US2351405A - Toll checking system - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1944. B. COOPER 2,351,405

TOLL CHECKING SYS TEM Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f 1 \Q \\OZIN I o I 6 d I ATTORNEY INVENTOR. BENJA M/N COOPER June 13,. 1944. COOPER 2,351,405

TOLL CHECKING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BENJAM/N COOPER F15- 2 ATTORNE).

June 13, 1944. B, COOPER TOLL CHECKING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 22 w zz V 9 ll/III/l/l/l/f/J IN VEN TOR. HEM/A Ml/V COOPER.

A 7'7'ORNEK Patented June 13, 1944,

UNITED STATES PATENT omce I I roucnl ifzzrm t gsrsrnn I I v Cooper, Jersey City. N. J. Application August 3, 1940, No. 350,261 6 Claims. (Cl. 235- 92) This invention relates to toll checking systems.

The toll roads, bridges and tunnels of today are usually provided with'a number of traflic lanes spreading out fanwise at the tollcollection point. These lanes lead to a number of collection booths where the collectors are stationed. In many instances, several of these lanes are closed during the periods of little motor traffic and reopenedwhen trailic again becomes heavy. Du'ring'those hours when some of the lanes are closed, the counting registers are left unguarded making it depressed push .button, or switch previously depressed button. In registers the switch actuated by the push button and held actuated by the shift bar operates a classification indicator to show the .type of vehicle last passing the toll station.

a simple matter for any one-.toman'ipi'ilate or 7 tamper with the registers so. that false counts are registered thereby.

It is, therefor, an-object of' this invention to provide in a counting'register means for locking said register so that none of the buttons in f said register may be depressed.,

.In closing oi! some of. the in some instances where parking-inane provided actuated by said the case of toll means, usually When'traflc is diverted from a particular lane and the register used in that lane is locked, this classification will still be .shown on the indicator. Quite often a master switch is provided in toll checking systems to disconnect the system from a source of electrical energy. In such cases the v classification indicator would be extinguished.

1 with toll checking equipment, 1are c losed, the.

authorities often .desire a recordft'o be made of the time when certain traiiic lanes were shut off,

or when parking fields were closed; a record when they were again put into operation, as well as a record of the vehicle count during the periods of such operation.

It is, therefor, another object of ,this invention to provide in a register of the character described means for printing a record of the time and the vehicle count each time the register is locked and again when unlocked.

The practice today, in closing traiiic lanes or parking fields, is to place barriers across the roadway barring the motorist fromthe particular trafiic lane or parking field. This practice does not give the motorist much chance to maneuver his car before coming to the barrier. This last minute maneuvering of the motorist heat into an open trafllc lane often leads to accidents. It would greatly aid the motorist were there some visual signal, such as a light, on top ofthe collection booth to indicate a particular booth and trafilc lane open for toll collections.

It is, therefor, still a further object of this invention to provide in a register of the character described means for automatically actuating a signal in a lane upon unlocking the register for the lane, and automatically turning ofl the signal when said register is again locked.

Registers in use today are ofvarious types, the most common of which is the shift bar type. This type of register uses a shiftbarto actuate means for holding a depressed push button, or a switch actuated thereby, and 'for releasing a'previously designates a device embodying the invention,

.0 obvious and in part be releasing. the last 'However, when the master switch is againclosed to make the system operative, thev classification last shown would .still another object of this invention to provide in -,a register of the character described means for I v depressed push button and/or switchactuatedlby said button, when said device is locked.

again be flashed. It is therefor Yet another object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged, and compact device of the characterdescribed, which shall befeasy to operate, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, positive in action, which shall have a large variety of practical and eiilcient to applications, and yetbe a high-degree inuse. r Other objects of-this invention will in part be hereinafter pointed out.

This invention'accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements. and arrangement of parts which will be-exemplifled in the, construction hereinafter described. and of which the scope of this application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig.1 is a rear elevational view of a device em- Wins the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 isa side view the line 4-4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 4

I showing the action of the push button upon being nection of the device in a toll checking system;

FigJI is a front elevational view of a detail. Referring now in detail to the-drawings, ll

of a device embodying the invention with portions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along 1 The device comprises a frame having a base I3 and a front wall I: extending upwardly therefrom. Extending rearwardly from the front wall i2 is the shoulder |2a bearing the removable cover l3a.

