 1 to 9; and to selectively arrest the type carriers in blank. position when all higher order differential means are set to represent zeros, said sets of switches so connected in sets that when a switch of one set is closed a switch of the other set is opened in each digit order, so that when one switch of the set arranged in series is open said circuit is open, and when one switch of the switches arranged in parallel is opened when said circuit remains closed.

3. In a zero-suppressing mechanism, the combination of type carriers for setting digits zero and 1 to 9 and blank; means to rotate the type carriers; a separate electromagnetic means associated with each type carrier; an arresting means operated by each electromagnetic means to arrest an associated type carrier in a selected position; contacts representin digits from zero 1 to 9, and blank connected to each electromagnetic means; a differential means associated with each type carrier each having contacts representing digits from 0 to 9; a circuit between the zero contact of each difierential means and the zero contact associated with each electromagnetic means, said last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in parallel and operable under control of the differential means of next higher order; a circuit between the zero contact of each difierential means and the blank contact associated with each electromagnetic means, the last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in series and operable under control of the differential means of higher order, said sets of switches being operable to close a circuit through an electromagnetic means to arrest type carriers in zero only when one higherorder difierential means is set to represent a digit 1 to 9, and to selectively arrest the type carriers in blank position when all higher order difierential means are set to represent zeros, said sets of switches so connected in sets that when a switch of one set is closed a switch of the other set is opened in each digit order, so that when one switch of the set arranged in series is open said circuit is open, and when one switch of the switches arranged in parallel is opened said. circuit remains closed; and electromagnetic means to control the operation of the sets of switches, one electromagnetic means provided for each order higher than the units order.

, 4. In azero-suppressing mechanism, the com. bination of type carriers for setting digits zero and 1, to 9 and blank; means to rotate the type carriers; a separate electromagnetic means associated with each type carrier; an arresting means operated by each electromagnetic means to arrest an associated type carrier in a selected position; contacts representing digits from zero; 1 to 9, and blank connectable to each electromagnetic means; a difierential means associated with each type carrier each having contacts representing digits from 0 to 9; a circuit between the zero contact of each differential means and the zero contact associated with each electromagnetic means, said last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in parallel and operable under control of they differential means of next higher order; a circuitbetween the zero contact of each differential means and the blank contact associated with each electromagnetic means, the last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in series and operable under control of the differentiaimeans. of higher order, said sets of switches being operable to close a circuit through an electromagnetic means to arrest type carriers in zero only when one higher order differential means is set to represent a digit 1 to 9, and to selectively arrest the type carriers in blank position when all higher order differential means are set to represent zeros, said sets of switches so connected in sets that when a switch of one set is closed a switch ofthe other set is opened in each digit order, so that when one switch of the set arranged in series is open said circuit is open, and when one switch of the switches arranged in parallel is opened said circuit remains closed; electromagnetic means in each order higher than the units order; and con nections operated by each electromagnetic means to operate a pair of switches in each circuit connected with each type carrier arresting means of next higher order.

5. In a zero-suppressing mechanism, the combination of type carriers for setting digits zero and 1 to 9 and blank; means to rotate the type carriers; a separate electromagnetic means associated with each type carrier; an arresting means operated by each electromagnetic means to arrest an associated type carrier in a selected position; contacts representing digits from zero, 1 to 9, and blank connectable to each elec tromagnetic means; a differential means associated with each type carrier each having contacts representing digits from 0 to 9; acircuit between the zero contact of each differential means and the zero contact associated with each electromagnetic means, said last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in parallel and operable under control of the difierential means of next higher order; a circuit between the zero contact of each difierential means and the blank contact associated with each electromagnetic means, the last-named circuit including a set of switches arranged in series and operable under control of the difierential means of higher order, said sets of switches being operable to close a circuit through an electromagnetic means to arrest type carriers in zero only when one higher order differential means is set to represent a digit "1 to 9," and to selectively arrest the type carriers in blank position when all higher order differential means are set to represent zeros, said sets of switches so connected in sets that when a switch of one set is closeda switch of the other set is opened in each digit order, so that when one switch of the set arranged in series is open said circuit is open, and when one switch of the switches arranged in parallel is opened said circuit remains closed, said sets of switches being of the rotor type and each switch having a stationary contact and a wiping rotor cooperable with the stationary contact; and connections between the difierential means and the rotors to operate each difierential means and its associated switch rotor in synchronism. 7

ROBERT S. GOEBEL.

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