Projecting rearwardly from the front wall I2 is a vertical wall i1, Fig. 4, provided with a vertical row of equally'spaced, horizontal, circular, recessed openings I8. Wall I1 is also formed with longitudinal openings 29 concentric and registering with the openings l8. Within each recessed opening I8 is a skirted portion l9 extending forwardly concentric with the opening 29. One side of the rear end of wall I1 is formed with a vertical notch 20a for the purposes hereinafter appearing. Extending rearwardly from wall I: are two pairs of aligned bosses |4 disposed on the other side of wall l1 for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

Disposed within the openings |8 are the push buttons 2|, 2|a, 2|b, etc., comprising plunger rods 22 and caps 23. Plunger rods 22 are disposed in the openings 29 and are connected to the caps 23 by means of collars 2-4 on said rods keyed to said caps as at 25. Within each recess opening l8 and about the portion l9 and rod 20 is a coil compression spring 26 one end of which contacts the bottom of recess l8 and the other end of which presses against a washer within the collar 24. Fixed to the rear end of each rod 20 is a contact piece 21 having the diametrically disposed, outward extending tongues 28 and 29.

Affixed to the side of wall l1, opposite to the side on which bosses H are located, as by screws 43, is a plate 44, perpendicular to the front wall l2. Fixed to plate 44 are pairs of switches 45, each comprising the normally open spring fin ers 45a and 45b. There is one pair of switches for each push button in alignment with each of the openings l8. Means is provided for maintaining the pairs of switches open and to permit the switches associated with eachpush button to close when said push button is depressed.

To this end there is affixed' to surface 29b of notch 20a in the wall l1, as by screws 30, a plate 3|, perpendicular to front wall l2, and provided with a plurality of pairs of horizontally aligned screw threaded openings to which there are screwed headed studs 32. As shown in the drawings a pair of studs is disposed adjacent each switch 45. Plate 3| is also provided with the slotted openings 35 in alignment with said studs 32. Slidably mounted on each pair of studs 32 is a plate member 34, having slotted openings 33a and 33b to receive said studs. A portion of opening 33a overlaps a portion of opening 35 in said plate 3|. Received within the openings thus provided through plate 3| and members 34 are tongues 29 of the contact pieces 21, for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

For purposes hereinafter described, each of the members 34 is provided with a dog 42, Fig. 2, having a vertical edge 42a and an inclined edge 42b. Fixed to an end of each of the members 34 and at perpendicular to the face thereof are two opposed laterally extending flanges 36 joined by rod 31. Rotatably mounted on said rod are insulated rollers 38. Afilxed to the members 34 as Y by anchors 39, are coil tension springs 4!! connecting said members to pins 4| on fixed plate 3 I.

Insulated rollers 38 are adapted to push back the spring fingers 451) when member 34 is in its normal position.

Upon pressing the plunger, r011- ers 38 move away from fingers 45b permitting will permit spring 40 to retract member 34 to normal switch opening position.

Pivoted to plate 3|, Fig. 2, as by screws 46, are links 41 and 41a parallel thereto. Said links have pivoted at their rear ends, by screws 48, a shift bar 49 adapted to be moved parallel to the front wall l2. Amxed to the upper end of plate 3|, as by screws 50, is a bracket 5|. To the outer end of said bracket is fixed the-coil tension spring 52, which is connected at its other end to link 41a, as at 53; said spring urging said link to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) thereby tending to move shift bar 49 in an upward direction. Afiixed to shift bar 49 and perpendicular to the face thereof are a plurality of aligned pins 54 abutting the inclined edges 42b of each of the dogs 42, limiting the upward movement of shift bar 49.

Pressing one of the push buttons 2|, 2|a, etc. will move rod 22 rearwardly against the action of spring 26 (Figs. 4 and 5). Tongue 29 engaging with opening 331) of member 34 will slide the said member rearwardly against the action of the spring 40. In moving member 34, the inclined edge 42b of the shoulder 42 will slide over pin 54, moving the shift bar downwardly against the action of spring 52. When pin 54 clears the edge 42b, spring 52 will move the shift bar upwardly, and'the pin then engages the surface 42a of the dog 42. The release of pressure from the push button will allow the push button to return to its initial position. Member 34 will be retained in its rearmost position by pin 54 abutting the edge 42a of dog 42. The rearward movement of member 34 has carried with it the insulated roller 38, allowing the switches 45 to close.

To again open the switches 45, member 34 must be returned to its initial position. By pressing any one of the other push buttons, the shift bar 49 will be moved as hereinbefore set forth. When pin 54 clears the edge 42a of dog 42, spring 40 will return the previously held member 34 to its initial nected by spacer rods 68 and 69.

switches 45 to close. Release of the push button 7 position, thereby causing the rollers 38 to contact the spring finger. Meanwhile, another member 34 is held by the shift bar, and another pair of switches 45 is allowed to close.

Mounted on the bosses H, as by screws 56, is a flat plate 51, parallel with the front wall l2. Mounted on plate 51, as by screws 58, are a plurality of U-shaped members 59 aligned with the openings I8, each having parallel horizontal walls 60 and a vertical wall 6 I, about one half the length of the side walls. Fixed to the vertical wall 6| of each U-shaped member are a pair of switches 62, comprising the normally biased to closed position insulated spring fingers 62a and 62?), but maintained open when the device is not in operation, in the manner hereinafter appearing.

Means is provided to permit an open switch 62 to close when its push button is pressed, and to open again when pressure is releasedfrom said push button allowing said push button to return to its initial position.

To this end, there are afiixed to the inner surfaces of the horizontal walls 69 of the U-shaped members 59, parallel plates 63 having edges 64. The edges 64 of said plates are cut away to form recessed edges 65. A shaft 66a is mounted through said plates 63 and the horizontal walls 60. To the outer surfaces of horizontal walls 69 and near the edges thereof arestud pins 66.

,Rotatably mounted on said stud pins is a toggle unit A, comprising a pair of aligned bell cranks 61, having arms 61a and 61b, and being intercon- Rotatably mounted on spacer rod 69 are two insulated rollcontact the spring fingers holding the spring fingers 88; is a cam member 82 tending portion 88 provided with a bearing open- Rotatably mounted about stud pins II is atoslle unit B, comprising a pair of aligned bell cranks 12' having arms 12a and 12b, and being intercom.

nected by means of spacer rods 13 and I8. Rod 18 is connected to rod 88 by a coil tension spring 15. Rods I8 and 88a are interconnected by a coil tension spring mounted on shaft 681: carried by arm 12a. Roller 18a is contacted by the tongue 28. Pressing a push button will thus rotate unit B in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 4.

Toggle unit A is limited in its clockwise rotation about pin 86 by stops 18 at the rear edges of horizontal walls 58; and in itscounter-clockwise direction by stops 88 at the rear edges of horizontal walls 88. its clockwise rotation about pins 1| edges 88 of the plates 58, and in its counterclockwise direction by the recessed'edges 85 of.

Plates 88.

By rotating toggle unit B in acounter-clockwise direction, spring I isrotated in a counterclockwise direction about the rod 58. When spring 15 passes beyond a line. interconnecting rods 88 and I8, a pulling force will be exerted on toggle unit A urging it to rotate in a clockwise will be direction. The rotation of toggle unit A halted when arms 61b engage the stops 18., The

rotation of toggle unit B arms 12b engage the edges85 of plates 58.

Upon releasing pressure from the push button 2I, push button I8. A roller 18a is'rotatably will be stopped when the contact pieces 21.

gle unit B is limited in by the rear ister with the contact pieces 21. v -Mean's'is further provided to release the last member 88 held by the action of the shift bar 7 this end there is afllxed'to the 2 I 'will return to initial position.

Spring 18 exerts a downward pull ontoggl'e unit B, rotating the same in a clockwise direction 88 of plates. Spring 15 will berotated by toggle unit B in a clockwisedirectionabout rod 88. When spring 15 passes beyond ali ne'inter Afllxed through the front wall I2, and near bas I8, is a lock cylinder I6, extending beyond the rear surface of said front wall.

Means is provided to prevent the depression of any of the push buttons upon rotation of the lock cylinder. To this end there is slidably mounted ,on the plate 8|, and parallel thereto, a locking bar 85 slidably mounted in the guides 81 afllxed to the said plate by screws 81a. Locking bar 85 is pro vided with a plurality of tongued portions 85a extending therefrom and spaced thereon so that each of the said portions engages a contact piece 21 when the bar is in its locked position. The locking bar is adapted to be shifted upwardly (Figs. 2 and 3) so that the tongued portions 854: will not limit the passage of the contact pieces 21, or pressing of the push buttons.

Pivoted at the lower end of locking bar 85 is a lever 88, having arms 88a and 88b, and pivoted to until arms 12a again contact'the upper edgesclockwise direction from Cam member 82 is also and soplaced as to engage arm to plate II by screw 88. Arm 88b of said lever has at its outer end. the bearing opening 88.

Mounted on the rotatable barrel I8 as by screw having an upward excam member 82 in a clockwise direction through an-angle of 80 degrees (Fig. 1). Link II will be pulled downwardly, rotating lever 88 about its pivot 88 in aclockwise direction. Lever 88 will in turn shift the locking bar 85 upwardly so that the tongued-portions 85a no longer register with The device is now in an operating condition and any of the push buttons may be depressedv to actuate the. respective switches.

To lock the device, the cylinder I8 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction rotating the cam member 82' back to its initial position. Lever 88 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by link 8|, thereby shiftingthe locking bar 85 downwardly so that tongued portions 85a again regautomatically upon locking the device. To

lower end of shift to the face thereof 88a of lever 88. In locking'the device, the rotation of lever 88 bar 88, 'apin 8 I a, perpendicular ,willengage the pin Ma and carry the shift bar 88 with it in a downward direction, against the 2 action of the spring 52. Pin 58 on said shift bar willjthen'release the dog 82 of the last held memher-88 I allowing said member to return to its initial position. In unlocking the device, lever as will permit the shift bar to return to its operating position by the action of its spring 52.

Fixed to the ,rear surface of front wall I2, as byscrews 88, is a bracket I88. Fixed to said bracket and inalignm'ent with ylinder I8 are switches 81 and 88 comprising the normally open spring fingers 81a and 81b, and 88a and 88b, respectively.

Means is provided to close the switch 81 momentarily each time the device is locked and again'when unlocked, and to close the switch 88 and hold the same closedwhen the device is unlocked.

' To this end cam member 82 is provided with a projecting portion 85 placed 135 degrees in a the bearing opening 85. provided with a notch 8Ic'spaced 180 degrees from the said bearing opening. Pivoted to therear surface of wall I2. as at III-5a, is a lever I85 provided with an extension I85 bearing at its upper end the cam follower I81 registering with the notch 810 when cam follower I 88,

the case is locked. Lever I is also provided with a downwardly extending insulated finger I88 contacting the spring finger 81a. Cam follower I81 is held in engagement with the periphery of the cam member 82 by spring H8 connected to lever I85 ,and' to pin I88 in the rear surface of wall I2.

Pivoted to the rear surface of wall I2, as by screw 188a, is a bell crank I8I having arms Illa and I8Ib. Arm I8Ia bears and arm I8 Ib bears at its outer end the insulated button I83 contacting the spring finger 88a. Cain follower I88 is held in at its outer end the r engagement with the periphery of 'cam member 92 by action of spring I02 connected to arm Ilb' and to the rear surface of wall I2.

In unlocking the device, cam member 92 will be rotated through an angle of 90 degrees in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 1. Portion 96 will engage the cam follower I01 forcing lever I05 downwardly, closing the spring fingers 91a and 91b. As portion 96 passes beyond the cam follower I01, lever I05 will be moved upwardly by spring IIO permitting the contact of spring fingers 91a and 91b to be broken.

As cam member 92 rotates to its farthest position, cam follower I04 will drop into notch 91c. Arm IOIb will be rotated in a clockwise direction thereby disengaging button I03 from spring finger 98a permitting the same to contact the spring finger 98b.

In locking the device, cam members 92 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction thereby rotating bell crank IOI in a counter-clockwise direction. Button I03 will again contact spring finger 98a breaking the contact of the said spring finger with spring finger 98b. Portion 96 on said member will again engage the cam follower I01 rotating the lever in a counter-clockwise direction thereby closing the spring fingers 91a and 91b. Upon the return of cam member 92 to its initial position, cam follower I01will again engage notch 91c permitting switch 91 to open.

Referring now to Fig. 6, C designates an electrical circuit including electromagnetic counters M, MI, M2, and M3, there being one for each push button. Said counters have coils I25, I26, I21 and I26, respectively. One end of each of the said coils is connected to plus power supply. The other end of coil I25 is connected by wire H501 to switch arm 62b of switch 62 associated with push button 2|. Coi; I26 is connected by wire I26a to switch arm 62b of switch 62 associated with push button 2Ia. Coil I21 is connected by wire I21a to switch arm 62!) of the switch 62 associated with push button 2"). Coil I28 is connected by wire I28a to switch arm 62b of the switch 62 associated with push button 2Ic. Associated with the electromagnetic counters M, MI, M2, and M3 are aligned digit wheels D, DI, D2, and D3, said digit wheels being adapted to be advanced one digit for each impulse received by its electromagnet. The switch arms 62a of switches 62 of the device are all connected to minus power supply. I

Said circuit further includes classification indicators, such as visual signals L, LI, L2 and L3, there being one for each push button. Signal L is connected to plus power supply and by wire I30 to switch arm 45b of switch 45 associated with push button 2|. Signal LI is connected to plus power supply and by wire I3I to switch arm 45b of switch 45 associated with push button 2Ia. Signal L2 is connected to plus power supply and by wire I32 to switch arm 45?) of switch 45 associated with push button 2Ib. Signal L3 is connected to plus power supply and by wire I33 to switchrarm 45b of switch 45 associated with push button 2Ic. Switch arms 45a of said device are all connected to minus power supply.

Pressing push button 2| will close switches 45 and 62 in the manner previously described.

cuit being through switch 62, wire I250 and coil I26. Electromagnetic counter M thereby receives a pulse to advance its digit wheel one figure. The circuit for the electromagnetic counter M is again opened by switch 62 opening in the manner previously described.

By depressing another push button similar circuits will be completed for the other electromagnetic counters, and for the other classification signals. Each signal will remain actuated until another push button is depressed or when member 34 is released to return to its initial position when the device is locked in the manner heretofore described.

A second circuit CI is provided including a printing solenoid S to print against the counter wheels as in applicant's U. S. Patent No. 2,293,934, issued August 25, 1942. A timer T also is provided having time and date wheels I34 in alignment with the digit wheels D, DI, D2, and D3.

Solenoid S is provided with the coil I35, one end of which is connected to minus power supply,

. and the other end by wire I35a to switch arm 91b coil I25 of electromagnetic counter M, the cirin said device. The armature of said solenoid S is provided with a printing platen I31 contacting the digit wheels D, DI, D2 and D3, and also the time and date wheels I34. Switch arm 91a is connected to plus power supply.

In closing and opening the switch 91 in the manner hereinbefore described a circuit will be completed energizing the solenoid S. the circuit being through switch 91, wire I35a and coil I35. Platen I31 will be raised, striking the said digit wheels, paper and ribbon being interposed, in the well known manner, making a record of the time and vehicle count. Opening switch 91 will de-energize the solenoid S thereby allowing platen I31 to return to its initial position.

The circuit CI is further provided with the visual signals S and SI, the former to indicate that the devic I0 is in operation, and the latter to indicate that said device is locked and not in operation. Said signals are actuated by the switch in said device. To operate said signals there is provided an electromagnet I40 having a coil I4I, said coil being connected at one end to minus power supply, and its other end by wire I4la to switch arm 96b. Associated with said electromagnet and adapted to be moved thereby upon energization, is the movable switch arm I43. The movable switch arm normally engages the contact I44, but is adapted to be moved out oi engagement with contact I44, and into engagement with contact I45.

Contact I44 is connected by wire I44a through signal SI to plus power supply, and contact I45 isv connected by wire I45a through signal S to plus power supply. Switch arm I43 is connected to minus power supply. I

By closing switch 98 in the manner heretofore described, electromagnet I40 will be energized by the circuit through said switch, wire I Ma and coil I4I. Switch arm I43 will move out of engagement with contact I44 and into engagement with contact I45. Signal S will then be actuated, the circuit being through switch arm I43, contact I45, wire I45a. .Inopening switch 98 of the device, electromagnet I40 becomes de-energized and switch arm I43 again engages the contact I44. Signal S is then actuated by the circuit through switch arm I43, contact I44, wire I44a.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is ,well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth, or drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a frame, a plurality of pressible plungers mounted thereon, means for returning a pressed plunger to initial position, a key controlled rotary means mounted in said frame, a member mounted on said rotary means and adapted to be rotated therewith, a lever pivoted to said frame, a link, pivotally connected at one end to said member and pivotally connected at its other end to said lever, and a locking bar mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved to lock said plungers against movement, said locking bar being pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be moved into locking position upon rotation of said rotary means, a switch for each plunger, means for actuating each switch upon pressing its plunger, means to hold each actuated switch in actuated condition upon release of its plunger, means to release a switch actuated by its plunger upon pressing another plunger, and means connected to said lever to release the last actuated switch without pressing another plunger.

2. In combination, a frame, a plurality of pressible plungers mounted thereon, a switch associated with each plunger, a switch actuating member associated with each plunger and its switch mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved upon pressing its plunger to actuate its switch, means to return a pressed plunger to initial position, a shift bar mounted on said frame, means on said shift bar to hold a switch actuating member in switch actuating position after the return of its plunger to initial position and to release a switch actuating member previous ly held by subsequently pressing another plunger, a key controlled rotary member mounted in said frame, a member mounted on said rotary means and adapted to be rotated therewith, a lever pivoted to said frame, a link pivotally connected at one end to said member and pivotally connected at its other end to said lever, a locking bar mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved to lock said plungers against movement, said locking bar being pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be moved into locking position upon rotation of said rotary means, and means on said shift bar to engage said lever upon rotation thereof to release the last held switch actuating member.

3. In combination, a plurality of pressible keys, a member associated with each key and adapted to be moved thereby, upon pressing said key, a shift bar having means to engage each member moved by its key, for retaining said member in moved position, each of said members having means to shift the shift bar as said member is moved by its key to release any member previously retained in moved condition by said shift bar, a lock bar having a plurality of lock means adapted in one position of the lock bar to lie in the paths of said keys to prevent pressing of said keys, and in another position of said lock bar being clear of said keys, to permit pressing of said keys, means shown in the accompanying to move said lock-bar from clear position to locking position, and means on said lock bar moving means to shift the shift bar to release the last retained member without pressing of any key.

4. In combination, a plurality of pressible keys, means associated with each key to bias the same to normal position after said key has been pressed, a member associated with each key and adapted to be moved thereby upon pressing said key, means to urge each moved member to normal position upon movement of its key hack to normal position, shift means to engage any of said members moved by its key, for retaining said member in moved position while its key returns to normal position, each member having means to shift said shift means as said member is moved by its key, to release any other member previously retained in moved position by said shift means, to permit said member to be moved back to normal position, retain means having means, in one position thereof, to lie in the paths of said keys to retain said keys against pressing, and in another position thereof being clear of said keys to permit pressing of said keys, means to move said retaining means from clear position to retaining position, said means for moving the retaining means having means to also shift the shift means to release the last retained member without pressing of any key, whereby to permit movement of the last moved member back to its normal position and simultaneously retain all of the keys against further pressing, and means to lock said moving means in actuated position to lock said retaining means in retaining position.

5. In a key board, in combination, a plurality of pressible plungers, a switch for each plunger, means for actuating each switch upon pressing its plunger, means for returning a pressed plunger to initial position, means for retaining all of said plungers against pressing in the actuated position of said retaining means, said plungers being free of said retaining means in the normal position of said retaining means, means to actuate said retaining means, means for holding a switch actuated upon return of its plunger to initial position, means to release the last actuated switch upon pressing another plunger, means to release the last actuated switch upon operating said actuating means, and means to lock said actuating means in operative position to lock said retaining means in retaining position.

6. In a key board, in combination, a plurality of ressible plun ers. a switch associated with each plunger, a switch actuating member associated with each switch and its plunger and adapted to be moved upon pressing its ;lunger to actuate its switch. means to return a pressed plunger to initial position, means to hold the switch actuating member in switch actuating position after the return of its plunger to initial position and to release a switch actuating member previously held in switch actuating position u on subsequently pressin another plunger, a key cylinder, a member movable by said key cylinder, means controlled by said member for looking all of said plungers against movement, and means actuable by said member when it operates said locking means to simultaneously release the last held switch actuating member.

BENJAIWIN COOPER.

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